Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-10-25
The Potomac Flats.
NOVEL. PLAN FOR THEIR INSTRUMENTATION
vKRT THEN INTO LAKES AND DRIVE

VERT THEM INTO LAKES AND DRIVES
At the meeting of the District Horticultural
Society on Wednesday evening last the follow
ing paper was read by Mr.. Warrington Gilling-
ham, n well-known horticulturist. He had been
requested, he said, to read paper on some sub
ect coming within the scope Of the objects OF
the society, and he had concluded to take up tn .
question that has been vexing the public mind
for some time past-namely, the Improvement OF
the river front OF this city. While 1t might not
details, yet in the general results to be attained
it is undoubtedly germane to the objects sought
to be fostered by this association. He would try
and state briefly what he thought he knew about
marshes and their adjunctS in general, and this
one pet marsh OF Washington city in particular
1t was matter OF surprise to him that where
there has been SO much money expended In
erecting costly buildings and in Improving the
streets and avenues, that there should have been
comparatively nothing done to abate the reek-
ing nuisance that stretches its horrid length
disease and death amongst the population
THE OBJECTIONS TO VARIOUS PLANS.
His attention had been called some time since
to a report made by Col. Albert, on the subject
OF the river front. While it might be presump-
tuous In him to criticize the report OF so able an
officer rs the one alluded to- yet he must in the
treatment OF this subject differ from him: ana
he would try and show how the objects sought
IOr may be accomplished in better way at less
expense. Col Albert recommends the filling up
of the Washington channel and the flats out to
the Virginia or Georgetown channel. The OBJ
jectionS are these: There is Intercepted between
the main land of the Washington shore and the
virginia channel down to a point opposite the
Arsenal, upwards of 100 acres of surface; the
average depth of filling required would BE- at
least ten feet. This would require upwards OF
IL 900 900 cubic yards OF material and as it would
have to be brought from a distance, the vast
amount OF time and money required to accom-
plish 1t, may well make us doubt whether it
would ever be done during this generation.
THE QUESTION OF SEWERAGE
Again, the requirement of such a large area so
near the tide would render the question OF sew
erage serious one, as the fall would be SO little
that scarcely any current could be secured in
the sewers; so the filth and deposits of the city
would necessarily remain in them to geat eX-
tent, and the poisonous gases would be issuing
at every recurrence of high tides upon the city,
to befoul the air we breathe. But another still
more serious objection would be the confinement
Of the river Ill the contracted channel which
would be a mistaken policy at this point just at
the head of tide water; for generally when the
heavy rains occur, eaSterly winds prevail, so
that we have freShetS and high tides In Conjunc
ton, and the result would be the fnundation Of
the lower portions OF the city.
DON'T WANT TO MAKE WASHINGTON A VENICE.
You have surely not forgotten the flood of
some two years ago, when, with the wide area
that was then open TO the water, the seething
flood arose so as to be some two feet deep in the
first story of the hotel at the other end of the
Long Bridge. No! we are not yet reduced to the
extremity of the ancient inhabitants of Venice
when they were compelled by their warlike
neighbOrS to wreSt from the Adrlatic the folln-
dationS wherein to build their beautiful city.
Terra frma is not yet so scarce or valuable that
we need encroach upon the tide for the where
with to accommodate metropolitan improve
ment. Let us go back upon the everlasting hills
We want both channels OF the river to vent the
water when the Potomac takes on her wild and
majestic moods. He had also seen in one OF the
city papers an account of an interview between
a reporter and Clark Mills upon this same sub
ject, wherein the eminent sculptor recommended
the cutting of a channel through the rocks near
the point at the Observatory and combining the
water in the Washington channel, and stating
at the same time that the water would clear out
an ample passage for itself, when the marshes
would be no further trouble. The said reporter
seemed to think because our friend the artist
had succeeded in making bronze horse stand
on two legs without hitching, that his head was
Now he was afraid that Mr.. Mills had overlooked
the fact that the tides In the Potomac continue
to ebb and flow without ceaSing, and as long as
they persist in that course the marsh question
measures are adopted than that OF letting them
alone.
MR.. GILLINGHAMS PLAN.
Instead of cutting the Washington channel
through rocks at the point, he would take it out
where there is a depression in the marsh, and
then fill the Kidwen flats out to the new chan
mel. Then with steam dred2es scoop out the
deposits on the flats and form a dyke or cause
way along both channels of the river and across
the middle Of each section above and below the
Long Bridge. This would create four lakes on
the site Of the marsh, and in order to make as
little transportation OF material as possible, a
series OF islands could be formed in the lakes;
then plant the cauSewayS on each side with
rapid-grOw1ng trees that are adapted to low
lands, such as the Carolina poplar or southern
cottonwood, the sycamore, ash, elm, tulip pop
lar, and others of that claSS-that Will take UP
the malaria OF the river region, and thereby
assist in preserving the health of the city; then
around these cauSewayS there could be beautiful
drives, made to be entered from the Long Bridge
on both sides. The islands could also be planted
with trees and Sem-aQuatic shrubs and planuS
and thus make the whole concern thing of
beauty and joy forever. These lakes could
have connection with the river by water gates,
and thus the water could be changed as often as
necessity required; and the Fish Commission
could use them for the propagation OF fish on
scale commensurate with the growing needs of
the country. There are some who have thought
this plan would not work from the difficulty Of
making the river mud stay in place when thrown
un: but he thought there would be no serious
difficulty in that respect. The channel banks Of
the river are, as a rule quite solid, formed Of
sand, gravel and mud mixed that will make
there be exceptions to this, then by planting
osier willows along the margins they would soon
ill the earth with roots and make it hold.
THE MATTER DISCUSSED.
Colonel D. S. Curtis said that places apparently
as difficult of holding as the soft mud otthe flats
had Deen improved by similar manner on une
Mississippi. The water elm was a fine tree for
this purpose having great masses Of roots, which
bind the earth together, and this and other semi
aquatic trees made very powerful anchorage,
and with their aid good shores could be made. 1t
was true that mud is hard to handle, but when
dry it becomes firm. He was satisfied of the
practicability of the plan, and the only question
with him was the expense, whether it would be
less or greater than other modes. There was
one benefit which would result-the killing OF
the malaria, for that arising from what little
decaying vegetable matter that was left would
be killed by the trees,
Mr. Gillingham said the first thing to be done
would be to construct the outer cauSeway, and
then the water coaad be shut out until the other
improvements are made, the Islands thrown up,
and lakes constructed and the cauSewayS filled
in for drives He had not made an estimate, but
when the transportation of earth, as contemplated
by other plans, was considered, he thought his
plan would cost much less than the Others.
MI. Saul said that at the first glance the plan
seemed perfectly feasible, and suggested that
there were Sveral species OF trees (among them
the Carolina poplar) which could be used to ad-
vantage on this plan.
The society returned vote of thanks to Mr..
Gillingham for his essay.
A MEXICAN OFFICER KILLED IN A DUEL.-A
fatal duel between two officers Of the Mexican
army of high rank has occurred at MatamoraS
Senior Richard Gayoso, administrator Of the
military hospital, and Captain CelSo Cuellar,
r~NC< (,.oI Il 1.Al 1Nlay~ %.