New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-05-31
4 PRoPER USE OF THE AXE.
ynrExUmINe IN CENTRAL PARK APPROVED
BY EXPERTS.


At a meeting Of the West End Association Of
Property Owners early I'm the spring, the cutting
down Of trees in Central Park made the subject
Of the meeting. Some difference OF opinion arising,
Il was agreed to ask the opinion OF Frederick Law
oinstead, the landscape artist, and j. D. Harrison,
secretary Of the American Forestry Congress. The
report of those experts has Just been received 1t
sustains the acton of the Park Department in cut
ting down the trees, and thoroughly approves tho
Judgment Of Superintendent Parsons in the direction
of this work The report says:
Undoubtedly authorities drcr little in their views
rs the extent to which, in the management OF psna-
lions landscape effect the thinning should be
pursed But such differences mainly represent varying
degrees susceptibility 10 the charm Of one or another
variety Of sylvan scenery and consequent disposition 70
give more prominence in writing TO one another We
may observe that II there be considered 10 be two
schools in respect should ourselves be chased
with that which the less uniform OF the
ana which believes sometimes sacrificing more OF the
chances for long and perfect development Of trees 70 tho
result OF more playful disposition and geser variation
of conpanionshIp OF them. We should than soe,
guard thinning against making any tree individually
conspicuous. would not have the least confusion BE-
tween the purpose park and the purpose OF an Ar
boretum.
Il was estimated report sent us that the quantity
ef wood cut Park during the last winter would
measure short Of $50 cords The plantations OF Tho
Park are mainly the form OF narrow belts ard groups
Al irregular outline alternating with spaces OF rock TURF
water and roadpys these vacancies being larger on the
whole than planted that large proportion
az the trees open two sides TO light and air. The
panted ground wedrsned the son taken from the
rocks road and water spaces was added
70 it's original soil many parts had been occupied two
wears before the pantng by small market gsrdens the
whole was literally treated with compost OF dung ana
,,,ss Yn.A and with phosphates and finely titled TO
dspsh Of twenty inches. II has since been frequently
topdressed The have been generally growing win
extraordinary rapidly The extent OF the planted grouna
Ga ssnmated at 400 The principal Iee-plantng OF
The Park ives made In 1853 1859 and 1890 Having been
before thinned scsnty, would it be thought BY
experienced ee-groWers that the taking out OF TWO OF
three hundred cords of wood from such Plantations At
ne end Of thirty years was as mas oeeh soppoSeH n
excessive Amountf
We canDo. think that IL would
Considering how large a proportion OF all the feied
uees were probably dead dying or greatly enfes6ed
es,deon we doubt II they would have borne this year
Der cent Of the LEAKAGE OF the Park We are OF
te opinion that midsummer the expanse OF LEAKAGE
mat win be gained by new growth viii be moro tHn
equyaent 10 all that been cut OF in the wintoFs
thlnning. Oct any passing through tho Park six
weeks hence II the foliage seems less In amount than
s IL ala fse period last year,
A. hrss view it viii remarkable that complaints
speciae and sweeping those have considered
seoad be made by persons OF high degree OF general
hhslesnes without any support in the actual facts Of
TIE oss, II VIII perhaps be thouglx hardly credible
tsat ths impression sentiment the great
edy Of good citizens what Is desirable IN the
seessnt o. plantations should BE IN such direct conflict
wa what ws have shown 70 be the general
Sssts " nAVarD scenery 70 whom the question has
Bean one q professional study
Ths expianaon q mystery n 10 be ,ound WA .rr
posA Ia ae fset that management az large ra,, 4.
- ~ hs principles ana methods Of which are much
.aer nsh being generally eonssehsnded even by cut
ssssa men. thAA IL commonly suppeeed ~ "~-sD
And yet q is most UNDERSTANDS ~, A,,
shoale % ea 2 reitaauiss ans decree Of ,n,ss
49, y ~ isei 10 the homogeneous II The uos1s
- eur safeA II fs most desirable tha. ssss ksouuah
s si greater and norS seareAng hsass.. =. 1sl
Should fnnuenee tAs management more aires . they
c1ectfFeiy. % 30 sxinaa
robustness Of though, upon the subIsct sush - \, e.
sonS IL VIII also require aesses Of yespse, - .a
scAnieei responsibility involved that fs rave vet ia. sns
- rsise 10 be TO due. - Desah