The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-04-01

The new agricultural building is rapidly APP
preaching completion, and Its occupancy viii be
A fixed fact ere the summer equinox. Govern
mcnt has chosen n fine location ior the efce'loh
OF the building, and the twcnty-ninc acres OIL
beautiful undulating land upon when u is punt
and surrounded can be brought to hish state
of Guilty. alton and beauty, thereby enhancing the
attractions of grounds and structure. The exte-
rlor of the building IL not very prspossessing In
architectural appearance, but the ccnveniences
of the interior will no doubt supply all def
ciencics OF external design, and AFFORD ample
facilities for the transaction OF such business as
may be connected with the department. The
length OF the entire building, including the
wings, Is 10 feet, with width Of % feet, the
main building being 50 feet BY lo3. All the
rooms are spacious, and will, without doubt, be
cool and airy In summer and comfortable In win
ter. Two rooms on the Rrst floor fronting to the
north and In the centre OF the building are de.
signed for the Commissioners apartments, and
which win be finished In the most complete and
elaborate manner. The walls will be vencered,
new and beautiful process OF adapting wood to
the purpose In lieu OF paper, lath and plaster.
The clerical force will be located In rooms upon
the first and second floors, while the employees
of the seed depar will be assigned to spa
cious rooms on the third floor In the east wing
The museum, upon the ground floor, VIII be one
of the great attractions to visitors and the large
area given in the building for the purpose will
afford ample opportunity for all display. The
museum room embraces the entire length and
depth OF the main building, with ceiling OF 20
feet. The entrance Is by an iron stairway from
the first floor, south side, through an imposing
vestibulc advanced nearly to the centre of the
room. Nine large, ornamented sash windows
furnish light, the main one BY the entrance be.
ing Of stained glass. The windows are seven
and a-half feet In width, with heighth Of fifteen,
and with the magnificent ermine work to be
placed upon the ceiling, the museum, with all Its
curious features, will certainly be the great OBJ
ject Of interest with visitors.
The basement of the building Will contain
rooms for chemical and other purposes, heating
apparatus, SC, and be furnished In a substantial
manner. The main entrance. approached from
Thirteenth street by massive stone steps, Is
large, and the vestibule will be handsomely and
artistically finished. The eonveniences OF the
building in the heating, ventilating, water clos
cts, SC. are of the most improved order, and no
trouble will, we have every reason to believe,
be occasioned in these respects.
But the most beautiful OF all will be the I'M
provement of the grounds upon which the build
ing Is located. The plan for beautifying and
Adorning these Is simple, yet unique, attractive,
and elegant. The main pathway to the Depart.
ment will be by Thirteenth street. An iron bridge
will be built across the canal, and neat and
substantial gateway OF the same material CON-
mand the cntranep. The pathway will be thirty
feet In width, and lead to the grand terrace, two
hundred yards from the building, and then divid.
ing into two roads Of the same width, circle the
terrace until within few yards Of the Depart
ment, when the paths will again unite In theiI
approach, leading directly up. A road OF tive nty
Ave feet In width will environ the entire grounds
and there will be other lesser pathways. To place
the grounds in order, money Is needed, and the
| Commissioner Is moderate in his desires The sun
Of $4,000 is asked for this purpose this year ant
we hope the money will be appropriated. II not
the land will be an eye-sore In lieu OF an attrac
| tion, and rank and noxious weeds will spring VI
where beautiful shrubbery and rare flower
might perfume. Economical legislation is at al
time spraiseworthy, but not SO where 1t leads to
| embarrass the business OF department Of the
Government the importance OF which, and the
benefits to be derived, are but being properly APP
| preciated by the entire country.