255 
PARK AND CEMETERY 
The Boston Metropolitan ParK System— III. 
Opinions differ as to the positive sanitary effect of 
interchangeable fresh and saline or brackish waters 
commingling with each other. At the time the problem 
was being studied an official of the State Board of 
Health gave it as his opinion that it would have a 
salubrious rather than a harmful effect. 
To our knowledge there was no precedent to the 
establishing of a low, dense, herbaceous vegetation upon 
large areas under the same circumstances or for an 
identical or similar purpose. A principal motive of this 
project was to correct the evils of mud flats when ex- 
posed to the sun and air during each ebb of the tide. 
To seriously base an estimate partially dependent upon 
the success of an experiment for its accuracy was 
at the least a bold and daring procedure in a work 
where it involved such potent consequence. The result 
has been a decided success in complete accord with 
Mr. Olmsted’s anticipation. 
Such scenery in the heart of a large city may be 
regarded as bleak, dreary and inappropriate, but in- 
VIEW FROM BOYLSTON BRIDGE, BACK BAY PENS, BOSTON METROPOLITAN PARK SYSTEM. 
