ECONOMIES IN LONDON.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15561, 10 April 1916, Page 2

ECONOMIES IN LONDON.

FEWER SPRING FLOWERS.

As the result of war economies by the Office of Works and the London County Council, the usual display of spring blooms in the London parks is this year conspicuous by its absence. No fresh bulbs were. bought last year, and or.iy in the ease of certain parks under the management of the County Council l.avo the old bulbs been planted.

Regent's Park, which, in normal times sets an example to the othor pleasure gardens as regards the brilliance and variety of its dfsplny, will this year 4.resent perfectly bare beds throughout the season, with the exception of the herbaceous borders, which will be cultivated as usual. A large number of the flower beds are to be grassed over, and the mar-v ornamental vases will not boar a single bloom. Most of the bulbs, the average life of which varies from, two to three years, according to the variety, have been gi'ven to various hospitals, as it is anticipated that it will be three years before the flower beds resume their normal spring and summer appearance. The decision not to plant any bulbs last autumn applied also to Hyde Park and the other Royal centra!

In Baitersea Park and other gardens under the London County Council the cutting down has r.ot been quite so drast:'-, a?, although no new bulbs have 1 een cu renamed. the stocks of old bulbs h.ive been man ted so far as they will go round. About 50 per cent, of the Rower beds, however, have been abolished, and the proportion in some of the parks is said to be even higher. A slight consolation remains in the fact, that many thousands of crocuses and narcissi* grow wild in the grass of niost of the parks, and these will help, it is hoped, to "carry on" until a return to normal times.

Tho same course of action has been rnrsued in the public gardens at Hampton Court. Only ;t few wallflowers and daisies are to bo. seen in tho grounds. Tlic action of the authorities is stronL'lv criticised in the district, where it is believed that the public would, if necessary, gladly have paid a few w.ice for nd mission to the palace ?nd garden s rather than be deprived of the usual disnlav.