82 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, 1891. 



regret not to be able to describe, as I had no opportunity of visit- 

 ing it. In reviewing my general impressions of gardening in 

 Bhownugger, I eannot but arrive at the conclusion that though 

 Baroda has been mentioned in the first place, as regards the extent 

 and number of its gardens, it is especially when the disadvantages 

 of the climate in Bhownugger are considered, excelled by the latter 

 State in respects to practical results. Gardens and plantations of 

 some importance are, I believe, found here and there in Kathiawar, 

 but as Bajkot was the only place I had the opportunity of visiting, 

 I must confine my remarks to this place. 



Bajkot is, as is well-known, situated in the centre of Kathiawar, 

 and might be supposed to me most unsuitable for gardening, when 

 the scantiness of the annual rainfall (averaging 18 inches) and the 

 dryness of the atmosphere are considered. It is therefore as wel- 

 come as unexpected a surprise to enter, what may be almost called 

 an oasis in the desert, after having traversed the barren and scantily 

 cultivated districts through which the Morvi Railway passes. The 

 principal object of interest is the Bajkumar College, a handsome 

 building in pure Gothic style, to which an extensive garden is attach- 

 ed. The garden, though laid out without pretensions to aesthetic 

 effects, leaves a pleasing impression, the trees and plants being in a 

 flourishing condition and the gardens well kept. An avenue of the 

 Sumatran Cassia (Vilaite And), which here forms a very handsome 

 and shady tree, is very effective. Though the choice of kinds is ne- 

 cessarily limited, I was very much impressed by t^Q successful results 

 of planting. It may be hoped that the daily contemplation of such 

 pleasing surroundings may strike root and awake an intorest in 

 planting among the native princes who here receive their education. 

 The success may, I believe, be solely attributed to the talented Brin- 

 cipal of the College, Mr. MacNaughten, who is, I was told, himself 

 considerably interested in botany and gardening — a fact which is a 

 promising guarantee for the wider effects of the successful results. 

 The so-called Bublic Bark is located near the College, but has no 

 pi ('tensions whatever to its high-sounding name, being only a very 

 narrow strip of garden, of which the less said the better. The 

 [•den surrounding the Residency is rather extensive. and contains 

 sral objects of intere The present Bolitical Agent, Mr. 



