CO129-568-6 Botanical and Forestry Department- proposed expansion and reorganisation 4-10-1938 - 14-7-1939 — Page 53

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18. Pinus maritima R. Br.-As a result of the receipt of a consignment of Pinus maritima R. Br. seeds, kindly presented by Dr. J. H. Passos, Director of Agriculture, Macao, it was decided to try this species on grass banks in certain areas in Hong Kong. To date the germination has been very poor. It is intended to try other methods with this species.

19. Broad-leaved Trees Planted. The following trees were used in the formation of plantations of varying sizes and the extension of the road-side planting scheme in all parts of the Colony-Acacia Farnesiana, Willd., Albizzia Lebbck Benth., Albizzia procera Benth., Aleurites triloba Forst, Bauhinia Blakeana Dunn, Bauhinia variegata L., Bombax malabaricum DC., Casuarina equisetifolia L., Callistemon rigidus R. Br., Cassia glauca Lam., Celtis sinensis Pers., Cinnamomum Cam- phora Nees, Crataeva religiosa Forst, Delonix regia Rafin, Melaleuca leucadendron L., Paulownia Fortune Hemsl., Sterculia lanceolata Cav., Tristania conferta Griff.

20. Totals of Tree Planting Operations. The totals of tree planting, in situ sowing and broadcasting, were as follows:-

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Trees Conifers.-Plantation planting, 6,000; Broad-leaved- Roadside planting, 8,725; Miscellaneous 2,169; Total 16,894.

Sowing in situ-352,758 (using 94 lbs. Pine seed);

Broadcast-5,309 lbs. Pine seed; Total 5,403 lbs. seed.

21. Melaleuca leucadendron L. It is worthy of mention that this species has proved the most successful tree for use alongside roads which are bordered by "padi" fields. It seems to delight in the damp root conditions and generally, has been found to be superior for this purpose than other species used.

22. Insect Pests.-The Pine tree Caterpillar (Dendrolimus punctatus) again appeared in the pine plantations at Fanling, but in comparatively small numbers. 220 lbs. of caterpillars were collected and destroyed. The comparative absence of this pest may be a direct result of the methods of disposal advised by the Bureau of Entomology, Kew, as this is the third year in succession in which small attacks only have been experienced.

23. Forest and Hill Fires.-The number of fires during the year was 25. This is a great reduction on the number for the previous year which was 79.

24. The usual distribution of handbills and the posting of warning notices prior to the Ching Ming and Chung Yeung Festivals, was carried out. The vernacular press kindly gave prominence to notices requesting all visitors to graves and cemeteries to take precautions against causing damage by fire.

25. Public Playgrounds.-Tree planting was carried out in the following places:-Southorn Playground, Chinese Recrea- tion Ground and Middle Road. These were in the nature of replacements. In regard to Middle Road, very great difficulty was again experienced in affording adequate protection to the trees and it was found necessary to replace 20 out of a total of 40 trees planted in this area.

26. Cheung Chau.-The roadside tree planting was further developed, a total of 610 trees being planted during the year, in various parts of the island.

27. Taipo Kau Forestry Reserve. This reserve received additions of a planting nature to the extent of 6,823 plants. The following species were planted out-Pinus Khasya Royle, (6,000) Sterculia lanceolata Cuv. (40) Mimosa bracatinga Hoehne (352) Quercus spp. (79) Adenanthera pavonina L. (30) Glyptos- trobus heterophyllus Endl. (180) Pasania sp. (Kwai Lam Yui- 130) Artocarpus integrifolia L. (10) Rhodolcia Championi Hook. (2). At the same time the nursery beds were kept in condition and large numbers of seedlings of various species were raised. It is interesting to note that Pinus Khasya Royle, has so far been raised successfully and further developments will be awaited with interest.

28. Pinus Merkusi, Jungh, (Sumatra Pine)-Seeds of this pine received from the Principal Forest Officer, Federated Shan States during 1936 and planted in this reserve the saine year, are making good progress. As in the case of Pinus Khasya Royle, its further progress will be watched with interest.

29. At the end of the year preparations were in progress to establish plants of Bambusa dolichomerithalla Hayata, in this reserve, with the idea of utilising to a greater extent the bamboos which are of reasonably easy growth in the Colony and which are of economic value.

30. Forest Guards Services.-The year under review pro- duced probably the worst outbreak of forest offences that the Colony has ever experienced. The factors contributing to this state of affairs were (i) the unusually severe typhoon of September 2nd (ii) the influx of refugees due to Sino-Japanese hostilities and (iii) the high price of fuel resulting from a cessa- tion of the usual firewood supplies from South China. Together, these factors produced a situation extremely difficult to control and which resulted in much illicit tree cutting and in wholesale cutting of undergrowth from the hillsides. The problem neces- sitated much vigilance on the part of the Forest Staff and though at the end of the year with Police co-operation, some progress had been made in controlling the situation, the cutting continued as a serious menace to the forests and hillsides.

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