232 



the main walk extended and new walks made in rose-gardens. All the 

 smaller palms, shade trees and ornamental trees on Avenue Lawns, Arbo- 

 retum, Pastures, etc., have been trenched and manured. 



'* About 2.000 feet of piping have been laid down and some dozens of 

 taps fixed ; the plant houses have been fitted up with tanks to hold large 

 quantities of water for watering. A new potting and tool-house has b*en 

 erected. Two vine borders have been established. A fence has been run 

 round two sides of the large pasture and all the bush, stumps and useless 

 trees taken out of it. All the pastures have been put in a clean condition, 

 rows and clumps of shade aud ornamental trees have been planted in all 

 the pastures." 



The following Eeport is by Mr. E. Campbell for three months, from 

 January to end of March : — 



" I resumed charge of this establishment on the 8th of January last, and 

 carried on the work, as given in this report, for three months only. 



(i Since the year 1890 the garden has been extended considerably, in 

 fact, it is now more than twice the size. 



" The work of supervision is also very much increased. All garden 

 work is being done by ordinary labourers and they must have constant 

 instruction and watching from the Superintendent himself. 



" Seven and a half chains in length of the border on the Avenue have been 

 dug up, the ground was trenched two or three feet deep and the Ficus roots 

 picked out, then it was well manured, made level with the road and re- 

 planted. Wherever this is done, the plants show great improvement, it 

 will therefore be necessary to continue this work from time to time. The 

 other borders in the garden around the house require thorough handling 

 and remodelling. The several beds of Crotons mixed with Hibiscus about 

 the Lawn have a good effect, but scale insects trouble the Hibiscus much. 



" The new Kose Garden is in fairly good condition and flowers in pro- 

 fusion, but the strong and arid south wind causes much damage to the 

 blooms and half the flowers never open from the bud stage. 



" Tennis and other Lawns were kept in order as usual, seven and a half 

 square chains of hay grass have been hoed off, the land ploughed, levelled 

 and made ready for planting Bahama grass. 



" Verges have to be kept cut continually. 



" The entrance drive to King's House, is, from the East Lodge Gate to 

 front steps, forty-six chains, and from the West Lodge Gate to junction 

 by Croton bed, fifteen chains, making a total of 61 chains long and 22 

 feet wide. All this road has been kept constantly hoed and raked. 



" All the hay grass common pastures have been cleaned and several 

 hundred stumps dug out. 



" Some Jportions of the several sub-dividing pasture fences have been 

 repaired with new posts and the wire restrained. 



" Pot plants for house decoration have been duly attended to. The 

 demand for them is ever increasing. 



" Ten tree ferns have been added to the old number. 

 The plant of Beaucarnea recurvata growing near the dining room is 

 ' now [fifteen feet high ; this plant was introduced by Dr. D. Morris from 

 New Orleans. The Champac tree (Michelia Champaca) growing on the 

 Lawn is twelve feet high and has flowered this year. 



14 A plant of Amherstia nobilis, which is being grown in a large flower 

 pot until it is strong enough to stand planting out in a prominent place, is 

 now four feet high, and looks quite healthy and well. This grand flower- 

 ing tree will, in time, be a beautiful object in the garden. 



