PLAN OF CENTENNIAL GROUNDS.

tion of the various buildings are far advanced, and will be vigorously urged forward. Although the erection of the buildings and the grading of the Park were not commenced until July, 1874, the progress made to this date ensures their timely completion on a scale and in a manner that will answer the requirements of the exhibition in every particular.

Besides the exhibition buildings proper, numerous applications have been made by manufacturers and by the commissions of foreign governments for permission to erect pavilions and various ornamental and useful structures within the exhibition grounds. A number of fountains, memorial statues and other decorative objects are in preparation under the auspices of local organizations. These adjuncts will add essentially to the attractions of the Park.

GROUNDS.

The fence-line of 16,000 feet, or over three miles, on which the fence is to be built during the month of May, encloses two hundred and thirtysix acres, which is exclusive of the stock-yards for the exhibition of horses, cattle, sheep, swine, etc.

Within this enclosure the principal structures have been grouped in the most economic, suitable and convenient positions. Facilities for transportation from distant points within the grounds will be provided, but the whole area will contain objects of interest throughout its entire length and breadth. The walks and roads throughout the grounds will have a total length of seven miles, and apart from the main exhibition building and its principal annexes, the entire surface intervening will be covered with the pavilions of States and nations, costly buildings (erected by individuals to display special exhibits), fountains, statues, vases and shrubbery, which, with a lake of pure water three acres in extent and the parterre of flowers of native and exotic plants surrounding the Horticultural Building and interspersed over the ground, will, with other features presented by the beautiful Park, afford an enchanting scene.

A careful survey of the grounds made it apparent that it was indispensable for the preservation of uninterrupted intercourse between the buildings, and that access might be obtained from one portion of the enclosure to another by the shortest lines, that the whole of the two ravines known as Lansdowne and Belmont should be included within the exhibition boundaries; and as this line will interrupt the travel on the Park road to Belmont, Chamouni and George's Hill, we have determined, with the assent of the Commissioners of Fairmount Park, to construct two bridges, crossing the ravines where they open into the Schuylkill, and by these to divert the road from Sweetbrier Vale along the river, and from thence to continue it on the north side of the exhibition line to a point where it will intersect the road now travelled.

Drainage.-A system of drainage for the buildings and grounds has been devised which will promote the convenience of the occupants and visitors and serve the purposes of utility and health.

Water. As an abundant supply of water for all the purposes of the exhibition is indispensable, temporary pumping-works have been erected at the river Schuylkill for a supply of not less than 4,000,000 gallons per day for use within the exhibition enclosure, which will render it entirely independent for a full supply of this indispensable element.

Gas.-The trustees of the City Gas-Works have shown a just appreciation of the requirements of the exhibition and surrounding avenues for a supply of gas by making arrangements to lay their mains to Belmont

and Elm avenues, from which points it will be supplied in quantities desired by service-pipe within the enclosure.

Transportation.-It is a cause of congratulation that, whether as to materials for exhibition or visitors to the exhibition, the arrangements are as perfect for their approach as it is possible to have them. The steam roads which connect with the grounds of the exhibition connect also with the wharves in Philadelphia and all the railroads entering the city, so that from abroad or our own country no transshipments are required, and the approaches from the various parts of our extended city will be made equally convenient by many horse railroads and some of the steam roads, which will set down their passengers immediately at the entrance.

EXTRACTS FROM THE REPORT OF THE BOARD OF FINANCE OF APRIL 23, 1875.

Buildings and Grounds.-Within the year last past much progress has been made in the work of preparation of suitable buildings for the exhibition and the preparatory adaptation of the grounds. A contract has been made with Richard J. Dobbins for the erection and construction of the permanent "Memorial Building," to be used in 1876 as an Art Gallery, and for its final completion on the first day of January, 1876. This building, 365 feet in length, with a width of 210 feet, requires more time for its completion than the other structures, because of its permanent and massive character, the materials composing it being granite, iron, brick and glass. The first work in the excavation of the cellar was done on the 4th day of July, 1874, and the building at this time has assumed such proportions in its progress that all doubts of the ability of the contractor to perform the requirements of his agreement within the time allotted to him have been dispelled. The design is in the Renaissance style of architecture; and as its form rises day by day, enveloped in solid blocks of granite, hewn from the quarries of Virginia, New Hampshire and Maine, it fully meets the expectations of your Board, and those associated with them in its superintendence, as a graceful and appropriate memorial building of the great event, the memory of which it is intended to perpetuate. The undertaking required more work to be done in a shorter space of time than was ever accomplished on any building which can be reasonably compared with it. Time, however, in this instance, is of the essence of the contract; and Mr. Dobbins' progress thus far in its erection, with the accumulation of wrought material for the portion yet to be done, and facilities for transportation and building, give your Board, who are familiar with the details, the confidence expressed. The contract price of the building is $1,199,273, and the appropriation by the State of Pennsylvania and city of Philadelphia of $1,500,000 will be

sufficient to cover all the expenses for heating, terracing, lighting, extra work and unforeseen contingencies which may be developed in the progress of structure.

Main Building.-The Main or Industrial Building, 1880 feet in length and 464 feet in width, to be constructed with a frame of iron, was also awarded to Richard J. Dobbins in July, 1874. The foundations for this building, consisting of 672 stone piers, were built during the last autumn, and are ready to support the superstructure. The contract time for the completion of the building is January 1, 1876, and since the award the materials have been prepared in the mills, shops and glassworks, and quantities are now on the ground ready for use. Some idea of the large amount of material which enters into the requirements of a structure covering twenty acres may be formed from the statement that to complete it 3928 tons of iron must be rolled and fitted, 237,646 square feet of glass made and set, 1,075,000 square feet of tin roof sheeting (equal to 24 acres) welded and spread. This material has been prepared and made ready for use as fast as it could be handled on the ground. The work for erection commences with the present week. The agreement provides that the west wing of the building shall be erected by the first day of September, the east wing by the first day of October, the central pavilion and towers by November 1, 1875, and the whole building by January 1, 1876. It is possible and probable that the entire framework will be erected before the first day of September; and as the roofing, glazing, painting, flooring and finishing of the part first erected commences with the erection of the first spans, we have much confidence that the contractor will be able to anticipate the time fixed for the delivery of the completed building. The consideration for this building, enlarged from the original design, is $1,420,000, exclusive of drainage, water-pipe, plumbing, painting and decoration.

Machinery Building.-This building, 1402 feet in length and 360 in width, with an annex on the south side of 208 × 210 feet, providing 14 acres of floor space, was contracted for by Philip Quigley, of Wilming ton, Del., January 27 of the present year. The contractor has worked out his material and shown commendable energy in pushing forward the work of erection, which he has already commenced. The contract requires its delivery by October 1, 1875, but he fully expects to entirely complete more than one-half of it by the fourth day of July next, and the remaining portion is of easy accomplishment within the period agreed upon. The consideration of this contract is $542,300, including drainage, water-pipe, plumbing, etc., and exclusive of inside painting.

Horticultural Building.—This building, beautiful in design and well adapted for its purpose, and as a permanent ornamental structure, on Lansdowne Plateau, has been undertaken by John Rice, with an agree

ment to complete and deliver it by the 15th day of September, 1875. The contract was made January 1, 1875, for the sum of $253,937, exclusive of heating apparatus. No apprehension is felt of delay in the delivery of this structure, which is now well in hand and in course of erection. The length of the building, with approaches, is 383 feet, width 193 feet, and height, to the top of the lantern, 72 feet.

Agricultural Building.-The remaining building of the group of five principal halls is the Agricultural, 820 feet long and 540 feet in width, with a floor space of ten acres, to be composed of wood and glass, and to consist of a long nave and three cross-transepts, constructed of Howe truss arches of a gothic form. Its construction is easy and simple, but will combine adaptability with a pleasing effect. The working drawings of this building will be ready for contract within a fortnight of this time, and it will be placed under contract so as to secure its completion by the month of September next. The construction of one of the two buildings located at Elm and Belmont avenues, which will contain the rooms for executive officers, as well as for the accommodation of the post-office, custom-house, telegraph, fire alarm, and police headquarters, etc., has been commenced. A portion of it will be ready for occupancy in one week from this time, and the entire building, containing twenty-five office rooms, completed next month. The contractor is Aaron Doan, and contract price $18,801.

SYSTEM OF AWARDS.

FIRST. Awards shall be based upon written reports attested by the sig natures of their authors.

SECOND. Two hundred judges shall be appointed to make such reports, one-half of whom shall be foreigners and one-half citizens of the United States. They will be selected for their known qualifications and character, and will be experts in the departments to which they will be respectively assigned. The foreign members of this body will be appointed by the commission of each country, and in conformity with the distribution and allotment to each, which will be hereafter announced. The judges from the United States will be appointed by the Centennial Commission.

THIRD. The sum of one thousand dollars will be paid to each commissioned judge for personal expenses.

FOURTH. Reports and awards shall be based upon inherent and comparative merit. The elements of merit shall be held to include considerations relating to originality, invention, discovery, utility, quality, skill, workmanship, fitness for the purposes intended, adaptation to public wants, economy and cost.

FIFTH. Each report will be delivered to the Centennial Commission as soon as completed, for final award and publication.