io8 
ECONOMIC GARDENS. 
A small store was erected in the Economic Gardens in place of 
the old wooden shed which was in use for so many years. 
The Municipality in making a new road in the neighbourhood 
asked to be allowed to take soil from the hill opposite in the 
arboretum to fill up a swamp. This was permitted on condition 
of the hill being levelled and turfed. The excavations necessary 
were very unsightly for some time but by the end of the year they 
were filled in and levelled, and will shortly be turfed. 
The Garden was kept up in a very good condition as well as could 
be expected, considering for the greater part of the year, the 
European staff was reduced to the Assistant only. The export of 
plants and seeds of economic interest was greater than usual, not 
only in Para Rubber, but in other products, a matter of satisfaction 
as it shows that the agriculture of the tropical English colonies is 
not being confined to Rubber only. 
There was a demand for seeds of the Oil Palm ( Elaeisguineensis ) 
due to an article in the “Agricultural Bulletin’’ of this year 
pointing out the value of this plant in cultivation. Fibre plants 
were also in great request and though the cultivation of these has 
been slowly making its way in the Peninsula, still there are signs 
of its really playing an important part in the local cultivation in the 
near future. 
Catch crops for rubber as represented by Ground-nut, Citron ella 
and Lemon-grass, were in demand. Camphor seedlings were taken 
for trial in several of the Estates in the Federated Malay States. 
Fruit trees were required also largely for the Federated Malay 
States, where the supply of fruit is by no means what could be 
desired. 
The Para Rubber seed crop was the biggest on record, viz., 
410,600 of which 405,600 seeds and 13,100 seedlings were disposed 
of. The Gutta Percha fruited well and 1,380 seeds were sent to 
Mauritius, but travelled very badly. Of Willughbeia firma, 18 
seedlings were sold. Besides these 100,000 Rubber seeds were 
purchased, packed and sent to British New Guinea. 
Fibre plants were sold as follows : — Ramie 3,170, Sanseviera 
10,000, Manila Hemp 130, Mauritius Hemp 150 and of Fruit trees 
various kinds 1,700 plants and 12,000 seeds. 
A big sending of Coconuts to Lagos was 3,000 nuts in crates, 
and requiring 30 carts to convey them to the docks. 
Of Tapioca 300 plants, Coffee 125, Citronella 160, Lemon-grass 
250, Camphor 750, Cocoa 160, Nutmeg 172, Oil Palm 3,030 seeds, 
Ground-nuts 50 lbs. seeds. 
The greater part of these seeds and plants were supplied to the 
Federated Malay States and Johore, chiefly to Selangor and Perak 
OUfcr Colms Lagos, British New Guinea, Southern Nigeria, 
and the Caroline Islands were the chief recipients. 
