8 



Florida, in March. They were of the following varieties : — Red Ceylon, Reeve's Mammoth, Bidwell's 

 Early, Bidwell's Late, and Angel. Two plants of each kind have been put out in the Garden, and the 

 remainder distributed to applicants in various parts of the Island. The old Peach trees are in a very 

 healthy condition, but all the fruit dropped early, the reason being probably that the trenches 

 were not filled in soon enough after wintering. Compelling fruit trees of a temperate climate to winter, 

 is a process which requires watching in order to acquire experience for complete success. 



A few fruit trees of various kinds presented by Mrs. Frank were not showing progress, and having 

 examined the roots it was found that they were not penetrating into the bed of clay which forms the 

 subsoil. It was probably on this account that fruit trees have not succeeded here before. They have 

 been transplanted into holes dug 4 feet every way, and filled with good soil. If the trees are kept 

 topped low, say to 5 feet it is possible that even in this poor soil, they may thrive. Fruit Gar- 

 deners in Europe, and especially in Belgium grow very large sized pears and other fruit by keeping the 

 trees cut quite low. 



The Jamaica Plum {Cyphoniandra betaced) is a fruit of great promise for export, as it will keep well 

 for a month, the skin being tough and thick. It is a very pleasant fruit, besides being useful for the 

 liver. A large quantity of seeds has already been distributed, and the plantation is being extended 

 here. It has been found that cuttings produce fruit much sooner than seedlings, —in about 9 months, 

 and that the plants are not so high and are more bushy. Plants raised from cuttings appear therefore 

 to be better adapted to windy situations. 



The work of propagating has been attended to, and a large number of plants raised from see "s and 

 cuttings. The north-west corner of the Experimental Garden was trenched to a depth of about two 

 feet ; all large stones, roots, &c., removed, the ground thoroughly manured, and then laid out in beds — 

 18 in number — 4 feet 6 inches wide, with pathways 2 feet wide between them. Strawberry plants 

 from Kew have been planted in the beds, and the pathways with the grasses from Saharanpur. In 

 the flower garden, the beds and borders have been kept in good order, and throughout the year there 

 has been a good display of annual and other flowering plants. The annuals that have succeeded best 

 are Dianthus, Antirrhinum, Phlox, Petunia, Godetia, Aster, Schizanthus, Zinnia and Silene. The 

 following also made a good show in beds and borders : — Geranium, Gladiolus, Dahlia, Fuchsia, Helio- 

 tropium, Bouvardia. 



A number of large plants of Jasminum revolutum, Oestrum aurantiacum, Acanthus mollis, Agapan- 

 thus umhellatus, Plumbago capensis, Melaleuca squarrosa, &c. that had become too large, were lifted, and 

 replanted either in the Arboretum, or in the lower flower garden. 



In the plant house all through the year there was a good show of flowers ; Cineraria, Geranium, 

 Fuchsia, Piimula, Freesia, Carnation, Petunia, Hippeastrum, Amaryllis, Orchids, &c. In the Fern 

 house all the ferns were repotted, and the filmy fern cases were replenished, with blocks of fresh plants 

 from the woods. 



Slugs give great trouble in the houses, and constant watchfulness is necessary to prevent seedlings 

 and tender plants from being destroyed. They are trapped by hundreds by placing cabbage leaves at 

 night on the stages, which attract these pests, and allow them to be collected easily in the mornings. 



Large numbers of plants were sent down to two Horticultural Shows, one held in April, 1891, 

 and the other in January, 1892, both held in the Exhibition Building. Those from the Hill Garden 

 that attracted most attention were, Cinerarias, Pelargoniums, Carnations, Heliotropes, Asters and Pe- 

 tunias. 



The number of plants sold during the year is 786. 



The roads and fences have been repaired throughout, and some new fencing erected to keep the 

 stock fiom straying into provision grounds. 



Mr. Cradwick, while Superintendent, planted out on the steep road-side banks a great number of 

 a Cape Iris {Marica ccerulea) to try whether it would bind the soil, and prevent slipping. There has 

 scarcely been time yet to test the experiment satisfactorily. Plants of the Mexican Daisy {Erigeron 

 mucronatum) were also put out. 



The buildings are all in fairly good order, but some repairs will be necessary during the ensuing 

 financial year. 



The elevation of the Gardens is 4,900 feet, the mean temperature 63° F., and the average rainfall 

 105 57 inches. 



Hope Gardens. 



The whole area at Hope may be conveniently divided for the purpose of reference into 5 portions, 

 namely : — 



(A.) The area north of the conduit, containing the nursery, sugar canes, and 

 other economic plants, about 72 acres ; 



(B.) The area on the left of the entrance gate, between the conduit and Hope 

 Lane, about 28 acres ; 



(C.) The area on the right of the entrance gate, in wood and bush surround- 

 ing 10 acres occupied by Small Settlers, about 38 acres ; 



(D.) The area on which the Industrial School has been built, abutting on the 

 Camp of Isolation, about 54 acres ; 



(E.) Land handed over by the Water Works Commissioners with the buildings 

 about 21 acres ; 



making a total of about 212 acres 



Ac. Ro. 



Po. 



71 3 



38 



27 



19 



38 1 



21 



54 



8 



20 3 



16 



212 1 



22 



