THE BOTANISTS OF PHILADELPHIA. 17 



r 



^V The University Botanic Garden was begun with the 



^B erection of the building for the School of Biology. It con- 



^B sisted, in 1888, of about a quarter of an acre of ground 



^Bl immediately surrounding the Biological School, planted 



^B with a few systematic and experimental beds. The planted 



^B grounds were surrounded by high gravel banks, overgrown 



^B with weeds. It was not until 1890, when a large part of 



this glacial gravel deposit had been sold and carted away, 

 that the botanic garden may be said to have had its 

 inception. Dr. Joseph T. Rothrock, Professor of Botany, 

 supervised the laying out of the ground to the east and 

 west of the laboratory, which was planted to grass, with trees 

 and shrubbery arranged for landscape effect. A tank pond 

 of considerable size was also built for the growing of various 

 water-plants. A leaii-to conservatory for the growth of hot- 

 house plants was also a feature of the garden at this time. 

 The ground, as laid out by Dr. Rothrock with systematic 

 regard to the position of the plants, included finally about 

 an acre of ground surrounding the laboratory building. 

 Several rare shrubs were set out, among them, Neviusia 

 Alabamensis, an anomalous rosaceous plant found growing 

 wdld in the Southern states. The grass plots, shrubbery and 

 systematic beds then occupied a terraced depression front- 

 ing on Pine Street. 



The development of this garden, however, took place 

 when Mr. C. C. Harrison accepted the provostship of the 

 University. In 1893, immediatel}^ after his appointment to 

 be Professor of Botany, Dr. John M. Macfarlane submitted 

 plans for the establishment of the botanical garden, on the 

 triangular piece of land back of the biological laboratory. 

 Various circumstances conspired to prevent the carrying 



