The New York herald., 1878-01-15
A BIOLOGICAL GARDEN.
Proposition to Establish 1t
in Central Park.
THE INTENDED SITUATION.
Interesting Report to she Park
Commissioners.

tempts have been made to establish a geological gar
den In this city, but insurmountabe obstacles arising
In the way Of the promoters OF the project. all such
attempts were abandoned without permanent results
In most instances the Department OF Parks consid-
cred these propositions but, not finding them likely
10 be successful represented failed to take def
nite action regarding them, although the Commits
sloncrs were at all times ready 10 give their official
support any organ zation with stability sufficient
mako its promises good in this respect. few weeks
ago several wealthy and influential gentlemen who
have identified themselves with the Museum OF Natu-
raj History, OF the attractions at tho PARK,
thought this was fitting timo 10 take hold OF the
geological project with determination, and at once
holding an informal meeting roughly sketched their
plans The idea has grand scope. 1t proposed TO
contribute largo amount of capital, obtain proper
legislative enactmcnts and then akc the present col.
lection OF animals in the Park nucleus for the
garden There is money to be made in the project,
hc gentlemen to great extent desiring to establish
Il the same principles those of the SUCCESS
ful Museum of Natural History. They desire New
York to become in reality what It is In name, the
foremost city IN tho Union AMI TO possess such at
fractions will TO It the cultured from all
tons OF The world. The details as to the manag ement
Of tho project have been determined upon, and
may not be tor some time, though 1t Is pretty
certain to be agreed that there will bo two
VIII be charged Tor admission, the other days being
free. The admission feo to be asked will 60 toward
defrayng the expenses of the garden. II will require
large to properly keep the collection of ANIMALS
It is proposed 70 supply, and What s obtained from
visitors may ove TO be enough 10 leave the manage
ment without great care in this particular.
THE NEW SITE
Tho site Of tho present temporary collection OF AMI
nal in the Park s in the neighborhood OF the old
arsenal the Fifth avenue side, Sixty-iourth
1t is about three hundred teet by our hundred
ieet and never adapted for the purpose,
besides being un injury to that portion Of
The Park. Tho proposition by tho new organ
izaton is to remove all the old and
poorly equipped buildings, and select that portion OF
the PARK adjoining Eighth avenue from Ninety sixth.
l05th street Tor the garden where suitable
structures will DO erected Tho tract twenty-
Eve extent and IL especially adapted 10 the
purpose. 1t ls wild and picturesque, has a great
variety of surface is well covered with trees contains
many rocky places and deep gorses while thoroi run
ning water and pools great number within its limits
The only drawback the site has Is the long distance
1t from tho centre of the city. This objection will hold
Ior short time only, rapid transit will place
II within easy riding distance and all visitors to the
Museum OF Natural History will certainly 60 little
further to Inspect the geological collection, which
III good time Will rank with those VI European cities.
INTERESTING REPORT.
The discussion OF the proposed garden by the Com
missoners OF The Public Parks caused them 10 obtain
tho views OF Mr.. Olmstcd, until recently tho Boards
andscape architect and in reply he made the follow
ing interesting report. which was submitted at the
meeting Of the Commissioners, of the 9th inst -
NEW YORK Jan. 2 1873.
GKSrIrMaN~The present n,enagerie Of hc department
has whats 4, by successive desuory stops taken
with no view to peruanenee or completeness in any
tra lark i; i,arsanred l,oquRDed no. adapted
though closely, prudcntly and skiuly managed 1t adds
to s annual s M s. r the which
ne existing 20 IL will be more obvious its
The and openings caused by the shrinkge decay
a wa ter 81 IN nsm s now n SO and 80
severe occur will hardly praccabe to Keep
sive rebuilding undertaken Tho Board can therefore,
not no s", wa,aS p9sy with but will
s utabIc and economically indetcnsibe, ex.
eric Ivy the such as arc
mot by the well known floral and exotic public gardens
The fark Commissioners of different periods. always
two .say &c dsrsnt classes of Srosssns nsya IN
arect the agemsht them by an assoca-
wv VIII to the ID nss ea s eren. localities
Gass G,'
erryng OUT these plans Zach Of these appropratons
donea With reference 70 the second class
obtain special Of legislation hut no
onc has been able TO secure such CONCESSIONS assistance
cess and ali arr delunct
upon nye some Of one Of these classes some Of
,s onsr neither Of when mad the GO cSmms.on
agtaied during my intended absence propose at this
tain general conclusions which, in my Judgment. may DO
TS,ss-New York demands advantages corresponding to
those found in the accma geological botanic
best way TO secure sue advantages w6ud be
one IN general with the policy which has beer
ten in successful operation in tie American Museum OF
Third This policy would lead a contract between tho
city and society Tor the purpose under which the city
ing budngs collections while tho society would sivs
iousy and at others in payment Of moderate admission
fees and would undertake the current expenses OF the
p-Bo, anic exotic gardens need to have many OF
gardens. geological garden, AS generally managed. Is,
TO sons extent botanic garden and each OF the propos
ronemplaesa combination of botanic and geological In
In view OF the difficulty which has been experienced in
s"ng the nesessnIy ssSa TO s e,ssr & ia .,Ioge s
pjcctons TO enclosing any of the area OF the Central
template. present. two distinct gardens for
zooogy. Others -, different brancnes OF botany or orca
nFVh-No garden Of tho kind proposed could bc estab
public advantages for winch high price has been paid
aowhorc IN the middle parts o the Park nor on iss south,
waste aud disastrous results Aot even its more north
pose Which would not found cIanpei in
sDects nconvenient, requiring large outays To make
satisfactory.
Srt-on tho other hand garden Of the class contem
plated would be likely, for long time 70 come. to maze
adequate returns through admission fees II situated much
further north than the Central Park.
Serena--undcr all those conditions the department
woua be justified ir providing whenever shall be iouud
practicable by the method proposed for the
Gatey useful. sttractye and popular departments OF
combined geological and botanic garden the Central
bnrk taking land these which the buildings
gould be so ARRANGED as not TO break tho broader land
occupied by tnc menngerc.
Itgd-Buti IL IS ocsirabc that in addition this
D SUBURBAN Land as public ground be specially
for arboretun aud horcu tural gnrden and,
perhaps other scientific In tho future suitable land
Tor purpose be found in that portion OF
wards, the plans Of which rensan bc determined.
Nintt-iiavug in view n geological and botanic garden
be situated In the Central PARK which compare
favoaby with the best In the world respect popular
ana instrucveness though lacking space
for scientific pletenes site should be gh within
winch consderaue extent OF surface would be found WITH
hrst an exposure the south second from
norhcas north ana northwest winds third perfect drain
iourh, ample flowing water supply; ht direct
cation with considerable pond broad body water
which a lie within the sa:ne enclosure.
I'M Ott ilahI wbe