146 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 



of the Capitol grounds, rendered some assistance at times, more par- 

 ticularly in supervision work. One of the frame houses in the gar- 

 den, up to the time of its removal in 1825, was a resource in this con- 

 nection, though not continuously, occupants being found who would 

 look out for the preservation and cultivation of the garden in consid- 

 eration of the use of a small piece of ground for raising vegetables. 

 In one case a rental of $75 was exacted of the tenant, but in another 

 no charge was made for the house. The same services were secured 

 in still another instance in return for the grass grown in the garden. 

 An unusual proposition made to the institute in August. 1830, by 

 one Francis Barnes was favorably considered by some of its most 

 influential members, but failed to be carried out, and it is doubtful if 

 it could legally have been accepted. Mr. Barnes asked for a lease of 

 the garden for a term of years, and while he would be recompensed 

 by charging admission fees to visitors, though members of the insti- 

 tute would always be classed as guests, he did not state, except indi- 

 rectly, what form of entertainment he had in mind. On the other 

 hand, his proposal seemed most exceptionally favorable to the society 

 and was mainly as follows : 



I will, at my expense, keep the garden in perfect order, pay all necessary 

 attention to the plants already growing therein, cultivate all such seeds and 

 plants as the institute may provide, and, in short, do all in my power to pro- 

 promote the science of botany, and fulfill to the strictest letter the objects of 

 your incorporation. 



I will, at my expense, repair the fences now standing or erect new and 

 substantial fencing in their stead, lay the garden out in handsome and tasty 

 style, erect arbors in various parts thereof, and set out vines of various kinds 

 to afford sheltei and cool retreats to such persons as may visit it, where re- 

 freshments may lie obtained by the payment of a moderate compensation there- 

 for. 



I will erect an ornamental building in some part of the garden, having 

 therein a convenient room or place of meeting tor the members of the society, 

 where they may congregate, free of expense, and by calling therefor receive 

 every accommodation on such terms as can not fail of being satisfactory. 



As i lie garden will be open to visitors al a small expense, a strict police will 

 be established, to prevent the ingress of improper persons, to guard the plants. 

 flowers, etc.. from the depredations of such heedless or idle persons as might 

 break or otherwise injure them. 



At the expiration of the lease the buildings and improvements made at 

 my expense will be given over to the institute in perfect order and at all 

 times during its continuance it will afford me pleasure to welcome the mem- 

 bers of the institute in the garden and to listen to any suggestion they may 

 make for its further improvement. 



In conclusion I beg leave to refer more particularly to the second article 

 of this proposition and assure the members of the institute that no pains will 

 be spared to promote their views — to make the garden an ornament to the 

 metropolis and the country at large and to afford to the members of the 

 institute i as guests) and to rhe respectable citizens of Washington and to 

 strangers visiting the seat of government (at a small expense) a cool, com- 

 fortable, fashionable, and respectable place of innocent recreation. 



Planting. — The records of the institute are entirely devoid of 

 any descriptive account of the planting or of the growth of trees and 

 shrubs in the garden, containing only occasional and brief references 

 to this subject. Money was appropriated in small sums from time 

 to time for procuring and planting forest trees and seeds of various 

 kinds, and a few contributions from both domestic and foreign 

 sources were also acknowledged. In August. 1*22. a proposition by 

 the commissioners for draining the low ground south of Pennsyl- 

 vania Avenue to furnish and plant such trees as the institute may 



