THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 3RD JUNE, 1899.
893
6. We continue at a great disadvantage by the large number of changes in the coolie ranks of the staff, and also by tlie impossibility of obtaining any men who have previously had any experience of garden or forestry work; our supplies have to be drawn from the class of coolies ordinarily employed as earth coolies.
There were 18 changes of men during the year. I am frequently applied to by members of the community for gardeners to fill places, but as we cannot secure a sufficiency of trained men for our- selves it is impossible to provide any for others, however much I should wish to do so.
REVENUE.
7. The receipts were :-
From Plant Sales
17
29
Loan of Plants.... Forestry Products
$674.46 202.02
444.51
Total................................$1,320.99
BOTANIC GARDENS.
Improvements.
8. The old Aviary which I mentioned in my last Report as being dilapidated and unsuitable has been removed, and a new and larger one has been constructed on its site. The new one is 60 feet long by 28 feet wide; it is divided into seven distinct compartments, each one having a yard enclosed with wire netting nine feet in height, and an enclosure at the back for shelter and shade for the birds during rain and sunshine. The floor is raised about two feet from the ground. The roof is flat except that of the two end compartments, which is a ridge, and the middle one, which is a semi-circle, the highest part being 15 feet from the floor. The wire netting is stretched over bar and angle-iron framework. The back which affords shelter for the birds is constructed of brickwork. There is no woodwork except the divisions within the brickwork shelters, so that the structure will require only very trifling expenditure to maintain it, and it is, also, proof against rats and other vermin, which were very troublesome in the old structure.
The compartiments are fairly filled with birds, but there is still room for further contributions, which would be thankfully received.
The aviary is a source of great interest to large numbers of visitors.
PLANT SHADING.
9. A section of WALTER & Co.'s wood roller blind shading was obtained from England for trial. It was fixed over a part of No. 10 plant-house, and it is successful, but it remains to be proved whe- ther it will ultimately prove more economical than drill shading which is used rather extensively.
The first cost of the lath shading deters me from using it generally.
10. The success which has followed the new split bamboo roof in place of reed shading over plant- house No. 3 justifies the construction of similar ro ifs over houses Nos. 1 and 2 as soon as there is an opportunity for doing so.
FLOWER BEDS AND BORDERS.
11. The various beds, &c. have been kept well tilled and maintained. About 12,000 plants are used annually for this purpose only.
WATER SUPPLY.
12. During periods of drought, like that of the 1898-99 dry season, much inconvenience is experienced in that portion of the garden which is supplied from the Tytam water-works system when the water is turned on for only an hour or less, as it is impossible to accumulate in so short a time sufficient water in the tanks for our requirements, consequently water has to be carried at much ex- pense from Glenealy. If there is any probability of similar scarcity of water in future, it would be of advantage to the gardens and the water-works to conduct, by means of a small pipe from Glenealy to a point near the nursery, the water which at present runs to waste down the Glenealy, nullah,
NOTES ON PLANTS.
13. Ilippeastrum.-(Amaryllis). Named kinds of plants and plants raised from Veitch's select strain now flower freely; they are an immense improvement on the older varieties, which are being discarded now that there are sufficient of the superior kinds.
14. Nepenthes ventricosa, Blanco. In 1896 I was supplied with cuttings from the Philippine Islands by Mr. C. CUNDALL, of Manila, and Mr. H. HUMPHREYS, of Hongkong, of a pitcher plant which were struck and produced pitchers in 1898. A plant was sent to Kew in 1897 and it was there found on comparison with driel specimens to be N. ventricosa described by Blanco in 1837. It is a valu- able acquisition in cultivation, and it appears that it had not previously been introduced in a living state to England.
15. Lantana sp. var. Drap d'or. This is a dwarf variety with beautiful bright-yellow flowers obtained from Messrs. J. VEITCH & SONS, Chelsea. It thrives well here and is a useful addition.
16. Derris Fordii, Oliver. When this flowered last year it was a picture of beauty, the colours of the flowers, which were produced in the greatest profusion, are white and red.
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