M 9
Many other shrubs, on account of their size, had to be destroyed as the season of the year when the site was required was unsuitable for transplanting operations.
Children's Plot, Kowloon.-This plot was placed under this Department during the year and immediately after the transfer a gang of coolies was employed in taking up Mimosa which had over-run the ground. It is an exceedingly difficult plant to eradicate after it has once obtained a footing.
Cricket Ground.-During the winter months patches on the pitch were repaired with new turf after every match.
After the playing season was over about half of the turf on the pitch was taken up as it had become very thin with constant play and replaced with new turf.
The pitch was given a dressing of nitrate of soda and an improvement in the turf was soon visible.
From the beginning of August until the end of the year the ground was used by the Reserves and Volunteers for purposes of drill which of course did not improve it.
Magpies were rather a nuisance in the middle of the summer as they frequented the ground just at daybreak and made numerous semicircular holes in the turf each about four inches in diameter, evidently in search of worms or insects.
Subordinate Officers' Quarters' Grounds.-The grounds around the new quarters at Breezy Point were placed under the charge of this Department on the completion of the buildings.
The various plots were turfed and the lawns were afterwards cut when necessary.
HERBARIUM.
The specimens of Labiutæ sent to Mr. S. T. Dunn, referred to in last year's report, were returned early in the year and the thanks of the Department are due to that gentleman for having so kindly undertaken their revision.
Four hundred and eighty-seven specimens were presented by Mons. H. Lecomte, Directeur, Museum d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris. These were mostly Chinese and Cochin-Chinese plants, many of which were not previously represented in the Hongkong collection.
The Superintendent, Royal Botanic Gardens, Calcutta, presented specimens of 23 Indian species and there were smaller collections of Chinese plants presented by Captain A. E. Hodgins and the Revd. C. B. Shann.
Four hundred and forty-two Kwangtung and 210 Kweichow specimens were purchased.
Two new cabinets were added to accommodate the increasing collections.