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Cujji-essuts tree at the top corner of the herbaceous garden. Stone edging was laid along the side next the path, and 
over this was planted Sfchim stoloniferum, and the border was planted with mixed ])lants. 
Considerable improvement was made round the summer arbour. The floor of this was raised 3 in. 
and a layer of gravel spread on the surface. In front and around the building the land was made even and turfed. 
Tlie little shrubboi'y at the back was overrun with roots of Acacia clecurmin, which had choked out nearly all 
other plants, and a number of Leptospcrmuin ncoparioidcK plants have now been planted this year, in the hope 
that they will hold out against the Acacia roots, as they are very hardy and usually grow fairly well in 
poor soil. 
Two retaining walls have been built to support the new borders running along the lower side of the })ortion 
of drive reconstructed this 3'ear. The larger measures 1G8 ft. long with an average height of 4 ft., and the other 
is 3fl ft. long with an average depth of ft. A large amount of filling in was required to make these borders. 
The borders have been planted with a largo variety of roses, small shrubs, herbaceous plants, and showy annuals. 
In the space of ground between the nursery and the rubbish yard, large holes were got out 20 ft. apart, and 
prepared for growing specimens of trees and large shrubs. Eighty-two assorted plants were planted out in them. 
A large flight of steps made of dressed stones were -’aid down the long bank below the flower garden. This 
makes a very convenient and short way to reach the new pits, the anemometer and nurseries, and saves much time. 
Ihe steps are 23 in number, and 4 ft. w'ide. 
In August the old pond was cleared of gi'owing weeds and of leaves and stalks, and the silt from the two 
inlets was removed. 
I’lants of Ciipi-essiiK viarrocarpa were planted on the bank near entrance gates at equal distances of 12 ft. 
apart, and 12 ft. from the edge of tlie drive. Those j)lanted last year on the opposite side are making good growth. 
I 3 i^ak plants and 54 plants of varioius ylcnrfas were set out on the pitana near the cooly lines, 
^^'^Piants of several varieties of Eucali/plnn on either side of the bridle-path leading down to Oorindakela. 
verges, measuring 373 running yards, 12 in. wide, were laid down along the sides of the drive and 
pa ns, ami 220 square j'ards of turf on banks by new flight of steps, and around the summer arbour. 
^ it 18 with much regret that I have to report the loss, by fire, of nearly all the young trees of Jtmipers, 
^pcemuH, Frenela., Pinvn, &c.,y;\\\c\\v;aY& growing so nicely on the patana above the enti'anco gates. The fire 
occuriod on April 2 during mj' absence on a visit to PGriideniya. The fire originated near the public road, 
■ m w,as evidently lighted by some one passing by, but all efforts to find out who did it failed. This loss is most 
a mojing, as the plants were doing well, and some of them w'ere fully 9 ft. high. We had been unable, for want of 
a our, lo do more than clean occasionally round the collar of each plant, and the patana grass had grown so thick 
it°o^t them, that the fire, when once alight, sjircad rapidly, and it was not discovered until it was too late to put 
Durnig the high winds in .Tune a considerable number of trees were blown down and destroyed. The cold 
amp weather in the following month, assisted by the strong gusts of wind twisting and shaking about soft and 
naer plants, kdled out more plants than is usual for these months. 
f'hucpr Gurdeji.— No alteration of any importance was made in the flower garden. The beds and borders 
T supplied *'^1® usual showy garden jilants, and were maintained in good order all through the year. 
ay mention one beil which was very attractive. It was planted M'ith mixed varieties of Phlox Ihiimmoiidii (of 
_ esBi 8. iSutton & Sons strain) and edged with Aniennaria maryarilucea. None of the Phlox plants grew higher 
mmdhs'”" compact mass of thirteen distinct colours, and they remained in full bloom for several 
Pone Garden.— A few new varieties were added during the year, and the plants on the whole have done well, 
ere "'ere some very fine blooms out during the month of March. I was able to stage forty' varieties at the 
^uwara Ehya Show at the end of that month. The plants were all pruned well back in the middle of .Tanuary, 
in order to got them to come in for the Show. Experience has ]uoved that from nine to ten weeks is about the 
time to allow, in this locality, from the time of pruning till they are in full bloom. The treatment the plants 
received was the same as last year, with the addition that they were supplied liberally with liquid manure after 
the flower buds began to show. Great difficulty was experienced this year in getting rose cuttings to strike, and 
two fine batches wore complete failures, owing in a great measure to the severe drought. 
/lerbuceoue Garden . — In March, 232 supplies and additions were planted out in the beds. As a quantity 
of plants had grown too large for the beds, and a considerable number of the weaker and tender sorts w'ere killed 
out by the drought, 1 1 became necessary to re-airange the whole garden. This was done in November. All the 
“"8 “P a depth of 18 in., and roots and rough stones removed. The beds were Iheavily manured 
and filled up with old potting soil and tlecaycd matter from the rubbish yard. Fifty-two cart loads of manure and 
twenty-nine cart loads of the above-named soil, besides a large quantity of burnt earth and ashes, were used in this 
work. The plants were all replanted in their Natural Orders as before. Many plants of interest flowered durinc 
the year. A fane plant of the “ tree daisy ” flowered profusely, and continued in bloom for many months. 
Pannre SiijijwTf/.— Manure is a great necessity' in a Garden like this where the soil is naturally poor The 
want of a good supply is more and more felt, and without which it is impossible to do justice to the plants We 
have received sixty-five cartloads from the coach shed at the foot of the Garden, the coach proprietor kindlv 
allowing us to have all the manure made there, for tlie use of the shed which was built by the garden coolies. The 
only other manure we get is what is made by the five bullocks belonging to the Garden and that made by niy own 
kittle and pigs. Considering the impoitaiice of this matter, and the fact that there is a large acreage of 
fafovernment patana land pasturage in the vicinity of the Garden, I would respectfully suggest the advisabilitv of the 
purchase of, say, at least half a dozen breeding cows. These could be kept at little cost, and with the young ones 
produce would always be worth the money spent on them. The Garden would thus receive an increasing 
half valuable manure. Manure is readily sold here for two rupees per load, and considering the first cost of 
first lii'udred and twenty ruiiees. They would more than pay this off in the 
