The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-11-12

Among the other wonders of the botan-
ical gardens, is large bed Of elephant
grass, which grows to the hight Of lS to
20 feet. AS a rapid growing plant this
grass seems to be the first in its class, but
during the winter season it dies down TO
the roots. When in blossom the bed looks
like small section OF the Jungle, trans
planted to the American soil
The trees in the botanical gardens have
been selected more with n view to their
adaptability to the soil and climate, and
to their worth as shade trees, rather than
TO Illustrate peculiar kinds or varieties of
trees, and Altogether, the general effect of
the tree planting has been very success
full, in that the requisite amount of shade
has been secured as well as harmonious
touch of general establishment of the
gardens.
THE SUPERINTENDENT.
With every department Of this kind
much interest always centers about the
person in charge. The general oversight
of the botanical gardens is vested in the
library committee, so that the garden is
under the direct supervision of congress.
But the superintendent, Mr. w. r. Smith,
is the person in immediate charge Of the
garden, and his popularity is evidenced
by the number of years he has occupied
this position.
In appearance Mr.. Smith reminds you of
the typical picture Of the English squire
Heis far above the average hight, square
shouldered, silvergray hair, and a pleas
ant voice.
Though born in Scotland, his long resi-
dence in this country has thoroughly i'm
pressed him with the superiority of Amer
lea as a place Of residence. But little
of the Scottish accent can be dis
cerned in his speech, and his love for the
land of his birth, and one of it's sons, is
exhibited in the hobby, which has placed
him at the head of the list Of Burnsonian
collectors.
Here in the quiet beauty of this wonder
ful garden is a man on the down-hill side
Of life who has the most wonderful collec-
ton Of books, magazines, and poems re-
laJing TO Robert Burns that can be found.
Wonderful, because its collection has been
the work of lifetime, because some Of
the volumes are 80 rare that they are al
most priceless, and because he has also col
lected magazines, pamphlets and every
thing in the line Of sidelights that can
illustrate the life Of the poet and the
events with which he was identified and
the times in which he lived
1t is rare treat TO go inside the plain,
distorted brick house, in which the
superintendent lives. The house belongs
TO the mansard roof epoch Of architect
ure, and in one room case after case shlled
with books, relating to Scotland's great
poet. All varieties of prints and bindings
are upon the shelves, and upon the walls
are pictures Of Burns and his birthplace,
and Of familiar places referred TO in his
poems. Statuettes of Burns are placed
about the room. To collect all Of this
material has cost a fortune, but the salts
faction 10 the owner is worth far more
than its cost, and he never wearies in
showing his valuable collection to the
visitors who call uuOn him and in the ny-
hibition Of his treasures he lives again
the days Of his boyhood in the country Of
the blue-bells and heather that he loves
so well.
As you leave the gardens and go out on
that busy thoroughfare, Pennsylvania