The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-06-26

the city Is approached nom the north, and which
The position Of this ground has been adverted to
in most Of the evidence given before the oommtee .
anordng more advantageous position for we ven
tilati0n of the city, and, when planted WIN mo!o
trees as likely to contribute to those ATMOSPHERIC
changes which are known TO be materially Influenced
by the vital action of vegetation and (which clrcum
stance, when, some years hence, the surrounding
ground Is covered by the extension OF the cry VIII
be Of much greater consequence IMAM II Is AZ the pre-
sent time: for il should be remembered that at pre-
sent the locality of both the sites in question: as well
as large extent OF ground in the vicinity now 30
completely open and uncovered that there exists no
anparent necessity to increase the ventilation, and
Therefore on this branch Of the subject, we must
consider ourselves egisatng rather for the wants
of the future than OF the present.
In reference to the second point to which the EVIL
dence has been Overwhelmingly. the eligibility Of
the two stes-the position OF Zones Wood has been
stated to possess water boundary by the river and
a growth of forest trees, which, by thinning cond
be Immediately converted into park plantations, an
advantage which further appeared by the evidence
before the committee the central site does not pos
sess to the same extent; and the undersigned was
at first forcibly struck with the circumstance; but,
subsequently, testimony was produced to show, upon
principles which have appeared to bus mind
correct and conclusive, that to convert Jones
Wood" into park scenery by such demolition of the
forest trees would be necessary in order to OBJ
tain the breadth OF green sward and the broad ex-
panse of glade and lawn, which would be no less es-
sental for the park-ke character than it would be
for the convenient accommodation OF the crowds OF
citizens tor whose use we are asked to provide 1t,
would undoubtedly endanger the future safety of
large part of the trees which would be left standing;
inasmuch as it seems that when trees have grown to
age in close proximity, the condition Of their bark
and roots is different from that which is the natural
state of the same species when grown in open space;
and that if the full influence of sun and air is admit
ted suddenly to them by the destruction OF surround
ing trees frequently the extremes OF atmospheric
changes to which they thereby become subjected is
too great, and that gradual decay and death result
to them.
In further proof of this, the undersigned begs to
lay before the Senate the following extract from the
excellent work called The Planters Guide; or
date effect to wood by the removal Of large trees
and underwood, by Sir Henry Stewart, Bart, LID,
F. R. S. E.. etc. Svo. PIP. LAG, l47.
Perhaps there is planter who in the beginning has
fallen into this mistake before he had sufficient time
to attend to the effects Of heat and cold on the growth OF
wood Aured by the fine forms Of trees by the tainess
of their stems the beauty of their bark and their general
appearance of health and strength naturally form
the wish transfer them the lawn open park but
should reflect that how muchsoever they may pieae
the eve there properties unit as these for
this degree of expos they generated solely by
warmth and shelter. As well might bring forth the
native of the burning plains of Asia Africa and in the
light attire of those tropical climates, him to
dure British winter. Either the facts respecting ex
posed and sheltered wood above stated Incorrect
and unfounded, nature must be supposed 20 act in
contradiction to herself If she sanctioned such iucon
gruities Yet mir ETY. nine times in hundred the success
IL
ing many is fairly marred by this erroneous practice
Nor these the Of youth perence Two Of
our best informed writer's Baucher and Marshall regard
the art mainly applicable the thinning Of nurseries
plantations, and recommended 1t accordingly for that
purpose.
degrees han that in winch they trained and with
the peculiar conditions and properties adapted to the a
ter internally decline. The leaves, from the
deprivation of shelter cannot freely elaborate the sap
and the proper juice the other band il chilled in its
descent from the want of leaves and branches bark
0,~torf IN otooff bR agSRI A
trees vexsd by the Winds from every quarter they
want side bough to nourish and balance them properly
Gradually they become supted and hide bound the few
branches they have decay and drop OH and ut last they
are rooted out.
In further illustration of the correctness of this po
ston the undersigned begs leave to add the follow
ing, from very sensible and well written article on
the treatment of woods published in the Hort-
cultmia and Journal Of Rural art and Rural
Taste, for February, 1858, by William IT, Scott, of
Adrian, Michigan. Mr.. Scott says
The experiments of bundred in ATTEMPTS to develope
the sylvan beauties Of Wild wood have failed IRON sudden
and indscriunate thinning have seen the fruits Of
Of oak linden hickory and elm left few years ago.
the front Of slopipg field Nobe old oaks some Of
them were, while standing il the Ibick foest hoped
that exposure to the light would force them to throw
out branches from their naked bodies and that some OF
these DAYS a pretty would be the result, many
sound trees of younger growth lsft body
guards to shield their stems. These younger haze cone
Their duty well; but the old shrugged from
year and refuse to be comored By the youthful
family around them Some OF them have thrown out a
few weakly branches but many more look as begs-
ming to decay. ! sbau, after al, look to the second
growth for my perma nent and most beautiful shades
beg leave to introduce the following letter, hand
ed me from experienced gardener, who came to
this city for the purpose OF being heard upon this
subject, but was obliged to leave town before the
committee could conveniently take his testimony
NEWARK, n. j., June Is 1858.
W. A. Schermerborn ESQ.,.
Dear s-n reply TO Yours OF the llth instant an
that have been largely engaged in the cultivation
of fruit and forest trees for the last fifteen years
nfsd ,rifh he
Jones Woods part Of those grounds, the borders
where the stand separately aud all vel formed and
converted into fire park But the largest portion II it,
which is d-nely covered with wood would 10 opEion
require long time and be attended WITH many dicui
zoos of which stand IN thick wood run along near
the surface OF the ground for the most pat In thinning
out such those left liable 70 be blown when
deprived Of the support of those which stand around
Them and frequently decay from the exposure of their
tru Ks to the light. Even IL they do live they
make 6ne park trees having long naked stems wi.hou,
brsn cbes affosding but little shade. think that
your ou Of trees embrac all the hardy varie
ties would in q few years, be much more beautiful and
attractive than this Ii continuation OF this might
mention many examples which have come under my own
| The late VIM. Gibbons Esq of New Jersey, built a
| house in native wood, very similar to the Jones
ont the ree only thu Be t sre spe
cmens groups But he fousd in removing those which
he did not want, he lost many which ne wished to pre-
On large portion OF his grounds be dscon ued
the thinning process entirely was mpos 'ble to make
fine lawn or make other varieties Of trees grow well
dee the shade Of the native Some eleven years since
Mr.. f. s. Lathrop commenced improving and planting
piece OF ground adjoining that of M Gibbons, wi fine
assortment Of deciduous and evergreen trees Is the
remark Of every who passes the two places that the
premises ard trees Of Mr. already By far the most
beautiful Many of his trees nov over forty feet high
and Of fine form.
The Hon. Mahlon Dickerson, OF New Jersey. built hi
bonse thirty since ground- part Of which
coyersd 9Th thick Of i've trees, and the
remainder entirely bare Of trees TIE naked part he
planted With foe and extensive variety of trees and
this part is iDcom parsbly beautiful han the
native growth great difference there Is bet veen
| refined ard polished gentleman and a wild savage A
great many examples OF this kind may be ound In every
part of our country
to DowDpgs horticultural pages 345. 345 3t 338 apt
42 also the February naber Of the Horticulturst fol
the present year. page TO- also, Sir Henry Stusrs Plant
Guide pages lac and l47 You will alse find much
This subject in the late numbers Of Hoveys Mag
published NJ Boston, and vast deal 10 the vou mnou
works Of London particularly his imagine vol TO-
4s2 am familiar with the ground which IL Ia proposed Il
convert into what il called the Central Park In
Judgment is suitable for public park thas jones