prepared for the growth of the Victoria Regia, which, I am happy to say, has been introduced and bloomed successfully. If the basin surrounding the Fountain in the Public Gardens were deepened, these plants could also be grown there and furnish an additional attraction to visitors.
8. Coolie and Store Houses.-During the past year, a Store House for the keeping of tools and other garden materials, and Quarters for labourers, have been erected near the Gardens, which, to a greater extent than formerly, secures the punctuality and regularity of the men.
9. Labels.—A consignment of Maw's terra cotta Plant Labels has been received, which will be affixed to the plants as soon as the botanical names (and Chinese nanes if possible) can be painted upon them.
10. New Gardens.-The laying out and reparations for planting these gardens are progressing. Advancement has been made in the formation of walks, drains, &c. It is to be regretted that, owing to the want of skilled European assistance, a portion of these Gardens could not be reserved for strictly botanical purposes, and for the formation of a collection of plants peculiar to China; and thus make the Gardens of use to those scientific visitors who make Hongkong a place of call, as well as students who reside in the Colony.
11. Peak Garden.-At this place, a collection of seeds, received from Kew Royal Botanic Gardens, of upwards of 400 varieties of plants belonging to higher latitudes have been sown, which, if successfully reared, will be planted along the upper parts of the hills.
TREE CULTIVATION.
12. During the past season, a large number of trees were planted in avenues along the roads and streets, and in open places where shade, &c., was required, and where trees were likely to grow. The following are the statistics shewing the places, and numbers of trees planted
Shau-ki-wán Road, Bonham
"}
Pok-fu-lam
59
Robinson
כל
Queen's
11
West Street,
Centre Street,
East
No. 1 Tank,....
No. 2
*"
Possession Point Recreation Ground, Ravine East of Gardens,....
694
75
87
100
94
16
202
1,348
Total,..
2,616
The trees which were planted consisted chiefly of Banyans, India-rubber trees, and Bamboos. Each side of the ravine to the East of the Gardens was planted a considerable distance up the slopes of the hills. The trees there used were Bamboos, Banyan, India-rubber trees, Whamper (Cookia Punctata), Litchi (Nephelium Litchi), Rose Apple (Jambosa vulgaris), and Longan (Nephelium Longan), which were obtained from Nurseries at Canton. Notwithstanding the exposed nature of the situation, those trees have grown well and are now in a healthy state. A quantity of Chinese Fir Trees (Pinus Sinensis) have been raised from seeds for the purpose of planting on the higher and more exposed parts of the hills where other trees do not thrive. A quantity of the same kind of seeds have again been collected, together with a larger quantity of Cassuarina seeds, which have been matured on trees originally raised, I believe, from seeds received from the Melbourne Royal Botanic Gardens. The Cassuarinas grow moderately well on this island and are not much. damaged by strong winds, which is a most important quality requisite for trees to possess in this part of the world where typhoons are so prevalent and the exposure is so great. I understand the wood of this tree is very useful for econoinical purposes.
13. Bowrington Plantation. This seems the most unpromising of all the plantations under my charge. This appears due chiefly to the unfavourable nature of the soil, and to the unsuitable nature and quality of the trees which were planted, but as our stock increases, trees will be intro- duced more agreeable to the nature of the soil and situation.
INTERCHANGE OF PLANTS AND SEEDS.
14. Dr. HOOKER in his Report on the Kew Royal Botanic Gardens, for the year 1871, in speaking of the Hongkong Government Gardens, atta hes great importance to them as a incans of "introducing a multitude of valuable vegetable products which are described by travellers in China, but which are totally unknown in Europe." Nearly all the plants in these Gardens are already introduced or known to botanists in Europe. But, in order to carry out the views of Dr. Hooke, I respectfully
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