which form such striking* features in the Gardens, also a “ Dammara 
robusta ” and a tine “ J onesia (Saraca) asoca” having succumbed to their 
attacks. The line of k * Araucaria Cunningham! " against Clunv Road, 
planted in 1877, begin to shew signs of having exhausted the prepared 
soil in which they were planted, by the premature decay of some of their 
branches, and straggly and weak growth ; indeed, the soil being so wretch- 
edly poor in all parts of the Gardens, it is almost hopeless to expect 
introduced trees to become really good specimens, and attain their natural 
dimensions. 
5. The above does not apply to palms, which thrive remarkably 
well in various parts of the Gardens. The palm clump leading to the 
Band-stand shewing signs of crowding in the near future, it was resolved 
to thin out the palms, arranging them in their different genera, according 
to Be nth AM and Hooker in the “ Genera Plantarum as, however, the 
elaboration of Pa lime in the above-mentioned work was not completed, the 
arrangement was deferred, with the exception of some plants that were 
required for a clump at the front entrance, and also one near the monkey 
house. The fine clump of sago palms near the Nymplue pond have, for 
some time, been shewing signs of flowering, the earliest of which the 
seeds are nearly ripe. These plants, with their bold foliage crowned with 
dense clusters of fruits, are most interesting. 
0. Flower Beds . — During the early part of the year, these were 
entirely re-planted with plants differing in nature from those hitherto 
used; not only were the old plants rendered unsightly by the. con- 
stant cutting of their flowers, but they had also grown too tall, thus 
O 7 e 7 o 
obstructing one of the prettiest views in the Gardens. It was a matter 
of some difficulty to find sufficient variety in the few dwarf plants at 
disposal, but the beautiful deep colour of the small Crotons, the Coleus 
and Alternanthera, more than amply repaid for their frequent recurrence. 
The supply of flowers, which had hitherto been mainly Supplied from 
these beds, is now met by the plants, planted for the purpose, close to the 
nursery. 
7. Lake . — This has required the usual monthly clearings of weeds, 
&c., the work being greatly facilitated by the. employment of a punt, 
which was made for the purpose of going about the lake to collect the 
floating masses of weeds, branches, &e. that collect together. Before 
the introduction of the punt, the pond was cleared by sv miners. 
S. Lily Fond . — This also has been cleaned out on several occasions, 
and the Sacred Lotus, “ Nelumbium speciosum, ” which occupies one end 
of it. kept in cheek. In this pond is grown the “ Victoria regia," but, as 
pointed out by the Superintendent immediately on his arrival, unless it 
can be accommodated by a separate and special tank, it is hopeless to 
expect that it will ever increase from the diminutive size in which it is at 
present. 
. 1). Hoads and Walks . — These have been kept in good order during 
the year, a work which entailed the constant employment of five men 
repairing and weeding, where necessary. Two drives stand in need of 
re-mettaling — the one leading from the front entrance past the palm 
clumps, the . other leading from the Band-stand to Garden Road. A 
welcome addition to the tools for trimming the edges of turf has been 
received in the shape of a patent “ Lawn Ejdger,” sent out on the 
recommendation of the Superintendent; this little machine performs 
its work admirably where the edges are in good order, but owing to the 
steep gradients of some of the .walks, and the heavy rains washing the 
