ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 



67 



furnishing ample opportunity for expansion on land not subject to 

 overflow for lowland and fresh-water exhibits. 



If in the future there should be added to this area that portion of 

 the Anacostia Park between Benning Bridge and the Pennsylvania 

 Bridge, there would be an addition of another 398 acres, including 

 land and water, which could be used in connection with the proposed 

 garden. This extension into the Anacostia Water Park would afford 

 unlimited opportunity for beautiful aquatic gardens, with all the 

 possibilities this implies. 



It will thus be seen that by extension into the Anacostia Park this 

 undertaking that has been begun purely as a necessary sanitary meas- 

 ure can be made to so serve the Nation doubly, thus paying large 

 dividends on the capital invested. At the assessor's valuation, ac- 

 cording to the latest available data, the cost of the 367 acres in this 

 tract would amount to $254,520.50, which is at the rate of $693.50 

 per acre. 



In point of physical availability, excellence of exposure, acces- 

 sibility, distribution of essential parts, and capacity for enlargement 

 without increase of cost after the initial purchase, the Mount Hamil- 

 ton location stands out preeminent among all the sites that have 

 been examined. Here both the Botanic Garden and the Congress 

 propagating gardens can be adequately accommodated permanently 

 without conflicting in any way with the city's development. On the 

 contrary, they could contribute their important share harmoniously 

 and effectively to the upbuilding of the Nation's Capital. 



The Mount Hamilton tract, by reason of its location and topog- 

 raphy, has been recommended in the plans for the development of 

 the city as desirable in any event for park purposes and ultimately 

 should be acquired. It affords vistas over the city comparable with 

 those from the famous Pincian Hill over the city of Rome. Should 

 Congress decide to retain the Congress Gardens in the vicinity of the 

 Capitol, the Botanic Garden and arboretum ought in any case to b& 

 established at Mount Hamilton. 



SUMMARY OF COSTS. 



Comparative valuation of the three principal sites suggested for 

 use as a botanic garden. 



Location. 



Acres. 



Assessor's 

 valuation. 



Aver- 

 age 

 cost 

 per 

 acre. 



Remarks. 



Mount Hamilton, north- 

 east. 



Brightwood, 1 northeast . . 



Foundry Branch, 1 north- 

 east 



367 



312 

 189 



$254, 520. 50 



185, 885. 00 

 197,912.00 



?693. 50 



595. 00 

 1,047.00 



Reached by the Bladensburg electric line. Joins 

 Anacostia River development and has eastern, 

 western, southern, and northern exposure. 

 Can expand in Anacostia Park to produce 

 garden of over 1,400 acres. 



B. & 0. R. R. (Metropolitan Branch). Has al I 

 exposures. Can not expand in the future ex- 

 cept at cost of additional purchase. 



Wisconsin Avenue electrics. East, west, and 

 south exposures. Can rot expand in the future 

 except at cost of additional purchase. 



For a discussion of the availability of these sites see \ppendix, pp. 67- 



