10 
“ proper gradients, and one of the old bridges has been entirely re-constructed. A 
“ foot bridge to connect the grounds already laid out with the proposed extension has 
“also been put up.” 
66. “ Additional flower-beds have been formed and clumps of trees and shrubs 
“ planted. The making and turfing of the steep banks which remained unfinished at 
“ the close of last year has been completed. Anew site for seed sowing has been 
“ cleared and stocked. One thousand and seven hundred trees have been supplied du- 
“ ring the year for road-side planting in Penang, Province Wellesley and Perak. One 
“ hundred Eucalyptus were supplied for planting in the vicinity of the Leper Hospital, 
“ Pulau Jere jak, and the rate of growth of the young trees is very satisfactory.” 
67. In addition to its general usefulness, the Waterfall Garden acts as the empo- 
rium of all plants arriving for Penang and Province Wellesley, and in a great measure 
for the Native States. In the latter capacity, its utility is only becoming known, and I 
think it has a future to which the Singapore Gardens cannot aspire. 
PROVINCE WELLESLEY. 
68. In Province Wellesley, one Reserve only has been established so far, namely 
at Kubang Ulu, about 8 miles from the coast. The Reserve has an area of 72 acres, 
and within the boundary is an Experimental Nursery into which a considerable collec- 
tion of economic plants have been planted during the year for trial, among which 
were hemp, coffee, patchouly, jalap, oil-plants, sugar-cane, &c. ; also numerous forest 
trees for planting in the Reserve, which included a good stock of Mahogany 
( raised on the spot from seed received from Kew ), Merabau, Cedar, Adenanthrea, 
Kranji, &c. Several of the sugar-canes have proved new to the Province, and orders 
have been received from planters for supply. ( Vide Appendix C.) 
69. The boundary line of the Reserve has been extended to 10 feet in breadth 
and thoroughly cleared, in order to prevent the entry of fire from the outer wind- 
swept country. 
The 8,000 trees planted in the Reserve last year have been weeded, and about 
12,000 more added to the number. The Dadup cuttings planted in the Reserve for 
the benefit of pepper planters have been much attacked by white ants, and many 
eaten off close to the surface of the ground. 
GENERAL. 
Working Plan. 
O 
70. It will be seen from details already supplied, that the Forest Department has 
now passed its preliminary stages, and that attention to the preparation of a working 
plan, the conservancy of minor forest produce, and to the development of revenue is 
now desirable. 
I11 this connection, I would call attention to remarks in Mr. SwETTENHAM S 
Report on the collections of Straits timbers sent to the Indian and Colonial Exhibition, 
and would observe that the specimens sent from the Forest Department were suffi- 
ciently large for testing under the commom process, but for some unexplained reason 
the experimenters seem to have confined their attention to logs which was, of course, 
not anticipated, nor was it known that any test experiments were to be made. The 
specimens were consequently prepared with a view to exhibition only, and shaped so 
as to shew the grain of the wood in every section. 
Steps should now be taken, however, to have as many as possible of the good 
native timbers properly tested, and when a collection is sent to the Colonial Institute 
a ticket shewing the test results should be attached to each log or specimen. 
Grazing and Fencing . 
71 The extent to which grazing can be advantageously practised within the re- 
serve boundaries is not now clear, probably but to a very limited extent. At present 
grazino- leases are issued for the Military Reserve only; which Reserve, from its posi- 
tion near Town and main thoroughfare, requires to be strongly hedged with bamboo 
or logwood. ^ 
Introduction of Plants and Seeds. 
72. Two hundred and forty-six kinds of plants and seeds have been introduced 
during the year, among them being plants of economic \alue from every pait of the 
