N 2
6. The Aviary, with one exception, was stocked with birds which are natives of, or are found in South China, during the summer months.
7. The total number of trees, shrubs and pot plants, sold during the year was 2,313.
8. Government House Grounds.—A number of large Conifers on the north side of the grounds and one large specimen of Banian (Ficus retusa) on the front lawn were removed; flower beds were formed on the areas previously occupied by the trees.
9. The concrete tennis courts were made available for use as a plant compound; the majority of the plants for use in pots and beds in all parts of the grounds are now raised in this compound. One foreman gardener was appointed to take sole charge of propagation of plants for pots and flower beds.
10. Mountain Lodge Grounds.—A number of Cupressus macrocarpa and Casuarina equisetifolia in the valley were destroyed by the gale of August 1st. Pinus Massoniana, sown in situ on the banks above the main approach path, continued to make fair progress.
11. Colonial Cemetery. Phoenix Roebelini planted to form an avenue from the main entrance to the upper terraces have grown rapidly and much improved the general appearance of the cemetery. Numbers of large trees were removed from the older plots in order to lessen the possibility of damage to graves and headstones. All turfed areas were regularly machined and rolled; extensive areas of undergrowth were cleared during the summer months.
12. Kowloon Hospital Grounds.—Casuarina equisetifolia and Pinus Massoniana planted as one-year-old trees and raised from seed sown broadcast have at last taken a firm hold of the large grass bank on the south side; the trees should, in a few more years, form a badly needed shelter from the prevailing wind, which so far has made the cultivation of flowering trees and shrubs impossible. Cockchafer grubs damaged only a portion of the turf during the year.
a small
13. Lysholt (Colonial Secretary's Residence) The grounds were placed under the care of this Department. The old cement tennis court was broken up and removed; the plot formerly occupied by it, and the adjoining vegetable garden was reconditioned; the whole was then turfed and made available for tennis courts and bowling greens. Damaged trees were removed; flowering shrubs were planted in various parts of the grounds and outlying banks were cleared of undergrowth and kept in good order generally.