The advice of the Landscape Architects was first asked in July, 1890, when the project of the Exposition could be no more exactly defined than by the statement that it was to be of a character generally similar to that of previous World’s Fairs, but on a somewhat larger scale than the largest of them had been. Only the purposes and dimensions could be stated of a few of the larger Exhibition Buildings. From this point the scheme was developed very gradually, additional buildings requiring to be introduced, and buildings early contemplated requiring to be eliminated, from time to time, until within a month of the opening ceremony. Hence it was necessary that the primary plan should have an elastic quality, admitting much adjustment, as the project developed.

Such a primary plan was submitted by the Landscape Architects and adopted by the National Commission in December, 1890. Since that time it has been the duty of the Landscape Architects, first, to devise adjustments of the primary plan by which it would be fitted to innumerable requirements, as from week to week occasion for them was presented; second, to prepare detailed and working plans for carrying out such parts of the general plan as have not come within the functions of the Architects, Engineers and other technical departments; third, to specify the materials and direct the operations required for the carrying out of these plans, more especially those pertaining to the modeling of the surface, the outlining of the terraces and shores; the construction of the roads and walks, and the forming of the plantations and [621]landscape decorations. They have also planned the provisions for boating and for stocking of the Lagoons with water fowl, and have been in consultation with the Architects and Engineers in respect to innumerable adjustments of their work to the requirements of the general landscape design.