TTTAKAMAND GARDEN. 363 



a financial point of view, and has allowed Mr M'lvor to carry out 

 considerable improvements in the upper garden. 



17. Prices. — The extreme facility with which many trees and 

 plants may be propagated, and the comparative mildness of the 

 winter, during which season many exotics continue to grow from 

 cuttings (if planted out of the reach of frost) would warrant their 

 sale at a reduced rate. 



18. It is the object of Government to introduce as many spe- 

 cies as possible at the lowest cost, consistent with the repayment 

 to the garden of the actual expenses of introduction and propa- 

 gation, with a sufficient surplus to meet the repairs of buildings, 

 &c, and to admit of the extension of operations. 



19. A strong feeling generally prevails that the prices named 

 in the catalogue are high, and I cannot doubt but that advantage 

 would arise from lowering them (as formerly urged by me). I 

 have diseussed this point with Mr M'lvor, who naturally adduces 

 the fact, that the income of the garden depends largely upon 

 sales ; I am disposed to meet his objection, by recommending 

 that Government should sanction the debit of the actual cost of 

 drugs supplied to the Medical Board, and of trees to the Depart- 

 ment of Public Works. Certain trees, for instance, might be sup- 

 plied to the roads at A. 1 each, or Es. 5 per hundred, and the 

 coolie hire for collecting and preparing the drugs should, I think, 

 be charged to the Medical Department ; this, Mr M'lvor states, 

 would allow of a reduction of 25 per cent. 



20. The Acacia robusta, weeping willow, cypress, ivy, &c, 

 are of very easy culture, and could certainly be sold at a reduced 

 rate. Fuchsias, chrysanthemums, geraniums, &c, would be dear 

 at English prices ; but with fruit trees especially, a low price 

 is to be desired. Vines and figs propagate readily from cut- 

 tings ; apples and pears can be grafted during great part of the 

 year, and a cheaper rate would repay their cost. Plums, peaches, 

 and cherries are more difficult of propagation, and their price 

 might reasonably be higher. On the whole, it appears to me 

 that a continuance of the present rates will cause a partial failure 

 of the object of the Institution, and induce residents to procure 

 plants and seeds from England instead of availing themselves of 

 the local establishment, where the same plants are procurable. 



