Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-10-15
PUBLIC BUILDINGS IND GROUNDS.
Annual Report OF Col. Casey.
What Work Has Reen Done. and
What is Proposed TO he Done.

What is Proposed TO he Done.
Col. Thomas l.. Casey. superintendent public
buildings and grounds. in his annual report just
submitted to General Humphreys, chief OF engi-
neer, [. S. A.. says the public grounds in the
city OF Washington comprise some TWO hundred
and Seyenty-ve pieces of land ranging in size
from less than GOO feet to tracts OF IS acres in
extent. OF these reservations a sufficient num-
ber have been graded, sodded, planted with
trees and shrubs, intersected with roads and
paths, supplied with water and gas, &c, TO
create some
2G0 ACRES OF oRNAMENTED GROUNDS,
which for at least eight months in the year need
constant attention and care. To the extent the
appropriation would permit, all the care and
labor possible has been bestowed upOn these
improved reservations during the past year. To
keep these reservations in the best appearance
will require not less than sixty men for eight
months. from March 1St to November 1St and
twenty-three men from November 1St TO March
1St.
In Lafayette square during the past year ad-
d1tional tile drains and water catches have been
put In along the sides Of some OF the paths but
the catches are not yet in sufficient numbers to
prevent the washing of the gravel into Penn
sylvania avenue during heavy storms. Other
catches must be added to remedy this serious
defect in the drainage of the square. The lawns
were dressed during the winter with a rich
compost, which has improved the turf. The
lCdge has been painted and put in thorough
order.
The improvements in Franklin square have
Ill Ot TIE btSln Oi the fountain
ana the Introduction OF SlX additional gas
burners.
In Mcpherson square quite a number of de-
ciduOuS trees and eVeTgreenS have been PLANTED
in such a manner as TO break up the open space
in the grounds formerly the site OF Vermont
avenue, and still so disposed as not 10 mask the
view OF the bronze statue from positions upon
/ that street. This square would ne greatly inn
proved by breaking the stiff rows OF trees into
more graceful lines.
In the northwestern section of Judiciary
COJlarp The LARGE nile bri rn
naming from the Old jail have been removed.
the ground sOWed and laid out. paths laid ont
and excavated. The post and chain fence has
been completed and the grounds planted with
evergIeenS and deciduOuS trees 10 correspond to
the portion OF the square already improved. \
fountain has been erected in the square and
large number of seats placed along the paths
The north wall OF the City Hall building has
been planted with climbing vines that will
cover the umsightly wall in few years. EXten-
SlVe repairs were put upon the lodge and the
plumbing within it.
- In the l4th-stleet circle the pedestal for the
Thomas statue has been erected and the
grounds around improved in a temporary way
A light wire fence has been run around the Cir
Gle TO prevent its being crossed by foot paSsen-
gers. Some eyergreens and low decduous trees
have been planted and a few beds of flowers set
out. It is recommended that the sidewalk be
increased in width live feet upon its inner edge
and that neat curb of cut granite be CON
structed around the circle. This will bring the
point of sight of the statue, when erected, at
about the proper distance point. The cOnstruc-
lon anu tlSCtloil O1 1lle statue uSelf Is not in
the hands of the government but in the Society
OF the Army OF the Cumberland.
In Iowa circle, Vermont avenue and p street.
number OF decduOuS trees and eyergreenS from
the 14th street circle have been tranSplanted
The bowl OF the fountain, which, from its great
depth and low curb. was dangerous to children
mas been partially hlled with stone and gravel
small reservation between Vermont avenue
l3ln ana streets. was graded, SOdded. supplied
with pipes, and planted with evergreens The
improvement OF it, as wei as the one between
Island -tl viii Il..
completed the coming year.
The roadway through Farragut square should
be removed.
THE WHITE LOT
Tie grounds south OF the Executive mansion
known as the White Lot have been filled 10
Within about three feet OF grade over a large
portion OF its surface-the ounken parts being
along 18th street. A plan OF the Improvement
after the project OF Downing, and as approved
10y flesluehl u Fillmore, was commenced during
Inc year. IT consists substantially of large
field or parade, some seventeen acres in extent
and ell1ptical i'll shape, which will occupy the
centre reservations; the remaining portions of
the ground being reserved for foliage trees
shrubs shaded walks and drives. During the
past year some 25O feet in depth OF the upper
part OF the parade was graded and brought into
grass land: The construction of the parade
VIII be continued the coming year.
THE WHITE HOUSE GROUNDS.
Several improvements in the grounds near
the Executive Mansion have been made A new
hot house was constructed during the year and
extensive repairs put upon the conservatory
however. in such a damaged condition that ii
will hardly be possible to patch them up much
longer. They should be replaced by buildings
having tight iron frames, the sash and glazed
portions being of wood.
MONUMENT GROUNDS
Appropriations having been made during the
past winter for the purpose OF modifying the
ponds in this reservation for the culture of carp
under the direction of the United States fish
commissioner. the work was commenced in
February and completed the latter part
Thraa 1al-a
into sewer which emptfes into the mouth of
street sewer, and the work consisted mainly i'm
so arranging the bottoms OF the ponds that the
water can be drained off rapidly excepting so
much as may be necessary 10 fill receiving ba-
sins located at the sluice gates. These were
D4llt with two sets of stop-planks in front of
which are galvanized iron wire screens 10 pre-
vent the exit of fish from the ponds and the in
uoduction OF other species from the river The
waterways are so propOrtiOned that a sufficient
supply to I'LL the culyerG will pass through them
notwithstanding the obstruction of these
screens. twelye-inch pipe. with screens at
eaen ehd, was @ laid to connect the east and west
lakes On the island in the west lake, which
has been dyked around, are two Matching ponds
OF twenty-five square feet each. A rustic bridge
has been built TO connect the island With the
roadway ana rustic Matchbox erected.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.
During the year an additional propagatng
house, 140 feet long by 10 feet wide, was put up
at the nursery, and The stock OF trees and plants
materially increased from cuttings and seeds
Two thousand six hundred and fifty-eight de-
clduOuS trees, evergreenS and shrubs were pur-
chased and set out during the year; 1,274 being
put In the reservations and the remainder in
the nursery.
Every iron fence was put in thorough order
and with one or two exceptions each fence re-
ceiVed, either in the fall OF spring, a coat of
paint
A compost bed, containing some $500 loads of
muck was made last fall, and spread during the
winter on Lafayette square, Executive Mansion
grounds, and Mcpherson square; 22 tons of bone
dust We're spread upon the grass lawns east of
the Capitol; 40 new seats were placed in the sew
eral reservations, and a number of the old ones
repaired and refaStened to the ground.
The Title OF the United States to lots 13 and H.
square 959, was established, and the lots graded
and 1llled, removing stagnant pool OF water
All the fountains were carefully repaired and
kept running, except during the winter
Al the Executive Mansion the necessary re-
pairs upon the roof, windows, doors, &c. were
made. The private dning-roOm was entirely
lentted; the ceilings freScoed and walls re-
parered. A new staircase was constructed from
the corridor OF the first floor to the basement
and the Old one closed up. The nece S3ary re-
pairs upon the furniture and fittings of the house
were made.
WHAT Is REQUIRED.
Inc mann requirement upon the public grounds
OF the city is force of labOrerS sufficient TO
keep them in order. Lying as they do in de-
tached palcelSa larger force is needed for their
care than would be necessary ii the grounds