July i, 1881.] 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
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will also then become available for attending to other parts of the garden which now too 
often surfer from the imperative need of the grass-cutting. 
New South Garden. — About sixteen acres of land at the south of the course of the old 
Colombo road, and extending to the satin-wood bridge have hitherto not been brought into 
cultivation, but have for many years lain in an unfenced and neglected condition; a 
tangled scrub of coarse weeds traversed only by a few cattle on their path to the river bank, 
A preliminary clearance of this adventive vegetation revealed the ground to be much 
undulated and picturesque, and the soil in parts appears to be superior to that in most 
portions of the garden. 
I propose to lay out this area mainly as a systematically arranged scientific garden, 
as represented by a classified collection of trees and shrubs and of herbaceous plants. But 
space will also be afforded for new nurseries and for growing a larger stock of plants of 
commercial value for the benefit of the planters and others and for experimental purposes. 
Another feature of this new portion of the garden will be a fine drive, connected (at 
the lake) with those already existing, and passing near the river bank almost to the 
satin-wood bridge, commanding pretty views. This road has been commenced and will 
be pushed on to completion as rapidly as possible. 
I venture to urge the necessity of a sufficient protection to this addition to the garden, 
along the high-road. A hedge of d warf bamboo has been planted, but this is not sufficient 
to keep out cattle and other marauders. The only effectual protection is an iron wire 
fence, and this I consider to be very necessary. The length required is 305 yards. 
Labelling. — The utility of a public Botanic Garden is greatly increased by a judicious 
system of labelling. Indeed without it little more than a feeling of admiration can be 
experienced by even intelligent visitors, and this is often mixed with a sense of confused 
dissatisfaction. It has been customary here to accompany visitors over the grounds and 
attempt to supply by word what could be far better conveyed by the eye, but the objections 
to this as a regular practice are obvious. • 
A really good permanent label for a moist tropical climate is still a desideratum, nor 
is a single sort possible for universal adoption. I am also limited as to cost. For inter- 
esting, valuable and striking species I intend to employ printed labels cemented by resin 
between two plates of thick glass, and the whole enclosed in a painted zinc frame. A few 
of such labels have been set up and found to answer very well. The ordinary labels will 
be of white metal with black letters. 
Each label gives, besides the scientific name, the English and Sinhalese ones (where 
such exist), the natural family to which the plant belongs, and its native country. 
The new systematic garden will also be carefully labelled, and in connection with this 
1 hope to complete a full systematic catalogue of the contents of the garden to supersede 
the preliminary list printed last year. How eager the public are to acquire any help 
towards a knowledge of the contents of the garden is seen by the comparatively large sale 
of that catalogue; but a small guide pointing out the chief plants of interest would 
probably be of more general utility to visitors. 
Propagation. — As may be seen by the amounts given below (§ vi.), the sale of plants 
and seeds has now reached a considerable magnitude. The sum thus accruing and 
returned to the Treasury has been more than double as much during the year 1880 as during 
the previous one, a result partly clue to a system of quarterly advertisements in the 
principal newspapers, initiated in June. It is certainly not in my opinion an object to be 
aimed at by a State Botanic Garden to bring in a revenue. In the absence however of any 
professional florists or nursen men in the colony, the garden must continue to do their 
work, however more satisfactorily the time and labour thus spent might be employed. 
But it maybe hoped that this will gradually cease. 
A great assistance and relief to the staff has been effected by the appointment of a 
head gardener. Mr. Clark, who was selected by the Director of Kew Gardens for the 
post, arrived towards the close of the year. He at once initiated changes and additions 
to his department, A temporary hot-bed has been erected, and apotting-honse and other 
conveniences made; an open orchid house or shed has been commeneed. and the work 
properly distributed. 1 have every reason to expect that a gr liter measure of success in 
the raising and propagation of foreign plants will result from this appointment. 
