THE ROYAL GARDENS at Kew stand foremost in the world as a horticultural establishment. There is scarcely a corner of the globe where its fame has not reached, as proved by the many donations of plants and seeds, etc., annually received from the remotest colonies. The first account which we have of the gardens dates from about the middle of last century, when the collection was in the charge of Mr. W. Aiton, an accomplished horticulturist; by his great skill in the cultivation of exotic plants he soon attracted the attention of the leading botanists of that period, who worked hand in hand with him to make the Kew collection large and valuable. The number of species in the collection at that time numbered 3,000 to 4,000, contained in one or two conservatories. The number of species gradually increased and the erection of other houses has been going on ever since, till at the present time the plant houses of Kew can boast upwards of 150,000 square feet of glass - truly a magnificent total.

A thorough system is employed in the arrangement of the plants in their various houses, all being kept as nearly as possible under the conditions of their respective countries. For example, in one house we meet with the flora of South America and its surroundings, while in another we find that of Australia, New Zealand and so on, thus enabling students and others to easily recognize the plants they want. A brief description of the notable houses may serve to give the reader an idea of the vast treasures which are carefully stored in this establishment. For the benefit of the numerous visitors who throng the place daily all the houses are numbered off in sections.

Let us commence with No. 1 house, wherein are contained the valuable collection of tropical aroids to the number of 500 distinct species, the plants being well grown and showing a considerable improvement in their condition over that in which they are found in their native homes, due to the fact of them being better sheltered than they would be in their native soils.

In houses 2 and 3 are contained the ferns, tropical and temperate - a collection grand indeed, numbering nearly 2,000 species. Many fine specimens of tropical tree-ferns are represented, showing by their sturdy stems and graceful fronds the care which is exercised in bringing them to perfection. The Kew collection of filmy ferns excels all others, especially so since the late Mr. Cooper Foster (an ardent admirer of this class) bequeathed the whole of his valuable collection to Kew. This section is a particularly tedious one to cultivate well. They revel in abundance of water during summer, but woe betide the grower who allows the strong sun to catch his plants, as that will spoil them almost beyond redemption, thus destroying the work of years.

To be successful in the cultivation of filmy ferns a site for the house intended for their reception should be chosen in a shady position. The house is to be built low and cases fixed round the sides of the house with doors made to slide to and fro as it is necessary to water them daily during warm weather. Practically speaking, in England no heat is required in such a fern house, as in the summer the temperature is sufficiently high to meet the demands of the plants, and in winter the plants rest; yet in very severe or damp weather a little heat is advisable to keep the air on the dry side. Artificial heat, if possible, should be dispensed with, and to do this a covering known as frigi-domo is highly recommended as it will keep out many degrees of frost. Where possible, rain water should be used for watering the plants, as the lime, etc., found in wells is injurious and often fatal to the plants.

No. 4 is the house known as the conservatory, always gay and attractive. It holds a thousand or so plants staged to give effect. Noticeable here are the many fine climbers which adorn the roof, the common though highly useful Lapageria rosea, Clianthus puniceus, Rhodochiton volubile and various fuchsias ranging from the common gracilis to that beautiful variety Monarch, which, hanging grace-fully from the roof, greatly impresses the onlooker. The camellias may not be passed over without noting many fine specimens of a good ripe age, planted in beds where they thrive in agreeable fashion, each in season bearing large masses of beautiful white or rose colored flowers.

The Kew collection of succulents is contained in house No. 5, and is remarkable for its immensity, having been vastly improved by Mr. W. Watson, who is at the head of the tropical department, and who has written that admirable little book "Cactus Culture for Amateurs." The "rage" for the culture of these plants is fast growing and in a few years we may see the cacti family most popular.

A block of houses, seven in number, form what is known as the T range, from its resemblance to that letter. In this block we have growing a varied group of plants, cape heaths, begonias, stove plants, Victoria regia (this takes up a whole house), economic plants and the orchid collection.

The palm house is a magnificent building; in fact, the finest of its kind now standing. It was built from plans drawn out by Decimus Burton and completed in 1848 ; therefore, it has been standing 41 years. Its entire length is 362 feet, the center is 100 feet wide and 70 feet high, while the wings are 50 feet wide and 30 feet high; this house alone contains 45,000 square feet of glass. The glazing is tinted green, in order to prevent the sun's rays from scorching. The frame work is entirely of iron, fixed at the base into solid blocks of Cornish granite, thereby making it proof against wind and weather. Here are many fine specimens of palms, magnificent examples of the beautiful Pritchardia pacifica, which with its gorgeous stem and graceful leaves rears its head high in air ; Sabal palmetto, S. Black-bumiana, Livistona chinensis, Seaforthia elegans (now called Archontophamix Cunninghami). These are all magnificent specimens, nearly touching the roof with their crowns. These will no doubt in time become too large for this building, when they must be destroyed and their plates filled with smaller specimens. A large specimen of the screw pine, Pan-danus odoratissimus, is to be seen in this house ; it is 40 feet high and has a girth of about 150 feet.

It is a noble plant, and produces cones freely, each so large that a half bushel would scarcely hold it.

The palm house contains many other valuables besides those noted above. A grand display of cycads are to be found in one of the wings. The very large specimens are placed on the floor, while the smaller ones are placed on the stage which goes round the border of the house.

A word about the temperate house. This stands away a considerable distance from the others, and like the preceding one, is very large, but it is built in quite a different manner. The plans for it were also produced by Decimus Burton, and though it has never been finished, it covers three-quarters of an acre of ground; it will, however, in time be completed, when it will cover the enormous space of one acre and two-thirds. The centre portion is 212 feet long and about 140 feet broad, with a height of 60 feet. It is utilized mainly for large specimens of Australian, North American and New Zealand trees and shrubs Foremost among the notables are a couple of fine specimens of Araucaria Bidwilii (The Moreton Bay Pine), each about 50 feet high and having a girth of about 60 feet. Many lofty specimens of Cyathea medullaris and Dicksonia ant-arctica help to adorn the body of this house, while the side shelves are staged with smaller specimens of eucalyptuses, acacias, cordylines, etc.

In addition to the houses above mentioned there are many others which, though smaller, are none the less important, as in them are nursed the plants which are received from all parts of the world.

Kew, England. P. Weathers.