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superintendence of the once famous Elgin Botanic Garden of New 
York,* which was urgently pressed upon him by Dr. Hosack and 
others, he selected and purchased in Brooklyn, this tract of twenty- 
five acres, lying between the Jamaica and Flatbush roads,f on the 
4th of October, 1825, for the sum of $4,000. Although beautifully 
and advantageously located, the surface of these grounds was a 
bed of rocks, some of which were used in enclosing the garden 
with a wall. In a brief time, Mr. Parmentier erected a dwelling 
and garden house, and stocked the land with a great variety of 
trees and plants, useful and ornamental, indigenous and exotic. 
The garden soon grew into importance and developed beauties, 
which attracted large numbers of visitors, from all quarters. In 
this garden the Morus Multicaulis plant was first introduced into 
America by Mr. Parmentier, whose enthusiastic devotion to floral 
pursuits promised brilliantly for his own interests, as well as for 
the public benefit. But, to the great regret of all who knew him, 
and who sympathized with his hopes and aspirations, he was cut 
off by death, on the 27th of November, 1830, after a brief illness. 
His estimable widow, who is still living in this city, strove hard to 
continue the business; but failing in her endeavors, in consequence 
of the death of her only son, was finally obliged to dispose of the 
trees and plants, and the grounds, once occupied by their attractive 
garden, were cut up into building lots and streets.” 
There is another account of Parmentier’s garden in the Records 
of the U. S. Catholic Historical Society, p. 440, December, 1904, 
by Thomas F. Meehan. From that article the following quotation 
is taken: 
“ Andrew Parmentier was born in Enghien, Belgium, July 3, 
1780. His father, Andrew Joseph Parmentier, was a merchant in 
the linen trade and filled large contracts for Napoleon’s army. 
His elder brother Joseph was an enthusiastic landscape gardener 
and had charge of a park of three hundred acres at Enghien. 
This park was a most elaborate display of botanical and horticul- 
tural magnificence, laid out with all the advantages of landscape 
additions. Here Andrew Parmentier became skilled in horticul- 
* The Elgin Botanic Garden was established in 1801 by Dr. David Hosack 
on Murray Hill, just north of the present site of the Grand Central Terminat!. 
+ Now Fulton Street and Flatbush Avenue. 
