N 2
The whole of the foliage and other plants in the plant houses were reported during the year; the stock of Mauritius Palms was repotted and divided and spare plants were used for hedges where required.
Much needed repairs to concrete paths were carried out in the vicinity of the aviary and bandstand.
Large numbers of layers and cuttings were taken from Bauhinia Blakeana and other hard-wooded trees in both gardens; in the Pot Nursery many thousands of cuttings of various plants were grown and potted, also seedlings of the rarer trees and those which require shelter during the early stages of their growth.
Six persons
were arrested and convicted for disorderly conduct or petty theft in both gardens.
The total number of trees, shrubs and pot plants sold during the year was 4,739, of these 772 were Maiden-hair Ferns.
Government House Grounds :-The trees, shrubs and flower beds throughout the whole grounds were given such attention as they required; the grass lawns were kept in good order; grass caterpillars and earthworms were dealt with in the usual manner.
The interior of the house was decorated with palms, and flowering plants on June 3rd, the Birthday of His Majesty the King and on January 22nd and 31st on which dates dances were held.
Mountain Lodge Grounds :-Cannas and other plants in the large bed at the foot of the retaining wall were lifted and replant- ed after the ground had been well manured.
The creeping Ficus which were badly damaged by the 1923 typhoon have to a great extent recovered and are rapidly covering the retaining wall.
The undergrowth in the valley was cleared twice during the year and the grass on the golf course was regularly machined.
The lawns were regularly machined, rolled and top-dressed.
The red Azaleas (Rhododendron indicum) in various parts of the grounds flowered well; since the passing of the Ordinance which prohibits the possession and sale of flowers of all Azaleas those in these grounds have suffered little from the depredations of flower hawkers and the improvement in their general growth is noticeable.
Blake Garden :-Fences were repaired as required and the few grass banks which now remain were regularly cut; the large trees were given such attention as they required.
Page 480Page 481