the number of the large trees in the streets, many have to be removed to make provision for the erection of verandahs, for street alterations, &c. Some years ago Queen's Road from the Clock Tower to Ice House Lane was embowered with trees, now not one remains there. The long length of Queen's Road also from the Sailors' Home to the junction with Eastern Street was planted by myself in 1873, with the approval of the Surveyor General, Mr. MOORSOM, all of which trees have been removed. And so in other parts of the city. When verandahs are built over the pathways at the sides of the streets the only space available for trees is monopolized. Seeing that the facilities for tree cultivation in the streets are being lessened from year to year and that with the narrow pathways there is not sufficient space between the buildings and the trees for the proper development of shapely headed trees I would suggest that, if practicable, when new streets and roads are laid out, as for instance at the reclamation works at Causeway Bay, sufficient width should be given to the streets and roads to allow for the proper planting of shade trees. Also should the Praya extension scheme be carried out it might be considered whether a row of trees might not be planted along the centre of the roadway. On the side next to the sea-wall trees could not be well grown nor conveniently placed, and on the opposite side they would be likely to interfere with the houses, but in the centre of the road if the Praya be widened there would seem to be much in favour of trees being grown.
72. Owing to there being only one side, viz., towards the centre of the street in which the trees can extend, many of them from year to year, from the weight of the one sided head of branches, incline more and more from the perpendicular. Several large trees which in this way had become inconvenient and dangerous have been taken up and replanted in perpendicular positions, portions of the branches having been lopped to allow of its being effected. There are still a large number of trees which should be taken in hand and operated on in the same manner, a portion each year, beginning with those which incline the most.
73. The ferneries in the Glenealy Ravine and elsewhere which were planted a few years ago will be planted up during the present season with a quantity of indigenous ferns and other plants which have been specially prepared during the year for this purpose. The tree-ferns, which were short stemmed when planted, covered the soil with their low spreading fronds, but the stems having greatly lengthened the fronds are elevated a good distance above the soil, and consequently the latter has attained a somewhat bare appearance which the prepared plants will refurnish.
74. The cost of maintenance of the roadside rockeries is borne by the afforestation vote, but they need a somewhat more liberal amount to be expended on them, and some more freedom in the exercise of professional skill, than has been usual if they are to be raised to a higher standard, as they should be.
75. To aid those people who might have been willing to plant on their own property nursery pine trees were offered free to them. A considerable number were applied for and granted.
76. Twenty-five wardian cases of trees were sent to Mauritius by request of the Government of that place, the Mauritius Government paying all expenses.
77. The protective service has made great advance in its results. The forest guards require a great deal of constant and minute control and direction in most details, which occupy very much of my time, but with the help of this they carry out the work very well. However, if left to themselves they would soon relapse into supineness.
78. The number of prosecutions, chiefly for cutting trees and shrubs, was twenty-five, out of which twenty-four convictions were obtained. The fines inflicted by the Magistrates ranged in value from twenty-five cents to ten dollars.
79. There has been a great decrease in offences of tree-cutting. The past dry season has been noted for the least number of grass-fires which I remember.
80. Grass-cutting has been again a great drawback to tree cultivation. It would be much better if the grass could be allowed to remain on the ground so as to shelter the young trees, and to act as a fertilizer when decaying.
81. It appears that upwards of 22,000 piculs of grass are used annually in the Colony, and that this is retailed by the grass-dealers for about $10,000. We have no power to deal with or regulate the people who cut this large quantity of grass, and I would again strongly urge the importance of a favourable consideration of the recommendations which I made in regard to this subject in my letter No. 3, dated 10th January last, so that, if possible, grass-cutters should be licensed for a nominal fee, so as to secure their proper control, and that reserves for grass-cutters should be set apart.
82. Specimens of the woods of most of our indigenous trees were obtained, and, after nearly twelve month's seasoning, cut up into uniform sized blocks which exhibit the grain of the wood and the bark. These are set up in suitable stands for inspection in the Garden office. They are all labelled with their scientific names. A duplicate set was sent to the Royal Gardens, Kew, and another one to the City Hall Museum here.
the number of the large trees in the streets, many have to be removed to make provision for the erection of verandahs, for street alterations, &c. Some years ago Queen's Road from the Clock Tower to Ice House Lane was embowered with trees, now not one remains there. The long length of Queen's Road also from the Sailors' Home to the junction with Eastern Street was planted by myself in 1873, with the approval of the Surveyor General, Mr. MOORSOM, all of which trees have been removed. And so in other parts of the city. When verandahs are built over the pathways at the sides of the streets the only space available for trees is monopolized. Seeing that the facilities for tree cultivation in the streets are being lessened from year to year and that with the narrow pathways there is not sufficient space between the buildings and the trees for the proper development of shapely headed trees I would suggest that, if practicable, when new streets and roads are laid out, as for instance at the reclamation works at Causeway Bay, sufficient width should be given to the streets and roads to allow for the proper planting of shade trees. Also should the Praya extension scheme be carried out it might be considered whether a row of trees might not be planted along the centre of the roadway. On the side next to the sea-wall trees could not be well grown nor conveniently placed, and on the opposite side they would be likely to interfere with the houses, but in the centre of the road if the Praya be widened there would seem to be much in favour of trees being grown.
72. Owing to there being only one side, viz., towards the centre of the street in which the trees can extend, many of them from year to year, from the weight of the one sided head of branches, incline more and more from the perpendicular. Several large trees which in this way had become inconvenient and dangerous have been taken up and replanted in perpendicular positions, portions of the branches having been lopped to allow of its being effected. There are still a large number of trees which should be taken in hand and operated on in the same manner, a portion each year, beginning with those which incline the most.
73. The ferneries in the Glenealy Ravine and elsewhere which were planted a few years ago will be planted up during the present season with a quantity of indigenous ferns and other plants which have been specially prepared during the year for this purpose. The tree-ferns, which were short stemmed when planted, covered the soil with their low spreading fronds, but the stems having greatly lengthened the fronds are elevated a good distance above the soil, and consequently the latter has attained a somewhat bare appearance which the prepared plants will refurnish.
74. The cost of maintenance of the roadside rockeries is borne by the afforestation vote, but they need a somewhat more liberal amount to be expended on them, and some more freedom in the exercise of professional skill, than has been usual if they are to be raised to a higher standard, as they should
be.
75. To aid those people who might have been willing to plant on their own property nursery pine trees were offered free to them. A considerable number were applied for and granted.
76. Twenty-five wardian cases of trees were sent to Mauritius by request of the Government of that place, the Mauritius Government paying all expenses.
77. The protective service has made great advance in its results. The forest guards require a great deal of constant and minute control and direction in most details, which occupy very much of my time, but with the help of this they carry out the work very well. However, if left to themselves they would soon relapse into supineness.
78. The number of prosecutions, chiefly for cutting trees and shrubs, was twenty-five, out of which twenty-four convictions were obtained. The fines inflicted by the Magistrates ranged in value from twenty-five cents to ten dollars.
79. There has been a great decrease in offences of tree-cutting. The past dry season has been noted for the least number of grass-fires which I remember.
80. Grass-cutting has been again a great drawback to tree cultivation. It would be much better if the grass could be allowed to remain on the ground so as to shelter the young trees, and to act as a fertilizer when decaying.
81. It appears that upwards of 22,000 piculs of grass are used annually in the Colony, and that this is retailed by the grass-dealers for about $10,000. We have no power to deal with or regulate the people who cut this large quantity of grass, and I would again strongly urge the importance of a favourable consideration of the recommendations which I made in regard to this subject in my letter No. 3, dated 10th January last, so that, if possible, grass-cutters should be licensed for a nominal fee, so as to secure their proper control, and that reserves for grass-cutters should be set apart.
82. Specimens of the woods of most of our indigenous trees were obtained, and, after nearly twelve month's seasoning, cut up into uniform sized blocks which exhibit the grain of the wood and the bark. These are set up in suitable stands for inspection in the Garden office. They are all labelled with their scientific names. A duplicate set was sent to the Royal Gardens, Kew, and another one to the City Hall Museum here.
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