# J 4
The drought. The year was one of the driest in human memory. A slight rain about the season for planting the first crop enabled the nursery padi to be laid down, and on it the drought that followed took immediate effect. In spite of all efforts to conserve water, 'planting out' was impossible in the western portion of the district, and there, practically the whole crop was entirely lost. The effects of this failure will extend to the coming rice season, for the seed planted for the second crop will not grow successfully for the first, and in addition to losing an entire crop, the farmers will have to buy seed for next year.
In regions where water was available however, like the Lam Tsuen valley, a good first crop was obtained, and in some cases where it was impossible to grow rice, a dry crop of vegetables was successfully reaped.
At Ha Tsuen, rain making ceremonies were held from 18th April, and some days later a little rain fell. Many parts of these ceremonies make an interesting analogy with those described in the works of authorities on native magic.
Happily rice did not rise to famine-prices, and there was no shortage of food. The population was, however, driven to forage for wood on the hillsides, in order to eke out a scanty living by carrying it to market for sale, and in two extreme cases, one at Shatin, and the other at Sheung Nam Long, on the shores of Deep Bay, fines were imposed for tree cutting by H.E. the Governor in Council.
On the planting of the second rice-crop, weather conditions returned to normal, and a good harvest was reaped, without accident from typhoon although soon afterwards a typhoon uprooted hundreds of trees on the western coast-line.
severe
Trade conditions were difficult, and there was general business depression.
Agricultural Show - On 4.1.30, the third Agricultural Show was held on land adjoining Sheung Shui police station, and opened by H.E. the Governor Sir Cecil Clementi K.C.M.G. who was also patron of the Show. The quality of the exhibits showed a great advance on previous years. The competition was keener, and the districts were more fully represented than hitherto. Again, the success of the show was largely due to the efforts of the Rev. R. H. Wells (the Chairman) Sir Robert and Lady Ho Tung, and prominent elders of the Territories who served on the Committee.
A draft constitution of the proposed Agricultural Association has now been submitted to Government for consideration.
J. A. FRASER,
Dated 14th March, 1930.
District Officer, North.
- J 4
The drought. The year was one of the driest in human memory. A slight rain about the season for planting the first crop enabled the nursery padi to be laid down, and on it the drought that followed took immediate effect. In spite of all efforts to conserve water, 'planting out' was impossible in the western portion of the district, and there, practically the whole crop was entirely lost. The effects of this failure will extend to the coming rice season, for the seed planted for the second crop will not grow successfully for the first, and in addition to losing an entire crop, the farmers will have to buy seed for next year.
In regions where water was available however, like the Lam Ts-uen valley, a good first crop was obtained, and in some cases where it was impossible to grow rice, a dry crop of vege- tables was successfully reaped.
At Ha Tsuen, rain making ceremonies were held from 18th. April, and some days later a little rain fell. Many parts of these ceremonies make an interesting analogy with those des- cribed in the works of authorities on native magic.
Happily rice did not rise to famine-prices, and there was no shortage of food. The population was, however, driven to forage for wood on the hillsides, in order to eke out a scanty living by carrying it to market for sale, and in two extreme cases, one at Shatin, and the other at Sheung Nam Long, on the shores of Deep Bay, fines were imposed for tree cutting by H.E. the Governor in Council.
On the planting of the second rice-crop, weather conditions returned to normal, and a good harvest was reaped, without accident from typhoon although soon afterwards a typhoon uprooted hundreds of trees on the western coast-line.
severe
Trade conditions were difficult, and there was general busi- ness depression.
Agricultural Show -On 4.1.30, the third Agricultural Show was held on land adjoining Sheung Shui police station, and opened by H.E. the Governor Sir Cecil Clementi K.C.M.G. who was also patron of the Show. The quality of the exhibits showed a great advance on previous years. The competition was keener, and the districts were more fully represented than hitherto. Again, the success of the show was largely due to the efforts of the Rev. R. H. Wells (the Chairman) Sir Robert and Lady Ho Tung, and prominent elders of the Territories who served on the Committee.
A draft constitution of the proposed Agricultural Associa- tion has now been submitted to Government for consideration.
J. A. FRASER,
Dated 14th March, 1930.
District Officer, North.
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