5 
for reference. By this means it is hoped that the general public, more especially 
teachers and students, will take a more lively interest in the plants which 
grow around them. The exhibit has proved very popular, and is visited by 
large numbers of people. The plants are labelled with their scientific, English 
.and Malay names, the family and brief notes are given on each plant. 
VII. HORTICULTURAL WORK 
(i) GENERAL 
26. Routine planting, as well as the general maintenance of the Gardens, 
was carried out during the year, and a few of these many operations are 
mentioned : Following the turfing of the paths of the Sun-dial Terrace, borders 
were made along the outer edge and planted with standard Hibiscus and 
Gerberas. A bed of Euphorbia pulcherrima (Poinsettia) was particularly suc¬ 
cessful: good drainage provided by 2 feet of rubble in the bottom of the bed 
and a 4-inch drainage pipe being largely responsible, together with a monthly 
application of sulphate of ammonia at, the rate of 2 oz. per square yard. 
The latter undoubtedly intensifies the red colour of the bracts. On the poor, 
heavy clay soils in the Gardens, good drainage and adequate feeding are 
essential for the successful growth and flowering of most introduced species 
of trees, shrubs and herbs. Regular supplies of cattle manure from the Animal 
Quarantine Station and spent-hops from the Malayan Breweries were obtained 
during the year. Large quantities of compost were made in the Gardens, 
while Sterameal has proved valuable as a general-purpose, organic fertilizer. 
Some clearing and replanting was done in the Dell and unwanted tree seedlings 
removed from the Arboretum. The thicket between the Director's house and 
Tyersall Avenue, which had encroached considerably on Lawn T, was cut 
back towards the end of the year and several years’ accumulation of rubbish 
was removed. One man was employed full time throughout the year removing 
weeds from the lake. 
(ii) ORCHIDS 
27. The outstanding event of the year in orchid circles was the success 
of Singapore-grown orchids at the Chelsea Flower Show of the Royal Horti¬ 
cultural Society in May, where they were exhibited by Mrs. Gracia Lewis. 
The exhibit as a whole was awarded the Lindley Medal and two of the 
hybrids received the highest awards of the Royal Horticultural Society for 
Individual flowers, namely First Class Certificates. This was an outstanding 
achievement, as only three First Class Certificates were awarded in the entire 
show. The third went to a carnation. The Singapore orchids receiving the 
awards were Vanda Tan Chay Yan, raised in the Botanic Gardens from a 
.cross made by Mr. Tan Hoon Siang, and Vandanthe rothschildiana, from 
Mr. D. C. Doo’s collection in Singapore. The latter orchid was particularly 
admired by the Queen Mother. Vanda Tan Chay Yan, which is illustrated 
between pages 6 and 7, has fulfilled its early promise and is considered one of 
the best Vanda hybrids produced anywhere in the world. Our seedlings of this 
hybrid flower almost continuously producing a succession of fine inflorescences. 
We are now using it extensively for further crossing and have crossed it with 
Vandanthe rothschildiana and other good hybrids such as V. Ellen Noa, 
V. tatzeri and Vanda hertziana, and now have seedlings of these crosses 
in the flask stage. 
