Botany [of Central Park]

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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.

Doc. No. 5.) 30

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.

3

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

\

35 (Doc. No 5.

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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hoe

to conceal art.”

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