100 
with that of Madagascar and the southern arts of Beat, but the 
deserts. The rainfall as may be expected, is very variable. During 
the year 1893 the rainfall at Port Darwin, representing the coast 
region, was 62°5 inches, at Burrundie 49*4 inches, x bi Powell’s 
‘Cree only 12°6 i 
, in the interior at about. 22? S. lat., it was on nches. 
In the interior the chief industries are cem and daria but along 
the coast agricultural industries are being steadily pursued. The 
following report by the Curator of the auk Garden and Experi- 
mental Nursery at Port Darwin has recently been published. It affords 
evidence, as pointed out by the president, that “ the soil and climate of 
the Northern Territory. are e Suite ted for the cultivation of valuable 
tropical and sub-tropical produc 
* Sir, * Palmerston, March. Ist, 1894. 
“I HAVE ifs ree to respectfully hand you my report on the 
progress of the more important experimental plots in the Botanical 
xarden and Experimental Nursery during the past year. 
sen din put season the different varieties made excellent growth, 
but were eventually nearly completely destroyed by horses breaking into 
c eee nud rever, that a small sum has been allowed. 
s will, I am glad to think, no longer occur. 
Aes 
Es ‘The sam same block has again heen planted this season, and looks ed 
"x regere —The different varieties i very sati Hietaobdf gro rowth 
last season, some in particular showing splendid canes. The second 
* ratoons? now are looking as well as can be wis 
“ Cocoa-nuts continue tc progress, and the older hey get the brighter 
the outlook. Several trees in the avenue are now either fruiting or 
Oo 
oung lanted out in the reclaimed mangrove swamp last 
year suffered severely from the attacks of the hermit crabs, and had. to 
be protected by small sheets of tin round their base. 'They are now 
gradually recovering. 
* African Oil-palms.— These continue tbe satisfactory progress 
previonsly.. reported. Over 300 seeds were obtained from the two 
ol s during the year, and several hundred more are again 
ps 
“ Betel-nut palms have. made very good growth, and I expect them 
shortly to fruit. 
o“ Ginger.— — Splendid tubers were produced last season, and I have 
increased the area of the block under cultivation. The plants now are 
just showing above the ground. Two varieties are cultivated. 
* Starch-producing plants—Arrowroot and Cassava.—So_ satisfac- 
tory has been the growth of both these m plants last 
that I have increased the area of the block under cultivation. 
The plants aré now looking splendid. Tous n mois occupies a small 
| lock. and has always done "i This is the plant yielding the starch 
produced i in Queensland, but the product does not realise quite as fn 
S ice as that obtained from the real arrowroot, and I note in a recent 
cial tion that endeavours aes made to cse its 
pit 
