( ) 
Borders  am!  Shrubberies. — 74,063  plants  and  seedlings  of  various  ornamental  trees  and  shrubs  and  general 
garden  plants  and  annuals  were  planted  out  during  the  year  in  the  supply  and  upkeep  of  the  gardens.  In  addition 
to  these  about  20,000  roots  of  a species  of  grass,  which  grows  well  under  shade,  were  planted  out  under  the  trees 
above  the  propagating  house. 
Many  plants  died  during  the  drought  of  February  and  March,  and  also  from  the  effects  of  the  rough  weather 
in  June,  J uly,  and  December.  A good  deal  of  pruning  was  done  in  August,  when  the  effects  of  the  rough  weather 
in  June  and  July  were  more  plainly  seen.  No  less  than  324  large  trees  and  shrubs  were  destroyed  during  the  high 
winds  of  the  middle  of  June. 
Labels. — 837  large  wooden  labels,  18  in.  long,  2^  in.  broad,  and  ^ inch  thick,  were  made  by  the  garden 
carpenter,  and  after  receiving  three  coats  of  white  paint,  the  names,  authorities,  and  countries  of  plants  were  printed 
on  them  in  black  paint.  Through  the  kindness  of  Captain  F.  Bayley  we  obtained  a quantity  of  coal  dust  free. 
This  was  boiled  up  with  linseed  oil  to  the  consistency  of  paint,  and  while  boiling  the  lower  9 in.  of  the  sharpened 
ends  of  the  labels  were  dipped  in  it,  and  it  was  allowed  to  soak  in.  When  thoroughly  dry  they  were  set  out.  The- 
oil  and  coal  dust  preserves  the  wood  from  decay  for  many  years.  We  have  some,  now  fairly  good,  that  have  been  in 
the  ground  for  over  seven  years. 
Eight  hundred  and  two  plants  of  Eucalyptus  and  other  trees  were  planted  out  on  the  patana,  above  the 
young  men’s  quarters,  for  shelter.  I find,  however,  that  unless  the  patana  is  cleaned  and  kept  clear  and  free  from 
weeds  that  few  plants  do  well;  and  as  we  have  not  the  labour  for  this,  I am  not  very  hopeful  of  much  success. 
During  May  the  lower  ornamental  pond‘d*  was  cleaned  up  and  plants  of  the  variegated  New  Zealand  flax  were 
planted  at  irregular  distances  along  the  margin. 
Some  improvements  were  also  effected  to  the  ujjper  piece  of  ornamental  water.  Small  clumps  of  Lilium 
yiganteum  and  R/chardia  cethiopica  have  been  planted  round  the  edges  of  the  banks,  underneath  the  water.  These 
two  plants  are  found  to  thrive  in  such  a position. 
A few  plants  of  both  the  yellow  and  white  English  water  lilies  arrived  at  the  end  of  the  year  (from 
Messrs.  Richard  Smith  & Co.,  of  Worcester)  in  much  better  condition  than  was  expected.  They  have  been 
carefully  attended  to  and  introduced  to  the  pond,  and  are  making  a good  start.  They  will  be  a most  useful 
addition  to  the  very  few  aquatic  plants  of  the  hill  country.  A plot  of  Bowheria  triphylln,  raised  from  seeds 
received  from  ISIadras  in  July,  1890,  has  flowered  for  the  first  time.  It  is  a very  beautiful  and  interesting  flower. 
In  May  and  June  the  Hydrangeas  made  a fine  show,  producing  hundreds  of  large  beautifullj'-formed  and  well- 
coloured  flowers.  Chrysanthemums  and  tuberous-rooted  begonias  also  gave  a good  display  of  flowers  during 
these  mouths.  In  July  and  August  there  was  an  unusually  tine  show  of  roses,  the  blooms  were  of  good  colour 
and  size,  and  produced  in  large  quantities.  Camellias  also  flowered  well  in  November.  Of  the  orchids,  the  most 
noticeable  one  that  flowered  during  the  year  was  Dendrohium  Calceolus.  It  flowered  in  June,  bearing  three  spikes 
containing  45  blooms  of  fine  form  and  coloui’. 
O.ccdis  violacea. — The  spread  of  this  weed  has  become  quite  serious,  and  every  effort  has  been  made  this  year 
to  get  it  under.  No  less  than  159  bushels  of  the  small  bulbs  (from  the  size  of  No.  6 shot  to  that  of  a 2-oz.  lead  ball) 
have  been  picked  out  of  the  soil  in  the  old  nursery  and  several  other  parts  of  the  garden.  As  they  are  so  hard  to 
kill,  all  that  have  been  collected  this  year  have  been  boiled  to  destroy  them.  Women  and  children  have  been 
employed,  and  although  the  work  has  been  done  as  cheaply  as  possible  it  has  cost  about  Rs.  100,  which  is  a great 
drawback  on  the  garden  vote  : it  will  take  years  to  get  rid  of  this  pest. 
Manure. — Our  cattle  have  given  us  a good  supply  this  year,  and  we  have  also  had  a valuable  gift  of  about 
fourteen  cart-loads  from  Mr.  A.  W.  Jackson,  of  Sita  Eliya. 
Classified  Herbaceous  Ground. — This  garden  has  suffered  much  from  alternate  droughts  and  heavy  rains, 
partly  through  being  on  sloping  ground,  and  also  partly  from  being  too  crowded.  The  results  during  these  last 
two  years  have  been  rather  disappointing,  and  it  has  been  decided,  as  soon  as  labour  can  be  spared  for  it.  to 
re-arrange  the  whole  ground,  making  a sloping  bank  and  terrace. 
Wild  Animals — Monkeys. — A group  of  monkeys,  six  or  seven  (the  large  ivanderoo),  which  have  frequented 
the  gardens  for  some  time  without  doing  much  damage,  suddenly  (in  May)  became  destructive  to  the  large 
Flame  tree  {Stercnlia  acerifolia)  by  breaking  off  the  young  succulent  shoots.  I tried  shooting  at  them  with  small 
shot  to  drive  them  away,  but  they  would  persist  in  coming  to  this  tree,  so  that  I shot  one  wdth  a bullet.  They 
then  remained  away  for  a few  days,  but  began  their  destructive  work  again,  keeping  out  of  my  way,  and  I was 
unable  to  get  another  shot.  They  nearly  ruined  the  tree,  which  was  a fine  one.  and  the  largest  we  had  in  the  gardens. 
Sambur  Deer  were  also  vmry  troublesome  during  May  and  June  ; in  fact,  the  damage  done  was  serious,  as 
they  ate  or  broke  down  nearly  all  the  plants  in  the  back  of  the  shrubberj'  for  a distance  of  about  200  yards, 
showing  a special  liking  for  Fuchsia.  Hah'othamnus,  Balsams,  Begonia,  Iresine,  Polygo7ium,  Tecoma,  Anthericum 
and  other  liliaceous  plants,  and  we  were  very  thankful  when  Messrs.  Jack.son  and  Mr.  A.  J.  Kellow  sent  in  their 
packs  of  hounds  and  hunted  them  out. 
Elephants. — Five  elephants  were  in  close  proximity  to  the  gardens  for  several  months  of  the  year,  and 
during  August  and  September  they  paid  several  visits  to  the  upper  part  and  broke  down  and  destroyed  a few 
lengths  of  the  water-piping.  It  is  very  interesting,  especially  to  visitors,  to  know  that  wild  elephants  are  so  close, 
and,  unless  they  do  any  serious  damage,  I think  it  would  be  a great  pity  to  have  them  shot. 
Visitors. — The  number  of  visitors  during  the  year  was  1,528,  being  an  increase  of  17  over  that  of  1894,  and 
about  1,000  more  than  it  was  ten  years  ago.  The  gi-eatest  number  in  any  month  was  295  in  April,  and  the  lowest 
in  any  month  was  27  in  Se])t'ember.  T regret  to  report  that  on  several  occasions  during  the  j’ear  orchids,  which 
have  taken  years  to  esbiblish,  have  been  torn  from  the  trees  in  the  fernery  and  taken  away.  Suspected  parties 
will  have  to  be  closely  watched  in  future. 
Weather. — The  weather  during  the  year  as  regards  rainfall  was  5 i7i.  over  the  average  of  twelve  years,  but  the 
number  of  days  on  which  rain  fell  was  exactly  the  average,  viz.,  205.  'Phe  wind  was  much  stronger  in  June  than 
has  hitherto  been  recorded,  and  much  damage  was  done,  and  the  same  may  be  said  of  the  heavy  rains  at  the  end 
of  the  year,  which  also  broke  the  record.  February  and  March,  May,  August,  July,  and  September  wmre  the 
drie.st  months  in  the  order  given,  and  December,  October,  and  January  were  the  wettest. 
* A h outifiilly  executed  fdiotograiihic  view  of  this  piece  of  water  is  given  at  page  :18  of  Mr.  II.  W.  Cave’s 
'■  Ficturesque  Ceylon,"  vol.  111. 
