Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-06-23
LOCAL NE w S.

The AsYIuM.-On "Wednesday we accepted the
Invitation Of friend to pay visit to the City
Asylum, and not having visited the place since
the time the old building destroyed by fire
several wears ago, was the more fcrciby impressed
BY the total renovation which has taken place
there since that time under the excellent superin-
tendence of the intendant, Mr. John r. Queen
Our visit was well timed In that the comm ssion-
ers OF the Asylum were there on professional
visit, and we had the pleasure Of accompanying
them through the new alms-house and work.
house. The rooms devoted to both branc hes are
large and well lighted and In their general an
pearance srupulously clean, and the furniture
and bedding OF good quality, and well kent The
appearance Of the inmates denotes that thew are
treated with kindness and proper copsid Grafton
by the efficient intendant and his ASST stants The
appearance OF The kitchen and dining room indi-
estes assiduous attention on the part Of those in
charge, and the food provided for the inmates Ia
wholesome and sufncfent
Outside the building great taste has been dis
RinJeo oy me head gardener Of the place, (Mr.
Mag In Identifying and adjoining the grounds
he high steep bill In the Of the building has
Deen graded 80 as 70 make the descent to the river
snore gentle and pleasant one. The grounds In
The Immediate vicinity are laid of in most taste
ful style into grass plais, with convenient inter
mediate gravel walks, along the sides of which
handsome shade trees have been planted the pres
en- season which give great promise Of future
abundant foliage. The entire fields adjoining the
WorkhOuse have within the past six months been
surrounded by new and pretty fence which is
kept neatly whitewashed. The crops under the
nslds OF corn, rye, potatoes and every species of
garden stuff Of the most promising APPEARANCE
meet the eye on all hands, while the taborers of
the workhouse department are busily engaged in
hay-making. The finest vegetables we ever saw
were being Putup in the gardeners house for the
market
At the foot Of the hill at the rear of the prin
ctPal building a fine fish pond has been con-
sructed, which Is supplied with water from the
surplus which flows through the milk house a
short distance above. The sides of this pond are
neatly turfed TO the waters edge and present
tne soft verdure. Mr.. King is thorough-going
gardener, and adds to his regular vocation the
accomplishments of the practical florist A small
space devoted by him 10 the growth of flowers
presents most inviting aspect and at once sup-
gesfs the question-Why is not more space here
devoted 70 this most agreeable and profitable
branch Of Horticultural We should think that
Al least a couple Of acres the east side of the
principal building, thus cultivated would prove
a Temunerative investment. The Combined hot
houses Of the city, are, II Is well known Insnf
fcient TO supply the demands Of Customer, and
the spot Of ground above indicated In adj m}yablv
situated for this purpose
new feature Of the place is a large ice bouxc
situated near the shore of the ice pond which
bounds the east side of the "farm ~ This home
was erected last fall, and during the cold season
was filed with excellent ice to the EXTENT of
some $500 tons, we believe; the sale of which
during the pending cheated term, will largely
add to the revenues of the asylum After nar
taxing OF the bounteous Inequalities rendered tn
the Commissioners by the warm-hearted Inten
dant we took our leave, much pleased with our
visit to the asylum.