1042 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
[June t, 1882. 
The herbaceous ground has been entirely finished, and consists of 48 beds of different sizes 
symmetrically occupying about three-quarters of an acre. Narrow paths paved with cobble stones 
run between all, and drainage has been carefully provided for. No commencement has yet been 
made in the planting out of this, which must occupy largely the next rainy season. Herbaceous 
perennials do not play an important part in the vegetation of the tropics, and it cannot be expected 
that a large number of species can be here cultivated. Only those which will bear full exposure to 
the sun as well as a heavy rainfall will succeed. The space to be allotted to each natural family 
has been planned out, and I anticipate that this scientifically arranged collection will be ultimately 
of great service, especially in the more ready and systematic collection of seed. 
Another portion of the ground is devoted to experimental culture, and is partly occupied at 
present with the Trinidad cacaos and their shade trees, the American rubber-trees, several varieties 
of coffee, Manila hemp, gutta sundek, cardamoms, &c. The remaining part has been formed into 
nurseries and a small kitchen garden. The nursery beds are arranged round a little circular tank, 
20 feet in diameter, where it will be possible to grow in pots some of the smaller aquatic plants. 
Lake.— Little or nothing, I find, can be effected here in the way of growing aquatics; even 
our native species soon die out. This appears to be partly due to want of sufficient sunlight, much 
of tbe surface being shaded by the grand bamboos near the margin, and at times completely covered 
with a layer of their fallen leaves ; but the foulness of the bottom is the principal cause. It is 
a matter for regret that this little piece of water, the only one in the garden, can be made so little 
use of. 
Labelling.— Of the large and expensive glass labels only 36 have been set up ; and it is not 
my intention to continue to employ them, as I find it impossible to get them uniformly and neatly 
made in this country. But the ticketing has been actively carried on since the smaller zinc labels 
arrived. The painting and writing of the names and localities are done in the garden. Over 250 
have been fixed in their places. In those fastened on to tree-trunks pegs of areca wood are found 
far better than nails, which in this wet climate make serious wounds. The labels are found to 
require pretty frequent cleaning with a sponge or wet cloth to remove a small black fungus which, 
in damp weather, quickly covers painted surfaces here, and produces an effect curiously resembling 
that of the smoke of London. 
It will be my endeavour to push on the labelling as rapidly as possible ; it is gratifying to 
observe how greatly their value is appreciated by visitors. A systematic catalogue of the contents 
of the garden is also in a forward state. 
Propagation. — The temporary shed used as an orchid house (mentioned in my last report) 
is found to be too much shaded by large trees, and it is hoped during the coming year to build a 
permanent house in a more open situation, and with a glass roof instead of a maana-grass covering. 
The old nurseries, the soil of which had become much exhausted, have been mostly aban- 
doned. Part of the ground will be used for raising forest, shade and shelter trees, and a portion 
will be converted into a swamp for sago palms. 
A small room has been set apart for a seed-store, and a cabinet of 64 drawers has been 
made and erected there. 
The garden has been deprived of the services of Mr. Clark for the latter half of the year 
as he has been placed in charge of Hakgala since the retirement of the late Superintendent. 
II. — Hakgala Garden. 
The late Superintendent, Mr. E. Thwaites, retired on pension in the middle of the year, and 
in my uncertainty as to the future, the absence of any successor, and from other circumstances, I 
have found it impossible to do more than maintain the garden in its old condition. In fact 
it may be said to have been almost in abeyance, so far as any active work is concerned, during 
the year. Mr. Clark, however, whilst locum tenens, successfully grafted several hundred 
C. Jjedgeriana shoots upon stumps of G. succirubra (in the manner detailed in my last report), as 
it was very evident that the plants of the former in the clearings were rapidly dying out. 
Some necessary repairs and alterations were made to the bungalow at the end of the year; 
but all the windows and doors require repainting, new hinges, locks, &c, and the kitchen and 
out-houses are also in a leaky condition. 
The proposals submitted by me to Government at the end of 1880, though approved gener- 
ally, partially fell through from the difficulty of obtaining a suitably qualified occupant for the 
