The Holly chieftain., 1922-08-10
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that required for roads is required 1t has north
SOUTH east, and west slopes, and the level area
between the hill and Hickey Road would work
out well for greenhouses and herbaceous gardens;
while the other would be ideal for shrub
and small fioweringtree arboretum uses. especial
ly as the northern and southeastern slopes OF the
hill form two amphitheaters which would display
such exhibits large scale An examination
of the soil has been made by the Department
OF Agriculture. Briefly summarized the investiga-
tion by that department indicates that 1t Will be
possible to grow plants of the most exactlng
soil requirements the diverse types of soil afford
Ing almost every variation which can be secured
In this section Of the country. According to this
report practically any plant which can thrive IN
this climate can be grown in this area.
The whole area contains about 4S3 acres
About SO Of 1t is to be acquired for the Ana
costa Park reclamation, so that only about 400
acres need to be considered for purchase In con-
nection with this project. 1t is on the main high
way line between Baltimore and Washington.
The Lincoln Highway, withslittle difficulty, could
be brought along the shores Of the Anacostia
Park and thence by way OF Maryland avenue to
the Capitol Building affording an entrance to
Washington OF unequaled beauty AS to accessi-
bty, there is already electric car line along
the Bladensburg Road, and the railroads are close
by.
For extension of the gardens the Anacostia
Park Is available. That portion Of the park be-
tween the Pennsylvania Railroad and Bennlng
Bridge contains about 563 acres Iowland and wa
ter, thus furnishing ample opportunity for ex-
pansion on land not subject to overflow for low
land and fresh-water exhibits.
If In the future there should be added to this
that portion of the Anacostla Park between
Benning Bridge and the Pennsylvania Bridge.
there would be addition of another 1903 acres,
including land and water, which could be used
in connection with the proposed garden. This ex-
tension into the Anacostia Water Park would af-
ford unlimited opportunity for beautiful aquatic
wit ali tha
II will thus be seen that by extension into the
Anacostia Park this undertaking that has been
begun purely as necessary sanitary measure can
be made to so serve the Nation doubly. thus pay
ing large dividends the capital invested. At
the assessors valuation, according to the latest
available data, the cost of the 400 acres in this
tract would amount to 1,46s which is at the
rate of S553.67 per acre
In point of physical availability, excellence of
exposure accessibility, distribution of essential
parts and capacity for enlargement without In
crease of after the initial purchase the Mount
Hamilton location stands out preemlnent among
all the sites that have been examined. Here both
the Botanic Garden and the Congress propagating
gardens can be adequately accommodated.
The Mount Hamilton tract, by reason of its loca-
ton and topography, has been recommended In the
plaps for the development of the city desirable
in any event for pnrk purposes and ultimately
should be acquired. 1t affords vlstas the
city comparable with those from the famous Pin
clan Hill the city of Rome. Should Congress
decide to retain the Congress gardens In the
vicinity of the Capitol, the Botanic Garden and
arboretum ought In any case to be established at
Mount Hamilton.
The Commission of Fine Arts recommends:
First, that the Mount Hamilton tract be acquires
for n national botanic garden and arboretum BY
purchasing 400 acres of land Mt least 800 acres Of
Government owned lands will be made available
Also IL park entrance to the city from the NORTH
will be provided.
Second, that the public features Of the present
Botanic Garden be transferred from the west side
Of the Capitol to the north side and to lands al
ready owned by the Government. Also that the
propagating gardens be accommodated temporarily
on the James Creek Canal spaces owned by the
Government, which spaces Of double the ex-
tent Of the area now in use. Ultimately those
features should become part Of the botanic
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