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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 11TH MARCH, 1882.
them
will be granted it. Taking it for granted that the same amount voted for afforestation during this year annually until the wooding of the island is completed, we shall be able to accomplish this desirable object in a quarter of the time, by sowing in situ, of that necessary under the nursery system. When the trees are large enough to fell for firewood, &c. a financial return for the outlay expended upon can, it is hoped, be obtained by judicious periodical thinning and felling of portions of the plantations. 21. It is still desirable that nurseries, although on a smaller scale, should be maintained for raising a supply of trees for planting in situations where sowing in situ may be impracticable, and also for rearing other than pine trees which demand nursery treatment preparatory to planting, as it will be an object kept steadily in view to experiment with, and introduce, where successful, such foreign trees as are suitable for our soil, climate, and exposure, as will relieve the monotonous aspect of too much of any one kind of tree, besides, if possible, introducing others which may be valuable for timber or other economic uses.
22. As will be seen by the foregoing list several other than pine trees have been planted. I may mention first the Eucalypti of which over 1,500, comprising about a dozen kinds, were planted. Where these were planted amongst three-year planted pines they succeeded fairly well; Eucalyptus citriodora, the lemon-scented gum, having grown to, in some instances, 9 feet high in ten months, the largest having a circumference of 3 inches at one foot from the ground. Those planted away from the shelter of other trees have not done so well. The pine trees on the large area planted during 1880 will be about the right size in 1883 to be good nurses for other trees which I would, advise being planted amongst them. It would be necessary to begin the preparation of such trees next year. More trees of the lemon-scented gum would have been planted last year, but it was impossible, in consequence of the limited supply in its native country, Queensland, to obtain sufficient seeds.
23. On the spur of Mount Gough jutting out towards Head Quarter House, above Kennedy Road, the sky-line of the ridge, at the instigation of His Excellency the Governor, was planted. Large bam- boos, oaks (Quercus salicina, and Q. Harlandi), pines, and banians were used. The effect is very good, and the plantation a marked improvement to the scenery on the upper side of the above named road. There was much trouble in getting the large and weighty trees up the steep hill, but the result obtained is well worth the trouble which was taken.
24. The nurseries were taken in hand and a large number of pines reared for planting in 1881, besides several other trees such as Albizzias, candleberry tree, tallow tree, oaks, &c., some of which will be planted this year, and some next, when they will have become a good size.
after-
25. Although so much work is being done in tree-planting, the nature of the ground operated on, and its distance from the roads, renders the work hardly appreciable to casual observers. After they have been planted on the hills, the small trees remain hidden by the long grass until about two years wards when, just as they overtop the grass, they become plainly visible from a distance, and at the end of the third year they make a very fair show. Those sown in situ are about one year longer than the others before they alter the appearance of the landscape. In a year hence the trees which were planted twelve months ago will be visible from the roads; of the trees then visible there will be about 120,000, that is, nearly twice as many as are contained in all the other plantations put together.
26. Afforestation consists not merely of planting trees but of conservation and preservation from The wanton and accidental destruction of trees, shrubs, and seeds at present on the ground. recent authorization of the appointment of Forest Guards, to check the destruction of, and damage to, trees and shrubs by persons and goats will have a most salutary effect. Still, although the damages will be greatly diminished, some offences must necessarily occur, as there will always be some persons in this, as well as other things, to break the law when they can have a chance to do so with impunity. I believe that the cutting of trees is frequently done at night in the vicinity of villages and near the sea-coast, at the latter, probably, by boat people.
27. The Little-Hongkong woods-the most beautiful bits of natural forest vegetation on the island-suffer considerably from the depredations of wood cutters. The vegetation is in most parts so thick and impenetrable that it is difficult to patrol the woods efficiently. It would be a great aid to their preservation if some walks or narrow tracks could be cut through them, not only for the benefit of the Forest Guards in their work, but also to render the woods accessible to pedestrians and picnic parties, to whom this portion of the island might become a favourite resort if it were made a little more attractive by artificial means. Perhaps something in the way of a Japanese or Chinese tea-garden" might be established there. A new mountain road from the top of the Little-Hongkong woods to Wántsai Gap, where it would form a junction with the Wántsai and Aberdeen road, would make the woods accessible and form a pleasant walk from this side of the island and from the Peak houses.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
CHARLES FORD, Superintendent,
Botanic and Afforestation Department.
The Honourable F. STEWART, LL.D.,
Acting Colonial Secretary,
&c.,
&c.,
&c.