VIII.-APPENDIX No. 4.-REPORT OF PARKING COMMISSION.

Lieut. R. L. HOXIE, U. S. A.,

Engineer-in-Chief, District of Columbia:

SIR: We have the honor to report that during the year ending October 31, 1876, six thousand five hundred and thirty-four trees have been planted on the streets and avenues of this city, and seven thousand five hundred and fifteen holes have been prepared for planting, twenty-four trees of various sizes have been carefully lifted and replanted so as to accommodate new grades, and eighty old and decaying trees have been removed.

A portion of the season proved exceedingly dry and unfavorable to the growth of newly-planted trees, especially in regard to those planted in spring. Those set out the previous fall, during the months of October, November, and December, made better progress, owing to the possession of a more extended system of young roots. None, however, were allowed to suffer, as they were supplied with water; and although the means available for this purpose were somewhat limited, yet it served to keep the trees alive, if nothing more, until saturating rains gave increased vigor to active growth.

On some of the streets first planted, some three and four years ago, the effects of prolonged dry weather could be observed in the restricted growth of the trees. This result is to be expected, as the roots occupy the space prepared at the time of planting, and can only be effectually remedied by the addition of fresh soil to the extremities of the roots. On recently graded streets, where the holes have been excavated in a hard, ungenial subsoil, the trees will early indicate want of nourish ment, as they will be restricted to the space originally prepared for them which speedily becomes fully occupied by roots, when their further extension is checked and diminished growth ensues. The apparent remedy is to increase the size of the holes, which can readily be done by removing the inferior strata on each side of the tree for a width of 2 or more feet, parallel with the curbing, and replace it by suitable soil. This could be accomplished without interfering to any great extent with the use of the sidewalk, even for the brief time necessary to complete the improvement. In some instances a continuous space of sufficient width for treeplanting has been left between the pavement and the curbstone. This is an admirable arrangement and of a great advantage to the trees, as the whole of the area thus left unpaved can be utilized for their benefit and for the ramification of their roots, with consequent advantages to the permanent health and continued prosperity of the trees. This mode also facilitates the application of manures to the roots, and the space being kept in grass imparts a park-like appearance to the planting, a pleasing contrast to the pavements of sidewalks and roadways.

Where the sidewalks as well as the streets are covered with concrete, this plan is of imperative necessity, as in these cases the ordinary hole is altogether inadequate to prolonged health of the trees.

There are still numbers of old, decaying trees in various parts of the city that are of very little value as objects of utility, and disfigure rather than add to the ornamentation of the city. Many of these occupy positions on the sidewalks that cause great public inconvenience, while those of them that happen to be in line with more recent plantings overshadow the younger trees and prevent their proper development. A systematic removal of all such weedy trees would vastly enhance the

beauty of the city, so far as trees are concerned, and until it is accomplished the street planting must be considered imperfect.

There is an annual loss of trees, more or less extensive, from leakage in the gas-pipes; the escaping gas permeates the soil and destroys the roots. Perfect immunity from this evil is probably impracticable, and when detected it may be, as in most instances in this city it has been, promptly remedied. The worst feature, however, is that the evil is not discovered until after the roots have been destroyed or fatally injured; the soil is well saturated before the presence of escaping gas is detected, and it is then too late for the application of any effectual remedy. The best that can be done is to remove the injured tree and plant a healthy one in its stead; and even this will not always prove a success, as it is difficult to remove all the poisoned earth, and it usually requires several renewals before a healthy growth is secured. Gas-poisoning is the unsuspected cause of many deaths among city trees.

The severe storm that occurred on the 17th of September prostrated a number of trees in various parts of the city. All available means were promptly directed toward repairing damages, and no serious injury resulted, except in a few cases where the tops had been broken off.

It is necessary, in order that no interference may be occasioned to traffic, that the lower branches be removed from street-trees; this has a tendency to weaken the stem, and increases their liability to be damaged by storms. While the trees are small, the protecting-box serves a good purpose, and measurably prevents injury from storms, but when the branches extend and the top of the tree becomes heavy by weight of wet foliage, the boxes are of very little value as a support; they are rather an injury, as they yield to the storm in company with the tree, and frequently prevent the stem from righting itself after the storm has passed.

Strongly-fixed boxes would be a proper security, but to be effective these would be both cumbrous and costly. A good auxiliary will be found in allowing the lower branches to remain, and encourage them to grow from the ground upward, so as to impart strength to the stem, as is the natural tendency in all trees when they can secure perfect freedom of growth; a method which might well be adopted with many of the trees in the wide parkings of this city, and one that would add materially to its ornamentation, although it might seem a great innovation to those whose ideal city tree is an inverted broom.

Mention may be made of the improvement effected on the reservation between Seventh and Ninth streets, on Pensylvania avenue, fronting the market-house.

A neat, substantial wrought-iron fence has been erected on the line of the streets and avenues, which might, with great advantage to appearances, be continued on the south line.

The space was cleaned up, drained, and graded, planted with trees, and the entire surface sown with grass-seed. A minature lake was introduced, mainly for the benefit of small birds. This was executed from time to time as labor could be assigned from the primary work of planting and taking care of trees; hence it has not been so rapidly executed as, under other conditions, it might have been. A strict regard to economy had to be exercised, and the soil being of a very ordinary character, the growth of trees and grasses has not been notably successful. Applications of manure, with partial renovation of the soil on spots, will go far toward securing a passable lawn. Even in its present state it contrasts favorably with its former neglected condition. In addition to the planting and ordinary care of trees, a very consider

able amount of labor has been expended in the care of numerous small reservations and unoccupied spaces distributed over the city. An aver age force of four men has been employed for a period of six mouths on this class of work.

One of the first duties undertaken by this commission was that of establishing a reserve garden for the preservation and preparation of trees for planting. The advantages derived from this source have been of great value, and have contributed largely to the success which has been attained in the ornamentation of the city. Many thousands of trees have been raised from a small size until they were large enough to plant out in permanent locations. This has added very materially to the progress of the work, not only from the saving effected in the purchase of suitable trees, but also in having them at hand and available at any time when required, so that they could be moved and set in place in a few hours without loss of vitality by exposure of roots, or from the casualties resulting from lengthened transportation. The stock of grown trees is at present large enough to obviate the necessity of further purchases for some time to come, except for a few particular kinds, as they may be required.

Respectfully submitted.

WM. R. SMITH,
Chairman Parking Commission.
WILLIAM SAUNDERS,
Secretary Parking Commission.