1904-1919
HONG KONG, 1914.
311
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Over 400 Poincianas were planted in various places in Hongkong and Kowloon.
Between 800 and 900 flowering trees and shrubs were planted in conspicuous places in Hongkong in addition to the Poincianas.
Upwards of 2,000 trees were planted along the Castle Peak-Shataukok Road. They consisted of Poincianas, Albizzia, Camphor, and Ficus.
Alongside the road leading from Sheung Shui Station to the Golf Course 190 trees were planted consisting of Camphor, Aleurites, and Cratæva.
On the hills in the vicinity of the Fanling Golf Course over 2,200 flowering trees and shrubs were planted.
At U Kau Tang 110 flowering trees were put in.
Young pine trees from broadcast sowings on the hills near Ngauchiwan were thinned out to the extent of 45,000.
Creepers damaging trees in plantations on Mt. Victoria, Mt. Gough, Mt. Nicholson, Mt. Kellett and Mt. Parker were cut.
A large felling of pine and Tristania trees was made above the Pokfulam Road in order to enable new filter beds to be constructed by the Public Works Department.
Large fellings were also made on Farm Lots purchased by the Dairy Farm Co. for the cultivation of Guinea Grass.
About 9,000,000 square feet were cleared of undergrowth at the expense of the Government in connexion with anti-malarial measures. The Military Authorities paid for the clearing of 2,250,000 square feet and private individuals 288,000 square feet in addition.
In connexion with survey work about 1,780,000 square feet were cleared.
At the beginning of the year pine trees on the south side of the hills were attacked by caterpillars and about 20 tons of these insects were collected and destroyed. This is the worst visitation of this pest since 1894.
An economic garden was started near Fauling in the autumn and trials are being carried out with vegetables and fruits with a view to induce the natives to take up their cultivation.
The first rice crop was above the average and the second was even better. Difficulty was experienced in harvesting the second crop owing to the wet weather which prevailed at the time.
Lichees were below the average and peanuts were good.
The autumn was the wettest on record according to statistics extending over 23 years kept by the Botanical and Forestry Department, rain falling on no less than 45 days, the average for the same period being 24 days.
In April a trip was made to the North River and several interesting additions to the flora of Kwangtung were made.