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APPENDIX I.— HOPE GARDENS. 

 The following Report is by Mr. W. Cradwick : — 



Extension, Borders, &c. — " The work of extension of the Gardens was 

 not proceeded with in consequence of the reduction of the vote. But a 

 new border has been made at the back of the tropical African and Ma- 

 dagascar section. The border is fifteen chains long and fifteen feet wide 

 and has had water laid down the entire length by means of a 2 inch pipe. 

 It is designed to act as an experimental border for ornamental and econo- 

 mic plants and shrubs, but it is not yet planted. The border was trenched 

 throughout the entire length to a depth of from eighteen to twenty four 

 inches, according to the depth of soil. 



" The palms and other plants put out in the Afiican and Madagascar sec- 

 tion have all done well, with the exception of the Camoensia which has 

 grown very slowly although it now appears to be about to make a start. 



" The following palms have been planted out, large holes five feet in 

 diameter and five feet deep being dug for their reception and the hole 

 filled with one half manure and one half fresh soil to give them a good 

 start : 



Raphis flabelliformis, Ait. 

 Stevensonia grandifolia, Duncan 

 Cocos botryophora, Mart. 

 Phoenix rupicola, T. Anders. 

 Astrocaryum mexicanun, Liebm. 

 Oaryota urens, Linn. 

 Livistona chinensis, Mart. 

 Elseis guineensis, Jacq. 

 Pritchardia Thurston i 



Archontopbcenix Alexandra, H. Wendl. & Drude 

 Licuala grandis, H. Wendl. 

 Licuala peltata, Roxb. 

 Bactris major, Jacq. 



" The lawns, and beds made last year have all been maintained in good 

 order, but the hedge of Aralias which was planted by the side of the divi- 

 sion fence between the gardens and the water works was nearly all eaten 

 down by the cows which infest the water works pasture. 



Grape Vines. — " All the young vines at King's House, nearly 300 in 

 number have been removed to Hope, this has necessitated the formation of 

 borders 1,036 feet in length and has entailed a great deal of labour. 



"In consequence of its being necessary to have the vines in a position 

 where they can be watched unceasingly when bearing, it was necessary 

 first to remove thiee rows of the Teak trees and then make a suitable 

 border. The Vine border was made by removing the top soil and then the 

 sub-soil to a depth of three feet. The top soil was then replaced, and the 

 deficiency caused by the removal of the gravelly subsoil was made up by 

 the addition of cow manure (a cart load to every two plants) and fresh 

 soil. 



" Sugar Canes. — The whole of the canes have been planted afresh. Two 

 rows each about a chain and a quarter long, of plant canes of each variety, 

 both of the old canes and of the new ones from Demerara, have been put 

 out. The best of the tops only were used, and if any of these grow up at 

 all weakly, they will be removed and their places filled by the most vigor- 

 ous roots only. By this process of selection it is hoped that the quality of 

 the canes will be considerably improved. Endeavours are also being made 

 to manure them highly and keep tbem well watered. 



