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5. The damage to buildings and fences was taken in hand by the Public Works Departinent. The general clearing up and attention to damaged trees and shrubs was dealt with and was completed by the end of the year.
as
6. Specimen trees and shrubs totally destroyed are follows:-Camellia sasanqua Thunb., Albizzia Lebbek Benth., Gleditschia triocanthos L., Lagerstroemia indica L., Rhodolcia Championi Hook., Achrus sapota L., Thevetia neriifolia Juss., Machilus salicina Hance, Stenocarpus sinuatus Endl., Aquilaria grandifolia Benth., Quercus bambusacfolia Hance, Pinus Massoniana Lamb., Podocarpus chinensis Wall., Areca Catechu L., Cocos plumosa Hook., Cocos Romanzoffiana Chum., IIyophorbe Verschaffelti H. Wendl., Ptychosperma sq.
7. Three groups of Japanese Azaleas, kindly presented by Mr. Andrew Tse, were planted on the north slopes of the Gardens. A large group of Rhododendron indicum Sweet (local variety) was planted on a slope on the south side of the Gardens.
8. The total number of trees, shrubs and pot plants sold during the year was 2,948 as against 2,043 for 1936.
9. Government House Garden. The flower beds on the north east side of the house were re-sited, in order to provide an eight feet wide grass area, between them and the creepers on the low fenco. Some flowering-climbers were utilised for screening purposes on the same side of the house. The garden was kept in good condition throughout the year.
10. The following trees, etc. were completely destroyed during the Typhoon:-3 Archontophoenix Alexandrac H. Wendl. ; 2 Cassia fistula L.; 2 Brunfelsia Hopeana Benth.; 1 Delonix regia Rafin.
11. Queen Mary Hospital.-Supervision and administration of the garden area at this hospital was taken over by the departiment as from 1.4.37. A staff of eight gardeners was installed for the purpose of dealing with planting and general upkeep.
12. Mountain Lodge; Fan Ling Bungalow; Colonial Secretary's Residence; The Eyrie; Homestead Quarters; Government Pavilions and Villas; Victoria Hospital; Cenotaph Plots; Statue Square Plots; Government Offices; Defence Corps Headquarters; West End Park; Civil Hospital; Mental Hospital;
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Leighton Hill Quarters; Colonial Cemetery; Indian School; Royal Observatory; Central British School; Kowloon Magistracy; Kowloon Hospital; King's Park and Chatham Road. The grounds of all the places mentioned were kept in good order. Stocks of pot plants were maintained where necessary; trees, shrubs, grass lawns and banks, received general attention and additional planting was carried out where necessary.
HERBARIUM AND LIBRARY,
13. During the year 1,282 specimens were sent out on an exchange basis and 682 specimens were received for incorpora- tion into the general herbarium. Exchanges were effected with the Sun Yat Sen University, Canton, and Lingnan University, Canton.
14. The total number of books added to the library was 182, and of periodicals 431. Of this number 11 books were purchased. The Prison Departament rebound 11 volumes.
FORESTRY.
15. Formation of Pine Tree Plantations.-The extension of old and the formation of new plantations both on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon and the New Territories was carried out by sowing in situ and by broadcasting, using seeds of Pinus Massoniana Lamb. Sowings in situ were confined to Hong Kong and totalled 352,758 as against 306,102 for the previous year, an increase of 14,656. Many of the areas dealt with were burnt sections which formerly were occupied, for the greater part, by a grass and shrubby covering. (Generally these fires involve only a few Pines which form part of the natural covering and opportunities thus occur to increase the area under Pine.) Further extensions were carried out to the Tai Hang Valley area mentioned in the Report for the year
1936.
16. Sowing by the broadcast method was carried out both in Hong Kong and in Kowloon and the New Territories. The chief areas dealt with were Tai Hang Valley, Tytain and Tytam Tuk.
17. Generally, this method is employed in sections where it is impracticable to dig pits for in situ sowing. It has been found very effective in obtaining a quick cover for the loose soil slopes resulting from the cutting of roads and sites hillsides. In this Colony, Pinus Massoniana Lamb. has proved to be an exceptionally useful "pioneer" plant.
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