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DICKSON ON MR. N. WILSON'S REPORT 



this institution of late years, this Botanic Garden has, from a 

 comparative state of obscurity, been brought into one of 

 practical utility and national importance, evidenced by the 

 dissemination of thousands of plants, both useful and in- 

 teresting:, where such were never seen or heard of before. 

 Consequently, the limits of this garden have rendered it 

 totally inadequate to meet the exigency of the present 

 demand, or to do anything like justice to the constantly 

 accumulating collection of plants, being only one and three- 

 quarter acres in extent. The new plants have therefore to be 

 disposed without plan or arrangement, wherever a few feet of 

 spare ground can be found, and consequently they, suffer 

 much for want of space. You are aware of this circumstance, 

 as I have mentioned it in my last report. My object in again 

 bringing the subject to your notice is that you may, in con- 

 junction with your general report on the state of the institu- 

 tion, lay before the executive the circumscribed state and 

 difficulties under which the Botanic Garden is now suffering ; 

 in order that no time may be lost in remodelling, if possible, 

 and placing the interests of the garden on an extensive, 

 permanent, and useful basis, adequate to meet the increasing 

 wants of the community, and to do justice to a popular, 

 useful, and highly increasing science. 



" The Cappan and Cam dye-woods, nutmeg and cinnamon 

 plants, have been distributed to all parts of the island, and I 

 have still a few on hand. As to their perfect suitability to 

 this climate and soil, none need entertain the slightest doubt. 

 The distribution of plants in general have amounted to 1,720, 

 all of which were fully established in baskets, so that no loss 

 could possibly take place but by wilful neglect. 



" The desire for growing new plants and adopting new 

 staples is daily on the increase, and the necessity of a more 

 varied cultivation among our agriculturists has become indis- 

 pensable in keeping pace with the times, and making the 



