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the very interesting results are published in the Royal Botanic Gardens Circular No 24 published in 
November. Many inquiries have been made about camphor cultivation during the year, and all have 
received attention. 2,000 plants have been distributed, and we now have about 4,000 more ready for 
sending out. 
Mana Grass. — Four bundles, 40 lb. each, of this grass, from four different localities, have been 
supplied Mr. Bamber for distillation. 
Ferns. — Six plants of the indigenous tree fern Alsophila crinita, with stems 5 to 6 feet long, were 
despatched in March for the Botanic Gardens at Munich. Large quantities of maiden hair plants and 
several thousands of fern fronds were supplied to Queen's House and to the King's Pavilion for 
decorations during the Royal visit in April. 
New Cart Road to Amhawela Railway Station. — This road is now completed. We sent the first 
cart through on the lltli Februai-y. It is only 7 miles by this road to Ambawela station, against 9 miles 
to Nanu-oya. On the return journey there is only about 1^ mile of uphill, instead of 4 miles as is 
the case from Nanu-oya. 
Fruit Trees. — Seeds of a good mango were received from the Director of Agriculture^ Afadagas- 
car, in May, and fourteen plants have been raised from them. These seeds were from trees growiug at an 
elevation of 4,200 feet, and it is thought that they will produce plants that would fruit at tlu' liigliei- 
elevations in this Island. 
Three dozen assorted fruit tree plants were received in July, throiigh the Director, from Australia, 
but I regret to report that two-thirds of them were quite dead on arrival. Of the remainder, all the 
figs and a few oranges revived, and are now doing well. 
Paspaluni Dilatatum. — A small plot of this fodder was sown in the nursery and has grown well 
All stock eat it greedily, and it promises to become a very useful addition to the fodders of the 
up-country districts. 
Swedes. — An ounce of seeds of a variety called " Defiance " was sown on the 23rd July on a piect 
of land 48 square yards. They came up well, and were carefully cultivated, and grew splendidly. The 
crop was taken up on the 9th December — 4^ months from the time of sowing — the yield being 280 
lb., or at the rate of 12^ tons to the acre. The largest weighed 8 lb., and measured 24 inches 
in circumference. The six heaviest weighed 30 lb., the twelve heaviest 52 lb., and the twenty-fiva 
heaviest 91 lb. These roots, which are easily produced, possess grand feeding qualities, and if oun 
local butchers would only feed their cattle on them for a month or two before slaughtering, the qualitjj 
and flavour of the Ceylon beef would be very much improved. 
Oxalis. — This pest has continued to spread. The natm'e of its growth makes it a most difficuU 
plant to eradicate. Nothing but picking out by the hand and burning the tubers seems to have! 
any effect on it. 68} bushels have been picked out of the nursery and borders during the year. Thif; 
represents 300 to 400 days' labour. 
A weed killer was tried on a small patch, but it simply killed the foliage, and after a few weekr 
the bulbs grew with renewed vigour. It has now got such a hold of the gardens that, unless some enem; 
or disease can be introduced to destroy it, it will be impossible to keep it down. 
Barbed Wire Fence. — A special vote was granted for wire fencing, and a barbed wire fence hai 
been fixed all round the inner boundary, enclosing about 46 acres. This fence is made of five strandi 
of 4-point barbed wire, fixed on posts 9 feet apart and 5 feet 6 inches high, the total length beinj 
2,062 yards. 
A belt of land 24 feet wide has been cleared all round the inner side and planted up with 6,00( 
plants of the following trees : — Acacia decurrens, Acacia melanoxylon, Frenela rhomboidea, an^ 
Gupressus macrocar/ja, the latter being planted 50 feet apart with the view of their growing into larg* 
timber trees. Seven gates have been fixed at convenient points, and galvanized wire netting has heei 
purchased for fixing along the upper boundary on the forest side in the hope of keeping out small wih 
animals, such as mouse-deer, porcupines, hares, &c. i 
Water Service. — A special vote was made to the Public Works Department to bring a supply o 
water to tlie gar(l<;ns. This has been accomplished by damming a permanent stream at Sita Eliya, f ror 
which 2-inch pii)ing has been laid, leading the water into the old reservoir in the upper part of thj 
gardens, the distance being about 1^ mile. This supplies a long-felt want, and when the propose' 
connections are )nade with the bungj,low, laboratory, Foreman's quarters, nurseries, and other parts c 
the gardens, it will be a great boon, and will greatly facilitate the cultivation and general worj | 
of the gardens. ) 1 
