Page:U.S. Department of the Interior Annual Report 1873.djvu/93

Rh BOTANICAL GARDEN. At the request of the Joint Committee on the Library, various imProvements have been made, under my supervision, at the Botanical garden.

The fence on Third street, from Pennsylvania to Maryland avenues, has, been raised to suit the new grade of the street, and a brick fence constructed on First street, between the same avenues. Gateways have been erected at the principal entrance on both these streets. The conservatory has been extended and finished, by the erection of the octagon at the eastern end. Forcing-houses, work and packing shops, have been erected on the square bounded by Maryland avenue, B, Second, and Third streets, in order to extend the working capacity of the garden.

CITY-HALL.

At the request of the Attorney-General I have superintended the improvements recently made at the City Hall. The western court-room has been improved by the introduction of another furnace for heating, and the ceiling of the same room has been pierced to obtain ventilation. The exterior has been repainted and the roof thoroughly repaired; several ceilings in the upper story, which were damaged by the leaks in the roof, have been plastered. Both court-rooms, the judges' and the jury rooms have been put in good condition.

As this building is now wholly the property of the Government, and as additional room is required for the courts and record-offices, I recommend that this building be extended to suit the wants of the public business.

COLUMBIA HOSPITAL FOR WOMEN.

The improvements authorized by Congress have been made, and the entire building is now ready for occupancy, Steam-heating apparatus has been put in. and boiler and fuel-vaults constructed this season. To give this buildings respectable appearance the grounds should be graded in some places, and the street-fronts terraced and fenced.

CAPITOL EXTENSION.