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through the lower portion of the Gardens where 
a large permanent carriage and horse shelter has 
has been erected for the convenieace of visitors ; 
and there are, besides, over 3 miles of paths wind- 
ing through the Gardens, opening up at each tarn 
a new vista of beauty and interest, which is con- 
siderably enhanced when the visitor has the privi- 
lege of the instructive guidance of the genial Super- 
intendent ; a bridle path nearly a mile long has also 
been made through the Patnas as far an the 
Ilakgala boundary, opening up a grand panoramic 
view of the Uplands of Uva and constituting a 
short cub to the Ambawella Railway Station and 
the New Galway Estates. In 1882, all the Turf in 
the Gardens consisted of little strips not more than 
6 inches wide at intervals along the sides of the 
drive ; whereas now 1 find there are nearly 2 
miles of turf verges 12 inches in width, and 
nearly an acre of turf in banks and well-kept 
lawns. 
o F ROSES 
there were in 1882 only 16 varieties scattered about 
as compared with the present stock of over 300 
varieties, planted in a scientifioally-made Rose 
garden, and in Rose borders : while the 'fernery 
has become one of the main features of the 
Gardens, containing some very fine specimens of 
the beautiful native tree ferns, thousands of plants 
of indigenous and foreign origins, orchids, begonias, 
etc, etc. ; and a beautiful corner with a dozen or 
so of choice Camellias, while further down the 
*' Herbaceous Garden " is as an open book. 
For a number of years a great many draw backs 
had to be faced, as elephants, sambhur, and other 
wild animals of an inquisitive and destructive 
nature had the uninterrupted range of even the 
cultivated portion of the gardens. But the 
Superintendent persevered until he obtained from 
a reluctant Government a fence of barbed wire to 
protect his precious plants, and a constant supply 
of good water to nourish them in the dry weather, 
(for botli of which the thanks of the community 
are due to Sir West Ridgeway.) To any one 
meteorologically inclined, the complete 2 J years 
record of temperature, rainfall, sunshine and 
cloud, force of wind, etc. will be interesting ; 
and yearly reports of work done have been instruc- 
tive reading to many in the past. 
CORRESPONDENCE 
in connection with the Gardens, in answering 
questions from Planters and others, and in giving 
advice on Horticultural and Agricultural subject^, 
etc, has increased from about 359 letters in 1882 
to 2,175 in 1903. 
THE NUMBER OF VISITORS 
increased from 370 in 1882 to 2,419 in 1903 ; the 
aggregate for the 22 years being 30,167 ; while the 
plants distributed (by sale, gratis, or in exchange) 
numbered 291,495 ; and 1,450,134 were planted 
out in the Garden during that period. A pro- 
pagating house and pits, potting and plant sheds, 
laboratory, summer arbors, gardener's rooms, 
coolie lines, etc. etc., have been added in the course 
of years, all tending to make the Hakgala 
Gardens as up-to-date as possible with the avail- 
able funds. Several nativfi'young men have been 
trained to carry on the work here and at other 
stations, Next in importance comes 
NUWARA ELIYA 
and there Mr Nock's handiwork is apparent from 
one end of the Plains to the other. On my first 
visit to the Park a few days ago, I could not 
help saying. "What a pity this was not com- 
menced 10 years before !" The change from coarse 
dry Patna intersected by treacherous swamps, 
and studded with stunted Rhododendrons, as I 
remember it 40 years ago, is really wonderful ; 
and though very great credit is due to Mr Nock 
for the planning and practical part of the work, 
he could not have accomplished so much without 
the efficient aid of the present A.G.A.; while 
before Mr Short's time, Mr Burrows greatly 
assisted and forwarded his efforts : (—e.g. the 
Ciieket pitcli. etc. etc.) I spent a pleasant hour in 
going round Queen's Cottage G irden and grounds, 
and what a change from a small scraggy enclosure, 
to a beautiful garden which would be a credit to a 
nobleman's grounds in the old country. The 
grounds around the pretty little Church, too, 
present evidence of his presiding genius ; while 
for a record of his services in connection with 
that sacred edilice, see Rev. Mr. Reynolds' Year 
Book for 1904: — 
There ia one event written down for 1904 to which 
we look forward with feelings of deep regret and that 
is the impending departure of Mr Nock from Ceylon. 
Already he has resigned his Trusteeship held since 
1884 and his post aa Hon. Secretary and Tteasnrer of 
the Stipend Fund, which he has held since its iocep- 
tion in the following year. While we shall all accord 
him onr best wishes for long enjoyment: of his well- 
earned rest, (though personally.! cannot imagine Mr 
Nock anything bat an active worker wherever he 
may be) we shall still always cherish a hope that he 
will some day return to the place that knows and 
loves him so well and which he has doue more perhaps 
than anyone elae to make. 
Many of the gardens in the vicinity of Nuwara 
E liya are all Ihe more beantiful for his good 
advice, unostentatiously and freely given to one 
and all. Of the 
BADULLA GARDENS 
I cannot say very much, having only seen them 
once,— many years ago; but I well remember the 
site as an old paddy-field in the early seventies 
and was very much struck with the change a 
few years had made. At other places, i.e., Kurune- 
gala, Diyaialawa and Bandarawela, Mr. Nock 
has been called upon to give his advice in laying 
out Parks, etc.; and at the various Horticultural 
Shows, which have been held inCeylon who worked 
harder, or did more to ensure a good effect than 
he ? In Colombo, the Gordon Gardens were 
laid out under his directions and a special tank 
constructed for che reception of the Victoria Regia 
Lily, which he succeeded in getting to blossom 
there. 1 can only touch lightly on Mr. Nock's work 
at outstations and have no doubt others will 
come forward to testify to its thoroughness in 
every detail. 
THE SOUVENIR TO MR. AND MRS. NOCK. 
That the movement which has been started to 
present Mr. and Mrs. Nock with a suitable souvenir 
of their atuy and work in Ceylon will be a success 
goes without saying : but what form is it to 
take ? One suggestion is a well got up Diploma 
signed by a Committee on behalf of all subscribers, 
together with a substantia) purse of sovereigns. 
A, J. KELLOW. 
