THE ROYAL DUBLIN SOCIETY 195 



there was a great lack of walled enclosures, privet 

 hedges &c. Too little attention was said to be 

 paid to florists' plants, and the fruit-bearing trees 

 needed protection. An extension of the arboretum 

 was considered necessary, and greater attention to the 

 principle of pruning was recommended. A proper 

 nursery and botanical museum, with library attached, 

 were much required. The recommendations of the 

 professor were carried out. 



In the year 1833, the head and under gardeners, 

 who had served since the establishment of the Garden, 

 had become unequal to the duties of their respective 

 posts, from age and infirmity. The former died in 

 August of that year. On a ballot for the post of head- 

 gardener, Mr. Ninian Niven, of the Chief Secretary's 

 gardens, Phoenix park, and Mr. David Moore, of the 

 College Botanic Garden, were candidates, and the 

 former was elected. After his appointment, Niven 

 went over by invitation to Arley Hall, Staffordshire, 

 when the Earl of Mountnorris gave him 600 species of 

 plants for the garden. He also visited Wentworth 

 Fitzwilliam, Chatsworth, and the Botanic Garden, 

 Sheffield, from each of which the Dublin Garden was 

 liberally supplied. For the year ending 1st January 

 1835, the number of visitors to the Garden was 

 71 10, and for that ending 1st January 1836, 11,477; 

 which showed a very considerable increase. Mr. 

 Niven initiated extensive alterations and improve- 

 ments ; the hothouses were repaired and stocked, the 

 plan of the garden changed, and the various depart- 

 ments brought up to date. On resigning his post in 

 1838, Mr. Niven informed the Society that during 

 his tenure of office fresh advances had been made 

 in the rearrangement of the hardy herbaceous plants 

 (according to Linnaeus) ; about one half of the classes 



