356
94. FERN ROCKERIES OUTSIDE THE GARDENS.-These are maintained by the vote for Afforestation. The heaviest costs are caused by artificial waterings throughout the dry months. The dense shade in Gleanealy was the cause of a number of ferns and some other plants continually dying out. To remedy this disadvantage of shade, I have had some trees and large shrubs removed in order to admit more light. The large trees in the neighbourhood also do much evil by their roots growing up amongst the soil in which the ferns are planted, and thereby very much impoverishing it.
95. Arrangements have been made for extending the rockeries on the eastern side of the road down to St. Paul's College. The construction of the rockery will be gradually carried out, but the planting cannot be completed until plants suitable for the work can be prepared, which will take a little time. For work of this kind, the preparation of the plants should be the first consideration to attend to, and the construction of the rockeries should go on and be completed to suit the time when the plants would be ready to put in their places. However, circumstances over which I had no control, but which it was advisable not to allow to slip by without using, rendered the reverse of this method necessary.
96. PROTECTIVE SERVICE.-The Forest Guards made 38 arrests for infringements of what I might call forest laws. Of this number of offenders, 26 were sentenced to imprisonment, 5 were fined, 4 were required to find securities, and 3 were dismissed by the Magistrates before whom they appeared.
97. The villagers of Little Hongkong maintain their bad reputation for cutting down and damaging trees, and I fear that the mischief cannot be stopped entirely until some such measures as I recently proposed shall be put into force.
98. Five months ago, I reported some extensive destruction of trees which had been going on on Mount Davis systematically for apparently about twelve months. I had information which placed my suspicions on squatters near Belcher's Bay, particularly on rice-husk burners near the telegraph house, as the perpetrators of the mischief. I personally visited these people and remonstrated with them; there was not sufficient evidence for prosecution to be instituted. This was shortly before the squatters about Belcher's Bay were ejected. Since that time, the mischief which had been going on has entirely ceased.
99. Although cases of tree and shrub cutting are continually going on, the individual cases are, as a rule, of a comparatively trivial nature, yet if the plantations and trees of the island are to be effectively protected, it is necessary to apply sharp punishments when offenders are caught, as the difficulty of bringing home punishments to the offenders is very great.
100. Altogether, there is an improvement in the results of the efforts of the protective staff, as, with the exception of the cases at Little Hongkong and Mt. Davis, general tree cutting does not occur now as it did formerly.
101. GRASS FIRES.--The advent of the dry season is always accompanied with much anxiety about the plantations. The past year has witnessed fires of unusual number and extent, which have burnt a rather large number of planted as well as naturally produced trees, in addition to a very large area of grass only. The fires appear to originate in Chinese Cemeteries from burning incense sticks used in worship at the graves, and from the carelessness and thoughtlessness of pedestrians in throwing down lighted matches as they pass along the roads.
102. I would here take the opportunity of requesting those of the public who have occasion to use matches as they pass along roads or over the hills, to be good enough to extinguish the fire before matches are thrown down, as by so doing they may prevent most serious damages to trees.
103. The subject of presenting barriers to the spread of fire from roads and cemeteries, or of removing inflammable material from adjacent ground, should be taken in hand very soon. The only practicable method of accomplishing this will entail great care and skilful management of resources, which I trust will be organised in time to meet the next season's dangers.
104. QUARTERS FOR FORESTERS.-We have long suffered the want of inadequate quarters in which to accommodate the majority of the Foresters. It is most important, especially in cases of fires occurring, to have a large body of men on the spot, who will be available at once when they are suddenly required to extinguish fires which happen at times out of work hours, or for other purposes.
105. Arrangements are, however, now being made for the accommodation of some more men, for which I have to thank the Surveyor General in kindly meeting the requirements by converting a building, which was not wanted for other purposes, into quarters for a portion of the staff.
106. STORE AND TOOL ROOMS.-The greatest inconvenience is experienced by the very poor accommodation for the safe custody of tools and working material. However, some relief is, I believe, shortly to be experienced by the erection of sheds which are so much needed, and for which, also, I have to thank the Surveyor General.
107. ASSISTANCE TO ROYAL ENGINEERS.-Very frequent applications have been made by the Royal Engineers' Department for assistance and advice on subjects connected with planting at the Forts and in other places. Aid, as far as possible, has been freely given.
108. An application, which received the approval of the Government, was made for this Department to rear a large quantity,--fifteen to twenty thousand, of Gum trees for planting on lands of the War Department. I procured seeds from Australia, and the young seedlings are all doing well. They will be ready to hand over to the Royal Engineers in about a month or two hence. It was arranged that the Royal Engineers should pay for the costs of material and labour used in rearing the trees.
109. Appendix No. 2 shows the numbers and kinds of trees planted in the year.
110. In Appendix No. 3, I reproduce a most interesting paper by Dr. Max von PETTENKOFER on the influence of plants and plantations. This paper will, I think, be perused with much interest at the present time when the sanitation of the Colony is receiving so much attention. Dr. Max VON PETTENKOFER shows very clearly the great influence which trees exert in sanitary matters, and their general good effects on the well-being of mankind. Some doubt is entertained as to the influence of trees on rainfall, but whether trees attract rain or not, no one can doubt but that they regulate the distribution of water, which is a most important effect. Experiments and experience also prove that trees exert a considerable influence on temperature.
111. From my own experience in Hongkong, which has extended over nearly sixteen years, I have found a reduction of several degrees, more particularly at night, of temperature at the Gardens since trees within the Gardens and in plantations around them have been planted and cast a shade over the surface of the ground. The southwest winds of the summer pass over plantations of trees extending from Victoria Gap to the Gardens before they reach the thermometers from which my observations have been made, and I have little doubt but that in travelling over this distance of tree-covered land, the temperature is either reduced slightly, or that there is not the augmentation of radiated heat from rocks and soil which there was when the hills were destitute of trees.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
Appendix No. 1.
CHARLES FORD, Superintendent, Botanical & Afforestation Department.
ON THE CHINESE FAN PALM, GINGER, &c.
At the end of last October, I availed myself of an opportunity at San Ui in the delta of the Canton river, and situated about 50 miles south-south-west of Canton, of seeing the cultivation of the Fan Palm, and the manufacture of fans from its leaves, as well as seeing something of the plants of the Ginger family which are cultivated by the Chinese.
FAN PALM.
Although foreigners have frequently visited the San Ui district, I believe the fan palm had not been botanically examined, and some uncertainty prevailed as to the species of palm to which it belonged. Flowers and fruits, which are important organs needed in botanical determinations, were absent at the time of my visit, but I carefully examined the plants which I saw in cultivation, and the examination led me to the undoubted conclusion that the palm is Livistona sinensis, Mart.
The Rev. B. C. HENRY, who has travelled much in the Kwangtung province, says in his very interesting book "Ling-Nam" that the palm district extends about twenty miles from east to west, and ten miles from north to south.
It appears that fan palm cultivation is confined to the San Ui district. In reference to this, Mr. HENRY says: "That the limitation of this industry is a matter of necessity and not of choice is 'proved by attempts made at various times to cultivate the palm in other places, attempts that have 'always resulted in failure.”
Judging from the appearance of the country in travelling through the delta, the reputed failure of the palm when its cultivation has been attempted in other places than the San Ui district could scarcely be attributed to soil, as everywhere this had much the same appearance of richness and constituency. Knowing the immense influence which winds have on the growth and success of not only delicate plants, but also on the hardiest of trees, it is possible that the uninterrupted sweep of certain winds over the flat lands of the delta, combined with some other minor uncongenial circumstances, may be the cause of failure of the palm for commercial purposes. The San Ui district is protected by lofty hills to the north and westward, which possibly afford the conditions of shelter that the palm requires for the development of perfect leaves suitable for the manufacture of fans.
356
}
94. FERN ROCKERIES ÕUTSIDE THE GARDENS.-These are maintained by the vote for Afforestation. The heaviest costs are caused by artificial waterings throughout the dry months. The dense shade in To remedy Gleanealy was the cause of a number of ferns and some other plants continually dying out. this disadvantage of shade I have had some trees and large shrubs removed in order to admit more light. The large trees in the neighbourhood also do much evil by their roots growing up amongst the soil in which the ferns are planted, and thereby very much impoverishing it.
95. Arrangements have been made for extending the rockeries on the castern side of the road down to St. Paul's College. The construction of the rockery will be gradually carried out, but the planting cannot be completed until plants suitable for the work can be prepared, which will take a little time. For work of this kind the preparation of the plants should be the first consideration to attend to, and the construction of the rockeries should go on and be completed to suit the time when the plants would be ready to put in their places. However, circumstances over which I had no control, but which it was advisable not to allow to slip by without using, rendered the reverse of this method necessary.
96. PROTECTIVE SERVICE.-The Forest Guards made 38 arrests for infringements of what I might call forest laws. Of this number of offenders 26 were sentenced to imprisonment, 5 were fined, 4 were required to find securities, and 3 were dismissed by the Magistrates before whom they appeared, 97. The villagers of Little Hongkong maintain their bad reputation for cutting down and damaging trees, and I fear that the mischief cannot be stopped entirely until some such measures as I recently proposed shall bo put into force.
98. Five months ago I reported some extensive destruction of trees which had been going on on Mount Davis systematically for apparently about twelve months. I had information which placed my suspicions on squatters near Belcher's Bay, particularly on rice-husk burners near the telegraph house, as the perpetrators of the mischief. I personally visited these people and remonstrated with them-- there was not sufficient evidence for prosecution to be instituted. This was shortly before the squatters about Belcher's Bay were ejected. Since that time the mischief which had been going on has entirely
ceased.
99. Although cases of tree and shrub cutting are continually going on the individual cases are, as a rule, of a comparatively trivial nature, yet if the plantations and trees of the island are to be effectively protected it is necessary to apply sharp punishments when offenders are caught, as the difficulty of bringing home punishments to the offenders is very great.
100. Altogether there is an improvement in the results of the efforts of the protective staff, as, with the exception of the cases at Little Hongkong and Mt. Davis, general tree cutting does not occur now as it did formerly.
101. GRASS FIRES.--The advent of the dry season is always accompanied with much anxiety about the plantations. The past year has witnessed fires of unusual number and extent, which have burnt a rather large number of planted as well as naturally produced trees in addition to a very large area of grass only The fires appear to originate in Chinese Cemeteries from burning incense sticks used in worship at the graves, and from the carelessness and thoughtlessness of pedestrians in throwing down lighted matches as they pass along the roads.
102. I would here take the opportunity of requesting those of the public who have occasion to use matches as they pass along roads or over the lills, to be good enough to extinguish the fire before matches are thrown down, as by so doing they may prevent most serious damages to trees.
103. The subject of presenting barriers to the spread of fire from roads and cemeteries, or of removing inflammable material from adjacent ground, should be taken in hand very soon.
The only practicable method of accomplishing this will entail great care and skilful management of resources, which I trust will be organised in time to meet the next season's dangers.
104. QUARTERS FOR FORESTERS -We have long suffered the want of inadequate quarters in which to accommodate the majority of the Foresters. It is most important, especially in cases of fires
grass occurring, to have a large body of men on the spot, who will be available at once when they are suddenly required to extinguish fires which happen at times out of work hours, or for other purposes.
105. Arrangements are, however, now being made for the accommodation of some more men, for which I have to thank the Surveyor General in kindly meeting the requirements by converting a building, which was not wanted for other purposes, into quarters for a portion of the staff.
100. STORE AND Toor Rooms.-The greatest inconvenience is experienced by the very poor accommodation for the safe custody of tools and working material. However, some relief is, I believe, shortly to be experienced by the erection of sheds which are so much needed, and for which, also, I have to thank the Surveyor General.
107. ASSISTANCE TO ROYAL ENGINEERS.-Very frequent applications have been made by the Royal Engineers' Department for assistance and advice on subjects connected with planting at the Forts and in other places. Aid, as far as possible, has been freely given.
108. An application, which received the approval of the Government, was made for this Depart- ment to rear a large quantity,--fifteen to twenty thousand, of Gum trees for planting on lands of the War Department. I procured seeds from Australia, and the young seedlings are all doing well. They will be ready to hand over to the Royal Engineers in about a month or two hence. It was arranged that the Royal Engineers should pay for the costs of material and labour used in rearing the
rees.
109. Appendix No. 2 shows the numbers and kinds of trees planted in the year.
110. Io Appendix No. 3 I reproduce a most interesting paper by Dr. Max von PETTENKOFER on the influence of plants and plantations. This paper will, I think, be perused with much interest at the present time when the sanitation of the Colony is receiving so much attention, Dr. Max VON PETTENKOFER Shows very clearly the great influence which trees exert in sanitary matters, and their general good effects on the well being of mankind. Some doubt is entertained as to the influence of trees on rainfall, but whether trees attract rain or not, no one can doubt but that they regulate the distribution of water, which is a most important effect. Experiments and experience also prove that wees exert a considerable influence on temperature.
I
111. From my own experience in Hongkong, which has extended over nearly sixteen years, have found a reduction of several degrees, more particularly at night, of temperature at the Gardens since trees within the Gardens and in plantations around them have been planted and cast a shade over the surface of the ground. The southwest winds of the summer pass over plantations of trees extending from Victoria Gap to the Gardens before they reach the thermometers from which my observations have been made, and I have little doubt but that in travelling over this distance of tree covered land the temperature is either reduced slightly, or that there is not the augmentation of radiated heat from rocks and soil which there was when the hills were destitute of trees.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
Appendix No. 1.
CHARLES FORD, Superintendent, Botanical & Afforestation Department.
ON THE CHINESE FAN PALM, GINGER, &c.
At the end of last October I availed myself of an opportunity at San Ui in the delta of the Canton river, and situated about 50 miles south-south-west of Canton, of seeing the cultivation of the Fan Palm, and the manufacture of fans from its leaves, as well as seeing something of the plants of the Ginger family which are cultivated by the Chinese.
FAN PALM.
Although foreigners have frequently visited the San Ui district I believe the fan palm had not been botanically examined, and some uncertainty prevailed as to the species of palm to which it belonged. Flowers and fruits, which are important organs needed in botanical determinations, were absent at the time of my visit, but I carefully examined the plants which I saw in cultivation and the examina- tion led me to the undoubted conclusion that the palm is Liristona sinensis, Mart.
The Rev. B. C. HESRY, who has travelled much in the Kwangtung province, says in his very interesting book " Ling-Nam" that the palm district extends about twenty miles from east to west,
and ten miles from north to south.
It appears that fan palm cultivation is confined to the San Ui district. In reference to this Mr. HENRY says: "That the limitation of this industry is a matter of necessity and not of choice is "proved by attempts made at various times to cultivate the palm in other places, attempts that have "always resulted in failure.”
Judging from the appearance of the country in travelling through the delta the reputed failure of the palm when its cultivation has been attempted in other places than the San Li district could scarcely be attributed to soil, as everywhere this had much the same appearance of richness and Constituency. Knowing the immense influence which winds have on the growth and success of not only delicate plants, but also on the hardiest of trees, it is possible that the uninterrupted sweep of certain winds over the flat lauds of the delta, combined with some other minor uncongenial circums- tances, may be the cause of failure of the palm for commercial purposes. The San Ui district is protected by lofty hills to the north and westward, which possibly afford the conditions of shelter that the palin requires for the development of perfect leaves suitable for the manufacture of fans.
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