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2. Letter from Mr. C. Ford, late Superintendent, Botanical and Afforestation Department, to the Hon. Mr. F. H. May, C.M.G., Colonial Secretary.
BEECH GROVE,
RIPON, 26th October, 1904.
MY DEAR MAY,I have seen the report of the statement made in Council on September 15th in regard to the Government policy for tree-felling.
Without full knowledge of what the plans are, it is not possible to make a fair judgment on the whole, but from such information as has reached me I gather broadly that it is supposed that pine trees arrive at maturity for felling at the age of 25 years and that their felling and re-planting are necessary in order to preserve the arborescent growth of the Colony. I can only imagine that the Government has accepted advice to that effect, and that the prospect of immediate revenue to be obtained from the fellings has had no influence in the Government's decision, but may not the prospect of revenue have had some influence in suggesting to the mind of the originator of the scheme the plan for turning trees to this account and have somewhat obscured his judgment in relation to the chief object, viz, the greatest and best return to be obtained from living trees, and that if so the Gov- ernment has not obtained the best advice to which it was entitled !
In my opinion it will be many years bence before there will be necessity for beginning general felling and re-planting, and when that time does arrive it will probably be found that neither the system of "block" nor "selection" fellings are the best suited to Hongkong which will require modification of the methods of rotation felling of other places, as it required modification in the formation of plantations.
In Hongkong there are pine trees 60-70 years old in good health and condi- tion-50 years seems the estimated age of pine trees as given to the Government as I see from the newspapers. Even if trees actually died at 50 years, general fell- ings need not be made when they are only 25 years old. There are other things, which operate in the renewal of plantations besides felling and planting, which should be taken into consideration. A little reflection shows that, if trees are to be felled at 25 years, there would never be any trees which had arrived at half their natural full stature and age; and those which are the largest at 25 years would most likely be those first dooined to the axe under the projected system, whereas such trees are the most vigorous as the result of growing in the most suitable environments and consequently would be the longest lived and would attain the greatest dimensions. These at least should be spared until they are upwards of 50 years old.
It is time enough to renew plantations when the trees have reached their largest size, and in the case of Hongkong trees, which are only good for fire- wood and not timber, when they show signs of degeneracy, and not as a rule under 50 years old. Until then ordinary thinning of plantations, such as has been carried out hitherto, is all that is necessary, except in some rare cases.
In regard to pecuniary questions it should be considered that one tree of 50 years old should be worth more than two at 25 years. But the difference would be lost if the trees were felled at 25 years, and besides this loss there would be on the debit side the cost of re-planting at that time in addition to the original cost of planting, so that there would be the cost of two plantings, instead of one, in 50 years, and thus the cost of production would be nearly doubled, by which the Government would be so much the loser.
I have experienced the greatest reluctance in dealing with this subject, but after a considerable interval for reflection I still feel that a serious responsibility would rest upon me if, for any reason, I neglected to communicate the results of iny experience at a time when grave results might ensue from a mistake which might follow the best intentions, not the least reason of which is the criticism of the plan of my successor, for whom I have much regard; and the best way demonstrating it is to indicate the rock ahead which might be calamitous to all concerned.
The Honourable F. H. MAy, c.m.g.,
&c.,
&c.,
Believe me, etc.,
CHARLES FORD.
&c., Hongkong.