May I, 1883.] THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 915 



Meteorological Observations. — I beg leave to repeat tlie request already made, that sets of 

 simple instruments (adjusted in accordance witli tliose at tlie Survej-or-GeneraPs Office) may be 

 supplied to tlie three gardens. A weatiier record at Hakgala is especially desirable, as, apart 

 from its botanical utility, it would be of quite exceptional meteorological value. I trust that this 

 want may be supplied as soon as possible. 



2.— Hakgala Garden. 



It is with much satisfaction that I am able to record the revival of this gai'den from past 

 stagnation, and the promising commencement of the course planned out in my last report. In 

 the superintendent, Mr. Nock, I have an officer capable of entering into my plans with intelligence 

 and zeal, and on whose practical experience I can rely to carry them out with success.* 



The repairs to tlie water-course liave occupied at intervals a good part of the year and have 

 l)een satisfactorily carried out by the Public Works Department. Want of water was fortunately, 

 owing to tlie wet weather, not much felt. It now runs freely, and it is hoped that the course will 

 give no further trouble. The storeroom and outhouses have also been reshingled and whitewashed 

 by the Public Works Department. 



The improvement most needed at Hakgala is an extension of the present carriage drive. 

 The attention of Government has been called to this during the past year, and though it has not 

 beeu found possible to afford me any extra grant for labour at present, I purpose to make a com- 

 mencement on this most desirable piece of work at once. At present the drive suddenly terminates 

 exactly in front of the superiutendenfs bungalow, and, as it is at this spot only that carriages can 

 turn all must proceed hither, and hence return by the way they have come. I intend to construct 

 a continuation, leaving the present road before that reaches the bungalow, passing through the 

 lower part of the garden and shrubberies, and curving round back to the entrance-gate. The 

 whole of this continuous drive is planned out : it will take in some parts of the garden now scarcely 

 seen, and include the fine view across the Uva country. The length of this addition to the drive 

 is 495 yards, but I purpose at jiresent to complete a portion only, 13.5 yards in length, to a level 

 spot where a carriage-house and slieds can be built for the convenience of visitors. Hence a foot- 

 path will be made in the line of the proposed extension. 



My strongly-urged request to Government for a propagating house having been very liber- 

 ally granted, I prepared, in conjunction with Mr. Nock, a plan of what was required, and during 

 my visit to England, made arrangements for its construction by Messrs. Boyd, of Paisley. It is 

 expected to arrive out early in the present year, and its erection will be at once proceeded with. 

 This will very greatly add to the efficiency of the garden. 



The superintendent has, at my request, submitted to me a detailed report on the work of the 

 year in the garden, from which large extracts are given below. A catalogue of the ]ilants growing 

 in the garden has also been compiled ; the exotic (not Cevlonese) species and varieties amount to 

 over 600. 



'■'■ BinlrJings — In the superintendent's bungalow the plaster in several places has become 

 cracked, and has fallen off in others ; and the whole building requires white washing and re- 

 painting : otherwise it is in good order, the locks and liolts to the doors and windows having been 

 repaired during the year. 



" Quarters consisting of four rooms linve been erected for the foreman out of the ordinary 

 vote for upkeep, the greater part of the work being done by the workmen employed in the garden. 



"Tlie small dilapidated propagating house has given way several times during the bad 

 weather, and on one occasion a considerable number of grafted Ledgeriana plants were destroyed. 

 The plants in it have to be continually moved about to try and avoid the drip and draughts, and 

 I regret to say that many valuable seedlings have been lost during the year for want of proper 

 propagating accommodation. 



"The cooly lines, the carpenter's shed, and the potting shed are still in a very leaky state, 

 and will require to be thoroughly repaired during this year. In the potting shed a substantial 

 bench has been fitted up, and the work can now be carried on in a satisfactory manner. 



"One of the cart sheds near the bungalow, that was used by persons visiting the garden 

 as a shelter for horses and carriages, was blown down during the S.W. monsoon, and the one 

 used for the garden carts, &c., was considerably damaged. The site of these sheds being very 



* During my absence from Ceylon, Mr. Nock noted for ir.c officially, and thrice visited Pcradeniya. 



