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Knitted Vesta and Socks.-The market has improved and busi- ness has increased about 30 per cent. Sale of Japanese manufactured articles has declined about 20 per cent.
Leather and Hides.-The price has advanced about 20 per cent. in comparison with the preceding year, and a fairly good business has been done in consequence of shortage of European leather in the Colony.
Ginger and Preserves.-This business declined considerably, about 40 per cent. in comparison with the preceding year.
Soy. Exporters again report a poor market. Business has been reduced by 30 per cent, in comparison with the preceding year. Paper. Business has increased about 35 per cent, in conse- quence of shortage of the importation of European manufactured
paper,
Vermilion. This trade was practically at a standstill owing to the war.
Lord. The trade in lard was normal, principally with Manila where Hongkong lard is accepted owing to the careful supervision exercised to ensure purity.
(e.) FISHERIES.
A considerable proportion of the boat population of Hongkong supports itself by deep-sea fishing, in which pursuit a large number of junks are engaged. The villages of Aberdeen, Stanley, Shauki- wan, and also many in the New Territories. are largely dependeut upon this industry for their prosperity. Fresh water fish is im- ported from Canton and the West River. There are oyster beds of considerable value in Deep Bay.
(d)-FORESTRY, AGRICULTURE AND BOTANY,
On the bare hills north of Samshaipo 47,000 pine tree seedlings, one year old, were plauted, and in the same locality 22,000 pits were sown with pine tree seeds.
In the Tytam catchment area 14,000 pits were sown with pine tree seeds and at Aberdeen, Shunwan and Aplichan 29 lbs. of pine tree seeds were sown bondeust.
On grassy hills east of the south face of the Beacon Hill funnet and around the Kowloon reservoir 272 lbs. of pine tree seeds were sown and 50 lbs, on similar hills near Fanling.
1916,
About 90,000 pine tree seedlings were raised for planting in
Six thousand broad-leaved trees were planted in the Tytam catchment area and about 1,000 in the Pokfulam catchment area.
Over 300 Poincianas were planted in various places in Hong- kong and Kowloon.
Between 1,800 and 1,900 flowering trees and shrubs were planted in conspicuous places in Hongkong in addition to the Poincianas.
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Upwards of 1,300 trees were planted along the Fanling-Taipo Road. They consisted of Poincianas, Albizzia and Camphor.
Alongside the road leading from Castle Peak to Fauling 130 trees were planted consisting of Camphor, Poinciana, Ficus, Melaleuca and Albizzia.
On the hills in the vicinity of the Fanling Golf Course over 7,000 trees and shrubs were planted of which over 4,000 were planted to give an effect when in flower.
Creepers damaging trees in plantations on Mt. Victoria, Mt. Gough, Mt. Kellett and M1. Parker were cut.
A large felling of pine and brond-leaved trees was made at North Point in order to enable material to be obtained for reclamation purposes.
Large fellings were also made on Farm Lots purchased by the Dairy Farm Co. for the cultivation of Guinea Grass,
About 6,000,000 square feet were cleared of undergrowth at the expense of the Government in connection with anti-malarial ca-
8ures.
In connection with survey work about 700,000 square feet were cleared.
In the economic garden at Fanling vegetables were grown for demonstration purposes. Several experiments were also made with artificial fertilizers.
The first rice crop was good but the second was poor in many places owing to the lateness of the rains. Much damage was done to the latter crop by typhoons which occurred just before harvesting.
Lichees wore below the average but peanuts were good.
(e)-LAND GRANTS AND GENERAL VALUE OF LAND. The net amount of premium received from sales of Crown land and pier rights for the year 1915 was $79,576 a decrease of $165,962 on the preceding fear and $130,601 less than the average for the last five years. The principal items were $35,100 in respect of the site of Kowloon Permanent Pier No. 35, 10,665 for Kowloon Permanent Pier No. 34, $6,815 in respect of an extension to Iuland Lot No. 1280, $4,200 for sale of Inland Lot No. 2138, aud $4,086 for sale of Inland Lot No. 2139.
In the New Territories the net amount received for premium on sales of land was $13,242 being a decrease of $6,489 on the pre-
vious year.
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