4 
by constructing a jack roof, which at first was “glazed " by old X-ray films, 
from which the emulsion had been removed, and later, when these had proved 
incapable of standing up to the weather, by glass. This house has proved 
suitable for orchid seedlings up to a certain stage. The aluminium sheet 
reflects most of the heat and of course is waterproof and drip proof. It is 
surprising how quickly drips from a badly made roof will kill seedlings and 
young plants. But such a house is not suitable for young orchid plants when 
they have become established and require plenty light, but at the same time 
protection from heavy rain. At present the only accommodation available is 
under the porch of the Director’s house, a suitable place, but too snail to 
allow of the proper conditions for the very large number of plants being 
raised. A large glass house is required. 
A small glass house formerly erected in the large plant house as a shelter 
for succulents was removed and rebuilt in a sunny situation on Lawn X. 
More space is now required for succulents as well as for orchids, and this 
too must he glass roofed. 
Horticultural Work: Botanic Gardens 
A high standard of maintenance was reached during the year and most 
parts of the Gardens were as good as, if not better than they were in pre¬ 
war years. The Ganna beds along Main Gate Road, which were replanted in 
1948, made an exceptionally fine show almost throughout the whole of 1949, 
and there was no sign of the disease which destroyed then during the Japanese 
occupation. 
Shell splinters damaged a number of trees in early 1942, and although 
most have either recovered or died, the effects are still being shown in some. 
Four or five Eugenia grandis had to be felled in the labourers’ lines because 
of a rot which followed shell damage. Other losses were a fine old tree of 
Eucalyptus corymhosa on Lawn J and a massive, spreading Xanthophyllum 
Curlisii at the top of Maranta Avenue. The work of concentrating the bamboo 
collection on Lawn W has continued. 
Some alterations were made in the bandstand area, chiefly the grassing 
over of a number of narrow pathways, which not only improves the appear¬ 
ance of the area by providing an unbroken sweep of lawn, but does away 
with the constant weeding and trimming of edges. The remainder of the silt 
from the lake, removed during 1948, was spread over Lawn F, and the 
area at the head of the lake was improved and planted with ferns and shade 
loving plants. These grew well but suffered damage by monkeys. 
The Lawn Plans were kept up to date by the Horticultural Assistant, so 
that it is possible to locate any tree or shrub in the Gardens at a moment’s 
notice. 540 large and 260 small labels were painted during the year. 
Experiments with several kinds of “plant hormones”, or growth promoting 
substances, supplied by Malayan Fertilisers, were carried out. One of those, 
Seradix B, in powder form, gave excellent results with Bougainvillea cuttings, 
increasing the percentage of the rooting of difficult kinds from twenty to 
one hundred per cent; and in the easier kinds, promoting a more rapid pro¬ 
duction of roots. 
A selection of the best standard Hisbiscus has been planted round the 
sundial terrace on Lawn J, where they can be seen to advantage. 
The sale of plants to the public increased considerably during the year, 
perhaps because of the increased building programmes in Singapore, both 
