Kew Gardens

Abstract

IT is highly desirable that the public should be fully acquainted with the real objects of the establishment of which we have the annual report before us, as a very imperfect impression on the subject is prevalent. That object is not simply to collect as many forms of vegetation as admit of cultivation, with a view to facilitate the studies of botanists, whether young or old, much less to make mere collections of plants without any ulterior view; but while its unequalled herbarium and diligent staff are enabled to promote botany as a science, it has in view the rational recreation of multitudes and the accompanying improvement in taste, from the familiarity with exquisite forms and combination of colouring, aided by the attendant prevalence of order in each department; while in an economic point of view there are facilities for the investigation of diseases which affect our commerce or manufactures, unequalled facilities of diffusing through our colonies productions which may prove of vast importance to their interests, inquirers at home being able at once, through the museum and its curator, to become acquainted with matters in which their factories are more or less concerned, and thus to obtain information which in many cases has proved the source of national advantage. At the same time there are great opportunities for young cultivators gaming such a knowledge of the structure and intimate nature of plants as will not only be useful to themselves and their employers, but which has a tendency to improve by example the numerous tribe of gardeners who are too often deficient in the very knowledge which is of the utmost importance to successful cultivation. The interchange of plants and seeds also is carried on to a great extent at Kew, which is now the acknowledged ultimate medium for all communications from abroad with reference to what may be called industrial plants. The mass of correspondence which is carried on in this very useful department is almost overwhelming. Amongst other things, india-rubber plants, coffee, and quinine-producing barks, have received peculiar attention, respecting which interesting details will be found in the report. The cinchona plantations, not less than those of coffee, are every day of increasing importance, much of which is due to our national establishment at Kew. Not only have pains been taken to introduce the most improved forms of the coffee-plant, but the disease which is ravaging the coffee-plantations in Ceylon has been diligently studied by Mr. Abbay, whose observations were commenced in Ceylon in company with Mr. Thwaites. The first step to combating with diseases is doubtless an efficient knowlege of their nature, and it appears that the observations of these gentlemen and Mr. Morris have been attended with success in the application of proper remedies. Full figures are given in the report of the structure and nature of the coffee mildew by Mr. Abbay. This is not the only good work which has been done at the new laboratory during the past year, where the writer of the present notice has more than once-profited by the facilities which it affords for observation.