152 REPORT ON THE ROYAL GARDENS AT KEW. 
Hooker, on the 12th August last, and I have to add, that on the Ist 
of November I was appointed as his successor. The office of Assistant 
Director has been suppressed, as the duties hitherto attached thereto 
can be more efficiently and economically performed by raising the posi- 
tion of the Curator, and that of the Keeper of the Herbarium and 
Library; and by transferring to the latter department the supervision 
of the Museums, and the naming of the collections in these, and in the 
Arboretum, — and gardens generally. 
1. Botanic Gardens.—The labelling of the plants, both common and 
rare, requires immediate attention. Their present unsatisfactory con- 
dition in this respect is due partly to the fact that the repotting of so 
vast a collection (containing, perhaps, 20,000 plants) involves the loss 
of some labels, and the displacement of many more; and very much 
. to the want, for many months, of a good foreman for the lawns, Arbo- 
retum, and shrubberies, the labels of the plants in this department 
being particularly liable to be removed by mowers, and by the public 
in traversing the grounds. 
A very important step taken this year has been the conversion of 
the old Victoria-house into an “ Economic plant-house," to be devoted 
henceforth to the display of a selected set of tropical plants, whose 
products are useful for food, or as drugs, or in the arts. The house 
itself being small, the specimens will be so also, and all will thus be 
brought within a moderate space. 
In the Palm-house the whole collection has been repotted and re- 
arranged, and the house itself has been thoroughly set to rights in 
respect of order, cleanliness, and the cultivation of the plants, which 
~ are for the most part in excellent condition. Certain tropical plants 
that produce a striking effect from the size and vivid green of their 
foliage have been introduced into the beds between the Palm-stems. 
A small collection of Japan plants has been got together, and placed 
in a conspicuous position, in a frame near the Heath-house. ~ 
e collection of Cacti, Aloes, succulents, and bulbs, in No. 7, has 
been for the most part repotted and very greatly improved ; and has 
also been materially increased. 
From India and the Colonies most satisfactory accounts continue to 
be received of the progress of botany and horticulture under the various 
. colonial botanists, and heads of botanic gardens, who have for the 
most e been sent out from Kew by the late Director, and who 
