CENTRAL STATE NURSERY. EWEBURN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10731, 20 February 1897, Page 3

CENTRAL STATE NURSERY. EWEBURN.

(Mount Ida Chronicle.)

During a recent visit to Eweburn a representative of this journal had an opportunity of inspecting this infant nursery, founded by the Government in the beginning of October. The project is so full of beneficently potent possibilities for the future of Central Otago that we are sure our readers will be glad of a short description of the progress already made. The nursery reserve consists of 20 acres, situated in the centre of the Eweburn township reserve, a block of 74*0 acres, which, we understand, will shortly be cut up for disposal. The chief reason that determined the selection of this site was its position, which is as nearly as possible in the centre of the Maniototo Plain. This central situation will reduce to a minimum fche difficulties of the transport of the trees to their permanent plantations and at the some time economise the labour of those engaged in the work. It may here be noted that tho general plan for the future will be the planting of broad long belts of trees radiating from the centre of the plain towards the surrounding hills. Of course, water supply, suitability of soil, subsoil, and aspect were' also factors in determining the site. The boundary fence with substantial posts half a chain apart and iron standards between is rendered rabbitproof by l-j-in wire netting. A laurel hedge has been planted within the boundary fence, and seems to be thriving-excellently, giving promise of great value as shelter for tha young trees. On passing through the entrance gates, which are as neat and light as they are strong, one is afc once struck, with the surprisingly large amount of solid work fchafc has been accomplished since the first sod was turned a short four months ago. Fencing, ditching, trenching, digging, planting, dam-construction, building, all have been making rapid advance, and about the place there is now an air of order and method, as pleasant to see as it is profitable in operation. Nothing necessary for the success of our embryo forest has been ' omitted as far as foresight and observation can provide. A 6ft shelter fence of manuka scrub has been I erected to the windward of the seed beds to I prevent damage by the heavy N.W. gale 3. Tbe | ground underwent no other preparation for the reception of the seeds than trenching—not even manuring. For the protssfcion of the j young plants daring the early stages of their growth from the scorching rajs of the sun, fche beds have been provided with O shaped arching light iron frames, jlike a half moon and extending from end to end of the beds iv long rows. Attached to the 'ridge of each frame is a shade of canvas which can be rolled down or up on each side as the weather requires, the canvas being kept rigid when in use by long iron rods inserted in the lower side of the canvas. Of the frames just described, which are 2ft high in the centre,' 3ffc.6in in width, aad 18ffc in length, there are "at present 80 iv use. They contain approximately half a million young trees appateutly in vigorous growth. By far the larger portion of the trees belongs to the Tyrolese variety ofthe European larch, a tree which has already proved itself, where judiciously planted, eminently suited to the district. As a timber tree it would be a matter of extreme difficulty fco overstate its value. When to this we add its great adaptability to nearly every condition of soil not wet, altitude, diversities of climate, its rapidity of growth and ease of culture, it must* be evident thafc no other tree can be ranked on a par with the larch. Next in quality is the Corsican pine (Pinus larcico), of which there are about 100,000. The tree is of very rapid upright growth, well suited for planting even in fche mosfc exposed and windswept situation*. A non-fastidious subjecfc as to soil, ifc furnishes a valuable timber, and is cheaply and easily raised from seed. Ifc may be added thafc one or fcwo good specimens may be seen just inside the gate of the Anglican j Church of this town. Next we come to the j beds of the young Austrian pine (Pinus j austriaca), another tree that has already been proved, by the fine specimens growing in different parts of the district, to be well suited to Maniototp. Resembling the Corsican pine in appearance, it is of a more robust and spreading habit. Few soils even of the poorest come amiss to this tree, and, besides providing a timber of no mean quality, ifc is one of fche best shelter trees yet introduced. Large numbers are growing of the Douglas fir (Abies douglasii), which furnishes the celebrated Oregon pine of America. Many good specimens of this tree are to be seen in the Recreation Reserve, Naseby, where ifc is flourishing with remarkable vigour. Of the Norway spruce (Abies excelsa), about 50,000. young trees are iv the beds. This tree which has already' proved itself suitable to this district, produces the well-known deal of commerce. Amongst Other trees grown in smaller quantities may be mentioned Abies menzeisii, a rapid growing tree'with timber almost identical with that of the Oregon pine; Pinus ponderosa,* durable, coarse-grained timber; Pinus strobus,. Pinus abies, and American black spruce (Abies nigra). It will be observed that from this list are absent such trees as Cupressus macrocarpa and Pinus insignis,,' and such trees as have a value only as shelter aad not as timber trees. The reason of this is, Mr Matthews states, that ou this point his instruction from the Government was to the effect that only those trees producing useful timber were to be planted. The above list will, we venture to say, prove that this instruction has been thoroughly carried out. Noticing a large number of young cabbage trees at the lower end of the nursery we learned, on inquiry, fchafc Mr Matthews has furnished these from his own nursery ; and that when the planting season arrives he intends to distribute them gratuitously to any settlers who may visit the nureery at that time. We hope that during the coming season full advantage will be taken of this generous offer, for, to our mind, no ofcher tree gives a home such a characteristically New Zealand look as does the cabbage tree. For the preparation.of the ground for ths 1 reception of the young trees next season, about i four acre 3 have been put into crop on the j eastern boundary, where the trees will remain for one or two years according to the ! variety, before being planted out in their j permanent quarters. As a water supply is i an "essential to the growing of trees in their j earlier stages,* we find, a 9 we expected, that - here as in other departments nothing has j been leffc to chance. We learn that water can ! j easily be got all over the property by sinking in 'i I suitable places from Ift to sft. In one place ! j near the nursery, rising out of a gully, a fine j supply was struck after half an hour's work, j much to the surprise of a firmer who had worked on the ground, and who said that if he had kuown water was there he would have had jit long ago. Just so. So would everyoue else j who required it—if they knew it was there. But j how could he know without trial ? And we j verily believe that this farmer is not singular in thirsty Maniototo. Close fco the men's j quarters a hole about sffc in diameter by 3fb deep was dug for rubbish. To their surprise jin the morning it was full of water. The hole j was at ouce enlarged and yields even in this I dry season au unfailing supply. A Farringdou pump has b«en erected over this hole, and is connected by pipes with the seed bads, which by means of a hose are thus provided with the necessary supply of water. A powerful wind mill is being erected to raise water from this and other springs on the property. On the northern aud higher boundary two large dams j have been constructed to store water for nse | during a dry season. Even if the creek which j supplies these dums should run dry, as ithasdone ! this season, arrangements are being made to keep | the dam full by forcing the water up from the ! springs before-mentioned, by means of the | windmill. A complete set of meteorological j instruments is in use, and observations are taken j daily at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. As ohowiDg how ! largely the success of the nursery is dependent ] upon irrigation, ifc may be mentioned that the j rainfall since the commencement of this work ! nntil the date of our visit has been only 0.73 in. j A large and commodious building has been i erected of sun-dried bricks. In one end com- { fortable quarters are provided for horses ; next i to the stable is the shed for traps, a very neces- | sary convenience in this climate of extremes ; .; the other end is occupied by the workshed and \ the men's quarters. The whole of the fonndaj tions and floors are laid in cement concrete, j which, owing to the plentiful supply of gravel ! close at hand, has beeu found cheaper, as well as more suitable than timber flooring. I The rapid progress made and the success so j far attained in this new undertaking reflects the j greatest credit oa the State Forester (Mr { Matthews) and hfs two nurserymen (Messrs j Gleeson and Roberts), who, by fche way, both ■ served their apprenticeship under Mr Matthews j afc his well-known nurseries at Dunedin, a success j all the more creditable seeing the work has ; been initiated ia one of the worst seasons ever i experienced in the Maniototo district. Of j course it will be said, and truly said, that in i this important undertaking its managers have I only begun to climb fche firat brae of the Hill '; Difficulty, that fche first winter and the planting j process have yet to be faced, but tho abundant t precautions taken to attain success in its earlier | stages favours the hope that an equal success j will follow the latter stages of this undertaking. • In the meantime, the thoughtful farmer who ; visits theEwebuti! nursery will meet with every j courtesy from Mr Matthews and his assistants, j will see much to instruct him, and will, we I trust, take home with him a number of nsw idsaK on which 'to chew the cud of reflection si J his leisure.

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