AnnualReport-1879 — Page 91

34. Although nurseries will always be necessary for rearing trees in for certain purposes, especially for trees of other kinds than Pinus sinensis, which I propose to introduce, now that the plan- tations of the latter are sufficiently large to afford the requisite shelter to other species requiring protection for a few years, still they will probably not be essential on so large a scale as was commenced in 1878.

1

35. British Colonial Governments only introduce new cultures and then, when they are shown to be profitable, expect private individuals to pursue them. This may not unreasonably be applied now to some extent to the planting of this Island. There are a number of Chinese here who are anxious to do something in this way if the Government will give them the necessary encouragement. The rough out- line of the scheme would be that the planters should have certain districts allotted to them, that they should plant the ground with trees-certain portions of land to be allowed them for other cultures as vegetables, fruit trees, pine-apples, and possibly tea to a small extent, and that the planters should have the thinnings of the plantations for a certain number of years, say 10 or 15, at the expiration of which, the plantations, with a certain number of trees per acre in them, should be resumed by the Government. In the execution of this scheme proper rules would have to be drawn up and observed by both parties. A plan of this kind, I think is quite feasible.

36. To afford more variety to the Trees bordering streets and ronds I planted in 1875 and 1876, trees of the following kinds which have succeeded:

Castanospermum australe (Moreton Bay Chestnut). Putranjiva Roxburghii (an Indian tree).

Pithecolobium pruinosuni.

Cedrela australis.

Erythrina sp.

Dryandra cordata.

Camphora officinarum (Camphor-tree).

Ailanthus glandulosa.

Quercus Harlandi (Oak). Celtis sinensis.

Sterculia nobilis.

Bauhinia purpurea.

Swietenia Mahogani (Mahogany-tree).

I hope now to continue the introductions of a further variety of trees as circumstances permit. During the last five or six years a very large number of trees chiefly the so-called "banian "--Ficus retusa--have been sacriticed in the streets to make room for improvements and alterations in streets and building.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

CHARLES FORD,

The Honourable W. H. MARSH,

Colonial Secretary,

&c.,

&o.,

&c.

Superintendent, Botanic Gardens and Plantations.

34. Although nurseries will always be necessary for rearing trees in for certain purposes, especially for trees of other kinds than Pinus sinensis, which I propose to introduce, now that the plan- tations of the latter are sufficiently large to afford the requisite shelter to other species requiring protection for a few years, still they will probably not be essential on so large a scale as was commenced in 1878.

1

35. British Colonial Governments only introduce new cultures and then, when they are shown to be profitable, expect private individuals to pursue them. This may not unreasonably be applied now to some extent to the planting of this Island. There are a number of Chinese here who are anxious to do something in this way if the Government will give them the necessary encouragement. The rough out- line of the scheme would be that the planters should have certain districts allotted to them, that they should plant the ground with trees-certain portions of land to be allowed them for other cultures as vegetables, fruit trees, pine-apples, and possibly tea to a small extent, and that the planters should have the thinnings of the plantations for a certain number of years, say 10 or 15, at the expiration of which, the plantations, with a certain number of trees per acre in them, should be resumed by the Government. In the execution of this scheme proper rules would have to be drawn up and observed by both parties. A plan of this kind, I think is quite feasible.

36. To afford more variety to the Trees bordering streets and ronds I planted in 1875 and 1876, trees of the following kinds which have succeeded:

Castanospermum australe (Moreton Bay Chestnut). Putranjiva Roxburghii (an Indian tree).

Pithecolobium pruinosuni.

Cedrela australis.

Erythrina sp.

Dryandra cordata.

Camphora officinarum (Camphor-tree).

Ailanthus glandulosa.

Quercus Harlandi (Oak). Celtis sinensis.

Sterculia nobilis.

Bauhinia purpurea.

Swietenia Mahogani (Mahogany-tree).

I hope now to continue the introductions of a further variety of trees as circumstances permit. During the last five or six years a very large number of trees chiefly the so-called "banian "--Ficus retusa--have been sacriticed in the streets to make room for improvements and alterations in streets and building.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

CHARLES FORD,

The Honourable W. H. MARSH,

Colonial Secretary,

&c.,

&o.,

&c.

Superintendent, Botanic Gardens and Plantations.