366 Kexio Botanic Garden. 



is, that they are excessively crowded, and some of them are out of condition 

 from this circumstance. In general, however, the plants, especially those 

 from New Holland, are in excellent health, clean, and well attended to; the 

 general appearance of the collections was, moreover, very creditable. The 

 second subject of observation is, that a great many plants have been newly 

 labelled, with their names written on painted sticks, especially in the houses 

 Nos. 2. 5. and 10., but that the principal part of the collection is otherwise 

 unnamed. There is, moreover, a very considerable quantity of small young 

 plants in pots, many of which would be valuable for distribution. 



In the pleasure-ground is a fine old orangery, 130 ft. long, easily heated by 

 the fires. It is filled with orange trees, araucarias, New Holland and other 

 plants, many of which are of great size. 



In another part of the pleasure-ground, adjoining the arboretum, there has 

 been recently erected an architectural green-house, 82 ft. long, 42 ft. wide, 

 and 28 ft. high ; it is unoccupied, a heating apparatus warmed by twelve fires, 

 buried in the vaults of the building, having been only just completed. 



There is also in the garden a clerk's office for the transaction of business. 

 and stabling for the horses employed in this establishment, and that of the 

 forcing and kitchen garden adjoining.] 



The director-general has a house near the garden, and a small dwelling is 

 provided for one of the foremen. 



So far as the mere cultivation of this place is a subject of observation, it is 

 due to those who have charge of it to say that it does them credit, considering 

 the crowded state of the houses, and the inadequate funds allowed for its 

 support. 



It is impossible to speak of the general management in similar terms. It 

 has always been maintained as the great botanical garden of this country, and, 

 whether as a private or as a public establishment, it was the duty of the 

 officer intrusted with its administration to render it effective to the extent of 

 his means as a botanical garden, that is, as a garden of science and instruction ; 

 yet no kind of arrangement (one of the first features in a botanical garden) has 

 been observed ; no attempt has been made, till lately, to name the multitudes 

 of rare plants it comprehends, and thus to render it a place of public utility ; 

 no communication is maintained with the Colonies, nor any other thing done, 

 so far as can be discovered, to fulfil the objects of its institution, except to 

 raise the seeds which government collectors and other persons have profusely 

 contributed, and then to take care of the plants. 



It is admitted that there is no classification observed in the garden. 



What names are to be found in the garden have been furnished by Mr. 

 Smith, the foreman, and the director does not hold himself answerable for 

 them. This was most particularly enquired into, and most distinctly avowed ; 

 so that by far the most difficult part of the duty of the principal officer, a 

 duty on the perfect execution of which the credit and utility of the garden 

 essentially depends ; a duty which can only be executed properly by a man of 

 high scientific attainments, aided by an extensive herbarium and considerable 

 library ; this most important duty is thrust upon a foreman, paid small weekly 

 wages for cultivating plants, who, whatever his zeal and assiduity may be (and 

 in this case they have been such as to deserve the greatest praise), has no 

 sufficient means of executing such an office. A considerable number of names 

 have been very recently affixed to the plants ; and Mr. Alton is so anxious to 

 declare his opinion of their utility, that he has written the following letter 

 upon the subject : — 



Royal Botanic Garden, Kew, February 22. 1838. 



Sir, To correct any misunderstanding as to my opinion of naming plants in 

 the garden, I take this opportunity to state, that, for the advantage of the 

 visiters generally, as well as for the instruction of the gardeners in employ, I 

 consider each individual species should be distinctly and carefully labelled 

 with the ascertained scientific name, &c. I am, &c. 



To Dr. Undley, (Signed) W. T. Aiton. 



