Fern Shed.
A structure about 50 feet long with bamboo screen roof, and wooden tables has been erected for the cultivation of ferns and shade plants for sale.
Seed Shed.
For some years a very perishable inatshed has been used for the protection from rain, excessive sun-light, and ants, of delicate newly sown seeds. This shed has been replaced with a more permanent structure built of hard-wood, with one side of the ridge-roof glazed. Attacks on the seeds by ants have been circumvented by having the pedestals which support the tables resting in small masonry tanks for holding water.
Potting, Carpenters, and Soil Sheds.
All of these have been re-constructed with leaf matting and bamboos during the year. Means have never been available for them to be made of anything more substantial than bamboos and matting. These structures ought to be all made of substantial brickwork with tiled roofs as soon as sufficient money can be spared.
Rockeries.
The improvements at the North-East entrance gates which were recommended in 1886 have been carried out so far as the construction of the rockeries is concerned, and the planting of them is now being proceeded with.
Labelling of Plants.
A large number of new labels have been lettered and put down, besides many of the old ones having been renewed. I hope that the present year will see all the plants in the Gardens efficiently labelled. If funds were available for the purpose it would be more economical to label the plants with indestructible terra-cotta labels having the names enamelled and burnt in, in place of the perish- able wooden labels at present in use.
Lawns.
has
The grass in many places, especially where it has been so much injured by the crowds of people who attended the Al Fresco Fêtes which have been held in the Gardens during the last two years, become very thin.
thin. The lawns urgently need surface dressings of cariching composts, but the mainte- nance vote is insufficient to admit of this being done.
Flower Beds.
The soil in these needs changing, and the whole design of the arrangements of beds and walks on the lower terrace would be better altered, when great improvements could be effected. In these con- templated improvements I should like to effectually work in a fit erection for the accommodation of the Regimental Band at its weekly performances, instead of the unsuitable existing arrangements.
Aviaries.
The old structures in the northern part of the New Garden, which had become thoroughly dila- pidated, and which were not very suitable for aviaries, have been demolished, and a new aviary in four divisions has been constructed near the bear house in the southern part of the Old Garden. The aviary faces the sun and has its back to the north, thus affording shelter to the occupants of the aviary from the cold winds of the dry season and the violent storms of the rainy one.
Al Fresco Fête.
Whatever good may be said for the objects of the Fête, and they were most worthy, which was held in the Gardens in November, it is generally admitted that the handing over of the Gardens to Committees who have little or no interest in the Gardens themselves, or at least very little interest compared with their great object in endeavouring to make the entertainments financial successes, have a most injurious effect on the Gardens. Although greater precautions were taken on the occasion of the last Fête to provide against injury to the Gardens, still a large amount of damage was inflicted, besides having the order and beauty of the Gardens upset for a considerable time before, and a very long time after the Fête.
Musical Performances.
By the kindness of the Colonel and Officers of the 2nd Northamptonshire Regiment visitors to the Gardens have been entertained with the performances of the Band in the Gardens once a week The Band, as alluded throughout the year, with a few exceptions owing to weather and other causes.
to already, is in need of an appropriate Band Stand which should be a structure of a character in harmony with the Gardens. The Band Stand in the Gardens, which was generously presented by the Parsee community in 1866 has not been used for some years on account of its situation being unsuit- able for music to be heard from it to the terraces below where visitors congregate and promenade; it is also too small to accommodate the number of men of which the band consists.
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