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<br />so the retollettion of the enjoyment shalt not be marrea by an association of physicial discomfort in <br />its attainment. <br /> <br />A chief difficulty in aU attempts at the creation of a park in the vicinity of any city, has been that <br />of agreeing upon its location. The work: at the inception of Central Park in New York. NY, was <br />denounced by many short-sighted ~onomists as a measure of indefensible extravagance. and all the <br />stereotyped phrases of abuSe, which pertain to political blackguardism were brought to bear upon <br />those who favored its proseeution. Yet in the ten years succeeding the commencement of '\\Iork upon <br />the park. the increas~ valuation of taxable property in the wards immediately surrounding it was <br />no less than fiftY-four million dol1ars, affording a surplus. after paying the interest on all the city <br />bonds issued for the purChase andconstrtiction of the park. of three million dol1ars, a sum <br />sufficient. if used as a sinting fund. to pay the entire principal and interest of the costo! the park <br />in less time than wasrequir~ for the construction of the park. The incidental value of such a work <br />as a means of attracting and diffusing wealth in a city is. of course, inestimable. The practical value <br />of broad and liberal schemes of improvement which add to the elegance of a city and rendet' it <br />attractive to visitors, while they strengthen the local pride and affection of the inhabitants~ <br /> <br />A widely extendea system of drives. expanding occationally into gem-like gardens of irregular size <br />and shape, and conferring a park-like character upon the whole surrounding country, which would <br />exert a wider and more beneficial influence in CUltivating and refining popular taste than is <br />possible by means of iscolated parks to be visited solely for purposes of recreation. <br /> <br />Such a system would afford a greater extent of driveway and probably through a greater variety of <br />scenerY than any city would be able to seeure in a single parle. Itwoul'd be readily accessible from <br />all parts of the city. The expence of purchase. construction and maintanence would be less than that <br />of a single area of equal extent. It would be more cheerfUlly borne because its benefits would be <br />more widely and equally distributed. whi Ie work of improvement and consequence costs might also <br />be extended over a longer period of time instead of being condensed. and enorlDDusly Increased. as it <br />must be. Hits immediate completion is demanded. <br /> <br />If the general design for the arrangement of the fine avenues and parks is determinea. the work of <br />preparation may proceed in order of importance. the first being grading and drainage. because until <br />that is done no tree planting can begin. Ne'xt .ispl~ting which is the most essential objett of <br />esthetic improvement. When planting is done, furtrier outlay for improvement may be posponed or <br />expended from year to year. The growth of treeS is the work of time and should be done as soon as <br />possible. <br /> <br />Every city should own or control its o'\\ln nurseries. in which the best varieties of trees and shrubs <br />should be grown at sufficient spacing to ensure a healthy development. <br /> <br />Day aftet" day is bringing opportunities and silently offering them for our acceptance. No flaming <br />advertisements set forth their merits; no solitiations are made to Seture them. We have but to reach <br />OUt our hands, and they are given to us .without money and without price: But the solemn <br />