New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-28
1 BOTANICAL GARDEN FOR NEW-YORF.

A BOTANICAL GARDEN FOB NEH-fOfh'
Mr.. Cantors bill incorporating the New iork
botanical Garden has passed the senate. III
ought to encounter no serious obstacles else
wbera Ifs purpose is to establish an institution
which will ri a conspicuous and important place
in the educational equipment of this city, de-
lighting the eye, stimulating interest IN the llle
and growth of plants, supplying iaGItles 1or
observation and study, and generally instruct
ing and elevating the community. The under-
taking is advocated at present by only small
fraction of the people, but an establishment OF
this character makes friends fast. IL Is essen
tally popular enterprise, and that 1aoo VIII
be recognized ,as soon as it has passed the INST
stage of development That is the experience
of other cities which are SO fortunate as 10 pos
sess botanical gardens. The superb gardens at
Kew are the pride OF all England. Mr.. Shaws
noble beuuest to st. Louis has become an IN
dispensable element in the life of that city. 10
say that there is no great popular demand 1oI
such an establishment here is not to impair It's
claims. 1t is given to only few to foresee the
value and significance Of a great undertaking.
The majority always wait for practical Demon
stration.
The plans outlined in Senator Cantors bill
have been carefully and skilfuLy drawn. Inc
incorporators include a number of citizens dis
tineuished for their knowledge and love OF
plants. II is proposed to build upon broad
foundation, so that whether the growth be rapid
or slow it may proceed securely. The location
at Bronx PARK is admirable. That site is ac-
cessible to great population, but it will always
preserve the indispensable requisite OF pure
atmosphere and advantageous surroundings. III
extent it is adequate, and indeed generous. Inc
garden al St. Louis laid out and maintained ny
Mr.. Shaw occupies only forty-iive acres at the
present time bu. provision has been made for ITS
future extension over tract of $50 acres. The
space 70 be set apart in Bronx Park, under the
terms of the Cantor bill, is still more ample, as
il should be, TO meet the requirements OF CITY
and an establishment OF the first rank
The pecuniary basis IS also sufficient lot the
purpose of a satisfactory beginning. The cor
pOIation is 10 raise S250,000 and the Park
Commissioners are to erect suitable buildings
at a. cost mot exceeding sum upon which the
annual interest as funded is $1,000" Gun
credit is 50 high that we may fairly reckon upon
at least 100000 as building fund and that
sum, if wisely expended, will supply all that Is
needed in that line for a good while to come.
The restrictions imposed by the bill are ali
malicious. The grounds are not to be occupied
for any purpose not properly related 10 the use
and endowment Of the garden, and no intoXicat-
inc liquors are to be admitted within Its limits
ON any pletext. The undertaking does not seek
TO provide that sort OF reireShment. There IS
no resemblance between this project and the
fantastic scheme of an &" air garden over the
Forty-scc0nd-st. reservoir. Bronx Park may
possibly seem to this generation rather remote
but it is not further from the present centre OF
Ncw-Yorll than the Kew Gardens are from
London, and they are often visited by hundred
thousand persons on single day.
That fact indicates the essential popularity
Of such an institution as the Cantor bill aims
70 create. 1t is not primarily because 1t will
advance botanical science that we advocate this
measure, though that is matter which closely
concerns the general welfare; but because 1t
promises to dinuse knowledge OF delightful
sort, to develop and reward the faculty OF OBJ
scrvaticn, to create new pleasures, arouse new
thoughts and interests, establish new influences
and so by slow degrees to transform thousands
Of lives