Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-22

would require. adopted the following
resolution:
Resolved, That among the trees &c
be planted within the grounds of the
Institution there be included the fol.
lowing: Elm. birch. oak. oSage-orange.
pecan. sugar maple. siiver-leafed maple,
weeping Willow, silver-ieafed willow,
/ magnolia crandifiora. pride OF China,
common laurel, tulip tree. dogwood,
/ holly, hawthorn. horse-chestnut. Span
/ ish chestnut. walnut. hickory. mountain
ash, time tree. evergreens tincluding
the several varieties OF pinesl, aspen
| and sycamore.
In the report OF the Smithsonian
Institution for lS4S h Is said.
During the past year the committee
have entered into contract. amounting
to $i.0S0. with Mr.. John Douglass OF
Washington. for enclosing the grounds
OF the Institution with a hedge, and for
planting trees and Shrubbery. The
architect having marked out the paths
and roads and indicated the positions
OF The trees and shrubs, these. COM
prising about $50 species. principally
American. have already. for the greater
part. been planted. as we'll as the sur
rounding hedges. which are to consist
Of pyrocanthus. osage-orange. cherokee
four sides OF the lot
Many of the trees then planted no
doubt still remain growing In these
grounds. although the superintendent of
public buildings and grounds, In his an
nual report for 1900. does not enumer-
ate half so many species. Quite likely
3 number died after being planted and
others later gave way for the two mu-
scum buildings and the Freer Gallery
Of Art
During the World War. In order to
prepare sites for buildings for military
purposes, 1t became necessary to re-
move from the Mall some of the finest
trees In the world. and 1t brought tears
into the eyes Of many to see such hand
some and rare specimens subjected 10
the Ak.
TN the Spring of ls47 the Smithsonian
grounds we're Enclosed by a tempo
rary Six-foot paling fence, whitewashed
Evidently there had been wooden fence
around the Mall. between Seventh and
Twelfth streets. at an earlier date, as
permission was given the contractor to
use the old posts and rails of the former
Enclosure.
Indeed, from what knowledge We have
OF the condition OF the Mall when. in
1851. Mr.. Downing was invited BY the
commissioner of public buildings to lay
it out. 1t was anything but picturesque
stretch of LAND. The invitation to Mr.
Downing. which was extended In the
latter part OF 1880 by President Fill
more. was brought about by the regents
of the Smithsonian Institution and by
several promtaent citizens OF Washing
ton, who saw the necessity of securing
for this work the aid OF an efficient
Landscape gardener
This invitation was accepted. and
Downing Immediately set to work oe
signing and perfecting his plans for a
succession of connecting parks, with
continuous walks and drives, the area
to be treated by him approximating i60
acres. the largest grounds. to this ex-
tent. up to that time, laid out according
TO the rules of art In this country.
In May. 1881. Downing came to
personal charge OF the grounds between
Seventh and Twelfth streets, near the
center of which his memorial now
stands. Beside the Mall, he also de-
signed the improvements to the square
south Of the White House, and to him
Is due in large measure, as one writer
has said. the present brilliancy and
beauty OF Lafayette Square"
In this project Mr.. Downing IVES ably
assisted BY w. d. Breckenridge, the |
,otanist Of the Wilkes expedition in |
1898. who was placed In charge OF the
Botanic Garden In 1880. rs we'll as hv
hat celebrated horticulturist, John Saul
IL washington. OF whom 1t has been
aid that Ne did more toward the de-
Of California, by sending