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valuable exchange of seeds was effected with Messrs. Vilmorin 
Andrieux & Co. of Paris. Plants or seeds were also exchanged with 
private individuals in various parts of the world, including South 
Africa, Australia and Jamaica. A plant of a new almost black- 
flowered variety of the Common scorpion orchid (Arachnis flos-aeris 
var. insignis) from Sumatra, was obtained by exchange with 
Mr. N. T. Neubronner. 
THE BOTANIC GARDENS, SINGAPORE 
General routine .—The general maintenance of the Gardens was 
carried out as usual. An important item of routine which has been 
introduced in the last few years is the regular digging of trenches 
around young trees, and replacing the earth with admixture of manure 
and leaf mould. This has resulted in a much improved growth of 
young trees, the roots of which often cannot penetrate into the hard 
clay beyond the limits of the hole which was originally dug for 
planting. The surplus clay which resuits from this process is useful 
for burning for pot plants. 
Gingerwort Rockery .—This rockery, lying beside Cluny Road 
between the plant houses and the propagating yard, had been 
neglected for some years, owing to pressure of other work and lack 
of material for new planting. Early in the year, under Mr. Corner's 
supervision, it was cleared of innumerable stray saplings, and partly 
dug over preparatory to planting with wild plants of the ginger family. 
Mr. Corner collected a large number of species of this family from 
Johore, Pahang and Kemaman, and these were planted in the rockery. 
About 40 species appear to have established themselves, but they are 
slow to start, and many losses were suffered through rhizomes being 
attacked by boring beetles and white ants, and in December the 
monkeys broke down most of the new growth. The position is a 
little too open for some of the most shade-loving species, but the 
majority should grow quite well if they can be protected from the 
monkeys. A large tuber of Amorphophallus campanulatus, received 
from Mr. G. R. Mills of Batu Gajah, was planted in the rockery, and 
has developed a large leaf with stalk about five feet high. 
Neiv planting. —A large number of young trees of recent 
introduction were planted during the year. Mr. Corner had charge 
of this work. The various species of Erythrina were mostly planted 
on lawn F, where, after much digging, they are making good growth. 
Some of the other trees were planted on the edge of the jungle. If 
we are to maintain, as we intend, the open vistas in the garden, there 
is not much room for more free planting, except by elimination of 
some common trees which are much duplicated. There is plenty 
of room for more palms, and a considerable number of seedlings of 
additional species will soon be ready for planting; only four species 
were planted in 1935. The newly planted trees, shrubs and climbers 
are as follows:— 
Trees: — Adinandra sp. (Cameron’s Highlands); .Albizzia 
ferruginea (Gold Coast) ; A. lebbekoides (Honolulu) ; 
Ardisia Wallichii (Cuba) ; Artocarpus bracteatus 
(Singapore) ; A. hypogyrea (Hong Kong) ; Atalantia 
spinosa (P. Tioman) ; Barringtonia speciosa (Mersing) ; 
Brachychiton acerifolium , B. .discolor & B. rupestris 
