N 4
were
Camphor Plantation, Tai Wo Po.-A large number of mature Pines, among which the young Camphor trees originally planted, were removed, also all wild trees, creepers and undergrowth were cleared away; 548 young Camphors were added to the existing plantation,
Insect Pests.-Pine Tree Caterpillars (Dendrolimus punctatus) appeared in plantations in large numbers, early in January. Their progress was apparently checked, and large numbers were killed, by the cold weather which lasted until the middle of February, when collection and destruction was commenced. Over 17 tons were so dealt with.
In accordance with advice received from the Imperial Bureau of Entomology, Kew, the caterpillars were not destroyed immediately after collection, but were left alive, in shallow pits, under conditions that prevented the ultimate emergence of the moths, and at the same time allowed of the escape of parasites and other enemies of the caterpillars.
Trees Felled.-Very large areas were cleared of Pines and indigenous trees in the Aberdeen Valley and at Shek Li Pui in connection with the construction of the new reservoir and catchment areas,
Increased motor traffic and road widening necessitated the removal of 95 roadside shade trees. Among this number were some of the oldest and largest trees in the Colony, the areas from which they were removed were as follows: Wong Nei Chong, Tai Hang, Causeway Bay, Stanley, Tai Po Market, Whitfield, Queen's Road, Garden Road and Bonham Road.
Protection of Plantations.-All fire barriers and forestry paths were cleared and repaired, over 40 miles of forestry paths, 34 miles of fire barriers ten feet in breadth and 6 miles twenty feet in breadth were dealt with.
In Mount Collinson Prohibited Area a new forestry service path, 4,000 feet in length, was constructed.
A total of 24 fires occurred during the year as against 110 in 1929; the most serious of such fires was in a licensed plantation in Sha Tin District, where over 4,000 Pines were destroyed and 3,000 badly damaged.
On the Ching Ming and Chung Yeung Festivals no fires broke out; with the exception of the times when heavy rain has fallen on the festival days referred to, this is a record in the history of the Department. This fortunate state of affairs was largely due to the distribution of posters and handbills warning people against causing damage by fire, combined with a close watch kept by all members of the staff in the vicinity of cemeteries and isolated graves in hill districts.
Page 510
Page 511
N 4
were
Camphor Plantation, Tai Wo Po.-A large number of mature Pines, among which the young Camphor trees originally planted, were removed, also all wild trees, creepers and undergrowth were cleared away; 548 young Camphors were added to the existing plantation,
Insect Pests.-Pine Tree Caterpillars (Dendrolimus punc- tatus) appeared in plantations in large numbers, early in January. Their progress was apparently checked, and large num bers were killed, by the cold weather which lasted until the middle of February, when collection and destruction was com- menced. Over 17 tons were so dealt with.
In accordance with advice received from the Imperial Bureau of Entomology, Kew, the caterpillars were not destroyed immediately after collection, but were left alive, in shallow pits, under conditions that prevented the ultimate emergence of the moths, and at the same time allowed of the escape of parasites and other enemies of the caterpillars.
Trees Felled.Very large areas were cleared of Pines and indigenous trees in the Aberdeen Valley and at Shek Li Pui in connection with the construction of the new reservoir and catch- ment areas,
Increased motor traffic and road widening necessitated the removal of 95 roadside shade trees. Among this number were some of the oldest and largest trees in the Colony, the areas from which they were removed were as follows; Wong Nei Chong, Tai Hang, Causeway Bay, Stanley, Taipo Market, Whit- field, Queen's Road, Garden Road and Bonham Road.
Protection of Plantations.-All fire barriers and forestry paths were cleared and repaired, over 40 miles of forestry paths, 34 miles of fire barriers ten feet in breadth and 6 miles twenty feet in breadth were dealt with.
In Mount Collinson Prohibited Area a new forestry service path, 4,000 feet in length, was constructed.
A total of 24 fires occurred during the year as against 110 in 1929; the most serious of such fires was in a licensed plantation in Sha Tin District, where over 4,000 Pines were destroyed and 3,000 badly damaged.
On the Ching Ming and Chung Yeung Festivals no fires broke out; with the exception of the times when heavy rain has fallen on the festival days referred to, this is a record in the history of the Department. This fortunate state of affairs was largely due to the distribution of posters and handbills warning people against causing damage by fire, combined with a close watch kept by all members of the staff in the vicinity of cemeteries and isolated graves in hill districts.
Page 510Page 511
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