684088-1880-Report-1879-Supt-of-Botanical-Gardens---Plantations- — Page 1

THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 26TH MAY, 1880.

433

No. 129.

GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.

By Command,

The following Report from the Superintendent of the Botanical Gardens and Plantations is published for general information.

Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 25th May, 1880.

FREDERICK STEWART,

Acting Colonial Secretary.

REPORT ON THE GOVERNMENT GARDENS AND PLANTATIONS.

BOTANIC GARDENS, 15th April, 1880.

SIR,-I have the honour to forward my Report on the Botanic Gardens and Tree Planting Department.

2. Thinking that it would be interesting to know the number of visitors to the Gardens, I had all who entered on two days in March, 1879, counted, and the result was as follows:-

First day,. Second day,

Chinese. 635 ..1,339

Others.

190

826

Total.

825 2,165

This

in fell during the greater part of the first day, which accounts for the smaller numbers, but which ows that even then the Gardens were a source of much pleasure. The result of the second day's canting represents about the number of visitors usually frequenting the Gardens in fine weather.

3. The general appearance of the Gardens has been decidedly in advance of previous years. owing considerably to the weather, the rains during the past summer having been unusually re- ar, and no heavy downpours having occurred to damage the walks and beds. Besides, the work- en are becoming better trained to their work and appear to take much more interest in it, although requires an immense lot of careful and constant direction to keep them working up to the standard ich I am anxiously desirous they should reach. The boys, nominally called apprentices, but only ing so in the sense that they are employed at the age that apprentices are taken, and that they are

ully instructed in garden operations, are giving great satisfaction.

4. The collection of Cacti which has been made and is now very fairly represented, continues to drive well. All the plants of the orders Amaryllidew and Liliaceae, consisting of Agaves, Yuccas, &c., which were growing amongst the Cacti, have been carefully transplanted and formed in two collections,

eping the two orders distinct.

5. On the sides of the walk next to the Fountain Terrace the trees of Grevillea robusta, the Australian "Silky Oak," have made excellent progress and now form a very effective avenue. The tes were planted when they were one year old,-in 1876-and they are now about thirty feet high.

6. Near the Fernery in the Old Garden a collection of Orchids indigenous to Hongkong has been ole.

7. Many of the more beautiful and interesting plants of this Colony have been introduced to the lens and I am now continuing this work. The beautiful and rare Rhododendron Championi has * propagated and introduced to cultivation during the past year. Most of the species of Hongkong s are now well established in the Gardens. The Hollies, of which there are 6 indigenous species, being introduced.

S. The collection of Coniferous trees in the New Garden has been partly rearranged this year. want of more space the number of these plants cannot be increased much farther.

9. As with the Conifers so also the Palms have quite filled the ground which was set apart for family, and, excepting very dwarf kinds, no more can be planted in the New Garden, but as Palms interesting and beautiful, and such general favourites, it would be desirable to find other places new introductions.

10. The Fernery in Glenealey Ravine in the New Garden, which was made about five years has succeeded admirably. During the past year nearly all of the Ferns were labelled, but I much that it has been found almost impossible to keep the labels in their places, they are either fre- tly removed and misplaced or taken away entirely. The walk through this Fernery being such a thoroughfare between the Robinson and Caine Roads, it will, I think, be better to make the. y in the Old Garden, the one for the labelled Ferns.

1. The glass-roofed Fern and Orchid house, which has done good service, is in a very decayed ion, the material, wood of which it is constructed, is quite unfit in a climate like this where white combination with the moisture which is requisite for the cultivation of plants, work such ruin. house is undergoing repairs sufficient to keep it standing for a little time, but if the Government fit to sanction the erection of a more ornamental house in a better situation in the Garden, it I am sure, be much appreciated by the public.

By His Excellency the Governor's instructions I designed and had constructed a Fence of iron granite on the verge of the precipitous banks near the Palmery, and on the side of the walk from Glenealy Ravine to the monkies' house. Before this was erected it was extremely rous to children walking near those places,