202 



Driven "Wells. Springs occur along the base of the hills, and it is pos- 

 sible that a large quantity of water might be tapped at no great depth.' 5 " 

 But the uncertainty of the supply may at any time cause serious trouble 

 in Kingston and the neighbourhood, which might be avoided by the 

 construction of more reservoirs. It is now well known that secondary 

 reservoirs into which the water passes from the receiving reservoirs are 

 extremely valuable in allowing of a more complete removal of noxious 

 germs. The extension of the reservoirs would not only be useful in 

 this way but would also provide for the storage of water which during 

 most months of the year goes to waste down the Hope River. My ori- 

 ginal plan for the laying out of the Hope Gardens, included the forma- 

 tion of a small lake for the storage of water for the Gardens, and for 

 growing water-lilies and other aquatic plants ; and this had been deter- 

 mined on by the Committee of the Legislative Council that sat in 1886. 

 The funds hitherto at my disposal have not allowed any steps to be 

 taken in this direction. It might be gradually done year by year at a 

 moderate cost. 



Reference is made later in this Report, and also in the Superinten- 

 dent's Report (in the Appendix) to the cultivation of various economic 

 plants, such as Canes, Cocoa, Liberian Coffee, Nutmegs, Ramie, Alfalfa. 

 The growth of these plants has been most successful. The area under 

 their cultivation is small, and though sufficient for ordinary purposes, 

 is certainly not large enough to enable any separate account to be kept 

 of expenditure under separate headings. I do not think myself that 

 this is a matter of much importance for practical men, but if it is con- 

 sidered desirable by the Legislative Council, they will no doubt vote 

 the money necessary for the increased cultivation. 



The plantation of Teak, just 21 years old, has been a great success, 

 splendid gate posts having been cut from the timber. No irrigation 

 has been applied, and it is apparent that even with the small rainfall of 

 the Liguanea plain, Teak is a most valuable addition to our native 

 woods, and can be grown where naseberry-bully and other hardwoods 

 will not flourish. An article appears in the Bulletin on this tree. 



The reduction of the vote for the year caused a suspension of any ex- 

 tension of the Gardens, but no loss occurred in plants already estab- 

 lished. 



The instruction given to the boys of the Industrial School is dealt 

 with further on. 



Castleton Gardens continues to be a place of great resort both for 

 the inhabitants of the Island and for visitors to our shores. 



The success of the plantation of Liberian Coffee there, and the fact 

 that machinery has now been invented for pulping it, have induced 

 many planters to start a new cultivation, and it is probable that it will 

 be found useful to the colony as a partial substitute for the cultivation 

 of the Sugar Cane. The plantation has been considerably extended. 



At the Hill Garden the seedlings of forest trees are doing well, and 

 the growth of fruits suited to the hills is continued, but experiments 

 are crippled through the reduction of the Yote. No work has been 

 done on the Cinchona plantation proper for some years with the excep- 

 tion of keeping some of the principal roads open. 



The King's Holse Gardens and Grounds have been maintained in 



