PARK AND CEMETERY. 
I 12 
this influence gradually gave way, and the native 
feeling and reason predominated.” Literature be- 
gan to show that cultivated men had a keen appre- 
ciation of natural scenery, and a disposition to speak 
slightingly of the beauty of gardens as compared 
with that of nature. At the same time, the sys- 
tem of formal gardening had now become so com- 
pletely matured that it was reduced to rules of prac- 
tice, with the necessary consequence of an iminent 
break-up. A real change in taste had taken place, 
a reversion to naturalness in everything. Then it 
only required the genius and boldness of Kent to 
develope these new-found thoughts, and the indus- 
try of Brown to put them into practice. It was for 
them to raze the walls, treat the garden as a nat- 
ural scene, and make the beginning of the modern 
garden which we admire to-day. 
A. Phelps Wyman. 
Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y. 
THE SCOTCH THISTLE. 
The accompanying engravings clearly show the 
decorative possibilities of the Scotch Thistle, Ono- 
pardum acanthum, when well placed and of thrifty 
growth, and in a lesser degree its adaptability for 
use in indoor decorations. 
The cut of the finely developed growing speci- 
men may remind some reader of Prof. Bailey’s read- 
able and helpful bulletin entitled ‘‘Suggestions for 
the Planting of Shrubbery,” which includes an ac- 
count and illustration of what he terms a “choice 
little weedland” as well as certain ironical remarks 
concerning horticultural likes and dislikes. 
THE SCOTCH THISTLE. 
The plant shown stands near the entrance to the 
Lexington, Ky., Cemetery on abroad strip of sward 
intervening between the roadway and the fence. 
The genial Scotch superintendent, Mr. C. S. Bell, 
says that the thistle has been growing in this situa- 
tion nearly forty years having been started from 
seed from the grave of Burns, and that when he 
visited the poets grave two years ago he found the 
thistle still growing there but less vigorously than 
in Kentucky. 
It is possible that the Scottish emblem would 
prove a desirable plant for use in the wilder parts 
of many American Parks. It does not spread rap- 
idly because the seeds are too heavy to be scat- 
tered by wind and are only disseminated 
by birds. 
It is one of the cotton thistles, the 
leaves being clothed on the underside 
with a white pubescence, and it grows to 
a height of from four to six feet, making 
a specimen that is both stately and pic- 
turesque. 
My correspondent is kind enough to 
say that if any of my ‘ ‘park friends” would 
like to try the plant he can collect some 
of the seed if notified at once. I suggest 
that any one wishing to take advantage 
of his kind offer would better send their 
request, accompanied by a stamped return 
envelope, directly to Mr. C. S. Bell, 
Cemetery Office, West Main St., Lexing- 
ton, Ky. 
Growing Scotch Thistles in pots for 
indoor decoration is, perhaps, unusual 
but it proved a marked success in this 
case, for they were splendid plants and 
singularly appropriate in connection 
THE SCOTCH THISTLE IN DECORATION. 
