THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 135 



some provision -will be made before the summer sets in to supply 

 this great want, as also to provide drinking fountains throughout 

 the grounds. A few rustic seats round large trees on the lawns and 

 elsewhere, have been provided during the past year under my 

 directions, and these should be materially added to. The overflow 

 from the new reservoir can be utilized in supplying small lakes below 

 it. This portion of the Gardens when completed will prove a very 

 striking spot. The contract for a portion of the new Conservatory 

 has been commenced. The old one is in such a dilapidated con- 

 dition, that it would not be a surprising matter to find it blown 

 down some windy night. 



" In the triangular piece formed by the entrance from Anderson 

 Street, a natural system of plants will be commenced at once. With 

 respect to the entrances to the Gardens generally, it would be a great 

 improvement to remove the present unsightly gardeners' residences 

 scattered throughout the grounds, and substitute lodges at the 

 various entrances. 



" The Fern Gully in the Botanic Gardens is now one of the 

 great attractions in the grounds, and it has quite fulfilled the 

 expectations I expressed concerning it in my first report. The large 

 ferns have flourished, and now spread their cool green fronds over 

 the small species growing beneath their shade. The aspect of the 

 place is quite a natural one, as it should be ; and while the shelter 

 trees transplanted there afi'ord the requisite shade, it has been freely 

 planted with stag-horn and elk-horn ferns, which give increased 

 beauty and appropriateness to the spot. A number of tall tree 

 ferns from Mount Macedon have been planted here, and are growing 

 vigorously. 



"' The number of visitors to the Gardens during the past year 

 has been exceedingly great. The "Southern District " brass band 

 performs every alternate Saturday in the grounds, in fine weather. 

 It is gratifying to find that the Gardens are so extensively visited 

 by the public, and that the lawns and other improvements made are 

 generally appreciated. 



" During the past season a good display of flowers was k£pt up 

 throughout the Botanic Gardens until the drought set in. I am 

 most anxious to form a good Rosery in these Gardens. Though 

 there are some magnificent collections of the " Queen of Flowers " 

 around Melbourne, I have not seen a Bosery on a thoroughly grand 

 scale in the colonies ; and the Melbourne Gardens should certainly 

 not be deficient of this beautiful feature. I have already secured a 

 superb collection of Camellias, which are doing exceedingly well. I 

 have also a fine collection of Azaleas, but Rhododendrons and Rosea 

 are very deficient. The former will be required, amongst other 

 things, for planting on the it-lands in the lake, while the necessity 

 for a Rosery is at once apparent. Property formed, such a feature 

 in tin: Gardens would be one of surpassing interest, and would 

 alone afford immense gratification to the public during the season 

 when these beautiful flowers are in bloom, while the contrast of 

 colour by effective grouping would create magnificently harmonious 

 and pleasing nature-pictures." 



May. 



