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About Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 24, 1956)
Salem, Oregon, Wednesday, October 24, 1956 Page 4 Section 3 THE CAPITAL JOURNAL: 6 ii v I ( P tl r u ti I b hi ei ci B Si in In i fo U Pi fn fp Pi hi 01 it V F U CI "I fr hi Keith Powell Home Retains Flavor of Victorian Times House Built During 1890s By BEN MAXWEIX Capital Journal Writer Keith Powell house, 1116 Mission St., Salem's towered and filigreed mansion conceived by Dr. Luke A, Port in the mauve decade, stands today as a monument to Victorian decor and spacious living of the 18905. -Dr. Port, perhaps of English birth, had been in Her Majesty's Indian service, when he came to Salem in the mld-iasos he nc- 1 quired a drug store on Slate street and from that apothecary shop con ducted his medical practice. He was an educated gentleman of fastidious taste and tradition has it that turhaned, soft.spoken Hind ustani servants moved silently about the oak panelled- rooms of the Mission St. mansion to serve hia every need. Architect Unknown Who the architect and builder of Dr. Port's mansion might have been is not known. But construction dates after September 25, 189.1 when he acquired the site from J. H. Albert, Salem capitalist. Tradition-has it that secret panels cover hidden recesses built into the house at Dr. Port's request. After a series of misfortunes the doctor left Salem about 1900 and died in San Diego some five years later. A decade later the property was acquired by the late Judge George G. Bingham. Mrs. Keith Powell accounts for nine rooms in Dr. Port's 60 year old dwelling, the only known home in Salem to have a port-cochere la gateway for vehicles entering the courtyard). Five rooms are on the lower floor, four on the upper. Paneled la Oak Downstairs dining and library rooms are paneled in select East ern oak now bearing the patina of age. All have been appropriately furnished with pieces becoming to the period. A front entrance opens into a hallway served by a grand stairway illuminated by mellow light from leaded, colored class side-lights opposite an ornate newell post. The platform at the top of panelled oak flight is lighted by similar windows. Mrs. Powell has chosen a figured, period wallpaper to become the hallway of this con struction interval. A massive panelled fireplace witn carved oak for pilasters and cip features a recessed chimney window of colored leaded glass dedicated to the memory of Omega ran. Dr. Port's two children were Alpha and Omega. Omega, a stu dious and pensive boy, had been committed by his father to "the usefulness of humanity." It was determined that he should continue his studies about analytical chem istry in a German university and in accordance with the best Eng lish tradition he was embarked on a British vessel for the Cape Horn passage to Europe. The Glenavon, a heavily laden carrier in the grain fleet, went down with all aboard in a raging gale south of the Arores, Dec. 22, 1887. Dr. Port refused to accept early reports of the disaster but vhea it became clear bevond dwrol that Omega had perished with his shipmates he commemo rated the memory of his son by an east w indow in his new home "that admits through stained glass the first light of a new day. Home Repairs Dos . ... Dont's LIQUID millHER painted on hose and hound with tape will stop minor leaks. AP Newtfralurri DO...repair pinhole leaks in a rubber hose by allowing, to drv thoroughly and applying coat of rubber-base cement, liquid ruhhpr or any similar product which spe- cuieaiiy slates mat it can be used to mend rubber. DO...alIow the mending material to set, apply a second coat and wrap tightly with black electrical tape. DO...repair larger leaks bv cut ling out the had section of the hose wilh a sharp knife. DO.. .connect the cut ends with an inexpensive metal hose splicer. DO.. .if the leak Is at the end of the hose, near the coupling, check first to see whether a new washer Is needed and. If not, buy a new coupling, which Is held in plare either with prongs or a clamp ar rangement. DONT...forget that, In wrapping electrical tape around a repaired section, start the tape a couple of inches on the other side, DON'T...cut out a damaged part ef the hose In a careless manner; th cut must be made straight up CFMFNT m Powell Home i.M ,i. tii , y--' 1i'', v- mm i IpffP SeySFm '' 'I'M II m J 4- 1 Krllh Powell home, ills Mlxlnn St., was ronstrurtrd to meet the rlild standards of Dr. I.uke A. Por, a lenrnrd ami fastidious phvslrlnn and npolhrrnry nf S yrnrs ago. It stands tndnr as a mnmimrnt to Vlrliirlnn ilcror and spurious living In earlier Salem. The front entrance to the home, opens Into a paneled oak hall way shmvn In Hip sernml picture. All rooms have heen furnished by the I'nwcll, with appropriate late Victorian furniture. The onk panelled ami ornately carved tlreplnre below dlsplavs a recessed commemorative window In ulnlnrrt class dedicated to the memory his ton. ()mca I'or. lost at sea In 1M7. (Capital Journal Photos) and down If the splicer is to fit properly. DON'T.. .neglect, when using the ordinary splicer with prongs, tn pound the prnnns with a hsmmrr so they grip the hose tightly. DON'T., make extra repair work for yourself by kinking the here, one of the most frequent causes of leaks, Dates From .y i - v i .t'f? s ft 11 i r.HRASK-l'ROOF WALL A kltrhen wall around the range can be made Impervious to grease patiprs and easy to keep clean by paneling it wilh plastic finished h.-irdlw.ird. This material with a h.ikrd coating in wood grain and marble designs as well as In solid colors Is available at well stocked i !37 ri n r Mauve Decade . mi. i j.t-i n i.jnPnii .i , Questions Answered By MARK M. TAYLOR la It the proper time to fertilize trees now? R. H. It It preferable to fertilize trees in the early spring rather than at tht time. To fertilize now would tend to encourage new growth which might be susceptible to frost Injury. Fertilizing In rarly spring when the tree starts Into active growth provides the need ed sustenance to maintain a good growth and set flowers or fruit. What would be a good shrub to use along the top of a low retain ing wall? The wall is narrow. E.S. I was fascinated with a garden wnll, of similar description, once, where the shrub used was Daphne cneorum. It Is a low, creeping, evergreen shrub with frngrnnt pink flowers. It enn he made to grow over the wnll and trail down Its sides, If desired. Your Garden Notebook DO YOU KNOWT The cultivation of roses, violets and lavender as commercial sour res of material used in perfumery is confined, largely, to southern Kurope? Many colors, such as mulberry, plum, peach, geranium, heliotrope, lavender, lilac and violet bear the names of flowers or fruits from which the color was derived? The Mndrona tree is sometimes known as Oregon laurel? The Heath family includes the true heaths (Erica), Heathers (Onl- lunni, Rhododendron, Arbutus, Ai nlen. Andromeda, Mountain laurel and Firethorn? COMING F.VF.XTS Oct. 34-26 Holly Society of Amer ica, Multnomah Hotel, Portland. Oct. 24-2R Srnttle Chrysanthem um Show, Norway Center, Seattle. Dec. 6-7 Oregon State Horticul- Itiral Society. Corvallis. The Kuril Islands, between Alaska and Siberia, get their name because "kuril" is the Russian word lor smoking. There are ac tive volcanoes on the islands. GAS FURNACES Natural Om Will . Han tfcrt Moolk CAU TODAY 3-8555 Eva. 4-8790 or 4-8821 Free Survey & Estimate Guaranteed Installations 36 Mo's fo Pay Salem Healing & Sheet Melal Co. 1085 Broadway Capital A Journal GAUDiNl PACE Rhododendron Garden Favorite It Is doubtful whether any plant, in recent years, has attained the general popularity in Northwest home gardens, as has the Rhodo dendron. A popular misconception is the Azaleas are a separate genus of plants, but this is not true as they are members of the great Rhododendron group. The Pacific Northwest, with its naturally acid type soil, abundant moisture and moderate climate. makes an ideal home for this most colorful group of plants. Over 2000 Species The genus Rhododendron Is made up of more species, varieties and hybrids than any other group of ornamental woody plants, over 2000 having been listed. The plants are both evergreen and deciduous, colorful and, some times, fragrant flowers. It has been found more different kinds of Azaleas and Rhododen drons can be grown successfully in the Pacific Northwest than any where else in the country. Jioth ot those plants commonly called Azaleas and Rhododendrons are, proporly, members of the genus Rhododendron, there being no clear cut rule for distinguishing Azaleas from Rhododendrons. True Rhododendrons are evergreen. though there are exceptions, and Azaleas are, mostly deciduous, though there are evergreen kinds. The true distinction between Azal eas and Rhododendrons lies in the number of stamens in each Ilorct, Azaleas having five with Rhododen drons having ten. Need Acid' Soil All azaleas and rhododendrons should be given acid soil conditions, their roots kept cool and moist and surrounded with humus. Mulches of oak leaves, peatmoss, and pine needles are splendid and may be left on all winter. The mulching of these plants protect the roots that are close to the surface of the soil and keeps the sou cool and moist during sum mer weather. In winter it- be comes a protection against freez ing and, in decomposing, adds an acid fertility to the soil that the plants like. Requirements, then, for success ful growth of these plants arc good drainage, sufficient moisture and plenty of humus. In planting these lovely shrubs as they are received from the nurs ery, they will come with the earth ball intact wrapped in burlap (called balled and burlaped), dig a hole to receive the ball of earth so the top ot the root ball will be just one Inch below the surface of the soil. Do not attempt deeper planting than in the nursery as these plants have shallow root systems which should not be buried too deeply. Can Be Moved Easily One great advantage of rhododen drons over most flowering shrubs is their ability to be moved at any size, so. you may purchase large sized shrubs ready to give a great Bath Skylight Itullding ot interior rooms, ap proved ny MlA If ventilation is provided, makes It possible for homeowners tn take full advan tage of a home's floor space. An Interior bnlhroom In the core ot the house provides convenience and easy accessibility. OnylUht ing such a room Is easy with a roof-llghtlng panel, such as used here, This Ingenious system re jects heat from the hot summer sun, Insulates ngalnst heat loss In winter, but always provides an all-day supply of glare-free, diffused daylight. HEAT WITH V MODERN O I L KlIEAT FUEOtolL (lJII!n"i-1 IVHI'I !'!!?''. MS N. COMMIICIM NE 3-4163 ANrT,ME 'II L: display of bloom next season with out fear oi loss. Too much, shade may cause a lack of flowering wood to be form ed, and, thus, fewer flowers, to gether with a leggy growth. Thus, light is necessary to produce flow ers and a few hours of direct sun light daily is recommended, despite the common assumption rhododen drons do best in shady locations Extremes of either sunlight or shade should be avoided. Single Azaleas belong to the Rhododendron group, their culture is similar. Perhaps the most fre quently seen azaleas m this area are the Mollis hybrids in various shades of yellow and orange through red. These are deciduous shrubs that put on a colorlul dis play in May. The Rhododendron Kaemfiri is another splendid deciduous azalea of the taller growing kind, some times reaching a height of ten feet. Flowers vary in color from light pink to red, blooming in May and June. A native azalea worthy of con sideration in home gardens in the Northwest is Rhododendron occi dental, found in Southwestern Oregon. Its bloom are white to light pink, marked with yellow on the upper parts. It has the added virtue of a delightful scent as well as attractive autumn foliage color ing. Of the persistent leaved (ever green ) azaleas, perhaps, the Kurume group is best known and most popular. The flowers of the Kurume azaleas are small in com parison with others, but, what they lack in size they make up for in quantity of bloom, the bloom being so profuse the leaves, often, arc completely hidden. Now is the best planting season, though it is possible to plant from August into May. Tree Planting Time Arrives The best time to plant deciduous trees is after the leaves have fallen and before the ground may be frozen. The hole to receive the new tree must be large enough to contain all of the roots without crowding. Any bruised or broken roots should be pruned off to prevent infection. The soil in the bottom of the planting hole must be broken up to permit the roots to have ac cess to any fertility or moisture below. The bottom of the hole may, then, be partially filled with a mixture of topsoil, compost, rotted manure or peatmoss and about a pound of balanced fertilizer of a 5-10-5 or 4-12-4 formula. Set the tree so the soil mark on the trunk is at the same level as the surrounding ground. Spread the roots and fill in topsoil around them. Fill the hole with water to settle the soil and to eliminate air pockets. After the water has seeped down, firm the soil with your foot. Then, the tree must be pruned to compensate for vitality lost through transpiration. About one third of each branch should be re moved. Do not, however, cut the leader, or main stem. If the tree being planted is fairly tall to start with, ten feet or more, it should be guyed with tree wires the first year planted in order that it grow into a shapely, straight tvunked tree. A giant swamp gum tree dis covered in Australia is 320 feet tall. It was growing 200 years be fore the first white people settled in Australia. mm Xmr nee. Natural Gas Furnace Completely Installed With Eight Runs Pay Only 4.92 Per Week imwii CNK3 'fn rti;S r i til ';i-f. f 1 ttkslllllllslslslstsaaa ' M" I IL v, . I,,'--. i BED IK i U OE N DlV-2'il3'0' J IJ'z'ii2'-0 I BED RM. I- II ji'-o'iij'-i' Irrf r Top style expansion Is featured tn this plan which provides for two additional bedrooms and a third bedroom upstairs with a broad dormer facing the rear to preserve the long low lines In front. Flexibility also Is provided by the den, which can be used as a family room or extra Fall Ideal Time to Plant Shade Trees By MARK M. TAYLOR Capital Journal Special Writer Late fall is the best time to plant the shade trees desired to provide protection from future summer sun, for the natural moist ure at this season helps the plants become firmly established before severe weather sets in. Shade trees should be selected for the home grounds that will add to and not detract from the natural at tractiveness of the home. Colorful foliage, flowers and the height and shape of the tree to be planted must be considered In making your selection: Some of the most attractive trees for home grounds planting do ex ceptionally well here in the North west. It is, however, foolish to plant trees that expect climate conditions other than ours. Learn Growth Habits It is a good rule, in selecting trees for the home grounds, to learn, first, their growth habits, ultimate size in height and breadth, lest they have to be re moved when they "overgrow their location." In our estimation, one of the most beautiful trees in existence is a native of the Pacific North west, the Pacific dogwood (Cornus nuttali). Our dogwood is a large tree when lull grown, so. is best used away from the house lest it dwarf it. Plant it at the rear or to one side of the lot as a tall background for the rest of the landscape planting. The tulip tree is another popular shade tree in this area. Often con fused with the magnolia, this hand some tree is one of the best large trees for creating a shady area in the home grounds. It is a splendid lawn or street tree that, U.S. pat. off, ' V VSe-' i Nothing Down Firit Payment In December nn ITXhI M DINING RM. I P VV SINttTI I . LIVING RU GARAGE bedroom depending on Individual preference. The house covers 1,935 square feet without garage and porch. It Is 80 feet long including Us two-car garage. This Is plan K-1687AP by Derrick Kipp, architect, House Plan Headquarters, Room 75, 117 West 48th St.. New York 36, N.Y. under ideal conditions may reach1 a height of ISO feet. It should not be planted adjacent to low houses as this gives the illusion of greater height to the tree and lower height to the house. Greenish-yellow, tulip-like flowers appear on mature trees in May or June, and, in the fall the leaves turn a brilliant yel low. Crimson Maple Gives Shade The new Crimson King Maple has deep red foliage throughout the winter and creates a dense shade. It is difficult to grow a good lawn beneath it because of the dense shade it casts and the shallow roots that reach out for plant food. The use of a ground cover beneath this tree is the solution. It is a fast growing tree to 45 feet and may be used as an accent tree in the landscape plan. The American Redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a small tree con spicious with rosy-pink blooms along its stems and twigs before the leaves appear. It seldom ex ceeds 20 feet in height and is, thus, ideal for accent planting with the low type of house. Among the flowering fruit trees, the flowering cherries are the larg est growing, some reaching a height of 30 feet. Their spring bloom in profusion is a welcome sight and, later, the tree provides At last! The first Fealty DBerj home heater In 20 yearsl f the new '- ' -it (( Ztictitetdal I II A CONSTANT COMFORT GAS HEATER VFor Natural Gas ' So revolufionory h can only be eemporeof wUh central heatingl Guarantees conifanf comfort Ends draft off.oid oo heal Heott only freshly filtered airl Reduces fuel costs maintenance bills tool Fiberglas insuloled cobinel Hoys cool, safe la touch) Handsome modern design odds to the beauty of your hem I D. I Cooper & Son 540 Hood St. Phone needed shade beneath its spread ing branches. The following crabapples have beautiful spring flowers, some de lightfully fragrant, seldom exceed ing 20 feet in height. Crabs should not be planted near red cedars as cedar rust, a most destructive dis ease. Some of the flowering crab apples and flowering almond and apricots are too small to be con sidered as trees, though they are fine shrubs for the home grounds. The European Mountain Ash (Sorbus aucuparia) has white flow ers in May and orange fruit in early fall. It casts a filtered shade and, not being too large, is useful as a lawn or accent tree on the small home grounds. Do not plant it by a patio as the fruit fall is messy. The Goldenrain tree (Koelreutria paniculata) is a handsome tree to 30 feet with upright pyramids of yellow flowers in the summer. It is not particular as to soil or ex posure and, thus, becomes the answer to what tree to use in problem locations. Locusts Praised Two trees that have received a lot of notice recently are the I Moraine Locust and the Sunburst . Locust. Both arc rapidly growing (Cont. on Page 5, Col. 1) floor to ceiliogl j bloilll 3-3603 111 kTS I sls.ssis.saM.alt i r .1 lumber yards. r
