1872 — Page 223

No. 15.

GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.

The following Report from the Superintendent of the Government Gardens, is published for general information.

By Command,

Colonial Secretary's Office, Ilongkong, 1st February, 1873.

CECIL C. SMITH,

Acting Colonial Secretary.

GOVERNMENT GARDENS,

HONGKONG, 31st December, 1872.

SIR-I have the honour to present the first Annual Report on the Government Gardens, and Tree Planting Department.

GOVERNMENT GARDENS.

1. Appearance of-As the principal part of my duties is occupied in superintending the Public Gardens, I shall first report on their progress since assuming their superintendence, and also on their present condition. In consequence of the absence of typhoons and strong winds during the past summer, the plants in the Gardens have presented a healthier and more symctrical ap- pearance than they did in the corresponding season of 1871, when, owing to the above causes, of the plants were seriously injured. To give one instance out of many, I have only to remind you of the magnificent appearance which the bracts of the Poinsettias have presented during the last few months. Now, the same plants in 1871 were completely denuded of their leaves by the second typhoon of that year, at the time when the growth of the new shoots was being completed,. and the formation of bracts and flowers were commencing.

many

2. Alterations and Improvements. These have been few and insignificant, chiefly consisting in the substitution of stout wire stays instead of the unsightly bamboo ropes, which were previously used for the support of the larger trees and shrubs. Those beds also which surrounded the stems of trees and shrubs have been turfed over in those cases where it was thought advisable. This alteration has materially improved the general appearance of the Gardens.

3. Orchid House.-A structure 32 feet long, 21 feet wide, and 8 feet high, thinly thatched with grass, similar to enclosures of the same kind in use in the Calcutta Royal Botanic Gardens, has been constructed for growing Orchids and Ferns. A few Orchids have been obtained from Manila and Java, in addition to kinds which are indigenous to Hongkong. The successful growth which the Orchids have made during the past season, and the healthy condition they are now in, offer every encouragement for their further introduction. It is greatly to be wished that East Indian, South American, and other well-known Orchids could be obtained to enrich the collection of this beautiful and interesting class of plants, but as yet, considerable difficulty has been experienced in attempting to procure them.

4. Ferns. Since assuming the duties of my department, a collection of Ferns has been made and systematized. Between seventy and eighty species of Ferns have been collected in Hongkong and from the adjacent mainland and islands. 1 have to thank Mr. T. P. PULLINGER, R.N., for the valuable assistance he has given me in forming this collection. A Fernery has also been prepared for reception of Ferns in the vicinity of the Orchid house.

5. Pits. A small range of glass roofed l'its has also been constructed for the propagation and protection of delicate plants and seeds.

6. Grape Vines.-There has been received from England a selection of the best kinds of Vines, A Vine-border has been prepared which are intended to be planted in the following season. specially for this purpose. Grape growing will be an experiment, but at present I know of no in- superable difficulty which would prevent the successful growth of Vines for the production of Grapes in this Colony.

7. New Nursery.-Owing to the increasing number of pot plants in the Gardeus, there was not sufficient space available for them. To supply this want, a new Nursery was formed to the South-east of the Gardens. Here also a chunained basin, 18 feet in diameter and 3 feet deep, was