AnnualReport-1923 — Page 444

Appendix N

REPORT ON THE BOTANICAL AND FORESTRY DEPARTMENT FOR THE YEAR 1923.

GENERAL REMARKS,

The first quarter of the year was exceptionally dry but not unfavourable generally for gardening operations; the second quarter was comparatively wet and unfavourable for garden work but forestry operations were thereby facilitated. During the third quarter copious rain fell especially during and after typhoons, and the fourth quarter was also exceedingly wet, the total rainfall for year being 109.01 inches. Particulars of the rainfall at the Botanic Gardens are given in Table I.

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Typhoon signals were hoisted ten times during the year. Plants and trees in many places suffered considerably from the minor storins experienced and in the typhoon of the 18th August incalculable damage was done to trees and shrubs in the Gardens, many of which were of great economic or scientific interest, to roadside trees and to the plantations generally. Many years must elapse before the effects of the storm can be effaced.

GARDENS, PARKS AND GROUnds.

The Botanic Gardens:-The most regrettable losses experi- enced by the Gardens from the typhoons of July and August were as follows:-an Aleurites triloba, which was an outstanding feature at the north-east entrance to the Old Botanic Garden from Upper Albert Road, was blown down in July and killed; the only full grown specimen of Cinnamomum Burmanni near the Statue, which lost one of its principal limbs in a typhoon last year, was now totally destroyed; a Paulownia Fortunei which flowered magnificently with its neighbours near the plant houses in the Old Garden was uprooted and killed; and several fine ornamental trees, a Lysidice rhodostegia inside the Garden Road wall and a Heteropanax fragrans near the fountain were destroyed. In the avenue above the fountain there were formerly eleven large Australian trees, Grevillea robusta, several of which were completely killed and others so badly damaged that they had to be cut down. Some years ago in anticipation of the loss of these trees, the late Mr. Tutcher had planted a row of Cassia fistula in close proximity and these will now flourish in their place. Losses in the New Garden consisted of an Artocarpus integrifolia, an Erythrina suberosa an Elaecarpus sp., a native tree of Viburnum odoratissimum and a specimen Pandanus furcans. Many other trees were much disfigured.