THE PUBLIC PARKS OF GLASGOW. 



53 



plants succeed, at any rate sufficiently to produce something of 

 interest during nine months of the year at least, in comparison with 

 the four months of the ordinary summer bedding plants — a fact 

 which the public seem to appreciate very fully. 



Allusion must also be made to a phase of horticulture which is 

 somewhat uncommon in public parks, but which is a unique feature 

 in those of Glasgow, and that is the number of winter gardens and 

 glass-houses in which are cultivated good general collections of pot 

 plants. Apart from the splendid ranges of glass-houses at the 

 Botanic Gardens, there are conservatories or winter gardens in 

 Glasgow Green, Tollcross, Springburn, and Queen's Park, all open 

 daily to the public, whose appreciation may be gauged by the 

 attendances. For example, one year when the Chrysanthemums 

 were in bloom at Queen's Park, a census was taken of the visitors 

 on a Sunday, and the number was over 7,000 within four hours. 

 The houses at Camphill, in Queen's Park, were primarily intended 

 as a propagating centre for plants to supply the newer parks, as 

 well as for decorating the City Chambers on the occasion of civic 

 functions, but owing to the interest shown in these houses by the 

 public it was decided to open them daily from 12 till 5 p.m., and 

 the results have fully justified the action. 



Amongst the large number of ordinary decorative plants culti- 

 vated, the Department have gradually gathered a good representative 

 collection of Orchids, which have proved a feature extremely inter- 

 esting to, and appreciated by, the public, and a matter of surprise to 

 strangers. We grow about 10,000 Odontoglossums, Cypripediums* 

 Dendrobiums, and other genera. The first two named we find the 

 most useful for our purposes, and less liable to suffer from fogs than 

 Cattleyas, Laelias, &c. 



Music. 



Provision is made for music during -the summer months in all 

 the principal parks, as well as in a few of the smaller. Eighteen of 

 the parks and open spaces are provided with bandstands. The old 

 idea that a bandstand should be perched on some eminence or made 

 an outstanding architectural feature has been abandoned, and our 

 newer erections are built to meet the views of musical experts — 

 with, on the whole, fairly satisfactory results. In previous years, 

 prior to the War, 390 performances were annually given throughout 

 the parks. 



A few years ago a new development, in the way of musical enter- 

 tainments, was made by the engaging of concert parties, who give 

 two concerts daily in certain parks. Whatever opinion may be 

 held as to the wisdom or propriety of such performances being given 

 in public parks by municipal authorities, there is no doubt, judging 

 from the attendances, that a section of the public seem to enjoy 

 them. The latest innovation is that of Sunday afternoon concerts 



