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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 1ST FEBRUARY, 1873.
5. Pits.--A small range of glass roofed Pits has also been constructed for the propagation and protection of delicate plants and seeds.
6. Grape Vines.-There has been received from England a selection of the best kinds of Vines, A Vine-border has been prepared which are intended to be planted in the following season. specially for this purpose. Grape growing will be an experiment, but at present I know of no in- superable difficulty which would prevent the successful growth of Vines for the production of Grapes in this Colony.
7. New Nursery.-Owing to the increasing number of pot plants in the Gardens, there was not sufficient space available for them. To supply this want, a new Nursery was formed to the South-east of the Gardens. Here also a chunamed basin, 18 feet in diameter and 3 feet deep, was 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. Ccolie 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 names if possible) can be painted upon them.
10. New Gardens.--The laying out and preparations 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,
this place, a collection of seeds, received froin 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:-
Bonham Pok-fu-lam
Shau-ki-wán Road,
""
"
Robinson
Queen's
"}
71
694
West Street,
Centre Street,
East
""
No. 1 Tank,..
No. 2
""
Possession Point Recreation Ground, Ravine East of Gardens,...
Total,
75
•
87.
100
94
16
202
1,348
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, Whampee (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 economical purposes.
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