8 
Report on the Botanic Gardens, 
Propagating Divisions, Conservatories, Etc. 
The whole of the large stock of plants, both under glass and in the tea-tree sheds, 
frames, &c., has been regularly overhauled and repotted. Most of the old and overgrown stock 
has now been removed to the borders. Fern Gully, and Government House grounds, and the 
vacancies have been filled up with vigorous young plants of special merit. 
As mentioned in my Progress Eeport for last year, strict attention is being paid to the 
raising and introduction of plants of an utilitarian character for the purpose of distribution, 
with the view of the fostering of new industries. The Olive, Arrowroot, Castor Oil, Prickly 
Comfrey, American Sheep Bush, Grasses, &c., &c., have been grown and distributed in con- 
siderable quantities to settlers, they in return furnishing indigenous plants and seeds by way of 
exchange. The genus Eucalyptus is still largely propagated, and there are at least fifty species 
in tlie Garden. 
The stove foliage plants have had special attention bestowed upon them, and I venture 
to say will now bear favorable comparison with any collection in the Southern Hemisphere, as 
the displays at the Horticultural Society’s Exhibitions will amply testify. This section has also 
been considerably augmented by donations from Botanic Gardens, Nurserymen, and private 
sources. A good stock of well-grown plants is constantly being reared in the nurseries for the 
furnishing and decoration of the new Conservatory, consisting chiefly of Codiseums (Crotons), 
Cordylines, Marantas, Dieftenbachias, Cyanophyllums, Begonias, Alocasias, Palms, &c., &c. 
Strict attention has also been paid to the putting in of cuttings of such plants as are scarce in 
the Gardens, and also those worthy of special merit. This particularly applies to those which 
have been transplanted into the classified groups, and other portions of the grounds. The 
Orchids, of which there is a good collection, but no proper accommodation for growing them, 
have been thoroughly cleaned, repotted, and tied on fresh blocks. Several handsome species 
have flowered during the year. The display of Begonias, Gloxineas, Gesneras, Achimines, and 
Caladiums, during their respective seasons, has been exceptionally good. Great numbers of 
ferns have been raised from spores, several very rare species being amongst the number. 
Whilst prominent attention has been given to the multiplication of useful plants, and 
plants for the conservatories, oare has been taken that a large stock of hardy ornamental trees 
and shrubs are always on hand, both in the brush sheds and in the out-door narsery in the 
Domain. Thousands of Boses, Conifera3, Oaks, Corynocarpus, Azaleas, Ericas, Magnolias, 
Aralias, Coprosmas, Cordylines, Weigelas, Epacris, Prostantheras, Eugenias, Euonymus, 
Viburnums, Lasiandras, Wigandias, &c., &c., have been grown for the general decoration of the 
Gardens, Domain, and Government House grounds, and for purposes of interchange ; this being 
the only mode left me, to any extent, of adding to the collection, on account of the reduction of 
the annual vote. 
For years past I have been unable to purchase any of the magnificent foliage plants 
which have been introduced into Europe by enterprising nurserymen and others. A small sum 
(£60) was voted for the purchase of plants last year, which enabled me to make a few selections 
fi'om local nurserymen, and I hope to have this sum increased when the next Estimates are 
under consideration. The intorchange of plants and seeds with all civilized countries as men- 
tioned in my last Eeport has not at all flagged during the past year. 
The boiler which heats the chief propagating department having become worn out, a new 
one was fitted in its place, and several new pipes were laid down for the better heating of the 
houses, as the old ones were completely rusted through. Since this has been done a maximum 
of heat, at a minimum of fuel, has been gained. A great portion of the labor in the nurseries 
is taken up in the receipt and despatch of plants, a constant interchange being kept up with 
various Botanic Gardens, nurserymen, and private individuals. 
The contributors of new and rare plants, specially w'orthy of notice during the past 
three years, are Captain Braithwaite, of the Missionary ship Dayspring ; Captain Broomfield, 
Messrs. Cattlett, McHardy, and Shepherd and Co., Sydney ; the Directors of the Botanic 
Gardens of Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart, Kew, Saharanpur, and Java ; Mr. GudSmann, 
of the Treasury, Melbourne (through Sir J. Hooker) ; Messrs. Hennings and Thurston, of Fiji; 
our local nurserymen and seedsmen — Messrs. W. Adamson and Co., J. Harris, G. Brunning 
and Son, Taylor and Sangster ; Law, Somner, and Co. ; T. Lang, James Smith and Sons, and 
Scott and Song. To these and others I am greatly indebted for the receipt of plants in exchange 
for others from the Gardens nurseries. 
Victoria House. 
The tank containing the Victoria Eegia has been cleaned out, fresh soil added, and a 
vigorous young plant substituted for the old one. During the flowering season the Vi«toria 
