Sessional_Paper_1905 — Page 791

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7. Growth of pinus massoniana in the climate of Hongkong.-The growth of the tree is similar to that of the Scotch fir.

To calculate the rate of growth, four trees were selected for measurement, as follows:-

(a.) A tree growing on the bank opposite Government House (main entrance), sheltered by other trees and on made ground, a favourable situation, apparently died from old age. Height 35 feet; diameter of annual rings in inches No. 5-2.4, No. 10–6.5, No. 15-10.8, No. 20-11.6, No. 25-13, No. 30-—14.1, No. 35 ——–14.4, No. 40--14.6, No. 45—14.8. No. 50—15.0.

(b.) Old tree from Chai Wan, 30 feet high; growing in an exposed situa- tion near the sea, soit probably good. No. 5-1, No. 10-1.8, No. 15-3.3, No. 20-4.5, No. 25-5.6, No. 30–6.1, No. 55— 6.9, No. 40-7. 2, No. 45-7.5, No. 50-7.8, No. 55-8.1, No. 60-8,4.

(c) Same locality and situation; height 35 feet: No. 5—2.4, No. 10--

4.3, No. 15-5.5, No. 20-6.8, No. 25-8.3, No. 30-9.2, No. 35-9.8, No. 40—10.4, No. 45-10.9, No. 50—11,4, No. 55— 11.9. No. 60--12.4.

(d.) Aberdeen, in a sheltered situation near the sea; soil good. No. 5 -1.6, No. 10--4.0. No. 15—5.0, No. 20-6.3, No. 25-7.3, No. 30—8.4, No. 35—9.2, No. 40—9.6, No. 45 – 9.8, No. 50–10. 2. The increase in height proceeds at the rate of about one foot per year in the best situations up to 20 to 30 years.

The average tree appears to show a marked decrease of growth at about 25 years, possibly from the shallowness of the soil in conjunction with other condi- tions which affect all vegetation on the Island. Natural mixed wood does not attain an average height of more than 20 to 30 feet.

cent.

8. Interest on investments in Hongkong is at the present time about 6 per

9. The total area under pine in 1903 was as follows:-

No.

FOREST DIVISION.

AGE CLASSES. ACEES.

Apparent Ages in Years.

TOTAL

6-10 11-15 16-20

21

ACRES.

3

4

5

1

Victoria,

60

330

180

570

...

Wongueichung,

40

80

210

180

150

660

Shaukiwan,

360

160

100

60

680

Tytam,

15

120

330

150

40

655

Stanley,

10

140

430

110

70

760

Aberdeen,

270

280

70

170

790

Pokfulam,

170

370

240

50

830

Total,

65

1,200

1,780

1,180

720

4,945

The approximate of plantations in 1904 was as follows:-

No.

FOREST DIVISION.

BLOCK.

TOTAL ACRES.

A B Ü

D

E

F G

طرح

H

1

1

Victoria,.. 2 Wongeichung,

Shaukiwan, Tytam,- Stanley, Aberdeen, 7 Pokfulam,

< − CN CO TO H

70140 100 60 140 170

100 130110 | 230 | 100

90 80 60

140 120 80 80

570

660

680

75

745

120 130

90 160 150 | 110

760

190 170 80 90 140100 200 | 140 | 220|140 110 | 130 | 270

770

1,210

Total,

910 910740 | 830 | 810 | 660 | 460

75 5,395

70

90 80 100

80

70

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