1858.] KEW GARDENS. 505 



KEW GARDENS. 



[It is hoped that the following extracts from Sir W. J. Hooker^s 

 Report on Kew Gardens will be interesting to the readers of the 

 ' Phytologist.'] 



The Botanic Garden, proper, has been augmented from the 

 14 acres, of which it consisted,- at the time of my appointment, 

 seventeen years ago, to 72 acres. The number of visitors has 

 gradually increased from 9174 (in 1841) to 361,978 in the year 

 now closed (1857) ; and of their general, and I may say improved, 

 conduct, I can speak in very satisfactory terms. . . . 



The Botanic Qarchn, includhifj the several Plant Houses. 



The walks and lawns, the shrubberies and flower borders, have 

 lately been, under the directions of the First Commissioner, ren- 

 dered more ornamental than ever, and means are amply provided 

 for their permanent improvement. The summer flovt er-beds have 

 been more than doubled in number. Roses and flowering shrubs 

 have been extensively planted, and their beauty will be yearly 

 more developed. A number of vases and pedestals have been 

 provided, some of which are permanently placed, and others will 

 be so when the weather permits. Several new walks afford in- 

 creased access to the various parts of the gardens and the different 

 buildings. There has been a large accession of new and rare 

 plants, derived partly from collectors abroad and partly from our 

 system of exchange with other scientific establishments. The 

 general keep of the plants, both hardy and tender, is improved : 

 this is mainly due to our being now enabled to maintain a more 

 efficient staff of gardeners and foremen, for it is obvious that we 

 could not command superior persons for our work till we gave 

 them a remuneration equal to what they could obtain in other 

 first-class gardens. With the approbation of the First Commis- 

 sioner, I have ventured to recommend the extension of this sys- 

 tem, and have kept it in view wdiile framing my estimates for 

 the coming year. 



No one can fail to be struck with the improved condition of 

 the plants in our noble Palm-house, their unrivalled health, vi- 

 gour, and beauty. The Orchideous-house, the Heath-house, the 

 Ferneries, the succulent plants, the Camellias and Rhododen- 



N. S. VOL. II. 3 T 



