336
Rearing Trees in Situ.
Trees reared in situ have been successful. The number thus treated was 217,738. They ar situated on Mount Parker, and near Deep Water Bay.
The total number of trees planted and reared in sine was 374,882. The following is a list of the trees planted and reared in situ :---
Pinus sinensis,
"J
in situ.
"
Eucalypti. Bamboos,..
Acacias,. Cocoa-nuts, Miscellaneous,.
Broad-cast Sowing.
.151,081 .217,738
3,621
1,864
197 128
253
374,882
In addition to planting and rearing in situ some pieces of land were operated on by sowing seeds broad-cast without any preparation of the ground. In certain places the method promises to give good results at a very small cost, as already stated in my report for last year.
There is, however, a serious difficulty to contend with where this work has been done, it is, the operation of grass-cutters, who cut grass, and the young seedling trees in it not caring, or at the least not knowing about the existence of the young trees. Until we have more control over grass-cutters this method of rearing trees cannot be extensively carried out. Some experiments made four
years ago of sowing seeds broad-cast have given very good results, there being now abundance of healthy trees about two feet high.
Cunninghamia sinensis,
*
As mentioned elsewhere a considerable quantity of seeds of this valuable Chinese tree have at last been obtained from a distant part of the Kwangtung province. The seeds are the first instalment for what I hope will be the establishment of successful plantations to supercede the common Pinus
sinensis.
Camphor Trees.
In 1886 about 4,500 camphor trees were planted as an experiment. The success of the camphor in the Botanic and private gardens of the Colony gave promise of its succeeding on the hills when placed within plantations of the China pine which were sufficiently large to afford shelter from winds. In such plantations where the soil is somewhat better than the average soil the trees have succeeded beyond my expectations, but where the shelter and soil is inferior the trees have made but little pro- gress. The general results, however, were such as to lead me to continue the experiment, therefore about 12,000 trees were reared in the nurseries for planting during the present season.
Pinus Massoniana.
A few pounds of seeds of this tree were procured from Japan, and sown in situ by the side of our native pine, but the seeds, unfortunately, germinated very badly, probably owing to their not having been sufficiently ripened or harvested in Japan. The germination of our own seeds on the ground was perfect. A fresh lot of seeds have been obtained for further experiment this year.
Tristanea conferta.
In my report for last year I drew attention to this rapid growing tree of which 800 were
planted four years ago. These trees are now about 20 feet high (some have reached 30 feet). They flowered and produced seeds in abundance during the year under report. Seeds were collected and sown, and an abundance of young trees have been obtained for planting this season. I have great hopes of this tree. From its rapid growth and large amount of leafage it should be a much better tree than most species of Eucalypti for this Colony.
Persea nanmu.
The specimen in the Botanic Gardens of this Chinese tree which was introduced from the Sze Chuen province has now reached 24 feet high and it is thoroughly established in its new home. As previously reported on,
the wood which it yields is extremely valuable in China. A number of young plants
were propagated from the tree and planted for experiment on a piece of land which was subsequently utilised for a portion of the new Tytam Water-Works before I had any opportunity of dealing with the The result of the experiment was therefore lost in consequence of the destruction of the little trees. Last year another experiment was tried which it is to be hoped this time will have a chance of being undisturbed.
rees.
Thinning Plantations.
This work has been continued throughout the year in plantations which were sufficiently advanced. The thinnings have been disposed of by sale without difficulty. However extensively surplus wood
be produced there is no prospect of there ever being any difficulty in its disposal in this Colony.
Fire Barriers.
may
Grass fires during the dry season have always been numerous and extensive and besides burning the grass, which was of minor importance, the fires have in their progress naturally destroyed or damaged the small trees and shrubs which were on the ground, thus effectually preventing natural reproduction. The increase of fires and the rapid extension of plantations which required greater protection led me to devise a system of barriers to check the progress of fires. With the consent of the Government about 40 miles of these barriers were made before the dry season set in. The result has been even better than I anticipated. Besides a fire which occured from a bonfire at the Jubilee celebrations, there were only two fires which spread beyond a very small extent, and these two did not extend over more than five acres of planted land. In the vicinity of roads, paths, and ¡ cemeteries a great number of burnt patches of grass have been seen where the fires had been arrested by the fire barriers. There is no doubt but that for the existence of the fire barriers the fires which were arrested would have spread to a very great extent and have destroyed immense quantities of trees. If these barriers are maintained, and other suitable precautious carefully observed, there is now hope
grass fires being reduced very much in area.
of
Protective Service.
An additional Forest Guard was placed on the staff in January. Forest offences do not seem to have increased during the year. The number of cases brought before the Magistrates by the Forest Guards was 27, that is 11 less than during the previous year. There is a great deal of trouble in keeping the guards up to their duty, in fact there is rarely any case instituted which is not done by pressure brought to bear on the guards by the Superintendent. This is not satisfactory, as the Forest Guards should be of a sufficiently high character to move themselves in matters instead of continually shirking their plain duty. This duty of coutinual surveillance of the guards is becoming more difficult and troublesome to perform as other duties increase and demand attention and time in so many other ways. There will, perceptibly, have to be some improvement in the protective service before long. I fear that we shall never get really effective Chinese guards, but the employment of efficient men would involve u greatly increased cost, however, the time may arrive when it will in the long run be real economy to incur this cost.
Ferneries.
The rockery in Glenealy Road near St. Paul's College, which I referred to in last year's report, has been constructed and is now partially planted. The older rockeries have been maintained in as good condition as circumstances would permit.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
CHARLES FORD,
Superintendent,
Botanical and Afforestation Department.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.