314 



were May, September, October, and tbe driest were November, De- 

 cember and January. 



The mean temperature for the year was 79.4° F. The Meteorolo- 

 gical tables for the different months are given on page 318. 



Bath Garden. 



The following report is by Mr. A. H, Groves, Overseer of the Gar- 

 den : — 



The unusually dry weather that prevailed during the earlier part cf 

 last year had its effects. The Garden, however, did not suffer se- 

 riously. This is undoubtedly owing the free use of water from the 

 well throughout the Garden, and the seasoning showers of rain from 

 April last year to the earlier part of February this year. 



As the dry weather set in about this time and extended to the end 

 of March, watering apart from the usual supply to the plants, has had 

 to be resorted to, so as to keep the plants fresh and green. 



With the exception of a few patches here and there, the garden 

 had been forked throughout. This work has been tedious, owing to 

 the roots of the trees in the ground, and therefore a much larger 

 amount has been spent in comparison with a piece of land of the same 

 area freed of roots, etc. 



However, this work has benefited the Garden to a very great extent, 

 and I feel confident in saying that the present state of the Garden is 

 due in some measure to it. 



The usual work has been performed. I had felled a large Spa- 

 thodea which was decaying, as I feared it would do serious damage to 

 the fence and plants if allowed to fall. The felling was done by first 

 removing the branches, and cutting off pieces of the trunk to avoid 

 injury to the fence, plants, etc. 



The benches have been repainted. Owing to the dampness of the 

 climate here, paint mildews quickly. 



I think a small pump and a sufficient quantity of hose, as recom- 

 mended in my last Report, would suit the Garden admirably. 



I shall again call on the Parochial Board to deepen the trenches 

 along the south and west of the Garden. At present it cannot well 

 relieve itself of the water during rainy seasons, the trenches outside 

 the Garden not being deep enough ; those in it are shallow, and get 

 filled up with dirt, thus causing the water to flow back into the Gar- 

 den. 



The standards, droppers and gate have been painted. The fence 

 around the Garden is in fair order. 



I have to thank the many persons in and around Bath for rose 

 plants received from them, particularly Mrs. A. C. Neyland who has 

 given me several cuttings from her choice Eoses. 



W. Fawcett, 



Director. 



