STRAITS SETTLEMENTS GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, MAY 22 , 1885 . 
811 
Substantial quarters for the forest watchmen have, however, been erected at Telok 
Bahang, Bukit Timah, and Government hill reserves at approved points, and it is hoped 
that when the watchmen get properly to work, destruction of forest above tne reserve 
line will be entirely prevented. 
29. — The preparation of a piece of land to serve as a forest tree and experiment Formaticn of 
tal nursery was begun early in September on Government hill. In selecting the 
site, care was taken to secure the greatest elevation combined with a constant supply 
of water. An area of about six acres has been selected and cleared of jungle close to 
the road leading to the Government Bungalow at an elevation or 2,000 feet. A stream 
runs through the nursery which affords a supply of water that is believed never 
to fail even in the driest season. It has been found necessary to terrace the greater 
portion of this nursery, owing to the slope of the hill side being too steep for cultivation 
in its natural form. 
30. — -Temporary sheds have been erected for coolies employed in the nursery 
and, although there is ^generally more or less fever on new clearings, the coolies have 
been exceptionally free from it in this place. A span roof plant house with a movable 
chick roof has been put up for plant protection and propagation purposes. 
31. — The collecting of native plants was commenced in December, and a good Collecting of 
many, useful for exchange, ornamentation, etc., have been got together. 
Such seeds as could be obtained in Penang have been collected, and among them 
a small supply of home grown Teak seed from trees growing near Telok Bahang where 
they appear to be doing remarkably well. 
32. — But little could be done during the year to forestry in Province Wellesley, Province Wei- 
owing to the pressure of work on the Penang side of the Straits. lesleJ% 
the Penang 
Waterfall 
33. — The formation of a nursery for the planting of colonial products at 
Waterfall in Penang was also a work of the Forest Department during the year 
Part of the Municipal land at the Waterfall was taken over by Government for 
the purpose of forming a nursery, but the work was not actively commenced till late in 
the year, when a large band of men were put on to clear an area of about ten acres : 
rather more than half of this space has been dug over twice to a depth of about two 
feet and the lalang roots and stones removed. The remaining portion, not being of a 
nature suitable for cultivation, has been sloped or levelled as the case required and a 
great part of it turfed. Holes have been prepared for the reception of plants, and a few 
flower beds have been made along the main walk with a view to combining the or- 
namental with the useful. The old path which passed through the land and which 
followed the course of the river has been altered, re-modelled, and metalled. It 
will prove a good, durable carriage road. 
A new road striking off from the reservoir and skirting the outer boundary of 
the nursery was commenced and had considerably advanced towards completion 
before the close of the year. 
The necessary paths for the convenience of working parties and visitors have been 
laid out and the edges turfed. Actual planting was only prevented by the setting in 
of dry weather before the nursery was sufficiently advanced to admit of planting 
being done. 
34. — Summarizing the work of the Forest Department in the three Settlements Summary, 
during the past year, I would point out that the forest reserves dealt with to a more 
or less extent are fifteen in number; that forty-six miles of boundary line have been 
opened at an average cost of $83 per mile including the planting up of twelve miles 
with fast-growing trees; that the area of land laid out in nurseries is over twenty 
acres; and that some 390,000 plants have been propagated in these nurseries at an 
average cost of $1 per zoo. 
35- — Seventy-three acres of waste land were planted with about 148,000 plants 
at an average cost of §12 per acre or per 2,000 plants. The stock in the nurseries 
at the close of the year numbered about 200,000 plants. It will be noticed that the 
area of waste land planted with trees is comparatively small, but what was of most 
importance, viz., the demarcation of reserves, to prevent further encroachment had 
to be first undertaken. This done, attention could with more security be turned 
to planting operations and other work within the reserve boundaries. 
