14 
at Sri Temasek (the former Chief Secretary’s House) received additional atten- 
tion as the change in use of the house to the State Guest House called for extra 
potted plants and decoration for special occasions. 
84. The visit of H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh in February, and the 
reception held to which some 4,000 guests were invited necessitated a greatly 
increased number of pot plants. Twenty groups of floral decorations were put 
up at Clifford Pier and the Victoria Memorial Hall was decorated from 
Domain resources. At one time a lorry load of plants was leapfrogging the 
royal party from one function to the next but one ahead. Later in the year 
decoration was supplied for the Constitutional Exposition, the opening of the 
first Legislative Assembly, and the “Government in Action” Exhibition. The 
Domain nursery to meet these calls maintained a stock of some 2,000 foliage 
and flowering pot plants, 50 beds of orchids and over 30 beds of other 
flowering plants. 
85. The hedge around the lower part of the potting yard was removed 
and replaced by a wire fence. Beds of Hymenocallis were planted alongside 
the fence to supply cut flowers. 
86. To supply adequate potting soil and humus, soil was burnt regularly, 
and cattle manure and spent hops were obtained. As in previous years a few 
loads of elephant manure were also obtained for the especial purpose of acting 
as a starter for composting. The fons et origo of this manure is by way of 
being a professional circus hand and odd jobbing elephant now living in semi- 
retirement on the outskirts of the City. Had we not made its acquaintance 
some years ago we would never have known what remarkably versatile 
talent it possesses. It is furthermore to be congratulated on its tremendous 
productivity. 
87. The Domain was open to the public on Christmas Day. 
88. The horticultural staff of the Domain competed in the 1959 Singa- 
pore Flower Show and won three prizes in the pot plant sections. 
89. Periodic visits were made to Changi Cottage to give advice on the 
maintenance of the garden. 
XXIII. ORCHIDS 
90. The expansion of the orchid collection continued and more of the 
plant introduction nursery was removed from the enclosure to Lawn Y to 
make room for the additional orchid plants. A slatted roofed house was com- 
pleted for the species and the whole collection was moved to it from the Bear 
Pits on Lawn T. Four of the seedling houses in the nursery were surrounded 
with aluminium shade screening. This helps to break direct sunlight of the 
early morning and late afternoon and to maintain slightly moister conditions 
by reducing air movement and drying out, yet not so damp as to induce 
rotting. 
91. During the year sixty-four successful crosses were made, of which 
thirty-five yielded fertile pods. The work of crossing had to be suspended for 
about half the year owing to loss of staff by retirement. Seed from fertile pods 
raised by the Gardens together with seed from eleven other pods donated by 
local residents and seed received from New Guinea, Australia and Florida 
were sown in the laboratory in flasks on agar with Vacins’ prescription plus 
diluted coconut water. The Gardens are grateful to Messrs. Braga, Lewis, 
