ENG-1953 — Page 75

PRODUCTION

for rice. A 1952 estimate of the area under crop and orchard is set out in the following table:-

Acres

Paddy Vegetables Orchard laneous Cultivation

21,700

2,400

Miscel- Abandoned Total

1,300 3,400

2,200

31,000

Latest figures indicate, however, that this will have to be revised to about 40,000 acres.

For successful farming in the New Territories every advan- tage must be taken of water supply; in some areas this is a critical factor. The average rainfall of some 80 inches falls mainly in the summer months on catchment areas, which descend steeply on to the narrow lowland farming plains. The run-off from low and sparsely covered hills amounts to as much as 70% and considerable ingenuity has been displayed by Chinese farmers in conserving and distributing water to their small and Under a grant from Colonial Development holdings. Welfare funds a special irrigation unit of the Public Works Department has been set up to investigate water supply prob- lems, following which work is proceeding to improve local conditions by strengthening and sealing irrigation channels, improving diversion channels and developing well water sup- plies. Existing dams are being strengthened and improved and new schemes for damming water supplies on the higher narrow valleys are being investigated. Of considerable importance is the new forestry policy which is designed to afforest catchment areas and steep hillsides and restrict the rapid run-off of water supplies.

Agriculture

The principal crops of the Colony, grown for local con- sumption, are rice and vegetables. Fruits, including papaya, pineapple, bananas, lychees, lung-ngan, guava and citrus, such as oranges, lemons, pomelos and the Chinese mandarin, are grown in small quantities. Fruit production suffered heavily

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