312 



The following seeds were also distributed : — 

 15 quarts of Tea seed 

 1 lb. Cinchona 

 1 lb Tree Tomato 



and of Tree Tomato fruits, 76 lbs. or 38 dozens. 



The elevation of the Hill Garden House, where the instruments 

 are placed, is 4,907 feet above sea-level. 



The average mean temperature there is 62 . 6° F., and the average 

 annual rainfall 102.2 inches for 27 years. 



The amount of rain that fell during the year was 96.08 inches June, 

 July and January were the driest months, and September, October and 

 November the wettest. The mean temperature was 62.9° The 

 Meteorological tables for the different months are given on pages 315, 

 316. 



The rainfall at the Orange Grarden, Resource, was 53.70 inches for 

 the year. The driest months were June, Julj^, and January^ and the 

 wettest months — May, October and JN^ovember. 



KixGS House Gtaedex and Grounds. 

 The following Report is by Mr. W. Walker, Superintendent : — 

 Having only assumed charge in !N"oveinber last I can simply state 

 that I found the grounds and garden in excellent condition. The 

 lawns, paths and borders showing that care and attention have been 

 bestowed on them. All was clean and in good order and the plants 

 in the nursery and at the house were in a healthy and flourishing con- 

 dition. 



At the request of His Excellency Sir A. Blake, the long grass was 

 cut on the pleasure ground southwest of the vinery, and all along 

 inside the borders each side of the avenues, the road itself has been 

 cleaned frequently, the bord-rs from east to west have been dug up 

 and kept well watered but I should recommend they have a thorough 

 overhauling and renovating, the larger growing plants removed from 

 the front and vice versa, keeping in view the proper blending of the 

 different colours. 



A kitchen garden has been established but is very limited in size. 

 The produce is very satisfactory, giving some very fine Tomatoes, 

 Cabbages, Carrots, Turnips. Beet, Lettuce, Beans, etc. 



The large vinery was pruned and well cut back in February, and 

 has broken well and shows for a very good crop. The smaller one 

 was attended to 6 weeks later and is now showing well for a good 

 crop. 1 should recommend the extension of the larger one and the 

 planting of some young vines. 



The Victoria Regia in the large tank, which was planted in January, 

 1897, is not doing at all well, the leaves never fully develop but get 

 black and rot off. I attribute it to the cold nights we have had. A 

 plant or two put in in April might prove more satisfactory. 



The Rosaries have been well manured and dug up, but with the 

 exception of one small bed, they are old and worn out, and I should 

 recommend that a new Rosary be established as soon as possible. 

 The elevation of the garden above sea-level is 400 feet. 

 The average mean annual temperature is 78°4 F., and the average 

 annual raintall 48.20 inches for eighteen years. The amount of rain 

 that fell during the year was 64.66 inches. 



