Ratal Botanic Gardens 



ANNUAL REPORT. 



Natal Botanic Gardens, 

 Berea, July 1909. 

 To the President and Committee, 



Natal Botanic Gardens, 

 Gentlemen, 



In presenting- this, my 28th Annual Report, I regret very 

 much that the state of the finances will not allow of a much 

 fuller report being published as has been done for so many 

 years until last year, when the grants were so much reduced 

 that drastic retrenchments had to be made in this as also irt 

 other things connected with the upkeep of the Gardens and 

 Herbarium. Our staff has been so much reduced in number 

 that beyond the ordinary routine work nothing more could be 

 attempted, the Conservatory requires considerable repairs, the 

 wooden plant labels have become almost illegible, many of 

 them have been broken and some removed by mischievous 

 visitors, the enamelled ones do not stand the change of tem- 

 perature and become chipped, and of the iron ones we have but 

 very few. In consequence of the great reduction of the staff 

 propagation of plants for distribution is almost at a standstill, 

 and the stock in the Nursery is gradually being diminished ; 

 it is to be hoped that the next annual report will be written 

 in a more cheerful strain. 



It is, perhaps, unnecessary for me to say that the season 

 has been a most favourable one for the growth of plants, and 

 the Garden in spite of the adverse circumstances above' stated 

 has been at its best. 



>4 ; € 



