Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-10-13

Royal Kew in fact under the director
ships of Sir W. J. Hooker, who re-
manned in charge until his death, in
1855, and his son, Sir Joseph Hooker,
the renowned traveller and botanist, who
succeeded him. The latter is known to
every student of botany in the world
from his "Flora Antarctica," "iima.
layan Journals" and his great work,
Genera Plantarum," and the tremen
dous Importance of Kew as an interna-
tional scientific educator, has been
almost wholly due to his genius for
compelling its work to cover q vast and
practically limitless field.
To raintly illustrate this extraordinary
comprchensivencss it may be truly said
that wherever in the world classification
of new plants is required Kew stands
ready to attend to the matter. Wher.
ever new plants are wanted for cultiyU-
ton these Royal Gardens will supply
them, and this readiness of supply is
not at all limited to British subjects or
colonies. Where plant disease threatens
or pests approach, Kew will consult and
advise. Foreign institutions cooperate
in all these beneficial relations. Lists
of new plants are constantly being pub
lished. 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 re-
fused. At the time of my visit applica
tons laid upon the curator's desk from
Oregon, Texas and British Columbia in
America; from English shircs, from
South Africa, Ceylon, India and Guate-
mala. All were to be served with equal
attention. This characteristic of Kew
gives the whole world an interest in its
resources, proficiency and increased
powers for interchange of botanic
knowledge and aid.
How the rapidly increasing popula
ton of the globe may be provided with
food and clothing is regarded as prob
lem falling within the province of Kew's
authorities. The splendid success of
the cinchona plantations in India also
illustrate the scope OF the work at the
Royal Gardens. The Peruvian supply
was showing exhaustion. Quiniue was
becoming alarmingly expensive. Gin
chona seeds and young trees were
secured in Peru, brought here to Kew
and nursed, and finally given successful
culture in Jamaica, Ceylon and Bengal,
until the annual output from these
sources amounts to nearly 100000
pounds. Thai was a direct benefit to
all humankind.
1t will thus be seen that ROYAL Kew
is not only fayorite resort for holiday
visitors, but it is the great central bo.
tanic workshop of the world; not a
flower show nor pretty park merely,
for serious and vast work is accom-
plished here every year. And nothing
is too tritiing to receive Kew's candid
attention. II is 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 gentlemen in those
distant parts thought adapted to fishing
rods; upon the values of West African
palm kernels as material for coat but
tons, and upon pithy stem which the
government Of West Indies island be.
lieved suitable for razor strops."
Kew is now training young men to
fill botanic situations in the colonies
Instruction is given in principles OF
scientific botany, and the general con.
ditions 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 Mr.. Thiselton Dyer, who be.
came director of Kew in 1886, is only
the fifth in a period of 1870 years, and is
broadening rather than restricting the
field of scientific investigation so nobly
opened and developed by Sir William
Hooker and his son, Sir Joseph.
The gardens and grounds are extern
| siye. Those portions known as the
Botanic Gardens comprise nearly thirty
acres, and the pleasure grounds and
arboretum have an area of 270 acres
| Beyond, stretching TO Richmond, is the
old Deer Park of about 400 acres, though
only small portion of the latter il
accessible to the public. In front of the
gardens stretches a broad, smooth walk
and dotted about the lawns are noble
specimens of Italian, Spanish and Corsi
can pines. At the end of these one see!
the old red brick house in which Queer
Charlotte died. To the left is the prin
cipal avenue, with flower parterres oil
either side. In the distance the magnifi
cent palmhouse rises like fairy palace
and beside it are tiny lakes with flock
of aquatic birds.
The herbarium at Kew is undoubtedl,
the finest is existence. The number d
specimens now exceeds 100000, dupli
Gates not inclrded They ill larr,
structure in the north west corner of Thu
green, including great hall, added il
1876, fitted with two tiers OF light iron
galleries. Beginning with the Ranun
culacem on the ground tlo1r, they con
clude with the grasses up aloft, Their,
is no red tape here to oppose the student
A table stands in each corner for hi
convenience. All specimens are ar
ranged after the system of Sir JOSEPH
Iooker's great work. the "Generi
Plantarum," so that the visitor only ha
to give the number attached to par
ticular genus, and the portfolio contain
ing the corresponding specimen is bcfor
him in an instant.
In the garden proper the smalle
plants are found in almost endles
variety. Altogether there are nearly
10000 species. Small us is this proper
ton TO the total sum of natures wealth
the knowledge, patience and labor il
forming such vast collection are ii
themselves almost inconceivable Thin
OF 5000 species OF trees and shrub:
3,OOo greenhouse plants, $500 "stov
l.. - 90.