City of Seattle Records

dumping. As to removing all this manure and plowing it into the ground. It is respectfully submitted that this manure will be invaluable when the ground is being laid out, and will be in just the right condition for use, while fresh manure would not. It was also found that a large portion of this ground could not be ploughed without grubbing and the removal of quite a large number of stumps roots and rocks necessitating a costly work. little of which would be of any value in the laying out of the ground as a park. Our recommendation to your Honorable Body is that the neighborhood be invited to deposit as much of their stable manures upon selected spots on this Park ground to be composted by the Department until enough has been collected for the proper fertilization of the entire Park ground when improved. Also this Hon Board order the plans for said Park to be made as soon as possible, and a request a petition be made by the Honorable Council for same funds to properly begin the improvement of said park upon its permanent plan, so that no money shall be wasted. in merely destroying valuable and necessaary fertilizer and purposless expensive work. City Park The work upon this has been in continued preparation of the ground allready cleared last winter. and also clearing additional minor areas readily convertable into useful ground. which is greatly needed to aford a temporary abiding place for the accumulating stock of trees shrubs & Plants in the Nursery Dept. Nursery Dept. The large stock is nearly planted out into place the incoming stock as also the fall cuttings being replanted & ground for them properly prepared for the same, as well as for the large stock of annuals and perrennials. The

3 Completed and the plan under consideration and study. City Park and Nursery. Reports the continued routine work and care of the Greenhouse and Nursery. the new stock obtained last fall is in good condition, indicating but a very light percentage of deaths The coniferous plants have arrived having been six weeks on the road from New York alone, by reason of which it was anticipated that the entire invoice woud be spoiled That however does not prove to be the case. The plants are now being sorted and classified in order to determine the amount of damage in order to prepare a claim for same against the Rail Roads concerned in their transportation. The following exchanges are recorded this month in this department from Messers Peterson & Marriot for exchange 650 bedding plants From Mrs I Palmer for exchange 4 Cytisus Viburnum and 4 Rosae(moss) From E O Johnijul for exchange 70 assorted Canna Crosy Bulbs all of which add tothe varieties in the nursery and for which spare stock is to be in time exchanged 3

2 ready for use should the execution of the plan be ordered. City Park Inasmuch as your request for the disposal of this park was not approved and inasmuch as the greatly increasing and growing stock of the City nursery will require much additional room by the coming fall. it is imperative to add much ground room by clearing additional land upon said Park. It is therefor suggested that the department be authorized to clear portion of this park, so it shall be conducive to the needs of the nursery and also continue the proper and natural development of the Park improvement proper. No definite portion of this ground can be parted off of them. treated, as the natural growth of trees is much that with their retention for future park use, compells the selection of added nursery ground in such localities where the future lawns meadows driveways etc. of the park should naturaly be located. Clearing done in July August and part of September is more effectual in killing the undergrowth trees and roots than at any other portion ofthe year. The nursery has maintained its usual work both in the nursery proper and the propagating house. the European stock of coniferous and evergreen stock had been planted out and the detailed report referred to the City Councilor with reference to the amount of loss entailed in the transit from New York to Seattle cannot now be altered It is also reported that the nursery supply

Have been collected and composted as much again at least is needed for fall and spring use. Denny Park agreeable to your instructions the property owners fronting on John Street were notified to before work the department relative to vacating said street as had been suggested, before the plans of this park more completed, several have answered sustaining the proposition saying they would confer with the rest of those interested The City Park is being cleared in account once with instructions, namely to clear such portion of the ground which can be cleared the easiest and where such clearing will be conducive to the ultimate plan of improvement, retaining the most desirable trees, group and grove of trees and native shrubs. The City Nursery work is also largely that of maintenance on eradicating weeds keeping the soil properly cultivated and pruning the stock. Some transplanting had to be extended to the middle of the month Scarcity of water throughthe larger and last partofthe day has cause some apprehensioin and inconvenience. The following contributions have been made for future exchanges from Mrs. Neufelder 50 clumps of [Polyanthum] from Mr C Bromley 20 [altenanthesa] 2 roses

Seattle Wash August 31 1893 To the Honorable the Board of Park Commissions Gentlemen Concerning the work under your management, it is respectfully reported, that the main character of general Park work during August, is that of maintenance, consisting of the care and improvement of the condition of the walks, subjugation of weeds from the flower beds and shrubbery borders. mowing of lawns and much sprinkeling of the same. Binding material had been prepared for the gravel walks and application begun and can only be done as the other imperative work permits, with our minimum of workmen. The accumulation of manures and its composting has progressed as much as could be expected with only one team, doing all the team work, now required. However, keeping up this method will enable the department to accomplish the needful fertilization of lawns, borders and beds, next spring, as contemplated. No detrimental report can be offered as to the condition of the growing nursery stock, which, considering the limited watering facilities, has made remarkable improvement. and will enable the department to again largely increase the stock by propagating the trimmings. The work of clearing upon The City Park is progressing, having made ready the main valley for the plough and cultivation, as required for the extension of the nursery, beside the slashing done, adjoining the ground, prepared last fall. It is all important that as much slashing be done as possible during the present month in over