

mmMmmiA Slili 



ICETlIk JOME, 



A MAGAZINE OF 



Horticulture, Botany, Agriculture, and the Kindred Sciences. 



Edited and Published byR. ROBINSON SCOTT, No. 63 Walnut Street, between Second 

 and Dock Streets, up stairs. 



Vol. I.] Philadelphia, September, 1852. [No. 5. 



Q37=* For proceedings of Nat. Agricultural Convention, see p. 136. 

 The Importance of a National Botanic Garden. 



BY JOHN MURRAY, MEADVILLE, PA. 



I have frequently asked myself and others — Why has this country 

 no National Botanic Garden? Why is there not an institution where 

 representatives, or a congress of tfre flowers of all countries might be 

 seen in a day \ Is it because the climate is not adapted to it \ No ! 

 It is true there are difficulties in the way of cultivating plants natives 

 of polar regions; but for the denizens of sunnier climes there are no 

 insurmountable obstacles. In the midland States there is a Summer 

 sun, which, with the assistance of glass, and coal or wood in Winter, 

 an artificial climate may be formed, adapted to the culture of the 

 spice plants of Ceylon, the lofty Palms and gigantic Ferns of the 

 West Indies, and the beautiful Orchids of Brazil. Is it because the 

 nation is too poor to form and maintain such a garden 1 No ! It is 

 blest with material prosperity ; and already it teems with wealth. Is 

 it because the people are too utilitarian to maintain an institution tor 

 the gratification of the curious, or Ihe pleasure of the few who may 

 be interested in such matters 1 This can hardly be the reason, as a 

 Botanic Garden appeals strongly to the economical interests of a great 

 agricultural, manufacturing and commercial community like this. 



Perhaps one reason may be found in the nature and relations of 

 the general government to the governments of the several States and 

 individual citizens. I do not say that the government is weak, but 

 that there is much more independence on the part of the citizens, or 

 at least less interference on the part of the government than in coun- 

 l tries where despotic and monarchical institutions prevail. The peo- 

 r . pie are jealous of the thorough organization, and especially of the 

 f2 centralizations in older nations. They do not look to the government G\ 



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