Daily News from New York, New York • 249

otf SeBgp ebb EcflTf eta Near Prospect Park, I Japan and England are only steps away By ISABEL FORGANG The Botanic Garden's Herb Garden containing 300 different herbs will be 40 years old this weekend. A two-day symposium will mark the occasion gf ISITORS OFTEN are surprised to find that Vlf more than just "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn." In fact, one 50-acre plot lying between Flatbush and Washington Aves. contains more than 13.000 different kinds of trees, plants and shrubs. And a visit to this spot, better known as the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (or the BBG as staff and members fondly refer to it) can be like a trip to gardens around the world. A short walk, instead of a long plane ride, will take you from the fragrant English style Elizabethan knot garden to a tranquil Japanese hill and pond retreat.

Walk on a little and the cacti and succulents in the Desert House will mentally transport you to the West, while bunches of bananas growing from a giant banana colorful orchids and other tropical foliage can put you in a South American mood. Although the Garden, founded 67 years ago, consists of only 50 acres (the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx has almost 250 acres), intense cultivation causes it to be ranked among the top five botanic gardens in the country. Originally the site chosen for the garden consisted of an ash dump filled with a few shanty cottages and grazing goats. There were more trees outside the proposed area than within! But careful development based on a concept of many specialized gardens within one large garden has brought worldwide fame and recognition to this Brooklyn oasis. Superlatives are constantly heaped on the pace-setting BBG.

The bonsai collection, which has grown from the original 32 plants donated by Ernest F. Coe in 1925 to more than 2,000 today, is considered to be the largest and best collection outside of Japan. The Children's Garden, the first of its kind in any botanic garden, still serves as a model for others of its kind. Each year it attracts 200 to 300 youngsters aged 9 to 17 who learn the fundamentals of planting in a greenhouse, and then move outdoors to till the soil, and reap rewards rich harvests of vegetables they can take home. The BBG is the most heavily visited botanic garden in the country, and probably in the world, according to Elizabeth Scholtz, BBG's director.

"We used to outdraw the Dodgers when they were at Ebbetts Field," she laughed. Attendance is down from the VA million who used to stroll through the Garden, but with 800,000 visitors last year, the Garden is in no danger of becoming deserted. This week attendance will jump even more with two major anniversary celebrations on BBG's agenda. On Wednesday, the Cranford Rose Garden reaches the ripe old age of 50. The garden, donated by Walter V.

Cranford (he built the city's subway system), is the country's third largest rose garden in terms of varl eties grown. Descendents of Cranford, as well as dignitaries in the rose world, will be flying in from all over the country for the luncheon celebration. On Friday and Saturday, the Herb Garden with its 300 different herbs comes in for its share of the limelight. To celebrate its 40th anniversary, a two-day Herb Symposium, cosponsored by the Herb Society of America, New York Chapter, will be held at BBG. Experts from around the country will take part in lectures, demonstrations, discussions and exhibits.

An herb luncheon and an herb tea tasting will add spice to the proceedings. Those wishing to register for the symposium can call the BBG at 622-4433 for further information. A call to the Garden at the above number will also bring information about future programs, courses and membership benefits, or you can write to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 1000 Washington Brooklyn, N.Y. 11225. -a lie I I 1 1 JSir as: r8? i News photos by Willie Anderson The formal English Cranford Rose Garden (left) celebrates its 50th birthday on Wednesday.

Only two others in the U.S. have more varieties. The Japanese Garden (above) has long been a favorite with visitors..