140 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL, BOTANIC GARDEN. 



agriculturist can have tree access at all seasons, will, it is hoped, now become 

 of peculiar interest to the patriot and legislator. * * * For objects of this 

 nature there is certainly no place better adapted than the seat of the General 

 Government. The climate of Washington is calculated for the production of a 

 greater number of plants than a much more northern or southern situation 

 would be. Here reside during the winter and in the spring intelligent Members 

 from all parts of the Union, who- will have an opportunity of knowing the result 

 of the experiments made. * * * Within the limits of the Federal seat are 

 large and ample reservations for public gardens and other national objects 

 which may advantageously be applied to the purposes of a botanical garden, a. 

 public nursery, and an agricultural farm. 



The society proposed was to consist of shareholders not exceed- 

 ing 500, organized after the manner of a scientific association. 



The primary objects of the society are to collect at the seat of the General. 

 Government the useful and ornamental vegetable productions ; and, by experi- 

 ment, ascertain the mode of culture for each best adapted to the climates and 

 circumstances of the United States ; as also to form a nursery and repository 

 of seed*, from whence they may be easily disseminated through the United 

 States. To this end they may take a lease of one or more of the large central 

 reservations of land for public use in the city of Washington ; and, whilst 

 realizing their own views, render an essential service to the place; for as a 

 remuneration for the use of the grounds, the society might plant and protect 

 such trees as will be wanted for their future ornament. They would likewise 

 be enabled, from their nursery, to supply at reasonable rates such trees and 

 Shrubs as may he required when the grounds occupied by the public buildings 

 of the United States are put in order. Seeds of the most useful, as- 



well as the most rare and beautiful plants, may be had from the society, and 

 their freshness at all times depended upon. 



It remained, however, for the Columbian Institute to make the first 

 actual trial, which was carried sufficiently forward to demonstrate the 

 importance and utility of such an establishment, and only failed in 

 attaining its ultimate purpose through the lack of proper support. 



Establishment, location, and extent of the garden. — One, of the 

 principal objects proposed in the organization of the institute, the 

 establishment of its botanic garden, is probably to be considered as its 

 most important achievement. The Metropolitan Society, according 

 to its plan of June 15, 1816, had " in contemplation to apply to Con- 

 gress for the appropriation of about 200 acres of ground called "the 

 Mall,' which was designed in the original plan of the city for a pub- 

 lic garden. In this place it is proposed to cultivate the plants and 

 seeds which may be presented to them; and as they multiply, to dis- 

 tribute them throughout this extensive continent." At a later date 

 it was explained that, with sufficient aid. the botanic or national gar- 

 den may be used to cultivate all kinds of indigenous trees, shrubs, 

 roots, grasses, etc.. to be distributed to every part of the United States. 

 Beautiful, shady, cool walks may be formed, yielding a pleasant and 

 healthy means of recreation, and the science of botany may be im- 

 proved and encouraged. 



By the act of incorporation, approved April 20, 1818, the institution 

 was authorized to procure, by purchase or otherwise, a tract or parcel 

 of land for a botanic garden not exceeding 5 acres. Beginning at a 

 meeting on October ."">. in that year, the subject of obtaining a lot for 

 a building as well as a garden was given frequent consideration. In 

 the draft of a memorial to Congress, agreed to on December 28, 

 though possibly not used, mention is made of a reservation of 20 

 acres situated at or about the junction of the Capitol Park or Mall 

 and the extension of the President's Square, in which the 5 acres for 

 the institute might be advantageously located. 



