Appendix N.
REPORT ON THE BOTANICAL AND FORESTRY DEPARTMENT FOR THE YEAR 1918.
GENERAL REMARKS.
The weather for the first quarter of the year was exceptionally dry as only 1.42 inches of rain were registered,
From the 23rd August, 1917, to 31st March, 1918, the rainfall amounted to 11.66 inches only, an abnormally dry period.
On the 9th, 10th, and 30th January frosts occurred and very great damage was done to young trees in Hongkong and the New Territories.
Those which suffered most were Poinciana regia, Erythrina indica, and Aleurites triloba.
Of the Poincianas about 800 were killed, and of the Erythrinas about 300.
Other plants which were killed consisted of Poinsettia, Allamanda, Hibiscus Lambertianus, Brownea Ariza, Brownea grandiceps, Brownea kewensis, Tomatoes, and French Beans.
Amongst indigenous shrubs which were injured were Melastoma sanguineum, Melastoma candidum, Melastoma repens, Rhodomyrtus tomentosa, Aporosa leptotachya, Breynia fruticosa, and Psychotria elliptica.
The weather was not favourable for the planting of trees until about the middle of April, which was very late as pine-tree planting can often be carried out in January.
The rainfall for the second quarter amounted to 39.16 inches. The third quarter was exceptionally wet, as 62.60 inches of rain were registered.
Typhoon signals were hoisted on two occasions, on the 29th July and the 15th August.
On the latter date a considerable amount of damage was done to trees in the Botanic Gardens and elsewhere.
In the fourth quarter 6.56 inches of rain fell and the weather was warm and cloudy throughout.
GARDENS AND GROUNDS.
Botanic Gardens.-The bright weather at the beginning of the year, as in 1917, was conducive to the growth of winter-flowering annuals, but at the end of the year the weather could scarcely be more unfavourable.
Appendix N.
REPORT ON THE BOTANICAL AND FORESTRY DEPARTMENT FOR THE YEAR 1918.
GENERAL REMARKS.
The weather for the first quarter of the year was exceptionally dry as only 1-42 inches of rain were registered,
From the 23rd August, 1917, to 31st March, 1918, the rainfall amounted to 11.66 inches only, an abnormally dry period.
On the 9th, 10th, and 30th January frosts occurred and very great damage was done to young trees in Hongkong and the New Territories.
Those which suffered most were Poinciana regia, Erythrina indica, and Aleurites triloba.
Of the Poincianas about 800 were killed, and of the Erythrinas about 300.
Other plants which were killed consisted of Poinsettia, Allamarula,` Hibiscus Lambertianus, Brownea Ariza, Brownea grandiceps, Brownea kewensis, Tomatoes, and French Beans.
Amongst indigenous shrubs which were injured were Melastoma sanguineum, Melastoma candidum, Melastoma repens, Rhodomyrtus tomentosa, Aporosa leptotachya, Breynia fruticosa, and Psychotria elliptica.
The weather was not favourable for the planting of trees until about the middle of April, which was very late as pine-tree plant- ing can often be carried out in January.
The rainfall for the second quarter amounted to 39.16 inches. The third quarter was exceptionally wet, as 62-60 inches of rain were registered.
Typhoon signals were hoisted on two occasions, on the 29th July and the 15th August.
On the latter date a considerable amount of damage was done to trees in the Botanic Gardens and elsewhere.
In the fourth quarter 6-56 inches of rain fell and the weather was warm and cloudy throughout.
GARDENS AND GROUNDS.
Botanic Gardens.-The bright weather at the beginning of the year, as in 1917, was conducive to the growth of winter-flowering annuals, but at the end of the year the weather could scarcely be more unfavourable.
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