2 
Ovtiiig to the quantity of rain that annually falls in this Colony, ami the character of 
the land on which the Gardens are established necessitating rather steep walks, the amount 
annually expended for the upkeep of the roads, Ac., is very considerable, and I would suggest 
the propriety of a lived sum being set apart annually for this purpose. 
Drain*. -- In* consequence of the extensive additions under this head during 1877-78, 
hut little was required last year, beyond ordinary repairs. Now drains have been put down 
near the orchid house and the approach to the aviary. A drain on each side of the Oleander 
walk would prove beneficial. 
Fence*. —These have been kept in fairly good order by means of monthly clippings, 
the shoe-flower ( Hibiscus rom sinensis, car*./ continues to answer for this work effectively, 
and the example is being extensively followed in Singapore. 
Seeds of plants suitable for fences have been procured from India, and will be tried for 
that purpose in the Economic Garden. 
A new fence has boon planted at the back of the plant sheds. 
■ Lake. — Tin- has been cleared out repeatedly as the weeds grow very rapidly, a coarse 
growing Ctricuhri t being particularly troublesome. Perhaps if a few more swans were 
introduced this nuisance would be lessened. 
The Water Lily pond is the gayest part of the Gardens in early morning, but the plants 
of the Victoria are now getting old — over five years — and small, and it seems desirable to 
remove them, as well as the Xymphea ?, place a lot of manure in the pond, replant the 
Xympfueas, and replace the Victoria by young seedlings. 
The Xf lamb Anns have been provided with a separate pond, and are commencing to 
grow in their new quarters. 
"c.r Bed* — Those near the office were pretty during the early part of the year, but 
during the heavy rains of the latter part the annuals planted there succumbed to the adverse 
weather. 
Those near the avian* have been remodelled, and were very gay for some time with 
Dahlias, Ac., Ac. 
The beds below the Band-stand are about to he entirely remodelled and planted, as the 
shrubs, Ac., planted there two years ago have become much too large for the situation, thereby 
obstructing the view of the surrounding country. Several large Qonifen e, Ac., have been 
removed from the upper terrace for the same reason. 
Great difficulty is experienced in getting plants suitable for these beds, as none over 
two feet high arc adapted to this purpose, while a fair proportion of flowering plants is 
indispensable in such situations, by far the greater part of the tropical flowering-plants that 
will grow in the sun are shrubs like Ivor as, Clerodendrons . Fran fit emu ms , Ac. 
Orchid House. This structure would now be more appropriately designated as the 
Plant House, as the larger part of the Urchidaccee has been removed and fixed on trees 
in various parts of the Gardens, beyond the reach of visitors, in order to prevent their being 
stolen. Most of those already put out are doing well, add are evidently far happier in their 
more natural positions, besides giving a much better chance of their being observed. 
Vhalcenopsis yradd {flora, Succolabiums , Ac., Ac., and the curious monstrosity JBol'bopht/llum 
Bcctarii are especially noticeable, and various species of JErides are always to be found in 
bloom. . 
The house , is now almost entirely taken up with staging for pot plants, and, considering 
that this style of cultivation was commenced only nine months since, a very fair collection 
has been got together, and now form one of the principal features of the Gardens. 
A large number of Annuals were grown for this purpose in the early part of the year, 
but, although they arc extremely showy while in bloom, the short time that they remain so 
was considered by the Committee not enough to repay the trouble and attention necessary 
to bring them on. and their culture was discontinued. 
The Ferns have received more than ordinary attention during the year, and the thanks 
of the Committee are particularly due to Ladv Lonudex, Ceylon ; C. Ford, Esq., Hongkong; 
\v r . ITirji, Esq.. Brisbane ; and the Venerable Archdeacon Hose. [ take this opportunity 
of acknowledging my indebtedness to Hie latter Reverend gentleman for much useful 
information about Malayan Ferns and his assistance in clearing up many knotty points 
connected with their nomenclature. 
Upwards of sixty species have been added to this popular class of plants during the 
year. 
The Forum- is worthy of little attention just now, as the trees that supported the 
screen of Thunbcryia. lav ri folia, which so effectively shaded the fernery, have rotted and 
fallen down, and most of the Ferns are finable to bear the full rays of the sun, and I would 
recommend that it should he planted with coarse growing kinds: the more delicate ones 
feeing reserved for growing in pots. 
The screen of Thunbcryia has hitherto been one of the most: at tractive parts of the 
Gardens, and when its f&U was foreseen in 1877 a number, of supports were placed under it: 
at a cost of upwards of 870, but these soon succumbed to the attacks of white ants. 
