1)8 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



purchased ground at a cost of about $2,500, and holds it for future ac- 

 tion. It is proposed to subdivide this into six lots, and to furnish the 

 use of these lots to as many scientific establishments in the country as 

 can be accommodated, all the expenses of erection of the necessary 

 buildings and their maintenance to be cared for by the establishments in 

 question. 



A question, however, has arisen as to the control of the ground so as 

 to secure proper co-ordination of action on the part of tenants, and pre- 

 vent any use other than for the purely scientific purposes originally con- 

 templated. 



The owner of the ground, desiring to secure permanent supervision 

 over it, wishes to deed it to the Smithsonian Institution, and I respect- 

 fully refer the subject to the Board for its action. 



No money, either now or hereafter, is asked or expected from the In- 

 stitution, but simply that it shall administer the trust referred to as 

 coming strictly within its province — that of the "increase and diffusion 

 of knowledge among men." 



Eespectfully submitted, 



SPENCER F. BAIRD, 

 Secretary Smithsonian Institution. 



Washington, January, 1885. 



