Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-05

silver shed by little plant whose name
was not even known to the horticulturist
who placed it there, stands what might De
called the key to the general design On
either side is large diamond in which
red and yellow coleus plants blend their
rich colors in a harmonious bed of beauty.
each of which shows in the rich red of the
darker foliaged plant the figure 10 that
adorns the cap of every man in the engine
house.
Back toward the building line and
sweeping inward in a semi-circular curve
lies the artistic background of this beauti-
ful bit of Horticulture. In the center is
statue of Flora holding in her hands
white garland of flowers. f1anked on either
side with two fiourishing plants of the
elephant ear variety, and further beyond
tall Gamma plants with gorgeous red and
yellow blossoms to lend the beauty of
planted in and around this plot. as if to
hide every glimpse of Mother Earth. are
more of the pretty-leaved red and yellow
coleus plants. while forming the boundary
of the curve in the rear rises trellis ten
feet high. thickly covered with the green
leaves of the moon vine.
As picture in its entirety there is moth
ing to surpass 1t anywhere. 1t is the
pride of the ffremen, who sit hour after
hour. covering it with their protecting
added network of wire that girts the iron
railing. should perchance get in that in
closure of beauty and mar it. 1t IS the
glory of the neighborhood, and from near
and far hundreds have come during the
summer months to drink in it's beauty
and wonder at the skill of the artist that
created it. The whole system of District
parking. with it's corps of fioriculturists
and landscape gardeners. cannot match
the chaste. simple beauty of this one spot.
Planned by One Man.
1t is the work of one man who is
neither florist nor gardener by profession.
Lieut. Harry B. Barker for five years
past has made. the adornment Of this
plot of ground his special care and pride.
1t is he who designed it: he, who, from
the Department of Agriculture and the
propagating gardens gathered the plants
with which it has been made. 1t is he
who moWs the lawn once week and
waters 1t at the close of each day. and
all during his spare moments. Nature
has responded TO his overture and re-
warded his efforts with the beauty spot
that is the admiration of thousands.
To the left of the engine house doors
Lieut. Barker has another narrow stretch
of beautiful lawn. the counterpart of the
other. but not so gorgeous. Towards
the front stands a small circular plot of
tall red cannas. and along the wall to-
ward the rear runs narrow strip of
cannas while at intervals three running
rose plants Chamber on the walls.
But all this landscape beauty has re-
qured many hours of patient toll and
care. In addition to his other troubles
Lieut.. Barker had the time Of his life
this year in getting the necessary orders
from Maj. Cosby of the public buildings
and grounds department. Nothing seems
to daunt him.
He is man of tireless energy" said
Capt. II. W. Wright of No. II engine
company, his superior officer. He has
been godsend to the neighborhood. He
mended and caned their broken chairs
until had to stop him. He fixes electric
bells; he paints signs. Why, bless me,
SIR he said to The Star reporter, The
wouldn't be afraid to tackle an airship.
and / expect he will be doing that next"
But the neighbors for squares around
know Lieut.. Barker: the children know
him. and everybody is glad he Is where
he is. He is the true artist of the lawn
beautiful of Washington, and no one who
has seen it will gainsay 1t.
The Garden Useful.
Out on Park road. a short distance after
one leaves the cars of the 14th street
line, is another garden. 1t is the Garden