Sessional_Paper_1895 — Page 421

HONGKONG.

417

No. 2

27

95

REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE BOTANICAL AND AFFORESTATION DEPARTMENT

FOR 1894.

Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of

His Excellency the Governor,

No. 19.

BOTANIC GARDENS, HONGKONG, 27th May, 1895.

SIR,I have the honour to submit the Annual Report on the work and condition of this depart- ment for the year 1894.

GENERAL.

2. The year under review was distinguished by a series of adverse events which imposed an almost continuous strain on the resources of the department to contend with the difficulties which arose in maintaining, with as little injury as possible, the various charges with which it is entrusted; but, in spite of all the strenuous efforts which were exerted, and which were successful to a great extent, con- siderable, but unavoidable, damages were sustained both in the Gardens and Plantations of the Colony. The events to which I allude were-(i) drought in the early part of the year, (ii) the plague of caterpillars in May and June, and (iii) a series of typhoons in September and October.

3. The suppression of the caterpillar plague occupied the almost undivided attention of the whole staff-except the Gardens' men, and many of these were also employed-for a period of two months, so that ordinary work had to be almost suspended during that time. For part of the time an additional clerk was lent from the Colonial Secretary's Office to assist in keeping accounts connected with the destruction of caterpillars.

4. Five typhoons visited the Colony within 28 days in September and October; they occurred on September 10th, 18th, 24th and 29th, and October 6th, respectively.

STAFF.

5. The Superintendent was absent on vacation leave from June 13th to September 28th.

6. The health of the native portion of the staff was good, and, fortunately, all escaped attack by the bubonic plague which raged for so many months.

REVENUE.

7. The total receipts of the Department are given in appendix 4.

BOTANIC GARDENS.

DROUGHT.

8. During the first three months of the year only 2.46 inches of rain fell in the Gardens, and from April 1st to May 6th there were only 3.03 inches. The usual water supply to the Gardens was so suddenly diminished, and to such an extent, that plants in pots were exposed to great danger of being lost, and they were only saved by prompt arrangements which I made for obtaining water by carrying it from two trickling streams, which were temporarily dammed, outside the Gardens. An additional small supply was obtained by re-opening a well, within the Gardens, which had been closed for many years. The scanty supply procured was only enough for the plants which were in greatest need. A more ample supply in dry seasons is much needed for both plants and lawns. The only lawns which can be irrigated, even when water is turned on continually, are those surrounding the flower beds, all the grass turf in other parts becomes as brown as hay throughout the dry season.

TYPHOONS.

9. On the approach of all typhoons extensive and troublesome preparations are always made to secure plants and property against damages as far as possible; the preparations for the 1894 typhoons were in all cases effectual so far as they went, but the October typhoon was of such violence as to place many things out of the bounds of practicable protection, and very great destruction and damage to large trees and shrubs inevitably occurred. Immunity from destructive storms for many years past had allowed the general effect of the Gardens to reach a state of great beauty, which, however, the last storm wrecked in a cruel manner, and it will be many years, under the most favourable circumstances, before the Gardens can recover the beauty which was so greatly marred.