LECTURE ON KEW GARDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2896, 15 September 1909, Page 10

LECTURE ON KEW GARDEN.

Mr D. Tannock, superintendent of -the Dunedin Gardens and Reserves, gave a lecture in Burns Hall on the 6th, taking for his subject " A Walk Through Kew Gardens " The chair was taken by Mr J. Dagger, who explained that the leoture they were about to listen to was the last of a series that had been given during the session in connection with the First Church Young Women's Club. He was sure that the result of the lecture would bs an increase in the appreciation of gardens generally, and an added interest in the Botanical Gardens under the care of Mr Tannock The lecturer began his lecture by reterrlng to gardens in general, and the advan tages to be gained in Health by gardening. He expressed regret that in a young country like New Zealand gardening in connection with residences in theis cities was so much neglected. He then referred to the srreat impetus that had been given in Eagla id by the establishment of garden cities like those at Port Sunlight, Bournville, Letch,w rfchand elsewhere Tha improvement of the waste places carried on so extensively in large British cities he contrasted with the very small amounts spent by the borough authorities suburban to Dunedin, though the early settlers had wisely reserved the beautiful Town Belt. It was, he pointed out, only within the last few years that it had been recognised that gardening was a suitable occupation for ladies, but now there were several ladies carrying on the cultivation of vegetables for the market, according to the French system of intense culture. By that means ladies had been able to clear £150 per year from an acre ground. By means of specimen glasses containing flowers Mr Tannoek illustrated the old formal way of arranging flowers, and the new plan that was so much more decorative. He mentioned that Kew was once a Garden of Eden without an Eve, but lady gardeners were now trained there, though an act of Parliament had to be passed before such an innovation was allowed. Some of these ladies had written books that were standard authorities on gardening Coming to the description of Kew Gardens, the lecturer pointed out that they were founded in 1730 by the Princess of Wales, mother of George 111, and sub- ' sequently it was proposed to distribute the collection and turn the gardens to the more utilitarian purpose of fruit-growing. Iv the early years of Queen Victoria's reign (1841) the gardens were, however, handed over as a gift to the nation, and had since been carried on by Sir WiHiam Jackson Hooker, and subsequently by his son. Under their care very fine plant-houses, museums, and libraries and laboratories had been erected, so that science was combined with practice. At present there were 250 men in various parts ot the world loyally collect- i ing specimens for transmission to Kew I Gardens. Every year large quantities of economic plants were distributed to the British colonies and other parts of the world. He cited the fact that plants for the production of chinchona bark, that produces quinine, were first sent to Ceylon from Kew, and flourished on the hillsides there most luxuriantly. Kew, in fact, was the most complele, best equipped, most upto date and the largest botanical institution in the world, and well worthy of the great Empire to which thpy belonged. At the cmo of the lecture a number of excellent v ot various departments of the gardens were shown, together with interior and exterior views of the great palm house nnd several other buildings connected with the establishment. Mr J. M. Jones acted as lanternist. A hearty vote of thanks to Mr Tannock was carried at the close of his very interesting lecture. ' ■