Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-08-02
PUBLIC BUILDINGS IND GROUNDS
Annual Report of Col. Casey.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS
Annual Report of Col. Casey.
Col. Casey, superintendent Of public buildings
and grounds, has submitted to Gen. Wright
chief Of engineers U. s. A.. his annual report
for the fiscal year ended June 3Oth last. Col.
Casey states that during the year the work
upon the public buildings and grounds under
his charge was principally OF the characte
necessary for their care and preservation
With the large extent OF grounds, some 200
acres, already ornamented, the appropriations
ayailabe could do little more than to keep them
be suggested could only be applied in few
places and then mainly by way Of experiment.
The planting OF foliage and blooming plants in
and in future seasons can well be extended,
while the Introduction OF asphalted walks upon
the main lines OF travel through the parks
meets with favor from those having daily occa-
sion to use them. The continuation of the fill
ing OF the unfinished portions Of
THE GROUNDS SOUTH OF THE EXECUTIVE MAN.
SION
was commenced as early as practicable In July,
and soil sufficient to grade the eliptlcal parade
nearly to its central line. These contracts
were completed early In the spring and the
grounds SOwn with grass and winter rye. In
addition to this filling, some $4,000 cubic yards
OF earth from other sources was used in the
portion OF the grounds bordering on 18th street
q
soil. The unused gravel and concrete beds OF
roadways through the center of the semi -crcu-
lar enclosure south OF the Executive Mansion
were removed and the spaces they occupied
much of the central ellipse as has been graded
a row OF elm trees was planted, and all the
dead trees in the reservation were cut out aud
removed Upon the request OF the engineer
commissioner of the District authority was
granted to run the large eight-foot 1ntercepting
sewer diagonally across the lower portion OF the
11p6o Aco r hfe
Is finished the grading of the central ellfpse
will be continued and the roadway about it
constructed.
WASHINGTON MONUMENT GROUNDS.
A small piece OF the grading and soddlng of
the embankment OF the west lake on B street
north was completed when the custody and
control of the lakes passed to the U. S. Fish
Commission. The main roadway between the
east and west lakes was recOated with gravel
six inches in depth. A number of American
elms were planted, bordering the roadway, to
replace trees destroyed by mischievous persons,
and several trespasses across the lawns were
broken up and sown in grass and winter rye.
GREEN HOUSES AND THE NURSERY.
At the green houses needed repairs were
made and additional shelving put In place, in
creasing the growing space for ornamental
plants. About SO, 900 sub-troplcal Towering and
foliage plants, and some 10000 hardy orna-
mental plants and Towering shrubs were prop
From the nursery about 5000 young trees and
shrubs were transplanted in nursery rows, and
a quantity of seed saved from valuable trees
growing In the public grounds was sown In
prepared beds. or evergreen and dectdiouS
trees and shrubs 2,S76 were purchased during
the year, a portion of which were planted ia
the various parks, and the remainder tempo
rarily planted in the nursery, preparatory to
their final planting in the public grounds.
SMITHSONIAN GROUNDS.
The major portion Of these grounds is not
provided with suitable drainage, and the water
settling on some Of the lower roadways renders
them unsuitable for travel In wet weather. To
remedy this defect as far as possible, the road
ways have been raised with heavy coating of
Der OF unsightly paths across the grounds have
been broken up. The valuable trees that were
not too large for removal growing upon the site
of the new National Museum were removed and
transplanted in other portions OF the park.
RESERVATIONS FROM 7TH STREET TO Sd STREET
SOUTHWEST.
number OF trees and shrubs were planted in
these grounds A limited number OF paths
been commenced on the unimproved portion of
these grounds between 9th and ~ streets and
missouri and Maine avenues. The surplus soil
hauled from Judiciary Square on the removal OF
the low portions; and the main roadway from
9Th street and Missouri avenue to ~ street has
been outlined, excavated, graveled and rolled.
The walks In this portion OF the grounds have
also been outlined.
RESERVATIONS EAST OF THE CAPITOL.
Flower beds were prepared and planted with
ornamental foliage and Towering plants In
number OF these triangular reservations No
water pipes have been laid In these reservations
and the watering OF them has to be done by car
ryfng water often from considerable distances
o,da Work was commenced @ on the triangular reser:
Massachusetts avenues and Sd street me-, and
completed by graveling, sodding, laying out
walks, providing seats, planting flowers and
clay was placed around the pedestal of the
equestrian statue OF Gen. Greene, In Stanton
place, to temporarily secure its foundation.
OTHER RESERVATIONS.
A number OF trees and shrubs were planted In
Judiciary square, number Of paths were
broken up and sOwn over. The surface drain.
age Of the park is not SUFFICIENT.
nankn the walks we're
southeast to the northeast gateways, and pass
Ing around the fountain in the center OF the
park, strip OF asphaltum footwalk five feet
wide was laid. Eighteen flower beds were laid
out and planted, and number OF decorative
palms and sub tropical plants placed in various
open spaces OF the lawns naturally increasing
the attractiveness OF the park.
Lafayette park was kept in good repair. Por-
tions Of its lawns are too deeply shaded to per-
NIT the growth OF lawn grasses. The over
gToWn angs9 n5 IN aGy was removed from the
the border fronting Pennsylvania avenue, and
the ovals converted into flower beds. Decora-
tive and ornamental plants were set out. A
number OF magnolia. English yew and half
hardy evergreen trees were materially Injured
by the cold weather OF the past winter. The
supply OF water In the park is inadeQuate and
additional pipe will have to be laid.
The triangular intersection at Rhode Island
avenue 18th and streets, was S0Wn In grass,
water introduced and shrubs and trees planted
ODDS AND ENDS.
Flower beds were laid out and planted In 18th
street Circle, Iowa Circle. Scott Circle, Mt Ver-
non Place, reservations corner OF Massachusetts
avenue and 18th street and Farragut Park
A few Towering plants, stolen from the parks
were replaced without materially inuring the
attractiveness OF the beds. The iron vases In
the different parks have been suitably planted
with towering plants and vines. Four hun
dred new park SetteeS were purchased and
secured In positions In the various parks
BRIDGES.
The AnacOstta bridge was kept In good repair.
New lamp posts were placed on the bridge, and
are regularly lighted. In accordance with the
act OF March Sd, 1879, directing that one of the
two railroads on the bridge be removed, notice
was given to the president of the Anacostia and
Potomac Railroad company, and the company
promptly removed the east track.
Bennings Bridge was thoroughly overhauled
early In the year and all decayed material re-
aced. 1t was replanked.
AT THE EXECUTIVE MANSION.
The necessary repairs have been made here
The conservatory Is SO much decayed that there
is great danger OF its roof and upper portions
being blown off during some summer storm.
The structure. which is of wood, should be re-