New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-03
A PATRON OF HUSBANDRY.
THE sCOTCHMAN SAUNDERS" sUPERIN-
TENDS THE AGRICULTURAL DE-
PARTMENT GROUNDS.
A VETERAN IN THE GOVERNMENT sERVICE-iIls
MODEST OFFICE-TERRACING THE CAP
ITOL GROlND CELEBRATING
HIS SEVENTY YEARS.


ITOL GROUNDS CELEBRATING
HIS SEVENTY YEARS
Washington. Dec. 2 (SpeciaD-1n his Sunrise
William Black makes Brand say: you know the
granges-the association OF the Patrons OF Hus-
bandry. that founded by the Scotchman
Saunders? 1t is an immense social organization
the success Of which has been unprecedented: they
have an immense power in their hands; and it isn't
only agriculture they deal with they touch on poll
tics here and there and the men they choose are
invariably men Of integrity This Scotchman
Saunders who founded this immense social organ
ization is and has been for the last thirty years
a resident Of Washington. In 1862. when the Agri-
cultural Bureau. at that time under the all-cover-
ing wing of the Interior Department. became a
separate department. Mr.. Saunders was appointed
superintendent Of the gardens and grounds, which
office he has held continuously since He mas
seen the department develop from a dubious ex-
pertinent TO vigorous and substantial branch or
the Government and has himself been largely In
strumental In this development The phenomenal
success OF the experimental gardens are directly
due the knowledge and skill OF this canny
Scotchman. The grounds about the building. the
most artistic and beautiful OF any In the city,
were laid by his hands. and the trees In the
interesting arboretum have grown to maturity
under his loving
II Is curious and notable fact that Scotland.
whose naturally sterile soil requires so much coax
ing and teasing TO produce anything. should give
to the world its best gardeners He who tholes.
conquers," is old Scotch proverb Mr.. Saunders
dearly loves to quote 1t may he that this capac-
ity for thong and the inherent characteristic
of Scotch character to master difficulties. have
made these northern people successful IN a pro-
fession in which patience and perseverance are
the principal clements Of success. Whatever the
reason. the fact stands that the most noted
gardens of the world and have been under the
OF
Mr.. Saunders owes his appointment TO isaac
Newton that shrewd quaker. ironically called Sir
Isaac Newton. whose ceverncss was the admira-
ton whose llliteracy the laughing stock OF
his contemporaries This man. richly endowed
by ma ture but wholly lacking In education ana
culture. realized his own limitations and en-
deavored to make good his deficiency and lack OF
technical knowledge by the appointment ~ able
men AS his assistants. When Mr.. saunders came
to Washington II was under temporary arrange
ment with the department that he should spend
one week out Of each month there until the work
OF LAYING out and arranging the gardens was
completed. Mr.. Newton at that time had no con
certon OF the possibilities OF the infant depart
ment The arrangement with Mr.. Saunders soon
proved impracticable. and with his ripe expert
ence and fine judgment he soon became an in'aiu-
able and permanent fixture
THE OLD TEA GARDENS.
The first gardens. which were started In 1856 FOR
the purpose Of experimenting IN the ero"'"b Va
sorghum and tea were located Four one
balfst near Missouri-ave and were known
the Tea Gardens. Considering the money spent
there had been practically no result ana wheh MI
Saunders took possession they were In discouias-
ing and chaotic state. Under his skilful ana IN
tclligcnt management they assumed shape ana
system and ike Mr. Flnny's turnip. they grew
and grew" until they reached their present magni-
,ude and usefulness II Mr. Saunders who
changed the name Of these grounds 10 the present
appropriate one OF Experimental Gardens. when
so adequately expresses their intention and scope
The planthouses were designed by Mr. Saunders
and he has his ONCE In little brick building a,
the end OF one OF them. The story OF the building
OF this house whose square ugliness IL concealed
by n green mantle OF English ivy. Is Characteristic
OF the man His first ONCE was In vIne-coF"red
cottage in Four -one halfst. near the edge OF
the gardens Here the order OF the Patron OF
Uusbandry was organized in 1851 The quaint httle
cottage was In every way suited to the simple taste
and needs Of the superintendent When the pres
en-, Agricultural building was finished he gave II
I'D reluctantly TO take possession OF the hand
some new Offices provided for him. These rooms.
paneled in natural woods. with rich furniture
and hangings were too fine and conventional Tor
the man accustomed TO live near 10 nature Tor
while ne tried to adapt himself to them but
finally caused 10 be built the little onc-story
office, which has since had anoiher story s sann
for the accommodation Of his clerks Mr. saui-
ders's Once In in the second story square. weii
/ It'd "A
| only attempts at decoration are some woodcuts or
plants and photographs Of his children and grand
| Children Here al a distance from the busy big
building. the superint endent rcigns supreme over
The ofiice is no sinecure. Besides the management
| and personal supervision Of the gardens; Mr
Sa1turs authorities ali over the world Two
| clerks are constantly employed IN hling and an
| swering letters
HE IS ALSO WRITER.
| ola
| bratcd for It's golf links and incidentally uni
versItv which has been much exploited since the
classic game OF golf became popular in America. Is
! Mr. Saunders's birthplace. He was born sew
! enty-two years ago. on Friday. FIFTY OF these
years have been spent In the United States thirty
tvpirai scotchman' tall OF massive frame. with
gray hair and white beard. Of cut We connect WIN
serious expression but in his light blue eyes. deep
set and keen. there turks "A merry twinkie when
with the public he IL genial. cordial, responsive.
! and Is held In high and loving regard By his asso.
! cates 1t at first Intended that ne should
be educated for the mnisiry and his early , train
WAS for hs end This n rae nG eSnS OF h-
| character, and his literary tendencies MI Saund'
has been prolific ora1 o b 20 coming .nf
SVsnl "n' was the Editor Of The Horilcu-
oSs sy f the % Sspa5%" es hm
debt OF gratitude for his services on the Parking
beauty. and made her streets the best shaded in
| the world The terraces on the west 'front.' OF the
| CAPITOL which add much to the stability ana
| dignity Of the structure. were first suggested by
| Mr. Saunders in an article published In sloan =
| Architectural Review" In 1865. In this paper ne
called attention to the sovenly appearance OF the
| CAPITOL mounted upon and supported by a sod
| den bank and strongly advised architectural ter
| racing az means OF properly connecting the
| hniidne with the ground and OF making the pro-
| portions more symmetrical Mr. Saunders,s idea
vas much more ornate than the plan adopted:
| THE terraces were to have baustrades. adorned
With statuary The simple plan seems more con-
| sstent with the architectural Idea or the capitol
| HIS PET PROJECT.
| OF all the work ne has accomplished Mr. Saund-
49,. a., oarba no nrou,est of the Order OF the Patrons