6.
4.
considerations on this subject the idea has evolved of
co-operation amongst the people themselves with Government
assistance. This suggestion has received strong support as likely to have the most satisfactory results.
Soils In Sir R. Ho Tung's crop experiments at the "Tung Ying Hok Po" New Territories, he found that many of his trial
crops gave bad results chiefly because of unsuitable soil. Similar experiences have doubtless caused disappointment to many of the local people and probably has been one of the
factors which have limited their efforts to crops which are
not fastidious in regard to soil requirements.
Manures Little appears to have been done in the past in
regard to manures of artificial or green types. The people
have relied upon local natural manures and on burning off
hill slopes during the dry season in order that the potash
salts should be washed down into the valleys during the
growing season. This latter custom is a wasteful procedure
from any angle and particularly so where land is limited.
Transport Observations on lack of transport facilities for marketing (i.e. roads) have been made in earlier years, but this has been greatly improved by the opening of
additional roads. There are some areas which could be
better served and these will no doubt be considered at a
later date.
K
Efforts made to date to improve Agriculture
Practical efforts
to improve Agriculture have been made by the following:-
Sir Robert Ho Tung The information contained in the
"Report of the Economic Resources Committee (1920)"
contains a record of experiments made by this gentleman on his own farm and at his own expense. This is a valuable contribution to the subject and will be of great assistance to any future development which may take place.