7 
Though in Australia we have only in the high coast ranges of Queensland and the 
northern part of New South Wales localities precisely corresponding in elevation, humidity 
and temperature to those parts of the Andes in which the most valued Cinchonas are 
indigenous, we may still entertain the hope, that what in Victoria we are missing in eleva- 
tion of mountain tracts of mild atmosphere, would he recompensed by our lower mountain 
regions with their equability of a serene climate, and that therefore, in the Palm tree 
country of the eastern part of Gipps Land, or perhaps even in any of our extensive Fern tree 
gullies, the Cinchona would flourish. Plants of the two most important quinine yielding 
species, Cinchona succirubra and Cinchona Calisaya, are long since secured for the 
conservatories of this Garden, and if provision could be made for local experiments, such as 
I indicated, the number of plants could readily be increased by the ingenious method of 
layering, first adopted by Mr. Mclvor in the Madras Presidency, a method unknown in 
South America, but which has yielded hundreds of thousands of plants within a short space 
of time to the many Indian Cinchona plantations. 
In the annexed plan, which may serve as a general guide through the Garden and 
reserves, their prominent features have been delineated. The places allotted to eminently 
useful, rare or conspicuous plants have been marked with numbers, though such indications 
on a plan of so reduced dimensions can only be limited. Some of the projected improve- 
ments have also been pointed out on the plan. On the southern side of the lake 110 
chiefly Australian Acacise have been congregated, since these plants are to us of special 
interest as belonging to a genus in species the richest of all in Australia. On the grass 
land at the adjoining rise a considerable number of different species of Eucalyptus are 
displayed, it being my aim to see the principal forms of this here so important genus of 
plants well represented in our Garden establishment. Of the Chinese white Mulberry tree 
a plantation has been formed near the Domain road, a continued demand of the leaves 
being experienced for sericulture, notwithstanding that the tree has been so extensively 
distributed from hence year after year. 
The rockeries lately formed help to embellish many spots of the Garden. Of 
statues, as yet, nothing exists, however much they are desirable for enhancing the beauty 
of the spot. The pressure on the resources of a department so large, in its obligations so 
extensive and still under the process of formation, has hitherto been such, that calls for 
works of mere ornamentation were required to give widely way to those of utility. 
Still it is hoped, that during the next year improvements may be effected in this 
direction, when simultaneously the acquisition will be needed of a number of fountains in 
the more conspicuous and open places. To provide for these works of art marked facilities 
exist in the fall of the ground, a jet of water for instance from one of the recently formed 
islands of the lagoon being propelled to the height of about sixty feet, by gravitation. 
Around the orchestre, and on other much traversed parts of the lawns, where it is difficult 
to maintain a verdant sward, three kinds of grasses of rigid and matted growth, Stenotaph- 
rum glabrum, Festuca distich ophylla and Cynodon Dactylon, have been adojited as a cover. 
Scleranthus biflorus, a sub-alpine plant of Victoria, forming a dense cushion-like turf, has 
here and there been chosen for edgings, though its slowness of growth will only allow its 
adoption gradually. The plant has withstood our summer heat much better than Spergula 
pilifera. Rose and Box edgings have of late here been adopted in preference to those of 
Chamomile and other plants involving in their maintenance much loss of labor. Some 
edging has been effected with basalt boulders. 
The collection of fruit trees and vines, carefully named, has become gradually rich, 
and will be further extended, as it is of interest to watch and compare locally the 
respective merits of every kind. 
The orchard thus formed may be transferred to the area of the Government House 
at a future period. The contents of the conservatories have much increased in varietv ; 
the selections of Ferns, CacteaB and other succulents being particularly rich. Of 700 
