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“The Natal Botanic Garden stands apart from the rest. It has 
played no small part in the economic development of the province 
which it serves and from it has emanated taxonomic work of a hi 
scientific value. On its establishment, more than half a century 
ago, it received an annual grant of £50 from the Government. 
This was gradually raised to £359. In addition, the Government 
contributed, in 1909-10, £250 towards the upkeep of the Her- 
barium and in aid of the publications proceeding from it. The total 
income of the establishment in 1909-10 was £2,353 14s. 6d., of 
which £1,236 19s. 7d. was derived from the sale of plants. It 
has consistently striven to fulfil the functions of 2 Botanic Garden. 
measure of success which it has achieved is due to the skill 
and enthusiasm with which it has been guided for more than 28 
years by Mr. Medley Wood, its able and respected Director. 
“The oldest of the South African Gardens—the Municipal 
Garden of Cape Town—was established under the name of a 
Botanic Garden in 1848. The objects of the founders, as stated on 
the subscribers’ tickets were :— 
“1, To introduce from all parts of the globe useful, ornamental 
and fruit-bearing trees, shrubs, plants, flowers and vegetables, and to 
promote their distribution and culture throughout Southern Africa. 
“92, To afford an acclimating resting-place and depdét for exotics 
in the course of interchange between the eastern and western hemi- 
spheres. 
“3. To afford facilities for the study of Botany as a science and 
in connection with the horticulture and agriculture of the Cape and 
for training practical gardeners. 
“4. To provide, for the recreation and amusement of the public 
and strangers, a garden with shady walks, arbours, seats, fountains, 
ereen-houses and a display of the choicest and most delicate 
flowers. 
“These include some of the important functions of a Botanic 
Garden as this term is now understood, and the fact that Ludwig 
Pappe, Karl Zeyher and Peter MacOwan are among those who 
have controlled its destinies is a sufficient guarantee that a real 
effort was made to establish here a garden worthy of the name and 
of the place. And, indeed, the Cape Town Garden has in the past 
done a great deal in introducing exotic plants into cultivation. But 
those responsible for its management maintained a long but losing 
strife against unsuitable locality, poor soil, too limited space, lack 
of water, inadequate funds and the consequent grinding necessity 
of making the bulk of the income from the sale of produce. The 
functions of a Botanic Garden were swamped, and all pretence in 
this direction was finally abandoned in 1891 when it was taken over 
the Municipality. “It became, as MacOwan foretold, ‘but a 
town pleasaunce of flowers and shady walks,’ and, indeed, it could 
never have been anything greater. This purpose it fulfils admirably, 
and it is now, probably more than it ever was before, a credit to the 
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