The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-08-09

the surface of the water several inches
on stout stalks. AS to fragrance some
of them resemble violets, others tea
roses and others lilies of the valley.
OF the victoria regia variety there
are four plants which were secured by
Mr.. Reinisch in St. Louis. During the
early spring he cultured them in
tank in one Of the greenhouses which
he had to keep heated artidcially most
of the time. tn csc lilies are native to
grandeSt and most wonderful of
aquatic plants. hey have gigantic
leaves, which when matured have a
diameter Of five to six and even seven
to eight feet. Several of the leaves
at the park are now over three feet
in diameter These leaves have a
turned up rim from three to five inches
high around their edges The upper
surface of the leaf is a deep, brilliant
green and the under side is a vivid
crimson and furnished with strong
veins which are cellular and filed with
air and from a regular and elegant
network. The peculiar formation of
the under surface of the leaf imparts
great buoyancy to it, rendering the
mature leaf capable of beraning con-
siderable weight, not infrequently as
much as one hundred and fifty and
two hundred pounds.
The flowers Of these lilies are not
less marvellous than the leaves. They
are most Iuxuriant, each consisting of
numerous petals passing IN alternate
t1nts from pure white to rose and
pink. When expanded a bloom meas
ures from fifteen to eighteen inches in
diameter The petals are very numer-
GUS When the bud first opens it is
white and passes by successive shades
the second day into a rosy hue and
from lively red to a crimson. The
bloom lasts a couple of days and ex-
males pleasant odor, not unlike that
of rich pineapple. Some of these lily
| blooms are in flower now. Around the
edge Of the lily pond have been plant
ed elephant ears and some other water
plants of a reed like character, looking
a good deal like stalks of corn. And
In one end of the pond is a miniature
mill house with a water mill which
runs continuously from flow of
water from the big windmill. There IS
also fountain in the center of the
pond and to the east of it is one of
the new paviHons which have been
built in the park this year. This pa
vilion is of japanese pagoda design
and IS a pretty little structure.
The Flower Beds.
South of the house in the park are
the main flower beds, although there
/ are many other flower beds scattered
/ at random throughout the place. These
| main flower beds are of formal designs
and in them is about every variety of
! the hardy flower. There is a sun dial
J
its shadows regularly with the hours
! of the day when the sun shines. There
are flower beds in the forms of stars
and crescent and many fancy designs.
on the north side of these formal
gardens is a hedge of white clematis
vines and on the south side is a terrace
! built of rocks and on the terrace is a
rustic shelter with matched roof.
I Scattered throughout these gardens are
4 all sorts of rare shrubs and diva rf
trees and the entire effect is most
! pleasing, as all the flowers are in bloom
just now.
Mr.. Reinisch has established nurs-
i cries for shrubs and trees in various
parts Of the park and these are SO set
out that the most thrifty of the trees
viii be left where they are and in time
Will form groves. A grove has also
been planted along the northwest
corner of the park and it will not be
many years before it viii be adnira Bile
as shady retreat Around the lower
/ pond is fine cinder walk shaded in
many places and on the edge Of this
4 pond there IS also a rustic hut with a
4 matched roof. In the vicinity of this
pond have been planted many rare and
beautiful trees and shrubs, some OF
them from far off countries.
Taken all in all the park is a most
attract and beautiful place and is
filed with magnificent flowers that viii
delight the sight of any one. Even a
blind person could enjoy them fol-
their odOrs. And then again there are
all sorts of conveniences at the park
for picnic parties and it would reaIl1
be hard to find a more interesting
place to spend a day.