June i, 1882.] 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
1043 
proposed post ; it was not until late in 1881 that Mr. W. Nock, Superintendent of the Cinchona 
plantations in Jamaica, was appointed. He had not arrived to take up his duties at the end of the 
year.* A native clerk and foreman has been appointed to assist him. 
My intentions with regard to the future contemplate an alteration and enlargement of the 
scope and functions of the garden, and its proper constitution in concert with the central 
establishment at Peradeniya, It should be worked as a branch of the latter devoted to the 
cultivation of temperate and sub-tropical plants of interest, utility, or beauty. 
As regards cinchona, the position has greatly changed within the last few years ; the best 
varieties are now in general cultivation, and the necessity no longer exists for a Government 
depot for the distribution of seedlings and cuttings. With reference to plantations, there are 
not and can never have been anything deserving the name at Hakgala, the whole six or seven 
semi-abandoned clearings together not extending to more than eight acres (the "garden" 
comprehends about 550). It is not indeed probable that any one, with the present knowledge of 
cinchona requirements, would now select such a site as Hakgala with its severe and unavoidable 
winds and cold wet sub-soil at the base of the steep and almost inaccessible rocks for its cultiva- 
tion ; but whatever may have been the original ideas on the subject, Government cinchona 
Plantations do not now enter into any one's plans. It will however be the duty of the Superintendent 
to cultivate a sufficient number of each of as many species and varieties as possible, both for the 
purposes of comparison, for the supply of seed, and for experiments in propagation, &c. 
But there is a wide field of utility for Hakgala outside of cinchona propagation and distribu- 
tion. There arc numerous drugs, dyes, fibres, fodders, and other economic products which ought 
to be experimented with. While we may look forward with confidence to some years of good 
returns from cinchona culture, no one can regard the present commercial position as a permanent 
one. We shall in Ceylon indeed show little wisdom, if, after past experience, we neglect any 
opportunity of adding to the stock of useful plants which can be grown at the high elevations. 
Further attempts at fruit and vegetable cultivation are also required. The proper treatment of 
patana lands much needs investigation. Nor must the scientific and ornamental aspects be 
neglected. The greater popularity of Nuwara Eliya as a health and pleasure resort, which 
may be confidently expected to follow on railway extension to Nanu-oya, render it desirable that 
the aesthetic side of the garden should be developed. A moderate expenditure would render it an 
interesting and beautiful botanic garden, in which our native mountain plants (many now 
becoming scarce) should be cultivated along with the trees, shrubs, and flowers of Australia, the 
Cape, China, and Japan, and the tropical mountains of the Andes and Nilgiris. Shade and 
shelter trees for the higher estates are also now in great demand, and it is of course impossible 
for the low-country gardens to supply them. Under an active Superintendent it is to be expected 
that much valuable information will proceed from Hakgala, and that the garden will start upon 
a new era of public utility. 
In view of this, I would urge the necessity of providing a good propagating house in the 
place of the present little rotten and dilapidated structure, which is quite beyond the possibility 
of repair, and far too small for the requirements of the garden. Without this it will be nearly 
impossible in such a climate to raise and propagate with any certainty the more valuable plants. 
III.— Henaratgoda Garden. 
I have little fresh to report of this garden, the condition of which is very satisfactory 
and testifies to the iudustry aud continued interest in his work of the Sinhalese Conductor, 
Amaris de Soyza. Some more of the large trees of the garden have been felled, and additional 
portions of the jungle cleared for new vanilla and cardamom plantations. A new well has beeu 
constructed. The various low-country plants in the garden are all, in a thriving state. A large 
quantity of young Liberian coffee has been gratuitously distributed during the year. 
The success of this garden has encouraged me to attempt the acquisition of a similar centre 
in the hot districts of the North of the Island, and arrangements are in progress for the transfer to 
this Department of the experimental garden near AnurddAapttra, which was formed live years ago, 
and has since beeu carefully fostered by Mr. Dicksou, the energetic Agent tor the North-Central 
Province. This is already conducted by a trained gardener supplied from I'ciadeniya. The 
acquisition of a garden where it may be possible to grow plants requiring a more prolonged tin 
• Mr. Nock arrived at Hakgala 14th January, 1882. [Mfc added.] 
