Evening star., 1920-03-14

Tho United States Botanic Garden,
at the foot Of Capitol Hill. between
Pennsylvania and Maryland avenues
and 1st and Sd streets west, will be
100 years old on May 8. for it was on
May 8, 1920. that the use Of i've acres
Of land was granted by Congress for
a botanical garden, and four years
later, on May &c, 1924, the area Of
this grant was extended.
Authoritative account of the early
days of the Botanic Garden has been
made by Richard Rathbun. assistant
secretary of the Smithsonian Ipsti-
tuition. who is in charge of the United
States National Museum. in a bulle-
tin regarding the Columbian Insti-
tute for the Promotion of Arts and
Sciences. Washington society of
1S16-1SS3. which established a mu
scum and botanic garden under gov
ernment patronage.
A botanic garden was among the
first projects considered by President
Washington for the federal city. and
he discussed its location with the
Commissioners Of the federal district.
The site then proposed was used sub
sequently for the Naval Observatory
and is now occupied by the hygienic
laboratory of the public health serv
ice. Away back in 1901, a writer in
the National Magazine described in
detail the proposed development of
fifty acres for botanic garden with
five distinct branches.
Early Homes Of Garden.
Under the act of Congress of May
8, 1920. the Botanic Garden was start
ed on the city square between 7th
and 9Th and and G streets, where
the patent Office now stands. Here
the greenhouses for the living plants
brought to the United States by the
exploring expedition to the southern
hemisphere, 1S3S'42, commanded by
Capt Qate Rear AdmiraD Charles
Wilkes, were first located. Some of
those plants are still living and many
of the plants in the present garden
are descendants of those brought to
this country by the Wilkes expedi-
ton.
During the latter part of 1920 and
the early summer of 1871 the present
site of the Botanic Garden was pre-
pared under authority from the Pres
ident.
AS early as January 21, 1929. Charles
Bulfnch. architect of the Capitol,
recommended to the House commit
tee on public buildings and grounds.
the Improvement of grounds directly
west of the Capitol. including the site
of the present gardens. which COM
prise about ten acres.
From the earliest days of the Ma
tional Capital the Botanic Garden has
been an important institution. 1t Is
now cooperating with state institu-
Through the members of Congress
these gardens distribute various plants
throughout the states as the founders
of the garden proposed to do. There
has been collected a very valuable
museum of plant life. including every
known plant that can be induced to
grow in this climate.
The Botanic Garden is a constant
source of delight to visitors to the
capital and especially to the thousands
of school children who come In large
groups to see the wheels of govern
ment go round.
The main conservatory was COM
menced in 1867 from designs by the
architect of the Capitol. A feature of
the garden is the famous Bartholdi
fountain. the only memento in WASH
ington of the centennial celebration
in Philadelphia This fountain was
purchased by Congress in 1876. The
basin is ninety-three feet in diameter
and throws a stream to an altitude of
sixty-five feet There is also a large
stone vase brought from St. Angus
tine, Fla, and taken from the first
house built in the present United
States.
many a&1t0f1e Tfee1s
The garden contains many historic
trees, including one planted by Abra-
ham LINCOLN. The botanical collection
received some valuable contributions
from the expedition of Commodore
Perry to Japan. An old date palm in
the conservatory. which has repeated
ly thrust its head through the sky
lights, was planted before the civil
war.
The Office of superintendent was
created in 1850 and the first incum
bent was w. D. Breckenridge. who
had been horticulturist and botanist
to the Wilkes expedition. He served
for two years and was succeeded by
William r. Smith. a devoted friend
and admirer of Bobby" Burns. Mr..
Smith was superintendent for sixty
years. Charles Leslie Reynolds was
superintendent 1912-12 and George
Wesley Hess, formerly connected with
the Boston public gardens, and who
has spent his-s2ttre LIE in the pro
fession, has been IN charge for the
Last seven YeaIA His title has been