603 



12 to 18 inches high. Weeding was necessary three times during 

 the six months since the plot was planted, but on each occasion only 

 a few rough weeds came up, these had to be hand pulled. 



Nursery. — A piece of ground about three acres in extent was 

 opened up and laid out for use as a nursery. 



Collections of fruit trees, flowering shrubs and trees, etc., are 

 being raised and will be available for use in the Public Gardens and for 

 distribution. 



The various economic plants required for the Experimental Planta- 

 tions are also being raised there. 



An atap shed has been erected in the nursery for growing seeds, 

 etc., under that are too small to sow in the open owing to the heavy 

 rains. 



During the year plants were distributed when available. 

 A number of flowering plants were supplied to the Eailway 

 Department for station gardens. 



BATU TlGA. 



The plantations at Batu Tiga contain but few interesting subjects, 

 the plot of camphor being perhaps the only one of any real value there. 

 A considerable portion of the ground was covered during the year with 

 Mimosa pudica. The plant has done well, large areas are now thickly 

 covered with it. 



Weeding Experiment. — An area of about four acres was planted 

 with Hevea braziliensis seedlings. This area was divided up into four 

 blocks and treated as follows : — 



(a) Planted with Mimosa pudica, and not weeded after the 

 mimosa had got established 



(b) Clean weeded; 



(c) A circle 3 feet round each plant is weeded, rest of field 



unweeded ; 



(d) Unweeded. 



This experiment has not yet been long enough initiated to get 

 figures of results, records are being kept of the growth of the trees in 

 each area, etc. These will be published from time to time. 



Experiments for the eradication of lalang (Imperata arundinacca) 

 by spraying were carried out during the early part of the year, but 

 were abandoned owing to the want of a suitable sprayer. 



The wells for the supply of drinking water were deepened and 

 brick-lined. The office roof was re-ataped during the year. 



Public Gardens, Kuala Lumpor. 



The expenditure for the year on upkeep amounted to $5,498.95, 

 while a sum of $1,000 (revoted from 1906 estimates) borne on the 

 Federal Estimates under Agricultural Department, (plants seeds, etc., 

 and orchid and foliage house in Botanic Gardens) was also expended. 



The gardens have been maintained in good order throughout the 



year. 



Roads. — The upkeep of the roads, which is under the charge of 

 the Public Works Department, leaves much to be desired. 



The roads are treated as ordinary public roads, and as such are no 

 doubt in excellent condition ; but as garden walks and drives there is a 



