VI. GARDENS MAINTENANCE 
14. The plants were well maintained and routine spraying of fungicides 
and insecticides and regular manuring were carried out. Extensive clearing 
of undergrowth and jungle areas was effected to extend the areas under 
horticulture, the cleared areas were turfed, and new beds were made and 
planted. The following areas were cleared: 
(1) North and south ends of the plant sales nursery, and the bank of 
Lawn Y adjoining Lawn W. A number of old trees were felled. 
This has enlarged the plant propagation and plant sales nursery to 
meet with increasing demands for planting materials. 
(2) Lawn S, a part of the Gardens Jungle, was cleared of undergrowth, 
and turfed. A start has been made to under-planting the tree canopy 
with flowering shade-tolerant bushes. 
(3) South end of Lawn G was cleared and turfed. 
(4) The roadside bank outside the perimeter fence along Cluny Road 
was cleared of shrubs and turfed. Though this land is outside the 
perimeter fence it is nevertheless Gardens land, the boundary being 
the roadside drain. 
(5) The aroid rockery between the Potting Yard and Liane Road was 
cleared and replanted. 
15. A formal garden was laid out in the Plant House quadrangle using 
Ehretia microphylla for miniature hedges dividing up the area around the 
central fountain. Crazy paving and tree trunk blocks were used for paths. 
Plants used were Plumbago capensis, Pilea cadierei, Alternanthera parony- 
chioides. Thuya compacta, Juniperus conferta, Osbeckia sp., Lantana 
sellowiana, Coreopsis grandiflora, Zephyranthes lindleyana, Portulaca grandi- 
flora. Zinnia linearis and Hemigraphis colorata. Grass species was Zoysia 
japonica. 
16. The slope on Lawn J between Lower Ring Road and the Sun Dial, 
was selected as the site for the floral clock. (See also para. 10). A considerable 
quantity of soil had to be filled in order to obtain a proper slope for the face 
which was made up of various multi-coloured Coleus , Artemisia sp., 
Hemigraphis colorata and Alternanthera paronychioides. The Singapore crest 
and lion on either side of the floral clock were also made up of decorative 
plants, and the whole was headed by the words Majulah Singapura done 
with A. paronychioides. 
17. In order to conceal the chain link mesh perimeter fence, Erysibe sp. 
was planted to climb up and to trail over the fence along the section between 
the Main Gate and the plant house. This quick growing creeper gives a very 
effective screen and can now be seen in many gardens in Singapore. An 
Acalypha siamensis hedge was planted along the perimeter between Cluny 
Road and the Nursery Gate. Gustavia superba was planted on the steep slope, 
on Cluny Road side by the Nursery. 
' 2 /ias- 
3 
