N 8
36. Scenic Development—As in the previous year, a small special vote was provided for the specific purpose of introducing more colour and neatness into small areas adjacent to tourist routes. This work entails cleaning up and turfing areas, planting flowering shrubs and providing for maintenance of areas dealt with. This latter point may have been overlooked when the scheme was originally put in action. It must be realised that every area added in this way becomes a liability in respect of after care and maintenance. In consequence, planting carried out during 1937 became a charge on the vote for 1938 and part of the latter was used therefore, for this purpose.
37. Areas dealt with during the year were, the lower part of Garden Road and various places in Stubbs Road between Magazine Gap and Victoria Peak. Species used for planting were as follows: Hydrangea hortensia Sirb. (466), Rhododendron Simsi Planch. (Local Azalea) (376), Hibiscus vars. (63), Bauhinia variegata L. (70)
—Total 975.
38. Bamboo Scheme—It must be recorded that the hasty efforts made at the end of 1937 to establish propagating material of one or two species of economic bamboos obtained from Canton, were unsuccessful. Some 75% of the material was planted out in Taipo Kau forest reserve while the remainder was planted at Sheung Shui experimental garden. The work was carried out under the supervision of a trained man from Canton, loaned for the purpose, but results were very poor indeed. It is thought that the material (some 1200 canes) was too young and that the method of packing for transport was unsuitable. To some extent it will retard development of the scheme but this has the virtue of providing a breathing space to organise the matter on sound and practical lines.
39. Pine Cone Collection—In view of the changed conditions in South China and the fact that difficulty might be experienced in obtaining pine seed for afforestation purposes, it was decided to collect as much seed as was practicable from the forest areas. Collection was carried out at Taipo Kau forest reserve and in the Fanling plantations while the cones were sun dried and the seed extracted at the Sheung Shui experimental garden. Total was 364 lbs, at a cost of 47.6 cents per pound. The cost was a few cents higher than the contract price for this seed.
HERBARIUM AND LIBRARY.
40. Work in the herbarium consisted for the greater part, of re-numbering and listing the specimens for records purposes. During the year, assistance was given in the collection of the bamboos of the Colony in connection with Dr. McClure's survey. His report will be submitted in due course. Several identifications were made of local species for various people. The specimens of Alangium were forwarded on loan to Dr. van Steenis of Buitenzorg, in connection with the revision of this genus by Dr. S. Bloembergen. 547 duplicates were received from the Lingnan University herbarium for incorporation in the general herbarium. There were 13 visitors during the year.
41. The following were added to the library during the year:—11 books, 427 periodicals, 60 annual reports and 339 leaflets. Twelve volumes were bound by the Prisons Department. Provision was made in the Estimates for 1939 for the separation of the library from the herbarium. By this alteration much needed herbarium space will be provided and it will be possible to consult the library volumes in comfort.
GARDENS, PARKS AND GROUNDS.
42.
In addition to normal upkeep, considerable work was carried out in some of the areas under the control of the department. These are mentioned separately with a description of the work performed. Places for which the department is responsible and which require normal routine attention only are given in a later paragraph. Other matters dealt with by this section were sale of plants, seed collection and exchange and inspection of plants and plant products for export.