Adelaide Botanic Garden - Museum of Economic Botany opened 21 May 1881. South Australia
The Museum of Economic Botany is on the Register of the National Estate, Register of State Heritage Items, Register of the City of Adelaide Heritage Items and classified by the National Trust.
A sponsorship which sees Santos supporting the Museum and its exhibition program. The Santos Museum of Economic Botany is one of Adelaide’s treasures sitting in the Adelaide Botanic Garden.
Notes from the Adelaide Botanic Garden
The terraces about the new Museum of Economic Botany are now made and clothed with turf, and a number of beautiful specimens of the Palms and Conifers have been planted on the grass lawns in front. The steps are ready, and when the statues are in place the outside will be completed. Inside the building the carpenters are getting on rapidly with the tables and exhibition cases, and the place begins to look as though it were furnished. It will take some time probably to put up the exhibits but when this is done it is probable that no part of the Garden will be more attractive. [Ref: Evening Journal (Adelaide)13 November 1880]
MUSEUM OF ECONOMIC BOTANY
Through the courtesy of Dr. R. Schomburgk we have had an opportunity of inspecting this addition to the Botanical Gardens, and of examining the many objects of interest contained in it. As the museum is certain to be largely visited the following particulars will doubtless be read with interest:—
The building is 104 feet long by 40 feet wide, and the room is 30 feet high, The entrance is by a portico and a flight of six steps. There are sixteen windows, 8 feet high six on each side, three on the western end one on the eastern end, so that ample provision is made for lighting the room. Between the windows, and at right angles with them the show cases (twelve in number) are fixed, which are 8 feet high. These afford increased accommodation, as both sides of the cases are made use of: this plan is adopted in the Kew and Kensington museums, London, and is an admirable one, as it provides both effective light and room for twice as many objects as if the cases were placed in one continuous line alongside the walls. Under the windows and recesses other glass cases (fourteen in number), in the form of tables, have been placed, whilst in the middle of the room two rows of show cases on tables occupy the whole length of the room. At the east end of the building, a separate room is entirely devoted to the Herbarium. The plants are contained in portfolios, the orders arranged on shelves according to Hooker's and Bentham's Genera Plantarum. The genera each portfolio contains are marked on the front, so that any particular genus wanted can be found without much searching. The artistical decorations of the interior, viz, painting the ceiling, walls, showcases &c, have been carried out by Mr W J Williams, decorative artist, who has shown the most refined taste in his work — especially in the Greek design of the ceiling, which is admirably executed. The whole of the decoration is stencil work, and done in a manner that reflects the greatest credit on the artist.
The upright show cases that surround the room are filled with most interesting specimens. They contain samples of corn, grasses, seed, palms, spices, flowers, pods, and other products from every quarter of the globe, each case in itself being an interesting study. In one we noticed some Tapa cloth, manufactured into robes and dresses by the Polynesian Islanders from the fibrous bark of the paper mulberry. One of these garments possesses a most singular pattern. The manufacturer, wishing to impress a pattern on his robe, and having no better means of doing so, has accomplished this object by dipping his hands in red paint and then daubing them over the cloth, leaving unmistakable imprints of the five fingers in many places the effect being more striking than elegant. Another case contains a natural sack extracted from the inner bark of the Antiaris saccidea.
In another we find specimens of the different grasses, corn, &c, growing in all parts of the world. The large round cone in which the 21 Brazil nuts germinate is also shown. The different kinds of tea, tobacco, silks, paper, acids, gums, and every other kind of natural product grown in this and other countries may here be seen. There is also a large and interesting collection of artificial fungi: the names of the eatable ones the names are printed on blue, the poisonous on red, and the harmless on white labels.
The Commissioner of the Japanese Court at the Sydney Exhibition, Mr. Harns Sakato, forwarded, at the close of the Exhibition, three large cases containing about 200 of the most interesting objects of Japan, of their commercial, food-providing, and other agricultural products, contained in glass jars. But the most important and instructive point is that the analysis of the object contained in the jar is written on the label, which has been made in the Imperial chemical laboratories of the College of Agriculture, Komaba-Tokis, Japan. This instructive collection is shown in a separate glass case by itself, and will doubtless prove an object of considerable attraction to visitors.
The thousand and one objects of interest contained in the various cases will well repay many a visit, and as every specimen is clearly labelled no difficulty will be experienced in finding out what each one is. The cases under the windows are mostly filled with the economical and commercial plants in their raw state, side by side with the different stages of manufacture by which they have been converted by the skill of man, so that the museum ought to be both instructive to and popular with all classes.
Printed labels are invariably used in place of written ones— an improved though expensive method — which renders them more legible, and at the same time materially adds to the appearance of the collection. The labels so far as possible. give not alone the popular and botanical name, but also a condensed description of the properties and uses of each object. We consider this plan both important an[d] instructive.
The cost of the museum, viz, building, fixtures, glazing, and decorative painting, was £2,900: but it must be mentioned, the rough pointing, glazing, and most of the fixtures, were executed by the carpenters and painters employed in the garden.
Dr Schomburgk has spent a very large amount of time, and put himself to a deal of trouble to perfect the arrangements throughout, and the evident care that has been bestowed on them reflect the greatest credit on his work, and should gain for him the warmest thanks of the community. [Ref: South Australian Weekly Chronicle (Adelaide) Saturday 21 May 1881]
ADELAIDE, WEDNSDAY
The Governor attended at the Botanic gardens today, and in the Museum of Economic Botany, in the presence of the Chief Secretary and the Speaker of the Assembly, presented Dr Schomburgk with a portrait of himself, to be placed in the museum. The portrait has been subscribed for by the friends of the doctor, and was executed by Herr Tannert, master of the School of Design.
An album containing the autographs of the subscribers, and an address was also presented to Dr Schomburgk, who read in reply, in which, after thanking the donors, he credited Mr Geo Francis, the late curator, with having displayed much care and taste in laying out the grounds. [Ref: Argus (Melbourne) 31-1-1884]
Adelaide Botanic Garden - Museum of Economic Botany opened 21 May 1881. South Australia
The Museum of Economic Botany is on the Register of the National Estate, Register of State Heritage Items, Register of the City of Adelaide Heritage Items and classified by the National Trust.
A sponsorship which sees Santos supporting the Museum and its exhibition program. The Santos Museum of Economic Botany is one of Adelaide’s treasures sitting in the Adelaide Botanic Garden.
Notes from the Adelaide Botanic Garden
The terraces about the new Museum of Economic Botany are now made and clothed with turf, and a number of beautiful specimens of the Palms and Conifers have been planted on the grass lawns in front. The steps are ready, and when the statues are in place the outside will be completed. Inside the building the carpenters are getting on rapidly with the tables and exhibition cases, and the place begins to look as though it were furnished. It will take some time probably to put up the exhibits but when this is done it is probable that no part of the Garden will be more attractive. [Ref: Evening Journal (Adelaide)13 November 1880]
MUSEUM OF ECONOMIC BOTANY
Through the courtesy of Dr. R. Schomburgk we have had an opportunity of inspecting this addition to the Botanical Gardens, and of examining the many objects of interest contained in it. As the museum is certain to be largely visited the following particulars will doubtless be read with interest:—
The building is 104 feet long by 40 feet wide, and the room is 30 feet high, The entrance is by a portico and a flight of six steps. There are sixteen windows, 8 feet high six on each side, three on the western end one on the eastern end, so that ample provision is made for lighting the room. Between the windows, and at right angles with them the show cases (twelve in number) are fixed, which are 8 feet high. These afford increased accommodation, as both sides of the cases are made use of: this plan is adopted in the Kew and Kensington museums, London, and is an admirable one, as it provides both effective light and room for twice as many objects as if the cases were placed in one continuous line alongside the walls. Under the windows and recesses other glass cases (fourteen in number), in the form of tables, have been placed, whilst in the middle of the room two rows of show cases on tables occupy the whole length of the room. At the east end of the building, a separate room is entirely devoted to the Herbarium. The plants are contained in portfolios, the orders arranged on shelves according to Hooker's and Bentham's Genera Plantarum. The genera each portfolio contains are marked on the front, so that any particular genus wanted can be found without much searching. The artistical decorations of the interior, viz, painting the ceiling, walls, showcases &c, have been carried out by Mr W J Williams, decorative artist, who has shown the most refined taste in his work — especially in the Greek design of the ceiling, which is admirably executed. The whole of the decoration is stencil work, and done in a manner that reflects the greatest credit on the artist.
The upright show cases that surround the room are filled with most interesting specimens. They contain samples of corn, grasses, seed, palms, spices, flowers, pods, and other products from every quarter of the globe, each case in itself being an interesting study. In one we noticed some Tapa cloth, manufactured into robes and dresses by the Polynesian Islanders from the fibrous bark of the paper mulberry. One of these garments possesses a most singular pattern. The manufacturer, wishing to impress a pattern on his robe, and having no better means of doing so, has accomplished this object by dipping his hands in red paint and then daubing them over the cloth, leaving unmistakable imprints of the five fingers in many places the effect being more striking than elegant. Another case contains a natural sack extracted from the inner bark of the Antiaris saccidea.
In another we find specimens of the different grasses, corn, &c, growing in all parts of the world. The large round cone in which the 21 Brazil nuts germinate is also shown. The different kinds of tea, tobacco, silks, paper, acids, gums, and every other kind of natural product grown in this and other countries may here be seen. There is also a large and interesting collection of artificial fungi: the names of the eatable ones the names are printed on blue, the poisonous on red, and the harmless on white labels.
The Commissioner of the Japanese Court at the Sydney Exhibition, Mr. Harns Sakato, forwarded, at the close of the Exhibition, three large cases containing about 200 of the most interesting objects of Japan, of their commercial, food-providing, and other agricultural products, contained in glass jars. But the most important and instructive point is that the analysis of the object contained in the jar is written on the label, which has been made in the Imperial chemical laboratories of the College of Agriculture, Komaba-Tokis, Japan. This instructive collection is shown in a separate glass case by itself, and will doubtless prove an object of considerable attraction to visitors.
The thousand and one objects of interest contained in the various cases will well repay many a visit, and as every specimen is clearly labelled no difficulty will be experienced in finding out what each one is. The cases under the windows are mostly filled with the economical and commercial plants in their raw state, side by side with the different stages of manufacture by which they have been converted by the skill of man, so that the museum ought to be both instructive to and popular with all classes.
Printed labels are invariably used in place of written ones— an improved though expensive method — which renders them more legible, and at the same time materially adds to the appearance of the collection. The labels so far as possible. give not alone the popular and botanical name, but also a condensed description of the properties and uses of each object. We consider this plan both important an[d] instructive.
The cost of the museum, viz, building, fixtures, glazing, and decorative painting, was £2,900: but it must be mentioned, the rough pointing, glazing, and most of the fixtures, were executed by the carpenters and painters employed in the garden.
Dr Schomburgk has spent a very large amount of time, and put himself to a deal of trouble to perfect the arrangements throughout, and the evident care that has been bestowed on them reflect the greatest credit on his work, and should gain for him the warmest thanks of the community. [Ref: South Australian Weekly Chronicle (Adelaide) Saturday 21 May 1881]
ADELAIDE, WEDNSDAY
The Governor attended at the Botanic gardens today, and in the Museum of Economic Botany, in the presence of the Chief Secretary and the Speaker of the Assembly, presented Dr Schomburgk with a portrait of himself, to be placed in the museum. The portrait has been subscribed for by the friends of the doctor, and was executed by Herr Tannert, master of the School of Design.
An album containing the autographs of the subscribers, and an address was also presented to Dr Schomburgk, who read in reply, in which, after thanking the donors, he credited Mr Geo Francis, the late curator, with having displayed much care and taste in laying out the grounds. [Ref: Argus (Melbourne) 31-1-1884]