( 166 ) 
the numerous requirements of different plants. The walks 
through the houses will be commodious, sinuous in the larger 
houses and straight in the smaller ones. The floor areas in 
the larger houses will be treated naturally, and vistas can 
be arranged from many points. Plant tables constructed with 
iron frames and slate tops will be placed in some of the smaller 
houses to accommodate the collections that will be grown in 
pots. 
All the other various features entering into the houses have 
been perfected with a view of obtaining the greatest amount 
of durability, lightness of construction, beauty of outline and 
practicability from a horticultural standpoint. The large 
number of houses will allow a very diversified treatment of 
plant life. 
The central palm house will accommodate the largest speci- 
mens of palms and other tropical plants, and the commodious 
interior will admit of avery effective natural treatment. The 
smaller connecting houses can be used to great advantage for 
the display and growth of various classes of plants; there 
being six of these compartments, a wide treatment can be 
employed. The large cross houses can be utilized to good 
purpose as a cool palm or fern house, and a house for the 
growth and display of tropical fruit and an economic collec- 
tion and for various other uses. The two square dome houses 
can be used for a collection of cacti, etc. One of the thirty- 
eight feet by one hundred and three feet houses has a pond 
occupying the entire area, excepting for a border a few feet 
wide around the sides; this will provide for a fine display of 
aquatics. The other thirty-eight feet house will provide a 
display or exhibition house. 
The foregoing outline description is only intended to con- 
vey a general impression as to the character and adaptability 
of the houses. The range as a whole will undoubtedly be 
the most thoroughly constructed and equipped of any in the 
country and will embrace such varied capabilities for diversi- 
fied and broad treatment that it cannot but be a source of 
great pleasure and education to the people of New York and 
vicinity. 
