88 



shrubs and other plants has proved insufficient for a satisfactory 

 representation of all kinds of plants which will grow in our 

 latitude, and this is particularly the case as regards trees and 

 shrubs. The greatly increased public interest in trees, and 

 indeed in all plants, during the last few years makes it very 

 desirable that additional space be provided for the further de- 

 velopment of the institution. 



The land of Bronx Park lying south of the present southern 

 boundary of the Garden reservation and the northern side of 

 Pelham Avenue would furnish this desirable area for expansion. 

 The portion of it now naturally wooded is in direct continuation 

 southward from the forested areas of the present site, and placing 

 the additional land under the control of the Botanical Garden 

 would ensure its uniformity of maintenance and preservation 

 and uniform treatment of the whole of the gorge of the Bronx 

 River, probably the most important and attractive natural 

 feature remaining within the limits of the city. The portions 

 now existing as unplanted and open fields and slopes may be 

 beautified by the planting of trees, and decorative border plan- 

 tations of flowering shrubs and herbaceous plants may be estab- 

 lished along the streets which bound this portion of the park. 

 There would be no need nor desire for the construction of ad- 

 ditional buildings on this land, because, when completed, the 

 buildings on the present reservation will be amply sufficient. 

 The buildings now standing on the additional land asked for 

 could be utilized to advantage by the Garden, assuming that 

 arrangements may be made which would not embarrass the Park 

 Department by withdrawing them from their present uses. 



In order to avoid the possibility of any embarrassment, the use 

 and control of such buildings as are at present needed by the 

 Park Department might remain with that department until their 

 equivalents might be provided on other park lands. The use of 

 such land about these buildings needed by the Park Department 

 for plant nurseries might also similarly remain with that depart- 

 ment. 



The appropriation of the additional tract of land would bring 

 the southern boundary of the Botanical Garden south to the 



