Collection of Specimens for the Establishment of Botanical Gardens

At the request of the Botanical Office the Government reserved a piece of ground at the Colony Farm, Essondale, to be used as botanical nursery for the propagation of specimens of the native flora. Work on this nursery was commenced in the spring of 1913. A gardener was appointed to take charge of the sowing and other garden operations.

Owing to the season being too far advanced for the preparation of flower-beds in lawn, a commencement was made in planting the various species by themselves, allowing about one square yard for each. One portion of ground was sown out in lawn in which beds were cut during the fall of 1913. In the spring of 1914 a commencement will be made in arranging the specimens according to their families. (Fig. 8.)

During the season of 1913 about 600 species were established, constituting a unique collection of plants from the Coast, Dry Belt, and alpine regions of British Columbia.

During the winter of 1913 the preparation of permanent plant labels was commenced. These are prepared on thick sheet lead; the name is stamped by means of steel dies and the impression is afterwards filled up with a white metallic paint. These labels are mounted on strong wire supports which are pushed into the ground. Their advantages are, that they are inconspicuous at a distance, the name is always legible, and they are unaffected by frost during the winter.

It is intended to establish a Native Arboretum in connection with the Botanical Garden. There are approximately sixty different species of native trees, of which about one-half have already been secured, and it is expected that others will be obtained during the spring of 1914.

Many native trees and shrubs, as well as herbaceous plants, are exceedingly attractive, and are worthy of the attention of horticulturists. The native dogwood (Cornus Nuttallii) is invaluable for landscape-gardening; the large flowers freely produced in the spring, and the graceful habit of the tree, make it exceedingly useful in decorating grounds, while its vivid autumnal tints, varying from green to red and yellow, are surpassed only by the vine-maple (Acer circinata), which is so abundant near the Coast. (Fig. 9.)

The native madrona (Arbutus Menziesii) is an ornamental tree worthy of more attention. In landscape-work it is well known as a hardy tree, its beautiful brown velvety bark, its large ever-green leaves, and the large racemes of white flowers succeeded by red fruits make the plant extremely useful and attractive.

Some of the most desirable species of herbs, shrubs, and trees are being propagated so as to secure supplies for future use in connection with the University, or for exchange with other botanical gardens.