( *3 ') 
Visitors. — The number of foreign visitors (that is, not Ceylon resident*) signing their names 
in the book kept at the Lodge amounted to 1,973. 
Hakgala Garden. 
Many improvements have been carried out in this garden during the year, and it is 
increasingly useful and popular. 
A small extra vote has enabled me to complete the shelter for the carriages of visitors by a 
substantial roof of corrugated iron with guttering and down-pipes complete. The little building 
now looks very neat, and is a great convenience, in daily and constant use. 
The Foreman's cottage has had some necessary repairs, but more is required to make this 
hastily-erected building into a comfortable dwelling for the climate of Hakgala. 
At the end of March an accidental fire burnt the cooly-lines down to the ground : their loss 
is not to be regretted. Temporary ones were put up as quickly as possible, but I am glad to say 
that provision has been made this year, by which we shall be able to erect permanent substantial 
lines with an iron roof. In the long run such buildings are far more economical than cheap 
temporary erections, requiring constant repair and liable to destruction at any time. 
The most important improvement at Hakgala has been the provision of means for distri- 
buting water from the reservoir over the garden. This has been effected by zinc channels or spouting 
(1,590 ft. in all) which pass from the outfall to seven small cemented tanks or catch-pits in suitable 
places about the garden. A vast deal of time and labour in watering is thus saved. I regret to 
report, however, that in spite of all the efforts of the Public Works Department there still appears 
to be a leakage in the reservoir itself. 
The very dilapidated old cattle-shed has been pulled down, and a larger and more substantial 
one built. The suggestion made in my last report was accepted by Government, and the Superin- 
tendent's cows have been purchased ; these with the garden bullocks are now our only source of 
manure, and I believe they have in this way already repaid their cost. 
From a general report sent in by Mr. Clark, Acting Superintendent, I make the following- 
extracts : — 
Conifers in Patana Land. — Many of the young trees in the nursery beds having grown too large for sale have 
been put out on the patana land on the eastern side of the garden in sites prepared for them. They are chiefly 
species of Frenela, Ctipressus, and Pinus. 
Clearing out old Trees. — A group of very tall old trees of Eucalyptus Globulus near the pond, "which had grown 
very lanky and unsightly, have been removed — a difficult matter owing to their great height. The largest measured 
10 ft. 10 in. in girth at a yard from the ground. , 
The Oxalis Weed. — This formidable pest has given continuous trouble to keep under. No less than 134 
bushels of its small tubers have been collected and destroyed during the year. 
Cultivation. — The roses purchased from Messrs. Smith of Worcester in 1893 have made a fine show, and been 
quite a feature of the year. They have been freely propagated from to supply purchasers. The tuberous-rooted 
begonias from home hare also been remarkably good. 
The plant in flower that attracted most attention was Doryanfhes Palmer/ of Queensland, received from the 
Melbourne Gardens, a fine stately aloe-like plant with an erect spike of large brick-red flowers 10 ft. high j it 
was in blossom from August-October. Strefimtsdlen Jamesorii from Tropical America, received in 1892, has proved 
a very useful plant, easily propagated, and a general favourite. The charming Cape aquatic. Aponogeton distacln/on, 
is now completely established in the upper pond, producing its deliciously scented flowers throughout the 
year. 
Wild Animals. — Elephants are still occasionally troublesome. In September a large one came so close to the 
reservoir as to damage the new spouting, and they have also trampled down some of the newly planted conifers 
on the patana. 
Visitors. — The total number of visitors, mostly non-residents, during the year has been 1,511. 
' Weather. — The following table shows tin; rainfall for the year: — 
Fall. 
Days. 
Fall. 
Days. 
.1 anu.'U". 
1 ' 5-45 
July. 
February 
179 " 
August 
v. .-h&iesr* » . 
&y» is 
March 
8»44 
fii T2 
September 
3-70 
ksUv 18. i 
April 
7-95 
18 
October 
tiki I 910 
20 
May 
3-03 r» . 
9 
November 
.. 13 77 
20 
June 
3-55 
22 1 
. December 
9:26 
22 
Total for the year. 74 34 in. on 199 flays, 
This is nearly 15 in. under the average of the past ten years. 
The greatest pressure of the wind registered was 2^Q80 lb. per square foot on June 15, equal to 24 miles an 
hour (against 27*60 miles on June 10, 1893). 
The mean daily horizontal movement Of the air was 72 48 miles (against 88*61 miles in the previous 
year). 
The windiest month was June, with a mean daily horizontal movement of 167*66 miles (against 187-42 in 
1893) ; January was the calmest month, with a mean of only 1.V2S miles (against ir>92 miles in December, 
1893). * 
