* REPORT ON THE ROYAL GARDENS AT KEW, 273 
the space between the two octagons built last year is filled. The area 
it encloses has been laid out in oblong beds, intersected by broad pa- 
rallel paths. Under the loftiest part the trees are planted in straight 
lines, forming avenues of Araucarias, Palms, Tree-ferns, etc., while the 
side beds contain Rhododendrons, Acacias, Camellias, Magnolias, Myr- 
thes, Banksias, ete. Such were the delays in the completion of this 
building, that it was with extreme difficulty the plants were housed 
before eold weather set in; their planting out in the beds, indeed, is 
still unfinished. 
A very extensive belt of trees and shrubs is now planted, in order to 
sereen the town of Brentford and the unsightly buildings. connected 
with its new docks and railway terminus from the beautiful walk that 
-—-— the grounds: To effect this, between five and six acres. have 
el and 8750 vigorous young trees and shrubs. planted. 
comp the care with which the plants in our nursery have been 
à; ed and increased, this work was accomplished without our 
making a single purchase. The excavation of the lake-bed having been 
carried far enough last year to allow of the construetion of the conduit 
mmis with the Thames, the water was let in early last spring, 
ut was afterwards drawn off again, as it was necessary to cart the 
gravel for the terrace and the interior of the Winter Garden. A con- 
eure quantity still remains to be removed for the same purposes. 
plantation in the Queen's Garden, and that on the mound at the 
ed of the Syon House Avenue, have been greatly improved and are in 
à very flourishing state. Lodges have been erected at the Brentford 
and the Lion Gates, in anticipation of the Arboretum being thrown 
open to the public during the winter. 
Nurseries. —The one which supplies our own 
with young and healthy plants; and that which 
shrubs for the metropolitan parks is in an equally good condition. 
grounds is well stocked 
provides trees and 
III. SCIENTIFIC DEPARTMENT. 
the donations to these buildings 
— Museums.—tIn no previous year have 
have chiefly been derived from 
= so numerous and valuable; they I 
he International Exhibition. Thanks to his Grace the Duke of Newcas- 
tle, Secretary of State for the Colonies, and to the general appreciation 
our Museums by the respective governors and by the colonists them- 
selves, almost the whole of the vegetable products of our more im- 
VOL. I. T 
