BOTANIC GARDENS. 



center of the various botanic gardens throughout the empire. 

 The part it has played in the introduction of the cinchona into 

 India, and in fostering various other important industries, is well 

 known. It may be described as the great botanical clearing 

 house of the empire. To it a large number of plants are con- 

 stantly being forwarded from all parts of the world to be named r 

 for which purpose a staff of botanists is provided, and the collec- 

 tion of dried plants, or herbarium, as well as the large botanical 

 library, is unrivaled throughout the world. In the same way the 

 collection of cultivated plants and trees, both hardy and exotic, is- 

 the most perfect in existence." 



The number of visitors to the gardens during the year amounts 

 to one and a half million, according to newspaper reports. Thc 

 gates, six in number, are open from noon until dusk. The ad- 

 ministration and care of 

 an establishment of this 

 character near a grea-t 

 center of population re- 

 quire the closest organi- 

 zation and the most scru- 

 pulous attention to detail 

 on the part of the execu- 

 tive. In this matter tradi- 

 tion as well as current 

 testimony speaks of the 

 rigid manner in which 

 the numerous necessary 

 regulations are enforced. 

 The general plan of the 

 grounds is shown in the 

 adjoining map. 



When organized chief - 

 ly f or research the botanic 

 garden differs in many 

 essential features from 

 the one described above. 

 From this point of view, and with regard to advantages of geo- 

 graphical position and botanical possibilities, the garden at Bui- 

 tenzorg in Java occupies a foremost position. Originally founded 

 by the Government of Holland in 1817, for the purpose of testing 

 the economic value of plants indigenous to the colonies of tho 

 East Indies, and for the distribution of seeds, plants, etc, af ter 

 the customary manner of such institutions, it has widened its 

 scope and developed its facilities until almost all branches of 

 purely scientific and applied botany may be pursued to advan- 

 tage within it. 



Plan of Kew Gakdens. Explanatory references: 

 A, principal entrance from Kew Green ; B, tropical 

 house ; C, tfmber Museum No. 3 ; D, water-lily 

 house ; E, palm house ; F, temperate house ; G,. 

 pagoda ; H, Lion or Kichmond Gate ; I, " North " 

 gallery ; J, lake ; K, flagstaff ; L, Lnicorn Gate 

 (closed) ; M, Museum No. 1 ; N, Cumberland Gate ; 

 0, rockery; P, Museum No. 2; Q, new range; 

 K, succulent house, greenhouse, and ferneries ; S, 

 Brentford Gate ; T, Ilesworth Gate ; U, Victoria 

 Gate, for Kew Gardens Station ; V, bamboo gar- 

 den ; W, azalea beds ; X, Khododendron Dell ; 

 Y, ornamental water; Z, Kew Church. 



