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the Forestry Ordinance and Regulations in 1937. Cultivated or imported plants were exempted from control, however.
The best wild stock, which sometimes produces twelve bells per flowering bud, grows today on the Ting Wu Mountain (HL) of Siu Hing () District. However, most of the branches for sale in Guangzhou and Hong Kong come from cultivated stock in Ching Yuen (), a mountainous district some 100 kilometres north of Guangzhou. Farmers in that district have developed a special cultivation technique over the years to produce better flowers. In early summer, the branches selected for cutting later that year are "ring-barked" (stripped of the outer bark) at the lower end for a length of about 2 cm. This stops the flow of sap downwards and the nutrients produced by the leaves are then retained at the top. Branches so treated usually produce larger flower buds and thus command a better price in the market when they are cut for sale in the winter.
The exemption of imported or cultivated stock from prohibition has sometimes presented difficulties to the local forestry enforcement staff, especially when it has been necessary to prove in Court the origin of seized plants. Although some of the older Forest Guards claimed that they were able to differentiate wild flower buds from cultivated ones, I myself have so far been unable to make any positive identification. It was partly for this reason that protective measures were directed towards preventing illegal cutting in the woods, rather than trying to seize the branches in the hawker stalls.
Events in the 1930's sowed the seeds of change of this age-old custom. Firstly, the Japanese Occupation in 1938 of the greater part of Guangdong Province interrupted the supply of Tiu Chung to Hong Kong, and consequently local residents began to look for alternatives. Secondly, some skilled nurserymen in the Guangzhou areas, fleeing the Japanese, sought refuge in Hong Kong, where they introduced the art of growing peach blossoms.
The early post-war years saw a brief return of the use of Tiu Chung as the New Year Flower. However, the strict protection against illegal wood-cutting in Hong Kong, coupled with the
208
the Forestry Ordinance and Regulations in 1937. Cultivated or imported plants were exempted from control, however.
The best wildstock, which sometimes produces twelve bells per flowering bud, grows today on the Ting Wu Mountain (HL) of Siu Hing () District. However, most of the branches for sale in Guangzhou and Hong Kong come from cultivated stock in Ching Yuen (), a mountainous district some 100 kilometres north of Guangzhou. Farmers in that district have developed a special cultivation technique over the years to produce better flowers. In early summer, the branches selected for cutting later that year are "ring-barked" (stripped of the outer bark) at the lower end for a length of about 2 cm. This stops the flow of sap downwards and the nutrients produced by the leaves are then retained at the top. Branches so treated usually produce larger flower buds and thus command a better price in the market when they are cut for sale in the winter.
The exemption of imported or cultivated stock from prohibi- tion has sometimes presented difficulties to the local forestry enforcement staff, especially when it has been necessary to prove in Court the origin of seized plants. Although some of the older Forest Guards claimed that they were able to differentiate wild flower buds from cultivated ones, I myself have so far been unable to make any positive identification. It was partly for this reason that protective measures were directed towards prevent- ing illegal cutting in the woods, rather than trying to seize the branches in the hawker stalls.
Events in the 1930's sowed the seeds of change of this age-old custom. Firstly, the Japanese Occupation in 1938 of the greater part of Guangdong Province interrupted the supply of Tiu Chung to Hong Kong, and consequently local residents began to look for alternatives. Secondly, some skilled nurserymen in the Guangzhou areas, fleeing the Japanese, sought refuge in Hong Kong, where they introduced the art of growing peach blossoms.
The early post-war years saw a brief return of the use of Tiu Chung as the New Year Flower. However, the strict protection against illegal wood-cutting in Hong Kong, coupled with the
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