Supplement to the Tropical Agriculturist, Way, 1888. 
EOTAL BOTANIC GARDENS. 
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR FOR 1887. 
L — Perddeniya Gardens. 
Roads and Paths. — Work on the carriage roads is almost constant in these extensive 
grounds, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep them in good condition. There is very 
much more carriage trallic than was the case formerly, and the large overhanging trees, of which 
the shade is so much appreciated, cause much damage in wet weather from their heavy drip. More- 
over, the beds of river gravel, which have supplied binding material since t he foundation of llie Can! en. 
are now a 1 most worked out, and for the future we shall have to look for a supply outside the Garden. 
During the past year, several roads were remade, including the drive to the Store and Plant houses. 
All the footpaths in the old arboretum were taken in hand and entirely remade, turfed, and drained. 
A new footpath was constructed from that under the Java Almond trees to the Cabbage Palm 
avenue, and another is half finished, leading from the large < 'irele through a part of the arboretum 
hitherto inaccessible to visitors, and containing some fine and picturesque trees. The grass- verges on 
both sides of the Main Drive have been renewed, and it is intended in future to pay more attention 
to them than has hitherto been possible. The excessive rainfall at the end of the year has left all 
our roads in bad condition, and much work is required on them. 
New Conservatory. — In accordance with the intention expressed in last year's report, I have 
now nearly completed the construction of a new house, which I expect will prove more suitable for 
the culture of Orchids, Ferns, and other ornamental plants than the structures at presi nt i xisting 
here. The framework of the new house is entirely of iron, save a low brick wall, and I have to 
express my thanks to Government for supplying me, free of cost, with sufficient old railway rails 
for the main supports ; the lesser ones are formed of iron rod, and the whole covered in with 
galvanised wire-netting. The form of this building :s a cross with wide unequal arms and a shallow 
dome at the intersection. The length of the cross is 51 ft. in one direction and 42 ft. in the other, and 
the width of the arms and diameter of the dome 21 ft. The stages for the plants are built wholly 
of stone, and the paths are cemented. No woodwork being employed in any part, the ravages of 
white ants and dry rot need not be feared. It is intended to cover the wire-netting at the sides 
with leafy climbing and twining plants, whilst that over the roof will support a li'-ht covering of 
bamboo-tats, coir-netting, or grass, as may prove most suitable. I confidently expect I his will form a 
valuable addition to our resources, and by enabling us to have on view a finer collection of beautiful 
plants will prove also an additional attraction of the Garden. It is an expensive work, but the 
cost is being spread over two years, and, by the exercise of economy in other directions, will be met 
out of our ordinary votes. 
Cult/ration, &c. — During the wet weather of June, the Cockchafer larvae were again busy 
at the roots of the grass on the Circular lawn. But the damage done was much less than in 1885, 
and again the crows were our best friends, searching for and devouring incessantly the grubs so 
long as any were to be obtained. 
Tin' two well-known and picturesque groves of palms at the entrance and in the centre of the 
large Circle have received some attention this year. Most of the palms in them have now attained 
a great height and considerable age, and the ground beneath them has become bare and unsightly. 
Several times we have endeavoured to plant this with young specimens which should take the place 
of the older ones as these died oil', but so deteriorated is the soil and so completely filled w ith a net- 
work of roots that nothing could be grown. During the very wet weather of the end of the year, 
however, we have succeeded in establishing 10 young palms — mostly of additional species — under 
the old ones, by planting them in tubs sunk in the ground; by the time these have rotted away the 
young plants will have thoroughly got hold of the soil. 
An avenue of Palmyra l'altns has been initiated on the site of the old kitchen garden. The 
seeds were planted in situ, ami have germinated well. 
One of the Talipot Palms ( Oorypha um&ruatlifera ) in the Garden has flowered during the year, 
and has been an object of much interest to visitors. The event is of inure importance than usual, 
as the age of the tree being pretty accurately known, a question often discussed is set at rest. The 
specimen is remembered well to have been a seedling of two or three years old when Mr. Gardner 
became Superintendent of the Gardens in \M\\ \ it is therefore Id or 17 years old. I believe, from 
inquiries 1 have made in other cases, that this is about the usual age fortius I'aliu to reach maturity 
and flower. The great intforeseencc was first observed to be pushing itself up in August, and by the 
middle of October it was in advanced bud and feathery in appearance ; ih<- How-era opened al 
November 25, and still remained in perfection at the close of the \ car. 
Visitors. — The number of signatures, nearly all of travellers and tourists, entered in the 
visitors' book at the Lodge during the year is l,:i02. This, of course, is but a small proportion of tin- 
number of persons who visited the Gardens. 
