Fort Vancouver Cultural Landscape Report

Site
(continued)

Fort Plain(continued)

Garden

Location, Size and Boundaries

Whether vegetable seeds, the gift seeds from the Horticultural Society of London, the Captain Simpson apple and grape seeds, trees and vines, and Sir George's "extensive gardens" of 1824-28 were located near the original fort site on the bluff, on the site of the depot gardens next to the new stockade, or elsewhere on Fort Plain, is unclear. The only cultivated fields noted on the 1825 map are the potato fields north of the first stockade site.

Citing George T. Allan in the Pacific Express in April 12, 1888, historian John Hussey indicates that "what was evidently a new garden was laid out directly behind the stockade, on its north side." [541] Allan was reminiscing about conditions at the fort when he arrived in 1831. It is possible that the garden looked new because the trees were young. One article claims the first peach trees were set out in the depot garden in 1829. According to this undocumented story, an apprentice, Francis A. Lemont, aboard the Owyhee, an American trading vessel which ran aground in the lower Columbia, gave McLoughlin three young peach trees acquired at the Islands of San Juan Fernandez, off the coast of Chile, when McLoughlin sent aid to the ship. Because at least two observers testified to the presence of peaches from the garden in 1832, it seems possible the fruit was the produce of these young trees, and that the garden site north of the new stockade dates back to at least 1829. [542]

The only known maps dating prior to 1845 are the two prepared in 1844 by the fort for a report to London, showing the "line of fire." It is believed Henry Peers, a clerk at the fort who delineated the larger map, also prepared the smaller scaled map which focused on the vicinity of the stockade. In both cases, the garden location and position relative to the stockade is identical, with its general location agreeing with maps occurring at later dates. If the detail map is to be credited as generally accurate, at least in regard to relative positions of objects, the garden was located in the area between the north stockade wall and the Upper Mill Road, bounded on the east by a road which led directly from the Upper Mill Road to the stockade's northeast gate. The western boundary appears to have been defined by a wide bed which ran parallel to the stockade road, terminating at the plane of the stockade. The garden site appears to have extended beyond the west wall of the stockade by about 45 yards, if the map's scale is to be believed. Again, assuming the scale to be correct, the garden was polygonal in shape, due to the angle of Upper Mill Road. By scaling the 1844 map, the east-west width of the site was approximately 625 feet; the east edge about 520 feet, and the west edge about 600 feet. With the westernmost bed, the total amount of acreage would equal about 8.2; without it it would equal about 6.35 acres. This then, was the approximate size of the garden in 1844.

Both archaeological and historical evidence indicates the stockade was almost doubled in size between 1834 and 1836, rebuilt 317.25 feet east of the original east wall, with the west wall extended 23.5 feet to the west either in these two years, or at least before 1840. Observations by ornithologist John Kirk Townsend in 1834 and Reverend Samuel Parker in 1835 tend to indicate the enlargement took place in 1834. It was around this time that the north gate was added, and presumably the road to Upper Mill Plain road. The question arises regarding the original size of the garden, and its size in 1844; if it was originally planned and laid out as shown in the 1844 stockade area map, the garden's east-west dimensions would have exceeded the length of the stockade to the east, prior to its enlargement, by at least 100 feet, perhaps more. While this may bother the modern observer's eye for symmetry, there are indications it may not have mattered to the Company since the 1844 stockade area map shows the west edge of the garden extending beyond the west edge of the 1844 stockade. Perhaps it was the length of the garden which determined where the north gate was placed in 1834-36. On the other hand, one of the north-south paths within the 1844 garden is located approximately along a north-south line drawn from where the east edge of the original stockade wall would have been located, making the pre 1834 garden approximately 300 feet long, east-west, corresponding roughly to the 320 foot east-west dimensions of the original fort. Perhaps the additional 200 or so feet of beds and paths to the east of this path were added after the stockade extension.

It is, of course, possible that the garden design indicated on the 1844 map is so schematic that no conclusions can be drawn. It has been observed, however, that the cartographer was careful in his indication of detail, at least regarding the placement and relative size of the buildings within the stockade, and this leads to a tendency to consider the garden detail as at least as accurate. [543] It is also possible that the design of the garden changed significantly after the stockade extension, although this seems somewhat unlikely: the garden's "extensive beds" were observed in 1833 by Dr. William Tolmie, indicating a garden of some size and substance already established; also, since labor for the farm was perennially in short supply, one has to question whether valuable manpower would be shifted to make substantive changes in the garden, particularly as the stockade was being extended, despite its apparent significance to Dr. McLoughlin.

Similar observations can be applied to the extension of the west wall of the stockade during 1834-36. The west edge of the garden as shown in 1844 may have existed in 1833 as well. No garden detail appearing on the map corresponds to the approximate location of the original west stockade wall, 23.5 feet east of the wall shown on the 1844 map. It is, of course, possible, that the west beds were just extended in 1834, and a west bed created to lead down the edge of the west stockade wall, although the bed, as indicated on the map, is located at least 20 or 30 feet from the edge of the wall. When Henry Spalding visited the site in 1838, he observed that the garden was about 5 acres in size. [544] This would roughly correspond to the size of the garden without the west bed or path, which may have been added after his visit.

Features

There are four quite interesting illustrations of the garden area, as incidental to general views of Fort Vancouver, beginning in 1846-47. While they post-date the historic period, they must be considered as reasonably accurate depictions of the garden in its post-historic maturity. The first of these is a painting attributed to John Mix Stanley, executed around 1846-47; the others are sketches of the area by Richard Covington and Henry Hodges, both dated 1855, and an 1854 lithograph by Sohon.

While there are many descriptions of the garden and orchard from the 1830s and '40s, there are no known extant plans, planting plans, or even descriptions of the planting strategies, except of the most general kind. The sole two-dimensional reference is the 1844 stockade area map, which indicates some sort of formal spatial organization was effected in the garden by that time. In plan, it appears to have been laid out in an irregular three by three grid, with large bedding or planted areas ranging around thirty-six by fifty-four yards, divided by paths, perhaps as wide as twenty feet. An area just adjacent to the stockade wall appears to have been another planting bed, spanning the east-west length of the garden, and about eighteen yards deep. It is uncertain whether the detail is accurate--although as noted above the details appear to be fairly reliable, based on the delineation of stockade buildings--or at what scale it attempts to depict features. The drawing could easily be a schematic, with additional paths and beds not illustrated due to the small scale of the drawing.

The Covington sketch is the only known three-dimensional representation of the garden area that shows some detail to be able to determine some garden elements, and the discernable beds indicate that the 1844 stockade area map may be essentially accurate, although some details appear to have changed. Covington appears to show, as does the 1844 map, rectangular planting beds, longer on the east-west dimension than the north-south one, divided by broad paths. There seem to be more subdivisions of beds in this garden than in the 1844 drawing, but the pattern of large beds and wide paths seems to be shown, at least against the east edge of the space. In the Covington drawing, ornamental or fruit trees can be seen in what appears to be a regular pattern. It appears that the very large bed in the northwest corner of the space, as shown on the 1844 map, contained trees of various types, including several quite mature, tall specimens, possibly Douglas firs. Unfortunately, the west edge of the garden falls in shadow, but it appears that the long north-south bed shown in the 1844 map was densely planted in small trees, one would think from earlier descriptions, probably fruit trees. As noted previously, it is possible this westernmost bed was planted after Spalding saw it in 1838. Also, it appears there may possibly be a small structure nestled against the stockade wall at the south end of the garden, in the approximate location a small structure shown on the 1844 map. Recent archaeological investigations have indicated that a well was probably located in this vicinity. [545]

The 1846-47 Stanley illustration does offer some sense of the garden, in that the trees appear to be laid on in a regular order. The planting beds cannot be seen, however, there do appear to be some very long, low, gable-roofed structures within the garden along the east edge. They are barely visible, but clearly in evidence. There appears to be at least three, and possibly four or five of these. They may have been the "frames" referred to in the literature, where both Dahlia seeds and melons were grown, and perhaps some vegetables--seed lists include such vegetables as early frame cucumbers.

Figure 7. Painting of Fort Vancouver, looking southwest, attributed to John Mix Stanley, c. 1845-6. This view provides a wealth of detail, including the summer house (right edge of garden) and the roof of a root house in mid-ground (below garden). Original in Coe Collection, Yale University Beincke Rare Book and Manuscript Library.

The 1855 sketches by Covington and Hodges, and the 1854 Sohon lithograph appear to be in general agreement regarding the appearance of the garden and orchard. Both sites are enclosed by a fence which runs along the east edge of the garden to Upper Mill Road, west along Upper Mill Road to the intersection with "river road," and south along the "river road" parallel to the stockade. Both the Hodges and the Sohon engraving show the fence dividing the garden from the orchard site, extending from Upper Mill Road to the bastion; the shadows in the Covington drawing make that area hard to read. The 1846-47 painting attributed to Stanley shows a pole or rail fence on the east and north sides of the garden, and what appear to be regularly spaced deciduous trees in the garden area.

The type of fencing enclosing the garden is not clear at this time. In an 1860 photograph, the north garden fence appears to be a rived picket fence, nailed on stringers in turn connected to short vertical posts. It is unknown when this fence was erected; the only other illustrated views of the garden fence are the 1846-47 Stanley painting, where the north garden fence is very hard to distinguish, and 1851 sketches by George Gibbs. Other fences in the Stanley painting appear to be split rail or pole fences, including the east edge of the garden leading to the stockade's north gate. The Covington watercolor shows zigzag fencing enclosing the north and west edges of the orchard, but it is impossible to determine whether the north and east fences are zigzag fences or the type indicated by the Stanley painting. Two drawings made by George Gibbs in 1851, one looking south towards the stockade, and one looking west, show the north fence along both the garden and orchard. The drawing looking west shows what appears to be a rail fence; from the drawing looking south, it appears to have been a zigzag fence.

On the 1844 stockade area map, there is a small building located in the center of the northerly edge of the garden, a feature which also appears in two U.S. Army maps in the mid-1850s, in roughly the same location. This is believed to be the "summerhouse." The Stanley illustration is the only clear illustration available of the summerhouse at the north end of the garden--a hip-roofed structure, apparently open-sided, with what appear to be vertical posts supporting the roof, braced by horizontal beams halfway between roof and ground. The 1855 Hodges sketch also shows the summerhouse--or at least a hipped-roof building in the approximate location of the summerhouse. The Kane sketch also shows a structure in the approximate location of the summerhouse, but it is shown as a gable or cross-gable roofed structure. What is disturbing about the summerhouse is that it is not listed on the 1847-47 inventory, at least not as a summerhouse or anything else that could be construed of as a garden structure. Of the structures listed in the inventory, only the "well house" or one of the root houses could conceivably be the building shown by Stanley, Kane and Gibbs. However, a good case for the twenty-four by eighteen foot well house being located within the stockade is made by historian John Hussey. The location of at least one of the three roots houses is unknown, but it is extremely unlikely the Company would claim such an obvious open-sided structure as a root house. Perhaps the Company felt the structure had no appreciable value, although one wonders why, when the inventory of Fort Nez Perce, for example even listed the pigeon and poultry houses, very small structures.

Figure 8. 1854 illustration of Hudson's Bay Company and Vancouver Barracks, looking east down Upper Mill Road, based on drawing by Gustavus Sohon. One of several nearly identical views, including Figure 6, Covington sketch, this view shows some detail in the vegetation in the Hudson's Bay Company cemetery (left-center), and the Hudson's Bay Company garden, where some small structures--probably cold or hot frames--are visible. From U.S. War Department, Reports of Explorations and Surveys, to Ascertain the Most Practicable and Economical Route for a Railroad... Vol. 12.

There are some hints regarding the appearance of the garden during the historic period in the descriptions left by visitors: In 1833 William Tolmie refers to "extensive beds" in the garden. And in 1835, Rev. Samuel Parker states: "The garden of this station, enclosing about five acres, is laid Out with regularity and good taste." The ill-fated Narcissa Whitman tells us that in the fall of 1836, "Every part [of the garden] is very neat and tastefully arranged fine walks, each side lined with strawberry vines. On the opposite end of the garden is a good Summer house covered with grape vines." [546] Henry Spalding, who arrived at Fort Vancouver with his wife and the Whitmans, wrote a friend: "We were soon conducted by the Doct, to his Garden, & be assured we were not a little surprised to see west of the Rocky Mountains, where we did not expect to meet scarcely the first buddings of civilization, such perfection in gardening. About 5 acres laid out in good order, stored with almost every species of vegetables, fruit trees and flowers. A greater variety indeed than is often met with in the States...Everything produces well." [547]

Seed and Plant Sources

Gordon, Forsythe & Co. in London supplied Hudson's Bay Company with seeds in the late 1820s, and throughout most of the '30s and '40s. [548] In 1831 London purchased the following varieties of vegetables for shipment directly to the Columbia Department: 1/2 lb. Early Frame Cucumber; 1 lb. Curly Kale; 1/2 lb. Purple Broccoli; 1/2 lb. White Broccoli; 2 lb. Leek; 1 lb. Green Cos Lettuce; 1 lb. Mustard; 10 lbs. Deptford Onion; 4 lbs. Strasburgh Onion; 1 lb. Welch Onion; 1/2 lb. Curled Parsley; 1 gross Early Green Pease; 1 gross Early White Pease; 3 lbs. Salmon Radish; 2 lbs. Turnip Radish 10 lbs. Early White Turnip; 10 lbs. Early Yellow Turnip; 2 lbs. Dutch Turnip; 1 lb. Lapland Turnip; 6 lbs. Yellow Swedish Turnip; 1 bushel Flax; 1 bushel Hemp; 2 bushels Rye Grass; 1 bushel Timothy Grass; 6 lbs. White Clover; 6 lbs. Red Clover; 1 bushel Early Angus oats; 1 bushel Early Potatoe; 1 bushel Winter Wheat. [549]

Not all of these seeds--or these quantities of seeds--would have been used at Fort Vancouver, since all London shipments and overland expresses from Montreal arrived at Fort Vancouver and were then apportioned to the various forts in the Columbia Department, according to order or need, and redistributed from the depot. Charles Pickering, who never visited Fort Vancouver, but who saw William Brackenridge's reports or notes from his 1841 visit, wrote that "The original packages of seeds were brought, some by sea, but chiefly overland from Montreal." [550]

Seeds from London were not the only sources of plant materials. Visitors occasionally brought seeds to the fort: William Tolmie brought Dahlia seeds, probably from Hawaii, in 1833, and also gave McLoughlin Acacia seeds, which he obtained at Oahu. Charles Wilkes, in 1841, noted "Even Billy Bruce the gardener made us his debtor, by sending us repeatedly some of the fine fruit and vegetables grown under his care. I have endeavored to repay him, by sending him seeds; but the route is so long and circuitous, that it is questionable whether they ever arrive, and when they come to hand, if I shall not be classed by him with those who have sent 'trash' to Vancouver, for him to waste his time and experience on, in attempting to cultivate." [551]

Seeds were also apparently saved from apples and grapes for later planting, as Narcissa Whitman recorded, just as portions of field crops were processed for planting the following year. In addition, a nursery had apparently been established, from which some visitors were able to obtain scions and cuttings for their new homes, and which presumably was used to generate more plants and trees for the post's garden. In October of 1836 Narcissa Whitman wrote in her journal: "The grapes are just ripe and I am feasting on them finely. There is a bunch now on the table before me, they are very fine I save all the seeds of those I eat for planting and of apples also. This is a rule of Vancouver. I have got collected before me an assortment of garden seeds which I take up with me, also I intend taking some young sprouts of apple peach and grapes and some strawberry vines and etc from the nursery here." [552] In 1841 William Brackenridge noted, "Of Vegetables the[y] Can raise any quantity, all of which produce good Seeds." [553]

The cordial relationship established between the Horticultural Society of London in England and the Hudson's Bay Company in the 1820s, with David Douglas' visits to Fort Vancouver and his evident regard for McLoughlin, continued throughout this historic period. At least once, the Society provided the Company with plants, in addition to seeds, for the Fort Vancouver garden. In October of 1838, Fort Vancouver's gardener, William Bruce, was in England and spent a few days at Chiswick House, which included one of the most important gardens in England at the time, operated by the Horticultural Society of London, and owned by the Duke of Devonshire. The Duke's gardener was Joseph Paxton, now known as the designer of the Crystal Palace for the Great Exhibition of 1851, who was also a noted horticulturist and publisher of two horticultural magazines. The Hudson's Bay Company's Secretary, William Smith, wrote to the Duke on October 26, 1838: "The Bearer William Bruce is going out in the Company's vessel with the Plants &c under his charge that Mr. Paxton has so kindly forwarded for the use of the establishment at Fort Vancouver. Bruce has had some experience as a Gardener at that establishment, and any information you may be pleased to give him relating to the care of Plants and how to manage them and the seeds will be a favor confer'd on the Company." [554] We only know for sure that Bruce brought a number of fruit trees "under glass" back with him from England. [555] Bruce set sail on the Vancouver's outward voyage to the Columbia in 1838; he was listed in the crew of the ship as a seaman, entered on October 29, 1838, and discharged September 30, 1839. [556] Bruce was listed on the rolls as a gardener until he died in "a state of insanity" in August of 1849. [557]

Another reference to plants brought from England, although from whom or where is unknown, is found in George Robert's Thermometrical Register for the year 1838, one of the few extant journals from Fort Vancouver. On March 22 of that year he notes, "Wild gooseberry in full leaf and farther advanced than those brought from England two years ago." [558] Roberts, a clerk, was in charge of outdoor work at the depot from 1838 to November of 1842. In July of 1842, William Tolmie, on leave in England, wrote the Company's secretary, William Smith: "I trouble you at present to ascertain when the Columbia sails and to enquire whether I could be allowed to take for the Vancouver Garden a box 4 feet by 2 containing grafts of choice Peach, Apricot, Pear, Plum and Cherry trees prepared for me by a botanical friend in Glasgow, and which Dr. McLoughlin, I am certain would highly value?" [559] Efforts to determine whether these plants were shipped on the Columbia have, to date, not proved fruitful.

Fruit Trees

There is some confusion regarding the location of fruit trees in various years. Most visitors did not distinguish between the garden and the orchard to the west. It seems likely that the first few years, at least, trees were planted within the garden proper; a number of employees and visitors make reference to the fruit trees "in the garden." Certainly this theory is supported by the observation of Eugene Duflot de Mofrás, visiting in the winter of 1841, who noted "A large vegetable garden filled with fruit trees adjoins the fort..." [560] All three 1854-55 illustrations, and the 1846-47 Stanley painting show trees within the garden site; it seems safe to assume many of the trees drawn were fruit trees. The 1854-55 illustrations seem to indicate that the long bed along the west edge of the garden may have been planted in an orchard pattern: all the illustrations show dense plantings of trees along that edge.

An 1860 Boundary Commission photograph looking north towards the army garrison appears to have been taken from within the garden. The trees in the photograph are almost certainly fruit trees, planted in a grid pattern. The view is of the north end of the garden, m the vicinity of the summerhouse; it is probable the summerhouse was gone by this time. It is interesting to note, however, that the Stanley painting does not show any trees east of the summerhouse, which, if not artistic license, would limit the age of the trees seen in the photograph to thirteen or fourteen years at most, and would indicate these trees were not planted until the very end of this historic period. If a visitor did not distinguish between the orchard and the garden, the trees are noted below.

In 1832 Hudson's Bay Company clerk George T. Allan noted that the "...garden produce is apples, peaches, some grapes in front of the Governor's house, and all sorts of vegetables." [561] In late October American Nathaniel Wyeth recorded "...they have coming apple trees, peach Do., and grapes." [562] John Ball, who was at Vancouver in the winter of 1832-33, wrote to the Zion's Herald on January 1, 1833 that "...Fruit trees have been planted, among them the vine and the peach. [563]

In 1833 Dr. William Tolmie, who was to have a long career with the Company, arrived at Fort Vancouver. On the day he arrived, May 4, he "...visited garden. Young apples are in rich blossom..." [564]

In 1834 the word "orchard" was mentioned by Jason Lee during his September visit: "After dinner took a turn in the garden and was astonished to find it in such a high state of cultivation. The orchard is young, but the quantity of fruit is so great that many of the branches would break if they were not prevented by props." [565] He wrote to friends, "The peaches and pears were late, but the apples were fine, and I never before saw trees of the same size so heavily laden with fruit. Many props were necessary to prevent their being broken by their load." [566] John Kirk Townsend, who traveled with Wyeth, noted the same month that "...it is the apples, which grow on small trees, the branches of which would be broken without the support of props. So profuse is the quantity of fruit that the limbs are covered with it, and it is actually packed together precisely in the same manner that onions are attached to ropes when they are exposed for sale in our markets." [567]

Henry Spalding, arriving with Marcus Whitman in 1836, noted the presence of "...figs, citrons, oranges, quinces, lemons, pomegrantes, cotton plants, peach cherries, plums apples & grapes. Apples and grapes in great abundance." [568] Narcissa Whitman noted "Apples, peaches grapes. Pear plum and Fig trees in abundance." [569] It may have been sometime between 1836 and 1839 that the orchard delineated on the 1844 stockade area map was planted: Captain Josiah Spaulding, visiting in 1841, estimated the garden covered four acres of ground, which at least approximates the hypothesized size of the garden, but in no way comes close to the combined size of the orchard and garden, which was a little over fifteen acres, if the orchard size is calculated only as far as the tree line extends on the 1844 stockade area map. Charles Wilkes also noted that the garden "...is quite extensive, occupying four or five acres, and contains all kinds of vegetables and many kinds of fruit. [570] For a further discussion of this refer to The Orchard section below.

Flowers, Ornamentals, Fruits and Vegetables

The garden was certainly producing by 1832. Overwintered vegetables, such as carrots were remarked upon by more than one visitor. In 1833, flowers are mentioned for the first time, and also a gardener is mentioned; flowers are again mentioned in 1834. In 1835, a visitor notes the presence of ornamental plants and of citrus, the latter requiring some sort of protection in Vancouver winters, where temperatures occasionally fell below freezing. The presence of "citrons," as well as oranges, quinces, lemons and figs were also noted in 1836. In 1837 roses are mentioned for the first time, and in 1841 confirmed in an offer of cuttings by James Douglas to the Russian governor in Sitka, A.K. Etholine. In 1841, Nectarines have been added to the list of fruits produced in the garden. In 1840, shortly before his departure for England on furlough, William Tolmie, whose interest in the natural environment is evident throughout his journal and correspondence, sent George Simpson a packet of seeds "...of the gigantic Umpqua Pine which is as yet I believe in possession of but few in Britain. I have ascertained the soundness of the Pine Seeds by sowing a [few] in the garden here." [571] Possibly some of Tolmie's seeds grew to be the conifers shown in the 1850s Covington sketch of the garden site.

1833

Nathaniel Wyeth recorded in January of 1833 that the "Carrots are here finer and larger than I have ever before seen one I think was 3 inches through and of fine flavor. [572] John Ball, wrote to a friend February: "I noticed this day their garden vegitable that have remained in the ground thro' the winter fast growing, ternips, cabages, carrots &..." [573] In May, William Tolmie noted "...extensive beds sowed with culinary vegetables are laid out in rich order & under a long range of frames, melons are sown." [574]

On May 7, 1833, Tolmie, a trained scientist who botanized and collected fauna specimens to analyze and dissect, sowed some dahlia seeds "...in garden under a frame...," possibly seeds he had collected in Hawaii, where his ship had made a port of call. [575] On May 18, before leaving for a fort further north, he gave McLoughlin "...the acacia seeds [I] got at Oahu & also the drinking calabash...Took a last look at the Dahlia bed--the plants are nearly an inch high and numerous." [576] The fate of the Dahlias is not recorded, however, the first person Tolmie met upon arriving at the depot on May 4 was "...a gardener, whom I at once discovered to be a Celt." It seems reasonable to assume the gardner, whose name was William Bruce, took care of the tender plants, and later distributed them in the garden.

1834

John Kirk Townsend, who saw the garden in September, noted "...the various culinary vegetables, potatoes, carrots, parsnips and etc. are in great profusion, and of the first quality...melons are well-flavored, but small." [577]

Cyrus Shepherd recorded on September 16 that the farm produced an "...abundance of wheat, barley, peas, beans, corn, potatoes, garden vegetables, mellons, pumpkins, squashes, some apples, peaches, grapes, etc., all of which I have been permitted to partake of..." [578]

His colleague, Jason Lee, who also saw the garden in September, recorded in his diary: "The peaches and pears were late, but the apples were fine..." and that at the dining table "...Fine muskmelons and water melons and apples were set before us which were, indeed, a luxury, after the dry living we have had for some time." [579]

1835

Reverend Samuel Parker, who spent the winter of 1834-35 at Fort Vancouver noted in his journal that, "While a large part [of the garden] is appropriated to the common esculent vegetables, ornamental plants and flowers are not neglected. Fruits of various kinds, such as apples, peaches, grapes and strawberries have been introduced, flourish and prove that the climate and soil are well adapted to the purposes of horticulture. Various tropical fruits such as figs, oranges and lemons, have also been introduced, and grow with about the same care as they would require in the latitude of Philadelphia." [580]

1836

Narcissa Whitman: "Cucumbers melons beans peas beats cabbage taumatoes and every kind of vegitable, to numerous to be mentioned." [581]

1837

Susan Downing Shepherd, one of the methodist missionaries, wrote a relative in 1837: "...every variety of vegitables that I have ben used to seeing in our gardens at home pease almost ready to pick variety of frut curants goosberries grapes roses in bloom and many other pretty flowers." [582]

1838

William Tolmie reported in September, 1838: "Our garden now abounds with Apples and a profusion of very fine Melons--I superintended the horticultural operations during Spring, and am now quite proud of the Melons," [583] Clerk George Roberts, in charge of Outdoor Work at the farm between 1838 and 1842, noted chickweed and garden peas in the garden. In addition, he noted the progress of other species which may have been part of the garden, but not specifically noted as being "in the garden:" barberry, blackberries, currants, gooseberries, honeysuckle, nettle, potatoes, rasberries, strawberries, woodbine, and yarrow. [584]

1841

William Brackenridge, who arrived with Wilkes in 1841, noted: Gooseberrys and strawberrys the[y] had of the finest sorts. Peaches and Nectarines the same. Grapes I was told had succeeded well but of late years their cultivation had been neglected. Melons, Musk & Water do well." [585] George Emmons, also with Wilkes, noted the garden "...now produces a large variety of vegetables, Apples, Pears, Gooseberries, Strawberries, currants &c." [586] Charles Pickering, who did not visit Fort Vancouver, but who apparently had access to Brackenridge's notes or reports, wrote in his book, that Brackenridge saw "...Vitis vinifera, the European grape;...Fragaria, several imported varieties of the strawberry; Ribes rubrum, the garden currant; Ribes grossularia, the European, or the common garden gooseberry; Cucumis saativus, the common cucumber; Cucumis melo, the musk melon; Cucurbita melopepo, the squash; Pisum sativum, the garden pea; Phaseolus, the common kidney bean; Solanum melongena, the egg-plant or aubergine; together with Beta vulgaris, the beet; Apium dulce, the celery; Petroselinum sativum, the parsley; Allium cepa, the onion; and all the other common vegetables. [587]

1844

In 1844, garden activities seemed to follow a typical pattern, with clerk Thomas Lowe noting in July that gooseberries and currants had been ripe for "upwards of a week," in late August that "The apples in the garden are now generally ripe, as also the melons," and in September that "Bruce taking in the apples..." [588]

The pattern was interrupted in September by a forest fire, which at one point burst out of the woods onto Fort Plain, setting the orchard "...in a blaze," according to James Douglas. [589] Thomas Lowe, also on the site, recorded it in his journal, dated September 27, "Meantime Mr. Douglas, Mr. Lewes and Mr K. Logan accompanied by all hands from the Old Fort Hill made all haste to the Barn and did all they possibly could in extinguishing the fire, which by this time had run to the camp and set the garden fences of Baron's and Mrs. Latty's house on fire, as well as the Orchard adjoining the Fort garden. Dr. Barclay, Mr. Roberts and I in the Fort when the fire broke out. Dr. Barclay went to the orchard..." On September 28 Lowe reported that "Most of the men engaged in cutting the grass in the garden, and watching the fires." [590] Part of the strategy in fighting the fire throughout the four nightmarish days when the fire was most intense and threatening to the farm, was to burn the dry grasses in advance of the fire, to prevent sparks from setting new areas ablaze. The garden appears to have been relatively untouched by the fire; however, according to the 1844 stockade area map, at least half the orchard was burned, and quite probably much of the rest severely damaged.

1845

The source for information about the garden in 1845 is clerk Thomas Lowe, whose journal provides both information about the garden, and its seasonal changes. In April he noted that the weather had been "...unusually cold, and the early potatoes in the garden have been injured in consequence." On May 18 he records "The apples in the garden are now formed, and there is every appearance of a good crop of them. Wild strawberries at table today, the first of the season." In June, the early potatoes, apparently not all damaged by frost, were served at the table, and on June 23 green "pease at table today, for the first time this season." On September 1 he reported "The Peaches, pears and apples are now perfectly ripe, and the garden abounds this season with these fruits, as well as with melons, grapes, etc." [591]

1846

In 1846 Thomas Lowe recorded the first fresh strawberries of the season were brought in in May; the "Currants and Gooseberries in the Garden are now completely ripe, and we have had green pease on the table for the last three weeks," in July, and, on August 31, "The apples in the garden are now nearly ripe, and Bruce is taking them in." [592]

Function

Many visitors refer the garden as "Dr. McLoughlin's," and it is evident he oversaw, if not directly participated in, its design and care, committing a portion of the limited labor supply to its upkeep. Jesse Applegate, an American immigrant of 1843, and later a prominent Oregonian, wrote in 1868: "In a region so remote the seeds of the most common vegetables were hard to procure, and it was not until after years of exertion that the head of the wealthiest company in the world (save one) could set upon his table as good a dinner as the common farmer may now every day enjoy. Dr. McLoughlin was very proud of his success as a farmer, and liked to tell of the difficulties he had to overcome before success was attained. He could tell how & when each vegetable was introduced and the way he obtained a start of the domestic animals, some of these accounts were quite interesting..." [593]

William Bruce is first mentioned as a gardener at Fort Vancouver in 1833 by John Dunn, who said the principal gardener was "Mr. Bruce, a Scotchman." [594] William Tolmie mentioned being greeted at the gate to the stockade when he arrived on May 4, 1833, by a gardener, "...whom I at once discovered to be a Celt." [595] According to historian John Hussey, William Bruce began work for the Company as a laborer in 1825, and a William Bruce is listed on the Fort Vancouver lists as a laborer in Outfit 1826. [596] In 1841, William Brackenridge referred to the garden as "under the keeping of Mr. Bruce, a Scotch Highlander by birth," and Charles Wilkes also mentioned the gardener, "Billy Bruce," that year. [597] He is referred to in Thomas Lowe's journal, beginning in 1844, and continuing through 1846. Bruce returned to England in 1838, apparently with McLoughlin, who had gone there on leave. Charles Wilkes recounted the story in his narrative of the exploring expedition:

Bruce's first term of service had expired, he was desirous of returning to England, and was accordingly sent. This happened during the visit of Dr. M'Laughlin to England. One day an accidental meeting took place in a crowded street of London, where he begged Dr. M'Laughlin to send him back to Vancouver. William Bruce was accordingly taken again into employ, and sent back in the next ship. In the mean time, however, he was sent to Chiswick, the seat of the Duke of Devonshire, to get a little more knowledge of his duties, and remained till the vessel sailed; but no place was like Vancouver to him, and all his success here continues to be compared with Chiswick, which he endeavors to surpass: this is alike creditable to both. [598]

Historian John Hussey indicated Bruce arrived in England on October 20 of 1838. If that was the date of his arrival, his stay in Great Britain was brief; as noted earlier, by October 29 he was enlisted as a member of the crew of the Columbia, which set sail for Fort Vancouver a few days later, and was discharged on September 30, 1839, after the ship's arrival at the post. [599] George Roberts later said that Bruce "...went home to England with Dr. McL as servant he was Scotch but would not go beyond London & returned forthwith--he was sent out to one of the gardens I think of the Duke of Devonshire for trees (they came out under glass) but Bruce posh poshed at what he saw & led them to think it was all nothing to what we had at Vancouver." [600]

While Bruce was in England, a Farquhar McDonald served as gardener. At least by 1838, the gardener was assisted by youngsters in the Company school, who weeded the garden. [601]

The garden served several purposes. First, it supplied fresh produce for the employees of the Company. However, it appears that most of the garden products ended up on the mess table for the officers, clerks and guests, and in the Big House kitchen where select employees and visitors were fed. The Reverend Herbert Beaver, serving at the pleasure of the Company as school master and minister to non-Catholics at Fort Vancouver, 1836-38, incurred McLoughlin's displeasure early in his two-year stay, and his table indicates how garden produce was subject to the Doctor's determination of distribution. The Beavers complained of " ...great want of vegetables...having only had a very few pease three times [during the season] and but little of any other sort, potatoes excepted," stating that "If the garden belongs to the company, she [Mrs. Beaver] must request to be supplied with more necessaries from its produce, while so much labour is expended upon its cultivation without benefit to those entitled to them." [602] In March of '38 Beaver wrote to an acquaintance, "We have seldom anything good to eat.." [603]

Second, the garden clearly served as a restricted pleasure spot, to which selected visitors and employees were allowed access. Narcissa Whitman noted September 12, 1836, the day the Whitmans and Spaldings arrived at the fort, "After chatting a little we were invited to walk in the garden. And what a delightful place this...After promonading as much as we wished... [604] Mrs. Henry Spalding wrote friends that "The principal exercise our situation here affords us is walking in the garden, to which place we frequently resort to feast on apples and grapes..." [605] Cyrus Shepherd, who arrived with Jason Lee in 1834, noted in his diary, "...invited by Dr. McLaughlin to walk in the garden and see the fruit, flowers and vegetables which are very fine, he politely gave us permission to walk here for amusement whenever we desire." [606]

Third, a portion of the garden was apparently set aside as a nursery, presumably for the growth of young seedlings to plant at the farm, and from which seedlings, seeds and cuttings were distributed to selected visitors intending to settle in the region. Narcissa Whitman indicated she had a "collection of seeds" from the garden, and her intent to collect cuttings from "the nursery here." And Henry Spalding told friends, "As soon as we get a location, we shall, Providence permitting, supply ourselves with fruit trees. [607] There is some indirect evidence to indicate Rev. Jason Lee, or one of the methodists who arrived in 1836, perhaps Anna Marie Pittman--the future Mrs. Jason Lee, Cyrus Shepherd--who remained to teach at Fort Vancouver for a year--or Susan Downing, Shepherd's fiance', received cuttings from the Fort garden, and planted them at the mission Lee established near Salem, Oregon in 1834. Years later, John Minto, an early Oregon pioneer significant in the sheep industry and in early horticulture wrote: "...I took up carefully the gooseberry, current, and Rhubarb plants I found left in the Original M.E. mission Garden and also the rose bush of which I diseminated cuttings far and wide as the Old Mission rose. I assume it was first introduced at Fort Vancouver. As I feel sure it is one of the varieties in cultivation in North Britain by flower fancying Miners as also was the Old Moss Rose." [608]

Fourth, there is some evidence to suggest the garden provided seeds for Indians to cultivate in gardens near their camps. In September of 1838 William Tolmie, who was placed in charge of the "horticultural operations" at the fort in the spring wrote to his aunt: "I have also of late taken much pains to induce the Indians around us, to cultivate the ground & several of them for the last two seasons have had Potato Gardens--By perseverence in this they will materially improve their condition, which is at present wretched...During the summer the Indians about in quest of Game & Berries, but in w[inter] encamp in considerable numbers at this place where they find frequent employment on the farm." [609]