Sessional_Paper_1889 — Page 168

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Thinning and Removal of Trees.

This work has now been completed so far as it will be required, for some years to come, with the exception of ordinary annual attentions which may be necessary. Although a large number of useless trees have been removed the Gardens still have a somewhat crowded appearance, but this is unavoidable where space is so limited.

Fern Houses.

The central portion which was temporarily fitted last year for the reception of a collection of ferns has now had the temporary arrangements replaced with permanent ones. New brickwork plant tables have been made, the floors cemented and drained and the roof has been completed and covered with split bamboo sun screens supported on iron pillars improvised from old 3-inch water pipes. The old houses have also had improvements made to them.

Potting Shed.

Adjoining the fern houses the old ever-dilapidated looking matshed has been replaced with a properly constructed brick and tile structure which has been very much needed for years, not only as a potting shed, but as a place where coolies may work under in wet weather when little good could be done at some of the out-door operations.

Deer Pens.

Last year a new house was provided for the animals here, and this year improvements have been continued by the erection of a new galvanized wire fence on iron supports which have taken the place of the perishable wooden posts that previously existed. The whole place has now not only a much neater appearance, but, besides painting, nothing will be required in the way of repairs for some years

to come.

Bear House.

The Siberian Bear has again given considerable trouble. He has made several attempts to pull his house down, on one occasion he succeeded in ripping the iron roof, and another time he made con- siderable progress in demolishing the brick walls. He also succeeded in squeezing to death the Siamese bear which had been his associate for the last two years. The house has been

The house has been very much strengthened, and there is now no fear of the bear being able to effect his escape. A small compartment has been added to the house to accommodate two specimens of Hongkong Badgers which were obtained while very young and successfully reared.

Herbaceous Plants.

Increased and improved accommodation being required for these advantage was taken of an oppor tunity to provide what was required by reducing the excessive width of the walk in the New Garden leading from the deer pen to Glenealy and making a new border on each side of it. The soil, which was exceedingly bad and wholly unfit for receiving herbaceous plants was removed to a suitable depth and replaced with better soil carried down from the hills. In this way we obtained borders 250 yards long, and of an average width of five feet into which the plants were placed in a suitable arrangement bringing orders together as far as practicable.

Shrubberies.

These were extended over the ground in which the herbaceous plants were growing before their removal to new quarters. The additional space was required for the accommodation of newly intro- duced plants from China and elsewhere. These plants were transferred to their new home as soon as it was ready for them.

Palm Plot.

A spare corner near the palm plot which was temporarily furnished with bamboos had the latter removed and the ground prepared and turfed over. Into this the palms newly introduced were planted

at once.

Mymphæas and other Aquatic Plants.

The cultivation of these in the Fountain basin has been improved and extended by the construction of brick-work for retaining soil below the surface of the water to take the place of the too small pots in which the plants had formerly to be grown, but still on account of the insufficient depth of water complete success in growing many aquatics cannot be attained.

Rockeries.

The new rockery at the north-east gate has been planted but it is not yet completely furnished on account of the small size of some of the plants which had to be used, the plants however are rapidly increasing in size and they will soon fill up bare places.

Amaryllis.

The different varieties have all been collected together and formed into a bed to themselves so that they can readily be compared and receive better attention than when scattered about.