REAFFORESTATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8190, 3 August 1912, Page 11

REAFFORESTATION.

WORK OF THE YEAR. According to the annual report on Stato nurseries and plantations, climatic conditions last year were not as favourable as usual, owing to the dry weather and heavy frosts experienced in the North Island during planting operations, wnilst in both islands wet weather was general during the summer months. This resulted in a high death-rate amongst newly-planted trees, though to counterbalance this to some extent the growth of established trees in the plantations was very good. During the twelve months ended March 31st, 1912, no less than 8,563,650 trees were raised from seed in the four nurseries; 8,512,079 trees were despatched from them for planting out; and it is estimated that 16,807,400 trees remain therein at the close of tho year. The expenditure for the year on the nurseries was £8,103 0s Bd, bringing the total expenditure from the establishment of the nurseries in 1896 to £96,593 9s 2d, of which £19,744 18s 3d represents the cost of permanent works. During this period a total of 71,904,234 trees have been raised and made available for the work of afforestation. A fresh area of 2566 acres was planted in the twelve months. Expenditure on the whole area was £14,587, and from the commencement in 1896, £121,840. It is estimated that 44,568,505 trees are growing on the gross area of 18,870 acres which have been reafforested since 1890. “Prison labour continues .to be a success,” states the report, “there having been a daily average of twen-ty-eight men employed in the North Island plantations and forty-three men in the South Island. Every assistance and willing co-operation hasbeen rendered by the officers of the Prisons Department. The total estimated value of planting by prison labour up to date amounts to £5254 in the South Island, and to a considerable sum for the North. Island.

“The interest shown by the staff in their work is very gratifying, and the keenness with which they endeavour to advance themselves in the knowledge of forestry operations is worthy of commendation.”