PRODUCTION
All major animal diseases were kept firmly in check by the combined efforts of the Veterinary and Animal Husbandry staff.
Agriculture and Animal Husbandry
The Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Division of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry was formed in 1946, and its growth has been rapid and its influence has extended to all parts of the Colony. There are nine agricul- tural stations situated at Tsun Wan, Sheung Shui, Tai Po, Shatin and Sai Kung on the mainland, and at Silver Mine Bay on Lantau island. During the year, an additional small station was opened at an elevation of 1,500 feet on Mount Tai Mo Shan.
These small stations are the district headquarters of agricultural officers concerned with extension duties and the demonstration of improved agricultural and animal husbandry techniques. Regular monthly meetings are held with farmers to discuss farming problems and from these stations seed, stock, fertilizers, insecticides and farming information are distributed.
The district agricultural stations have become the centres of the district farming scene and are exerting a growing influence with farmers and educationalists. Of great importance are the organized visits of school children and lecture sessions on local agricultural and animal husbandry topics, arranged by departmental officers.
Irrigation work is confined to the main station of some 50 acres at Ki Lun Wai, Castle Peak, and the pig and poultry station at Sheung Shui. At Ki Lun Wai most of the agronomic work, seed selection and variety trials with rice and vegetables
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