455 



Points of Inteeest. 



There are many other things which I should like to 

 talk about in connection with this show. I have been 

 specially interested in seeing the exhibit of the entomolo- 

 gical department of the Federated Malay States Govern- 

 ment and I hope that those of you who are practical men 

 will not only look at it, and read the fascinating pamphlets 

 which are obtainable, but that you will make use of the 

 instruction given . There are other things in the show 

 which point to the fact that we can, if we wish, have more 

 than one string to our bow. There is a magnificent exhibit 

 of coconuts and essential oils, for all of which a large 

 market might be found were it not for the fact that rubber 

 pays so much better; and there is a very interesting new 

 exhibit of fibre, which I am sure may yet come to be of some 

 importance to us. There are other things I cannot mention, 

 but I am sure you are all very hot and uncomfortable. I 

 thank you for the patience with which you have listened to 

 me, and have great pleasure in declaring the show open 

 (applause). 



Reprinted from ''Straits Times,' ' Singapore, August 

 12, 1909. 



THE PALMBTUM 

 Botanic Gardens, Singapore. 



Plate IV. 



The collection of Palms growing in the Botanic Gar- 

 dens, Singapore, is one of the most complete in existence. 

 Probably the only other more rich in species is that of the 

 Buitenzorg Botanic Gardens Java. The Singapore col- 

 lection now contains upward of 95 genus and 270 species 

 and these numbers are increasing yearly. Unfortunately 

 the soil on which the Palmetum is formed is very poor and 

 considerable care and expense is entailed in keeping the 

 collection in a healthy condition. 



Our illustration (Plate IV) is a view of a section of 

 the Palmetum near the Herbarium and gives a fair idea of 

 the decorative effect of this most useful family of plants. 

 The chief charm of all tropical gardens is due to the gran- 

 deur and beauty of many of the plants of this order. Palms 

 under glass, however spacious the accommodation allowed 

 them, fail to impress the mind as do the same subjects 

 planted out of doors in tropical climates. 



