9i6 THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. [May i, 1883. 



inconvenient, it is not thought advisable to build another in the same spot as the one blowu 

 down, or to spend much labour in repairiug the other, as a much more convenient site cau be found 

 for them as soon as the proposed new drive is made. 



'■^Carriage Drive and Paths. — The carriage drive at the entrance gate has been remade for 

 a distance of 90 feet, and turf laid down on each side. Inside the gate for a distance of 66 feet 

 an edging of turf has been made on each side, and a flower border on the lower side. The drain 

 on the upper side for a distance of 300 feet has been repaired, stone edgings laid down on each 

 side of the drive for the same distance, and a margin of Sedum, 12 inches wide, planted. This 

 was planted here in consequence of the trees above giving too much shade for turf. The rest of 

 the drive is still in bad condition, and it is intended to remake this as soon as possible and place 

 an edging of Sedum or turf on each side. A quantity of materials has already been got together 

 for this purpose. 



"All the old paths were in very bad condition, and these for a total length of 1,049 yards 

 have been broken up, large stones and roots removed, the surface levelled down, and a layer of 

 rough sand stamped in on those most used, and a drain made on one or both sides, as was required, 

 for the same length. Two hundred and eighty yards of new paths have been made in various 

 parts of the garden. A great deal has still to be done to the paths in the way of edging, forming 

 drains, and in making the surface firm and even. Until they become uniformly hard they will 

 require constant attention in filling up holes, &c., as the drip from the trees with a few hours' 

 rain works out the surface gravel in the loose places and carries it away. 



" Fer/ie>\>/. — The old fernery, which had become very much overgrown with jungle, has been 

 opened out, and the soil in the beds, which was nothing more than a mass of matted roots from 

 the surrounding trees, was taken out to a depth of 12 to 14 inches and replaced with leaf mould 

 and surface soil from the jungle. The whole has been replanted with native ferns from the 

 surrounding districts, mixed with Begonias and a few other suitable plants. The approach to the 

 fernery, which was in the worst possible condition, has been newly laid out. A winding path 

 4 feet wide and 108 feet long has been made, with a shallow paved drain 1 foot wide on each side ; 

 and a low rock bank formed on each side, on which have been planted small ferns and Begonias. 

 The small paths winding through the fernery have all been made even and rough sand placed on 

 the surface. The appearance of the fernery has thus greatly improved, and is now much aj^pre- 

 ciated by visitors. This situation is so favourable for the growth of ferns, that I feel sure there 

 could be found at least 500 or 600 species that would thrive here. I have now, as a commencement, 

 a considerable number raised from spores of foreign species, but they are still small plants, and it 

 will be some months before they will be fit to plant out. It is intended to grow with the ferns as 

 many of the native and foreign orchids as cau be secured suitable to the climate, and several of 

 the native species have been brought in for this purpose. 



"0>'?ia mental Pond. — The trees and shrubs bordering this pond have been thinned and pruned, 

 and several suitable trees and plants planted where required. The old arbour here, placed in 

 a very inconvenient spot, has been taken down, the hollow filled up for a distance of 36 feet from 

 the pond, and a new arbour erected. This commands a very fine view of the Hakgala rock, which, 

 though not more than a mile oft', is about 1,400 feet higher. A small winding path has been made 

 from the arbour through the shrubbery into the main drive, with flower borders on each side 

 edged with turf. The old path on the lower side was remade and turf edgings laid down. Flower 

 borders were also made round the arbour, and one on the lower side of the old path. An ugly bend 

 in one part of the pond was taken off" and the soil used for filling up the hollow abovementioned. 

 In the border on the lower side of the pond examples of each of the varieties of roses growing in 

 the garden have been planted, 



" Herbaceous Garden. — A commencement has been made to get the herbaceous plants 

 together, and nine beds have been made in a part of No. 3 nursery where 233 species have been 

 set out and labelled, arranged according to their relations. Most of them have been raised from 

 seed received (from various sources) during the year, and the majority of the plants are as yet 

 small ; but as there are many species of economic value, the garden will no doubt prove interesting 

 and useful to visitors. Besides, much time will be saved in collecting seed as they are growing 

 side by side and all named. 



"Borders and Skrubber//. — The soil in the old borders has been renewed, new borders have 

 been made and planted — generally with mixed plants. This plan of planting has not answered so 

 well as was desired, as the plants soon run into one another and assume a wild, uncultivated look. 



