303 



The average annual mean temperature is 79°.0 F., and the average 



annual rainfall 34.73 inches for 27 years. 



The amount of rain that fell during the year was 15.07 inches. 



The mean temperature was 79°.9 F. The Meteorological Tables for 



the different months are given on page 309. 



Bath Garden. 



The following Report is by Mr. A. H. Groves, Overseer of Bath Gar- 

 den : — 



I am glad to report that this garden is in fair order, and this is chiefly 

 owing to the supply of water from the well, as indeed, if it were not 

 for this supply, many of the plants and trees would have suffered 

 seriously, as also many of the inhabitants of the Town of Bath for want 

 of proper drinking water. 



Fearfully dry weather prevails, rivers dried up, and the small lots of 

 water quite unfit for drinking purposes. 



At the same time I find that although the well is near at hand, it 

 costs from 5s. to 6s. per day to supply water at this season of the year. 

 I would therefore ask if it would not be economy to furnish a small 

 pump and hose, say, about 200 feet. If the Government will consent 

 to supply these articles, it will be a great saving in labour, and also a 

 convenience. 



I have supplied, as per vouchers, a grindstone and tools for the Gar- 

 den. 



The walks have been regravelled, the trenches cleaned out, and the 

 greater part of the garden forked. 



I find the wire fence requires to be looked to, as many of the droppers 

 are entirely rotten from rust. I intend to have them replaced by those 

 on hand, and have them painted by the end of the next quarter. 



Elevation of the Garden above sea level 170 feet. Mean temperature 

 78° Fah. 



King's House Garden. 



The following Report is by Mr. T. J. Harris, Assistant Superinten- 

 dent. 



In the course of the year several improvements have been made in 

 the Garden, such as the contruction of a spacious tank for the giant 

 water-lily (Victoria regia,) the cleaning away of tangled masses of 

 shrubs and climbers which formed a dense belt around the north side of 

 the Garden, the opening up of vistas, and the planting of a large portion 

 of the enclosed garden with Bahama grass. A border running south- 

 west from the ball-room has been laid out and planted with miscella- 

 neous shrubs, wbich are doing fairly well notwithstanding the fact that 

 the soil is only two inches deep in that part of the garden. 



Several large trees have been felled, including a large Mahogany 

 and three large Mangoes ; this was found necessary when opening up 

 views in the garden. 



A large Ficus immediately in front of the Bungalow died and had to 

 be removed ; the ground was afterwards well dug and manured, and 

 planted with flowering shrubs and a Cassia siamea to replace the defunct 

 Ficus. 



In the Guinea-grass piece between the Bungalow and the stables, 

 a dozen or so large trees were felled and the stumps grubbed out and 



