EEPOETS. 



EEPORT or THE C0}[3IITTEE ON OENAIENTAL GAEDENIN^, 



For the Year 186G. 



The Garden Committee respectfully submit their report for 1866: 



It is to be hoped that our Society may, in future years, exert a more 

 positive and direct influence, through this Committee, in awakening and 

 extending an interest in gardening. We can but think that this Society 

 and the public are to receive great benefit from the munificent prizes 

 which the liberality of one of our members has enabled the Society to 

 ofier, for skill in this art. For the present year the duties of your Com- 

 mittee have been limited to three invitations, all of which were from the 

 Government of the city of Boston. 



On the 20th of September your Committee visited the Public Garden 

 in Boston, by invitation of and in company with His Honor the Mayor 

 and other members of the City Government. In every part of the Gar- 

 den we found indications of constant care and interest. The walks were 

 clean and in good order; the grass was well cut; beds were evenly 

 graded and neatly kept, and of some kinds of flowers there was a fair 

 supply. Taking the ground in the condition in which it was laid out, 

 without venturing upon radical changes, the officers having this in charge 

 have succeeded in satisfying the public by the pleasing effect of lawn, 

 water, shrubbery and gay flowers. Contrasting its present condition 

 with the ofiensive marsh which it was, a few years since, it may well be 

 a source of pride and pleasure to the citizens of Boston; and its care- 

 ful culture is a credit to the Committee having it in charge. 



Yet your Committee cannot refrain from expressing the opinion that 

 this Garden is capable of producing much higher effect than at present. 

 There seems to have been a decided lack of skill in the original plan of 

 the grounds. Instead of studying effects, opening vistas, creating a 

 sense of extent and " magnificent distances " in contrast, at the next 

 turn, with some sudden surprise of quiet beauty; instead of grouping 

 the plants in harmony, in order to produce distinct impressions, instead 

 of skilful design, we find unmeaning mixedness in every part. Effects 

 are spoiled by some impertinent obstruction of the vision, or frittered 

 away by a lack of harmony and distinctness. As an example of the 

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