Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-30
MODEL ARBORETUM.
IN D. C..
Officials and Tree Experts
Discuss Conservation
Program.

That the nucleus for the whole sub
ject of forestry development throughout
the country lies in the establishment
of a national arboretum in Washington,
where the best specialists in this line
Of conservation and propagation can
carry on extensive experiments which
will be object lessons for State arbore-
tums and nurSuries, was stressed today
by high Government officials and OFF,
GERS of forestry and tree associations.
Secretary Of Agriculture Hyde and
Frederick A. Delano, a member OF the
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission, discussed this phase Of re-
forestation work at luncheon at 80
o'clock in the Cosmos Club under the
auspices Of the American Forestry AS
ISOLATION.
Hoover Hears Plans.
Earlier in the day the conservation
delegates had conferred with President
Hoover on a national program for safe
guarding the public forests and the
need Of carrying on the work in con-
nection with the national arboretum
here was called to his attention.
With the acquisition of land and
establishment of national arboretum on
the outskirts Of Washington, under the
administration Of the Department of
Agriculture, already authorized by law.
the Government officials pointed out
that q start has been made at the
Capital after many years of efforts to
obtain this essential and basic outdoor
laboratory.
The first requisite for the arboretum
is to acquire enough land in the Mount
Hamilton tract along the Anacostia
River on which to plant the trees for
study and demonstration purposes.
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This work has been we'll started, 1t
was said with 1870 acres already pur-
chased, 70 acres under condemnation
and with the President having author
ity under the law to turn into the ar
boretum some 400 acres adjacent which
are already owned or are being re-
claimed by the Government.
The Federal budget, which goes to
Congress in December, will carry rec
concentrations for approximately SIS, 900
to do preliminary work in blowing and
planting temporary crops on the ar
boretum tract in order to get 1t into
shape for tree-growing developments.
The next important stage In the
building up of a national arboretum
will be for the Federal experts to carry
on experiments with the planting Of
various kinds Of trees.
Leads I'm Movement.
The American Forestry Association
and its score or more of affiliated
bodies is unit in supporting the move
ment to make the National Arboretum
in Washington the largest in the country
and comparable to the finest in the
world. Linked as it is with the nationa!
conservation program, the need of such
an experimental base under the eyes
and care of trained Government spe-
cialist Is emphasized by the association.
With the gradual acquisition of the
land near the Anacostia River, above
the Benning Bridge on Mount HamiI-
ton, and the activities of the National
Arboretum Council, completion of the
undertaking is regarded as only mat
ter of time If Congress will provide
funds.
The project will cover about 800 acres.
Army engineers have drained the Ana
costa Oats to make way for the arbor-
etum in its first stages. The site Is
considered an admirable che as 1t has a
great variety Of soils necessary for
conducting experiments.
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