IOR/F/4/760/20668

Title page

‘Botanical Gardens have been formed at Prince of Wales Island and Singapore. An indulgence in respect to allowances granted to Dr. Wallich during his absence from the Presidency [restated?] and his zeal and talents eulogised. Mr. John Forbes Royle has been appointed to the charge of the Garden at Saharanpure. A Committee has been appointed to take into consideration a plan projected by Dr. Wallich for increasing the supply of Sissoo and Bamboos for Commissariat purposes. Reports submitted’

Correspondence/documents

Extract Public Letter from Bengal, 1 Apr 1823 [pp. 1-8]

• [Plant] Nursery established by Wallich at Prince of Wales Island
• Wallich also addressed subject of Botanic Garden at Singapore
• financial compensation for Wallich after his period of ill health
• appointment of Mr. Royle as Assistant Surgeon at the Civil Station at Seharunpore
• proposed establishment of Sissoo and Bamboo plantations, with details of proposed sites
• establishment of a Botanic and experimental Garden at Singapore

Extract Public Letter from Bengal, 31 Jul 1823 [pp. 9-18]

• following first report, sanctions Nursery for growth of Sissoo seedlings
• Wallich authorised to correspond with various collectors and President at Lucknow
• in second report of Committee stated that they have corresponded with Captain Gerard the Agent in relation to supply of timber – proposed private farming of certain forests of Sissoo [lower and Eastern forests] on behalf of Government; Gerard nominated Conservator of Forests; rules for his guidance
• lands allocated for Sissoo and Seedling Nursery

Extract Public Letter from Bengal, 1 Oct 1822 [pp. 19-20]

• Wallich discharged for six months to recover his health; appointment of stand-in for his absence

Extract Public Letter to Bengal, 17 Mar 1824 [pp. 21-24]

• plants, roots, and seeds received by the Marchioness of Ely and General Hewitt; growing plants presented to His Majesty’s Botanic Garden and the seeds to the Horticultural Society
• expenses

Extract Public Letter from Bengal, 31 Jul 1820 [pp. 25-28]

• management of Teak plantations
• Wallich recommends cultivation of Sissoo and Bamboo trees

Extract Public Letter to Bengal, 27 Dec 1822 [pp. 29-32]

• Sissoo and Bamboo
• salaries of workers attached to the Botanic garden
• visit of Wallich to Nipaul [Nepal]

Extract Bengal Public Consultations, 6 Jun 1820 [pp. 33-66]

• Wallich recommends continuation of Teak plantations – Beauleah, Bancorah, Sythet; commentary on those plantations
• Sissoo and Bamboo plantations
• commentary on Sissoo trees – excellence, use for naval and military purposes, Ordnance Department
• managing supply and demand, scarcity of Sissoo
• tables showing growth and measurements of Sissoo trees pp. 48-49; comparison with Teak
• underwood
• could plant Sissoo alone or with mix of Teak and Mahogany
• Governor General resolves to maintain establishment on account of the Teak plantations at Beauleah, and in the districts of Sylhet and the Jungle Mehauls
• Wallich authorised to correspond with Superintendents at Beauleah and Bancoorah
• all Government plantations in these Provinces placed under Wallich’s supervision

Extract Bengal Public Consultations, 7 Nov 1822 [pp. 67-74]

• exhaustion of Sissoo forests
• suggestion of experimental Sissoo plantations

Extract Bengal Public Consultations, 23 Jan 1823 [pp. 75-148]

• minor and subordinate Establishments esp. Eastern Islands eg. Penang; Wallich to visit, share expertise, etc.
• Singapore- very important; planned Establishment; selection of appropriate site; planning parameters and layout of proposed garden; staff; deed for creation; expenses
• tribute to Mr. Jack[s?]
• different kinds of wood – Teak, Sissoo, Mahogany, Bamboo, great many others; spices eg. clove, nutmeg; coffee shrub
• Malayan and exotic fruits; cereal grains
• Wallich visit to Eastward
• Collection of plants procured from Prince of Wales Island and Singapore

Extract Bengal Public Consultations, 13 Jan 1823 [pp. 149-172]

• Mr. J. S. Royle appointed as Assistant Surgeon to the Civil Station of Seharunpore and vested with charge of Botanic Garden at that place; subordinate to Wallich
• Wallich following reporting on Teak plantations suggests extensive Sissoo and Bamboo forests
• Problems with Sissoo supplies – necessitates new plantations; stresses practical advantages of Sissoo; supplies to Ordnance Department, Military Department
• Considers practical issues, eg. transportation, appropriate sites
• Employment issues
• Recommends creation of separate Government Department for Plantations (Sissoo, Teak, Bamboo)
• Sissoo, Timber, Bamboo supply very deficient for public purposes

Extract Bengal Public Consultations, 17 Apr 1823 [pp. 173-188]

• First Report of Plantation Committee
• Sissoo Nurseries to be established - locations
• Role of collectors

Extract Bengal Public Consultations, 17 Jul 1823 [pp. 189-302]

• Second Report of Plantation Committee
• Establishment of Sissoo and Bamboo plantations and nurseries; choice of sites
• Captain Gerrard nominated to become Conservator of Forests; work of Captain Gerrard
• List of queries
• Need for permanent Sissoo establishment on east side of India
• Exploration of alternative means of obtaining Sissoos; alternative sources of timber, eg. Nepal
• Role of natives in operations
• Wallich nominated as Superintendent General of Government Plantations