, 1875-01-10
Chicago to Have a Botanical Garden
and Museum.
The Project Under Way in the Hands Of
FiTst-class Men.
a Review of an Uninterestiug
Week.
Sale Of Property on Wabash Av-
enue.


Loan Market D,l11---1Iisce1lane-
GUS.
THE CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDENS.
The South Park Commissioners have, from
the inception Of their enterprise, been anxious
to cstabliei, Botanical Garden The difficulty
they haye met With YVES tho securing,of
pKorER suPEBy1sIoS
tt nominal cost. This has at length been done,
Gs will appear from q private note from L. B,
Sidway, Esq. cne Of the Commissioners, who
has charge OF the Botanical Department. Al
though not intended for publication, Mr.. s. must
excuse 1s for inserting his letter as the best
mo2ns Of giving our readers full understand
rg Of the wtcle subject:
CHICAGO, Jan. 8, 1S75.--Mx DEAR -: I send
you herewith the Pharmacist for January IN which
yoa will find Cp. 28) al account Of the organiza-
ton Of the managers of the Chicago Botanical
Garden You will remember that, after much
thought, this plan vas adopted because it gave
:ae Commission, free Of cost, the services OF
firzt-class men who took N interest In the
matter. and who, by = proper division Of the
a1i.ies, would bring about results that otherwise
could be attained only by \ larger outlay OF
money than the Commission oould Afford And
even then it is not ut MI likely they could have
procured lie services OF u botAnist Of IS much
ability as P:of- Babcock, who has few equals in
the State and who is already thoroughly
acquainted With the flora OF the Northwest.
4 botanical garden. worthy ct the name,
cannot DO made Like an ordinary rark.
i must have constant study, research, and care
full, scientific management 4 botanical garden
is never finished, but by good management.
it can be made attractive from the first. know
OF no good reason why this may not become the
ereat garden Of the Continent, and At = compare
lively email cost
snppoge am an enthusiast Oh tho subject OF
horticultural, botanical, Ana floral improvements;
Int know Of no way in which money can be
expended that .sill yleld. as mnch pleasure to
I'll classes rich and poor, IS in making attractive
parks.
hardly think there was ever any one improve
r1ent made in or about Chicago that SO thorough
ly delighted the people OF gave SO favorable an
impression to strangers as Drexel boulevard.
And this, in connection with the idea OF as far
as possible carrying park to every mans door,
Gas induced me to be so strongly in favor of an
improvement similar to Drexe1. On Western
avenue
The following Is the article from the Phar-
1adcist referred to By Mr.. Sidway
We are happy to be able to announce to our
renders tha inauguration in Chicago, Of an enter
prise which, when fairly in progress will furnish
a1 additional source OF interest and pleasure to
our citizens, prove an attraction to visitors from
abroad. and supply want long felt by scientific
men and students in the Northwest.
The Board OF South Park Commissioners have
determined upon the establishment OF Botanic
Gardens, and have intrusted the general man-
agenent and direction TO the following commit
tee, citizens Of Chicago and Hyde Park: H. n.
Hubbard, John r Walsh. E. H. Sargent Il. II.
BaLcock, aud Albert E. Ebert These geutle-
mon have accepted the appointment, and organ
lied bv the election of Mr. Fl. N. Hbbard, Presl-
dent, and IL H. Babcock, Secretary and Botanic
FL Director.
The South Parks comprise about ! LOO acres,
and tile Commissioners will reserve for the gar
dens all the space that may be required for pres
eat and prospective uae, in such locality as tie
Board Of Managers may select as most suitable
for the purpose.
The managers will at once decide the location,
and proceed to mature plan for the gardens,
upon broad and comprehensive basis, commen- |
eurate with the importance OF the subject and |
the desires Of the Commissioners. The latter |
have expressed the wish that these shall be !
made to surpass. in general attractiyeneaa and |
scientific Importance. all similar establishments !
in this country. and have promised their most |
liberal support and cooperation. |
The contemplated plan includes the formation
Of
F;ra-The Botanic Garden proper, in which |
sli indigenous plants Of the United States, and !
.1nrdy species from other parts OF the world, will
he arranged. IS tar as possible, according to |
their natural af6nitics, while hot-honses and |
viii be provided for the reception !
ind display Of tropical plants.
.Second-An arboretutn. or collection Of hardy
trees from a1l parts Of ths world planted in such
order Is to serve the purposes Of science and !
7Eird-A garden devoted to genernl aorical-
tnre with special reference to furnishing mate |
rial for beautf ring the parks and bouloyards-
Fotrua-A botanical museum, for the exhibl- /
lion of vegetable economic products, which will ]
Rcrve to illustrate, in connection with the living
plants cultivated in the gardens the SOURCES ana
s11lous applications Of substances derived from
he vegetable kingdom. I
FIfM-An herbarium, or collection OF speci-
nens OF dried plants. scientifically arranged;
md
txo being considered Indispensable adjuncts to
The gardens~ since they furnish the only means
for correctly naming the plants under cultiya-
Jon, and for maintaining the establishment upon
scientific and practical basic.
Tho fnii development Of this plan, above
.se.ched, win BIO the work OF years but tho
Board Of Managers arc mindful Of the fnct that
:be people Of Chicago in particular, are ever in
pat;cut of de]xr and as early rs practicable will
sss9 ..nsemfnts toT the proper F3 care Of %
,ss. the result OF the first season'e
scrk will be such as to attract the atten-
iot Of strangers and enlist the active CO.
operation OF our citizens in particular the
ocGbe1s OF the medical and pharmaceutical pro-
rss:rus, in making these gardens. eventually,
IL honor to our city and the country.
In obtaining the services Of Prof h q. Bah
eek as Botanical Director, the Board mas fortu-
,ate. and the wisdom Of the choice will be ap-
oarcnt &: an carly day. Perhaps no other gen
lcnsn in the community could have been eelect-
d combining As fully the qualifications requisite
.ut,fc s:t2inrnents with good administrative
hiIity BE il assured Of the active cooperation |
# esch member Of the Board OF Managers in
II. work. and We heartily commend the project
0 our friends everywhere, Who are interested in
aeans for acquiring it.