192 The Ottawa Naturalist. [November 



reached a considerable size. The arboretum is naturally well 

 wooded, the land is very rolling-, and magnificent views may be 

 obtained from some of the commanding- points of observation. In 

 many places one would not suspect that any artificial planting had 

 been done, as by the system adopted the natural is preserved 

 as much as possible, and it is quite a common thing to see a tree 

 apparently surrounded with a dense undergrowth which on 

 closer inspection will be found to be kept far enough away from 

 the tree to prevent its branches from being injured by too much 

 shade. The thorough manner in which the soil is prepared before 

 the trees are planted in their permanent positions ensures a 

 healthy, vigorous growth. The fruticetum, where the shrubs 

 are arranged in beds of convenient size, is kept in excellent condi- 

 tion, and as this very large collection only occupies a compara- 

 tively small area, any shrub is easy of access. In connection 

 with this arboretum there is a fine herbarium which appears to 

 be in good order. 



Harvard Botanic Garden. 



Though only occupying about seven acres of land the Harvard 

 Botanic Garden at Cambridge, Mass., is a credit to the institution 

 to which it belongs. The collection of herbaceous plants there 

 is very complete and is arranged in such a manner that the dif- 

 ferent species and varieties may be studied with ease. The plants 

 are grouped in botanical order in narrow beds. The labels give 

 the common and scientific names by which the plant is known, 

 also the country of which it is a native. There are a few glass 

 houses in connection with the garden but these are not of o-reat 

 magnitude. 



Smith College Botanic Garden. 



A few years ago a botanic garden was laid out in connection 

 wiih Smith College, Northampton, Mass. The work done so far 

 has been mostly with herbaceous plants, and a good collection has 

 already been formed. Some trees and shrubs have been planted, 

 but as the limited area of the campus will not admit of very exten- 

 sive planting it is probable that the collection will not be 

 large. There are some fine glass houses here which are kept in 

 good order, as is also the whole botanic earden. 



