PARK AND CEMETERY. 
Crepe My^rtle (Eag^erstrcemia Indica.j 
408 
The southern readers of Park and Cemetery may 
smile when they see the illustration of the crepe 
myrtle, it is such a little fellow alongside the famous 
specimens of their region. But we of the north can- 
not grow it out doors as they can. Now' and again 
in a mild winter a plant may get through without be- 
ing killed nearly to the ground, as was the case last 
winter, but the rule is to find the bushes killed to with- 
in a foot of the ground. But this does not hinder its 
fiowering. These frozen down bushes sprout up 
afresh and flower profusely in late summer. But to 
haye them at their best it is the plan to grow them in 
tubs, setting them on the lawn in summer and in a 
cold cellar or shed for the winter. The slightest pro- 
tection is sufficient for them. The growing of them in 
tubs has this advantage, the wood ripens thoroughly 
and thus a profusion of flowers is assured. Readers 
will agree that the illustration represents a pretty 
plant. 
]\Iany readers of Park and Cemetery have doubt- 
less seen the magnificent specimen of crepe myrtle at 
jN'Ionnt Vernon, the home of Washington. I have not 
seen it when it has been in flower, but it is repre- 
sented as being a glorious sight, and one can well be- 
lieve it. But it is not necessary to go as far as Vir- 
ginia to see fine specimens. There are or were 
some fine ones near Camden, N. J., just across the 
Delaware from Philadelphia, and at Claymont, Dela- 
ware, a stone's throw across the Pennsylvania state 
line, are some magnificent bushes. The illustration is 
of one growing in Germantown, Philadelphia. It is 
of the old pink variety. There are many of these 
plants in this vicinity. A few are left out all winter, 
some protected and some not, but. evidently the most 
LAGERSTRa';MIA INDICA (CREPE MYRTLE.) 
satisfactory way is to grow the plant in a tub and set 
it on the lawn, where its beauty will be the most ef- 
fective. Joseph Meehan. 
ParR iSy’stems for Towns and Cities. 
The following paper, prepared by George Hansen, 
landscape architect, Berkeley, Cal., for the Sacramento 
Bee, was intended for application to that city, but con- 
tains much that will be of value in park work any- 
where : 
“Nature, once, had full sway wherever settlements 
of cities and villages now occupy the ground. For 
the sake of “business,” every tree was cut down, every 
creek filled in, every hill leveled, to give building 
ground and to provide for the opening of streets. Now, 
since we have succeeded so remarkably well at our 
“business methods,” it strikes us that we have just a 
little to spare of time, and means, and soil, for “senti- 
ment.” We have traveled abroad, and see how other 
cities benefit from public improvement, and a feeling 
of resentment has come over us. Instead of further- 
more driving Nature away from our doors, we are 
willing to become the guests of Nature. Falling into 
the other extreme, we wish for sidewalk trees where 
none are called for, and opposition is created when 
harmony of purpose is of the first need. 
A park system must embody everything in relation 
to “park and pavement.” We must secure ground 
where some reservation of Nature in her unaffected 
charms may be enjoyed by one and all. Streets and 
houses should be secluded through border plantation, 
and no buildings, except those of the most simi)le con- 
struction, for the protection of visitors, should be per- 
mitted. This should be a place where sheep do the 
lawn mowing and where cows are kept, so that 
the visiting family with hosts of children and 
friends can enjoy a home picnic and forget that the 
city is within easy reach. An area of 500 acres should 
be the extreme set aside for such purpose within the 
confines of a city. Even such area is only permissi- 
ble if an unusually beautiful scenery calls for preser- 
vation. 
No second large park is needed for any community. 
