BRITISH GUIANA, 



!) 



to the climate and soil. The growth of vegetation is perpetual, and the 

 never- failing verdure is of surprising brilliancy. The grandeur of 

 Nature's gigantic efforts displayed in the vast size, varied forms, and 

 extraordinary rapidity of growth of the -vegetable kingdom has often 

 filled the stranger, accustomed, perhaps, only to the less luxuriant 

 aspect of colder climes, with astonishment and delight. 



For example, the promenade as well as the Botanic Gardens, the 

 former situate in the centre of the city and the latter at the back, are 

 lovely spots, and greatly impress the stranger at first sight. Their 

 charming and varied scenery and vast amount of rich, shady foliage 

 render them delightful places of resort. 



The Botanic Gardens occupy a strip of land in the form of a parallelo- 

 gram of about 160 acres in extent, nearly five times as long as it is 

 wide. A portion of it is a flower garden, occupying the part nearest 

 the town, and has an area of between thirty and forty acres on the left of 

 the ample carriage drive which passes through the centre, and parallel 

 with it is a series of lakes linked together by narrow underground con- 

 nections by which they are supplied with water from a common source 

 (a large reservoir called the Lamaha Canal). 



There are several nurseries of considerable proportions, containing 

 hundreds of thousands of young plants of all descriptions. These are sold, 

 or in many cases given away free of charge for cultivation. 



As an example to the general public most Government buildings 

 are rendered very picturesque by being surrounded with flower gardens, 

 the Alms House, Orphan Asylum, Onderneeming Reformatory, Town 

 Hall, Government House, Victoria Law Courts, &c. being particularly 

 well kept. The following are seme of the flowering and foliage plants 

 cultivated : — 



Asparagus ferns. 



Ginger lily. 



Bay trees. 



Hollyhocks. 



Begonias. 



Honeysuckles. 



Camellias. 



Hyacinths. 



Cannas. 



Lilies of the valley. 



Carnations. 



Nasturtiums. 



Chrysanthemums. 



Oxalis. 



Coleus. 



Palms. 



Crotons. 



Pansies. 



Dahlias. 



Primroses. 



Daisies. 



Rhododendrons. 



Eucharis lily. 



Roses. 



Evergreens. 



Selaginellas. 



Ferns. 



Stephanotis. 



Foxgloves. 



Sunflowers. 



Fuchsias. 



Sweet peas. 



Geraniums. 





There had been held for some considerable time previously at stated 

 periods, varying from three to five years, Agricultural Exhibitions in the 

 colony, which were more or less restricted, or rather were taken advantage 

 of by only a limited class. About fifteen years ago, however, horticulture 



