G. L. Goodale.
Public Works.
The Falls of Minnehaha.—A tract of fifty acres, beautifully located on the Mississippi, opposite the mouth of the Minnehaha, has been acquired by the City of St. Paul, and land will most probably be secured for a drive of several miles along the river. The bank here is more than 100 feet high, often precipitous, clothed with a rich growth of primeval forest, shrubbery and vines. It is hoped that Minneapolis may secure the land immediately opposite, including the Falls of Minnehaha and the valley of the stream to the great river. In this event a great park could be made between the two cities, easily reached from the best part of both, with the Mississippi flowing through it and the Falls as one of its features. This, in connection with the park so beautifully situated on Lake Como, three miles from St. Paul, and the neat parks of Minneapolis and its superbly kept system of lake shore drives, would soon be an object worthy of the civic pride of these enterprising and friendly rivals.
A Park for Wilmington, Del.—After many delays and defeats the people of this city have secured a tract of more than 100 acres, mostly of fine rocky woodland, with the classic Brandywine flowing through it, and all within the city limits, together with two smaller tracts, one a high wooded slope, the other lying on tide water, and both convenient to those parts of the city inhabited by workingmen and their families. A topographical survey of these park lands is now in progress as preparation for a general plan of improvement. Of the “Brandywine Glen” Mr. Frederick Law Olmsted once wrote: “It is a passage of natural scenery which, to a larger city, would be of rare value—so rare and desirable that in a number of cities several million dollars have been willingly spent to obtain results of which the best that can said is, that they somewhat distantly approach, in character and expression, such scenery as the people of Wilmington have provided for them without expense.”
Flower Market.
Retail Prices in the Flower Market.
New York, February 23d.
There is a glut of flowers, particularly of tea roses of an indifferent quality. Bon Silene buds cost from 75 cts. to $1 a dozen, Perle des Jardins, Niphetos, Souvenir d’un Ami, and Papa Gontiers bring $1.50 a dozen. C. Mermets are very fine and from 30 to 35 cts. each. Not more than one in three La France roses is perfect; they bring from 25 cts. to 50 cts. each. Mde. Cuisin and Duke of Connaught are 25 cts. each, Bennets 20 cts. each and Brides 25 cts. each. American Beauties are $1 to $1.50 each, according to the location where they are sold. Puritans cost 75 cts. each, and Jacqueminots 50 cts. Magna Chartas are the most popular of the hybrid roses at present. They, Anna de Diesbach and Mad. Gabriel Luizet bring from $1 to $1.50 each.