21. By the typhoon of the 14th October 20 trees in the streets and roads were blown down, most of which, however, were replanted in their old positions or conveyed to, and planted in, more suitable sites.
22. Ten nurseries in Hongkong and Kowloon have been maintained. The trees—small seedlings—in two of these, which are situated at considerable altitudes—900 to 1,100 feet—suffered severely in the October typhoon. Although, for the sake of saving labour in the transport of trees, it would be very desirable to maintain nurseries high up on the hills, in the middle or vicinity of intended planting grounds, the damage done by this typhoon to the seedlings points to the inadvisability of risking quantities of tender seedlings in nurseries in high and exposed positions.
23. In the beginning of the year Forest Guards were appointed to protect trees and shrubs from the depredations to which they were constantly subject, and also to control the goat-keepers in regard to the lands used for grazing purposes. For the protection of the young trees it was found necessary to interdict certain lands for grazing purposes and grass cutting, and to allot lands where goats and cattle might be permitted, and where grass might be cut. The result of the appointments has been very satisfactory. Tree cutting has been very much checked, and the cutting of large pine trees, which had gone on very much, has been almost entirely stopped, except at Little Hongkong, where there have been two or three instances of a number of good sized trees being felled and carried away. The villagers report that the cutting was done by night by boat people who landed at Deep Water Bay. I have much reason for believing, however, that the villagers themselves are the culprits, and to put a stop to this tree cutting it may be necessary to adopt more stringent measures.
24. Hill fires have occurred in several places. In the vicinity of the Chinese Cemetery on Mt. Davis the grass was set fire to twice—by worshippers at the Cemetery. I believe in the first instance the fire destroyed about 5,000 healthy trees which had been planted only a few months, and in the second case about 600 trees were burnt.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
The Honourable W. M. DEANE, M.A.,
Acting Colonial Secretary,
&c.,
&c.,
&c.
CHARLES FORD, Superintendent,
Botanic and Afforestation Department.