124 AUSTRALIA AND THE AUSTRALIANS. 



BOTANICAL AND HORTICULTURAL GARDENS. 



The Australians have shown commendable spirit 

 and enterprise in the formation of botanical and 

 horticultural gardens. There is scarcely a town of 

 any size which has not at least a botanical garden, 

 and everywhere we went we found public parks set 

 apart and adorned with native and foreign trees and 

 shrubbery. 



I think in this respect the Australians outdo all 

 peoples whom I know. 



These lines are written not so much to praise as to, 

 if possible, stimulate others, but especially Canadians, 

 for I fear we are far behind in this respect. 



The city of Melbourne, including its suburbs, has no 

 less than seventy-eight parks and public gardens, 

 embracing in all 5,101 acres. The Royal Park has 

 444 acres, Botanic Gardens, 235, Fitzroy Garden, im- 

 mediately in rear of Parliament buildings, has sixty- 

 four acres. This park is most beautifully kept. 



Statuary adorns all the walks, foreign and native 

 trees are all luxuriant. Roses are almost always in 

 bloom. The ferns in the low valley tempt you to halt 

 for a little and admire their lovely fronds. 



When one is tired with the toil of the day and 

 choked with the dust of the city, he is rested while 



