ULA- 
Extract front the Preface to the Catalogue of Bertram's Botanic 
Garden, for the year 1801. 
« Krxr.sF.ss Gardens were begun about the year 1720, by John 
Bart ham the elder, at a time when there were no establishments 
of this nature in Pennsylvania, if in any of the colonies, unless we 
may except that of Ur. Clayton, in Virginia, which, though inferior 
in extent, was furnished with a considerable variety. They are sit¬ 
uated on the west bank of the Schuylkill, four miles from Philadel¬ 
phia, and contain about eight acres of land. The mansion and green 
houses stand on an eminence from which the garden descends by 
gentle slopes to the edge of the river ; and on either side the ground 
rises into hills of moderate elevation, to the summits of which its 
borders extend From this scite are distinctly seen the winding 
course of the Schuylkill, its broad-spread meadows and cultivated 
farms, for many miles up and down ; and the river Delaware, with 
the variety of vessels which it is constantly bearing to and from the 
metropolis of America. Beyond this there is an uninterrupted view 
of the Jersey- shore, from the eastern to the southern horizon. The 
whole comprehends an extensive prospect, rich in the beauty of its 
scenery, and endless in diversity. 
The worthy founder of these gardens, discovered in his early 
youth, a love for philosophy, and natural history in general. He 
was, however, particularly drawn to the study of Botany, from con¬ 
sidering the importance of vegetables in the practice of medicine, 
and their indispensible use in various departments of human econo¬ 
my. But at that time Botany was but little attended to in America; 
and in the old world the works of the great Linnaeus had not ap- 
• peared ; he had, therefore, no other aid in studying the great book 
of nature than his own persevering genius. Ilis view in the estab¬ 
lishment was to make it a deposite of the vegetables of these Uni¬ 
ted States (then British colonies), as well as those of Europe and 
other parts of the earth, that they might be the more convenient for 
investigation. He soon furnished his grounds with the curious and 
beautiful vegetables in the environs, and by degrees with those more 
distant, which were arranged according to their natural soil and 
situation, either in the garden, or on his plantation, which consist¬ 
ed of between 200 and 300 acres of land, the whole of which he 
termed his garden. 
The novelty of this horticultural scene, attracted the notice of the 
ingenious and curious ; and coming to the knowledge of Europeans, 
several scientific men in England, particularly of the Royal Society, 
united to encourage the founder to undertake journeys towards the; 
western frontiers, in order to discover and collect curious and non¬ 
descript productions in nature, particularly vegetables, that they 
might be sent to Europe. 
Thus these extensive gardens became the Seminary of American 
; vegetables, from whence they were distributed to Europe and other 
regions of the civilized world. They may with propriety and truth 
f called the Botanical Jlcademy of Pennsylvania, since, being near 
t Philadelphia, the Professors of Botany, Chemistry, and Materia Mc- 
dica, attended by their youthful train of pupils, annually assemble 
here during the Floral season. 
“ X he revered founder lived to see his garden flourish beyond his 
