48 COLUMBIAN INSTITUTE FOR THE 



mulberry were ordered purchased and planted. A list of the plants 

 growing in the garden at about this time was prepared, but a copy 

 of it has not been found. 



Distribution of seeds. — Many gifts of seeds, both domestic and for- 

 eign, are mentioned in the records, and presumably portions of most, 

 if not of all, of them were planted in the garden. Some of the lots 

 received were extensive and some were evidently intended to be dis- 

 posed of elsewhere than in Washington. The names of the plants 

 represented are seldom given, but trees, shrubs and grains, more espe- 

 cially the latter, were included. Richard Rush, while Secretary 

 of the Treasury, transmitted several important lots, evidently ob- 

 tained through the consular service, coming mainly from Tangier 

 and India, and including wheat, barley, the seeds and fruit of the 

 date, and presumably other forms. In 1828 a general distribution 

 on a basis similar to that subsequently followed by the Department 

 of Agriculture was begun and continued for at least three or four 

 years, possibly longer. On July 7 of that year the secretary re- 

 ported that, in pursuance of the resolution of May 19, authorizing 

 him to distribute at his discretion certain grains and seeds, he had 

 immediately given notice in the city newspapers, in consequence of 

 which numerous applications had been made by Members of Con- 

 gress and others, and that nearly the whole of the grain and seeds 

 had been distributed. The notice was as follows : 



The Columbian Institute has just received from Tangier, in Morocco, some 

 wheat and barley, which it is supposed may form an useful addition to the 

 stock of those grains already in the United States, particularly in the States 

 and territories south and southwest of Washington. The Institute has also 

 received some seeds and fruit of the date, which have been sent under a belief 

 that they may be successfully cultivated in the most southern part of the Union. 

 Tangier, whence these grains and seeds are brought, is in the latitude of 35 

 North ; though black frosts are rare, white frosts are frequent there in January, 

 February and March. 



Those members of Congress who may desire to obtain a portion of either or 

 all of these objects will please make known their wishes to Mr. Dickins, the 

 secretary of the Institute. — May, 1828. 



Surrender of the Garden and enlargement of Capitol Square. — As 

 elsewhere explained, the Institute reached a state of disintegration 

 by the middle of the thirties, and while a few of its members made 

 an earnest effort to continue its existence and to revive and strengthen 

 interest in its projects, the botanic garden became almost wholly 

 neglected. The hope of securing a building for the museum, library 

 and meetings, however, persisted until the end, and the inclusion of 

 the eastern part of the garden in Capitol Square in 183G furnished 

 opportunity for an appeal to Congress to reimburse the society to 

 the extent of $1,500, the amount it had expended in connection with 

 that section of the grounds. Though favorably reported upon by the 



