5 
tropical zone. And let it further be remarked, that in some states of middle Europe for 
many years past public roads have been lined with the ordinary fruit trees of our gardens, 
an example well worthy of imitation in every other adapted part of the globe, since this 
measure has become not merely a boon to wayfarers but also a source of a lasting 
revenue. 
The total number of avenue trees, which have found a permanent place within the 
special area of the Botanic Garden, amounts now to 1,230; that of the southern domain, to 
1,429; that of the northern ground, to 162; that of the Government House reserve, to 
1,656. Besides, between the Garden Bridge and the next railway station, lines of elms 
are planted. Thus the total number on the grounds under my control amounts to 4,443. 
The incipient pineta, formed on our ground, are still more important. On the lawns 
around the Palmhouse, already a collection of 185 kinds exists; this number represents, 
however, not all species in our possession, since many additional kinds are scattered 
through the Garden. 
On the slope facing the lagoon, 306 pines are planted, amongst which the pre- 
dominant Araucarias have assumed already a magnificent appearance. From these groups 
of coniferous trees the young pine forests are uninterruptedly extended for future handsome 
groves over the Yarra slopes to the City bridge, and from thence again over the brow of the 
hill facing the St. Kilda road, and continued by young copses of Mediterranean firs along 
the Domain road. In the Government House reserve alone, 7,342 pines or pine-like 
trees are planted. Added to these, 1,299 Conifers planted out on the Garden lawns, 
and more than 1,000 in the Domain copses, and others scattered through the Garden 
borders, would give at least 10,000 coniferous trees, to which permanent places have been 
assigned. 
The kinds chosen for the various groups, as may be observed on reference to the 
plan, are the following: Pinus Pinaster, P. maritima, P. Halepensis, P. pinea, P. Laricio, P. 
silvestris, P. Mughus, P. Abies, P. Larix, P. Cembra, P. Canadensis, P. Nordmanniana, P. 
excelsa, P. Smithiana, P. inops, P. Strobus, P. Sabiniana, P. Douglasli, P. insignis, P. pon- 
derosa, P. Jeffreyi, Sequoia Wellingtonia, Araucaria Cookii, A. Bidwillii, Callitris Gunnii, 
Cupressus glauca, C. torulosa, C. macrocarpa, C. Goweniana, C. Lawsoniana. In their 
progress of growth the relative superiority and comparative value of all these trees may 
be watched. 
It may justly be anticipated, that whenever, under the protecting shelter of the 
Wattle- Acacias, these young firs will have advanced to a stately size, that then a striking 
change in the aspect of this portion of the metropolitan landscape will take place ; 
moreover, the Garden will then much less suffer from exposure and drought ; and above 
all a pine park will be established, to which most of the city inhabitants will have a 
nearer and more easy access than to the Botanic Garden. We may hope, also, that 
after the lapse of a decennial period, seeds from this locality will become available in 
large masses, fresh for forest culture, a branch of State economy which demands to be 
initiated ere many more years pass away. 
In the reserve opposite the Domain road, to 900 either Mediterranean or North 
American Oaks, many evergreen, and counting among them a large proportion of Cork 
Oaks, permanent positions have been assigned. Quercus lancifolia and Q. Toza were 
found the most rapid grown ; then follow in celerity of growth Q. Suber, Q. Sideroxylon, 
Q. confertifolia, Q. Mirbeckii, Q. Thomasii, Q. inversa, Q. heterophylla. 
The experimental ground ascending along the south-western side of the lagoon 
unfortunately suffered much from the last three floods, but may now be considered secure. 
It has during the last year been considerably extended and the means of irrigation have 
been applied. 
None of the varieties of Cotton have matured any fruit on the spot, though at 
Yackandandah and other of the warmer parts of the colony it bore again this season. 
