272 



The water supply has been thoroughly gone into by the Superinten- 

 dent, Mr. W. Thompson, and placed on a much better basis. The tanks 

 at the top of tbe Garden have been enlarged to hold 15,000 more gal- 

 lons of water ; piping has been put down, and small tanks put up in 

 the nursery for convenience of watering. 



A post office and telegraph station has been erected close to the Gar- 

 dens. A Constabulary Station will be established on part of the Garden 

 grounds. The small hotel in the Gardens, known as the Castleton 

 Cottages, is run by the Boston Fruit Company, and is a great conve- 

 nience both to the travelling public and to visitors to the Gardens. 

 The Railway Station at Annotto Bay will be another convenience for 

 visitors, and the drive of 9 or 10 miles between the station and the 

 Gardens is one of the lovliest in Jamaica. 



Public Gardens, Kingston. 



The lawns have been almost destroyed by people passing over them 

 in every direction from gate to gate, so that the aspect has become ra- 

 ther that of an open square than a Garden. 



To remedy this, and at the same time to continue the convenience of 

 the gates, fencing will be erected by which those who make use of the 

 garden as a thoroughfare will be kept to the paths, while visitors who 

 wish to enjoy the benefit of a public garden will have the privilege 

 of passing within the fencing. Until the grass has been re-established 

 it will be necessary to close altogether, for a time, certain parts of the lawns. 



In this way it will be possible to avoid the very serious step, other- 

 wise unavoidable, of again closing most of the gates. 



Bath Gardens. 



This the oldest Botanic Garden in the West Indies, has renewed its 

 youth. It is situated in one of the most charming parts of the island 

 with wonderful growths of tropical vegetation and close to a hot mineral 

 spring which will doubtless soon attract hosts of visitors. The small 

 grant from the Legislature is not adequate for its maintenance as a 

 garden proper, but should be considered as supplementary only to pro- 

 per provision made by the Parochial Board out of the parochial funds. 



If funds can be provided by this means, or in any other way sufficient 

 to maintain a good garden, it would be necessary to appoint a Superin- 

 tendent who can give up his whole time to the work of the Garden. 

 King's House Gardens and Grounds. 



The usual work has been carried out, and some improvements have 

 been made. The avenue borders which are such a feature of the King's 

 House Gardens, have been thinned out; the rose garden has been par- 

 tially renewed. Nearly two acres have been added to the lawns, laid 

 down with Bahama grass ; and about 10 acres of new pasture have been 

 formed. 



III. EDUCATIONAL. 

 Industrial School. 

 The management of an Industrial School does not properly come un- 

 der a Department of Public Gardens, but it was considered expedient 

 to transfer it from the Inspector of Industrial Schools to the Director 

 of Public Gardens ; because, to carry out any efficient scheme of agri- 

 cultural training, the Director should have control over the appoint- 

 ment and work of the officers, and over the whole time of the boys ; 

 and, because the constant supervision which is necessary can only be 



