CHAPTER VI 



JEALOUSY is an abominable vice, yet who can think of 

 the resources of Kew without a pang ? No doubt they 

 would tell you there that the Government cares nothing 

 for beauty — only for utility, and is always worrying them — not to 

 grow the most glorious shrubs and trees, but to make two blades 

 of grass succeed in the room of one, to produce potatoes as big as 

 melons, and double the seeds in every ear of corn. Upon these 

 industrial problems the intellect of Kew is bound to descend, 

 even at moments when it would fain be soaring to aesthetic 

 heights of loveliness. But Kew has made its name — to have a 

 plant accepted by Kew continues a distinction all the world over ; 

 none of us is really happy until we have had a plant accepted 

 at Kew. 



Consider those incomparable lines in Dr. Darwin's " Botanical 

 Garden," already mentioned. No wonder Kew is a little uppish 

 sometimes when she remembers them : — 



" So sits enthron'd in vegetable pride 

 Imperial Kew by Thames's glittering side ; 

 Obedient sails from realms unfurrowed bring 

 For her the unnamed progeny of Spring ; 

 Attendant nymphs her dulcet mandates hear, 

 And nurse in fostering arms the tender year, 

 Plant the young bulb, inhume the living seed. 

 Prop the weak stem, the erring tendril lead ; 

 Or fan in glass-built fanes the stranger flowers 

 With milder gales, and steep with warmer showers." 



55 



