Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-07-21
mo. 30.


splendid Ionic pilasters, at the north
aud south fronts of the palace, have
been incurred since the Administration
of John Quincy Adams went out Of
power the portlcocs alone costing tho
sum of S24, 700 %. Great improve
ments have been made within few
years past, ia the presidents garden.
1t is situated, as before remarked, on
the south side Of the palace, and is be-
licvcd to correspond IN It's general AZ
engagements with the style aud fashion
] OF some OF the most celebrated royal
gardens in England. Ii has choice
/, collccuoi of both native plants and
sexotics, many ofsht s-tsss having been.
gathered Tom nimcst every cline
/ Ornamental trees and beautiful shrubs
have been selected with great care"
from the most celebrated specimens,
and are growing luSurlantly. The or
angery, though not as yet on very
extensive scale, is fast improving. Rich
and charming shrubbcry and partcrres
greet the eye" in every direction.
Nor should omit to mention that, in
addition 10 the numerous families Of
the tulip, the lilly, the pink, the rose,
and many thousand other sweet How
ers and shrubs, which all the lovers of
bcneficent Nature admire, the garden
contains some exceedingly rare botan-
.ical and medical specimens: besides
those rare, and no doubt very valuable
plants, &c. there are some other vavi-
cites that are cultivated pretty exten.
sively in the Presidents garden, which
address themselves for admiration more
Immediately to the palate than to tho
eyes such as Ncshcnoc potatoes,
honest drunthcad and early York cab
bagcs, white aud red sugar and pickle
beets, marrowlut peas, carrots, pars-
nips, q C, &c. with an abundance OF
fragaria Virginana, or strawberry, the
dcwberry, raspberry, &c. &c. In
short, all the Pre- sideut's garden, in all
its arrangements and beauties, its trees,
: shrubs, vines, plants, flowers, and es-
culcnts, is in perfect keeping with the
sumptuous and magnificent palace. !
may add that we have been informed
bv an official report communicated TO
Congress in December last, that during
the past season, "ihe public grounds
at the capitol and Presidents Mansion
have been faithfully attcned to BY
THE PUBLIC. GARDENER AND
THE HANDS UNDER HIM. Tho
trees and shrubs have becn planted /;
and the plats, borders, and gravel
walks are kept in superior order"
The report might also have stated,
with perfect truth, that men had been
hired by the Government, and paid
out Of the public Treasury, TO pick up
the falling leaves, and pluck up by tho
roots the xanthium sphinosum and ru-
meg aceioscIIa, or according to vulgar
"lngo," burdock and sheep sorrel.
As the presidents garden is enclosed
by high stone wall, and us the gates
are generally secured with locks, very
few persons have been informed, visit
il, except by invitation, or IN company
with the president or some member Of
, his household. This exclusion, how
. ever, docs not extend 10 members OF
congress, some Of whom, especially
. such as are fayorltes, every alternate
! season, that is, during every long ses-
= sion, frequently take n stroll through
, the garden and adjacent grounds. The
, present session is my fourth at Wash
ington, and | have been in the garden
twice; but on both occasions we were
compelled, on reaching the western
end Of the garden, TO Chamber over tho
stone wall, finding the gates locked.
Inrcgard 10 the progressive improves
ment Of the grounds and garden Of the
president, various suggestions have al
ready been made, and particularly by
individuals whose taste and nice dis
elimination have been greatly lmprov-
cd by visit 10 tho magnificent gar
dens at the palace Of Versailles, and
to some Of the rich and sumptuous
parks and gardens belonging 10 the
crown Of England. 1t is supposed by
these persons that the presidents
grounds would present more com
pIelo aud flushed appearance by e.
rectng Purian marble bausirades on
either side Oi the main gravel walks;
BY building some twenty or thirty MN
iaturc temples and payillIons at regu-
lar intervals along and adjacent 10 the
southern outer wall; by constructing
artificial lakes and fountains 10 pour
their silver waters through the mouths
T &c buua river nod "a .ea hoFgcs with