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previous to their being taken over by the Government as the National 

 PubHc Botanic Gardens, we find that Dr. Lindley, who signed the 

 report, defines a Botanic Garden as "A Garden of Science and 

 Instruction," which means, I take it, a garden where science, that is 

 knowledge, concerning plants may be accumulated and there applied 

 for educational purposes. In order that these objects may be attained 

 in the most satisfactory manner, there are certain features of the work 

 which must always be borne in mind. The means of gathering 

 together the material to be grown in the garden, by purchase, by 

 exchange, by communication with correspondents at other gardens or 

 who live in different parts of the world, although of great importance 

 ^n the management of a botanical garden, do not come within the 

 scope of my subject to-day. One of the chief sources of supply 

 however is, of course, by exchange with other Botanical Gardens, of 

 which there are many, both public and private, in ail parts of the 

 world where education and clture are cherished. In the first instance 

 Botanic Gardens were merely collections of plants which were deemed 

 useful for their medicinal qualities, later general utility, beauty, variety, 

 or even curiosity were considered, and it is only comparatively lately 

 that f:he most important development of all, the educational value of 

 these institutions, has been recognized. One thing which should be 

 conspicuously apparent on entering a Botanic Garden is systematic 

 arrangement, not necessarily any particular arrangement, but an ar- 

 rangement by which something is illustrated. A feature of the utmost 

 importance also, is that every plant should be labelled plainly, both 

 with its scientific and vernacular names. In addition to this any 

 further information should be given which can be put on the label 

 without confusion, such as its native country and date of introduction, 

 for foreign plants, and more definite localities in the case of indigenous 

 species. When a plant is the source of some useful product, and this 

 is not shown by the name, it should be indicated on the label. In 

 short the label should give as much information to a visitor as is 

 possible without loss of clearness. In a scientific garden record 

 books, giving full particulars, must of course, be kept, as to the source, 

 age and condition of every individual plant grown. This is of great 

 value and may be the means of saving much loss by j^reventing the 



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