Appendix N.
HONG KONG
REPORT ON THE BOTANICAL AND FORESTRY DEPARTMENT FOR THE YEAR 1926.
GENERAL REMARKS.
The weather throughout the whole year was generally favourable to both gardening and forestry operations; a considerable number of trees were carried away by landslides and a small number of large street trees blown down during the very severe storm of 18th and 19th July, but considering the violence of the storm the amount of damage done was slight.
An accurate record of rainfall on 18th and 19th July was not obtained owing to the limited capacity of the raingauge; the total rainfall for the year (taking into account the error of the dates referred to) was 96.77 inches on 162 days as against 95.28 inches in 154 days in 1925.
Typhoon signals were hoisted five times during the year; on each occasion the whole stock of potted plants in the Botanic Gardens was carried into shelter and the usual precautions taken against damage to plant houses and nursery stock. No serious damage was done by gales which approached the Colony.
GARDENS, PARKS AND GROUNDS.
Botanic Gardens.-Areas which had been laid out as shrubberies were cleared of all but a small number of the best flowering plants, the vacant ground was then levelled and turfed; this alteration has much improved the general appearance of the gardens.
One group of Azaleas and one of Cycads which had been added to from time to time and had become very irregular in shape, with the result that the best specimens were in many cases completely hidden, were entirely lifted and replanted, and in the case of the Azaleas the different colours were collected and grouped.
Clumps of Spider Orchid (Renanthera coccinea) on a number of very old trees were taken down, divided and refixed to an increased number of younger trees and Palms.
One very large specimen of Araucaria Bidwillii was rendered unsafe by a landslide and had to be removed from its site adjoining the Gallery Walk.