6 
Report on the Botanic Gardens, 
improving the mixed plantation round the tool-house, large numbers of deciduous plants, such 
as Ehus, Acers, Oaks, and others possessing autumnal tinted foliage, have been interspersed 
amongst the more sombre plants, the effect being in some respects, it must be admitted, very 
pleasing to the eye. 
Tlie whole of the Lawns, now about thirty-five acres in extent, have been kept in order 
by one of Shankes’ 30-inch mowing machines, worked by a man and horse. 
Palmetum. 
The Palmetum has been well managed and thoroughly dug over periodically. Many of 
the species which were heretofore considered of too tender a nature to succeed out of doors 
have, up to the present, thriven well, those especially worthy of note in this respect being 
Cocos plumosa (the plume palm), Caryota urens (the jaggery palm), Ela3is melanococca, and 
E. guineensis (African oil palm), Livistona borbonica, L. rotundifolia, and several species of 
Sabal and Ptychosperma. Amongst the hardy palms, Brahea filamentosa (the thread fan 
palm) is specially worthy of note, as it is likely to become one of the finest of the palm family 
for out-door culture in this colony. 
Tlie Cycads, which were formerly planted indiscriminately amongst the palms, have been 
formed into a separate group in the centre of a small lawn, which is surrounded by the 
palmetum. Many new genera and species have been added to both the orders Palmm and 
Cycadem, amongst which may be mentioned a new species of Encephalartos, or Caffre bread 
tree, received from Mr. E. Tidmarsh, of the Grahamstown (S. Africa) Botanic Garden. 
Old Class Gkotustd. 
The beds in the old class ground have had ample attention bestowed upon them, in the 
way of digging, re-labelling the plants, &c., but the trees are much overcrowded and require 
transplanting. 
A number of genera and species unrepresented in the systematic beds on the lawns have 
been carefully labelled and planted in their respective classes temporarily, until the projected 
extension of the orders to which they belong has been accomj)lished in the improved portion of 
the grounds. 
Eaised Embankment, Yaeka Walk. 
The Tacsonias, Dolichos, and other climbers, which were planted alongside the iron 
fence on the raised embankment fronting the river, so as to clothe the Eucalyptus trees, and 
thus form a screen of evergreens, have made considerable progress, and answer well the purpose 
for wliich they were intended. The walk has been newly gravelled, and kept clean and tidy, as 
it is a favourite promenade. On that portion of the bank which slopes towards the lake 
additional trees and shrubs have been planted with good effect. 
EnclosuEe near Director’s Eesidencb. 
On account of the vigorous growth of the plants in tliis enclosure it has been found 
necessary to enlarge some of the shrubberies. Several new azaleas have been added to the 
collection. From the constant theft of plants and flowers which take place throughout the 
Gardens, it has become imperative to continue the practice of having most of the choice 
flowering shrubs, &c., planted in this enclosure until they have been propagated. It is no rare 
occurrence to find the Ericas, Daphnes, Camellias, &c., which are planted in the outside 
grounds, denuded of flowers, and the plants in some instances either completely destroyed, or 
dragged up by the roots and carried away. Many of the rarer plants, which were placed here 
for protection some three or four years ago, have been propagated from layers and cuttings, and 
have been distributed through the Gardens generally. 
New Works. 
Allusion having been made by me in previous reports to the projected formation of a 
Medicinal Garden, I am happy to say that, notwithstanding the scarcity of labor, I have at 
length succeeded in commencing that work. A piece of ground has been laid out for the 
purpose, and planted with all the hardy plants of reputed medical value at my disposal, a 
detailed list of rcliich will he found ap)pended. Tablets bearing the scientific and common 
names, natural orders, and habitats, have been placed to each plant. Since this little iilanta- 
Bon has been established, it has, I have reason to believe, proved both interesting and 
instructive to many iiersons, and cannot fail to continue to be so as the collection is added to 
from tune to time. It is also valuable as a depot for the supply of herbs for vatious purposes 
