142 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 



these avenues in the grounds, though reduced in width, is now taken 

 by the two broad walks leading to the western entrance of the build- 

 ing. Moreover, First Street had not then been carried through at 

 this place, and the grant to the Columbian Institute extended con- 

 tinuously from the circular road to a point between First and Second 

 Streets, in the shape of a truncated triangle of which the north and 

 south sides were equal. 



This tract the institute began to improve and cultivate, but in 1822 

 the question of its enlargement was agitated and was embodied in the 

 draft of a petition to Congress placed before the society on February 

 of that year, but possibly not transmitted. In this draft it was 

 said : 



And they further solicit * * * the sole and exclusive right to occupy 

 the remainder of the ground to the west of that now inclosed (to Second 

 Street), on the same terms as hefore granted, which would not only preserve 

 the garden free from intrusion (by its being surrounded with streets) but it 

 would add greatly to the value of the whole appropriation by giving more extent 

 to the various* designated portions for the forest trees and plants of this very 

 extensive Republic. 



Just two years later, February T, 1824, a petition in the same words 

 or to the same effect was ordered presented to Congress, where it 

 received favorable consideration, resulting in an act approved May 

 26, granting : 



The \ise and improvement of the tract of public ground in Washington City, 

 which is hounded on the east by the Botanical Garden, in the occupancy of the 

 said Columbian Institute: on the north by Pennsylvania Avenue; on the west 

 by the Tiber Canal ; and on the south by Maryland Avenue. 



This extension was, in fact, essentially to the position of Third 

 Street, and, accordingly, the grounds so enlarged comprehended the 

 area of the present United States Botanic Garden, plus the width of 

 First Street and the tract reaching therefrom to the circular road 

 near the Capitol. Of this entire area the institute remained in con- 

 trol until practically the close of its activities, the extension of the 

 Capitol grounds to First Street and the opening of the latter taking 

 place in L836. 



The entire Mall at this time was not only not improved but was in 

 an unprotected and desolate condition. Its northern side and eastern 

 end were, moreover, low and swampy and frequently invaded by the 

 waters of the Tiber and the canal. The institute, which was the first 

 establishment privileged to make use of any part of this tract, had 

 much difficulty in overcoming these conditions, which were more or 

 less improved during its occupancy of the site under the direction of 

 a municipal commission formed to deal with draining the lowlands 

 south of Pennsylvania Avenue. After the abandonment of the gar- 

 den, the Mall remained unoccupied until the selection of the site for 

 the Smithsonian Institution between Ninth and Twelfth Streets, in 

 L846. 



Inclosun of the garden. — A committee to consider plans for inclos- 

 ing the ground reported on June 20. 1821, that they believed a good 

 board fence. 5 feet high, with a live fence of American thorn planted 

 inside of it. would answer every purpose required; for before the 

 board fence had entirely decayed the live fence Avould have risen 

 sufficiently high to be both secure and ornamental. Such a board 

 feme, entirely inclosing the garden, was completed by October C in 



