New-York tribune., 1903-05-03

leaves on the elm began to turn yellow and the
branches to die A gas leak was Immediately sus-
pected, but. try they could, the authorities
could not discover break and it looked as If the
big tree was doomed. Long before. an old sewer
had been built running out under the ground from
Harvard Hail In the direction Of Grays. Some
workmen, digging one day, ran across this old
sewer and found evidences OF gas. They followed
I'D the clew and found that one OF the new gas
pipes crossed this sewer. and that. where it had
been concealed under the old structure, leak had
sprung filing the space with gas. This gas es-
capped from the sewer Just under the roots of the
old elm already mentioned, and as soon as the
leak stopped the tree began to freshen and
bloom again. Now and then tree dies, but as
often this happens another is planted in its
place; and quickly are these substitutions made
that the change almost is unconscious one.
One fact. however, is worth noticing in this con-
nection. In the old yard trees planted in rows;
in the they are scattered promiscuously; and
although people love the old yard for its quaint.
clustering dormitories and historic associations it
is significant that, regards natural beauty, the
new yard appeals most to them. In the old yard
a Puritanic primness is almost maintained. The
trees. stately and magnificent as they are, are
fined to precise rows. and anything which tends to
break this superficial is blotted from the
scene. Such the fate Of the old beach tree
which graced the centre of the yard some twelve
years ago; and Of the beech tree which up
10 last September. spread its twisted limbs in front
OF ThHyer; and of that other beech tree down at
the southern end near Grays, concerning which so
many stories have been told These trees narred
the mechanical appearance Of the yard and they
were rooted up spelling a continuous view from
one end to another of the rectangle.
Possibly if was well for one Of these trees to go
Ior mad II not been removed by peaceful arts it
certainly would have perished at students hands
This was the beech tree near Grays which stood
in a 1oVy hoI1o
the rain and melted snow of slushy winter months
In this water. like ducks in a mill pend neophytes
were wont TO sport at the command Of those
chosen to superintend their trials. IT was COM
mon sight in winter, ten or more years ago, to see
students splas ashing about the old tree with
host Of spectators watching their antics from
nearby banks But years went by and az these
oroeais came to be more and more dreaded efforts
were made to put an end to the old tree which
was looked upon almost as directly responsible
for the hardshfps endured under its branches sar
erai attempts at its destruction were made but
each was foiled by the diligence of the ward
cop FINALLY, however, hole was bored in its
branches, the hole filled with powder and night
SET on which It's utter annihation should occur
IN some way or other the yard con- got wind
of all this. and in the wee sma hours'' when tb.
conspirators appeared to execute their fell purnosa
they round him comfortably lodged among the
branches with his billy In hand and a deter
mined look revealed under the moonlight upon his
that there was another hole further down the
trunk, filled with powder and ready for appIving
the match Stepping forward. he lighted the pre-
tended fuse Then they all off and shouted
BACK Back! as If they were in danger of fly
ing limbs and powder. The yard cop" who had
first kept his position bravelv now began to ranenf
OF his rashness. As the students deserted him and
ne saw the lighted fuse burning under him he
thooght only OF his own safety and hastened to
descend In doing he lost his hold and fell
a he oT1d-
summoned by his groans rushed to his assistance
they found his broken arm hanging Imply at his
side.
In the new yard, however. that is inclosed by
Gore Hall, Sever, Appleton Chapel and the hacks
OF Thayer. University and Weld the scene is nat
u'aI enough TO suit any one Here trees grow as
they Will bushes have not been nlantad with
tape measure. and regularity is tabooed The re-
suit is that this part of the yard is increasing In
popularity. and, although it will always lack the
associations which make the other part so famous
ITS great natural beauty makes it place Of chief
interest TO who is visiting Harvard for The FIRST
time.
In addition to seeing that the ward trees grow
and flourish other and morc complicated duties de-
volve upon the 'physiogra phical faculty" of Har-
ward Buildings must be heated rooms lighted
floors swept and attention paid to a thousa nd and
one minor details. In addition the college build
inss proper there the medical buildings in Bos
ton, the Arnold Arboretum and the Astronomical
Observatory, each Of which is under the general
supervision of Mr.. Burke. but has its own force of
caretakers TO look after its own affairs In this
respect the observatory occupies a peculiar posi-
ton, being managed by Mrs. Pickering wife Of
professor Edward c. Pickering the director. Mrs
Pickering is an admirable superintendent. and,
thanks TO her love Of flowers and landscape archi-
lecture, the observatory to-day is one of the most
delightful spots in the university's possession
HarVards system Of ground and building admin
istration Is. ii readily be seen, one which in
yolves considerable expenditure of money as well
business and executive ability The cost Of car
ing for the university grounds and property equals
in the aggregate about a twentieth of all expendi-
lures, including salaries. appropriations fellow
ships and other things
Yale at the present time still keeps under the old
scout" system. which went out OF existence in
Cambridge more than fourteen years ago. Under
this system each student engages his janitor
look after his room. and the university assumes
responsibility for the way things
Princeton and Pennsylvania each copying from
Harvard. however and Yale too. promises TO
fall into line With the erection of Vanderbilt Hall
some new system Of dormitory maintenance Will
undoubtedly be established in New-Haven, and II
success be judged from Harvard's experience
Yale could do no better than to copy after the
Crimson scheme.
LEGAL EpA0NE