( 8 ) 
Attempts v/ere made to reproduce the slowest growing of our tropical trees from cuttiriga, and 
we are able to rei)ort good results in species of Diospyros. A large number of Amherstia nohilis trees 
have been layered, but as yet nothing definite can be stated. If we can successfully reproduce this 
plant it will be a public boon, as its gorgeous flowers render it one of the most beautiful of ornamental 
trees.* Reproduction of roses by inverting the cuttings and using the heat of the sun's rays as the source 
of " bottom heat " have been partially successful. 
Fruii Trees. — ^Tiie past year has been very good. The only fruit-bearing tree of the mangosteeu 
in these gardens gave excellent results, no less than 627 fruits being obtained from it during August and 
September. As previously mentioned, the whole of the seed supply from this tree has been reserved 
for grafting experiments. 
The mangoes were, as usual, a great success, thousands of fruits having being collected during 
the season. The same can be said of the Cochin goraJca and the Mamhutans. 
The durians have this year yielded an abundance of fruit. The trees alongside the river drive 
near the laboratory gave the best results, five of them giving no less than 243 large ripe fruits. Tiie 
fruits were sold at from 25 cents to Re. 1 each, and the saplings, four or more of which can be 
obtained from every fruit, realize 25 cents each. It is conceivable that a few acres of the above fruit 
trees in bearing might turn out very profitable, since they will thrive on poor soils without much 
attention. 
A plant of the " Cannon Ball tree " was planted hy T. R. H. The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall 
and York near the laboratory, and is growing vigorously. 
Visitors. — The gardens were visited on 14th April by T. R. H. The Duke and Duchess of 
Cornwall and York and suite. A memorial tree was planted by them in the Great Circle, near the 
laboratory. Tea was provided in a pandal erected upon the Great Lawn, and an exhibition of elephants 
bathing in the river concluded the afternoon. The number of foreign visitors during the past year 
(2,293) shows a slight decrease on that for 1900. 
Weather. — The heaviest rainfalls were during the months of April, June, and November, it being 
12'03, 14"27, and 18"59 inches respectively. The month of February was the driest in the year, rain 
falling on four days only, and totalling up to 1'73 inch. The month of December was remarkable for 
great wind velocity, and a small rainfall of only 4*72 inches. The total year's rainfall is small compared 
with that of 1900. The following is the year's rainfall with the average of each month for the last 
eighteen years : — 
1901. Average for last Eig-hteen Years. 
Months. 
Inches. 
Days. 
Inches. 
Days. 
J anuary 
2-00 
7 
2-88 
6-16 
February 
1-73 
4 
1-62 
3-80 
March 
... ' 2-19 
9 
4-65 
8.44 
April 
1203 
18 
9 75 
1405 
May 
3-87 
10 
675 
11-55 
•June 
14-27 
2.5 
10-45 
20-33 
July 
783 
25 
7-43 
1803 
August 
7-07 
20 
619 
1706 
September 
3-30 
12 
6-51 
15-08 
October 
661 
17 
13-42 
19-07 
November 
18-,59 
24 
10-88 
16-09 
December 
4-72 
13 
8-40 
1301 
Inches. 
Days. 
Average 
Total Rainfall for last Eighteen Years 
88-93 
165 
Total Ej 
linfall for 1901 
84-11 
184 
HERBERT WRIGHT. 
EXTRACTS PROM THE REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT, HAKGALA GARDEN. 
A batch of camphor seeds were sown at the end of February, and 5,000 plants were raised from 
them. TiiC seeds took from two to three months to germinate. Of the camphor cuttings mentioned 
in last year's report, I regret to state that only about 10 per cent, struck root. As plants can be so 
easily rais"d from seeds or layers, it is a waste of time and labour to raise them from cuttings, as the 
process is difficult and costly. 
* Since writing the above T have examined several plants and ain able to report that several of the layers h:ive rooted. — H. W , 
