The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1922-08-24

The problem is only half solved when provision
is made for flowers for member Of Congress and
for the present limited output of shrubs and
cuttings. There is a demand for a real botanic
garden, i'll which the public may examine living
specimens of the enormous varieties of trees,
shrubs, vines. and herbaceOus plants native this
locality or capable of being grown here freely,
out Of doors. These plants should be classified.
ana the public should be made free of the grounds
for recreation and study
n large area is required to grow well-develOped
Specimens of the different kinds of trees which
are native to the District alone. to say nothing
OF showing the very different aspects Of those
trees when grouped as in wood and when grown
SlnS!y as lawn or street trees. The great numbers
of native shrubs, the equally important and in
teresting trees and shrubs which have been in
troduced and will be introduced from all the
world requires an outlying running into
some hundreds of acres II presents wholly
different problem from that of a place limited
primarily TO the exhibition of garden flowers I'm
the usual sense of the term. 1t calls not only for
large tract of land but for one of diversified
soil and varied exposure
An exhaustive search has been made of areas
available for garden purposes in the District of
Columbia. The commission has sought a location
on which botanic garden might be established
win such area and such diversity of soils as
would enable ii to take rank as great institution
examinations were made of tracts at Rock Creek
Park, Brightwood Foundry Branch Mount HamIl
ION, on the eastern side of the AnacOstia River
and in Virginia
or the sites suggested, the one at the head Of
ROCK Creek Park is given first consideration be-
cause 1t has frequently been mentioned as avail
aple nj no cost for land. The entire park COM
prises 16O6 acres, most of which is in steep wood.
ed hillsdes.
One objection to Rock Creek Park Is thar II has
many steep slopes, so that the layout and adj
mlnistraton would be incOnvenient and COSTLY
more vital objection is that the park is natural
beauty spot, which is too scenic as it is to be
used for any other purpose.
1t Is not necessary to express an opinion ne m
whether the purposes of a national botanic garden
are more or less important than those for which
Rock Creek was acquired. The point is thar both
purposes cannot dominate the management of ono
piece of ground without conflict and this uieca
of ground was set apart by Congress for the nres
ervation of its natural scenery. If the original
intention Of Congress in this instance is IN no
observed, the Introduction of such n foreou ola
ment as botanic garden is too dangerous IN no
Vehtured. Therefore, the use Of Rock Creek Park
for this purpose cannot be recommended
The Mount Hamilton site is situated between rho
Bladensburg Road and the new Anacostio RECLAIM,
ton project just south of the National Traiping
School for Boys. 1t is privately owned II
has three round-top peaks Immediately adiocent 70
the Bladensburg Road which in themselves c,,er
about 50 acres. The tract fronts on the Anacostio
ries large variety of soils in such condition thar
very little preparation for the uses of botanic
garden would be needed. Little grading other than