239 
PARK AND CEMETERY 
tage of such an example and study its methods and the 
source of its development, for to neglect opporunities 
in this direction is to divert the attention of those peo- 
ple who would help and direct their energies to other 
sections. 
CIVIC IM- Tlie coming exposition at St. Louis is 
PROVEMENT serving as an impetus to civic im- 
AT ST. LOUIS. r. , ■ 
provement m that city, organization 
for which is assuming promising proportions. The 
Engelmann Botanical Society has taken the initiative 
to secure concertetl action in tree and Horticulture and 
the methods of procedure to secure results. It pro- 
poses to divide the city according to school districts, 
and to enlist the aid of parents through the children. 
A set of eight prizes will be apportioned to each dis- 
trict, and there will be about too district in the city. 
These prizes will be graded and will be awarded to 
the children for the greatest improvement in the ap- 
pearance of a home by the planting of trees, shrubs, 
vines and flowers. Photographs will be taken of the 
homes of the contestants before beginning planting 
operations and again when the floral adornment is at 
its best. The primary object of this movement is to 
eliminate backyard uncleanliness and untidiness, and .t 
is believed that when once the effect is realized the 
movements will crystallize into a permanent condition. 
The plan has been considered in its minutest details. 
Mr. W. J. Stevens, formerly principal of the schools 
at Carthage, Mo., and whose efforts on similar lines 
were so successful there, now resides in St. Louis, 
and will lend a hand. The St. Louis League of Civic 
Improvement has also been organized, and a very 
strong executive committee appointed. 
DIVERSITY There is an important principle in 
IN SMALL clevelopment of a small park sys- 
tem that does not appear to have re- 
ceived the consideration its importance merits. It 
is that of diversity. The general idea seems to cen- 
ter upon either a lawn with trees and shrubbery or 
a flower garden. While such are beautiful in their 
way and highly appropriate in many locations, the 
question is a broader one and really points to the 
study of each particular small park in relation to its 
surroundings. In many neighborhoods a play- 
ground would be more beneficial, and even this 
should be considered in a particular and not in a 
general way. Provision for small children is more 
necessary in some localities than others, and should 
be furnished with suitable means for recreation and 
amusement. In other neighborhoods gymnasia for 
children of large growth may be appropriately pro- 
vided ; in others shady groves for simple outdoor 
breathing spaces, or for outdoor music. Then again 
others may be devoted to wading pools. In a com- 
mercial and manufacturing city with crowded dis- 
tricts, the small park system to be effective would 
be large in number, and the small parks would not 
be separated by long distances, and would be di- 
verse in character. 
WASHINGTON The commission of experts ap- 
pointed by the government to pre- 
EE^^ XJTI E\JL. 1 j" j 1 * 1 1 
pare plans for the improvement and 
embellishment of Washington has presented its re- 
port and the plans, including models and some 200' 
drawings were displayed for public inspection in 
the Corcoran Gallery on January 15. They con- 
temjjlate a project of improvement on a magnificent 
scale,which if carried out in their entirety, the pros- 
pects for which are good, the result will be that 
Washington will unquestionably be the most beau- 
tiful capital in the world. Landscape art, architec- 
ture and sculpture are each given a large share in 
the general scheme, and the harmony which has 
prevailed between the congressional committee and 
the experts, and the general good will which has 
been evinced towards the project, have combined to 
produce results of far reaching public benefit. 
Never has the wisdom of selecting competent ad- 
vice been more fully evidenced than in this work, 
and that in itself is a consummation most desirable 
in view of the several failures in the past. The re- 
port of the experts emphasizes the genius of L’En- 
fant, the man who under Washington and his Sec- 
retary of State first planned a comprehensive 
scheme for the development of the capital and its 
surroundings, and although the improvements 
which have been made have not in many respects 
coincided with the original intentions, the report 
declares that the harmonies can be restored with 
comparatively little work and expense. The plans 
now contemplate the restoration of the principles of 
harmony between the Capitol and the Public Build- 
ings, the creation of beautiful vistas, the improve- 
ment of the sites of monuments, museums, etc., the 
laying out of parks and pleasure grounds, and the 
liberal provision of fountains, canals and water fa- 
cilities so essential to a city situated as Washing- 
ton is in respect to climate. There is to be a large 
increase in the number of parks in the outlying 
part of the city, and the river front and the adjacent 
islands are also considered in relation to the whole 
project. With the Capitol and its surrounding 
grounds as a base the plans contemplate a design 
of harmonious details taking in the White House 
and Washington Monument, magnificent in extent 
and treatment, and this is to be extended to in- 
clude a grand and artistic memorial to Lincoln 
worthy of the man and country. The American 
Elm is the tree selected for the avenues on account 
of its architectural form and its adaptability to 
Washington conditions. 
1 
