New-York tribune., 1891-12-27
THE PROPOSED BOTANICAL GARDEN

ABOUT tnie6 Years dSO lnc lOiiNy
Club determined to attempt to obtain Botanical
Garden for the city. Kew Gardens were regard
ed as a model and the aim was to do for New
York and America what Kew has done for Lon
don and Great Britain. The matter was re-
ferred to committee, who considered the prof.
ect in detail and decided that the most available
site for such an enterprise was in Bronx Park,
which by reason of its central position, it's ready
accessibility, its diversified topography and abun-
dant supply of water, offered the most desirable
situation for the proposed institution. Repre-
sentatives of the committee waited on the Com
missoners of Public Parks and found them not
only willing but anxious to cooperate in the
endeavor.
The scheme was cordially supported by the
press and last winter it was decided 10 present
plan to the city authorities, which, after some
notifications to meet their views, was accepted
by them and submitted to the Legislature The
bill thus prepared became law without opposi-
tion Its provisions are already we'll known to
the public. BY it $50 acres OF Bronx Park are
devoted TO the Garden, and the sum OF $500 600
appropriated for the erection OF buildings when
ever the incorporators secure guarantee fund
of S25O,OOO from other sources. The general
management of the enterprise is vested in trus-
tees under annual elections by the incOrpopatos,
but to give greater steadiness and efficiency IN
the development of the scientific and educational
departments, the control of those departments Is
lodged in more permanent board, composed OF
the president and three professors OF Columbia
College, the president of the Torrey Botanical
Club and the president otthe Board of Educa-
ton. This will secure scientific direction OF
perhaps the utmost attainable stability, unity
and efficiency.
The educational advantages which such Gar
den will offer to the people are scarcely 10 be
estimated. There they will be able to see and
study all forms of vegetable life which can be
successfully grown in the open air or under
glass, interesting whether from their beauty,
ornament or utility. 16ey may become familiar
with flowers, trees and shrubs. 1t will be a
refining influence of the greatest possible value
To students who are prosecuting the study OF
botany it will afford advantages nowhere at
present to be secured in the United States.
What is needed to cOnsummate this great en-
terprise is the speedy securing OF the endow-
ment fund required by the Legislature Column
bia College has taken the lead in providing this
by its liberal subscription Of $4,000. Nothing
could more justify public confidence than this
action. The trustees OF Columbia have pro-
nounced it plan worthy of their own liberal
support and have evidenced their desire to be
of service to the people. at large. 1t is most
fortunate for the future OF the enterprise that
Columbia has beon willing to accept the respon-
sibity of its scientific direction, and has given
this substantial proof of its interest. Columbia
is the only college in the city that has paid much
attention to botany. It's herbarium and botanical
library are hardly second in importance to any
in the country. Should it place these also at
the service of the Garden, the institution would
at once take front rank in scientific Importance
Under the guidance moreover, of an institu-
ton whose administration ranks among the
wisest the most energetic and the most progress
sye of our time, tho scientific and educational
departments of the Garden ara certain to be al
ways free TO develop along the lines of the
highest culture and the highest usefulness, un-
vexed by any of those internal strifes of man
agement which have sometimes proved the bane
Of the mosr promising of public enterprises.
1t now remains for othoH to complete the en-
dowment fund and make the provisions of the
act secure. 1t is to be hoped that the response
of those able to contribute will be prompt and
generous.