Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-07-26
LOCAL NEWS.

completed the more important work of laying
the foundation, and building the stone walls
for archlng TIber Greek through the Bo-
tanleal Garden. 1t has been a heavy task
under the serious difficulties he has encoun-
tered, and he has shown indomitable ener-
Ry and perseverance in surmounting these
obstacles. No less than six times has his
work. when nearly completed, been washed
away by the unprecedented rains Of this sea-
son, and each time he has recommended his
task without moments delay, though from
these draw backs he could hope to make moth
ing whatever through the completion OF his
contract except in reputation through its faith
ful performance. In pumping out the water
in these heavy everfiows he has been kindly
aided by the Government Fire Department
and Chief Engineer Dixon Messrs. Jones Il
Collins have already entered upon the work
OF throwing the arch over the Tiber. BY this
important work OF arching the Tiber through
the Botanical garden two acres of valuable
ground will be gained, and a sanitary mea-
sure the results will be of the first importance.
This portion OF the canal and Tiber Creek is
the head OF tidewater, and was the receptacle
Tor floating filth, carried both from the direc.
tlon OF Georgetown and the Navy Yard. The
head OF tide here, which, with these deposits
fostering in the hot sun. was always q fertile
breeder Of malaria will soon be completely
covered in. By altering the course Of the
Tiher, also in arching it, that stream now
unites with the canal current instead Of abut-
ting II, which is of advantage to both streams,
swelling the volume in the direction needed,
and carrying off the filth that by the meeting
The foundations for the green. house extern
sion are also progressing rapidly under the
Messrs. Wise Il Caliahen, contr actors. The
cellars have been completed, and the mar BILE
foundations for the main green house and ex-
tension put in place. The present green house
will constitute about one third of the whole
structure The centre dome is to be for tropi-
ca! plants, and the two wings for geographic.
cal distribution Of plants within the range OF
house plants. The structure is to be entirely
OF incombustib ible materials, av verting the pos
nets hv ffrn n
peIlenced al the White House conser vatory
Mr. Clark, architect of the Capitol extension,
expects the iron work for the superstructure
IN about three weeks. The style OF architec-
ture is less of the gothic than usual in such
struetures-Mr. Smith, the experiep ced su.
perintendent Of the Botanical Garden. DEEM
ing rounded window heads more serviceable
than the pointed heads in use, as furnishing
more light. 1t is expected that the structure
viii be considerably advanced by the meeting
of Congress.
A magical change has been wrought in these
grounds since Mr.. Smith entered upon their
surerlntendence, some fifteen years ago. The
shed-lke apologies Tor green houses were then
located in q miserable wamp. At least 100000
cart loads OF material have been hauled In
since then, and the ground is not yet up to the
necessary grade to secure drainage. Wren
telifent plans OF Mr.. Smith. the Botanical
Garden will be a subject for national pride.
He aims, SO far as possible to, make it serve as
81 educational establishment for the people,
and in this direction he has made the first at
tempt at establishing an Arboretum yet under
taken in this country. The collection of ma
species Of oaks to be seen there, for instance;
and some years ago, we remember, when q list
OF trees, indigenous TO the State OF Ohio, was
presented to Congress in come ction with the
construction of an arsenal there every one OF
The trees named in the list to be found at the
Botanical Garden. When the archng OF the til
Der, an other Improvements in progress, and in
contemplation shall have been completed, op-
portunity will be afforded to make this collpc-
tion OF native trees yet more satisfactory. MI
Smith has set a good example IN causing large
and upon all the plants of any importance in
the green houses. BY this aid the visitor is en- :
ablsd to get vastly more intelligent idea OF
what be sees. In the public parks. arborptums,
and horticultural establishments of Europe,
thoughtful provision is made for the education
OF he people in this direction by minItely la
beling every tree and plant, giving the common
as well as the botanical name In republican
America we treat the people with much less
consideration IN this matter For instance, the
visitor to the Smithsonian grounds looks In
vain Tor label giving the slightest clue to the
species OF the many rare and curious trees and
shrubs therein.
A good collection OF economical and orna.
mental plants is being made by Mr.. Smith
Attention has been mainly confined TO
woody and shrubby plants, as until the
grounds are properly graded. herb aceous
six years ago Mr.. Smith caused some trees 70
be planted on the canal at Sd street, and these
have now attain a height of IS and so feet.
HIS idea is that the entire length OF the canal
should be planted with trees, selecting in all
cases those adapted TO the locality, as the
weeping willow and large-leaved poplar, in
order TO afforu sha de and prevent rapid ex-
halation Of miasma from the filthy canal, such
rs induced under the glare OF the sun. 1t is
well known. also. that tree. vegetation is
gross feeder OF such pestiferous exhalations,
absorbing much destructive to life and health
that would otherwise be thrown off into the
atmosphere.
1t is curious fact that the first specimen OF
the sorghu um or Chinese sugar cane plant, now
worth millions to the country, that ever en-
tered the soil of America, was at the Botanical
Garden, where it was received by Mr. Smith
from the curator OF botanical garden in the
West Indies. and set out in fiower-pot. At
The same time the Chinese gras. cloth plant
was received from the same quarter, and in
troducfo in this country through the agency
OF the Botanical Garden. 1t was sent from
Washington to various points in the South.
where it grows with remarkable facility, re-
curing little or no cultivation. The cloth
II made from this plant is now extensively i'm
ported from China, and there is no doubt its
manuia crure Will soon be entered upon In this
country. In fact but for the interruption to
industrial enterprises at the South in conse-
quence OF the tbf lion, the business would
have commenced some time since as great in
terest was manifested in it by leading men OF
that part of the country.
During the war large collection OF econom-
zeal sub tropical plants, cinnamon. coffee, &c,
was sent from the Botanical Garden to Mr..
Stickney, q gentleman Of taste and leisure,
true TO the flag. Several OF these plants have
been reported upon very 1avorably, as doing
rem arkably well, and the ex pertinent is likely
to lead to important res sults for the material
interests OF that STATE. Among the plants sent
arrow root, received by him from ST. Kits,
West Indies, and W hich is said to be so greatly
superior to that heretofore in use as likely to
supeTcede it altogether. The mode Of It's man
niaeture is a secret, but we can trust TO Yam
kee shrewdness TO quickly find it out.
&
ATTEMPT TO BREAK JAIL-Within the past
few days the guards at the Jail have discovered
that there was plan on foot by eight OF the
prisoners who were confined in the I'd story
lett corridor TO effect their escape, but before
ttey had made much progress they were dis.
covered. 1t appears that in this corridor the
characters are very desperate, including San
ford Conover, alias Charles A. Dunham, CEN
victed Of perjury, and under sentence to ten
years in the Albany penitentary, and Thomas
Myers, notorious burglar. against whom six
charges are pending The first intimation OF
the attempt came from prisoner, and accord.
ingly the guards kept sharp look ont, and ON
Monday Mr.. Ross noticed Myers at work on
one of the bars at the west window on the
north side, while Conover was at the window
apparently overlooking the job. The other
guards were at once notified and the prisoners
in that corridor were secured, the rtngleaders
being placed in irons. a search Of the prison.
ers resulted in finding on Myers . small saw
OF silver steel fixed in frame Of wood. the
cord being OF waxed thread. 1t seems that the
Plan was to cut the bars OF the Window " nearly
% snrouen until they had an aperture large
enough 10 get through. and after having made
ropes OF their hla n hats m hroaN tha hsrs