, 1876-08-06
BOTANICAL.
THE CHICAGO BOTANICAL GARDENS.

The tAdf7AncfSt.
To any one not familiar with the progress OF
this great educational work, a simple statement
Of the very large number Of plants under cul-
tiyation at this time will afford sufficient reason
for pleasure and surprise when it is rcueT1-
bered that the inception Of the enterprise dates
back only to January. 1875, period practically
representing but twelve months Of garden work.
To those who are familiar with the work, this
feeling Of surprise gives way to sense Of won
der at the success achieved in the face of many
obstacles, and at a cost of work, both mental
and physical, which seems incredible in the time
named. But few persons, even those well III
formed, are aware Of the great amount OF detail
and of painstaking labor involved in the
arrangement and care of q botanical gar
den. Like in the practice OF pharmacy, ac-
c1lracy is OF the first importance, and is al,
indispensable quaity of the knowledge required in
botanical director, and this exact knowledge
must be applied at all times, in the preparation OF
1.-THE ground, the culture OF the plants and in the
preservation Of the Seeds There is no fit time for
carelcssncss or neglect; nomenclature must be ac-
cnrate and correctly applied, the work is in vain
the effects of heat and cold, air aad sunlight,
moisture and dryne8s OF soil, tho natural conditions
OF each plant-all these must be understood and
carefully 3dapted, to insure success M When ws
from sill climates and brought together upon q
few acres Of ground in changeab1e and rigorous
climate, the skill and knowledge and care necessa-
~ can be more fully appreciated, and must be
more justly app1audcd. ....
The Chicago gardens were unusually fortunate
in securing the services OF Prof. Babcock as the
Botanical Director combining, as he does, the
knowledge and skill for the work, with admirable
powers Of administration and the needful ability to
more or better work, and few could have equaled
it. Almost labor OF love, and with but little en-
couragcment, he has devoted his hours OF rest and
Of work untiinchingy to this task. Like other un-
selfish workers for the good OF mankind, his re-
ward will be found when our people come to appre-
ciatc his efforts and learn how great service he
ter which hears directly upon the health, not less
than the pleasure, OF onr citizens.
We have so far rcfrained from mentioning the
honor it will be to Chicago to possess the largcst
and most complete botanical garden in America,
and in this connection we would allnde to the most
generous and public spirited action of the Board Of
actcrstc manner so ably fostered this enterprise,
bcstowng upon it the needful grounds and tinan-
cial aid necessary to secure its ultimate success
We feel confident that this noble action in the in
terest OF the public will gan for them the hearty
thanks Of all intelligent citizens, and be further
evidence that they are the right men in the right
place.
To pharmacists and physicians the Botanical
Gardens should be Of no ordinary interest," and to
these two professional classes would address
few words Of solicitation. The study OF botany
has at al times been deemed OF great value and
importance to students of medicine and pharmacy.
Through the neglect Of this study in the schools
our medical men are in la1nentable ignorance of
the value of many indigenous plants III remedial
agents. To such an extent is this true, that we
owe to accidental causes. to the traditions Of
the ''noble red man. - the imperfect knowledge
we hare Of native medicinal plants and their uses
almost without exception.
We 70 to India to Europe, and to iH1cs Of the
growing all about us, waiting for the knowledge
that will enable lis to utilize them. Heretofore
hut few schnuls have had the advantages Of n ho-
tanical garden in which were grouped convenient
ly u1l the families of plants: the fields have been
neglected because inconvcnient, and as O result
onr materia medicx is incomplete, foreign and all
tiquutcd- In Chicago there will be no longer an
excuse for Ignorance in this direction, and our pro-
fessionaI colleagues of all schools should Mt once
interest themselves in this enterprise Let give
to it all the aid and all the encouragement neces-
assured at m early dny in such a manner as shall
leave nothing to DC desired for the future education
Of students in knowledge Of botany.
Already plants ind sert}s have bccn received at
the gnrdens from Nearly every country known to
us, and from every botanical garden of any i'm
portance in the world. The Director has received
80 far, in all, over 600 varieties, many OF which
are under successful cultivation in beds and 1
houses.
Although in its first year Of results, the Director
has distributed over ?. 600 packages Of seeds to
other gardens and to botanists. We thinl; it safe
70 claim that no other garden accomplished 81,
gives all the assurance needle TINT, with proper
and assistance ut home, the Chicago
Botanical Gardens will become one of the chief at
fractions OF cur nletropolis