West Newton streets and Shawmut avenue, and contains 105,205 sq. ft., or 2.41 acres.

Franklin, which is opposite it, contains 105,100 sq. ft., or about 2.41 acres. It is bounded by Washington, East Brookline, East Newton, and James streets. On my appointment to the superintendency of public grounds, these parks were surrounded by antiquated, cumbersome old fences. The inside condition of the grounds was in perfect keeping with the dilapidated fences, and was anything but inviting to the citizens. I therefore pleaded with my committee to allow me to remove the fences at once.

It is pleasing to state that the minds of the committee just fitted into my groove of thought, and as a consequence the antiquated fences were removed without very much delay on my part.

This improvement necessarily called for still further improvements. The surface of the squares had to be raised by filling in to bring it to a level with the street grade. In the meantime the amount of the appropriation for that special work was not sufficient to finish it in a satisfactory or creditable manner, and so it remained in a half-finished condition until Alderman Lewis came happily to the front and enabled me to carry out the work as projected.

He had a special appropriation awarded to Blackstone and Franklin squares for asphalt tile or concrete walks, and other much-needed improvements, and very much to the satisfaction of many of the South End residents the diagonal paths in each ofethese squares have been laid permanently. On Blackston will be found the asphalt tile walk, differing from those on the Common in point of shape only, being hexagonal instead of square, and therefore a trifle more ornamental. The cost of this walk was at the same rate as those on the Common, and amounted to $3,800, or $2.60 per square yard. The concrete walk laid in Franklin square received an unstinted share of well-merited praise. It is of a light gramte stone color, and compares in appearance very favorably with its rival in the opposite square. The cost was $1,647.53, or $1 per square yard.

EAST AND WEST CHESTER PARK AND SQUARE.

The ornamental grounds were originally constructed in such a poor and imperfect manner that nothing in the shape of trees or other vegetation could be made to thrive on them, and instead of being a pleasure to the dwellers opposite to them and in their vicinity, they became an eyesore. The best and most thrifty trees that were planted on them failed

to thrive, and soon withered and died. I soon found the cause of this mortality, and pointed out the remedy, which was a costly one, but yet the only one that could be adopted. It involved the entire removal of the gravel filling, which was so porous that it would not retain moisture for the roots of trees or grass, and its replacement with a subsoil of blue clay and a body of good, virgin loam. The result of this change has been a healthy growth of the trees planted on the parks, and all other vegetation raised on them has had a flourishing existence. These parks, for their extent, are among the most beautiful in the city; their trees are fine and flourishing; their grassy swards green and inviting throughout the summer, while the flowering plants intrusted to their nurture are equal in attractiveness to any on the Public Garden or elsewhere in the city. So much for right methods as contrasted with "ignoble economy."

In this connection permit me to say that money which is well and judiciously spent in park improvements is always sure to enhance the value of surrounding property. This fact has been strongly illustrated in the improvements made not only in the city proper, in East and West Chester park, and Rutland and Concord squares, etc., but in the outlying districts.

SOUTH BOSTON PARKS AND SQUARES.

One at least of the parks of the South Boston district is now, thanks to the energy and public spirit of Alderman Flood, in excellent condition.

Independence square contains six and one-half acres. Among the improvements on this park one of the most desirable has been the repairing and resurfacing of the outer line of walks, at an expense of $1,200. A handsome flagstaff has been erected on it, and an ornamental drinkingfountain placed in it; and the latter has been greatly appreciated by the hundreds of people who have sought it and the enjoyment of fresh air and agreeable surroundings in this spacious park.

Thomas park, otherwise known as Telegraph hill, is not in a very creditable condition, notwithstanding the considerable. amounts of money which have been expended on it. This is due to the fact that various games, such as base-ball, croquet, etc., have been permitted in it. The grassed banks have been injured, settees badly wrecked, and other wanton acts committed. This state of affairs is no doubt in a measure owing to the fact that no police protection had been accorded to it. Lincoln square has been supplied with a good share of

flowering plants, and has received the usual amount of care and attention, with the usual satisfactory results.

Norris, or Commonwealth Park,

is located on the made land of South Boston, on the Commonwealth flats. It comprises about 15 acres, and has been given to the city for a period of years to be used as a public playground for that district. It was placed in the charge of this department, and has been levelled off and graded, and the ball-ground covered with Medford gravel. Three years ago I submitted a plan for the improvement of this park which called for an expenditure of some $6,000, which would have enabled me to place it in fine condition as a public resort, with driveways, trees, shrubbery, and flower-beds. This was not accorded, but only enough appropriated to put it in its present condition. I earnestly hope that the Committee on Public Grounds will recommend that an appropriation for carrying out my plan will be made.

CHARLESTOWN DISTRICT PARKS AND SQUARES.

The small parks on the City square in the Charlestown district required little more attention during the past year than the ordinary plant ornamentations, which were liberally supplied. Indeed, these little restful spots have their successive displays of sub-tropicals, geraniums, coleus, acalphias, dwarf lantanas, ageratums, pilea, alternantheras, lobelias, etc., in common with the other and larger squares, all grouped, as it were, into harmonious combinations that were pleasing to the eye. With our enlarged facilities for art decorations, it is my intention to introduce some new and appropriate decorations in these squares the coming season, which I trust will meet with a just appreciation. Thanks to Alderman Stacey, the old fences surrounding these squares have been removed and new wrought-iron ornamental low fences substituted, which I hope will satisfy the aesthetic tastes of the patriotic citizens of that renowned district.

Sullivan Square,

at the extreme north end of Main street, is easily accessible at all times. This, too, has had the usual fertilizing care and its quota of flowering plants, which latter, I am pleased to say, have been respected and enjoyed immunity from the vandalism so prevalent in some of the South End parks and squares. With my enlarged appropriation I intend to improve this square still more, and make

its walks and general features more inviting. This, with the addition of 100 settees, will make it more attractive than ever as a public resort.

Winthrop Square

is located on the west of Bunker bill, in the shadow of the historic shaft which commemorates the first great battle of the sons of liberty in America. It is surrounded by Winthrop, Common, and Adams streets, and its walks. are trod by pilgrims from far and near every year in ever-increasing numbers. The square itself is a veritable flower-garden from early spring to late in the fall, and is a favorite place of resort for the people of the surrounding district. I would suggest that, this being the fact,

more settees are needed here.

Essex Square

contains 930 sq. ft., and is located on Essex and Lyndeboro' streets. It is more of a private garden for the use of the donor than for any public or practical use, and to my mind it would be better to deed it back to the donor rather than attempt to maintain it at the public charge. However, this is a matter for the City Government to consider.

EAST BOSTON'S PARKS AND SQUARES.

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There was a time not long ago that I almost dreaded to hear the name "Belmont,' Maverick," or " Central," owing to their long neglected and disgraceful appearance, meriting, as they did, from the good citizens of the island ward the strongest contempt and ridicule. All this feeling is happily changed to congratulation, in which are mingled the praises of Alderman John H. Sullivan, for the pleasing transformation of these parks into attractive places of resort. Each of these little parks and squares, through the instrumentality of the alderman in question, has been metamorphosed into a thing of beauty.

The old clumsy iron fences, relics of a past age, which some old residents wished retained, have been removed and replaced by handsomely cut curbstones.

Superfluous trees were removed and the remaining ones carefully trimmed. In the enclosures, the ground was subsoiled, and virgin loam supplied to a depth of one, two, and three feet, as circumstances demanded. Well-rotted cow

manure was plentifully spaded in, not too deep, but just deep enough to allow the young plants to send down their roots and receive good nourishment.

Flower-beds have been created on these parks and liberally planted with spring-flowering bulbs. Pansies will come in succession, to be followed by the regular summer display. Altogether these parks have been so well improved as to give general satisfaction to the citizens of the island ward.

The trees on the public streets of East Boston have also had a pretty general overhauling, and are now in as good condition as skill and art can make them. The two remaining small squares will receive their share of attention in the early spring.

How the special appropriation was expended will be found on the financial schedule annexed, and the results, I will only say, speak for themselves.

BRIGHTON'S PARKS.

One of the finest and most cosey parks of its size in Boston, and the principal one in Brighton, is Rogers park, so named in honor of ex-Alderman Rogers, a distinguished citizen of that district, and which, I may add, owes its existence and later extension to another of Brighton's distinguished men, to wit, Alderman Lee, President of the Board of Aldermen. The following extracts from an article in the Boston "Herald" of Sept. 24, 1891, will give a good idea of this park and its surroundings :

Rogers park, in the Brighton district, is one of the most beautiful of its size in the city of Boston. It is located on Foster street, the territory, which comprises some 300,000 sq. ft., or about seven acres, extending across to Lake street.

As a matter of fact, however, only about four acres are included in the park which are fitted for public resort, the remaining three acres on the Lake-street side being unfit for park purposes at present, owing to the soil being wet and boggy for lack of proper drainage a matter easily remedied.

Rogers park is a portion of the estate of the late Eben Wright, of the well-known firm of Wright, Bliss, & Fabyan. The other portion of the estate is located on the westerly side of Forest street, and it is said that Mr. Wright spent over $100,000 on the whole estate, making it one of the finest and best-appointed in the district. The seven acres acquired, or at least the four acres of the tract which is utilized for public resort, needed some expenditure to fit it for its purpose, making of a winding walk down to the pond (which, let me say here, has overflowed the walks), the clearing out of the latter, and the construction of a new overflow-drain for the lake, being all that was required to be done.

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But if Boston's park system is designed to provide for the wants of the future, it would seem that Brighton will very soon find that a park of seven acres will be totally inadequate to the needs of her people.

The writer visited the park recently. He was struck with its beauty, and admired the fine avenue, lined with trees, which surrounded the pond or lake in it.

Meeting Alderman John H. Lee, he asked that gentleman, regarding Brighton's public parks, to give his opinion and his views. He said: