Appendix N.
REPORT ON THE BOTANICAL AND FORESTRY DEPARTMENT FOR THE YEAR 1917.
GENERAL REMARKS.
The weather was exceptionally dry throughout the first quarter, the rainfall amounting to only 3.13 inches.
The absence of rain considerably delayed forestry operations. January was a very cold month and frost was observed at the Peak on the 9th and 10th of the month.
A few plants were injured in the gardens and at Fanling the leaves of sweet potatoes as well as those of ordinary potatoes were turned black.
In the second quarter 25.41 inches of rain were registered. In June rain fell on 28 days.
The typhoon signals were hoisted four times during the third quarter, and on the 13th August the wind rose to a strong gale causing much damage to trees in certain localities.
The rainfall for the quarter was 49.89 inches of which 32.66 inches fell in July.
July's rainfall has only been exceeded once since statistics have been kept in this Department and that was in June of 1916 when 32.97 inches fell.
The fourth quarter was dry as rain fell on nine days only; the total fall amounting to 5.13 inches.
Owing to the drought several hill fires occurred, one of which, at Aberdeen, destroyed several thousand young pine trees.
The sale of surplus plants was started in September but there has been very little demand for them.
GARDENS AND GROUNDS.
Botanic Gardens.-The bright sunshine at the beginning of the year was particularly favourable for winter-flowering annuals.
In the New Garden Nicotiana Sanderae made a very fine show and Primula obconica in pots was quite a success.
A bed of seedling Hippeastrums flowered for the first time and made a brilliant display.
The seed from which they were raised was saved from some of the best varieties already in the gardens, and the seedlings were under three years old when they flowered.