N 4
The tennis lawns were given a dressing of artificial manure in February.
Over 200 seedlings of Platycodon grandiflorum, a big blue-flowered Campanula, were planted in clumps on both sides of the valley. These were raised from seed collected in Hongkong.
Blake Garden.--Forty Poinsettias were planted on the south bank of the garden.
Plants of Bignonia venusta which were planted to cover a fence at the west end of the garden were removed as they failed to make progress and were replaced with Jasminum undulatum.
A Banian tree was blown down in the August typhoon but as it was not badly damaged it was raised and will probably recover.
Cockchafer grubs were again troublesome and were collected and destroyed.
A small rockery was made on the north side and filled with foliage plants to prevent a small bank from being continually washed down in heavy rains.
The garden seats, gates and summer houses were scraped and repainted.
King's Park. The young trees planted in previous years were frequently examined and attended to as required.
The only trees planted during the year were four Jacaranda ovalifolia and three Rhodoleia Championi.
Gangs of coolie women were employed from time to time in taking up roots of Mimosa and Lantana and cutting long grass.
Colonial Cemetery.--The bed of the stream which runs through the cemetery was concreted by the Public Works Department at the beginning of the year.
Although no doubt this has lessened the prevalence of mosquitoes, it has not added to the beauty of the cemetery.
Summer and winter annuals were raised for growing in pots and beds as usual.
The cemetery was kept in good order throughout the year.
Other Grounds.--A small area in the Civil Hospital grounds was planted up with "blue grass". The lawns were attacked by caterpillars in the autumn and they were treated in the usual way.
In the Royal Observatory Grounds a row of Barleria cristata bushes was planted along the edge of the grass plot near the office. The Cannas and Hedychiums in the Albany Nurseries were taken up, divided, and replanted.
A few Poinsettias and Neriums were planted in the Upper Albany Nursery.