III.-Production.
FORESTRY, AGRICULTURE AND BOTANY.
Formation of Pine Tree plantations. Increased areas were dealt with during the year. Pinus Massoniana sowings in situ amounted to 197,476. Suitable areas were broadcasted with 995 pounds of Pinus Massoniana and 129 pounds of Leucaena glauca, the latter being tried for the first time. Other experimental sowings were made with Pinus insularis, Cunninghamia sinensis, Acacia pennata and Acacia confusa.
Insect Pests. Pine Tree Caterpillars (Eutricha punctata) appeared in the pine plantations in many parts of the Colony. June was a particularly bad month, weather conditions being ideal for the pests. The total amount collected and destroyed in all parts of the Colony was 14,637 pounds.
Protection from Fire.-Fires were again numerous but fortunately no serious damage was done to Government plantations. Little or no assistance in dealing with fires was given by village people living within short distances of the burnt areas. The usual clearing of fire barriers was carried out.
Agriculture.-A general exhibit of foreign vegetables was staged at the first New Territories Agricultural Show which was held at Sheung Shui on November 7th and 8th.
More interest is now displayed in the cultivation of both foreign and native vegetables for local consumption, this is chiefly due to increased motor transport and the communication between the Hong Kong markets and the New Territories villages, which was established during the labour troubles and consequent shortage of fresh vegetables during 1925.
Inspection of Nursery Stock.-Eleven consignments of bulbs of Narcissus Tazetta were inspected during the year. Of these, four consignments totalling 57,106 bulbs were exported to the United States of America and Honolulu; seven consignments totalling 177,840 bulbs were exported to Britain and British Colonies.
Small consignments of fruits, dried legumes and vegetables were inspected before being exported to the Philippine Islands by local firms.
Seed Collection.-Seeds of the following were collected for local use and for the purpose of exchange:--Casuarina equisetifolia, Cunninghamia sinensis, Glyptostrobus heterophyllus, Leucaena glauca, Bauhinia variegata, Cassia fistula, Tristania conferta, Sterculia lanceolata, Ficus retusa, Callistemon lanceolatus, Garcinia oblongifolia, Melia Azedarach, Callistemon rigidus, Cinnamomum Camphora, Poinciana regia, Aleurites Fordii, Aleurites montana, Aleurites triloba, Acacia pennata and Pinus Massoniana.