The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-05-19

gentleman Of .bi city, Ar. G. N. MAcKuBIx.
to establst Botanical Garden on the pre-
mises near bin residences, ct the west end Of
the city. We do not propose to commit
that gsntlemsn finally To the enterprise by
the unauthorized use Of bic name 10 this
connection, but although . private enter.
prise, this b one Of those public benefac-
tioos which It is the FIRST privilege Of public
gratitude 10 applaud.
II b one oil those munifcent acts OF bounty
which ennobIe wealth, and make money,
worth the having. The proposed Botanical
Garden is to be limited, we believe, to an ex-
position Of the useful Flora Of NJ inpesota. The
design, doubtless, might be extended, in time
to embrace the more comprehensive idea Of
the Jardrn dts PLames, Of Paris, or the
Royal Botanical Garden, OF London. For
10 these are exhibited whatever can be
grown, upon any conditions, 10 the respective
soils. Bot we confess that the plan for q
simple illustration Of the Physiological Bot
any Of Minnesota. uneomplicated with exotic
varieties, has for US Significance so striking,
and an interest 30 predominant, that the ad.
mission Of foreign plants in any manner
which would tend to confuse the faithful
representation Of our indigenous products,
would serve only to impair its value in our
eyes. An exotic department would have
its uses but the simple design Of Gar
den Of Native Botany is that which would
serve the highest practical purpose, and
possess the proioundest charm. If carried
into execution, such a Botanical Garden
would disclose an atlluence Of spontaneous
resources that has never been suspected of
the vegetation Of Minnesota.
Every traveller through Minnesota has
noticed the profuson Of beautiful herba.
ceous flowers, whose blossoms sprinkle prai.
ries, meadows, woods and ravines with con.
stelations of radiant tints.
IL these could be culled from dark dell
and sunny upland from the recdy banks Of
pond and stream-irom the lucent margin
OF brook, and lake, and wateriall--if all the
children of the native crowioot or ane-
none, and the viola, Of the lily, wild rose,
gentian. primrose, and innumsrable Others,
could be collected into one conservatory,
We doubt If there could be gathered from
the Jardn DIES Pidntes itself bouquet Of
rarer combination-so blending all grades
Of color and complexion in infinite harmony
OF incubation. Such collection would be
Q constant nosegay, which each recurring
moon Of summer wou ID almost twice renew,
wreathng civic crown, a garland Of fresh
flowers, for the man who shall have the cour.
age to make himself immortal with this hor.
ticultural experiment. But this Respondent
blazonry Of color which charms the eye,
and the attending perfumes, are but lures to
the hidden treasures contained in the phys
biological properties Of the plants Of Mime
sofa. OF these not the least useful are
those Of medicinal character.
1t would be something like the Charm Of
decyphering an Arabic manuscript of mys-
tic medicine, to unravel the occult proper.
ties of the Indians uakan herbs, and fix
their precise value Is medicinal agents.
There is little doubt that the Indians pos.
SEES the knowledge ofvaluable specifies which
might be made Of great use. IL the vegeta-
bic agents employed were collected from the
localities where they flourish. Nor is this
even the most important purpose of such
botanical garden.
A,collection Of the plants Of Minnesota
would embrace valuable store OF native
esculents, the culture Of which would proba.
bly, develope IN unexpected economical
value in some species. The esculent fruits
and roots of Minnesota are more abun
dant and important than is generally known.
This article is already too long to admit OF
any specific sllusion to the native roots,
fruits and medicinal herbs of Minnesota
but postpouing detailed description to sno-
Their occasion, We may say here, that they
alone possess sufhcen, value, and therefore
sufficient interest, to justify and reward at
tentve culture, and to make the scene OF
the experiment in the proposed Botanical
Garden. an affair Of transoenden, public in
tercst. As we shall hereafter eudeavor 10
show.