New-York tribune., 1902-05-28
NOT ALARMED ABOUT PARK
MR. WILCOX SAYS THERE is NO REA-
son TO BECOME PANICSTRICKEN.
I COGNIZANT OF

THE DEPARTMENT FULLY COGNIzANr OF
THE sITUATION-NO MILLION DOLLAR
APPROPRIATION To BE AsKED-RE-
sURFACING WHERE MOST NEEDED.
Park Commissioner Wilcox yesterday sought
to allay the alarm which has been excited in
some quarters by the recent statement of Samuel
Parsons jr.. the landscape architect of the de-
partment, that Central Park is dying and that
IL the park is to be preserved IL must have two
feet of new soil spread over 1t in every section.
at total cost of repIantng. of mould and labor
of about S1.5OO.OOO. Mr.. Wilcox said:
Some days since I received call from
porter of an afternoon newspaper. who came IN
behalf of his journal TO insist that all reStrfc-
ttons regarding the grounds of Central Park.
the meadows. etc. should be removed. and in
sisting that the privilege should he given to the
people who daily visit Central Park OF -oanl-
ing at will wherever their fancy took them; and
one Of the reasons given for such a proposition
was that the public freely had this privilege
at Prospect Park.
In the discussion that arose over this propc-
sition attention was called to the fact that the
meadows of Prospect Park were of a deep soil.
and accordingly permitted the growth of a
strong and vigorous sod and it was further
more pointed out that no syCh large crowds OF
people visited Prospect Park constantly Is
the case in Central Park IL was also pointed
out that Central Park is largely or artf-
hcial construction. Any one familiar with the
conformation and character of the land above
Fifty-ninth-st. knows that there are Outcrop-
pings of rock and when Central Park was laid
much of the soil was brought from outside and
deposited in the valleys and otherwise used In
the construction of the landscape.
Being fully COgnizant of this situation. II Is
the policy of the department TO constantly use
as much new soil and fertilizer and fresh planta-
ton as our apprOpria lions will allow IL is true
that in years this work has been neg
lected. but il is a part of our present plan
however to do as much OF this work as Is pos
sible to be accomplished with the appropriations
that be obtained.
The condition of Central Park is not new. nor
has IL been misunderstood There is nothing
TO call for immediate alarm. for any sensa-
tional statements. IL is not the intention OF the
department to ask for any million dollar appro-
priation for the purpose of reSurfscing the park.
although il is the intention of the Park Depart
nent TO constantly endeavor TO keep the park in
good condition. and to TenOvate and replant
wherever the same is most demanded and to
the extent that may he possible with the ap-
propriations allowed for that purpose. II Is
not the intention desire of the department
TO resurface all the park to uproot all the
planting that has been done. or To put two feet
of mould around the that already
growing and are in a healthy condition. Such
a coDrse Of action has not been dreamed Of and
would not be tolerated.
or course, all vegetation is dying. Much that
We see to-day will he dead six months from
to-day, and many of the trees that we see -four
ishing now will be dead twenty years from to-
day. This is a self-evident proposition. but this
affords no reason for any to become panic
stricken over the condition of Central Park to-
day.
Leonard Barron. Editor of American Garden
ing and secretary of the Horticultural Society
of NewYOrk said yesterday:
The matter is not so alarming as might ap-
pear. because the fertility Of the land can be
maintained by proper attention IL is simply a
question of dollars and cents Trees very
exhausting crop. and in order maintain them
properly the same high cultivation should be
given TO them as is given TO any other crop feed
ing on the soil II can be done by means OF
artificial and natural fertilizers and also. in the
case of the park in particular. by a judcious
thinning out of the present growth.
Central Park is OveTgrown to-day. / have
always said whenever go into the park that
feel as if L wanted TO go there with gang OF
men and set them to opening up avenues. The
park wants TO have air let into it, do not like
the expression dying" in regard 20 Central
Park II is dramatic word to use. would
the park is being starved. But can
starve long time before he dies, and can a
park. Central Park is starving from exhaus-
tion of food materials in the soil.
In agricultural soil different crops are
grown in different years. but when trees and
shrubs are planted such a wholesale scale
as in the park they usually left to stay.
II is question of applying high horticultural
methods TO restore fertility. IL is necessary to
be constantly remOdelling and giving other
necessary attention To the maintenance Of the
vigOr of the specimens in existence and all trees
and shrubs which are defective must be sacri-
feed to the maintenance of the leading speci-
mems.