H3 



It will perhaps be well to explain here that this so-called bath is 

 really the Garden reservoir, which supplies the plant sheds and 

 nurseries with water through one-inch iron pipes, and that since the 

 club swimming bath started at Tanjong Bungah the Garden bath 

 has fallen into almost entire disuse. The reservoir is essentially 

 necessary and must be maintained, but the Garden funds would not 

 stand the cost of renewing the dilapidated buildings (dressing-rooms, 

 etc.,) which were so very occasionally used and the opportunity was 

 therefore taken to utilize the ravine for the purpose stated. When 

 completed (considering the richness of Aroids in the Malayan flora) 

 a most interesting and valuable collection of these plants will be 

 permanently established for study or enjoyment in a cool retreat. 

 Several species of epiphytic Aroids already abound on trees growing 

 in the ravine ; others have been planted. In building the rockery, 

 the bed of the stream has been contoured so as to form a feature of 

 the work. Of the Aroids planted which include duplicates of all 

 our Anthuriums, Alocasias, Amorphophallus, Spathiphyllum, 

 Dieffenbachia, Schismatoglottis, Homalomena, Aglaonema, Philo- 

 dendron, Pothos, Schizocasia and Caladiums all have grown well. 



At the time of writing the plants of Spathiphyllum cann&folium 

 furnish a nice display of white flower-spathes which are deliciously 

 fragrant in the mornings and evenings. A little time must elapse 

 before the Anthuriums represent their best ; but those specimens 

 which have flowered exhibit more perfect and better coloured 

 spathes under the natural shade than is ever obtained with pot-plants 

 under artificial shade. 



Aquatic Aroids and the "Keladi" or Colocasias and Xanthosomas 

 are not yet provided for. 



Upkeep and Buildings. 



11. The dam across the reservoir was found to be leaky. The 

 faces have been re-cemented and a new hardwood water gate 

 provided. The reservoir has also been thoroughly cleaned and the 

 accumulated wash-sand removed. 



The bertam chicks on the iron or No. I plant house have been 

 entirely renewed. Many of the posts and beams of No. 3 plant 

 house have been renewed and painted, and the whole roof renewed 

 with split nibongs. 



The circular drive from the Aroid ravine as far as the Band-stand 

 or a distance of 200 yards has been re-metalled with 3 inches of 

 granite by the Public Works Department. The same department 

 has also renewed the two rustic bridges crossing the stream near 

 the fern rockery. 



Library and Herbarium. 



12. For the former the usual periodicals have been purchased or 

 received from other Botanical and Agricultural Establishments. 

 Mr. WRIGHT'S Cantor lecture on Para Rubber was purchased, and 

 Volume IX, Part II of the Annals of Calcutta Botanic Garden, 



