BOTANIC AND DOMAIN GARDENS. 
It is satisfactory to state that in response to these efforts to make 
known the botanical resources of Victoria, diplomas were sent from the 
exhibitions, including Philadelphia. 
A number of vegetable products of a similar utilitarian nature have 
been prepared for the approaching Exposition at Paris, and every effort 
will be made to have the Colony worthily represented in the Victorian 
Court. The collections of woods and fibres are being largely aug- 
mented. The results achieved with the imperfect appliances at com- 
mand show the infinitely greater ends attainable if better means of 
operation were provided. In last year’s report a complete list was 
given of fibres, gums, woods, resins, &c., prepared in the laboratory and 
forwarded to the various Exhibitions. An appendix to this report con- 
tains a list of Exhibits sent to this year’s Exhibition at Sydney. 
A wing of the New Palm house has been built, about equal in size 
to the present old house, which is in a very dilapidated condition. It is 
to be hoped that sufficient funds will be provided to facilitate the com- 
pletion of the new building, which will be an ornament to the grounds. 
When such is the case, the many very valuable plants now crowded 
together, and actually spoiling from that cause, can be placed where 
they can be seen to advantage. 
A Calendar of the time of flowering of every plant in the Garden 
is regularly kept. This will ultimately prove of great service. 
The Herbarium has been considerably added to during the past year ; 
and amongst the many valuable additions was a fine collection of Ame- 
rican plants, from the Smithsonian Institute at Washington. This 
Herbarium has been formed during the past four years. It now contains 
many thousands of species, and will soon be ready for inspection by 
visitors to the Botanic Gardens. As in the case of the catalogue and 
label writing, a common English name will be given to each plant in 
the Herbarium in addition to its botanical title, and a short description 
with it. I have not lost sight of the projected arboretums, to represent 
the trees of the five continents ; but as I am carrying out my designs 
from a centre and gradually extending the radius, these groups, on the 
extreme edge, can be postponed until work more immediately necessary 
is accomplished. 
The number of large trees removed from the squares or obscure 
thickets into situations suited to their size and appearance, amounted to 
820. of heights ranging from 8 to 30 feet. 
The Southern District Band played in the Botanic Gardens in favor- 
able weather, on alternate Saturdays, for the past twelve months. The 
B 2 
