54 Account of the Botanic Garden at Sehardnpur. [Feb. 



considerable quantities supplied to the depots. The oil of turpentine 

 distilled from the turpentine of the common long-leaved fir is considered 

 in a letter from Mr. Hutchinson, to be of" very superior quality." The 

 extract of henbane has been pronounced by many, from its freshness, 

 to be superior to that imported from Europe, and by Mr. Twining to 

 be of " most excellent quality." It has been sent to Madras, and the 

 supply discontinued from Europe, regular supplies being annually 

 furnished to the depots. Senna has only this year been introduced 

 into practice. The Medical Board, after the trials made at the 

 General Hospital, express their gratification at the result, and direct 

 that its cultivation be extended as much as possible for the public 

 service. Mr. Twining pronounces the senna cultivated at Seharanpiir 

 very superior to that commonly supplied for Hospital use, possess- 

 ing in a high degree the peculiar aroma of the best senna, and after 

 45 trials, considers it equal to the best senna he has ever seen. The 

 other articles which have been cultivated or prepared for Hospital 

 use will be exhibited in the catalogue which forms an appendix to the 

 report*. 



In considering the cultivation of medicines in India in an economical 

 point of view, it may be safely assumed, that by cultivating a sufficient 

 number of articles to keep in full employment whatever establishment 

 may be entertained, a very considerable saving will eventually be 

 effected ; for the cost of the production of medicines must, like every 

 other product of the soil in India, be less than can be produced in and 

 exported from Europe, particularly if some machinery be employed 

 for the grinding of powders and the expressing of oils and extracts, 

 and this might easily be done by the water-mill in the garden. 



Though the subject would not be less interesting, it would lead into 

 much too extended detail to enter particularly into the economical 

 purposes to which the various products of plants are 'applied. But it 

 may be mentioned generally, that there are few of the principles of 

 plants which form the subject of vegetable chemistry, which are not 

 produced by the plants introduced into the Seharanpur garden, as will 

 be seen by the various lists which form the appendix. 



Among the timber trees, the teak, saul, toon, sissoo, seriss, maple, 

 casuarina, bamboo, jaumn, mulberry, may be mentioned ; as of these 

 many thousands are furnished annually, to be planted along the banks 

 of the Doab canal. One of the subjects, to which attention might be 

 beneficially turned, is that of finding efficient substitutes for, or actually 



* The above account formed the substance of a report to the Right Honourable 

 the Governor General, on his Lordship's visit to the garden in 1831. 



