Hakgala Garden. 
Mr. Nock has, as always, kept this garden in beautiful condition in spite of the drawbacks of 
a very insufficient supply of water. During the drought in the latter part of the south-west 
monsoon the garden had to be watered with water carried a long distance. 
Tree Ferns, — A second consignTnenfc of six Alsophila crinita was despatched to Kew in April, and arrived 
safely. 
Manure. — Early in the year Mr. H. D. Solomonson, of Hilversum, Holland, generously presented us with ten bags 
of Ohlendorf's Peruvian guano (two kinds) for trial. It was applied generally to the plants in the beds and borders, 
pot plants, and the plot of lucerne. The results were remarkably good both as regards immediate increased growth 
and the rich colouring of the foliage and flowers, and I can confidently recommend this manure for horticultural work. 
The cattle have continued to give a large and useful supply; a shed for this is needed, as manure stacked in the open 
soon loses its value. 
Visitors. — The number was 1,880 as against 1,776 last year. The largest number in any one month was 297 in 
April ; the smallest, 74 in August. 
Weather. — Taking it altogether, the weather during the year has been very trying for this garden. It 
has been remarkable for the longest and severest drought for the last sixteen years. The four months May, 
June, July, and August were all considerably below the average. The rainfall during August, as will be seen 
from the details below, was only •61 in. The drought, being accompanied by brisk, drying winds, killed out 
large number of plants, and having no permanent supply of water we were put to great straits, especially during the 
latter part of August, when water had to be carted and carried from the river at Sita Eliya, a distance of over a mile. 
On the other hand, the latter part of the year was very wet and dull. No less than 44'57 in. of rain fell 
between the 23rd September and 31st December (or on 99 days), there being only sixteen rainless days during that time. 
This was as disastrous to the young plants as the drought was before, especially in December, with its twenty-seven 
rainy and sunless days, which caused large quantities of plants to damp off. The wettest months were April, October, 
and December. The quantity of rain falling in these three months was 40'64 in., which is only 4"27 in. short of that 
which fell during the other nine months of the year. The three driest months were February, July, and August, 
which together only gave 5'67 in., February and August giving only 1-35 in. (in 59 days). 
The total rainfall for the year was 89-55 in. on 213 days, against the average of 91'29 in. on 208 days for 
fifteen years. 
The highest temperature in the sun's rays was 133"0 on 12th April against 138'0 on 23rd April last year. 
The mean amount of cloud was 6 '7, exactly that of last year. The cloudiest month was November with a mean of 
8-5 against August last year with a mean of 8-2. The brightest month was March with a mean of 3*1, against February 
last year with 4-8. 
Hbnaratgoda Garden. 
This garden has been kept in fair order during the year. The visitors' shed with a small working 
room attached has been erected. The number of experimental plots has been increased. It is intended,; 
to take this g?irden in hand during 1899, and completely overhaul it and its contents. ■ 
Experimental Cultivations. — The experiments on rubber tapping have been continued. New 
plots of various kinds of economic plants have been laid out. 
Visitors. — The number was 222, against 323 last year. 
Weather. — The year was wetter than usual, but August was very dry. Total, 132'75 in. ori' 
193 days, against 118-61 on 191 days in 1898. 
The average fall for the eight years 1891-98 is 100-93 in. on 161 days. 
Anuradhapura Garden. 
This garden has been kept in fair order during the year, but has Suffered much from the severe 
drought, there being but little water in the tanks. 
Economic Plants, — The varieties of Egyptian cotton sent from Peradeniya are doing well, and 
have seeded freely. This district seems well suited to the growth of cotton, but unfortunately there 
is no market for the produce, owing to the distance from the coast and the collapse of the Ceylon 
Spinning and Weaving Company. Sago does well in swampy places. Guaiacum grows luxuriantly, 
producing seed in abundance. The camphor plants are growing well, and some that are partly 
shaded are over 12 ft. high. When the water supply is more certain and railway communication 
opens up access to the markets of the south, there are many plants, fruits, &c., that should prove 
very successful in energetic hands. 
Ornamental Plants. — The Victoria regia has been successfully grown and flowered in the 
pond. Brownea grcmdiceps has produced seed. 
Show. — A fruit and flower show was held by the Government Agent in April, and gave 
encouraging evidence that many fruits and vegetables, &c., are now cultivated in this Trovince that 
were formerly unknown there. jt' ' 
Badulla Garden. 
This has been kept in fair order. A small guide to its contents was published as one of the 
" Circulars," with a view to making known the variety of useful plants it contains which have 
proved suited to the climate, and which are worthy of further trial by Uva residents. The present 
