I INDSC.-LPE GARDENING IN NATIVE STATES. 79 



lawn* is a feature whicn is rarity mot with up-country, and which is 

 not surpassed even in Bombay. This fact proves that the main- 

 tenance of lawns, one of the most useful ornaments of gardens, is 

 possible in even a comparatively dry climate, when sufficiently 

 supplied with water. The size, shape, and choice of trees show how 

 rapidly and successfully the growth is fostered under climatic 

 conditions that arc generally considered less favourable than those 

 prevailing in Bombay, while it is quite out of the question to expect 

 certain trees, as the nim, the tamarind, the millingtonia, the horse- 

 radish tree, to grow to such perfection, and to assume such well- 

 regulated shapes in Bombay as the case is here. The almost entire 

 absence of crotons and other brightty-coloured shrubs in the gardens 

 is a striking contrast to the ordinary features of Bombay gardens. 

 But several fine specimens of palms, and not least, the very effective 

 and ornamental manner in which an approach to an old well is 

 decorated, amply prove that a luxuriant tropical vegetation is 

 possible, even where the choice of plants is so severely restricted by 

 the climate as here. The more or less accessory ornaments in the 

 gardens are all in excellent taste. The band-stand, at which H. H. 

 the Thakore Saheb's band performs twice a week, is a very attractive 

 feature. It is an octagonal rustic pavilion, covered with creepers, at 

 the summit of the roof is a carved figure apparently of Orpheus, 

 while the rafters which carry the roof are most skilfully terminated 

 in various animals' heads, and show signs of no mean skill in wood 

 carving, an art for which Bhownugger is justly celebrated. The 

 plant-house is a handsome structure, in the centre of which is a large 

 oblong ornamental tank, and is tastefully studded with groups of 

 palms, crotons and other foliage plants, but here, as in Baroda, owing 

 to the dryness of the climate, ferns are almost entirely missing. It 

 is occasionally used for festive banquets, and must when lighted up 

 present a very attractive appearance. A spiral staircase leads to a 

 kind of gallery from which a bird's-eye view may be obtained not 

 only of the interior of the plant-house, but also of the whole of the 

 gardens. The cages in which the small collection of wild animals is 

 housed, deserve to be mentioned as appearing to be comparatively 

 inexpensive, very simple and admirably adapted to resist the heat of 

 the Indian sun, while they are at the same time well ventilated and 



