THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 5TH FEBRUARY, 1881.
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them planted out, when they have convenience to do so. As soon as a convenient opportunity offers, we ought to introduce some of the excellent varieties of both Camellias and Azaleas which are in cul- tivation in Europe. A collection of new varieties of Azaleas was sent out from England a few months ago, but, most unfortunately, the Captain of the steamer in which they were, put them between decks on the passage up from Singapore, and consequently all the plants succumbed to the absence of light, and possibly the accumulated heat.
14. A new Fernery has been constructed in the Glenealy Ravine, in the new gardens. One portion is planted chiefly with indigenous ferns, and the other side of the walk with exotic ferns, lycopodiums, and a few other shade-loving plants only. All have become well established, and are luxuriating in their new positions, especially the tree ferns (Alsophila tomentosa Hk., and Alsophila australis Br.). which have done remarkably well. It is my intention to extend this Fernery as new species are acquired
15. In the same ravine, and joining the Fernery, specimens of each of the kinds of Dracaena which we have have been planted in the open ground, and these also, by their health and size, show how well the situation agrees with them. These, as soon as we shall be able to propagate and distribute them, will, I am sure, become great favourites for pot cultivation, like the many varieties of Coleus which we have distributed, and which are now seen in almost every garden and verandah in the Colony.
16. The whole of the ground in the new gardens, and those places in the old ones where any- thing has been planted, was trenched to a depth of from three to four feet, the stone and rocks, where they occurred, blasted and removed, and where shrubberies and plants are situated, part of the poor soil has been removed, and quantities of a better nature, together with manure and decayed leaf-soil, substituted and mixed with the other soil. Many hundreds of gallons of ammoniacal liquor were poured on much of the soil at the time of trenching. For this liquor, which has also been extensively used for the fertilization of the grass on the lawns, we have to thank Mr. NEWTON, the Manager of the Gas Works, who has liberally allowed us to have the liquid for taking it away. The soil used for im- proving the garden soil is taken from the surface of the hills to a depth of a few inches, or as far as it appears to contain humus accumulated from the decay of the vegetation growing thereon. All this labour, which is necessary to improve the extremely hard and barren decomposed granite of which the garden soil is composed, renders planting works much more expensive than in countries where the soil is naturally good. Besides the heavy trenching and transport of soil, all the water which is used in the gardens during the dry season has to be carried from streamlets in ravines outside of the gardens. It is to be hoped that when the town obtains the projected new water supply, the gardens will receive some benefit from it, by having a continuous supply laid on at convenient places throughout the grounds.
17. Some Monkeys having been presented to the gardens, a house was erected for their accommo- dation. Several additions have since been made, and it is now tolerably well stocked.
18. An octagon shaped aviary was also constructed this year, for the reception of Queensland Parrots, &c., which my correspondents, Mr. W. HILL, Director of the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, and Mr. L. A. BERNAYS, Vice-President of the Queensland Acclimatisation Society, have kindly sent up. Mr. HILL, also very kindly forwarded me a pair of Black Swans, which I wished to try on the Bowrington Canal, but, I regret to say, they frequently escaped into the harbour, and finally disappeared altogether.
19. An attempt was made to get the plants in the gardens labelled for the information of the Public, but from want of time to give that attention which the work required, I was obliged to abandon it, and merely to label a few plants in an obscure style for our own use only. I fully expected when I assumed the management of this Department, that long before this time qualified assistance to carry on this and other work would have been given. It is very much to be regretted that much useful work should have to remain unaccomplished for the want of a little assistance, which I have several times suggested; in fact, what in England are considered the most simple things in garden economy, cannot be effected here in consequence of this deficiency. A Chinaman who could read and write English would be of great service in keeping the plants labelled, receiving written instructions, getting together collections for distribution, arranging plants properly, and acquiring their names, &c. A man who could do such work could be procured for not more than from $15 to $20 per month.
20. The interchange of plants and seeds has been continually increasing, but I very much regret to say that, owing to want of convenience and aid to carry out the work properly, I have been com- pelled in several cases to decline attempting to establish interchanges with correspondents who have kindly offered to reciprocate in things that would be most valuable to this establishment. I here take the opportunity of thanking the various firms and Captains of vessels who have kindly conveyed plants free of all charges for us, especially Messrs. GIBB, LIVINGSTON & Co., and the Captains of the steamers Argyll and Hindostan.
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21. Since the last report the receipts have been 1,158 packets of seeds and 2,841 plants, from 51 contributors.
22. During the past summer I made a trip to India, and collected there, in Penang and at Singa- pore, a great number of plants and seeds, which I brought back with me, thus adding to the gardens about seventy valuable species which were not included before. Much useful information was also acquired, which has been and will be of great service.