ENG-1954 — Page 84

HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT, 1954

Fields watered only by rainfall, and swamps irrigated with brackish water may produce only one crop of rice annually, but irrigated fields yield two crops each year. Latest estimates show that about 24,000 short tons of milled rice are grown annually in the New Territories and this is enough to satisfy the needs of the whole population of the Colony for about one month.

Vegetables. It is estimated that vegetable farmers, and rice farmers who grow vegetables, produce about three fifths of the Colony's needs. During the winter months a wide range of European type vegetables are grown, bringing a much needed supply of fresh food to the local markets. In the summer months, the range of vegetables is limited and Hong Kong is then dependent to a much greater extent on imported supplies. The varieties, quantities and value of the business are set out in the marketing section.

Water Chestnuts. Owing to the difficulties farmers experienced in disposing of this crop, which was grossly over-produced last season, the quantity grown this season has been reduced from 700 acres to 140 acres. The average yield is about 30 piculs per dau chung (10.7 tons per acre) and the cash return $50 per picul (37.5 cents per lb). The crop is grown under the same conditions as paddy and supplants the second rice crop. Most of the chestnuts are processed and exported to the United States of America.

Maintenance of Soil Fertility. The intensity of cultivation, with short fallow periods following a succes- sion of crops, drains the fertility of the naturally poor

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