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(c.)--FISHERIES.
A considerable proportion of the boat population of Hong Kong 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 dependent 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.
Formation of Pine tree plantations.
The extension of old plantations and formation of new ones were carried on both on the Island and in the new Territories, seeds of Pinus Massoniana were sown in situ to the number of 18,700 on low hills adjoining Pokfulum Reservoir, 27,000 on hills adjoining Kowloon Service Reservoir and 24,800 at Shek Li Pri, the total weight of seeds used was fifty-six pounds.
On areas thickly covered with grass and small shrubs, seeds of Pinus Massoniana were sown by the broadcast method, the areas dealt with were hills at Shek Li Pui, Taipo Forestry Reserve, Fan Ling and banks below and above roads at Shek 0, Taipo, Castle Peak, Stubbs and Magazine Gap; the total weight of seeds used was 1,100 pounds.
Other Broadcast Seed Sowing.
110 pounds of seeds of Leucaena glauca were sown broadcast on grassy slopes in many parts of the Colony.
Broad-leaved trees planted.
One year old trees of Cinnamomum Camphora to the number of 4,300 were added to the existing plantation at Tai Wo Po.
Large numbers of trees were used in the extension and maintenance of roadside planting, the species used being Melaleuca Leucadendron, Cinnamomum Camphora, Bauhinia ~ Blakeana, Bauhinia variegata, Celtis sinensis, Poinciana regia, Bischofia javanica, Albizzia Lebbek, Eriodendron anfractuosum, (Kapok), Sterculia lanceolata, Tristania conferta, Crataeva religiosa, Aleurites Fordu. Aleurites montana and Aleurites triloba,
On Cheung Chau Island various trees to the number of 434 were planted on plots adjoining public paths and buildings.
Care of trees in plantations.
Thick undergrowth and creepers were cleared from the more recently established plantations, in the older plantations thinning was carried out, large creepers cut and clumps of Loranthus removed.
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Large numbers of Tristania conferta and Cinnamomum Camphora were given a dressing of Solignum to prevent damage by white ants.
Pine tree plantations were free from attack by caterpillars, this most fortunate circumstances being very probably due to unfavour- able weather conditions during an early stage of the life cycle of the pest.
Protection from fire.
The new fire barrier round the Hin Tin Tsun forestry area was completed in August, new barriers 20 feet in breadth were cut round every grave on hills above and below Shek O Road,
The majority of all old fire barriers were cleared before the commencement of the dry season, the total length dealt with amounted to 24 miles in Hong Kong, 7 miles in the New Territories and 5 miles at Fan Ling. The work was still in progress at the end of the year.
All forestry paths were cleared of undergrowth, rocks and other debris, small portions which has been washed out were re-cut and resurfaced.
Nurseries, Agriculture, &c.
Fan Ling Experimental Garden. Two plots of Jute (Corchorus capsularis and Corchorus olitorius) were tried for the first time, the first named grew well and reached a height of 7 feet when it was harvested and retted, samples were forwarded to the Imperial Institute and a report received in due course stated that the fibre was of excellent quality.
Two plots of a large variety of Ground Nuts were planted in au area heavily dressed with vegetable ash and common lime, a heavy crop of excellent nuts was harvested, so far attempts at inducing the farmers to use the improved variety of nut have not been successful.
One plot of Foxglove (Digitalis purpures) was raised, 33 per cent of the young plants (which are biennial) survived the heavy summer rains and were healthy at the end of the year. In due course the fresh leaves will be supplied to the Medical Department.
Little Hong Kong and Kowloon Tsui Tree Nurseries. Large numbers of seedling trees were raised for use on the Island in the former and for the New Territories in the latter,
China Fir (Cunninghamia sinensis) seeds collected locally were sown in both nurseries and give a high percentage of germination, formerly all young trees were raised from cuttings which were not easily obtainable.
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