CO882-(2-3) — Page 116

LIST OF PAPERS.

:

Correspondence respecting the Coffee-Leaf Disease in Ceylon.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 8

-882

2

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

No. 1.

Acting Governor Birch to the Earl of Carnarvon.—(Received July 21.)

My Lord,

Queen's House, Colombo, June 10, 1874. I HAVE the honour to transmit copies of the Report of the Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens of Pérádeniya and Hakgala for the year 1873.

2. It has been the practice to keep back the Annual Report from the several Heads of Departments until all are collected and printed complete for presentation to the Legislative Council, but my object in giving precedence to Mr. Thwaites' Report is to request your Lordship's assistance in obtaining any practical information on the coffee leaf disease, which is causing much uneasiness to many who have a large stake in the coffee enterprize of this Colony,

3. It is possible that a reference to Her Majesty's Consuls in other coffee producing countries, more especially those of Java and Brazil, might procure data which would be of much assistance to Mr. Thwaites in prosecuting his further investigations into the cause of the disease and the best remedies to be adopted for its extermination.

4. Mr. Thwaites informs me that the twenty-nine plants referred to in his Report as having been received from Dr. Hooker for trial here are all now attacked with the disease.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

Inclosure in No. 1.

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS.

ARTHUR N. BIRCH.

Report of the Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens of Pérádeniya and Hakgala.

THE buildings of the Pérádeniya Establishment are generally in excellent order, The director's residence requires painting and whitewashing, and new ceilings to the rooms.

It is very desirable that these ceilings should be of wood.

The required alterations bave been made to the Herbarium, and have rendered that building far more comfortable for working in.

Repairs are being carried out in a portion of the principal-road near the lake. The rest of the drive and the walks are in very good order.

The shrubberies and borders have a satisfactory appearance, being supplied with suitable ornamental plants, and these in as great a variety as possible. Every effort is made to introduce into them new showy kinds obtained through correspondence with other gardens.

The Fernery, though it has suffered some little injury by the fall of a large tree which overshadowed a portion of it, is still in great beauty, and many additions have been made to the fine and varied collection of ferns and other shade-loving plants growing luxuriantly in it.

The planting of indigenous and other interesting trees is still going on in those parts of our jungle not yet made available for the gratification of visitors. These young tress will, after some little time when their growth is more advanced, add greatly to the beauty and important character of the grounds. It is particularly desirable that the gundam should

[169]

B 2

Page

June

10, 1874

1

July

30,

5

August

6,

6

August 13, August

13. October 12,

6

7

7

November 23, December 23,

8

8

::

No.

1. Acting Governor Birch to the Earl of Carnarvon

One Inclosure.

2. Colonial Office to Dr. Hooker ..

3. Dr. Hooker to Colonial Office

4. Colonial Office to Dr. Hooker

5. The Earl of Carnarvon to the Governor of Ceylon..

6. The Right Hon. W. H. Gregory to the Earl of Carnarvon

Two Inclosures.

7. Colonial Office to Dr. Hooker

8. Dr. Hooker to Colonial Office

**