OFFICIAL GUIDE TO THE BOTANIC 

 GARDENS, DOMINICA. 



INTRODUCTION. 



History. 



The first steps towards the establishment of a Botanic 

 Garden proper in Dominica were taken near the close of 1889, 

 and in January, 1891 the present site was purchased by the 

 Government. Previous to this time a small nursery had 

 been maintained in the grounds of Government House. 



The first Curator in Dominica was Mr. Charles Murray, 

 of the Edinburgh Botanic Gardens, who was appointed in 

 September, 1889. He was transferred to Grenada in the 

 following year, and succeeded by Mr. Henry F. Green in 

 August, 1890. To Mr. Green fell the work of beginning the 

 laying out of the grounds of the present garden. Mr. Green 

 resigned in February, 1892, and was succeeded by the present 

 Curator, "Sir. Joseph Jones, of the Royal Gardens, Kew, who 

 took up his duties in March, 1892. 



Objects of the Garden. 



At the time the Garden was originally established, 

 careful consideration was given to the purpose which it 

 should serve, as will be seen from the following passages by 

 Dr. (now Sir Daniel) Morris in the Kew Bulletin for 1891 : 



" Great stress has been laid on the objects in view in 

 establishing this Botanical Station at Dominica. Its 

 function has been defined as strictly of an experimental and 

 economic character ; ornamental plants are to be grown in 

 moderate quantities for rendering the grounds attractive and 

 interesting, but chief attention will, it is hoped, be devoted to 

 plants of an economic or industrial character, and especially 



