Appendix N.
HONG KONG.
REPORT ON THE BOTANICAL AND FORESTRY DEPARTMENT FOR THE YEAR 1929.
GENERAL REMARKS.
The weather during the early part of the year was most unfavourable for both gardening and forestry operations; owing to the lack of rain, all tree planting was much delayed. In the latter part of the year many forest fires occurred during the frequent exceptionally dry periods.
The rainfall for the year was 71.16 inches in 128 days as against 80.89 inches on 138 days in 1928.
Typhoon signals were hoisted on three occasions during the year. The typhoon which passed to the south of the Colony on August 22nd caused extensive damage to trees on roadsides, in plantations and in the Botanical Gardens.
GARDENS, PARKS AND GROUNDS.
Botanic Gardens.-A further area of the Old Garden was made available for planting by the terracing of the steep banks on the south side; owing to the difficult nature of the ground in this area, no cultivation had been attempted there since the Gardens were first formed.
The stages in the plant houses were reduced in size, thus opening up much more walking space for the numerous visitors.
Thirteen of the largest trees in the Gardens were blown down by the gale on August 22nd, the largest of them being a Grevillea robusta, which had stood in the New Garden for over 40 years; many other smaller specimen trees and ornamental shrubs were blown down, but the majority of them were saved by being promptly raised and supported.
Work in connection with the removal of large tree stumps, damaged portions of trees, and shrubs was still proceeding at the end of the year.
The bamboo roofing of the plant houses was blown away by the gale, but the damage among the pot plants was comparatively light.