CEMETERIES AND PARKS. 105- 



the sod-line with a border of hydrangeas, were given to the park 

 by Mr. Robert L. Johnson during his term as park commissioner, 

 and an extra effort was made this season to place them in the 

 open ground, to relieve the low effects of the surrounding 

 planting. 



The arrangement of the beds, on and adjacent to the site of 

 that long dela3-ed King Fountain, owing to the exposure to sun 

 and wind, is entirely different from that of the Willett street side- 

 of the park. To relieve the open, flat character of the surface, 

 varied beds of caunas, and proper edgings of plants for contrast 

 of color are introduced, with circular beds of pampas grasses at 

 the walk intersections. The walks are bordered with varieties of 

 geraniums, relieved by circular beds of achyranthes. In the 

 large center bed, are fine specimens of agaves and rare echeve- 

 rias, and masses of heliotrope perfume the surroundings. The 

 full and final effect of this arrangement will not be secured before 

 the latter part of August when the cannas are fully developed and 

 the pampas grasses are in bloom. The many varieties of coleus, 

 formerly used in the ribbon borders, have been discarded and 

 geraniums substituted, owing to the fact that the low temperature 

 in early June and the cold nights of August, often blights these 

 plants, and thus mars the effect of color much sooner than the 

 varieties of geraniums selected. 



"What seems to be especially desired to prolong and concen- 

 trate not onl}' the floral but the foliage effects in Washington 

 Park, is the construction of a commodious range of ornamental 

 greenhouses, to be located on the plateau, between the ravine 

 drive and Englewood Place — a central structure sufficiently large 

 to accommodate large palms, tree ferns, bananas, and tropical 

 growths, flanked by houses for the protection of rare and 

 interesting specimens of foreign plants ; a structure accessible at 

 all seasons, particularly the winter season, to the public. This 

 would make the park more attractive during the winter months, 

 and afford a generous provision for the summer decoration of the 

 lawns without resorting to the soft-wooded species of plants. 

 There is a fine opportunity for some one, a lover of foliage and 

 flowers, and of plethoric purse, to donate a suitable structure of 

 this kind to the park. 



A comparison being made of the effects secured in "Washington 

 Park, at a comparatively small outlay, with those to be seen 



