The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1934-08-18
OFFERS VIEWS
ON BOTANICAL
GARDENS HERE
J. C. CURTIS SPEAKS OF WON
DERFUL POSSIBILITIES FOR
BRINGING THIS ABOUT AND
ITS MAINTENANCE

AT the 1HlJldI meeting OF tne
Advisory Park and Identification
Board, called by Mr.. j. G. Curtis,
Regional Director of Parks and
Recreation last Wednesday, Mr..
Curtis spoke of the wonderful
possibilities of the establishment
and maintenance in Key West of
botanical gardens unsurpassed by
any now in existence. Mention
was made of the possibility of the
United States Department of Ag-
ricuiture establishing here an in
PRODUCTION garden. Rare and
beautiful plants from all parts of
the tropics would be brought into
Key West if such a garden be-
comes reality.
Mr.. Curtis stated that there was
one handicap that must be over
come before such things can come
to pass, namely, the presence of
many insect pests that seriously
affect the growth and appearance
Of our plants and shrubs. These
plant pests must be brought un-
der control. Plant sanitation is
as essential as public health sani-
tation. He emphasized the need
of general cleanup of all plant
life in the city to capitalize on
its botanical possibilities.
Year Round Climate
The ideal year round climate of
which Key West so rightly boasts
is just as appealing to plant pest
as it is to tourists. There is no
profit i'll entertaining these I'M
welcome visitors. Their food is
the life sap of trees and shrubs,
and they not only disfigure the
plants but handicap the shrubbery
in its fight for existence.
Mr.. Curtis stated that confer
ence held early in the week with
Dr.. William Newell, state plant
commissioner, and S. A. Rohwer,
representing the secretary of agri-
culture at Washington, an offer
was made to turn over the power
sprayers property of the federal
department of agriculture for, use
in a general spraying of the is
land. 1t was suggested that an
oil spray, recommended by the
department, be used.
The progress of the fruit fly
eradication was also discussed by
the committee. When the work
was started about a year ago, it
was hoped that by removing all
guaVa, hog plum and cherry fruits,
and by frequent applications of
spray, eradication would be al
most completed by this time. I'm
fortunately some property owners
have refused to allow their trees
to be sprayed, thus handicapping
the eradication program. 1t was
realized that unless all proper
ty is sprayed at regular intervals
eradication will be delayed Cor
some time to come. This would
be very unfortunate, and would
interfere with the plans of re
habilitation now under way.
AS a result of the delay in
eradication, due in a large meas
ure to many refusals to permit
spraying. it will be necessary to
remove again guavas, hog plums
and cherry fruit.
Urge Cooperation
Expression was made by COM
mittee members of the urgent
need of every citizen to cooperate
fully with state and federal forces
and assist in every way in the
proper cleanup Of both fruit fly
and other plant pests. 1t was
pointed out that Identification of
our trees and shrubs is as essen
tial as identification of our yards
and properties.
Mr.. Curtis also advised mem-
bers of the committee that Reg
inald Hart, of the state plant
board force, has bsen sent to Key
Continued on Page FOUR