There was much trouble in getting the large and weighty trees up the steep hill, but the result obtained is well worth the trouble which was taken.
24. The nurseries were taken in hand and a large number of pines reared for planting in 1881, besides several other trees such as Albizzias, candleberry tree, tallow tree, oaks, &c., some of which will be planted this year, and some next, when they will have become a good size.
25. Although so much work is being done in tree-planting, the nature of the ground operated on, and its distance from the roads, renders the work hardly appreciable to casual observers. After they have been planted on the bills, the small trees remain hidden by the long grass until about two years after- wards when, just as they overtop the grass, they become plainly visible from a distance, and at the end of the third year they make a very fair show. Those sown in situ are about one year longer than the others before they alter the appearance of the landscape. In a year hence the trees which were planted twelve months ago will be visible from the roads; of the trees then visible there will be about 120,000, that is, nearly twice as many as are contained in all the other plantations put together.
26. Afforestation consists not merely of planting trees but of conservation and preservation from wanton and accidental destruction of trees, shrubs, and seeds at present on the ground. The recent authorization of the appointment of Forest Guards, to check the destruction of, and damage to, trees and shrubs by persons and goats will have a most salutary effect. Still, although the damages will be greatly diminished, some offences must necessarily occur, as there will always be some persons in this, as well as other things, to break the law when they can have a chance to do so with impunity. I believe that the cutting of trees is frequently done at night in the vicinity of villages and near the sea-coast, at the latter, probably, by boat people.
27. The Little-Hongkong woods-the most beautiful bits of natural forest vegetation on the island--suffer considerably from the depredations of wood cutters. The vegetation is in most parts so thick and impenetrable that it is difficult to patrol the woods efficiently. It would be a great aid to their preservation if some walks or narrow tracks could be cut through them, not only for the benefit of the Forest Guards in their work, but also to render the woods accessible to pedestrians and picnic parties, to whom this portion of the island might become a favourite resort if it were made a little more attractive by artificial means. Perhaps something in the way of a Japanese or Chinese "tea-garden" might be established there. A new mountain road from the top of the Little-Hongkong woods to Wántsai Gap, where it would form a junction with the Wántsai and Aberdeen road, would make the woods accessible and form a pleasant walk from this side of the island and from the Peak houses.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
The Honourable F. STEWART, LL.D.,
Acting Colonial Secretary,
&c.,
&c.
CHARLES FORD, Superintendent,
Botanic and Afforestation Department.
TREE-PLANTING BY THE CHINESE NEAR HONGKONG.
(C.S.O. No. 641.) No. 4.
BOTANIC GARDENS,
27th February, 1882.
SIB.In reference to His Excellency the Governor's Minute on C.S.O. No. 592, inquiring if I had "been able to get sufficient data to form an approximate idea of the total number of Pinus sinensis planted by the natives for the last ten or fifteen years from the mouth of Mirs Bay to Lantao and the neighbouring islands," I have the honour to report, that taking into consideration the lands tinted red on attached rough sketch I estimate roughly, that about one tenth part may be planted, and that there may be about 25,000,000 trees thereon.
I have the honour to be,
The Honourable M. S. TONNOCHY,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
CHARLES FORD, Superintendent,
Botanic and Afforestation Department.
Acting Colonial Secretary,
fc.,
$o.,
Fr.
6
C. O. 6 563
RECO
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