June i, 1882.] 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
1 04 
ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS. 
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR FOR THE YEAR 1881. 
I. — PerAdeniya Garden. 
During the year every effort has been made to increase the beauty of these grounds by the 
further removal of decayed, useless, and unsightly trees, careful pruning and thinning out of old wood 
in those which remain, and planting young ones of fresh kinds in suitable positions. There still 
remains a large number of old sapu, jack and ilang-ilang ( Cananga) trees and large barren mangos, 
most of which it is intended to supplant gradually by a variety of different species ; but the lawns 
near the bungalow and the lake, the old palmetum and the backs of the main flower borders have 
now been all more or less thoroughly thinned out and improved. Such work is necessarily gradual, 
and to a certain extent tentative, but has so far been amply repaid by the greatly improved health 
and appearance of the selected trees (several of which the access of sunlight and air has permitted 
to flower for the first time), and the opening out of new views and vistas. 
Roach. — The heavy rains of November and the early part of December have caused much 
damage to the roads and paths from wash. A large brick culvert has now been constructed under 
the main drive at one of the worst spots, and several smaller ones in different places. There is 
also a considerably increased carriage traffic in the garden, and much work on the roads will be 
necessary in 1882. 
Lawns. — No solution of the grass-cutting problem has been arrived at. I must again insist 
on the great saving annually which would be effected by the use of a large hay or grass-cutting 
machine, the means of purchasing which will, I trust, be granted me. 
Buddings. — These are generally in good order. During the year the roof of the herbarium 
and library has been repaired, and the interior repainted and varnished; the house of the head 
gardener has also been added to, altered, and improved. 
The condition of the " Assistant Director's" bungalow (in the occupancy of the Cryptogamist) 
is very bad, and has been already reported upon, and I have requested that it should be put into 
thorough repair ; the departure of Mr. Ward affords an excellent opportunity. 
The house of the plant collector, partially thatched with maana grass, requires tiling. 
New South Garden.— -"With the aid of an addition to the vote for cooly labour, I have been 
able to make great progress in laying out this portion of the garden. The outline plan which I 
sketched in my last report has been followed and will be carried out to completion. 
The principal part of the area is occupied by an arboretum in which the trees and large 
shrubs, both native and exotic, are to be planted on a system based upon their natural affinities. 
This includes a small hill, the highest elevation in the garden, on the summit of which (whence 
a fine view is obtained) it is intended to set up a small arbour. The planting commenced in June, 
but has been much interfered with by the weather, which rarely remained wet for any number of 
consecutive days. However, about 200 species have been successfully established, belonging to 
the natural families Leguminosa, Mgrtacea, Melastomacece, Rubiacece, Mgrsinece, Sapotacea, Eu- 
phorbiacea, Urticacece, and Conifera. As much space as can be afforded has been left for the 
additions which will be constantly intercalated in their places. The planting of the remaining 
families will be none on with; the ground however is not sufficiently extensive to accommodate 
the whole of them. 
The new carriage drive is nearly completed ; it is over GOO yards long, curving round the 
lake (where some gneiss boulders have been preserved in ,s>{>/ and planted up with rock- and sun- 
loviug plants), and terminating in a wide loop whence a foot-path leads to the second entrance 
opposite tin* IH-Itota road. The larue space, l:><) yards long and '.).') broad, enclosed by ihe drive 
will be entirely devoted to a classified collection of palms of which the gardens are accumulating 
a fine collection, and most of which grow here with a perfection that cannot be surpassed. The 
steep sloping bank of the high road behind this it is intended to utilize for an arranged series of 
climbing and twining woody creepers, which will there well exhibit their graceful beauty towards 
the garden, and at the same time afford protection against trespassers : the most exposed part is 
to be devoted to the prickly rattans, a very efficient barrier. 
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