GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.—No. 139.
The following Report from the Superintendent, Botanic and Afforestation Department, is published for general information.
By His Excellency's Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 25th March, 1882.
No. 9.
W. M. DEANE, Acting Colonial Secretary.
BOTANIC GARDEN, 22nd March, 1882. SIR,-I have the honour to report on the Botanical and Afforestation Department for the year 1881.
2. The general orderly appearance of the gardens has been maintained, and, with one exception, no great disturbing influence occurred to cause much damage or destruction to plants or grounds. In former years the walks have sometimes received immense damages during heavy falls of rain in the storms to which we are subject, but the experience which has been gained of these destructive rains has been brought to bear on, what was, defective drain and water-channel works for their improvement. There are still some improvements required, but these will, I hope, as circumstances and means permit, be effected. The exception alluded to was a large land-slip which occurred in the Glenealy Ravine towards the end of the rainy season, carrying away a stone bridge and many tons of earth. The damage is still unrepaired, but now that money required for its repair has been voted, I hope soon to see the necessary works commenced. The present appearance is a sad disfigurement to the beautiful ravine, as well as the absence of the bridge being an inconvenience to visitors wishing to use the walk between Robinson Road and the New Garden plateau.
3. Another injurious influence, wind, has a much less destructive power on plants and trees in the gardens than it had a few years ago when the trees were smaller. In 1874 the great typhoon worked enormous damage in the gardens, scarcely a tree or shrub having escaped great injuries, an immense number having been totally destroyed. On October 14th of the year under notice (1881) we experienced the outside of a typhoon which, although it blew with great violence, did comparatively but little damage in the gardens. The reason of the immunity from such damages as were experienced in former years is the increased size and number of the trees and shrubs, and the consequent shelter which they afford to each other.
4. The gardens have been frequented by visitors much the same as in previous years, but, I think, the number of children with amahs daily using the gardens for recreation is considerably increasing.
5. The work alluded to in paragraph No. 2 of the report for 1880, viz., the transplanting and re-arrangement of trees and shrubs in the gardens has been continued and considerable improvements were effected, and some more space secured thereby. Owing to the very limited space available for further planting, it will be necessary to avoid planting large growing trees, and to confine ourselves more to select small sized trees and shrubs. To accommodate the large number of Chinese plants which should, and I hope will, be introduced from year to year, space must be reserved for their reception.
6. The very small corner, used as a garden nursery and place for growing choice plants and pot plants for garden and public decorative purposes, is far too limited for the proper development of these objects, to say nothing of the more extended use of this establishment in providing plants for distribution to the public, a service which, if better means for carrying it out could be secured, would be duly appreciated by those who would be glad of the opportunity to procure both old and new introductions. It might perhaps be advisable to make arrangements for plants being distributed, as many other similar institutions, on payment of a small fee to cover cost of propagation &c., to those who may be anxious to obtain plants, but who, in consequence of their having nothing in the way of plants or seeds to offer in exchange, hesitate to apply for plants. We have been obliged to use the garden nursery for the propagation, for afforestation services, of trees which, in consequence of their requiring more constant and close care and supervision than could be given them in distant nurseries, could not be sufficiently well attended to elsewhere. The work of rearing valuable and select kinds of trees is constantly increasing to meet planting requirements, and in consequence of the gardens being entirely surrounded by private property no extension is possible except in that portion between the New Garden plateau on the north, Robinson Road on the south, and Albany Road on the east, a piece of land which was set apart for the New Garden extensions by the Government about eleven years ago, and which has since been reserved for garden purposes, but which, for want of funds, has not been brought into order. This piece of ground is so greatly needed for pressing demands, and the cost of bringing it into order would be so small, that I could not too strongly urge its speedy completion.