Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-04-02
IMPROVEMENT OF THE PUBLIC GROUNDS.
The work Progressing Rapidly.

Will be improved materially, Congress having
appropriated about sIso. 600 for that purpose at
have renewed cause to appreciate the intelligent
energy shown by Gen. Babcock in the way OF
public improvement. He has already employed
his force Of workmen for the present year. and
all over the city they are busy in Transforming
unsiehtly spaces into neat and attractive parks,
MERIDIAN AVENUE.
This beautiful avenue from the Presidents
House to the Capitol is rapidly being COM
pleted, and will soon be favorite drive. The
roadway is 35 feet wide, and the grading and
crawling have already been finished. 1t con-
meets with Executive avenue Immediately south
OF the Presidents house, and runs thence soptlf
around the Monument. connecting with the ave
nue. through the Agricultural grounds, Smith
sonlan, ATmory Square, and along the old cana
to Sd street west. The Botanical Garden not
being under the charge of Gen Babcock, the
avenue could not be continued through it., bat
there is no doubt Congress will grant the neces-
sary permission to do 30 as soon As the work now
IN progress Is finished. At 9Th street west, where
the avenue crosses the railroad track, an orna-
mental elevated iron bridge is to be erected BY
the railroad company, beneath which the trains
avenue at this point will be changed little
from its present course, and a new roadway
constructed 50 or 40 feet north OF the present
one, which will be abolished.
THE MONUMENT SQUARE.
The embankment on the south side Of Meri-
cut down and the earth deposited in the depres-
sion on the east front OF the monument. 1t il
estimated that it will cost about $4,000 to put
these grounds in complete order, but the appro-
priation this year is only $500, hence they
cannot be put in good condition for year or
two. The cost of draining the grounds will be
comparatively light, as there is a good natural
drainage; but gas and water should be intro
duced, and walks and drives constructed, which
improvements will require at least the amount
above mentioned. General Babcock in making
the improvements first introduces the drainage
then the gas and water, and then the trees and
shTubbery.
AN ARTIFICIAL LAKE
In the Monument grounds will be another at
traction. 1t will be located on the east side OF
Meridian avenue, and a short distance north OF
the monument. There is a natural depression
In the ground here, and two or three good
springs OF water therein. With a little excava-
ton beautiful lake OF four five acres can be
formed.
The White Lot, south of the Executive man.
sion, has already been improved, but il will be
some time before 1t can be finished, as some
5000 cubic yards OF earth VIII be required to
complete the grading.
THE PRoPAGATING GARDEN
will soon be removed from the locality now oc-
cupied by it, at Sd street and Missouri avenue
| to the Monumental grounds. Congress appro-
rriated 80, 0cO for this purpose and the new site
selected for il is south of Meridian avenue,
near tie river in a triangular space OF
Elk or eight acres being well suited for it. Quite
large number Of trees and shrubs have
| already been removed to the new site, and
workmen are now engaged in laying the neces-
sary drain pipes preparatory TO removing the
| lot houses which will be done in few weeks.
The site now occupied by the garden will be
thrQwn into the park. The garden belonging
| to the Agricultural Department, on Missouri:
avenue, between " and 9th streets, is also to
be removed to the grounds of that Depart
ment, and that site will also be turned over to
General Babcock to be added to the park.
ARMoRY SQUARE.
The appropriation for this square was $500
and this sum viii be expended in completing
the grading, setting out trees, making walks
&c, An effort will be made to put the post and
chain fence around il, as well rs all other res
eIvations from the Capitol to the Executive
Mansion, as soon as possible, but it will prob
ably require another appropriation to complete
DISAPPOINTMENT The square has already been
thoroughly drained, and Potomac water intro
duced, so that any part of the ground can be
watered with fifty-foot hose.
IN THE SMITHSONIAN GROUNDS
at least 1900 feet of drainage pipe will be re-
quired, and especial attention will be given to
the improvement of the southern part of the
reservation, heretofore entirely neglected. Some
or the trees viii be taken from the northern
part, where they are now very thick, and re-
moved to the southern. New walks will be
opened, but as the appropriation for these
grounds is only $4,000, il is not probable that
much can be done towards enclosing them
Inc estimate ior completing the improvement
there Is abeut S2S, 900.
THE CIRCUS LOT,
on 9th street, and the adjoining small reserva-
tons, have received some attention already.
and an additional appropriation of IS 900 wa
made at the last session. There is some grading
TO be done in these squares, which will be COM
menced soon, and they will be brought up TO
JUDICIARY SQUARE.
The amount appropriated for the fiscal year
ending June so, 1874, for this square was SO 600
and with So, 800, appropriated for the present
fiscal year, will be put in good order. One of the
first works will be to enclose it with post and
on shall be removed, the square will be graded.
walks laid out, gas, water and drainage pro-
ducod, trees planted, &c. The walks will all
be or concrete, and the carriage-ways grav-
eled. The buildings on the square, now Occu-
pied by the Womens Christian Association, are
to be sold, and the proceeds given to that asso-
citation, but the District government is to make
provision for the association, which cannot be
done until the meeting of the legislature. As
soon as new quarters are provided for the aSso-
citation the buildings will be removed, and the
improvements on the square commenced.
FARRAGUT SQUARE
is nearly finished. As soon as the weather per-
mits the concrete footwalks will be laid. The
flag fOotwalks on the outside Of the square are
now beinglald under direction of the board of
pubic works. General Babcock has already
planted the trees and shrubs in this square, and
in few weeks 1t will be an attractive spot
5000 was appropriated for its completion.
THE STREET CIRCLE
will be finished by the 1stof July. The grading
and drainage have been finished, and gas and
water introduced. The post and chain fence
will be erected soon, and the circle filed with
shrubbery, similar to that i'm the 1ith street cir
Gle. There will be eight lamp-posts around il
and four in the center.
THE RESERVATION
formerly occupied by the Northern Market is
being improved by both the federal govern
ment and board of public works. The post and
chain fence around the square Is now nearly
completed. A few more trees will be planted
in it by Gen. Babcock, and his work win then
be finished out of the appropriation of S3 500
for that purpose. The board of public works
has number Of men at work on the fountain
in the center now, and as soon as the Weather
permits, the concrete walks will be completed.
which will finish up the work.
IN FRANKLIN SQUARE,
red granite lip shaped coping, made at Aber-
deem, Scotland, win be placed around the foun-
tain, forming bowl Of about 30 feet diameter
1t was intended to put the equestrian statue O,
General Rawlings In the center of this foun