/^ 



THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE OF AMERICA. 



Henry Shaw. Not only did he donate his entire estate for 

 garden purposes, but he provided for its care and development, 

 an endowment fund of several million. 



Under the advice and guidance of such famous botanists as 

 Asa Gray and Sir William Hooker: Mr. Shaw started in 1859 

 to form the nucleus of a collection of trees, shrubs and flora, 

 which today are so complete as to be like a vast outdoor library, 

 where you can roam at your, will ami read the titles and brief 

 information on each specimen. 



If you have the inclination to study plant formations in all 

 its delightful divisions, you will find in the Aluseum Building 

 a wonderful Herbarium valued in the hundred thousands. 



If vou would be still more serious in your studies, you can 

 go to the School of Botany at Washington University, also 

 endowed by Air. Shaw, as but another feature of his far reach- 

 ing plan. 



For \ears, one of the points of interest in the gardens 

 has been the greenhouses, with their e.xhibits covering a sur- 

 prising breadth of plant representation. 



As the garden grew; and that part immediately facing 

 Floral avenue was brought to its present beautiful formal floral 

 expression ; the inadequacy of the old greenhouse became 

 glaringly evident. 



And so it was that the Pierson U-Bar Company, of New 

 York, was given the contract to build a horticultural buildin,g, 

 which should, beyond all argument, surpass anything of' its 

 kind ever erected. 



Not onlv does it surpass in breadth of conception, but in its 

 classic architectural interpretation. 



Located as it is, on a rise of ground, you catch alluring 

 glimpses of it from practically every approach. 



The eflfect is particularly beautiful as you come up F'loral 

 avenue and pass through the main entrance. 



So imposing — so extensive is it, as to be awe inspiring. 

 You find yourself viewing it from different locations, in 

 an endeavor to grasp the fulness of its conception. You strive 

 to form an opinion of which is the most pleasing — the view 

 of its Athens Temple-like entrance of majestic columns, re- 

 flected entrancingly in the water ; or the rear with the ex- 

 pansiveness of the big wing houses and their accented archi- 

 tectural effects. 



Finally you give it up and come to the conclusion that to 

 fully grasp its beauties, you must see it again and still again. 

 So you temporarily surrender and enter the big central house, 

 with its graceful glass roof, arching high above you. 



Outside, you left the trees leafless ; in here you are suddenly 

 transpo'rted to the tropics with its wondrously luxuriant growth. 

 You wander down palm lined walks. You start by read- 

 ing the names of the specimens, but are finally overwhelmed 

 and conclude to just walk through this time and promise your- 

 self later on, the joy of countless visits to "really see things." 

 From the garden of the tropic, you pass across a bridge 

 to a fern landscape, where there are hills and dales, grottoes 

 and even a babbling brook. From above, are hanging ferns 

 and pendulous vines. 



Here you linger until the lengthened shadows tell you that 

 the afternoon is nearly spent. But still you linger. The soft 

 light of the fading day brings out unthought of lieauties. You 

 feel very content, very grateful for the lengthened shadow of 

 this big broad-minded man Shaw. 



You, however, finally hurry to the other wing house and 

 take a hasty glimpse at the garden of blooming flowers ; and 

 come away leaving the fulness of that joy for another day. 



And so you pass out the massive main entrance, across the 

 sleeping formal garden, through the gateway and down the 

 avenue. 



You glance back ; and in the shadowy twilight mist, the 

 building ceases to be glass. It resolves itself into a wondrous 

 Temple to Flora — a vision from those days of the ancients 

 when civilization was at its highest and art at its supreme 

 pinnacle. 



And you feel greater than ever, just how great is this 

 lengthened shadov^'. 



The heat is supplied by three 205 liorse power 

 Heine Safety Boilers. The chimney is 60 feet in 

 diameter at the bottom and 100 feet high. 



The heating is done by the vacuum system. 

 This shows a glimpse of the pumps with feed 

 water tank at back. 



A tunnel co"nects the Power Plant with the 

 greenhouses. In additup to cairying t-ie heating 

 mairs, it forms a means of inter-comm-inii ation 

 and is large enough to run a cart through. 



