MR. BARR ON OUR PARKS AND GARDENS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 10632, 17 April 1900, Page 5

MR. BARR ON OUR PARKS AND GARDENS.

XO THE ETHSOB OP TBE XVRESS.

Sir,—As an hiteuse lever of the beautie* of nature, may I be allowed to offer a _.-*■ remarks on the above subject. While thoroughly appreciating Mr Barr's interesting and expert advice, I feel that I cannot pass his remarks upon poplar trees without a murmur. It is, in my opinion, ono of the most beautiful, trees,.and lam very pleased to see that you endorse n-y feelings in your leading article. The poplar has so much to recommend it for this flat, comparatively new country, us if is so quick growing and hardy. Nothing can be grander than an avenue planted with Lombardy poplars. I know of two such in Canterbury, and they are a perfect source of delight* and pleasure to mc, whenever it is my good fortune to see them.

I am sure that all who take any interest in the public park and gardens will heartily second your ox>inion re selling or leasing any portion of the park for building purposes. 1 felt, when 1 first read Mr Barr's suggestion, that, should any such plan be carried into effect, it was to be- hoped that the spirits of our departed pioneers, who laid out that park'so lovingly and so tastefully, "would be up and at him."

I should oe narrow-minded* indeed, if I could not agree with much that Mr Barr suggests. I have often thought that a- little more discretion might be us-ed wiien cutting away trees in the park, but I know how difficult" it is to know what to do sometimes wlien two or three trees are spoiling eachother.

I should like to offer a suggestion about the wiM part of tho garden in the curve of the river, that, this ba thickly planted with "bulbs in masses. Let there be roughly dofined walks and plots of grass where people can go and rest and take their books to read. etc. There is a charming little picture by Miss Stoddart, No. 159. "An English Wood, -5 ' in the Society of Arts sxiiibition, which suggests the above to mc. How beautiful it would be could we accomplish such a scene. I am sure people having gardens would be delighted to send'their surplus bulb, for such a purpose.—Yours, etc..

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