Throughout the Exposition these garden beds are to show a succession of
blooms. At the opening of the Exposition five thousand daffodils were in
bloom over two hundred thousand yellow pansies.
-
The South Gardens, besides having two great pools, at the end of which
are the Mermaid Fountains by Arthur Putnam of San Francisco, have a most
decorative fountain called the Fountain of Energy.
In the pool below are seen great sea animals, representing:
1. The Atlantic Ocean, with coral in hair and seahorses in her hand,
riding on the back of an helmeted fish, suggestive of armored cruisers,
etc.
2. The North Atlantic, an Esquimaux riding the walrus, ready to spear
the enemy.
3. The South Atlantic, a negro riding on the back of a sea-elephant
playing with an octopus.
4. The Pacific Ocean on the back of a great creature unknown on land or
sea.
In the pool, on the dolphins' backs, ride most charming sea maidens.
Around the base of the earth are grouped sea spirits.
The earth shows on one side a great bull representing the Western
Hemisphere, a great lioness denoting the Eastern.
One sees the swirling of the waters around the figure of Panama.
Surmounting the globe, standing in his stirrups, rides Energy, the force
that has overcome the play of the waters and has put thru the Panama
Canal. Energy is strongly suggested by this stalwart male, who rides on,
having surmounted all difficulties. This is the great power that is
responsible for the completion of the Panama Canal, and Fame and Victory
blow bugles long and loud from his shoulders.
The idea of energy is further carried out by the splendid play of the
waters from the fountain itself, tremendous force being evident.
-
At the west end of South Gardens, opposite the Band Concourse, are most
interesting groups of trees, shrubs and flowers. The members of
different floral families have taken the opportunity of meeting and
establishing themselves in the same neighborhood, and the result is
delightful for the lover of flowers. Now is the time to study
differences and similarities in the plant world - and our opportunities
are appreciated.
Notice the splendid groups of trees and shrubs on either side of
Horticultural Palace.
Monterey pines, Monterey cypresses, Lawson cypresses, acacias,
laurustinus, veronicas and dahlias are grouped so as to make a most
remarkable effect in form and color.
The Dracaena Canariensis or Canary palm, as we are in the habit of
calling it, and the Washingtonia robusta, or California fan palm, are
seen in alternate arrangement, double rows on either side the Avenue of
Palms.
On the south side of the Exposition grounds is a wall, twenty feet high,
of living green. It is made of mesembryanthemum spectabilis put in
boxes, six feet by two by two and a half inches, filled with earth, over
which is put a wire-mesh screen. This is the first time this work has
been tried and it has proved to be a thorough success.