ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 85 



2. Government Botanic Gardens, Brisbane, Queensland, 



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. 



They are but a few hundred yards from the head of Queen Street, 

 Brisbane's leading thoroughfare, are triangular in shape. 



The Brisbane River runs along one side. 



These gardens are largely patronized by the public. 



They contain a fair-sized cricket field and a lawn-tennis court. 



There is only £52 (sterling) a year available for the garden. 



All is under grass except the beds and asphalt paths. 



This garden is scarcely in accordance with the popular idea of a 

 garden, although the plants are well kept and thrifty. 



The heat in this garden is very great. The thermometer ranges 

 from 94° to 99° Fahrenheit, with the nights but little cooler. 



In January the nights are but a few degrees cooler. 



3. Botanic Garden at Melbourne, Victoria. 



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

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



97 acres in area, including lake of 8 acres. 



Rich grassy undulating slopes, winding walks, and bold sweeping- 

 beds in pure English style — as fine a general landscape effect as is 

 to be met anywhere. 



Some beds are devoted to natural orders, others are reserved for 

 the flora of various countries or continents, and others arranged 

 from a gardener's point of view. 



Lawns are of Buffalo grass and English rye grass. 



The paths are from 10 to. 20 feet wide. 



The system of labeling plants is very complete. It includes the 

 botanic name, the name of the author, the popular name, the habitat, 

 order, and in some instances the economic or medicinal value of the 

 plant legibly inscribed. 



There is a director's house and a museum of economic botany. 



4. Botanic Gardens, Sydney, New South Wales. 



[Extracts from A Guide to the Botanic Gardens, by J. H. Maiden (director and Govern- 

 ment botanist), with the assistance of members of the staff, 1903.] 



43f acres in area. 



The botanic gardens proper front on Farm Cove, Port Jackson. 

 They are made up as follow : 



The upper garden, 7-i acres. 



The middle garden, 8^- acres. 



The lower or northern garden, 26 acres. 



About 6 acres have recently been added to the garden from the 

 Inner Domain. The middle garden was the original garden, and 

 other portions have been added at different times. 



186037— 20— pt 2 3 



