84 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL. BOTANIC GARDEN. 



tions of their usefulness. Next to the State, the city appears to be the chiel 

 supporter, doubtless for much the same reasons. 



It is a noteworthy fact that such institutions are in most cases so supported 

 as to make them free to the public use, but in any case this freedom is subject 

 to certain limitations as necessitated by proper care of property. In only two 

 cases so far ahead is a charge exacted from, but the fee does not appear to 

 exceed 25 cents per capita. Practice varies widely as to admission on Sundays, 

 even in the same country, it being determined, apparently, by each community in 

 which the garden is located. The custom, however, seems to be in favor of keep- 

 ing the grounds open on Sunday. In one case the pleasure garden only is open 

 on Sunday ; in another all the grounds are free but the plant houses are closed ; 

 while, at Madrid, it is the custom to open the garden on Sunday from May to 

 November only. 



A few gardens issue no publications, but this appears contrary to the general 

 practice. Many issue annual reports of the director, or seed catalogues for pur- 

 poses of exchange only. In England, however, as in all the more important 

 gardens of France and Germany, these publications are supplemented by valu- 

 able contributions to science, as the result of original investigations conducted 

 in the laboratories, herbariums, or plant houses of these institutions, and no 

 better idea of the character and value of this could be obtained than from an 

 examination of the annual reports issued by the director of the Royal Gardens 

 at Kew. It indicates the great scope which such an institution properly en- 

 dowed, ably directed, and allowed healthy growth, may ultimately have. 



DESCRIPTION OF SOME OF THE BOTANIC GARDENS IN 

 THE FOREGOING LIST. 



1. Botanic Gardens at Adelaide, South Australia. 



[Extracts from A Traveler's Notes, by James H. Veitch ; published by James Veitch 

 & Sons, Royal Exotic Nursery, Chelsea, 1896.] 



40 acres in area : laid out in 1858. 



The main entrance to the garden is but a few minutes' walk from 

 the center of the city. The lower end adjoins the Botanic Garden 

 Park, a planted area, 80 acres in extent, for the recreation of the 

 people. 



There are four small lakes in the garden, connected by a winding 

 creek. These are filled in winter, but required to be fed from the 

 waterworks during the remaining months. 



Prior to their present uses these gardens served for zoological pur- 

 poses also. 



There is a museum of economic botany said to one of the best in 

 Australia. Erected at a cost of £3,000. 



One of the finest items in the museum is a collection sent by the 

 Japanese Government of seeds, oils, starches, dyes, vegetables, and 

 animal manures, fodder, and agricultural produce generally, etc. 



The herbarium is located at one of the museums, and contains 

 18,000 specimens. 



There is a palm house constructed at cost of £4,000. 



There are 10 glass houses and 3 shade houses. 



There is a very complete collection of cacti. 



A great deal of attention is given in this garden to the question of 

 fruit culture. 



The cost of water is Is. per 1,000 gallons, reaches on occasions 

 £1,200 per annum. 



