| 7 | Conservation—United Provinces. |
since 1900 and their beauty and appropriateness are a testimony to his unfailing interest and care during these twenty-nine years. At the Taj Gardens, at Agra, the maintenance has always been the object of special attention as the rank first amongst the historical gardens in the provinces. Its lawns, floral display, vegetation and the beautiful vistas have been the particular care of Mr. Morgan, the Officer-in-Charge. At Khan-i-Alam the restoration of its garden structure is the main achievement of the year. A more liberal propagation of ornamental shrubs, etc., has been arranged for to meet the needs of the archæological gardens and local demands. The extension of the water distribution service to the southern forecourt of the Pearl Mosque has enabled this part of the grounds to be properly maintained. The annual programme providing for the relaying of one ace of turf has been adhered to. At the garden of Itimadu-d-Daulah's tomb all structural restoration work being completed, an attempt has been made to reclaim its shrubberies which greatly suffered during the operations entailed by conservation. The grounds of the inner enclosure are to be entirely relaid on the lines laid down by the Director General of Archæology in India, and the work undertaken next year when funds are provided. At Chini-ka-Rauza hedges and shrubberies have been carefully attended to and the rank vegetation that encroached on its boundaries eradicated. Owing to inadequate water supply as a result of the failure of the pumping engine the year's programme could not be carried out. The engine has, however, been repaired and the garden is now in a satisfactory condition. At the Roman Catholic Cemetery the pathways are being properly demarcated and lined with Mughal bricks, the central walk straightened and suitably bordered with ophiopogon where grass could not be properly grown. The shrubberies at Sikandra have been extended on both sides of the eastern and western causeways, stray building materials collected and stacked and used as a soling coat for the for the roadways, unsightly earthen mounds levelled off, and the recently planted trees properly spaced. The forecourt lay out has been completed, an evergreen hedge to screen off the wire enclosure planted and a temporary water supply provided till the permanent installation is made available. Climbers have been planted to cover the old walls on the east and west of the gateway.
The lay out at the Khusru Bagh at Allahabad finally sanctioned early in the year, has been successfully carried out, and provides a suitable setting for the monuments. By the removal of the central drives imposed by the scheme, the historical grounds are now quite distinct and separated from the general lay out of the gardens. But certain adjustments were found necessary to make this isolation of the historical grounds merge aesthetically into the general lay out so as to create too violent a contrast. These alterations are now being gradually effected. There remain, however, the extension of the water distribution service to command the entire site, the development of the northern glade and a final top dressing of all pathways etc. These will receive due attention when funds are available. The Residency Grounds at Lucknow have been the object of special attention during the year under
