( 3 ) 
Oxalis. — With an inadequate supply of labour, it is impossible to keep this obnoxious weed fi'om spreading in 
all parts of the garden, but 35| bushels have been carefully weeded out during the year from the borders and beds 
and from the herbaceous, flower, and rose gardens, &c. 
Foot-and-mouth Disease. — This disease broke out among the cattle in the middle of July, and continued to be 
very bad for about a month. Nearly every one of the cattle was affected with it, some very badly, and one old cow 
died. The others soon recovered after treatmeut with Jeye's disinfectant. 
Water Supply. — The want of a constant supply of water was again very much felt during February and March, 
also in July and August. At times during these droughty months nearly all the labour was engaged in carrying 
water and watering, and even then many plants were lost. I am glad to report that a trace has been surveyed by 
the Public Works Department, but, so far as I am aware, nothing else has been done. It is greatly desired that a vote 
for conveying a constant supply of water to the gardens sliould be sanctioned with as little delay as possible. 
Survey. — I am very pleased to be able to report that a survey of the garden has been sanctioned, and I trust 
that this necessary work will receive early attention. 
Porcupines. — These destructive animals made a raid on the gardens in June, and again in November and 
December. In the former month they destroyed a large quantity of arum and lily bulbs, and during the two!, atte: 
months they pretty well cleared the garden of Morea Rohinsoniana and terrestrial orchids and arum lilies in th, 
fernery. I offered Rs. 2".50 for every one killed in and around the garden, but none have been caught so far. 
Rats. — Large quantities of rats suddenly appeared in May and June, and committed great damage to the newly- 
sown seeds and young plants. In June no less than 145 were trapped. In 1887 we had a similar invasion, though 
not in such great numbers as this year. 
Elephants. — A small herd of elephants passed through the upper pai-t of the gardens, within 50 yards of the 
Superintendent's bungalow, in the early part of June, but I am glad to report they did no damage to cultivated parts. 
Visitors. — The number of visitors recorded during the year was 1,805. This, however, does not include all, as 
during several months of the year only those who signed the book have been taken into account. The largest number 
. in any one month was 424 in April, against 297 in the same month last year. The smallest was in October, when only 
J 19 persons signed the book. The lowest number in any month last year was 74 in August. 
5. — Henaratgoda Garden. 
jj The garden has been kept in fair order during the year. Owing to my absence in England 
lie general overhaul of its contents has been postponed to 1900. 
Visitors. — The total number during the year was 517, against 222 last year. 
6. — Anuradhapura Garden. 
The available labour was largly taken up in watering the plants during the long and severe 
Fought. 
7. — Badulla Garden. 
The former conductor having retired on January 31, his place was filled by the appointment 
''^yEMr. D. D. Fernando, under whose charge the garden has been improved considerably during the 
3ar, and is more efficiently worked, 
iti The general condition of the garden has been much improved this year, and the supplies of 
I Die! ants for sale have been increased. A considerably larger sum has been received during the year 
:if om sales of plants than in previous years. 
10. — Notes on Economic and Ornamental Plants. 
rte Tea. — The total export is by far the largest on record, being 129,894,156 lb., against 119,769,071 
last year. Exchange has been practically steady at about Is. 4c?., and prices have been rather 
'•"""ftter than last year, especially for lower grade teas. 
^ The export to Russia shows the very satisfactory result of a further increase to 3,949,740 lb. 
2,714,003 lb. in 1898 ; to Am.erica there is also an increase from 2,180,188 to 3,080,002 lb, ; the 
;,,;jiport to the United Kingdom, however, has risen almost 8 million pounds. 
I jlsil The extension of cultivation has nowpractically ceased, and attention is being devoted more 
iiajKlimprovenient of methods of cultivation and manufacture, and to prevention and extermination of 
i>»4ease. Mr. M. Kelway Bamber has been in the Island the whole year engaged in investigations 
0 methods of manufacture, &c. Insect diseases have given trouble in many places, as described in 
. Green's repoi-t. The spread of certain fungus blights, more especially of the "grey blight" 
■'jjj! ationed in last year's report, having given rise to some alarm, it was deemed advisable to lay the 
jjjui ct state of affairs before the public by means of a circular on Tea Blights, which was issued in 
y, and in which the grey blight {Festalozzia Guepini), the brown blight (new to science, and now 
