PARK AND CCnCTCRY 
247 
PARK NOTES. 
The Park commissioners of Buffalo, N. Y., asked the Board 
of Aldermen for $50,000 for a Botanical garden but the board 
cut it down to $25,000. It will make a start, however. 
* * * 
Mayor Strong of New York City, approved the bill authoriz- 
ing the expenditure by the Park Department of 1350,000 for the 
improvement of the parks and parkways of that city. 
* » * 
The general depression is having its effect on public im- 
provements in many places. Work on the park system of Oma- 
ha, Neb., is practically at a standstill awaiting better times. 
* * « 
Meridian, Miss., is agitating the question of establishing 
two parks, one within the corporate limits, the other out of town. 
Meridian is behind the times in park matters, as are most other 
southern cities. 
* * 
New Orleans is discussing the extension of the Lower City 
Park to take in a large area of land. Now is the time to acquire 
the necessary land, but the financial problem is the difficult one 
of the undertaking. 
* * * 
It is said to be the intention of John D. Rockefeller and as- 
sociates to expend a large sum of money in public improvements 
at Tarrytown, N. Y. , including a public park on his own proper- 
ty in the vicinity of the old Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. 
« * * 
The park commissioners of Nebraska City, Neb., appointed 
by Judge Ramsey under new state legislation in their petition 
asking for the possession of the parks from the mayor and city 
council, and which was refused by that body, have been sustain- 
ed in the district court. 
* * * 
The bill before the New York legislature looking to the 
widening of the Kingsbridge road, were it enacted would cause 
the destruction or removal of Edgar Allen Poe’s cottage at Ford- 
ham, N. Y. A strong protest has arisen against this, and some 
4000 taxpayers have asked that a park be made around it. The 
plan has been looked upon with favor. 
* * * 
The proposed monument composed of stones contributed by 
different posts to commemorate the encampment of the G. A. 
R. at St. Paul this summer has been abandoned. M'hen the 
matter of the location of the encampment was finally settled it 
was too late for action. Thus beautiful Como Park escapes for 
a time, at least, a threatened possible defacement. 
* * * 
Connecticut is congratulating herself on her parks commem- 
orative of revolutionary historic events. The Putman Wolf Den 
association has determined to make a public park of the interest- 
ing locality in which the “Den” is situated at Pomfret. This 
with the Putnam park at Redding; Fort Griswold park at Gro- 
ton, and other points improved for commemorative purposes 
speaks well for the public spirit of the state. 
X * -if- 
St. Louis has apparently been going backward m the matter 
of park improvement for its citizen masses. Twenty years ago 
there were three small parks in the centre of the city. One has 
since been entirely covered with buildings, another has been 
partially so and an effort is now being made to construct a mar- 
ket house on the third. As the St. Louis Chronicle truly says; 
“St. Louis can better do without a market house than without a 
down- town park.” 
» * X 
Kuhlow's paper, Berlin, states “Of botanic gardens France 
has twenty two, Germany thirty five. Great Britain and Ireland 
eleven, the Indian empire nine, Italy twenty-two, Russia four- 
teen, New Zealand three, the United States five. It is said that 
the finest botanical gardens in the world are situated in the is- 
lands of the Azores. When Portugal was at its prime in the great 
office of discovering the world, a rage for botanical specimens 
was current among all interested in the maritime adventures of 
those interesting days. The climate of the Azores lends itself 
particularly to the growth of the products of almost every land. 
The result is a series of magnificent botanical gardens in those 
summer islands, where may be seen nearly every tree and plant 
known to the early navigators.” 
XXX 
The collection of native fungi of Dr. Ellis, of New lersey, 
which has been purchased for the New York Botanical Gardens 
at Bronx Park has been pronounced one of the most valuable col- 
lections of the kind in existence. Great progress has been made 
in laying out these grounds, and about 1,000 trees will be plant- 
ed between the gardens and the railroad as a screen, which is 
much needed. Some of these trees will be planted with a view 
of becoming part of the permanent system, the others, quick 
growing, for screen only. Plans for permanent buildings are 
being prepared and work will begin on them as soon as they have 
been passed upon. The sewerage system has had great care be- 
stowed upon it. Every point of historical interest wall be care- 
fully preserved, the landscape gardening also tending to bring 
out the natural beauties of the tract. 
XXX 
According to Gericke, the great German forester, the great- 
est ages to which trees in Germany are positively known to have 
lived are from 500 to 570 years. For instance, the pine in Bo- 
hemia and the pine in Norway and Sweden have lived to the 
latter age. Next comes the silver fir, which in the Bohemian 
forests has stood and thrived for upward of 400 years. In Bava- 
ria the larch has reached the age of 275 years. Of foliage trees 
the oak appears to have survived the longest. The best example 
is the evergreen oak at Aschoffenburg, which reached the age of 
410 years. Other oaks in Germany have lived to be from 315 to 
320 years old. At Aschoffenburg the red beach has lived to the 
age of 245 years and at other points to the age of 225 years. Of 
other trees the highest known are ash, 170 years; birch, 160 to 
200 years; aspen 220 years; mountain maple, 225 years; elm 130 
years and red elder, 145 years. 
# * * 
The suggestions to the park police of Rochester, N. Y., by 
Chairman Elwood of the Committee of the Board of Park Com- 
missioners should be noted. After stating that the rules regard- 
ing the use of intoxicants would be rigidly enforced, he said: 
Nothing is more dreaded by timid women and children than the 
officer, clothed with authority, under the influence of liquor, be 
it never so little. We will insist on neatness in appearance and a 
polite bearing and deportment at all times. And remember 
that you are to conduct yourselves, not only as officers, but as 
gentlemen, for you will have to do mostly with gentle people 
coming from their homes for recreation. In closing these few 
brief remarks, gentlemen, I want to urge you to realize that we 
have a common interest and should all work together from the 
venerable and venerated “father of our parks,” all through the 
list, to make our parks and their management a credit to the 
city and a delight to the citizens and taxpayers who so gener- 
ously contribute to their support. 
