Missouri Botanical 
Garden Bulletin 
Vol. I St. Louis, Mo., May, 1913 No. 5 
GARDEN IMPROVEMENTS. 
MAIN GARDEN. 
The February number of the BULLETIN called attention 
to the large additions in the greenhouse equipment of the 
Garden. ‘Their location, massiveness and importance have 
made necessary many changes in the treatment of the grounds 
in the vicinity. While the old greenhouses have been the 
keystone of the formal treatment maintained for so many 
years, the location of the new conservatories behind the wall 
and at right angles to the axis of the old houses made it essen- 
tial that the Garden be so altered as to properly conform to 
both the old and the new houses. It is also evident that an 
formal arrangement must be made subservient to the build- 
ings themselves and should in no way detract from their im- 
portance in the general scheme. The formal garden is now 
confined to a small area in front of the new range. South of 
what was formerly the parterre, a large area has been changed 
from a formal into a natural garden and, in a great measure, 
serves to bring into harmony the various elements entering 
into the present Garden plan. 
It is the purpose of this BuLLETIN to give in detail the 
object of all the important changes that have been made in 
the landscape of the Garden this spring and to briefly outline 
the principles governing the same. It is perhaps not generally 
known that the landscape gardener, in laying out work, is 
governed by rules of procedure just as much as any other 
artist, and that failure to properly take into consideration 
various elements results in an unnatural effect. It is ho 
that the explanation here given will help to make the Garden 
more attractive and interesting to visitors this summer. 
Walks.—No se thing is so essential in oviee. Fo collec- 
tions and ouses in a garden open to the public as easy 
and comfartable access. Poor walks invariably detract from 
the pleasure that one might otherwise get. Over 3500 feet of 
new walks have been built in the Garden this spring, which 
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