5 
Gardens, I have also received in exchange some valuable plants. The propagating department also 
shows a continual and steady increase of many beautiful flowering plants and shrubs for the tutuie 
decoration of borders, added to by donations from various sources. 
Last month (April) the usual weeding operations were continued, and the formation of a lawn 
near the Curator’s house was commenced. A fine collection of standard roses has been purchased fiom 
Mr. T. Johnson, of Rose Nursery, Hawthorn ; they have been carefully distributed throughout the 
Garden, with due regard to contrast of color. 
In the Botanical Garden I have only eight men available as gardeners ; and with this limited 
amount of labor at my disposal, I endeavored during the past season to produce a maximum of floial 
effect. Continuous seasonable work, such as pruning, mulching, weeding, distributing flowering plants 
throughout the grounds, sowing seeds, propagating the most useful trees and shrubs, and numeious 
other operations, have also been regularly attended to. I have communicated with the Directors of the 
various Botanical Gardens in Europe and elsewhere, and have also written to well-known nurserymen in 
different countries for plants suitable to the Victorian climate. A number of exchanges, effected in this 
manner, have introduced important plants of economic value into the Garden. 
The lagoon was cleared of weeds in November, an operation which had to be repeated this 
month, owing to their rapid growth. At some future time it will be advisable to deepen this sheet of 
water, which, by altering the islands, can then be made one of the most pleasing features in the land- 
scape, instead of having the appearance of a rush-covered marsh. When the lawn now in course ot 
formation is completed, stretching from the vicinity of the Curator’s house to the water’s edge, this 
lagoon will become a very important point in the scenery ; hence the advisability cf deepening and 
otherwise improving it at an early date. The waterfowl on the lagoon appear to be doing well, the 
European swans have reared a cygnet since my last Report. Quantities of earth, stones, &c., have been 
carted and applied to the improvement of the lagoon banks. While dispensing with some of the too 
numerous and narrow walks in the Garden, I would strongly advocate the construction of a broad one, 
18 feet wide, encircling the lagoon, thus corresponding with those in the adjacent Government House 
grounds. I also suggested that a single-arched, light rustic bridge be thrown over that portion of the 
lagoon now crossed by a common long iron lattice-work bridge. The design of this new bridge (a sketch 
of°which I have forwarded to the Honorable the Minister for Works) should be of a character to har- 
monise with the scenery which I propose to create at this spot. 
Quantities of stones, stumps, tree-roots, &c., have been accumulated for the purpose of forming, 
rockeries which if created at two of the principal entrances to the Garden, will materially add to its 
attractive appearance. My opinions respecting the construction of rockeries generally will be found 
further on, when reporting on the rockery and fern gully in the Government House groum s. 
With respect to grasses suitable for creating a good sward on the various lawns, I am strong y 
;n favor of an extensive use of the buffalo grass (stenotaphrum glabrum). This grass is admirably 
adapted for covering large spaces, reproducing itself from continuous fibres thrown out by the roots. 
During the past summer, when other grasses were scorched up by the extreme heat, the buffalo grass 
remained vividly green. It is so hardy and capable of resisting drought, that I recommend its 
cultivation generally, not only for ornamental purposes, but also as a reliable and nutritious fodder- 
nroducin* grass. I propose using this grass and doub (Indian-couch) grass— also good for withstanding 
drought— -very largely in the Botanical and Domain Gardens. The species of grasses at present m t m 
Garden are few in comparison with those which can be introduced; and I have been promised by 
Dr. Schomburgk, of Adelaide, a number of useful kinds. I intend to collect the various species of native 
grasses, and to plant them, properly named, in experimental beds, in order t'o afford a fair test of their 
respective quMt^ ^ j propose to rem0 ve to a part of the grounds better adapted for it, and to 
create that which shall really be a “ system,” instructive to the botanical student. The existing 
arrangement is cramped, without order, and is calculated to confuse those in search of information My 
s U22 esti 0 n is to erect a summer-house in the centre of the new system garden, m which tabulated lists 
of "the beds containing the genera of each order shall be placed on the walls, or otherwise made readily 
accessible to visitors, thus furnishing a directory to each plant in the systematic arrangement. This 
summer-house, besides thus being made very useful, could be made a great ornament to the scenery 
by the selection of a suitable design. Near the centre of this new system ground, I also propose to 
create a rosery on a large scale ; and it will be absolutely necessary, when this portion of the Garden is 
i„ progress, to hove . good and permanent supply of water laid on to it. Having these altera., one In 
contemplation, whenever means shall be forthcoming for their prosecution, I have been osreful to 
propavate most of the plants from the old system garden, so that, when the new one is formed, duplica 
will eiist of any valuable plants that might be damaged in transit. Judging, however, from m, previously 
