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354 BOTANICAL GAZETTE | NOVEMBER 
canes, imported a. few years ago from the Mauritius botanic garden, was in 
the first place established at Castleton garden. As the necessary scope and 
appliances at Castleton for the experimental cultivation of these canes on a 
sufficiently large scale were not obtainable, advantage was taken of the gov- 
ment land at Hope to carry out the necessary experiments. Accordingly 
in 1874 the first batch of canes, consisting of eighteen varieties, was trans- 
ferred to Hope and planted to the extent of nearly an acre each. In 1875 
removed to Hope, and there planted in small plots in order to ensure a 
command of cuttings for subsequent propagation, the area pes by these 
being about five acres. 
But water failed often and there was disappointment. Some 
fifty plants of teak were set out at Hope in 1874, and 5c0 plants 
more in 1875. About ten acres were thus planted with teak. 
Mr. Thomson retired on pension in 1878, and in December 
1879 the gardens and plantations were constituted a department 
under Mr. Daniel Morris as director. The management of the 
gardens and grounds attached to Kings house, the residence of 
the governor, was now placed under the department. Dr. Mor- 
ris, in his report for 1885, refers to the future development of 
Hope nurseries. 
The only drawback to this locality as a site of a botanic garden is the 
smallness and precarious nature of the water supply. .. . - 
cient for the nursuries this water supply is wholly inadequate to maintain a 
large area, such as a botanic garden must necessarily be, under perpetual 
cultivation, unless a system of reservoirs and tanks were introduced for the 
‘storage of water. 
The Hope plantation might, however, be greatly extended in the direc- 
tion of growing and distributing economic plants, and in this respect the 
establishment would prove of great service to the island. As circumstances 
permit, this work will be transferred as much as possible from Castleton, 
leaving the latter to supply only the districts in communication with the — 
main trunk road and the north 
The lands adjoining the Hope nurseries, about roo acres in extent, 
might be cleared and laid out as a public park, with grass lawns and shade 
trees, and afford a convenient and healthful resort for the inhabitants - 
_ Kingston and Hall Way Tree. At : present, persons driving along any of ee 
hot, dusty, and d leading out of Kingston have ae one 
where Mey could get out of their ¢ carriages and enjoy a walk unt oye maa 
With the —— of nae ater garden, — — is. — 
