cutting. Experiments with lucerne grass seemed to prove the 

 French variety superior to the acclimatised. The plant was quite 

 as vigorous, the stalk was more delicate and the seed was only 

 half the weight. 



In 1880-1881 a numher of full grown specimens of Albizzia 

 procera, which had been transplanted in the cold season o 1878- 

 1879, showed satisfactory results. 



In 1881-1882 a mangosteen plant from Singapore died from 

 cold in November. Potatoes received from the Secretary of 

 State grew surprisingly well. In May 1882 the oarob tree 

 yielded a crop of fully 30 pounds weight of pods, the greater part 

 of which were equal in size to the imported pods. 



The herbarium building was altered and repaired and numer- 

 ous specimens were added. 



Experiments were made in collecting the India rubber-yield- 

 ing milky sap of the Cryptostegia grandiflora, a beautiful climber. 

 As the plants could not bear tapping more than twice a year, the 

 yearly acre outturn would be 24 pounds of coutohouo. 



(Extract Gazetteer.) 



Season. 



3. The south-west monsoon was satisfactory and the cold 

 weather fall was less than what is usually expected. An excess 

 of rain fell in the hot weather, 3 '31 inches being registered during 

 the month of April. The total rainfall recorded in the gauge 

 was 25*85 inches. 



Distribution of Soils. 



4. The river Mula forms the northern boundary of the Garden, 

 and the plots lying on its bank 7, 8, 9, 10, il, lower part of 15. 

 and 16 are composed of a great depth of reddish alluvial loam 

 deposited by the successive annual floods. This is an ideal soil 

 for the growth of a great variety of trees and other plants many 

 of which refused to grow on the black soil. A large quantity of 

 this soil is also used for mixing in flower beds, and it is found 

 that vegetables can only be successfully grown on black soil after 

 a heavy admixture of this alluvium. The plot marked " Banana " 

 on the right is very lo\t-lying and is often deeply flooded. It is 

 now utilized for the growth of jute. Plots ]S T o. 14 and the upper 

 parts of 15, 16 are of very inferior murum soil, and attempts are 

 being made to use the worst patches for the cultivation of fodder 

 grasses and fibre plants. The remainder of the Garden is inter- 



