304 



cleared away ; a large number of stumps were also grubbed out of the 

 new grass piece at the back of the stables. 



Tbe pastures have had the usual cleaning, and the fences have been 

 kept in good repair, and the gates have lately been rehung and tarred. 



The mule-paddock has been billed out as it became necessary as 

 also have the plots of cleared ground at the back of King's House and 

 near the stables ; the roads too have had the usual hoeing and cleaning, 

 and repairing where necessary. 



Two plants of Beaumontia grandiflora obtained from Hope Gardens 

 have been planted near the west lodge and are doing well ; a large pod 

 of seed ripened on an old plant in the fernery and was sent to Hope. 



The Victoria regia was planted on January 1st but apparently no 

 time would have been lost if tbe planting had been deferred until the 

 beginning of April ; around the outside of the tank the pretty little 

 Ficus repens has been planted and is commencing to climb up the wall. 

 The overflow has been led out to a convenient place in the lawn, where 

 a pond will be formed for the cultivation of different aquatic and semi- 

 aquatic plants. 



M ost of the Orchids have been repotted or rebasketted and are doing 

 well ; the decorative plants in pots have also been treated as found nec- 

 essary. The weeding, rolling, mowing, and watering of the lawns 

 have been regularly attended to, and the task of repairing the walks 

 and verges has been proceeded with as opportunity offered. 



About two acres of the enclosed garden remain to be ploughed up 

 and planted with Bahama grass, and this, no doubt will be accom 

 plished during the coming year. 



A group of the Mountain Pride (Spathelia simplex) has been planted 

 in the lawn near the outer walk and is doing well ; these when in flower 

 will have a striking effect in the landscape. 



The walks and lawns have been regularly cleaned and tidied up, 

 rubbish carted away, manure collected as soon as available, pot plants 

 attended to in house and nursery, flowers gathered and decorations 

 carried out in both ball and dining rooms, and the innumerable details 

 inseparable from the routine of a well-kept garden have been strictly 

 supervised. 



I may add that the need of more glass accommodation for the proper 

 cultivation of delicate plants such as Orchids, etc. is daily becoming 

 more apparent ; and that a small building equivalent to the English 

 " bothy" is badly needed for a few of the regular employees, as at 

 present the Superintendent is compelled to give up his servants' 

 quarters for this purpose. 



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



Tbe average mean annual temperature is 78°. 5 F. and the average 

 annual rainfall 47.24 inches for 17 years. The amount of rain that fell 

 during the year was 30.69 inches being 16.06 inches below the 

 average. September, October, and November, were the wettest months, 

 and January, February arjdMarch the driest. 



The mean temperature was 76° .9. The meteorological tables for 

 the different months are given on page 308. 



