13 



Kingston Public Garden. 



The following paragraphs are taken from the Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Joseph 

 Harris : — 



During the year another Ficus lucida has succumbed, but on the whole, the trees and shrubs are 

 in a healthy state, many of the latter having made good growth. 



A portion of the walks has been re-gravelled and special attention has been paid to the edges 

 and the condition of the walks generally. 



The borders and beds have been thoroughly manured throughout, much to the improvement of 

 the smaller shrubs. 



A large number of plants from the Exhibition Grounds were transferred to this garden, and being 

 of a good size have added to the appearance of the borders in which they have been planted ; in addi- 

 tion to these about 1,000 ornamental plants in bamboo pots have been received from Hope and Oas- 

 tleton Gardens, and numerous vacancies have been filled up with these. 



A good display of Zinnias has also been made in the beds. 



The weather has been exceedingly dry during a portion of the year and copious watering has 

 been necessary. 



The tank in the centre of the garden has been cleaned, and fresh soil supplied to the aquatic 

 plants. 



Wire netting has been fixed to the railing all round the garden and has proved an efficient bar- 

 rier to the inroads of goats and fowls. 



The entire fence has been painted by the Public Works Department. 



By arrangement with the City Council the Garden has been kept open every night until 9 p.m., 

 and lighted as before with the Electric Light. The Bands of the Kingston Infantry Militia and the 

 West India Regiment have given a regular weekly performance which of course always attracts a large 

 number of inhabitants. 



The fact of so many people collecting in a small space has somewhat destroyed the beauty of the 

 garden near the Band Stand, especially the green appearance of the grass. 



The Kiosk erected by the City Council, and for some tioae rented by a refreshment caterer, has 

 remained closed for a considerable time ; the demand for light refreshments not being so large as was 

 expected. 



Anoiher work carried out by the City has been the removal of the Fountains hitherto standing 

 outside the garden fence, to a position immediately inside the garden, enclosed with an iron railing 

 and with gates giving access both from the gardens and the streets. 



The donkey and cart hitherto in use in the garden have been replaced by a mule and spring cart ; 

 with this improved means of removing the very large quaulity u£ x ubbish, the garden has been kept 

 tidy and clean. 



With a few exceptions, the conduct of visitors to the garden has been good, particularly since a 

 Constable has been told off for duty. 



The elevation is 60 feet above sea level, average rainfall 37.96 ; and mean temperature 79° F. 



Bath Garden. 



The " Bath of St. Thomas the Apostle" in the Parish of St. Thomas is a remarkable hot medi- 

 cinal spring. It is situated in one of the most interesting and beautiful parts of the country. The 

 rides to Cuna-Cuna Pass, and other places in the mountains ; the drives to Port Morant and towards 

 Manchioneal are through charming scenery, and if the virtues of the Bath were more widely known, 

 the little village would deservedly become a health resort for Canada and the States during the 

 winter. 



The remnant of the old Botanic Garden is still a great attraction, and it is a pity that more 

 money than the vote of dS20 cannot be obtained for doing something further than sweeping leaves and 

 keeping up the fence. To make a good garden, the necessary cost would amount at least to £100 per 

 annum, without taking into account any sum for supervision. 



Mr. A. H. Groves continues to act as Overseer, — he complains of the inadequacy of the annual 

 grant. 



Situation of Botanic Gardens in Jamaica. 



After the resignation of Mr. Morris in 1886 consequent on his appointment to the post of Assis- 

 tant Director at Kew, and at a time when the finances of the Island were not very flourishing, there 

 was a proposal to abandon the Gardens at Castleton and Cinchona, which was deliberately rejected by 

 the Legislative Council. As the idea of abandonment occasionally re-appears, it may be useful to state 

 a few considerations that show the value of the Gardens at difierent elevations. 



First it may be noticed that in 1777, Dr. Thomas Clarke came to the Island " at the particular 

 instance and request of the late Sir Basil Keith, to superintend two Botanic Gardens, then intended to 

 be established in this Island, the one as a European and the other as a tropical Garden," in addition to 

 the one already in existence at Bath. The spot chosen for the tropical garden not proving suitable, 

 the " Assembly of Jamaica co-operating with the benevolent intentions of His Majesty, (to introduce 

 valuable exotics and productions of the most distant regions to the West Indies), purchased in 1792-93 

 the magnificent Botanical Garden of Mr. Hinton East" at Gordon Town. Nothing however was done 

 towards making a European Garden till the year 1868 in connection with the plantations of Cinchona. 



Other countries have perceived the necessity for Gardens at difibrent elevations. In Ceylon, 

 which may be more nearly compared with Jamaica than any other Colony, there are five gardens. 

 The chief garden is at Peradeniya, 4 miles from Kandy and more than 70 by rail from Colombo, at 



