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made for various improvements which I had long been anxious to carry out. The sum of £500 has 

 been voted for the current year for maintenance. 



Mr. "W". J. Thompson is at present Superintendent. 



The borders in the garden and along the avenue have been in good order throughout the year, 

 except for a few weeks during the long drought. 



The border on the north side of the garden had become crowded with trees and shrubs, many of which 

 have been removed, leaving the place more open, and giving glimpses of the hills in the distance. 

 The open ground has been planted with Bahama Grass. Behind the border, the fence has been taken up, 

 and moved further back, enclosing a piece of waste ground where a new border has been begun, but 

 work is delayed pending the laying down of more water pipes. At one end of the border, a fernery 

 has been made under the trees for ferns and orchids. 



The triangle bed where the East Indian Mango Tree was planted by Prince George, contained 

 crotons, which gradually failed, as the mango tree grew ; they have therefore been moved, and 

 Bahama Grass planted. 



The orchids have been carefully attended to, and 38 species and varieties have flowered. 



A considerable amount of attention and labour has been bestowed on the pot plants, and most of 

 them have been re-potted. These are used for decoration of the house, and have been exhibited at 

 the two Flower IShows during the year. 



The old Rose Garden has been thoroughly remodelled. The north fence was taken down, and a 

 chain and a half of waste land added. The whole of this ground was on a slope, but it has all been 

 levelled. The cross walks have been dug up and a walk 9 feet broad, has been made down the centre 

 of the garden. The lime trees along the fence had become much overgrown, they have been cut 

 back, and some removed. Three chains of one inch piping have been laid down. 



Climbers in variety have been planted on the fences round the Arboretum, and are growing well. 



Durirgthe autumn two vine borders were made near the house, and planted with ten vines pre- 

 sented by Mr. Schloss — eight of these have succeeded. 



The cultivation of the grape vine is one of those petites cultures admirably adopted to the circum- 

 stances of many people of all classes, and to the climatic conditions of several parts of the Island. 



Mr. Thompson is skilful in this particular branch of Horticulture, and is capable of imparting 

 his knowledge to others. I hope soon to be able to announce that advice and help in this cultivation 

 will be offered freely to all who wish for aid, — this assistance to be given by means of practical de- 

 monstration on living vines. 



Some time ago I obtained through Kew Gardens a large number of cuttings of vines of the best 

 kinds from the Royal Horticultural Society's Gardens at Chiswick. Dr. Grabham has also kindly 

 presented cuttings of some of the best Madeira Vines. By permission of His Excellency the Gov- 

 ernor, these cuttings have been planted in a portion of King's House Grounds immediately adjoining 

 the East Lodge. American vines also will be obtained from the United States, and it is intended to 

 experiment with grafting on our native vine {Vitis cariboea). In European vineyards, the vines are 

 grafted on American stocks, and the phylloxera is being combated by this method. 



The plan proposed is to allow those who are interested in this culture to visit this vinery, and 

 listen to demonstrations by Mr. Thompson on the care of the vine from the time of first putting in a 

 cutting, the proper method of pruning, thinning the branches, &c. In order to cause as little in- 

 terruption as possible in the Superintendent's duties in the garden, a special time will be appoiuted 

 once a week for demonstrations at which all who wish may attend. 



The Pine Ground has been well hoed, ploughed, and manured during the year, and has given a 

 good number of fruit. 



Twenty-four groo-groo palms {Acrocomia sclerocarpa) have been planted in the pastures, of which 

 18 are growing, and will prove effective in a few years' time. Twenty coco-nut palms have been put 

 put in the Arboretum ; and 40 palms of various species in the Palmetum. 



A large amount of work has been done on the lawns ; — they have been constantly weeded, 

 mown, and rolled, and dressed with good rich soil. The area of one acre laid down last year is look- 

 ing well and is a great improvement. About 40 crotons that were in tubs, have been planted out 

 about the lawns, and have much improved. All the hay-grass in the Arboretum and behind the 

 borders in the drive has been mown ; twenty acres of pasture have been cleaned. 



Several more water cocks are needed in the garden. In some places there is a space of 70 yards 

 between the nearest. Beside? giving extra work, twice as much hose is necessary. Several tanks are 

 also much needed and would save a great deal of time. 



A fire took place in the Rectory Garden adjoining, and entered the grounds by the south east 

 corner. A strong breeze was blowing at the time, and in spite of all efforts, it could not be got under, 

 until it had burnt most of the large pasture, killed several palms, and ficus trees, damaged a number 

 of plants in the border, and burnt several fence posts. 



The drives have been constantly weeded, and kept in good condition, though there has been a 

 great deal of traffic. 



Seventy-seven chains of fencing with 150 new posts have been repaired, together with six chains of 

 penguin fence along the road-side. 



Mule and cart sheds are needed for protection from weather. The buck-eye mowing machine is 

 rusting away for want of shelter. There should be proper sheds for large tools, clay pots, different 

 kinds of soil, sand, manure, &c. A small glass house is desirable for some species of orchids, and for 

 propagating. 



The elevation is 400 feet above sea level ; the average rainfall is 49.20 inches, and the average 

 mean temperature is 78.7° F. 



