192 
PARK AND CEnCTCRY. 
weeping hemlocks, etc., fairmount park, PHII.ADE1.PHIA 
Group of Weeping Hemlocks. 
At the time of the Centennial at Philadelphia, 
in 1876, several Nurserymen made exhibits of hardy 
trees and shrubs. These collections were purchased 
afterwards by the Commissioners of Fairmount 
Park and added to the natural growths already ex- 
isting there, so that many a rare tree and nice 
shrub were afterwards to be found in the Park. It 
is with pleasure that a representation is given here 
of a group of weeping hemlocks and pines, which 
were part of the collection spoken of. These hem- 
locks are a source of much interest to the numerous 
visitors to the Park. Having been growing for 
twenty years, they excell probably any other speci- 
mens in these parts. They are about six feet in 
height and eight feet in width. Weeping trees of 
this character are well suited for planting in posi- 
tions such as these occupy. The portion of the 
grounds of the Park in which these are planted was 
set apart especially for evergreens, and many a nice 
specimen can be found here to-day. 
The two deciduous trees back of the group of 
pines consist of the White Ash and the Black Oak. 
The right hand one is the ash. The large, dark 
looking evergreen on the right of the ash is Austri- 
an pine, and one of the same kind is on the left of 
the oak. Facing the two deciduous trees and be- 
tween the two weeping hemlocks on the right is a 
compact form of hemlock. This type is occasionally 
met with in beds of seedlings, some being more 
compact than others, and then the)- become the 
liana of catalogues. Well toward the left will be 
seen a tall, rather ragged looking hemlock of the 
ordinary type. In front of it to the right, are sev- 
eral nice pines, the White, Bhotan, Mandshurica 
and others being among them. Succeeding the last 
weeping hemlock on the left is a very rare pine, the 
golden leaved Scotch. It stands ten feet high, and 
owing to its pretty golden foliage attracts a good 
deal of attention. In front of it is seen a drawf 
white j^ine, Pinus strobus nanus, a pretty and use- 
ful sort. The deciduous tree, the furthest on the 
left, is a sugar maple. 
The weeping hemlock is rather rare in nurseries, 
as, like all varieties, it has to be increased by graft- 
ing or some similar process. The usual way is to 
select some strong plants of the common hemlock, 
pot them a year in advance, bring them into a 
greenhouse and graft them in winter If grafted in 
the open air, they are not so likely to succeed. 
Joseph Meehan. 
Village Parks. 
The interest now everywhere manifested on the 
subject of parks as necessities to our urban civiliza- 
tion can be increased to advantage by the dissem- 
ination in our public print of appropriate and in- 
structive matter on the important subject. In this 
relation we give some extracts from a communica- 
tion by Mr. Frank H. Nutter, Landscape Architect, 
Minneapolis, Minn., to the Northwest Weather and 
Crops published in that city. He says: 
“The park is no longer a luxury merely, but in 
the march of civilization has, like modern systems 
of water supply and sewerage, been found a necessi- 
ty in meeting modern standards of living. Again- 
in the daily life of many of the small towns, which 
are equally removed from the constant occupation 
of the farm, and the opportunities afforded by the 
larger cities for any desired amusements, there is a 
certain monotony of life to which the public park, 
if properly established and maintained, may come 
as an antidote; and in the communion with nature, 
which may be enjoyed in its quiet shades will be 
