46 COLUMBIAN INSTITUTE FOR THE 



1,000 shrubs and trees planted; and in a thriving condition. No matter who 

 has charge of the garden, it will require time for the trees and shrubs to grow. 



S. L. Knapp (Ignatius Loyola Kobertson), writing from Wash- 

 ington in 1830, had the following to say : 



Congress has granted to this institution the use of several acres of land for 

 a botanic garden and other purposes. By the liberality and exertions of some 

 of its members this garden has been well laid out, and many of the trees and 

 shrubs of other countries have been transplanted and nurtured there. This, 

 with a little of that liberality that Congress has shown to other institutions or 

 other projects, would flourish ; for there are several literary and scientific men 

 who would spend many of their leisure hours in the botanic department of the 

 society if they could do it to advantage. 



From the brief summary of local events and conditions prepared 

 each year for the National Intelligencer by John Sessford the follow- 

 ing are of interest in this connection : 



1832. The Botanic Garden, on the west front (of the Capitol), from the 

 temporary manner of its enclosure, is not kept in a good state — a continuance 

 of the iron railing from its east end around it would give confidence to those who 

 have embarked in the project by securing the safety of the plants and shrubbery, 

 and adding beauty to the neighborhood. 



1834. In and around the Capitol some handsome improvements have been 

 made. The fountain is neat and ornamental, but too confined. The naval 

 monument loses its effect from being so near the Capitol. Were it removed 

 to the island in the Botanic Garden, properly elevated, with a sufficient sheet 

 of water around it, it would be seen to more advantage. The surplus water 

 from the fountain might also be taken there and jets formed. 



The immediate care of the garden, in default of the requisite 

 means, was subject to varied and never satisfactory arrangements. 

 No one person was paid regularly on wages for more than a short 

 period, and the wages ranged only from $5 to $21 a month. Tem- 

 porary labor was often relied on, and for specific jobs, and it would 

 appear from the records as though during a good part of the time no 

 one was employed about the grounds. Mr. John Foy, the gardener 

 of the Capitol grounds, rendered some assistance at times, more par- 

 ticularly in supervising work. One of the frame houses in the garden, 

 up to the time of its removal in 1825, was a resource in this connection, 

 though not continuously, occupants being found wdio would look out 

 for the preservation and cultivation of the garden in consideration 

 of the use of a small piece of ground for raising vegetables. In ono 

 case a rental of $75 w T as exacted of the tenant, but in another no 

 charge was made for the house. The same services were secured in 

 still another instance in return for the grass grown in the garden. 



An unusual proposition made to the Institute in August, 1830, by 

 one, Francis Barnes, was favorably considered by some of its most 

 influential members but failed to be carried out, and it is doubtful 

 if it could legally have been accepted. Mr. Barnes asked for a lease 



