( 2 ) 
impoi'tant trees and shrubs. The landscape effect of the river has been greatly enhanced by isolating into large clumps 
the hitherto continuous fringe of bamboos on the river bank which concealed from view a great part of the superb 
beauty of the river round the gardens. This was a very laborious task as the roots of the bamboos had formed huge 
masses very difficult to disintegrate, but which if left in the ground would quickly grow afresh and spread with renewe 
vigour. 
Cultivation. — The propagation of all kinds of plants of economic value which are generally, or likely to be 
asked for by planters and others has been steadily carried on. Fruit trees especially have been considered and ol 
these there are at present in stock in moderate quantities about 68 kinds, most of which are included in a circular oc 
fruit trees issued by us during the year. Ornamental aquatic plants are how becoming a feature of the gardens 
The Victoria regia (giant water-lily) is now represented in the lake by several plants which at present (December" 
are flowering freely ; and for the first time the supply of seed from our own plants has been more than sutficient fo: 
local and foreign demand. The effective Papyrus {Cypenis Papyrus) of the Nile has also become quite established 
and is much admired. The effect of the treatment we have lately been able to afford was to induce an unusuall 
large number of trees to bear flowers and seeds for the first time here. Among these the following may b 
mentioned : — Aclimea mexicana, Acacia Hindsii, Alhuca Nelsonii, Amphicarpma Edgeworthii, Andira iiiermis, Cussipourei 
sp., Cyperus Papyrus, Dendrobiuin atroviofaceum, Eleocarpus graititas, Gassteria verrucosa, Gynura sarmentosa, Heteropter 
'purpurea, Pimenta sp., Randia mussaenda, Stereospermum glandulosuin, Passiflora violacea. 
Experimental Plots. — The total of these now represent about thirty different tropical products. Th 
situation formerly occupied by the different kinds of coffee close to the nursery having proved uiisatisfactorj 
owiiig to its rather swampy condition, the rarer kinds of coffee were transferred to a selected plot in the experi 
mental grounds, where they are thriving ; although some of these were 10 to 12 feet high at the time, and th 
weather proved deceptive as to rain, not a single death resulted from their removal. Five varieties of Arabia 
coffee, received last year from the Botanic Gardens, Java, as mentioned in last year's report, and 24 plants of th 
Liberian-Arabian hybrid coffee, were also planted here in well-prepared ground. 
Tobacco seed of eighteen varieties was received towards the end of the year from the Jamaica Botanic Garden 
portions of which were distributed to all the Government Agents for trial in the different Provinces. The seedlin| 
from that which was kept and sown at Peradeniya are now being tended in the nursery, and separate plots have bee 
prepared for their reception in different parts of the gardens. 
Visitors. — The number of signatures in the book of visitors from abroad was 2,778, the largest number on recor 
Among these may be mentioned H. R. and I. H. Princess Henry of Prussia, who planted a Flamboyante tree {Pol, 
ciana regia) on the north-east side of the Circle ; Lord and Lady Elgin ; Director, Botanic Gardens, Calcutt; 
Director, Botanic Gardens, Trivandrum ; Director, Botanic Gardens, Upper Congo, Africa. 
4. — Hakgala Garden. 
This has been kept in excellent order. The following extracts from the Superintendenl 
report show the chief work of the year : — 
Perhaps the greatest improvement during the year has been in the laying out of the grounds near the n< 
picnic arbour, and bringing it into a state more in keeping with the rest of the garden and the requirements of t 
increased number of visitors. A large quantity of rocks were blasted out, and a strong retaining wall 150 feet loi 
with an average height of 8 feet, was built at a distance of 33 feet from and in a line with the front of t 
arbour. Tiie space between the two has been filled in level and turfed, and now forms a nice green lawn, frc 
which can be seen one of the finest views in Ceylon. The slope to the south has been planted with shrubs. T 
scrub at the back has been grubbed up, the ground made even and turfed, and the paths remade. 
Hares and mousedeer were, if anything, more destructive than usual, and it was disheartening to see 
damage they caused. Frequently, during a single night, many of the specimens of annuals and others, that had be 
carefully raised in pots and planted out, were totally destroyed. I am, therefore, very pleased to be able to repi 
that 200 yards of one-inch mesh wire netting have been granted, and this was fitted up all round this garden 
December. The posts to support this wire are of sawn timber, and it is hoped this will serve its purpose effective 
and will also be useful for training creeping plants on. 
Pose Garden. — Nothing besides the usual pruning, manuring, and general upkeep was done in the rose gard 
Although there was occassionally a very good show of blossoms, the plants generally have not done well. They hi 
made but little growth and have an " unkind " look. The excessive rains followed by severe drought partially accoi 
for this. 
Firmer Garden. — Owing to the dull wefc weather in December, 1898, and January this year, with hardly i 
sunlight, there being no less than 31"42 inches of rain on 43 days during the two months, and a bad attack of •' bl 
grub," bedding out plants had a very bad time of it. Large numbers of supplies had to be put out every day for so irttt,[| 
f.ime. However, towards the end of February most things were established and flowered freely all through Mai 
-iptil, and May, and again in August and September, the pelargoniums and geraniums especially flowering \i 
all through May. (Jypripediuras in pots also flowered well this month, and one plant that we have under the na 
0. Stoneii bore flowers that measured 8| inches from tip to tip of the tail-like sepals. 
Camphor. — Tlie growth of the young camphor trees has been very vigorous. The trees are 12 feet apart 
although now only a little over four years old, some of them are touching. We now have ample material 
malcing experiments of the extraction of camphor from the leaves and young shoots. The highest tree is now 18 
with a spread of Ijr/inches of 12 feet, and the stem is 20 inches in circumference at the base. Apart from 
economic value of this tree, it is very ornamental and will grow in almost any climate. 
The. 
''Hi 
State 0 
in 
