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Aleurites cordata.-The flourishing plantation of young Tung Yau trees at Kang Hau Nursery was further increased by a thousand plants raised from seed obtained from the interior.
Cassia.-Twelve forlorn Cassia trees (Cinnamomum Cassia), possibly the last of the large numbers planted out on the hills in former years, were rescued from a valley near Aberdeen, where they had been almost killed by the repeated stripping off of their valuable bark by the Chinese, and transplanted into the Government Nusery at Sookunpo.
Clearing. A large amount of time of the forestry staff has again been occupied in clearing trees on Crown land for the construction of water-works and roads.
Pollard Pine-trees.-During the Forestry Licence rounds a system of cultiva- ting the local Pine (Pinus massoniana) was met with at Lung Ko Tan, which is, so far as can be ascertained, unique. In this method the same advantages are aimed at as by the well known European system of pollarding. But the pollarding of coniferous trees seems to be unknown in Europe. The exact method employed with the Pines here is as follows: At 10 years old when the tree is about 12 feet high the top half is cut off. After 5 years more the lower branches are cut off. Shoots soon appear from the cut parts and these are cut every 5 years together with the upper remaining internode-this tree produces annual whorles of branches—until, after 20 to 25 years, the whole is used up. This method is not used in any other part of the New Territory. The Hakka families who practise it believe that they came from Wei Chou in North-East Kwantung about 150 years ago.
VISITORS.
The chief visitors to the establishment were: Dr. MATHEW of H. M. S. Eclipse, Col. BIRDWOOD and Capt. LIGHT, who each did a good deal of work in the Herbarium; Herr MALTE HASS, Head of the Forestry Department at Tsingtau, to see the pine plantations and the organization of the Department; Dr. HALLIER, of Hamburg; Mr. E. D. MERRILL, Head of the Botanical Department in Manila, to use the Herbarium and Library.
STREET TREES.
In connection with the new Tramway, 17 Banyans were transplated near Causeway Bay and in Arsenal Street.
Forty-five Albizzia and 28 Celtis were planted in the West part of Des Voeux Road. In fine weather in summer this road is one of the most mercilessly hot and glaring spots in the town. It will be greatly benefitted by the freshness and shade of these trees.
season.
AGRICULTURE.
Cattle food. In cooperation with the Colonial Veterinary Surgeon, some experiments were made with a view to ascertain whether any of the common evergreen trees of the district could provide sustenance for cattle during the winter Six kinds of leaves were tried-Ficus retusa, Quercus salicina, Quercus fissa, Bambusa sp., Hibiscus sp., Sterculia lanceolata. The first four were probably too hard and dry, and the Bamboo leaves proved injurious; the Sterculia leaves were, however, readily eaten and might in conjuction with rice-straw prove a serviceable food.
Castle Peak Estate.-A large consignment of Pineapple suckers, which were kindly sent by request from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Singapore, were divided between the Castle Peak Estate and the Government Nursery at Sookunpo. This is a better variety than any that we had previously and when the stock has multi- plied sufficiently it can be distributed to the Chinese farmers.
Exhibition of Colonial-grown Fruits in London. The facilities offered by the Royal Horticultural Society to Colonial fruit-growers and fruit-tinners for exhibit- ing at their Exhibition in London in December, were duly advertized by the Government in Hongkong and advantage was taken of them by one or more Chinese merchants. Among the tinned fruits sent were Litchis, Wampees, Longans, Carambolas, Plums, Peaches and Pears.