4 
requisite current of fresh water from the river to the lake. At the southern ground similar 
appliances we may be able to adopt this year for forcing Yarra water to the higher parts of 
our ground until the Yan Yean pipes shall be bi’ought within our reach. 
With the advantage of an unlimited supply of water, our plan of enhancing the 
beauty of this spot by fountains may be realized. Meanwhile cisterns and tanks have been 
provided at all the principal buildings of the establishment, for collecting as much as possible 
of the rain water for gardening purposes. 
In further reference to the progress of building works throughout the year, I beg to 
allude to the extensive and substantial fences already erected, or under progress of erection. 
The close wooden fencing of the northern area was completed in the beginning of last year, 
thus securing a pasture to many of the herbivorous animals. Of the higher and thei-efore more 
salubrious ground of the southern reserve a portion has been enclosed by high wooden fences 
as grazing ground for various animals, whilst another portion of the reserve by iron fencing 
has been separated as a paddock for larger graminivorous quadrupeds. A line of superior 
iron fencing is now in course of construction, to be placed parallel to the northern limits of 
the above enclosures, and sufficiently distant to admit of the formation of a carriage drive, 
and a shady promenade. 
The Board of Land and Works has been pleased to concede the use of the reserve 
between Prince’s bridge and the botanic garden, for the additional accommodation of the 
expected camels, and to sanction also the temporary occupation of two and a half acres at the 
eastern rise of the Government house reserve, for the more convenient trend of the proposed 
fence lines. 
Further iron and wooden fences have been raised at the northern ground, and near 
the Yarra foot-bridge. 
After the completion of the iron fences, the worn out lines of paling can be removed," 
and much ground will thereby be added to the nurseries, and space be obtained to cultivate 
around some of the cottages, a selection of standard varieties of vines and other fruits, which 
I regret to say, it would be at present hopeless for us to attempt to rear in less guarded 
localities. 
A main walk has been formed through the northern ground, by conveying from the 
opposite side of the river, the requisite quarry rubble and gravel. Walks have also been laid 
out, leading to the palm house. Some of the older lines of walk have only been completed 
this season. 
With the formation of the contemplated drive in the reserve, and some additional 
paths, the extension of the system ground, the raising of islands in the lagoons, the 
construction of a pavilion, of bowers, grottoes, and rockwork, the principal arrangement of 
our giound maybe considered as decided on; and then a lithographed plan of the whole 
establishment may be issued, for facilitating the search after certain plants or to serve as a 
general guide to visitors in the inspection of the gardens. 
The main underground drains in the southern grounds have been for the greater part 
completed during the past year, but many surface gutters are yet to be laid, whenever 
material for that purpose shall bo available; but a complete system of drainage has yet to be 
introduced into the more recently added northern division of our area. 
More than 2000 of our cultivated plants arc now furnished with conspicuous metal 
labels , and since their inscriptions seem to have afforded much desirable information, we 
may by degrees augment their number. 
Although many additional benches have been furnished, they are still inadequate for 
the accommodation of the visitors, for it is pleasing to record that the recreation which this 
locality affords is so gi’eatly appreciated. In corroboration of this, I may adduce the fact 
that seldom less, and often more, than 5000 visitors are counted on Sundays as entering at 
the principal gates of the southern ground ; about half this number visiting simultaneously 
the northern reserve. 
