Sessional_Paper_1887-1888 — Page 214

Rearing Trees in Situ.

Trees reared in situ have been successful. The number thus treated was 217,738. They are situated on Mount Parker, and near Deep Water Bay.

The total number of trees planted and reared in situ was 374,882.

The following is a list of the trees planted and reared in situ :-

Pinus sinensis,

""

""

Eucalypti. Bamboos,

Acacias,.

....

Cocoa-nuts,

Miscellaneous, .

in situ.

.151,081

.217,738

3,621

1,864

197

128

253

374,882

Broad-cast Sowing.

In addition to planting and rearing in situ some pieces of land were operated on by sowing seeds broad-cast without any preparation of the ground. În certain places the method promises to give good results at a very small cost, as already stated in my report for last year.

There is, however, a serious difficulty to contend with where this work has been done, it is, the operation of grass-cutters, who cut grass, and the young seedling trees in it not caring, or at the least not knowing about the existence of the young trees. Until we have more control over grass-cutters this method of rearing trees cannot be extensively carried out. Some experiments made four years ago of sowing seeds broad-cast have given very good results, there being now abundance of healthy trees about two feet high.

Cunninghamia sinensis.

As mentioned elsewhere a considerable quantity of seeds of this valuable Chinese tree have at last been obtained from a distant part of the Kwangtung province. The seeds are the first instalment for what I hope will be the establishment of successful plantations to supercede the common Pinus

sinensis.

Camphor Trees.

In 1886 about 4,500 camphor trees were planted as an experiment. The success of the camphor in the Botanic and private gardens of the Colony gave promise of its succeeding on the hills when placed within plantations of the China pine which were sufficiently large to afford shelter from winds. In such plantations where the soil is somewhat better than the average soil the trees have succeeded beyond my expectations, but where the shelter and soil is inferior the trees have made but little pro- gress. The general results, however, were such as to lead me to continue the experiment, therefore about 12,000 trees were reared in the nurseries for planting during the present season.

Pinus Massoniana.

A few pounds of seeds of this tree were procured from Japan, and sown in situ by the side of our native pine, but the seeds, unfortunately, germinated very badly, probably owing to their not having been sufficiently ripened or harvested in Japan. The germination of our own seeds on the ground was perfect. A fresh lot of seeds have been obtained for further experiment this year.

Tristanea conferta.

In my report for last year I drew attention to this rapid growing tree of which 800 were planted four years ago. These trees are now about 20 feet high (some have reached 30 feet). They flowered and produced seeds in abundance during the year under report. Seeds were collected and sown, and an abundance of young trees have been obtained for planting this season. I have great hopes of this tree. From its rapid growth and large amount of leafage it should be a much better tree than most species of Eucalypti for this Colony.

Persea nanmu.

The specimen in the Botanic Gardens of this Chinese tree which was introduced from the Sze Chuen province has now reached 24 feet high and it is thoroughly established in its new home. As previously reported on, the wood which it yields is extremely valuable in China. A number of young plants