ENG-1948 — Page 69

those imported into Kowloon from China have to pass through this Market, where they are auctioned. The success of the market has been due in no small measure to the provision of adequate transport and prompt payment to the farmer. A summary of the sales for 1947 and 1948 is given in the table below.

1947 Weight

(in piculs)

Local 326,374

Imported 128,666

Total

Average price per Picul.

455,040

Value

(H.K. $)

1948 Weight

(in piculs) Value

(H.K. $)

$5,269,385 $2,079,305 $7,348,690 $16.1

369,610 167,005 536,615

$5,411,491 $2,444,930 $7,856,422 $14.64

(16.8 piculs

I ton)

Efforts have been made to obtain close contact with the farmers, and vegetable collecting depots have been established in the main vegetable growing areas of the New Territories. The primary function of these depots is the collection of vegetables from farmers and their transportation to the market, but other functions are also discharged, such as sale of fertiliser and seeds to farmers. They also act as social centres for the farmer where it is possible for him to obtain advice on the many problems with which he is confronted.

Fertiliser

Raw nightsoil is the common fertiliser used in the New Territories and the danger of contamination of vegetables is considerable. The Japanese built at Castle Peak a battery of con- crete tanks for the maturation of nightsoil from the urban area for use as a fertiliser. These tanks fell into disuse during the later period of Japanese occupation. In 1946 the department put these tanks again into commission and during 1948 about 78,000 pairs of tubs of nightsoil were sold to farmers (about 3,250 tons). This is only a very small fraction of the demand and efforts are being made to increase the supply of matured nightsoil so as to be able effectively to prevent the use of the raw product. The nightsoil is matured under anerobic conditions for 28 days by which time all pathogenic bacteria have been destroyed.

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