9 



we are concerned, be a calamity, and it is sincerely to be hoped 

 that no more will be heard of such a proposition. As an alter- 

 native I would suggest that if the Umbilo Road were extended 

 along Lancers Road, then close alongside the foot of the 

 Gardens, along Avondale to Florida Road, then Umbilo and 

 Stamford Hill will would be connected by a direct Road, along 

 which a tram might be run with advantage, since it would 

 connect both the existing linos, pass close to the Race Course, 

 Polo Ground, and Golf Ground, and run for several hundred 

 yards alongside the lower fence of the Botanic Gardens. It 

 will be remembered by some of the older colonists that the 

 original entrance to the Gardens was in the centre of this 

 lower line, and the direct road made by the Corporation into 

 the town still exists, but is never used, if, however, this 

 suggested road were made, the original entrance could be again 

 used and the Gardens would then be accessible from any part 

 of the borough. 



The Mango crcp has been an almost total failure, for though 

 the trees promised well in the early part of the season, later 

 on the fruit was so severely attacked by insects that scarcely a 

 sound fruit was to be got, of the large green variety I have not 

 seen a single ripe and sound fruit in the Gardens this season. 

 It is somewhat remarkable that it has been reported that the 

 " White Peach " has ripened its fruit near Maritzburg without 

 being severely attacked by insects, and it is thought that this 

 is due to the last winter having been so cold as to destroy 

 many of the insects which do so much damage to fruit, but 

 near Durban we have not found any diminution of these pests, 

 but the cold does not appear to be so severe here as it is in 

 Maritzburg. 



The best method of combating this evil appears to be by 

 " gassing " the trees, that is covering them with a specially 

 prepared tent, and then filling it with the poisonous hydro- 

 cyanic gas, this, however, necessitates some considerable 

 expense in material and apparatus, and as the gas is highly 

 dangerous to human life the utmost care must be taken in its 

 use. It is satisfactory to know that the Agricultural Depart- 

 ment have undertaken to do this work at a reasonable charge, 

 and have already provided the necessary apparatus. 



In the early part of the year, Mr. Wylie went for a collecting 

 trip with a wagon and oxen to the Karkloof district, and 

 succeeded in obtaining a number of plants for exchange, and 

 of dried specimens for the Colonial Herbarium, most of which 

 have since been classified and distributed to correspondents. 



The Bye-Laws drawn up by a sub-committee were assented 

 to by His Excellency the Governor, and will be found at the 

 commencement of this Report. 



