544 THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. [Feb. 1, 1900. 
A VISIT TO PERADENIYA GARDENS, 
CEYLOJN. 
(By a Netvcomer.J 
At the entrance to the Gardens the drive on 
the left is bounded by a wall of rich, green foliage 
studded with large mauve flowers. This is the 
Burmese creeper, Tlmnbergia laurifolia, which 
haugs from the tail tree tops in massive sheets, a 
sight which striltes the newcomer from tem- 
perate climes where creepers are not nearly so 
luxuriant. 
Driving round to the right, the visitor comes to 
the great " banyan tree," which from age and 
size is a worthy landmark in this garden of about 
150 acres. JSlear by is another tree, Broicnia 
grandiceps, of smaller dimension, .vith very hand- 
some large red flowers, each iiower-head being 
composed of a great many flowers and when fully 
open is as large as a plate. 
Behind this, there is in course of construction a 
Merophyte House, in which anew system of glazing 
designed by the Curator is to be tried. Here will 
be accommodated the numerous cacts which are 
always fascinating on account of their bizarre 
appearance, and which resent the moist tropical 
climate of Ceylon. I was shown here some flower- 
ing plants which have retained through their 
evolution a close resemblance to ferns in the leaves 
so much so thau even botanists may at first readily 
believe them to be ferns. 
In the pond in front of the banyan tree, some 
odd examples of the adaptability of plants are 
seen. Thriving equally with plants of a true 
aquatic nature, are plants which in their native 
habitat are only found in dry rocky places, such as 
species of the pine-apple family. Here also is the 
Cyprus iKipyrus, oi which the ancient Egyptians 
made their papyrus parchment by slitting the 
stem which is of a pithy texture, into thin slices. 
Tliese they laid overlapping each other, smeared 
with the sticky clay of the Nile, and then 
pressed with great weights for a long 
time till tlicy ofl'ered an even surface on which 
to write. Close by is a very interesting looking 
tree [Pandanus larum) with a smooth even 
circular stem for about ten feet. At that height 
it divides into three diverging branches, each again 
dividing exactly into three before the nine crowns 
of leaves are reached. At the base, to complete 
the extraordinary appearance of this tree the 
aerial roots seem to tumble out of the stem about 
four feet from the ground, quite thick, smooth 
and perfectly cylindrical. This is the " bread-fruit 
tree " of the Nicobar Island. 
In another part of the Garden it; was interesting 
to find numerous experimental plots of economic 
plants, which, however, are necessarily small in 
extent. It seems a pity that there should not be 
sor^e larger area devoted to such a purpose close to 
the Gardens and und'cr the supervision of the 
Director. 
Incidentally as regards the complaint made by 
a recent correspondent in the Observer, about 
the labels, I can vouch for the system of 
labelling the plants here now being very satis- 
factory, and considering its dilliculties in a 
tropical climate, reflects credit on those responsible 
for it. 
The Curator lias lately devised labels of a mate- 
ria! and caste different to those hitherto in use, 
anil, hcing now employed forever ya year, there can 
be no question as to their utility, both p.s regards 
legibility and lasting qualities. 
In walking over these extensive grounds, with 
entrancing (?) views of towering peaks in the 
neighbouriiooil, majestic avenues of palms, gigantic 
bamboos gracefully arching over the " Great 
Sandy River " (INIahawelia'anga), which nearly 
surround* the Garden, and treei and flowers galore 
to admire — one can understand why this is so 
often consideied " the finest garden in the world." 
The views from both the memorials erected to 
Drs. Gardner and Thwaites are particularly charm- 
ing, and especially so as they can be admired 
wliilst one sits in the cool and shade of these wel- 
come retreats. The thought naturally occurs 
" Where is the Triraen Monument ?" Alas ! there 
is none. But a more lasting monument than a 
structure of wood, stone and mortar is left by 
Dr. Truiien himself in his works, which, I suppose, 
are too advanced and scientific to require a public 
acknovdedgment similar to that which has been 
afforded to the less important labours of his prede- 
cessors. 
The palm avenues and giant-bamboos always 
strike the stranger as perhaps the chief featuie 
of the Gardens. Possibly the handsomest of the 
former is the talipot avenue planted in 1881 by 
Dr. Trinien. A new avenue of cabbage palm 
(Oreodoxa rcgia) has been planted lately, which 
in time will have a magnificent effect — Nature's 
Corinthian pillars — as one is pleased to think 
of them — which are built of a grey stone, but not 
with a plumb line swelling here or tliere as they will 
and ending at the top in a friezef?) of green leaves 
and supporting the vaulting of the sky. 
I have no doubt numerous; other trees et hoc 
genns omne are worth mentioning ; but time and 
space forbid. One of special interest, and espe- 
cially a*^ this moment, is the wonderful cannon-ball 
tree, which at present bears a number of large 
dark-brown globular fruits extremely suggestive 
of their popular name. As my guide suggested, 
the use of these might well be considered in 
such emergencies.as are sometimes experienced in 
warfare. Let the Contingent, when they get to Pre- 
toria, remember this as a useful solution of that last 
nut which the authorities have to crack, viz. the 
fate (or head) of Kruger. 
Lastly let me mention four enormous Rain 
Trees {Pltiiccolobium sariian) of South America, 
which were pointed out to me as the parents of all 
the trees of that species in the island. They are 
grand old piogenitors with their mighty limbs and 
an appearance which bespeaks age and venerable- 
ness. 
In conclusion let me say how well the Gardens 
are maintained and gradually improving as far as 
the votes for them allow; and how well they repay 
the visitor, especially if he go early or late, when 
the temperature and his temper are cool. 
LARGE TREES. 
The largest tree in the world is to be seen at 
Mascali, near the foot of Mount Etna, and it is 
called '' the Chestnut-tree of a Hundred Horses." 
Its name lose from the report that Queen Jane 
of Aragon, with her principal nobility, took re- 
fuge from a violent storm under its branches. The 
trunk is 204 feet in circumference. The largest 
tree in the United States, it is said, stands near 
Bear Creek, on the north fork of the Tule River, 
in California. It measures 140 feet in circum- 
ference, The giant redwood-tree in Nevada is 119 
feet in mmmfeTence,— Ladies' Home Journa}^ 
