ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 147 



require to ornament and beautify the garden was accepted. In 

 December. 1823, native forest trees growing in the District of 

 Columbia were collected and planted at the expense of John Quincy 

 Adams to the amount of $25 ; and in 1826 several hundred cuttings 

 of the white mulberry were ordered purchased and planted. A list 

 of the plants growing in the garden at about this time was prepared, 

 but a copy of it has not been found. 



Distribution of seeds. — Many gifts of seeds, both domestic and 

 foreign, are mentioned in the records, and presumably portions of 

 most, if not of all, of them were planted in the garden. Some of the 

 lots received were extensive and some were evidently intended to be 

 disposed of elsewhere than in Washington. The names of the plants 

 represented are seldom given, but trees, shrubs, and grains, more 

 especially the latter, were included. Richard Rush, while Secretary 

 of the Treasury, transmitted several important lots, evidently ob- 

 tained through the consular service, coming mainly from Tangier 

 and India, and including wheat, barley, the seeds and fruit of the 

 date, and presumably other forms. In 1828 a general distribution 

 on a basis similar to that subsequently followed by the Department 

 of Agriculture was begun and continued for at least three or four 

 years, possibly longer. On July 7 of that year the Secretary re- 

 ported that, in pursuance of the resolution of May 19, authorizing 

 him to distribute at his discretion certain grains and seeds, he had 

 immediately given notice in the city newspapers, in consequence of 

 which numerous applications had been made by Members of Con- 

 gress and others, and that nearly the whole of the grain and seeds 

 had been distributed. The notice was as follows : 



The Columbian Institute has just received from Tangier, in Morocco, 

 some wheat and barley, which it is supposed may form a u eful addition to 

 the stock of those grains already in the United States, particularly in the 

 States and Territories : outh and southwest of Washington. The institute 

 has also received some seeds and fruit of the date, which have been sent 

 under a belief that they may he succes fully cultivated in the most southern 

 part of the Union. Tangier, whence these grains and seeds are brought, is 

 in the latitude of 35° north ; though black frosts are rare, white frosts are 

 frequent there in January, February, and March. 



Those Members of Congress who may desire to obtain a portion of either 

 or all of these objects will please make known their wishes to Mi". Dickins, 

 tlie secretary of fiie institute.— May. 1828. 



Surrender of the garden and enlargement of Capitol Square. — As 

 elsewhere explained, the institute reached a state of disintegration 

 by the middle of the thirties, and. while a few of its members made 

 an earnest effort to continue its existence and to revive and strengthen 

 interest in its projects, the botanic garden became almost wholly 

 neglected. The hope of securing a building for the museum, library, 

 and meetings, hoAvever, persisted until the end, and the inclusion of 

 the eastern part of the garden in Capitol Square in 1836 furnished 

 opportunity for an appeal to Congress to reimburse the society to the 

 extent of $1,500, the amount it had expended in connection with that 

 section of the grounds. Though favorably reported upon by the 

 House Committee on Public Buildings, with a bill for the relief of 

 the society, this measure did not pass, owing, undoubtedly, to the 

 moribund condition of the institute. Ceasing to exist as an active 

 organization in 1837, the fact that it had established and maintained 

 a botanic garden for nearly two decades seems almost immediately 



