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the objectionable feature must be borne until the period when the birds are most ravenous is tided The Ordinance which specially provides for the preservation of small birds does not allow their destruction even when the birds have become so numerous in places and seasons as to be a nuisance.
over.
19. The increase of birds which has succeeded the passing of the Birds Preservation Ordinance more than twenty years ago is an advantage in some ways and a pleasant change from the cheerless aspect of the Colony at that time when scarcely a bird could be seen, but the increase is not without its disadvantages.
20. After the annuals are over the beds are again filled for the summer season with flowering plants to a small extent, but chiefly with plants with coloured or ornamental foliage.
The summer arrange-
21. These arrangements demand and receive a great deal of attention. ments of the past year were the best, probably, that have yet been accomplished.
22. The plants in the recently made rockeries at the north-east entrance have made good progress and the whole now presents a fairly attractive appearance.
Labelling.
23. Constant attention has been given in adding to the number of those labels put down as well as to the replacement of decayed labels or obliterated names. A little more requires to be done in perfecting the system, but, on the whole, this work may now be considered in good order.
Aviaries.
24. These are in good condition, but a few more birds are desirable, these I trust will be added during the course of this year. Birds and animals are a great attraction to visitors, especially to Chinese and children, but as it is not expedient to attempt a collection of animals in these Gardens the few we have will not be increased by the acceptance of further donations. On the other hand, however, I think a little extension of aviaries might be an advantage.
Summer Storms.
25. The very frequent storms and threatening storms during the rain season absorb a good deal of time in preparations to meet them so that possible damages should be prevented as much as can be. The preparations consist chiefly in removing plants in pots, from exposed places to sheltered positions, and in securing sun screens with which the roofs of plant houses are covered. These arrangements employ the greater part of the staff for a considerable time before, and after storms.
Collecting.
26. The administration and working of the departinent has absorbed the whole of my time and left none in which I could, without detriment to the department, absent myself for any purpose, there- fore what collecting has been done has been accomplished by sending natives on short excursions to islands and the mainland within easy access from Hongkong. The results of these journeys have added plants of much interest to our collections of both living and dried plants, but excursions near home and when undertaken by natives are much less fruitful and unsatisfactory than expeditions made under European leadership, but in the absence of the latter native agency is better than none.
GOVERNMENT HOUSE AND MOUNTAIN LODGE GROUNDS.
27. The grounds on the plateau on the northern side of Government House which needed im- provement were relaid out in the early part of the year. This involved a change in the levels, raising a considerable portion, the taking up and relaying of all the turf, the making of new beds and borders, the introduction of a new system of underground and surface drainage, removal and replanting of shrubs, &c., and the formation of new walks with cut granite edging stones as far as possible.
28. At Mountain Lodge the tennis lawn was extended sufficiently to allow of three courts being used at one time instead of two as before.
DISTRIBUTION AND INTERCHANGE OF PLANTS AND SEEDS.
29. Plants and seeds to the extent of 197 boxes, bags, and packets, weighing 16lbs., 459 specimens of dried plants, and 801 living plants were received in exchange. The following were the principal
donors:
Ashton, Captain, Formosa.
Barton, J.
Botanic Gardens, British Guiana.
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Saharanpur.
Singapore.
Botanical Department, Jamaica.
Braga, F. X., Kobe, Japan. Bunting, J., Yokohama, Japan. Burnie, Captain Cooke, Mrs.
Dammann & Co., Messrs., Italy. Faber, Rev. E., Shanghai. Forest Department, Penang. Layton, Hon. B.
Legge, Mrs. Leigh, R. K. Ming Lee Tsan. Poesnecker, Mrs. Poli, M. de, Paris.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Ceylon.
2)
J
Kew, London. Mauritius.
Trinidad.
Royal Palm Nurseries, U.S.A. Siemssen, G., Foochow.
Smith, Mrs. A.
Thomson, Captain, S.S. Nanzing. Veitch & Sons, Messrs. J., London.