Supplement to the " Ceylon Observer^'' April 25, 1899. 
THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, CEYLON. 
EXTRACTS FROM THE REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR FOR 1898. 
Changes and Movements in the Staff. 
The vote for skilled assistance has been expended in obtaining the services of Mr. J. Parkin, 
M.A., of Trinity College, Cambridge, who has been employed since March 20 of this year in investi- 
gations upon the chemistry of indiarubber (see below) and other subjects bearing upon the agricultural 
industries of the Colony. Mr. A. Perera, late second upper gardener, has been appointed to the new 
post of Foreman of Experimental Grounds at Peradeniya : the post he formerly occupied has been 
given to Mr. D. T. de Alwis, and the vacancy caused by the promotion of the latter has been filled 
by the appointment of Mr. T. W. de Alwis as third upper gardener. 
General Condition of the Gardens. 
All increase of ten per cent, having been made in the vote for labour at Peradeniya and 
Hakgala Gardens (to be spent upon experimental work), the general condition of these gardens has 
been much improved, and a number of new experimental plots of economic plants have been laid 
out. A number of alterations have been made in the former with the view of improving the general 
appearance and picturesqueness of the garden, which is now decidedly increased. Many improve- 
ments have also been carried out in the branch gardens. 
Peradeniya Garden. 
The general condition of this garden, both as regards its beauty and utility, has been much 
improved during the past year, and reflects much credit upon the Curator, Mr. Macmillan. 
From his report I make tie following extracts : — 
I'Uuithu) and CuUivation. — An unusually lai'ge number of new and unique plants has been planted out in localities 
in accordance with their natural families or uses. A great number, some of considerable size, were lifted and replanted 
in more suitable places. The latter operation has been attended with wonderful success, considering the unusual 
deficiency of the rainfall in August and the lack of any special implements. Fresh clumps of bamboo have been 
planted along the river.side, and old and decayed ones have been thinned out or removed. A new avenue of royal 
palms (OrcoilfKrri regia) has, after careful preparation of the ground, been planted along the northern portion of the 
Main Central drive, from the Great Circle, for a distance of 310 yards ; in after years this should form a splendid 
avenue, twice as long as the one at present existing, which is becoming somewhat dilapidated. 
The collection of crotons referred to in last year's report has been lifted and transferred to the steep path 
leading from the conservatory to the fernery. A collection of caladiums has been formed and planted along the 
Hhady borders of Liana drive, and a collection of ornamental Scitaminese has been planted along the paved path leading 
from this drive to the entrance. 
The portion of the garden referred to above, containing the conservatory and octagon house, and which it is 
intended to call the flower garden in future, has been made much more interesting and beautiful by the clearing 
away of ungainly growths, the levelling and clearing of the ground, the removal of termites' nests and dominant weeds, 
and the formation of new flower beds. New " orchid-flowered " cannas introduced from Italy, dwarf caladiums. 
dahlias, and otheis, make an effective display here and are much admired. The trelliswork arbours have all been 
removed to more effective positions, and on each is being trained one kind of climber only, instead of several as 
formerly was done. 
The fernery, which had lost much of its beauty by becoming overgrown and crowded with tree roots, has 
been complttely renovated and considerably extended, superfluous trees being removed, the beds being thoroughly 
dug and raised, the old soil partly replaceil and manured, and the surface covered with small and large pieces of 
cabook, whicli counteracts the eifect of drip from overhanging trees and prevents too rapid evaporation of moisture. 
A large vai-iety of ferns, ground orcliids, and other sliade-loving plants have been replanted in the beds, new and wider 
paths made and paved with cobble stones, and flights of steps built where required. The fernery has thus been 
rendered more accessible and interesting to visitors, and of more value to the gardens. 
The rockery has been overhauled in a similar wav to the fernery, and the path and flight of ateps have been 
brought into line with tlie walk through the nutmeg grove. 
Perseverance with the lake has been rewarded with more success this year, and gives reason to hope that it may 
ultimately be made a very ornainental sheet of water. Tlie tortoises continue to do much damage to the water lilies, 
and destroyed three idaius of Victoria rri/ia. A path lias been made round the lake, and a seat placed on the north side. 
The following plants flowered hero for the first time in 18'J.S, viz,, AriHlolochia Mccula. Ihunvria .twt^ulfiita, 
C'ul/)tir>i/(i laniofi!/)!)', Cola ocumiiiata, Cynniuetva polyamlra. Fagrea frafivanx, GrnmmntophylUim fpeciosum. Hfthjchiuni 
anguMiJ'olium, Hydroh.a spinn.ta, Uyinrnopyyainis hracheata, lUx piincinla, Nniutiiiu domestka, Feiitamphia longirioixi, 
Polygala hutyracea, Pnntptia xp. 
