306 



The main entrance drive had been kept regularly cleaned, edges 

 straightened, &c, but some parts are beginning to get very much worn 

 down and will require remetalling soon. 



The Amherstia nobilis is planted out in a permanent place near the 

 dining room, and it flowered this year producing three racemes of its 

 handsome flowers. The plant was trenched and well manured during 

 the year. 



The Grape Vines, 12 in number, were attended to. A trench three feet 

 wide and three feet deep was dug all round them and it was filled up 

 with rich manure and good soil. This was done in the Autumn. 



In February they were pruned and heavy mulching of goat and 

 horse manure put on. They are now flowering well and a better crop 

 is expected. 



A small vegetable garden has been made and some vegetables — ■ 

 tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, carrot, &c, planted in the month of No- 

 vember on trial. 



One hundred plants of Ficus Benjamina were propagated and sent 

 to Hope, also 500 pine apple suckers. 



A good deal of other miscellaneous work has also been done, such as 

 the daily sweeping and cleaning up around the premises and drive, 

 removing hundreds of cart loads of rubbish, billing about Bungalow, 

 out-buildings, &c, gathering flowers for house and table decoration,, 

 attending to the pot plants and Orchids in the house. The Superin- 

 tendent was also engaged in collecting specimens of plants growing 

 in the Liguanea plains. The Superintendent's house is in very bad 

 repair and requires attention. 



A small barrack, or quarters for a few of the permanent workmen 

 is much wanted. 



Parade Garden. 

 The following report is by the Superintendent, Mr. John Camp- 

 bell :— 



During the year the garden operations have been carried on with the 

 strictest economy to keep within the vote allowed for maintenance. 

 The beds and borders were well manured several times during the 

 year and forked repeatedly. The plants have been pruned, trees di- 

 vested of dried branches, verges and edges cut and trimmed. The 

 borders and beds are in good condition. Particular attention has 

 been paid to keeping the garden as clean and tidy as possible, but it 

 is impossible to do so as the garden is such a thoroughfare. A thou- 

 sand plants have been received from the Hope Gardens which have 

 been planted out in the borders. They have taken and will be an 

 improvement when established. Two new beds have been added to the 

 Garden, one of roses, and one of annuals. The plants of Euphorbia 

 which was planted along the aqueduct through the garden have grown 

 well and have improved the appearance. 



I am sorry to report that in consequence of the large concourse of 

 people who visit the garden at night and will not keep to the walks 

 and avenues but pass through the garden from all angles, the lawns 

 are nearly all destroyed. It is necessary that they be enclosed and 

 some restrictions adopted that the people keep to the walks and avenues. 



It would be an improvement to have the bridges over the aqueduct 

 built of concrete as it would be lasting and have a better appearance. 



