5 
MISCELLANEOUS 
The only new introduction worthy of mention is a white Bougainvillea 
which was obtained from the Botanic Gardens at Durban through the kind 
offices of Mr. E. F. Allen. It arrived here towards the end of 1950 and 
began to flower early this year as a pot plant. It was exhibited at the 1951 
Flower Show and attracted considerable attention. It has proved easy to 
propagate; but none of the specimens planted out in the ground, although 
they are growing vigorously, have shown any signs of flowering. 
Experiments were begun, rather late in the year and unfortunately dur¬ 
ing a period of very wet weather, to test the theory that ploughing and 
digging are unnatural and that crops should be grown in a layer of compost 
on undisturbed soil. Two beds of the same area and close together were 
prepared, one dug to a depth of two feet, heavily dressed with well rotted 
cattle manure and compost and raised about 9 inches above ground level, 
the other prepared by lifting the turf without disturbing the soil below and 
packing about 2\ inches of fine compost on top. Long beans were selected 
as the trial crop as they are quick growing and the produce is easy to weigh 
accurately. The beans grown in compost matured more quickly and yielded 
a slightly heavier crop, 16 lb. 2 oz., as against 14 lb. 1| oz. in the normal 
bed. The earlier maturing would be a decided advantage in a climate with 
a restricted growing season, but less so in the wet tropics. There is an 
obvious advantage in being able to do away with digging, but a good supply 
of good compost must be available. The experiments are continuing with 
other vegetable crops and with herbaceous flowering annuals and perennials. 
NURSERY 
The nursery has been maintained satisfactorily and sufficient plants 
grown to meet the demands of the Gardens, plant sales, plant exchanges, 
etc. 
At the head of the nursery it was found that in an overgrown thicket 
there were several cocoa trees which old records indicate are those intro¬ 
duced in 1879. The thicket was cleared, except for overhead shade, and the 
trees manured, to which their response has been good. 
PLANT SALES 
Revenue from plant sales was $16,216, of which $10,500 resulted from 
the sale of orchids. 19,993 miscellaneous plants and 2,702 orchids were sold. 
PLANTS INWARDS AND OUTWARDS 
773 packets of seed and 196 plants were received in exchange. 208 
packets of seed were purchased. 2,238 packets of seed, 83 orchid plants 
and 84 other plants were despatched in continuation of our exchanges with 
other institutions and with individuals. 
SINGAPORE FLOWER SHOW 
Mr. G. Alphonso, Horticultural Assistant, was assistant Show Manager 
at the annual Flower Show sponsored by the Singapore Gardening Society. 
The Gardens staged a large exhibit, mainly of orchids, and Mr. J. L. Pestana, 
Laboratory Assistant, arranged an exhibit to demonstrate the parentage of 
orchid hybrids raised in Singapore. 
it 
