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Upkeep of Garden.— lawns, borders, &o., have been kept in order, and a considerable 
quantity of manure has been used in improving the condition of the various cultivated plants in the 
garden. A cart and a pair of bulls have been purchased and have proved of much use. 
Expcrnnental Cultivations. — A good deal of time and labour has been expended on the 
cultivation of economic plants. The experiments on rubber, begun last year, have been continued. 
Over iOO tappings have been made on 34 trees of the younger plantation of Para rubber. The 
plantation of vanilla has done well, and a considerable number of cuttings have been sold. The 
land formerly occupied by tea and part of that occupied by Liberian coffee has been cleared. New 
experimental plantations of rhea fibre, pineapples, coca, cardamoms, Payena Leerii (guttapercha) 
t^a nseuieva (bow-string hemp), gambler, and Polyyala biityvacea (a new fodder plant), have been laid 
out, and are doing fairly well. 
Fisftors.— The number of visitors during the year was much the largest on record, being 323 
as against 10(i in 1896. 
7.— Anubadhapura Garden. 
The vote for upkeep of this garden was this year increased from Rs. 1,200 to Rs. 2,000, and 
the general condition of the garden has been very much improved in consequence. A special vote 
was sanctioned for the erection of a wire fence. 
Buildings . — The 000I5' lines, which had become utterly ruinous, were put into a fair state of 
repair, but really require to be entirely rebuilt. The much-needed repairs to the conductor’s 
bungalow were commenced towards the end of the year. 
Wire Fence . — About 1,2.50 yards of wire fencing were put up along the sides of the garden 
which are not protected by the elas. The fence is exactly similar to that at Henaratgoda. 
General Upkeep . — The number of coolies employed in the garden has been increased, and a 
sum of money set apart for the purchase of manure. The general condition of the plants in the 
garden is now fairly satisfactory. A number of the palm trees have been much injured or destroyed 
by beetles, which bore into the buds. Trial has been made, but without much success, of kerosine 
emulsion as a preventative. Among the palms thus injured is unfortunately included the doum 
palm, which was just beginning to branch. 
The w'eeding, clearing, and manuring of the garden has been attended to. A number of wira 
trees have been cut down, affording more room for the more valuable trees planted amongst them. 
The end of the garden near the Tissawewa has been drained and planted with various fruit and 
rubber trees. 
The Government Agent has kindly provided a few seats for the garden, which are much 
appreciated. 
The trees or plants of camphoi', cacao, mahogany, Swietenia macrophylla, teak, baobab, divi- 
divi, guaiacum, Cedrela odorata, Eucalyptus alha, coca, cinnamon, Nagpur oranges, and others are 
doing very well. 
8. — Badulla Garden. 
The vote for upkeep of this garden was increased for 1897 from Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 2,000. This has 
provided for an increased labour force, and the general condition of the garden has been much improved. 
Water Supply . — Much difficulty has been experienced in obtaining a proper water supply for 
the garden fi-om the ela which supplies the paddy fields above. Arrangements were made with the 
authorities in charge of the ela to obtain a supply during a fixed period each day. 
General Upkeep . — During the first eight months of the year the time of the coolies was largely 
taken up in carrying water from the river for the use of the garden, and thus the general garden 
work suffered considerably. The garden has been kept tidy, the shrubs carefully pruned, and a 
number of duplicate trees cut out. The plant shed was thoroughly repaired, and both it and the 
nursery kept supplied with a good stock of plants. 
Weather . — The first nine months of the year were very dry, but there was plenty of rain in 
the latter part of the year. 
11.— Notes on Economic and other Plants. 
Tea . — The total export is again the largest on record, exceeding 116 million pounds, an increase 
of 8 millions over 1896. Exchange has continued high and prices rather low H-lld. against 8'21d in 
1896). 
The immense area now covered with tea still remains singularly free from disease, but great 
care and attention must be exercised if this condition of things is to last. When an outbreak of any 
disease apparently due to insects or fungi is noticed, the affected plants should be at once destroyed 
by fire to prevent, if possible, any furthqi’ spread of the disease. One or two cases have occurred 
during the year of outbreaks of disease among nurseries of young plants grown from Indian seed. 
Planters should pay special attention to their nurseries in this respect, as considerable risk is run of 
importing dangerous or troublesome diseases with foreign seed. 
Coffee . — The exports of coffee barely exceeded 19,000 owt., over 3,000 less than last year. 
The planting of Liberian coffee has received a severe check by the very great fall in price 
which has occurred during the year. 
Cacao . — The exports continue to increase steadily, being 34,503 cwt., as against 31,366 in 1896. 
Much attention has been given during the year to the canker mentioned in last year’s report. 
During the early part of the year an extended investigation of the diseased areas was made by the 
staff of this Department, and the disease was found to be common in nearly all parts of the Central 
and Dva Provinces. The disease was found to be due to the attack of a fungus, whose exact nature 
is at present unknown, but which almost certainly belongs to the class of fungi which cause the 
various cankers of stems and roots. The information collected was published in two of the circulars 
issued by this Department, in which also suggestions were made as to the treatment of diseased 
areas or plants and the prevention of further spread. It was suggested early in the year that a 
specialist in fungus diseases should be engaged by Government for the study of this disease. This 
proposal, being adversely reported upon, ultimately fell through. There is much misconception as 
