1832.] Account of the Botanic Garden at Sehardnpur. 47 



ries of new roads; additional wells were sunk, and the Persian wheel 

 introduced ; but the latter has, in a great measure, been superseded 

 since the opening of the Doab canal, from which a cut runs through 

 the garden, and much facilitates the almost constant irrigation which in 

 some seasons of the year is indispensable to the existence even of her- 

 baceous vegetation in the Upper Provinces. A conservatory was built, 

 where the plants of warm countries might be placed, so as to be pro- 

 tected from the frosts of winter, and those introduced from the hills 

 equally saved from the scorching effects of solar radiation during the 

 months of hot weather. Two tanks, one rather a large piece of water, 

 have been formed, which, contributing to the picturesque beauty of 

 the garden, serve also for the introduction of aquatic plants. The 

 parts not in cultivation, after being ploughed and smoothed, were laid 

 in grass. The cultivated parts, as well as the borders of the roads, 

 were trenched to the depth of two feet, by which means the clayey 

 substratum became well mixed with the sandy surface, when the 

 whole was enriched with the addition of vegetable and animal ma- 

 nure. The borders of the roads were planted with different 

 varieties of trees, flowering shrubs, and herbaceous plants, the latter in 

 front and opposite to the vacancies of the rear lines, by which means 

 a view of the plants in the latter was not obstructed by those in front. 

 It may perhaps not be uninteresting to remark, that some English 

 tools were introduced, and the use of wheelbarrows made general. 



In order to insure due attention being paid to the several objects 

 contemplated in the institution of the garden, it was divided into 

 several departments. In one, plants were arranged according to the 

 Linnaean system of classification, though now it would be preferable 

 to change it for the natural method ; another was devoted to agricul- 

 tural experiments, and a third for horticultural purposes. Of the plants 

 introduced from the hills, some are planted in nurseries ; others in an 

 artificial rock-work ; and some in flower-pots in the conservatory ; 

 but in all the soil requires to be enriched by the addition of decayed 

 vegetable matter. Nurseries were likewise formed for fruit and 

 ornamental trees and shrubs, for general distribution. A portion of the 

 garden was allotted for the experimental medicinal garden, and ano- 

 ther as a nursery of timber trees for the DehlT and Doab canals. 



For a furtherance of the objects of the institution, as a scientific 

 one, pains were taken to obtain a knowledge of the Botany of the 

 surrounding country ; a catalogue was made of the plants which the 

 garden contained, parties were sent out in every direction to bring 

 in such as the garden did not contain, and those extended their 



