Bamboo Nurseries
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The largest collection in the . Empire or World of living plants of Chinese and exotic bamboo species and varieties: would be established. with a view to Government plantations of the most valuable species, distribution in the Territories of economic varieties to the villagers and distribution throughout the Empire of species and varieties as required. (In 1938, thanks to the cooperation of F. A. McClure of Canton, Hong Kong had probably the most extensive. collection of living kinds of bamboos in the Empire.)
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Tree Seedling Nurseries Seedlings would be grown for planting out in the district, for sale and for distri- bution to villagers.
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Student Classes Classes, conducted in Cantonese, mainly by the head nurseryman and chief forest ranger would be given to a class of 10 to 30 forest ranger probationers. These youths would attend for one year, they would live free in a dormitory at Headquarters and would participate in the ordinary field work of the station seed sowing - tending of nurseries - pit digging - transplanting road making dam construction irrigation channel digging- seed gathering, etc. They would be taught the rudiments of afforestation. On qualifying they would be appointed to the different field stations. training they would receive pocket money only, shelter,
During their food and uniform would be provided free.
Experimental Nurseries plants from many parts of the world would be tried out with a view to growing in different parts of the Colony those species that succeeded.
GENERAL.
Afforestation. is, desirable. in,the Colony for these reasons. To increase the beauty of the terrain.
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To check soil erosion.
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To lower the temperature (compare Hong Kong and Amoy
islands pre-war)
To increase the precipitation of rain and mist.
To slow up run off of water and thus increase the
period of water supply to the reservoirs.
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To provide cover for birds, etc.
To provide useful materials, firewood, bamboos etc.
The supply by the Department to Government of firewood started in 1937, would be maintained, possibly after an interval of a few years.
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Difficulties of Afforestation
Lack of soil and poverty of soil.
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Erodability of exposed disintegrated granite (e.g. Kowloon
Hills)
High growth of grass tending to submerge young trees.
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