PARK AND CEMETERY 
AND LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
Vol. XVIII Chicago. March, 1908 No. 1 
Matters of National Import 
Besides the general question of a .'•Beautiful America” in 
detail, the American Civic Association is now very particu- 
larly and practically interesting itself in four matters of 
national importance, viz. : the preservation of the forest re- 
sources of the country; the preservation of Niagara Falls; 
the preservation of the Grand Canyon of the Colorado, and 
the abolition of billboard advertising, where the latter offends 
the public taste and welfare. We can scarcely say too much 
in commendation of the high public service which the Asso- 
ciation is rendering, and to which its years of practical work 
and rapidly growing position in power and purpose so emi- 
nently fit it, but to make its practical efforts more effective, 
it desires and invites all the help which our citizens in all 
parrs of the country can proffer. The preservation of our 
forest resources is now the most weighty question before the 
people of the United States, for history would teach us that 
the future of the country actually depends upon it. Then, 
again, the preservation of the Falls of Niagara is a problem 
that commercialism has made quite intricate, and which re- 
quires both wisdom and statesmanship to solve in order to 
insure permanent results. The Grand Canyon of the Colo- 
rado is a simple matter, because it involves no international 
complications, but it will require persistent work and watch- 
ing in order to get its conservation properly adjusted within 
a reasonable time. The billboard campaign has assumed 
national proportions and the nuisance is rapidly coming under 
conditions that promise a reasonable control, but it still calls 
for persistent work on the part of the Association. In 
every way possible all interested should lend a hand ; and 
besides the financial assistance which is urgently invited, rep- 
resentatives in Congress should be appealed to to cast their 
votes in favor of legislation designed to take care of these 
important public interests. In special reference to forest pres- 
ervation we ask every reader to write congressmen urging 
their favorable votes, and requesting a copy of the report of 
the Secretary of Agriculture upon the “Southern Appalachian 
and White Mountain Watersheds,” and the demand for this 
document. No. 91 of the 60th Congress, will practically 
demonstrate the people’s will in this particular item of forest 
preservation. 
Ng N? Ng 
Public Comfort Stations 
Our municipal progress has not been marked by a recog- 
nition of the refinements of civic necessities ' such as our 
European neighbors appeared to have appreciated in certain 
particulars many years ago. Especially may this be said in 
connection with what are now designated as public comfort 
stations. There has been no question as to the necessity of 
these conveniences, but the city fathers gave no heed to sucli 
matters in times past, probably from the lack of knowledge 
of the essentials of a city’s development. It is difficult to ex- 
plain our backwardness in this respect, because our hotels, 
railway comforts, and other features of American progress 
have been marvelously evidenced in all their details. In 
many European cities the early efforts to supply toilet accom- 
modations to the pu1)lic have been superseded by structures 
highly decorative from an architectural standpoint, and their 
number and location in business centers, or where traffic 
is heavy, have been determined upon expert investigation and 
advice. The question is finally becoming an important one 
in our own civic, development, and comfort stations, met 
with quite frequently in our Eastern cities, are matters now 
under consideration in manv municipalities throughout the 
country. In our larger cities such accommodations are really 
essential, and should become an important feature of public 
service. A study of the question will show that such stations 
can be constructed above or below ground, and as to space 
and locality they can be adapted to a variety of conditions ; 
but they are a problem for every important city to solve, and 
are indications of civic progress. 
Vig Ng 
The Location of Growing Cemeteries 
The location of projected cemeteries in relation to 
growing cities is a matter for very serious consideration. 
The mere question of location is a study in itself, for the 
future of the cemetery may depend in considerable meas- 
ure on two factors at least — a desirable and satisfactory 
site, and the selection of that site in regard to the direc- 
tion of growth of the adjacent city and the quality of 
that growth. While distance from the city limits should 
be - reasonable, from many points of view, at the same 
time an important fact must not be overlooked, that of 
permanence. Experience teaclies us that no cemetery can 
lay valid claims to permanence that may finally find itself 
within the city limits; a few there may be that thrive 
under the prospect of such a privilege, but it rests, in the 
long run, upon a very uncertain tenure. Beauty of site 
and quality of improvements should at any time offset 
the slight inconvenience of a longer journey, and it would 
seem a matter of but common business to present in at- 
tractive form available arguments to induce fair patron- 
age to any cemetery situated a few miles outside the 
limits of one of our phenomenally growing cities. No 
cemetery organization should despair under such a con- 
dition, provided its business is conducted on progressive 
lines. The rest and peace of the country so eminently 
harmonizes with the spirit of the cemetery, that distance 
is no disadvantage, where proper transportation facilities 
exist to minimize the objection. 
Ng Vjg 
School Gardens and the Coming Citizen 
While the school garden as an educational preposition is, 
in a general sense, in its infanc^q its effect on public school 
children who have come under its influence has been quite 
marked and most encoura.ging. The efforts of the Depart- 
ment of Agriculture to add inspiration to the cause by pro- 
viding garden facilities for the Washington scholars, have 
shown that not only does the prescribed work in actual gar- 
dening tend to broaden their intellectual capacity, but it also 
develops refinement in a greater or less degree, and above all 
improves the moral tone. This would go to show that the 
government might well exercise itself in the direction of 
educating school .garden teachers to the end of developing 
good citizens in their future pupils. .A.t a recent meeting of 
school superintendents in Washington, great interest was 
manifested in this work ; and the results so far accomplished 
and on record served to show that the school garden can be 
made, in fact is, a decidedly important factor in the develop- 
ment of character and the general education of the young. 
Looked upon as an important, legitimate function of the 
government to promote such a phase of public education, it is 
to be expected that some available scheme involving govern- 
ment aid may be presented to Congress and receive its sanc- 
tion and support. 
