PARK AND CEMETERY. 
95 
pertaining to Out-door Art. During the past year ninety-eight 
members have joined, two annual members hive become life 
members, and two honorary members have been elected. Our 
total membership is two hundred twenty-five, three memberi 
having resigned and four died, namely, Mr. Adams Exrl, Lafay- 
ette, Ind.; Mr. Hugh L.Cole, New York; Mr. Thomas H. Sherley, 
Louisville, Ky.,and Mr. Chis. H. VVoods, Minneapolis, Minn. 
Your secretary 
suggests that the 
Publication Com- 
mittee and the 
Council consider 
the advisability of 
issuing the annual 
report in parts at 
d i ff e r e n t times 
during the year. 
Mr. E. j. Parker 
of Quincy, 111., 
suggests that our 
association o ff e r 
prizes to property 
owners for the 
preparation of the 
best designs of 
home grounds, also 
to pupils for the 
best designs of 
school grounds and 
CHARLES M. LORING. your Secretary has 
President American Park and Outdoor Art given much study 
Association. to the methods that 
should be followed 
when funds for this undertaking are available. 
Another member, Mr. G. A. Parker of Hartford, Conn., 
suggested to the Council that the Association endeavor to se- 
cure the appointment of a special census agent to gather com- 
lete park statistics throughout the country. When Col. Bing- 
am,one of our members, presented this matter to Mr. Merriam, 
director of the forthcoming census, it was found that no immedi- 
ate action could be taken, which thus gives time for us to more 
thoroughly and forcibly present the matter to those in authority. 
A summary of information showing progress during the past 
year along the lines of work in which the Association is inter- 
ested was then given under the following headings; Parks, 
Forestry, Women in Out-door Art Work, Village Improve- 
ment, Playgrounds, Roads and Paths. 
The opening paper had as its subject “Boston 
Common,’’ a carefully prepared sketch of the early 
development of that famous park, by Mr. E. J. 
Parker, president of the Quincy Park and Boule- 
vard Association, Quincy, 111. “ From the early 
days of the town this tract of 45 acres has been the 
free and undisputed property of its inhabitants.” 
Until as late as 1855 it was the only park in the 
United States. The preservation of its large 
parade ground has taught a useful lesson to the 
landscape architects of the United States, and like 
preservations have since been made in many of our 
municipal and government parks. The Common 
illustrates in many ways the plain and severe ideas 
of the Puritan and the crude designs of early 
municipal park work.’’ 
Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr., of Brookline, Mass., 
followed with an instructive paper on “ The Re- 
lation of Reservoirs to Public Parks,” illustrated 
with stereopticon views of preliminary plans and of 
finished work. A summary of this very suggestive 
paper may be found on another page in this issue. 
Mr. Olmsted made a forceful plea for the co- 
operation of expert landscape architects with 
hydraulic engineers at the very beginning of their 
work in establishing new reservoirs. 
The afternoon saw the beginning of the hospi- 
talities in the way of enjoyable outings, which 
were arranged and admirably carried out by the 
Commissioners of the Parks and Boulevards of the 
city of Detroit. From 2 o’clock until 7 the party 
was entertained on the excursion steamer Sappho. 
A ride on the Detroit river afforded a view of the 
city’s water frontage, of Belle Isle Park, Lake St. 
Clair, the government canal and the improved por- 
tions of the St. Clair Flats, aptly styled “The 
Venice of America.” On the return trip R. J. 
Coryell, general superintendent of the Detroit 
parks, read a paper on “ The Parks and the Peo- 
ple,” in which he told in an interesting manner 
what the city of Detroit had done for its inliabi- 
tants and how thoroughly they appreciated the 
privileges. This was followed by a general dis- 
cussion of park tactics. General Brinkerhoff, of 
Mansfield, O. , and Mr. Garfield, of Grand Rapids, 
Mich., spoke of the educational value of parks; Mr. 
Warden, of Cincinnati, made a strong plea for civil 
service methods in the employment of park labor, 
and Mr. Parker, of Quincy, 111., vigorously de- 
nounced the “ advertising sign board ’’ nuisance 
which has become a disfigurement to the land- 
scape in city, town and country. Resolutions 
were adopted condemning this practice and author- 
izing the appointing of a committee to take some 
action towards regulating the placing of sign 
boards, etc. Luncheon was served on the boat and 
stringed instruments furnished music for those who 
wished to trip the light fantastic toe. 
It was considerably later in the evening than the 
appointed hour when the party reconvened at the 
Detroit Museum of Art to listen to Director A. H. 
Griffith’s address on “ A City’s Debt to Its Cit- 
izens.” The speaker urged the importance of a 
city properly commemorating the more important 
historical events and persons by the erection of 
tablets, statues, etc. After the address a pleasant 
hour was spent in viewing the paintings, sculpture, 
and numerous objects of art and curios with 
which the museum abounds. 
At the morning session of the second day, Mr. W. 
A. Peterson gave an interesting talk on the causes 
that led to the destruction of so many trees and 
shrubs during the past winter. He expressed the 
opinion that the excessive rains of last fall caused 
a late growth, which was very naturally affected by 
the frosts. He cited instances of rapid top growth 
with little or no root growth, from which disastrous 
results are sure to follow. 
Mr. Charles W. Garfield, of the Michigan Fruit 
Grower, Grand Rapids, Mich. , an able exponent of 
