PARK AND CEMETERY. 
9 
Some statistics relating to the pecuniary benefits 
to surrounding property are given. In New York 
city in 1856, the assessed value of the three wards 
adjoining Central Park was $20,429, 565; in 1873 it 
was $236,08 1 , 5 1 5. The natural average increase 
of three other wards in the city, when all the wards 
had been averaged, was $53,000,000, making the 
earning capacity of the park, $183,081,515. 
In Brooklyn, in 1864, when Prospect Park was 
acquired, the three neighboring wards were assessed 
at $19,949,395) at the end of three years the val - 
uation had risen 38 per cent. Interesting statistics of 
other cities show like gains due to the influence of 
the park. 
Governor Werts of New Jersey, in a late mes- 
sage to the legislature said: “The setting aside of 
tracts of land for public parks, as places of public 
recreation, rest and enjoyment, has come to be 
regarded as a necessity rather than a mere conveni- 
ence. They conduce to the public health, promote 
the general happiness and encourage citizenship. 
As public investments they are remunerative and 
profitable. Experience has proved that the increas- 
ed valuations in the vicinity of a .well regulated 
park will soon more than pay the cost of the origin- 
al investment.” 
The commission advises the purchase of land 
for the entire project as the first step to avoid the 
certainty of increased cost in the future from specu- 
lative energy. It is proposed to lay out four parks 
in the four quarters of the county, and by parkways 
and boulevards blend them all into a system that 
the people in every section may be benefited. 
These conecting links would utilize existing roads 
as far as possible, and include smaller parks in 
thickly settled districts. 
The amount required for the work is estimated 
at $2,500,000, which seems to be a moderate a- 
mount considering that some 4000 to 4500 acres of 
land is to be improved. 
Essex County contains such towns as Newark 
and Orange, and its population comprises a large 
number of New York's business people, — a popu- 
lation which will undoubtedly appreciate the ad- 
vantages and pleasures which sueh a park develop- 
ment will afford. 
The bill has passed both houses of the legisla- 
ture unanimously, with the important amendment 
that the question must be submitted to the vote of 
the people of the county. The Park Commission 
has earned the commendation of all parties for its 
faithful and disinterested labors, and for the exem- 
plary wisdom and economy which has characterized 
its methods. 
The measure should be accepted by the people, 
the heaviest taxpayers being its warmest supporters. 
The Grotto, Forest Hills Cemetery, Jamaica Plain, Mass. 
The Grotto, illustrated herewith, is located a 
short distance from the main entrance to the 
grounds, at the junction of Willow, White Oak and 
Rock Maple Avenues, and covers an area of about 
10,000 square feet. It is laid out with winding 
paths in as natural and picturesque manner as pos- 
sible and no large boulders or any of the natural 
ledge has been disturbed; but in order to complete- 
ly carry out the plan many large boulders were 
brought from other parts. An arch and bridge 
have been constructed to give easy access from one 
place to another and a close inspection of the view 
shows, at the rustic bridge end near the cluster of 
oak trees, a platform arranged for a look-out, from 
which a fine view of the large lake and the surround- 
ing grounds can be obtained. On the other side of 
the picture a summer house is located, which is a 
delightful resting place for visitors, and there are 
several small founrains and waterfalls scattered 
about the grotto, which add very much to its at- 
tractiveness, and give on a hot day a refreshing and 
cooling effect. 
The particular object of this article is to show 
that where like facilities can be had, no park or cem- 
etery need be without of attractions in a floral dis- 
play, nor dependent for this result upon the pro- 
ducts of the greenhouse. It is true in this illustra- 
tion a few Agaves are seen, but they wall not be 
used any more, it being intended to fill the entire 
grotto with the best hardy and other native plants 
that can be obtained, and a few shrubs where they 
can be suitably located, thus placing it virtually 
where it will take care of itself. This phrase is not 
used to convey the idea that it needs no care at all, 
but that the growing hardy plants will keep it a 
source of delight without annual replenishing. 
It would be impossible in limited space to de- 
scribe in detail the arrangement, butperhaps a good 
help would be the following short detailed list of 
what is growing there. There is no place in Forest 
Hills more sought than the Grotto, and perhaps 
none that given more pleasure to the numerous vis- 
itors. 
FERNS: — Adiantuui pcdatuin, maiden hair 
fern. Aspidiiint inarginale, evergreen wood fern, 
good for rocky places. Dicksonia ptinctilobula , 
does well in sunlight or shade and is commonly 
known as Gossamer fern. Onoclca sensibilis, sen- 
sitive fern. Ophioglosstmi vu/gatinn, (Adder’s 
Tongue Fern) planted in shady moist nooks. Os- 
tniinda regains, (Flowering Fern) one of the pretti- 
est. Osiniinda Claytoniana , a tall growing variety 
clothed with loose wool when unfolding its fronds 
in the spring, soon becoming perfectly smooth. 
P.ellcea atropnrpnrea', an expert in fern culture says 
