Sessional_Paper_1884-1885 — Page 136

7. New ground has been broken up, prepared and planted with New introductions as well as with older kinds which were required for ornamental purposes especially to meet, when they are sufficiently grown, the increasing demand for cut flowers. For this service we shall have yet to make very considerable provision. It is to be regretted that no suitable piece of ground is available, without the expenditure of much money on it, for the special purpose of growing a supply of flowers for cutting instead of having to make so great a drain on those in the Gardens. A piece of land which might be obtained, with the consent of the Government, just over the nullah to the east of the Garden might be converted from its present exceedingly rough condition into a passable reserve garden, if it can be saved from being further deprived of the surface soil in the meantime. I would strongly urge the advisability of placing this ground at once in the charge of this department, so that it might be duly conserved for possible future requirements.

8. The Herbaceous plant borders on each side of the Owl-house walk, in consequence of their having become unsuitable for the class of plants which they contained have been turfed down and lines of Camellias and Azaleas planted in the turf.

9. A plot of ground near the north-east entrance was prepared and planted with representative species of Scitamineous and Amaryllidaceous plants which were removed chiefly from the borders in the New Garden that were turfed down.

10. Near the Caine Road entrance the bank which had been denuded of grass by the shade cast from large trees has been converted into a Rockery and planted with ferns and miscellaneous plants. Other objectionable parts in the same locality I purpose dealing with this year so that they may be brought more into harmony with the rest of the Gardens.

11. The New Nursery described in paragraph 4 of last year's report has proved of great advantage for the work for which it was intended. Because of lack of funds its arrangements, however, are not so complete as they should be, but I hope to secure these bit by bit.

12. The new Plant House has well met the requirements for the better cultivation of some plants grown in pots. A similar structure, but with some improvements on the old one, has just been completed. It is 51 feet long by 22 feet wide. A new glass-house between the two is still wanted for the cultivation of plants susceptible to ill effects from cold in winter and from excessive rains in the wet season.

It would be most desirable that these structures should have a more ornamental appearance, but so far the funds which were available for building them only barely sufficed to provide what was absolutely necessary for cultivable purposes only. In due course I hope that the present structures will be replaced with ornamental and more durable ones, at least equal to those with which most gardens of any standing are provided.

13. The system of Plant sales which I first officially suggested in 1882 and which were inaugurated four months ago have been more appreciated by the public than I anticipated they would be at the commencement. About 1,500 plants have been sold up to the end of the year. It will take some little time to learn what the public really require and more time to provide for those requirements, but I hope that we shall be able to meet them fully, and probably to develop new ones, as time goes Of course we have not been able to do more than propagate and grow on in small pots plants for sale. There would however be a considerable demand for specimen plants ready to at once furnish verandah parapets, but we have not yet facilities for carrying out the cultivation of such plants. If I can possibly see my way to make this successful it shall have consideration.

on.

14. A slight increase has been made in the number of Birds and quadrupeds, but we cannot go much further without additional accommodation. The fine Siamese honey-bear which we had for many years was lost a few months ago. Mr. E. M. SATOW, C.M.G., H. B. M. Consul at Bangkok, however, most kindly sent another one from Bangkok to replace it. The young one has grown rapidly and is now in fine condition. Two fine storks were also kindly given by Captain STEWART; they are thriving well. Miss. WALKDEN also generously presented a nice deer, a fine specimen of the argus pheasant was sent by Mr. W. H. FORBES, but this, I much regret to say, fell a victim to cold, apparently.

15. The devastation committed by Ants in gardens is so great, and effectual remedies are so little known that it will be useful, no doubt, to many people to make known the success of a plan which has been here adopted this year to protect seeds and plants in the open ground. The remedy is carbolic acid diluted in water. With one part of acid in 50 of water a line is watered all round seed beds or patches of ground when the seeds are sown, afterwards a daily application of half the strength is made until the seedlings are beyond the power of their enemies. This has been found a great success when ants were not already in the ground operated on, as they seem to have great objections to crossing the saturated line.

16. The plants of Star anise which Mr. H. KOPSCH, Commissioner of Customs at Pakhoi, kindly procured for us in 1882 from the district where it is cultivated by the Chinese have made very satisfac- tory progress, and I think it is probable that they will flower this year, when, if they do so, it will be possible to settle the question which has been long in doubt as to what the species of Illicium is which Star anise of commerce is obtained from.

17. Exchanges of plants and seeds have been conducted with the various establishments with which relations are in existence. The number of plants received was 800, and of bags, boxes and packets of seeds 201, of animals 10, and Wardian cases 9, from 42 contributors.