June 13, 1S94.] 



Garden and Forest. 



231 



GARDEN AND FOREST. 



PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY 



THE GARDEN AND FOREST PUBLISHING CO. 



Office: Tribune Building. New York. 



Conducted by Professor C. S. Sargent. 



ENTERED AS SECOND-CLASS MATTER AT THE POST OFFICE AT NEW YORK, N. 



NEW YORK, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 1894. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



PAGE. 



Editorial Article : — Water- courses in their Relation to the Public 231 



Flower Days of the Midwinter Fan- C. H. Shfnn. 232 



The Road to the Pyramids of Gizeh. (With figure.) C.A.Dana. 232 



American Parks Mrs. J. H. Kohbins. 233 



Foreign Correspondence: — The Temple Flower Show IV. Watson. 233 



Cultural Department: — Notes on Trees and Shrubs J. G.Jack. 236 



The Rock-garden in June T. D. Hatfield. 236 



A Few Neglected Hardy Plants J. N. Gerard. 237 



Carnation Notes - IV. N. Craig. 237 



Adiantum' Farleyense William Scott. 237 



Correspondence : — The Flowering of Blood-root John Chamberih;. 238 



Orchids at Short Hills. New Jersey J. E. L. 238 



The Forest : — Mixed Oak and Beech Forests of the Spessart. — III. . D. Brandts. 238 



Notes 240 



Illustration : — An Avenue of Lebbeck Trees in Egypt, Fig. 40 235 



Water-courses in their Relation to the Public. 



IN discussing proposed improvements to the Charles River 

 at Boston, in our issue of May 1 6th, we spoke of the 

 antagonism of the residents on the water- side of Beacon 

 Street, because of the recommendation by the Park Depart- 

 ment that a strip of new land should be created on the Boston 

 side to be occupied by an additional row of buildings, which, 

 of course, would cut olt their view of the river. We re- 

 marked that, " if the new frontage cannot be secured, then, 

 if possible, in compensation for retaining their privilege, 

 the Beacon Street residents should be required to give their 

 houses an aspect on their water-side worthy of the prospect 

 which they so highly esteem." A correspondent now asks 

 us to give a f,ew suggestions as to how such an aspect 

 could be procured by the owners of these houses and sta- 

 bles which are already along the river-bank. 



The problem involved is a very important one, not only 

 specifically in relation to this particular instance, but as a 

 matter of general application, where the interests of a com- 

 munity are antagonized by undesirable forms of private 

 occupancy of sites that especially concern the public wel- 

 fare. When the important bearing which a body of water 

 has upon the recreation and the health of a community is 

 considered, it is remarkable that almost universally in this 

 country, the opportunities offered by water fronts have not 

 only been thoroughly neglected, but, in most instances, 

 nuisances or structures of a specially ugly character have 

 been permitted. These abuses exist notwithstanding the fact 

 that desirable improvements might be made with ease and 

 economy, owing to the naturally pleasing character of the 

 surroundings. When park-like improvements are planned 

 for an American municipality it usually happens that in- 

 stead of making the most of distinctively characteristic 

 natural features, such as a river-bank, a lake-front or a sea- 

 shore, ground is chosen for the purpose that is not at all 

 characteristic, and which must be adapted for the desired 

 uses at the expense of much trouble and money ; whereas, 

 had a natural site been selected, little adaptation would have 

 been necessary. In planning for the future occupancy of are- 



gion by a large population, particular attention should be 

 given to the water-courses, with reference to utility as well 

 as to beauty. It sometimes happens nowadays that plans 

 are made with special reference to the growth of a large 

 city. This should be one of the first matters to be attended 

 to, but, as a matter of fact, it is frequently not thought of at 

 all. Wise planning would secure uninterrupted surface- 

 drainage by making the lines of the water-course the bases 

 for roads and drives of a park-way character. The best 

 grades and a pleasant diversity of scenery are thus se- 

 cured, and forms of occupancy are prevented that, by 

 the creation of nuisances and the pollution of running 

 water, seriously endanger the health of an entire com- 

 munity. 



In the projects for the improvement of the metropolitan 

 region about Boston now under consideration due regard 

 is had to this important element, and, so far as it can be 

 done in a general way by the laying out of proposed 

 park-ways and boulevards under the authority of the 

 Metropolitan Park Commission, it is desired to take advan- 

 tages of the banks of the rivers and streams. In one of the 

 municipalities of the metropolitan district, the city of New- 

 ton, a system of thus utilizing all the water-courses in the 

 place has been favorably considered, and certain important 

 details of the plan are already realized. The same course 

 should be taken throughout the entire territory of " Greater 

 Boston." It has been made impossible, however, by the 

 building up of many localities, and enormous future ex- 

 penses for costly culvert construction, overflows and bad 

 sanitation are thus entailed. The proposed improvement 

 of the Charles River is one of the most important features 

 of this character, and the health and prosperity of the com- 

 munity will be immensely promoted if it is carried out 

 upon the lines proposed. It seems strange that the desira- 

 bility of a beautiful water-front for this basin was not re- 

 garded in the planning of the great Back Bay improvement. 

 The eminent architect, the late Arthur Gilman, was the 

 author of this plan, which, in most respects, was a capital 

 one, and characterized by liberal foresight. It was a sin- 

 gular oversight that permitted the back premises of Beacon 

 Street to occupy the water-front. 



Now, that occasion to remedy the mistake arises, the 

 best way to meet the large expense required appears to 

 be in the creation of new land, the profits on its sale pro- 

 viding for the cost of the improvement. The common- 

 wealth would make a very considerable sacrifice in fore- 

 going this great source of income in order to preserve to 

 the present water-side residents their charming view. It 

 has therefore been suggested that, if these residents are to 

 secure a continued enjoyment of their present privilege by 

 a limitation of the proposed filling to a width only sufficient 

 for a drive and esplanade along the bank, they should, in 

 return, contribute very liberally toward the expense of the 

 great improvement, and also agree to substitute an agree- 

 able architectural appearance of their premises for the 

 present unsightly rear walls and rows of stables, back 

 sheds and other offensive features for which they are 

 responsible. Considered from the point of view of the 

 public welfare, the plan of the joint board, which has been 

 most thoughtfully considered by the most competent 

 expert authority, appears thoroughly commendable. But 

 should, for any reason, a modification be found necessary 

 m the direction indicated, it is probable that the Beacon 

 Street residents will be called upon to make liberal con- 

 cessions in return. They cannot expect and probably 

 do not deoire to have a great public improvement blocked 

 or marred solely for their private benefit. 



The problem is, of course, a difficult one, but if the indi- 

 vidual householders would divide the expense, the cost of 

 the change need not be an excessive burden to any one. 

 The easiest solution at first thought seems to be the erec- 

 tion of extensions so as to give new facades upon the 

 river. Probably a serious objection to this, however, lies 

 in the fact that the houses are generally planned with 

 reference to the river from certain rooms, as libraries, 



