io8 



ECONOMIC GARDENS. 



A small store was erected in the Economic Gardens in place of 

 the old wooden shed which was in use for so many years. 



The Municipality in making a new road in the neighbourhood 

 asked to be allowed to take soil from the hill opposite in the 

 arboretum to fill up a swamp. This was permitted on condition 

 of the hill being levelled and turfed. The excavations necessary 

 were very unsightly for some time but by the end of the year they 

 were filled in and levelled, and will shortly be turfed. 



The Garden was kept up in a very good condition as well as could 

 be expected, considering for the greater part of the year, the 

 European staff was reduced to the Assistant only. The export of 

 plants and seeds of economic interest was greater than usual, not 

 only in Para Rubber, but in other products, a matter of satisfaction 

 as it shows that the agriculture of the tropical English colonies is 

 not being confined to Rubber only. 



There was a demand for seeds of the Oil Palm {Elaeisguineensis) 

 due to an article in the " Agricultural Bulletin of this year 

 pointing out the value of this plant in cultivation. Fibre plants 

 were also in great request and though the cultivation of these has 

 been slowly making its way in the Peninsula, still there are signs 

 of its really playing an important part in the local cultivation in the 

 near future. 



Catch crops for rubber as represented by Ground-nut, Citronella 

 and Lemon-grass, were in demand. Camphor seedlings were taken 

 for trial in several of the Estates in the Federated Malay States. 

 Fruit trees were required also largely for the Federated Malay 

 States, where the supply of fruit is by no means what could be 

 desired. 



The Para Rubber seed crop was the biggest on record, viz., 

 410,600 of which 405,600 seeds and 13,100 seedlings were disposed 

 of. The Gutta Percha fruited well and 1,380 seeds were sent to 

 Mauritius, but travelled very badly. Of Willughbeia firma, 18 

 seedlings were sold. Besides these 100,000 Rubber seeds were 

 purchased, packed and sent to British New Guinea. 



Fibre plants were sold as follows: — Ramie 3,170, Sanseviera 

 10,000, Manila Hemp 130, Mauritius Hemp 150 and of Fruit trees 

 various kinds 1,700 plants and 12,000 seeds. 



A big sending of Coconuts to Lagos was 3,000 nuts in crates, 

 and requiring 30 carts to convey them to the docks. 



Of Tapioca 300 plants, Coffee 125, Citronella 160, Lemon-grass 

 250, Camphor 750, Cocoa 160, Nutmeg 172, Oil Palm 3,030 seeds, 

 Ground-nuts 50 lbs. seeds. 



The greater part of these seeds and plants were supplied to the 

 Federated Malay States and Johore, chiefly to Selangor and Perak. 

 Of other Colonies, Lagos, British New Guinea, Southern Nigeria, 

 and the Caroline Islands were the chief recipients. 



