IOR/F/4/1761/72126

People

In addition to Nathaniel Wallich himself, the following individuals feature in or are referred to in the correspondence:

• Governor of Bengal
• Court of Directors, British East India Company
• Sir C. T. [Charles Theo] Metcalfe, Bart., Supreme Council
• H. J. Princep, Secretary to Government [Bengal] General Department
• J. Adam, Secretary to the Medical Board
• James Hutchinson, Secretary to the Medical Board
• J. Hare, Apothecary to Honourable Company
• Joseph Sabine, Secretary Horticultural Society, London

Overview

Much of this material is of a general nature, including for example correspondence, financial records, etc.; see ‘General themes’. Some of the correspondence relates to an analysis of the purpose and performance of the Botanical Garden at Calcutta, with reference to potentially reducing its funding. The key document in this debate is a letter written by Wallich; see ‘Letter to H. J. Princep, Secretary to Government of Bengal General Department, from Wallich, 1 Oct 1836’.

General themes

1. Plants for cultivation

• plants which could potentially be cultivated
• plants which have been successfully cultivated, including ‘Exotic’ plants

2. Medical Garden and supplementary/subordinate Medical Gardens

• discussion of possibly creating gardens, eg. Saharunpore
• actual establishment of gardens

3. Problems associated with cultivating plants and transporting seeds, along with possible solutions, eg.

• plants imported from Europe often do not flourish in India
• climate: high temperatures, difficulties in regulating temperature, rainy season
• transported seeds can be mouldy; ideally should be packed loosely

4. Staffing

• discharge of James Kane, Overseer of the Botanic Garden
• acceptance of new position as Gardener to the Agricultural and Horticultural Society at Nucknow
• death of Mr. Potter, Head Gardener
• arrangements to cover this work
• proposed subsequent restoration of role and appointment of gardener
• increase in pay of Head Gardener
• delay in Wallich submitting report relating to death of Head Gardener, with explanation offered by Wallich for delay

5. Miscellaneous/minor themes

• Wallich suggests official inspection of Botanic Garden
• arrowroot [Maranta arundenacea], eg. preparation, cultivation
• educational and cultural role of Botanic Garden relating to general public
• finance, eg. expenditure, expenses, journals
• despatch of collection of plants to Botanic Garden at Seharanpure
• request that cones of Ceodar and other pines are sent by Superintendent of Botanical Garden at Seharanpure
• proposed employment of Plant and Seed Collectors in different parts of the country

Letter to H. J. Princep, Secretary to Government of Bengal General Department, from Wallich, 1 Oct 1836

1. Emphases on the positive work and contribution made by the Botanic Garden, eg.

• points out spread of garden culture in India, attributed at least partly to influence of the Botanical Garden
• increased interest in supplies from Botanical Garden
• new catalogue of plants to be published in 1837
• refers to benefits for Agricultural and Horticultural Society, the Tea Committee
• Garden open to the public for recreation and leisure

2. Discussion of various types of trees

3. Drawing attention to the problems that the Botanic Garden has faced, in particular problems associated with cultivating plants, eg.

• hot temperatures and rainy season can make it difficult to cultivate plants
• seeds/plants imported from Europe are often not suitable for cultivation in India
• the difficulties of creating a suitable, artificial environment for plants to grow
• the need for conservatories
• a lack of resources

4. An objection to the appraisal of Botanical Garden by the Finance Committee as misleading

5. Arguments against further reduction in funding

• refers to previous reduction in finances 1830
• questions logic of further reduction [implication that current problems of Garden stem partly from this earlier reduction in funding]
• negative consequences of any further spending reductions for any parts of the Garden