Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-05-31

den we're devoted to botany. About 5
acres were given oyer to this purpose. The
remainder. about rs acres, was cultivated
most successfully as a farm. His wheat
yield Ia not surpassed by the most modern
farming today.
"TIARvEY's GRAVE"
Between the old homestead and the
Schuylltil is small inclosure marked
"IIarvey's Grave" The grave itself is cow
cred with growing wild flowers, just now
the bright golden buttercups predominating
Harvey was one of Bartrnm's slaves-all
Of whom he freed. Harvey was also John
Bartram's business manager and steward,
who sold all the farm produce, did all the
marketing and translated all the family
business In Philadelphia. Hence II Is
typical Of the bond of attachment In those
days between master and servant that
Harvey should be buried In his masters
garden.
For more than 100 years the garden re-
malned in the Bartram family. II passed
for a time into other equally careful hands.
Then followed a period Of neglect. Prin-
cipaliy through the efforts OF Thomas
Meehan. long a Germantown naturalist and
flower lover, the garden was purchased by
the city for public park.
Some Of the finest specimens of trees
planted by John Bartram are dead, but
there are stu enough left to become nu-
cleus of such botanic garden as would be
a credit to Philadelphia.
Majestic even In decay surrounded by
an iron fence. stands the dead trunk of
the giant cypress which history. now al
most n tradition, says was brought by
John Bartram from Florida, a saplinR
which he cut to use as a whip for the
horse he was riding Afterward he planted
this shoot, which, for many years after
ward was the undisputed lord Of all the
trees for miles around.
TREES NOT LABELED.
Not single one In this whole collection
OF rare trees Is labeled with its name, as
would be the case in any properly kept
botanic garden.
There are still many rare species grow.
ing. such as Bartram oak the willow oak.
the mossy cup oak, the Gingko Bboa, the
pawpaw, the Tree of Heaven, etc.
There was lily pond on the grounds
once upon a time, but today as a stagnant,
shallow pool the mosquitoes have pre-.
empted It as their own personal property.
REMNANT OF MILL.
Near "Harvey's" grave, almost on the
extreme bank of the river, Is an old relic
In stone cut In the solid rock. At first
glance It reminds one of the pot holes" in
the celebrated gardens at Lucerne, Swift
erland. Closer inspection shows II Is not
natural phenomenon like the Lucerne
holes, but that the deep, circular track and
tne ueep mole cut III Ine BOllu TOCk were
carved artifcialy. This was at one time
n part of an old.style cider mill, such as
can still be found in Scandinavian coun-
tries
1t ia to the shame Of the civic pride of
Philadelphia that his garden which Is not
local but n national relic should suffer
such neglect 1t was the first botanic gar.
den in the United States Today II is
neither garden nor park. Its paths are not
the worst feature The foreshore Of the
Schuylkll River. where II touches the
gardens, is unspeakabe, and the sludge
from the oil works across the river, while 1t
may rout the mosquitoes, is not pleasant
for either sight or smell.
At one section. where a growth of will.
lows mercifully interposes It's grateful
green portieres. nature has given a hint
of what can be done TO make the river
front at this particular place more at
tractive.
It may be that the Schuyllsill, which. as
It flows past Bartram's garden. is nothing
better than an open sewer. may have
something to do with the unpopularity of
the place, but the historic associations of
the old house and grounds should be a
strong appeal for such measure of civic
pride as would result In restoring the old
place to something approaching its former
glory