286 ORNAMENTAL GARDENING. 



superior to those of Paris would result. There are few 

 places that could not undertake such improvements, in 

 some effective degree, and carry them out successfully, 

 without any one greatly feeling the burden. To take a 

 practical view of the matter, it may be seen that a town 

 of one, ten, or a hundred thousand people, paying a 

 special tax of but one dollar, for instance, per capita on 

 an average, for initiating the work, and then afterwards 

 say twenty to fifty cents annually for improving and 

 keeping, would raise a sum of money, that with the help 

 of good plans and prudent management, would accom- 

 plish results that would soon be priceless, and of which all 

 could reap the benefit. It will be no credit to American 

 civilization if the opportunities of hundreds of towns 

 now needing these improvements are allowed to pass un- 

 improved, in this latter third of the ninteenth century, 

 with all our wealth and established prosperity, and with 

 such examples as we have in Paris and other cities before 

 us — equivalent lessons of which Paris herself in her 

 pioneer efforts had not the benefit. 



The radiating and cross principle of town boulevards, 

 such as the French capital decided upon, should in some 

 form and degree be considered most desirable for adop- 

 tion by our growing cities. With some main avenues 

 radiating from the center outwards, the system is 

 adapted to a growth of any extent, allowing all parts to 

 be readily reached from all others at any stage of growth. 

 Besides the merit of convenience, a town which thus 

 possesses the degree of irregularity that comes from such 

 a system is beautiful in general appearance, for in cities 

 as in architecture, the prevalence of too much regularity 

 in the plan and general lines, is not conducive to the 

 finest effects. Where it might be found necessary for 

 carrying out such a system, to open highways through 

 any old thickly settled parts, it could often be done as 

 advantageously as similar work in Paris has been done. 



