12 
REPOET OF THE CURATOR OF THE 
gardeners’ houses are at present scattered about the grounds, and are 
for the most part very unsightly, dilapidated wooden buildings. For 
the protection of the Gardens it is necessary that these lodges should be 
built. If neatly designed, they can be made picturesque features in the 
landscape, as is shown by the red brick lodge which stands near the 
Yarra bank. The present wooden buildings require constant patching 
to keep them in repair. 
Notwithstanding the occasional heavy rains, and traffic occasioned by 
the removal of so many large trees from one part of the Garden to 
another, the new walks have preserved their solidity. The excellent 
gravel, discovered by sinking, has been extensively used in the formation 
of walks, which in many instances have replaced others, obliterated in 
consequence of their uselessness, narrow dimensions, or unsightly shapes. 
This gravel has proved a very valuable acquisition, retaining the rich 
orange color which contrasts so agreeably with the green lawns. The 
principal walks round the four lawns have been finished. 
Reference may here be made to another important matter. A number 
of plants, generally supposed to be unsuited to out door culture in this 
climate, were successfully placed out in the grounds. Amongst them 
were “ Quisqualis indica ,” “ Beaumontia gr andiflora,” “ Euphorbia 
splendens,” “ Strelitzia augusta ,” “ Strelitzia regina ,” “ Ailemanda 
neriifolia ,” &c. These and many other tropical plants, have proved 
hardy, growing vigorously outside. The Alsophila excelsa, of Norfolk 
Island, a tree fern which attains the height of 80 feet, has also grown 
with remarkable rapidity in the open air. As a counterbalance, however, 
I regret to say that my anticipations respecting the Cinchona (Peruvian 
Bark) have proved correct — it is an unmitigated failure. I believe that 
a number of young and strong specimens of this valuable medicinal plant 
were at one time distributed through this Colony to people in suitable 
positions for giving every care and attention to them. Yet I have 
failed to ascertain one instance where the experiment has been attended 
with success out of doors. On Phillip and French islands, according 
to reports I have received from gentlemen residing in those localities, 
some highly tropical plants have maintained life in sheltered positions. 
But, where a plant can only just manage to exist in certain favorable 
situations the experiment of acclimatisation looks very like a failure. 
We have not even this consolation in the case of the Cinchona ; and 
however valuable a plant may be, it is useless to waste money and 
time in trying to conquer Nature in such an effort. I repeat my firm 
