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A tree of Erythrina Caffra in the Old Garden was a splendid sight when in flower in March.
One of the plants of Bougainvillea spectabilis lateritia flowered and it promises to be a great acquisition.
The trees of Paulownia Fortunei fruited and a quantity of seed has been obtained from which it is hoped to raise a number of young trees for planting out in various parts of the Colony.
In April the turf on one of the banks in the Old Garden was found to be dying and on examination it was discovered that cock-chafer grubs were the cause of the trouble.
Caterpillars on lawns in the Botanic Gardens and elsewhere were exceedingly troublesome but in most cases they were kept in check by applications of Jeyes' Fluid and water.
During the gale on the 13th August a large tree of Araucaria excelsa in the Old Garden was blown down.
Owing to the delay in the arrival of seeds from England most of the beds on the lower terrace had not been planted up with annuals at the end of the year.
During January and February a Kingfisher came to the gardens regularly to catch gold fish from the basin of the fountain. He did not seem to mind the presence of visitors.
The roof of the soil shed in the Pot Nursery was repaired as white ants had destroyed some of the woodwork.
Garden seats, gates and railings were repainted and the side channels of walks repaired.
The yearly show of the Hongkong Horticultural Society was held in the gardens on the 8th and 9th March and was a great success.
Flowers, vegetables and plants were a great improvement on previous exhibits and showed what could be produced in Hongkong in a favourable season.
Many of the Peak exhibits were equal to those grown on the lower levels.
Two concerts were given in the gardens, on the 22nd September and the 6th October, by the Hongkong Police Reserve.
On the 18th October, "Our Day", an evening fête was held in the Old Garden and repeated on the following evening, but notwithstanding the enormous crowds who were present, very little damage was done to plants or lawns.
GOVERNMENT HOUSE GROUNDS.
All the lawns were given a dressing of finely sifted manure in the spring of the year.