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The botanical distaibution of plants over the surface of . the earth undergoes vertain modifications connected with the dryness and moisture, a3 well as the mechanical and
25 (Doe. No. 5.
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é chemical composicion of the soil. Hence an intimate re- ; lation exists between the botany of any district of coun- { try and its geology and topography; and, therefore, inde-
pendently of the climate, certain plants, whether placed r by nature or art, will flourish, or decay, according as the temperature and composition of the soil, is favorable or unfavorable to their growth. A botanical survey of the park has been made, for the purpose of ascertaining the . a. nature of the existing vegetation, to learn how far it = - could be made available in the projected improvements, as well as to know its character, as an indication of what _ peculiar class of plants would prove most flourishing if - transplanted to this ground, as also to discover what alter- ations the soil would require in order to admit of an in- . creased variety. .
This forms the basis of a botanical index which can always be made complete by a careful register of the plants and trees introduced. The investigation has not extended through all the seasons, which, in their turn, de-
velop their peculiar plants; and is, therefore, in some respects, incomplete; still, so far as the useful trees and shrubs are concerned, it is believed that none have been overlooked.
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Doc. No. 5.) 26
Although this investigation has added nothing new to botanical science, yet it is necessary that the existing trees and plants should be described so as to be identified, and their importance properly estimated. <A familiar de- scription has been preferred to strictly botanical language, to convey all that is necessary with regard to the present vegetation. The catalogue will be added to during the ensuing season.
For present purposes, the plants are arranged simply in alphabetical order, without reference to any particular classification.
Ist. ACER DASYCARPUM—Silver-leaved Maple.
A tree, thirty to fifty feet high, and often one to two feet in diameter, with wide, spreading branches. The wood white and soft, sap less sweet than that of the Sugar Maple. Leaves in large petioles, lobed beyond the mid- dle, nearly smooth when old. Flowers, greenish, yellow- ish or purplish, usually about five together. This forms a beautiful shade tree. The silvery-white of the under surface of the leaves strongly contrasting with the bright green of the upper side, especially when they are agitated by the wind. Found in all portions of the park. About nine thousand specimens. Thrives best in a deep, rich loam, or in agravelly loam, contiguous to moisture.
2d. ALNUS SERRULATA—Common Alder.
A shrub, six to twelve feet high, irregularly branched, and usually growing in dense thickets. Leaves from two to five inches long, prominently varied, smooth above; paler, and sprinkled with resinous dots underneath. About twelve thousand specimens. Grows in swampy ground. Flowers in March or April.
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27 (Doe. No. 5,
3d. ANDROMEDA PANICULATA—Privet Aadromeda.
A shrub, four to eight feet high, much branched, and with a grayish bark. Leaves from one and one half to two inches long, variable in breadth, nearly smooth above; pale, and more or less pubescent underneath. About two thousand five hundred specimens. Grows in swamps and moist thickets. Flowers in June and July.
4th. AZALEA viscosa— White Wild . oney-suckle.
A shrub, four to seven feet high, with numerous spread- ing branches, and a grayish bark. Leaves one to two inches long. About six hundred specimens. Grows in moist places, and in woods. Flowers in June and July, sometimes as late as August.
5th. BeruLa NIGRA—Red Birch.
A tree forty to seventy feet high, and from one to two feet in diameter, with Jong, slender and pendulous branches. Leaves about three inches long and two wide. Generally distributed. About one thousand specimens. Grows in low grounds. Flowers in April.
6th. BroussoNetia—Paper Mulberry.
Native of Japan. Found in the neighborhood of resi- dences. Grows from forty to fifty feet high. Leaves large and downy. Will grow in very dry situations, where few other things will. About five hundred spe- cimens.
7th. CaRPINUS AMERICANA—Water Beech.
A tree, fifteen to twenty feet high; the bark smooth and light gray. Leaves about three inches long, gene-
Doc. No. 5.) 28
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rally distributed. About five thousand specimens. Flow. ersin April. Will growin a poor soil. Is a very hand- some, small tree, the leaves changing in the autumn to va- riouss hades of crimson, scarlet and orange, and very often retained on the plant during the winter.
Sth. CASTANEA AMERICANA—Chestnut.
A tall tree, sometimes sixty to eighty feet high, and three to four fect in diameter. Leaves six to eight inches long, and about two inches wide. Will thrive in the most barren soils, especially those of a rocky or gravelly nature. Generally distributed. Five hundred specimens. Flowers in June.
9th. CATALPA SYRINGAFOLIA— Calalpa.
A tree, twenty to thirty feet high. Leaves from five to eight inches in diameter. Flowers in June, and at that time very ornamental. Found in the neighborhood of several residences. Introduced from the South. About fifty specimens. Will grow in any soil.
10th. CELASTRUS SCANDENS— B ¢ter-sweet.
A climbing plant, winds around shrubs and small trees, or along stone fences, ten to twenty feet long. Leaves two to three inches long. Flowers early in June. Found in the thickets in the upper portion of the park.
11th. CeLtis occIDENTALIS—Sugar Berry.
A small tree, from fifteen to thirty feet high, and six or eight inches in diameter, with numerous slender spreading branches. Leaves two to three inches long and one to two inches wide, dark green. Flowersin May. Found in a number of situations. |
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12th. CLrematis Virgintana—Virgin’s Bower.
Stem eight to fifteen inches long. climbing over shrubs and bushes. Found in thick, shady and moist places. Flowers in July and August About two hundred specimens.
13th. CLETHRA ALNIFOLIA— Sweet Pepper-bush.
A shrub, four to eight feet high, with brownish bark and erect branches. Flowers at the end of July and August; white flower, very fragrant. Generally distribut- ed. About one thousand five hundred specimens.
14th. Cornus ALtBaA—White Varied Dog-w od.
A small tree or shrub, fifteen to twenty feet high. Leaves three to four inches long, and two to three inches wide. Flowers in May and June. Large trusses of white flowers, succeeded by white berries. Branches turn to a fine red color in winter. Grows in moist places. Gene-
rally distributed. About one thousand five hundred specimens.
15th. Cornus FLoripa— American Dog-wood.
One of the most beautiful of our native, flowering small trees. The flowers appearing in April, and presenting a brilliant appearance. Thrives best in moist ground. Grows, sometimes, to thirty feet in height. Generally distributed. About three thousand specimens.
16th. CoryLus AMERICANA——Wild Filbert.
A shrub, four to six feet high. Leaves three to five inches long; slender branches. Flowers in April. Found
generally distributed in thickets. About six thousand specimens.
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17th. Drospyrus VIRGINIANA--—Persimmon.
In good soil, this tree will frequently grow forty or fifty feet high, and in its habits of growth is one of the most picturesque middlesized trees we have. When by itself it grows conically; it is interesting at all seasons, In spring, by its deep, shining green foliage; in summer, by the light green fruit; in the fall, by the rich orange of its leaves, and the deep brown of its fruit. It thrives best in a deep, rich loam. Found inone locality. About five hundred specimens.
18th. FaGus FERRUGINEA-—— Beech.
A beautiful tree, often fifty or sixty feet high, and two fect or more in diameter. The trunk clothed with a thick, smooth gray bark. Leaves four or five inches long. Grows to perfection in a deep, rich loam. Flowers in May. Found in several localities. About two thousand specimens.
19th. Fraxinus AMERICANA—-Whitle Ash.
A tall tree, forty to sixty feet high, and one to two feet in diameter. Light, gray bark, generally furrowed with transverse cracks. One of our prettiest trees. Its light hue gives a beautiful effect when combined with darker foliage. Requires a rich toam and plenty of space to arrive at perfection. Flowersin Apriland May. Found but a few specimens, about one hundred in all.
20th. GLEDITSCHIA TRIACANTHUS——Honey Locust.
A middle-sized tree. Leaves six to ten inches in length; not a native of this state, but often planted about houses, for ornament and hedges. Found in the neighborhood of
31 (Doc. No. 5.
private residences. About one hundred specimens. Flow- ers in July.
2ist. HAMAMELIS VIRGINIANA——Witch Hazel.
A shrub, six to twelve feet high. Leaves three to six inches. When cultivated, becomes a handsome small tree. It seems to thrive well in any situation. Flowers at the end of October. Found generally distributed. About one thousand five hundred specimens.
22d. JuGLans NIiGRA—Black Walnu.
A tree, thirty to sixty feet high, with a trunk from one to two feet in diameter. Leaves a foot or more in length, Thrives best in a cool, deep and rich loam. Flowers in May. Found generally distributed. About two thousand specimens. Besides this, the “ Juglans cinerea,” or white walnut, also found.
23d. JUNIPERUS VIRGINIANA—Jed Cedar.
A well known and useful evergreen, often growing thirty or forty feet high. Grows on dry hillsides, in rocky sterile soil. Buta few specimens are found.
24th. Laurus BenzoiIn— Wild Allspice.
A shrub six to ten fect high. Leaves three to five feet long. Grows in low, moist ground, on the borders of rivers. Flowers in April. Found in a few places. About two hundred and fifty specimens.
25th. Laurus Sassarras—Sassafras.
A middle-sized tree; trunk rarely one foot in diameter: the most interesting tree in the landscape. Toward autumn the leaves turn to a reddish brown. ‘Thrives
Doc. No. 5.) 32
well in a dry, sandy loam; poor in a wet situation. Found very generally distributed. About twenty thou- sand specimens.
26th. LIQUIDAMBAR SrYRACIFLUA—--Sweet Guim.
Grows froin fifty to sixty feet high, under favorable cir- cumstances. ‘Thrives in a deep, rich loam. Found gene- rally distributed. About six thousand specimens.
27th. LirroDENDRON TULIPIFERA— Tulip tree.
From forty to eighty feet high; from one to three feet in diameter. ‘Trunk perfectly straight, and of nearly uniform diameter. Fl»wersin June. Thrives well ina strong, clayey or micaceous soil. Found in a number of localities. About five hundred specimens. |
28th. Myrica CERIFERA—Bay-berry.
A shrub, three to eight feet high, much branched at the summit. Leaves two to fourinches long, and from one half to nearly an inch wide. Grows in dry soils, in thickets. Flowers in May. About six thousand specimens.
29th. PLATANUS OCCIDENTALIS— Button-wood, Sycamore.
A very large tree, often sixty or eighty feet high, and two to five feet, or more, in diameter, with thick spread- ing branches. Will do well in any situation, but thrives best in moist soil. Found in a number of localities. About three thousand specimens.
30th. PopuLus BaLsaMIrERA—Balsam Poplar.
A tree thirty to eighty feet high, and one to two feet in diameter. Leaves about three inches long. Prefers a deep, moist and rich soil. About fifty specimens found. Probably not a native.
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3lst. PopuLUS ARGENTEA—Cotton tree.
A tree forty to sixty feet high, and from one to two feet in diameter. Leaves three to six inches long. Grows in moist ground. About fifty specimens found.
32d. PorpuLus TREMULOIDES— American Aspen.
A tree twenty to thirty feet high, and from six to ten inches in diameter. Leaves about two inches long, breadth usually greater than the length. Flowers in May and April. Prefers a moist soil. Abcut one hundred speci- mens found.
33d. Prunus VircgintaNa—Choke Cherry. A shrub or small tree. Leaves two to four inches long. Grows on rocky hillsides. Found everywhere in the brushwood, About two thousand specimens.
34th. QueRCUS MACROCARPA—Over-cup. White Oak.
Trunk forty to sixty feet high. Bark of the branches somewhat corky in ridges. Leaves six to twelve inches or more in length. About fifteen hundred specimens.
doth. QuERCUS RUBRA—Red Oak.
Grows from fifty to eighty feet high, and from two to four feet in diameter. Leaves six to nine inches long and three to five inches wide. Flowersin May. Grows well ina poor soil. About two thousand specimens found.
36th. QuERCUS PALUSTRIS—Pin Oak.
A pretty conical shaped tree, with leaves of a light green. The lower branches often pendulous, sweeping the ground, and forming a pleasant shade.
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Doe. No. 5.) 34
37th. ROBINIA PSEUDACACIA—Common Locust tree.
A tree forty or fifty feet high, occasionally reaches the height of ninety feet, not indigenous in any part of the state, but almost naturalized in many places. <A very valuable tree on account of its wood. Found in compact growth. About three thousand specimens.
88th. ALNUS AMERICANA~—.4merican Elm.
A large tree, sometimes eighty or more feet high and two to four feet in diameter. Leaves three to five inches long. Flowersin April. Thrives only in heht, rich loam. Generally distributed. About six thousand specimens.
89th. VIBURNUM ACERIFOLIUM—Muple-leaved Arrvw wood.
A shrub three to five feet high, with smooth, straight and slender branches. Leaves three to five inches in diameter. Flowers in June. Found very generally dis- tributed. About five thousand specimens.
40th. VIBURNUM PAUCIFLORUM—.Mountain bush Cranberry.
A shrub two to four feet high, found in great abundance.
41st. Vitis LABRUSCA—Fozx Grape.
Stem very long, straggling over bushes or shrubs or climbing the highest trees. Sometimes six or eight inches in diameter. Common in woods and swamps. Two thousand specimens found.
42d. VITIS QUINQUEFOLIA—American Ivy. A vine of rapid growth, climbing trees and other ob- jects, and spreading extensively—presenting a very beau- tiful and striking appearance in the autumn from its
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curious foliage. Flowers in July. About five hundred specimens found.
The remainder of the plants that have been found are either injurious or so few in number as to render any re- ference to them in this connection unimportant. The total number of species found is seventy, of which there are in all about one hundred and fifty thousand specimens.
The art of ornamenting and preparing ground poses of pleasure, has undergone many changes first became a study, and within the past century has | marked by a most rapid progression. The earlier ei ffo were characterized by a desire to make nature assume a strictly artificial appearance, giving to every scen ea 1 aiz of formality and symmetry, aseeming attempt to: rules of architecture to landscape, under the impressi that the greatest effect was thereby produced. I years have developed a clearer conception of the nature of taste, and has given rise to a modern style, which is based upon the maxim, that “ the greatest art i
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and the pecularities of climate, have originated th e schools of art, such as the Italian, the Dutch, the | r and the English, which have been followed, to a grez less extent by all those who have had any pretensi professors in this particular field. In England, un auspices of landed wealth and a liberal government, a1
through the studies of Kent, Repton and Loudon, imp r ov ing upon the efforts and profiting by the errors of © tw. centuries, it has reached a high degree of perfectior ; in ‘ Germany, by the energy and genius of Puckler Mosk
has changed the neglected suburbs of ancient citieg aa