PROPOSED BOTANICAL GARDEN - Adelaide Botanical Garden - Adelaide - SA - Australia - News Article Locations on Waymarking.com

PROPOSED BOTANICAL GARDEN.
THE EDITOR OP THE ADELAIDE OBSERVER.
Sir — As an old colonist I may be allowed to say a few words with regard to the appropriation of the Government paddock to a Botanical Garden. I cannot but think it would be a subject of regret if so large a quantity as 40 acres were taken for this purpose, as this would ab orb nearly the whole of that beautiful portion of the Park Lands. A much smaller quantity would be attended with far lass expeuse, and, instead of causing the destruction oi the present trees, would only increase their beauties by the effect of contrast. If nearly the whole paddock is allowed, then I have no faith in the gardeners leaving many of the forest trees.- they seem ever to wage the most exterminating war 011 them, never satisfied till they have supplied their place with a quantity of plauts with long scientific names, many of them no bigger than cabbages, and affording not the least shade in this warm climate. The amonnt voted would only he sufficient to make a rough commencement on 40 acres, to clear and fence it and put up the necessary buildings, leaving it unfinished and uninviting for years to come. The same amount of money on a lesser quantity of ground, say 10 or 15 acres, would put it in a- much more forward state. I remember that in the early days of the old Botanical Garden, many of the large trees and native shrubs were left standing, and the place had a very pleasant appearance. Afterwards, under the direction of a horticulturist, the trees were all felled, and the place immediately assumed the appearance of a kale yard, and now calls to mind the words of Scott—
'Seek not the spot, the axe, the plough, The boor's du.ll fence hath marred it now."
It is to be hoped the Governor will still exert his influence in trying to preserve some of the
fine trees on the Park Land, which every year are so rapidly diminishing.
The Government paddock is now very useful and profitable for the Police horses. It must save a great deal of fodder without requiring any labour, which is so costly here. A large garden would require an immense amount of labour and expense. It was well observed, a few days back in Council, what little impression one man's labour makes in a garden. If a commencement was made with a small Botanical
Garden, it could, in the course of years, he enlarged if found desirable.

Adelaide, 29tli October, 1854.

Type of publication: Newspaper When was the article reported?: 11/04/1854 Publication: Adelaide Observer Article Url: [Web Link] Is Registration Required?: no How widespread was the article reported?: national News Category: Arts/Culture

Visit Instructions:
Give the date of your visit at the news location along with a description of what you learned or experienced.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   05/26/2018 Grahame Cookie visited it 04/24/2018 CADS11 visited it

View all visits/logs