SIR W. THISELTON-DYER, 1885 TO 1905 61 
Tropical 
Africa. 
Colonies. About 1897 a strong effort was made, at the instance 
of Mr. Chamberlain, to revive their prosperity. An Imperial Depart- 
ment of Agriculture for the West Indies was instituted, 
West Indies. ^ 
and the then assistant director, Dr. (afterwards Sir) 
Daniel Morris, was appointed its head. With the help of a number 
of young men selected from Kew and stationed in the various 
localities, much has been done, by the establishment of other 
industries and the teaching of improved methods of cultivation, 
towards bringing back something, at least, of the ancient prosperity 
of those beautiful islands. 
The colonies and protectorates of Tropical Africa are being dotted 
over with botanical stations controlled in almost every case by Kew- 
trained men, who are endeavouring to establish new 
industries founded on plants already existing there, or on 
new ones sent out from England, and to promote 
amongst the natives habits of industry and responsibility. 
The passing years have witnessed and still witness great literary 
activity at Kew. As long ago as 1882 a commencement was made 
in the Library on the colossal Index Kewensis. The 
Literary wor i c was published in 1895, and was estimated to con- 
y ' tain 400,000 names of plants, with their native countries, 
and a reference to the publication in which each name first appeared. 
The Kew Bulletin was founded in 1887. The publication of the 
“ Hand-lists ” of plants cultivated at Kew was commenced in 1894. 
Completed in 1899, these lists, in their entirety, will constitute a new 
Hortus Kewensis. The preparation of Colonial Floras was resumed 
in 1892, and the Botanical Magazine and Hooker’s leones Plantarum 
were continued. More detailed notes of all these works will be found 
in later pages. 
The history of Kew during the directorship of Sir W. Thiselton- 
Dyer may be concluded by enumerating in chronological order the 
chief events not already mentioned. In 1888 a refresh- 
ment pavilion, in the style of a Swiss chalet, was erected 
near the Temperate House ; it has proved a great boon 
to the public, and is visited by several thousands of people on busy 
days. The employment of young women as gardeners in 1896 created 
a good deal of interest at the time. In 1898 it was decided to open 
the Gardens (not including the plant-houses and museums) every 
week-day at 10 a.m. from June 1st to September 30th. In 1902 
Other 
Events. 
