invite the co-operation of botanists and residents in the East, to assist in carrying them into effect, by mutual interchange of plants and seeds. This has already been done to a small extent, and my hanks are due to the ladies and gentlemen who have kindly contributed. The exchange of plants by no means so extensive, as it ought to be, if we take into account the great facilities which now xist for such interchanges.
15. The number of contributors to the Gardens were 27; from these, 1,192 plants and packets of seeds were received. The largest number of contributions were from the Kew Royal Botanic Gardens.
16. 348 plants and packets of seeds have been sent to 21 recipients which include Kew Gardens, Queensland Acclimatisation Society, &c., &c.
how are.
SUGGESTIONS.
17. The addition of an European Garden Assistant, who would have a good knowledge of gar- dening, is required, as the duties attending the management of the Gardens and the propagation and cultivation of trees in the Colony are so various and numerous, and the scenes of the works, in many cases, so widely separated, that it is impossible to give that attention to details which is desirable. The number of visitors to the Gardens is such as might be expected from the large number of residents in the Colony. With more intelligent assistance, the Gardens might be made more attractive, and thus become a source of greater pleasure and instruction to visitors than they In addition, the Government Gardens is a fitting place for the establishment of a Herbarium of dried plants; which would be useful to botanists when they might wish to refer to specimens of plants that could not conveniently be seen in a living state. A Gentleman, who is elebrated as an authority in Chinese botany, has kindly intimated that he "would be most happy to aid in the establishment of a Chinese Ilerbarium in Hongkong, giving every advice and assistance in his power." As well as the establishment of a Herbarium, a library of botanical, horticultural, and aboricultural works should be provided for those having the direction of Garden affairs; and also for the section of the Public who are interested in botany.-I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most
edient Servant,
CHARLES FORD, Superintendent of Government Gardens, and Tree Planting Department.
The Honourable CECIL C. SMITO,
Acting Colonial Secretary,
HONGKONG.
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