moresque arches. Brackets uphold the cornice from which
the cupola roof rises. The main entrance projects from the
main building, and has three arched openings. The frame
of the structure is of iron and wood substantially built. The
roof is covered with American glass of double thickness, and
curved expressly for the purpose. The cost of these struc-
tures w^as $75,000. In the rear of the front line of the de-
partment building and plant houses are the experimental
grounds, covering about 10 a., those lying in the rear of the
plant houses being set apart for experimental gardening, and
those in the rear of the building, and occupying the SE . angle
of the enclosure, for the experimental orchards and stables
and yard. The object of these grounds is for testing varieties
of small fruits, seeds, and for the propagation and culture of
hardy plants.
Building. — The building erected for the special use of the
Department of Agriculture was completed and occupied in
1868. It is of the renaissance style of architecture, 170 ft.
long by 61 ft. deep, with a finished basement, three full
stories and mansard roof. The front presents a centre build-
ing, with main entrance, and is flanked by two wings. The
edifice is constructed of pressed brick, with brownstone bases,
belts, cornices and trimmings. The designs were prepared
by Adolf Cluss, architect, and the work of erecting, fitting
up, and furnishing the building was done by contract, under
the superintendence of the architect, at a cost of $140,420,
which also included the scientific apparatus for the laboratory.
The main entrance is on the X. front. The doors are of
oak and ash woods, and open into a vestibule 20 ft. square
and 16 ft. high. The floor of the vestibule is laid in encaustic
tiles of chaste design. The walls are finished in panels, in
encaustic paint, and the ceilings are decorated in fresco,
158
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
representing an arbor of ^dne foliage, held by American eagles
with spread wings. Ornamentation in arabesque patterns
mingle with four medallions, illustrating, through a carefully-
wrought landscape, light and shade and human figures, the
four seasons, the four divisions of the day, and the four ages
of man.
From the vestibule divides a Mdde corridor. Opening on
this corridor are the offices, 20 ft. square, library in the W.
W'ing, and reception room. All these rooms are more or less
decorated .
The Chief Clerk's room is a fine specimen of the applica-
tion of wood to plastered walls, known as "American wood
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 159
hanging. " In the Commissioner's room the panels, in bircVs-
eye maple, are bordered by friezes in mahogany and blistered
walnut, alternating with paneled pilasters in mahogany and
satin wood, all parted by curly maple, relieved by a tracing
of gilt. The private office of the Commissioner has a more
subdued and appropriate finish, the friezes being of birch,
borders of black walnut, and panels of mountain ash. The
clerks' rooms are finished in encaustic oil paint, plain, with
frescoed ceilings. The library at the W. terminus of the
corridor is fitted up with mahogany cases. The suite of
rooms at the E. terminus of the corridor is devoted to the
uses of the laboratory, where analyses are made of soils, fer-
tilizers, and agi'icultural productions, and the results recorded
for future use.
Mitseum. — Opposite the vestibule a double flight of stairs
of wrought and cast iron, lighted by a large stained-glass
window, leads to the second floor, and into the Museum of
Agriculture. This hall occupies the central or the main build-
ing, and is 102 ft. in length, 52 ft. in width, and 27 ft. in
height. A covered stuccoed cornice extends around the hall,
broken at regular intervals by brackets, in which are wrought
busts of Indians. The cove is ornamented by flowers and
f rules, with medallion shields bearing the arms of the United
States and the 37 States of the Union in their cln-onological
order. The ceiling is divided into 15 panels, embellished with
rosettes. A soft color, harmonizing with the ornamentation
of the hall, is employed generally on the walls. For the ac-
commodation and secm'ity of the agricultural collection^ the
hall has been supplied with dust-proof walnut frames, sur-
mounted by architraves, friezes, and cornices, and carved
volutes, witli intermediate vases and busts.
The Museum (which will be explained by an attendant)
shows the agricultural productions of the United States, and
manufactures therefrom, also how the former are aflected by
climate, insects, birds and animals— injurious or beneficial.
It is divided into general. State, and economic. The general
division illustrates the history of agricultm-al products. The
fruits and vegetables are modeled in plaster of Paris, and
colored in oil, to represent nature. The silk case is particu-
larly interesting, showing every variety of silk-producing
insect, native or foreign, domestic or wild, and tlie produc-
tion of silk, from the ^^^ to its highest state of fabrication.
The State and economic divisions, when completed, will
show in a suigle case the mineral and agricultural produc-
tions, and economic substances manufactured therefrom of
each State.
160 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
The principal object of the Museum is utility, tp include all
the products of ao:riculture, and bearinc^ upon the increase of
knowledge in that important branch of industry. The cab-
inet of wheats embraces specimens of that principal cereal
from every part of the globe. The collection is j^Tonped as
follows, by cases, commencing on the N". of the W. door :
1st and 2d cases, birds and animals beneficial or injurous
to agriculture. The beneficial of the former are designated
by a perch with a white end. and the injurious by one^vith a
partly black end. By the side of each is a box containing
the contents of the stomach, showing in what manner bene-
ficial or injurious ; 3d, domestic poultry, type specimens ; 4th,
birds that can be introduced into the United States with bene-
fit ; 5th, miscellaneous vegetables from California and the trop-
ics,. and corns ; 6th, native grains ; 7th, E. case of S. range for-
eign grains; 8th, flour, starches, sugars, and vegetable drugs,
dyes, &c. ; 9th, paper and paperinaterials; 10th, silk, in
every stage, from the laying of the egg to the finest manu-
facture of the Jacquard loom ; 11th, animal and vegetable
fibre, including wools, and China grass; 12th, vegetable
fibre, including cotton, flax, hemp, &c. The line of cases in
the centre of the hall contain principally models of American
fruits: those at the E. end specimens of woods. The table
opposite the head of the main stairway is of red wood, the
top consisting of a single piece, sawed from one of the great
trees of California, and measures 12 ft. long and 7^ ft. wide.
The Museum was arranged by TowTiend Glover, the entom-
ologist of the department.
The Entomological Collection in the room W. of the Museum
comprises a great variety of the N". American and foreign in-
sects known to agricultural entomologists. The American
insects are represented in engravings on copper, by Mr.
Glover, showing every stage of their transformation, with
references to note-books by the same gentleman, giving their
natural history and directions for destroying them. There
is also a very interesting collection of insect injury and arch-
itecture.
The Taxidermist and Model rooms of the Museum are on
the 3d floor adjoining the Herbarium.
The Herbarium is on the 3d floor E., and reached by the
stairwaj'- at the E. door of the Museum. It contains 200 nat-
ural orders and 25,000 species of plants. The fu'st collection
was transferred from the Smithsonian Institution, and com-
prised the specimens brought home by the Wilkes expedition.
The purpose is to make the collection as complete as possible
in American j)lants. The specimens gathered hj the various
United States exploring expeditions are all deposited here.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
161
1'lie rest of the 3d floor is devoted to various purposes, prin-
cipally the assorting and putting up'of seeds. An elevator
brings this floor in convenient access from the basement.
PLANT HOUSE — CENTBAL PAVILION.
History. — While the earliest efforts of the founders of the
republic were turned with a fostering care towards com-
me]"ce and manufactures, little or nothing was actually done
in the interests of agriculture. Washington and some of
his immediate successors manifested a regard for this lead-
ing industry, and it was then urged that it should be placed
under the protection of the government. Congress, how-
ever, opposed any such measm-e.
The claims of agriculture were first successfully brought to
the consideration of Congress by Henry L. EUsAvorth, of
Conn. In 1836 Mr. Ellsworth was appointed Commissioner
of Patents, the first person holding that office under the act
of July 4, 1836. Shortly after assuming the duties of his
office he turned his attention to the necessities which then
appeared of encouraging improvements in agricultural imple-
ments, and the "establishment of a regular system for the
selection and disti'ibution of grain and seeds of the choicest
varieties for agricultural purposes." Under the administra-
tion of the second Adams, instructions from the State Depart-
ment to consuls of the United States required tliose officers to
forward rare plants and seeds to the department for distri-
bution. At the same time a botanical garden was established
11
162 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
•
at Washington as a place for the custody of all plants so
received.
During the first two years of his Commissionersliip, with-
out any legal authority, Mr. Ellsworth received and distrib-
uted the seeds and plants which reached him through the
Department of State. In his fii'St annual report, 1838, he
urged upon Congress the establishment at the National Capi-
tal of a depositor}^ "of new and valuable varieties of seeds
and plants for distribution to every part of tlie United States, ' '
and recommended that the duty be ])laced under the Patent
Office. Congress was indifferent. On March 3, 1839, a bill
was passed appropriating $1,000 out of the Patent Office fund
"for the purpose of collecting and distributing seeds, prose-
cuting agricultural investigations, and procuring agricultural
statistics." This gave rise to the agricultural division of the
Patent Office.
The Department of Agriculture was established b}" act of
Congress dated May 15, 1862, "to acquire and difi'use among
the people of the United States useful information on sub-
jects connected with agriculture in the most general and com-
prehensive sense of that word, and to procure, propagate,
and distribute among the people new and valuable seeds and
plants." The chief executive officer was to be known as the
Commissioner of Agriculture, to be appointed by the Presi-
dent and confirmed by the Senate. Tiie Department, before
occupying its present abode, had rooms in the basement of
the Patent Ofiice.
There are now annually distributed about 1,200,000 pack-
ages of seeds, and 25,000 bulbs, vines, cuttings, and plants.
The 2^uhUcations of the Department consist of an annual
report of about 700 pages octavo, containing much useful ag-
ricultural information, for general distribution, and monthly
reports of about 48 pages octavo, on the condition of the crops.
Of the annual report from 225,000 to 275,000 are printed and
bound, and of the monthly reports about 28,000 copies, dis-
tributed as f ollow^s : to newspapers, 5,000; to correspond-
ents, 8,000; to agricultural societies, members of Congress,
foreign exchanges, &c., 15,000. The Department receives a
large number of newspapers, including those of the leading
cities of the United States, hy subscription, and all the agri-
cultural papers, and many of the daily and weeldy papers of
the rural districts, by exchange.
There are two Assistant Attorneys General and the office
of Solicitor of the Treasury. The details to other depart-
ments are, of the Interior, Assistant Attorney General;
Treasury, Solicitor of Internal Revenue; State, Examiner of
Claims ; and Xavy, Naval Solicitor.
NAVAL OBSERVATORY. 163
NAVAL OBSERVATORY.
The United States ISTaval Observatory is one of tlie leading
astronomical establishments in tlie world. It is open every
day^ except Sunday^ fronn 9 a. m. to 3 p. m. The watchman
will show visitors through the building. Night visits are very
much restricted in consequence of the interference with the
astronomical work. The street cars on Pennsylvania av. run
within 10 min. walli. Visitors should alight at 24tli st. W.
Tlie Observatory is at the foot of that street.
Site, — The Observatory occupies a commanding site on the
N. bank of the Potomac, 96 ft. above tide, and originally
known as Peters' Hill, after its proprietor. The beautiful
grounds comprise 19 a. within the walls, and constitute what
is designated Reservation No. 4 on the original plat of the
city. There are many interesting historical associations con-
nected with the site. In 1755 a portion of Braddock's army
camped here on the march from Alexandria to the fatal field
on the banks of the Monongaliela. On the Potomac bank is
a rock upon which the troops were landed, and known as
Braddock's rock. In 1792 it was proposed to erect a fort
and barracks on the N. portions of the reservation. It was
a favorite project with Washington to establish a national
universitj^ here, and the grounds were named University
Square from this fact. In 1813-'14 part of the American
army encamped on the hill, and advanced to Bladensburg for
the defense of the city against the English.
Description. — The central building is 50 ft. sq., consisting
of a basement and 2 stories, with a crowning parapet and
balustrade, and is surmounted by a revolving dome, 23 ft. in
diameter and 7 ft. above the roof. The dome is provided
with a slip, and revolves on 6 24-lb. shot in a groove. On the
E. and W. are wings, each 26^ ft. long, 21 ft. wide, and 18
ft. high. At the end of the former is the residence of the
superintendent, and the latter an observing-room, 40 ft. by
28^ ft. The projection on the S. is 21 ft. long, terminating
in tlie great dome. There are 4 rooms on each floor of the
central structm-e, separated by passages which cross each
other at right angles. At their intersection is the foundation
of the great pier, imbedded 17 ft. in the earth. It is of brick,
and conical, 12 ft. in diameter at the base and 28 ft. high, and
narrows towards the top, where it is capped witli a" stone,
upon which rests the pedestal of the equatorial. Tlie walls
are built witli a special view of guarding against unequal
temperatures. A tablet over the main entrance hears the
164 NAVAL OBSERVATORY.
inscription, "Founded A. D. 1842 : John Tyler, President of
the United States ; Abel P. Upshnr, Secretary of the Kavy.'-
Instruments, &c, — In the dome of the main building is the
equatorial; W. wing the transit circle and the library, 16,000
vols., relating to astronomy, some very rare; E. whig the
mural circle and transit instrument, both obsolete, but used
to bring up back work, and clironometer room, in which all
the chronometers not in use in the navy are kept and rated.
In the Superintendent's room is a clock connected by electric
wires with the clocks in the ISTavy and Treasury Departments
and weather Signal Office. Opposite the door of the same room
is a switch-board to put the clocks, chronographs, and instru-
ments in communication with each other. In the S. projec-
tion is the prime vertical transit, and beyond, the instrument-
maker's shop and room of the observer in charge of the great
equatorial. This great equatoi^ial was manufactured by Ahin
Clark & Sons, Cambridgeport, Mass. It has an object-glass
27J in. in diameter, with a 26-in. aperture and a focus of
32J ft. It is equatorially mounted, the general plan being
that devised by Fraunhof er, with modifications by Mr. Clark,
and specially designed for the instrument. It is also accom-
modated with clock movement, and fitted with micrometers,
spectroscopes, and other auxiliary apparatus. The tube is of
sheet steel, rolled in Pittsburg. For viewing faint objects the
telescope gives a degree of light greater than that of any other
refracting telescope, it being the largest refractor in the world.
The gTeat equatorial is' placed in an iron dome 41 ft. in diam-
eter and 40 ft. in height, erected expressly for its accommo-
dation. The superstructure rests on a stone foundation. The
roof is supplied with a slip, revolves on conical wheels, and
is easily moved horizontally in either dh-ection by means of
suitable gearing.
The instrument rests upon a double pier of masonrj'' erected
in the center of the dome, the foundation being imbedded 17
ft. in the earth. The portion of the pier above the floor of
the dome is of brick, arched, and has a cap consisting of a
solid block of red sandstone, 4 ft. long by 2 ft. wide and high.
On top of this is an iron support weighing 1,100 Hbs., to re-
ceive the axis upon which the telescope is mounted. The
instrument is run by water, the power being supplied by
means of a reaction water-wheel. The instrument cost $50,000.
Superintendents of the Naval Observatory. — Bureau of
Charts — 1830, Lieut. L. M. Coldsborough; 1833, Lieut. Charles
Wilkes; 1836, Lieut. Hitchcock; 1838, Lieut. J. M. Gilliss.
Superintendents. — 1844, Commander M. F. Maury; 1861,
Capt. J. M. Gilliss; 1865, Bear Admiral C. H. Davis; 1867,
Rear Admiral B. F. Sands.
NAVAL OBSERVATORY. 165
History. — In 1810 the first step towards the founding of an
observatory was a memorial from William Lambert of Va.,
proposing the establishment of a first meridian for the United
States. It was not, however, till March, 1821, that the joint
resolution asked for was passed ; and Mr. Lambert, who had
originated the movement in 1810, and for eleven years had
persistently pressed the important measure, was appointed
to ascertain the longitude of the Capitol from Greenwich. In
his report, January, 1822, he gives as the mean results by the
different methods employed, longitude of the Capitol W. from
Greenwich, 76° 55^ 30^^54; longitude of the Capitol W. from
Paris, 79° 15^ 41^^69 ; longitude of the President's House W.
from Greenwich, 76° 57^ 5^^53.
Several futile efi'orts were again made on behalf of an ob-
servatory. In 1830, a bureau for the care of the instruments
and charts of the Navy was established, and placed under
Lieut. (Rear Admiral) L. M. Goldsborough, by whom the
first astronomical instrument, a 30 in. transit, was erected at
Washington, for the use of the Navy. This was in the resi-
dence No. 1732 G street, W. of the War Department, previ-
ousty occupied by William' Wirt, Attorney General of the
United States, and now by the National Soldiers' and Sail-
ors' Orphans' Home.
In 1833, Lieut. (Rear Admiral) Wilkes was placed in charge
of the depot, which was removed to Capitol Hill, and located
on the site proposed by F. R. Hassler in 1816 ; about 1000 ft.
N., 5° W. from the dome of the Capitol, Here it remained
till 1842. Lieut. Wilkes, at his own expense, erected a small
observatory, mounting a 5-f t. transit borrowed from the Coast
Survey.
The first series of observations was not commenced till
after the departure of the Wilkes Exploring Expedition, and
then owing to "the importance of corresponding moon cul-
minations, occultations, and eclipses, in determining difier-
ences of longitude" between the observatory and the sta-
tions which that expedition might occupy abroad. Previ-
ously the principal use of the transit was the determination
of time. The observations required during the absence of
the exploring expedition, and in connection therewith, de-
monstrated the necessity of more elaborate arrangements,
and led the Commissioners of the Navy, in Dec. 1841, to
recommend an appropriation for a "permanent depot."
Strange to say, the Naval Committees of Congress were still
indifferent, but finally passed the bill during the last hours
of the session of 1841-'42. In 1838 it was suggested to Presi-
dent Van Buren bj^ ]Mi\ Adams that the Smithson bequests —
news having been received of the success of Mr. Rush's visit —
166 ARMY MEDICAL MUSEUM.
should be devoted to the foundation and mamtenance of an
Observatory. In 1842 a bill was introduced to that effect.
The Jii'st meridian for the United States was at first located
at the Capitol. On Sept. 28, 1850, Congress gave an ofiicial
sanction to our reckoning by providing that after that date
the meridian of the Observatory at Washington should be
adopted and used as the American meridian for all astronom-
ical purposes, and that of the meridian of Greenwich for all
nautical purposes. Long, of the Observatory 77° 3^ 5^^.8 W.
of Greenwich, lat. 38° 53' 38^^8 K.
AEKY MEDICAL MUSEUM.
The Army Medical Museum {open every day, except Sunday.,
from 9 a. m. to 3 p. m.) stands on the E. side of 10th st. W.,
about midway between E and F sts. IST. It is a plain brick
structure, painted dark brown, 3 stories high, 71 ft. front, and
i09 ft. deep. The building was originally a church, and then
a theatre, known as Ford's Theatre, and was the scene of the
tragedy of April 14, I860 — the assassination of President
Lincoln. The building was immediately closed by the Gov-
ernment, and in April, 1866, Congress purchased it for $100.,-
000, for the purpose to which it is now applied. The interior
was taken out, remodeled, and made fire-proof, under direc-
tion of Surgeon General Barnes. There is now no trace of
the exact scene of the assassination. Its location was on the
r., about the centre of what is now the second floor. The as-
sassin took his last drink in the restaurant, which occupied
the first floor of the S. wing, now the Chemical Laboratory.
The President was conveyed to the house ISTo. 516, opposite,
and died in the back room of the first floor.
On the ]Sr. side, in the rear of the building, is a small wing,
occupied by the Museum worlcshops, and in front, on the S.
side, is another wing, used by the Chemical Laboratory and
the officers on duty. The main entrance is in the S. portion
of the front, and the Museum is in the third story, at the top
of the stairway. The first floor is occupied by the record
and pension division of the Surgeon General's Office, contain-
ing the papers belonging to the military hospitals and monthly
sick reports of the army during the rebellion, 1861-65, and
are still received from the various posts of the regular army.
The hospital records number over 16,000 vols. The pa5^ment
of pensions is based upon information received from these rec-
ords. The alphabetical registers contain about 300,000 names
AUMY MEDICAL MUSEUM. 167
of the dead of the army. The Chemical Laboratory in the S.
wing is charged with the examination of alleged adulterations
of medicines and hospital supplies, and other invesiigations
of a similar nature which come before the Surgeon General.
The second floor contains the surgical records. In the S. wing,
on this floor, are the offices of the Surgeon General and 5m?-
geon in charge. Here are portraits of Surgeon General Lovel,
John Hunter, (a copy from Sir Joshua Reynolds,) philosophi.-
cal waiter on surgery, Dr. Morton, author of Crania Ameri-
cana^ and Dr. Physic, an original by Rembrandt Peale.
Museum.— The Museum on the third floor is well lighted
in front and rear and by a large central skylight, wliich also
lights the floors below through oblong openings. The attend-
ant in the room will answer questions and point out objects
of special interest.
, The specimens, arranged in cases and otherwise, number
16,000, and are divided into six sections, viz: I. Surgical
Section^ embracing specimens of the effects of missiles of
every variety on all parts of the body, extremely interest-
ing ; the stages of repair ; morbid conditions, calculi, tumors,
&c. ; plaster casts representing mutilations resulting from
injuries and surgical operations; examples of missiles ex-
tracted from wounds ; preparations exhibiting the eflects of
injm-ies peculiar to Indian hostilities. In this section are
the bones of the amputated portions of the legs of eight
generals, and a portion of the vertebrae of the neck of Booth,
the assassin. II. Medical Section^ consisting of specimens
illustrating the morbid conditions of the internal organs in
fever, chronic d5^sentery, and other camp diseases ; the mor-