4 
be able to supply the information at an early date. I think, however, that 6,000 acres 
may be taken as representing approximately the total demarcated area up to date. 
25. The reserves cover and protect the crests of the principal hill-chains 
and have been established, wherever practicable, throughout the island. The reserves 
contain, for the most part, trees or shrub, and require but little, if any, planting. 
26. Twenty-three miles of boundary line have been opened during the year, the 
rugged nature of the hill-sides offering many obstacles to progress as the work pro- 
ceeded. The breadth and nature of the line cut is the same as detailed in my report 
of last year. Little further demarcation can be done in Penang, the chief work 
which now remains is the placing in position of boundary-marks, for which purpose 
stones have been already procured and properly lettered. 
Watershed of Town Rivers . 
27. The proposal to re-wood the watershed of the river which supplies the town 
with drinking water was abandoned after much survey and labour, it is said, through 
want of funds. A paper came under my notice during the year in which Dr. Hamp- 
shire called attention some eight years ago to the pollution of the river by Chinese 
squatters on the watershed, and it is to be regretted that, after so much labour, a 
remedy could not be found for the evil, which now extends over nearly the whole 
catchment area of the river, whereas when Dr. Hampshire wrote the clearings made 
were very few. It is earnestly to be hoped, however, that so important a subject 
will not be left in abeyance any longer than the financial position of the Settlement 
may render absolutely necessary. 
Protection. 
28. Notices in Chinese, Tamil, and Malay have been posted on the boundary 
lines informing people of the nature of the reserves and forbidding trespass. Three 
watchmen have been at work throughout the year, located in quarters erected for 
them on the hills last year. They have succeeded in preventing any serious encroach- 
ment on the reserves, as well as having kept the boundaries opened last year in pro- 
per order. They made four arrests, and obtained two convictions. 
Nurseries. 
29. The Bungalow-Garden on Government Hill was placed under the control of 
the Forest Department in March, and has been utilised for the accommodation of 
plants which require a low temperature. The addition of this garden gives the De- 
partment as complete a range for experiment as can be obtained within the Colony, 
and the course proposed is to place plants on their first arrival from temperate coun- 
tries into the hill top nursery, and, by taking them down through the other nurseries, 
gradually acclimatize them for cultivation on the lower plains. 
30. Four hundred and fifty kinds of seeds, and a great variety of plants, have 
been introduced during the year ; included among the latter were peaches, figs, olives, 
oranges, apples, pears, apricot, cherries, &c. The growth of nearly all has exceeded 
expectation. A large assortment of vegetables, both native and foreign, have 
been tried and grown to great perfection in the intermediate hill nursery ; some of 
which were sent to Singapore and arrived in perfect condition. Vide Botanic Gar- 
dens Report for 1886. 
Waterfall Nursery. 
31. The economic plants introduced into the Waterfall Nursery have mostly 
grown well. The following are measurements of a few planted only twelve months 
ago. viz. : — Ceara rubber (Manihot glaziovii) 15 to 20 feet; Para rubber (Hevea Bra- 
ziliensis) .7 to 9 feet ; Teak (Tectona grandis) 5 to 10 feet. Teak grows better in 
Penang than in any of the other Settlements, which the comparative absence of 
laterite in the soil accounts for. 
32. The principal work of the year in this nursery consisted in planting, con- 
struction of bridges, roads, lawns, and the planting of shrubberies, &c. It has been 
much visited by the public for recreation. The site contains many natural beauties 
hardly equalled elsewhere, and with a little further expenditure could be made very 
picturesque and attractive. Requisitions for trees for roadside and other planting 
have been met by this nursery, and some 11,500 plants have been supplied. 
