3 
Plant inp — Little has been done in this line, except in filling up vacancies, and a large 
number of exotic trees are being starved in pots for want of a safe place for planting them. 
Some .large, palms have been removed from near the Sago Clump to another place near 
the aviary, an operation which proved unexpectedly successful, and only one — Areca rubra — 
suffered to any extent, although they consisted of large plants of Cocoa jlexuosq, Cocos 
pjumosa, Afartinezia prana tens is. Php/elephas macrocarpa, Ac., Ac. 
The collection of palms planted in 1878 have made good progress and now require 
thinning out. This family lias been increased by fourteen genera and forty-six species 
during the year, and some other place must soon be selected for them. 
The Opcadacece, now numbering five genera and twenty species, have been collected and 
planted together. 
The Committee are indebted to W. Hill, Esq., of Brisbane, for a very fine specimen of 
Catakidozamia flopcana. Representatives of this family from the Cape are expected during 
the current year. 
A collection of named varieties of Nieriam, Oleander lias been planted on the side of the 
road leading from the plant house to the lake, and an invoice has been received of upwards 
of one hundred additional varieties, which will be planted on the other side of the same walk, 
as soon as they arrive. 
A border has been, made near the aviary where the Masaeece, Zinpiheracem, Cannae etc, 
and Aroidece are being planted. 
Nursery . — This has been extended during the year, and quantities of plants have been 
distributed during the year. Dr. Rowell, p.c.m.o., and Dr. Anderson, have been supplied 
gratuitously for planting near the Hospitals, and also for the Cemetery. Upwards of. 5.000 
plants (5,023) have been distributed during the year, showing* an increase on the number 
supplied in 1878, when it amounted to 1,074. Numerous packets of seeds have also been 
sent away. A list of recipients is appended. 
A large packing shed has been erected in a convenient place near tlye Cluny Road and 
sheds for growing on plants for the show-house, Ac. near it. 
A number of forest-trees has been raised in the Nursery for roadside planting, and 
were offered to the Municipal Commissioners in October last, and detailed descriptions of 
each species forwarded, but no answer has been received, and they will now be used for 
Dhoby Green and the Rattles Institution grounds. 
The number of plants given above does not include those sent to Government House, 
from time to time. 
Flotver ancl Vegetable seeds have been received from Messrs. Carter A Co. and Messrs. 
Sutton - & Sons ; the latter firm presented a collection through their Singapore Agents, 
Messrs. John Little A Co. 
It is but justice to the first named firm to acknowledge that their seeds were, without 
exception, faultless, and their strains of fiower seeds were really very fine, their Balsams, 
Colens, Dianthus, Ac., Ac., being by far the finest that I have seen. 
As regards the Vegetable Seeds, 1 have to report a similar result as in my last. 
Reas that under normal conditions would reach six feet in height, here scarcely attained 
to so many inches, and within two months of their being sown diminutive pods may be 
picked containing, at most, two peas only. 
Lettuces, Radishes, and Endive do well, and even Leeks and Cabbages look better than 
could be expected. 
Economic Garden . — The following economic and interesting plants have been introduced 
during the year : — 
Canella bark ( Canclla alba) ; Cuba bast ( Pari turn elatum) ; Baobab ( Adansonia dipitatd) ; 
Cola Nut ( Cola acuminata ) ; Triucomalee Wood (Berrya AlmnonUla ) ; Brazil Eleini (. Amyris 
rp.) ; Guarana bread (Pauli inia) ; Brazil Iron Wood (Cmsalpinia f erred) ; Me s quit Bean 
(Prosopis p lan dadoed) ; Negro Peach ( Sarcacephalus esculentus) ; Lucuma deliciosa ; Nu.x 
Vomica (Strychnos nux comical) • Lace-bark (Pape/ (a lintearid) ; Upas (Aiitiaris toxiearid) : 
Sandal Wood (Sant alum album): Friendly Isles Vegetable Ivory (Sap us arnica rum) : 
Ac., Ac. 
A short account of the uses of the various economic plants now in the Gardens is 
appended. 
and 
Cinchona . — All attempts to grow this here have proved fruitless, but Cinchona calimya 
Cinchona «s uccirubra are likely to do well at 2, C00 feet elevation in Perak. 
Cocoa. - Continual applications are being received from North- Australia. Borneo, and Perak, 
for supplies of seeds of this tree, which have been complied with as far as our limited stock 
permitted. 
A communication has been received from the Right Hon’ble the Secretary of State for 
the Colonies relative to the advisability of introducing the best varieties from Trinidad. 
Mr, Campbell has also promised to get some seeds of the best varieties from Manila. 
Coffee . — The Arabian coffee here is severely attacked by the disease (lie mile in caetatricc) 
which has destroyed all hopes of our being able to supply seeds for planters in the Peninsula. 
