71 



extended its field from almost pure botanical work, to investigations 

 which at the present time cover all lines of tropical botany and agricul- 

 ture. Thorough work is the watchword; and the success of the many 

 investigations carried out at Buitenzorg have had great influence not 

 only on the agricultural development of the Dutch East Indies, but 

 throughout the tropics. The success of the investigations made at this 

 institution is recognized by the Dutch Government, as is shown by the 

 large appropriations made for its maintenance and for special investiga- 

 tions, construction of new buildings, etc. It is also interesting to note 

 here the interest that the Dutch planters take in the institution ; for the 

 entire expense of certain investigations is borne not by the Government 

 but by an association of planters. 



At the time of Dr. Treub's appointment as director in 1880 but two 

 series of publications were issued; to-day there are six. In 1890 there 

 were but four laboratories; to-day there are eight, each with most mod- 

 ern equipment. The working staff of the institution at present numbers 

 about thirty Europeans and more than two hundred natives. 



The institution known as " 's Lands Plantentuin" consists of the fol- 

 lowing divisions: 



I. Herbarium and museum. 

 II. Botanical laboratories. 



III. Agricultural and experimental gardens (181 acres), with laboratory for 



agricultural chemistry. 



IV. Pharmacological laboratory. 



V. Botanical Garden (145 acres) and the Mountain Garden (77 acres, and 

 700 acres virgin forest), with laboratory. 



VI. Office, library, and photographic laboratory. 



VII. Forest flora collections. 



VIII. Laboratory for the study of Deli tobacco. 



IX. Experimental station for coffee. 



X. Laboratory for agricultural zoology. 



Each of these divisions has commodious and well-equipped buildings 

 and laboratories. The second division has a special laboratory reserved 

 for foreign scientists, where many avail themselves of this excellent op- 

 portunity for studying- tropical botany. 



The Botanical Garden, from a climatic standpoint, is admirably sit- 

 uated, for under tropical conditions it is necessary, in order to have a 

 successful garden, to have it situated in a locality where the rainfall is 

 distributed throughout the year instead of having the two well-marked 

 seasons — wet and dry. At Buitenzorg this condition is fulfilled, for dur- 

 ing the so-called dry season rains are frequent, while during the rainy 

 season one can expect rain every day — always in the afternoon at about 

 4 or 5 o'clock. The average precipitation in a year is about 4,680 mm., 

 while sometimes as much as 160 mm', will fall in twenty- four hours, as 

 happened once or twice during my stay at Buitenzorg. 



