Sessional_Paper_1901 — Page 311

SUGAR CANE.

307

In February, 145 cuttings of seedling canes were received from the Assistant Superintendent of Forests, Penang, Mr. C. CURTIS, F.L.S., and about one half of these were planted in the Sookunpo Nursery, and the others at Ha Tsun; Mr. TANG HING-TONG having promised to make a trial of them. I regret to say, however, that only 15 plants were obtained from the whole lot of cuttings, as those put in at Ha Tsun all failed.

Another lot of 318 cuttings was received in July, from Mr. E. A. B. BROWN, Province Wellesley, through the instrumentality of Mr. CURTIS, and these were divided between Sookunpo and Ha Tsun as before. Those planted at Sookunpo have done very well so far, and as regards size are a great improvement on the ordinary Chinese cane. Only a few, however, of the cuttings put in at Ha Tsun succeeded.

As it was the middle of July before the cuttings were planted, the summer was too far advanced to permit of the full development of the canes.

Cuttings will be taken from them in the spring so that by next winter there should be a sufficient quantity of mature canes to test their sugar-producing qualities.

In September, a consignment of 2,200 cuttings, in five varieties, was received from Java, through the kindness of Messrs. JARDINE, MATHESON & Co. The cuttings arrived in excellent condition, great care having been taken in the packing.

They were planted at Ha Tsun, but owing to the lateness of the season they have not done well, only some two or three hundred plants surviving.

Mr. FORD thought it would be well to know the quantity of land under sugar cultivation in the New Territory, and the Foreman Forester who was sent over to make enquiries on the subject esti- mated it at over 7,000 acres.

EXPERIMENTAL GARDEN.

As there is a considerable quantity of agricultural land in the New Territory, I would strongly recommend the establishment of an Experimental Garden for testing economic plants likely to succeed in the district. The Chinese themselves are not likely to take the initiative in introducing new indus- tries, but if this Department were to show them that certain plants could be grown with success, no doubt the natives would then take to cultivating such plants.

The Japanese in Formosa have already established experimental Stations, and the French at Kwong Chau-wan, and the Germans at Kiaut-chau have also under censideration similar schemes.

There are many kinds of fruits which could be grown, and if this were done we should not only have better varieties than those already in the market, but new kinds as well.

J

Agave sisalana is a plant likely to succeed here, and although Sisal Hemp is not such a good fibre as Manila Hemp, it is one which will well repay cultivation.

TREE CUTTING.

A great deal of tree cutting has gone on in the past year, and at present there are no means of stopping it. Nearly all the people who have been brought before the Magistrates in connection with this subject have produced papers, purporting to be leases from the Chinese Government, giving them power to cut down trees growing on the land mentioned in the leases. This not only applies to the common Pine tree, but to every other kind of tree growing within the areas mentioned. Before any- thing can be done to stop the practice the Land Court will have to decide the validity of the various leases.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

W. J. TUTCHER,

Acting Superintendent,

Botanical and Afforestation Department.

Honourable J. H. STEWART LOCKHART,

Colonial Secretary,

&c.,

fc.,

&c.