Evening star., 1926-04-11
B0xwood for Cathedral Is Gathered From Ancient Estat

1t Will be remembered that Mr..
Olmsted's father also was a noted
landscape architect and planned the
landscape features of the grounds
surrounding the Capitol of the United
States which have always been great
ly admired. Mr.. Olmsted has devoted
many years to the beauty of the
Cathedral grounds. Recently. in
speaking Of the location OF the Ca
thedral. he said:
1.-The setting Of Washington Cathe.
dral is most rare in picturesqueness
and beauty, whether we consider It's
aspect as viewed from the city or that
of the city as viewed from the cathe-
dral site. Seen from the city, the
cathedral will crown q densely wooded
hill, standing tree embowered at the
summit of easy and graceful slopes.
1t will rise heavenward, out of and
above natures strength and beauty,
in towers and buttresses and pin
nacles, as a sublime God-inspired an
them in stone"
In nursery garden. or secret
garden" as it is sometimes called.
perennials are grown in quantity for
the cathedral altar. Young plants Of
box privet are developed there. and
peonies. iris. day lilies, Japanese
anemones, coral bells and roses
abound. while the garden itself IS
| hidden away behind an enchanting
| tangle Of old wistaria and rose vines.
entwining themselves in the branches
| of ancient dogwood
Under Mr.. Oldmsted's 8 direction, tie
| trees and flowers Of the cathedral
close are treated with all possible care
and respect. If tree happens 10 be
in the way Of proposed driveway.
path or building. IT is carefully re
! moved TO another place. The giant
oaks on the site of the cathedral
| which had to be cut down were cut
| Into logs and made into furniture for
the cathedral interior. such as choir
| stalls, etc. - professional tree sur
| geon cares for the health of the trees.
and Charles II. Merryman. mentioned
| as landscape contractor. and a force
Of expert gardeners give constant care
to the lawns. flowers and plants.
| Z 3
IOF the flowers and vines. wild and
tame. on the cathedral close
grounds an idea may be obtained OF
their variety by glancing over a
partial list, which includes the fern,
mountain laurel. holly, wild azalea.
lltrailinG arbutus, myrtle, boxwood.
daisy, sunf1ower. thistle, inkberry,
| nrethorn, peony, roses, pipsiSsowa.
partridge berry. daffodils. tulips.
| Queen Anne's lace flower (the Wild
| CARROT, forget me not, aster, golden
| rod, jasmine, buets. violets, Colum-
| bine, larkspur. dahlia, ivy, Clematis.
| wistaria, bittersweet Virginia Green
er and wild honeysuckle.
Among the birds which frequent
this paradise of beautiful bloom.
| making theirS nests unmolested and
| unframed in many Of the trees. are
| the cardinal. thrush. robin. mockinc
bird. warbler. song sparrow, catbird
mourning dove, blackbird. tanager,
wren, bluebird, bluejay. hawk. buz-
zard. owl, humming bird. Baltimore
orlole, vireo, indigo bunting. quail
woodpecker. flicker, cedar waxwing
and swallow.
incidentally, it is pleasing to know
that the present fora and fauna of
the cathedral grounds will be pre-
served through the coming centuries.
in that a likeness of each plant.
flower and tree. bird and animal will
be carved in stone in the interior OF
the cathedral This is the first time
this has been done in any American
edifiCe, certainly.
A unique feature OF the National
Cathedral Of SIS. Peter and Paul is
that 1t Is inclosed in a beautiful park
or some 67 acres. Il thing that Is not
true Of any other cathedral in the
world, it is understood
When completed. there is no doubt
that this cathedral close or park will
share in interest with the historic
grounds Of the Capitol and White
House. and that thousands will, in
times to come. visit and inspect the
ancient lockwood now being gathered
with such loving care by the members
Of the garden committee of the All
Hallows' Guild Of the National Ca
thedral Association.
officers Of the All Hallows' Guild in
clude: Mrs. Walter r. Tuckerman.
president; Mrs. G.. c. F.. Bratenthal.
treasurer; Miss Elizabeth d. Long.
assistant treasurer: Miss Dorothy NJ.
White, secretary.
The garden committee. which has
direct charges of beautifying the ca
thedral close. comprises Mrs. G. c. F.
Bratenhal, chairman: Mrs. Frank b.
| Moves, Mrs. Charles ]. Bell Mrs. John
c. Boyd, Mrs. Harold y. Marsh. Dea-
coness Goodwin. Mrs. John II. Gibbons
and Mrs. Charles G. Warden.