90 
PARK AND CEMETERY. 
Distinguished botanists from all parts of the world 
availed themselves of Kew’s unparalleled resources, and 
large collections of correctly named specimens were 
profusely distributed. 
A nursery was established at Kew in 1855, to supply 
trees to the municipalities, principally English elms and 
Platanus acerifolia, there having been previously no 
THE PALM HOUSE, KEW GAKDENS, 
supply whatever for the Metropolitan Parks. In 1856, 
between 4,000 and 5,000 were supplied to the then new 
Battersea Park. Living plants and seeds came in even 
greater number, consequent to the energy expended with 
this purpose in view, and in 1855 the extensive col- 
lections amassed far exceeded the space conveniently 
available, and a large house, suitable for the accommo- 
dation of the larger and mature growths of Australian 
and New Zealand plants, was appealed for. In urging 
this grant, the Director well pointed out, in reference to 
living plants, that “a botanic garden is not valuable, as 
was once thought, in proportion mainly to the number 
of species of plants which it contains, but to their use- 
fulness and beauty, and these ought to be a selection 
rather than a collection.” In substantiation of this 
view, the genus Ficus may be instanced as comprising 
over 400 species indigenous to Africa and tropical 
Asia; a tropical weed, with but two species of special 
economic value, and few others of any ornamental 
character, most of its species are relegated, and properly 
so, to the Herbarium in dried state, where they can be 
studied by the botanist. 
Kew has always been primarily a scientific institu- 
tion, ihough largely employed as a recreation grounds. 
Sir John Hill published his “Ilortus Kewensis” in 1768, 
and in 1789, Aiton published another work under the 
same title. Solander and Brown contributed sub- 
sequent editions, and the exquisite botanical drawings 
of Francis Bauer prove this beyond question. 
Among the distinguished botanists studying special 
subjects at Kew, Dr. Englemann, of St. Louis, was 
engaged with Cacti and the genera Euphorbiacese and 
Cuscuta. In 1861, the new “Winter Garden” or Tem- 
perate House, in the pleasure grounds, was commenced, 
according to plans of Decimus Burton, the architect of 
the Palm House, the latter having been completed in 
1848. The assistance Kew has rendered commercial 
enterprise in the British Colonies stands out as one of 
the most potent, direct and immediate influences exerted 
on natural development. As an illustration, the Cin- 
chona may be cited. In 1861, the 
introduction into the West Indies of 
Cinchona trees was one of the most 
important and most interesting works 
of the Gardens. In India 8,000 
trees were planted through the 
efforts of the Gardens, and provision 
for another large plantation w'as 
made. 
The use of quinme as a febrifuge 
is well known. It is an alkaloid 
product of the barks of trees of the 
genus Cinchona, a plant confined in 
a wild state to a small area of the 
Andes, at an elevation of from 2,000 
to 8,000 feet above the sea level, 
between latitude io° north in Ven- 
ezuela, to 1 9 0 south in Bolivia. When 
the curative properties becam e 
known, the forests were speedily 
ravaged, and in the case of C. Suc- 
cirubra, which yields proportionally 
more of the best alkaloid than any 
other species which was then found 
in all the valleys opening in the 
Guyaquil plain, was later almost 
restricted to the western slopes of 
Mount Chimborazo, on account of the reckless felling 
of the trees. 
The extensive plantations in India prevented the 
extinction of the tree, and as for its product, Dr. King 
estimated that by the end of 1878 -9, it saved the Indian 
Government ^80,000 in purchase money, since quinine 
has been reduced in price, so that whereas it cost ZJ5, 
to-day it only costs is. 8d. an ounce, but the price is 
now going up. A week or two ago it was is. 6d. per 
ounce. 
In 1862 the plantation in India amounted to 117, 
706 plants in the Neilgherries alone. 
Emil Mische. 
(To be continued.) 
A PLANTING CHART OF GARDEN PLANTS. 
This little plan is intended as an appendix show- 
ing a simple gardenesque arrangement of the plants 
mentioned in the series of papers entitled, “Gar- 
den Plants — Their Geography,” now being published 
in “Park and Cemetery.” It is I hope clear 
enough to be understood by anyone acquainted 
with plants and practical gardening, or desirous of 
becoming so. 
The key to the groups was given in our issue 
for September 1895, page hi, which is re- 
peated on next page for the sake of convenience: 
Hints as to arrangement are often given in the 
papers alluded to, and will be continued from time 
