202 
tee r.AmE^ FLOEAL GAE im 
CABINET 
several of these, mainly yellow in hue, hut al c 
attractive to me at least. One of the best, as i 
most curious, has been termed the compass-p 
account of the circvunstance that many of the 
stand vertically with their edges pointing nor i ^ 
south. It has a taU stem, with large deeply-cut fo * o 
and bright yellow flowers. In the books it is calle 
SUsihium lacmiatum. Some of the species of tickseed oi 
Coreopsis, for there are several of them, are well wor y 
of a spot in om" collections. I mention as especially ue 
just now, the C. tripteris or tall coreopsis. The la 
beokia or cone-flowers, a portion of which are rather 
troublesome to our neat farmers, are quite handsome m ^ 
bloom. The Bell-flowers (Campanula) notwithstanding 
their proper season for flowering is past are still decked 
with scattering drooping bells of vrhite or blue. A place 
can scarcely be called a garden without one or more 
representatives of this large and valuable family. 
The Soup-worts are yet in bloom, a genus represented 
rather too plentifully with us around old gardens by the 
Bouncing Bet {Saponaria officmalis). Some of 
double forms are very pretty and well worth oifltiv^ 
tion. The native spider-wort {Tt'adescantm Virginf^, 
is also past its prime, but an occasional cluster of blJ 
or white flowei-s remains to remind us how handsome if 
has been earlier in the year-. The prettiest of them all 
at this present tiiuo is the very beautiful Sedum specta- 
bile, a “ stonecrop ” so very distinct, that every lover of 
plants should enjoy its presence. The large cymes of 
flowei-s are frequently si.v inches across, and of a lovely 
rose color. It is hardy and not too particular as to thh 
nature of the soil. In the foregoing remarlrs I have not 
mentioned a tithe of the pretty pl.ants that may now 
seek our wUd gardens, but only such as appealed to my 
eye as I walked among my own humble collection. 
Would that it were more fashionable to cultivate them, 
with even a small portion of the care so fi equently given 
the tender vegetation of the tropics, and wliich in many 
cases are no more handsome than these common 
native plants.— Josiah Hoopes. 
ALLEGHENY CITY PARK. 
Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, is situated on the 
north side of the Allegheny river, at its confluence with 
the Monongahela, and is connected with the city of 
Pittsburgh by flve bridges. It is to Pittsburgh what 
Brooklyn is to New York. The title to the land now 
covered by the city of Allegheny was originally vested 
in the State, and in 1787 an Act of Assembly was passed, 
appointing a commission to survey and lay out the town 
of Allegheny, “ and without the said town one hundred 
acres for a common pasture.” The town lots were after¬ 
ward sold, and in the patents given to the purchasers 
there was granted to them the “ free use, liberty and 
privelege of said common.” 
This original and central town site was only about 
two thousand feet square, and it was entirely surrounded 
by this one hundred acres of common ground, of which 
the larger part was on the west side. For a great many 
years the “common ground” was the most unsightly 
part of the city; there was very little grass, but plenty 
of weeds, and it was the place where all the ashes and 
rubbisli of the city was deposited. Many public spirited 
citizens had for years been mortifled by the disgraceful 
condition of the “ common ground,” and the shameful 
spectacle of opportunities unimproved. In 1868, how¬ 
ever, legislation was obtained appointing “ Park Com¬ 
missioners” with power to issue bonds, and to make 
such improvements as might be determined upon. 
Since then improvements have been going on with 
marked success. AU the bunds issued have been taken 
up and paid, and the entire cost of the improvements to 
this date exceeds $300,000. The present current ex¬ 
penses of maintaining the park are met by annual ap¬ 
propriations by the city councils. 
The improvements thus far made, as may be inferred 
from the cost, are of considerable extent, and are both 
natm-al and artificial. Besides a large expanse of well- 
kept lawn, dotted with trees and groups of shrubbery 
and intersected by ornamental walks and drives, there 
are elegant fountains, chai-ming little lakes and rustic 
bridges, several fine mouuments, and such a series of 
glass plant houses, as are necessary in maintaining a 
somewhat elaborate system of floral and foliage decora¬ 
tions during the Summer mouths. One house is devoted 
to the cultivation of the choicest tropical plants. Palms, 
Orchids, etc., etc., a centre of interest both in summer 
and winter. 
Thus it will be seen that Allegheny Park is a park and j 
something more; in fact, a garden combined with a j 
park, and having all the advantages of both. Easily ao- ! 
cessible fi-om all parts of the city, it is the common re- | 
sort of multitudes of people, old and yoimg, especially on j 
holidays and dm-ing the Summer evenings. It is a bit 
of the fresh country in the very heart of the sooty city, 
with the additional benefits secured by the highest culti¬ 
vation. Such a public city garden, with seats to accom- . 
modate-the weary, smooth walks for baby carriages and 
romping chfldren, the beautiful treats for the eye that 
the rare flowers and ribbon borders afford, which are 
in the greatest variety and profusion, is certainly better 
than the once intended cow pasture. 
Not least among the public benefits already enjoyed 
and insured for the future, is the elevating and educa¬ 
ting influences of beauty in nature and art, when con¬ 
stantly present in the common w'alks of life. Of course i 
good examples of taste will be imitated, and a public im¬ 
provement will extend tlirough many private branches. j 
This fact is not forgotten in the management of Alle- i 
gheny Park, as will be seen in considering some inter- ! 
esting details. wm. Hamilton. I 
[We are under obligations to Mr. Hamilton for the j 
above interesting history and description of Allegheny 
Park. Some of the more important and beautiful fea- | 
tures he has overlooked, from the fact, probably, of his | 
being its superintendent. As it is not at all probable ; 
that he will see tliis article, we wish to add a few words . 
in regard to his work. The bedding-out system, ribbon j 
borders, and many other features of fashionable g^den- . 
