New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-09-10
DIR PARKS AND GARDENS.
AN ENGLISH EXPERT on AMERICAN HOR-
TICULTURE.
WHAT THE CURATOR OF THE ROYAL GARDEN
AT KEW SAW IN TIE UNITED STATES.


two months in this country, sailed for home few
days ago. Mr.. Nicholson appointed lndgc OF
horticulture az the Columb an Exposition for Great
Britain by the Royal Commission ana he spent a
month AT the Fair in bis ofici1l capacity. In
conversation on the subject Of his WISH Just be-
fore he sailed Mr. Nicholson said, in reply to some
questions:
Il c1nnot very we'll say much about horti-
culture in the Fair, inasmuch as the Judges
under instructions not to discuss the mat
ter, and il would he obviously out OF place for
me, in the light OF these instructions, TO talk
about exhibits at this time for publication'
"You would not object however, TO giving your
impressions of the scenic effects OF the FAIR from
the point Of view of landscape gar 'cn"r :?
Il WIS charmed by very much of this work,
both in its broad design and in its details The
conception OF the scene rs a WHOLE was Ger
tainly the work OF great artists. was especially
pleased by the planting OF the margins OF Tin"
lagoon ond the shores Of the wooded island which
seemed 10 me work Of the first quality 1h"
highest compliment heard paid to II was from
a citizen Of Chicago, who showed surprise upon
hearing me speak Of IL with some enthusiasm, and
said WHY, water margins Just like this can he
found in lots of lakes around Chicago which was
the best Of evidence that this was true repro
duction OF natural scenery Among th" exhibits
with which | hid nothing TO do can say. OF the
fruits for example, that they seemed To III" mar
vclous. especially the specimens Of fruit which had
been preserved in Liquid, which were among the
most perfect in form and color ever SAW.
Bcing asked if he had seen much of the coun-
try besides Chicago, Mr.. Nicholson SAID
made fvinc trip az far south Roam Mountain
on the borders of Eastern Tennessee and Western
North Carolina, in order 10 get glimpse OF the
rich forest fora Of that region. and feel inclined
10 urge every visitor from Europe who is inter
estcd in trees 10 visit this Southern Appalachian
region. went as far west as ST. Louis, and
made hurried inspection OF tho Botanical Gar
den there, which is under the care of Professor
Trclcase found an extremely we'll equipped
hcrbarium, good library, and an institution
which is so richly endowed that it ought 10 be-
come in time one OF the great gardens Of the
world
THE ARNOLD APBGRETrM
"My specially, however, is trees and shrubs, and
Therefore the place 10 which | went first and
stayed longest was the Arnold Arborctnm In Dos
ton. and Of this unique institution I can hardly
speak without enthusiasm. I know of nothing
Just like IT, There are other arborca in the
world. but they are all subordnated "a ann"Nes
or dependencies 10 botanic gardens. This Is n
true arborctum devoted TO trees and shrubs ey-
cusivey II is young yet, but il is conceived on
broad scale. and the foundations arc laid wild"
and deep 10 admit Of growth and expansion, so
that ultimately every tree and shrub capable OF
cultivation in the climate OF Boston will here b"
found. and il already contains th" most complete
collection yet made Of shrubs which ar" hardy IN
the North Temperate ZONE or conr-" all IN"
plants are arranged systematically. according :"
their botanical sequence: but Nh" natural al
vantagcs Of the place. with its beautifully undn-
lating ground. ar" mad" the most or 80 mat
splendid landscap" effects are produced. IL"
margins Of the roadwavs are planted with shrub.
which give beautiful effects the year through. with
flowers in spring. rich foliage in summer. ani col
ored leaves and fruit in autumn. And thc-'
shrubs are used with such profu-ion that ON"
may find more individuals - certain species here
than can be- found IN all the other botanical gar
dcns Of the world coml incd Besides it, s"cn-
tifc value this great collection j. - arranged a.
10 present one of the very best lessons in natural
planting that can bc seen anywhere. In addI-
tion 10 this planting there are many acres Of
natural woodland in which are oh trcc- and p
thrifty Young growth 20 furnish object lessons in
practical forestry and near on" boundary there
i, a steep slope clothed with an ancient h'mlorlt
wood which gives a feature which cannot be-
matched in dignity aHl beauty in any park with
which ! am acquainted
"In the svstcmntic rlartations every single
snccimcn was raised on the grounds nnl n com
plctc record il kept II them. On n carefully
formed map the position Of every tree is marked
and reference - five unique carl c1talogu" will
give a complete history Of every plant. 50 that
.f., La. 81
or the cutting was ro,'od; or. If it is gr1ft"d
where the stock and scion came fiom. together
with an account Of It's size or habit every year
and any peculiar circumstance connected with any
stage Of its life I know Of no other establish
mcnt whore records OF tins kind made, 50 that
the catalogue which is useful now will grow in
value rs time go,s on But perhaps these details
arc all familiar 10 YOU
Mr. Nicholson was assured that Americans, a.
rule. had perhaps rs little familiar acquaintance
with the arborc'un as Europeans and he there
fore continued Well. all your people ought 10
tnow that in the museum AZ thc entrance ~ The
arborctum il y horfarum devoted 10 woody plants
which is mnrvallcd, and that here, too, Is the best
working dcndrologcal library in the world. OF
course yon do not need 70 In told how Professor
Sargent tho director Of the arborctum stands
among men Of science but can only add that his
position is recognized by every European bo'anst
Of rank and. in way, through the arbOretum. he
is doing great deal for Europe a. well ~ for
America He returned last autumn from an eX
tended journey in Japan, bringing with him the
seeds of more than 300 species Of plants. Perhaps
hundred Of these have never been under cnlti-
vation and tens Of thousands 81 plants from these
seeds are already established and they will he
distributed from the Arnold Arborcium TO enrich
the gardens not Of America alone. but Of the
entire Western wcild. This is nothing new, for
already many of the most interesting ornamental
plants in use have been disseminated from this
same source. In lis Office in the Museum Bald
ing Professor Sargent is writing his great work.
The Silva Of North America which contains n
description OF every tree growing in America north
Of Mexico, and which ! consider the most mpor-
tant contribution Of the century 10 Neurological