Appendix L.
REPORT ON THE BOTANICAL AND FORESTRY DEPARTMENT.
GARDENS AND GROUNDS.
Botanic Gardens.-The year was marked by the flowering of two trees which formed important additions to the decorative plants of the Gardens. One of these was Prunus Ungeri which flowered profusely in the middle of January. This tree, which came originally from Japan, is deciduous and has pretty drooping pink flowers which appear before the leaves. The other tree, Paulownia Fortunei, also flowers before the leaves appear. The flowers are sweetly scented, white and mauve in colour and about 4 inches long, The tree forms a charming picture when in full flower. The seeds from which this specimen was raised were obtained by Mr. MURRAY SCOTT from Mr. GREISER on the North River and very kindly presented by him to the Botanic Gardens in May 1905.
Another feature of the year's gardening was the flowering of Ornithogalum, bulbs of which were sent through the kindness of our frequent benefactor Mr. WALLACE of Amoy. Lycoris aurea which had been planted in masses in several parts of the lawns was very effective in October.
The daily rainfall in the Gardens is stated in Table I.
The zoological collection was increased by the presentation by Capt. MATHIAS of the S.S. Kai Fong of two small deer. It was especially satisfactory to obtain these as deer thrive well under the conditions of the Gardens and as these particular animals had been made pets of on the ship and were accustomed to captivity.
The flower show was held as usual in the Gardens towards the end of February and produced some of the finest exhibits that have yet been seen in the Colony. The roses were especially good. The attendance was unfortunately small in consequence of the bad weather.
As, after exhaustive researches in London and other collections, it cannot be discovered that the large flowered Bauhinia of our Gardens has been previously noticed by botanists, a description has been published in the Journal of Botany (1908, 325). The tree is there named Bauhinia Blakeana after Sir Henry and Lady BLAKE.
Birds: In last year's Annual Report extracts were printed from letters from Mr. KERSHAW of Macao written in answer to enquiries from the Hongkong Government as to the best means of encouraging the increase of singing birds in the Island. Mr. KERSHAW's advice to endeavour to keep down the magpies which are the principal enemies of all small birds has been energetically followed during the year under report. During the 6 months ending in March 1908 the Police alone accounted for 679 magpies shot in various parts of Hongkong and Kowloon (with an expenditure of only 750 cartridges); the total for the year under report was 594.
Mountain Lodge Grounds.-The tennis ground was partly returfed and some other repairs which were necessary were carried out on the paths.
Blake Garden.-A welcome change was introduced by the provision of a fence and gates enabling the Garden to be closed after dusk and rendering it secure against damage by mischievous visitors during the night. The filling up of the banks with Rhododendrons and other flowering plants was continued. Some returfing was done but hardly had the lawns and slopes been put into good order before it was discovered that a large proportion of the grass was undermined by cockchafer grubs. The usual means of dealing with turf pests were useless: the only effectual remedy was proved to be collecting the insects by hand. But before this could be completed extensive damage had been done, and the returfing of a large proportion of the Garden will be necessary. An inscribed stone was set up near the summer-house according to the Chinese custom bearing the names of those who subscribed to its construction.
Rockeries. The side rockeries in Glenealy were altered and put into good order, while the island rockery which formed an obstacle to chair traffic was altogether removed. The decoration of the large slope opposite the Hongkong & Shanghai Bank was continued according to the pre-arranged annual plan. A large number of Rhododendrons which were among the shrubs added this year should form a fine mass of colour when fully developed.
Tai Po Garden.-Some planting was carried out around the new Land Office Quarters when first built; during this year a small sum was expended in cleaning up the ground and cutting away the undergrowth which impeded the development of trees.
Appendix L.
REPORT ON THE BOTANICAL AND FORESTRY DEPARTMENT.
GARDENS AND GROUNDS.
Botanic Gardens.-The year was marked by the flowering of two trees which formed important additions to the decorative plants of the Gardens. One of these was Prunus Ungeri which flowered profusely in the middle of January. This tree, which came originally from Japan, is deciduous and has pretty drooping pink flowers which appear before the leaves. The other tree, Paulownia Fortunei, also flowers before the leaves appear. The flowers are sweetly scented, white and mauve in colour and about 4 inches long, The tree forms a charming picture when in full flower. The seeds from which this specimen was raised were obtained by Mr. MURRAY SCOTT from Mr. GREISER on the North hiver and very kindly presented by him to the Botanic Gardens in May 1905.
Another feature of the year's gardening was the flowering of Ornithogalum, bulbs of which were sent through the kindness of our frequent benefactor Mr. WALLACE of Amoy. Lycoris aurea which had been planted in masses in several parts of the lawns was very effective in October.
The daily rainfall in the Gardens is stated in Table I.
The zoological collection was increased by the presentation by Capt. MATHIAS of the S.S. Kai Fong of two small deer. It was especially satisfactory to obtain these as deer thrive well under the conditions of the Gardens and as these particular animals had been inade pets of on the ship and were accustomed to captivity.
The flower show was held as usual in the Gardens towards the end of February and produced some of the finest exhibits that have yet been seen in the Colony. The roses were especially good. The attendance was unfortunately small in consequence of the bid weather.
As, after exhaustive researches in London and other collections, it cannot be discovered that the large flowered Bauhinia of our Gardens has been previously noticed by botanists, a description has been published in the Journal of Botany (1908, 325). The tree is there named Bauhinia Blakeana after Sir Henry and Lady BLAKE.
Birds: In last year's Annual Report extracts were printed from letters from Mr. KERSHAW of Macao written in answer to enquiries from the Hongkong Government as to the best means of encouraging the increase of singing birds in the Island. Mr. KERSHAW's
advice to endeavour to keep down the magpies which are the principal enemies of all small birds has been energetically followed during the year under report. During the 6 mouths ending in March 1908 the Police alone accounted for 679 magpies shot in various parts of Hongkong and Kowloon (with an expenditure of only 750 cartridges); the total for
year under report was 594.
the
Mountain Lodge Grounds.-The tennis ground was partly returfed and some other repairs which were necessary were carried out on the paths.
Blake Garden.-A welcome change was introduced by the provision of a fence and gates enabling the Garden to be closed after dusk and rendering it secure against damage by inischievous visitors during the night. The filling up of the banks with Rhododendrons and other flowering plants was continuel. Some returfing was done but hardly had the lawns and slopes been put into good order before it was discovered that a large proportion of the grass was undermined by cockchafer grabs. The usual means of dealing with turf pests were useless: the only effectual remedy was proved to be collecting the insects by hand. But before this could be completed extensive damage had been done, and the returf- ing of a large proportion of the Garden will be necessary. An inscribed stone was set up near the summer-house according to the Chinese custom bearing the names of those who subscribed to its construction.
Rockeries. The side rockeries in Glenealy were altered and put into good order, while the island rockery which formed an obstacle to chair traffic was altogether removed. The decoration of the large slope opposite the Hongkong & Shanghai Bank was continued according to the pre-arranged annual plan. A large number of Rhododendrons which were among the shrubs added this year should form a fine mass of colour when fully developed. Tai Po Garden.-Some planting was carried out around the new Land Office Quarters when first built; during this year'a small sum was expended in cleaning up the ground and cutting away the undergrowth which impeded the development of trees.
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