26 BOTANICAL INFORMATION 



of his subordinates, either singly or as a committee. The superinten- 

 dent of the Bangalore division, the secretary, and the surgeon for the 

 time being, would be willing and able to relieve him of details ; but this 

 of course is a matter for the consideration of the Commissioner. 



"I propose that the Bangalore Garden should be a Government 

 establishment, solely under the Commissioner, who will have no diffi- 

 culty in framing a few simple rules for the guidance of the Superinten- 

 dent, who will of course require a reasonable degree of freedom in which 

 to exercise his taleuts and experimentalize; but he must distinctly un- 

 derstand his position of entire subordination to the Commissioner. 



" The great objects in view are the improvement of indigenous pro- 

 ducts — the introduction of exotics — the supply of these to the hills 

 and plains when acclimatized, and the exhibition to the people of an 

 improved system of cultivation in practical and successful operation. 

 Seeds and plants should invariably be sold at a fair price to all appli- 

 cants, but none should be given gratuitously, except for public pur- 

 poses, and then only with the Commissioner's approval. By public 

 purposes, I mean not merely for those of Government, as plantations, 

 avenues, etc., but for distribution to scientific persons for experiment, 

 to public institutions, etc. After providing for the Bangalore Garden, 

 those of Madras and Ootacamund should be considered entitled to the 

 preference (which of course will be mutual), and exchanges should be 

 arranged with Calcutta and other Gardens. 



" Jn conclusion, it appears to me that the advantages to Southern 

 India, generally arising from the Garden in contemplation, promise to 

 be very great, if the scheme be carried out under the superintendence 

 of a competent person, permanently appointed to the charge. There 

 cau be no doubt that the climate is' highly favourable, and the soil ca- 

 pable of producing the best description of many vegetable products. 

 Bangalore is much better suited for agricultural and horticultural expe- 

 riments than either Ootacamund or Madras, and from its central posi- 

 tion and intermediate elevation the finer kinds of vegetables and better 

 sorts of graft-trees may be disseminated with great success to the neigh- 

 bouring ranges of hills. 



>3 



To this letter there has happily been a favourable response, in the 

 Government "Order thereon, dated 15th September, 1856," as 



follows : 



" In his Kcview, under date 28th March last, of the Report on tin 



