950 PARKS 



rolling uplands, valleys, lowlands, stream or streams, springs, lake, or one 

 which presents the possibility of creating one or more bodies of water. It 

 is, of course, next to impossible to secure topographical diversity in a small 

 area except in very exceptional circumstances. 



3. A diversity of soils as to quality, texture and degrees of moisture 

 is highly desirable. In larger areas of diversified topography it is likely 

 that a diversity of soils will be had naturally. In the smaller area this may 

 be accomplished by additions, subtractions and by fertilization. Good 

 drainage is of the highest importance. Where this is not had naturally 

 artificial drainage becomes a fundamental necessity. This is an important 

 point to keep in mind in selecting a site, for the installation of an elaborate 

 artificial drainage system is very expensive and may be avoided by proper 

 care in selecting the area. On the whole, a sandy loam is best both from the 

 standpoint of drainage and from ease in cultivation. 



4. Special attention should be given to adequacy of water supply and 

 the possible cost of developing the supply. It would be fatal to the success 

 of any garden if there were not at all times a never-failing source of water 

 in excess of even emergency demands. 



5. In the selection of the site for a large garden an effort should be 

 made to secure a site presenting as diversified as possible natural or native 

 plant growth -- trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants. Very few people, espe- 

 cially city dwelling people, are familiar with plants indigenous to their 

 locality. A site that presents a rich variety of plant forms native to the 

 region can be readily made available to study while the remainder of the 

 garden is under development. The expense of transplanting and special 

 care while growing will likewise be saved. 



6. Accessibility to the people is a factor of prime consideration. It 

 may sometimes be difficult to harmonize accessibility with other factors of 

 prime importance, but in this day of growing private ownership of motor 

 vehicles, operation of rapid transit and motor bus routes and increased 

 construction of good roads, it is easier to locate a site that will harmonize 

 all the essential factors involved in selecting a site than was true a quarter 

 of a century ago. 



7. The utmost care should be taken in choosing a site to determine the 

 probable direction of the growth of the population and especially the future 

 development of manufacturing. This is particularly true where gardens 

 are located in the vicinity of rapidly growing cities. Foresight in this respect 

 may mean the possible avoidance of ultimate abandonment or costly removal 

 of the garden. Nearly all the older botanical gardens in this country are 

 now completely enveloped by the expansion of population or are gradually 

 being so enveloped. Where located in exceedingly large park areas the 



