The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1934-08-27

1 J. Gerry Curtis, Regional Di-
! rector of Parks and Recreation
and Reginald Hart, who is tenn
porariIy associated with MIR. Cur
tbs, today spent several hours
looking over trees and shrubbery
on the island. They found many
beautiful specimens growing in
Key West, which on account of
improper location or surroundings,
cannot be appreciated. Some are
hidden by buildings, others are
almost lost amid dense growth of
shrubbery.
| Many of these beautiful speci-
mems should be brought out into
| view, they stated. A few should
be transplanted. Others may be
benefited by the removal of old
buildings and by the opening of
vistas. New paintings will be
made of species typical of this
climate, it is planned.
'There is vast amount of
work to be done before any actual
planting can be started" stated
Mr.. Curtis. "Many of the trees.
like Topsy, Just grew up. Only
in a few instances were the plant
ings made according to definite
plan. Some received the proper
treatment in the form of water,
| fertiI&er and pest control, but
many of them survived through
sheer luck.
Before we plant a single tree
or shrub, we must have a definite
planting plan. This cannot be
worked out in a day. Considera-
ton must be given to types of
soil, rainfall, utility; either orna-
mental or fruit bearing; and
! many other factors"
Makes Comments
Several interesting comments
were made by Mr.. Hart. He has
been in Key West many times,
his first visit being in 1919. His
training as an entomolOgist and
hortieulturist has caused him to
take particular interest in the
trees and shrubbery growing in
! Key West. Mr.. Hart is especially
interested in a plant pest survey
of the island.
"No one can dispute the fact
that there is every opportunity
| for Key West to become world
famous for both variety and
beauty of trees and shrubbery,"
said Mr.. Hart. Tropical vege-
tation will flourish here, as it will
nowhere else in the United
States; but nature must be as
sisted by artificial aid in the form
of cultivation, fertilization and
spraying.
Unfortunately most of our
Towering trees bloom during the
season when their beauty and
fragrance cannot be appreciated
by tourists. The Frangipani, the
Geiger tree. the Royal Poinciana,
all flower during the summer
months. Incidentally, | wonder
7 how many citizens of Key West
know how the Frangipani got its
name. The fragrance of the
blossom closely resembles a per-
fume famous during the Middle
Ages and made expressly by an
Italian nobleman of that name.
Relative To Winter
During the winter months,
when Key West must look at its
best for the benefit of tourists,
our paintings look their worst.
This is due to several things. Many
trees are in a more or less dor
mant condition, with the old
leaves forming during the sum-
mer still hanging on. A few shed
their leaves completely. Insect
pests and plant diseases disfigure
a large number. This is where
artificial aid must be given
Severe storms during the late
summer and early fall twist the
trees, break limbs, and worse yet.
break thousands of the tiny feed
ing roots upon which the trees de-
ponds for nourishment. These
storms are sometimes followed by
period of extreme drought. As
a result the trees receive a set
back, just when they should look
their best, which takes months, OF
|, even years to overcome.
|; Following the hurricane OF
1925 in Miami | was temporarily
. transferred to the Miami Park
nanark,,,an% opd x,ae associated