The record-union., 1892-10-08

plants are constantly being published.
Lists Of seeds matured here are also
printed, and the institution wisely goes
so far as TO exchange these seeds with
regular correspondents all over the world.
This magazine of seeds is nominally
collected for the benefit of similar asso-
Citations which may sometime, in part,
return like faVors. But any one in any
part of the globe applying with serious
purpose for seeds or plants is not refused.
At the time of my visit applications laid
upon the curator's desk from Oregon,
Texas and British Columbia in America;
from English shires, from South Africa,
Ceylon, India and Guatemala. All were
to be served with equal attention. This
characteristic of Kew gives the whole
world an interest in its resources, prof.
cheney and increased powers for inter-
change of botanic knowledge and aid.
How the rapidly increasing population
of the globe may be provided with food
and clothing is regarded as problem
falling within the province of Kew's au-
thoritles. The splendid success OF the
cinchona plantations in India also illus
trate the scope OF the work at the Royal
Gardens. The Peruvian supply was show
ing exhaustion. Quinine was becoming
alarmingly expensive. Cinchona seeds
and young trees. were secured in Peru,
brought here to Kew and nursed, and
8
maica, Ceylon and Bengal, until the an
nual output from these sources amounts
to nearly 1000 pounds. That was dl-
rect benefit to all humankind.
1t will thus be seen that Royal Kew is
not only favorite resort for holiday Wis
ltorS, but 1t is the great central botanic
workshop of the world, nota flower show
nor pretty park merely, for serious and
vast work is accomplished here every
ceive Kew's candid attention. 1t is a
matter of record that debate has been
graVely held, opinions even have been
formed and reported upon such matters
as a South African cane, which some gen.
tlemen in those distant parts thought
adapted to fishing rods, upon the values
of West African palm kernels as mate
rial for coat buttons, and upon a pithy
stem which the Government of a West
Indies island believed suitable for razor
StropS.o
Kew is now training young men to fill
botanic situations in the colonies. In
struction is given in principles of scien-
tific botany, and the general conditions
governing horticulture under differing
conditions and circumstances. In the
end Kew is repaid. Nearly all these men,
becoming emigrants, remain enthusiastic
correspondents with, and contributors to,
the stores of the Royal Gardens. Thi-
selton Dyer, who became director of Kew
IN 1856, is only the fifth in a period
Of 80 years, and is broadening rather
than restricting the field of scientific in
vestigation so nobly opened and devel-
oped by Sir William Hooker ond his son,
Sir Joseph.
The gardens and grounds are extensive.
Those portions known as the Botanic
Gardens comprise nearly thirty acres, and
the pleasure grounds and aboretum have
an area of 270 acres. Beyond, stretching
to Richmond, is the old Deer Park OF
about 400 acres, though only small por-
ton of the latter is accessible to the pub
lie, In front of the garden stretches 8
broad, smooth walk, and dotted about the
lawns are noble specimens of Italian
Spanish and COrsican pines. At the enc
OF these one sees the old red brick house
in which Queen Charlotte died. To the
| left is the principal avenue with flower
parterres on either side. In the distance
the magnificent palmhouse rises like &
fairy palace, and beside it are tiny lakes
with fiocks of aquatic birds.
The herbarium at Kew is undoubtedly
the finest in existence. The number O
specimens now exceeds 1,500, 900, dupli-
Gates not included. They ill a large
structure in the northwest corner of the
green, including a great hall, added i'll
| 1876, fitted with two tiers of light iron
galleries. Beginning with the Ranuncu.
lacese on the ground floor, they conclude
with the grasses up aloft. There is Nc
| red tape here to oppose the student. A
| table stands in each corner for his con
| yenience. All specimens are arranged
after the system Of Sir Joseph Hooker
great work, the Genera Plantarum," 81
! that the visitor only has to give the mum
| Der attached to particular genus, an(
! the portfolio containing the correspond
/ INN #
In the garden proper the smaller plant
are found in almost endless variety. AL
! together there are nearly 10000 species
| Small as is this proportion to the tota
sum Of natures wealth, the knowledge
patience and labor IN forming such vas
collection are in themselves almost in
| conceivable. Think of 1900 species o
trees and shrubs, 5000 greenhouse plants
| $500 ''stove plants" 200 ferns, LOO
succulents ana 1000 orchids among thi
| bewildering collection in one compac
| garden!
The Museum of Economic Botany wa
established in 1S47. Its influence upol
trade has undoubtedly since been increas
ingly felt in the two hemispheres. Ever,
tree and plant known to serve usefu
purpose is represented here, with illus
tratIons of the manner of its employment
and most valuable use, while the Muse
um of Timber is permanent worlds ex
position of woods. The showing in thi
from the two Americas and the West In
! dies exceeds that Of all the rest of tn
world in extent and variety, and ever,
great American city should duplicate thi
/ timber exhibit. Its economic sugges
| tiYenesS and hints to woodworkers iron
the most ordinary necessities OF buildin!
tim bers to the highest possibilities in ar
| woods and woodworking art, woull
| prove invaluable.
To the casual visitor the show places O
| Royal Kew are the great palmhouse ant
the structure housing the huge waite
maize Of Central America, named Victori
regia by its discoverers in compliment t.
Queen Victoria. The palmhouSe is a veri
table crystal palace. 1t is 362 feet lon,
and 100 feet wide. 1t stands near th
center of the gardens with q broad ter
race and the lakes with their aquati
fiocks N front. Nearly 25, coo feet of ho
water piping are required for its heating
| Though sixty feet in hight, its mos
gigantic habitat-tne finest specimen il
Europe of the PdRddnaceR-is continu
ally being Topped and pruned to keep j
within bounds. There are. besides, mag
nificent specimens of the betel, the wa,
palm, the bread tree, the orange, tn
coral plant, the coffee shrub, the cocoanu
and the tamarind.
A few yards distant is the home of th
tremendous water MY, The 1ctorla regis
Its gigantic leaves and flowers sprea
completely over its allotted water spac
of $1,000 square feet in the summe
months, while at this season of the yea
its wide oval leaves, yards in surface di
ameter, with beautifully curled edges
suggest the tabled shells in which Aphro
dite is waited upon obedient seas
One never tires of these matches
Royal Gardens. If l should confess I
my abiding, overwhelming feeling whil
within them, it would be that they G
their double was ours. AS the settin
sun warned me with all visitors away
and "hearty Handrew, Pol an the youn
uns'' Joined me for the return journey o
N, ron, ,l,.,s. -.