Appendix N.
REPORT ON THE BOTANICAL AND FORESTRY DEPARTMENT FOR THE YEAR 1919.
GENERAL REMARKS.
During the first quarter of the year rain fell on 34 days amounting to 4.65 inches. This was very disastrous to winter-flowering annuals but very favourable for most vegetables and for tree-planting.
In the second quarter there were 56 days on which rain fell, the amount totalling 26.93 inches.
The rainfall in the third quarter amounted to 50.42 inches registered on 48 days. Of this amount 6.41 inches fell on the 5th July.
Two typhoons were recorded in proximity to the Colony, one on the 26th July and the other on the 21st August. The latter was the cause of a great deal of damage to trees in the Botanic Gardens and in other parts of the Colony.
The last quarter was favourable for gardening operations. Rain, which fell on 24 days, amounted to 8.76 inches.
GARDENS AND GROUNDS.
Botanic Gardens.-Owing to the dull autumn of 1918 many flowering shrubs and creepers flowered less profusely than usual, for example, Rhododendron indicum, which is generally one mass of flowers, made a very indifferent show.
Birds were exceedingly troublesome during the early part of the year as they attacked young seedling flowering plants, and vegetables. The only way to circumvent them was to put nets over the plants.
The trees of Paulownia Fortunei flowered well but, as usual, a man had to be put on to scare birds away whilst the buds were opening.
Phaius grandifolius, the Nun orchid, grown in pots, made a magnificent show in April.
Several worn-out shrubs were rooted up in both Gardens, and young specimens were planted to take their place after the ground had been trenched and manured.