May I, 1884.] 



THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 



S3S 



ROYAL BOTANIC GAEDENS. 



REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR FOR THE YEAR 1883. 



I. — Condition of the Gardens. 

 1. — Peradeniya Garden. 

 2. — Hakj;ala Garden. 

 3. — Henuratgoda Garden. 

 4. — Anuradhapura Garden. 

 II. — Intercliancre of Plants and Seeds. 



CONTENTS. 



III. — Additions to the Collections. 



1. — Peradeniya and Henaratgoda Gardens. 

 2. — IlakgaUt Garden. 

 IV. — Economic Plants. 

 V. — Herbarium and Library. 

 VI. — [{eceipts from Sale of Plants, &c. 

 VH, — Expenditure. 



COXDITION OF THE GaKDENS. 



1. — Per&denhja Garden. 



Every effort, compatible with the economy which the funds at my disposal compel, has been 

 made during the year to maintain this large garden in a condition of efficiency and beauty. 



Roads and Paths. — Several of tlie carriage road.s, including the continuation of the main 

 Central Drive and the Bat Drive, liave been remade, and that so thoroughly, that little more work 

 upon them will be needed for many years. The long outer or River Drive will require attention 

 during the coming year. A new footpath, crossing a picturesque elevation, has been made from the 

 site of the old nurseries into the Bat Drive ; this has brought forward several interesting trees not 

 previously easily to be examined by visitors. The opening of new paths greatly facilitates proper 

 attention to all parts of the garden, and while it necessitates the removal of useless and unsightly 

 vegetation affords fresh situations for planting out new kinds. 



Bu'ddhu/s. — The "Assistant Director's" bungalow, which is adjacent to the new south 

 garden, has been put into thorough repair, the old out-houses and stables cleared away and new 

 ones built, the approach from the high road diverted, the garden levelled and improved, and the 

 whole surrounded by a substantial wooden fence separating it from the Botanic Garden proper with 

 which it communicates by a footpath only. 1 purpose making this bungalow my dwelling-house, 

 retaining, however, my office at the present " Director's" bungalow — in proximity to the library 

 and herl)arium — where I also intend to form a museum for timber and other vegetable products. 



A new and substantial tiled cattle-shed has been built in a retired portion of tlie garden, 

 and the old erection of bamboo and mana grass destroyed. This has been effected from the ordinary 

 vote for the gardens. 



The glass-roofed plant-house was completed early in the year by the erection of the interior 

 staging. The glass has been coloured green, and side screens hung between the pillars. The orchids 

 and other rare plants contained in it are now getting well established, and the house promises to 

 succeed completely. 



The repairs of the Gardner Memorial were completed in February, and as a sufficient sum 

 sti41 remained, I expended it on a small brass commemoration tablet (executed in Colombo) 

 which has been fixed in its place. It bears the following inscription : — 



Georgius Gardner, Soc. Linn. See, 



horusi hoktoruji ab anno 1843 ad 1849 custos, 



Eei Herbari.e peritus, Viaru.m strenuus, 



FLORES herbas arbores utricsqce ordis 



DILIGENTISSIME SCRUTATDS EST. 



Coi UT IN MEMORIAL HABEATUR 



HOC Cenotaphium posuerunt 



AMICI TABROBANENSES, 



A.D. 1855. 



Obiit in urbe Nuwara Eliya 

 A.D. Tt. Id. Mart, an- o 1849. ^Etat 37. 



