36 
PARK AND CEMETERY 
The New York City subway promises to work destruction 
to numbers of the down-town trees, notwithstanding the 
efforts to preserve them. The fine elm standing near the as- 
phalt walk west of the fountain in the City Hall Park, is 
doomed, and this tree has always been a favorite from its 
shade giving character. The line of the loop on being staked 
out was found to render the removal or destruction of a num- 
ber of trees, including the above mentioned elm, necessary. 
Much surface excavation will be carried out on this section 
of the great work. Efforts will be continued by the authori- 
ties to save all the trees possible. 
* * * 
Quincy, 111 ., which has set the pace for public park im- 
provements of its character and size, is continuing an active 
crusade against disfiguring advertisements and other signs 
on trees and posts, and is carrying the war into other sections 
through the agency of an efficient Park and Boulevard Im- 
provement Association. This association has fully demon- 
strated the force of organization when conducted by efficient 
workers. 
« « « 
The sub-committee of the Senate Committee on the Dis- 
trict of Columbia, investigating the park system of the Dis- 
trict, are contemplating a trip to Boston in the summer to in- 
spect the system of parks of that city. An insight into the 
problems under development in the splendid parks of Boston 
will be an education for the Washington Commissioners. 
The sum of $100,000 was allotted by Congress for the im- 
provement of the Vicksburg National Military parks, and the 
Commission for that park will be able to take care of a large 
amount of work. On the programme of work are two steel 
bridges each 400 feet long and two of 70 feet. The first work 
contemplated is the roadway on the old Confederate or inner 
line of defense, which when completed will afford a fine road- 
way some eight miles long. 
* « * 
The park board of Indianapolis propose to set out in River- 
side park from 3,000 to 5,000 trees this year, of which 500 
evergreens are to be distributed this month. Not a great 
many years ago this would have been looked upon as a for- 
midable undertaking, but with the advance made in horticul- 
tural practice it does not amount to much now-a-days. 
* « * 
Mr. D. H. Burnham, the Chicago architect, whose work in 
connection with the World’s Fair received the encomiums of 
the professional classes of the country, has accepted the 
chairmanship of the commission appointed for the embel- 
lishment of the national capital, Washington. Other mem- 
bers of the commission are Charles McKim, of McKim, 
Mead & White, architects. New York, and Fred Law Olm- 
sted, of Boston. 
41 3tC * 
Secretaries Hay, Root and Long and the assistant secretary 
of war celebrated Arbor Day in Washington recently, by 
planting trees and shrubs in the park south of the State, War 
and Navy Building. The occasion was the fulfillment of a 
long cherished desire on the part of Secretary Root to im- 
prove the grounds about that building. Secretary Hay took 
precedence, planting a double-flowering cherry tree. A more 
distinguished body of amateur gardeners has possibly never 
before been seen at practical work. Another interesting note 
in connection with horticulture in Washington is the effort of 
the Department of Agriculture to develop a hardy orange of 
palatable characteristics, prospects for which are promising. 
The trees produced under cross hybridization from the hard- 
iest oranges in the world by Mr. H. J. Webber and now in 
bearing, but the nature of the product cannot be determiped 
until the fruit ripens in the fall. 
* * 
The ultimate plan of the commission appointed to preserve 
the Palisades of the Hudson River, and whose work up to 
date should be a lesson in economics to public spirited citi- 
zens, is to establish an interstate park running from Fort Lee 
ferry. New Jersey, to some point in New York state below 
Sneden’s Landing, to embrace all the land from the top of 
the steep edge of the cliffs down to the water’s edge; to con- 
struct a driveway at their base as speedily as possible, and to 
exert its influence toward connecting this driveway with the 
driveways on the New York side of the river. 
* * * 
Among the latest features in park improvement is that of 
the introduction of butterflies, which is to be tried by the 
London, England, county council. The attractiveness of 
butterflies of the five varieties is unquestioned. It is planned 
to start with three varieties, among the most prolific and 
handsome found in the British kingdom: they are the “red- 
admiral,” the “peacock” and the “tortoiseshell.” The cater- 
pillars of these three species thrive on the common stinging 
nettle, and it is proposed to fence off beds of this plant for 
their use. The caterpillars are of the hairy kind, now rel- 
ished by birds, so that it is expected they will not be greatly 
disturbed. Beds of honey-producing flowers will also be 
planted in the vicinity of the nettles to induce the insects to 
stay at home. 
* « « 
The South Park Board of Chicago, for whose benefit the 
state legislature passed a bill permitting the sale of $500,000 
of bonds, have laid out a comprehensi^'e scheme to dispose of 
it. This includes the following: Planting work and harbor 
improvements in Jackson Park, $300,000; planting in Bright- 
on Park, a newly acquired addition to the system, $50,000; 
Natatorium and Gymnasium in the same park, $50,000; im- 
provement of Garfield and Western avenue boulevard, $50,- 
000. The bill authorizing this contained a referendum clause 
submitting the question to the people at the recent election, 
and it was carried, only a comparatively small vote being cast 
against it. The improvement in Brighton Park, a tract of 35 
acres, will be carried out as rapidly as possible, and as it is 
in a neighborhood abounding in prospective citizens, facilities 
for bathing and sanitary and youthful sports and pastimes will 
be marked features. It promises to be one of the most com- 
plete parks of the city. 
* ♦ * 
Plans for the consummation of the work of the Crerar 
library trustees are now rapidly maturing. The late John 
Crerar, of Chicago, left a very large sum for the founding of 
a library, including a building for the same in that city, and 
while the library has been in operation in temporary quarter.s 
for some years, suitable location and opportunities have been 
awaited to complete the design of the benefactor. The legis- 
lature of Illinois has just passed a bill permitting the use of 
park property for the building, which comes into effect July i 
next, and work on the building plans are under way. The 
building will have a frontage of 380 feet and will be located 
in Grant Park on the lake front. In connection with the 
library building, Mr. Crerar devised a sum of $100,000 to be 
used for a heroic statue of Abraham Lincoln, for which the 
commission has been awarded to Augustus St. Gaudens, 
whose other master-piece of Lincoln adorns Lincoln Park, 
Chicago. The endowment fund of the library now amounts 
to $3,400,000, and the building fund to $380,000. 
