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Establishment of a National Botanic Garden - 


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HEARING 


BEFORE A 


JOINT COMMITTEE ON THE LIBRARY 
CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES 


SIXTY-SIXTH CONGRESS, 
SECOND SESSION 


ON 


5S. 497 


A BILL TO INCREASE THE AREA OF THE UNITED STATES 
BOTANIC GARDEN IN THE CITY OF WASHINGTON, 
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 


AND 


S. RES. 165 


DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON THE DISTRICT OF COLUM- 

BIA TO REPORT PLANS FOR THE CREATION IN OR NEAR 

THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OF A BOTANIC GARDEN 
COMPARABLE WITH THE BEST-EXISTING GARDENS 


Yea : Pay (eg 3s Sry ai 
Je ART ] ain: i \ 
( 6 Or 4c 1a ann 
COMMITTEE HEARING eey oe 
Sion, 


Printed for the use of the J sinehonninitvec on the Libiery 


WASHINGTON 
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 
186037 1920 


FRANK B. BRANDEGEE, Connecticut, Chairman. 


Senators : 


JAMES W. WADSWORTH, Jr., New York. 


GEORGE H. MOSES, New Hampshire. 
JOHN SHARP WILLIAMS, Mississippi. 
J. C. W. BECKHAM, Kentucky. 


W. Don Lunpy, Clerk. f- 


me 


JOINT COMMITTEE ON THE LIBRARY. 


bare 


% 


Representatives : : 


NORMAN J. GOULD, New York. 
SIMEON D. FESS, Ohio. 
ROBERT LUCE, Massachusetts. 
BEN JOHNSON, Kentucky. 

HERBERT C. PELL, Jr., New York. 


J 


CONTENTS. 


iHearm* before the Committee (on the Library. 3eic eee ee oe 
Committee members present. 
Bill introduced by Senator Moses, May 20, 1919............-.-------2+-.-- an 
East and West Seaton Park to be added to present Botanic Garden. 
Resolution introduced by Senator Phelan, August 20, 1919................--- 
Directing Committee on District of Columbia to report on Botanic Garden 
situation. 
Introductory statement of the chairman, Senator Brandegee..............---- 
Senator Gallinger’s bill. 
Object of the hearing. 
The Grant Memorial. 
Statement of Mr. Moore, chairman of the Commission of Fine Arts........--- 
Report of the Fine Arts Commission. 
Grant Statue. 
The Mead Memorial. 
Intentions of Senator Williams and Senator Galleon in Botanic Garden 
matters. 
The origin of the Mall plan. 
Statement of Dr. N. L. Britton, director in chief, New York Botanical Garden. . 
General statement as to composition and uses of botanic gardens, with 
reference to gardens in other places. 
Statement of Mr. David Fairchild, United States Department of Agriculture. 
Beneficial results from the work of gardens of the world, notably as to intro- 
duction of rubber and quinine into other countries. 
Blight immune pears from China. 
Introduction of cotton to take the place of the rapidly disappearing species. 
Statement of Mr. Frederick Law Olmsted, of Brookline, Mass..........-.---- 
Remarks on the making of the 1901 plan. 
The commercial nomenclature of plants. 
Desirability of a botanic garden. 
Telegram from Harlan P. Kelsey. 
Statement of Gen. W. W. Harts, Corps of Engineers, United States Army, 
former secretary and executive officer to the Commission of Fine Arts... . 
Feature of the first report on the Botanic Garden situation. 
The problem confronting the investigations of the project. 
Approaches to the city. 
Statement of Mr. Coville, botanist, Department of Agriculture..........-....-- 
Advantage of a garden. 
Cultivation of the blueberry. 
Description of Mount Hamilton and Hickey Hill. 
The Anacostia Flats. 
Requirements of a botanic garden site in Washington. 
Statement of Mr. Walter T. Swingle, in charge of the crop physiology and 
breeding, Bureau of Plant Industry, Department of Agriculture........ 
American and Spanish crop methods. 
Cotton culture. 
Orange culture. 
Pear culture. 
Date culture. 
Statement of Dr. C. Stuart Gager, director Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn, 


Features of a botanic garden. 
So-called Botanic Garden in Washington. 


10 


15 


18 


23 


27 


31 


4 CONTENTS. 


Statement of Mr. George W. Hess, Director United States Botanical Garden, 
Wrashime tort AAMC so ead aio oso 2) SSO C0 Milatn TU SOR 
Present garden too small. 
Functions of a garden. 
Plant introduction. 
No limits to the benefits of a garden. 
Favors a large garden. 


Statement of Col. C. S. Ridley, Superintendent of Public Buildings and 


Grounds; secretary and executive officer of the Commission of Fine Arts. 
Favors an enlarged garden upon the Mount Hamilton site. 
Very little grading work to do. 
Plenty of level land for greenhouses. 
Letter from George D. Moore, director Missouri Botanical Garden, St. 
Louis, Mo. 
Letter from E. Meredith, Secretary Department of Agriculture. 
Letters from J. Horace McFarland, president American Civic Association. 
Letter from J. Edward Moon, of the American Association of Nurserymen. 
Statement of Mr. J. Edward Moon, president of the American Association of 
INUrseryMmen . 2 ke eR SS ek ae 
Favors a national botanic garden. ; 
Method of administration. 
Statement of James M. Wood., Esq., representing the Northeast Washington 
Citizens’ Association. <2). s2 eb i see eect e hee ne ooo ee ee eee 
Favors the garden at Mount Hamilton and the stopping of Maryland Ave- 
nue at its entrance at Twenty-fourth Street. 
Objects to delay in the matter. 
Statement of Nathaniel Wilsonts occ e) oe oes (er 
Explanation of the Washington Railway & Electric Co.’s attitude in the 
matter of the Maryland Avenue extension. 
Statement of William L. Clarke, assistant secretary and assistant treasurer of 
the Washington Railway & Electric Co. and the Potomac Electric Power 
CO sey cin aloe evens Le tncr cis cies aioe & cles cins Beene eicinel these ae 
Remarks on Maryland Avenue extension. 
Letter from Melvin R. Gilmore, curator of the State Historical Society of 
North Dakota, advocating the installation of a national botanic garden. 
Letter from James M. Wood, advocating the selection of Mount Hamilton... - 
Letter from the Trinidad Citizens’ Association, advocating the Mount Hamil- 
ton site and giving their reasons therefor_.......+.-----2.2------.5 esas 


Page. 


36 


38 


4] 


42 


52 


52 


56 
57 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


FRIDAY, MAY 21, 1920. 


Coneress OF THE Untrep Srarss, 


Jornt CoMMITTEE ON THE Liprary, 
Washington, D.C. 


The committee met in the committee room, Capitol, at 10 o’clock 
a.m. Senator Frank B. Brandegee presiding. 

Present: Senators Brandegee (chairman) and Williams and Rep- 
resentatives Gould, Fess, Luce, Johnson of Kentucky, and Pell. 

Also present: Senator Knox. 

The committee had under consideration the following bill and reso- 
lution. 

[S. 497, Sixty-sixth Congress, first session. ] 
A BILL To increase the area of the United States Botanic Garden in the city of Wash- 
ington, District of Columbia. 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United, 
States of America in Coigress assembled, That the United States Botanic Gar- 
den, situated in the city of Washington, District of Columbia, be, and the same 
is hereby, increased and enlarged by attaching thereto those two certain parcels 
of land situated, lying, and being between Third Street on the east and Sixth 
Street on the west, and Missouri Avenue on the north and Maine Avenue on the 
south, which said parcels are known as East Seaton Park and West Seaton 
Park. 

Sec. 2. That said two described parcels shall upon the passage of this act be- 
come part and parcel of the said United States Botanic Garden and immediately 
available for the purposes thereof. 

Sec. 3. That all laws and parts of law inconsistent with any of the provisions 
of this act be, and the same are hereby, repealed. 


[S. Res. 165, Sixty-sixth Congress, first session.] 


Resolved, That the Committee on the District of Columbia be, and it is hereby, 
directed to consider and report to the Senate plans for the location and develop- 
ment, in or near the District of Columbia, of a botanic garden of a size and ex- 
cellence comparable with the best existing botanic gardens. 

For the purpose of preparing such plans the committee may secure the services 

of such experts as may be necessary for a proper consideration of the subject. 
The expenses of such investigation, not exceeding $3,000, shall be paid from the 
contingent fund of the Senate. 
_ The Cuarrman. The committee has under consideration this morn- 
ing Senate resolution 165, introduced by Senator Phelan, directing 
the Committee on the District of Columbia of the Senate to consider 
and report to the Senate plans for the location and development, in 
or near the District of Columbia, of a botanic garden of a size and 
excellence comparable with the best existing botanic gardens. 

It also has under consideration Senate bill 497, introduced by 
Senator Moses, to increase the area of the United States Botanic 
Garden in the city of Washington, D. C. 


5 


6 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


The bill introduced by Senator Moses embodies part of a resolu- 
tion or bill which Senator Gallinger had previously introduced, and 
Senator Williams informs me he thinks the Senate passed it, — 
although he is not sure. At any rate the committee reported it 
favorably. 

The object of this hearing is to hear what the Fine Arts Commis- 
sion, and witnesses whom they have asked to be here, have to say 
upon the general subject of a botanic garden in Washington and 
for making a record of what the recommendations and plans of the 
Fine Arts Commission are, and ascertaining what the proposal of the 
authorities is for the development of the Mall, whether the develop- 
ment of the Mall and the erection of the statue of Gen. Grant at the 
east end of it 1s going to necessitate the removal of the present Bo- 
tanic Garden, and if so, what is best to do about getting another 
botanic garden, if anything can be done at the present time. The 
purpose of the hearing is to hear these gentlemen. There are land- 
scape architects and others, who are skilled in such questions, from 
other parts of the country here to-day, so I think it better that we 
should take their testimony. Whether Congress intends to take final 
action upon this question at this session or not, it will be of some 
avail to have collected this information. Mr. Moore, I will ask you, 
please, to call your witnesses in such order.as you choose, for I do 
not know who they are. 

Senator Wiritams. I would like to have each witness when he testi- 
fies give us some idea of what he thinks the scheme recommended by 
him would cost. 

The CHatrman. Certainly. 

Senator Wititams. The Treasury is not in very good condition 
right now. 

The Cuairman. I would suggest to Mr. Moore—and it is only a 
suggestion, as he is more familiar with this whole question than I 
am—that in the first place he outline what the proposals of the govy- 
ernmental authorities are who give any attention to this matter, and 
how they accord with or differ from the general plan for the develop- 
ment of the park system of Washington and of the Mall, then after- 
wards bunch your witnesses, when it comes to talking about a par- 
ticular kind of botanic garden or a particular place at which they 
think it should be located. 


STATEMENT OF MR. CHARLES MOORE, CHAIRMAN OF THE 
COMMISSION OF FINE ARTS. 


Mr. Moorr. Mr. Chairman, Senator Williams is correct. Senator 
Gallinger introduced a bill for the extension of the Botanic Gardens 
into East and West Seaton Parks. That bill passed the Senate and 
went to the House. Mr. Slayden, the chairman of the House Com- 
mittee on the Library, referred the bill to the Commission of Fine 
Arts. The commission made a report to the House Committee on 
the Library. That is the way in which the Commission of Fine 
Arts came into this matter. 

The Commission of Fine Arts at that time called attention to the 
fact that Congress had located the Grant Statue in the Botanical 
Garden in accordance with the plans of 1901 for the development 
of the Mall. Subsequently, Congress also authorized the State of 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 7 


Pennsylvania to erect a memorial to Gen. Meade, and the Meade 
Memorial Commission, consisting of the Secretary of W ar, the chair- 
man of the Senate Committee on the Library, and the chairman of 
the House Committee on the Library, located that memorial in the 
Botanical Garden area. Congress located both of those memorials 
in the Botanical Garden area, with the idea that ultimately the plan 
of L’Enfant for an approach to the Capitol from the west would be 
restored, and that the garden should become such an approach to 
the Capitol. It would also become the head of the Mall system. 

The House did not act on the Gallinger Bill, and no action by 
Congress has been taken subsequently. “Senator Moses introduced 
a bill similar to the Gallinger bill, but with fewer restrictions than 
were in the Gallinger bill. The Gallinger bill provided that the 
roads and walks as laid down in the plan of Washington should be 
maintained in any enlargement of the Botanical Garden. When 
the Commission of Fine Arts came to study the question, they found 
that the area was insufficent for a botanical garden of the kind 
which the United States ought to support. 

Senator WitiiamMs. Allow me to say here that Senator Gallinger’s 
intention, and the intention of the Senate committee, was not to make 
this a great botanical garden. It was merely to preserve here at 
the foot of the Capitol this httle flower garden, which was a source 
of great instruction and profit and pleasure to the school children 
and people and laboring men of Washington, and whether they put 
a botanical garden out at Rock Creek Park or elsewhere, still to 
preserve this little flower garden. There was no idea in his mind, 
and none in mine, of substituting this for what would finally be 
the great Washington Botanical Garden, either in Rock Creek Park 
or somewhere else. 

Mr. Moors. That is the way I understood it generally. The ques- 
tion came up as to whether the time has not arrived now when 
changes must be made so as to get an adequate botanical garden. 

Senator Wiiams. He and I were both very emphatically of the 
opinion that whether we established a botanical garden or not, this 
little flower garden ought not to be interferred ‘with except to the 
extent necessary to put ‘the roads through contemplated in the great 
plan in connection with the Mall. 

Mr. Moore. That simplifies the matter very much. This morning 
we are going to ask the committee to consider the question first as 
to what a botanical garden corresponding to the needs of the pres- 
ent day should be, and if the United States is going to maintain a_ 
botanical garden, where an adequate botanic earden 1 may be located. 
This garden was begun in 1820. It has developed very slowly. 
Some relocation for it must be found, because the greenhouses 
are overcrowded, and the space is insufficient to accommodate 
the Grant Memorial and the Meade Memorial and the Botanical 
Garden. 

I ask the chairman first to call Dr. N. L. Britton, director of the 
New York Botanical Garden. 

Senator Knox. Before you sit down, Mr. Moore, will you tell me 
what became of the project of erecting a monument to Gen. Meade 
in the Botanical Garden ? 

Mr. Moore. It is progressing very favorably indeed. The Com- 
mission of Fine Arts has approved the model which was made by 


8 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


Mr. Charles Grafly, of Philadelphia. He has designed a memorial 
that will stand with the Grant. Memorial, and will be an adequate 
monument to Gen. Meade. 

Senator Knox. Has its site been determined? | 

Mr. Moors. Its site has been determined and fixed by the commis- 
sion created by Congress. 

Senator Kwox. Where is it to be located ? 

Mr. Moorr. In the Botanical Garden area, near the Grant Memo- 
rial, so that Meade and Grant shall stand together. 

Senator Knox. It will be within the garden? 

Mr. Moorr. Within the garden; yes. 

The Cuatrrman. What is the map to which you just pointed when 
vou showed us the location of the statue? 

Mr. Moore. That is the plan of 1901 for the development of the 
Mall in accordance with the L’Enfant plan of 1792. 

The Cuatrrman. The plan of 1901 adopted by what, or whom? 

Mr. Moore. Never adopted by anybody. 

The Cuatrman. Proposed by whom? 

Mr. Moors. It was a report made to the Senate by the Senate 
Committee on the District of Columbia for the development of the 
park system of the District of Columbia; never adopted at all by 
Congress, but Congress has never gone contrary to the plan during 
the 19 years which have elapsed since it was submitted. 

Senator Knox. By whom was it prepared ? 

Mr. Moors. It was prepared by Mr. Burnham, Mr. McKim, Mr. 
Saint-Gaudens, and Mr. Olmsted, the latter of whom is here this 
morning. He is the last surviving member of the park commission 
of 1901. 

Senator Kynox. That was my recollection. I was in Mr. Roose- 
velt’s Cabinet at the time that report was made. 

The Cuarrman. Is there a report now in print which describes 
the locations shown on this map? If so, will you not identify it so 
that we can have a reference to it in the record? 

Mr. Moors. The report is Report No. 166, on the improvement of 
the park system of the District of Columbia, Fifty-seventh Con- 
gress, first session. 

The Cuamman. Was it printed as a Senate document? 

Mr. Moorr. Yes: the document consists, first, of the report of 
the Senate Committee on the District of Columbia, prepared by a 
subcommittee made up of Senator McMillan, Senator Gallinger, and 
Senator Martin, and, second, the report of the park commission; 
that is, of Daniel H. Burnham, Charles F. McKim, Augustus Saint- 
Gaudens, and Frederick Law Olmsted. 

30th reports proposed, in the first place, the development of the 
Mall according to the L’Enfant plan adopted to the new area re- 
claimed from the Potomac marshes. In carrying out that plan they 
drew a line from the dome of the Capitol to the Washington Monu- 
ment, and prolonged it to the Potomac River, and there located the 
memorial to Abraham Lincoln: they also made a general recom- 
mendation as to the design of that monument. 

The first trouble came over the location of the Agricultural De- 
partment buildings, and eventually they were located according to 
the new axis of the Mall. Next the National Museum was located 
according to the new plan of the Mall, and the development has gone 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 9 


on steadily step by step, in conformity with the plan of 1901. It 
was not expected that Congress would adopt the plan; it was not 
necessary to adopt the plan. All that was necessary was that as each 
individual proposition came up, each location, the buildings should 
be located according to the plan, and that has been done. 

The plan of 1901 called not only for the development of the Mall 
and for certain changes in the interior of the city, but it also pro- 
vided for park connections throughout the District of Columbia, for 
the taking of those particular areas of land which were adapted for 
park purposes primarily, and for park connections, so as to develop 
an entire park system for the District of Columbia, just as the other 
cities are having their park developments made according to a regular, 
well-defined plan. In the plan of 1901 it was proposed to take Mount 
Hamiiton as a park, and therefore Mount Hamilton came into our 
survey: 

Senator Knox. Where is Mount Hamilton? 

Mr. Moorr. Mount Hamilton is at the end of Maryland Avenue, 2 
miles from the Capitol.’ 

Senator Knox. East? 

Mr. Moore. East and north. It isthe highest point of land, f think, 
in the District of Columbia. 

Senator Kwox. Is it on the way to Bladensburg? 

Mr. Moore. It is on the way to Bladensburg, yes; and on the way 
to Baltimore. There are, according to the claims, at least six highest 
points in the District of Columbia, and this is one of them. "As a 
matter of fact it is next to the highest point in the District, Fort 
Reno being the highest. 

Senator Knox. Is Mount Hamilton between the city and the reform 
school ? 

Mr. Moore. Yes, adjoining the reform school. It also adjoins the 
new Anacostia park, so that if Mount Hamilton shall finally be de- 
cided upon, and the 400 acres available at Mount Hamilton shall be 
taken, another 400 acres would be available in the upper portion of 
Anacostia Park, for the purpose of a botanical garden. So that at 
least 800 acres would be available. 

The Cuarrman. From this high point to which you refer, the 
Mount Hamilton site, one overlooks not only the Anacostia River, 
but the land on the other side of it, and also the District generally? 
You get a fine view? 

Mr. Moore. You overlook the District generally. You get a fine 
view of the entire Anacostia Park development, and you also get a 
view into the superb Maryland hills which are beyond. 

The Cuarrman. That 1s the tract of land to which you took me 
once, and which we walked over together, is it not? 

Mr. Moors. Yes. 

Senator Knox. Does the view take in the Capitol and the Washing- 
ton Monument, and the Lincoln Memorial as well? 

Mr. Moorr. I am not so sure about the Lincoln Memorial, but it 
takes in the Capitol and the Monument. , 

The Cuarrman. Was there any estimate made of the probable cost 
of the plan of 1901 as recommended by the commission? It did not 
get that far, did it? 


1See map facing p. 64, vol. 2. 


10 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


Mr. Moors. No. We did not get that far, because the development 
was to be done piecemeal. Mr. “Cannon, in objecting to the plan of 
1901, said that it would cost $200,000 000 to carry it out. Before he 
left the chairmanship of the Committee on Appropriations of the 
House, $50,000,000 had already been spent in accordance with the 
plan. So I think his estimate was far too low. 

The CHairman. Too low? 

Mr. Moorr. Yes. He himself within five years after the plan was 
suggested passed on appropriations amounting to $50,000,000. 

The CHatrman. For the purchase of part of these lands? 

Mr. Moorr. For the building of the National Museum, for the 
building of the Agricuitural Department, for the building of the 
Lincoln Memorial—for all of those things. They all come into the 
plan. 

The Cuatrman. I did not refer to buildings which were to be put 
upon the land recommended to be acquired, but to the expense of pur- 
chasing the land only. 

Mr. Moore. The expense of the and would come up as an incident. 
to the buildings or parks, as those projects should come up. It was 
‘impossible to make estimates, because the price of land would depend 
on the date of taking. 

The Cuarrman. The people who recommended the plan of 1901 did 
not even make a guess at the expense of acquiring the land which they 
recommended should be acquired, did they ? 

Mr. Moorr. No, Senator; because the plan was made for 50 years 
in the future, to be developed during 50 years; and it was impossible 
to make any estimate. Chicago has made an estimate that its plans 
(known as the Burnham plan) are going to cost two hundred and 
sixty millions, and of that amount Chicago has appropriated during 
the past 10 years $61,510,000. Chicago railway companies have agreed 
to spend $162,091,000, and the forest reserve commission $5,316,000. 

Senator Knox. Have you ever made an estimate as to the cost of 
the 400 acres included in the Mount Hamilton tract ? 

Mr. Moorr. We always take the assessed valuation and add one- 
third to that. 

Senator Knox. What is the assessed valuation of that tract ? 

Mr. Moorr. Mr. Langdon has that. 

Senator Knox. Approximately, is all I care for. 

Mr. Moore. About $250,000. 

The Cuatrman. For 400 acres? 

Mr. Moore. Yes. 

Dr. Britton will proceed. 


STATEMENT OF DR. N. L. BRITTON, DIRECTOR IN CHIEF, NEW 
YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN. 


The CuarrMan. State your name and place of residence. 

Dr. Brrrron. N. L. Britton: I reside in New York City, and am 
director in chief of the New York Botanic Garden. I will say in 
this connection that over several years I had a very interesting cor- 
respondence wtih Senator Wetmore, of this committee, relative to 
this whole subject. and provided him with a great deal of informa- 
tion and data, which I think have been tabulated: and very likely have 
been brought into use since. But, of course, the subject was laid 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 11 


aside of necessity on account of the war. I am very glad, indeed, 
to have it followed up now. 

I have prepared a concise statement giving my view as to the need 
and the general scope of a botanical garden. I have not gone into 
the question of the plan, because I think that depends very largely 
on the scope, and very largely on the site. It must come in as a 
secondary consideration. 

The statement I prepared is as follows: Botanical gardens, under 
scientific development and maintenance have become the most im- 
portant institutions for the investigation, teaching, and display of 
the vegetable kingdom. 

The number of kinds of plants is so vast, and their products so 
numerous that we are as yet only upon the threshold of knowledge 
as to their relationships, life histories, and uses. Plants furnish 
food, forage, clothing, drugs, lumber, oils, resins, spices, gums, and 
a great number of minor products essential to the existence of man- 
kind. Any discoveries of new facts concerning plants or new appli- 
cations of old facts may be of importance in the relation of man to 
vegetation. 

The desirability of bringing us closer and closer to nature has been 
emphasized by the necessity of conserving and increasing the prod- 
ucts of plants, not alone of the kinds in ordinary cultivation but the 
immense number of other kinds not yet put into useful application. 
The best way of teaching this lesson is to bring together, under 
scientific arrangement, care, investigation, and explanation as many 
different kinds in as many different ‘places as practicable. The num- 
ber of well-equipped and well-maintained extensive collections of 
plants hitherto established is quite insufficient to meet this need. 

Plant collections, by their beauty and their interest, are attractive 
to everybody; they give untold pleasure to great numbers of people 
end their reaction is elevating to all who visit them. Their greatest 
efficiency, both as regards instruction and enjoyment 1s, of. course, 
when located within easy reach of dense populations. 

The present Botanic Garden in the city of Washington is insufli- 
ciently developed, and its restricted area prevents any satisfactory 
rearrangement or expansion. The relocation, or new establishment, 
now contemplated if providing very ereatly increased acreage, 
coupled with liberal provision for construction, installation, mainte- 
nance, research, and teaching under scientific direction, would, in 
a few years, provide an institution of enormous usefulness, of oreat 
beauty, of national significance, and of international repute. 

Mr. Moorr. If you care to ask questions of Dr. Britton, he will be 
glad to answer them. He is the head of the New York Botanical 
Garden, which is one of the three or four great botanical gardens of 
this country. 

The Cuatrman. Mr. Moore, I am so ignorant of this entire sub- 
ject, and it is so technical, that as you have the men here who are 
familar with the subject, 1 wish you would put them on and put 
in your case, say what you think ought to be done, take their recom- 
mendations and substantiate your recommendations. ‘We are here 
to get knowledge. We do not know what questions to ask. 

Senator Kwox. I would like to ask Dr. Britton one question. What 
would your judgment be as to an adequate area for a botanical garden 
such as the United States ought to maintain here at the Capital? 


12 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


Dr. Brrrron. I should think you ought to have at the minimum 
four or five hundred acres. You ought to have that to develop an 
institution which would meet the necessities. 

Senator Knox. What is the acreage of the New York garden? 

Dr. Brrrron. We have about 394 acres. 

Senator Knox. What is the largest one in the United States? 

Dr. Brrrron. Ours. 

The Cuairman. Is the Bronx Park a botanical garden? 

Dr. Brrrron. Yes; the north half of the Bronx Park. 

Mr, Pern. The Lorillard property / 

Dr. Brrrron. Yes; it was part of the Lorillard property when it 
was condemned for park purposes. 

The Cuairman. Can you give us an idea-of what the capitals of 
other large countries of the world have done in relation to botanical 
gardens—London, Paris, Berlin, and cities like that ? 

Dr. Brrrron. Of course, the most famous institution of its kind in 
the world, and probably the most beautiful, is one which hes on the 
outskirts of London. That is the Botanical Garden of Kew. They 
have a total acreage of something lke 300 hundred acres, and it has 
always been regarded as insufficient for their best development. That 
is an institution which dates back over more than a hundred years, 
and has been of untold value to the development of the British Em- 
pire and its colonies—something which they all look to. The old 
Jardin des Plantes, at Paris, though smaller, has been a center of 
scientific information since the time of Tournefort, about 1700. Then 
there was the great botanical garden up at Petrograd, where there 
were more kinds of plants in cultivation prior to the war than there 
were at Kew, strangely enough, away up there in Russia. That has 
been of enormous value to the agriculture and horticulture of the 
Russian Empire. There are others, of course, all through Europe. 
Those three may be cited at this time, I think, as the ‘three most 
important. 

The Cuatrman. Has Australia a jarge garden, or have any of the 
South American countries large gardens ? 

Dr. Brrrron. They all have gardens of one kind or another, very 
unequally developed. The Brazilians have an enormous tract of land 

right outside of Rio de Janeiro—3,000 acres. They have there a most 
important collection of trees of South America, ete. It is very valu- 
able information which they send out. We need to have first-hand 
information, as these complicated questions concerning trees, and 
plants, and their application to man, are coming up frequently. The 
scientific repositories of knowledge are becoming of greater and 
greater importance every year. We have not enough of them. None 
of them are sufficiently developed to meet the needs of any nation, as 
T take it. Of course, they are coming to be more and more, but it 
seems to me you have an opportunity here to utilize the great 
resources of the United States. 

Senator Knox. What is the nature of the demands made upon the 
New York garden? é 

Dr. Brirron. They are of all kinds. There are questions all the 
way through, from the application of the most minute vegetables to 
health and hygiene, right through up to the most beautiful orchid, 
or the most beautiful dahlia, or the most beautiful lily that grows, 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 13 


all the way through. You could hardly classify the questions. There 
are all kinds. That is the kind of information the public is asking 
for, and the demand is increasing. 

Senator Knox. I was going to ask you to what extent there is a 
demand upon you. 

Dr. Brrrron. There is an enormous demand. We can not always 
solve the questions in one institution. Very often we are obliged to 
transfer references down here to Mr. Fairchild or Mr. Coville, repre- 
senting the Department of Agriculture. Our staff is not sufficient, as 
at present organized, to answer all these questions. We really need 
a great central establishment, such as you gentlemen have in mind, 
to study this matter of the relation of man to vegetation in the 
United States. 

Senator Knox. The point I wanted to make was to show that they 
are not merely places of beauty, and for the gratification of the eye, 
but they have a utility feature of which the public avails itself. 

Dr. Brrrron. J think that is the real reason for their existence; 
that is their application, at least. They are also beautiful. They 
are bound to be beautiful. 

Senator Knox. There is no objection to that, of course. 

Dr. Brrrron. Not a bit. Our attempt is to make them as beautiful 
as we can, and we do in all reason, but we have to bear in mind that 
our chief object is the information and instruction of the public in 
the matter of the relation of man to vegetation, and we believe we 
are doing a great work. 

Senator Knox. You can readily see that we need to be fortified 
upon that point, because we shall be met with this flower garden 
suggestion. 

Dr. Brrrron. You can take it from me that that is a secondary con- 
sideration as regards the real functions of botanical gardens. 

Mr. Frss. How far are we on the way? Have we done well as a 
Nation in this matter? 

Dr. Brirron. We have not done as well as other nations. There 
are not as many such establishments in the United States as there 
are in France or Great Britain. 

Mr. Fess. We have not done anything like as much as we should do? 

Dr. Brirron. No, sir; we have not. 

Mr. Goutp. Would the work that is proposed to be done here be a 
duplication of your work in New York City? 

Dr. Brirron. I do not think it would be a duplication, but it would 
be a parallelism, in which unduobtedly information would be divided 
between the two institutions, so that one institution would do certain 
things and the other other things. That is all we try to accomplish. 

Mr. Goutp. Would there be space enough in New York City for the 
Government to take over that botanic garden and add to it? 

Dr. Brrrron. I never thought of that. That is a new idea. 

Mr. Gottp. I am trying to save the Government some money. 

Dr. Brrrron. I do not think you ought to try to save the Govern- 
ment money on this proposition. You have to come to it sooner or 
later. You have to get a great deal closer to vegetation than you are. 

Mr. Fexss. We all agreed on that. 

The Cuarrman. Have you anything particular to say as to the 
propriety, inasmuch as this city is the Capital of the Nation, of its 


14 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


doing something perhaps on a larger scale, and a little more elaborate 
than is done by a mere city here and there in the country ? 

Dr. Brirron. I should think that would be the rational course to 
pursue, and one we would all welcome. 

The Cuatrman. To have it as a model? 

Dr. Brirron. To have it as a model, and have it as a maximum. 

The Cuarrman. What have you to say about the wisdom of doing 
it as soon as possible, rather than to wait ? 

Dr. Brrrron. I think the sooner you accomplish it, the better. 
Of course, practical considerations may come up, but it seems to me 
it should begin right away. It ought to be developed over a series of 
years, rather than attempt to spend a vast amout of money at once. 

The CHatrman. No; but as to the acquisition of a site, the land? 

Dr. Brirron. That I should accomplish immediately. 

The Cuartrman. You think it would be wiser to locate your site 
and acquire the property if you are going to do anything? 

Dr. Brrrron. As I take it, your park ¢ commission desires this land 
as an addition to the park system anyway. So why not secure it ? 

The CuatrmMan. Your theory is, as I understand it, that the Botani- 
cal Gardens should not only be made a beautiful park but also a great 
utility ? 

Dr. Brrrron. That is my thesis; yes, sir. 

The Cuatrman. In these botanical gardens, do they do anything 
in the way of propagating and distr ibuting through the country vari- 
ous species of plants? 

Dr. Brrrron. Yes, sir; they certainly do. 

Mr. Prtu. Is the object of your botanical garden experiment—that 
is, experiment in the sense Burbank is making his experiments—or for 
the acclimatization of foreign plants and, in addition, of vegetables 
and trees from other countries? 

Dr. Brirron. Our work includes all of those subjects in a way. 
We do all such things. Of course, we do not do them all equally in- 
tensively, but we are supposed to be equipped, or might be equipped 
if we had the resources, to carry on all those lines of work. Every 
large botanical garden ought to have facilities for all those things. 

Mr. Pett. A great deal of good work could be done in bringing 
over vegetable foods from other countries. 

Dr. Brrrron. Look at the results reached by Mr. Fairchild already 
with the limited facilities he has and with no great facility such as 
is proposed to back him up. If he had had an institution of the 
kind proposed to furnish the means of experimenting, the benefit to 
the country would be enormously greater. - 

Mr. Fess. Doctor, originally the seed proposition was a scientific 
one. Now it has come to be pretty generally a distributive one 
throughout the country. 

Dr. Brirron. Yes. 

Mr. Fess. Is there any any danger of this degenerating into a 
thing of that sort? 

Dr. Brrrron. Certainly it would not under scientific control. 

Mr. Fess. Should it be under scientific control ? 

Dr. Brirron. It should be under scientific control. In fact, if you 
want to make this a great institution of international repute, you 
will have to put it under scientific control, and keep it there. 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 15 


Mr. Fess. I agree with you, if it can be done. 

Dr. Brrrron. I do not see why you should not, at this stage of civ- 
ilization. You are all looking to science practically to control the 
world. Science does control the world at the present time, except in 
its government. Youcan take that from me. I think you will find I 
am right. 

Mr. Fess. I agree with you. 

Dr. Brirron. Science controls your hygiene; controls your trans- 
portation and your communication. 

The CHatrman. You do not mean that as a partisan remark, I 
trust? [Laughter. ] 

Dr. Brrrron. No; there is no partisanship intended. I am only 
speaking from the standpoint of a man of science. 


STATEMENT OF MR. DAVID FAIRCHILD, UNITED STATES DEPART- 
MENT OF AGRICULTURE. 


The CHatrmMan. State your position, Mr. Fairchild. 

Mr. Farrcuinp. I am in charge of the Office of Foreign Seed and 
Plant Introduction. ! 

The CHatrman. How long have you been in the department ? 

Mr. Fatrcuttp. Thirty-one years. 

The CHarrman. You may proceed. 

Mr. Farrcutnp. It seems to me that one of the greatest practical 
uses of the botanical garden is to furnish seeds for the commercial 
users of plants. In connection with my work I have had an oppor- 
tunity of visiting 35 of these botanical gardens in differents parts 
of the world, and as illustrating the tremendous value of a botanical 
garden I would like to read into the record two noted cases of their 
use; one, that of the cinchona, which was established in the gardens 
of Buitenzorg, Java, which has resulted in the establishment of the 
monopoly in ~cinchona, which those of you who are familar with 
the actions of the War Trade Board know was a very serious matter 
during the war. The shifting of the center of the production of 
quinine from the wild forests of Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia to 
the cultivated plantations of Java was started from seeds introduced 
into the Dutch East Indies from South America. I was in Java 
when the first cmchona bark was turned commercially into the drug 
quinine in Java. I saw the industry start. 

India rubber has grown in our time from a wild product, gathered 
by native Indians on the Amazon, to the product of over 2,000,000 
acres of plantation rubber in the Dutch East Indies and the British 
East Indian possessions. ~The original trees are still standing of 
this Para rubber from which the seed was gathered, and the Dutch 
plant breeder, Dr. Cramers, of Java, who visited me this last winter, 
told me the only trouble was that the original introducer brought 
the seeds from only one tree and there are better strains of rubber 
trees in Brazil. The seed has been disseminated from this one tree 
standing in that botanical garden. 

Of course, those two cases are tropical ones. But the same thing 
applies to our own northern crops. I returned from the Arnold 
Arboretum region less than a week ago, after a conference with Prof. 
Sargent with regard to the securing of all the pear seeds which we 


16 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


can get from a Chinese species of pear, which is, in our opinion, the 
best species that has ever been introduced into this country for a. 
pear stock on which to bud our cultivated varieties of pears. You 
all realize that the greatest difficulty in pear growing in this country 
is caused by the destructive disease known as the pear blight. Mil- 
lions of dollars are spent yearly in the fight against pear blight. We 
have found among these Chinese pear trees certain strains; they are 
not even species—that is, they are varieties of species which when 
grown in this country have proven resistant to this disease—and 
the nurserymen want these pears for stocks to-day on which to bud 
the ordinary pear. Because of the difficulty of getting pear and 
apple stock plants from Europe the nurserymen are asking us to 
study these Chinese pear trees, and the demand is coming for their 
seeds and the old tree.in the Arnold Arboretum will be extremely 
valuable because it can furnish authentic seeds of this species. 

Mr. Govuup. Do most of the pear seeds come from Europe? 

Mr. Farrcuitp. Yes. 

The Cuairman. Is this Chinese strain immune from blight? 

Mr. Farrcuip. It is very resistant to the disease, as discovered by 
a very remarkable man in Oregon by the name of Reimer, who, by 
means of artificial inoculation, determined the immunity or resist- 
ance to disease of the Chinese stocks. 

The question of area of such a garden is an extremely important 
one. If you are looking at a full-grown pear tree, or apple tree, 
or oak, or any one of the many species of trees we propose to grow 
in these gardens you will find that they will cover about 40 feet 
square of ground. When you divide 400 acres by the area which it 
is necessary to give one good-sized oak tree you discover that there 
are places for about 10,000 full-grown trees. Inasmuch as it is un- 
safe to put less than two specimens of a kind in a collection—it is 
the rule in all botanical gardens I know of to put at least two—in 
view of the fact that to-day, as Mr. Swingle will show you in con- 
nection with his extensive breeding experiments, we must not only 
have the species but the strains or varieties, which differ somewhat 
less from each other than the species, but sufficiently to be of im- 
mense importance, you will soon discover that 10,000 trees are not 
enough for a botanical garden. 

I should urge at least 400 acres, and to put it on a par with our 
rival in the south, Rio, we should have 2,000 acres. I presume many 
of you realize that Rio de Janeiro, because of its scenic beauty, as 
well as the broad-minded policies they have adopted in the develop- 
ment of their arboreal vegetation, 1s rapidly becoming the most 
beautiful capital in the Western Hemisphere. 

Another important factor in the utilization of botanical gardens 
arises from the actual disappearance of species. I have had the 
pleasure of helping to preserve from extinction a valuable tree, a 
relative of the cotton plant, occurring in the Hawaiian Islands, 
allowed to be browsed upon by the cattle of those islands. It took 
an edict from the governor and special fences to preserve those last 
survivals, and we got their discoverer to send seeds from the islands 
of this relative of the cotton plant, and we have distributed it to the 
only places that are safe, the botanical gardens of the world. 

It is a mistake to think that these valuable species are not disap- 
pearing, and they are extremely valuable. In China, even where we 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 17 


got this pear seed, our explorer, Mr. Frank N. Meyer, reported that 
we must get these at once or they would be gone. In the interval 
between his two trips the forests of these wild pears had been cut 
down. I. H. Wilson said the same thing to me recently in regard to. 
the Formosan Conifer, which he has just brought over and which 
the arboretum is distributing in the extreme South. 

Mr. Moore. Do you distribute to botanical gardens now ? 

Mr. Farrcuinp. Extensively. 

Mr. Moore. But you have no adequate place in Washington? 

Mr. Farrcuinp. We have a place in Washington, but on a rental 
basis. We shall be obliged to leave our present site in abont eight 
years, and you can imagine the encouragement which this short lease 
gives to one in the planting of these foreign trees and shrubs. 

Senator Knox. Where is that place located? 

Mr. Farrcninp. Near Rockville, between Rockville and Washing- 
ton, on the Rockville Pike. 

The CHairmMan. How extensive is it? 

Mr. Farrcuip. We have the use there of about 200 acres of land. 
We bring in about 2,000 species and varieties a year, and we have 
been forced, I say, with a great deal of feeling, to send these all out 
to different places in the country, where we have small gardens— 
California, the Puget Sound region, Florida, Georgia, and other 
places, where we have tracts of land which have been deeded in trust 
to us and which Congress is now acting upon; and we trust they 
will accept these small parcels of land. 

Mr. Fess. Do climatic conditions force you to go to various sec- 
tions? 

Mr. Fatrcuizp. Certainly. Not all the plants in the world can be 
grown here, but we can grow a larger variety of interesting plants 
here in this region, exclusive of conifers, than in most of the gardens 
in the United States to-day. . 

Mr. Frss. Does the Government support or own the various gar- 
dens in various sections of the country under your jurisdiction ? 

Mr. Farrcurp. Those are what I am speaking of. Those were 
given to the Government, or an attempt was made to give them to the 
Government by the owners of the land, but the Government had no 
authority to accept them, and we are getting that authority now from 
Congress. 

The Cuarrman. For this purely utilitarian use to which you re- 
ferred, why do you not ask Congress, if you have not already asked 
them, to appropriate for lands in the country, which would be well 
enough for you to plant these importations in until distributed? 
You do not need a botanical garden or a park for that sort of work, 
do you? 

Mr. Farrcuitp. We do, indeed. 

The Cuatrman. Why? 

Mr. Farrcuizp. Because of the length of time required to grow. 
these plants. We have recently acquired a small tract between here 
and Baltimore for the propagation of these plants, which we send 
out to the amount of about 250,000 a year, but such a tract as that 
is not adequate for the maintenance of these long-lived plants. An 
arboretum or botanical garden of this character comes into its full 
usefulness in about 25 years. The big trees, the important trees, 


186037—20—rT 1 2 


18 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


are then in full swing. That is true not only of this region, but of 
other regions. We have a small one in Miami, which Mr. Swingle 
and I started, and it has now grown up. The city has grown up 
around it, and in a few years we will be obliged to move out. 

The Cramman. I should think, as you stated, it would be a good 
policy for the Government to go a little farther away from a large 
city. Instead of using expensive land in the city for park pur- 
poses I should think it would be good enough for your purposes to 
go a few miles out and get an old farm. 

Mr. Farrentp. That would be quite true if it were not for the fact 
that here in Washington you have the largest body of scientific men 
connected with agriculture in the world. 

The CHarrman. Ten miles in the country over a good road is not 
a very serious setback in these days. 

Mr. Farrcuiip. You would think not, but when you think of the 
breeding of plants, you can not get too close to them, and the general 
criticism which might be made of the small amount of plant-breeding 
work done in this country to-day is that it has not been done because 
these establishments have been too far away from their collections. 
The Arnold Arboretum has its office in the arboretum itself. Bur- 
bank lives in his garden, and to my mind, one of the greatest diffi- 
culties in connection with the development of the Department of 
Agriculture has been the fact that the department has been in a city, 
and the environment in which the young men have lived has not been 
the environment of plants but the environment of office buildings. 
It is a fact which can not be overstated that it is extremely important 
to have collections of trees and other plants which when in flower 
can be visited in a few minutes by the research men of the Depart- 
ment of Agriculture. They need near them these collections so that 
they can become familiar with them or they soon forget all about the 
living plants and become city laboratory workers. At least, this is 
pe SHE oue tendency, and it ought to be counteracted. 

Moorr. Now, Mr. Chairman, we have Mr. Olmsted to speak 
on a subject of Mount Hamilton, and the general plan for the Dis- 
trict. Mr. Olmsted prepared the plan of 1901, so far as it related to 
the outlying districts of Washington. 


STATEMENT OF MR. FREDERICK LAW OLMSTED, OF BROOKLINE, 
MASS. 


Mr. Ormsrep. In regard to the point about which Mr. Moore has 
just asked me to speak. in the report of our commission 20 years 
ago attention was called to the importance of providing, in connec- 
tion with the development of the park system of the District of 
Columbia, for an ae national botanical,garden and arboretum. 
. No attempt was made in that preliminary study to assign a site, or 
to go into the question of where it would be best to do it. The sug- 
gestion was made of the possibility of using the land in Potomac 
Park for that purpose, but the whele thing was not carefully studied. 

In going over the lands in the District which seemed better adapted 
for park purposes in general, including the possibility of a botanical 
garden and arboretum, than for use for streets and buildings,: the 
Mount Hamilton district was one which I felt then, and have felt 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 19 


ever since, to be extremely desirable for park purposes, to be more 
useful to the community in that way than for building develop- 
ment. It is pretty rough ground, relatively costly to develop for 
ordinary city purposes, and peculiarly valuable for park purposes. 

I do not think there is any need for me to attempt to rehearse the 
details of that situation. It is a very beautiful piece of ground, 
with diversified soil, on which, in connection with the Anacostia 
Park, which, as Mr. Moore pointed out, is contiguous with it, it 
would be possible to accomplhsh many of the purposes which have 
been explained to you and at the same time to make it valuable as a 
place of recreation for the people of the city. 

Mr. Moors. The grading of that would cost the District probably 
more than to purchase it for park purposes, would it not? 

Mr. Oumstep. That well might be. I have made no calculations 
of grading, but it is a very rough piece of ground in part, where 
that condition would very likely result. 

I made careful calculations of grading cost for Senator Newlands - 
im regard to’ a piece of somewhat similar land that he had, and 
those calculations showed that the cost of grading. would be such 
that the land could not be marketed at a price which would carry 
the investment in grading, and I was compelled to advise Senator 
Newlands that the most profitable thing he could do with that land 
would be to give it away. He continued to carry it until his death, 
and I think he lost in carrying charges all that time. 

The Cuatrman. Is the character of the soil at this Mount Hamil- 
ton site proper for the establishment of a botanical garden ? 

Mr. Oumsrep. Yes; it is quite varied. Some of it is not very good, 
but there are plants which are better grown on soil which is, gen- 
erally speaking, not very good, and the variety of soil is advan- 
tageous, and the variety of exposure is decidedly good. 

The Cuatrman. There is a good deal of stony soil in the hills, is 
there not ? 

Mr. Otmstep. Yes; gravelly. I should like to add just a few 
words to what has already been said about the functions of and the 
need for an adequate national botanical garden and aboretum. 

I have been a member for a few years of the American joint com- 
mittee on horticulture nomenclature. That is a committee created by 
and representing several organizations concerned with the growing 
and use of plants, the American Association of Nurserymen; the 
Ornamental Growers’ Association; the American Society of Land- 
scape Architects, of which I happen to be president just at present; 
the American Association of Park Superintendents; and the Ameri- 
can Pharmaceutical Association, which, from the point of view of 
the users of drugs, is very much concerned with the matter of plants 
and plant nomenclature. I have been a member of the working sub- 
committee of that organization. We published a few years ago a 
preliminary list attempting to standardize the nomenclature of plants 
in commercial use in this country. That preliminary lst contains 
the names of about 3,000 plants, but is very incomplete. We expect 
to get out a new list shortly which will be fully twice as large as 
that, and that list will not begin to include all of the varieties, dis- 
tinguishable and distinct entities in the horticultural world and in 
horticultural commerce. 


20 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. ~ 


The function of this committee has been to standardize the nomen- 
clature of these many plants to facilitate dealing with them in the 
horticultural trades, and in working on that subject we have been 
very strongly impressed with the need of a central clearing house 
where plants can be positively identified and attached to their cor- 
rect names. There are facilities for this through the great herbarium 
of the Department of Agriculture. But the use merely of printed 
description and dried specimens is not completely adequate for pur- 
poses of identification; and when it comes to the horticultural varie- 
ties, which are constantly multiplying, not only is the nomenclature 
much more uncertain but there is lacking the means of identification 
and of settling what the thing is which has the qualities that make it 
worth while to give it a new name and to establish its identity in 
commerce. Those difficulties can only be met by having specimens of 
these plants growing where the identification can be complete and 
they can be carefully studied. Of course, you run into constantly 
multiplying varieties, and while some of them may appear without 
essential distinction, without value, still many of them prove to have 
distinctions of extreme importance such as Mr. Fairchild pointed 
out in regard to certain economic plants. A mere difference in 
strain in the pear tree makes it resistant to the bight; and in regard 
to the ornamental plants for landscape work and gardens you get 
differences in variety which are sometimes very important distinc- 
tions. They are, botanically, not great, but for the purpose of the 
actual use of the plant they become extremely important; and a place 
of sufficient area to grow these many varieties, with positive identifi- 
cation, 1S necessary. 

The Cuatrman. Mr. Fairchild spoke of various varieties of the 
species being discovered, or rather new varieties appearing among 
plants all the time. 

Mr. Otmsrep. Yes; new varieties are being developed partly by 
mere discovery, by accident, and also by deliberate experiment in 
hybridizing. 

The CHatrmMan. I mean, are new varieties appearing in wild life 
among plants spontaneously, by evolutionary processes, or otherwise, 
by natural selection ? 

Mr. Otmsrep. I think that Mr. Fairchild or Mr. Coville can give 
you a better scientific answer than I can. I could hazzard an opinion 
on that subject, but I think you had better go to an authority on that 
subject. 

Mr. Perx. You think that as a national function this clearing gar- 
den, so to speak, should be here at Washington and ought to be a 
national matter ? 

Mr. Oumsrep. It seems to me decidedly so. An immense amount 
of help has been given on these various subjects by local institu- 
tions. An immense amount, of course, has been done by Dr. Britton’s 
institution in New York and by the Arnold Arboretum at Boston. 
Lipsky, a Russian scientist, has said, the most valuable one in the 
world, the one that has done the most, has been the garden at Kew, 
which is a national institution of Great Britain. I think it is ex- 
tremely unlikely that we could get the thing taken care of by purely 
voluntary cooperative action. There are so many interests concerned 
each one of which has only a relatively small interest in the whole 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. UM 


thing. To combine them all into an organization on a purely volun- 
tary basis would be extremely difficult and it is so closely related to 
the work which the Department of Agriculture has been doing for 
the agricultural and horticultural interests of the country that it 
logically connects up with that in some form. 

Now, I do not know that there is anything more that you want 
me to say; I do not know that I have said what you want. 

Mr. Jonnson. Mr. Chairman, with your permission I would like 
to.ask a few questions. 

The CHairman. Certainly, Mr. Johnson. 

Mr. Jonnson. Do J correctly understand Mr. Moore to say that 
you were the author of the park plan for the District of Columbia? 

Mr. Otmsrep. Yes; I was member of the commission, and that por- 
tion of the report which dealt with the outlying sections of the Dis- 
trict and the rural parks and park connections was chiefly my work. 

Mr. Jonnson. Was that a congressional commission ? 

~ Mr. Outmsrep. That was a Senate commission; it was a commission 
appointed by and reporting to the Senate Committee on the District 
~ of Columbia. 

Mr. Jonnson. How many members were there on that commission ? 

Mr. Otmstep. There were four. 

Mr. Jounson. I have heard their names, but I forget them. Will 
you please recite them ? 

Mr. Oumsrep. Mr. Burnham, Mr. McKim, Mr. St. Gaudens, and 
myself. 

Mr. Jounson. Was that a paid commission ? 

Mr. Outmstep. That was a nonpaid commission. 

Mr. Jonnson. All work being done without compensation ? 

Mr. Outmstep. Yes. 

Mr. Jounson. When was the work done? 

Mr. Otmsrep. Most of it was done in 1901. 

Mr. Jonnson. How long did it take? 

Mr. Oumstep. I think it was about a year and half or two years 
before we turned in our final report. It dragged over a long time 
after that, after the commission went out of existence. I remember 
that I maintained correspondence with Washington and came down 

- here often in response to requests. 

Mr. Moore. In order to keep the record straight I will state as 
part of the answer to Mr. Johnson’s question that the resolution was 
adopted by the Senate March 8, 1901; the report was made on the 
15th day of January, 1902. 

Mr. Jonnson. There was much work done, however, by you after 
the report was made, as you just said ? 

Mr. Otmstep. Yes; quite a good deal. 

Mr. Jounson. Were there any other members of the commission 
engaged as you were? 

Mr. Outmstep. Yes. 

Mr. Jounson. They did work subsequent to the making of the 
report ? 

Mr. Otmstep. Oh, yes; from time to time. 

Mr. Jonnson. That is all. 

Senator Knox. Mr. Burnham and Mr. McKim were architects? 

Mr. Otmsrep. Yes. 


29 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


Senator Knox. And St. Gaudens a sculptor ? 

Mr. Ouatsrep. Yes; a sculptor. 

Senator Knox. And you a landscape architect ? 

Mr. Outmsrep. Yes. 

Mr. Fuss. Mr. Olmsted, do you think that what you have recom- 
mended here could be secured by the proposed site at Mount Hamil- 
ton ? 

Mr. Otmsrep. In connection with the Anacostia Park, which could 
be used largely for the same sort of purposes without interfering 
with the purpose for which it was acquired, I think the area would 
very largely accomplish the purpose. I think it is quite possible that 
it would be advisable in connection with such a botanic garden and 
arboretum so located to have certain areas of more distant outlying 
cheap land well out in Maryland for certain purposes requiring 
larger space and not needing such constant work back and forth be- 
tween the departments and scientific institutions in the city and the 
main collections. 

Mr. Fess. That would be in addition ? 

Mr. Ormstrep. That would be for certain kinds of things requiring 
large space. 

Mr. Frss. You think this could be made available? While you were 
engaged in this work with your fellow commissioners, were other 
sites called to your attention, and what did you think of them if there 
were ? 

Mr. Oumsrep. Specifically for this purpose ? 

Mr. Fess. For Botanic Garden. 

Mr. Otmstep. No; other sites were not called to our attention at 
that time, and, as I say, we did not attempt at that time to say what 
would be the best location in the District for these purposes. 

Senator Kwox. Was your attention particularly concentrated upon 
the Botanic Garden as distinct from a chain of parks? 

Mr. Outmsrep. No; it was not; that was merely mentioned as one of 
the things which should be taken care of in the course of the general 
development. 

Mr. Moore. Senator, the idea of using Mount Hamilton was de- 
veloped quite largely during the time when Gen. Harts was the secre- 
tary of the Commission of Fine Arts. Gen. Harts has come here this 
morning and I would like to have you hear him about the availability 
of Mount Hamilton. 

The Carrman. Just before he takes the stand, I have here on my 
desk what is entitled “ Report on the Botanic Garden Situation in 
the District of Columbia, by the National Commission of Fine Arts, 
1920.” Did you leave this here ? 

Mr. Moore. We had it brought up; yes. 

The Cuarrman. Is it in print anywhere? This is typewritten; has 
it been printed ? 

Mr. Moore. No, Senator; and I have a note here to ask you if you 
will have it printed. 

The Cuatrman. Do you intend to have it printed? 

Mr. Moorr. We have no funds available for printing it. We print 
our report and it takes $1,500 out of our very meager appropriation. 

The Cuarrman. You want this printed in the hearing # 

Mr. Moore. In the hearing; yes. 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 23 


The Cuarrman. Without objection that will be done. 

Mr. Oumstep. If I may add just one more word about the connec- 
tion of the work of this American joint committee on horticultural 
nomenclature. I have here a letter to Mr. Moore from Mr. Harlan 
P. Kelsey, secretary of that committee, and also a member of its 
working subcommittee. Rather I should say it is a telegram. It 
reads as follows: 

SALEM, MASS, May 17, 1920. 


CHARLES MOORE, 
Chairman Commission of Fine Arts, Washington, D. C.: 

Yours of May i4, with reference conference on botanic garden on 20th. 
Regret impossible to attend. American nursery interests vitally affected and 
benefited by an adequate botanic garden, especially since drastic quarantine 
excluding foreign transportations. It is an economic proposition and will be 
of vast importance in developing economic as well as ornamental tree and plant 
material. Production is lessening, and it is of vital importance in the future 
of our industry that a real botanic garden be immediately established and 
maintained. Four hundred acres entirely inadequate in size, in my opinion- 
and I plead for not less than 1,000 acres, with diversified soil suitable for al’ 
classes of plants. 1 

HARLAN P. IKELSEY. 

Mr. Kelsey is representative on the joint committee of the Orna- 
mental Growers’ Association and is also a member of the American 
Nurserymens’ Association. He is a large grower of plants, and the 
point on which he touches is an important one. The restrictions 
upon the importance of plants at the present time in effect, in connec- 
tion with the general disturbance of transportation, has put Ameri- 
ean horticulture in a very difficult situation at the present time by 
closing the foreign sources of supply, and there is greater need for a 
national botanic garden than ever before. There is greater need 
than ever before of helping to encourage and stimulate the propa- 
gation of plants in this country. 

Mr. Moore. Now, I would like to have Gen. Harts address the 
committee. 

The CHatrMAN. Gen. Harts. 


STATEMENT OF GEN. W. W. HARTS, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, UNITED 
STATES ARMY, FORMER SECRETARY AND EXECUTIVE OFFICER 
OF THE COMMISSION OF FINE ARTS. 


Gen. Harrs. Mr. Chairman, Mr. Moore, and gentlemen, I would 
be pleased to have you ask me any questions you desire. 

Mr. Moors. I would like to have Gen. Harts state how his atten- 
tion was directed to Mount Hamilton in connection with the Botan- 
ical Garden and what he did in the way of developing the informa- 
tion in regard to the availability of Mount Hamilton for a botanic 
garden. 

Gen. Harts. We were very much impressed while I was in charge 
of the public parks of the District of Columbia, with the need of 
having some possibility of expansion for the present Botanic Garden 
which, in its present site may not be improved on an adequate scale; 
so it was part of my duty, and I was very happy to undertake it, to 
look about all over the District to try to find some site which would 
be more suitable for a larger and more adequate botanic garden in 
the District of Columbia than its present site. 


24 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


The CHarrman. During what period of years did you have charge, 
Gen. Harts? 

Gen. Harrs. I was in charge from about 1913 to 1917. I went to 
Europe in the autumn of 1917 and was separated from this subject 
which was of tremendous interest to me at that time; and it has also 
been of great interest to me since, so that I think my ‘memory is very 
clear on a good many points. 

The Cuarrman. Who preceded you in that office ? 

Gen. Harts. Col. Spencer Cosby, of the Engineer Corps. 

The CuHatrman. And who has it now? 

Gen. Harrs. Col. Ridley has it now. He has been there nearly 
three years. 

In looking over the District of Columbia we were very desirous of 
finding a place which would give us great diversity of soil and ex- 
posure, which would be suitable for the different purposes for which 
a botanic garden is intended. 

The CHatirman. Were you in the Engineer Corps, too? 

Gen. Harts. Yes, sir. 

The CHatrman. Does the Superintendent of Parks have to be an 
engineer / 

Gen. Harts. Yes, sir; it is so by law; it is limited to a member of 
the Engineer Corps. 

In connection with our studies I made a visit to several botanic 
gardens; I went to the New York garden, I made a study of the Kew 

gardens and other gardens in or der to find out right where we stood 
in comparison Ww ith other countries. 

In the course of our work we examined sites on the Virginia shore, 
sites on Potomac Park, Rock Creek Park, and a number of other 
places in the District of Columbia but found that from the questions 
of cost, area, exposure, and other conditions the Mount Hamilton 
tract appealed to me from the beginning as being an exceedingly 
desirable place because it was comparatively easy to obtain, inex- 
pensive; it had a magnificent exposure to the eastern and southern 
sun; it had a variety of soil on account of its over 200 feet elevation — 
I think it is the second highest point in the District of Columbia. 
It has magnificent rich soil in the lowlands, and this changes to a 
very poor rocky. soil on the top, all of which gives a variety ‘between 
these extremes. Possibly the area might not have been enough, but 
we thought that 400 acres would be approximately the area that we 
should have for a central botanic garden. Besides adding to the park 
system a botanic garden placed in that locality would afford a 
beautiful approach to the city from that direction. I think a report 
was prepared with regard to the desirability of having a botanic 
earden placed on that site. The location of the gardens on that site 
had a io »le purpose; it not only gave us a new area for botanic 
gardens which was especially large and apparently adequate, but it 
also combined with the park sy stem and gave us an opportunity for 
development of another section of Washington. Out in that neigh- 
borhood we have at the present time the Reform School property ; 
we have the area for Anacostia Park, which is now developing very 
satisfactorily and will be a marvelous place of city improvement 
in the course of a reasonable number of years. If, at the same time, 
we could join with these two pieces of public property a botanical 


1See map 38, end of vol. 2. 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 25 


garden in that same locality we could make an entrance to the city 
of Washington which would be thoroughly worthy of the Capitol 
City of a country like ours. 

Mr. Goutp. May I interrupt you a second, please? I notice in the 
Sixty-fourth Congress there was a special subcommittee of the Joint 
Committee on the Library to look into this question. Was that the 
report to which you referred, the report made to the Committee on 
the Library of the Senate? 

Gen. Harts. Yes, sir. 

The Cuatrman. What is the date of the report? 

Gen. Harts. It was in 1916. 

Mr. Luce. Did the commission ever make a report on Mount 
Hamilton site? 

Gen. Harrs. Just once, sir. 

Mr. Luce. Did they recommend it? 

Gen. Harrs. Yes, sir; yes, sir. I had the pleasure of taking a num- 
ber of the members of the Libr ary Committee out to visit the site so 
that they would be familiar with the points as they came up in the 
hearings, the questions of locality for buildings and the exposure 
either to the sun or the elements; and so you would see how it joined 
in with the other pieces of Government property in the locality and 
how it all fitted in with the general plans for the development of 
the city of Washington. I do not see that there could be any very 
serious objections to it if we are going to develop at all in that line 
and I was at that time extraordinarily interested, and am still, as 
a matter of fact in the development of Washington so that we will 
not permit too much that is not desirable to take place before we 
get a system which is going to be satisfactory for a long time ahead, 
because now is the time to acquire lands if you are going to make 
parks. We had a magnificient groundwork 150 years ago and- 
since then we have been negligent in maintaining that fine standard. 

In developing the city we have also to keep in mind the other 
capitals of the world. Rio de Janeiro is an extraordinarily beau- 
tiful place and is a rival of Washington. Paris, we all know, is a 
remarkable city and its beauty has been fostered and cared for. I 
feel that we should do everything we could to see that Washington 
is not encroached upon for commercial purposes, for business alone, 
because Washington has always got to be the Capital of the country 
and it always must be an enjoyable place and must always be a place 
of which the whole of our country will be proud and desire to be 
developed along proper lines. The Fine Arts Commission of which 
Mr. Moore was chairman and myself as secretary tried various 
things that would. be creditable in the future so that we would not, 
as I say, close the door to the proper development of the city. 

The Cuairman. You spoke about having more creditable ap- 
proaches to the city; what is the present condition as to approaches 
to the city? 

Gen. Harrs. The approach from the north 

The CuHarrman. Give the names of the highways, if you please, 
which are the approaches. 

Gen. Harrs. I do not believe I can give you very definitely the 
names; but coming through that little village to the north, Bladens- 
burg, you strike a turnpike that comes into the city along a street- 
ear line which divides the highway, making a narrow street on 
each side with real estate development in the shape of greenhouses 


26 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


and things of that kind, which makes the northern approach to 
the city narrow and inadequate. It seems perfectly reasonable to 
expect that Maryland Avenue can be extended to connect with 
avenues in the proposed gardens on the Mount Hamilton tract and 
connect with the Reform School property. This would give a very 
worthy and magnificent entrance to the city. 

Mr. Moore. There is one short stretch to connect Anacostia Park 
with the Bladensburg road beyond the Reform School property. 
The commission has secured from the private owners of that tract 
a roadway skirting the Anacostia from the District line to con- 
nect with the Bladensburg road. That will be added to the Mary- 
land highway system because it is in Maryland; but we wanted an 
outlet from the upper end of Anacostia Park, and have secured it. 

Senator Knox. As I understand it, the entrance to the south is 
a very dignified entrance over the Long Bridge and through the 
park system. 

Gen. Harrs. Yes, sir; as soon as you get into the District of Co- 
lumbia from the south you are immediately in a park area; that is, 
a very handsome and dignified approach; and, of course, when we 
get the Memorial Bridge it will add to the dignity and beauty of 
the approach from the south. 

Senator Knox. Similarly to the west there is an excellent ap- 
proach, is there not? 

Mr. Moors. Senator, we are working on a plan now—Sixteenth 
Street has become the great central avenue of the District of Co- 
lumbia. We are consulting with the Maryland authorities to get 
an extension of Sixteenth Street out into Maryland so as to con- 
nect with the highway to Baltimore. At the present time when you 
want to goto Baltimore from say Meridian Hill, you have to come into 
the city and go over to the other side of the Capitol and out Mary- 
land Avenue. There should be a direct road from the end of Six- 
teenth Street to Baltimore. The Commission of Fine Arts has sug- 
gested to the Roosevelt Memorial Committee that they locate the 
memorial to Theodore Roosevelt at the entrance to the District of 
Columbia on Sixteenth Street. 

Senator Knox. Will that Baltimore road be by way of the Fred- 
erick Pike? 

Mr. Moore. Very nearly; there would be two roads, one going to 
Frederick and the other going to Baltimore. 

Senator Knox. Now, we have had the entrance on the north, south, 
and west. The east entrance, I suppose, is the one over the hill 
across the river at the end of Pennsylvania Avenue, is it not? 

Mr. Moorr. Yes. 

Senator Knox. That is a good entrance, except for a little way, is 
it not ? 

Mr. Moorr. The Maryland roads generally are good. Speaking of 
the entrance from the south, of course there should be a boulevard 
from Washington to Mount Vernon. The road from the end of the 
Highway Bridge to Alexandria and to Mount Vernon is not ade- 
quate; it should be much wider. 

Senator Kyxox. I was not speaking so much of the highways as the 
general environment; it is fine, from the south, as I understand it. 

Mr. Moore. Certainly. 

Now. I would like to have Dr. Coville address the committee. 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. ON 


STATEMENT OF MR. FREDERICK V. COVILLE, BOTANIST, 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 


Mr. Covizte. Mr. Chairman, a botanical garden has its use in the 
recreation and education of the public, but its greatest use, to my 
mind, is in relation to plant breeding. I belheve that in the next 50 
or 100 years we shall make more advance in the development of new 
plants of use to man by plant breeding than we have made in the 
whole history of civilization. Scientific men, practical men, are both 
enormously interested in it. We have found out some of the laws 
of heredity and we are rapidly putting them into use. 

The CHatrman. In what bureau of the Department of Agricul- 
ture are you located? 

Mr. Covitie. In the Bureau of Plant Industry. 

The Cuatrman. Are you head of it? 

Mr. Covirte. No; I am the botanist. 

The Cuatrman Whois the head of it? 

Mr. Covitim. Dr. W. A. Taylor. 

We have in the Botanical Society of Washington, which consists 
of professional botanists, about 200 members, men who are engaged 
in the advancement of civilization by the discovery and application 
of botanical facts. One of the instruments which we ought to have 
is a botanical garden. We do not have it at the present time. We 
have on the grounds of the Department of Agriculture certain 
greenhouses which we are allowed by law to use temporarily. How 
soon these will be taken away from us we do not know. Ultimately 
some public building will be placed on the east side of the Mall oppo- 
site the Department of Agriculture and then, of course, the green- 
houses will have to go. Ifthe greenhouses in which we work are not 
in immediate proximity to our offices, our efficiency suffers. One of 
the things that I have been able to do personally while attending to 
extensive duties of other sorts has been to breed certain plants of 
agricultural interest. The plant to which I have devoted most atten- 
tion is the blueberry. We have changed the blueberry from a small 
wild fruit about the size of a pea to a fruit that looks like a Concord 
grape. The new plants which we have developed will grow in soils 
which are not used for any other purpose; soils which are sterile to 
other plants will grow these improved blueberries. The point I wish 
to make, Mr. Chairman, is that if I had not had the use of these 
greenhouses I should never have been able to do this work. These 
blueberries have yielded at the rate of nearly a thousand dollars an 
acre, and while the investigation is only a very small item in our 
scientific work the industry that will grow out of the investigation 
will be worth millions of dollars. | 

The Cuatrman. Do these berries preserve their taste and quali- 
ties 

Mr. Coyirrtz. They do; and by selection we are getting berries 
that are even superior in flavor to the wild ones. 

This is simply one example of the work we are doing. If there 
were in Washington a botanical garden of proper equipment, it is 
inevitable that a great deal of the work of the Department of Agri- 
culture will ultimately be moved to it or to its neighborhood. It isa 
question of being intimately associated with the tools with which 
you are working. 


28 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


There is one feature of a botanical garden in Washington to which 
TI should like to call your special attention. If it is of adequate size 
and is located where the Washington botanists can work with it, 
it not only will cost you nothing in “the long run, but for every dollar 
you put into it you will take many dollars out. I do not méan that 
this garden will declare dividends, but through the information it 
will disseminate and the new industries it will create it will vastly 
increase the tax returns to the Government. 

Mr. Moorr. Will you please tell the committee what you think of 
the availability of Mount Hamilton as a site for the purposes of a 
botanical garden. 

Mr. Covittr. The Mount Hamilton site has a large variety of soils, 
from gravels on the higher slopes, in which wild blueberries are 
growing, with trailing arbutus, azaleas, and laurel, to the wild rice 
marshes which constitute the eastern part of the site, and the fertile 
alluvial soils along the river. In its variety of soils and exposure 
it is admirably adapted to botanical garden purposes; it could hardly 
be improved. I should like to say also that parts of this area have 
been very severely injured in past years by ground fires. I was on 
the site recently and found areas in which the underbrush had been 
killed by fire within two weeks. In the large forest area some of the 
trees nave been killed and some have been injured. These fires 
could be stopped at once by an adequate patrol. If fires are. kept 
out of this tract, the larger part of which is forested, it will become a 

natural botanical garden without the use of any instrument except 
an ax, to trim out ‘occasional dead and undesirable trees. Even now 
it is used extensively by the people of that part of the city as a place 
for Sunday and holiday strolls. The strip which constitutes one 
part of the site, along the Anacostia River, known as Hickey Hall, 
is a great bird resort, one of the most remarkable of the District. 
It is full of all sorts of nesting birds, which feed in the marshes. 

I have here some pictures that were taken in that locality recently 
through the courtesy of Mr. Fairchild. They will give you some idea 
of the attractiveness of portions of this area. 

The Cuairman. Speaking of the experiments you are conducting 
I would like to know if the Department of Agriculture has any lands 
out in the country near the city of Washington where such experi- 
ments could be conducted ? : 

Mr. Covrnte. No. I breed these hybrid blueberries in the green- 
house and keep them there until they are a year old. Then I ship 
them to a place down in the fine barrens of New Jersey, about 40 
miles east of Philadelphia, where the soil is acid and sandy. When 
they come to maturity we select those bearing fruit of the largest 
size, best color, most productive, of the best flavor. That is the way 
my work has been done. 

‘The Cuarrman. What I am seeking. information about is whether 
proper lands—cheaper lands than those in the Mount Hamilton 
tract—could not be secured farther out for the purposes of the 
Department of Agriculture? 

Mr. Covirix. For the extensive field work yes, but for the breeding 
work no. It would be undesirable for this reason: This work is a 
side line, one might say, done in our spare time as we can take it 
from our office duties. We have administrative work to perform, 


+See map 41, end of vol. 2. 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 29 


and unless we can have greenhouse facilities within easy reach of us, 
within a few minutes’ walk, we do not do the greenhouse work. The 
effectiveness of the bureau would be enormously increased by this 


additional facility. 
Mr. Petz. Just what route do you take to get out to the Mount 


Hamilton property ? 

Mr. Covirre. You go down Maryland Avenue to Fifteenth and H 
Streets NE., and then out the Bladensburg Pike. 

Mr. Pru. Is the Anacostia Park in existence at the present time? 

Mr. Covmix. Yes; the Government is developing it. 

Mr. Pern. And that belongs to the Government? 

- Mr. Covirte. It belongs to the Government. With the purchase 
of Mount Hamilton you can get the use also of all this Government 
land along the Anacostia River. You can not use the Anacostia 
flats alone for the botanical gardens, because it is all below the 
10-foot level and all practically one type of soil. This is tidewater 
here [pointing to map], and it is only 10 feet above mean low water. 

Mr. Pru. I did not realize that the lands were as low as that. 

Mr. Covittz. Maryland Avenue is to be opened by prolonging it 
to the base of Mount Hamilton, but if Maryland Avenue went be- 
yond that point it would cost the Government more to grade the 
streets than Mount Hamilton would cost. 

Mr. Coville submitted the following communication supplementing 
his statement : 


STATEMENT ON THE REQUIREMENTS OF A BOTANICAL GARDEN SITE IN WASHINGTON 
ADDRESSED TO THE CONGRESSIONAL JOINT COMMITTEE ON THE LIBRARY. 


[By Frederick VY. Coville, Botanist, Department of Agriculture. ] 


May 21, 1920. 


GENTLEMEN: The old National Botanic Garden which now occupies a site 
of about 12 acres of land at the foot of the Capitol Grounds is to be moved, 
because it stands in the way of certain park improvements that have already 
been determined upon by congressional action. 

I understand that the superintendent of the garden had at one time recom- 
mended as a new site a tract of about 20 acres of level ground in the Mall, 
immediately west of the present garden. 

The Fine Arts Commission has recommended a tract of some 400 acres lying 
at the northeast edge of the city of Washington and comprising a wide variety 
of soils and exposure, from a tidal wild-rice marsh, suitable for water gardens, 
to extensive oak hills 200 feet or more in height. 

I speak in favor of the site recommended by the Fine Arts Commission. 

The man who made the present garden, the late William R. Smith, was a 
friend of mine, and I was a friend of his. I have the highest respect for that 
Scotchman, for his sterling character, for the garden that he built, and for 
the pleasure he gaye the public in it. But now it is necessary to move this 
garden. It would be easy to transfer it to a more convenient position and to 
increase somewhat its size, but these changes alone will not meet the needs 
of the present or the future. 

In selecting the new site your committee has a duty to perform of far greater 
importance than appears upon the surface. If you choose wisely and in the 
interest of the whole American public, you will make provision for a line of 
activity that will stimulate the scientific and horticultural progress of the 
Nation for many generations. 

The new garden should preserve the objects of the old garden, the first and 
most important of which is to provide a place in which the public, especially 
the man who works, can find rest and enjoyment and refreshment of mind out 
of doors surrounded by the atmosphere of beauty and dignity and curious inter- 
est of nature that pervades a well-planned garden of trees and flowers. 


30 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


But there are other and still more important services that a National Botani- 
cal Garden can render. It should contain plantings of all the native trees and 
shrubs of the various States, that can be grown out of doors in this climate in 
a condition of health and beauty. The garden should be a great public educator 
in the art of landscape gardening. It should be so located and so conducted that 
visitors from every part of the United States will carry home with them an 
impression of what they may do, in their own communities, and largely with 
their own native materials, to make life more natural and more enjoyable, and 
consequently more effective. f 

Our nursery catalogues are in a condition of great confusion as to the names 
and the varieties of ornamental plants. The new garden should contain 
authentic examples of these varieties, so that nurserymen may be sure that the 
things they are selling are accurately named in their catalogues. The purchas- 
ing public would then buy with greater confidence and with great freedom. 

These and other useful purposes the new garden can be made to serve if it is 
located on the admirable site recommended by the Fine Arts Commission, with 
its large area, its varied topography, and its many types of soil. 

The new garden can be made to perform one function, however, more im- 
portant than any of those I have mentioned, more important indeed, in my 
opinion, than all the others put together. To this use of the garden I should 
like to call the special attention of the committee. I refer to the relation of 
the garden to the breeding of new plants useful to man. 

-It is my opinion that in the next 50 or 100 years we shall make greater 
advance in the development of useful plants than has been made in the whole 
history of the human race up to the present generation. All the conditions are 
ripe for that development. Science and practice are united in the enterprise. 
The State agricultural experiment stations, the biological research laboratories 
of our universities and other institutions, and many individual experimenters, 
are pushing forward with this work. The Department of Agriculture is bringing 
together, little by little, from distant parts of the world the wild relatives of 
cultivated plants. There is no place in or near Washington, however, in 
Which they can be perpetuated. Some of them find use in other places, but 
many need a recognized situation here where they can be kept for observation, 
study, and experiment. Such a place would be afforded by a National Botanical 
Garden located on the site recommended by the Fine Arts Commission. If a 
properly equipped garden is established there, it is inevitable that it would be 
a center about which would ultimately focus much of the plant-breeding work 
of the Department of Agriculture. 

The Smithsonian Institution is the custodian of an immensely valuable 
botanical collection of more than a million specimens from all parts of the world. 
Practically all the plants of the world will ultimately be represented in that 
collection, which is known as the United States National Herbarium. When 
a properly equipped botanical garden is established in Washington the Smith- 
sonian Institution will undoubtedly find that the most useful location for the 
National Herbarium is in or near that garden. 

We have no botanical library in Washington. The two or three hundred 
professional botanists working here use the botanical books belonging to vari- 
ous public libraries, including those of the Department of Agriculture, the 
Smithsonian Institution, the National Museum, the Library of Congress, and the 
Library of the Surgeon General’s Office. Some day a wise person, or a wise 
institution of great wealth, will found a botanical library in Washington, for 
it will be more useful here than anywhere else in the world; and that library, 
when founded, will, like the National Herbarium, find its most useful location 
in or near the garden I have described. 

Washington will then have the following equipment: A botanical garden 
containing the world’s most interesting plants, a library containing the world’s 
hotanical literature, a herbarium containing specimens of practically all the 
kinds of plants in the world—and these things will be utilized by hundreds of 
active botanical workers in Washington and elsewhere. 

As an illustration of the value of easily accessible greenhouses, let me cite 
a piece of work of my own on the blueberry. For several years we have been 
engaged at the Department of Agriculture in an attempt to domesticate this 
wild fruit, and after prolonged experimentation our object has been accom- 
plished. Our hybrid bushes have yielded such an abundance of berries, so large 
nnd so delicious, that they have brought returns to the grower at the rate of 
neurly a thousand dollars an acre. We have changed the blueberry from a 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 31 


small wild fruit the size of a pea to a fruit the size of a Concord grape, and we 
have made its culture a profitable industry. This one small piece of scientific 
work has an industrial value of millions of dollars. These results I should 
never have been able to accomplish without greenhouse facilities situated close 
to my office. Many new things had to be found out about blueberry plants, and 
by daily contact with them I became as familiar with their behavior and their 
needs as a dairy farmer with the behavior and needs of his cattle. 

Some day the space occupied by our temporary greenhouses at the Department 
of Agriculture will be needed for a public building. Where then shall we go? 
To do the most effective work, we must follow our greenhouses. If your com- 
mittee chooses wisely to-day, we shall go to the new botanical garden; for 
among the opportunities to be found there our work is bound to become most 
useful to the Nation. 

I urge upon the members of this committee as strongly aS my command of 
language permits that in deciding between the two proposed sites you choose 
the one recommended by the Fine Arts Commission. If, the present Congress 
shall authorize that site, it will not only have reached a wise solution of a 
present problem, but it will confer a lasting benefit on the whole country. On 
and about that site can be brought together in future years such related activi- 
yties as future Congresses may decide to be wise and prudent. The botanical, 
horticultural, and agricultural activities that would find their natural location 
about this site would constitute an agency of human progress the value of 
which is beyond calculation in money. 

In closing permit me to call your attention to one very important feature of 
this proposal. If you select such a site as Shall inevitably bring about the 
grouping of activities that I have outlined, you will not be spending money on 
a place of mere recreation, with only an intangible return of benefits, but you 
will be making an investment which will yield to the Nation dividends of many 
dollars for every dollar you put in. 


STATEMENT OF MR. WALTER T. SWINGLE, IN CHARGE OF THE 
CROP PHYSIOLOGY AND BREEDING, BUREAU OF PLANT INDUS. 
TRY, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, WASHINGTON, D. C. 


Mr. Swinerz. Mr. Chairman, I am in charge of the chief office 
of plant breeding in the Department of Agriculture, and have seen 
the work grow from a very small beginning 25 years ago until now 
20 offices are carrying on work in plant breeding. One of the most 
important phases of ‘the work that our department is doing is rep- 
resented by the office. We are the only people whose home country is 
of continental extent. The European countries, like England, France, 
and Germany are, after all, only small in extent, and have only a 
limited range of climate. In America, in our home country, we have 
every range of climate, from tropical Florida to the glacial regions 
of Arctic Alaska. The European methods and plants our forefathers | 
brought over with them did very well in the eastern part of the 
country, but as the pioneers penetrated westward until they reached 
Arizona and California they found themselves vastly outstripped 
in effectiveness by the Mexicans, who used Spanish crops and Span- 
ish methods, developed partly by the Moors during their long occupa- 
tion of Spain. In other words, we are forced in our country of con- 
tinental extent to carefully consider whether or not the agricultural 
practices that our ancestors brought from northwestern Europe are 
best adapted to our climatic conditions. I am prepared to say that 
we have pretty conclusively proven that they are not, and that we 
can vastly increase the yield and the profit of agricultural production 
of foods, of fiber plants, and of medicinal plants by the use of the 
proper choice of strains and by the proper breeding of new types. 
I might give one or two instances to show the almost miraculous 


32 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


creation of wealth that comes in this way. Ten years ago five mem- 
bers of our bureau took up the problem of finding a satisfactory 
method of growing Egyptian cotton in this country. Up to that 
time no egyptian “cotton had been grown in this country success- 
fully; and in 1910 the first bale of Egyptian cotton was laboriously. 
harvested and baled in Arizona, the very first one ever grown in 
America. Remember that there is no tariff protection on cotton and 
that the freight rates from Arizona to the New England mills are 
aeen the same as those from Alexandria to the same mills, and that 

the labor charges are ten times as high in Arizona as in Keypt. 
Nevertheless, by scientific investigation “of cultural methods, and by 
the breeding of better typés of Egyptian cotton, and by the close 
organization of the farmers this industry has orown from noth- 
ing 10 years ago until in 1919 the cotton crop from the Salt River 
V alley ‘of Arizona was worth over $20,000,000. This is almost en- 
tirely new wealth; it is not merely the substitution of other crops 
by cotton, but immense new areas—in one case 10,000 acres in one 
field—were reclaimed from the desert, irrigated, and planted to 
Kegyptian cotton. 

The CuHatrMan. You mean our southern cotton would not have 
grown out there in Arizona ? 

Mr. Swinetr. Our Egyptian cotton does not grow where the 
southern cotton does, and it is used for a different purpose; it 1s 
used largely in the manufacture of automobile-tire fabric. 

The Cairn. You could not grow our southern cotton in Ari- 
zona ¢ 

Mr. Swinere. It can be grown only at very great disadvantage. 

The Carman. It is not profitable to raise it! 

Mr. Swinete. It is not profitable to raise it. 

T have made a calculation which shows that the income tax returned 
to the Federal Government from the Egyptian cotton industry in 
Arizona and California is about twenty times what this investigation 
cost, to say nothing about the benefits to the States and counties and 
individuals themselves. In other words, the chief end of these inves- 
tigations by the Department of Agriculture is the securing of useful 
crop plants and the breeding of varieties properly adapted to the soil 
and climatic conditions; and having, as we do, every range of soil 
and climate. it is hopeless to expect the old-time crops of northwestern 
Europe to be satisfactory; and I believe it is a matter of the most 
vital import: ince for the future that there be maintained in Wash- 
ington a suitable central place where plants can be grown and flow- 
ered, which will be afforded under the new project. 

The Cuamrman. What other instance did you have in mind besi-les 
Egyptian cotton? You said you were going to give us.several in- 
stances. 

Mr. Swrnetr. Take the case of the navel orange. In 1871 Mr. 
Saunders, in charge of the greenhouses of the Departme nt of Agri- 
culture, brought from Bahia, Brazil, a famous orange known as ‘the 
Bahia navel orange. It was then merely a curiosity, and a few plants 
were brought back by Mr. Saunders, which resulted in the establish- 
ment of an industry in which there is now nearly $200,000,000 in- 

vested: it is one of the most scientific and highly organized horticul- 
tural industries. The income from that investment is simply pro- 
digious. 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 3109 


Another important study we are making is that of the Chinese 
pear. Ten years ago they dug up some Asiatic pear trees on the 
grounds of the Department of Agriculture which were in the way of 
some road. Nobody could foresee the importance of maintaining 
these fine Chinese pears. They are indispensable to the modern pear 
industry, in which there is invested probably $50,000,000 or more, 
because the pear blight rots the root; we must have the Chinese pear, 
with a blight-resistant root system, and we must have the right ind 
of Chinese pear. 

Mr. Moorr. Now please tell us about the dates. 

Mr. Swrvnete. About 20 years ago Mr. Fairchild and I and seme 
others were sent to Africa and Asia to investigate the date industry 
with the view to possibly establishing that industry in the south- 
western part of the United States. It was found difficult to get in- 
formation, because, while the Arabs had grown dates for a thousand 
years, they had kept no records; but after a lot of investigation end 
hard labor we have within the last 20 years moved the center of the 
date industry’ from the Sahara Desert .to California, and we now 
produce the best dates in the world. 

Senator Knox. How high do date palms grow? 

Mr. Swinete. Seventy-five to 100 feet. 

Mr. Petz. Will they grow in Florida ? 

Mr. Swrnere. Yes; but not so well as they do in California. 

Mr. Peri. Are those California dates marketed ? 

Mr. Swrnete. They are sold in the Pacific coast cities, San Fran- 
cisco and Los Angeles, but are not yet produced in sufficient quanti- 
ties to reach the eastern markets, but about $500,000 is being invested 
annually in the extension of the date industry, in which ultimately 
between $20,000,000 and $50,000,000 will be invested. In a quarter 
of a century I look for the date as one of the best and cheapest numan 
foods produced. It has advanced to such a point that we can advise 
the farmer with absolute certainty that a certain date will succeed. If 
an untested variety be planted and it fails to succeed it means a great 
loss to him, because, if after 8 or 10 years, when the date begins to 
bear full crops, it turns out to be the wrong variety, the farmer has to 
dig it up, and it is a total loss, because the date palm can not be 
budded or grafted. For this reason it is necessary to study all the 
principal varieties of dates to learn which ones are suited to our 
climatic, soil, and market conditions. 

Mr. Jounson. Since these two institutions are under different 
managements, the Agricultural Department, and the Botanic Gar- 
den, will there not be a conflict or a duplication of work? 

Mr. Swinete. I do not think so. 

Mr. Jounson. How will you obviate it? 

Mr. Swrnetxr. The only question is to have some place where these 
many parent trees can be grown. It takes 10 or 15 years for a tree 
like the Chinese pear to produce fruit in large quantity. 

Mr. Jonnson. If the Mount Hamilton tract could be secured for 
a botanic garden, what authority would the Department of Agricul- 
ture have to use it? 

Mr. Swrnere. The Agriculture Department would merely have 
cooperative authority, just as we cooperate with the Smithsonian 
Institution, and many other scientific institutions. The Department 


186037—20—Pr 1. 3 


34 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


of Agriculture must cooperate with at least 100 institutions in the 
United States. 

Mr. Jounson. Do you think they cooperate in plans better than 

one conducted entirely by the Agricultural Department ? 

Mr. Swinete. I am inclined to think so. 

Mr. Jonnson. You have not been dealing with the future without 
looking toward the necessity of more land? 

Mr. Swineie. Yes; but I merely say that as Mr. Coville did, it is 
necessary to have land near by. 

Mr. Jounson. Where is your office? 

Mr. Swincte. In the Department of Agriculture. 

Mr. Jounson. How close to your office now are you doing this 
work ? 

Mr. Swincie. We have greenhouses a few blocks away, where I 
am doing some of this work, but some is being done elsewhere. It 
is necessary to have plant material as close to our office as possible. 

Mr. Jounson. What is it that you can do at this proposed botanic 
garden ned you can not do in the lands already owned or being 
operated by the Department of Agriculture ? 

Mr. Swineiz. One is, for instance, the Chinese pear trees. We 
would not have to send expensive expeditions to the Orient if we 
could have these trees growing nearby. When they built the new 
buildings on the Agricultural grounds the pear trees had to be cut 
down. 

Mr. Jounson. Where were they located ? 

Mr. Swinerr. In the Department of Agriculture grounds. 

Mr. JoHnson. Has not the Department of Agriculture a lot of 
Jand over on the other side of the river? 

Mr. Swincte. It has land at Arlington, but because of the Govern- 
ment’s immense investment in the Lincoln Memorial and the Na- 
tional Cemetery at Arlington it makes it doubtful whether that is 
the best locality for such a large farm, and it may have to be aban- 
doned some day. 

Mr. Moore. The enlargement of Arlington Cemetery is going to 
take that in some day, Mr. Johnson. 

The Cyaimman. Are those lands occupied by the experiment 
station owned by the Government or simply leased? 

Mr. Swineie. Yes: it is owned by the Government. We are only 
temporarily occupying Government land, from which we may be 
evicted next year; we do not know. 

Mr. Jomnson. It is your opinion that when Arlington is enlarged, 
and your present grounds, your present operations, are pushed back, 
you will not be pushed back farther into Virginia, but they will 
jump you over to Mount Hamilton; is that your theory about it? 

Mr. Swinete. I would not say that; I am simply speaking of the 
advantage of Mount Hamilton and of planting these trees in grounds 
where we can see them without traveling 12,000 miles to go where 
they grow wild. 

Mr. Jounson. If the Chinese pear trees were taken to the ground 
you have already, would you have to travel 12,000 miles to see them ? 

Mr. Swrncte. No; provided that they could be planted perma- 
nently ; we have no such place now. 

Mr. JOHNSON. Do you mean to say that there is only one place, 
and that is Mount Hamilton? 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN, 35 


Mr. Swinewe. I do not; I merely say that the department does 
not now have a suitable place. I think I have not specifically men- 
tioned in my testimony Mount Hamilton, although I believe Mount 
Hamilton is a good site. I believe the Government should have one 
place where a worthy botanical garden could be built ranking this 
country not twenty-fifth but first. The Kew garden has given to the 
world uncounted wealth. 

The Cuatrman. Have you other speakers? 

Senator Knox. This is pretty much cumulative. 

The Cuatrman. I hope you will be as brief as you can now. Unless 
you have some new points, the thing is simply cumulative; in the in- 
terest of time, I wish you would make your statements. as brief as 
possible. 


STATEMENT OF DR. C. STUART GAGER, DIRECTOR BROOKLYN 
BOTANIC GARDEN, BROOKLYN, N. Y. 


Dr. Gacer. Mr. Chairman, I shall be very glad to be brief. In 
fact, there is little more to be said. It seems to me that the subject 
before us can be divided in three points. First, what is a botanic 
garden; second, should the United States Government maintain a 
botanic garden; and third, where should this botanic garden be 
located ? 

Tt would seem to me from what has been said by preceeding speak- 
ers that a botanic garden is something more than would be indicated 
by the name “ Botanic Garden”; it does not mean that such a garden 
is a specialized kind of park merely; a botanic garden is not merely 
a spacious kind of park. Perhaps it would be an extreme saying to 
say that the park feature is incidental in the development of a 
botanical garden. That would perhaps be a little extreme, but a 
botanical garden is not merely a specialized kind of park. That is 
only one feature. Its distinct object from an educational and scien- 
tific standpoint is the advancement of definition and knowledge of 
plants: and that should be adequately provided for by the United 
States Government, and in order that it may be adequately provided 
for, it should have the Government behind it. 

The United States, of course, has been backward and behind all 
other nations in the matter of botanic gardens. For over a hundred 
years botanic gardens have been regarded in many countries as an 
important government activity. Coming down on the train I counted 
up the number of botanic gardens in the United States, and I could 
only count 14, of which 7 have been established in the past 15 or 20 
years; and those figures include this so-called pseudo botanic garden 
here in Washington at the present time and two or three very small 
developments at some of our small colleges, like Mount Holyoke, 
Mass., and institutions like that. Great Britain has 12, Austria 
13, France 22, Italy 27, Germany 36, and all South American coun- 
tries and the Asiatic countries have had botanic gardens for cen- 
turies. It seems to me that in that fact alone we may find that there 
is a fundamental reason why the Government should support and 
develop botanic gardens. Of course, we recognize that agriculture 
is the fundamental human industry and realize that every permanent 
advancement in agriculture has been made only on the basis of what 
botanical science has contributed. I need hardly go into the neces- 


36 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


sity of fostering botanical investigation. It is fundamental and a 
matter second hardly to none in importance for a Government like 
the United States to undertake. 

I am not endeavoring to speak upon the different sites which have 
been proposed, but I would like to see a botanical garden established 
here of size commensurate with the needs of the Nation. The de- 
velopment of a mere park in Washington is a local matter. It can 
be enjoyed only by persons who are.in Washington as residents or 
persons in Washington as citizens; but a botanical garden has a 
national influence and a national importance. Its activities should 
extend throughout the entire country. It has got to be located in 
some place, and naturally the National Capital is the fitting place. 

The Cuairman. Is your botanical garden under the jurisdiction 
or contre) of your park commission 4 

*. Gacrr. No, sir; we articulate with the Government of greater 
New York through the office of the park commissioner; but ‘he has 
no jurisdiction whatever except to transmit communications from. 
and to the Botanic Garden and the other departments. 

The CHatrman. Who controls its management ? 

Dr. Gacer. It is controlled by a board of trustees, a trustee organ- 
ization which has entire power of administrative appointments and 
supp and a large part of the funds for maintenance. 

ap Cramrman. Have you finished your statement, Dr. Gager? 
- Gacer. Yes; thank you. 

Mn Moore. Senator, I would like to have Mr. Hess to address the 

committee. 


STATEMENT OF MR. GEORGE W. HESS, DIRECTOR UNITED STATES 
BOTANICAL GARDEN, WASHINGTON, D. C. 


Mr. Hess. Mr. Chairman, the area occupied by the Botanic Garden 
at present, I admit, is entirely too small. It should be located on a 
site where it could have at least 300 or 400 acres in order to bring 
the United States Botanical Garden up to date. As far as experi- 
menting on fruit, blueberries, and things of that sort, as connected 
with the Botanic Garden, I have always considered that entirely sepa- 


rate. 

We have seen that botanic gardens, in their origin, were based on utility, 
This is perhaps the best distinction that can be made between their function 
and that of the public garden or park, where plants are grown primarily for 
purposes of ornament or shade. The essential difference is apt to become 
blurred, especially in the case of botanic gardens situated near to towns, and 
needs to be reemphasized from time to time. There is no reason why botanic¢ 
gardens can not or should not be ornamental, but this should be strictly sub- 
sidiary to their main purpose. 

What. then, are the proper functions of a botanic garden, large or small, in 
the neighborhood of a great city, or in a small tropical island? First, there 
is the scientific function. New plants are introduced from other climates and 
other lands, and these are grown and studied so as to discover whether they 
are capable of adaptation to their new surroundings and whether they are 
likely to be of value, economic or esthetic. 

Second, only perhaps to plant introduction should be the maintenance, so 
far as it is possible, of a representative collection of the more interesting and 
useful plants of the surrounding country, and especially of species allied to 
those in cultivation. The latter are of great interest to the taxonomist, to the 
plant breeder, and to the pathologist, because of the likenesses and differences 
they exhibit in comparison with the species grown for use. In a cotton-growing 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 37 


island, for example, nothing could be more appropriate or more useful, so far as 
botanic gardens go, than a representative collection of the native cottons, many 
types of which are in process of extermination owing to increasing strictness 
regarding close seasons. With them, it is quite conceivable, may be lost 
characters or qualities which would some day prove highly valuable. 

Again, botanic gardens afford botanical students opportunity for research 
in plant biology and pathology. One can hardly place a limit to the benefits 
that agriculture and horticulture have derived and may derive from researches 
in this direction. Our modern science of genetics, for instance, is derived from 
the studies of Mendel in a monastery garden in the last century. By work on 
the lines indicated by his discovery, races of useful plants are being multiplied 
and modified so as to be more exactly suited to the variable conditions in which 
economic plants are grown an to produce far greater crops than their ancestors. 
Studies which lead to such results can best be carried on in botanic gardens, 
where there ought to be found a greater amount of material and more scientific 
appliances than are possible in most private establishments. 

Besides the scientific function of botanic gardens, there is their educational 
aspect. In an article on this subject in Science it is well remarked that the 
notion that knowledge can be acquired from books is too prevalent; the idea 
that one can read about nature and thus acquire knowledge of nature is as 
misleading as to suppose that one can acquire knowledge of business by reading 
about business, ‘We must distinguish between information and knowledge. 
Information may be obtained by reading, but knowledge can only be acquired 
by contact with and experience of realities. Hence, botanic gardens open to 
the public a source of real knowledge of plants, and there is no more pressing 
problem to-day than to learn how to grow plants and how to grow them in. 
increasing quantities and of increased value in every possible situation. If 
made without insight into plant- nature, efforts in this direction pass through 
a period in which knowledge is acquired through painful experience, very often 
with failure as the ultimate result. 

The above is quoted from an article which appeared in the Agri- 
cultural News, a fortnightly review of the imperial department of 
agriculture for the West Indies. 

IT visited the Mount Hamilton tract with Mr. Moore, and my ob- 
servation of it leads me to believe that it is very well suited for the 
purposes of a botanic garden, although I think we could select a 
better site. I would rather see it located in the northwest, if possible. 

The CrHatruan. Are you in favor of having an extensive botanic 
garden / 

Mr. Huss. Yes, Senator; I would like to see the Botanic Garden on 
a larger scale, of a size commensurate with the needs of the country. 

The CuHarruan. You admit that the present location can not be 
enlarged and the improvement of the Mall carried out according to 
plans. 

Mr. Hess. No; not if the improvement is carried out according to 
plans. 

The Cuairman. You heard what Senator Williams said about the: 
greenhouses and what he called the flower gardens. 

Mr. Hess. I did; yes, sir. 

The Cuatrman. Do you agree with him ? 

Mr. Hess. I would not like to say, Senator, as I believe it is a 
matter to be decided by Congress. 

_The Cuarrman. All right; the greenhouses in your present loca- 
tion are entirely inadequate with the plans you have, are they not? 

Mr. Huss. They are. We have a magnificent collection of plants, 
and it is too bad to have them crowded in as they are. 

‘ as . 

Senator Knox. If they carry out the plans of the Fine Arts Com- 
mission to have the Mall extend from the Capitol down to the Lin- 
¢oln Memorial, will not those greenhouses have to go? 


38 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


Mr. Hess. I did not understand you. 

Senator Kxox. Would not the greenhouses have to go eveatually 
if the plan to extend the Mall from the C apitol down to the Lincoln 
Memorial is carried out? 

Mr. Hess. Yes, sir; they would have to go, and it would destroy a 
valuable collection of plants, because some of those magnificent 
palms are 100 years old; they are not in tubs, but are planted in the 
ground of the conservatory, and I am afraid they would be de- 
stroyed; I do not think we could move them. 

The Cuatrman. Do you know of any other place which could be 
made available as a site for the Botanical Garden other than those 
that have been discussed, especially in the Northwest section ? 

Mr. Hess. No, Senator; I can not say that I do. I have thought 
that the land that was formerly occupied by Camp Meigs might 
make a splendid location, although I do not know what the acreage is. 

Mr. Moorr. Would it have advantages over the Mount Hamilton 
tract ¢ 

Mr. Hess. Only that it would be more accessible. Less money 
would be required for grading purposes. 

Another thing I want to mention is that I do not want to see the 
fence taken down until Congress has decided upon a permanent loca- 
tion where we can take care of the plants. 

The CHarrman. Do you think the provision in the sundry civil bill 
as passed by the House relating to the fence is a proper one? 

Mr. Hess. Yes. sir; of course, it is necessary to remove part of the 
fence, but I do not want to see any more of the fence removed than 
is absolutely necessary until some provision is made to take care of 
our plants. 

The Cuatrman. Now, is there anybody else, Mr. Moore? 

Mr. Moorr. Yes, sir; Col. Ridley. 


STATEMENT OF COL. C. S. RIDLEY, SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC 
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS; SECRETARY AND EXECUTIVE OFFI- 
CER OF THE COMMISSION OF FINE ARTS. 


Col. Riptry. I have nothing to say in addition to what has been 
said except I would like to read some letters which have been received 
from various persons; or, if you desire, in the interest of saving time, 
I will insert them in the record. 

The Cuarrman. You might just state the contents briefly and let. 
them be inserted in their entirety in the record. 

Col. Riptry. I have a letter here from Dr. George D. Moore, the 
director of the Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, in which he 
expresses his regret at not being able to be present. 

The CHatrman. They all advocate the project, do they not ? 

Col. Riptry. Yes, sir. 

The Cuarrman. Well, they speak for themselves. 

Mr. Jonnson. What project do you speak of? 

Col. Riwtey. The project of an enlarged botanical garden. 

The CHairman. Does he advocate any particular location ? 

Col. Rintey. No, sir. 

The CuHarrman. I will ask you to put those letters in the record. 
Are they all in favor of an enlarged botanical garden ? 


1 Palms of this size have been moved. 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 39 


Col. Riptey. They are all in favor of an enlarged botanical gar- 
den. Also I wish to say that I am in favor of the proposed site at 
Mount Hamilton. 

The CHairman. Have you looked at any of the other proposed 
sites or suggested sites? 

Col. Rite. The only other site that has been proposed has been 
the project in Rock Creek Park, and that, I think, would be a very 
serious mistake. That is brought out very clearly i in the report which 
you have asked to be printed. Some persons have advocated that, 
but it would be a great mistake because it would spoil Rock Creek 
Park by ruining its essential character. 

The CHairman. What do you think of the location suggested by 
Mr. Hess? 

Col. Riptey. Camp Meigs? 

The CHatrMan. Yes; w hat do you think of that? 

Col. Riprey. I do not think that would offer at all the variety of 
exposure and soil that would be necessary. I think we might put the 
greenhouses there, but even that would be bad. 

The CHatrMan. You would have to change the character of a great 
deal of the soil at Mount Hamilton when you went to grade? 

Col. Riprey. Of course, the plans for ‘the dev elopment at Mount 
Hamilton have not been gone into in detail; but very little grading 
would have to be done there, only enough to adapt the road systems 
and the other development to the present contours. I think it would 
be very desirable to leave the present contours as far as beauty is 
concerned. 

Mr. Moorr. Mr. Langdon’s computations show that there are 40 
acres of level land in the Mount Hamilton tract where greenhouses 
could be built. 

(The letters submitted by Col. Ridley are as follows) : 

THE Missourt BovanicaL GARDEN, 
St. Lowis, May 12, 1920. 
Mr. CHARLES MOooRE, 
1729 New York Avenue, Washington, D. C. 

Dear Mr. Moore: It was a matter of deep regret to me that I was compelled 
to wire you that I would be unable to attend the hearing set for May 21. I have 
been away for 10 days and various important matters necessitate my Staying in 
St. Louis until after the 22d. Practically any date after this would have suited 
me but it will be absolutely impossible for me to leave St. Louis next week. 

I was anxious to appear before the committee, not only because of any in- 
formation I might have been able to give concerning the local situation, but also 
that I might point out the need and scope of a truly national botanical garden. 
My feeling is that the Government has neglected a real opportunity here and 
that the benefits of a national garden, properly organized and administered, 
would reach far beyond any show place which might be maintained in Wash- 
ington. 

The Royal Botanic Garden with its headquarters at Kew, England, and the 
Imperial Garden of Berlin are two striking examples of what organizations of 
this kind can do and, with certain fundamental modifications, I hope very much 
that the proposed garden at Washington may ultimately develop along these 
lines. Some scheme of cooperation between existing gardens such as the New 
York Botanic Garden, the Arnold Arboretum, and the Missouri Botanical Gar- 
den, ought to be devised ana in addition it would certainly be desirable to look 
forward to altimately having other small gardens, closely affiliated with the 
national garden, established in other parts of the country. These would be 
selected chiefly on zeogr aphical lines to afford natural climatic conditions for 
certain kinds of plants. 


40 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC. GARDEN. 


A national bontanical garden, such as I have in mind, would not in any way 
conflict with the purpose and function of existing gardens. On the other hand, 
it would be of tremendous assistance to them and, with the resources of the 
Government behind it, be capable of performing an important service to the 
country at large, which could not be accomplished otherwise. 

Again regretting iy inability to be present at the hearing, and with best 
wishes, I am, 

Yours, very truly, 
GEORGE D. Moorg, Director. 


. 


DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 
Washington, May 18, 1920. 
Mr. CHARLES MoorE, 
Chairman the Commission of Fine Arts. 


Dear Mr. Moorr: Responding to your kind invitations of the 11th and id5th 
instant that I be present at the hearing before the Senate Committee on the 
‘Library on the 21st at 10 a. m., to discuss the question of the relocation of the 
Botanic Garden and the enlargement of that work, also that I attend a con- 
ference on the same subject at the office of the commission the 20th instant 
at 10.80 a. m.. I regret that it will not be possible for me personally to attend. 
I shall take pleasure, however, in having this department represented both at 
the couference and the hearing, probably by the Chief of the Bureau of Plant 
Industry and Messrs. Fairchild, Coville, and Swingle, who will present a state- 
ment of the view of this department regarding the matter and be prepared to 
discuss such features as may be pertinent. 

Very truly, yours, 
EH. Merepiry, Secretary. 


AMERICAN Civic ASSOCIATION, 
Harrisburg, Pa., May 14, 1920. 
Mr. CHARLES Moorr, 
Chairman Commission of Fine Arts, 
1729 New York Avenue, Washington, D. C. 

Drar Mr. Moore: Yours of May 12 is at hand this morning, telling me of 
the hearing before the Joint Committee on the Library in reference to the 
relocation and enlargement of the Botanic Garden, on Friday, May 21. 

I would be very glad to be present on this occasion if I had not made a 
definite engagement for the same day near Philadelphia—an engagement which 
it would be exceedingly difficult to break or postpone, because of the impend- 
ing departure for California of the business friend I am to meet. 

I am in very hearty sympathy with the plan for a national botanic garden, 
and I have had some consultation with those interested as to the Mount Hamil- 
ton site, Which appeals to me as a very excellent place at which to begin this 
great enterprise. 

I have a slight acquaintance with other important national gardens, par- 
ticmiarly Kew Gardens at London, and more especially with the Arnold Arbore- 
tum at Boston. I would be glad, if in my absence, you felt inclined to quote 
ye not only on behalf of the American Civic Association but on behalf of the 
American Association of Nurserymen (of the arboretum committee, of which 
Tama member) and of the American Rose Society, as most earnestly favoring 
the enterprise itself and the place of its location as thus suggested. 

Handled as a broadly conceived enterprise, such a garden can be of immense 
value to the people of the United States. ‘The recently imposed quarantine 
No. 37, operated by the Federal Horticultural Board, which cuts off completely 
the ordinary amateur and scientific investigation of the flora of the world 
outside America, save under restrictions and regulations which are tantamount 
to complete exclusion, makes more definitely essential a well-conducted botanie 
garden and arboretum to which may be brought for trial, study, and eventual 
dissemination, if found worth while, the plants of other climates desirable both 
for food and for ornament. In fact, without some such action, or in its absence 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 41 


without a relaxation of the rigors of the quarantine referred to, the progress 
of horticulture in the United States as related to other countries is now 
definitely suspended. 

I appreciate the honor of the invitation and regret my inability to accept it 
for the date given, and sincerely trust the Senate committee may put this enter- 
prise in process of creation without any delay. 

Yours truly, 
J. Horace MCFARLAND, President. 


Harrispure, Pa., Way 18, 1920. 
Mr. CHARLES Moore, 
Chairman the Commission of Fine Arts, 
1729 New York Avenue, Washington, D. C. 

DeEAR Mr. Moore: I inclose a letter from Mr. J. Edward Moon, president of the 
American Association of Nurserymen, in which he renews the pledge of support 
of that organization to the botanic garden proposition. 

I have thought that this letter might be of possible use to you at the hearing 
on Friday, absence from which is a real grief to me. 

The American Association of Nurserymen is an organization of widespread 
membership and large influence. 

Yours, truly, 
J. Horack McFarranp. 


Morrisvitrtz, Pa., May 17, 1920. 
J. Horace McFArLanp, 
Harrisburg, Pa. 

DEAR Mr. McFARLAND: I am very much indebted to you for the correspondence 
with Chairman Moore,.of the Commission of Fine Arts, Washington, D. C., re 
the botanical garden. 

Iam glad that you used the name of the association in this connection, for 
we stand definitely ccmmitted to this project... I only wish it were possible for 
Mr. Watson or myself to go to Washington Friday, to attend this hearing, to show 
by our presence our interest in the undertaking. We may do this even yet, but 
our funds are running so low that there are some things we should do that we 
can not do. 

Be assured, however, of my appreciation of your efforts. 

Very cordially, 
J. Epwarp Moon. 


The CHairman. Is there anybody else to be heard? 
Mr. Moore. The only other gentleman is Mr. J. Edward Moon, 
the President of the American Wee oettion of Nurserymen. 


STATEMENT OF MR. J. EDWARD MOON, PRESIDENT OF THE AMERI- 
CAN ASSOCIATION OF NURSERYMEN, MORRISVILLE, PA. 


Mr. Moon. Mr. Chairman, the American Association of Nursery- 
men is a national body, embracing the national organizations in 
nursery work including all the States, has adopted a resolution defi- 
nitely committing itself to the establishment somewhere of a national 
botanical garden. The English have done wonderful work in their 
gardens at Kew, and we want similar opportunities in this country. 
Most of the advantages that accrue to us have been brought out. 
But one additional thought occurs to me, and that is that our work 
runs over a long period “of years. When we start to growing trees 
we have to look for the market ahead, and if we had some gardens 
like this one, perhaps we could develop the plant and obtain some 
idea of the demand there may be for it before we invest our money 


42 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


in its growth. Such an assurance is necessary in investing money 
over a ‘long period of time. 

Another idea on which I think there is some confusion as I have 
listened to the testimony this morning and about which the Arnold 
Arboretum may help you is this: The botanic garden should per- 
haps be under this committee’s jurisdiction with the Department of 
Agriculture cooperating. The nurserymen are especially desirous 
of the scientific information that such a place can acquire. 

For your information the Arnold Arboretum is under a 999-year 
lease with the city of Boston. Such a lease, a long-term lease, is 
necessary in entering on work of this kind, because trees that last 
over a century must be insured of care, and I just wanted to inject the 
feature of permanency into this work. 

I might just say in regard to the Camp Meigs site that until the 
electrification of the railroads it would be found, in my judgment, 
a very improper site for the growth of conifer, owing to the smoke 
there. The Mount Hamilton site is a place of which we are ve ry 
much in favor. 

The CuHatrmMan. Is there any other person present who desires to 
advocate the selection of any other site? Mr. Moore. you have had 
letters from several people who thought they had better sites and 
wanted a chance to be heard. Is there any person here who wants 
to speak in behalf of any other site than the Mount Hamilton site? 

(There was no response. ) 

Mr. Moorr. No, Mr. Chairman. There are some gentlemen here 
who have asked to be heard; but so far as the commission is con- 
cerned, there is nothing further. 

The CuatrmMan. Is there any person here who desires to be heard 
in favor of this bill? 

Mr. Woop. Yes; I do, Mr. Chairman. 

eR AN. What is your full name? 

Mr. Woop. James M. Wood. 

The CHatrman. Where is your residence? 

Mr. Woop. 1107 Seventeenth Street. 

The Cuarrman. What is your occupation ? 

Mr. Woop. Attorney at law. representing the Northeast Washing- 
ton Citizens’ Association in this matter. 


STATEMENT OF MR. JAMES M. WOOD, REPRESENTING THE 
NORTHEAST WASHINGTON CITIZENS’ ASSOCIATION. 


Mr. Woop. Mr. Chairman, in view of a hearing that took place 
on Wednesday before the House Committee on the District of Co- 
lumbia I desire to call the attention of this committee to one or two 
matters that I think will be of interest. 

Congressman Zihlman, of Maryland, some six months ago intro- 
duced a bill in Congress for the extension of Maryland Avenue from 
Fifteenth and H Streets |indicating on a map the site of proposed 
botanic garden| to the Anacostia River. On the 1st day of Decem- 
ber of last year the Commissioners of the District of Columbia made 
the following favorable report on that bill, stating that the extension 
would be highly desirable : 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 43 


DECEMBER 1, 1919. 
Hon. Cart E. MAPEs, 
Chairman Committee on the District of Columbia, 
House of Representatives. 

Sir: The Commissioners of the District of Columbia have the honor to submit 
the following on H. R. 10206. Sixty-sixth Congress, first session, entitled 
“4 bill for the extension of Maryland Avenue east of Fifteenth Street to the 
Anacostia River.” which you referred to them for report. 

Phe object of the bill is to authorize the Commissioners of the District of 
Columbia to institute condemnation proceedings for the extension of Maryland 
Avenue east of Fifteenth Street to the Anacostia River in accordance with the 
highway plan. and it provides that one-half of the entire amount found to be 
due and awarded by the jury as damages, plus the costs and expenses of the 
proceedings, shall be assessed as benefits. 

A plat is inclosed showing in red the proposed extension. The proposed high- 
way, as laid down on the highway plan, has a width of 160 feet. The amount 
of land involved in the condemnation proceedings is about 750,000 feet, and the 
estimated cost is approximately $50,000. « 

There is a general law authorizing the commissioners to institute condemna- 
tion proceedings for the opening of streets in accordance with the highway 
plan (U. S. Stat., vol. 37. p. 950), which provides that the entire cost of ac- 
quiring the nece sary land, plus the costs of the proceedings, shall be assessed 
as benefits. This general legislation. so far as it affects streets of a normal 
width—that is, 90 feet or less—is believed to be in accord with sound public 
policy. for, as a rule, property in the vicinity of such a new street is: benefited 
by an amount equal to or in excess of the cost of opening the street. 

However, in the case of very wide avenues, such as Maryland Avenue, the 
co-t is in general out of proportion to the local benefits, and the commissioners 
believe it would be-only equitable that the community as a whole should bear 
part of the cost. 

The advisability of opening Maryland Avenue east of Fifteenth Street to the 
Anacostia River has been considered by the commissioners a number of times, 
but they have each time reached the conclusion that such action would be in- 
eguitable and unjustifiable under the general law, which would place the en- 
tire burden upon the property through which the avenue is to run. This bill 
provides that an amount equal to one-half of the cost of the land and _ pro- 
ceedings shall be assessed as benefits. This proportion is believed to be ap- 
proximately fair. but on the assumption that in the opening of a 90-foot street, 
which is the usual width of a street laid down on the highway plan, the en- 
tire cost should be assessed as benefits, a more equitable proportion would be 
to assess as benefit nine-sixteenths instead of one-half of the entire cot. 

he proposed bill does not authorize the appropriation of funds that would 
be needed to pay the damages, costs, and expenses of the condemnation pro- 
ceedings. The commis: ioners, therefore, recommend that the bill be amended 
by adding a new section, to read as follows: 

“Sec. 2. That an amount sufficient to pay the necessary costs and expenses 
of the condemnation proceedings taken pursuant hereto, and for the payment 
of the amount awarded as damages, is hereby authorized, payable out of the 
revenues of the District of Columbia.” 

If amiended as indicated aboye, the commissioners are of the opinion that the 
proposed legislation is highly desirable, as Maryland Avenue is one of the main 
avenues radiating from the Capito! and when improved will afford a direct 
route from the Capitol to Anacostia Park, which is being rapidly developed. 

Very respectfully, 


THE Board OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 


I will state, further, that on the 17th of December the Washington 
Railway & Electric Co. filed, in writing, a request that they be 
allowed to be heard on this bill before any action was taken by the 
committee. I think in April, or possibly the first of this month, the 
committee granted them a hearing before the full Committee on the 
District of Columbia, and the hearing was held on Wednesday of 
this week. At that hearing it was developed by the testimony of the 


44 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


president of the Washington Railway & Electric Co., at the request 
of which company the hearing was granted, that this land known 
as the Graceland Cemetery tract, the old abandoned Graceland 
‘Cemetery tract, which consists of about 25 acres, bounded on the 
west by Bladensburg Road and on the south by the Bennings Road 
and on the east and north by the present boundary lines of the old 
cemetery, that the title to the land had been taken by the Potomac 
Electri¢ Power Co. in contemplation of the removal of the power 
house, etc., from their site south of the Avenue; that they had pur- 
chased this ground for the purpose of building their power house 
and other structures, with a view of abandoning their site out here’ 
{indicating present site at Fourteenth and B Streets NW.], and 
Col. Kutz, who is here at the hearing, I believe, stated before the 
full committee on Wednesday—day before yesterday—that it was 
exceedingly desirable that action should be taken some way or other 
in reference to this proposed botanic garden site and the extension 
of Maryland Avenue, because in case the Potomac Electric Power 
Co. made application to the board of commissioners for the erection 
of buildings and power houses within the lines of the proposed ex- 
tension of Maryland Avenue, that the commissioners were abso- 
lutely without authority to deny such a permit or to prevent them 
from making that construction. In other words, if they made appli- 
cation for a permit to build a power house right in the line of Mary- 
land Avenue, that the commissioners, if the permit applied for com- 
plied with the building regulations, were without authority to deny 
them the right to erect the structure. But Col. Kutz is here, I be- 
lieve, and can speak for himself in reference to that matter. 

The hearings before the House committee was adjourned about half- 
past 12 pending the outcome of the hearing before this committee. In 
other words, it was decided at that hearing that if the Committee on 
the Library decided to purchase this tract for a national botanic 
garden and arboretum then the bill introduced by the Congressman 
from Maryland should be amended so as to provide for the exten- 
sion of Maryland Avenue from Fifteenth and H Streets NE. to 
Twenty-fourth Street, which is the southern boundary line of the 
proposed Mount Hamilton Park site; and it was also decided that 
in the event this joint committee decided at the present time not to 
purchase this site that then the board of commissioners would recom- 
mend the extension of Maryland Avenue from Fifteenth and H 
Streets NE., in accordance with the terms of the bill as introduced, 
with an amendment that the eastern terminus should be at the west- 
ern taking line of the Anacostia Park improvement. 

The Cuatrman. Do you say that the Potomac Electric Power Co. 
has already purchased the land thére? 

Mr. Woop. Purchased and own the old Graceland Cemetery tract. 

Mr. Wirson. Not in their own name; in the name of another com- 
pany. 

Mr. Woop. They purchased the tract of land, but the title is held 
in the name of Clarence F. Norment; he holds the deed in escrow. 
I do now say that it develops that the Washington Railway & Elec- 
tric Co., which asked for the hearing, did not own a foot of ground 
affected by the proposed extension. 


1See map 38, end of vol. 2. 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 45 


The people situated and resident in all this territory are very 
anxious for the extension and opening of Maryland Avenue. We 
would do nothing, absolutely nothing, to interfere with this pro- 
posed park and we are perfectly willing that it should be extended 
to this point —to Twenty-fourth Street—but, of course, Twenty- 
fourth Street is not a public street. Twenty-eighth Street is. But 
the feeling of the board of commissioners, as outhned by Engineer 
Commissioner Kutz before the Committee on the District of Co-. 
lumbia in the House, was that it is highly desirable that action be 
taken at once by Congress in order to prevent the absolute blockade 
of the extension of Maryland Avenue from Fifteenth Street east- 
ward. 

As you gentlemen are aware, and well aware without my telling 
you, the entire area of the District of Columbia as it exists to-day 
was taken from the State of Maryland, and there is no monument to 
the State of Maryland; there is no monument to perpetuate the name 
of the State of Maryland except Maryland Avenue, and Maryland 
Avenue, as you well know, begins at the Potomac River on the west 
and extends in a northeasterly direction to this point’ [indicating on 
a map of the District of Columbia], where it is stopped by certain 
construction by a depot known as White House Station, by tracks, 
and other structures that have been put in the lines of Maryland 
Avenue. 

We trust and very sincerely hope that the committee will decide 
this question as to site as soon as possible. With a view of getting 
the matter in some sort of shape to be acted upon, a bill has been 
prepared which I will submit to the committee; a bill for the acquisi- 
tion of a site; and the only amendment, the only change in that pro- 
posed bill is to substitute the word “three” for the word “ two.” 
There is an area of something like 400 acres embraced in this terri- 
tory which is assessed at $211,000; and there is no doubt but what it 
could be acquired for that sum. It is nearly all farm land; there 
is no development there to speak of and only a few houses. It could 
be purchased at a very advantageous price, I think, at the present 
time. 

The CHatrman. What is the significance of changing the word 
“two” to “three ”; what do you mean? 

Mr. Woop. In that bill it is provided that an appropriation of so 
much should be made; it should have read ‘* $340,000 for the acquisi- 
tion of this site”; it reads in there “ $200,000,” and it should read 
“ $340,000.” 

The Cuarrman. These are drafts of a proposed bill. Have they 
been introduced in either branch of Congress? 

Mr. Woop. No, sir; they have not; and I just suggest them to you. 

The Cuatrman. Without objection one will be printed in the 
record. 

(The draft of the proposed bill referred to is as follows:) 


A bill to provide a national botanic garden and arboretum on the Mount Hamilton site 
in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes. 


Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States 
of America in Congress assembled, That to provide a national botanic garden 
and arboretum on the Mount Hamilton site situated between the Bladensburg - 


1 See map 38, end of vol. 2. 


46 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


Road and the new Anacostia reclamation project, as more particularly described 
in the annual report of the Commission of Fine Arts for the year ending Janu- — 
ary 1, 1918, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Librarian of Congress, and the 
Architect of the Capitol, acting as a board, be, and they-are hereby, empowered 
and instructed to acquire, either by purchase or condemnation proceedings, as 
hereinafter provided, the land necessary, in their opinion, for the purpose afore- 
said, and for the purpose stated the sum of $240,000, cr so much thereof as 
shall be necessary, is hereby appropriated out of any money in the Treasury 
not otherwise appropriated. 

Sec. 2. That in the event it shall be necessary, in order to carry out the pur- 
pose of the foregoing section, for the board, as above constituted, to- acquire 
land, said board is empowered and directed to acquire the same by negotiation, 
where any such land may and can be so acquired and title secured at a price 
not above a fair relative value as to other lands which have been sold in the 
immediate vicinity ; or if the said board hereby created shall be unable to pur- 
chase said land by agreement with any one or more of the respective owners at 
a reasonable price within ninety days after the passage of this act they are 
authorized and directed to make application to the Supreme Court of the Dis- 
trict of Columbia, at any general or special term thereof, by petition for the 
condemnation of such land not so purchased, and for the ascertainment of its 
value. Such petition shall contain a particular description of the property 
not so purchased, and selected for the purpose aforesaid, with the name of the 
owner or owners thereof and their residences, so far as the sume may be ascer- 
tained, together with a plan of the land proposed to be taken; and thereupon 
the said court is authorized and required to cite all such owners and all other 
persons interested to appear in said court at a time to be fixed by such court, 
on reasonable notice, to answer the said petition; and if it shall appear to the 
court that there are any owners or other persons interested who are under 
disability the court shall give public notice of the time at which the said court 
will proceed with the matter of condemnation; and at such time if it shall 
appear that there are any persons under disability either who have appeared 
or who have not appeared, the court Shall appoint guardians ad litem for each 
such person, and the court shall thereupon proceed to appoint three capable 
and disinterested commissioners to appraise the respective interests of all per- 
sons concerned in such land, and under such regulations as to notice and hearing 
as to the court shall seem meet. Such commissioners shall thereupon, after 
being duly sworn for the proper performance of their duties, examine the 
premises and hear the persons in interest who may appear before them, and 
return their appraisement of the value of the interests of all persons re- 
spectively, in such land; and when such report shall have been confirmed by 
the court the President of the United States shall, if he thinks the publie 
interest requires it. cause payment to be made to the respective persons entitled 
according to the judgment of the court, and in case any of such persons are 
under disability, or can not be found, or neglect to receive payment, the money 
to be paid to any of them shall be deposited in the Treasury to their credit, 
unless there shall be some person lawfully authorized to receive the same under 
the direction of the court, and when such payments are so made, or the amount 
belonging to the persons to whom payments shall not be made are So deposited, 
the said lands shall be deemed to be condemned and taken by the United States 
for the public use. 


Mr. Woop. That is the situation from the viewpoint of the people. 
IT would like to say further, Mr. Chairman, that by reason of the 
barricade erected at this point* [indicating on map] it has been im- 
possible to get one single street extended into this area, and here 
you have a bill opening a road into 1,800 acres of land without a 
single house on it, you might say. You have land there that is in 
its native state. You have Mount Hamilton here with the original 
trees, the age of which nobody knows. Upon this land the owners 
have been paying taxes for dozens and dozens of years, and it has 
never produced one single cent of revenue. 

I want to say further to this committee that I, myself, as a mem- 
ber of the Northeast Washington Citizens’ Association and acting 


1See map 38, end of vol. 2 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 47 


in its behalf, secured dedications of land within this territory to the 
extent of about 1,200,000 square feet, and to say that if this site is 
selected you have that amount of land already dedicated forever to 
the public use. You secure the dedication here of N Street and kh 
Street and of Twenty-eighth Street from M Street to R Street and 
R Street from Twenty-elghth Street over to Bladensburg Road. 

The CHairman. What do you mean by “ dedication?” 

Mr. Woop. I went to the owners of that land and presented to 
them a petition for signature which dedicated the land to the public 
use in order that the country might. be opened for development; and 
if M Street and Twenty-eighth ‘Street from M to R and R Streets 
had been improved, which could have been done at slight expense, 
it would have resulted in the upbuilding of that territory. 

The Cuatrman. I understand that; but I do not understand how 
far your scheme for dedication of that land for highway purposes 
proceeded in law. 

Mr. Woop. It proceeded to this extent, Senator, that the owners 
there signed a dedication in language similar to this: “ We, the un- 
dersigned owners of the land shown hereon, on this plat in red (the 
plat showed the length and width of the dedication) hereby dedicate 
the same to the public use to the United States forever.” And that 
land and the title to that land is in the United States and can not be 
removed, and copies of those dedications are now on file in the engi- 
neer department of the District of Columbia. 

Mr. Jounson. Have they been acted upon and recorded? 

Mr. Woop. Yes, sir. 

The Cuarrman. I do not know anything about the laws of the Dis- 
trict of Columbia as to an effective dedication, but were these at- 
tempted dedications on the part of the landowners for highway pur- 
poses ever accepted by the officials of the District of Columbia ? 

Mr. Woop. Yes, sir. In the corner of each dedication as those 
plats were filed with the Commissioners of the District of Columbia 
is written the words “Approved and accepted” and signed by the 
full board of commissioners. 

The Cuatrman. If that be so, then, if this tract be taken for bo- 
tanical gardens, those highways, if they are legally existent, would 
have to be abandoned by official authority and proceeding, would 
they not? 

Mr. Woop. Of course the title is in the Government in any event, 
you see; that is land you would not have to acquire. 

The CuarrmMan. Did they dedicate the fee of the soil to the Gov- 
ernment or only the use for highway purposes? 

Mr. Woop. They dedicated the land to the use of the public for- 
ever. 

The CHatrmMaNn. But for alee purpose ? 

Mr. Woop. For street and highway purposes. 

The CuHairman. The documents themselves, of course, will show 
what was done. 

Mr. Woop. Yes, sir. Now, I do not know what next to say, for 
there is so much to this—there is so much to it and the people are so 
deeply interested ; it is quite impossible even to give the committee an 
outline. You understand, we have been working for more than 20 
years upon these projects ‘out here—the widening of Benning Road, 
the widening of Bladensburg Road, and all those projects—and we 


48 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 

have been interested in getting the extension of Maryland Avenue 
now for 11 solid years. Eleven years ago a bill was introduced pro- 
viding for the extension of Maryland Avenue, and we have been 
trying to get it through, but have never succeeded in getting a favor- 
able report by the commissioners until the Ist day of December, 1919; 
and I say to you, Mr. Chairman, that here are 80,000 or 90,000 people 
who are adversely affected by the present construction at that point. 
Mr. Johnson, sitting here, knows something of the difficulty sub- 
sisting at that point; anyone who has been there knows of the condi- 
tions: and it seems but a simple act of justice that an avenue, an im- 
portant avenue, which is already a show point of the District, should 
be extended out to the boundary line of the State in whose honor it 
was named. 

Mr. Moore. I would like to ask the speaker if the residents of that 
region are in favor of the Mount Hamilton project ? 

Mr. Woop. Why, certainly. There is not a soul opposed to it. I 
have in my possession here in this room now petitions signed by sub- 
stantially all the residents there—a large number of residents—and 
addressed to the Senate Committee on the District of Columbia, and — 
they are addressed to the House Committee on the District of Colum- 
bia, one being an original and the other a duplicate original, because 
the residents signed both; and they pray that it be done before fur- 
ther obstructions are placed in the way. Suppose this were Kentucky 
Avenue. If this were Kentucky Avenue, I know that this gentleman 
fincicating Mr. Johnson] would be interested in wiping out the situ- 
ation there; I know he would be immensely interested. 

Mr. Jounson. I am not so sentimental that I would be controlled 
by a name. 

Mr. Petit. How much of the improvement that you are advocating 
would be paid for by the residents of that particular district, by the 
people who live down on Bladensburg Road and Benning Road?’ 

Mr. Woop. In the bill providing for the extension of Maryland 
Avenue it is provided that of the amount found to be due and awarded 
by the jury as damages for and in respect of the land taken for the 
opening and extension of Maryland Avenue 50 per cent thereof shall 
be assessed as benefits against abutting property owners, and that the 
other 50 per cent thereof shall be taken out of the general tax fund 
of the District of: Columbia; so it will not cost the people of the 
United States outside of the District of Columbia one single penny; 
the cost was taken care of that way. If this committee decides upon 
the acquisition of this land for botanic-garden purposes, then the 
bill introduced in the House may at once be amended so as to stop 
the avenue at Twenty-fourth Street, because from that point on in 
that event we are quite willing to leave the extension and develop- 
ment of Maryland to the owners, or management, or superintendent 
of this proposed botanic garden. I have been all over this territory 
numbers and numbers of times. When you get to Twenty-eighth 
and M Street here* [indicating] Twenty-eighth Street is a perfect 
floor, almost like the top of this table, and I ‘think Maryland Avenue 
should follow the contour of the land rather than run in a straight 
line. 

We simply urge upon this committee to take action that will duly 
consider the fact that the Potomac Electric Power Co. owns this Grace- 


1See map 388, end of vol. 2 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 49 


land Cemetery tract, the whole key to that situation. We hope you will 
take such steps here as will enable us to say definitely to the House 
committee, because the hearing was adjourned over until the action 
of this committee was known, whether we shall stop at Twenty-fourth 
Street or whether we shall go on to the river. The Engineer Com- 
missioner of the District of Columbia stated positively as the policy 
of the Commissioners of the District of Columbia that in the event 
this Joint Committee on the Library did not see fit in its wisdom to 
purchase this tract for a botanic garden and arboretum, then the 
commissioners would insist upon the extension of Maryland Avenue 
to the west, taking line of the Anacostia Park improvement, because 
of the necessity of doing something to relieve the people from being 
bound hand and foot forever by a construction proposed in the line 
of Maryland Avenue. When the president of the Washington Rail- 
way & Electric Co. stated before the committee that the Potomac 
Electric Power Co. had spent several thousand dollars in the drafting 
of plans for buildings, etc., on that site you can get an idea as to 
the alarm felt by the engineer commissioner. I think he is here and 
can speak better for himself than I can. 

Mr. Peru. When does this company propose to do this building? 
Are these plans a long distance ahead; when do they intend to start 
work? 

Mr. Woop.. They are building there all the time now. They have 
put tracks and all sorts of construction in there; and I think it is their 
intention to erect buildings there that will take care of all the power- 
house project at Fourteenth and B, so that they can move—— 

Mr. Wrzson. To control the whole railroad situation ? 

Mr. Woop (continuing). Before that is condemned and taken by 
the Government, as it is probable that the Government intends soon 
to take the land between Pennsylvania Avenue and Maryland 
Avenue and the Capitol grounds and Fifteenth Street; that is, such 
portions as they do not already own. 

Mr. Jounson. How many square feet did you say had been dedi- 
cated in the Mount Hamilton tract? 

Mr. Woop. I think it is about 1,200,000 square feet. 

Mr. Jounson. If the Government should acquire the Mount Hamil- 
ton tract for a botanic garden, would it have to pay for those 1,200,000 
feet / 

Mr. Woop. No, sir; I do not think so. 

Mr. Jounson. You give that as your opinion as an attorney ? 

Mr. Woop. Yes, sir. I do not think they would; the owners have 
given up the property. 

Mr. Jounson. Who are the owners? 

Mr. Woop. The District of Columbia. 

Mr. Jounson. I think you said that you got the owners to sign a 
paper dedicating it? 

Mr. Woop. i did; I know the names of several of the owners of 
property in there, but I could not tell probably more than half a 
dozen. 1 understand that Mr. Eustis owns this Mount Hamilton 
tract—I can not say that I know of my own positive knowledge— 
Mr. William H. Ernest owns probably half a square in there. 

Mr. Jounson. Did the two parties whom you have just mentioned 
sign the paper to which you have referred ? 


186037—20—prr 1——4 


00 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


Mr. Woop. I think they did; yes, sir. I know Mr. Ernest did; 
yes, sir. I do not think Mr. Eustis did; I think he was out of the city. 

The Cuaman. To which Mr. Eustis do you refer? 

Mr. Woop. William C. Eustis. 

Mr. Witson. Mr. Corcoran owns some of that land. 

The CuHatrman. I did not know whether you meant Mr. William 
Eustis or Mr. George Eustis. 

If those dedications were made for highway purposes only and 
the land was not used for that, then it would revert to the owners, 
However, maybe, we can not decide that here. 

Mr. Woop. In talking with the engineer member of the Fine Arts 
Commission it was suggested that ‘they could divert it along the 
lines of R Street, which is already a public street; it would then be 
used for highway purposes, you see. 

The CHarrmMan. But should that site be taken for botanical garden 
purposes and, for instance, greenhouses put on this land—dedicated. 
land—it would be using it “for a purpose different from that for 
which it was dedicated. 

Mr. Woop. I think so, undoubtedly. 

The CHarrman. A gentleman is here who says he is attorney or 
representative of the power company of which you spoke. He de- 
sires to make a statement in relation to the matter and if you have 
finished I will let him. 

Mr. JoHnson. Just a moment, Senator. I would like to ask a few 
questions. Have you any information as to whether or not the own- 
ers who dedicated for highway purposes would also dedicate for 
garden purposes ¢ 

Mr. Woop. Well, I have been asked that question and on account 
of the high taxes and on account of the fact that it is practically 
all nonprodue tive land, I do not believe there is a soul in there who 
would dedicate for this purpose. 

Mr. Jounson. For garden purposes? 

Mr. Woop. No, sir. There is only one owner in there in a position 
to dedicate to the public use for such a purpose—that is, dedicate his 
whole holdings—and that would be the owner of this tract’ [indi- 
eating |. 

Tae race I suppose the chances are that the owners who 
dedicated the land for highway .purposes did it with a view to 1m- 
proving the rest of the tract and making it accessible ? 

Mr. Woop. Yes, sir. 

The Cuarrman. And if their property were to be taken from them 
they might not be willing to make that dedication ? 

Mr. Woop. I think not, but there is no expensive land in there at 
all. 

The Cuairman. Are you acquainted with the value of land over 
there ? 

Mr. Woop. Well, I do not think I would qualify as an expert. It 
would depend entirely upon how the land is taken. When the land 

was taken for the Pennsylvania Railroad, the jury, of course, looking 
upon the railroad as a very rich corporation allowed, I think, more 
for the land than it was worth. 

The Cuarrman. Would you be content to rely on your own judg- 
ment if you were purchasing land in that section? 


1See map 38, end of vol. 2 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 51 


Mr. Woop. Yes, sir; I would. 

The Cuarrman. Where the botanical garden is proposed to be 
located ? 

Mr. Woop. Yes, sir. 

The Cuarrman. What, in your opinion, is that land worth ? 

Mr. Jounson. You mean the average value? 

The CHarrMan. Yes; the average, by and large, of the 400 acres— 
$250,000; is that the price? 

Mr. Woop. That should read “ 300,” instead of “200”; I think 
perhaps it was a mistake of the typewriter. It is proposed that the 
appropriation shall be $340,000. 

The Cuatrman. Is that the price at which the property is held by 
the owners ? 

Mr. Woop. I think it could be secured within those figures. 

The CuarrmMan. As it stands, what do you think is the value of the 
400 acres of land? 

Mr. Woop. It is worth from $500 to $600 or $700 an acre; $700 an 
acre on an average, i should say, would buy the whole thine. 

The Cuaman. I do not mean taking a particular section of it, 
but taking the whole 400 acres as one parcel. Do you think it is 
worth $200,000 ? 

Mr. Woop. Yes; more than that. 

The Cuatrman. Is it worth $300,000 ? 

Mr. Woop. Yes. It is assessed at $211,000, which is two-thirds of 
its value. 

The Cuatrman. Or claimed to be? 

Mr. Woop. Yes; claimed to be. 

Mr. Jounson. What civic society do you represent ? 

Mr. Woop. The Northeast Washington Citizens’ Association. 

Mr. Jonnson. Are you a member of it? 

Mr. Woop. Yes. 

Mr. Jonnson. Is your membership based upon residence out there 
or what? 

Mr. Woop. It is based upon residence and public spirit. The con- 
stitution of the association says that any public-spirited person or one 
interested in Northeast Washington may become a member. 

Mr. Jounson. Do you own any land out there? 

Mr. Woon. No, sir; I do not own a foot of land. Mr. Tucker, the 
president of our association, is here, and I would hke him to say a 
word. 

The Cuairman. Just a moment, so that this gentleman’s testimony 
may be connected with yours as to the intentions of the power com- 
pany 

Mr. Witson (interposing). If you will allow me to interrupt—— 

The Cuatrman. I think we better have this other gentleman’s tes- 


‘timony first. 


Mr. Wirson. I just want to ask a question. 

The Cruatrman. Oh, if you desire to ask a question right on this 
subject, you may. 

Mr. Moorr. Mr. Chairman, in regard to the different prices, let 
me say that the land to be taken comprises an area of 367 acres; and 
the full valuation, based on the assessors’ books, is $254,520. 

The Crarrman. Now, Mr. Wilson, you may ask your question. 


Ls ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 
STATEMENT OF MR. NATHANIEL WILSON, 


Mr. Witson. Mr. Chairman, I wish to remark that this particular 
locality east of the Capitol belongs to a great many people, quite a 
considerable population here and on the other side of the river. I 
am now and for years have been perfectly familiar with all that 
territory. In the District we have five or six associations of inhabi- 
tants for mutual protection and benefit, and they are actual residents 
and owners of property; and between the river and the bridge over 
the river and the Fifteenth and H Streets, along the line of the 
Government Printing Office, is quite thickly ‘developed, not with ex- 
pensive houses, but with a great many small houses and quite a large 
population, and many people have resided there for a great many 
years. All the population this side of the river and the other side of 
the river are very much interested in this present situation and the 
acquisition by the Government of this ground for a botanic garden, 
but primarily for the extension of Maryland Avenue from the Capitol 
to the eastern boundary of the District. They have been, in season 
and out of season, doing everything they could in regard to both of 
those propositions, both in respect to the botanic garden and the ex- 
tension of Maryland Avenue. 

I have to request, now that the occasion is opportune, that they 
may have an opportunity of presenting in print whatever they wish 
to say through the commissioners, saying in advance that they are 
willing to approve the conclusions that the commissioners make in 
regard to both of these propositions and desire to be considered as 
supporting the policy and the conclusions of the commissioners, 
who, on examination, shall recommend what shall be done in regard 
to one and the other, subject, of course, to the decision of Congress 
and of this Commission. ‘There is no opposition on the part of any- 
body over in the project for the botanic gardens or the project in 
regard tq the extension of Maryland Avenue, which is recognized 
as an absolute necessity. Every property owner there is in accord 
with it. You have before you the recommendation of the commis- 
sioners on the bill for the extension of Maryland Avenue, and you will 
see in the House bill which is before you, which has been recom- 
mended by the commissioners in a report which sets forth most dis- 
tinctly and plainly the condition of that territory and the necessity— 
the absolute necessity—for the opening of Maryland Avenue. I hope 
you will get all the information you can from the people affected 
before the matter is finally closed, so that you will know distinctly, 
definitely, and promptly from them what the situation is there and 
what it is that 1s asked for by the plain owners of property and citi- 
zens in that district, not any rich interest, but just the plain property 
owners. I thank you, Mr. Chairman. 


STATEMENT OF MR. WILLIAM L. CLARKE, ASSISTANT SECRETARY | 
AND ASSISTANT TREASURER OF THE WASHINGTON RAILWAY & 
ELECTRIC CO. AND THE POTOMAC ELECTRIC POWER CO. 


Mr. Crarxe. Mr. Chairman, we had no expectation of asking to 
be heard here at all, but I came merely to gain information as to the 
project: but from part of the testimony given it seems to me that 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 538 


our company was, no doubt, unintentionally placed in rather a false 
position. 

We do stand as the owners of the Graceland Cemetery tract, 
but from what was said I rather gathered that something improper 
or even suspicious seemed to turn upon our ownership which, I think, 
I can very easily convince your committee is not the case. About 
eight years ago the property came on the market and we bought it. 

A company operating 175 miles of street railway has got to have 
the proper tools for its trade, and “ tools” in that sense means sites 
for necessary conveniences in the District of Columbia. I| hardly 
need suggest these are mighty scarce and there is none other like the 
Graceland Cemetery tract in the entire District on account of its 
being so near the center of the city, and of such great advantage for 
the needs of a street railway and electric ight company. Since 
purchasing it we have put no improvements upon it whatever, except 
a little trackage above ground which simply rests on the ground 
for the temporary storage of old cars. Prior to that time, with the 
consent of the commissioners of the District, we had built.a little loop 
there which stands slightly in the line of Maryland Avenue, and 
was placed there long before there was much talk about the exten- 
sion of Maryland Avenue, and, as I say, with the consent of the 
commissioners. We built it to turn our cars back instead of running 
them out to the District line, which would have involved great waste 
in “dead” car mileage. As a matter of fact, all our improvements 
there, temporary tracks and all, can be removed in the space of 24 
hours. 

Long prior to the time of our purchase of the Graceland Cemetery 
tract a considerable purchase had been made at Fifteenth and H 
Streets NE. by the Washington, Baltimore & Annapolis Railway; 
a station was erected which was used as their Washington terminal. 
The White House Station does occupy part of Maryland Avenue, 
but only a small part, and it is my impression that it would not be 
very difficult for the railroad to remove it. 

At the hearing last Wednesday, day before yesterday, our presi- 
dent spoke in regard to the extension of Maryland Avenue and said 
that our company could not afford, nor would it consider for a 
moment, antagonizing or hindering any important public improve- 
ment. The Maryland Avenue extension bisects our property on an 
angle of approximately 45°, but it leaves a tract of about 12 acres 
on the south side of the extension, which will be sufficient for our 
needs if we are met with a spirit of cooperation in the matter of 
closing two or three of the smaller streets within the tract. We 
have spent over $5,000 in preparation of plans, but not for a power 
station, as has been suggested; we have no intention whatever of put- 
ting a power station on the Graceland Cemetery tract. We have our 
splendid power plant out at Benning, farther out on the Anacostia 
River; but we have need of a great car barn and repair shops, and a 
substation for local distribution of current might be included. It 
will be remembered by this committee that about four years ago a 
bridge was placed across Rock Creek on Q Street, and that bridge 
and the extension of Q Street cut our present repair-shop property 
into two parts and destroyed its efficiency. 

Mr. Jounson. That is in the northwest ? 


54 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


Mr. Cuarxe. In the northwest. As a result, we had to move our 
paint shops to Eleventh and Florida Avenue NW. This makes it 
very expensive to repair cars in one place and then move them to 
another quite distant place to have them painted. So we have drawn 
up plans to have our great repair shops at this strategic point at 
Fifteenth and H Streets NE. There we have steam connections with 
the Baltimore & Ohio and Pennsylvania Railroads further out Ben- 
ning way; so the Graceland Cemetery tract makes an ideal place for 
large repair shops. If the plans discussed to-day for the botanical 

gardens are carried out, our company would not for a moment oppose 
the extension of Maryland Avenue, but suggest that if it is done, 
some other little collateral things "should be done to protect our 
interests. All we hope is that the District authorities will cooperate 
with us and see that we have space enough to the south of Maryland 
Avenue for the extensive improvements we have in mind. Thank 
you very much, Mr. Chairman. 

The CuHatrman. Of course, the extension of Maryland Avenue 
does not come within the province of this committee, but of the 
District committee, and really, I suppose the only reason why we 
are considering it at all is because the decree of the extension of 
Maryland Avenue depends upon our action with relation to the 
Mount Hamilton site. Are there any other gentlemen who want to 
be heard ? 

Mr. Woop. Mr. Chairman, I do not know whether I made it dis- 
tinctly plain to you or not, but the point which was desired to be 
made plain was that the key to this whole situation is owned by a 
local corporation, and with the situation existing, the purchase of 
this site will be practically useless because you would have no en- 
trance to it and would have to go up Bladensburg Road. TI think you 
will all agree that Maryland Avenue should 20 ‘to this site. 

The Cuarrman. You have not said that before, as I understand it. 

Mr. Woop. No; I have not. 

The CHatrman. Do you think if the Government should take this 
Mount Hamilton site for botanic garden, that they should also take 
this property that you have pointed out there? 

Mr. Woop. It would be so highly desirable to extend Maryland 
Avenue from Fifteenth Street to that point 

The CuHatrman. I am not talking about the extension of Mary- 
land Avenue alone, but do you think that the Government ought to 
take all the property owned by the railroad company ? 

Mr. Woop. Oh, not at all; not at all. 

The CHatrman. As I say, I suppose it is the business of the Dis- 
trict Commissioners to report on the advisability of the extension 
of Maryland Avenue, is it not? 

Mr. Woop. Yes. 

The CHatrman. And not the business of this committee. 

Mr. Woop. No. 

The CHatrmMan. But what you urge to this committee is prompt 
action as to whether or not the Mount Hamilton site will be pur- 
chased ? 

Mr. Woop. Well, the engineer commissioner stated that if it was 
decided to purchase this tract, he would recommend an amendment 
to this bill stopping it at that point and that the commissioners would 
amend their report, you see. 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 55 


The Cuatrman. I understand that. 

Mr. Jounson. This property fronts on Bladensburg Road, does 
it not? 

Mr. Moore. It does. 

Mr. JoHnson. You could get into it from Bladensburg Road? 

Mr. Moore. Certainly. Of course, the natural approach will be 
along Maryland Avenue extended. Another thing, Mr. Chairman, 
there is a law already for the taking of all land needed for the 
Anacostia improvement. An amendment to that legislation would 
accomplish the results now sought. 

The CHarrman. The present law provides for taking lands below 
the tide lines. 

Mr. Moore. Below the 10-foot contour. 

The CHartrman. Is there anybody else who desires to speak either 
for or against this project? If not we will consider the hearing 
closed. 

(Thereupon, at 1.15 o’clock p. m. the hearing was adjourned.) 


Bismarck, N. DAK., May 27, 1920. 
Mr. CHARLES Moors, 
Chairman Fine Arts Commission, Washington, D. C. 

Dear Sir: I have heard something of the proposed creation of a new botan- 
ical garden in the vicinity of Washington. In this connection it occurs to 
me that it would afford an excellent opportunity for a living outdoor museum 
for the people, by which they might learn much of the native flora of America 
in distinction from the many introduced species now escaped and naturalized 
over much of our country. As the case now stands most people have no clear 
idea of the distinction between the native flora and the introduced forms. 

Another service from such a native botanical garden would be the facility 
it would afford for study and experiment in domestication and amelioration 
of the native plants which were utilized in their wild state by the native tribes 
of America for various uses in their economic life, for food, dyestuff, fibers, 
perfumes, medicines, and various other uses. 

A third use such a native botanical garden would serve is the demonstration 
of the several cultivated crops for which the world is indebted to the aborigi- 
nal American cultivators. Here could be brought together in a living exhibi- 
tion a nation-wide collection of the varieties cultivated and adapted to the 
yarious area of differing conditions of climate and soil, as they were developed 
by the tribes resident in the several areas. For instance, it would be most in- 
teresting to the public from many points of view, to have growing near the 
National Capital plants of the agricultural crops of the very stock cultivated 
by the Mandans on the upper Missouri River which made possible the success 
of the Lewis and Clark expedition in 1804 and 1805. For it was the food 
supply obtained by that expedition from the Mandan Indians which made it 
possible for the expedition to remain on the upper Missouri through the 
winter and thus be that far forward on their journey next spring. 

All these uses would serve as real factors in the process of Americaniza- 
tion, about which we hear so much in these days. And in my view a real and 
appreciative knowledge and understanding of physical America, and an ap- 
preciation of America’s native distinctive character must be no slight factor in 
the establishment of Americanism. 

For all these reasons I am intensely interested in the project and hope that 
it may be accomplished. I am specially interested in such a project, and as 
curator of the State Historical Society of North Dakota have planned such 
an outdoor museum as the planting scheme for development of the State 
capitol grounds and its execution has been authorized by act of the legislature. 

Yours, truly, 
MELVIN R. GILMORE, 
Curator of the State Historical Society of North Dakota. 


56 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


/ 


WASHINGTON, D. C., May 21, 1920. 
Hon. FRANK B. BRANDEGEE, 
Chairman Joint Committee on the Library, 
United States Senate. 


Sir: With further reference to the hearing before your committee held this 
day, and in order to complete the record (which seems: to be incomplete in cer- 
tain respects), for the benefit of members not able to attend the hearing, I 
have the honor to submit the following facts and conclusions and request they 
be made a part of my remarks. 


LEGAL STATUS. 


On May 17, 1910, by act of Congress, a permanent Commission of Fine Arts 
was created, to be composed of seven well-qualified judges of the fine arts, and 
said act provided: 

“Tt shall be the duty of such commission to advise upon the location of 
statues, fountains, and monuments in the public squares, streets, and parks 
of the District of Columbia, and upon the selection of models for statues, 
fountains, and monuments erected under the authority of the United States, 
and upon the selection of artists for the execution of the same. * * * The 
commission shall also advise generally upon questions of art when required to do 
so by the President, or by any committee of either House of Congress.” 

On October 25, 1910, the President issued an Executive order, by the terms of 
which— 

“Tt is hereby ordered that the plans for no public building to be erected in 
the District of Columbia for the General Government shall be hereafter ap- 
proved by the officer duly authorized until after such officer shall have sub- 
mitted the plans to the Commission of Fine Arts created under the act of Con- 
gress of May 17, 1910, for its comment and advice.” 

On February 2, 1912, the President directed the commission to advise the 
officer in charge of public buildings and grounds in regard to the improvement 
of any of the grounds in the city of Washington under his charge whenever 
such advice is asked for by that officer. 

On November 28, 1913, the President issued the following Executive order: 

“Tt is hereby ordered that whenever new structures are to be erected in the 
District of Columbia under the direction of the Federal Government which 
affect in any important way the appearance of the city, or whenever questions 
involving matters of art and with which the Federal Government is concerned 
are to be determined, final action shall not be taken until such plans and ques- 
tions have been submitted to the Commission of Fine Arts designated under 
the act of Congress of May 17, 1910, for comment and advice.” 

The duties of the commission were thus enlarged to embrace the giving of 
advice upon the plans and designs for public structures and parks in the District 
of Columbia, as well as upon all questions involving matters of art with which 
the Federal Government is concerned. 


RECOMMENDATIONS. 


In 1914, in the matter of the restoration to the street and park systems of 
the grounds now occupied by the Botanic Garden, the officer in charge of public 
buildings and grounds, at the request of the Joint Committee on the Library, 
conferred with the commission regarding plans prepared under his direction, 
and later rendered a report to that committee as a result of the conference. 

On August 16, 1916, the chairman of the Committee on the Library of the 
House of Representatives requested the commission to furnish data “ with 
reference to the effect on the general plan for the development of the Mall and 
the ground around the Grant Monument of the bill recently passed by the 
Senate to continue the Botanic Garden on its present site.” The bill adverted 
to (S. 6227, 64th Cong., Ist sess.) provided for the enlargement of the Botanic 
Garden by attaching thereto two parcels of land on the west, commonly known 
as East Seaton Park and West Seaton Park. The commission reported ad- 
versely on the bill on November 28, 1916. 

On January 27, 1917, the chairman of the same committee asked for “a 
comprehensive report as to what the Commission of Fine Arts regard to be the 
best solution of the Botanic Garden proviem, including a review of the sites 
available for the Botanic Garden itself; and what area in the vicinity of the 
Capitol may be had at a mininium or no expense for a Capitol flower garden, 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. aa 


together with such facts and figures as will assist the committee in its con- 
sideration of this subject.” 

In response to the above request the commission made a full and complete 
report which may be found on pages 28 to 38 of the annual report of the Com- 
mission of Fine Arts for the year ending January 1, 1918. In concluding their 
report the commission state: 

“In point of physical availability, excellence of exposure, accessibility, dis- 
tribution of essential parts and capacity for enlargement wthout increase of 
cost after the initial purchase, the Mount Hamilton location stands out pre- 
eminent among all the sites that have been examined. Should Congress de- 
cide to retain the Congress gardens in the vicinity of the Capitol, the Botanic 
Garden and arboretum ought in any case to be established at Mount Hamilton.” 


CONCLUSIONS. 


In view of the above the conclusions naturally arrived at are: 

1. That the Commission of Fine Arts has authority to designate a site for 
a national botanic garden and arboretum. 

2. That they have been regularly requested to make such selection. 

3. That the purchase of Mount Hamilton site has been recommended by the 
commission. 

4. Authority to acquire by purchase or condemnation the site so selected and 
determined upon is the remaining and concluding act. 

Very respectfully, 
JAMES M. Woop. 


TRINIDAD CITIZENS ASSOCIATION, 
Washington, D. C., June 13, 1920. 
Senator F. B. BRANDEGEE, 
Chairman Joint Committee on the Library, 
Senate Office Building. 

DeEaR SiR AND GENTLEMEN OF THE COMMITTEE: We desired to lay before your 
committee at the hearing May 21 on the proposed national botanic garden 
argument favoring the project, but lacked opportunity. We therefore take this 
method of presenting for your consideration the following: : 

If there is one thing Americans agree upon it is that Washington should be 
the most beautiful city in the world. It was the dream of the fathers who 
gave us the right start and nature has provided every facility for its realization. 
All do not agree that it is, but all would like it to be, are willing to pay the 
price, and will have little patience with any opposing interest. 

We may differ as to plans for making it so, but it should be apparent to 
all that steps must be taken toward improving the approaches to the city aud 
to secure a more symmetrical development, so that visitors need not enter 
blindfolded and be piloted about from one beauty spot to another. 

There is an unmistakable tendency here to neglect one section and adorn 
another. But, unfortunately, the neglected section of Washington is precisely 
that part which should present the best appearance. 

First impressions are lasting, and first impressions of Washington are almost 
uniformly bad. Whether entering by train, trolley, or motor the main cur- 
rents of travel are through the northeastern gateway, and it is just here that 
nothing, save the recent improvement of Maryland Avenue, has been done to 
please, not to say delight, the eye. 

You do not arrange your home that way, nor your place of business, if you 
would invite success. Nor do you neglect your personal ‘ front ” in approaching 
or welcoming strangers. ‘‘ Front” counts heavily in every individual or public 
enterprise. To neglect it is sheer affrontery. Yet Washington’s front has been 
shamefully neglected and her fame has suffered accordingly. It is not too 
much to say that she can never hope to be accredited the world’s most beautiful 
city until what can be done has been done to beautify the main entrance. 

Unless there is conscious and intelligent effort to do this, based upon close 
cooperation and mutual willingness to pay for betterments on the part of the 
Congress and the residents of the neighborhood, it can not be done at all. In 
the natural, unguided course of municipal development this section is doomed 
to deteriorate and the chief approach to their Capital City remain a reproach 
to the American people. 

It is a singular fact that nowhere and at no time have white men voluntarily 
extended municipal development eastward from the civic center. That this 


58 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


racial peculiarity was overlooked by such competent designers as those who 
planned our National Capitol reflects not so much upon them as upon the 
poverty of statistical resources common to their time. : 

Different explanations have been offered for the phenomenon. WHarly Huro- 
pean civilizations were swept westward from the ancestral cradle by successive 
waves of barbaric hoards from central Asia. These invasions could not be fore- 
seen nor resisted, each generation living in dread of a recurrence. The instinct 
of self-preservation impelled them to put between themselves and the eastern 
terror such fortification as they were able to erect and such natural barriers as 
were available, the homes naturally being placed westward back of the defenses. 
The practice became instinctive and persists long after the real menace has 
ceased to exist. | 

Also limitless opportunity upon sparsely settled land to the west beckoned 
and crowded populations found avenues of easy expansion westward. So that 
while militarily the westward impulse was a retreat, economically it was a 
forward movement. ‘‘ Westward the course of empire takes its way” became 
the conviction of a race. 

This tendency to expand westerly is very marked in the District of Columbia. 
Improvement of the eastern reaches has loitered and values lagged, while the 
western have been favored with practically all notable expenditures for con- 
venience and beautification. 

It can only be checked and the eastern section given the necessary forward 
impetus by supplying an artificial stimulant. The establishment of the national 
botanic garden and arboretum on the Mount Hamilton tract and in the 
Anacostia Basin, with correlative improvements, will furnish the necessary 
element to turn the scale. The residents of the immediate neighborhood are 
keenly alive to the need and eager to play their part. 

In 1919, as a measure of urgency, permission was granted a private con- 
ractor to erect at a point northeast, adjacent to Mount Olivet Cemetery, and 
only a few hundred feet from the Baltimore Pike and the base of Mount 
Hamilton, a plant for the disposal of city refuse. 

The residents of the neighborhood were roused by this act as they had never 
been by years of accustomed neglect. They organized a citizens’ association, 
determined to get rid of the nuisance and then work for the general upbuilding 
of the section in accord with the plan of the Commission of Fine Arts. 

Under the auspices of the Federation of Citizens’ Associations they defined 
the limits of their jurisdiction as shown by the accompanying map and gave 
it the name of Trinidad, that being the name of the addition nearest the refuse 
plant and the geographical center of the territory. 

The present population is 18,318, all but 100 of whom reside west of the 
proposed park. <A careful canvass disclosed the fact that 55 per cent of all 
own their homes, 79 per cent being white and 21 per cent colored. Under the 
inspiration of the big idea over 700 public-spirited citizens were enrolled within 
a few weeks. 

Organized we feel a pride and responsibility we did not feel before. We feel 
in a large measure responsible to the American people for the care of the gate- 
way to the National Capital. Everything comes and goes through Trinidad, and 
the visitor will base half his judgment of Washington upon the welcome he 
receives at the threshold. If the approach is untidy and neglected he will view 
all the rest with critical eye and suspect the presence of shame where there is 
none. We therefore mean to press our claims all of the time and pledge our 
own efforts in cooperation. 

Our population is composed largely of home-owning working people, and the 
character of the population will not change materially even with the proposed 
garden. ‘ Silk stockings ”’ will continue to seek shelter northwest. Homes built 
here and on the several square miles surrounding the garden will be unpre- 
tentious and not in themselves ornate, however well kept. This is added reason 
why favor should be shown by National and District Governments in the matter 
of public improvements. 

Respectfully submitted. 


Don H. Yorxr, Chairman, W. E. Ryan, 

L. M. Patrerson, Louis L. Hooper. 
C. W. EDWARDs, Victor O. SKYBERG, 
Harry C. Murray, WILLIAM G. COLE, 
O. N. KozQutst, J. D. ROSSER, 


Ss. S. Torson, 
Erecutive Committee, Trinidad Citizens’ Association. 


es 


i: 
HA 


a ane 


4 stig oh 
stablishment of a National Botanic Garden 


HEARING 


BEFORE A 


JOINT COMMITTEE ON THE LIBRARY 


CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES 


SIXTY-SIXTH CONGRESS 
SECOND SESSION 


ON 


S. 497 


A BILL TO INCREASE THE AREA OF THE UNITED STATES 
BOTANIC GARDEN IN THE CITY OF WASHINGTON, 
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 


AND 


S. RES. 165 


DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON THE DISTRICT OF COLUM- 

BIA TO REPORT PLANS FOR THE CREATION IN OR NEAR 

THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OF A BOTANIC GARDEN 
COMPARABLE WITH THE BEST EXISTING GARDENS 


Cop tee 
REPORT BY THE NATIONAL COMMISSION. 1QF FINE § 1929 
ON THE BOTANIC GARDEN SITUATION? IN cx eae 

THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 


Printed for the use of the Joint Committee on the Library 


WASHINGTON 
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 
186037 1920 


CONE NS 


Page 
LES LOH IOP ROOM hess cos kobe ee Recs pop ee ca odoesaadad oenaae Ss aae dca acid 59 
IR QUGTE 2 be Se See eso ae Seep eA eon Be ce pened] USB eee EA ee ae Ok aaC eM AMne as sie 59 
SoS] ETEGIBS. Se ESS SU A SS MN SOE SB Bh rie oh nS AT aa 69 
INDEX TO REPORT 

STERN Ci ORO SI GMI ANe one seen ee ee Seem arosuess ocbeaE sc oenaneenasee ers 59 
Enrecmmistony al the present cardentas sass the ers ok RU eons ase re se 60 
fihesneedrotarealabo tami card ems eee saan yh ters ee MON A etl AL WO a 62 
Removal of present garden will benefit the public........-.-...---...------- 63 
Alternative site for temporary relocation of garden...........-----.---------- 63: 
PLC O LAME C!OANG CME eee Hr eieiee sh5e esis Shale UE LI es par cipal ees sae des teats 63: 
Sines OnAMvaAG equa teyoOtamic card Cle secs 5: iota sever ere aeeply le ee AY lies pal os 64 

NO CK Gree ketal rs es ye as Why eprint) LPN eles A een a ele UNE aC ae 64 

VOUT MAAN TOMISICe = eke she pela se Sy er cya aI EN Ru oh ui A Nery 66 
Diagram showing relation of proposed site to Capitol Building, facing....----- 66 
Srna cisya OM COsts! Ole PEIN C1pPal SILESs vs apeey. 2 ai seyoreters Leaicruieyei sree ay eqem el epee 67 
[NECONPIRCIG EUW ABs BGR eR ROh so Sem ee Senco Gad He HOME oe rasan tomes weasel 68 


LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS, MAPS, AND PLANS ACCOMPANYING REPORT. 


PHOTOGRAPHS. 


. Arnold Arboretum—The Valley of Bussey Brook with Hemlock Hill. 

. Missouri Botanic Garden—Along the brook. 

New York Botanic Garden—Conservatory range No. 1 and flower gardens. 

New York Botanic Garden—Court of conservatory range. 

. New York Botanic Garden—View of herbaceous garden. 

The Botanic Garden of Brussels. Beleitum—General view of the open grounds. 
. Peradeniya Garden, Ceylon—An open glade. 

. Kew Gardens—In the woodland. 

. Kew Gardens—In daffodil time. 

10. Kew Gardens—In the Temperate House. 

11. Kew Gardens—Collections of water lilies, lotus, and papyrus. 

12. Kew Gardens—Tree ferns in the winter garden. 

13. Kew Gardens—A view in the winter garden. 

14. Kew Gardens—A lake, bordered by poplars and willows. 

15. Kew Gardens—Cactus and aloes, the strange desert growths of the world. 

16. Kew Gardens—The rhododendron dell in early June. 

17. Kew Gardens—A palm house flanking a water basin. 

18. Kew Gardens—Decorative gardening. 

19. Kew Gardens—An informa] vista. 

20. Kew Gardens—Herbarium and library. 

21. Kew Gardens—The Bamboo Garden. 

22. Kew Gardens—General view along the Pagoda Vista. 

23. The Dahlem Botanic Gardens—Tropical plant life. 

24. The Dahlem Botanic Gardens—Evergreen growth in connection with plant houses. 
25. The Dahlem Botanic Gardens—Berlin—Artificial rock gardens. 

26. The Dahlem Botanic Gardens—Araucarias and Tree Ferns. 

27. The Dahlem Botanic Gardens—Tropical nut trees in glass houses. 

28. Kioto, Japan—A common view in the Orient, showing bamboo growths. 

29. Gardens of Lahore, India—View showing the remarkable growth of the Assam: 
India rubber tree. 


TD OVE CO ID 


co OO 


SITET 


CONTENTS. 


PHOTOGRAPHIC ENLARGEMENTS. 


. L’Enfant plan for the National Capital. 

. The King survey map of the city of Washington. 

_ View from the Capitol terraces in 1916. 

. View of model showing existing conditions in vicinity of Capitol in 1901. 

. Model showing proposed restoration of 4rea to the west of the Capitol. 

. Union Square, showing ideal plan for its proposed development. 

. The Mall, the park approach to the Capitol from the west. 

. Bird’s-eye view of the general plan of the Mall, from a point 4,000 feet above Arling- 


ton Cemetery. 
MAPS AND PLANS. 


[See, also, diagram facing page 66]. 


. Plan showing proposed location of the national botanic garden at Mount Hamil- 


ton, Washington, D. C. (following page 152). 


. Detail map showing the parcels of land comprised in the proposed botanic 


garden (following page 152). 


: Geological map of the Mount Hamilton location. 

; Aericulturaland forestry map of the Mount Hamilton location (following page 152). 
- The Missouri Botanic Garden, St. Louis. 

. The Arnold Arboretum, Boston, Mass. 

. The Botanic Garden, Brooklyn, IN NC 

5. Kew Gardens, London. 

. Royal Societies Gardens, London. 

. Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh. 

. Chelsea Physic Garden. 

. Botanic Garden at Buenos Aires, Argentine Republic. 

. Jardin des Plantes at Paris, France. 

. The Hope Gardens at Kingston, Jamaica. 

. The Botanic Garden at Melbourne, Australia. 

. Botanic Garden at Dresden, Germany. 

. The Old Botanic Garden in Berlin, Germany. 

5. The New Botanic Garden at Dahlem, Berlin, Germany. 


LIST OF DESCRIPTIVE MATTER IN APPENDIX. 


: Page 
Review of Brightwood tract, Foundry Branch tract, and East Capitol Street, 
Anacostia,and Virginiaisites:.... 26 2... 2250s Sa eee 69 
Letter from Secretary of Agriculture, David Houston ........-...2..--:---- 70 
Report of United States Department of Agriculture on soils of Mount Hamilton 
SILC 25 se kdwc sale ties wis De Re cis Ss SUR FS a er 72 
Letter from Director United States Geological Survey, Geo. Otis Smith, on the 
Mount Hamilton site<22.).o..). 4a See ee eee 75 
Letter from Senator Root to Frederick Law Olmsted against use of Rock Greek 
Park for*Botanic ‘(Garden j.') 20.2 22 ee 2 ees ee eee 76 
“Botanical gardens in the United States,’’ extract from article by Prof. N. L. 
Britton: -.23-\.4e56fa6 hse Sn BA I ee eee 76 
‘‘Relations of the botanic garden to the public,’”’ by Prof. N. L. Britton....... 77 
The dates of the establishment of some botanic gardens in Europe.........--- 79 
Area of some botanic gardens of the world, 1917_-.....2.-25.. 2-2 ---2 4-2 4556 79 
Botanic gardens of the world...-....:.... 2.2: 5:26. 22-4552 80 
Classification of countries containing botanic gardens and number of gardens 
they support... 2.26.2... -.-05) deuce eee 82 
State’and\ other supportiof gardens: ...-2 222.2222 5--212 Seco ee eee eee 83 
List of staffs of Kew and gardens in correspondence.-.......----.------------- 105 
Description of botanic gardens at: 
Adelaide,.Sowth: Australia. i:s:2.2:4..2520852. 2453 aae ee eee eee 84 
Asumcion;) Paraguay...) 92h. .bscieh! 2328-2) Se ee eee 115 
Ballarat, :Vietomascsssc0. di pe ee te ek eee a 87 
Berkeley, Calif:: : 2... 00.2 o2.i62-22-2955205252 31s son) oe EE Ee eee eee 127 
Berlin, Germany: 2-22: 52-o23-2 620 ses Guisue es eee eee eee eee 90 
Bombay, India. ...2...22 2.4002 Sit escenario 112 
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia... ---:.<2.2h2---2.22 525-2 see eee eee 85 
Brooklyn,.N. Ys-0. 22-2 -s/225- eb eas yes 2 eee lee ake eee eee 116 
Brussels, Beletum:.-... v2.45. a sabs oe Bee eee ae ee 88 


Buenos Aires, Argentine Republic. -..-..-.25-.---s5-202--p eee eee A 88 


CONTENTS. 


Deseription of botanic gardens at—Continued. 


TRUDE Ges IN Ts Ce Ae ee ger eas een 
ULE AOnS avery eee sere 
Caleuiinors lnc aes ene enn 
Camibmdaes Mass. ao. 55.25. 
Cape Town, South Africa...-.-.-- 
Ceylon, India......: Sees an ae we 
Chelsea Physic, England......-.- 


Dahlem, near Berlin, Germany... 


Dresden, Germany.....----.----- 
MablineWrelands 220, 1 eae lease & 
idinbursh Scoblands.2 4242228" 
Geneva. Switzerland........--.-- 
Glescow, scotland <9) 2222-2 
Guatemala City, Guatemala-...-. 
lao, <Cilopeescecspenooosuee 
Efonekone. Chinas sees eee 
Jamraies, Plains. Mass: 5-2-2. 3-2 
digw7pOne, Ibnwhhs  CGacoseos seebee 
ewan sbmplamd ee oe fee. 
iKaneston\ Jamaica esse a. 


Lahore, Indi: 
Lansing, Mic 


Sydney, New South Wales 


ILTinn ey VE las eres e Crees Sere eRe 
Hondons Hneland=)-222. 52... 25. 
ithuacknowe tnd laste 03s elle 
Melbourne, Victoria.......-.---- 
Wontreal- Canada 92560205. 40022. 
Newer Work: City ts sc shou an 
Northampton, Mass-..........-.- 
Nuwera Eliya and Hakgala...... 
OiiawasCanadarenss ss 5. < on 
aris abran Gener ce 5 cee cain 
Wenan oe ind iaere oe ek 
Petrograd, Russia... .. Pa a id 
Philadelphia gras 22022. .25... 520 
Poona windiasnsa 242 eo 
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.........2.- 
Saharunpurssindia-...--22-- 2-24 
panuaco: Ohilet =a a 
Singapore, Singapore......-..-..- 
Sieg UUoyoney NIG). Sees eee eee See 
ND) ORIG) 02) eee gee 
Trinidad, Port of Spain.....-.... 
Vienna. Austria-Hungary......-- 


ee ee ee en en en iran 


REPORT BY THE NATIONAL COMMISSION OF FINE ARTS ON 
THE BOTANIC GARDEN SITUATION IN THE DISTRICT OF 
COLUMBIA. 


Unttep States SENATE, 
CoMMITTEE ON THE Liprary, 
May 13, 1920. 
The CHAIRMAN OF THE CoMMISSION OF Fine Arts. 


Dear Sir: Senate resolution 165, referred to this committee August 
23, 1919, directs it to “consider and report to the Senate plans for 
the location and development in or near the District of Columbia of 
a botanic garden of a size and excellence comparable with the best 
existing botanic gardens.” It would be of great assistance to the 
committee if it were provided with a comprehensive report as to 
what the Commission of Fine Arts regards as the best solution of 
the botanic garden problem, including a review of data available for 
the botanic garden itself, and what area in the vicinity of the Capi- 
tol may be had at a minimum or no expense for a Capitol flower gar- 
den, and such facts and figures as will assist the committee in the con- 
sideration of this subject. 

Yours, very truly, 
Frank B. BRAnpEGEE, 
Chairman. 


Commission oF Fine Arts, 
Washington, May 18, 1920. 

Sir: In your letter of May 7 last you ask the Commission of Fine 
Arts for a comprehensive report on the botanic garden problem in 
conformity with Senate resolution 165, referred to the Committee on 
the Library August 23, 1919. You call for a discussion of sites 
within the District of Columbia available for the Botanic Garden 
itself, and ask what area in the vicinity of the Capitol may be had 
for a Congress flower garden, together with such facts and figures as 
will assist your committee in its consideration of this subject. The 
commission herewith places before you the information desired by 
you. 

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEMS. 


For reasons that will appear, the Botanic Garden must be removed 
from its present location. Congress, when it located the Grant Me- 
morial in the garden area, forced the garden out. Such was the in- 
tention of Congress. The action was entirely logical. That space 
was designed by President Washington and Maj. L’Enfant as an 

59 


60 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


open approach to the Capitol, and is so shown on the original plan of 
the city. (See Exhibits 30 and 31.) It was proposed at that time 
that this area should be subject to ornamentation with memorials, 
fountains, and the like, but not shut off by walls and fences. Locat- 
ing the Botanic Garden in this area was one of those serious mistakes 
made in the early part of the century whereby the great plan for the 
Nation’s Capitol suffered damage that has continued to this day. 
The location of the Grant Memorial was the first step toward repair- 
ing this damage. The subsequent location of the Meade Memorial 
in the same area is a further advance in the restoration of the origi- 
nal plan. 

In furtherance of its purpose to restore the Mall to its original 
status as a park connection between the legislative and executive 
departments, Congress paid the Pennsylvania Railroad $1,500,000 
to remove its tracks from the Mall. The public plaza or square on 
the west front of the Capitol Grounds is a feature of this large plan. 
The new National Museum Building, the Agricultural Department 
buildings, and the gallery for the Freer collections all have been 
located with reference to the general plan. Slowly but steadily 
changes in conformity with that plan are now being carried out 
throughout the entire 24 miles from the Capitol Grounds even to the 
Lincoln Memorial. .The removal of the Botanic Garden is essential 
to the development of the great composition. 

If Congress desires to continue a garden for the purpose of obtain- 
ing flowers for its Members and for growing shrubs to disseminate 
throughout the country, both of these purposes can be subserved quite 
as well by glass houses and gardens in other accessible locations. 

The proposition to extend the present garden into the Mall to the 
west of its present location would be the perpetuation of an unfor- 
tunate condition of affairs which Congress has taken steps to end. 
Such an extension means continued confusion. To-day in a fenced-in 
area of less than 12 acres there are, first, the memorial to Gen. Grant, 
the base of which is arranged as a reviewing stand, and therefore re- 
quires an open space; second, the very large Bartholdi fountain; and, 
third, large greenhouses with shining high glass roofs, dominating 
and disturbing the appearance of both fountain and monument. In 
addition a residence for the superintendent and other lke buildings 
are found in this inclosure. To all these will shortly be added the 
large memorial to Gen. Meade, contributed by the State of Penn- 
sylvania. This array of incongruous structures is absurd, confusing, 
and wholly impossible for a permanent establishment. 

Congress may readily bring order out of the present chaos by the 
removal of the iron fence and opening the entire area to the public; 
by removing the glass houses and superintendent’s quarters to a new 
location and by transfering the fountain to another section of the 
District. 


BRIEF HISTORY OF THE GARDEN. 


The establishment of the present Botanic Garden and its relation to 
the Joint Committee on the Library was the outgrowth of the Wilkes 
exploring expedition of 1838-1842, although there had been a botanic 
garden on this site for nearly two decades under congressional per- 
mission granted the Columbian Institution for the Promotion of Arts 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 61 


and Sciences, then extinct. The supposition is tenable that the 
primary reason for locating here was that there were still in existence 
some traces of the former garden.1. The naval appropriation act of 
May 14, 1836, authorized the President to send a surveying and ex- 
ploring expedition to the Pacific Ocean and the South Seas i in Gov- 
ernment vessels. 

Congress granted $100,000 and authorized the use of any other 
moneys in the control of the Navy Department, not exceeding an ex- 
penditure of $150,000. After numerous delays the expedition, con- 
sisting of six Government ships under Lieut. Charles Wilkes, United 
States Navy, sailed from Hampton Roads August 18, 1838. The ex- 
pedition returned to New York June 10, 1842, bringing a large collec- 
tion of natural history specimens. 

On August 26, 1842, the Committee on the Library requested Lieut. 
Wilkes to prepare a narrative of his voyage, and appointed the 
naturalist of the expedition “to arrange and class the various objects 
of natural history,” later appropriating $20,000 for this purpose. 
The horticulturist and assistant botanist of the expedition were 
charged with the duty of preserving the horticultural and botanical 
specimens.” These objects were for a time on exhibition in that por- 
tion of the Patent Office Building then constructed and in green- 
houses in the square behind the building, but upon the extension of 
the Patent Office Building, begun in 1849, were in 1850 removed to the 
present area.* 

In May, 1850, Congress appropriated $5,000 for a new greenhouse 
and the removal thereto of the plants of the exploring expedition, 
and during the same month the present site, upon which the new 
greenhouse was built, was selected by the Joint Committee on the 
Library. This ground was thereafter commonly known as the Bo- 
tanic Garden, but the term was not officially applied to the location 
until August 18, 1856, when its maintenance was specifically placed 
under the direction of the Joint Committee on the Library. 

From 1851 to the present time approximately $387,977 has been 
appropriated for repairs and equipment of buildings aa grounds. 
From 1857 to the present time there has been appropriated for trees, 


1The charter of the Columbian Institute established for the promotion of arts and 
sciences, approved by the President in 1820, was as follows: 

“ Be it enacted, etc., That there be granted, during the pleasure of Congress, to the 
Columbian Institute for the Promotion of Arts and Sciences, the use and improvement 
of a tract of public land in the city of Washington, not exceeding five acres, to be located 
under the direction of the President of the United States, for the purpose of enabling 
the said Columbian Institute to effect the object of their incorporation: Provided, That 
whenever the said institute shall be dissolved, or cease to exist, or to employ the said 
tract of land for the purposes aforesaid, all right, title, and interest, hereby granted to 
the same, shall revert to, and vest in, the United States, as completely as if such grant 
had never been made.” (16th Cong., Ist sess. From Private Statutes at Large, United 
States of America, 1789-1845, vol. 6.) 

Adverting to this institute and its connection with the then Botanic Garden, Richard 
Rathbun, Assistant Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, in his monograph on the 
Columbian Institute for the Promotion of Arts and Sciences (Smithsonian Institution 
Bulletin 101, 1917) says: ‘‘ Ceasing to exist as an active organization in 1837, the fact 
that it had established and maintained a botanic garden for nearly two decades seems 
almost immediately to have been forgotten, and the selection of the identical tract for 
the United States Botanic Garden 13 years later would, therefore, appear, so far as 
shown by any of the records now available, to have had no relation to its former occu- 
pation by the Columbian Institute.” 

2 Up to 1852 sums amounting in all to $158,753 were appropriated for the salary of the 
scientific corps, caring for the collection and for preparing and publishing the works cn 
the expedition. From 1844 to 1875 a series of appropriations for greenhouse and garden 
construction amounted to about $114,861 additional. 

2For a detailed account of the beginnings of the Botanic Garden on this site see 
Bulletin 101 of Smithsonian Institution, by Richard Rathbun, Assistant Secretary of the 
Smithsonian Institution in charge of United States National Museum, Appendix, p. 136. 


62 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


seeds, fertilizer, etc., approximately $228,550, and for salaries and 
labor from 1843 to 1916 approximately $496, 607 more. Expense of 
lighting is included in that of the Coptil from: 1876 to the present 
time. The total expenditure on the gardens from about 1842 to 1917, 
including the original appropriation for the expedition, amounts to 
about $1,416,748. The present structures and equipment are anti- 
quated and inadequate for a real botanic garden. Most of that which 
has value can be removed. 


THE NEED OF A REAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


When comparison is made with the gardens of other cities and 
countries, the fact is disclosed that the United States Government has 
no real botanic garden in Washington. The present so-called Botanic 
Garden does not compare favorably even with gardens established 
in other cities in this country. The name isa misnomer. <A national 
Botanic Garden in Washington was conceived in the early days of 
the century by broad- minded and farseeing men. It was begun by 
the employment of Government vessels, and a large appropriation 
for those days. The work was handled by a body of scientists. This 
garden, so wisely and adequated begun, now serves mainly as a dis- 
tributor of plants and flowers. 

The present area of the entire establishment devoted to both Bo- 
tanic Garden display and propagating purposes for congressional 
use is 12.47 acres. Of this 11.31 acres are included in the fenced area 
and 1.16 lie south of Maryland Avenue. Of the section lying south 
of Maryland Avenue a number of stables covering 0.10 acre are used 
for other purposes, and need not be included. Of the area within 
the inclosure 1.15 acres only are covered by palm houses and other 
structures, while the remainder of 10.16 acres is used for out-door dis- 
play; this latter area has been diminished considerably by the loca- 
tion of the Grant Memorial, and when the construction of the Meade 
Memorial is begun, the avi ailable space will be still further decreased. 

The famous Royal Botanic Gardens of Kew, formerly of 253 acres, 
of which 178 were in the arboretum and 75 in gardens devoted to 
economic and taxonomic work, had been increased to 288 acres in 
1908. The 24 colonial botanical gardens of the British Empire are 
closely associated and identified with Kew. These associated gardens 
have opened up new industries in the British Colonies, thus creating 
an increased demand for capital and labor; have introduced quinine, 
cocoa, and rubber from South American countries to colonies where 
it was theretofore unknown in culture, and tea into South Africa 
where it had not been previously grown; and in many other ways 
have repaid a thousandfold by vastly increasing the trade of the 
Empire. This work became so pronounced as to have interested the 
German Empire to such an extent that Bismarck paid a special visit 
to Kew to ascertain just what influence this garden was having on 
the commerce of the British Empire. In this country economic work 
is done by the Agricultural Department, from whose activities those 
of a botanic garden should be distinctly separated. 

Berlin has 1,325 acres in its botanic garden, which was established 
at a cost of $4,000,000. Paris has 75 acres, Edinburgh has 58 acres, 
Glasgow 40 acres, Petrograd 54 acres, and Rio de Janeiro has 2,000 
acres. In the appendix will be found deser iptions of botanic cardens 


ESTABLISHMENT “OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 63 


in various parts of the world. These gardens all are a source of 

leasure as well as of profit to the nations in which they are located. 

arvard University has given to the city of Boston the 220 acres 
comprised in the Arnold “Arboretum, the maintenance of the roads 
being paid by the city and the teaching facilities being retained by 
the university. St. Louis has 80 acres in its Shaw Gardens. New 
York has 400 acres. Pittsburgh and some other cities have botanic 
gardens in connection with their park systems. 


REMOVAL OF THE PRESENT GARDEN WILL BENEFIT THE PUBLIC. 


The removal of the Botanic Garden by no means implies that the 
public which now enjoys the present garden is to be left without 
such enjoyment in the immediate neighborhood of the Capitol. The 
enlargement of the Capitol Grounds on the north affords an area for 
gardens of great beauty and distinction, through which will pass all 
visitors to W ashington and a large proportion of those persons who 
daily go to the Capitol and the Library of Congress. The present 
Botanic Garden is seen by an insignificant fraction of visitors or 
residents. -The contemplated Congress gardens will be a feature of 
the city and will take their place among the means of daily enjoy- 
ment by all who approach Capitol Hill. The removal of the garden 
features from the west side of the Capitol to the north side simply 
makes such features more available than they now are. 


ALTERNATIVE SITE FOR TEMPORARY RELOCATION OF GARDEN. 


If Congress desires to find a temporary location to accommodate 
the propagating structures and equipment lying within the fenced-in 
inclosure, comprising the palm house, the superintendent’s quarters, 
and some glass houses (which in themselves cover an area of about 
1.15 acres), there is available for their accommodation an old canal 
space, Government owned, of about 2.72 acres at Second Street and 
New Jersey Avenue, between M and N Streets SE. The space imme- 
diately adjoining it on the north at Second Street, between M and L 
Streets, of about 0.79 acre, is also available. Thus an area double 
the size of that now in use is available without land cost. 


A REAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


The problem is only half solved when provision is made for flowers 
for Members of Congress and for the present limited output of shrubs 
and cuttings. There is a demand for a real Botanic Garden in 
which the public may examine living specimens of the enormous 
varieties of trees, shrubs, vines, and herbaceous plants native to this 
locality or capable of being orown here, freely, out of doors. These 
plants should be classified, and the public should be made free of the 
grounds for recreation and study. The people not only get direct 
enjoyment but also they benefit by reason of the help in making 
selection of trees, shrubs, and other plants for home vrounds and for 
street planting. | 

A large area is required to grow well-developed specimens of the 
different kinds of trees which are native to the District alone, to say 
nothing of showing the very different aspects of those trees when 


64 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN, 


grouped as in a wood, and when grown singly as lawn or street trees. 
The great numbers of native shrubs, the equally important and inter- 
esting trees and shrubs which have been introduced and will be 
introduced from all over the world, require an outlying area run- ~ 
ning into some hundreds of acres. It presents a wholly different 
problem from that of a place limited primarily to the exhibition of 
garden flowers in the usual sense of the term. It calls not only for 


a large tract of land but for one of diversified soil and varied 
exposure. 


SITES FOR AN ADEQUATE BOTANIC GARDEN. 


An exhaustive search has been made of areas available for garden 
purposes in the District of Columbia. The commission has sought 
a location on which a botanic earden might be established with such 
area and such diversity of soils as would enable it to take rank as 
great institution. Examinations were made of tracts at Rock Cok 
Park, Brightwood,? Foundry Branch,’ Mount Hamilton, on the east- 
ern side of the Anacostia Riv er,” 2 and in Vi irginia.? 

Rock Creek Park —Of the sites suggested, the one at the head of 
Rock Creek Park is given first consideration, because it has been fre- 
quently mentioned as available at no cost for land. 

The entire park comprises 1,606 acres, most of which is in steep 
wooded hillsides. 

If Rock Creek Park shall be given up as a park and used solely 
for a National Botanic Garden and Arboretum, much can be said 
in favor of this area, in spite of the predominance of excessively 
steep slopes. There are scattered areas of moderate slopes on the 
uplands and strips of level land subject to overflow in the bottom 
of the valley. There is a considerable variety of soils and expo- 
sures, and if every piece of land in the park physically adaptable to 
botanic garden purposes were to be regarded as available for such 
use, the total area would be ample. It is a serious practical objec- 
tion, however, that the most available areas are so scattered and so 
separated from each other by deep ravines and steep hills as to make 
the layout and administration of a great botanic garden and abo- 
retum on this site inconvenient and in the long run “unduly costly. 

Again, it is not Bese to disregard the value of the land for 
other purposes. Congress did not authorize the acquirement of 
Rock Creek Park Scanlae in pursuance of a general theory that a 
growing capital city ought to have a large general reserve of land 
avs ailable for public recreation and for ‘kindred uses, to be “im- 
proved” and made available from time to time as the need for 
various specific uses might become apparent. 

The land was bought because the valley of Rock Creek within the 
District of Columbia had certain peculiar and extraordinary char- 
acteristics. which gave it a special value for one particular purpose, 
a value unattainable elsewhere, a value which would be destroyed 


1Dr. N. L. Britton of the New York Botanic Garden very aptly terms botanic gardens 
museums of living plants which are treated aS Museum objects, labeled and installed to 
illustrate not only the objects themselves but their relation to other objects; highly spe- 
cialized parks are immediate factors in public education, imparting visual information in 
a positive and direct manner while serving as places of publie recreation. 

For the practical application of the theory of a botanic garden, see also the list of 
courses of instruction by the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, in Appendix, pp. 114-119. 

*See Appendix, pp. 67-68. 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 65 


if Congress did not act to preserve it, a value which, if faithfully 
preserved, would give incalculable enjoyment and healthful recre- 
ation to the people of the District in future generations. This 
special value was and is dependent on the peculiar beauty of the 
natural scenery of Rock Creek Valley. 

This is not the place to attempt any analysis of that beauty, but 
clearly it has its own distinctive qualities; very precious, very easily 
destroyed. It was primarily those qualities which justified the 
acquirement of the park, and nothing ought to be permitted within 
its borders that will tend to subordinate or sacrifice them. 

The character of the native vegetation is one of the important 
factors in making this scenery what it is. In places the woods had 
been cleared before the park was acquired, the location of these 
clearings being wholly accidental as far as concerns their effect on 
the landscape. Some of these openings, left as simple green fields, 
are an advantage to the scenery. Others might better be restored 
in time to a woodland condition, but that woodland should be abso- 
lutely harmonious with the native forest. 

Tf the attempt shall be made to create an arboretum here, even 
without the glittering glass houses and formal beds of a complete 
botanic garden, conflicts of purposes are certain to arise which will 
defeat in a measure the original purpose of Rock Creek Park. It 
is essential in any arboretum or botanical park worthy of the name 
to introduce many plants which not only are not native of the 
locality but which produce effects radically different from those 
which make the Rock Creek scenery what it is. 

The danger is strikingly illustrated for anyone who has an appre- 
ciation of the qualities of natural landscape by the planting which 
has actually been done on certain open lands in Rock Creek Park, 
with the purpose of creating an arboretum. This planting, it is 
understood, was done by the Forestry Service, under permission from 
the Board of Control of Rock Creek Park. It can be seen near Camp 
Good Will. It does not now and it never will look like a part of the 
natural scenery. It is distinctly out of harmony with it. The sort of 
thing that has here been done on an open field is liable to be done 
almost anywhere in the park if the purpose of creating a varied 
botanical collection is placed side by side with that of preserving the 
natural scenery as one of the prime objects of the park. 

A national botanic garden, arboretum or botanical park worthy of 
the United States Government can never be created unless those in 
charge are enthusiastically devoted to its special purposes and ready 
to serve those purposes at the expense of the peculiarities of the local. 
natural scenery whenever the two purposes unavoidably conflict. 
If the botanic garden is established in Rock Creek Park, the inevit- 
able result will be the gradual frittering away of a priceless and self- 
consistent piece of natural scenery. — 

It is not necessary to express an opinion as to whether the purposes 
of a national botanic garden are more or less important than those 
for which Rock Creek was acquired. The point is that both purposes 
can not dominate the management of one piece of ground without 
conflict, and this piece of ground was set apart by Congress for the 
preservation of its natural scenery. If the original intention of 


66 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


Congress in this instance is to be observed, the introduction of such 
a foreion element as a botanic garden is too "dangerous to be ventured. 
Therefore, the use of Rock Creek Park for this purpose can not be 
recommended. 

The Mount Hamilton site —The Mount Hamilton site is situated 
between the Bladensburg Road and the new Anacostia reclamation 
project, just south of the National Training School for Boys. The 
larger hill itself is shown on the park plan of 1901 as a desirable 
addition to the park system. It is now privately owned. It has 
three round-top peaks immediately adjacent to the Bladensburg. 
Road, which in themselves cover about 80 acres; nearly all wooded, 
mostly with oaks in good condition. The eastern slope of the hill 
has an outcrop of yellow sand, which supports a vigorous growth of 

ine. The hill itself is of a heavier gravel soil. Immediately north 
of this hill there is a comparatively level area extending to Hickey 
Road, which is of rich farming soil. Connecting these two areas 
with the National Training School for Boys is another small hill, 
densely wooded, whose precipitous sides drop abruptly to the bank 
of the Anacostia River. 

The tract fronts on the Anacostia River for a distance of about 
9,000 feet, and carries a large variety of soils in such condition that . 
very little. preparation for the uses of a botanic garden would be 
needed. Little grading other than that required for ‘roads is required. 
It has north, south, east, and west slopes, and the level area between 
the hill and Hickey Road would work out well for greenhouses and 
herbaceous gardens; while the other areas would be ideal for shrub 
and small flowering-tree arboretum uses, especially as the northern 
and southeastern slopes of the hill form two amphitheaters which 
would ey such exhibits on a large scale. An examination of 
the soil has been made by the Department of Agriculture and its 
report may be found in the apaenane Briefly summarized, the in- 

vestigation by that department indicates that it will be possible to 
erow plants of even the most exacting soil requirements, the diverse 
types of soil affording almost every variation which can be secured 
in this section of the country. According to this report practically 
any plant which can thrive in this climate can be grown in this area. 

The whole area contains about 476 acres. About 109 acres of it 
is to be acquired for the Anacostia Park reclamation, so that only 
about 367 acres need to be considered for purchase in connection with 
this project. It is on the main highway line between Baltimore and 
Washington. The Lincoln Highway, with little difficulty, could be 
brought along the shores of the Anacostia Park and thence by way 
of Maryland Avenue to the Capitol Building, affording an entrance 
to W ashington of unequaled beauty. As fo accessibility, there is 
already an electric car line along the Bladensburg Road, and the 
junction of the Pennsylvania and Baltimore & Ohio Railroads is 
only about 2,000 feet away, while the Pennsylvania Railroad is about 
800 feet from the excellent possible sites for the greenhouses and the 
herbaceous gardens. 

For extension of the gardens the Anacostia Park is available. 
That portion of the park between the Pennsylvania Railroad and 
Benning Bridge contains about 563 acres, lowland and water, thus 


EE 
 MTHAMI ON ee 


PROPOSED 
yf 7 Fs Seb Ge 


ay aga Ae Ge 
EPS ZEN Re aigheRO Oe Manes Nt Ae 
\\ “NATIONAL BOTANIC’, 


- GARDEN) 4 


aii 
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Sie 
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a ks 


KEN 


Z, 
Shaded Areas f TO PO S} S) | B L E; 
Indicate sheir : S 
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Location Le —— 


TS CARDEN Stes 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 67 


furnishing ample opportunity for expansion on land not subject to 
overflow for lowland and fresh-water exhibits. 

Tf in the future there should be added to this area that portion of 
the Anacostia Park between Benning Bridge and the Pennsylvania 
Bridge, there would be an addition of another 398 acres, including 
land and water, which could be used in connection with the proposed 
garden. This extension into the Anacostia Water Park would afford 
unlimited opportunity for beautiful aquatic gardens, with all the 
possibilities this implies. 

Tt will thus be seen that by extension into the Anacostia Park this 
undertaking that has been begun purely as a necessary sanitary meas- 
ure can be made to so serve the Nation doubly, thus paying large 
dividends on the capital invested. At the assessor’s valuation, ac- 
cording to the latest available data, the cost of the 367 acres in this 
tract would amount to $254,520. 50, which is at the rate of $693.50 
per acre. 

In point of physical availability, excellence of exposure, acces- 
sibility, distribution of essential parts, and capacity for enlargement 
without increase of cost after the initial purchase, the Mount Hamil- 
ton location stands out preeminent among all the sites that have 
been examined. Here both the Botanic Garden and the Congress 
propagating gardens can be adequately accommodated permanently 
without conflicting i in any way with the city’s development. On the 
contrary, they could contribute their important share harmoniously 
and effectively to the upbuilding of the Nation’s Capital. 

The Mount Hamilton tract, by reason of its location and topog- 
raphy, has been recommended in the plans for the development of 
the city as desirable in any event for park purposes and ultimately 
should be acquired. It affords vistas over the city comparable with 
those from the famous Pincian Hill over the city of Rome. Should 
Congress decide to retain the Congress Gardens in the vicinity of the 
Capitol, the Botanic Garden and arboretum ought in any case to be 
established at Mount Hamilton. 


SUMMARY OF COSTS. 


Comparative valuation of the three principal sites suggested for 
use as a botanic garden. 


Aver- 
ape : | Assessor’s -B8€ 3 
Location. | Acres. | SAO. ae | Remarks. 
acre. 
| | 

Mount Hamilton, north- 367 |$254, 520.50 |$693.50 | Reached by the Bladensburg electric line. Joins 
east. | | Anacostia River development and has eastern, 
western, southern, and northern exposure. 
Can expand in Anacostia Park to produce 


: | | garden of over 1,400 acres. 
Brightwood,! northeast. -| 312 | 185,885.00 | 595.00 | B. & O. R. R. (Metropolitan Branch). Has all 
} exposures. Cannot expand in the future ex- 
| | cept at cost of additional purchase. 
Foundry Branch,! nortb- | 189 | 197,912.00 |1,047.00 Wisconsin Avenue electrics. East, west, and 
east | | | south exposures. Can rot expand i in the future 
| except at cost of additional purchase. 


! For a discussion of the availability of these sites see Appendix, pp. 67-68. 


68 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 
RECOMMENDATIONS. 


The Commission of Fine Arts recommends: 

First, that the Mount Hamilton tract be acquired for a national 
botanic garden and arboretum. By purchasing 367 acres of land 
at least 800 acres of Government-owned lands will be made avail- 
able; also a park entrance to the city from the north will be pro- 
vided. 

Second, that the public features of the present Botanic Garden 
be transferred from the west side of the Capitol to the north side 
and to lands already owned by the Government. Also that the prop- 
agating gardens be accommodated temporarily on the James Creek 
Canal spaces owned by the Government, which spaces are of double 
the extent of the area now in use. Ultimately those features should 
become part of the new botanic garden. 

By direction of the commission. 

Respectfully, 
Cuartes Moore, Chairman. 

Hon. Frank B. Branpecee, 

Chairman Committee on the Library, 
Senate of the United States. 


NoTter: 
May 24, 1920. 

When the report was first prepared in 1917 the figures of area were 
given as 400 acres and the assessor’s full valuation at a lttle over 
$221,000. Upon a more recent investigation the area becomes 367 
acres and the assessor’s full valuation becomes $254,520.50. Reasons 
for the difference are twofold: First, that three years have elapsed 
and a reassessment has taken place; second, and more important, that 
the boundaries between this area and the Anacostia Park have been 
definitely fixed by metes and bounds and show a little less taken for 
the Anacostia project and a little more for this project, so that what 
is added to the apparent expense for the Botanic Garden is deducted 
from the apparent expense for the Anacostia project. 


APPHNDIX, 


{Compiled by James G. Langdon, member of American Society of Landscape Architects. ] 


Review or Brigntwoop Tracr, Founpry Brancnu Tract, anp Hasr 
Caprroy Street, ANACOSTIA, AND VIRGINIA SITEs. 


The Brightwood tract.—There is a tract of some 312 acres of pri- 
vately owned land, here designated the Brightwood tract, which lies 
between the District line and the Metropolitan branch of the Balti- 
more & Ohio Railroad at Stott and Terra Cotta Stations. It is rich 
market-garden property, and is used largely for that purpose. A 
small stream within this area is about 6 inches deep by 3 feet wide, 
and its surface is about 34 feet on the average below the surrounding 
farm lands. The entire valley along its borders is under a high state 
of cultivation, as are various areas among the groves on the uplands. 
It is accessible by the Metropolitan branch of the Baltimore & Ohio 
Railroad, and the Brightwood extension of the Washington Street 
Railway is about 3,500 feet away. This area could not be increased in 
size, except at undue cost, and does not possess the variety of soils met 
with in some of the other tracts under consideration. It consists, for 
the most part, of a sandy loam, such as is generally used for raising 
strawberries, which are grown extensively in this region. It is prob- 
ably the richest farm area in the District. The price per acre, asses- 
sor’s valuation, averages $595. It is hotter in summer than is desirable 
in a botanic garden, owing to its inland position. Its distance is a 
disadvantage, and it lacks the variety of topography and soils that is 
desirable. 

The Foundry Branch tract.—This tract, all private property, com- 
prises about 189 acres. The portion available for greenhouse and 
herbaceous purposes lies adjacent to Tunlaw Road, and is probably 
about 20 acres in extent. It would require an undue amount of grad- 
ing to fit it to the purpose required. From this tract there is a mag- 
nificent view over Georgetown and down the Potomac, and there is a 
greater variety of soils than in the case of the Brightwood tract. It 
has more ledge outcrop than either the Brightwood tract or Mount 
Hamilton, and is quite thickly covered with miscellaneous growth of 
trees and mountain laurel. The tract below it could be included in the 
project only at a prohibitive price. All in all, this tract is too steep 
and irregular to be of use for the purpose. Practically its sole advan- 
tage is the fine view and its accessibility by the Wisconsin Avenue 
branch of the street railway. The assessor’s valuation is $197,912, 
which equals $1,047 per acre. 

East Capitol Street site—There is also an undeveloped area, pri- 
ately owned, north of the old District Jail and between Nineteenth 


186037—20—Prt 2 2 69 


70 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


Street NE. and the taking line of the Anacostia Park as far north 
as North Carolina Avenue, comprising some 50 acres of moderately 
high ground adjoining the ‘taking line of the Anacostia Water Park. 
While this will’ be readily accessible later, when the street car lines 
are extended along East Capitol Street, and is capable of enlarge- 
ment by extension into the Anacostia Water Park, its topography 
and lack of variety of soil make it comparatively unsuitable for con- 
sideration. After careful examiation it can not be recommended. 

Anacostia and Virginia sites —That area shown on the park report 
of 1901 lying across the Anacostia opposite the present termination 
of Massachusetts Avenue and extending eastwardly from the Ana- 
costia up the slopes toward Bowen Road has many points of advant- 
age for a tree arboretum but does not seem to be suitable for a 
botanic garden, there being too great a preponderance of steep topo- 
graphy. Although the soil is varied and well drained, the exposure 
is a northwestern one and open to the heavy winter winds. The 
examination made showed that it could not be recommended. 

Search was also made on the Virginia side near the Aqueduct 
Bridge, especially in the region of Mackeys Hill. The entire area 
under consideration on the Virginia side did not seem to offer any 
particular advantages, either as to accessibility, exposure, or phy- 
sical adaptability. Similar lands to those occupied by the United 
States farms of the Department of Agriculture are too low to give 
the variety of topography needed for this particular purpose ‘and 
are too cold and foggy at certain seasons of the year. Besides, por- 
tions of these lands have an unfortunate way of baking very hard 
in the summer, probably owing to nearness of the eround water to 
the surface. Inv estigation along this side of the river indicated that 
there was no site which satisfies the conditions. 


DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 
Washington, July 21, 1917. 
Col. Wizt1am W. Harts. 
Office of Public Buildings and Grounds, War Department. 

My Dear Cou. Harts: The tract of land to which you have called 
attention in your letter of April 26 has been examined and its suit- 
ability as a site for a botanical garden considered. I recognize the 
desirability of having a creditable garden at the National Capital, 
and the importance of botany to the dev elopment of agriculture in 
this country makes the establishment of a botanical garden a matter 
of practical importance to this department. 

A botanical garden developed in the District of Columbia should 
provide sufficient space in which to arrange plantings for the proper 
park effect, and the tract suggested affords ample space for the de- 
velopment of a large arden, “valuable both as a city park and for 
the permanent planting of native and exotic plants. The land of 
this area ranges from the tidal flat to an elevation of 239 feet at 
the top of Mount H: amilton, and while not presenting the rock ledges, 
such as are found in Rock Creek Park, still affords steep slopes, 
changes in elevation, and a general contour so desirable in the devel- 
opment of a botanical park. With this area suitably parked, the en- 
trance into Washington from the northeast on the highland near 
Mount Hamilton with the broad avenue leading to the Capitol would 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. ial 


be most impressive and dignified. At the same time this land would 
serve a very practical purpose. 

A report on the soils and some of the prominent features of the 
vegetation and a map of the soil area are attached to this letter. 
The soils of the area are very diverse. Over 30 different types are 
represented on the accompanying map. These afford almost every 
variation which can be secured in this section of the country. A 
large portion of the soil consists of a sandy loam with a light red- 
dish, sandy clay subsoil and represents good agricultural land. The 
total area of poor soils is not so great as to hamper the development 
of these areas with species of plants especially suited to them. The 
colluvial type of soil, represented by only one small area on the’ 
map, Is much more extensive than shown, and occurs in small de- 
posits along many of the stream beds. 

No better guide to the adaptability of the area for a botanic gar- 
den can be found than the existing natural plant cover. About 150 
acres of the tract is in timber, very little of it scrub pine, most of it 
hardwood, especially oak, with a liberal sprinkling of hickory, 
tulip poplar, sweet and black gum, and many other of our native 
trees. Mount Hamilton, the most conspicuous topographic feature 
of the tract, is covered by an almost pure growth of oak. In a long 
strip of timber running down from the northeast foot of Mount 
Hamilton the trees approach in dimensions those of a primeval 
forest, and toward the south foot of Mount Hamilton, where the 
trees are scattered in open groves with wide and low branches, 
some of the individual oaks, with trunks 4 feet or more in diameter, 
are beautiful and impressive examples of pasture trees. Laurel, 
blueberry, and other acid-soil plants also occur. On the low col- 
luvial soils such trees as pawpaw represent a bottom-land flora. 

It is obvious, therefore, that practically any plants which can 
thrive in this climate can be grown in this area. The absence of 
rock masses is to be regretted, but such masses can be produced ar- 
tificially if they are deemed essential at some later period. 

The natural vegetation of this tract as it stands will furnish a 
good basis from which to develop a botanical garden, since most 
of the native plants of this section are growing in the area. Judg- 
ing from the natural plant cover, it will be possible to grow plants 
of even the most exacting soil requirements. The acid-soil plants, 
such as laurel, are here well represented. The marsh lands along 
the river afford opportunity for the development of water and 
swamp gardens, which would be unusual and at the same time a 
most desirable feature. Here can be grown, not only many of the 
most beautiful lilies, but many important agricultural plants seldom 
seen 1n botanical gardens. 

In case the present tract can be secured it would seem that it could 
be so developed as to form a part of the great park system, and at 
the same time to make a valuable institution in the development of 
science in the National Capital. 

The site which you propose is admirable in location, topography, 
present plant cover, and in capabilities of future development. It 
is doubtful if any tract in the District can be secured which is as 
suitable for this purpose. 

Respectfully, 
Davi Houston, Secretary. 


G2 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


? 


Tue Sorms or tHe Prorosep Boranitc GarpEN SitE on ANACOSTIA 
River, D. C. 


[By Hugh H. Bennett, Bureau of Soils.] 


The tract of land included in the soil survey les on the west side 
of Anacostia River, between the Bladensburg Road and the river, 
and between the Pennsylvania Railroad on the north and M Street 
onthe south. The topography ranges from level to rolling, with steep 
slopes on Mount Hamilton, Hickey Hall, Licking Banks, and alone 
the deep ravines that have cut into the southeastern side of Mount 
Hamilton and from the Anacostia marsh back into the uplands of 
the northeastern part of the tract. The range of elevation is from 
tide level to about 239 feet at the peak of Mount Hamilton. 

The boundaries between the several classes of soil shown on the 

map were not traced out in detail in all cases, but they are sufficiently 
accurate to show the essential soil features of the tract. Some unim- 
portant small patches of soil have been ignored in this survey. 

The soils of the tract vary widely in the character of both the soil 
and subsoil material, in depth of soil, and in topography and drain- 
age. There is a range from good sandy loam soil of easy working 
quality to the most intractable clay and stony sandy land of low 
productivity.. The principal upland soils consist of: (1) Sandy loam, 
with stiff red clay subsoil, constituting a medium good grade of 2 aori- 
cultural land; (2) sandy loam, with ght reddish to red sandy clay sub- 
soil, representing good agricultural land; (3) stiff red clay and clay 
loam, partly steep “and stony, representing land of low productivity ; 
(4) droughty sandy slopes and stony hilltop land of poor to fair agri- 
cultural value. The stream bottoms are subject to overflow, aracl in 
present condition are permanently wet, with the exception of the 
relatively high flat (or low second bottom) area near the mouth of 
the stream crossing the tract about its center, which is occupied by 
good well-drained “sandy loam and loam. The marshes include (1) 
silty clay of fairly firm consistency and (2) boggy material under- 
lain by peat. 

The material forming the upland soils consists of water-laid or 
marine sediments (Coastal Plain material). The sandstone rock 
occurring on the hills and slopes was locally formed by cementation 
of sand with iron oxide. apparently in the same manner some of the 
more consolidated “ hardpan” layers of the West are formed. Some 
of the rock resembles bogiron ore. 

The soils represented on the tract are common to eastern and 
southern Maryland, Delaware, and southern New Jersey. The better 
erades of land represented here are extensively farmed through this 
region, being used for vegetables, the general farm crops, tree “fruits, 
and berries. Commercial fertilizers are in common use and applica- 
tions of lime are frequently made with good results. The soils are 
deficient in humus and probably most of them are much in need of 
hme. 


UPLAND SOILS. 


Soils with stiff red clay subsoils—Susquehanna group.—These soils 
have heavy, plastic, red-clay subsoils, which frequently are mottled 
with gray, white, yellow, and shades of red. The sandy loam (24) 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 03 


has a yellowish to reddish sandy loam or sand passing beneath into 
sandy loam varying from 6 or 8 ‘to about 20 inches deep over the stiff 
clay. This occupies much of the smoother eastern slopes of Mount 
Hamilton and also occurs on the western slope of Hickey Hill. It is 
a moderately good vegetable, corn, oat, and berry soil. Oak is the 
principal tree. There is some hickory, tulip poplar, and, in the east- 
ern part, pine. The soil is easy to handle. The oravelly sandy loam 
(21) differs from the sandy loam chiefly in the presence of an abun- 
dance of quartz gravel. 

The fine sandy loam (8) has a shallower depth to clay, is more 
compact, and in the flat areas is poorer drained than the sandy loam. 
It is best suited to small grain. On the flat areas crops make slow 
growth, especially during ‘cool or wet seasons. 

The coarse sandy loam (57) consists of grayish coarse sand and 
gravel in the surface few inches, with yellowish coarse sandy loam 
beneath, extending to depths of about 12 to 24 inches before the red 
clay is reached. "The principal area is on Hickey Hill. There is 
much pine and some oak. This is not a very good type of soil. It is 
thoroughly drained and warm natured and “consequently could be 
used for early plants, such as early vegetables and flowers. 

Along the slopes just south of the “Pennsylvania Railway, in the 
eastern ‘part of the tract, there is some deep, loose Susquehanna sand, 
representing a droughty soil. Pine is one of the principal trees on 
this type. 

The Susquehanna clay (39) is an unwieldy soil. On drying it 
hardens oA can not be satisfactorily tilled; when wet it is extremely 
plastic and sticky. It is a soil of very undesirable characteristics 
from the standpoint of crop production, but oak trees succeed on it. 
Grass can be grown, and with proper tillage and good seasons some 
wheat could be grown. Sweet clover also will succeed, at least in 
some places. It is being used for the manufacture of flower pots. In 
the lower depths nodules of lime (calcium carbonate) are found in 
places, as, for example, in the excavations made for the sewer line in 
the central part of the tract. The stony areas of the clay (29) are 
still less valuable. 

The clay loam (2) can be worked easier than the clay, since there 
is a surface covering of 5 to 10 inches of red clay loam or reddish 
sandy clay loam. Wheat and grass can be grown on land of this 
kind with a fair degree of success. 

The classific ation, clay, clay loam, and loam (56), occurs on steep 
slopes in the eastern part of the tract. In places there are some 
fragments and outcrops of sandstone. On these steep slopes beech, 
oak, and black gum, and some laurel and fern were seen. 

The silt loam (58) is a grayish silt loam overlying the red, heavy 
clay at shallow depth. It is'a fair soil for wheat and orass. The 
loam (17) and peas loam (11) are not extensive types. They 

_are fairly well suited to grass and small grain. 

Brownish to yellowish soils with yellow or mottled yellowish, 
reddish, and grayish compact subsoils—Leonardtown group.—These 
soils are not so extensive as the Susquehanna. The sandy loam and 
fine sandy loam classification (6) comprises the largest area. This 
vecurs chiefly on the upper slopes of Mount Hamilton. There are 
fragments of the locally formed sandstone on the surface in places, 
and this rock is frequently found in the subsoil, but there is less of it 


74 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


than in the unproductive stony sandy loam type (14) capping 
Mount Hamilton. There is much oak, and on the lower slopes where 
the soil is deeper, owing to accumulation of material washed down 
from above, some tulip poplar and sweet gum are found. Huckle- 
berries are abundant. The soil is decidedly acid to litmus paper. 
it is an open leachy soil of low to medium productivity, the lower 
slopes of deeper soil where the leaf mold has not been burned off so 
often representing the best grade of this land. This deeper and 
more loamy soil would make good crops of vegetables and berries. 

The Leonardtown loam (51) occurs in only a few small bodies. 
The lower-lying areas are imperfectly drained, and sweet gum is the 
most abundant tree, as, for example, in the area opposite Mount 
Olivet Cemetery. Wheat and grass are the crops usually grown on 
land of this kind. 

Brownish soils with yellowish red to red friable clay subsoils, 
coarser texture in the lower subsoil—Sassafras group.—These soils 
predominate over the smoother portion of the tract—that between 
Mount Hamilton and Hickey Hill. They are well drained, hold 
moisture well, and are easy to work. From an agricultural stand- 
point they constitute the best soils on the tract. (The sassafras soils 
are the chief farming soils in southern New Jersey, in Delaware, and 
in eastern and southern Maryland. They rank as the best agri- 
cultural lands of the middle Atlantic coast.) The sandy loam (60) 
is the principal type on this tract. This soil is extensively and suc- 
cessfully used in the production of early vegetables, sweet potatoes, 
cantaloupes, corn, oats, clover and timothy, peaches, pears, straw- 
berries, briarberries, and apples. Applications of commercial fer- 
tilizers and lime are generally made. Oak is the principal tree on 
the Anacostia tract. The deep phase of the sandy loam (3) is not so 
productive: crops suffer more from the effects of droughts. The 
loam (9) type is less extensive here. It is a good wheat, corn, grass, 
and late vegetable soul. 

The sassafras sand (42) and gravelly loamy sand (20) are thor- 
oughly drained, early soils peculiarly adapted to extra early vege- 
tables. They are not extensive on the tract. 

Yellowish soils with stiff yellow or mottled clay subsoils—K eyport 
group.—These soils resemble the Leonardtown soils in the surface 
and upper sections, but they have stiffer, heavier lower subsoils, such 
as retard underdrainage. They occupy flat, low areas, as a rule, and 
have only fair drainage. They are rather cold-natured late soils, 
adapted to grass, wheat, and late vegetables. The total area of all 
of these is not large. The fine sandy loam (32) and loam (27) are 
the principal types. Only a small body of the sandy loam (10) was 
found. 

Mottled grayish and brownish soil with gray clay subsoil—Elkton 
group.—Only one type of the Elkton soils was mapped—a single area 
of the loam (54). This soil occurs in a poorly drained depression. It. 
is best suited to grass and wheat. In eastern Maryland and in Dela- 
ware land of this kind is styled “ white oak land.” 


STREAM BOTTOM SOILS. 


The principal alluvial soil on the Anacostia tract is the strip of red- 
dish silty clay (14) occurring along the stream crossing the area 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. iS) 


near its center. This is a poorly drained soil, which would require 
ditching or tiling for successful use for ordinary farm crops. Over- 
flows could be prevented only by enlarging the channel or construct- 
ing levees, or doing both. Some reddish and yellowish sandy allu- 
vium (18) was mapped along the short streamlets emerging from the 
uplands in the eastern part of the tract. 

Good agricultural soil is represented in the reddish Wickham 
gravelly loamy sand (30) and brownish loam (47) occurring on the 
high bottom or second bottom near the mouth of the principal drain- 
age way crossing the tract. These soils are successfully used for vege- 
tables. Corn, oats, grass, and wheat would succeed on them. 


COLLUVIAL FAN SOILS. 


Several small bodies of colluvial material occur along the foot of 
the uplands bordering the tidal marshes. One small body of reddish 
loam was mapped in the eastern part of the tract. This represents 
material that has washed down from the adjacent slopes. A thrifty 
little grove of young pawpaw was seen on this. 


TIDAL MARSH. 


Three classes of tidal marsh were found as follows: (1) Timbered 
marsh consisting of bluish to brownish silty material, underlain at 
about 6 to 15 inches by brown peat (12a); (2) timbered. marsh con- 
sisting of reddish and bluish silty clay, with sandy clay in the subsoil 
im places (12b) ; and (3) open marsh (14) consisting of reddish and 
bluish silty clay with some sandy clay in the sub soil in places. The 
timbered marsh is covered with a thick growth of alder, ash, and other 
small trees, while the open marsh is covered with water lillies, marsh 
grass, etc. That with peat in the subsoil is very boggy. All this 
marsh is subject to tidal inundation. The material shows a low con- 
tent of water-soluble salts and is acid to litmus paper. 


DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 
Unirep Srarres GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, 
Washington, May 26, 1917. 
Col. Witt1am W. Harts, U.S. A., 
ey Commission of Fine Arts, 
1729 New York Avenue, Washington, D.C. 

Dear Cou. Harts: In compliance with your request of April 26, 
for a geological survey of the area of the proposed botanic arden, 
and in - acknowledgment of your letter of May 11: 

There is sent you under separate cover a map showing the prin- 
cipal features. A cross section shows the underground relations 
which are relatively uniform under the entire area. The section 
shows that the beds have a very gentle slope to the east and lie on a 
floor of granite gneiss which also slopes east. The work was done 
by N. Le Darton, the geologist who prepared the coastal plain part 
of the Washington folio. 


76 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


While the character of the fonnatone 1s given in the map legend, 
the following details regarding them may be useful: 

The predominating materials in the region are the sands and clays 
of the Patapsco and Arundel formations, which comprise the medi- 
cal portion of the Potomac group. The clay in the lower part of 
Hickey Valley may represent the top of the Patuxent formation or 
lower member of the group. These sands and clays are in irregular 
bodies, not only alternating one above the other, but also intererad- 
ing laterally. Owing to this relation it is not possible to map the 
individual bodies of each material. In general, the Patapsco beds 
consist mostly of sand and parts of this are cemented by oxide of 
iron into layers of brown “iron stone” which are conspicuous on 
Mount Hamilton and Hickey Hill. Detached fragments of this rock 
also occur in many of the lower slopes and in the terrace deposits. 
The latter are thin at most places and not everywhere distinguish- 
able from the underlying clay or sand. In part also they consist of 
disintegrated local material. 

The granite gneiss bedrock is from 300 to 350 feet below the sur- 
face under most of the region. In the overlying Patuxent formation: 
are sands and gravels which contain artesian water of excellent 
quality and cenerally in large volume. This water is utilized by 
deep wells at the Reform School and at many other places in the 
District. 

Very truly, yours, | 
Gro. Ors Smirn, Director. 


Unrtep Srates SENATE, 
Washington, March 5, 191. 


Dear Mr. Outmsrep: I am strongly opposed to putting Ake, Botanic 
Garden in Rock Creek Park because I am perfectly certain that the 
disposition of the ground for the purposes of the Botanic Garden 
would destroy the peculiar beauty of the park, which has been pre- 
served in the admirable self-restraint exercised in the treatment of 
the park up, to this time, and because many years of conflict for the 
preservation of Central Park against all sorts of incursions have 
shown me that the only safety is in beating back every invasion. 

We have had one serious weakness in New Y ork, arising from the 
fact that the Metropolitan Museum of Art was allowed to build in 
the park. I think that was a mistake, although I have long been a 
trustee of the museum and am deeply interested in it. 

In my view, we can afford to go without the Botanic Garden but 
we can not afford to destroy the park for the purpose of having one. 

Very sincerely, yours, ; 
Exrav Roor. 
FrepertcK Law Oumstep, Esq., 
Brookline, Mass. 


Boranitc GARDENS IN THE UNITED STATEs. 
{Extract from an article by Prof. N. L. Britton, in Science, Vol. IV. No. 88, 1896.] 


The first botanical er established in America was begun by 
John Bartram in Philadelphia in 1728. In it he placed a consider- 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. ag 


able number of plants obtained in the course of his extensive travels. 
The plot still remains, including the family homestead, somewhat 
modified, and it is a pleasure to know that it will be preserved as 
public ground. 

Andre Michaux, in the latter part of the last century, planted 
gardens at Charleston, S. C., and New Durham, N. J., but they were 
essentially nurseries from which he sent seeds and plants to Europe. 

In the year 1801 Dr. David Hosack, then professor of botany and 

materia medica in Columbia College, purchased 20 acres of ground 
in New York City, and called it the Elgin Botanic Garden; in this 
tract he accumulated, with great labor ‘during the next 10 years, a 
very large and valuable collection of plants. The institution was 
transferred to the State of New York, through an act of legislature, 
in 1810, and was then known as the Botanic Garden of the State of 
New York. It was. subsequently granted to Columbia College. 
Funds for its maintenance were not provided, however, and it was 
ultimately abandoned. Two catalogues of its plants were issued by 
Dr. Hosack, one in 1806 and another in 1811. The condition of bo- 
tanical gardens in America at that time is indicated by the following 
note in Dr. Hosack’s catalogue of 1806: 

I learn, with pleasure, that a botanic garden is proposed to be established 
near Boston. and connected with the University of Cambridge. The legislature 
of Massachusetts, with a munificence which does them honor, have granted, 
for this purpose. a tract of land, the value of which is estimated at $30,000; 
and several individuals have evinced their liberality and love of science by 
vyoluntary subscriptions to the amount of $15,000 toward the establishment and 
support of that institution. Another is also begun at Charleston, 8S. C., and 
a third is contemplated in New Jersey, in connection with the College of Prince- 
ton. ; 

In the year 1824 there was published at Lexington, Ky., the “ First 
Catalogues and Circulars of the Botanical Garden of Transylvania 
U. niversity at Lexington, Ky., for the year 1824,” by W. H. Rich- 
ardson, M. D., president of the board of managers, and C. S. Rafi- 
nesque, Ph. D., secretary. This rare pamphlet, which is not recorded 
im Dr. Call’s very complete hfe writings of Rafinesque, is of 24 
pages, and is printed alternately in English and French. It is es- 
sentially an appeal for plants and material for the garden, and a 
list of species that it could furnish to kindred institutions. This 
garden was evidently short-lived, inasmuch as in Rafinesque’s 
Neogenyton of the following year, 1825, he remarks, “ I mean, there- 
fore to indicate and propose in this small ec ‘say many of the numer- 
ous new genera of plants detected or ascertained, some of which were 
indicated last year, 1824, in the catalogue of the botanical garden 

which I have tried in vain to establish in Lexington.” 


Rewations oF Botanic GARDENS TO THE PUBLIC. 
[Extract from an article by Prof. N. L. Britton, in Science, vol. 31, April, 1910.] 
ILLUSTRATING THE VALUE OF AN ADEQUATE BOTANIC GARDEN. 


Botanic gardens are immediate factors in public education and at the same 
time places for public recreation and enjoyment. They could be called highly 
specialized parks, in which the plantations are formed and arranged primarily 
with regard to botanic facts and theories. Botanic gardens are museums of 
living plants which are treated as museum objects, suitably labeled, and are 
installed to illustrate not only the objects themselves but their relation to other 
objects. This museum feature, therefore, becomes a direct and immediate func- 
tion in imparting information to the public. 


78 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


The grouping of plants in botanic gardens is susceptible of widely different 
treatments, depending upon the character and area of the land available, the 
expense involved, and the facts and theories selected for illustration; also in the 
temperate zones, at least, upon the amount of greenhouse space available; also 
on the relative importance given to landscape considerations and upon the areas 
retained as natural forest, thicket, or meadow. The facts and theories capable 
of demonstration may be grouped in a general way, first, as biological rela- 
tionships ; second, as morphological and physiological features; third, economic 
applications; fourth, geographical distribution; fifth, esthetic and landscape 
features. Practical considerations aiso enter largely in the groupings of any 
kind. 


1. BIOLOGICAL RELATIONSHIPS. 
/ 

In this instance it is sought to illustrate species of various plant families in 
juxtaposition, the groupings thus formed being located in relation to each other 
in some predetermined sequence. There are practical considerations, such as 
certain orders of plants having both members which require sunshine and shade 
that renders a rigid sequence of this grouping not always possible. 

Collections of trees (arboretum), of shrubs (fruiticetum), of vines (vitice- 
tum), and of herbaceous plants, for the most part, at least. in separate areas. 
Plants depending on different climates for growth are usually put in glass houses. 
There is unually required in addition to this a museum of prepared plants, of 
fruits, seeds, etc., of photographs and drawings to complete the biological 
sequence. By indicating on the labels the native regions of plants biologically 
grouped information on geographic distribution may be given. 


2. MORPHOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL FEATURES. 


The demonstration and illustration of structure and functions presupposes 
some acquaintance with elementary botany. The rapid development of nature 
study in schools will render grouping of plants, arranged, from these stand- 
points, much more understandable. This grouping is much more likely to be for 
the use of students than for the public. 


3. ECONOMIC APPLICATIONS. 


Plants grouped and labeled with reference to their uses, or the uses of their 
products, are of direct interest to the public, coming closer to ordinary lines of 
thought than any other features of the vegetable world, except those of beauty. 
The arboretum illustrates the subject of forest products. Economic features of 
shrubs and herbaceous plants are usually brought out by special classification 
as food plants, drug plants, fiber plants, etc. These subjects can be very thor- 
oughly illustrated by the formation of museums of economic plant products, 
which is usually done in highly developed botanic gardens. 


4. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 


Groups of plants illustrating the botanical features of regions other than 
those of the local botanic gardens may be installed, and this feature is usually 
given more or less prominence in the collections of many gardens. This feature 
is of immediate interest to the public. It has its limits on account of soil and 
climate and is usually not complete. There are difficulties of growing trees and 
shrubs and herbaceous plants in a small area where it is sought to group them 
together on account of the trees casting too much shade for the lower plants. 
With greenhouses large enough some of these groups may be installed quite 
satisfactorily. Where funds are available it will be found advisable to install 
both the biological and geological systems. 


5. ESTHETIC AND LANDSCAPE FEATURES. 


“The general public is more interested in landscape effects and in plants from 
a standpoint of beauty than any other features of botanic gardens. Well-built 
and well-kept grounds appeal to the people as attractive places to visit. They 
are thus brought in contact with the means intended to instruct them in some 
of the branches of exhibition in a well-kept botanic garden. The residents of 
cities are particularly attracted to woodlands, thickets, and meadows, particu- 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. w9 


larly as these exhibits carry instruction in the beautification of home grounds. 
Developed flower gardens, as such, are generally located separately from the 
botanic garden plantations, for in them esthetic considerations are predominant. 
A comprehensive system of paths is essential because botanic gardens often- 
times become overcrowded on pleasant days in the spring. While many people 
keep to the paths, it is undesirable in large gardens to actually restrict visitors 
to the paths, for if this is done they would only come in contact with a relatively 
small number ef plants unless the path system was developed wholly out of 
keeping with the size of the garden. The indirect relation of botanic gardens to 
the public lies in their function of adding to the knowledge of plants and plant 
products and the diffusion of this knowledge by publication and otherwise. 
This feature is contributed by laboratories, herbaria, and the library, and 
through annual reports and pamphlets. 


THE DATES OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SOME BOTANIC GARDENS IN EUROPE. 
[From Oxford Gardens, 1912.] 


1309. Salerno. The Medical Garden of Mathaeus Sylvaticus. 

1333. Venice. A Medical Garden. 

1533. Padua. The First Botanic Garden. 

1544. Pisa. Founded by Cosmo de Medici. 

1577. Leyden. 

Montpeher, Breslau, and Heidelberg, established before 1600. 

1597. Paris. Established to supply the bouquets worn at court, 
but known after 1635 as the Garden of Plants. 3 

1621. Oxford. The oldest in England. Started with an area of 
five acres. 

1677. Chelsea. 

1680. Edinburgh. 


1760. Kew. 
AREA OF SOME BOTANIC GARDENS OF THE WORLD, 1917. 

Acres 
NASA MSO UUM MeANTS GLa ae 2 eS ee reset oe UE AU yO MUN 40 
EES AML OU CEM SLAC PANTS ET ai cai es ee EL EEL Eee i Je enna ea 40 
INVES OUEST Cee AVAL CEO TU IL EN UE ae aie ee hut A CRRA lbs 97 
SE GUETES VemIN CVV SS OVUL LIL EVEL CSS ee Sar aE ae AU I Rr 44 
J BPI VEE is SNYAICCH OO Ee es Ne AS ce a PE yo 1 oe ap TI UNL eI OU 83 
POU OS Adi CG eros ae ne oe es ee a EE ele De, maa NS AU al Rio te a ND 20 
Brussels ___ A fi pe ea I ON a A ad Raa UA La UT AS GRO 10 
Rio de Janeiro__- eS PUR SA a EE LR TA Beh i) EARN ES TL pe 2, 000 
NIOMERE AS at a eee RE ote ogee, Se cpalg Fe 215 BSNS Ap Nt a DIN NO CA RS 75 
NETL Mieyerelir Olmedo eal yee pe as Soe eae care Il lg dicey 550 
CES TTD ei OS NE rs NN Tee a ho NN PA IS NY Dar OD AL 
PEROT KON eae teem s Oe e es  e a pe Be Eee us Ee Ue BB A OHO se 20: 
PR eaiee PSs ART CRIT (2 eect ne SSE EP ans MTN SUBANON WEAR ee Natal 75 
The Royal Society Botanic Garden_______ DO RelA SCR Sap OLE) MRE US SH 18 
TEE axay: Ucanay Sap mie Valk ela a6 las a a a a a SN 288 

Gardens at home and abroad in correspondence with Kew are 111 in 
number. 

TS pee L rae SAGE SUC yi (0 LS Sa A ES eR ik 8 AN Dh SD ea SU MU 40 
SEV EES Oa gR SO ERY Ce ep a aS 2 ac Sa a i Le a I EL 40 
[DN a | Baas tree mie Seco el ks a0 epee ae we UE NE a ON CO am ee 58 
Tice a res TERI a ye WR eS Et lk a Ea IEA hata ce A 169 
POLES CEN C) Vy nos Sela eee nen eR noes ALC ey ra AN A hk NED aA RAMOS A 40 
NTS BY a Sa a ahah eC ee a PO? 
Airy ALOT Sra NC OE De SS PE Be ep A eA Tr 70 
SANT AON AG NYS yt eet a A a Ma I ae ep Sy ea SE 200 
ESTEE OULZ OT Orch EV, le OO ss esp ee man Ne eT Le 340 
SOntieAtoecs) bOLanic, Garden = 255 222 UF 2 ees iscsi et asthe oa 400 
SPIER O09 ee pce NRT SCN SO Oe BT a SL a ne gy LO 66 


SEE pre DELL ee MD ee EE Oe ea ON 55 


80 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


Acres.. 
BBs6.00 Raley’, ic Nis iV pie taihaes SNE 26 0 AAI eels Veeck EASA 48 
AMola Ane ore tsaran, Oty Mel alr veel AVILES GSN gat EG say 220 
MASSO UES OweaT el eG ern ers Daa eS ites INE OT Se ES Ca 125. 
NewrMorksCitysBhe Bromine oui Rei NSN Spe SEE i ee US ue ae 400 
Hope Gardens, B leclid a2 ike baer Manes cea Oty ad a Nets eM bok a Us SA SI 200: 
il vi os es 1(G a eis Ae I es BSR cet PO Ns ed ea eae aU AEE eA oN eC 63 
Mount Hamilton, 400 aeres, will, when joined with Anacostia Park, now 
aulbhori zed): equal lacie Metis LO) NT Os ROE aS eee 1, 400 


Boranico GARDENS OF THE WorLD. 


[Enlarged from the list by Prof. Penhallow, published in 1886 in the first annual report 
of the Montreal Botanic Garden.] 


It is intended to include in this list only such gardens as may be 
regarded as established upon a scientific basis, but owing to war- 
time conditions the list is necessarily faulty in this respect and in- 
complete as to the number of gardens. 


{Norr.—Those gardens marked with an asterisk (*) are described in pages 82-127.] 


ALGERIA—1 : Alger, Jardin d’Acclimatation du Hamma. 

AUSTRAL A—5: *Adelaide (South Australia), Botanic Gar- 
dens ; * Brisbane nena Government Botanic Gardens; 

* Melbourne (Victoria), Botanic Garden; *Sydney (New South 
Wales), Botanic Gardens; * Ballerat (Victoria), Botanic Gardens. 

AUSTRO-HUNGARY—13: Budapest (Transylvania), Univer- 
sity Botanic Garden; Szernowitz (Bukovia), University Botanic 
Garden; Gratz (Styria), University Botanic Garden; Innsbruck 
(Tyrol), University Botanic Garden; Klagenfurt (Carinthia) ; 
Kolozsvar (Transylvania); Krakau (Galicia), University Botanic 
Garden; Lemberg (Galicia), University Botanic Garden; Prague 
(Bohemia), University Botanic Garden; Selmeebanya (Transyl- 

vania); Trieste (Istria); * Vienna, University, Botanic Garden; 
acne Imperial Hort. nee ee Hofburg. 

ARGE NT INE REPUB * Buenos - Aires, Botanic Garden. 

BELGIUM—5: Antwerp; * Be Royal Botanic Garden; 
Ghent, University Botanic Garden; Gembloux, Botanic Garden of 
the Agricultural Institute ; Liege, University Botanic Garden. 

BRAZIL—1: *Rio de Janeiro, Botanic Gardens of the Agricul- 
tural Institute at Corrigez. 

CANADA—3: * Montreal (P. Q.),. Montreal Botanic Garden; 
* Ottawa, Botanic Garden; * Montreal, McGill University. 

CANARY ISLANDS—1: Orotava (Teneriffe), Jardin d’Accli- 
mation. 

CAPE COLON Y—6: Cape Town, Botanic Garden; Graaf Reinet ; 
Grahams Town, Albany Museum; Port Elizabeth; King Williams- 
town; Uitenhage. 

CEYLON—1: * Peradenia, Royal Botanic Garden and Hakgala 
Garden. 

O12 0 0) Ess aes Santiago, Quinta Normal. 

CHINA—1 * Hongkong, Botanic Garden. 

COCHIN CH INA—1.: Saigon, Colonial Botanic Garden. 

DENMARK-—2: Copenhagen, University Botanic Gardens; Co- 
penhagen, Royal, Gardens of Rosenberg. 

EAST AFRICA—1: Nairobi. 

ECUADOR—1: Quito. 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 81 


EGY PT—1: Cairo, Department of Agriculture. 

FRANCE—20: Angers; Besancon; Caen; Cannes; Clermont-Fer- 
rand; Dijon; Hyleres; Lille; Lyon; Montpellier; Nancy; Nantes; 
Orleans; * Paris, Garden of Plants; Rochefort; Rouen; St. Quentin ; 
Toulon; Toulouse; Tours. 

GERMAN Y—36: Aix la Chapelle; Bamberg (Bavaria) ; *Berlin, 
Berlin Botanic Gardens; *Berlin, University Botanic Gar dens; Bonn 
(Rhenish Prussia), University Botanic Gardens; Breslau (Silesia) ; 
Brunswick (Brunswick), Botanic Garden of the Polytechnic School; 
Carlsruhe (Baden); Cologne (Rhenish Prussia) ; Darmstadt 
(Hesse); “Dresden (Saxony), Royal Botanic Garden; Erlangen 
oo Frankfort on the Main (Hesse-Nasseu); Fribourg 
(Baden): Giessen (Hesse); Goerlitz (Silesia) ; Griefswald (Pome- 
rania) ; Halle upon Salle; *Dahlen, Royal Botanic Garden; Ham- 
burg; Heidelbere (Baden) ; Jena (Saxe-Coburg) ; Kiel (Schleswig- 
Holstein) : Konigsbere : Leipzig (Saxony); Marbourg (Hesse- 
Nassau) ; Munden (Hanover) ; Munich (Bavaria) ; Munster (West- 
phalia); Potsdam; Rostock (Mecklenburg) ; Strassburg (Alsace- 
Lorraine); Tharand (Saxony); Tubingen (Wurttemberg) ; Wurz- 
burg (Bavaria). 

GREAT BRITAIN and IRELAND—14: Birmingham (Ene- 
land); Cambridge (England); University Botanical ‘Department; 
*London (England), Chelsea Botanic Gardens; London (England), 
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; *London (England), Royal Botanic 
Society Gardens, Regent’s Park; London (England), Royal Horti- 
cultural Society Gardens, South Kensington : Manchester (Ene- 
land); Oxford (England), University Botanic Gardens; *Dublin 
(Ireland), Royal Botanic Gardens of Glasnevin; Dublin (Ireland), 
Trinity College; Belfast (Ireland), Royal Belfast Botanic Gardens ; 
*Edinburgh (Scotland), Royal Botanic Gardens; *Glasgow (Scot- 
land), Botanic Gardens; Aberdeen (Scotland), University Botanic 
Gardens. 

GREECE—1: Athens. 

GUATEMALA—1: *Guatemala, Experimental Gardens. 

GUIANA—1: Georgetown, Department of Science and Agricul- 
ture. 

DUTCH GUIANA—1: Surinam. 

HOLLAND—4: Amsterdam, Groningen, Leyden, Utrecht. 

INDIAN EMPIRE—15: Ghorpuri, Botanic Gardens; Bangalore 
(Madras) ; Lahore (Bengal) , Government Gardens; Allahabad (Ben- 
gal), Government Gardens; *Lucknow (Bengal), Wingfield Park 
and Horticultural Garden; *Poona (Bombay), Empress and Bund 
Gardens: Baroda (Bombay), *Bombay, Victoria Garden; *Calcutta 
(Bengal), Royal Botanic Gardens, Sibpur; Ganish Kind (Poona) ; 
Ootacamund (Madras), Government Gardens and Parks; Pondi- 
chery: *Saharanpur (Bengal), Government Botanic Gardens; Dar- 
jeeling (Bengal), Lloyd Botanic Garden; *Japour, Public Garden, 

ITALY—23: Bologne, Caghari, Caserta, Catania, Ferrara, Flor- 
ence, Genoa, Lucca, Messina, Milan, Modina, Naples, Padova, Pa- 
lermo, Parma, Pavia, Perouse, Pisa, Portici, Rome, Siena, Turin, 
Venice. ; 

JAPAN—1: *Tokyo, Koiskekowa Botanic Gardens. 

JAVA—1: *Buitenzorg, Botanic Gardens. 

MALTA—1: La Valette, Public Gardens. 


82 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


MAURITIUS—1: Port Louis, Botanic Gardens. 

NATAL—1: D’Urban. 

NEW ZEALAND—1: Christchurch, Botanie Garden. 

NORWAY —1: Christiania. 

PERU—1: *Lima, Botanic Garden. 

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS—1: Manila (Luzon). 

PARAGUAY—1: *Trinidad, Botanical and Zoological Gardens. 

PORTUGAL—3: Coimbra, Lisbon, Oporto. 

REUNION, ISLAND OF—1: St. Denis. 

ROUMANIA—2: Bucharest, Yassy. 

RHODESIA—3: *Grotte Shur, South African National Botanic 
Garden; Bulawayo, Rhodes Matopos Park; Salisbury. 

RUSSIA—16: Dorpat (Livonia) ; Helsingfors (Finland) ; Kazan 
(Kazan); Kharkoff; Kiev; Moscow; Nikita (Crimea); Odessa; 
Orel; Ouman (Kiev); Penza (Penza); *St. Petersburg, Imperial 
Botanic Gardens; St. Petersburg, University Botanic Gardens; 
Tiflis; Woronesh; Warsaw. 

SW EDEN—6: Goeteborg, Horticultural Society Botanic Gar- 
dens; Lund; Stockholm, Gardens of the Royal Academy of Agricul- 
ture: Stockholm, Royal Gardens of Haga; Stockholm, Swedish 
Society of Horticulture Botanic Gar dens; Upsala. 

SERBIA—1: Belgrade. 

SIBERIA—1: Tomsk. 

SIE RRA TN Be: Kreetown. 

: Madrid, Valencia. 

5 TRAIT S SETTLEMENTS—2: *Singapore, Botanic Gardens; 
*(Jeorgetown (Penang). 

SWITZERLAND—4: Basel. Berne, Zurich, *Geneva. 

TRANSVAAL—1: Pretoria, Department of Agriculture. 

TASMANIA : 

UNITED STATES—-12: *Brooklyn, N. Y., the Brooklyn Botanic 
Garden; *Philadelphia, Pa.; University of Pennsy lvania; *Brook- 
line, Mass., Arnold Arboretum of Harvard; *Cambridge, Mass., Har- 

vard College of Botany Gardens; *Lansing, Mich., Botanic Garden 
of State Acriculture College; *St. Louis, Mo., the Missouri Botanical 
Garden; *Washington, D. "C., United States Department of Agricul- 
ture Gardens; New Haven, Conn., Yale College; *New York City, 
New York Botanical Garden; *Berkeley, Calif.; *North Hampton, 
Mass., Smith College; *Buffalo, N. Y., South Park. 

WEST INDIES—7: Castleton, Jamaica; *Habana, Cuba; King’s 
House, Jamaica, King’s House Gardens; *Kingston, Hope Gardens; 
*Port of Spain, Trinidad, Royal Botanic Gardens; St. Pierre, Mar- 
eae, Colonial Botanic Gardens; Grenada (Island of) Botanic 
rarden. 

WEST AFRICA—2: Gold Coast; Botanic Garden; Lagos. 

Total number of gardens, 236. 

A classification of the countries of the world, according to the 

number of gardens they support, would give us the following: 


Algeria, 1. Canary Islands, 1. 
Australia, 5. Cape Colony, 6. 
Austro-Hungary, 13. Ceylon, 1. 
Argentine Republic, 1. Chile, 1 

Belgium, 5. China, 1. 

Brazil, 1. Cochin China, 1. 


Canada, 38. Denmark, 2. 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


Bast Africa, 1. 
Ecuador, 1. 
Egypt, 1. 
France, 20. 
Germany, 36. 


Great Britain and Ireland. 14. 


Greece, 1. . 
Guatemala, 1. 
Guiana, 1. 

Dutch Guiana, 1. 
Holland, 4. 
Indian Empire, 15. 
Ttaly, 23. 

Japan, 1. 

Java, 1. 

Malta, 1. 
Mauritius, 1. 
Natal, 1. 

New Zealand, 1. 
Norway, 1. 


Peru, 1. 

Philippine Islands, 1. 
Paraguay, 1. 
Portugal, 3. 

Island of Reunion, 1. 
Roumania, 2. 
Rhodesia, 3. 

Russia, 16. 

Sweden, 6. 

Servia, 1. 

Siberia, 1. 

Sierra Leone, 1. 
Spain, 2. 

Straits Settlements, 2. 
Switzerland, 4. 
Transvaal, I. 
Tasmania, 1. 

United States, 12. 
West Africa, 2 

West Indies, 7. 


88 


Tt will also be interesting to see from the following classification 
how far each of the nations of the world is responsible for these 


gardens: 
Pinca en aN a COl OM CS een ae mee ed en ONE eee UDO ee Os ANT SUN a ana EN 65 
EL CSTG1aT cl Von ee oe ee DUE TE ds Wee teen NE boat eee ae A 35 
IE ANECE ANG ACOlOMLE Geese arate ee LR Re oN Sy eT TRAPP UN By aaa nad ana 25 
ING ee guerre ee eee TOR Ld Oho tree nn ee eee eA NS meen RT RUA dee WES: 2 
QTE Sim TTT Cle TIN Clolgese eee eee ean ee PN ee Rae ie Ree we rR eae oii 17 
PONT CLS Els eaten ee mS AD Ae GNESI Pediat 8 Pe Pune APE NL SAD Ly Saisie oS 12 
PMELSS(eTc) tbe AIUIII SS eAsT sige im ae ee SE Bie Se Ub SA se gah ste CaS EE ales 
Seapmainaviay et sue ek sa eat DML Bo) SiGe Du Tee iy PA SA OG ME SR uh 
AEE NGAV ETN eer ANT CL OL OTN Soe Na cota ao ree ALTE acm MN ENA NEM cet ates 6 
Belgium, Spain and colonies, 5 each_______ SEN pegs Aho Dat Somes) yeu bis Def pra atece eS 10 
TE GSE a Ss Noa ee gtd Yee RUA EAN ON THN A oe UNM MOON Ta ORO RAC 3 
SiG EEG Zs Tec AUNT | ap mem ey Ne pe A NE SY i IB LY LY el a 4 
Denmark, Roumania, 2 each____________ OM er weal WSR 4 
Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Egypt, Greece, Guatemala, “Japan, Peru, Servia, 
Norway, Paraguay, and Argentine Republic, 1 each___.________________ 1 
OSG fill era ene Ee i od WN Re uaa tay 236 


In 1886 Prof. Penhallow wrote as follows concerning the then 197 


gardens: 


With reference to the information concerning endowment and other details, 
so far received, enough gardens have not yet been heard from to enable us to 
draw precise conclusions as to the general practice among them, but the in- 
formation, so far as obtained directly for the directors themselves, may be 
tabulated as follows: 


Sees a sie te LeU is SUMAN ONS Ie BAMA NUNTG EC) te 
LO Ta TR GBST oe eS, 5 ee eS ae ee pe SNe cE A SS ia ee SU Suh 5.5 
SrALCrAn eoUEINVeLSI bye = = ee er ee SH AC BN see ee Se od LaLa 
Sires UMnVersiby candy Citys =e see ee eRe RENE we eis AERA ENT EM 
Oy see eee een en kee ses ALE ON 2 ee ce |e aed ea 11.0 
City or State, and private donations__ = alii Heath See PRU Us Leh sar Sao 
Fabel acl IN Ais] OTS meme eae we ee a esa ore A pete ene eye oe Ot alg Cee By, 63) 
Admission : 

Jisigsfs sees Bis aya sah eh US wee ATES 23D i NE ADs Bre eo ae ER a Ec A 94. 5 

COI a epee Ep Es TE SE gs I AE Se acid ee pe hg ec Bh et eT Bee 5.5 
Sundays: 

Closed__ Be ds eae EG WE SA SUR A NUS Rp AS EN LN PAT baits) 

CS A/S Nee soe a oy pea at RN Bi eel a eee RR eee EC AN aes ite oee 
Publications: Annual Reports and Scientific Research __ EE TGS fe 


It thus appears that gardens are generally supported by the State—an un- 
doubted recognition of their national importance in all the numerous direc- 


84 ESTABLISHMENT 9F A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


tions of their usefulness. Next to the State, the city appears to be the chiet 
supporter, doubtless for much the same reasons. 

It is a noteworthy fact that such institutions are in most cases so supported 
as to make them free to the public use, but in any case this freedom is subject 
to certain limitations as necessitated by proper care of property. In only two 
cases so far ahead is a charge exacted from, but the fee does not appear to 
exceed 25 cents per capita. Practice varies widely as to admission on Sundays, 
even in the same country, it being determined, apparently, by each community in 
which the garden is located. The custom, however, seems to be in favor of keep-— 
ing the grounds open on Sunday. In one case the pleasure garden only is open 
on Sunday; in another all the grounds are free but the plant houses are closed ; 
while, at Madrid, it is the custom to open the garden on Sunday from May to 
November only. 

A few gardens issue no publications, but this appears contrary to the general 
practice. Many issue annual reports of the director, or seed catalogues for pur- 
poses of exchange only. In Hngland, however, as in all the more important 
gardens of France and Germany, these publications are supplemented by valu- 
able contributions to science, as the result of original investigations conducted 
in the laboratories, herbariums, or plant houses of these institutions, and no 
better idea of the character and value of this could be obtained than from an 
examination of the annual reports issued by the director of the Royal Gardens 
at Ixew. It indicates the great scope which such an institution properly en- 
dowed, ably directed, and allowed healthy growth, may ultimately have. ; 


DESCRIPTION OF SOME OF THE BOTANIC GARDENS IN 
THE FOREGOING LIST. 


1. Borantc Garpens at ADELAIDE, SouTH AUSTRALIA. 


[Extracts from A Travyeler’s Notes, by James H. Veitch; published by James Veitch 
& Sons, Royal Exotic Nursery, Chelsea, 1896.] 


40 acres in area; laid out in 1858. 

The main entrance to the garden is but a few minutes’ walk from 
the center of the city. The lower end adjoins the. Botanic Garden 
Park, a planted area, 80 acres in extent, for the recreation of the 
people. 

There are four small lakes in the garden, connected by a winding 
creek. These are filled in winter, but required to be fed from the 
waterworks during the remaining months. 

Prior to their present uses these gardens served for zoological pur- 
poses also. : 

There is a museum of economic botany said to one of the best in 
Australia. Erected at a cost of £3,000. 

One of the finest items in the museum is a collection sent by the 
Japanese Government of seeds, oils, starches, dyes, vegetables, and 
animal manures, fodder, and agricultural produce generally, etc. 

The herbarium is located at one of the museums, and contains 
18,000 specimens. 

There is a palm house constructed at cost of £4,000. 

There are 10 glass houses and 3 shade houses. 

There is a very complete collection of cacti. 

A great deal of attention is given in this garden to the question of 
fruit culture. 

The cost of water is 1s. per 1,000 gallons, reaches on occasions 
£1,200 per annum. 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 85 


2. GovERNMENT Boranitc GarpeNns, BrispaANr, QUEENSLAND, 
AUSTRALIA. 


{Extracts from A Traveler's Notes, by James H. Veitch; published by James Veitch 
& Sons, Royal Exotic Nursery, Chelsea, 1896.] 


40 acres in area. 

They are but a few hundred yards from the head of Queen Street, 
Brisbane’s leading thoroughfare, are triangular in shape. 

The Brisbane River runs along one side. 

These gardens are largely patronized by the public. 

They contain a fair-sized cricket field and a lawn-tennis court. 

There is only £52 (sterling) a year available for the garden. 

Allis under grass except the beds and asphalt paths. 

This garden 1 is scarcely in accordance with the popular idea of a 
garden, ‘although the plants are well kept and thrifty. 

The heat in this garden is very great. The thermometer ranges 
from 94° to 99° F ahrenheit, with the nights but little cooler. 

In January the nights are but a few degrees cooler. 


3. Borantc GarpEen at Mretpourne, VICTORIA. 


[Extracts from A Travyeler’s Notes, by James H. Veitch; published by James Veitch 
& Sons, Royal Exotic Nursery, Chelsea, 1896. ] 


97 acres in area, including lake of 8 acres. 

Rich grassy undulating slopes, winding walks, and bold sweeping 
beds in pure English style—as fine a general landscape effect as is 
to be met anywher e. 

Some beds are devoted to natural orders, others are reserved for 
the flora of various countries or continents, and others arranged 
from a gardener’s point of view. 

Lawns are of Buffalo grass and English rye grass. 

The paths are from 10 to.20 feet wide. 

The system of labeling plants is very complete. It includes the 
botanic name, the name of the author, the popular name, the habitat, 
order, and in some instances the economic or medicinal value of the 
plant legibly inscribed. 

There is a director’s house and a museum of economic botany. 


4. Boranic Garpens, SypNey, New Souru Watsgs. 


{Extracts from A Guide to the Botanic Gardens, by J. H. Maiden (director and Covert 
ment botanist), with the assistance of members of the staff, 1903.] 


432 acres in area. 

The botanic gardens proper front on Farm Cove, Port Jackson. 
They are made up as follow: 

The upper garden, 74 acres. 

The middle garden, 84 acres. 

The lower or northern garden, 26 acres. 

About 6 acres have recently been added to the garden from the 
Inner Domain. The middle garden was the original garden, and 
other portions have been added at different times. 


186037—20—eTt 2——3 


86 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


These gardens, with the exception of the water frontage, are every- 
where encircled by park lands, which are the Inner Domain of the 
west (including the Government House grounds and the Garden 
Palace grounds) and the Outer Domain on | the south and east. 


THE OUTER DOMAIN. 


This garden consists of 90 acres of park grounds. incircling the 
mS i 5 3 
botanic gardens on the east and south sides. 


THE INNER DOMAIN OR GOVERNMENT HOUSE GROUNDS. 


This contains 35 acres, of which 4 acres consists of a garden in 
the immediate vicinity of the house. The rest is park ground in 
the exclusive occupation of the governor general. These lands bound 
the western portion of the lower botanic garden. 


THE GARDEN PALACE GROUNDS. 


These are 19 acres in extent and technically form a part of the 
Inner Domain. They form the western boundary of the upper and 
middle gardens. 


UPPER GARDEN, 


A. Director’s residence and grounds. 

B. Offices, museum, herbarium, ete. 

C. 1. 2,3, 4, and 5: Propagating and plant houses. 

D. 1, 2, and 3: Orchid and plant houses. 

E. Bush houses. 

IF. Frame and nursery grounds. 

G. Carpenter’s shop and stable yard. 

H. Superintendent’s residence. 

I. Levy Memorial Fountain. 

No. 1. Lawn in front of residence. 

No. 2. Collections of cacte and euphorbiacee. 

No. 2-a. Collection of euphorbias. 

No. 2-b. Collection of strelitzias. 

No. 2-c. Collection of mammillarias. 

No. 2-d. Collection of cereus and pilocereus. 

No. 2-e. Collection of pereskia and rhipsalis. 

No. 2-f. Collection of echinocactus. 

No. 2-g. Collection of phyllocactus. 

No. 2-h. Collection of echinopsis. 

No. 21. Collection of opuntias. 

No. 2-k. Border of various shrubs. 

Nos. 3 to 7. Lawns and borders variously planted, trees, shrubs, 
climbers, flower beds, etc. 

8. Contains a series of geometrical beds containing good collections 
of bulbous plants, also bouvardias, carnations, penstemous, etc., and 
on the lawn some fine specimen trees. 

9 and 10. Propagating grounds. 


Nore.—See map. 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 387 


The upper garden contains all the glass houses, the administrative 
building (museum, office, etc.), and the official residences of the 
director and superintendent. It originally comprised the kitchen 
garden of the early governors (now used as a propagating ground), 
but the greater part was taken in from the outer domain. 


MIDDLE GARDEN. 


The middle garden is the old garden. It is entirely under planta- 
tions, without grassy lawns; has mostly straight walks and rectan- 
gular beds, except a portion west of the creek, “which is treated more 
freely. In the middle garden, on the eastern side, are situated the 
aviary sheds and paddocks. It has a dense arcade or pergola formed 
by various climbing plants, all of ey 1 flower in profusion. 


THE LOWER GARDEN. 


The lower garden is laid out in irregular sweeping lawns and wind- 
ing paths. The lawns are all laid down with couch grass or buffalo 
grass, both of which, by frequent use of the machine, make a s plendid 
turf. Each of these lawns is numbered consecutively ; there are 36 
in all. Each is bounded by a walk on all sides and occupied by 
flower beds, rockeries, plant collections, and plantation clumps of 
native or exotic plants. 

It should be borne in mind that the present beautiful condition of 
these gardens, with their diversified surface and charming views, 
which many term an earthly paradise, is not the work of nature. 
‘The greater part of the site for the botanic gardens was originally 
a barren, rocky, sandy place, such as may be seen in the scores of 
gulfs and gullies of other parts of Port Jackson to-day. 

The garden palace grounds were set apart as a public pleasure 
place in 1882. They torm an appanage to the hones gardens, but 
only the rarer plants are labeled in this garden, attention being 
chiefly devoted to lawns and florists’ flowers in this section. 


5. Borantc GARDENS oF BALLARAT, VICTORIA. 


[Extracts from A Traveler’s Notes, James H. Veitch, published by James Veitch & Sons, 
Royal Exotic Nursery, Chelsea, 1896.] 


83 acres in area. 33 only are under cultivation. 

These gardens are not strictly botanic gardens, but more show 
gardens for the public. 

The paths are jaid out in rectangles, as are the streets of the city. 

There is a collection of statuary, purchased at great cost in Italy, 
larger than in any other known botanical earden. 

There is a very fine collection of tree ferns in very good condition. 


6. Tue Boranrcan GarpEN oF THE UNiversiry or VIENNA, 
Avstria-HunGcarRY. 
[Extract from article by Prof. N. L. Britton in Science, vol. 4, No. 88, 1896.] 


The botanical garden of the University of Vienna was established 
about 1754, and is located in the heart of the city. There are here 


88 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. Ks 


very important and extensive museums, herbaria, and libraries, and 
one large, fine greenhouse. The systematic plantations occupy the 
larger por tion of the tract , and special areas are devoted to the culti- 
vation of medicinal and other economic plants, to an arboretum of 
native trees, and to groups illustrating plant geography. The garden 
and associated laboratories provide equipment for the prosecution 
of all lines of botanical research. 


7. A Borantcat GarpEN in Buenos Arrzs. 


[Extracts from Bulletin of TR We Gas aE of American Republics, June, 1909,, p. 
55. ree 


~ 


20 acres in area; founded, 1892. 

Tt is divided into 14 sections, each of which is devoted to the flora 
of a district region. 

Of the three styles of garden development, 1. e., French, English, 
and South American, the English seems to draw the most attention. 

The tipa tree, a species of acacia, which will\thrive in any soil, is 
seen to perfection here. Its bark contains a poison which renders 
it invulnerable to insect enemies. 

There is a large collection of ferns, cactus, water lies, orchids, and 
trees, and there are two conservatories. 


Tur Bexoran Stare Boranrcat Garven, Brussexs, 


[Extracts from publication of the Department of Agriculture, Brussels, Fred Tilbury, 
English printer, 16 Rue d’EHdinbourg, 16.] 


10 acres in area; established in 1826. 

These gardens came into possession of the State on the Ist of July, 
1870. Since that time, instead of remaining an almost exclusively 
horticultural establishment, the garden has risen to the dignity of 
of a scientific institution, dev roted to botany, and the headquarters of 
the Botanical Socitey of Belgium. 

The garden now comprises four se sections: The herbaria, museums 
and veeetab le paleontology. experimental section, cryptogamy and 
vegetable pathology. 

The greenhouses are connected with section I; the departments and 
temperate houses with section IIT. Special areas are devoted to orna- 


mental and economic plants. 


. Borantcan GarpEN AT Rio pr JANEIRO. 
[Extracts from The New Brazil, by Marie Robinson Wright, 1907.] 


000 acres in area; founded, 1808. 

he ited on the border of Lake Rodrigode. 

Has a magnificent avenue of royal palms extending from the main 
entrance for nearly one-half a mile, consisting of 150 trees nearly 100 
feet high, an alley 2.000 feet Saat consisting of 142 trees 75 feet 
hich, crossing it at right angles. 

Has nearly 3,000 specimens, aside from the miscellaneous collection 
of trees and plants. 

Has a library. museum, national herbarium, aquarian, hothouse, 


and other accessories. 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 39 


In charge of the agricultural society since 1860, and has a school 
of agriculture. 
One hundred thousand people visit the garden annually. 


Monrreat Borantc GARDEN. 


[Extracts from first annual report, i885. wezctte Printing Co., Montreal. Published 
1886.] 


(5 acres in area. 

They are located in Mount Royal Park. 

The surface is broken and much diversified in character, and there 
is much admirable landscape work which can be effected. 

There is a difference in elevation of 195 feet. 

The soil in the lower parts is rich and of sufficient depth for the 
growing of trees. 

There are about 3 acres admirably adapted to nursery purposes, on 
the site of an old market garden. 

Of the 75 acres in the garden, only 18 will be inclosed in such a way 
as to permit of exclusion on occasions which demand it for the proper 
care of the property, while the balance, 57 acres, will always remain 
as free and open to the public as it is to- day, with the additional ad- 
vantage of enhanced surt roundings for en] oyment and study. 

Within the limits of the garden proper, there is a two-story stone 
building of very substantial construction and ample dimensions. It 
will contain the herbarium, working library, economic museum, di- 
rectors’ office, and lecture room, and for this purpose it is well 
adapted, permitting of future extension if necessary. 

Around this building, and directly connected with it, the plant 
houses will be secured through the lecture room, which will directly 
open into a range of houses specially designed for the growth of 
plants to be used in the lecture room, and to which they may be trans- 
ferred without difficulty. 


11. Tue Boranicat Garven or McGinn Universrry, Monrrnat, 
QUEBEC. 


[Extract from article by Prof. N. L. Britton in Science, vol. 4, No. 88, 1896.] 


McGill University, at Montreal, Quebec, carries on a small botan- 
ical garden in connection with its laboratories. 


12. Tue Borantcat Garvens or CEYLON. 


[Extracts from Popular Science Monthly, vol. 73, September, 1908. The Science Press, 
|» Laneaster; (Pa., \p., 193!) 


Located at Peradeniya in the center of Ceylon, about 70 miles by 
rail from Colombo, the capital of the island. There is no town here, 
but only a post office and a few scattered huts. The city of Kandy, 
however, is only 3 miles distant. 

Some have described this as “an English glass house glorified,” 
because the climate produces such brilliant foliage and strange plants 
in such luxuriant condition. 


90 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


The offices of the director of the gardens are located at Peradeniya, 
whose duties correspond to those of a government secretary of agri- 
culture. : 

Other gardens and experiment stations, five in number, are estab- 
lished in parts of the island where differences in climate furnish 
altered conditions for plant life. 

The Peradeniya garden is in the wet zone, at an altitude of 1,600 
feet above the sea, With an annual precipitation of about 90 inches, 
and a mean temperature of 75° Fahrenheit. 


13. Nuwmra Enrya ann Haxeara. 


[Extracts from A Traveler’s Notes, James H. Veitch. Published by James Veitch & Sons, 
Revel Pxotic Nursery, Chelsea, 1896. ] 


550 acres, only 8 acres of which are really kept up. 

Nuwera Eliya is about 6,200 feet above sea level. 

Hakgala a few hundred feet lower. 

The former is about five hours by train from Kandy. 

The gardens at Hakgala are attached to the main garden at Pera- 
deniya, and are used for the cultivation of plants requiring less heat 
and moisture. 


14. Tue Borantcat GarpvENs or Sanriaco, CHILE. 
{from “ Visitor’s Guide to Santiago.’’] 


The Quinta Normal, as the Botanical Gardens of Santiago, Chile, 
are known, is an exceptionally pretty park, located on the extreme 
western edge of the city. Its chief object is the Agricultural College, 
but there are also within its confines the Natural History Museum, 
the Astronomical Observatory, the Art Gallery, the Zoological Gar- 
dens. It was founded in 1845 by President Don Manuel Bulnes, with 
the object of giving practical education in agricultural subjects to 
Chilean subjects. 


Boranitc GarpEN AT HonGKona. 
[From notes furnished by Mr. W. T. Swingle.] 


20 acres In area; established 1862. Because of the lmited space 
on the island of Hongkong the gardens are small. They are, 
however, remarkably beautiful, and have many fine specimens of 
tropical and subtropical trees and shrubs, either of economic interest 
or interesting because of beauty of the flowers or foliage. Many local 
Hongkong plants, some of them of great béauty, have “been preserved 
from destruction by being planted - in the botanic garden. The cli- 
mate of Hongkong is cold and cloudy during the winter months, so 
that strictly tropical plants do not thrive.” It has been found that 
many of the species that thrive in Hongkong do well in south Florida. 
The botanic garden has a good library and herbarium, the best in 
the south Chinese region. 

Except for two artificial terraces, they are on the side of a some- 
what steep hill. 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 91 


These terraces are used for the smaller plants and for tanks for 
aquatic plants. 


9 


16. Tue GarpEn or Piants, Paris, FRANcE. 


75 acres in area; founded in 1626. 

In this garden are concentrated most of the Parisian institutions 
connected with natural science. Besides the zoological and botanical 
gardens, it comprises natural history collections, laboratories, and 
a library. 

Lectures on natural science, to which the public are admitted gra- 
tuitously, are also given here in the amphitheater, a hall capable of 
containing 1,200 persons. 

The botanical gardens are open daily from an early hour until 
dark, but the menagerie, collections, hothouses, and library are open 
at certain hours daily. 

The conservatories are grouped near the main museum building at 
one end of the grounds, are very large, and contain a great variety 
of plants. 

The botanical library, laboratories, and the enormous herbarium 
are in a separate, older building. Many valuable contributions to 
botanical literature have emanated from this erand institution in the 
past 100 years. 

The botanical garden is divided into quadrangular beds by a num- 
ber of handsome avenues. The red labels indicate the classes to which 
the plants belong, the yellow labels the famihes, and other labels the 
genera and species. The edible herbs are denoted by green bands on 
the labels showing the species, medicinal plants by red, poisonous 
plants by black, industrial plants used in arts by blue, and ornamental 
plants by yellow. 

In addition to the facilities it offers for study on the spot the bo- 
tanic garden distributes seeds, plants, and specimens to educational 
establishments and other botanical oardens and societies, and also to 
students, botanists, artists, and workmen. 


17. Tue Beruin Boranic GARDEN. 


[Extracts from Rundgang durch den Koniglichen Botanischen Garten zu Berlin. Heraus- 
gegeben im Auftrage der Direction Zweite, durchgesehene Auflage. Mit einem Plane 
des Gartens. Berlin, 1895. Gebruder Borntraeger. ] 


It is in the first place a university institute, and as such has the 
primary obligation of furnishing material for botanical instruction 
in the university, and, secondly, as far as is possible in that climate, to 
cultivate the most important forms of plant species in so far as they 
are of the slightest use or service to mankind or illustrate extent of 
plant life. 

Furthermore, the garden has to furnish material for the scientific 
investigations of advanced botanists as far as this can be accom- 
plished without affecting the supply of their plant stock. 

Aside from the scientific worth of botanic gardens, lately the great- 
est efforts have been made to so conduct them that the jayman can 
find useful information and instruction in them. A1Il consideration 
of their maintenance for the convenience and recreation of the masses 
take last place. The administration has endeavored so to arrange and 


92 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


conduct the garden that whosoever desires education and instruction 
would find not only ample material but also its systematic comprehen- 

sive grouping, so that the varieties of the various species of the entire 

plant world may be easily ascertainable. 

The “ Systematic Divison ” is divided into— 

K. I. The pteridophytes. 

G. I. Gymnosperme. 

DI. DXX. Angi giospermae-Dicotyledoneae-Archichlamydeae, An- 
g@lospermae- Diocotyledoneae- Sympetalae, Angiospermae- Monocotyle- 
doneae. 

The morphological-biological division. ne 

The division of useful plants. 

The geographical plant section. 

AT-A13. North and Middle Europe, including Central Asia. 

BI-B2. The Mediterranean section. 

CI-C2. Japan (2), extra tropical East Asia. 

DI-b2. North America. 

EI_-E2. The Mexican group (2), South aia section. 

G. Asiatic group. 

HI-H2. South American group. 

JI_J2. Australian group. 

KX. New Zealand group. 

L.. Individual specimens of certain species. 

M. Abyssinian group. 

The main buildings propagating houses and conservatories are: 

V. Victoria house, water plants—best time June to August. 

P. Palm house, containing the four families of that plant s species. 

O. Orchid house. 

A. Aracean house. 

KX. Camelia house (rhododendron, camelia, azaleas, etc.) 

N. House for useful plants (cocoa, betel nut, coffee, vanilla, cina- 
mon, pepper, quinine, rubber, campeche wood, mahogany, sandal- 
wood, vegetable ivory, etc. 

Colonial house, tropical, not open to public. 

W. Winter house, containing plants that have to be brought in dur- 
ing the winter but are put out in the summer. 

M. Museum, S. Succulent house. 


GROUPING OF THE ARBORETUM. 


1. Conifers. 12. Buckthorns and bittersweet 
9. Paenoies. - vines. 

3. Plantens. . 13. Elaeagnus. 

4. Barberries. 14. Heaths. 

5. Mock oranges. 15. Ashes. 

6. Deutzias. 16. Elders and forsythia. 
7. Plums and apples. 17. Privets. 

8. Roses. 18. Matrimony vines. 

9. Magnolias and Iagurris. 19. Honeysuckles. 

10. Linderis. RI-RII. Reserve stock. 
11. Horse chestnuts and maples. 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 93 


HISTORY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COLLECTIONS AT THE BERLIN 
GARDEN. 


The greater part of the botanic garden located on the Potsdamer 
Strasse was covered during the middle of the seventeenth century 
with hops for the Elector brewery. In 1679 Frederick William, the 
Great Elector, razed the brewery and planted in the space fruit trees 
and garden truck. For this purpose he imported from Holland, Eng- 
land, and France seeds, living plants, and young trees. The garden 
developed under the guidance of the original gardener in charge, 
Michel Mann, and the Great Elector’s avocation was to spend his 
spare hours going over it. Through his intense interest in this gar- 
den it soon became a model for the whole country. Under King 
Frederick I, however, the whole internal arrangement was changed. 
Conservatories and propagating garden were installed and a small 
orangerie was created. Out of the original adjunct to the royal 
kitchen grew an imperial amusement park. About 1700, under 
Frederick William 1, a king noted for his saving qualities, the ad- 
ministration and upkeep of the garden was turned over to his body 
physician, who also was a botanist and was a companion of the 
famous French botanist Tournefort on a visit of the latter to the 
Orient during that year- Under the administration of this excel- 
lent official the institution grew by leaps and bounds by the accumu- 
lation of seeds and living plants from different sections of EKurope. 
This man died about 1715, and at that time the King transferred its 
jurisdiction to a scientific society, which was supposed to maintain 
it out of its own funds. Until 1893 there was a gradual expansion of 
the garden. In 1893 the question of the transfer of the garden to a 
place permitting more expansion was taken up seriously. On the 
basis of a detailed expert opinion regarding the transfer or reorgani- 
zation of the imperial botanic garden and botanic museum, prepared 
by the director of the gardens and a number of expert collabora- 
tors, in July, 1895, the ministry of ecclesiastical affairs and public 
instruction and the ministry of public works made arrangements for 
the relocation of the gardens at Dahlem. The new buildings were 
erected under the supervision of the inspector of buildings who 
was a competent architect and the director of the garden. It seems 
that the old botanic garden was not razed, but kept as it was, and 
the information given is that since 1897 the propagating houses were 
subjected to only the most essential repairs. It evidently is kept up 
in conjunction with the new gardens at Dahlem. In 1899 to 1901 
residences for the director, instructor, and other assistants were 
erected at the new botanic garden at Dahlem; in 1900 to 1901, smaller 
propagating houses; in 1902, a large colonial house and cultured cul- 
tured cultivation houses and a number of other smaller houses; in 
1903, the winter house; construction of the exhibition houses began 
in 1902 and was completed in 1909. 


18. Tur Drespen Boranic GARDEN. 


[Extracts from Fuhrer durch den Koniglich Botanischen Garten in Dresden.] 


Established 1889. 
The present botanic garden in Dresden was added in September, 
1889, to the “Great Garden,” and its planting was begun in 1890. 


94 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


Botanic gardens are not ornamental gardens in the sense of land- 
scape gardening. They stand solely on the basis of scientific investi- 
gation, and they change their forms as well as their contents with 
the progress and the needs of the various natural sciences represented 
in them. As, however, those who carry on the work of their develop- 
ment under the guidance of scientists should be capable gardeners, a 
function of the botanic garden is therefore to aid in the development 
of landscape gardening ‘and in its form and layout by planting along 
landscape architectural lines. Botanic gardens represent a most 
intimate combining of botanic and landscape ¢ eardening, to the gain 
of both. Of first ‘importance is the arrangement of the component 
parts of the garden and the exhibition of the flowers is their culture 
and propagation, and to do this successfully recourse must be had 
to the manifold accessories. Where rock juts or water or a sandy 
field can be found, or a dry rubble stone hill to vary with border beds 
and lawns, you have natural aids and natural artistic accessories of 
landscape gardening. 

These are aids in using the desirable soil and exposure for certain 
species. While tropical and subtropical plants are provided in special 
buildings for the necessary climatic conditions, isolated spots 
throughout the garden will also be invaluable for small propagating 
beds and houses. 

It is through this diversity of appearance and the multifarious 
views that a botanic garden reaches its highest charm. Everywhere 
one looks something different is in bloom, something strange and 
unknown is seen combining with plants that are better known. As 
in every well-kept and well-stocked museum a visitor finds here 
material to meet his own special hobby and prediliction. For the 
connoisseur are supplied the manifold botanic characters, the com- 
bination of plants from the different sections of the earth 1 in scientific 
arrangement. In another place are the choicest examples of local 
plant life. Ina third place is material for the study of plant life as 
it appears in various changes of the seasons. In the fourth place, 
again, the whole garden is an exposition to him who cares to saunter 
thr ough and make selections for his house garden for the beautifica- 
tion of his home life. The whole arden, however, combines for 
everyone the highest enjoyment and appreciation of what nature 
furnishes in the botanic field. 

It is only natural that the scientific arrangement of the plant 
species in the botanic garden is in accordance with the fundamental 
requirements of the plant life itself as it may be affected by climatic 
conditions and requirements of soil. The period is past, however, in 
which systematic grouping of plants is solely or primarily done for 
this purpose in the garden; that is a function of the herbarium. The 
botanic garden is not a museum. It works solely with living plants. 
Therefore, the exposition in the Dresden Garden follows the great 
groups of flora of the earth, combining the tropical plants with the 
connecting propagating house, the subtropical plants in the winter 
house or in the open during the summer time. The frost-inured 
northern species are combined for the most part on rocky or marshy 
places with the central European groups, but also with the border 
beds of the system according to their natural proclivities. 

A difficulty that is encountered in places where more than 6,000 
plant varieties have to be labeled for the visitor is met with in ‘the 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 95 


fugitive qualities of the lettering. Of all the different experiments 
made names that were burnt into porcelain alone survived, and this 
system of marking is gradually being adopted throughout the garden 
for shrubs and plants, In the various flora groups patented labels 
and smaller written tickets of various kinds have been placed which 
are inconspicuous and do not disturb the impressions given by the - 
plants. The smaller tickets are naturally more difficult to be read 
and can not offer much more than the botanic name in Latin. This 
is a condition which does not please the many visitors since the great 
demand is for labels giving the German names of the plants, but 
these people forget that even those plants which are indigenuous to 
Germany contain for only the smallest part clear descriptions with 
names in common use. In the Germanizing of different plant names 
no purpose in landscape gardening is served. The main point is 
that the visitor will understand that these labels with their oft-almost 
unpronounceable names are primarily the indispensable identifica- 
tion marks for official use and not intended to be memorized by the 
thousands who visit the garden. 


Note.—The height of the roof of the Palm House is more than 12 meters; of 
the two wings 33 meters, and of the corner pavilions almost 54 meters. 


EXHIBITION SECTION OF THE BOTANIC GARDEN. 


A. First service building, containing laboratories, the botanic col- 
lections of fruits, woods, products, etc. Also ving quarters for help. 

B. Second service station, containing administrative office and 
cashier’s room, seed market, service and living quarters for the help. 

C. Large cold house. 

D. Victoria- -regia house. 

E. Palm house with living quarters for foreman and auxilary 
quarters, with— 

(a) eo structure for palms. 

(6) Wing with adjusted temperature for ferns. 

(c) Tropical and subtropical useful plants. 

(d) Hothouse. 

(e) House for succulents. 


SECTIONS. 


1. Border beds at the entrance and for screening of buildings A 
ant B. Ornamental shrubs and high conifers. 
Exhibition place 1, of the southern flora of the Capeland, 
Australia, New Zealand, and South America. 
Exhibition place 2, for the flora of eastern Asia. 
a Exhibition place 3. of subtropical flora and location of Antarctic 
aes 
. Trees and shrubs from Amurland, China, Japan. 
East Asiatic flora from the Himalayas to Japan, with location 
of “eold house plants. 
7. Conifers and deciduous trees. 
8. North American tree and shrub section. 
9. (Northern section.) Conifers of the Rocky Mountains and 
California to Pennsylvania in North America. 


96 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


(Southern section.) Mixed flora groups of the United States of 
America, with marshland. 

10. Four ray-shaped outer fields for beds for plant assortments 
suitable for decorative landscape gardening, and places for two large 
groups of southern cold-house plants. 

11. Characteristic overgreen groups of flora from southern JBrraeoipe 
and the Orient, in particular cold-house plants. 

12. Southern Europe, flora group 2. 

13. Flora group 3, of the Mediterranean countries and the Orient, 
with conifers, rocky hills, etc. 

15. Border. planting of deciduous material from southern central 
Europe and the Caucasus. 

15. Mountain and Alps flora of central Europe. 

16. Hill and wood flora of central Europe. 

17. Field and marsh flora of central Europe. 

18. Central European deciduous material (conclusion) ; contain- 
ing on its southern extremity a special section of the hill flora of 
Saxony and Thuringia. 

19-97. Collection of plants which occur wild in Europe, northern 
Asia, and America. 

98. Annual and biannuals in systematic arrangement. 

29. Plants suitable for commercial and food uses, and those hav- 
ing curative properties ; also poison plants. 

30. Beds of the biological section. 


Il. PHYSIOLOGICAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 


1, small iron cold house; II, hot; III, temperature culture house; 
IV and V, smaller cooler culture houses. 

F, G, and H, domestic establishment and warehouses and gran- 
aries. 

Border beds for cultivation of fruit and small garden and agricul- 
tural beds and experiment sections. 


19. Tur Borantc GARDEN at DAanLEM. 


{Extracts from Der Konigliche Botanische Garten und das Konigliche Botanische Museum 
zu Dahlem.] 


1. “ The functions of large botanic gardens and museums, with 
> > 2) 


partiguler reference to the botanic garden and museums at Dahlem.” 
y A. Engler. 


A. FUNCTIONS OF A BOTANIC GARDEN. 


At first botanic gardens were established to collect as much plant 

material as possible for instruction purposes, scientific study, and 
for the edification of plant lovers. In this respect the Berlin Botanic 
Garden early took a prominent place among the gardens of the Con- 
tinent, particularly since the beginning of the administration of 
Director Prof. Willdenow in 1801. 

That the functions of the Dahlem garden, firstly to gather ma- 
terial for scientific study, are continued, and that they do not, as 

many a formerly valuable garden did (from a scientific standpoint), 
degenerate merely to the level of an amusement part, is due to its 


food 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 97 


and the museum’s steady connection with the university and the 
scientific personnel engaged in the latter. May it be granted that 
in the future the Government and the university provide with the 
same care that, by the employment of proper scholars and profes- 
sional men who have feeling and sympathy with this requisite of 
scientific relation, the institution be maintained on this high plane, 
and that, while they constantly keep in mind the related demands 
of applied botany, they do not give this feature first place. 

Less stress is laid upon the number of the varieties inc vreasing in 
culture, and the endeavor is to have as many plant families, char- 
acteristic species, and biologically interesting specimens as possible 
represented; and care is taken that in the ari rangement of plant 
groups for study purposes as complete a representation as possible is 
attained. But this is governed by available areas and funds, as well 
as by the inclinations and connections of those in charge. For this 
reason the local garden possesses, perhaps, the largest ‘collection of 
perennial woods “of central Europe, of the plants found in high . 
mountain areas, one of the most complete collections of cacti, and 
arace and palms. Constant effort is made that as many plant fami- 
lies as possible are represented; because, even if many tropical and 
subtropical plants do not attain bloom in our conservatories, their 
cultivation has nevertheless a scientific value for comparative ana- 
tomical study, which nowadays in the economic utilization of the 
plant systems can not be neglected. Cultivation of high-mountain 
plants by us in the lowlands has scientific value in the ascertainment 
of the facts as to how such varieties are affected and modified by 
changed conditions, and despite the fact that the gardener has his 
pride in so taking care of the plant so that it changes and modifies as 
little as possible. 

Not only does the local botanic garden serve the studies being 
prosecuted by the University of Berlin, but specimens are requested 
and furnished botanists from other universities in Prussia, Germany 
proper, and foreign institutions. 

As time went on, however, other functions had to be added, which 
necessitated fourfold expansion. To the original ordinary ‘garden 
and arboretum and the economic and medicinal division there had to 
be added a tropical economical division. The expansion of German 
infiuences into foreign colonies necessitated this, and yearly hun- 
dreds of valuable plants are furnished the colonies for propagation 
and cultivation due to the research work that has gone on in the 
mother station at home. 

But with such an institution as a botanic garden not only must the 
gathering of a vast supply of material for instruction purposes and 
scientific investigation, as well as the material interests of the people, 
be recognized, but the garden must be so arranged that the various 
exhibits give pleasure and delight to the visitors. This is achieved 
in many ways. While originally only the form of a plant was ex- 
hibited, lately the development of the plant, its functions and uses, 
and its modifications under varying conditions has been more espe- 
cially noticed, and this branch of botany, called plant biology, has 
been, therefore, especially recognized in this garden. Certain plant 
groups are arranged which show how various plants assimilate food 
and feed themselves: others how they will protect themselves under 


98 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


certain climatic conditions; again others show in what manner they 
strive to reach the light, etc. In other sections again changes in a 
plant through internal influences, natural and artificial, are exhib- 
ited. Some “plants are grouped according to sex relationship ; their 
relations with and influence on the insects that are attracted by 
them as well as the influence of hybridization and bastardizing. For 
plant physiology experiments and other experiment cultivations on 
a smaller scale certain portions of land are reserved. 

Very few of the older and standard functions of the garden have 
created as much interest as the grouping of plants according to 
geographical location. 

In the exhibition of plant life in countries outside of Europe spe- 
cial effort has been made to represent the natural plant associations 
and connections. This has been of big value, since in the propagation 
and transplanting of these plants from one place to another great 
thought had to be given to the original conditions covering a health- 
ful existence of the plants, and to. anticipate any detrimental effects 
varying climatic conditions would have on plants so transposed. 

Plant groups of subtropical countries can naturally only be ex- 
hibited in the open during the summer months; during the winter 
they have to be stored in separate conservatories. 


B. FUNCTIONS OF A BOTANIC MUSEUM. 


While botanic gardens have for centuries been considered a nec- 
essary attribute to universities, and ofttimes also metropoles have 
mstalled them as interesting and educative establishments, botanical 
museums did not come into existence until comparatively recent. 
times. Although originally the administrative officials of botanic 
gardens and students in botany had recognized the necessity of 
having an herbarium and continuing its enlar gement as one of their 
most important obligations, very few ever carried it forward to a 
suflicient degree. The most that could be expected in the early days 
was the eathering of indigenous woods, of seeds, and fruits, and 
perhaps reproductions in wax of various varieties of fruit, edible 
and poisonous fungi, etc. These exhibits were augmented from time 
to time by travelers and sailors bringing with them from tropical and 
other foreign countries particularly conspicuous fruits and seeds 
which were gradually combined with the other exhibits. In this 
manner the botanic museum developed. Alexander Von Humboldt 
was particularly active in the gathering of botanic and herbaria 
material. 

In general the functions of a botanic museum are three, namely : 
First, it should contain as complete as possible all available plant 

varieties suitably arranged for scientific study. It should strive to 
expand the availability of the natural plant system as well as be 
corelated to plant geography, morphology, anatomy, physiology, and 
palzo botany. It should contain, in particular, material for investi- 
gation of such varieties as are not locally cultivated or even in the 
best- equipped botanic garden can not generally be cultivated with 
suecess. This might be considered 90 per cent of the higher order 
of plants and nearly all of the lower. Second, it should “contain as 
complete material as possible for the purpose of applied and eco- 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 99 


nomic botany. Third, it should give the student and any other in- 
vestigator in properly arranged “exhibition an oversight over the 
most important characteristics of plant life, plant form, plant ex- 
pansion, and the uses of the plant.. 


THE COST OF THE NEW ESTABLISHMENTS OF THE BOTANIC GARDEN AND 
MUSEUM. 


[By the imperial chief architect, A. Koerner. ] 


After the removal of the botanic garden to Dahlem had been ad- 
vanced in 1888, a detailed program covering the extent of the new 
establishments, the area of the ground, the propagating houses and 
conservatories, and incidental establishments was prepared. In 1893 
a rough estimate of cost without detailed plans was submitted. On 
the basis of this, the first plan was prepared by the above architect, 
and an estimate of 4,640,000 marks figured for the cost of the work. 

The value of the old garden was fioured at 16,000,000 marks. Out 
of the proceeds of the sale of this old establishment all the costs of 
the new botanic buildings as well as other university structures— 
extensions of the charity hospitals, institute for infectious diseases, 
the hygienical institute, pharmaceutical-chemical institute—were to 
be defrayed. Funds for these new establishments had to be pro- 
curred at first, however, by a Government loan. 

In the progress of the work on the construction of the buildings 
some additional structures and establishments were found necessary 
and the costs were correspondingly increased. Out of the Govern- 
ment loan, 4,977,625 marks were made available and out of the 
emergency fund 473.100 marks, making a total of 5,450,725 marks. 
Of this amount 4,286,625 marks may be allotted to the new con- 
struction in the garden, and 1,164,100 marks for the museum with 
its internal arrangements. 

Construction work proceeded under the supervision of a special 
construction commission composed of— 

On the part of the imperial ministry of ecclesiastical affairs, public 
instruction and medicine, two directors of the ministry and one 
imperial councillor. 

On the part of the imperial ministry of public works, the chief 
advisory architect. 

As representative of the imperial ministerial, military, and con- 
struction commission, one advisory architect. 

Representing the local construction officials of the garden, one 
advisory architect. 

Officials engaged in the administration of the garden in 1909 
were: One director, who is privy councilor, professor at the Uni- 
versity of Berlin, and a member of the Imperial Academy of Sci- 
ences: 1 assistant director, also a professor and privy councilor; 9 
custodians, of which 6 are ‘professors, 2 technical men. and 1 an aca- 
demical lecturer; 4 assistant custodians, all technical men; 2 secre- 
taries, having charge of office and accounts: 1 chief inspector; 1 
inspector ; 1 head gardener; 2 preparers; 1 clerk in the office; 3 
assistants for the gardener; 1 machinist; 2 watchmen; 3 servants; 

22 laborers. 


100 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


20. THe CHetsea Prysic GARDEN. 


{Extracts from London Botanic Gardens, by Pierre Elie Felix Perredes, B. Sc., F. L. S., 
Dee en | chemist, corresponding member of the Philadelphia College of Phar- 
macy. 


Chelsea Physic Garden was esablished in the year 1673 by the 
Society of Apothecaries of London, by whom it was first held on 
lease, but in 1722 it was-conveyed to the Society for the Encourage- 
ment of Botany. The garden was managed and maintained by the 
Apothecaries’ Society until the 21st of January, 1899, when, by a 
scheme of the charity commissioners for England and Wales, the 
parochial charities were appointed to be the trustees of this garden 
in place of the society. Provision was then made for its manage- 
ment by a committee appointed by the trustees of the garden, the 
treasury, the lords president of the council, the technical education 
board of the London County Council, the Royal Society, the Society 
of Apothecaries, the Royal “College of Physicians, and the Pharma- 
ceutical Society, the senate of the University of London, and the 
representatives of Sir Hans Slone. 

There is also a curator garden. This is a work garden, not for 
recreation, but for teachers and students. Admission to the garden 
is by ticket, issued on week days, 9.30 a. m. to 5 p. m., except during 
the months of May, June, and July, when it is open until sunset. 
The work garden is educational in a “wider sense, and the teaching of 
botany as a pure science has gradually replaced the study of drug- 
yielding plants. (See map.) 


91. Tur Royau Boranic Socrery’s GARDEN. 


[Extracts from London Botanic Gardens, by Pierre Elie Felix Perredes, B. Se., F. L. 
S., pharmaceutical chemist, corresponding member of the Philadelphia College of 
Pharmacy. ] 

18 acres in area. 

The Royal Botanic Society’s Gardens, in Regent Park, were opened 
in 1812 and occupy a circular area of land. 

Its management is in the hands of a council elected by a vote of 
the fellows: President, secretary, chief instructor of practical garden- 
ing school in charge of garden staff, curator of museum. 

Ground is leased from the Crown, and the institution is supported 
by contributions of the fellows. 

About 700 student tickets are issued annually. It is chiefly an 
educational institution. (See map.) 


22. Tur Roya Boranic Garpens, Kew 


{Extracts from a historical and descriptive work by W. at Bean, assistant curator; intro- 
duction by Sir William Thiselton-Dyer, KC) MiG DER RSs 


288 acres in area; founded in 1760. 

The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew are made up of a union of the 
Kew Gardens and the Royal Gardens of Richmond. They originated 
in the Exotic Garden of Lord Capel, in 1760; they were adopted as a 
national establishment in 1840. They were said by Mr. V. J. Lipsky, 
a Russian savant, to be better than all the other gardens put together 
that he had ever visited or worked in. 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 101 


There are formal gardens, wild gardens, three botanical museums 
and a museum hall, a laboratory, and a scientific building. The 
herbarium and library are the largest and most complete of their 
kand in the world. 

Plant collection includes those of tropical and warm temperature, 
economic and medicinal, herbarium and cactuses. (See map.) 

The palm house, 362 feet long and 66 feet high, was cdalcal: in 1848; 
the temperature house, 580 feet long and covering 1} acres, was 
added in 1899. There were 14 other houses in 1908, including the 
Himalayan house, the Mexican house, and other smal] houses, “such 
as the Alpine house and the orangery. Then there are the bamboo 
gardens, the rose gardens, rhododendron delis, lily ponds, and ar- 
boretums, boggy and seaside plants, rock gardens, shrubs, lilies, 
_ flower meadows, azalea gardens, and ferns. 

The museum shows evolution of products manufactured from 
plants grown. The herb garden is about 630 by 240 feet in dimen- 
sions. The wild garden covers an area of about 2 acres, completely 
surrounded by oravel walks. 

Bamboos grow 20 to 25 feet here, although there are some tropical 
species that grow a hundred feet high or more. They require shelter 
and root moisture. 

Museum (127). To give an idea of the character of the exhibits, 
opium is selected as an example. The drug is obtained from a species 
of poppy (Papaver somniferum) by incising the young seed pods and 
collecting the milky juice which exudes. There is a picture of the 
plant and an exhibit of the dried poppy heads; also pictures illus- 
trating the field operations connected with the cultivation of the 
poppy from the preparation of the ground for seeding to the punc- 
ture of the poppy bead and the harvest. Then comes specimens of 
the utensils used and the manufacture of the raw materials; samples 
of various forms in which opium is taken to market in ‘different 
countries: a smoking apparatus; models of opium smokers. Various 
narcotics of great importance to medicine are derived from it, such as 
laudanum and morphia, and samples of these are also exhibits. 

As illustration of certain other articles we have cotton, jute, to- 
bacco, Japanese lacquer, oils, essences, perfumes, etc., illustrated by 
raw materials and finished articles. 

In the willow family various stages in the manufacture of cricket 
bats are shown, and there are exhibited some interesting exchequer 
tallies formerly used for receipts as payments made. Curious facts 
connected with the various products are brought out, such as the 
packing of Paraguay tea by South Americans in ‘the skins of animals. 
Ravages by insects are shown by specimens of the insects themselves, 
life work, and an estimate of the damage done. 

Another example is the coconut palm. Pictures of the tree as it 
grows near the sea in tropical countries, also a portion of the trunk 
and a bunch of nuts in their husks. The examples of the innumer- 
able things made from this most valuable of all palm are next: The 
coconut oil, with soap and candles made of it; sugar and vinegar 
made from the sap of the tree; walking sticks and ornamental arti- 
cles from the wood, various toys and utensils, such as teapots, cups, 
and ladles from the shell of the nut, and samples of the kernels, now 
largely used in confectionery. Many articles made from the strong 


186037—20—rr 2——4 


102 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


fiber of the husk, such as mats and matting, ropes and rough cord, 
handbags and brushes. Various articles of dress made by the native 
races in these climes are shown. 

Ever since this institution has been a nauienal garden Kew has 
been engaged in the propagation of plants useful as food, in medi- 
cine, in manufacture, and in the arts and in their distribution to 
those British colonies.and possessions in which they are most likely 
to succeed. This works for the good of the Empire in two ways. 
In the first place, it opens up new industries in the colonies, giving 
employment to capital and creating a demand for labor; and, sec- 
ondly, by increasing the supply of the various products it brings 
them within the means of a much larger proportion of the home 
population than could otherwise obtain them. 

(Quinine from Peru and the hill countries of India to Ceylon and 
other colonies. Rubber was introduced from the forests of Brazil 
to Ceylon and subsequently to the other eastern possessions of Brit- 
ain. Bananas have been distributed to the colonies. Natal tea plants 
were obtained through Kew. Cocoa was introduced from South 
America to Ceyion. 

KEW TO-DAY. 


Organization of Kew staff—The organization of Kew may be 
described in a few words. At the head of the establishment, but, 
subject in matters of administration to the board of agriculture and 
fisheries, is the director. In him is vested the supreme control of 
the gardens, museums, herbarium, and police. His principal officers 
are an assistant director and three chiefs of departments—the keeper 
of the herbarium, the curator of the gardens, and the keeper of the 
museums. His office is the center of the establishment. Here he 
meets every morning the heads of departments, discusses with them 
work and correspondence, collates information from the respective 
branches, and distributes to those concerned with such work, in- 
quiries, etc., as have accumulated since the previous day. His office 
may be described as the clearing house of Kew. The keeper of the 
herbarium is assisted by two principal assistants and seven assist- 
ants. The curator has one assistant curator and an office assistant. 
Besides being the center controlling purely garden matters, his 
office is the place where accounts are kept and financial business con- 
ducted. The immediate control of the garden work is vested in five 
foremen, who have for sectional charges subforemen and gangers. 
The keeper for the museums, who has one assistant, is concerned 
chiefly with economic questions; and the keeper of the laboratory 
with Physiological ones. The total regular staff of Kew is as fol- 
lows: Director's office, 4; herbarium and library, 16; museums and 
laboratory, 10; gardens, 140; constables and police, O5. 

Asa public garden.—To nine-tenths of the people who visit Kew 
the institution is not the headquarters of botany in the British Em- 
pire, nor the site on which a greater variety of plants is to be seen 
than anywhere else on the globe, nor a great center and training 
school in horticulture; it is ‘simply a beautiful garden—a place in 
which to spend a few pleasant hours. And whilst this is the most 
popular aspect of Kew we can not say that it is the least important 
one. In 1907 nearly 3,000,000 visitors entered its gates—a fact more 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 103 


eloquent, perhaps, of its value to the community than any other that 
could be adduced. Kew has one peculiar charm which appeals to 
and draws all classes alike. Without regarding it as the home of 
the richest plant collections in the world, and looking upon it as a 
public garden merely, it has an air of detachment from the great 
city whose tentacles are rapidly encircling it, that no pubhe earden 
or park so near Charing Cross possesses in like degree. In no other 
such place can one rid one’s self so readily of the feeling that London 
is all around one. Kew has always tried to preserve as much as 
possible the amenities of the private garden—that is to say, the 
least possible restraint on the freedom of visitors is exercised. For 
this reason the rich people who ride down from town in motor cars 
or carriages can, on any but the crowded days, wander over its lawns 
and examine its treasures without losing entirely that sense of rest- 
fulness and freedom which they prize in their own domains. 

Types of visitors—F¥or this reason, too, it appeals with peculiar 
force to those whose lot is cast in shop or office or factory. No one 
feels the delight of Kew more than the tired worker with scanty 
leisure, who finds himself free for a summer afternoon, and comes 
here with wife and child. Botany in itself interests him probably 
not more than Greek, yet he admires the trees and lawns, the flower 
groups and beds please him, the strange and unfamiliar types of 
flower and leaf in the glasshouse arrest his attention. Still, the time 
of enjoyment comes when, having wandered off to some shady spot, 
he stretches himself on the soft turf, and for an hour or two does 
nothing more arduous than watch the smoke from his pipe, whilst 
his spouse, in an attitude of less abandon, keeps an eye on the 
youngsters. Even then it would not be right to assume that he and 
those who have given still less notice to individual plant and flower 
are indifferent to the peculiar charm of Kew. They may not express 
it in so many words, but they breathe the free air with a keener 
relish and their mood is happier because they have surrounding them 
smooth, well-kept lawns, beds of rare flowers, an unrivaled variety of 
vegetable forms—in a word, that combination of beauty and order 
which gardening implies. 

Professional visitors.—Both amateur and professional gardeners 
visit Kew in large numbers with a view to gaining a knowledge of 
the most suitable plants for their own gardens, to find out the names 
of those they already possess, and to become acquainted with the 
latest additions to cultivated plants. Every effort is made to acquire 
for Kew the best and newest things, whether they be introductions 
from foreign countries or the fruit of the plant-raiser’s skill at 
home. It is not always possible, under the many disadvantages that 
an unsuitable environment entails, to bring plants at Kew to the 
same perfection that is attained in gardens where the general condi- 
tions are specially suited for one class of plants, and “where all the 
thought, skill, and money are devoted to it alone. At Kew the 
cultivation of plants most ill adapted to the climate and conditions 
has to be carried on. Therefore orchids may be healthier in gardens 
where the winter days are less gloomy and foggy; Alpine plants 
finer where the alternate thawing and freezing in winter and spring 
do not eccur; conifers better grown where the rainfall is greater 
and soot a less prominent ingredient of the atmosphere. But it is 


104 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


generally admitted that the level of cultivation is high. On the 
whole, one is justified in saying that there is no one ‘place in the 
world where ornamental eardening in all its phases can be so thor- 
oughly, conveniently, and ‘usefully ‘studied as at Kew. 

Botanical studenis.—A certain class of visitor alw: ays characteristic 
of Kew from its early days has in recent years become much more 
abundant. This is the young man or woman going from plant to 
plant with a book of botany or plant lore in hand, and trying to get 
to the bottom of the mystery of leaf and flower arrangement, or to 
fix the plant’s identity in mind. Some of these visitors come ‘alone, 
some in classes; some are teachers in elementary schools; many prob- 
ably are their pupils; but whoever they may be, their increasing 
numbers is very oratifying. It is largely due, no doubt, to the 
encouragement of nature study by educational ‘authorities and to 
the many associations which have this object in view. 

Artists —The pictorial or landscape aspect of Kew attracts a large 
and increasing body of painters, photographers, and picture makers 
of all kinds. It is now a usual thing for artists to spend the whole 
of the spring and summer months working here alone. That Kew is 
worthy of this homage is, I think, proved by the work of the well- 
known and talented artist whose pictures illustrate this volume. 

A training school—lKew has many functions, but none is more 
far-reaching in its effect than the training of young men for the 

various careers open to those whose special knowledge is of plant 
life in one or other of its phases. At the present time Kew employs 
more than a hundred botanists and skilled gardeners. The former 
are mostly permanent employees, but the oreat majority of the latter 
stay for a short time only—usually about two years. They enter 
Kew after having had at least four years’ experience in other gar- 
dens. Their object usually is to acquire such knowledge as will fit 
them for posts in the botanic gardens or commercial plantations in 
the colonies and India, as managers and superintendents of public 
parks and private gardens in Great Britain, as county council lee- 
turers, and for positions in the various trades connected with 
horticulture. 

Its alumni. IKKew became a public institution many hun- 
dreds of such men have passed through it. Most of them are, of 
course, natives of Great Britain, but a certain number of places are 
payee for foreigners. Those are eagerly sought after by men of 

vearly all civilized nationalities, but more especially, perhaps, by 
i Teutonic and Scandinavian races. The Kew staff, however, be- 
sides Europeans and Americans, has at times ineluded Japanese and 
Negroes. At the present time over 700 of its alumni are scattered 
over the world, spreading its teaching and providing the efficacy of 
its methods. Kew, in relation to the personnel of horticulture, holds, 
as has frequently been pointed out, a position analogous to that of 
the university in the ordinary field of education. It not only sup- 
plies material and unrivaled opportunities for the study of advanced 
horticulture and botany; it brings together at a receptive and im- 
pressionable age a considerable body of men. By bringing into force 
that stimulating element of competition and emulation which is the 

salt of young man’s life it helps to mould his character as no previous 
part of his professional career can have done. 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 105 


Besides the experience and teaching that employment among the 
plant collections give, a fine horticultural library 1s provided, and 
several courses of lectures on botany and allied subjects are given 
annually. A debating society and a field club are admirable and 
important institutions, bringing into the curriculum a social element 
that is very valuable. The mere contact with a large number of 
men engaged in similar pursuits, which a term at Kew involves, has 
many advantages, especially to one who may have in the future the 
management of labor. 

Kew Guild—Not unnaturally the general desire of men of all 
ranks who had passed through Kew “to kee ep in touch with each 
other and the parent establishment led to the foundation of the 
Kew Guild. This association issues a journal which constitutes a 
connecting link between all its members. This journal records 
changes and events at Kew, publishes news from members at home 
and abroad, and gives the names and addresses of all its members. 
As an example of the cosmopolitan character of its membership, the 
following figures are interesting: Asia, 46; Africa, 34; America, 60; 
Australasia, 18; and Europe 63, exclusive of those in the British 
Isles. In the industrial development of British colonies and posses- 
sions the Kew man has always been among the earlest workers. 
As soon as the pax Britannica has been established, and often before, 
he appears. He founds botanic stations where useful plants are 
grown for distribution and he gives demonstrations of the best 
methods of cultivating them. He fostered the tea industry in India 
and Ceylon; he also started the cultivation of cinchona there; he 
has helped largely in the regeneration of the West Indian Islands; 
and at the present time Africa is dotted over with the stations he is 
managing, each one a nucleus of what will probably develop into 
the most important industries of the Continent. Often he suffers 
the fate common to pioneers—he sows that others may reap. Many 
a Kew man has laid down his life in the conscientious performance 
of his duty—as genuine a sacrifice to the cause of empire and of. 
humanity as any ‘soldier or mi ssionary has ever made. 


MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION, 1913. 


List of staffs of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and of botanical 
departments, establishments, and officers at home, and in India, and 
the colonies in correspondence with Kew. 

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Director, assistant director, two 
second-class assistants, keeper of herbarium and library, three first- 
class assistants, six second-class assistants, assistant for tropical 
Africa, assistant for India, assistant keeper, Jodrell laboratory, 
keeper of museums, two second-class assistants, preparer, curator 
of the gardens, assistant curator; foreman for each of the fol- 
lowing: “Herbaceous department, arboretum, greenhouse and orna- 
nental department, tropical department, temperate house; store- 
keeper and official guide. 

Aberdeen University Botanic Garden: Professor. 

Cambridge University Botanical Department: Professor; curator, 
university herbarium: curator, university museum; curator of gar- 
den. 


106 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


Dublin, Royal Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin: Keeper and assistant. 

Trinity College Botanic Gardens: Professor. 

Edinburgh, Royal Botanic Garden: Regius keeper, assistant to 
regius keeper, assistant (museum), assistant (herbarium), head gar- 
dener, assistant gardener. 

Glasgow Botanic Gardens: University professor. 

Oxford University Botanic Garden: Professor and curator. 

Africa, British East Africa Protectorate, Nairobi: Director of 
agriculture, mycologist, chief of economic plant division, conservator 
of forests. 

Cape Colony, Cape Town Botanic Garden: Director and professor 
of botany. South African College; curator; curator, Bolus herb- 
arium; conservator of forests; superintendent gardens and public 
parks. 

Grahamstown, Albany Museum: Superintendent of herbarium; 
curator, gardens and public parks. As 

Port Elizabeth: Superintendent. 

King Williamstown: Curator. 

Graaff-Reinet: Curator. 

Uitenhage: Curator. 

Egypt, Cairo. Department of Agriculture: Director general, bota- 
nist, mycologist, assistant botanist, director of horticulture, assist- 
ant director. 

Gold Coast, Agricultural Department: Director of agriculture, 
traveling instructor, senior curator, five curators, conservator of 
forests. 

Natal, Durban: Director, Natal herbarium; curator, municipal 
oardens. 5 
~ Northern Nigeria, agricultural and forestry department: Director 
of agriculture, four assistant superintendents, assistant conservator 
of forests. 

Nyasaland Protectorate, Zomba, agricultural and forestry depart- 
ment: Director of agriculture, agriculturist, assistant agriculturist, 
chief forest officer. 

Orange River Colony, Department of Agriculture: Botanist, chief 
of forestry division. 

Rhodesia, Bulawayo Rhodes Matopos Park: Curator. 

Salisbury, Department of Agriculture: Director, agriculturist and 
botanist. 

Sierra Leone, Agricultural Department: Director of agriculture, 
two assistant directors, conservator of forests. 

Soudan, Khartoum: Director of woods and forests, superintend- 
ent of palace gardens. 

Jebelin: Superintendent of experimental plantations. 

Southern Nigeria, Agricultural Department: Director of agricul- 
ture, assistant director, mycologist. superintendent of agriculture, 
four assistant superintendents, curator, conservator of forests.. 

Transvaal, Pretoria, Department of Agriculture: Botanist, my- 
cologist. conservator of forests. 

Transvaal museum: Superintendent of herbarium. 

Uganda. Kampala, Agricultural Department : Director of agricul- 
ture. botanist, six district agricultural officers. 

Entebbe: Chief forestry officer of botanical, forestry, and scien- 
tific department, three assistant forestry officers. 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 107 


Zanzibar: Director of agriculture. 

Australia, New South W ales, Sydney Botanic Garden: Director 
and Government botanist ; superintendent ; botanical assistant; uni- 

versity professor of botany ; technological museum, curator ; direc- 
tor of forests. 

Queensland, Brisbane: Colonial botanist, director botanic gardens, 
secretary and manager, overseer Acclimatization Society’s eardens, 
director forest department. 

Cairns: Instructor in tropical agriculture, manager Kamerunga 
State Nursery. 

South Australia, Adelaide: University professor of botany; bo- 
tanic gardens, director. 

Port Darwin: Curator, conservator woods and forests. 

Tasmania, Hobart: Government botanist, chief officer of forests, 
officer in charge botanic gardens. 

Victoria, Melbourne Botanic Gardens: Curator, national her- 
barium; Government botanist and university professor of botany; 
conservator of forests. 

Bermuda, Agricultural Department: Director. 

Canada, Ottawa: Director of Government experimental farms, 
Dominion horticulturist and curator of botanic garden, Dominion 
botanist, two assistant botanists. 

Ceylon, Peradeniya, Department of Agriculture: Agricultural di- 
rector: botanist and mycologist ; assistant botanist and mycologist ; 
superintendent of experiments; superintendent of horticulture; cu- 
rator of Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya; curator, Hakeala Gar- 
dens; conservator of forests. 

Cyrus: Principal forest officer, inspector of agriculture, assistant 
director. 

Falkland Islands: Government House garden, head gardener. 

Fiji: Superintendent of agriculture, curator botanic station. 

Hongkong, Botanic and Forestry Department: Superintendent, 
assistant superintendent. 

Malta: Inspector of agriculture, superintendent of public gardens. 

Mauritius, Pamplemousses, Department of Agriculture: Director, 
first assistant director department of forests and botanic gardens, 
second assistant director. 

Reduit: Overseer, forest officer. 

New Zealand, Wellington, Department of Agriculture: Biologist, 
chief forester State forest department; head gardener Colonial nae 
tanic Garden. 

Dunedin: Superintendent. 

Napier: Superintendent. 

Invercargill: Head gardener. 

Auckland: Ranger. 

Christchurch: Head gardener. 

Seychelles: Curator botanic station. 

Straits Settlements, Singapore, botanic gardens: Director, two 
assistant superintendents. 

Federated Malay States, Forest Department: Conservator. 

Kuala Lampur, “Agricultural Department: Director of agriculture, 
chief agricultural inspector, agriculturist, mycologist, two assistant 


108 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


mycologists, economic botanist, assistant superintendent Government 
plantations. 

Perak (Taiping), Government gardens and plantations: Super- 
intendent. 

Selangor and Negri Sembilan: Assistant superintendent. 

West Indies, Barbados, Imperial Department of Agriculture : Com- 
missioner, scientific assistant, mycologist and agricultural lecturer. 

Antigua, botanic station : Government chemist and superintendent 
of agriculture, Leeward Islands; second assistant agricultural cura- 
tor, botanic station. 

Barbados, department of agriculture: Superintendent, assistant 
superintendent. 

ominica Botanic Station: Curator, assistant curator. 

Grenada Botanic Garden: Agricultural superintendent, agricul- 
tural instructor. 

Montserrat Botanic Station: Curator. 

St. Kitts-Nevis Botanic Station: Agricultural superintendent, agri- 
cultural instructor, Nevis. 

St. Lucia Botanic Station: Agricultural superintendent, assistant 
superintendent. 

St. Vincent Botanic Station: Agricultural superintendent, assistant 
agricultural superintendent. 

ne irgin Islands Botanic Station: Curator. 

Bahamas Botanic Station: Curator. 

British Guiana, Georgetown, Department of Science and Agricul- 
ture: Director, assistant director and Government botanist, forestry 
officer, head gardener, assistant gardener, agricultural superinten- 
dent. 

British Honduras Botanic ‘Station: Curator. 

Jamaica, Department of Agriculture: Director, two traveling in- 
structors, superintendent public gardens and plantations, superin- 
tendent of King’s house gardens, superintendent of the experiment 
station. 

Tobago Botanic Station: Curator. 

Trinidad, Department of Agriculture: Director, assistant director, 
Government eee curator. Royal Botanic Gardens, mycologist, 
forest officer. 

India, Botanical Survey of India: Director, economic botanist, two 
assistants for phanerogamic botany. 


BOTANICAL OFFICERS ATTACHED TO DEPARTMENTS OF AGRICULTURE. 


Imperial Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, Bengal: Mycol- 
ogist, economic botanist, supernumerary botanist. 

Bengal Agricultural Department, Calcutta: Economic botanist. 

Bombay Agricultural Department, Poona: Economic botanist. 

Central Provinces Agricultural Department, Nagpur: Economic 
botanist. 

Madras Agricultural Department: Government sugar-cane expert, 
agricultural ‘college, Coimbatore; lecturing botanist : “mycologist. 

Punjab Agricultural Department, Lyallpur: Economic botanist. 

United Provinces Agricultural Department, Cawnpur: Economie 
botanist. 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 109 


Eastern Bengal and Assam, Agricultural Department: Economic 
botanist. 

Bengal, Calcutta, Royal Botanic Garden, Sibpur: Superintendent, 
curator of herbarium; ‘curator of ¢ garden, overseer, three probation- 
ers, assistant curator, overseer gardens in Calcutta ; Aeri-Horti- 
cultural Society of India, secretary, assistant secretary, and super- 
intendent. 

Darjeeling, Lloyd Botanic Garden: Superintendent, curator. 

Cinchona department: Superintendent of Cinchona cultivation. 

Mungpoo plantation: Manager, two overseers. 

Mungsong plantation: Manager, assistant manager, overseer. 

Bombay, Bombay City, municipal ¢ garden: Superintendent. 

Ghorpuri Botanic Garden: Superintendent. 

Poona, Government gardens: Superintendent. 

Central Provinces, Nagpur, public gardens: Superintendent. 

Madras, Madras City, Agri-Horticultural Society: Honorable sec- 
retary, superintendent. 

Ootacamund, Government gardens and parks: Curator. 

Cinchona department : Director of Cinchona plantations, superin- 
tendent Dodabetta plantation, superintendent Nedivattam and 
Hooker plantations. 

Punjab, Delhi, Government Horticultural Department: Officer in 
charge, superintendent historic and other gardens. 

Lahore Government gardens: Superintendent; superintendent 
agri-horticultural gardens. 

“Simla : Superintendent. 

Northwest Frontier Province: Agri-horticulturist. 

United Provinces of Agra and Oudh, Agra, Taj, and other gar- 
dens: Superintendent. 

Allahabad, Government gardens: Superintendent. 

Cawnpur, memorial and other gardens: Superintendent. 

Kumaon, Government gardens: Superintendent. 

Lucknow, horticultural gardens: Superintendent, probationer. 

Saharanpur, Government botanic gardens: Superintendent. 

Dehra Dun, Imperial Forest Research Institute: Imperial forest 
botanist. 

Eastern Bengal and Assam, Dacca (Ramna): Arboricultural ex- 
pert. 

Native States, Mysore (Bangalore) : Economic botanist. 

Baroda: Superintendent. 

Travancore (Trivandrum) : Director. 

Udaipur: Superintendent. 


23. Tue Royat Borantc Garpen or Dupiin, IRELAND. 


4 


[Extract from article by Prof. N. L. Britton, in Science, Vol. 4, No. 88, 1896.] 


The Royal Botanic Garden of Dublin, situated at Glasnevin, just 
without the city, was founded through the influence of the Honor- 
able and Honorable Dublin Society, in 1790; was for many years 
supported by this society with the aid of Government erants, and 
was transferred to the science and art department in 1877. It in- 


110 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


cludes about 40 acres of undulating land, bounded to the north by 
the small river Tolka. There are eight greenhouses, most of them 
rather old, but containing a valuable collection. There is a small 
botanical museum and herbarium. The systematic herbaceous plan- 
tations are irregularly shaped beds, arranged in a somewhat radial 
eet The arboretum and frutecetum occupy about one-half of 
the area. 


24. Tur Royat Boranic Garpren, EnrnsureH, ScorLann. 
[Extracts from Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, Vols. I to IV, 1903—1908.] 


58 acres in area; established in 1670. Is one of the three gardens 
maintained by the ‘state in the United Kingdom, the others being the 
Royal Gardens at Kew in England, and “the Glasnevin Garden at 
Dublin in Ireland. It occupies an unequally- sided quadrilated area 
of 58 acres (bounded upon all sides by public roads and dwelling 
houses) on the north side of Edinburgh—about a mile from the shore 
of the Firth of Forth. Its highest point, at Inverleith House (R.)— 
the official residence of the regius keeper of the garden—toward the 
northwest, is 109 feet above sea level, and thence the ground falls 
away on all sides. sea 
level, with an east and west trend through fhe middle of the pardons 
is the site of an old bog, and the ground rises again to the “south. of 
the depression. The surface soil is generally alluvial sand resting 
on clay at considerable depth. In the lower part of the area the clay 
comes to the surface. 

There are two entrances—one upon the east side from Inverleith 
Row into the garden, the other upon the west side from Arboretum 
Road into the arboretum. The garden is open daily from 8 a. m. on 
week days and from 11 a. m. on Sundays until sunset. The plant 
houses are open from 1 p. m. until 5.30 p. m., or until sunset if this - 
be earlier. The museum is open on week days from 10 a. m. until 
6 p. m., on Sundays from 1 p. m. until 5.30 p.m. The herbarium 
and the library are open on week days from 10 a. m. until 6 p. m., 
excepting on Saturday, when they are open until 1 p. m. 

This garden is the outcome of the existence of three gardens; the 
Royal Garden, established in 1670 at Holyrood House, the Town's 
Botanic Garden, established in 1676 at Trinity Hospital, and the 
College Garden, established in 1702, adjacent to the college buildings. 

In 1724 the College Garden was turned to other uses, “and in 1763 
the other two were moved to a site which proved temporary, and in 
1820 they were moved to their present site. 

The plan shows the garden as it was in 1900; it is in process of 
reconstruction. 

The garden has been devoted to the teaching of botany. 

There are within its borders the following: A herbaceous garden, 
rock garden, arboretum, plant houses (see “plan), office of carden. 
museum, laboratories, lecture hall, herbarium, lbrary, and “ladies” 
cloak room. 

In 1907 there were 674.208 visitors to the garden—the largest num- 
ber on a Sunday was 25,601, the smallest 708; the largest number on 
a week day was 3,365, the smallest 40. 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. IEE 


25. Tur Guascow Botanic GarpDENs. 


{Extracts from The Glasgow Botanic Gardens, Its Conservatories, Greenhouses, ete., Ly 
Christopher Sherry. ] 

40 acres in area. 

In 1891 these gardens were made the property of the corporation 
of Glasgow. 

The gardens are devoted to the culture of plants and illustrative 
botany. They furnish plants for the regular lectures given by the 
University of Glasgow, St. Mungo’s College, and the Technical 
College. Flowers and plants are “stipplied to the students of the 
Glasgow School of Art. 

The gardens are open to the public during the months of December, 
January, and February from sunrise to sunset, and during the other 
months from 6 a. m. to sunset. The winter garden is open to the 
public from 10 a. m. (except on Sundays, when they are opened at 
12 o’clock noon) till half an hour before sunset; but they are never 
open later than 6 p. m. 

The azalea house is 38 feet long, 28 feet wide, and 21 feet high; 
the cool orchid house is 35 feet long, 20 feet wide, and 12 feet high: 
the intermediate fern house is 31 feet wide, 35 feet long, and 16 feet 
high; the greenhouse is 45 feet long, 23 feet wide, and 14 feet high; 
the succulent house is 45 feet long, 29 feet wide, and 18 feet high; 
the pal house is 81 feet long, 51 feet wide, and 42 feet high; the eco- 
nomic house is 45 feet long, 29 feet wide, and 18 feet high; the tropi- 
cal-fern house is 45 feet long, 23 feet wide, and 14 feet high; the stove 
is 38 feet long, 28 feet wide, and 21 feet high; the aroid ‘and tropical 
orchid house is 35 feet long, 20 feet wide, and 12 feet high; the water- 
lily house is 31 feet wide, 35 feet long, and 15 feet high. "The plants 
and trees are arranged according to ‘their natural order. There are 
55 species of birds that frequent the garden at the present time. 


26. Tuer BorantcaL GARDENS OF GUATEMALA. 
{Extract from Boletin, Noviembre de 1910.] 


They are located in Guatemala City, are generally known as the 
experimental gardens, and are under the direction of the bureau of 
agriculture. The gardens are divided into sections, one section de- 
yoted to specific groupings of plants—ornamental, industrial, forage 
plants, orchids, and flowers, and medicinal plants. 


27. Agri-HorrictLtrursAL GARDDNS AT LAHORE. 


[Extracts from A ‘Traveler’ s Notes, James H. Veitch; published by James Veitch & Sons, 
Royal Exotic Nursery, Chelsea, 1896. ] 


169 acres in area. 

They are maintained by the Government. 

More of a large nursery where plants, seeds, etc., are sold and ex- 
periments carried on. 

There are two halls in the center of the garden—the Montgomery 
and the Lawrence--now used for dances and as libraries. 


The main roads leading from several gates converge toward these 
halls. 


di? ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


One of the chief features in this garden is a large plantation of 
numerous varieties of limes, pomeloes, and in particular oranges. 
\ 


Winerintp Park anp THE HorticuLrurAL GarpENs at Lucknow. 


{Extracts from A Traveler’s Notes, James H. Veitch; published by James Veitch & Sons,. 
Royal Exotic Nursery, Chelsea, 1896. ] 


40 acres in area. 

The horticultural gardens are extremely well kept, only a few 
hundred yards from the road leading to the famous Residency and 
one of the principal thoroughfares in the European quarter. ‘There 
are no gates, the entrance being marked by two white stone curbings. 

The roads are 20 feet wide, hard, clean, and in perfect condition, 
and are covered with a peculiar red sand, which seems to bind well. 

There are no fences around the park. It is surrounded by roads. 

The horticultural gardens are principally used for food and vege- 
tables. 


29. Empress AND Bunp Garprens, Poona, Lyp1a. 
[Extracts from Empress and Bund Gardens Report, 1905—-1915.] 


The Bund Gardens are a favorite resort of the public. Every effort 
is made to keep them attractive and clean. The two gardens are run 
under the same management. 

The Empress Gardens are open for the instruction of such Malees 
as offer themselves. Although notices were put in the newspapers to 
this effect, none took adv antage of the offer. 

Local students of botany are always given facilities for their studies 
as far as possible. 

It should be noted that while the flowers in the empress Gardens: 
suffer from lack of water those in the Bund Gardens are thriving, due 
to the moisture-laden air that blows over the gardens. 


30. Vierorta GarpeNns, Bompay, Lypta. 


[Extracts from A Traveler’s Notes, James H. Veitch: published by James Veitch & Soas,. 
Royal Exotic Nursery, Chelsea, 1896.] 
The gardens and the museum attached are situated some distance 
from the EK uropean quarter. 
The plants in the gardens not indigenous to India are mostly South 
American. 


31. Tur Boranicat Garpren at CaLcurTa. 


{Extracts from A Traveler’s Notes, James H. Veitch; published by James Veitch & Sons,. 
Royal Exotic Nursery, Chelsea, 1896.] 


972 acres in area. 

These gardens are located at the village of Seebpore, about an 
hour’s drive out of the city of Calcutta, and possess numerous fine 
avenues of trees, being 60 to 70 feet high. 

There is a remarkable growth of bamboos in great variety, palms 
such as are rarely seen elsewhere, and fine mahogany trees. 

There is a Banyan 106 years old, the main stem of which is 16 feet 
in diameter, and a splendid avenue of the Toddy palm. 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. Iles 


The garden has a frontage of 1 mile in length along the bank of 
one of the world’s finest watercourses, the great Houeli River, and 
is to gardens what the Taj Mahal is to buildings. 

In this garden are many very fine lakes, the arms of which are 
spanned by bridges. 

There is a nursery of all kinds of plants, with several glass houses 
for use 1n fhe cold seasons. These glass houses need not to be heated 
in this climate. 


32. Tur Pupruic GARDEN OF JEYPORE. 


[Extracts from A Traveler’s Notes, James H. Veitch; published by James Veitch & Sons, 
Roy al Exotic Nursery, Chelsea, 1896.] 


70 acres in area. 

The public garden at Jeypore is considered one of the finest in 
India, and by many the finest. Most of it is under grass.in first-rate 
condition, or under shrubberies with beds in front. The roads are 
for the most part 30 feet wide. 

There is a menagerie in the garden, also a museum, the building 
being considered one of the finest outside of Kurope. 

The ground is cleverly and not too abruptly undulated ; its fernery, 
or ereenhouse of reeds, is the largest and best in the East. 


33. Tur GARDEN AT SAHARUNPUR. 


[Extracts from A Traveler’s Notes, by James H. Veitch; published by James Veitch & 
Sons, Royal Exotic Nursery, Chelsea, 1896.] 


200 acres in area. 

This garden is maintained for trials of new economic palts and for 
the distribution of vegetable and other seeds, and the lke. 

Tt has an annual subsidy of 20,000 rupees, but it returns 16,000 
rupees to the treasury, and therefore it is not a heavy expense to ‘the 
Government. 

It is not kept up for the people’s pleasure, because the town is not 
an important place, and there are but few British at the station. 

There are no beds in the garden, the entire space being laid out 
with winding roads, trees, isolated or in clumps, and here and there a 
smal! pond. 

There are two or three fine avenues of trees (Casuarinas) about 60 
feet high, a good-sized house covered with grass, and a museum of 
espec ‘ial interest. There is but little shrubbery. 

Sixty acres are set aside for seeds and experiments with new cottons, 
sugar canes, and other economic plants. 

The vegetable garden, upward of 60 acres in extent, is at one end of 
the grounds. They are kept chiefly for seed purposes to supply sol- 
diers and other residents. 


- 34. Borantc GarvEN At Toxto. 
{From notes furnished by Mr. W. T. Swingle.] 


40) acres in area; established in 1683. 

This garden did not attain importance until shortly after the 
restoration in 1868. It has played an important part in the improve- 
ment of agricultural and horticultural work in Japan proper, and in 


114 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


Japanese possessions such as Yuchu Islands, Formosa, and [Korea. 
The largest herbarium in Japan is located in the botanic garden, and 
in addition a very well kept and beautifully arranged planting of 
trees, shrubs, and flowers is maintained in the Koishikawa Park. 
The best botanical brary in Japan is to be found here, and the 
Botanical Society of Japan holds its meetings here. The botanical 
department of the University of Tokio, the largest university in 
Japan, is located in the garden. The garden is in the northwestern 
suburbs of Tokio, about 2 miles from the university and about 4 
miles from the center of the city. Its 40 acres extend from the 
bottom to the top of a low range of hills. The most striking por- 
tion of the garden is the landscape garden in pure Japanese “style; 
this feature occupied about one-fifth of the area and is situated on the 
side of a low hill, with an exceedingly picturesque lake at the bottom. 


There is a tea house used by the Japanese in the garden. 


35. Boranic GARDENS AT BUITENZORG. 


[Extracts from A Traveler’s Notes, by James H. Veitch; published by James Veitch 
& Sons, Royal Exotic Nursery, Chelsea, 1896. ] 


The garden consists of three establishments: The argicultural gar- 
den, about 21 miles out of Buitenzorg, is 200 acres in area; the scien- 
tific garden at Buitenzorg is 90 acres in area and 900 feet above sea 
level; and the mountain garden, which contains 50 acres. 

The scientific garden is ‘laid out in plots on undulating ground on 
the banks of a small river. The garden has existed about 75 years, 
and was arranged in this manner about 50 years ago. The house 
of the governor general of Java is in the garden. 

This garden contains some very fine, very old trees. Some of the 
palms being nearly 60 feet high. It is said that next to Kew, Buiten- 
zorg has a greater number of palm species than any other botanical 
earden in the world. The herbarium of tropical plants is most 
complete. 

The library contains many fine works, and receives the scientific 
journals of every society of note in Europe. 

This garden is notable for the thoroughness of its system. 

The agricultural gardens contain all kinds of economic plants. 
What is done in this garden is done so thoroughly as to demand the 
admiration of all who visit it. 

There is an extensive well-filled laboratory. 

To the ordinary visitor this argicultural garden proves more in- 
teresting than that at Buitenzorg, as this one is practical, and the 
other purely scientific. 

The mountain garden is devoted to natural flora of the region, and 
is very rich in specimens. Especially rich in those of tree ferns 
growing from an elevation of about 1,500 feet from the base to 
about 1,000 feet from the summit. 


Tue BorantcaL GARDEN or Lima, Peru. 
[Extracts from Wright’s Peru.] 
30 acres in area. 
The botanical garden of Lima, known as the Exposition Park, 
named in commemoration of the general exposition of 1870, which 
took place in these grounds. It is laid out in shaded walks, artificial 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 115 


lakes. grottoes, gardens, and conservatories, in which all kinds of 
tropical and subtropical plants and flowers are to be seen, including 
choice Peruvian orchids. <A circle of palm trees incloses a pretty 
kiosk, and several artistically placed buildings ornament the grounds. 


37. Tue Botanical AND ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS OF THE GOVERNMENT 
oF ParaGuay. 


{From Bulletin, July, 1916.] 


hese gardens are located on the Paraguay River, in the imme- 
diate vicinity of Asuncion, at Trinidad. They have, within recent 
years, been greatly enlarged and improved by buildings and equip- 
ment. An agricultural school is maintained, and the entire work is 
under the direction of Dr. Fiebrig. 


38. Tuer Soury Arrican NatrronaL Boranic GARDEN. 


[Extracts from Nature, vol. 91, Aug. 14, 1913, p. 611.] 


400 acres in area; established in 1912. 

A farm on the Rhodes estates, to the south of Groote Schur, on the 
eastern slopes of Table Mountain. It adjoins the country seat of Van 
Riebeek, the first Dutch governor (1652-1662). 

The eastern half consists of flat or slightly undulating land, about 
200 feet above sea level. The western half rises to about 1 000 or 
1,500 feet, including the lower ends of three richly wooded gorges. 
The lower-lying parts have been heavily planted with pines, oaks, 
and poplars. 

The underlying rock, except perhaps in the most elevated parts of 
the estate, is granite. The slopes. however, are for the most part 
strewn with blocks of sandstone from the mountain above. 

Many acres are overlain with the rich deposit of humus derived 
mainly from the oaks and poplars. 

There is a good water supply from two streams in the adjacent 
gorges. 

In selecting this site the well-known Cape southeastern wind was 
taken into account. The tract already bears several hundreds of 
species of plants more or less representative of the Cape region itself. 

The control of the garden is vested in a board of five trustees, three 

of whom were elected by the Government. Two further nominations 
are made; one by the corporation of Cape Town, and another by the 
Botanical Society of South Africa. 

The trustees make the following appointments: A director and a 

secretary. In addition there is the usual gardening staff. 


39. Tue Imprrtay Boranican Garpen, Prerrograp, Russta. 


[Extract from an article by Prof. N. L. Britton. in Science, Vol. IV, No. 88, 1896.] 


The Imperial Botanical Garden at Petrograd is in close affiliation 
with the Academy of Sciences and the university. There is here a 
famous herbarium, a large botanical library and museum, and com- 
modious and well-stocked greenhouses. The garden published Acta. 
and many researches prosecuted there are printed in the Bulletin and 
Memoirs of the Imperial Academy. 


116 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


40. Borantc GARDEN AT SINGAPORE. 


[Extracts from A Traveler’s Notes, by James H. Veitch; published by James Veitch 
& Sons, Royal Exotic Nursery, Chelsea, 1896. ] 


66 acres in area. 

These gardens are situated about 3 miles out of the town and are 
very well kept. They are entirely surrounded by a public road, and 
contain a very fine lake with an island in it. 

The herbarium contains a large collection of Malay plants. The 
aviary and the menagerie contain many interesting specimens. 

In the experimental and economic gardens are many kinds of 
plants yielding <dves, oils, spices, resins, . fibers s, as well as many me-- 
dicinal plants, etc., carefully labeled and arranged as to their par- 
ticular economic value. There is also a fine collection of oaks. 


41. Pusric Garpens ar Penane, Inpra. 


(Extracts from A Traveler’s Notes, by James H. Veitch; published by James Veitch 
& Sons, Royal Exotic Nursery, Chelsea, 1896.] 


55 acres 1n area. 

These gardens are located about 44 miles from Georgetown. They 
are of horseshoe shape, quite surrounded by a range of hills about 
5,000 feet elevation. All the ground is undulated. 

The work on these gardens was practically begun in 1890. The 
whole park is under grass, coarse but good. There is a small collec- 
tion of economic plants in the garden which is to be increased, as it is 
considered a useful feature to the planters in the island. 

The office building shelters a rich herbarium of the Penang flora. 
The houses in this garden are roofed with palm stems. 


Tue BorantcaL, GARDEN OF GENEVA, SWITZERLAND. 
[Extract from an article by Prof. N. L. Britton, in Science, Vol. IV, No. 88, 1896.] 


The botanical garden of Geneva was founded in 1817, and is situ- 
ated in the. heart of the city, near the university. There are two 
small greenhouses, a very large and important herbarium and lbrary, 
and a small museum. The laboratories of the university are ex- 
tensive and well equipped, affording oy facilities for work along 
all lines of botanical investigation. The De Candolle herbarium and 
library, and the Boissier herbarium and library, which are near by, 
afford, in connection with the collections of the garden, unsurpassed 
facilities for taxonomic study. 


Tue Brooxtyn Boranic Garpren, Brooxiyn, N. Y. 


48 acres in area 

The Brooklyn (N. Y.) Botanic Garden was established in 1897. 
It is under the general jurisdiction of the board or committee of 
public parks of New York City, but under the direct management of 
the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences. This latter body raised 
prior to 1909 $50,000 as an endowment, the interest on which is to 
be used for the purchase ‘of plants, flowers, shrubs, and trees for the 


garden. 


ISTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. ler 


The institute follows plans prepared by the city. The grounds are 
to be maintained, the buildings heated and lighted, salaries paid, 
equipment bought, etc., by the Glia losis free to the public at all 
times. The institute has a director, a curator of plants, a curator of 
public instruction, an honorary curator of economic plants, a con- 
sulting landscape architect, a head gardener, and a foreman. 

The total cost is to be approximately $300,000. 

Instruction is given as follows: 

1. Garden practice—A course in outdoor work, open only to those 
pupils who are recommended by their teachers for excellence in 

nature study in their schools. The work includes the raising of 
common vegetables, flowers, and fiber plants. j 

2. Nature study—Spring course: The structures and germination 
of seeds: the parts of a plant and their uses; relation of the plant to 
soul, air, water, and hight. The course consists of actual study of 
the plants themselves, with experiments and greenhouse work done 
by the children ; no bookwork, no home work, no examinations. Open 
to children from 8 to 12 vears of age. Fall course: A similar course 
will be given in the fall. 

B: Back-yar d gardens.—Assistance in planning and planting home 
gardens. Open to children whose names are sent in by their princi- 
pals, teachers, or parents. 


HOUSEHOLD BOTANY AND HORTICULTURE. 


4. Kitchen gardening.—A short course designed for those women 
who desire to work in their own small gardens, and, for those inter- 
ested in domestic science. Garden plans, preparation of seed beds, 
tools, varieties of seed, seed sowing, and cultivation. 

5. The small flower garden.—Plans, color schemes, preparation of 
garden beds, planting, transplanting, cultivation, the wild-flower 
garden. 

6. Indoor plant culture-——<A course for those who enjoy raising 
plants in their homes. Bulbs, house plants, window- cardening 
nods of propagating plants in the house. 

Landscape design.—Three illustrated lectures on the principles 
of landscape design for small areas; supplemented by three field 
excursions. 

8. Bacteria and pther micro-organisms in the home.—Kight periods 
devoted to lectures, laboratory work, and conferences on the occur- 
rence of bacteria, yeasts, molds, and other micro-organisms in the 
home, in water, sewage, etc. 

Note: Courses 4 to 8, inclusive, are open free to members of the 
Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences on presentation of member- 
ship certificates: to all others there is a nominal charge of 50 cents 
for each course to cover incidental expenses. 

9. The garden week by week.—Fall course: Lessons on the prepa- 
ration for winter, outdoor planting of bulbs, winter cover crops, 
taking up and storing of plants. Spring course: Practical work, 
taking up garden operations, and those things which should be done 
each week in preparation for the outdoor season. Greenhouse and 
outdoor practice, with a few explanatory lectures. 


186037—20—Prr 2 


118 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 
SHORT COURSE IN POPULAR BOTANY. 


10. Local flora—The elements of systematic botany, primarily for 
the purpose of getting acquainted with the native wild flowers. 
Field collecting, ‘the making of herbarium (for those who wish), 
lectures, and conferences. Especially valuable for teachers of nature 
study. 

COURSE FOR TEACHERS OF SCHOOL GARDENING. 


There is an increasing demand for persons adequately prepared to 
become teachers or supervisors of children’s gardens, but opportuni- 
ties to secure the necessary preparation are not numerous. As in 
other cases where special problems are to be met and solved, an in- 
terest in children, a mere hking for the work, or even native teaching 
ability, while highly essential, are not of themselves to insure success. 

The following nine courses (11-19) are planned to acquaint the 
prospective teacher with some of the main problems to be met with 
in this work and such effective solutions of them as have been worked 
out in practice. The nine courses are considered as a unit, and are 
not offered separately. Wherever possible it is urged that the entire 
course be completed within two school years. Special importance is 
attached to No. 19. 

11. Hlementary botany.—A survey of general physiological and 
morphological principles, illustrated by a few of the more important 
types of plants. Eight lectures and demonstrations in laboratory 
and greenhouses. 

12. Nature study—Nature in relation to gardens and plant life — 
Tobie: Plant structure; fruit and fruit formation; weeds; weeds 
dispersal; insect pests; birds in their relation to agriculture ; garden. 
friends, shrubs; shade and lawn trees. Credit will be given for this 
course in nature study on presentation of a satisfactory certificate 
of similar work done at any other accredited institution. 

13. Sodls and agric ultural principles.—A study of soils; fertilizers, 
natural and chemical; relation of water and air to soil; liming soils: 
mixing of soils and tillage. 

14. Plant propagation and greenhouse work —Methods of plant 
propagation, care of plants, cuttings, raising of seedlings for the out- 
oor garden. Work related to children’ s eardens. 

15. Fungus and insect pests.—Three lectures and demonstrations 
on the occurrence of and methods of combating the commoner fun- 
gus and insect pests of garden and greenhouse plants. 

16. Children’s garden practice —Practice work with a class of 
cildren, including such topics as planting and making the garden, 
laying out the grounds, preparation of soil, seed sowing, transplant- 
ing, cropping, cultivation, school garden management, improvement 
of school grounds, preparation of “exhibits. 

17. Fall garden work.—Practical work with the outdoor bulb bed. 
harvesting of garden crops, indoor planting of bulbs, raising of 
plants indoors, the window box. 

18. Pedagogy of botany.—A brief discussion of the mental proc- 
esses involved in learning and teaching science, and the fundamental 
principles which underlie and point the way to laboratory and field 
work. 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 119 


19. Practical garden work.—A summer’s work with children in a 
garden under supervision. This work may be done at the Brooklyn 
Botanic Garden, or its equivalent in some children’s garden the 
work of which is acceptable to the botanic garden. 


ADVANCED COURSES. 


20. Mycology and plant pathology—Morphology and pathology 
of the fungi and bacteria. Life histories of fungi; methods of con- 
trol of plant diseases, etc. Prerequisite, a satisfactory college course 
in general botany. 

21. Fresh-water microbiology.—A course of lectures, recitations, 
and laboratory work on the various organisms found in drinking 
water. Odors, colors, etc., of drinking water; methods of micro- 
scopical and bacteriological examination. 

22. Cytology.—A course of lectures and laboratory work on cell 
physiology and cell morphology. Methods of cytological technique 
and practice in accurate interpretation of cell phenomena. 

23. Haperimental evolution.—Detailed studies of the nature and 
causes of variation and heredity. Some of the subjects considered 
are historical résumé of the evolution theory, physical basis of in- 
heritance of acquired characters, kinds and causes of variation, 
mendelism, biometry, principles and technique of plant breeding. 
This course is open to college students with a knowledge of the ele- 
ments of physics, chemistry, geology, botany, and zoology. The work 
is primarily intended for students in pure science and for agricul- 
tural or horticultural students fitting themselves for various profes- 
sional activities in these particular fields. 

24. Phytogeography.—A. course dealing with plant distribution 
over the earth. Prerequisites are courses in plant ecology, geology, 
and a good general knowledge of climatology and systematic botany. 


DEPARTMENT OF GRADUATE STUDY AND RESEARCH. 


25. Seminar.—A. biweekly meeting of the garden staff and ad- 
vanced students for the discussion of fundamental problems of 
botany or of general biology. 

26. Journal club.—A biweekly meeting of the garden staff and ad- 
vanced students for the review and discussion of current botanical 
literature. Open to others on invitation. 

27. Research in plant physiology.—Iindependent investigation of 
problems of plant metabolism and irritability. 

28. Research in mycology and plant pathology.—tIndependent in- 
vestigation of problems in fungi and fungous diseases of planis. 

29. Reserach in plant genetics—Independent investigation of 
problems of variation and heredity, including that phase of cytology 
having a direct bearing on the subject matter of genetics. 


COOPERATION WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS. 
(a) Talks at schools—The principals of any school, public or 


private, may arrange with the director to have lantern talks given at 
the schools on various topics related to nature study. such as garden 


120 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


work with children, tree planting, and Arbor Day. If an illustrated 
lecture is desired, the lantern and operator must be provided by the 
school, but slides will be furnished by the botanic garden. Principals 
may address the director for appointments. 

(6) School classes at the garden.—Schools not provided with lan- 
terns may arrange for their classes, accompanied by their teacher, to 
come to the botanic garden for such talks as are mentioned above. 
At present not more than 70 children can be accommodated at any 
one time. 

The garden equipment, including greenhouse, plant material, lec- 
ture room, lantern, and shdes, is at the disposal of teachers who desire 
to instruct their own classes at the garden. This must be arranged 
by appointment with the director, so that such work will not conflict 
with regular classes and lectures. 

The principal of any secondary school in Brooklyn may arrange 
also for a series of 10 lessons on plant culture to be given during the 
fall to a class. These lessons will be worked out for the most part in 
the greenhouse. Such a course must be arranged for in advance, and 

the class must be acc ompanied by its teacher. 

(c) Consultations.— Conferences may be arranged by teachers and 
principals for discussion of problems in connection with gardening 
and nature study. Monday and Saturday afternoons are usually 
available for this purpose. Appointments must be made in advance. 

(d) Study and loan material—On request, the garden will en- 

deavor to provide living seedlings or plant parts for study, to the ex- 

tent of our present limited facilities. Teachers may arrange to 
have various physiological experiments or demonstrations conducted 
at the garden. Petri dishes, ready for exposure, will also be loaned 
on request of teachers. Schools must arrange to call for study or loan 
material, and must return the loan material promptly in good condi- 
tion. 


DOCENTRY. 


Classes, and other parties of several persons, wishing to view the 
plantations, under guidance, may arrange with the curator of public 
instruction for appointments with a docent to conduct them through 
the garden. 

THE HERBARIUM. 


The garden herbarium consists at present of about 40,000 speci- 
mens, including phanerogams, ferns, mosses, liverworts, lichens, 
parasitic and other fungi, algas, and myxomycets. This collection 
may be consulted by those interested, and specimens submitted will 
be eladly identified. 

THE LIBRARY. 


The rapidly growing library of the garden occupies temporary 
quarters on the main floor of the laboratory building. This is not a 
circulating library, but is open for consultation without charge to 
all persons, from 9 a. m. until 5 p.m. Over 60 current periodicals 
devoted to botany and related subjects are regularly received. 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. TOA 
LECTURES FOR CHILDREN. 


Stories about useful plants—Illustrated. For children of members 
of the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences. Admission only by 
ticket, which may be had on application to Miss Shaw. 

April 18. Rope and how it is made. (Manila and sisal fibers.) 

April 25. The story of bread. (Wheat.) 

May 2. Beverage plants. (Cocoa and chocolate. ) 

May 9. A plant serving a useful purpose. (Rubber.) 

May 16. The food of half a billion people. (Rice.) 

Talks on gardens. (Illustrated.) Open to all children without 
charge. Tickets may be had on application to Miss Shaw. 

April 20. How to make a garden. 

April 27. The seed; how plants start. (Illustrated by experiments 
and pictures. ) 

May 4. Birds and their relations to gardens. 

May ne The garden’s friends and foes. 

May 1 . The wild flowers now in bloom. 

It is necessary to limit the number of tickets for these talks to 
children. This is due to the small size of the present lecture room. 

These talks will be repeated for school classes 1f so desired, either 
at the garden or at the school. Another series of talks will be given 
during the fall and early winter. Further particulars will be an- 
nounced later. 


LECTURES FOR ADULTS. 


Spring course.—Lectures on civic botany: Dangers to plants from 
the city’s smoke and gas: conservation of forests; foreign fruits of 
our city markets; economic importance of plant breeding. 


44. Boranic GARDEN OF THE Universiry or PENNSYLVANIA, PHILA- 
DELPHIA. 


[Extract from an article by Prof. N. L. Britton in Science, Volume IV, No. 88, 1896.] 


The University of Pennsylvania has recently established a garden 
of about 3 acres in the immediate vicinity of its building in Phila- 
delphia, and has many species under cultivation. The extensive and 
well-appointed laboratories of its school of botany, good library 
facilities, and a small herbarium afford capital opportunity for 
research, especially in physiology and morphology. 


45. Tur Arnotp ArporerumM or Harvarp University, JAMArca 
Prarns, Mass. 


[Extracts from A Guide to the Arnold Arboretum, by Charles Sargent, 1917, and from 
notes from Dr. W. T. ‘Swingle. ] 


220 acres in area; established in 1872. 

The Arnold Arboretum was started in 1872 as a tree museum for 
Harvard University. Its original size was 120 acres, but this has 
been increased to 220 acres of hill and valley. 

This arboretum is doubtless the most noteworthy arboretum in the 
world, not only because of the size and character of its collections, 
but because of the fact that a splendid botanical hbrary is located i in 


BaD ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


the arboretum. Books relating to trees have been most carefully in- 
dexed so that information can easily be obtained about any given 
species, 

The collection of trees in the arboretum was arranged by groups of 
species which are called genera, and the genera, so far as it has been 
found practicable to do so, have been ‘planted according to their 
botanical relationships into family groups. The plan will show the 
positions of these groups. 

There is an administration building which contains the library and 
herbarium, the administrative offices and laboratories, and a collection 
of the woods of North American trees. 

There is a small greenhouse used for garden propagating pur- 
poses. 

From the Arnold Arboretum as a center, expeditions have been 
sent to all parts of the North Temperate Zone, ‘and very full collections 
have been made of the trees and shrubs from these regions. For ex- 
ample, the work done in China has led to the publication of Plantee: 
Wilsonianee, which is one of the latest and best works on the flora 
of China, and is accompanied by two magnificient atlases including. 
over 1,000 large-size photographs. Similar exploration and similar 
photographs have been made in Japan, Korea, and Formosa. 

In December. 1882, a contract was made between the university 
and the city of Boston, which was to last 1,000 years. The city was 
to construct and maintain, under the direction of its park commis- 
sion, the drives and walks, which were planned by a landscape arechi- 
tect retained by the city, to police the grounds, and assume all taxes 
which might be levied. The university “agreed to open the arboretum 
to the public from sunrise to sunset t during every day in the year, 
reserving, however, entire control of all the collections and of the 
grounds with the exception of the drives and walks. 

Upward of 50 species of birds have been breeding here during the 
last 20 years. Among them there are the song thrush, veery, rose- 
breasted grosbeak, thrasher, oriole, bluebird, wood pewee, indigo 
bird, redstart, warblers, ruffed grouse, quails, Mongolian pheasant, 
green heron, night heron, great blue heron, and several species of 
wild ducks (these last four are only occasional visitors), yellow- 
breasted chat, Brewster’s warbler, Carolina wrens, mockingbird, tree 
sparrow, white-throated sparrow, myrtle warbler, butcherbird, pine 
erosbeaks, crossbills, redpolls, siskins, snow buntings, titlarks, water 
thrush, red-shouldered hawk, Cooper’s hawk, sharp- shinned hawk, 
and the screech owl. 

Prof. Sargent’s “ Sylva of North America” is a noteworthy publi- 
cation from this institution. (See map.) 


46. ‘Tue Borantc Garpen or Harvarp Unrversiry, Campriper, Mass. 
{Extract from article by Prof. N. L. Britton, in Science, Vol. IV, No. 88, 1896.] 


7 acres in area; founded in 1805. 

There are about 7 acres of land under cultivation, a small green- 
house, and a famous herbarium and library, from which have flowed 
during the past 40 years voluminous and invaluable contributions to 
taxonomy and morphology, especially of North American plants. 
‘There is also a small morphologic laboratory. The main laboratories 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. ote 


and museums connected with the institution are situated in other of 
the Harvard buildings, a short distance away. The system of garden, 
libraries, museum, laboratories, and herbaria operated by Harvard 
College is one of the most complete in existence. It is hard to say, 
indeed, in what respect it is not ideal, except in the rather wide 
distance separating the several elements and the small amount of 
‘land available for planting. 


Tue Boranican GarpEN oF THE MicuHigan AGRICULTURAL 
CoLLEGE. 


[Extract from article by Prof. N. L. Britton, in Science, Vol. IV, No. 88, 1896.] 


Several acres in area; founded in 1877. 

The botanical garden of the Michigan Agricultural College was 
begun in 1877. There are now about 3 acres under high cultivation, 
exclusive of the arboretum and decorative grounds, which together 
cover several acres. There are several small greenhouses, a her- 
barium of about 60,000 specimens, a good botanical library, and ex- 
tensive, well-equipped laboratories. 


48. Tue Missourt Boranicat GARDEN oF St. Louts. 


[From data furnished by the officials of the garden, and from notes from Mr. W. T. 
Swingle. ] 


125 acres in area. 
Open to the public, 1860. 
75 acres now open to the public (1916). 


ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 


Established by Henry Shaw, an Englishman residing in St. Louis. 
Aiter its establishment he broadened his plans to meet greater future 
public needs. 

ne garden is, without doubt, the wealthiest botanic garden in the 
world. 

The department of botany of the Washington University is located 
at the garden, and very important research work on many phases 
of botany is done in the garden under the best possible conditions. 
Special greenhouses have been made for pathological and physio- 
logical work, and a very good library on all phases of botany is avail- 
able to the students. 

There are probably more visitors to the St. Louis Botanic Garden 
than to any other garden in the world located in a city of the same 
size and special attention is given to the preparation of exhibits and 
education material that will both interest and instruct the visitors. 

In the garden, so far as conditions permit, the plants are arranged - 
instructively, labeled with common names and scientific names and 
geographic range. The planting in an attractive manner is never 
lost sight of. 

The director of the garden is at the head of the school of botany. 

Gardening instruction is provided for in a four-years’ course. 
There are six scholarships. 

Capable employees are engaged in research work. 


, 124 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


EQUIPMENT. 


The collection of living plants is large, 11,000 species (1916), 
6,000 of which are under glass. There is a large collection of books. 
The herbarium contains over half a million specimens. It contains 
the herbaria of Barnhardi, Engelmann, Redfield, Reverchon, Hegert, 
and many other well- known collectors. Much material from Chap- 
man’s herbarium also. 

The library contains more than 58,000 books and pamphlets. It 
contains a very large collection of publications dating from before 
the time of Linneus. 


PRODUCTIVITY. 


The effectiveness of the garden in reaching the general public can 
hardly be measured except by the number of visitors to it and the 
questions they ask. ‘They average over 100,000 a year. 

In research work the 18 y early volumes of the garden report show 
results commensurate with the opportunity. 


FOUNDATION. 


The Shaw bequest consists largely of real estate in the city of St. 
Louis. In 1911 it was appraised at about $3,000,000, but it is con- 
stantly increasing in value, and there is a steady increasing rental 
income. Up to 1917 this revenue av eraged about $111,000 per year, 
and at that time only about 44 per cent of the eross income was 
available for the expenses of the garden. It amounted to $45,300: 
for that year, and it was spent as follows 


Gardening) 225.0 2 ee ee ee $28 DOOM IGarDelcenias) 
Gamolery pon Se ee oe ee ee 3 De ee 1,20G (23 per cent.) 
PPEUp ATM ee ee ae eee ee eee pUAl Siren EAE 2,200 (5 per cent.) 
iT) os gp ere a hE EP eh PR cS oN Lal eee 4,700 (10 per cent.) 
OI COR RARER ENE ee eee Re ERS TOE 2) hee ee ee oles 6, 800. (14 per cent. ) 


Research —_- 


eels Dok Peale gus os 2,400 (55 per cent. ) 


Having this very [eee endowment, the garden is able to 


plan its work for a long time ahead and is likely to become one of 
the greatest botanic earder ns in the world. 


FUTURE PROSPECTS. 


The foundation of the establishment seems secure. The trustees 
have already increased the original area of the rounds by one-half, 
and detailed plans exist for the improvement of “additional land that 
will double the present area. 

Plant houses have been doubled in size. A fireproof building has 
been erected. 

The already large equipment for research work is to be increased. 
More men are needed. (See map.) 


49. Boranitc GarpEN oF Unrrep States DrepartMENT oF AGRICUL- 
TURE. WASHINGTON, D. C. 
[Extract from article by Prof. N. L. Britton, in Science, Vol. IV, No. 88, 1896.] 


The Botanic Gardens of the United States Department of Agri- 
culture, at Washington, D. C., have an extensive range of green- 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. MAS 


houses and a large tract of land under cultivation. The herbarium 
of the department, now deposited with the United States National 
Museum. is very large and is at present increasing more rapidly than 
any other in America. There is a somewhat effective working 
hbrary, which greatly needs material enlargement, and several poorly 
located and equipped laboratories, in which a vast amount of i impor- 
tant investigation is being accomplished under very unfavorable con- 
ditions, which urgently demand improvements. Publications include 
Bulletin of the Botanical Division, Bulletin of the Division of For- 
estry. Bulletin of the Division of Plant Pathology and Physiology, 
contributions from the United States National Herbarium, Yearbook 
of the United States Department of Agriculture, and circulars of the: 
several divisions. 


50. New York BotranicaLt GARDEN. 


[Extract from the New York Botanical Garden and Columbia University, by Prof. N. L.. 
Britton, reprinted from the Columbia University Quarterly, September, 1916.] 


400 acres in extent: established in 1895. 

The first appropriation of land was 250 acres; 150 acres were added 
in 1915. 

Grounds are open to the public at all times, and the buildings are 
open every day without charge. 

The grounds are situated at the northern part of Bronx Park, 
extending from Pelham Avenue north to the southern end of the 
Bronx River Parkway at Williamsburg Bridge. 

The reservation is diversified in topography ; the Bronx River runs 
through it from north to south—a quiet stream through meadows in 
the northern part south of Williamsburg Bridge, passing into a nar- 
row wooded valley, forming a cascade below, then plunging in a series 
of rapids through a picturesque rocky gor we, and passing into quiet, 
lake-like waters toward the southern end of the tract near Pelham 
Avenue. West of the Bronx River, coming from north to south, the 
visitor passes first through river meadows, ‘followed by areas of river. 
woods and a nearly level. plain on an ancient gravel terrace, on which 
the fruiticetum. or collection of shrubs, is established. Passing a 
chain of three lakes, two of them used as water gardens, he enters ‘the 
famous Hemlock Forest, 40 acres in extent, west ‘of which the museum 
building and great greenhouses are situated on undulating land, 
partly occupied by the plantations of conifers; and southward he 
finds several valleys separated by rocky ridges, ‘one of these valleys 
being occupied by the grouped herbaceous plantation. Flower 
gardens are massed about the greenhouses and along the border 
screens. 

East of the Bronx River, the deciduous arboretum is established on 
hilly and undulating ground nearly the whole length of the reserva- 
tion, surrounding another large range of public oreenhouses located 
near the Bronx Boulevard, which bounds the reservation to the east, 
south of which are located propagating and experimental green- 
houses, nurseries, and experimental grounds. Farther south, on the 
high eastern bank of the Bronx River, is situated the stone mansion 
built by the Lorillard family in 1856, the propagating greenhouses of 
the park department, and the new rose garden now under construc- 


126 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


tion, and a long lake picturesquely situated obween rocky wooded 
hills. There are 70 acres of natural deciduous forest occupying both 
sides of the river; a driveway system about 5 miles in length has been 
constructed, and there are over 15 miles of broad paths and trails 
already built. 

An agreement between the New York Botanical Garden and the 
trustees of Columbia University provides for cooperative educational 
facilities. 

Appropriations of money by the city aggregating over $1, 250,000 
have been expended in the construction of ‘buildings, driveways, 
paths, fences, and water supply, and in grading and drainage: and 
the city makes annual appropriations for the maintenance of erounds, 
buildings, and collections. Living plants, books, and specimens in 
value exceeding $500,000 have been brought together by the board of 
managers, who have also expended large sums in development and 
maintenance. Living plants of more than 14,000 kinds are now grow- 
ing in the grounds and greenhouses. 

Tt is estimated that the value of the land is not less than $11,- 
300,000, and the expenses incurred on buildings, driveways, etc., 
$1,400,000. 

Appropriation of land for the planting, equipment, etc., the value 
of the plants, the collections, contents of the library, the public 
museums, the herbarium, together with the $550,000 endowment fund, 
represents property of a total value of about $14,000,000. 

The museum building will cost about $250,000 to complete ; comple- 
tion of the ereenhouses, $150,000; and the development of grounds 
and plantations, $100,000. 

The board estimates that $10,000 spent annually for several years 
in developing the grounds would represent slow progress. They 
estimate they need a gift of $500,000 to complete the grounds. 

This garden was established as a botanic garden, a museum, and 
arboretum, with a collection of plants, shrubs, and trees, and for the 
advancement of botanical science and knowledge, and the prosecu- 
tion of original researches, and for affording instruction in the same, 
for the prosecution and exhibition of ornamental and decorative hor- 
ticulture and gardening, and for the entertainment, recreation, and 
instruction of the people. 

The following features are of special interest : 

1. The largest conservatories in America. 

9. The largest botanical museum in the world. 

3. A collection of cone- bearing trees, mostly evergreens. 

4. The herbaceous garden. 

5. The collection of hardy shrubs. 

6. The deciduous arboretum. 

*. Extensive flower gardens at conservatory range 1. 

8. The old stone mansion, containing meeting rooms, laboratories, 
office of the secretary, etc. 

. Special collection of hardy plants in various sections of the 
grounds. 

10. The hemlock forest, covering about 40 acres. 

= Gorge of the Bronx River. 

The north meadows and river woods. 

s Deciduous woodlands on rocky ridges in southern and central 

parts of the reservation. 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. ie 


14. General park features. 

There are two ranges of greenhouses. The first one includes a 
large conservatory with a central dome about 90 feet in height. The 
area under glass is about 1 acre. This house contains 15 compart- 
ments separated by glass partitions and doors. Briefly, these houses 
contain different kinds of specimens from all over the world; at 
cange No. 2 there is a large collection of orchids; range No. 3 has 
seven houses; there is a large power house for the heating of the 
various buildings; the botanical museum building is 312 feet by 90 
feet and contains a museum of economic botany; an exhibition of 
systematic botany; an exhibition of fossil botany, lecture halls, 
library, herbarium, and laboratories. 


51. Borantc GArpeNns oF THE UNtiversiry or CautrorniA, BerKeLery. 
[Extract from an article by Prof. N. L. Britton, in Science, Vol. IV, No. 88, 1896.] 


The University of California, at Berkeley, has a botanical garden 
of several acres, established some years ago, in which a large number 
of plants are grown. It furnishes a valuable adjunct to the work 
of the botanical department, which has well-appointed laboratories, 
a working library, and a large herbarium. 


52. Borantc GARDEN oF SuirH Couuece, NorrHampron, Mass. 
{Extract from article by Prof. N. L. Britton, in Science, Vol. IV, No. 88, 1896.] 


Smith College, at Northampton, Mass., has also recently established 
a botanical arden on the campus. 


53. Tur Burrato Boranic re SoutH Park, Burrato, N. Y. 
{Extract from article by Prof. N. L. Britton, in Science, Vol. IV, No. 88, 1896.] 


The Buffalo Botanic Gand! in South Park, Buffalo, N. Y., was 
commenced in 1893, and has since made rapid and encouraging prog- 
ress. A small range of greenhouses has been built and others are 
planned. A beginning has been made in accumulating a library and 
herbarium, and much “permanent planting has been accomplished. 


54. Tue Boranican GarpEN or THE University or Hapana, Cua. 
[Extract from the Standard Guide to Habana. ] 


This botanic garden is located on the Paseos of Carlos III, and 
adjoins the extensive gardens of the palace of the President. It con- 
tains numerous specimens of tropical trees, fruits, plants, and flowers, 
and there are avenues of royal palms, artificial ‘grottos, and minia- 
ture cascades. Cuba’s flora comprises over 3,350 native plants, besides 


those which have been introduced. 


55. Horr Garpens, Kinesron, Jamaica. 


[Extracts from ‘Guide to Hope Gardens ; puss by Aston W. Gardner & Co., tourists’ 
agents. 
200 acres in area; established in 1874. 
Hope Gardens is an experiment and teaching station, as well as a 
botanic garden. Mr. William Harris, F. L. S., is the superintendent. 


128 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


The first beginning of an experiment station at Hope was in 1874, 
under Mr. Robert Thomson. The Government came into possession 
of 200 acres of land there in 1873, and determined to transfer the new 
varieties of cane received from the botanic gardens of Mauritius and. 
Martinique and planted in the small garden at Castleton to the ample 
area at Hope. Nearly 18 acres were put under cane in 1874, and 5 
more in 1875, and during the same year 10 acres were planted in teak. 
A small nursery was also formed. In 1885 Dr. Morris, at that time 
director, proposed that the land around the nursery should be made 
into a public park at a cost of £5,000, though he thought a botanic 
garden could not be carried on without a system of reservoirs for the 
storage of water. However, Gov. Sir Henry Norman decided, as 
there were no conveniences for people traveling cheaply from King- 
ston at the time, that there should be no outlay except gradually in 
improving the earden. 

In 1897 the Government transferred the present director with 
office and herbarium from Cinchona to Hope, with the intention of 
making it the central botanical establishment of the island. Since 
that time the garden has gradually been formed and extended. 

The following plants are grown for experimental purposes, and 
also for use in teaching agricultural principles, and the best methods 
of dealing with these tr ropical crops: Sugar cane, coco, coffee, tobacco, 
banana, nutmeg, citrus, grapevine, pineapple, yam, sweet potatoes, ete. 

Practical instruction is given in the garden to apprentices, to boys: 
from the industrial school, to students at training colleges, to ele- 
mentary school-teachers in their vacation, to agricultural students, 
and to planters themselves. 

There are about 14 acres under sugar cane of 107 varieties, which 
are being tested by the agricultural chemist. Seedlings are grown 
from the seed and are tested as they mature. 

Forastero and Criollo coco are grown, and experiments made as 
to the value of shade trees, and as to the difference in growth, and 
yield of crop, when planted close and at wider distances apart. The 
general opinion at one time was that coco would not grow in dry 
districts like the plain of Liguanea, but it has now been proved in 
the gardens that not only will coco grow well here with irrigation, 
but that it will yield larger crops than in wet districts. 

Coffee of several kinds may be seen: Arabian or common coffee, 
Liberian, Abbeokuta, highland coffee of Sierra Leone (stenophylla), 
Maragogipe, golden drop, etc. Experiments are being made as to 
influence of shade, coming true to seed, etc. 

Two acres of tobacco are under cultivation, and the leaf is cured 
in the tobacco house close by. The apprentices are instructed in all 
the details of cultivation, and the technique of curing the leaf for 
cigar tobacco. 

A collection of 23 varieties of bananas from various parts of the 
world, chiefly obtained through the kindness of the director of Kew 
Gardens and the commissioner of the imperial department of agricul- 
ture, has been established. 

Grafted nutmegs are cultivated, together with sees, to test 
early fruiting, of growth, ete. 

Budded citrus plants have been planted out for comparison, of 
varieties that have proved successful in Florida and California, and 
also of native seedling trees. 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 129 


Grapevines of a few European varieties are grown on arbors. 

Pineapples of several varieties are grown, and experiments are 
being made in cross-fertilizing different varieties, with the object, for 
instance, of getting a pine with the flavor of the Ripley and the fine 
appearance of the ‘smooth cayenne. 

Rubber plants of various kinds are grown, Para, Castilloa, Ceara, 
etc. On the whole the Castilloa or Central American rubber tree 
seems to be best suited for this island. 

Visitors can purchase plants at the nursery, or orders will be 
booked by the attendants and plants for Kingston and neighborhood 
will be delivered at the Parade Garden, Kingston, where purchasers 
must send them. The gardens can not undert take to deliver plants at 
private residences or stores. 


56. Tue Royat Boranic GarpeNn or Trrnipap, Porr or Spar. 
[Extract from an article by Prof. N. L. Britton, in Science, Vol. IV, No. 88. 1896. ] 


63 acres in area; established in 1818. 

The Royal Botanic Garden of Trinidad was established in 1818, 
and now occupies about 63 acres, with some outlying plantations. 
There is a vast collection of tropical plants in cultivation, an exten- 
sive botanical library and herbarium, and a small laboratory. The 
garden publishes annual reports and bulletins, dealing especially 
with topics of economic application. 

(Ve 


5 
2 


Tue ARBORETUM AND Boranicat GARDEN OF THE CENTRAL Ex- 
PERIMENT Farm, Orrawa, Canapba. 


[See Central Experimental Farm, Department of Agricultural Bulletin 5, second series, 
Herbaceous perennials, Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Ottawa, 1908; also Bulletin 2, 
second series, Catalogue of Trees and Shrubs, Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Ottawa, 
1899.] 


65 acres in area; established in 1887. 

This garden was established in an effort to test as many species 
and varieties of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants as could be made 
to grow in the climate of Ottawa, Canada. In 1899 a list was pub- 
lished of 3,071 trees and shrubs that had been tested up to that 
time. with notes on their hardiness. Great importance has been given 
from the beginning to herbaceous perennials at this botanical garden, 
and by 1908, 2,116 species and varieties, representing 280 genera, were 
reported on. The botanical garden at Ottawa is famous for its 
herbaceous perennial border; it is about half a mile long and 12 feet 
wide, and contains a remarkable, perhaps the best, collection of hardy 
perennials to be found anywhere in the world; certainly the best to 
be found in America. 


Acts snp ResoLtutions or Coneress Reiatine To THE Boranic 
Garpen, WasuHineron, D. C. 


Act of March 3, 1843 (5 Stat. 642). Joint Committee on the Li- 
brary given direction of care and preservation of botanic and horti- 
cultural specimens brought home by the Wilkes Exploring Expedi- 
tion. 


130 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


Act of May 15, 1850 (9 Stat. 427). Removal of public greenhouse 
and bontanical collection to a suitable site on public grounds au- 
thorized. : 

Act of March 3, 1855 (10 Stat. 673, sec. 20). First use in statutes 
of term “ Botanic Garden,” in appropriation for draining grounds. 

Act of July 28, 1866 (14 Stat. 323, sec. 18). Salaries increased 20 
per cent. 

Act of July 14, 1870 (16 Stat. 268; R. S. 2505). Free entry of 
plants, etc., imported by Botanic Garden. 

- Act of July 15, 1870 (16 Stat. 364; R. S. 1833, 1834). Inventory 
and report of property to be made by architect of the Capitol. 

Joint resolution of July 15, 1870 (16 Stat. 391; R.S. 1826). Super: 
vision of Capitol police extended over Botanic Garden. 

Joint resolution of March 3, 1871 (16 Stat. 601). Balances of cer— 
tain appropriations not to be carried to surplus fund, but available: 
for expenditure by Joint Committee on the Library. 

Act of June 4, 1872 (17 Stat. 220; R. S. 18382). Annual statement: 
of public property by architect of the Capitol. 

Act of March 3, 1873 (17 Stat. 490). Accounts of property to. be: 
kept and annual reports made by officers responsible for property. 

Revised Statutes, 1827. Superintendent, assistants, and two. addi- 
tional laborers to be under direction of Joint Committee om the: 
Library. 

Act of June 20, 1878 (20 Stat. 227). Part of grounds to be taken. 
to complete roadways and footwalks on First Street. 

Act of March 3, 1883 (22 Stat. 520). Sameas act of July 14, 1870. 

Act of October 1, 1890 (26 Stat. 609, par. 679). Same as act of 
July 14, 1870. 

Joint resolution of April 12, 1892 (27 Stat. 395). Use by scientific: 
investigators and students authorized. 

Act of July 31, 1894 (28 Stat. 207, sec. 7). Accounts to be ex- 
amined by Auditor for State and other Departments. 

Act of July 19, 1897 (30 Stat. 136). Superintendent of Library 
Building and Grounds to disburse all appropriations. . 

Act of July 24, 1897 (30 Stat. 200, par. 640). Same as:act of July 
14, 1870. 

Act of July 7, 1898 (30 Stat. 685). Pay of laborers, etc., not to be: 
determined by act of March 15, 1898. 

Act of March 3, 1899 (30 Stat. 1378, sec. 2). Fence around Botanic: 
Garden to be removed on or before January 1, 1903; joint committee 
to report a plan for removal of garden to another location. 

Act of March 3, 1901 (31 Stat. 1039). Similar to joint resolution 
of April 12, 1892. 

Act of August 5, 1909 (36 Stat. 78, par. 652). Same as act of July 
14, 1870. . 

Act of October 3, 1913 (88 Stat. 161, par. 577). Same as act of 
July 14, 1870. 


Sreiect List or REFERENCES ON Boranic GARDENS. 
GENERAL. 


Botanical Gardens. Science, II. 4: 284-293. Sept. 4, 1896. Bull. 
Torrey Bot. Club, 23: 331-345. Sept. 25, 1896. Proc. Amer. Assoc. 
Adv. Sci. 45: 171-184. 1897. Reprinted. Cambridge, Mass., 1896. 
16 p. 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. Wb 


( Address by Vice-president, Chairman Section G, A. A. A.S., Aug., 
1896.) (N. L. Britton.) 

Botanic Gardens in the Equatorial Belt and in the South Seas. 
Amer. Jour. Sci. II]. 42: 1738-177, 260-264, 347-352, 484-438, 517- 
522. 1891. (G. L. Goodale.) 

The History and Functions of Botanic Gardens. Ann. Mo. Bot. 
Gard. 2: 185-241. 1915. Pl.412. (A. W. Hill.) 

Botanic Gardens. Pop. Sci. Mon. 50: 172-186, 312-323, Dec., 1896. 
January, 1897. Illustrated. (D. T. MacDougal.) 

A National Botanic Garden for South Africa. Bull. Misc. In- 
formation, Kew, 1910: 372-380. 1910. (H. H. W. Pearson.) 

L’art des jardins. Parcs—jardins—promenades—etude historique 
—principes de la composition des jardins—plantations—decoration 
pittoresque et artistique des parcs et jardins publics. 3rd ed. Paris, 
J. Rothschild, 1886. 364 p. (Alfred A. Ernouf, baron.) 

(See index under Jardins, also name of cities.) 

The Famous Parks and Gardens of the World described and illus- 
trated. London, T. Nelson and Sons, 1880. 230 p. 

(See especially “ Conservatories and Their Plants.” P. 213-224.) 

South African National Botanic Gardens. Nature, Aug. 14, 1913, 
v. 91: 611-612. 

The Administration of Botanical Gardens. Science, May 6, 1910, 
n. s. v., 31: 681-685. (William Trelease.) 

A Traveller’s Notes; or, Notes of a tour through India, Malaysia, 
Japan, Corea, the Australian colonies and New Zealand during the 
years 1891-1893. Chelsea, J. Veitch & Sons, 1896. 219 p. (James H. 
Veitch. ) 

“The great botanic and public gardens maintained by the govern- 
ments in various centers were inspected * * *. To the horticul- 
tural aspects of these gardens the notes are mainly devoted.” Pref. 

Planting a Botanic Garden (plans). Landscape architecture, 
July, 1915. v. 6: 157-162. 


UNITED STATES. 


Jamaica Plain, Mass. Arnold Arboretum: 

A guide to the Arnold Aboretum, Cambridge, Mass., 1911. Plates, 
fold, plan. (C.S. Sargent.) 

A Visit to the Arnold Aboretum. Bull. Mis. Inf. Kew, 1910; 
261-269. 1910. Illus. (W. J. Bean.) 

The Arnold Arboretum. Gard. Chron. III, 56: 25-26, 45-46. 
July, 1914. Illus. (Vicary Gibbs.) | 

Brooklyn, N. Y¥.: 

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Brooklyn, N. Y., 1912. 338~- 
345 p. (The Brooklyn Botanic Garden Guide, No. 1.) (C. S. 
Gager.) 

“ Reprinted from Popular Science Monthly, Apr., 1912.” 

Brooklyn Botanic Garden. National Institute of Social Science 
Journal, 1915, v. 1: 99-100. 

Bronaz Park, N. Y. New York Botanical Garden: 

Descriptive Guide to the Grounds, Buildings, and Collections. 
Poe N.Y. Bot. Gard. 7: 1-89. August, 1909. Pl. 111-129, fold. 
plan. 


ae ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


New York Botanical Garden. Popular Science Monthly, June, 
1900, v.57: 171-178. (D.T. MacDougal.) 

New York Botanical Garden. Bulletin. 1896/1900-1911. Lan- 
caster, Pa. Pub. by The New Era Printing Co., 1896-1911. 7 v. 

New York Botanical Garden. Journal, 1900-1916. Lancaster, 
Pa., 1900-1916. 

Cambridge, Mass.: 

Harvard’s Botanic Garden. Scientific American Supplement, 
March 24, 1906, v. 61: 25268-25270. (M. C. Crawford.) 

Philadelphia, Pa.: 

Account of the Bartram Garden, published in “ The Horticultur- - 
ist? for! 1850. Rev. and cor. * *)* (Philadelphia) Weemited 
by C. Sherman, Son & Co. (1864.) 11 p. 

Bartram’s Garden, Philadelphia, Pa. John Bartram Association. 
John Bartram, bor near Darby, Pa., 23d March, 1699, died at Bar- 
tram’s Garden, 22d Sept., 1777. P hiladelphia, 190%2) 40) pe GE ae 
McVey.) 

Palo Alto: 

Stanford University Arboretum. Science, July 28, 1916, n. s., v. 
44: 128-129, 

Missouri: 

The Missouri Botanical Garden. (Reprinted from the Popular 
Science Monthly, January, 1903.) (New York, 1903.) 1938-221 p. 

Missouri Botanical Garden: origin and history. School science 
and mathematics, February, 1908, v. 8: 98-103. 

St. Louis, Mo.: 

Missouri Botanical Garden. Annals, 1914-1915. St. Louis, Mo., 
Board of Trustees of the Missouri Botanical Garden (1914-1915), 2 


Ve alialorsy, 


Missouri Botanical Garden. Annual Report, 1st-23d, 1889-1911. 
St. Louis, Mo. 1890-1912: 23 v. 

“ Indexes, v. 1-10”: 10th report, P. 162-211; “ Indexes, v. 11-20”: 
20th report, P. 152-223. 

“A list of books and papers published from the . .. garden”; 
1889-96: Sth report, P. 221-236; 1897-98: 10th report, P. 85-90; 
1899-1903; 15th report, P. 87-97; 1904-08: 20th report, P. 141-150. 
No more published after 1912; the reports of officers and directors , 
are continued in the monthly Bulletin, and the scientific papers in 
the quarterly Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden. 


FRANCE. 

Paris: 

Guide general illustre de Museum d’histoire naturelle de Paris. 
Paris, Lamarre et cie (1910). 108 p. (A. Annet.) 

Jardin botanique: P. 182-7. 

Jardins et pares publics; histoire generale des jardins, les maitres 
de Vecole moderne et leurs principales creations, le style paysager, 
expose de ses principes et son application. Paris, Impr. ‘Alean- 
Levy. 1893. 134 p. (Eugene Deny.) 

Museum Chistoire naturelle. Rapport annuel sur le fonctionne- 
ment du service de botanique (phanerogamie) Paris, 1910-1912. 3 v. 

The Parks, Promenades, and Gardens of Paris, . . . London, J. 
Murray, 1869. 644 P. Pl. plans. (Wm. Robinson.) _ 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 133 


* The Jardin des plantes and the gardens of the Luxembourg: ” p. 
68-81. 

Gleanings from French Gardens: comprising an account of such 
features of French horticulture as are most worthy of adoption in 
British gardens. London, F. Warne & Co.: New York, Scribner, 
Welford and Co., 1868. 291 p. (William Robinson.) 

“ Jardin des plantes:” p. 96-101. 

Jardin des plantes (Museum d’histoire naturelle). 

Lemaistre, Alexis. L’Institut de France et nos grands establisse- 
ments scientifiques; College de Fr ance—Museum—Institut Pasteur— 
Sorbonne—Observatoire. Paris, 1896. Illus., Plates. 

Les jardine; histoire et description. Paris, 1867. Folio. Illus. 
Plates. (P396-401.) (Arthur Magin.) 

Visites an Museum d’histoire naturelle. Actes Congr. Internat. 
Bot., Paris, 1900. P. 531-547. 1900. 

Lyon: 

La botanique a Lyon avant la revolution et Vhistoire du jardin 
betanique municipal de cette ville. Paris, Masson et cie., 1896. 96 p. 
(Annales de Universite de Lyon, fase. 23.) (C. J. Renne Gerard.) 

Bordeaux: 

Durien de Maisonneuve, Michel C. Le nouveau jardin des piantes. 
discours pronounce dans la seance publique d’hiver de Societe Lin- 
meenne de Bordeaux, le 4 Novembre, 1853. Bordeaux, Impr. de J. 
Dupuy et compe., 1853. 20 p. 


GREAT BRITAIN AND COLONIES. 

London: 

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; historical and descriptive. 
eon New York, Cassell and Company, 1908. 222 p. (Wilham J. 

ean. ) 

Plans, elevations, sections, and perspective views of the gardens and 
buildings at Kew, in Surrey. London, Printed by J. Haberkorn, 
1763. 8p. 43 Pl. (Sir Wm. Chambers.) 

Botanical Work Committee. Great Britain. Treasury. Report— 
London, Wyman and Sons, 1901. 218 P. (Parliament, 1901. H. of 
C. Reports and Papers 205.) 

Royal Garden, Kew. Bulletin 1887-1916. London, 1887-1916. 27 v. 

Popular. Official Guide to the Royal Botanic Gardens, including 
an historic notice and description of the collections in the botanic 
gardens proper, the glass houses, museums, and arboretum. London, 
Darling & Sons, 1916. 108 p. 

Kew Gardens. London, A.and C. Black, 1908. 208 p. 24 col. pl. 
Painted by T. Mower Martin. (Ascott R. H. Moncrieff.) 

London Botanic Gardens. London (1906). P. 17-384. Pl. (P. E. 
F. Perredes.) 

Royal Horticultural Society’s Garden, Wisley. London Botanic 
Gardens. London (1906). P. 15-17. Pl. (P. E. F. Perredes.) 

Royal Botanic Society’s Garden, Regents Park, London. London 
Botanic Gardens. London (1906). P. 40-48. PL. (ehh Per: 
redes. ) 

Chelsea Physic Garden. London Botanic Gardens, London (1906). 
P. 48-99. Pl. (P. E. F. Perredes.) 


126037—-20—rer 26 


134 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


Memoirs of the Botanic Garden at Chelsea belonging to the Society 
of Apothecaries of London. Revised by R. H. Semple. London, 
1878. Illus., plans. (Henry Field.) 

Dublin: 

The Botanical Garden of Dublin. Garden and Forest, Sept. 7,. 
1892, v. 5: 422423. 

Royal Botanic Gardens. Glasnevin. Short guide to the Royal 
Botanic Gardens, 2d-6th ed. (1906-1909.) Plans. 

Edinburgh: 

Royal Botanical Garden. History of the Royal Botanical Garden. 
Glasgow, 1902-1908. pts. in 6. 

Royal Botanical Garden. Notes, 1900-1915. Glasgow, 1900-1915. 

Royal Botanical Garden. Report, 1870-73, 1876. (Edinburgh, 
sn07andsi6l) Tv. 

Royal Botanic Garden with Key plan. Glasgow, 1902-1915. 

Glasgow: 

Botanic Gardens. The Glasgow Botanic Gardens; its conserva- 
tories, greenhouses, etc. Glasgow (1901.)  Illus., plan. (Chris- 
topher Sherry.) 

Oxford: 

Oxford Gardens, based upon Daubeny’s Popular Guide to the 
Physic Garden of Oxford; with notes on the gardens of other col- 
leges and on the University Park. Oxford, Parker & Son, 1912. 
280 p. (Robert W. T. Gunther.) 

“ Books and Prints:” P. 181-187. 

English Pleasure Gardens. New York, The MacMillan Co., 1902. 
324 p. (Rose S. Nichols.) 

“The Oxford Botanical Garden” (with plan). P. 170. 


CANADA. 


Montreal: 

Montreal Botanic Garden Association. Montreal Botanic Gar- 
den. First Annual Report. Montreal, Gazette Printing Off., 1886. 
31 p. No more published. 

“ Garden of the World.” P. 17-22. 

On the Establishment of a Botanic Garden and Arboretum in 
Montreal, under the auspices of the Montreal Horticultural Society 
and Fruit Growers’ Association of the Province of Quebec. Re- 
print from 10th annual report. (Montreal, 1885.) 14 p. (David 
P. Penhallow.) 


AUSTRALIA. 


Adelaide: 

Adelaide Botanic Gardens, South Australia. An official souvenir 
prepared in connection with the Jubilee Celebration, October 19th, 
1907. Adelaide, 1907. Oblong folio. Front., illus. 

American Journ. Sci., III. 42: 260-261. 1891. (G. L. Goodale.) 

Melbourne: 

Guide to the Botanic Gardens, Melbourne. Melbourne (1901) 
front., plans. 

American Journal Sci. IIT. 42: 261-263. 1891. (G. L. Goodale.) 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 135 


Sydney: 

A Guide to the Botanic Gardens, Sydney. Sydney, 1903, plan. 
Sydney Botanic Gardens. Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew, 1906, p- 
205-218, 1906. (J. H. Maiden.) 

American Journ. Sci. Il. 42: 263-264. 1891. (G. L. Goodale.) 


SOUTH AFRICA. 

Cape Colonies: 

Annual Reports of the Curators and Superintendents of public 
gardens, 1896-10-5. Cape Town, 1896-1905. 7 v. (Gt. Brit. Par- 
hament, Papers by command.) 

Natal: 

Natal Botanic Garden. Botanic Garden, Durban. Bull. Misc. 
Inform.. Kew, 1900, pp. 12-15. 1900. Also see Kew Bull, 1910, 
p- 33. (P. C. Sutherland.) 


DUTCH EAST INDIES. 

Buitenzorg, Java: 

Botanical Garden at Buitenzorg, Java. Popular Science Monthly, 
Noy.. 1905, v. 67: 579-589. (R. Ramaley.) 

A Botanical Garden in the Island of Java. Chautauquan, April, 
1890, v. 11: 69-72. (M. M. Treub.) 

Buitenzorg, Java. °s Lands plantentuin. 

The Botanical Institute of Netherlands, India. Bot. Gaz..31: 423-— 
495. June, 1901. (D. G. Fairchild.) 

American Journ. Sci. II]. 42: 486-487. 1891. (G. L. Goodale.) 

Le Jardin botanique de Buitenzorg. Bull. Mus. Hist. Nat., Paris, 
18: 86-91, 1912. (Henri Lecomte.) 

Plant World, 10: 84-90. 1907. Illus. Olsson-Seffer, Pehr. 

A Tropical Botanic Garden. Anna. Rep. Smithson. Inst. 1890. . 
P. 389-406. 1891. (Melcjior Treub.) 

The Botanic Gardens at Buitenzorg. Paradise of the Pacific. 
v. 29,no.12. P. 38-40. Illus. Dec. 1916. (J. F. Rock.) Gives area 
as 5,800 acres; whether this includes that of the mountain garden at 
Gedeh is not stated; but it may very probably include aie the land 
that is under experimental cultivation at Buitenzor g, whether or not 
it belongs to the botanic gardens in the lhmited sense. 


INDIA. 

Ceylon: 

Peradeniya, Royal Botanic Gardens. 

Visits to some botanic gardens abroad. Plant World 10: 161-167, 
169-172. 1907. Wllus. Olsson- Sa Pehr. 

‘Amer. Journ. Sei. ILI, 42: 173-177. 1891. (G. L. Goodale.) 

Hand guide to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya, 4th ed., 
Columbo, 1894. Plan. (Henry Trimen.) 

The Royal Botanic Gardens of Ceylon and their history. Ann. 
oy bor Gard. Peradentya, 1212155) June 27, 1901. 7 (I: ©: 
Willis. ) 

The Royal Botanic Gardens of Ceylon as a Center for Botanical 
Research. Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Peradeniya, 1: 17-25. June 27, 
1901. 


136 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


Botanical Garden of Ceylon. Popular Science Monthly, Sept. 
1908, v. 73: 193-206. (F. Ramaley.) 

Government Botanic Gardens and Parks. Nilgiri Hills. Admin- 
istration Report, 1900-1915. Madras, 1900-1915. 16 v. in 2. 


POONA. 

Bombay: 

Empress Gardens. Annual Reports of the Empress and Bund 
Gardens, Poona, 1905-1915.. Poona, 1905-1915. 


STRAITS SETTLEMENTS. 


Singapore: . 
Visits to Some Botanic Gardens Abroad. Plant World, 10: 130- 
134, 1907. Olsson-Seffer, Pehr. 


FEDERATED MALAY STATES. 


Kuala Lumpur: 
Visits to Some Botanic Gardens Abroad. Plant World, 10: 134— 
137, 1907. Olsson-Seffer, Pehr. mae 


i 


JAMAICA, 

Cinchona: 

Tropical Station at Cinchona, Jamaica. Popular Science Monthly, 
Mar. 1904, v. 64: 426-430. (N. L. Britton.) 

Board of Agriculture. Annual Reports ... public gardens and 
plantations and island chemist. Jamaica, 1903-1916. 16 vy. im 11. 

Dept. of Public Gardens and Plantations. Report, 1884-1900. 
Kingston, 1884-1900. 7 vols. in 3. 


BRITISH GUIANA. 
Georgetown . 
Botanic garden. Report, 1887-1911. Georgetown, 1887-1911. 10 v. 


AUSTRO-HUNGARY. 
Vie LILA 
Photographische, Blatter ans dem Wintergarten des K. K. Hof- 
burggartens in Wien (Wien, 1873), 20 photo. (Franz Antoine.) 


BELGIUM. 

Brussels: 

Ministere de l’agriculture. The Belgian State Botanical Garden, 
Brussels, 1904, 30 p. (F. Tilbury.) 

Notice sur le Jardin botanique de Bruxelles. Gand, Impr. C. 
Annoot-Braeckman, 1871, 43 p. (Joseph E. Bommer.) 

Jardin botanique de l’etat. Bulletin... Bruxelles, 1902-1910. 
2 

ITALY; 
Milan: 
Jardins, Botaniques. Milan, P. Clere. 1901, 38 p. (Joseph Henry.) 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. Ika 


Firenze: 

Cenni cronologici surgli orti botanici de Firenze. Firenze 
Tip. G. Carnesecchi e figli, 1899, 2¢ pp. (Pubblicazioni del 
R. Istituto di studi superior: pratici d di perfezionamento in 
Firenze. Sezione di scienze fisiche e naturali. No. 24.) “Bibho- 
gratia” pp. 25-27. (Creste Mattirolo.) 

Naples: 

R. Orto Botanico. Cenni sul R. Orto botanico di Napoli. 
Bull. Orto Bot. Napoli, 3: 1-33. 19138. Illus., plan. (Fridiano 
Cavara.) 

Palermo, Sicily: 

Orto botanico. Le jardin botanique de Universite de Palermo. 
Rey. Gen. Bot. 20: 25-31. 1918. (Leon Dufour.) 


SWITZERLAND. 

Geneva: 

Jardin Botanique. Notice sur Vetat actuel de ?Herbier Delessert 
et du Jardin botanique de Geneve. Bull. Herb. Boiss. 4: 97-100. 
1890. (J. I. Briquet.) 

Botanical Institutions of Geneva. Gard. Chron. IIT. 43: 309-810. 
May 16, 1908. Illus. (H. 8S. Thompson.) 


RUSSTA. 

St. Petersburg: 

I-S. Peterburgskii botanischeskii sad. The Imperial botanic 
garden of Peter the Great at St. Petersburg. Bull. Misc. Inform. 
Kew, 1913, pp. 248-252. 1913. Illus. (Otto Stapf.) 


GERMANY. 

Berlin: 

Universitat, Botanischer Garten. Notizblatt des Konigl.. Botan- 
ischer Gartens und Museums zu Berlin. (1895-1914.) Leipzig, 
1897-1914. 5 v. 

Botanischer Garten und botanisches Institut. Jahresbericht. 
1911-15. Bern, 1911-1915. 4 v. 

Berlinische Baumzucht; oder, Beschreibung der im Koniglichen 
botanischer Garten bei Berlin im freien ausdauernden Baume und 
Seeaucher. ‘berm, G. G)) Nauck; 1811: (586 p. | (Karl 1.) Wallde- 
now. ) 

Dahlem: 

Koniglicher botanischer garten, Dahlem. 

Prussia. Ministerium der geistlichen, unterrichts und medizinal- 
angelegenheiten. Der Konigliche botanische garten und das Konig- 
lich botanische museum zu Dahlem. Berlin, 1909. WUlus., fold. col. 
plan. 

Voreschichte des neuen Konig]. Botanischen gartens zu Dahlem- 
Steglitz bei Berlin. Halle a.s., 1901. (Ignaz Urban.) 


BRAZIL. 

lio de Janeiro: 

O Jardim botanico do Rio de Janeiro, Uma lembranca do 1. 
°centenario, 1808-1908. Officinas da “ Renascenca,’ E. Bevilacaua 
& cie, 1908. 43 p. (Joao Rodrigues Barbosa.) 

Arruda da Camara, Manuel. Discourso sobre a utilidade da in- 
stituicao de jardins nas principaes provincies do Brazil. (In Mello. 


138 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


Antonio J. de. Biographias de Joaquim Ignaci de Lima (ete.) 
Reciee (!) 1895. Pt. 3, pp. 23-61. 

Relatorio acerca dos jardins botanicos. Rio de Janeiro, Typo- 
graphia nacional, 1874. 37 p. (Joanquim Caminhoa Monteiro.) 


ARGENTINA. 

Buenos Aires: 

Jardin botanico. El] Jardin botanico de Buenos Aires por Carlos 
Thays, foundador y director. Buenos Aires, J. Peusser, 1910. 180 p. 


JAPAN. 

Tokyo: 

Visits to some botanic gardens abroad. Plant World, 19:30-31, 
58-61. 1907. Illus. Olsson-Seffer, Pehr. 

American Journ. Sci. III. 42:520-521. 1891. G. L. Goodale. 

The Tokyo Botanical Garden. Plant World, 9:251-258. Nov. 
1906. Illus. (Francis Ramaley.) 

Official Guide to Eastern Asia. Vol. 3. Northeastern Japan, 
Tokyo, 1914, pp. 85-86. Illus. 


CHINA. 


A Naturalist in Western China. E.H. Wilson. (The author of the 
above work is probably the most noted botanical explorer in the 
world to-day.) 


a 7 “ c | = = =e = bh = 
Exrracr rroMm—THE CoLuMBIAN INSTITUTE FOR THE PROMOTION OF 
ARTS AND SCIENCES. 


[By Richard Rathbun, Bulletin 101 of Smithsonian Institution, United States National 
Museum, Government Printing Office, 1917.] 


HISTORY OF THE BOTANIC GARDEN. 


A botanical garden was among the projects considered by President 
Washington for the Federal City, and its location was the subject 
of correspondence between him and the commissioners of the Federal 
District. The latter, writing to Washington on October 1, 1796, dis- 
cussed “ the disposition of the public erounds in the city, and having 
already recommended sites for the National University and mint, 
they add that the establishment of a botanical garden has been lately 
suggested, and if the site proposed, which is not named, does not 
meet with the President’s approval that a portion of the National 
University site can be devoted to that purpose.” * 

The President, replying on October 21, decided in favor of the 
square bounded by Twenty-third, Twenty-fifth, and E Streets NW.., 
the Potomac River being on the south, as the site for the university, 
and added: 

Conceiving (if there be space sufficient to afford it) that a botanical garden 
would be a good appendage to the institution of a university, part of this square 
might be anpled to that purpose. If inadequate, and the square, designated 


1W. B. Bryan. A mich - of the National Capital, vol. 1, p. 276, 1914. 
2This site was subsequently used for the Naval Observatory, and is now occupied 
by the Hygienic Laboratory of the Bureau of the Public Health Service. 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 139 


in the plan of Maj. L’Enfant for a marine hospital, is susceptible of that insti- 
tution and a botanical garden also, ground there might be appropriated to this 
use. If neither will admit of it, I see no solid objection against commencing 
this work within the President’s Square, it being previously understood that 
it is not to be occupied for this purpose beyond a certain period; or until cir- 
cumstances would enable or induce the public to improve it into pleasure 
walks. 

The establishment of a botanical garden at the National Capital 
was also not intrequently the subject of communications by various 
writers, printed in the publie press and elsewhere, in which the im- 
portance of such an institution both to the science and application 
of botany was discussed. 

In the opinion of a contributor of the National Magazine for De- 
cember 1, 1801: 

Perhaps nothing would tend more to benefit this city and the Nation at 
large than that the seat of the General Government should ‘be the depository 
oi the arts and sciences. With this impression, I have sometimes speculated on 
fanciful improvements, and imagined the President’s house converted into a 
national museum. where, as in Paris and London, a national institute might 
be established and lectures read. * * * Such speculations, however glad 
I might be to see realized, are attended with difficulties, which do not obstruct 
the following lands being appropriated for public use, which are well calculated 
for the purpose. I can not help recommending it to all those who wish to 
promote a scientific knowledge of the various branches of agriculture. The 
plan I propose is to lay out about 50 acres of land for a botanic garden in this 
city, in the following manner. 

The writer then proposes five branches of the garden, each of 
which he describes with considerable detail, while several others are 
merely mentioned. The first was a Linnean garden, calculated for 
the botanist who studies plants scientifically, “and designed to con- 
tain every possible variety of plant. The second was a cattle gar- 
den. in which should be grouped separately the plants preferred by, 
wholesome or unwholesome to, cattle, sheep, horses, goats, and swine, 
respectively. The third was a hay garden, to contain all plants of 
which hay can be made, which, with the preceding, would serve to 
instruct the practical husbandman. The fourth was an esculent 
garden, to show every plant which furnishes food for man; while 
ae fifth was a dyer’s garden, containing all plants which afford any 

issistance in dyeing colors. The other provisions were for rock 
pais creepers and climbers, bog and water plants, marine plants, 
an herbarium, and a nursery. Included in the scheme of the writer 
were also extensive series of lectures, both scientific and practical. 

Another article, the author of which signed himself “ Franklin,” 
was published in the Washington Expositor of January 9, 1808, 
under the title ‘“ Proposals for establishing an experimental agri 
cultural and botanical society at the seat ‘of the General Govern- 
ment.” The writer prefaces by stating that: 

Approaching, aS we seem to be, the period when it will be necessary for our 
country to put forth all her resources; when improvements in agriculture, in 
arts, and in manufactures will be encouraged and cherished, as the sinews of 
our strength, we can not too early lay the foundations of those societies which 
the experience of other nations has found so conducive of their prosperity. To 
render us independent we must raise and naturalize those plants the products 
of which are by custom rendered necessary to our comfort and convenience. 
All those vegetable productions of other nations which our varied clime will 
nourish and support, particularly such as may become useful to our infant 
manufactures, ought to receive public attention. Gardens and nurseries 
capable ef receiving and propagating them, where the chemist, botanist, and 


140 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


agriculturist can have free access at all seasons, will, it is hoped, now become 
of peculiar interest to the patriot and legislator. * * * For objects of this. 
nature there is certainly no place better adapted than the seat of the Generak 
Government. The climate of Washington is calculated for the production of a 
greater number of plants than a much more northern or southern situation 
would be. Here reside during the winter and in the spring intelligent Members 
from all parts of the Union, who will have an opportunity of knowing the result 
of the experiments made. * * * Within the limits of the Federal seat are 
large and ample reservations for public gardens and other national objects 
which may advantageously be applied to the purposes of a botanical garden, a - 
public nursery, and an agricultural farm. 


The society proposed was to consist of shareholders not exceed- 
ing 500, organized after the manner of a scientific association. 

The primary objects of the society are to collect at the seat of the General. 
Government the useful and ornamental vegetable productions; and, by experi- 
ment, ascertain the mode of culture for each best adapted to the climates and 
circumstances of the United States; as also to forma nursery and repository | 
of seeds, from whence they may be easily disseminated through the United 
States. To this end they may take a lease of one or more of the large central 
reservations of land for public use in the city of Washington; and, whilst 
realizing their own yiews, render an essential service to the place; for as a 
remuneration for the use of the grounds, the society might plant and protect 
such trees as will be wanted for their future ornament. They would likewise 
be enabled, from their nursery, to supply at reasonable rates such trees and 
shrubs as may be required w hen the grounds occupied by the public buildings: 
of the United States are put in order. * * * Seeds of the most useful, as. 
well as the most rare and beautiful plants, may be had from the society, and 
their freshness at all times depended upon. 

It remained, however, for the Columbian Institute to make the first 
actual trial, which was carried sufficiently forward to demonstrate the 
importance and utility of such an establishment, and only failed in 
attaining its ultimate purpose through the lack of proper support. 

Establishment, location, and extent of the garden.—One of the 
principal objects proposed in the organization of the institute, the 
establishment of its botanic garden, is probably to be considered as its 
most important achievement. The Metropolitan Society, according 
to its plan of June 15, 1816, had “in contemplation to apply to Con- 
gress for the appropriation of about 200 acres of ground called ‘the 
Mall, which was designed in the original plan of the city for a pub- 
lic garden. In this place it is proposed to cultivate the plants and 
seeds which may be presented to them: and as they multiply, to dis- 
tribute them throughout this extensive continent.” At a later date 
it was explained that, with sufficient aid, the botanic or national gar- 
den may be used to cultivate all kinds of indigenous trees, shrubs, 
roots, grasses, etc., to be distributed to every part of the United States. 
Beautiful, shady, cool walks may be formed, yielding a pleasant and 
healthy means of recreation, and the science of botany may be im- 
proved and encouraged. 

By the act of incor rporation, approved April 20, 1818, the institution 
was authorized to procure, by purchase or otherwise, a tract or parcel 
of land for a botanic garden not exceeding 5 acres. Beginning at a 
mmeebine on October 5, in that year, the subject of obtaining a lot for 

i building as well as a garden was given frequent consideration. In 
ihe draft of a memorial to Congress, agreed to on December 28, 
though possibly not used, mention is made of a reservation of 20 
acres situated at or about the junction of the Capitol Park or Mall 
and the extension of the President’s Square, in which the 5 acres for 
the institute might be advantageously located. 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. - 141 


Asa result of correspondence between the president of the institute 
and the Committee of Congress on the District of Columbia, the fol- 
lowing bill was passed by Congress and received the approval of the 
President on May 8, 1820: 


[Statute I, Chap. LXNNXI.—An act for the benefit of the Columbian Institute, estab- 
lished for the promotion of arts and sciences in the city of Washington. ] 


Be it enacted, etc., That there be granted, during the pleasure of Congress, 
to the Columbian Institute, for the promotion of arts and sciences, the use and 
improvement of a tract of public land in the city of Washington not, exceeding 
5 acres, to be located under the direction of the President of the United: 
States, for the purpose of enabling the said Columbian Institute to effect the 
object of their incorporation: Provided, That whenever the said institute shall 
be dissolved, or cease to exist, or to employ the said tract of land for the pur- 
poses aforesaid, all right, title, and interest hereby granted to the same shal 
revert to and vest in the United States as completely as if such grant had never 
been made. (16th Cong., Ist sess. From Private Stat. L., United States of 
America, 1789-1845, vol. 6.) 

The conditions of this grant were accepted by the institute on May 
23. and on the same date the committee to select the site recom- 
mended as, in their opinion, the most eligible, as it was the most . 
central, the square inclosed between Seventh and Ninth and F and G 
Streets NW ., containing 44 acres, subsequently used for the building 
of the Patent Office. It was here that the greenhouses for the living 
plants brought home by the United States exploring expedition in 
1842 were first located, but for some reason, not recorded in the 
minutes, the attention of the institute was almost immediately turned 
from the Patent Office site to the extreme eastern end of the Mall, 
and on May 29, 1820, the agreement of the President of the United 
States to this selection was reported to the society. On the plat of 
the measured ground, signed by J. Elgar, surveyor of Washington 
City, it is said to have been laid out August 12, 1820, but this infor- 
mation appears not to have been officially Saeed to the insti- 
tute until October 11, when Mr. Elgar states in a letter that he is 
ready to show the metes and bounds. It was, moreover, not until 
April 10, 1821, that a certificate confirmng the location was signed by 
the President; and as late as September 1, 1821, a resolution was 
passed by the institute calling upon the commissioner of public build- 
ings to put the institute in full and complete possession of the ground. 
Certain steps looking to the improvement of the site seem, however, 
to have been taken during the latter part of 1820, though apparently 
it was not until the summer of 1821 that activities in this direction 
were actually begun. 

In the certificate by the President, which conforms with the plat, 
the grounds being part of public reservation No. 2, were described 
as follows: 

Beginning at a point in the south line of Pennsylvania Avenue, where said 
line intersects the circular road west of the Capitol, and running thence west- 
wardly bounding on said line, 627 feet 8 inches; then due south, 578 feet 103 
inches, to the north line of Maryland Avenue; then bordering on said line east- 
wardly, 627 feet 8 inches, to the circular road aforesaid; then bounding on said 
road, to the first beginning, containing 5 acres of ground. 

The Capitol Grounds at that time were much less extensive than 
at present, and were bordered near the base of the steep slope on the 
west of the Capitol by the circular road above mentioned, to which 
both Pennsylvania and Maryland Avenues extended. The place of 


142 _ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


these avenues in the grounds, though reduced in width, is now taken 
by the two broad walks leading to the western entrance of the build- 
ing. Moreover, First Street had not then been carried through at 
this place, and the grant to the Columbian Institute extended con- 
tinuously from the circular road to a point between First and Second 
Streets, in the shape of a truncated triangle of which the north and 
south sides were equal. 

This tract the institute began to improve and cultivate, but in 1822 
the question of its enlargement was agitated and was embodied in the 
draft of a petition to Congr ess placed before the society on Pee 
G of that year, but possibly not transmitted. In this draft it was 
said: 

And they further solicit * * * the sole and exclusive right to occupy 
the remainder of the ground to the west of that now ineclosed (to Second 
Street), on the same terms as before granted, which would not only preserve 
the garden free from intrusion (by its being surrounded with streets) but it 
would add greatly to the value of the whole appropriation by giving more extent 
to the various designated portions for the forest trees and plants of this very 
extensive Repubhie. 

Just two years later, February 7, 1824, a petition in the same words 
or to the same effect was ordered presented to Congress, where it 
received favorable consideration, resulting in an act approved May 
9e sane : 5 
26, granting: 

The use and improvement of the tract of public ground in Washington City, 
which is bounded on the east by the Botanical Garden, in the occupancy of the 


said Columbian Institute; on the north by Pennsylvania Avenue; on the west 
by the Tiber Canal; and on the south by Mz uryland Avenue. 


This extension was, in fact, essentially to the position of Third 
Street, and, accordingly, the grounds so enlar ged comprehended the 
area of the present U nited States Botanic Garden, plus the width of 
First Street and the tract reaching therefrom to the circular road 
near the Capitol. Of this entire area the institute remained in con- 
trol until practically the close of its activities, the extension of the 
Capitol grounds to First Street and the opening of the latter taking 
place in 1836. 

The entire Mall at this time was not only not improved but was in 
an unprotected and desolate condition. Its northern side and eastern 
end were, moreover, low and swampy and frequently invaded by the 
waters of the Tiber and the canal. The institute, which was the first 
establishment privileged to make use of any part of this tract, had 
much difficulty in overcoming these conditions, which were more or 
less improved during its occupancy of the site under the direction of 
a municipal commission formed to deal with draining the lowlands 
south of Pennsylvania Avenue. After the abandonment of the gar- 
den, the Mall remained unoccupied until the selection of the site for 
the Smithsonian Institution between Ninth and Twelfth Streets, in 
1846. 

Tnclosure of the garden.—A committee to consider plans for inclos- 
ing the ground reported on June 20, 1821, that they believed a good 
board fence, 5 feet high, with a live fence of American thorn planted 
inside of it, would answer every purpose required; for before the 
board fence had entirely decayed the live fence would have risen 
sufficiently high to be both secure and ornamental. Such a board 
fence, entirely inclosing the garden, was completed by October 6 in 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN: 143 


that year, but there is no evidence of the placing of the so-called live 
fence until near the close of 1823, when the planting with honey 
locust of three-fourths of the distance on Pennsylvania Avenue was 
reported. 

The above relates wholly to the smaller area covered by the first 
grant. How and when the added tract was inclosed is not shown by 
the records of the society. A more elaborate form of inclosure than a 
board fence or hedge began soon to be agitated, however, but being 
far beyond the means of the institute relief could only be obtained 
through Congress. On the suggestion of Thomas Law, it was recom- 
mended on Ja anuary 28, 1826, that C ongress be petitioned to authorize 
the sale of public lots, and the use of the proceeds thereof in building 
a stone wall and iron railing around the ground and satisfying 
other needs of the society. The extent of this wall was placed at 
2,925 feet, and its cost at $4,000. On April 21, 1832, an estimate for 
a brick inclosing wall having been submitted, the secretary was ci- 
rected to communicate the same to the Committee on Public Build- 
ings of the House of Representatives, and on December 15 similar 
action was again taken, but none of these requests met with favorable 
response, though the subject was brought before the House, possibly 
on more than one occasion, the last being on June 7, 1834, when an 
appropriation for the purpose was stricken out, as the existence of 
such a wall would be an obstacle toward the western extension of 
Capitol Square, which was already in contemplation. 

Improvement and care of the ground.—When the Institute took 
possession of the ground it found two small frame houses built upon 
it by a Mr. Baily, who had obtained a 10 years’ lease from 1813 of a 
considerable tract of public land extending to Seventh Street, but a 
settlement of the owner’s claims was soon effected. On October 6, 
1821, a committee recommended the layout of two ponds, one formed 
by a large ditch encircling an island, the other in still lower ground, 
to be dug entirely out, which would serve for’a fish pond and for 
many other purposes, both to be elliptical in shape. On December 
1 of the same year it was reported that about half the ground had 
been plowed. The committee on the garden was authorized on 
June 7, 1823, to ascertain the practicability and advantage of con- 
veying the water of Tiber Creek into the reservoir of the garden, 
and during October following walks were laid out and certain level- 
ing of the | grounds was done. 

‘The first. report of progress and of conditions was made to the 
society on December 6, 1823, and was, in part, as follows: 


The ground for the garden has been completely drained and partly leveled 
and is in a great degree fit for cultivation. An elliptical pond has been formed 
144 feet for the transverse and 100 feet for the conjugate diameter, with an 
island in the middle 114 feet by 85 feet. The canal that surrounds it is 15 
feet wide and 24 feet deep. There is also a drain from the spring leading to the 
pond through the center of the ground and from the pond to Tiber Creek, with 
a conduit at the lower side of the pond by which water can be either let into 
or out of the pond. At high water and a spring tide 24 feet of water flows into 
the pond, which can be there confined by putting a plug into the bore of the 
log, or the water can be nearly all let out and kept out. The island wants still 
to be leveled for cultivation and the upper side of the pond to be deepened to 
produce a level. 

Four walks have been laid out—one on Pennsylvania Avenue, one on Mary- 
land Avenue, one opposite the circular road around the west side of the Capi- 
tol. and one in the center of the ground leading to the pond. The three walks 


144 PSTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


on the side of the garden are 20 feet wide, with borders of 26 feet, in which to 
plant trees and shrubs: the center walk or road is 15 feet wide; the whole is well 
sraveled. The commissioners appointed to drain and improve the public grounds: 
on the south side of Pennsylvania Avenue have been very liberal in contributing 
co these improvements. They have given $100 in cash, and have done all the 
leveling and graveling, amounting to between $300 and $400. more. 

From this time on there are frequent references in the minutes and 
other papers of the society to work done in the garden, leveling of 
ground, making beds, ploughing, draiming, deepening of water in 
the pond, maintaining walks, etc., but no general description of the 
grounds. The institute had very ‘little money for any purpose and 
but limited amounts could be expended in this connection, the only 
help received from outside appearing to have been that above re- 
corded. In the latter part of 1825 and the beginning of 1826 the 
garden then having reached its larger size, special efforts were made 
for assistance. The commissioners, for draining the low ground 
south of Pennsylvania Avenue, were first appealed to to cause the 
garden to be drained, but their funds had been exhausted. Appli- 


cation was then made directly to Congress to authorize the sale~ 


of public lots for the benefit of the institute, as described in another 
Cee aes a part of the fund so obtained to be used for bringing 

vater from the eastern branch of Tiber Creek, first to a reservoir 
in Capitol Square, where it would be “a great security against the 
progress of fire in case of accident either in the C apitol or any of 
the adjacent buildings,” or from which it might be carried into 
every room of the Capitol, and “ after leaving the Capitol, be thrown 
up in a beautiful jet @eau of 30 feet in the Botanic Garden,” and 
subsequently serve to water the garden, etc. 

The wording of a complaint made to the institute by the com- 
missioner of public buildings on June 9, 1827, relative to some of 
the work done at that period is now of much interest as bearing 
upon the question of maintaining an agreeable and symmetrical 
vista through the Mall from the € apitol. It also called attention 
to the fact that the location of the garden brought it under constant 
observation by Members of Congress, though this never gained the 
society any pecuniary aid from that body. The commissioner’s 
letter was partly as follows: 

The Botanic Garden belonging to your institute is so directly in view from 
the Capitol that I hope to be pardoned for a remark in relation to the improve- 
ment of it. The new section of the Washington Canal was laid out along a 
line drawn through the middle of the Capitol and of the Mall. The footway, 
canals, and plantation in the garden do not coincide with this line but diverge 
from it at an acute angle. This discrepancy is so glaring and so very offensive 
to the eye that I am satisfied every person visiting the Capitol would be 
erateful for its removal. 


I was gratified by the location of the Botanic Garden in its present site 


from an expectation that it would become an ornamental appendage to the 
Capitol and that under the eye of Congress they would be induced to foster it. 
But you are aware, sir, that whether it shall become an ornament or deformity 
depends materially upon the plan which shall be pursued in its improvement. I 
flatter myself, therefore. that this subject will be considered not unworthy the 
attention of your enlightened body. 


The discrepancy was found to be much less serious than the com- 
missioner had intimated and was soon corrected. On November 20 
following the treasurer reported to the society that— 


By means of the late expenditures on the Botanic Garden the following 
objects have been attained, viz: The ground has been completely drained by 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 145 


drains extending between 400 and 500 yards in length and in some places 3 
feet deep; the canal has been deepened, so that it now surrounds the island and 
is between 3 and 4 feet deep and about 18 feet wide, with a good foot bridge 
over it. Several new walks have been made and the whole well graveled. The 
Epoend has been well ploughed and harrowed at least three times over. <A tool 
house has been erected. The border on Maryland Avenue and the island have 
been properly prepared for the reception of seeds and plants. It is believed that 
it would be most beneficial, at the same time least expensive, to cultivate this 
border and the island and to sow the remainder of the ground in the center 
with white clover in the spring. And to effect these objects a gardener can 
be obtained for $60 per annum, who will not only preserve the garden, but will 
plant any seeds or plants that may be received, besides supplying trees where 
dead. 


in a letter dated August 6, 1830, written in protest of a proposed 
jeasing of the ground as a pleasure resort, in connection with which 
the objects of the institute would continue to be carried out, William 
Elliot spoke of the condition of the garden at that time as follows: 


It is urged that the garden remain uncultivated, and that we make no use 
oi it. But even in its present uncultivated state, it is a not unpleasant object 
as seen from the Capitol; and certainly much more worthy the Nation than a 
pleasure garden, with its usual scenes of debauchery. And why is the garden 
not cultivated, and the other proper objects of the institute accomplished? 
Because we have no funds. Let those gentlemen who complain first pay up their 
annual and other dues and then see what can be done. No money has been 
laid out (of any amount) on the Botanic Garden for about three years. How 
then can we expect it te appear? However, with what has been laid out, the 
ground has been wel! drained; good gravel walks made; and more than 1,000 
shrubs and trees planted and in a thriving condition. No matter who has 
charge of the garden, it will require time for the trees and shrubs to grow. 


S. L. Knapp (Jgnatius Loyola Robertson), writing from Washing- 
ton in 1830, had the following to say: 


Congress has granted to this institution the use of several acres of land for 
a botanic garden and other purposes. By the liberality and exertions of some 
of its members this garden has been well laid out, and many of the trees and 
shrubs of other countries have been transplanted and nurtured there. This, 
with a little of that liberality that Congress has shown to other institutions or 
other projects, would flourish; for there are several literary and scientific men 
who would spend many of their leisure hours in the botanic department of the 
society if they could do it to advantage. 

From the brief summary of local events and conditions prepared 
each year for the National Intellingencer by John Sessford, the fol- 
lowing are of interest in this connection : 

1832. The Botanic Garden, on the west front (of the Capitol), from the 
temporary manner of its inclosure, is not kept in a good state—a continuance 
of the iron railing from its east end around it would give confidence to those 
who have embarked in the project by securing the safety of the plants and 
shrubbery and adding beauty to the neighborhood. 

1834. In and around the Capitol some handsome improvements have been 
made. The fountain is neat and ornamental, but too confined. The naval 
monument loses its effect from being so near the Capitol. Were it removed to 
the island in the Botanic Garden, properly elevated, with a sufficient sheet of 
water around it, it would be seen to more advantage. The surplus water from 
the fountain might also be taken there and jets formed. 

The immediate care of the garden, in default of the requisite 
means, was subject to varied and never satisfactory arrangements. 
No one person was paid regularly on wages. for more than a short 
period, and the wages ranged only from $5 to $21 a month. Tem- 
porary labor was often relied on, and for specific jobs, and it would 
appear from the records as though during a good part of the time no 
one was employed about the grounds. Mr. John Foy, the gardener 


146 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


of the Capitol grounds, rendered some assistance at times, more par- 
ticularly in supervision work. One of the frame houses in the gar- 
den, up to the time of its removal in 1825, was a resource in this con- 
nection, though not continuously, occupants being found who would 
look out for the preservation and cultivation of the garden in consid- 
eration of the use of a small piece of ground for raising vegetables. 
In one case a rental of $75 was Seal of the tenant, ee in Tanobher 
no charge was made for the house. The same services were secured 
in still another instance in return for the grass grown in the garden. 

An unusual proposition made to the institute in August. 1830, by 
one Francis Barnes was favorably considered by some of its most 
influential members, but failed to be carried out, and it is doubtful if 
it could legally have been accepted. Mr. Barnes asked for a lease of 
the garden for a term of years, and while he would be recompensed 
by charging admission fees to visitors, though members of the insti- 
tute would ‘always be classed as guests, he did not state, except indi- 


rectly, what form of entertainment he had in mind. On the other 


hand, his proposal seemed most exceptionally favorable to the society 
and was mainly as follows: 


IT will. at my expense, keep the garden in perfect order, pay all necessary 
attention to the plants already growing therein, cultivate all such seeds and 
plants as the institute may provide, and, in short, do all in my power to pro- 
promote the science of botany, and fulfill to the strictest letter the objects of 
your incorporation. 

I will, at my expense, repair the fences now standing or erect new and 
substantial fencing in their stead, lay the garden out in handsome and tasty 
style, erect arbors in various parts thereof, and set out vines of various kinds 
to afford shelter and cool retreats to such persons as may visit it, where re- 
Treshments may be obtained by the payment of a moderate compensation there- 
for. 

I will erect an ornamental building in some part of the garden, having 
therein a convenient room or place of meeting for the members of the society, 
Where they may congregate, free of expense, and by calling therefor receive 
every accommodation on such terms as can not fail of being satisfactory. 

As the garden will be open to visitors at a small expense, a strict police will 
he established, to prevent the ingress of improper persons, to guard the plants, 
flowers. ete.. from the depredationus of such heedless or idle persons as might 
break or otherwise injure then. 

At the expiration of the lease the buildings and improvements made at 
my expense will be given over to the institute in perfect order and at all 
times during its continuance it will afford me pleasure to welcome the mem- 
bers of the institute in the garden and to listen to any suggestion they may 
make for its further improvement. 

In conclusion I bee leave to refer more particularly to the second article 
of this proposition and assure the members of the institute that no pains will 
be spared to promote their views—to make the garden an ornament to the 
metropolis and the country at large and to afford to the members of the 
institute (as guests) and to the respectable citizens of Washington and to 
strangers visiting the seat of government fat a small expense) a cool, com- 
fortable, fashionable, and respectable place of innocent recreation. 

Planting—The records of the institute are entirely devoid of 
any descriptiv e account of the planting or of the growth of trees and 
shrubs in the garden, containing only occasional and brief references 
to this subject. Money was appropriated in small sums from time 
to time for procuring and planting forest trees and seeds of various 
kinds. and 2 few contributions from both domestic and foreign 
sources were also acknowledged. In August, 1822, a proposition by 
the commissioners for draining the low. ground south of Pennsyl- 

vania Avenue to furnish and plant such ‘trees as the institute may 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 147 


require to ornament and beautify the garden was accepted. In 
December, 1823, native forest trees growing in the District of 
Columbia were collected and planted at the expense of John Quincy 
Adams to the amount of $25; and in 1826 several hundred cuttings 
of the white mulberry were ordered purchased and planted. A list 
of the plants growing in the garden at about this time was prepared, 
but a copy of it has not been found. 

Distribution of y gifts of seeds, both domestic and 
Toreien, are eciaed in the records, and presumably portions of 
most, if not of all, of them were planted in the garden. Some of the 
lots received were extensive and some were evidently intended to be 
disposed of elsewhere than in Washington. The names of the plants 
represented are seldom given, but trees, shrubs, and grains, more 
especially the latter, were included. Richard Rush, while Secretary 
of the Treasury, transmitted several important lots, evidently ob- 
tained through the consular service, coming mainly from Tangier 
end India, and including wheat, barley, the seeds and fruit of “the 
date, and presumably other forms. In 1828 a general distribution 
on a basis similar to that subsequently followed ‘by the Department 
of Agriculture was begun and continued for at least three or four 
years, possibly longer. On July 7 of that year the Secretary re- 
ported that, in pursuance of the resolution of May 19, authorizing 
him to distribute at his discretion certain grains and seeds, he had 
immediately given notice in the city newspapers, in consequence of 
which numerous applications had been made by Members of Con- 
gress and others, and that nearly the whole of the grain and seeds 
had been distributed. The notice was as follows: 


The Columbian Institute has just received from Tangier, in Morocco, 
some wheat and barley, which it is supposed may form a u eful addition to 
the stock of those grains already in the United States, particularly in the 
States and Territories :outh and southwest of Washington. The institute 
has also received some seeds and fruit of the date, which have been sent 
under a belief that they may be succes fully cultivated in the mest southern 
part of the Union. Tangier, whence these grains and seeds are brought, is 
in the latitude of 35° north; though black frosts are rare, white frosts are 
frequent there in January, February, and March. 

Those Members of Congress who may desire to obtain a portion of either 
or all of these objects will please make known their wishes to Mr. Dickins, 
the secretary of the institute—May. 1828. 


Surrender of the garden and enlargement of Capitol Square.—aAs 
elsewhere explained, the institute reached a state of disintegration 
by the middle of the thirties, and, while a few of its members made 
an earnest effort to continue its existence and to revive and strengthen 
interest in its projects, the botanic garden became almost wholly 
neglected. The hope of securing a building for the museum, hbrary, 
and meetings, however, persisted until the end, and the inclusion of 
the eastern “part of the garden in Capitol Square in 1836 furnished 
opportunity for an appeal to Congress to reimburse the society to the 
extent of $1,500, the amount it had expended in connection with that 
section of the grounds. Though favorably reported upon by the 
House Committee on Public Buildings, with a bill for the relief of 
the society, this measure did not pass, owing, undoubtedly, to the 
moribund condition of the institute. Ceasing to exist as an active 
organization in 1837, the fact that it had established and maintained 
a botanic garden for nearly two decades seems almost immediately 


148 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


to have been forgotten, and the selection of the identical tract for 
the United States Botanic Garden 13 years later would, therefore, | 
appear, so far as shown by any of the records now available, to have 

had no relation to its former occupation by the Columbian Institute. 

Capitol Square at the time of the founding of the institute, in 1816, 
was of limited extent, but soon after the rebuilding of the Capitol 
had been started, following the visit of the British troops, a begin- 
ning was made toward providing a park around that building. The 
improvements were carried on under appropriations oranted from 
year to year. Excellent walks were constructed, trees, shrubbery, 
and flowers were planted, and stretches of lawn were laid out, under 
the superintendence of John Foy, the first gardener, whose services 
were also occasionally availed of in the botanic arden of the in- 
stitute and whose place, after his death in 1833, was taken by John 
Mayer. The adornment of the grounds at that time had already 
begun to attract attention, though the improvements had only in part 
been accomplished. 

As early as January 21, 1829, Charles Bulfinch, architect of the 
Capitol, recommended to the House Committee on Public Buildings 
the improvement of the grounds directly west of the Capitol, in- 
cluding the site of the botanic garden, in the following words: 

The Capitol being now finished with the exception of these particular 
objects, I beg leave to suggest that the public grounds immediately adjacent 
should conform in some degree to the importance and high finish of the build- 
ing. To bring them into such state, I propose that the triangular space be- 
tween the Pennsylvania and Maryland Avenues, and as far as Third Street 
at the bend of the canal, should be permanently fenced in. This would se- 
cure the improvement of the ground and render it practicable to form the 
footwalks on the avenues, ene of which has not been brought into form, and 
the other is only paved one-half of the required width. 

While regarding this work‘as necessary to the betterment of the 
public grounds in the pee vicinity of the Capitol, and as such 
likely at some period to be sanctioned by Congress, the committee 
did not think it expedient to recommend it at that session. 

In the House of Representatives on June 7, 1834, a bill making ap- 
propriations for the public buildings and grounds being under con- 
eo ation, “ Mr. Vinton moved to extend the square “west of the 

Capitol to the foot of the slope, and to extend the Botanic Garden 
to the canal, but the motion did not succeed.” In the same connec- 
tion Edward Everett proposed to amend the bill “ by removing the 
naval (Tripoli) monument from its present situation (on the Wrest 
terrace) to the square east of the Capitol, but, on a suggestion of 
Mr. Watmough, modified the motion to remove it to the Botanic 
Garden ; but after some desultory discussion the motion was re- 
jected.” This monument remained on the west terrace of the Capitol 
until 1860, when it was removed to Annapolis, Md. 

The “ act in addition to the act entitled ‘An act making appropria- 
tions, in part, for the support of the Government for the year 1836, 
and for other purposes, ” approved July 4, 1836, contained the fol- 
lowing provisions : 

For extending the Capitol Square and improving the grounds within and 
adjacent to the same as far west as the first street intersecting the Pennsylvania 
Avenue from the east, the sum of $25,000. 

For conveying the surplus water of the Capitol to Botanic Gardens, making 
a basin, and purchasing a fountain of Hiram Powers, $5,000. 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 149 


In his report to Congress of December 21, 1836, the commissioner 
of public buildings, Maj. William Noland, stated that “the extension 
of the Capitol Square as far west as First Street has engaged much 
of my attention, and, though the work has been retarded for the want 
ot materials, the whole inclosure wiil be completed by the last of 
March.” And also, “A part of the materials have been purchased 
for conveying the surplus water of the Capitol to the Botanic Garden, 

making a basin, and purchasing a fountain of Hiram Powers; but 
owing to the failure on the part of the contractor to comply With 
his contract the work will not be finished before the month of May.” 
Tt is doubtful from the wording both of the act and of the commis- 
sioner’s report where the basin and fountain were intended to be 
placed, though they seem clearly to have been associated with the 
garden. It is certain, however, that the site of the garden was 
never embellished by a fountain of Hiram Powers, and these im- 
provements were evidently designed for Capitol Square. 

The civil and diplomatic act for 1837 provided an additional ap- 
propriation of $40,000 for the enlargement and improvement of the 
Capitol Grounds, in regard to which the Commissioner of Public 
Buildings reported on December 15 of that year that, “‘ The extend- 
ing of Capitol Square to First Street west has been completed, so 
far as was contemplated by the appropriation of March last, with 
the exception of a part of the center footway, which has been left in 
an unfinished state for the want of materials, the contractor having 
failed to send on the requisite supply of flagging.” 

From a contemporary account published in 1837 or 1838 we learn 
that a stone wall surmounted by an iron railing had been built 
around Capitol Square, and a reservoir, with a jet ~Veau, one of the 
early projects of the institute, had been introduced. ‘The two broad 
walks or approaches replacing Pennsylvania and Maryland Avenues 
within the new ares of the square were in course of construction, and 
the laying out of gardens and the planting of trees and flowers were 
well under way. “John § Sessford, writing for 1838, stated that: 

The grounds west of the Capitol. under the direction of the commissioner 
and superintendence of the public gardener, have been improved tastefully 
and produce a fine effect. Connected with this should be inclosed the grounds 
west of First Street to Third Street for a botanic garden.—National Intelli- 
gencer, January 4, 1839. 

Subsequent provisions by Government for the care of living plants.— 
Five or six years after the abandonment of the botanic garden of the 
Columbian Institute the Government was called upon to provide for 
its own use like, though not identical, accommodations. The collec- 
tions of the United States exploring expedition to the South Seas, 
1838-1840, deposited at the Patent Office as received in Washington, 
included a large quantity of living plants and seeds. For a short 
period in the care of the National Institution, the Joint Committee 
of Congress on the Library, in July, 1843, appointed the Commis- 
sioner of Patents, Mr. Ellsworth, to the custodianship of all Govern- 
ment collections in that building, and in August placed Capt. Charles: 
Wilkes in special charge of the gatherings “of the exploring expedi- 
tion. Mr. William D. Brackenridge, who had been the horticulturist 
and assistant botanist of the expedition, was retained in charge of the 
botanical specimens. In a report to Curator Charles Pickering, of 


5) 
186037—20—Prr. 2——_7 


150 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


the National Institution, dated November, 1842, Mr. Brackenridge 
stated : 


The institute has also come into possession of a collection of rare and 
highly interesting living plants, brought. home also by the expedition, which has 
since received several additions in return for seeds distributed from the same 
source; also a few donations of other plants from various quarters. For their 
preservation a greenhouse 50 feet long and partitioned into two apartments 
has been erected on the lot behind the Patent Office. The number of species 
in cultivation amounts to 5090, and with duplicates of the same there are 
about 1,100 plants in pots over and above those now coming up from seeds. 
* * * The live plants brought home by the squadron amounted to 254 


species. 

The first greenhouse was constructed in 1842, presumably from the 
appropriation of $20,000 to the naval service for transporting to 
Washington and arranging and preserving the collections made by 
the exploring expedition. Greenhouse construction was further con- 
tinued on the same square during the two succeeding years, under the 
direction and control of the Library Committee. The civil and 
diplomatic appropriation act of March 3, 1848, contained an item of 
$1,200 for taking care of the botanical specimens brought home by the 
exploring expedition, and under this provision a second greenhouse 
was erected between September, 1843, and January, 1844. The corre- 
sponding act of June 17, 1844, with an item of $2200 on account of 
the botanical collections of the same expedition, provided for “ enlarg- 
ing the greenhouse,” but which of the houses was so enlarged is not 
stated. The accounts for material and labor continued from July 11 
until October 31, 1844, and the size of the addition was given as 78 
feet 7 inches long and the same width as the old parts. Mr. Bracken- 
ridge deplores, in his report for 1842, the lack of a place for outdoor 
planting, a desideratum which was evidently not supplied in that loca- 
tion. The other regular employees in the greenhouse service seem to 
have been a gardener or assistant florist and a laborer. 

An extension of the Patent Office Building, begun in 1849, made it 
necessary to displace the above ereenhouses ? and they were trans- 
ferred in 1850 to the site of the former botanic garden of the Colum- 
bian Institute on the Mall between First and Third Streets. Mr. 
Brackenridge continued in charge until 1853 or 1854, being also 
employed under A. J. Downing upon the improvement of ‘public 
grounds in Washington during 1851 and 1852. The name of Wil- 
liam R. Smith, who afterwards became superintendent, first appears 
upon the pay rolls in June, 1853, as gardener or assistant florist, at 
the rate of $1.25 a day. The greenhouses in their new location re- 
mained, moreover, under the supervision of Capt. Wilkes until 
August, 1854. 

The removal of the greenhouses and the work upon the new site 
during the first year is thus described in the annual report of the 
Commission of Public Buildings for 1850: 


1“ Tn order to make room for the foundation of the eastern wing (of the Patent 
Office), it became necessary to remove a part of the conservatory, in which is kept 
the rich collection of tropical plants that were selected and preserved with so much 
skill and care by Capt. Wilkes and the scientific gentlemen who accompanied him on the 
exploring expedition. The appropriation which “could be applied to that object being 
insufficient to erect a new building aGapted to the purpose of their permanent preserva- 
tion, it was thought best to remove that part of the structure which interfered with the 
foundation of the Patent Office, and rebuild it in a cheap manner, so as to preserve the 
plants until Congress might fix upon a spot on which a permanent building should be 
constructed, and select adjacent grounds for the cultivation of the hardier plants of 
the collection.’ (Annual Report, Secretary of the Interior, Dec. 3, 1849.) 


ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 151 


The square immediately west of the Capitol inclosure was selected by the 
Joint Committee on the Library as the most suitable for the location of the 
public greenhouse. The two small buildings on the Patent Office Square have 
been, aS was required by the appropriation contained in the deficiency bill, 
approved May 15, 1850, removed, and by the use of such of the materials as 
were suitable, reconstructed. And to afford ample room for the care and 
preservation of the botanical collection, in addition to these a more commodious 
building has been erected, which is so planned and located as to form a wing to 
sonie more elevated and handsome structure. Although these buildings may 
answer their purpose, the site upon which they are located will require very 
extensive improvements in consequence of being so low as to occasionally 
subject it to an overflow from the tidewater of the canal and some parts never 
free from standing water. 

To remove this evil and render the grounds eligible for the purpose to which 
they have been assigned would require the surface to be raised and so formed 
as to insure a good surface drainage at all times; by this and walling in the 
Tiber stream from the Pennsylvania Avenue culvert to the canal this lot of 
ground would present an entirely different aspect, and, I have no doubt, would 
be well adapted to the more ornamental features which the artistic skill of the 
gardener may design for it. 

The cost for materials, labor, ete., so far incurred has unavoidably exceeded 
the appropriation about $1,200 or $1,800, which sum will be further increased 
by the subsequent payment of several claims which will be due to persons who 
have not yet entirely completed their engagements for the performance of 
certain portions of the work. 

The location and style of execution of these erections have been conform- 
able to a plan approved by the Joint Committee on the Library. This plan 
contemplates a mare elevated and ornamental structure, of which the present 
central building, as before stated, is designed as the eastern wing. 


In his report for 1851 the commissioner said, with reference to the 


improvement of the grounds west of the Capitol, that the work done 
consisted— 


In taking up and resetting 200 feet of curb and pavement on the south side 
of Pennsylvania Avenue; trimming and graveling the east front of the Botanic 
Garden and removing and replacing the fence on the south side of the same; 
filling earth on the garden square, when it has been offered at a low price; 
and filling in a triangular space on the south side of Maryland Avenue east of 
the canal. There yet remains of the appropriation for these objects $229.31 
unexpended. 

No appropriation has been made for the last two years for the improvement 
of the Botanic Garden Square. J have now presented estimates for some 
additional buildings for the plants and for filling up, draining, and laying out 
the square in a suitable manner. The sum asked is all that will be necessary 
for the improvement of this ground until it shall be the pleasure of Congress to 
inclose it with an iron fence. 

From the same report it appears that a part of reservation No. 17, 
SS bya the west side of N Jer A has b lected 

ying on the west side of New Jersey Avenue has been selected as 
the site of the public nursery. It has been suitably inclosed and a 
stream of water conducted to it by permission of the heirs of the late 
Daniel Carroll, of Duddington, from a spring on their mansion 
grounds. This square of eround i is now ready for the use for which it 
was inclosed.” The site of this public nursery or propagating garden 
seems to have been changed in 1857 to a small, triangular reservation 
between Third Street and Four- and-a-half Street and Missour1 Ave- 
nue and the canal close beside the Botanic Garden. 

In a report to the commissioner in 1853, W. D. Brackenridge 
stated: 

The idea you suggested to me some time ago, of asking for an appropria- 
tion to fill up the low Square on Ww hich the public greenhouse is situated, is an 


improvement which, if you succeed, would redound much to your credit, as it is 
one of the most unhealthy sinks in our city—so much so that the men employed 


l52 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 


at the greenhouses are more or less sick with chills and fevers during the most 
part of the year. E 


The following remarks on the garden are from the introduction to 
“A catalogue of plants in the National Conservatories,” prepared by 
William R. Smith in 1854: 


I would here state that the majority of the plants in this list are the results 
of the United States Exploring Exposition commanded by Capt. Wilkes, with 
several additions by other officers of the Navy and Army. Mr. Brackenridge, 
by a judicious system of exchanging, has obtained many important additions. 
Several of the plants first discovered by the expedition are now to be found 
wherever an exotic collection exists; as an example, I may cite the beautiful 
Gloxinea rubra, ete. This system of exchanging should be further extended. 
The indigenous plants of this country could be readily exchanged for useful 
plants from other countries. 

The conservatories are situated in the square immediately in front of the 
Capitol, west side. * * * A systematical natural arrangement of indigenous, 
medical, and other useful hardy plants could be formed in it, which would be | 
of great benefit to the collegiate institutions of the District, and would assist 
in making Washington, with its libraries and museums, what might be called 
the City of Reference. 

The Exploring Expedition greenhouses removed from the Patent Office haye 
been located here about four years. 

I may here state that the seeds from the collection are gathered, and, to- 
gether with such plants as can be spared, are distributed to the order of the 
chairman of the Joint Library Committee, the Hon. J. A. Pearce, Senator from 
Maryland, and Capt. Wilkes; exchanges being managed by the superintendent. 

In 1859 the garden was spoken of as a pleasant place to visit, with 
gravel walks, bordered with box, rare plants, and trees. The cultiva- 
tion of plants had, therefore, by that time been extended beyond the 
greenhouses, and the later aspects of the sité as a botanical garden, as 
contemplate »d by the Columbian Institute and on the same eround 
which it had occupied, had been started. 


1A popular catalogue of the extraordinary curiosities in the National Institute, arranged 
in the building belonging to the Patent Office, by Alfred Hunter, 1854 and 1855, pp. 
64-70. 


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Note the favorable distribution of forest and open land; some of this land has been under the plow for many years and together with 


the forested portions is in excellent condition for the purposes of a botanical garden. The contour lines show each 5-foot elevation above mean 
Jow tide, thus indicating the exact modeling of the surface of the grounds. 


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Us OFPaNTMEKY oF ADRICULTUNE 
Susquehanna Stitt red olny. Difficult to handle, low pro- 

ay dcotivity. Chiefly oak, some beach and hickory. 

— Wi Susquohanne Stite red clay, with stons and gravel. Low pro- 

SOIL MAP r BW, AGE Aries duotivity. Chiefly oak, soms beech and hickory. 
OF PROP: Reddish olny loas over ctiff red clay. Fair 

a ‘ SHS tes foil for sali gral ap! grasa. Wash ox, soa 

BOTANIC GARDEN 2 pine in eastern park of tract. 
ake de IN 

=f i! ‘Susi Red clay and clay lom an4 brownish loam, urder- 

— IN — gay, ch loin by stiff red olay. Steep slopes. Beech, 


MT. HAM - 5 : a Ferentiat oak and othor deciduous trees, Some lanrel and 
ILTON~ HICKEY HILL fern in places. 


BECTON Suequoenna © [gq] Shallow gray silt lem over stirs rod clay. 

District of Columbia 5 siit)ioam Fair grass and whoat soil. Chiefly oak. 

Yollowish fine sandy loam over stiff red or 

mottled clay. Flats poorly drainnd, Mediu 

good soil for small grain and late yegotablos- 

Chiorly oak, some hickory, Ae poplar and other 
I 


Mapped by wow m Beanery 
JUNE 1917 


Susquehanna _ 
fino sandy loam 


doclauous treos. Some pine ya eastorn part of 
tract. 

Yellowish or reddish sand or sandy los orer 
Susquehanna. stiff red lay. Moderstoly good yogetable, corn, 
sandy loam oat, and berry soil. Oak, with some hickory and 
tulip poplar, Some pine in oastern part. 


Graylen to yellowish coarce sandy losn cor stiff 

coarfa, sandy red clay. Yogatabloe and berries. Mach pins, 
oa ono blackjack and other onks 

Deep yollow sant. Opan, droughty soil. Pine, 

oak an4 huokloberries. 

Grayiah sand over yollorish gandy loma over atirt 

red clay, with abundance of graval. Barly voco~ 

tabloz ani horries, Chiefly oak. 


Drownlsh loam over atiff red or mottled clay. 
Pair for grass and casi} grain. 


Grayish to re@dish losm over stiff red clay, with 
tuck gravel. Fatr for grass and szsll grain. 
Brownish to yellowish sand, sandy loz or fine 
Sandy loan over yollow or ottied clay. inci 
Sandstono fragnents nnd quarte gravel in placor. 
Slope soil of low to medium productivity. adapted 
to barries, vogotables and huckloborries. Oak, 
some tulip poplar, and sweet gun in damp places. 
Steep stony slopes, drovghty. 

Yellowish fine sandy loss over yellow clay, with 
ruck sandstone frageonts and quarte gravel. Un- 
productive e011. Oak end huckleborrlos. 


Leoparttown fellowlyh loan over yellow clay mottled #lt: red. 
005 Grain nnd graso. Oek. 


Sedinévas Brom loan over reddish-yellow to red friable 

ae clay. Good soil for grain, corn, grasz, vogota- 
ples and borrins. Chiefly oak. 

Light brown sendy loam over reddish-yollor to 

rod friable sandy clay. Good onrly vegetable, 

yandy loan corn, oat, peach, paar and berry soil. Chiefly 

nak. 

park a cop Eavly/ vogoteblon] ana-craiee) (Oak snl some pied: 
Sagpatras Light brown gravelly loaay sand ofor reddiob 

eraveliy andy gravelly sandy l0an., Cood early vegetable and 

Joma berry soil. 
Light brown sané ovar reddish lonny cand. Good 
soll for early vegotablea, pouches, pears and 
Open and rather droughty. 

Yellowish loan over yellow mottled, impervious 

stiff olay. fmverfect drainage. Best suited to 

crass. 

Renee Yellowioh fine sendy loan over stiff yollow olay. 

Pineisantysioan! Imperfect drainage. Grass, whoat and lato veqo- 

tables. 

Keyport Grayish sandy loan over yellowich sandy loam ovor 
sandy Loam stiff yellow clay. Vegetables. Oak and swaet gus. 
Elkton Mottled grayish and brownish loam over gray olay. 

Tome Imperfect drsinage, Adapted to grass. 
Reddish silty clay, eith some sandy loaz. Ovor- 
flows. Adapted to gracs and corn. Woist land. 
Sraet gum, =illow, sldor, etc., some birch. 
Stra: Reddish and yellovion sandy loan with silty clay 
alluvina. in places, Permanently wot, ovorflors. 
cj Roddleh brow gravelly loemy sand over red gravel- 
gravely otoasy ly loamy sand. Low terrace alluvius. Good vego- 

sod table, cora and ont roll. 
Wiekaont Brown loas over reddish sandy lom, with gravel 
loam peneath. Good vegetable, corn, grain and erase 
soil. Z 

Colluvial Adjacont to steep bluff. Reddish loan. Moist 

fan soll. Grove of young pawpaws. 
Thick growth of alder, ash, otc. (A) Reddish and 
abered Dluieh silty cley, in placed sandy losm sud sandy 
Marsh clay in subsoil; (5) bluish silty cateriai with 
pest in aubeoil, Overflowed ty tides. 
Reddish ani blaien ailty clay, in places sandy 
Open clay in ubsoll and pesty raterisl over surface. 
ss ss Water lillies, marsh gross, etc. Ovorflowed by 
tides. 


Seasafras 
sand 


, 


Keyport 
loan 


Stresa 
alluvica 


Poorly trained 


An ideal situation where 32 conditions of soil distributed about the whole ar 
ye under conditions best pted to their needs, 


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sible for widely diversified types of plants to 


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