40 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



is necessary and desirable, the fact must not be overlooked that 

 parks which are provided and maintained from local rates ought to 

 be, as far as possible, arranged to meet the tastes of all classes of 

 the community. 



Therefore, if it be hardly possible nowadays to lay out city parks 

 satisfactorily on the old stately lines, there is nothing to hinder 

 municipalities in meeting most of the modern requirements of those 

 who demand quietude and restfulness in their hours of leisure in 

 the open air, by the provision of these features which tend to that 

 end in the shape of quiet nooks amongst noble trees, graceful and 

 elegant shrubs, and hardy plants of all kinds, each possessing some 

 feature, either in habit of growth, shape or colouring of leaf or flower, 

 to attract the attention and interest of the great body of visitors. 



If one can arrive at a sound judgment of public taste by close 

 observation, then the tendency is towards a keener and closer 

 examination of the subjects when the variety is greatest. Great 

 masses of- colour, though desirable in many respects for bold effects, 

 may appeal to the casual passer-by, but do not create the enthusiasm 

 of, say, a border of roses, sweet peas, carnations, pansies, and similar 

 homely flowers ; while a border of old-fashioned herbaceous plants, 

 or even a moderate collection of dwarf and alpine plants, will have 

 hundreds of regular visitors who keenly watch the development of 

 their favourites during the season. 



From an educational point of view such features in public parks 

 are of incalculable value ; and, while we may not all agree with the 

 methods of nature study as practised by certain types of teachers, 

 there are others to whom the variety of plants grown in public 

 parks and gardens is a godsend by enabling them to find in these 

 some subject to interest even the dullest pupil. Let us show how far 

 Glasgow has met the views and ideas desiderated. 



Glasgow, from its earliest period until comparatively recent 

 times, appears to have devoted itself more to the cultivation of its 

 industries and commerce than to the beautifying of its urban and 

 municipal areas. 



Historians have recorded that its surroundings were delightfully 

 picturesque, and that the private gardens of its citizens were plea- 

 sant and charming. We have ample evidence of the truth of these 

 statements, despite the fact that much of the natural beauty is now 

 a thing of the past. There is also the old joke that Glasgow, " Gude 

 Sanct Mungo's toun sae smeeky," is a place to get out of as quickly 

 as possible. This libel we can laugh at, and though we have more 

 smoke than we desire or care for, its presence is an indication of 

 the vigour and push which have made our city one of the greatest 

 in the Empire. It also indicates an evil which, unchecked, materially 

 injures the health of the community and adds considerably to the 

 difficulties attendant on the subject we are dealing with. 



Glasgow, not being a capital city, nor one of Royal residence, 

 possesses no park through Royal favour. London has its Hyde 



