Sessional_Paper_1884-1885 — Page 139

30. The Planting operations are tabulated as follow:-

Pinus sinensis,

Bamboos,....

•

Bischoffia javanica,

Cæsalpinia ferrea, Cinnamomum Cassia,.

Eucalypti, 14 species, Hura crepitans, Hymenæa courbaril, Persea namuh, Podocarpus latifolius, Podocarpus elongata, Prosopis juliflora,

TREES PLANTED

..318,859

148

209

41

268

9,293

22

12

49

32

39

242

Thespesia populnea,

4

Tristanea conferta,.

801

Sown in situ

Pinus sinensis,

.384,140

714,159

135

31. A good number of Camphor and Cork-Oak trees have also been reared in the nurseries for planting out during the coming season. The acorns from which the cork-oak trees were raised were procured from Spain. They were not in good condition when they arrived but about a quarter germi- nated and the seedlings made rapid, but rather weak, growth.

32. Many of the Cassia (Cinnamomum Cassia) trees, although they had been planted in the most sheltered position that could be found for them, suffered greatly from the October typhoon, otherwise they have continued to make satisfactory progress.

33. Plantations of the Varnish tree (Aleurites vernicia) received a liberal supply of manure and the trees had the soil well dug about their roots. The effects of these operations are very marked, the trees having immediately greatly strengthened and developed. There are about 40,000 of these trees.

34. A plantation of the Chinese Tea-oil plant was also treated in a similar manner as the above. Of these plants there are about 2,000 so far doing well. It is rather early yet to judge of their ultimate

success.

35. The political troubles in China have prevented our obtaining a supply this year of seeds of the varnish tree in consequence of missionaries not being resident in the interior. Efforts which have. been made to get seeds through Chinese agents have not yet been successful, but I hope yet to get some. It is always extremely difficult to procure seeds or plants from any distance through Chinese.

36. Upwards of 1,000 trees-all that it was practicable to transplant-were removed from the line on which the cutting for the new conduit was made. In the Happy Valley woods 200 indigenous oaks and other trees and 300 pine trees were felled to provide for the progress of the conduit. At the request of the Surveyor General this work, which had been done at his request, was suspended in con- sequence of some alteration which he stated it would be necessary to make in the line of the conduit. Portions of many of the trees which were felled have been retained for wood specimens. When the work of clearing off trees is continued there will be opportunity to secure a further stock of specimens without sacrificing trees which should not be cut merely for the sake of getting specimens.

37. The Forest Guards had twenty-one cases for prosecution before the Magistrates, out of which nineteen convictions were obtained. The sentences of the prisoners were from two to fourteen days imprisonment.

38. The grass-cutters continue to do much mischief both directly and indirectly to the plantations. Until some such steps as those I recommended a year ago are taken, I fear that mischief will continue The loss of natural aids to reproduction is always to be regretted as these can be obtained so much more effectively, extensively, and economically than artificial ones.

to ensue.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

CHARLES FORD, Superintendent Botanical and Afforestation Department.