Appendix N.
HONG KONG
REPORT ON THE BOTANICAL AND FORESTRY DEPARTMENT FOR THE YEAR 1927.
GENERAL REMARKS.
The weather throughout the whole year was unfavourable for gardening owing to the excessive rainfall which delayed planting and spoiled to a great extent the show of flowers on annuals and herbaceous plants; on the other hand forestry operations were much benefited by wet conditions which prevailed up to about the third quarter of the year. The fourth quarter of the year was mild and dry and insect pests were in consequence very numerous.
The rainfall for the year was 120.12 inches in 176 days as against 96.77 inches on 162 days in 1926.
Typhoon signals were hoisted on seven occasions during the year and considerable damage was done to flowering and other trees in many parts of the Colony; the force of the exceptionally long gale which approached the Colony on August 20th was responsible for the major portion of the damage; in the Botanical Gardens the damage was fortunately comparatively slight.
GARDENS, PARKS AND GROUNDS.
Botanic Gardens.-Alterations to earth banks were undertaken in the immediate vicinity of the plant houses in the Old Garden, this and the rebuilding of a retaining wall enabled a much needed compound and water tank to be established.
A number of old paths which were originally made of Chunam and which were dangerous in wet weather were broken up and relaid with cement granite.
The plot on the west side of the fountain terrace was sown with seed of "Dhoob Grass", the seeds germinated freely and at the end of the year the grass was in fair condition although weaker than that obtained by laying turf.
A 15 year old tree of Cassia javanica flowered for the first time and produced a fine show of large pink blooms.
The total number of young trees and plants sold during the year was 1681.