68 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 



RECOMMENDATIONS. 



The Commission of Fine Arts recommends : 



First, that the Mount Hamilton tract be acquired for a national 

 botanic garden and arboretum. By purchasing 367 acres of land 

 at least 800 acres of Government-owned lands will be made avail- 

 able; also a park entrance to the city from the north will be pro- 

 vided. 



Second, that the public features of the present Botanic Garden 

 be transferred from the west side of the Capitol to the north side 

 and to lands already owned by the Government. Also that the prop- 

 agating gardens be accommodated temporarily on the James Creek 

 Canal spaces owned by the Government, which spaces are of double 

 the extent of the area now in use. Ultimately those features should 

 become part of the new botanic garden. 

 By direction of the commission. 

 Respectfully, 



Charles Moore, Chairman. 

 Hon. Frank B. Brandegee, 



Chairman Committee on the Library, 



Senate of the United States. 



Note : 



May 24, 1920. 



When the report was first prepared in 1917 the figures of area were 

 given as 400 acres and the assessor's full valuation at a little over 

 $221,000. Upon a more recent investigation the area becomes 367 

 acres and the assessor's full valuation becomes $254,520.50. Reasons 

 for the difference are twofold: First, that three years have elapsed 

 and a reassessment has taken place; second, and more important, that 

 the boundaries between this area and the Anacostia Park have been 

 definitely fixed by metes and bounds and show a little less taken for 

 the Anacostia project and a little more for this project, so that what 

 is added to the apparent expense for the Botanic Garden is deducted 

 from the apparent expense for the Anacostia project. 



