15. In paragraph No. 6 of my report for 1881, I expressed a hope that I might be able to institute a system of plant sales on a small scale for the benefit of those desirous of obtaining plants from the Gardens who are not in positions to procure them by the ordinary means of exchange. Now that authority has been granted for the introduction of this system the propagation of a small stock of plants for sale has been commenced. It is not intended that any interference shall be made with the native nursery gardeners, nor that plants such as annuals, which every one can obtain seeds of by purchase from the stores, shall be sold, but only such as cannot be obtained elsewhere in the Colony.
16. In the Government House grounds two rockeries have been constructed near the entrance. 17. For the rockeries and all new planting works a large amount of soil from the hills has been supplied to replace a similar quantity of the bad soil which it was necessary to remove.
18. Several additions have been made to the number of varieties in the bamboo collection.
19. The collection of ferns in pots which has become of considerable extent requires an improved method of arrangement to display them to advantage. I hope, when means permit, to be able to effect this arrangement for their more complete inspection.
20. Three days on which there were average attendances of visitors were selected for taking their numbers. The average for each day showed the number of Chinese to be 856 and of foreigners 400, total 1,256. These numbers do not include amahs and children.
21. Toward the end of the year the Public Works Department by repairing the landslip which occurred in the Glenealy Ravine in 1881, again provided means of access which had been interrupted for two years, to the New Gardens from the Robinson Road.
22. In June last Mr. A. B. WESTLAND arrived from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, to take up the position of Assistant in this Department.
23. The Herbarium and Library has received constant attention whenever intervals could be devoted to them.
24. The following books were added --
A Manual of Jurisprudence for Forest
Officers.
·
Presented by the
of Indian Forests.
A Manual of the Land Revenue Sys-> Inspector General
tems and Land Tenures of British India.
Flora of British India, Parts 9 and 10, presented by Sir
Joseph D. Hooker, C.B., K.C.S.I., &c.
Genera Plantarum, Part 2, Vol. 3.
work.
This completes the
Hand Guide to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Ceylon, presented
by the Author and Director of the Gardens, Dr. Trimen.. Index of Chinese Plants mentioned in Vols. 1 to 18 of the
Journal of Botany.
Pharmacographia, by Flückiger and Hanbury. Repertorium Botanices Systematicæ.
25. The usual exchanges of plants and seeds have been made with the various establishments and persons mentioned below. The number of receipts was 1,029 plants, 128 bags and packets of seeds, 12 animals and 9 wardian cases, from 45 contributors.
26. Of plants sent out the number was 5,674, of seeds 36 boxes, bags, and packets, of wardian
cases 14.
27. The following is the list of principal contributors to the Garden :-
Acclimatization Society, Queensland; Eucalyptus seeds. Baily, Major, Indian Forest Department; seeds.
Basa, J. M.; doves.
Boehmer, L., Yokohama; ferns.
Bottomley, C. D., owl.
Brown, H. D., Amoy; partridges..
Brown, H. G., Manila; orchids.
Botanic Gardens, Brisbane, J. Pink, Director; 2 wardian
"
""
"
,39
99
29
*
22
"
"
cases plants.
Ceylon, Dr. H. Trimen, F.L.S., Director;
seeds.
Grahamstown, E. Tidmarsh, seeds.
Jamaica, D. Morris, M.A., Director; seeds. Mauritius, J. Horne, F.L.S., Director; 2
wardian cases plants.
Natal, J. M. Wood, Curator; bulbs. Saigon, B. Martin, Director; seeds, Singapore, N. Cantley, F.L.S., Superin-
tendent; plants.
Townsville, W. M. Anderson, Curator;
Eucalyptus seeds.
Trinidad,H. Prestoe, Superintendent; seeds. Royal, Calcutta, Dr. King, Superintend- ent; seeds and 3 wardian cases plants.
Botanic Gardens, Kew, Sir Joseph D. Hooker, C.B., K.C.S.I., &c., Director; seeds and 1 wardian case plants.
Chow Chee Bee; plants.
Cooper, W. M., Ningpo; plants and seeds. Colonial Secretary, Cyprus; seeds.
Faber, Rev. E., Canton; plants and seeds. Goddard, Captain, Borneo plants.
Hance, Dr., F.L.S., Canton; herbarium plants. Henry, Rev. B. C., Canton; plants. Hewlett, A. B., Canton; deer.
Hutchison, J. D., plants.
Johnson, Hon. F. B., deer and peacocks.
Kopsch, H., Pakhoi; seeds.
Loureiro, J. da S., plants.
Marchesette, Dr., Trieste; seeds.
Medhurst, Sir W. H., Borneo plants.
Perry, W. W., R.N.; herbarium plants.
Poesnecker, L.; peacocks.
Romano, A. G.; plants.
Thurston, J. B., Fiji; seeds.
Woodin, E. L.; plants.
Veitch, Messrs. J. V. & Sons, London; 1 wardian case
plants, purchased.