Domestic 'Notices.— Ireland. 165 



be deemed of slight consequence, that opportunities will by this establish- 

 ment be aiForded for the cultivation of botanical science. For, however 

 unconcerned in the latter, the generality of people may be as individuals, 

 yet every man of patriotic principle would wish to encourage the growth of 

 this branch of science among us, when he considers that in it and in every 

 branch of natural history, Ireland is considered as being very far in the 

 back-ground. There is another circumstance, too, in the present case, 

 which should have some influence. This will be the first thing of the 

 kind established in Ireland. There are, indeed, two botanic gardens in 

 Dublin, one supported by the college, and the other partly by government. 

 There is a garden in Cork, which is partly supported by government also ; 

 but the people of Belfast have been the first to step forward and form a 

 garden for themselves ; a garden, the sole property of the inhabitants of 

 the country, supported by the inhabitants, not dependent on any other 

 establishment, not calling on the aid of government, but maintained by the 

 free, independent, voluntary support of a people, the first in the commerce, 

 and certainly not the last in upholding the honour, of their country. 



Another advantage to be expected from this establishment, is, the intro- 

 duction and dispersion over the country of many fi'uits, shrubs, trees, and 

 useful esculent vegetables not hitherto known here. 



There is another result, also, which may be confidently anticipated ; and 

 one by no means of local concern only : that is, the introduction of a su- 

 perior style of gardening ; for it is well known, that in this useful art we 

 are far behind the sister kingdom. It will be a matter of primary import, 

 to have a man of undoubted qualifications, both as a practical and scientific 

 gardener, appointed as chief curator ; a man acquainted with modern gar- 

 dening in all its most improved forms. The apprentices, then, who will be 

 taught their profession under his care and direction, will come out formed 

 in a very superior mould. They will be employed as gardeners by the 

 gentlemen throughout the country. They will serve to do away the de- 

 grading necessity we so often lie under, of having to bring our gardeners 

 from England or Scotland. The Belfast garden v/ill thus, in some mea- 

 sure, prove of national benefit ; and that consideration ought to recom- 

 mend it to the protection, not of those only who reside in its immediate 

 neighbourhood, but also to that of every man in Ulster who has the im- 

 provement of the country at heart. 



The Committee conceive, also, that agriculture will be materially served, 

 as a portion of the garden will be appropriated to the culture of grasses, 

 and such plants as are important to the farmer and agriculturist. Those of 

 new introduction, or connected with recent improvement and discovery, 

 will especially be attended to. The landed proprietors and farmers in the 

 country at large, will thus have an opportunity of obtaining samples for 

 culture of new vegetables, forest and fruit trees, &c., with the newest and 

 best information respecting them. 



The Committee think they need not press this subject any farther; as it 

 is presumed that the advantages to be derived from the establishment now 

 commenced, must be sufficiently obvious. They, therefore, look with con- 

 fidence to your support and countenance; and as it is particularly desirable 

 that the arrangements should be carried into effect with the least possible 

 delay, they request, with all due respect, an early answer to the present 

 application. — James L. Drummond, M.D., Corresponding Secretary. Belfast, 

 January, 1828. 



Cork, April 7. 1 828. — We had scarcely any frost here last winter. The 

 Cape geraniums lived in the open air, without sustaining any injury. We 

 had no sun, excepting on one or two days in the month of March. The 

 botanic garden here is about 30 ft. above the level of high water mark, 

 and we are said to have more rain than in any other part of Ireland, which, 

 however, remains to be proved. — J. Drummond. 



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