COMPLETION OF CENTRAL PARK 



most charming bit of water and sylvan landscape. 

 In order to realize better the needs of Central Park 

 and how much should be spent on it, it is worth 

 while to turn to the chapter of this book which 

 gives an account of Mrs. Sage's gift of rhododen- 

 drons. It might be interesting to go farther and 

 state that the cost of the soil, clay loam, and 

 humus used in making this plantation was $20,000, 

 while the total cost of the gift only came to about 

 $50,000. There are twenty tracts of the park where 

 similar treatment should be given. Besides the 

 need for restoration and completion already re- 

 ferred to, employment of new and rare species 

 of trees and shrubs needs far greater attention. 

 Certainly Central Park, in view of its reputation 

 as the foremost pleasure ground of America, 

 should present to the world an exhibition of 

 landscape gardening art in its latest and most 

 perfect expression. 



[17] 



