(176) 
missioner of Parks, in the presence of a considerable number 
of people formally broke ground at the location of the cen- 
tral dome of the large palm house, and remarked as follows: 
It is with great pleasure that Iam present as the official repre- 
sentative of the great City of New York to take part in these exer- 
cises in breaking ground for the beautiful structure that ina few 
months will cover this ground, and be forever devoted to the Art 
and Science of Horticulture. 
I congratulate the officers of the Botanical Society, that notwith- 
standing the various serious questions that have attended the admin- 
istration of the new and greater New York, that but comparatively 
little delay has occurred to interfere with the progress of this work. 
And I can safely say that before the close of the coming year the 
beautiful Museum building as well as the Horticultural structure 
which we commence to-day will be completed and open for public 
se. 
Under the provisions of the several acts of the legislature referring 
to the Botanical Garden, the present section of Bronx Park, com- 
prising 250 acres, was set aside by the Park Department for the 
purposes of the Society. The City of New York through the De- 
partment of Parks was authorized to expend the sum of $500,000 
for suitable structures; and finally by section 613 of the present 
charter, it is made the duty of the Commissioner of Parks for the 
Borough of the Bronx to maintain the New York Botanical Garden 
and the buildings appurtenant thereto. 
It is, therefore, a duty as well as a pleasure that I should attend 
to-day, and briefly express my hearty coéperation in your work. 
While much has been accomplished, much remains; in addition 
to the buildings before you and those to be erected, the important 
matter of laying out these grounds must soon be considered and 
provided for. I have already had several conferences with your 
energetic Director-in-Chief upon this subject and I trust that suitable 
appropriations will be made by the City authorities for the purpose. 
In conclusion, permit me to say that in the present year, as in the 
year just closed, I will aid by every means in my power the speedy 
completion of this work to the end, that we may possess an institu- 
tion, instructive, educational and ornamental, and a fitting illustra- 
tion of the progress of the civilization of the present century. 
The building has been staked out, and Mr. Sheehan pro- 
poses to begin excavations for his trenches within a few days. 
