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Occupied in the past year by April and July, months with usually but a moderate fall. The rains 
of the north-east monsoon, in the three last months of the year, were also remarkably slight in amount, 
only 18’42 in., against an average of 31’10 in. for the previous six years, and the deficiency here was 
made up (so far as the whole yearly amount is concerned) by the extraordinary fall in April — 
nearly double its average for the previous five years — and in July. The unusual distribution has 
considerably affected the averages of past years. 
This comparative failure of the north-east monsoon has not injuriously affected the vegetation 
of the Gardens in any way, but the premature and excessive fall in April stimulated the giant 
bamboos to send up their culms a month or more before the usual time ; they grew, too, with great 
rapidity — one which Mr. Clark measured lengthening at the rate of 13^ in. in twenty-four hours. 
The fine mass of this species, which I mentioned in my last report as having suffered from the flood 
of 1888, appears to be still further weakened by this excessive growth, and one side of it has died. 
The whole clump will have to be removed. 
2. — Hakgala Garden. 
Many improvements have been carried out here during the year, details of which are given 
in the Superintendent’s report printed below. The most important are the continuation of the 
retaining wall along the high road, the remaking and metalling of the old carriage drive, the repairs 
to the Conservatoi’y, and the clearing and transformation of an abandoned tea and coffee plot 
below the nurseries. So many new roads and paths and other alterations have been made in the 
Gardens during the last eight years, that it is now very desirable that they should be re-surveyed, 
and an accurate plan made. 
I again wish to urge the necessity of an examination and report by an expert on the best 
mode and probable cost of a constant supply of water to the Garden. Its want was not experienced 
to any serious extent during the past year owing to the even distribution of the rainfall, but severe 
droughts may at any time occur again. 
The number of species in cultivation in this Garden is now over 2,500, and is constantly 
increasing ; it is in contemplation shortly to affix labels to the more interesting and attractive plants. 
During my absence in Europe on leave Mr. Nock acted as Director of my Department, and 
cai’ried out his duties in a very satisfactory manner. 
hares and Porciqnnes. — These animals have been very troublesome during the year. The former do great 
damage to the Herbaceous Garden and Nursery, as well as in the little experimental plots of grass. The porcupines 
destroy such plants as iris, lilies, cannas, dahlias, and others with roots of a bulbous or succulent nature. We have 
tried to catch them with snares and traps, but have, as yet, failed. 
Visitors. — The number of visitors during the year was 1,185, being an increase of 69 over that of last year. 
The largest number in any month was 194, in January, and the smallest 31, in June. 
Weather. — The weather Was remarkable for an excessive rainfall during the first nine months of the year, 
for the late and very light north-east monsoon, and for the strength and continuance of the wind of the south-west 
Thonsoon till quite late in the year. It did not really settle down and come steady from the north-east quarter till 
the end of November. During the south-west monsoon the wind continued at a higher rate of speed for a 
much longer period than has yet been recorded from this station, and in consequence much more damage was done 
to the trees and plants than usual. I may state that the anemometer shows the true direction of the wind that passes 
over this Garden during the south-west monsoon to be N.N.W., and that during the north-east monsoon is E.S.E. 
The total rainfall for the year was 88‘34 inches, which fell on one hundred and eighty days. This is a little 
less than last year, but still about 1 inch higher than the average for the previous five years, which was 87'36 inches. 
The average mean temperature of the air for the last six years is 63T. 
The highest temperature in the sun’s rays during the year was 154 on March 10, and the lowest on grass was 
37 on December 31. 
The mean amount of cloud for the year was 6‘8, the cloudiest month being Noyember, With a mean of 8‘2, 
and the brightest month was, again, February, with a mean of 3-9. 
3. — Henaratgoda Garden. 
The Muhandiram in charge reports that the very wet season from April to September caused 
much wash and necessitated a good deal of work in renewing the p.iths. No record of rainfall is 
kept here except of the days on which it falls, which were 163 in the past year. 
The Garden is in excellent order, and its contents generally in a flourishing state. A few 
improvements have been made during the year. New gates have been put up at the entrance, the 
plant house has lieen improved by the erection of brick stages and a roof of coir matting, and the 
Conductor’s house ])ainted and his office enlarged ; this building requires tiling. About half an acre 
of the remaining jungle has been cleared and a plantation of black pepper, grown on Erythrina 
sticks, formed. Two hundred l)rick labels from Penideniya have been painted with the names of 
some of the most interesting trees and set up in their places. 
Very few persons now visit this charming little tropical Garden ; there were but twenty-nine 
in th^ course of the year. As I have remarked before, this is due to the fact that the quick train.s 
