The Washington times., 1914-05-23


The enchanting dream for our
City Beautiful" when every block
of houses shall be transformed into
a park of homes, can become prac-
ticable only through concerted ac-
ton and organization.
To accomplish this end the
Peoples Gardens Association had
its inception. and through the aid
and inspiration of its members small
beginnings have been made in sew
eral parts OF the city-just enough
70 prove that one idea on top of an
other Is necessary, as in all en-
deavor. IL II is to roll on to COM
plete whole.
To do this work, however, through
the cooperation of the different
householders, as was planned by the
association and tried on Lamont
street last year. presents the same
problems for tact and management
of the different tastes to be con-
sidered. as the religious garden OF
Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch.
II washington Is to be transformed
from the commonplace into the clas-
sic, py treating the front lawns In
a block as a unit, rather than in
Presbyterian, Catholic, or Baptist
groups, some plan must be devised
by which all may fall in line for
the proper sort Of planting, which
will result in a harmonious park
effect.
Treated Like Lake.
A lantern-slide lecture given by
Eristow Adams, last year, at the
writer's home, emphasized the fact
that each lawn should be treated as
a lake, not so full of islands. how
ever fiowery, that no green could be
seen, but as a clear smooth sheet
of water. Shrubs and flowers should
be banked against foundations. or
IL away from them grouped in
clumps. Above all they should not
be scattered.
Again, DIR. David Rairchiti, presi-
dent of the Peoples Gardens as
sCciation. in a lawn talk on this
game street, gave a list of shrubs
and vines best suitei to the style
and architecture of the homes.
Closely a little group of the streets
Eouseholders though not alt, fol-
lowed him from lawn to lawn listening
attentivsly, as he gave out different
lists of plants suitable to the color
of the brick which must serve a.
their background.
The beroeris thunbergi was advo-
Gated as especially desirable for
Inassing against the foundations. IN
front Of these the German iris might
be planted, yellow for the brown
1rtn To- I.sr 10 a,A
white fer the red. and in front Of
the iris, the dwarf variety. POM
pone chrysanthemun-
As A climber. the dark green SATIN
leaved Actinidia, or the dainty Gle
matis Paniculata were advised. and
by way of variety In conjunction
with these. the white waxen Jersey
Beauty rose, for the red brick and
the pink Hiawatha or the Wistaria
for the white pillared porches.
Use For Evergreens.
To fill in unsightly corners, hy-
drangeas and eversreens, were re-
commended.
Hedges. here and there. jutting out
into the street were discouraged as
interfering with the Uniform treat
ment. for the desired park effect.
In Rochester, n. Y, deservedly
called the Flower City," and one Of
the most beautiful cities in our coun-
try. not only individual blocks, but
whole streets are treated as a unit.
This Is done by taxing each abut-
ting property owner a small sum, and
turning all lawns over to a landscape
gardener. In a little booklet which
details the charms of this handsome
city, We read, THE emphasis of
color schemes appears on every hand
and the spirit of the fiowers-har-
mony. beauty and symmetry-has its
influence on the character of the
people"
Also. in a town In Ohio. of 5000 in
treated as a park There Is not n
line. fence. or hedge in sight any,
where. The lawns about the d.
ferent homes are kept shaved as
as green velvet Vacan.
lots. unused. are made into grea.
flower gardens. Vegetable gardens
there are. too. in this Eden, nut
they are bordered with low wire
literally covered with WELL
trimmed vines. IL not the practical
grape the hardy woodbine. honey
ruCkle. or trumpet-creeper.
Here citizens association has
the matter in charge, the house
toi6er being entirely relieved except
as he may. II he chooses. come under
It's direction and supervision. at the
same time that he Is educated N
landscape gardening.
To accomplish a similar park treat