237
26. Dr. Gerlach very kindly allowed me to send a coolie, with his expedition up the North River to collect plants for this establishment. Besides many plants which were valuable additions to our Gardens, the following new species were discovered:-
Aster Gerlachii, Hance.
Dolichadrone sp.
Senecio phalacrocarpus, Hance.
Cheilanthes (Adiantopsis) Fordii, Baker.
Asplenium (Euasplenium) fuscipes, Baker. Polypodium (Niphobolus) calvatum, Baker.
Polypodium (Phymatodes) cantoniense, Baker.
27. The collection of plants for the "hortus siccus," or herbarium, which I have made during the last nine years, has been rearranged and labelled according to Bentham's classification in the "Hongkongensis," and placed in cabinets made for the purpose. A dried collection of the plants cultivated in the Gardens has been commenced; and another one of Chinese plants not indigenous to Hongkong. In this work, as well as in contributing living plants and information on Chinese vegetal productions, persons resident in different parts of China could render good services to botanic science by collecting and presenting dried specimens of plants in flower and fruit, which I would gladly receive and make use of.
28. When the Swedish "Vega" Expedition was here on its way home, a collection of nearly 200 species of South Chinese dried plants was prepared here, and presented by His Excellency Governor to Professor Nordenskiold for the Expedition.
29. Very valuable assistance has been rendered by the Royal Gardens, Kew; Dr. H.F. HANCE, F.L.S., H.B.M.'s Vice Consul at Whampoa; and Mr. T. SAMPSON of Canton in botanical work; by the two former in the identification of plants &c.; and by Mr. SAMPSON in the contribution of nearly 200 dried specimens of Chinese Plants which I have placed in the herbarium. Upwards of 60 dried specimens of plants have been sent to correspondents for botanical investigations.
30. The Aviaries and Monkeys' house are in a very dilapidated state and require thorough repairs or rebuilding. The Monkeys' house is in a very bad situation for the welfare of the monkeys. In consequence of its shaded position sufficient sunlight cannot be obtained to keep the animals in good health. All of the buildings are made of wood and are being constantly destroyed by the monkeys and birds biting and pulling them to pieces. The most economical thing would be to re-erect the buildings in a more durable material, if the Zoological collection is to be maintained in these Gardens. It would probably be better if a site could be obtained elsewhere for these things, and some more additions made to form a fairly good small collection of animals for the amusement and instruction of the people who are fond of such things.
31. The following were the contributors and their donations to this Department:
EASTLACKE, F.; one Python.
ELLIS, Captn.; two Wallabies.
HANCOCK, W.; three Pythons.
QUINSEY, W.; one Cockatoo.
WHARRY, Dr.; two Kites.
WHITEHEAD, W.T.; one Siamese Honey Bear.
32. In this Establishment there is not much for me to report on as to what has been done, in consequence of the management of the tree-planting and plantations having been so short a time in my hands, since my last Report on the work was furnished. On the eve of my departure for England in February, 1877, I submitted a Report, which was, however, not published, but it was a source of gratification to see that it bore good fruit, as the Surveyor General, the Honourable Mr. PRICE, was acting for me during my absence, in compliance with His Excellency Governor Sir John POPE HENNESSY'S wishes, drew up a Report on an extended scheme of tree-planting and was able to make many of the statistics which my Report supplied. The management of the tree-planting remained in the hands of the Surveyor General, assisted by Mr. CERNEAU during most of the time, from February 1877, until December 1879, when it was restored to me.
33. In 1878, with the increased vote which was granted for tree-planting, it appears that many new large nurseries were made and a great number of seedlings of Pinus sinensis reared, about half of which were planted on the hills in 1879, and the other half, with the exception of those planted the same year, remain in the nurseries until the time arrives for planting them also. The seedlings in the nurseries which have been prepared this year, since the management was restored to this Department, all look very promising.
34. Although nurseries will always be necessary for rearing trees for certain purposes, particularly for trees of other kinds than Pinus sinensis, which I propose to introduce, now that the plants of the latter are sufficiently large to afford the requisite shelter to other species requiring it for a few years, still they will probably not be essential on so large a scale as was commenced in 1878.
35. British Colonial Governments only introduce new cultures and then, when they are shown to be profitable, expect private individuals to pursue them. This may not unreasonably be applied to some extent to the planting of this Island. There are a number of Chinese here who are anxious to do something in this way if the Government will give them the necessary encouragement. The rough outline of the scheme would be that the planters should have certain districts allotted to them, that they should plant the ground with trees-certain portions of land to be allowed them for other cultures as vegetables, fruit trees, pine-apples, and possibly tea to a small extent, and that the planters should have the thinnings of the plantations for a certain number of years, say 10 or 15, at the expiration of which, the plantations, with a certain number of trees per acre in them, should be resumed by the Government. In the execution of this scheme proper rules would have to be drawn up and observed by both parties. A plan of this kind, I think is quite feasible.
36. To afford more variety to the Trees bordering streets and roads I planted in 1875 and 1876, trees of the following kinds which have succeeded:
Lastanospermum australe (Moreton Bay Chestnut).
Patranjiva Roxburghii (an Indian tree).
Pithecolobium pruinosum.
Cedrela australis.
Erythrina sp.
Dryandra cordata.
Cinnamomum officinarum (Camphor-tree).
Ailanthus glandulosa.
Quercus Harlandi (Oak).
Celtis sinensis.
Sterculia nobilis.
Bauhinia purpurea.
Swietenia Mahogani (Mahogany-tree).
I hope now to continue the introductions of a further variety of trees as circumstances permit. During the last five or six years a very large number of trees chiefly the so-called "banian"-Ficus indica-have been sacrificed in the streets to make room for improvements and alterations in streets and buildings.
The Honourable W.H. MARSH,
Colonial Secretary, &c.,
&c.,
&c.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
CHARLES FORD,
Superintendent, Botanic Gardens and Plantations.
3
4
Page 239
T
237
26. Dr. Gerlach very kindly allowed me to send a coolie, with his expedition up the North River to collect plants for this establishment. Besides many plants which were valuable additions to ou Gardens, the following new species were discovered:-
Aster Gerlachii, Hance.
Dolichadrone sp.
Senecio phalacrocarpus, Hance.
Cheilanthes (Adiantopsis) Fordii, Baker.
Asplenium (Euasplenium) fuscipes, Baker. Polypodium (Niphobolus) calvatum, Baker.
(Phymatodes) cantoniense, Baker.
3
34. Although nurseries will always be necessary for rearing trees in for certain purposes, pegially fof trees of other kinds than Pinus sinensis, which I propose to introduce, now that the plan- of the latter are sufficiently large to afford the requisite shelter to other species requiring for a few years, still they will probably not be essential on so large a scale as was commenced
protop
in 1878.
35. British Colonial Governments only introduce new cultures and then, when they are shown to be profitable, expect private individuals to pursue them. This may not unreasonably be applied now 27. The collection of plants for the "hortus siccus," or herbarium, which I have made during to some extent to the planting of this Island. There are a number of Chinese here who are anxious to do last nine years, has been rearranged and labelled according to Bentham's classification in the "something in this way if the Government will give them the necessary encouragement. The rough out- Hongkongensis," and placed in cabinets made for the purpose. A dried collection of the plane of the scheme would be that the planters should have certain districts allotted to them, that they cultivated in the Gardens has been commenced; and another one of Chinese plants not indigenous Hongkong. In this work, as well as in contributing living plants and information on Chinese vegetal productions, persons resident in different parts of China could render good services to botanic science by collecting and presenting dried specimens of plants in flower and fruit, which I would glad
receive and make use of.
should plant the ground with trees-certain portions of land to be allowed them for other cultures as vegetables, fruit trees, pine-apples. and possibly tea to a small extent, and that the planters should have the thinnings of the plantations for a certain number of years, say 10 or 15, at the expiration of which, the plantations, with a certain number of trees per acre in them, should be resumed by the Government. In the execution of this scheme proper rules would have to be drawn up and observed
28. When the Sweedish "Vega" Expedition was here on its way home, a collection of nearly both parties. A plan of this kind, I think is quite feasible. 200 species of South Chinese dried plants was prepared here, and presented by His Excellency Governor to Professor Nordenskiold for the Expedition.
36. To afford more variety to the Trees bordering streets and roads I planted in 1875 and 1876, trees of the following kinds which have succeeded :----
29. Very valuable assistance has been rendered by the Royal Gardens, Kew; Dr. H.F. HANCE, F.Lastanospermum australe (Moreton Bay Chestnut). H. B. M.'s Vice Consul at Whampoa; and Mr. Turo. SAMPSON of Canton in botanical work; by the Patranjiva Roxburghii (au Indian tree). two former in the identification of plants &c.; and by Mr. SAMPSON in the contribution of nearly 2thecclobium pruinosum. dried specimens of Chinese Plants which I have placed in the herbarium. Upwards of 60 dried spor mens of plants have been sent to correspondents for botanical investigations.
ZOOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS.
30. The Aviaries and Monkies' house are in a very dilapidated state and require thorough repairs rebuilding. The Monkies' house is in a very bad situation for the welfare of the monkies. In cous quence of its shaded position sufficient sunlight cannot be obtained to keep the animals in good healt All of the buildings are made of wood and are being constantly destroyed by the monkies and bird biting and pulling them to pieces. The most economical thing would be to re-erect the buildings & more durable material, if the Zoological collection is to be maintained in these Gardens. It would probably be better if a site could be obtained elsewhere for these things, and some more additio made to form a fairly good small collection of animals for the amusement and instruction of the people who are fond of such things.
31. The following were the contributors and their donations to this Department:
EASTLACKE, F.; one Python.
ELLIS, Captn.; two Wallabies. HANCOCK, W.; three Pythons.
QUINSEY, W.; one Cockatoo. WHARRY, Dr.; two Kites. WHITEHEAD, W. T.; one Siamess Honey Bear.
TREE CULTIVATION.
32. In this Establishment there is not much for me to report on as to what has been dove, consequence of the management of the tree-planting and plantations having been so short a time my hands, since my last Report on the work was furnished. On the eve of my departure for England in February, 1877, I submitted a Report, which was, however, not published, but it was a source gratification to see that it bore good fruit, as the Surveyor General, the Honourable Mr. PRICE. was acting for me during my absence, in compliance with His Excellency Governor Sir Jonn l'e HENNESSY'S wishes, drew up a Report on an extended scheme of tree-planting and was able to ma many of the statistics which my Report supplied. The management of the tree-planting remaine in the bands of the Surveyor General, assisted by Mr. CERNEAU during most of the time, from Febru Therefore, for this period, I cannot do ua 1877, until December 1879, when it was restored to me.
use of
than refer generally to what has been done, not being in possession of details and statistics.
33. In 1878, with the increased vote which was granted for tree-planting, it appears that ma new large nurseries were made and a great number of seedlings of Pinus sinensis reared, about hal which were planted on the hills in 1879, and the other half, with the exception of those planted The scedlings in year, remain in the nurseries until the time arrives for planting them also. nurseries which have been prepared this year, since the management was restored to this Departmen all look very promising.
Cedrela australis.
Erythrina sp. Dryandra cordata.
inphora officinarum (Camphor-tree).
Ailanthus glandulost.
Quercus Harlandi (Oak).
Celtis sinensis.
Sterculia nobilis,
Bauhinia purpurea.
Swietenía Mahogani (Mahogany-tree).
I hope now to continue the introductions of a further variety of trees as circumstances permit. During the last five or six years a very large number of trees chiefly the so-called "banian"-Ficus usa-have been sacrificed in the streets to make room for improvements and alterations in streets and building.
The Honourable W. H. MAUSH,
Colonial Secretary, &c.,
&c.,
&c.
I have the honour to be.
Sir,
Your nost obedient Servant,
Superintendent, Botanic Gardens and Pluntations.
CHARLES FORD,
で
4
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