605 



This planting of masses of flowering shrubs judiciously carried out 

 might be still further extended with advantage. 



The lake has been cleared of weeds several times during the year. 

 One small island was planted with a large flowering reed {Arundo speci- 

 oswm) with which it is intended'to replace the yellow bamboo (Bambusa 

 aurea), which does so badly owing to the ground being too wet. 



A small pond near the road was planted up with the American 

 water hyacinth (Eichomia crassipcs), a plant with pretty blue flowers 

 which is much admired. 



There is plenty of room for the extension of water gardening. 

 Several shallow ponds are available where nympheas and other water 

 plants could be successfully cultivated. 



The giant water lily (Victoria regia) ought also to be grown. 



A number of coconut trees were cut down, the stumps being re- 

 tained as support for growing creepers, over. Good holes were taken 

 out at the base of each stump and filled in with good soil and manure. 

 All the plants are making good progress while many have become 

 effective. This promises to be one of the features of the garden. 



Labelling. — Steps have been taken to name the collections in the 

 garden, a number of labels have been written and put out. 



Early in the year it was noted that a considerable number of 

 petty thefts were carried on, the gardens being a happy hunting 

 ground for the kabiuis from adjacent houses who came in and practi- 

 cally took anything they wanted. This practice has now to a great 

 measure been suppressed. 



Mangostccns. — The mangosteens fruited in June and July, the fruits 

 w r ere distributed amongst various residents. 



A large number of persons of all nationalities uso the gardens as a 

 place of resort. The plant house since its rearrangement has been 

 well patronised, and judging from the number of enquiries received for 

 plants noted there, by many interested in horticulture. 



Geneeal. 



While on leave on Taipeng hills, during the early part of January, 

 I made a collection of native plants, amounting in all to some eighty- 

 five species for the Public Gardens, Kuala Lumpor. 



The collection included plants of the'fine tree fern, several rare 

 species of ferns, aroids, and some orchids. 



In September a visit was paid to Taipeng and Kuala Kangsar for 

 the purpose of getting'plants and seeds for the Experimental Plantations. 



In December I assisted at the adjudication of stations on the 

 Federated Malay States Railways. Many of the stations were taste- 

 fully arranged, while several showed that considerable care had been 

 bestowed upon them. 



During the trip I was able to get several plants useful for the 

 gardens, and to note one or two good botanizing grounds. 



During the greater part of the year I was placed at a considerable 

 disadvantage in living so far away from my work, the Superintendent's 

 bungalow was not finished until October, considerable delay having 

 been caused owing to the amount of sickness (malaria a mongst the 

 contractor's coolies. 



