New-York tribune., 1896-02-03
THE BOTANICAL GARDEN.

That little has been heard Of late about the
Botanical Garden does not signify that the proJ-
ect is lanCriiShing 1t would be n misfortune II
that were the case. and we are glad to assure
our readers that it Is not The secretary mas
lust made Il public announcement of the fact
that work Of importance is actually going on IN
Bronx Park and that the plans are in such
forward state that the construction of roads ana
buildings can probably begin within few
months Mr. Briton also takes occasion to ex-
press the great satisfaction which Mrs Esther
Hcrmann's recent subscription of $4,000 gave
70 the Board Of Managers. who think that TINS
unsolicited and generous addition to their re-
sources is indicative Of strong public interest In
the undertaking. The few liberal citizens whose
large gifts made the accomplishment OF their
cherished purpose possible are far from wish
ing to monopolizc either the privilege OF con-
tribut'ng financially TO this admirable object or
the credit for its success. They earnestly desire
that the Botanical Garden shall be popular
institution in double sense-in the interest
which ii inspires and the pleasure it affords ana
also I'm the practical support which it obtains.
And though they may refrain from making fire.
orent appeals for pecuniary assistance they
want 10 have it thoroughly understood and gen
orally borne in mind that contributions, whether
large or small, will always be gratefully re-
ceivcd
The statute under which the Botanical Garden
came into existence required the city to furnish
Il site containing go acres and to issue bonds
to thu. amount OF S;0O0 0O) for its benefit on con-
ditIon that the sum Of S2J0O0O should have been
previously raised from private sources Ihat
status was reached last June and the law hav-
ing thus become operative the conception be-
came n reality II will be remembered that the
original purpose OF the corpOrators was to col
lect an endowment Of half a million before APP
nlyinc 10 the city for an equal amount but the
nrotracted financial depression changed the out
look. and made It seem wise TO take advantage
Of the statute as soon rs possible. 1t is all the
more desirable. therefore. that general subscrip-
tIons Of all sizes should be added to the fund
which was created by a few large gifts. The
present material status Of the undertaking Is
this: A site which. Notwithstanding some ad-
verse criticism. is thoroughly satisfactory 10
those bes, qualified to judge has been provided
the city's $4,000 will be available when 1t Is
wanted. the subscribed endowment now amounts
to S2GoGDo and plants valued at $1,000 nave
been given 10 the Garden by Mr.. James a.
pitcher We heartily join in the managers eX-
prrssion of hope that Mrs. Hermann's example
will be Initiated 10y citizens who are able 10 give
much ana 10y many who can give littl".
The undertaking is one which wholly deserves
10 lnsplr. that sort of interest which both stim-
mates and rewards generous impulse.
Botanical Garden worthy Of tho name ana OF II
large and intelligent community IS perpetual
source ~ rcfreshment for mind and body. IL
embcllishe> and dignifies the municipal life with
which II is associated. and becomes more EN-
cicnt with every passing year as IN agency oi
instruction and refinement New-lork owes
much to the citizens who laid the foundations
for n noble institution In Bronx Park. and the
people now owe it to themselves to give the en-
tcrprisc a liberal and faithful support.