ANNUAL REPORT 
OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE 
BOTANIC AND DOMAIN GARDENS, MELBOURNE. 
TO THE HONORABLE DUNCAN GILLIES, M.P., MINISTER OF LANDS 
AND AGRICULTURE, ETC., ETC., ETC. 
Sir, 
In submitting my third annual report on the Melbourne Botanic and 
Domain Gardens, I have to state that the portion of the Botanical 
Gardens which I selected as the most fitting spot for commencing the 
re-modelling of the whole grounds, has been completed. 
As mentioned in my previous reports the portion chosen was the area 
surrounding the Director’s house. My principal reason for this selection 
was that in consequence of its situation, it could be more effectively 
watched than remote parts of the grounds thus enabling me to plant 
out many very valuable and rare shrubs, which it would have been 
found difficult to replace, in the event of injury or spoliation. The 
piece of land selected was also adapted for giving when completed, some 
indication of the nature of the effects to be produced, and this became 
the more necessary because the work of transformation going on in the 
Gardens will occupy a considerable time; a fact which will be readily 
perceived when I mention that the Melbourne Botanic Gardens extend 
over an area almost equal to those of the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, 
Adelaide and Brisbane combined. 
One of the principal features in my original design was the creation 
throughout the Gardens of spacious lawns, in some cases occupying 
places where formal and narrow walks existed; thus giving to suitable 
places a Park-like appearance, and affording a bright and elastic turf, over 
which the visitors could roam at pleasure. In accordance with this plan, 
about 3,500 yards of walks have been obliterated; while 2,600 yards of 
curvelinear walks have been made in the Botanic Gardens, While the 
introduction of broad lawns give infinite beauty to the landscape, it also 
renders easy the task of keeping the area so treated in good order. The 
