134 THE FL01UL WOKLU A>,D GARDEN GUIDE. 



intensely hot weather, when the lake was nearly dry, advantage wa9 

 taken ot the opportunity to obtain a large quantity of manure from 

 it, for general use in the Gardens. The bottom of this lake contains 

 a deposit of rich manure, decayed vegetation having been continually 

 conveyed into it, down the slopes, which are drained by it ; and it 

 would be very advisable, on a fitting occasion, to deepen i he lake, 

 when enough soil if a rich description would be obtained to 1 eighten 

 the low ground at its head. Rhododendrons, MagnoliaB, Azaleas, 

 etc., would look well on the islands which stud this lake; and it is 

 my intention to plant a few there this season. 



"The swans and wild fowl are doing well. Of the cygnets 

 hatched last year, two only remain, one ha\ing been shot by some 

 evil-disposed person. The swans caused much trouble during the 

 summer season, by going over the bank into the Yarra, travelling 

 miles up the river; now, however, that the iron boundary fence of 

 the Gardens has been erected along the bank of the Yarra, the 

 swans are shut in, while the Gardens are protected from the rough 

 characters who usually infested them, especially on Suudays, coming 

 up the river in boats and idling about on the bank. 



" The sloping hank to the lake where the experimental Garden 

 now exists, and at present clothed from end to end with Willows, 

 Fraxinus, Ulmus, Aloes, Ricinus, Cypress, Piuus, etc., etc., has 

 straight paths running down to the lake. This part of the grounds 

 could be transformed into a most picturesque spot, and various 

 orders arranged in groups. The Amaryllidao have been grouped 

 near the band-stand, on the Palm-house lawn ; near this the 

 Liliacea? will be arranged a little lower down, and nearer again to 

 the lake the Iridaceaa. The Liliacese, Cordylines, Dracaenas, and 

 Yuccas, will be beautiful objects with Ripogonums, and other climb- 

 ing plants of the tribe, planted at their stems. They would tower far 

 above the Aloes, Puormium (or New Zealaud flax), Ruscus, Arthro- 

 podium, Astelia, Dianella, Ornithogalum, and Hyacinth, etc., and 

 altogether form an interesting collection for the student of botany. 



" The proper drainage, and reticulation of the water supply from 

 the Yarra, is a most important matter, not only with respect to 

 Government house grounds, but the Botanic Gardens also. The 

 poor character of the soil in many places necessitates it. The banks 

 of the new reservoir in the Botanic Gardens (which ha3 been 

 estimated to be capable of supplying 350,000 gallons twice a day) 

 have been planted with Buffalo grass. This reservoir will be of 

 very great service ; it will be kept filled by an engine of great power 

 substituted for the 6 ii.p. one at present in use. In seasons of 

 drought its value will be immense. The engine will draw the supply 

 from the Yarra, the water of which is, hosAever, only fit for garden- 

 ing purposes, there being no supply of Yan Yean in the place, the 

 latter having been cut oft' before I took office. The residents in the 

 Gardens occasionally contrive to secure a little rain water from their 

 houses; but when that fails, iliey are forced to u>e the polluted 

 water from the Yarra. In such extensive Gardens, the resort of 

 thousands, especially during the summer season, there should be an 

 abundant supply of drinkiug water for visitors ; and I trust that 



