Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-07
URBAN QUALIFICATION.
Minor Improvements Important in the
Aggregate.

There have been several minor improve
ments in this city in recent years which in
| the aggregate have had much TO do with
the Identification of the city at large"
remarked Washington artist to Star re-
porter.
81 refer to the Improvement Of the small
er triangles, circles and squares scattered
throughout the city which until within
comparatively recent date were overlooked
in favor of the larger reservations. Most OF
these vacant spaces are small, but when
unimproved stood out in unfavorable COM
parison with the larger reservations which
had received the attention of the gardener.
They have been sodded. many OF them
planted with flower beds and shrubbery and
encircled with cement coping. Some have
had large ornamental urns filled with
towering plants placed in the center.
The ornamental urn is one OF the most
artistic adornments which may be placed in
public or private grounds. Although there
are number in this city, perhaps the two
most noticeable are the large bronze urns
In the east and west centers of Lafayette
Square. These of sufficient size to hold
graceful palms and ferns and at once at
tract the eye of all lovers Of the beautiful
in nature. And in the winter time, when
the plants are removed to the greenhouses,
the graceful outlines Of the urns them
selves are attractive features of the land
scape. The antique decorative urn from the
st Louis exposition, now to be seen at the
entrance of the propagatng gardens south
of the Washington monument, is worth In
spection by reason OF its unique design and
the beautiful bas relief figures upon its
sides.
Perhaps one of the most conspicuous OF
these minor improvements Of the waste
spaces to which 1 refer may be seen at
Pennsylvania avenue and 7th street north
west. The large space of vacant asphalt
opposite the Hancock statue on the east.
which was formerly given over to hack and
stands. improved by the making OF
q pretty little green circle, slightly sloping,
with a large urn filed with flowers in the
center. The triangles at Connecticut ave-
and NJ street and Massachusetts avenue
and 9Th street northwest are other pleasing
examples of the good work done by the man
with the hoe and the flower pot
I'm my walks the city L think that
the reservation on the south side OF Penn
sylvania avenue between It'll and 9th streets
and in front of the Center market is in the
most need of attention over the rest OF our
green breathing spaces. There have been
no improvements made in this reservation
since il first laid on. unless moving
the grass be called an Improvement,
and the same old iron fence placed around
the green space a generation ago still
stands. even If somewhat sagged in spots.
II have always considered il strange that
the man with the hoe and flower pot passed
this reservation by in his peregrnations
about town, and perhaps when the statue
which it is proposed to erect in the eastern
half is up in place this reservation will be
discovered and properly improved. Facing,
as it does. two squares upon the main thor
oughfare Of the capital, II mas been too
long neglected, and II suffers the more in
consequence of the lavish Improvement
upon the triangle opposite. the center OF
which is adorned by the equestrian statue
OF Gen. Hancock The broken fagstonea
around the fountain al 9th street and PENN
sylvana avenue might at the same time
receive attention, and they could well be
replaced with sod, and flower bed placed
in front Of the fountain to advantage