Good JVeifs to J^lor/sls. 



The Central Park Illustrated. 



FEW of those who visit the Central Park are really aware of the many gems of 

 scenery and architectural ornament contained within it. They pass through it 

 too hastily, and go over only the broader and more commonly frequented paths. 

 If you will spare the time, and step aside into by-paths, and over the vine-covered 

 rocks, or shrubby knolls the pleasure-seeker will find some choice bits of scenery, 

 rustic bridges, pools, fountains, waterfalls, and the most exquisite of verdured copses. 

 The Lake naturally affords the best water views, and gathering around its shores are 

 a hundred beautiful, but varying sketches of scenery, or specimens of bridges and 

 rustic work ; one of these, a charming view of a boat-house on the lake just west of 

 the Central bridge, is illustrated this month in our frontispiece. There are five or 

 six other boat-houses of picturesque outlines, scattered around the Lake, as well as 

 several broader landings near the terrace at the head of the Mall. The Lake, as seen 

 on some bright summer day, with gaily decorated boats, flags of brilliant colors flut- 

 tering in the breeze, and graceful swans sailing with dignified and measured strokes, 

 and the shores and surrounding paths lined with happy visitors, make a picture of rare 

 rural beauty. We shall continue the publication of other Central Park sketches, 

 frequently, the coming year. 



G-ood News to Florists. 



THE obnoxious law, relating to seeds, plants, etc., passed by Congress, last sum- 

 mer, concerning which so much gossip and criticism have passed the rounds of 

 the press, in relation to seeds, has been repealed, and the old law now practically 

 stands as it did last winter. We quote the following extract from the Rural New 

 Yorker of December 28 : 



" Postage on Seeds, Bulbs, Roots, ETC.^Our readers will be glad to learn 

 that both the Senate and House of Representatives have passed a bill reinstating the 

 old rates of postage on seeds, bulbs, roots, plants, etc., for which there has been so 

 much clamor of late in consequence of the rulings of the Postmaster-General. The 

 amendment passed permits the passage of four-pound packages through the mails, as 

 formerly, at the postal rate of two cents for four ounces. The act is to take effect 

 immediately; but it will not take effect unless the Postmaster-General is pressed to 

 send instructions at once to the postmasters of the country directing its enforcement ; 

 for postmasters cannot act without instructions, and the issue of these is often delayed 

 months after an act of Congress goes into effect, such is the red tape machinery of 

 the Department." 



It would have been still more convenient had the rate been fixed at one cent for 

 every tivo mmces, thus allowing more economical subdivisions than the other rate of 

 two cents per four ounces ; but we are glad enough to have the law returned and 

 made available thus quickly for the coming seed season. 



