6 
39* On the removal of the timber and primings, the orchard was drained over 
the low ground on each side of the front entrance, and the whole of the underwood 
and accumulation of debris brought down and deposited under the trees by the over- 
flowing of the adjoining canal, were removed. 
Much grass had also to be planted to cover places where the dense shade of the 
trees had killed it, and where it had been destroyed by the overflowing of the canal. 
• 
40. Young Orchards. — The young orchards between the Colonial Secretary’s 
house and Cavenagh-road, and between the main house and Bukit Timah-road, 
* have been cleared of scrub, and the young trees manured. 
41. Lawns. — A good many trees and shrubs, which intercepted the view from 
Government House, have been removed from the lawns, and others which had lost 
their beauty ; much sensitive plant and rank weed which disfigured the lawns have also 
been removed. The Lawn Tennis ground received several top dressings of a special 
compost for encouraging the growth of the grass, which has improved it. 
42. Planting. — A number of ornamental plants have been planted near the 
house, among which were the red-stemmed Palm, and two nice plants of Livistona 
sinensis to replace two trees of the same kind killed by beetles during the year. 
Bamboos have been planted at points on the boundary and elsewhere where required 
to .screen the neighbouring buildings and unsightly objects.' A root of the large Bam- 
boo — Dendrocalmus giganteus — has been planted in a suitable position near the front 
entrance, and is making strong growth. This fine bamboo was obtained from the 
Botanical Gardens, Ceylon, with the assistance of the Hon’ble J. F. Dickson, C. M. G., 
who took great interest in the work generally. 
43. Hedges. — The bamboo hedges which surround the grounds have been cleared 
of creepers and weeds, clipped and strengthened by horizontal strapping with strips of 
areca-palm, bamboo, &c., and a portion, 200 yards in length on right of main entrance 
where the dense shade cast by trees, now removed, had killed it, has been replanted. 
44. Plant-houses.— The pot plants throughout, the .plant-houses have been 
repotted, and new tubs obtained for the repotting of the large plants in the veran- 
dahs and corridors of the main building. 
An attap covered shed has been erected at the end of the bower near the house,, 
under which a rockery has been made and planted with a variety of ferns, &c. 
45. Flower Beds and Borders. — The flower beds adjoining the Tennis grounds 
have been mostly replanted and kept gay throughout ti • - ear with annuals and 
coloured-leaved plants. The ridge of laterite rock lying between the main entrances, 
and the Cadets’ bungalow, has been planted around with a collection of flowering 
creepers, with a view to covering it from sight, and ferns have been planted on pro- 
tected portions. 
Notices prohibiting the making of foot-paths across the lawns ha\e been put up, 
and a few cases of trespass punished, which has stopped encroachment and prevented 
the grass being rendered unsightly. 
Esplanade and Grounds surrounding Government Offices. 
46. The Esplanade has been kept nn -■ n and in order, together with the lawn 
lying between the main road and the sea, also the small grass plots which surround 
the Government Offices. In the latter, a few ornamental plants have been planted 
where required. 
47. The trees along the outer edgepf the Esplanade require attention, many of 
them will never grow so as to afford shade to the roads, which seems to. have 
been the object the planter of them had in view. 1 hese trees are not consideied 
to be under my care. 
Revenue and Expenditure . 
48 A statement of the Revenue and Expenditure for the year is annexed, from 
which it will be seen that the sum realised by sales of plant has considerably fallen off. 
being $348.63 less than last year, owing principally to ornamental plants being less in 
demand than in the previous year. . , , ,1 
The balance of ^3 1 S. 7 7 shewn in annexed statement is only apparent, the 
amount having been emended, but not paid during the year. 
Singapore, 19th March , 
N. CANT LEY, 
Superintendent , 
