1852.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. 75 



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vD This great increase has, no doubt, partly arisen from the gracious C® 

 y permission given by Her Majesty, allowing the Pleasure Grounds at " 

 ' Kew to be open to the public daily during the summer months : it 

 may also be attributed to the concourse of persons attracted to Lon- 

 don and its neighborhood by the Exhibition. The reports of previous 

 years have, however, proved that, without these adventitious causes 

 of increase, the additional number of visitors may be, in a considera- 

 ble measure, referred to the popularity of the gardens, and to the 

 opportunity which they afford for instruction. 



As these advantages become better known, it may be expected that 

 the number of visitors will steadily augment; and it is an agreeable 

 duty to state, that with this vast concourse of people, of aJl kinds 

 ; and grades, including a great number of foreigners, no misconduct or 

 wilful mischief has occurred ; while many little irregularities, for- 

 merly common, have nearly, if not entirely ceased, though unrestrict- 

 ed access was permitted to every part of the grounds, to all the hot- 

 houses, green-houses, and the Museum. 



In the Pleasure Grounds an improvement has been effected by the 

 formation of the Sioh Vista, with a broad gravel walk, which stretches 

 in a continuous line from the great western door of the Palm Stove 

 to the river, opposite Sion House. This was part of the plan former- 

 ly designed for these grounds, which has now been executed, and 

 promises to add to the beauty of the Gardens. 



The whole of the woods in these grounds have, during the autumn 

 and present winter, undergone considerate thinning. This should 

 have been done thirty years ago 5 but I still believe that it will assist 

 the growth ot trees which have been until now over crowded, and 

 wih eventually improve the Pleasure Grounds. 



The open glades have been systematically planted with a great 

 number of young trees, forming an Arboretum, which, if continued, 

 promises to be the most perfect in Europe. 



A Lodge has been built at the Pagoda Gate, which will contribute 

 to the public convenience, and afford a residence to the foreman 

 who has the immediate care of these grounds. 



The Ha-ha fence, which separates the Pleasure Grounds from the 

 Deer Park, has been completed, and an iron fence is substituted for 

 the wooden paling, which was decayed and unfit for repair. 



A small Nursery of about four acres is in active operation for the 

 rearing of trees and shrubs, which may. hereafter be transferred as 

 specimens to the other pleasure grounds and parks. 



A considerable portion of the Gardens, situated about the Museum 

 and skirting the Richmond Road, was divided into narrow strips by 

 two long unsightly walls, the intermediate piece having been a kitchen 

 garden and paddock in the occupation of his late Majesty the King 

 of Hanover. By the recent demise of that sovereign the ground in 

 question has reverted to the Crown, and Her Majesty the Queen has 

 graciously granted it as an addition to the Botanical Gardens. A 

 portion of it will forthwith be devoted to forming a Medical Garden. 



The Victoria Regia, blooming almost daily from March till Christ- 

 mas, has been a great attraction ; and it will be reared and seen in 

 1 much fuller perfection when a house, containing a tank of sufficient 

 V magnitude, shall have been built. The plans for this house are now 

 •n in preparation. 

 K A new Fern House for the cultivation of the ferns of temperate^ 



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