11 
GoveniTnent House Grounds and Domain^for 1881. 
all seasons of the year, whilst wo are obliged to depend almost exclusively upon foliage plants 
for conservatory decoration, except during the summer, when the gesneraceous plants are in 
bloom. Were better accommodation provided, much of the labour, which is now lost in the 
constant shifting of plants to make room for the new botanical specimens which are constantly 
arriving from various countries, could be profitably employed at other necessary work. 
A museum of economic botany is also a desideratum urgently needed for the instruction 
of the public. It need not be a very elaborate building. Eustic work, with thatched roof, 
would be quite good enough, and, like the summer-houses in the Garden, it could be made 
picturesque. I have already sufficient material stowed away in boxes which, if tastefully dis- 
played, would not fail to meet with general approval. 
A properly laid out experimental garden is one of the chief wants of the Department at 
present. A commencement was made in this direction some two years ago, but it had to be 
abandoned by reason of the reduction of the staff. The same remarks apply to the rosery, 
which I have contemplated forming for years past, but the present labor is barely sufficient 
to keep the grounds in order. 
GOVERNMENT HOUSE GROUNDS AND DOMAIN. 
Goveenment House Grounds. 
The flower garden, fern gully and rockery, shrubberies, and groups of plants dotted over 
the laro-e lawn in front of the mansion, have had every care. Unremitting attention in watermg 
was requisite during the dry season, the supply of water sometimes being very inadequate; 
but notwithstanding the drawback experienced in this respect, the grounds rnaintained a very 
satisfactory appearance throughout the year. A large number of plants (over 700), ot a 
miscellaneous character, as Pinus, Eucalypti, Araucarias, Roses, Pelargoniums, Ire^nes 
besides more than 600 Fuchsias— a donation from Messrs. Brunning and Son, St. Ki 
nurseries-have been distributed about the grounds for decorative purposes The numerous 
plantations of herbaceous flowering plants and shrubs which have been formed the past 
three years, now supply ample ‘blooms for the indoor floral decoration of Government Hous^ 
Lar-e clumps of Gazanias, Mesembryanthemums, and Scarlet Pelargoniums, have been planted 
places on tke trenched borders which margin the carriage ^tand, so as to re W 
the som^bre appearance presented by the thick plantations of pines and cypress in this locality. 
When in blooL the contrast of the bright-colored flowers against the dark-green backgrou 
“ composed of Buffalo grass, in addition to what is already 
estah.iSSLdd„™^„ 
watering, tying and staking trees ,Hppin- hedges, weeding water 
hoeing diggmg, pranin^ X‘ “fecetmy^^ fully occupied the staff of men 
channels, walks, &c., and ot e ^ ^11 the trees and shrubs which have been 
t”- ThTr:;^!. of those plan« in 18, a is ffom C to 13 feet 
in height. 
Domain. 
A number of dead wattles, blue gums, and willows, which were yer, unsightly, have 
been cut down, and the t^il mjuast report as having been made, have 
The plantaW ^ remW rapidity. Notwithstanding all 
done well, some of ^ exercised, vandalism is still rampant. The senseless in-actice 
the care and vigilance which e. ’ especially those which are in vigorous 
of thoughtless or e°Jessiv°e drought which has prevailed, euta^iled the 
growth, IS of frequent occuire . ^ ^.^11 as by 
