DEPARTMENT OF LANDS: STATE NURSERIES AND PLANTATIONS (REPORT ON).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1907 Session I, C-01b

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1907. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS: STATE NURSERIES AND PLANTATIONS (REPORT ON).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency the Governor.

Sir, — Department of Lands, Wellington, 11th June, 1907. I have the honour to submit herewith report on that portion of the State Forests Branch of the Department which relates to the nurseries and plantations under the control of the Chief Forester, and provides for the afforestation of Crown lands in treeless localities. In doing so, I would briefly mention the fact that 6,810 acres have now been planted with 15,309,823 trees, and as this branch of the Department was only constituted in 1896, and the sole source of revenue from which to defray the expenses of afforestation is the sale of timber in State forests, the result must be regarded as highly satisfactory under the circumstances. In addition, no less than twenty-two million trees were also grown in the nurseries, and of these nearly fifteen million are available for planting out in future seasons. I have, &c, William C. Kensington, The Hon. Robert McNab, Minister of Lands. Under-Secretary for Lands. REPORT BY CHIEF FORESTER, To the Under-Secretary for Lands. In submitting the eleventh annual report, for the year ending the 31st March, 1907, I regret that the operations carried on in the South Island have not been attended with the success heretofore attained. This has been entirely due to the unprecedented dry season experienced at all South Island stations. In the North Island the usual success has been maintained, although a small percentage of loss occurred owing to exceptionally heavy rainfall during January. Reference to the table of rainfall shows that over 69 in. of rain fell at Rotorua, and nearly 74 in. at Ruatangata, while no less than 92 in. was recorded at Puhipuhi. The average for four North Island stations was 73 - 38 in., and in the South Island the average rainfall at the five nurseries was only 22"74 in., the lowest records being registered at Eweburn and Kurow with 13 - 38 in. and 1397 in. respectively. As the success attending the work of this branch of the Lands Department is in a great measure dependent on climatic conditions, the general result of the year's operations may be considered satisfactory, and I have to express my obligation to the staff generally for their strict attention to duties, interest, and enthusiasm displayed. To the Inspector of Prisons and his staff (with whom we are so closely associated) our best thanks are due for the continued satisfactory results attending the employment of prison labour at the four plantations. The value of the work done during the year by prison labour is £5,173 Is. 9d., equal to £60 10s. 7d. per man, the average number employed being 78 - 90. During 1905-6 3,254,778 trees were planted permanently on a total area of 1,435J acres, while the past year's planting totals 5,209,228 trees, covering 1,992£ acres. The total number of trees raised to date is 37,436,317, of which 14,849,830 are in nurseries and 15,309,823 planted permanently in twenty-three plantations, occupying a total area of 6,810 acres. Although, it is stated that 37,436,317 trees have been raised, yet as only 30,159,653 remain in the nurseries and plantations, a brief explanation as to the discrepancy is required. A la-ge number of young trees have died whilst in the seed-beds through various causes, such as drought, frost, depredation o1 insects, &c.; a certain proportion died during the operation of transplanting from nurseries to plantations; fire has also occasioned large losses, the recent disastrous outbreak at Dusky Hill alone accounting for 1,202,551 trees; whilst a great number have been used for shelter and ornamental purposes, and to act as fire-breaks in the plantations, &c, and are not reckoned in the total number available. In addition, various Government Departments and a few local bodies have from time to time been supplied with young trees for planting on their grounds, when such could be spared from the surplus stock on hand; and in several other ways plants that have actually been raised are excluded from the totals given as remaining in the nurseries and plantations.

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The expenditure for the year amounts to £23,900 10s. 5d., the estimated value of plantations being omitted this year on the grounds that any such estimate is purely problematical, owing to data relating to the actual value of artificially raised forests in this colony being unavailable. In the statement of accounts appended to the report on each nursery will be seen the financial position of same, including the actual expenditure to date in comparison with the stock in hand and sent out, as well as general improvements by way of buildings, formation, &c. In the statement the values of improvements have been computed on actual cost of same, whilst the stocks of trees are valued according to the schedules attached, at prices averaging one-fifth of ruling trade rates. The disastrous fire which occurred at Dusky Hill Plantation on the 27th October points to the necessity of enacting legislation for the adequate protection of forests generally, both artificial and natural.' In the case under notice the plantation is bounded on two sides lay the Pomahaka River, wjiich forms an effective fire-break as well as a natural stock-proof boundary. A chain reserve, however, runs along the river-side, as well as a road-line of similar width. The road and reserve, in question are largely used by anglers and sportsmen, as well as being a resort for picnic parties, who visit the locality in large numbers during the summer. Both for the protection of the adjoining forest and for the convenience of visitors the Department prepared convenient camping-places, with fireplaces built of stone, a supply of dry firewood, and a cleared space to prevent the possible spread of fire therefrom. Notwithstanding those provisions the camps are seldom used, and very often parties take no care to extinguish their fires, leaving such work to the employees, who are on duty until dusk every day in the year. The fire which resulted in the destruction of about two-fifths of the forest area, and valued at £8,536 16s. 10d., was due to the almost criminal negligence of an angler who elected to boil his billy, during a fierce north-west gale, at a spot where ordinary common-sense would have suggested extreme danger. Fanned by the furious wind, the flames spread with alarming rapidity across some two miles of young forest, which was more or less destroyed except amongst deciduous trees such as oak, ash, and sycamore, which were immediately pruned down to the ground-level and have subsequently made splendid growth. Proceedings were' instituted against the person responsible for this enormous loss, with the result that a fine of £5 was inflicted. Had the information been laid under section 310 of the Criminal Code, the decision would probably have in some degree acted as a warning to careless sportsmen and others The section above mentioned is as follows : " Every one who wilfully sets fire to any wood, coppice, or plantation, or to any indigenous tussock, grass, heath, gorse, furze, or fern, is liable to tourteen years' imprisonment, with hard labour." And by section 73, " All persons aiding and abetting in the commission of the crime are liable to the same penalty." If the convicted offenders are too young for imprisonment they may be detained in an industrial school as youthful criminals, and their parents, in that case, have to pay for their maintenance. There is further provision in the State Forests Act in regard to persons lighting fires and intentionally or negligently allowing the same to spread, for which the penalty is by way of fine not exceeding £50 in addition to recovery of the amount of any damage done. It may be pointed out, however, that the class of persons likely to start fires are not usually in a position to pay any such fine. far less pay for the damage done—in the case under notice amounting to £8,500. In regard to trespass on any State forest, the penalty is by fine not exceeding £50, but, as m firelighting, there is no alternative by way of imprisonment. The inadequacy of our fire-breaks have been severely criticised by enthusiastic anglers, who, m> doubt fear their probable exclusion from this favourite fishing-ground in future. I am, however, assured by the plantation employees that if the present fire-breaks had been 20 chains in width instead of 1 chauj they would have been none the more effective, as the immense body of flame carried live embers across gullies fully 20 chains distant, igniting the plantation on the opposite ridge, whilst the gullies were left unharmed Although there were many willing hands ready to assist in subduing the fire, it was quite impossible to render effectual service, owing to the intense heat, and more especially as fresh outbreaks were occurring many chains in advance of the main body. In reality fire-breaks are only effective in stopping a fire unaccompanied by wind, or in the case of a fire burning back against the wind. On Dusky Hill Plantation there are about six miles of fire-breaks, averaging 1 chain in width and occupying an area of 45 acres out of the total acreage planted—viz., 800 acres. Owing to the configuration of the land it is quite impossible to further extend these firebreaks on ploughable lines unless hand-labour is resorted to for keeping down growth—a proposal quite out of the question on the score of expense. It has been suggested that the Department should burn the grass and other herbage which appears on the fire-breaks between each annual ploughing. Such a course, however, is almost impossible, as, in addition to the difficulty of burning growth only a few months old, there is the enormous risk of fire getting beyond the control of the workmen, more especially as this work would be an annual one extending over a period of from sixty to eighty years. i * Ploughing seems to be not only the cheapest but the most effective method of keeping growth in check, but even by this means the work is a very expensive and annually increasing one, as for every 100 acres planted in forest there are approximately 5 acres laid out in fire-breaks. Computed by the present annual output of trees—viz., five million, covering roughly 1,800 acresthere are 90 acres of fire-breaks added yearly, which must be maintained, either by plough, or, where this is impracticable, by manual labour. .Control of State Fobests. At present no officer of this branch has any legal status regarding the protection of State forests, plantations, or nurseries, and, although nominally under the control of the Chief Forester, all such areas are under the jurisdiction of the Conservator of State Forests for the several land districts. The difficulty is at present got over by appointing.officers of the State Forests Branch as Crown Land Rangers, who can then act under the direct instructions of the Conservators of Forests. ■

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Foresters in charge of valuable plantations might be armed with the power of special constables. empowering them to arrest suspected persons if necessary, as unless some such provision is made it is quite possible for an unknown offender to give a fictitious name, and thus escape justice. General Remarks on the Suitability of Trees for Various Localities. It is almost impossible to state with accuracy whether the species of trees now being extensively planted by this Department are altogether suitable for general planting in the several localities. Soil, aspect, elevation, rainfall, shelter or exposure, time of planting, and weather experienced during planting are the dominating factors for success or failure, and, as some of these conditions necessarily vary more or less (even in a single acre), the difficulty of stating definitely whether a certain.species is successful or not at a given locality is apparent. Take the larch, for instance : Generally speaking, this tree does well at all stations from Rotorua southwards. It is, however, injuriously affected during exceptionally dry seasons, such as occurred last year at Tapanui, Otago Central, Marlborough, and in a lesser degree at Hanmer Springs ; whilst at Rotorua a late spring frost cut back the leaders of many thousands planted in varying aspects, while those on a northern aspect were not so affected. In the South Island, generally, larch planted on lands with a northern aspect would certainly result in failure ; and even in such a position, with a free, open, gravelly soil, which became dust-dry during a drought, this tree has suffered more or less. There was considerable loss amongst larch at Dumgree and Giminerburn Plantations where planted on fiats, where the soil is naturally deep and heavy, whilst on the steep southern slopes hardly a single failure occurred. But the most remarkable feature here is the loss amongst the Oregon pine, Weyrnouth, pitch, and Corsican pines at Dumgree, the latter being generally considered one of the best of drought-resisting species. At Hanmer Springs the losses were confined to a few dozen larch-trees, from 5 ft. to 8 ft. high, which had inadvertently been planted on a gravelly patch. Amongst the pine family, probably no species is more generally adapted for extensive planting than Pinus Laricio: the seed is cheap and easily raised, and its timber is of excellent quality. The '•hief disadvantage, however, is failure in transplanting and susceptibility to spring frosts, the latter, occurring only at Waiotapu. This year it has been demonstrated by losses at Dumgree that a certain degree of moisture is necessary for its entire success, although in other dry localities, even where planted 6a pure gravel, no deaths have taken place. As the foregoing shows, the question of the adaptability <>f a tree for a given locality depends on such varied circumstances that it is quite impossible to supply reliable information. Of the correspondence received by this Department, fully one-half relates to this subject, and it is seldom a correspondent requiring information thereon offers any further facts than that " the soil is good " or " the land is poor." Amongst the hundreds of species of trees grown in New Zealand the writer can only name with certainty two examples which will thrive in any position or soil (except swamps), and in any portion of the colony from sea-level up to the limit of tree-growth —viz., Pinus ponderosa and its variety Pinus Benthamiana. So far as the experience of the officers of this Department goes, the species named have never been injured by frosts, heat, drought, or insect life, whilst thriving specimens may be seen on such dissimilar lands as pure sea-sand, pumice, gravel, heavy, moist, or dry clay, to almost solid rock. A question frequently asked at each of the stations by settlers and others contemplating planting is, " What kind of trees do best 1 " The answer is that all the species grown at each of the nurseries are generally suitable for that particular district, provided the individual requirements of each species are duly considered. Precisely what these requirements consist of —varying as they do with each species—cannot be definitely stated without a personal acquaintance of the particular locality, and practical experience. Tree-planting on Pumice Lands. In the Waiotapu district the available area of Crown land totals over 1,000,000 acres, of winch 22,900-odd acres has been leased on pastoral license, yielding an annual revenue of £61 15s. 6d. At present an additional area of 3,500 acres is being enclosed, which necessitates the erection of 800 chains of fencing, at a total cost of £600, or 15s. per chain. This area will, at the present rate of planting, be sufficient for five years. At Whakarewarewa Plantation fencing has been imperative, owing to the boundaries being adjacent either to private lands or much-frequented tourist routes, and where stray cattle and horses are somewhat numerous. This cattle-nuisance is, unfortunately, a very serious problem in connection with the planting of this reserve. Included within the fence-line are some 300 acres of Native land covered with dense forest, which it is impossible to fence, owing to the precipitous nature of the boundarylines. Here are a large number of Native-owned cattle, which trample and destroy the young trees during the night, taking refuge in the bush during the day. On several occasions some twenty-five mounted men have endeavoured to drive them out, but the cattle being of a particularly wild nature the efforts proved unsucccessful. Shooting was then resorted to, with the result that the Native owners laid a criminal charge against the writer and an employee for wilfully shooting a bull. The case was, however, dismissed by the Magistrate, though further attempts to destroy the herd have not been deemed prudent, owing to the risk of further charges of a personal nature. Under the State Forests Act the penalty for allowing any animal to wander on any reserve is a fine not exceeding £5, in addition to recovery of amount of damage done, and it is further provided that any Ranger or other person may drive cattle to the nearest public pound. In the present case the cattle are owned by several Natives who cannot remove them, owing to their practically wild state, nor can any number of persons succeed in driving them to a pound. Further, it is futile to sue a penniless

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Native, either for allowing cattle to wander or for the damage they have done. As there does not appear to be any legal provision in the State Forests Act to allow of the shooting of these animals the cattle are still in possession, and are doing more or less damage to the plantation generally. Another matter which is giving the officers at the Whakarewarewa Plantation considerable anxiety is the presence of a herd of red-deer recently liberated on an adjoining pastoral leasehold of 6,300 acres, at an annual rental of £12 12s. As the herd have already been seen on the reserve, it is a matter for the decision of the Government whether tree-planting is to be continued at the risk of being eaten and destroyed by these deer, which are rapidly increasing. The following summaries show the result of the year's operations and present position : —

Table A.— Summary. of Results.

Table B.—Summary of Expenditure and Values.

N'ursery or Plantation. Number of Trees Total raised in Number Nurseries of Trees and raised, Plantations, 1896 to 19j7. 1906-7. Number of Trees in I Values of Nurseries j Same. i pi ttntations j ou 81st i March, 1907. Values of Same. © . Number of aV Trees £ S planted, ; &* 1906-7. g a < < a> *t 3§2s £ s. dJ j 4,753 6 11 946,550! 2,281 15 0 2,091,750 178 0 0 297,600 137,382 1 8 6,565,050 2,488 14 0: 738,390 • 6,154 4 6 1,357,700 s 18,434 17 i 2,852,790 2,943,379 1,001,661; ; tS01,032j 415,695] ! 1,271,770 44,275! 360,185 461.005J 50,000 7,224 4,341,704 26,825 3,391,436 133,632^ 71,672 19 3 30,159,6531 £ s. d. j 1,833 17 8 3,586 5 9 447 17 0 8,871 12 6 1,434 5 10 2,054 11 0 4,971 3 6 Acres. Acres. E .vebuni Nursety .. .. 307,550 Hmmer Springs Nursery .. 875,400 Kurow Nursery .. .. 176,000 Rotorua Nursery .. ..; 2,902,600 Etuatangata Nursery .. 516,775 3tarborough Nursery .. 750,500 rapanui Nursery .. .. 973,150 3onical Hills Plantation .. 236,500 Dumgree Plantation Dusky Hill Plantation .. 15,050 jimmerburn Plantation Hanmer Springs Plantation .. Kaingaroa Plaius Plantation Nnseby Plantation .. .. I Puiiipuhi Plantation .. 1,000 Ra'ncliff Plantation .. ! Ruatangata Plantation .. I Waiotapu Plantation Wai tahuna Plantation .. Whakarewarewa Plantation Domains, reserves, <fec. 1,945,162; 2,253,400! 176,000' 19,552,9821 1,091,022! 3,281,550' 7,524,855 811,796 411,750; 374,200| * ¥ « 632,708 561,175 27,000 243,500 502,500' 281J 193| '70$ 177 94 6i 385| t331 146| 462 21 132 J 700 206J 22 1,776* 11 1,6684 * 13,600 * 6,500 178,245 248J ■ • .. 1,642,175 26,825 1,388,600 .. 561 11 450 \ Totals .. .. 6,754,525 37,436,317 123,198 12 10 5,209,228 1,9924 6,810 •Reliable estimates of values not bvailable. f 1,202,551 trees burnt on 474J acres, deduct* id from totali

3mMa?ch,%7. to31st o March. Value of Trees srown and Improvements in Nurseries, 1906-7. Value of Trees in Stock nnd Improvements in Nurseries, from Inception to 31st March, 1907. £ s. d. 89,779 9 11 j 791 6 8 i 1,148 4 7 1,517 14 4 3,848 17 3 1,107 10 7 1,192 19 5 1,741 2 6 2,782 11 5 75 4 6 I 608 2 3 582 4 9 ■ 683 1 6 i 2,556 3 0 2,482 18 2 504 8 4 35 2 6 J 1,237 9 7 44 7 9 115 4 10 118 15 0 18 5 0 408 16 7 & s. d. 8,717 5 5 2,676 12 7 13,385 7 8 21,612 4 5 7,630 19 5 4,384 2 3 2,491 2 6 8,283 1 8 1,832 3 5 1,605 5 5 8,599 9 1 1,104 12 5 3,250 10 9 8,796 18 0 10,339 18 1 3,661 19 7 357 15 6 3,103 9 8 44 7 9 10 0 0 72 4 11 1 7 6 154 14 5 11 3 11 336 16 9 523 15 0 18 5 0 674 7 3 t s. d. ± s. d. Amount at 31st March, 1906 Eweburn Nursery .. . ■ ■ ■ .. ' Hanmer .-prings Nursery .. .. Tapanui Nursery Rotorua Nursery .. .. Starborough Nursery Ruatangata Nursery Kurow Nun-ery Conical Hills Plantation Naseby Plantation ,. Giminerburn Plantation Dusky Hill Plantation Raincliff Plantation Hanmer Springs Plantation Dumgree Plantation.. Whakarewarewa Plantation Waiotapu Plantation Kaingaroa Plains Plantation .. Puiiipuhi Plantation Waitaki Plantation Naseby Domain Albury Plantation Torea Neck Reserve Waitahuna Plantation Wellington Nursery (proposed) Supervision thermal reserves, dec. Clerical assistance .. .. ... Postages and telegrams (January to Mar,h) Contingencies: Telephones, stationery, office material, travelling-expenses, and transfer of officers, &c. 2,134 18 6 4,187 7 1 5,381 7 7 9,993 0 7 2,423 2 5 2,182 6 4 1,765 14 1 ♦ 6,300 19 i 4,877 7 10 11,883 15 8 15,727 19 6 6,712 9 2 3,973 16 4 2,515 14 4 # * * Totals 113,680 0 4 113,680 0 4 28,067 16 10 51,992 2 2 * Keliablo <;l ttimatee of values not available.

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Table C.—Output of Trees from Nurseries.

Table D.—Minimum and Maximum Readings of Thermometer (Fahrenheit) and Rainfall at Various Stations for the Year.

Table E.—Average Number of Workmen Employed Daily at the Various Nurseries and Plantations during the Year 1906-7.

H. J. Matthews, Chief Forester. The following are the reports of various stations : — Eweburn Nursery, near Naseby, Otago. (Area, 49 acres ; altitude, 1,400 ft.) The rainfall during the year has been very slight, the total being 13 - 38 in., which fell on ninety-four days, the maximum fall being 2-27 in. in December. This has been the lowest rain since the year 1897-98. ..., ,'.. ........ , , The highest Teading of the thermometer was 89 deg., on the 24th of December, 6 deg. (26 deg. of frost), on the*night of the 26th June. Frost occurred on 166 nights. Owing to the season being'Jvery dry the general growth of nursery stock has not been too good, although the strike of has been very good. The crop of seedlings is fair, with the exception of larch, which is very poor. The number of trees lined out was 400,900, at e a cost of 2s. lQ£d. per thousand. The number of trees sent to Government plantations was 250,000, their total value being £732 3s.

'ui-ing 1' iinoe li Nursery. Number. Value. Number. Number. Value. Value. Bweburn Hanmer Springs Tapanui Eocorua Rtiatangata ... Star borough 250,000 496,000 709,733 3,282,361 177,245 1,292,175 £ s. 732 3 1,158 1 2,090 17 7,000 17 389 11 2,329 R a. o 6 3 9 4 9 ! i 1,022,562 936,026 4,832,063 12,987,932 461,005 1,923,850 I £ s. d. 2,989 12 5 2,445 0 7 15,734 1 8 28,510 9 2 6 8 4,113 16 6 Totals 6,207,514 13,700 19 7 22,163,438 55,060 7 0 i

Station. Temperature. Rainfall. Minimum. Maximum. Inches. Number of Days, . Eweburn Nursery Tapaniii Nursery Ku row Nursery ... Hanmer Springs Nursery... Scarborough Nursery Botorua Nursery Ruatangata Nursery Waiotapu Plantation Puhipuhi Plantation Deg. Deg. 6 89 13-38 94 21 ... 88 30-37 134 19 97£ 13-97 80 18 82 34-71 117 21 95 21-28 102 19 84 6903 174 28 88 73-97 134 16 85 58-22 137 28 88 92-28 158

Free Prison Labour. Labour. Free Labour. Prison Labour. No. iiwebiirn Nursery ... 5-15 ?apanui Nursery ... ... 13-00 lanmer Springs Nursery ... 6-00 [urow Nursery ... ... 7-00 itarborough Nursery ... j 8-00 lotorua Nursery ... ... 29'49 j luatangata Nursery ... 10-00 rimmerburn Reserve Planta- ' 2-05 tion Survey Jaseby Paddock Plantation : 0-45 No. 6-00 17-00 0-25 2-00 21-79 20-52 2-00 0-25 10-16 0-25 No. Dusky Hiil Plantation Conical Hills Plantation Waitaki Plantation Hanmer Springs Plantation Dumgree Plantation Whakarewarewa Plantation Waiotapu Plantation Kaingaroa Plains Plantations Puhipuhi Plantation Waitahuna Plantation 14-50 17-28 11-50 35-62 161-36 78-90

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The number of trees sent out to date amounts to 1,022,562, their total value being £2,989 12s. sd. The number of trees in the nursery at the 31st March was 946,550, and their value £1,832 17s. 3d. The details of above will be found on Schedules 1 to 4. All land not required for tree-growing was sown down in oats and grass for horse-feed, but owing to the dry season the crops were poor, oats yielding a moderate result, while hay was a total failure. During the year the work of keeping down weeds, &c, has been carried out as far as possible, buildings painted, and tools, implements, &c, kept in good repair. One foal has been reared during the year, and it is valued at £10. The average number of men employed was 5 - 157 (wages). The following is a record of the rainfall and temperature for the year :—

State?nent of Accounts. Expenditure. k a. d. Amount at the 31st March, 1906 ... ... ... ...7,925 18 9 Tree-growing ... ... ... ... ... ... 365 3 9 General maintenance and repairs ... ... ... ... 230 19 9 Nursery-formation ... ... ... ... ... ... 26 14 3 Horse-feed, purchased and grown ... ... ... ... 42 4 4 Tree-seeds ... ... ... ... ... ... 45 1 0 Tools, implements, &c. ... ... . . ... ... 56 19 2 Fuel and freight ... ... ... ... ... ... 913 5 Supervision ... ... ... ... ... ... 14 11 0 £8,717 5 5 Values of Stock £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Amount at the 31st March, 1906 ... ... 6,340 10 7 Less value of trees ... ... 2,082 15 9 „ horse-feed ... 44 4 0 tools written off... 47 10 0 2,174 9 9 4,166 0 10 Trees, as per Schedule 1 ... ... ... ... ... 311 0 9 2 ... ... ... ... ... 298 3 6 3 ... ... ... ... ... 1.223 13 0 Tools, implements, Ac. ... ... ... ... ... 63 8 8 Nursery-formation .. ... ... ... ... ... 26 14 3 Horse-feed in stock ... ... ... ... ... 15 0 0 Value of foal ... ... ... ... ... ... 10 0 0 Improved value ... ... ... ... ... ... 183 18 4 £6,300 19 4 Sumtrittri/. £ s d Value of present stock and general improvements .. ... 6,300 19 4 Value of trees sent out since initiation of nursery ... ... 2,989 12 5 9,290 11 9 Expenditure to date ... ... ... ... ... 8,717 5 5 Credit balance ... ... ...- ... £573 6 4

Month. I i ■ Number | Maximum Minimum Rainfall. of Days Tempera- Date. TemperaRain fell. ture. ture. _ I Minimum Temperature. Date Date Number of Days on which Frost occurred. 1906. April ... May ... June ... July ... August September October November December 1907. January February March Inohee. Degrees. ; D.grees. l'6O 9 64 19th, 20th 23 1-04 9 56 2nd 21 ... 1-38 5 56 21st, 28th 6 ... 0'68 9 48 11th I 14 064 6 56 26th 12 ... 0-72 8 ! 65 28th 20 1-09 7 -68 oth, 13th 22 ... 0-84 6 78 11th 24 2-27 8 89 24th 80 ... ! 0'55 4 85 21st 30 ...0-83 10 86 24th 30 ... 1-74 18 81 7th 29 Degrees. 23 •21 6 14 12 20 22 24 80 1st 80th 26th 16th 7th 17th 1st 10th 20th 1st 80th 26th 16th 7th 17th 1st 10th 20th 29th 26th 19th i 14 19 23 26 29 19 14 13 4 30 30 29 29th 26th 19th 3 1 1 Totals ... 13-38 94 I II I i 166

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Stock in Hand. Schedule 1. - Details of One-year-old Trees, grown 1906-7. Crop.)

Schedule 2.—Two-year-old Trees, grown 1905-6. (Tenth Crop.)

Schedule 3. —Three-year-old Trees, grown 1904-5. (Ninth Crop.)

Schedule 4.—Trees transferred from Eweburn Nursery to Forest Plantations, &c., 1906-7.

A. W. Boberts, Nurseryman in Charge. Hanmbk Springs Nursery, Canterbury. (Area, 26 acres ; approximate altitude, 1,225 ft.) The weather conditions experienced during the year were somewhat unfavourable for tree-growing, but the crops grown are, on the whole, very good.

Name of Tree. Number in He Seed-beds, t: Number in height in ™» e Seed-beds. Enehes. **%* Ti JZ o a. eight i [nehen. l"< Amount of Seed sown. t Value per Thousand. Total Value. Remarks. Pinus Austriaca Larioio .. ponderosa Jeffreyii Torreyaua „ Benthamiana Ijiirix Kuropaja 78,600 .. , 162,000 41,000 1,450 300 12,200 .. j 12,000 •2 •2 ■>, 2 a 2 2 Lb. 14 42 1 1 7 140 a s. d. 10 0 ,10 0 10 0 1 5 0 1 5 0 ', l r> o 1 0 0 £ s. d. 78 12 0 162 0 0 41 0 0 1 16 3 0 7 6 10 5 0 12 0 0 Very fair. Very even crop. Good. Very fair. Strong. Very good. Poor. Tolala 307,550 i 311 0 9

Name of Tree. Number in Beed-bed-'. Height in J V £'« e Inches I Tho *5 aB(3i Total Value. Kmnarks. Total Value. 'inus Auntriaca , ponderosH Laricio Jefireyii „ Bentharaiana iarix Europeea Totals 20,900 18,000 66,500 200 2,000 .. ; 130,500 238,100 £ s. d. 3 ; 1 5 0 4 15 0 3 15 0 4 J 1 10 0 I 1 10 0 I. 1 8 0 £ s. d. 26 2 6 Sturdy. 22 10 0 Strong plants. 83 2 6 ; Very sturdy. 0 6 0 Strong plants. 3 0 0 Very strong. 163 2 6 I Fair growth. 298 3 f>

Name of Tree. Number in Height in I Value Nursery itivvL Per Total Value. Lines. Indies. Thousand. Hemai'ks. Pinus Austriaca Laricio , ponderosa Larix Europsea Cjtisus vulgare Larix Europsea 154,300 73,500 16,800 74,100 35,000 47,200 ■ £ s. d. £ s. d. 0 3 0 0 462 18 0 6 3 0 0 220 10 0 50 8 0 8 > 3 0 0 222 6 0 10 2 5 0 78 15 0 12 i 4 0 0 188 16 0 I .. 1,938 IS 0 Very good Very fair. Pair growth. Strong plants. Very strong (4 years). Totals 400,900

Where sent. Name of Tree. Number. itZZnl I Total Valne. Gimmerburn Plantation Bβ j serve Pinus Austriaoa Larix Europsea Cytisus vulgare 180,200 53,100 10,200 ; 243,500 & s. a. 8 0 0 3 0 0 1 5 0 I £ s. d. 540 12 0 159 6 0 12 15 0 Naseby Paddock Plantation \ Pinue Austriaca , ponderosa i 5,250 1,250 3 0 0 3 0 0 [ 712 13 0 15 15 0 3 15 0 6,500 19 10 0 Totals 250,000 732 8 0

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The rainfall amounted to 34-71 in., falling on 117 days; the heaviest fall being 5-42 in. during April, and the lowest monthly fall recorded 1-05 in October. The rainfall for 1905-6 was 62-18 in. The maximum shade temperature was 82 deg. on 9th January, and the minimum recorded was 18 deg. on 30th July. Seed-sowing was commenced on the 13th October, and, owing to the very favourable weather experienced while this work was in progress, it was completed on the 25th of the same month. Owing to several weeks of very dry weather immediately following completion of seed-sowing, germination extended over a much longer period than usual, but eventually the principal species sown yielded excellent crops; the larch, Corsican, and Austrian pines being particularly well-grown healthy plants. Pinus ponderosa and Benthamiana germinated very thinly, but these have subsequently become strong plants. Two-year-old larch in seed-beds have made good growth, and one-half of these will be suitable for transfer to plantation this season. Transplanting of one-year-old trees was commenced on the 14th August and completed on the 12th October, under favourable weather conditions. Trees to the number of 924,466 were lined out at a labour cost of Is. B|d. per thousand, and 350,000 were lined in at Is. sd. per thousand ; the total area occupied being 6 acres. The experiment of lining out trees at 2 in. apart in nursery lines instead of 4 in. as formerly was an entire success, particularly as regards larch, which have grown to fine straight plants with a very small percentage having double leaders. The entire crop of lined-out and lined-in trees have made good growth, and the percentage of deaths is small considering the exceptionally dry season experienced. Pinus Laricio and Picea sitchensis have not made such good progress as the other species transplanted, probably owing to their being transplanted immediately preceding a long spell of very dry weather. . . .. The number of trees raised in the nursery during the year was 875,400, their value being £879 15s. The number of trees in the nursery at the 31st March was 2,091,750, valued at £3,586 ss. 9d. Trees to the number of 496,000, valued at £1,158 Is. 6d., were transferred to the plantation during the year. : ■■'• ■' ■■ -; •' The estimated number of trees available for planting during the coming planting-season is 750,000. The number of trees grown in nursery since its inception to date is 2,253,400, valued at £2,281 155., and the number transferred to the plantation to date is 936,026, valued at £2,445 os. 7d. Buildings. Men's quarters, consisting of two bedrooms, kitchen, and bath-room, with all necessary conveniences, were completed during January, and comfortable accommodation is now available on the nursery for eight employees. A galvanised-iron sizing-shed (30 ft. by 15 ft.) was erected, and the sizing of trees can now be carried on with comfort and convenience during weather unfit for outdoor work ; this building is also used for the storage of tools, &c. An implement-shed (16 ft. by 15 ft.) was also erected, and all nursery implements can now be conveniently stored when not in use. t> The roads throughout the nursery were graded where necessary, and those on which the traffic is heaviest- gravelled. . s. ~ Nursery-extension.— An area of 7 acres was broken up for this purpose during the winter, and has since been drained and partly cultivated, and graded in preparation for lining out in the spring. : Several small areas of spare land have been prepared for ornamental plantations, and will be planted during the spring. About 2 tons of oaten sheaves was grown on spare land, also 2 tons of horse-carrots and a quantity of swedes. The daily average number employed was five men and one boy (free labour). The following is a record of the rainfall and temperatures for the year : —

Month. Rainfall. Number ; of Days J Rain fell. I Maximum Tempera- Date, ture. Minimum Temperature. Date. i Degrees, i 74 66 62 60 66 74 79 82 90 19th 5th 24th 25th 27th 28th 30th 24th 22nd I 1906 Inches. 5-42 3-80 2-26 4-86 1-23 353 105 364 Mβ Degrees. 27 24 19 18 '■'■■ 20 30 30 32 33 13th 6th 26th 30th 7th 22nd 3rd 10th loth April ... May ... June ... July ... August September October November December .:.... 1907. 12 10 7 15 6 14 6 12 6 January February March 1-91 2-70 316 8 : | 8 ii 13 94 94 92 10th 16th 3rd 34 42 I 35 30th 1st 26th Totals .... 34-71 117

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Statement of Accounts. Expenditure. jg s d Amount at the 31st March, 1906 ... ... 1528 8 0 Tree-growing . ... ][[ '" ' 471 uIQ General maintenance and repairs ... ... ... 49 6 6 Nursery-formation . ... ... jq3 9 Horse-feed, purchased and grown ... ... ... 28 3 4 Manures ... a ia a Tree-seeds ... ... ... ... 44 1 g Tools, implements, &c. ... ... ... 60 9 2 Water-supply, Extension of ... ... '.. 20 10 2 Buildings ... ... ... 0 14 . 1R = Miscellaneous ... ... ... 24 11 4 Supervision ... ... ... '"' 24 2 0 £2,676 12 7 Values of Stock. Amount at the 31st March, 1906 ... ..." 3,034 10 6 Less value of trees ... ... 2,329 9 9 15 0 0 2,344 9 9 Trees, as per Schedule 1 ... ... ... 37g 25 0 I ... 2,486 10 9 6 ■■■ ■■ ■■■ ... ... 205 0 0 " " 4 ... ... . 1500 Tools, implements, &c. ... ... 60 9 2 Water-supply ." '- "\ 16 1Q 2 JNurserv-formation qq io q Ulldln § s , . • 314 16 5 Horse-iced in stock ... ... 13 0 0 Improved value ... ... ... ... 202 jg 10 £4,877 7 10 Summary. Value of present stock and general improvements ... ... 4,877 710 Value of trees sent out since initiation of nursery ... 2*445 0 7 7 8 /S Expenditure to date ... • ... ... 2676 12 7 Credit balance £4,645 15 10

Stock in Hand. Schedule 1.—Details of One-year-old Trees, grown 1906-7. (Fifth Crop.)

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Name of Tree. Number in Seed-beds. Height in Inches. Seed sown. Value per Thousand. Total Value. Remarks. Larix Europtea Pinus Larioio .. » Austriaca Benthnmiana . Torreyana Pseudo-tsuga taxifolia .. Betula alba Almis glutinosa OoUoneaster SimmondBii 500,000 300,000 3U.00O 15,000 7,000 1,000 8,000 10,000 3,000 1,400 2-5 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 3 Lb. 140 35 7 12 7 5 4 10 i 6 £ s. d. 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 15 0 15 0 15 0 1 0 0 10 0 ISO £ s. d. 500 0 0 300 0 0 30 0 0 15 0 0 8 15 0 15 0 I 10 0 0 10 0 0 3 0 0 i 1 15 0 Germinated well. Strong plants. Germinated thinly Strong planfcB. Good crop. Sturdy plants Totals 875,400 ! ! 879 15 0

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Schedule 2.—Two-year-old Trees, grown 1905-6. (Fourth Crop.)

Schedule 3.—Three-year-old Trees, grown 1904-5. (Third Crop.)

Schedule 4.—Trees transferred from Tapanui Nursery.

Schedule 5.—Trees transferred to Hanmer Springs Plantation.

T. B. Curle, Nurseryman in Charge.

Kurow Nursery, near Oamaru. (Area, 45 acres ; altitude, 676 ft.) Rain fell on eighty days during the year, with a total of 13-97 in. The maximum temperature recorded was 97£ deg., and the minimum 19 deg. The initial work of the Department began at Kurow on the Ist March, 1906. Throughout the year North Otago experienced a continuous drought unprecedented in severity ; the average annual rainfall is 21-78 in. on 113 days, while our records for the past year show 13-97 in. on eighty days. With such a great reduction on the average annual rainfall all plant-life has suffered, especially so on the light limestone lands of the Waitaki Valley. Owing to such unfavourable conditions the work for the year has not been entirely successful; considerable loss has to be recorded both in the trees lined out, and in the one-year seedling crop. Though the loss in stock is to be regretted, yet the experience gained is of inestimable value to the Department. We have been most fortunate in securing at such an early date a full knowledge of the bedrock climatic conditions ever likely to obtain in this district. The future success of forestry operations in the Waitaki Valley will develop along much safer linee, and ultimately realise the great purpose for which it was initiated.

Name of Tree. Number in Number Height Nursery in in Lines. Seed-beds. Inches. Value per Thousand. Total Value. Remarks. jarix Europaea 'lnus Laricio .. „ Austriaoa ponderosa Beutharniaim oontorta Jefireyii Totals .. 450,000 i! 450^000 36,000 90,000 20,000 1,200 150 .. 1,047,350 100 ', 000 10 6 8 4 4 4 4 8 £ s. d. 2 5 0 15 0 2 5 0 2 5 0 2 5 0 2 10 0 2 5 0 2 5 0 £ s. d.| 1,012 10 Oj Good growth. ! 125 0 0; Medium growth. |l,012 10 01 81 0 0 202 10 0j 50 0 0: Strong plants. 2 14 0 0 6 9 2,486 10 9 100,000

Name of Tree. Number in Height j Value Nursery in per Lines. Inches. Thousand. I Total Value. Remarks. Pinus muricata .. Picea sitcherisis .. Pseudo-tsuga taxifolia 12,000 50,000 2,000 64,000 12 6 6 £ s. d. 3 0 0 3 5 0 3 5 0 £ s. d. 36 0 0 Excellent growth. 162 10 0 Fair growth. 6 10 0 205 o o; Totals

Name of Trees. Number in Height Value Nursery in per Total Value. Lines. Inches. Thousand. Remarks. I 5,000 l_ 18 £ s. d. 3 0 0 £ i. a. ■ 15 0 0 Good growth. Betula Alba

Name of Tree. Number. Value per Thousand. Total Value. Kemarke. jarix Europeea 'iuus Austriaca „ Larioio , ponderosa .. , muricata 'seudo-tsuga taxifolia 'icea exoflsa „ sitchensia .cer pseudo-platanus ietula alba .lnus glutinosa 200,000 94,000 81,000 11,100 12,000 41,000 56,000 500 400 5,000 1,500 502,500 £ s. d. 2 5 0 2 5 0 2 5 0 2 5 0 2 5 0 2 5 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 1 10 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 £ s. d. 450 0 0 211 10 0 182 5 0 24 19 6 27 0 0 92 5 0 168 0 0 1 10 0 0 12 0 15 0 0 4 10 0 Good growth. Have done well. * Fair growth. H Good growth. Totals 1,177 11 6

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Nursery Grounds and Formation. —The major portion of the land is hilly. The area suitable for nursery purposes (some 14 acres) was subsoil ploughed to an average depth of 12 in. The ground has been laid out in convenient blocks with necessary roads, shelter-belts being provided to form breakwinds. A portion of the seed-bed ground was mock-trenched to a depth of 18 in. ; this work was difficult and laborious owing to the natural hardness and dry condition of the soil. 25J chains of shelterhedges were planted of Berberis aristata. This plant, considering the season, has done remarkably well. Fencing, &c. —The boundary-fences have been considerably strengthened and improved ; serviceable entrance-gates have been hung on strong concrete pillars, this substantial work adding considerably to the appearance of the nursery. The main entrance road has been formed and metalled. Good horse-paddocks, well watered and securely fenced, have been enclosed. Water-supply. —A steady supply of good, pure water is obtained from a spring in the nursery grounds. A thorough efficient service has been laid both for tree-growing purposes and the general requirements of the nursery. A reservoir with a capacity of 3,500 gallons was constructed at an elevation of 120 ft., from which a splendid working-pressure is obtained, and should supply every need in this direction for some time to come. Buildings. —The old sheep-station outbuildings, men's hut, stable, and store-room were in a very bad state of repair ; the whole have been completely renovated, and altered to suit the requirements of the Department. These buildings are now comfortable and in every respect suitable. Seed-frames. —To protect the young seedlings 195 seed-frames 18 ft. by 6 ft. were constructed during the year. Great credit is due to the workmen for the intelligence and energy displayed during the heavy work of the past year. The whole of the improvements have been carried out by the handy men of the staff, no professional mechanics being employed. One-year-old Trees. —Seed-sowing commenced on the 28th September and finished on the Bth October. All the seeds germinated well, but a great number of the young plants soon succumbed to the dry and unfavourable season. The plants are weak and have made poor growth. Lined-out Trees. —Lining out was begun on the 7th August and completed on the 15th September. The growth is very poor, the plants never having a chance to get a hold of the ground. Little or no rain fell during the planting-season, the long drought and the great heat experienced during the summer being entirely responsible for the poor results. The total number of trees lined out was 545,000. The total for the year of trees raised is 176,000; value, £178. Total number of trees in nursery at 31st March, 297,600; value, £447 17s. Estimated number of trees available for planting out in plantation, 118,600. The following is a record of the rainfall and temperature for the year:—

Statement of Accounts. Expenditure. £ s. d. Amount at the 31st March, 1906 ... ... ... ... 750 0 0 Tree-growing ... ... ■■• ••• ... •■• 401 3 1 General maintenance and repairs ... ... ... ... 3463 Nursery-formation... ... ... ... ■ ■■ ■■■ 234 7 7 Horse-feed ... ... ... ••• ••• ... 17 13 8 Manures ... ... ... ■•• ■•• ••• ••• 354 Tree-seeds ... ... ... ... ... ... 41 18 8 Tools, implements, &c. ... ... ... ... ... 256 9 7 Seed-frames ... ... ... ••• ... ... 247 19 11 Water-supply ... ... ... ... ... ... 132 3 7 Buildings ... ... ... ... ... ••• 186 10 3 Fencing ... ... ... ... ■•• ... ... 124 13 11 Miscellaneous works ... ... ... ... ... 38 10 8 Supervision ... ... ... ... ... ... 22 0 0 £2,491 2 6

Month. Rainfall. Number of Days Bain fell. Maximum Temperature. Date. Minimum Temperature. Date. 1906. Inches. 029 2-06 1-35 209 0-96 036 216 0-47 0-79 1-77 6 7 10 3 8 5 5 6 7 6 Degrees. 77 78 68 64 59 66 75 75 87 97£ Degrees. 26 26 26 20 19 20 22 25 28 34 rtarch ipril ... day ... une ... uly ... lugust September )ctober November )ecember 1907. 11th 21st 3rd 21st 13th 20th 29th 19th 24th 25ch 30th 2nd 5th 26th 30th 7th 17th 1st 15th 10th anuary February 039 1-28 7 10 95 91 22nd 25th 36 42 20th 8th Totals ... 13-97 80

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Values of Stock. £ s. d. Amount at the 31st March, 1906 ... ... ... ... 750 0 0 Trees, as per Schedule 1 ... ... ... ... ... 178 0 0 2 269 17 0 Tools, implements, &c. ... ... ... ... ... 256 9 7 Water-supply ... ... ... ... ... ... 119 611 Seed-frames ... ... ... ... ... ... 242 19 11 Nursery-formation ... ... ... ... ... 180 011 Fencing 117 10 7 Buildings, Improvements to ... ... ... ... 172 3 7 Horse-feed in stock ... ... ... ... ... 41 2 6 fmprovei value ... ... ... ... ... ... 188 3 4 £2,515 14 4 Summary. £ g Value of present stock and general improvements ... ... 2,515 14 4 Expenditure to date ... ... ... ... ...2,491 2 6 Credit balance £24 11 10

Stock in Hand. Schedule 1.—Details of One-year-old Trees, grown in 1906-7. (First Crop.)

Schedule 2—Two-year-old Trees.

N. Craig, Nurseryman in Charge.

Rotorua Nursery. (Approximate area, 85 acres; approximate altitude, 1,000 ft.) This district, in common with the rest of the north, experienced an exceptionally heavy rainfall during the past year, and although no serious loss has occurred among the nursery stock from " damping off," the excessive rain occasionally interfered considerably with the work, and the general growth of trees is greater than usual. Rain fell on 174 days during the year, with a total of 69 - 03 in., the records for the previous year being 169 days with a total of 4967 in. The thermometer records show a minimum temperature for the year of 19 deg. Fahr., or 13 deg. of frost, on the 6th August, while the maximum temperature was 84 deg. Fahr. on the 25th January.

Name of Trees. j Number in Seed-beds. Height in Inches. Seed sown. Value per Thousand. Total Value. Remarks. >arix Europeea 'inus Larioio .. ,, muric ata ,, Austriaoa ,, Pseudo-tsuga taxifolia 100,000 36,000 8,000 24,000 8,000 J 176,000 i 1 to 2 1 to 2 1 to 2 1 to 2 1 to 2 Lb. 168 21 4 21 7 £ a. d. 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 15 0 £ s. d. • 100 0 0 I 36 0 0 8 0 0 24 0 0 10 0 0 I Poor growth. 178 0 0 Totals

Name of tree. Number in Nursery Lines. Height in Inches. Value per Thousand. Total Value. Remarks. jarix Europsea 'inus Larioio „ Austriaca „ ponderosa „ muricata lerberis aristata 58,000 47,000 7,700 2,400 3,500 3,000 6 to 12 li to 3 2 to 4 2 to 4 2 to 4 12 to 15 £ b. d. 2 5 0: 2 5 0! 2 5 0 2 5 0 j 2 5 0 10 0 £ s. d. 130 10 0 105 15 0 17 6 6 5 8 0 7 17 6 3 0 0 Done badly. Poor growth. Totals .. 121,600 269 17 0

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Seed-sowing at Rotorua Nursery.

Californian Redwood, 7 Years Old, Rotorua Nursery.

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The sowing of conifers occupied the greatest part of October, which month, as will be seen by referring to the records of rainfall attached, chanced to be the driest one during the year. The weather conditions were excellent for the sowing of seeds, and the work on that account progressed expeditiously. Quantities and varieties of seeds sown are embodied in Schedules. The crops on the whole are very good. The several species of pines germinated well and evenly, and have since made good progress. Larch is not as thick a crop as was grown the previous year, but this is accounted for by the seed being poorer in quality than usual. The two species of Eucalypti which were sown in December made splendid progress, the crop from 6 lb. of seed being estimated at 250,000. Owing to the difficulty in procuring seed of Acacia melanoxylon, this was not sown until January, and the crop is consequently rather backward. This tree, however, is very hardy, and it is hoped that they will be large enough to transplant by next spring. The wet weather experienced during November, December, and January caused much labour in removing seed-frames from seed-beds, and in weeding, in order to prevent the seedlings from " damping off," and although the efforts made in this direction were not entirely successful yet no serious loss of trees occurred. The pines suffered the most in this direction, although the larch were also affected to a small extent. Amongst the lined-out trees remarkably fast growth was obtained owing to the almost continuous rains. Larch is especially noticeable in this respect. This crop numbers over a million trees, and it is estimated that they have made an average vertical growth of 1 ft., and many of them over that. The two-year-old trees in seed-beds have also made such good growth that it was found necessary to " wrench " these on three occasions in order to retard their growth. In consequence of this, these trees have splendid roots, and a large number of them can be safely transferred to the plantations during the coming winter. A few beds of larch were attacked with grub, as well as a brown beetle, which has retarded the growth somewhat besides causing the loss of a considerable number of trees, but with this exception the two-year-old seedlings are very healthy. Owing to the autumn of 1906 being somewhat cold, the crop of Eucalypti and Acacia melanoxylon did not make their usual good growth, and in consequence the number of these trees which were fit to moss was comparatively small. From April to September the number of trees mossed was 86,500 Eucalypti and 18,000 Acacia melanoxylon. As the spring of 1906 advanced, however, the trees started into growth, and a start was made to moss them in December. The results were not encouraging in the case of the Eucalypti, and it would appear that " mossing " these cannot be done successfully when the sap is active. With the Acacia melanoxylon, however, the results' were better, and very few deaths occurred. The total of trees mossed during the year was 169,750, and the cost per thousand was 12s. 6d. During winter the sizing of seedling trees was proceeded with continuously for about three months. The number of trees thus dealt with was about three millions, and the work of sizing and counting these and bundling about 50 per cent, for sending direct to the plantations cost on the average 2s. 3d. per thousand. The lining-out of the smaller trees was proceeded with in August, and occupied the whole of that mouth ; the number lined out being a million and a half, and the cost on an average 2s. 4d. per thousand. Of the number lined out, about a million were larch which had been lifted out of the one-year-old seed-beds, these being nice sturdy plants from 4 in. to 6 in. in height. The general improvement scheme has progressed fairly well during the year. The whole of the original enclosure is now broken up for nursery purposes, the remaining portion of 1 acre having been •graded during the year. Water-pipes were laid through an area of 2 J acres in order to extend the seed-sowing plots. The main entrance road, which is the outlet for the surface water on a catchmentarea of about 10 acres, was provided with concrete channels and several culverts in order to prevent " scouring " during heavy rain. These so far have been very effective, having mitigated the trouble previously experienced in keeping this piece of road in order. In November last the temporary occupation was obtained of about 30 acres of land divided from the original block by the Puarenga Stream. Some 12 acres of this was laid off for nursery purposes and partly fenced, while of the remaining portion, about 8 acres, was cleared of the heavy growth of manuka and fern and sown down in grasses and clovers for the horses. It is intended to lay off the remainder of this land for the horses next spring, as hitherto the want of grass has been much felt; besides this, a danger of fire will always exist as long as the natural growth is left in its present condition, and a paddock of grass will insure safety for the plantation on that side. This experiment of autumn-sown paddocks has been attended so far with encouraging results; the seed germinated well, and grasses and clovers have since made good headway. Much information has been given in previous reports about the Catalpa speciosa or hardy Catalpa, and the merits of this tree have interested many farmers throughout the colony. The difficulty of obtaining seeds or young plants of this species true to name, and the disappointment caused to many planters through spurious and inferior varieties having been sold as the true hardy Catalpa, was overcome by the Government deciding to dispose of the stock cf Catalpa speciosa from this nursery to farmers and others last winter. The price charged for them—viz., 2s. 6d. p«r hundred—was imposed merely to cover the cost of lifting, packing, and carting to the railway-station; and parcels of trees were despatched to 195 persons in various parts of the colony. 47,120 trees were thus disposed of, and the revenue received for same was £58 18s. That the Catalpa will thrive in- certain districts throughout the colony is highly probable, and when the results are obtained from those persons who secured supplies from here last winter the Department will then be in a position to give reliable advice to those who contemplate planting this reputedly valuable tree. So far only two letters have been received since the trees were distributed, and both are very encouraging. One of these was from a gentleman in Pukerau, Southland, who stated that the Catalpa had grown nicely with him, except in exposed situations, and requesting a further

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supply. From Eltham, in Taranaki, another gentleman writes that " the Catalpa have made a miraculous growth of fully 4 ft. in one season. A few of them were planted in the, Ngaire swamp, but they have not made much growth there; but I am getting some splendid fences on this swamp from seedless gorse, after trying without success almost everything, such as Berberis, box-thorn, &c." It might be again pointed out that the only obstacle met with in the Rotorua district in growing the Catalpa was unseasonable frosts. The trees have successfully withstood 15° Fahr. in the winter, but frosts occurring in December have cut them back to the ground. During last winter a surplus stock of larch in this nursery was offered to the public, tenders being asked for through the medium of most of the weekly newspapers in the colony. One lot of a thousand was disposed of, this being the only application received. Buildings. —When the sizing of seedlings and mossing of trees was in progress last winter, it was found that the sizing-shed was too small to accommodate all the workers, and it became necessary to leave the implements out of doors and use a portion of the implement-shed for that purpose. In order, therefore, to increase the accommodation of the sizing-shed, the studs were lengthened and the building converted into a two-storied one, thus giving twice as much room as before. The office, which was paititioned off in the sizing-shed, was also done away with, and a detached and more commodious building erected. The number of trees of all ages in the nursery at 31st March, 1907, was 6,565.050, valued at £8,871 12s. 6d. Trees sent out to plantations during the year number 3,282,361, and their value £7,000 17s. 9d. ; and the number of trees sent out to date is 12,987,932, valued at £28,510 9s. 2d. The number of trees grown since the initiation of the nursery is 19,552,982, valued at £37,382 Is. Bd. Schedules of trees in stock and sent out, and details of expenditure and values, are appended. Average number employed during the year : Men, 23-95 ; women, 5-54 : total, 29-49. Following is a record of rainfall and temperature for the year:—

Statement of Accounts. Expenditure. £ s. d. Amount at the 31st March, 1906 ... ... ... ...17,763 7 2 Tree-growing ... ... ... ... ■■■ ■ •• 2,200 15 6 General maintenance and repairs ... ... ... ... 292 16 9 Nursery-formation ... ... .. •■■ ••• 540 7 Horse-feed ... 52 17 8 Manures ... ... ... ... ••• ... ■•• 63 12 5 Tree-seeds 177 9 9 Tools, implements, &c. ... ... ... ... ■•• 30 19 2 Water-supply, Extension 0f... ... ... ... ••• 26 13 6 Buildings—office, additions to workshop, and men's quarters ... 413 411 Miscellaneous works ... ... ... ... ••• 11 6 6 Supervision ... ■ ... ... ... ... ••• 38 14 .0 £21.612 4 5 Note.—Revenue amounting to £64 Be. Bd. was received during the year, ohiefly from saie of trees.

Month. Rainfall. Number of Days Bain fell. Highest Reading of Thermometer, j Date. Lowest Reading of Thermometer. Date. 1906. Inohes. 406 Degrees. 79 Degrees. 31 April 17 21st and 26th 2nd 1st 19th and 25th 22nd 20th 30th 21st and 22nd 16th 24th May June July 5-36 2-41 8-42 14 8 24 75 72 69 29 23 24 5th 11th 31st August September October November 305 9-45 1-53 3-91 12 18 9 14 72 77 77 79 19 24 28 30 6th 13th 2nd and 3rd Uth December 1907. 3-29 14 81 36 10th January February March 13-85 8-61 509 15 13 16 84 83 77 25th 12th 25th 33 42 42 21st 22nd 20th and 2 let Totals 6903 174

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Values of Stock. U c. d. £ c. d. £ ». d. Amount at the 31st March, 1906 ... ... 22,690 0.1 Less value of trees ... ... 16,976 1 2 horse-feed ... 15 0 0 16,991 1 2 5,698 18 11 Trees, as per Schedule 1 ... ... ... ... ... 2,818 5 0 2 4,848 15 0 3 ... ... ... ... ... 1,204 12 6 Tools, implements, &c. ... ... ... ... ... 30 19 2 Water-supply, Extension of ... ... ... ... 21 13 6 Nursery-formation ... ... ... ... ... 491 16 6 Buildings—new and additions to old ones ... ... 373 411 Horse-feed in stock ... ... ... ... ... 46 0 0 Improved value ... ... ... ... . . ... 193 14 0 £15,727 19 6 Summary. g a <j Value of present stock and general improvements ... ... 15,727 19 6 Value of trees sent out since initiation of nursery ... ... 28,510 9 2 44,238 8 8 Expenditure to date ... ... ... ... ... 21,612 4 5 Credit balance ... ... ... ...£22,626 4 3

Stock in Hand. Schedule 1.—Details of One-year-old Trees, grown 1906-7. (Eighth Crop.)

Schedule 2.—Two-year-old Trees, grown 1905-6. (Seventh Crop.)

Name ol Tree. Number in Seed-beds. Height in Inches. Amount of Seed sown. Value per Thousand. Total Value. Remarks. Larix Europsea .. Pic us Laricio „ ponderosa ponderosa, var. Benthamiana „ strobus , Austriaca .. . Torreyana 2,000,000 400,000 75,000 30,000 30,000 83,000 600 1-6 2 2 2 1 2 3 Lb. 722 56 28 14 14 14 14 £ s. d. 10 0 10 0 10 0 15 0 10 0 10 0 1 5 0 £ s. d. 2,000 0 0 400 0 0 75 0 0 37 10 0 30 0 0 83 0 0 0 15 0 Fair crop. Oood, even crop; strong growth. Sparge; mice-riddled seed-beds. Very strong. Good. Bather weak. Splendid crop. Juglans nigra Petula alba Aoaoia melanoxylon Eucalyptus amygdalina .. „ Stuartiana Sequoia sempervirens 3,000 5,000 17,000 100,000 150,000 9,000 2,902,600 18 3 1 i 4 2-6 8 bush. 2 4 3 3 28 3 0 0 10 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 4 0 0 9 0 0 5 0 0 17 0 0 50 0 0 75 0 0 ! 36 0 0 Good. Totals .. 2,818 5 0

Name of Tree. Number in Seedbeds. Number in Nursery Lines. Height in Inches. Value per Thousand. Total Value. Remarks. £ a. d. 15 0) 2 5 0} 15 0 15 0 15 0 1 10 0 15 0 2 5 0 6 0 0 10 0 2 0 0 1 10 0 £ s. d. jarix Europsea 1,000,000 700,000 9-18 J 2,825 0 0 All splendid, well-rooted plants, with the exception of a few beds of laroh, which were attacked by grub and beetles. ?inus Laricio '. ponderosa '. Austriaca J . ponderosa, var. Benthamiana 5 . Murrayana 5 . muricata lequoia sempervirens Lcacia melanoxylon 1,000,000 300,000 130,000 37,000 16,000 7,000 3,000 5 5 8 6 6 12 9-15 6-12 4-6 4-6 1,250 0 0 375 0 0 162 10 0 55 10 0 20 0 0 10 15 0 18 0 0 12 0 0 iOO 0 0 15 0 0 12,000 Very fast grower. Mossed trees. Bucalyptus amygdalina 10,000 Totals 4,848 15 0 2,495,000 770,000

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Schedule 3.—Three-year-old Trees, grown 1904-5. (Sixth Crop.)

Schedule 4.-Trees, &c., transferred from Rotorua Nursery to Forest Plantations, &c., 1906-7.

H. A. Goudie, Nurseryman in Charge.

Number in ! Height Value Nui>ery in per Lines. ■ Inches. Thousand. Total Value. Remarks. Name of Tree. 'inus Larioio .. „ Austriaca rigida „ contorta .. „ strobus „ ponderosa „ ponderosa, var. Benthamiana 'seudo-tsuga taxifolia Miuja gigamea .. jarix Eurnpcea .. jiriodendron tulipiferum 'inus resiiiosa 40,000 : 6 43,000 j 6 4,000 i 9 5,000 : 9 5,000 4 13,000 4 5,000 . 4 40,000 12 600 9 240,000 . 9-18 250 ! 24 1,600 6 397,450 j .. £ s. d. 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 5 0 3 5 0 4 10 0 3 0 0 3 10 0 3 0 0 £ s. d. 120 0 0 129 0 0 12 0 0 15 0 0 15 0 0 39 0 0 16 5 0 130 0 0 2 14 0 720 0 0 0 17 6 4 16 0 I Strong and sturdy. Good growth. ) Pair growth ; healthy J plants. Very good. Very satisfactory. Excra strong. Splendid plants. Good. Totals .. 1,204 12 6

n— : 2S asaa.H^ Remarks. Where sent. Name of Tree. /hakarewarewa Plantation Acacia melanoxylon iucalyptus amygdalina .. „ pauoiflora jarix Europsea ... ?icea excelsa „ sitcheneis Pinus densiflora .. „ miiricata taeda „ Thunbergi „ gabiniana Pseudo-tsuga taxifoha Ornamental shrubs 16,800 68,400 23,350 948,075 195,025 91,175 2,325 2,550 1,100 700 25 33,600 475 6 4 4 20 9 9 9 6 9 9 9 9 £ s. d. 2 0 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 3 0 0 3 5 0 2 10 0 10 0 2 10 0 2 10 0 2 10 0 3 5 0 £5 per 100 £ s. d. 33 12 '0 102 12 0 42 10 6 1,422 2 3 585 1 6 296 6 5 5 16 3 2 11 0 2 15 0 1 15 0 0 13 109 4 0 23 15 0 Larix Europsea Pinus Austriaea .. I Jefir'eyil .. „ Lamburtiana Lancio „ murioata .. ponderosa.. „ var. Ben- j thamiana „ Btrobus Robinia pseudo-aoaoia Thuja gigantea .. 1,388,600 54,250 811,300 177,725 260,175 3,675 1,250 212,3U0 12,250 43,850 I 13,225 18 9-18 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 15 0 3 0 0 15 0 3 0 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 15 0 1 0 0 15 0 1 10 0 2,628 2 2 67 16 3 2,433 18 0 222 3 1 780 10 6 5 10 3 1 17 6 265 7 6 12 5 0 54 16 3 19 16 9 Waiotapu Planta- J tion \ 22,900 ! 15,300 13,975 4 18 12 3 0 0 2 10 0 2 0 0 68 14 0 38 5 0 27 19 0 1,642,175 135,500 65,200 3,998 19 1 Ruatangata Nursery Peeudo-tsuga taxifolia Pioea shchensis y 6 1 10 0 1 10 0 203 5 0 97 16 0 200,700 301 1 0 Whakarewar e wa Plantation Waiotapu Plantation Ruatangata Nursery Native Sohool, Papa moa Native School, Waitahuna Stock Department, Waerenga Stock Department '.Kirikiriroa Strck Department, Bickerstaffe Native School, Rotoiti Native School, OpaAs per details above 1388,600 2,628 2 2 1,642,175 200,700 400 3,998 19 1 301 1 0 4 0 0 Hedge-plants Hedge and shelter trees .. 300 •• 2 10 0 Catalpa speciosa Pines, assorted Catalpa speoiosa 2,000 128 500 I - ■• 2 10 0 15 0 0 12 6 200 0 5 0 Ornamental and shelter trees Ditto 114 1 7 0 124 1 8 0 rure 195 persons in various paits o£ the colony Sale of Catalpa speciosa .. 47,120 2h. 6d. per 100 I r 58 18 0; Totals 3,282,361 7,000 17 9

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RUATANGATA NURSERY, NEAR WhaNGAREI, AUCKLAND. - . (Area, 65 acres; altitude, 350 ft.) "'"'*-" Rain fell on 184 days during the year, with a total fall of 73-97 in. : The maximum temperature was 8.8.deg., and the minimum temperature 28 deg. ■ This has been an exceptionally wet season, the floods experienced during the months of July 1906, and January and Rbvuary, 1907, were the heaviest for years, ciusing considerable loss amongst Oregon pines. Ihe tideland spruce also suffered considerably, but withstood the excessive rains much better than the Oregon pine, although the latter were in a drier situation. Both of these species were sent from Rotorua for experimental purposes, but this year's experience cannot be accented as a criterion, as until January the trees did remarkably well. During the spring trees to the number of 408,300 were lined out in nursery rows 1 ft. apart, at a cost of 3s. Id. per 1,000. This work commenced on the 15th August and finished on the 16th October being greatly retarded by boisterous weather and the heavy condition of the soil. One hundred and twenty pounds of Podocarpus Mara seed was sown on the 16th and 17th August antt-germmated-farrly weilrres-altingin-a-fine crop of 200,000 sturdy plants. Seven sempervirens and 15 lb. of Jumperus Virginiana were also sown, yielding a very thin crop of strong, healthy plants. Ie» During December the following varieties,of Eucalypti, were sown: E. amygdalina E obliqua E. Stuartiana, E. rostrata, E. resinijera, and E. redunca. With the exception of E. obliqua these germinated very well, and have made splendid plants. The ouniber of trees of all ages in the nursery at 31st March was 738,390. During the winter months trees to the number of 177,245, valued at £389 11s. 4d., were/transferred to Puhipuhi Plantation. The approximate number of trees available for the plantation during this season is 520,915. The total number of trees raised at this station since May, 1903, is 1,091,022 valued at £2 488 14s and the number of trees transferred from the nursery to the plantation since its initiation is'46l 005' valued at.£1,267 6s. Bd. ' A substantial four-stall stable and workshop has been erected, and is fitted with a 4-horse power Urossley oil-engine and chaff-cutter. This is a decided improvement upon the old water-power leased from an adjoining settler. A shed was also erected for the wagon, dray, implements, &c; Owing..to. the. .increased output of trees and additional labour required, it was found necessary to erect a cottage,, 4frft. by 12 ft., for the accommodation of the workmen. This will shortly be finished, and should prove a great convenience to the employees. For the purpose of draining a swamp in the nursery, 20 chains of stone drains were formed proviug very satisfactory; the.atone utilised,for this work was obtained from outcrops in the horse-paddock The main road was formed and .partly metalled with scoria, obtained from the Railway-Department's ballast-pit. - ' ' Four acres of land has been graded, ploughed, and subsoiled ready for lining out next season's crop of trees, iwo hundred flax-sets were planted in a moist situation as a supply of tying material Four acre's of hillside land was thoroughly worked and sown down with a mixture of permanent grassseeds for a horse-paddock, resulting in a fine even sward. The various species of Eucalypti grown on the nursery plantation for experimental purposes have made good growth, some attaining a height of 14 ft., with a girth of 13 in., in four years Sequoia sempervirens planted on poor soil four years ago have done exceedingly well, averaging 7ft The Gatalpa speciosa have made practically no growth.. Isolated specimens of Quercus swfcerfthree years) are doing well, but the majority have made poor growth, whilst 200 raised in paper pots in the nursery and transferred to the plantation have made vigorous growth. Owing to thrdifficulty of obtaining flax for mossing Eucalypti and bundling trees, £67 it is desirable that immediate sleps be taken by the Department to acquire a sufficient area of flax land to insure a steady supply." A 5 suitable block of land containing totara-trees should also be acquired and fenced to prevent cattle, &c, from straying among the trees and destroying the seed and seedlings'. One hundred and thirty thousand Eucalypti of different species were mossed at a cost ©f 12s Bkl per 1,000, including gathering and carting moss and flax, lifting and heeling in trees, &c. £h e -speciai moss (Sphagnum) [required for this work will not be'procurable" in this'district two years hence The coming season's supply will be limited, and if this station is to continue mossing Eucalypti the supply of moss will have to be procured elsewhere. " ... J- , - .-■•.• Seven-tons of oaten sheaves was grown, and also about 2 tons of carrots, for horse-feed. The average number of persons employed during the year mis seven me" and 3-77 boys

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The following is a record of rainfall and temperature for the year :—

Statement of Accounts. Expenditure. £ s. d. Amount at the 31st March, 1906 ... ... ... ...2,891 2 10 Tree-growing ... ... ... ••• ••• ••• 561 15 10 General maintenance and repairs ... «... ... ... 74 12 0 Nursery-formation ... ... ••• ••• ••■ 200 17 2 Horse-feed purchased and grown ... ... ... ... 130 1 3 Manures ... ... ••• ••• ••• ••• ••• 12 9 9 Tree-seeds purchased and collected ... ... ... ... 42 3 6 Tools, implements, &c. ... ... ••• ••• ■•■ 137 1 9 Water-supply ... •■• ••• ••• ••• ••■ 771 Buildings—men's quarters, stable, and workshop ... ... 263 9 0 Maintenance of experimental plantation ... ... ... 20 18 9 Miscellaneous works ... ... ... ••• ••• 20 17 4 Supervision ... ... ... ••• •■■ ••■ 21 6 0 £4,384 2 3 Values of Stock. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Amount at the 31st March, 1906 ... ... 3,553 8 2 Less value of trees ... ... 1,625 18 2 horse-feed ... 136 0 0 : 1,761 18 2 1,791 10 0 Trees, as per Schedule 1 ... ... ••••• • ■ • ■ 672 7 0 . . 2 ... 761 18 10 Tools and implements ... ••■ •■■ ••■ ••• 137 1 9 Water-supply ... ... ••• ••• ••■ ••• 771 Nursery-formation... ... ... ••• ••■ -•• 200 17 2 Buildings —men's quarters, stable, and workshop ... ... 263 9 0 Horse-feed in stock ... ... ■ ••• ■•■ 54 0 0 Value of one foal ... ... ••• ••• •■• •■• 500 Improved value ... ... ... ••■ ■<• ■■• 80 5 6 £3,973 16 4 Summary, jg 8 ,j Value of present stock and general improvements ... ... 3,973 16 4 Value of trees sent out since initiation of nursery ... ... 1,267 6 8 5,241 3 0 Expenditure to date .... ... ■•• ••• ...4,384 2 3 . Credit balance ... ... ■■ ••• £857 0 9

Month. Rainfall. Number of Days. Maximum Temperature. Date Minimum Temperature. Date. 1906. April .. May ... June ... July August September October November December 11907. Inches. 269 4-77 368 1198 5-86 8-60 2-44 397 269 11 15 9 22 21 23 13 12 12 Degrees. 74 69 65 64 68 68 78 80 88 12th 20th 23rd 5th, 22nd 28th 14th 21st, 31st 23rd 20th Degrees. 33 30 30 31 28 29 30 33 36 16th 5th 11th 20th 6th 11th 4th 11th loch January February March 11-41 11-30 4-58 14 15 17 79 75 77 12th 18th, 20th 24th 40 46 47 20th, 21st 21st 15th Totals... 73-97 184

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Stock in Hand. Schedule 1.—Details of One-year-old Trees, grown 1906-7. (Fourth Crop.)

Schedule 2.—Details of Two-year-old Trees, grown 1905-6. (Third Crop.)

Schedule 3.—Details of Trees transferred from Ruatangata Nursery to Puhipuhi Plantation, 1906-7.

A. Gohdon, Nurseryman in Charge.

Starborough Nursery (Marlborou&h). (Area, 104 acres ; altitude, 100 ft.) The rainfall for the year was 21 - 28 in., rain heing recorded on 102 days, as against 33 - 14 in. on 115 days last year. The maximum shade temperature occurred on the 18th December and the Ist January, when 95 deg. were registered, the minimum being 21 deg. on the 28th July. Frost occurred on seventy nights during the year.

Name Number in Seed-beds. Heigbt in Inches. Seed sown. Value per Thousand, Total Value. Kem&rks. i Lb. oz. 120 0 £ 8. d. 2 10 0 £ s. d. 513 15 0 'odocarpus totara .. I 205,500 Fine, sturdy trees; medium growth j Poor crop; healthy plants. Ditto; splendid growth. iWith the exception of B. obliqua all of these have done well. uniperus Virginiana Sequoia sempervirens Eucalyptus amygdalina obliqua Stuartiana . ro^trata , resinifera „ redunca Totals .. .. i 600 .. i 675 .. j 60,000 20,000 60,000 60,000 60,000 50,000 .. 516,775 10 3 3 3 3 3 3 15 0 7 0 2 0 2 0 2 0 1 0 2 0 1 11 1 10 0 4 0 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 18 0 2 14 0 30 0 0 10 0 0 80 0 0 30 0 0 30 0 0 25 0 0 672 7 0

Name. Number nai-v,* i- Value >n whi« P er Total Value - Nursery Lines. lnoae> - Thousand. Remarks. 'odocarpus totara, 'eeudo-tsuga taxifolia .. 144,900 80,000 15 in & s. a. £ s. a. 1 5 0 J 615 16 6 2 10 0 75 0 0 Fine crop; excellent growth. Received from Rotorua; large number died owing to very wet season; those remaining are good, strong trees. Received from Rotorua ; poor growth. Good growth. Strong, healthy trees. Going very well. ■icea eitcheneis 41,175 7 1 10 0 61 15 3 'odocarpiis daorydioides lequoia gigantea .. r arieties of Japanese trees, &o. .. 5,050 290 200 10 9 10 1 10 0 : 7 11 6 2 0 0 0 11 7 6 0 0 14 0 761 18 10 Totals 221,615

I Number. Value per Thousand. Name of Tree. Total Value. Remarks. ?odooarpns totara.. rraxinue Americana Sequoia sempervirens lucalyptus corynocalyx „ leucoxylon margitiata obliqua , paniculata „ rostrata „ resinifera . eiderophloia ?inus murioata 44,800 300 500 125 16,300 4,950 4,200 900 i 77,370 6,600 10,200 11,000 H 8. d. 4 5 0 1 10 0 8 0 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 15 0 £ s. d. 190 8 0 0 9 0 4 0 0 0 3 9 24 9 0 7 8 6 6 6 0 1 7 0 116 1 1 9 18 0 15 6 0 13 15 0 Slow growth; healthy plants. Doing well. All these varieties have done well V with the exception of E. slderophloia. Good growth. uglans nigra Fen tons chaff, valued at £4 per ton 177,245 1,000 3 6 0 389 11 4 3 0 0 40 0 0 Planted in situ; slow growth. Sent to Rotorua Nureery. Total 432 11 4

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During the months August to December (inclusive) this district experienced the driest season for a number of years, the rainfall for those months being only 5*99 in., as compared with.an average of Io\4shi,.for the corresponding months of the five previous years. An idea of the dryness of the season may be gathered from the fact that in the shrubberies and shelter-belts surrounding the nursery quite a number of trees and shrubs which were planted five years ago, and were fully 6 ft. high, have died. The losses are principally Chammcyparis Lawsoniana, Cryptonwria elegans, Retinospora ericoides, Melicytus lanceolatus, and Pinus radiata. y \. The year cannot be said to have been a good one for tree-growing ; still, under the adverse weather conditions experienced, nursery stock has done remarkably well. Seed-sowing was commenced on the 3rd October, and finished on the Bth of the same month. "Watering" had to be done almost continually every evening from immediately after sowing until about the middle of January. The crop as a whole is good; P. ponderosa, P. and P. ■ strobus were much slower in germinating than the other species sown, and are rather thin. The work of transplanting was commenced on the Ist August and completed on the 21st September, the number of trees lined out being 1,055,000, over an area of 1\ acres, at a cost of 2s. 6£d. per thousand. Trees made but little growth during the three monthsafter being transplanted, and some of the species—viz., Abies Douglasii, A. Menziesii, P. strobus, and P. Torreyana —suffered" from the very drying_wind prevailing at that time, fully two-thirds of those dying ofi. In October and November larch were attacked in several places by the grass-grub (Odontria Zealandia), about 25 per cent, being destroyed by this insect. All other species have done well, and have grown remarkably the past two months. --, ■ . ' - : . ~ - - ■..-, ;- . ... ~ ■■■--. — Jtis estimated that about 500,000 trees will be available for plantation purposes for the .coining season. '~ J.• During the year 1,292,175 trees, valued at £2,329 Bs.j9d. were sent to the r following* nurseries, plantations, &c. : Dumgree Pantation, 561,175 ; Kurow Nursery, 541,500 ; Tapanui Nursery, 84,000 ; Mackenzie County Council, 100,000 ;- Nelson Agricultural and Pastoral Association, 2,000 ; Wellington Tree-planting and Scenery Society, 500 ; Agricultural Department, Wellington, 3,000. (For. details, see Schedule 4.) ' "The total number of trees sent out since the initiation of the nursery is 1,923,850, valued at. £4,099 13s. 6d. The estimated number of trees raised during the year i5'750,500, valued at £714. The number of trees of all ages in the nursery at 31st March was 1,357,700, valued at £2,054 11s. (See Schedules 1-3.) The total number raised since the initiation of nursery is 3,281,550, valued at £6,154 4s. 6d. : The expenditure for the year was £1,107 10s. 7d., and the total,.to the 3.lst March; . 1-907, £7,630 19s. sd. The value of trees, improvements, &c, for the year is £2,423 2s. 5d., and the total to the 31st March, 9s. 2d. Five acres of new ground is being prepared for lining-out purposes ; this has been partly formed, and will be used the coming season. This addition will give sufficient lining-out ground to allow that a j.yeaivmay intervene between each crop of trees. ] - r Horse-feed (oaten sheaf) estimated at 30 tons was grown during the year, valued at £90 ; and hay and chaff to the value of £57 sent to other nurseries. As more land is required for horse-paddock accommodation and for growing horse-feed it is proposed to resume about 45 acres adjoining the nursery. A small plantation of gums situated close to the railway-line was destroyed by fire. ThegumH were immediately cut back, and nearly all have put up fresh shoots. The daily average number of men employed during the year was eight. The following is a record of rainfall and temperature for the year : —

Month. 1906, . April... May ... ... June ... r - .... July ... August September October November .... December 1907. January February March . ... ii Number j : Rainfall. oE Days Rain fell. I Ii : Inches, j ; 1-05 8 ... ! 2-43 i 8 ... ; 1-37 8 2-31 i6 098 5 2-21 13 ... ... 0-41 3 ■ ... ... 2-29 10 010 4 ... ' 1-53 9 J ..-. 2-91 7 3-69 i 11 : I Highest Reading D . of Ther- Uate ' i mometer. i I Degrees. 82 21st' 74 2nd 70 i 20th, 22nd 63 5th 73 20th 79 29th 84 28th, 30th 85 22nd 95 18ch 95 1st 79 - 4th, 17th, and 20th 78 10th Lowest ] mometer. j Degrees, i 29 11th 25 4th 23 11th, 25th 21 • 28th 23 7th I 27 16th 28 2nd 31 9th 35 14th 33 28th 41 7th, 26th 38 25th Totals ... 21-28 102 11 |.

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Building Seed-frames, Kurow Nursery.

[N. Craig, 'photo

Lining-out Trees at Kurow Nursery.

[N. Craig, photo.

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Statement of Aooount*. Expenditure. £ a. d. Amount at the 31st March, 1906 . ... ... .... . ... 6,523 8 10 Tree-growing ... ... ... ... ... ... 640 4 5 General maintenance and repairs ... ... ... ... 200 19 3 Nursery-formation... ... ... .. ... ... 15 6 7 Horse-feed ... ... ... ... ... ... 88 9 8 Tree-seeds ... ... ... ... ... ... 48 14 3 Tools, implements, &c. ... ... ... ... ... 378 Buildings... ... ... ... ... ... ... 12 12 7 Miscellaneous works ... ... . ... ... 75 3 2 Supervision ... ... ... ... ... ... 22 13 0 €7,630 19 5 Valu*s of Stock. £ s. d. £. s. d. £ ». d. Amount at the 31st March, 1906 8,230 13 0 Less value of trees ... ... 2,808 6 3 horse-feed ... 133 0 0 q Q4.1 ft a . 4,289 6 9 Trees, as per Schedule 1 ... ... ... ... ... 714 0 0 2 ... ... ... ... ... 1,229 11 0 s ..; ... in 0 0 Tools, implements, &c. ... ... ... ... ... 3 7 8 Nursery-formation... ... ... ... ... ... 15 6 7 Buildings—completion of men's quarters ... ... ... 12 12 7 Value of one foal ... ... ... ... ... ... 10 0 0 Horse-feed in stock ... ... ... ... ... 125 0 0 Improved value ... ... ... ... ... ... 202 4 7 £6,712 9 2 Summary. £ a d Value of present stock and general improvements ... ... 6,712 9 2 Value of trees sent out since initiation of nursery ... ... 4,099 13 6 10,812 i 8 : ■: Expenditure to date ... ... ... ... .. 7,630 19 5 Credit balance ... ... ... ...£3,181 3 3

Stock in Hand. Schedule 1.—Details of One-year-old Trees, grown 1906-7. (Sixth Crop.)

Schedule 2. —Details of Two-year-old Trees, grown 1905-6. (Fifth Crop.)

Name of Tree. Number in Seed-beds. H t ght Seed Inches. sown - Value per Thousand. Total Value. Remarks. Larix Europeea Pinus Laricio .. ., AuBtriaca „ punnerosa „ ponderosa, var. Benthamiana „ strobus .. „ Torreyana Pseudo tsuga taxifolia .. Robinia pstudo-acacia 250,000 340,000 60,000 2,500 1,500 4,000 500 12,000 80,000 2-6 2 2 2-3 2-3 1-2 2-4 2-4 12-36 Lb. 168 42 7 12 7 7 3 8 56 £ s. d. 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 15 0 10 0 15 0 15 0 0 10 0 £ s. d. 250 0 0 340 0 0 60 0 0 2 10 0 1 17 6 4 0 0 0 12 6 15 0 0 40 0 0 Good. I Very good crop. 1 Good plants; gerJ mination poor. Pair. Strong plants. Satisfactory crop. Very good. Totals 750,500 714 0 0

Name of Tree. Number ia Nursery Lines. I Height : Value in per Total Value. Inches. Thousand. Remarks. i JE s. d. ! £ e. d. 8-18 2 5 0 j 540 0 0 jarix Europsea 240,000 Good plants; killed in patches by grass-grub I 'inus Larioio „ Austri&ca „ ponderosa ponderosa, var. Benthamiana oontorta muricata „ strobus .. „ Torreyana .. ' .. 'ioea sitohensis 'seudo-tsuga taxifolia lobinia pseudo-aoaoia 150,000 30,000 35,000 25,000 1,200 7,000 400 200 800 600 80,000 3 ' 2 5 0 ' 337 10 0 B-4 2 5 0 67 10 0 3-5 2 5 0 78 15 0 3-5 2 10 0 62 10 0 4-7250, 2 14 0 4-10 2 5 0 15 15 0 2 j 2 5 0 0 18 0 3-7 J 2 5 0 : 0 9 0 2-8 2 10 0 2 0 0 3-6 2 10 0 1 10 0 24-48 1 10 0 120 0 0 1,229 11 0 J- Have done fair. I I Strong and healthy. [Very poor; suffered severely from drought. Very good. Totals 570,200

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Schedule 3. —Details of Three-year-old Trees, grown 1904-5. (Fourth Crop.)

Schedule 4.—Trees transferred from Starborough Nursery to Plantations, Nurseries, &c., 1906-7.

Name of Tree. Number in Nursery Lines.' Height Value in per Inches. Thousand. I Total Value. Remarks. 'inus Austriaca ponderosa 19,000 18,000 Ill 0 0 i i Totals 37,000

Where sent. Name of Tree. Number of Trees. Value per Thousand. Total Value. Eemarks. Pinus Austriaoa „ pondero8» strobus „ Larioio muricata „ halepensis Larix Europsea - 170,500 2,275 2,900 58,950 I 8,500 I 500 ! 193,200 £ a. d. 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 2 5 0 2 5 0 2 5 0 2 5 0 £ s. d. 511 10 0 6 16 6 8 14 0 132 12 9 19 2 6 12 6 434 14 0 i Have done fair. }Did well after planting, but suffered severely afterwards from the drought. All dead. Fair on terrace where not fxposed to winds. \ Did well up to December, when fully 50 per cent. j died the following two J months from drought. lumgree Plantation Robinia pseudo-acaoia.. Pseurio-tsuga taxifolia.. 16,950 92,000 15,400 J 1 10 0 4 0 0 2 10 0 25 8 6 368 0 0 38 10 0 561,175 1,546 10 9 ! j 200 0 01 297 0 0 24 0 0 9 0 0 4 0 0 i 1 5 0 i 6 10 0 „. I Larix Buroptea Pinus Laricio „ Austriaca muricata ponderosa „ Benthamiana Berbevia aristata 200,000 297,000 24,000 9,000 4,000 1,000 6,500 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 15 0 10 0 Mackenzie County _ Council, Fairlie ] Larix Europsea 541,500 10,000 80,000 10,000 2 5 0 15 0 15 0 541 15 0 22 10 0 100 0 0 12 10 0 Pinus Laricio Cost of lifting, packing, | and cartage of above 100,000 135 0 0 14 3 0 ! i 149 3 0 Dumgree Plantation .. ! Kurow Nimery Mackenzie County Council Tapanui Nursery Nt Iscn Agricultural and Pai-toral Association Wellington Tree-plant-ing & Scenery Society Agricultural Department, Wellington As per details above 561,175 541,5C0 100,000 1,546 10 9 541 15 0 149 3 0 Larix Europsea Pinus haleptnsis 84,000 2,000 10 0 2 5 0 84 0 0 4 10 0 Kobinia pseudo-acacia.. 500 1 0 0 0 10 0 Berberis aristata 3,000 10 0 3 0 0 Rotorua Nursery I 12J tonsbav,at£2 per ton 16 tons ohafi, at £2 per ton i 25 0 0 32 0 0 i Total .. 1,292,175 2,38b' 8 9 W. Ceob Nu: IB, ■seryman in Charge.

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Tapanui Nursery, near Gore, Southland. (Area, 120 acres ; altitude, 500 ft.) During the year 30*37 in. of rain fell on 134 days, the maximum monthly fall being 5*44 in., recorded in April. The minimum shade temperature of 21 deg. was registered on the 29th July, and the highest, 88 deg., on the 6th January. A mild winter was succeeded by an unprecedented dry spring and summer; in consequence, the result of our year's labour at this station has not reached the usual standard of success. Creeks in the vicinity, which have hitherto yielded a constant supply of water, ceased running, and for aR extended period great difficulty was experienced in obtaining sufficient water for seedlings. Hardwood-seed sowing was carried on during the latter part of June, when small quantities of oak, ash, and sycamore were sown in drills with satisfactory results. A trial sowing of Acer saccharum was also made, and, although germination freely followed, the seedlings have not retained a healthy appearance, and further tests may prove the unsuitability of this species of maple for this climate".. Conifer-seed sowing was commenced on the 15th of October, and completed four days later under favourable conditions, and, as in the previous year, Picea sitchensis and Pseudo-tsuga taxifolia were the only varieties which failed to germinate favourably. Special attention may be directed to the success of Pinus Laricio and Betula alba sowings. Prom 56 lb. of the former seed 422,000 trees resulted, and 12 lb. of birch-seed produced an estimate of 90,000 seedlings. The two-year-old trees in beds, being well established, did not apparently feel the effects of the dry season, and have developed into the usual class for transferring to plantations, with a small proportion of overgrown larch, but these will receive careful treatment and be planted in sheltered spots. Lining out of one- and two-year-old seedlings was commenced on the 17th August and completed on the 3rd October, and during that period 1,212,420 trees were transferred from seed-beds to nursery lines at a cost of 2s. B|d. per thousand. The soil being of a strong, loamy nature here, and subject to cracking when moisture is withheld from the surface for even a short space of time, it was necessary to apply foot-pressure at the base of young trees throughout the whole transplanted area. This labour had the desired effect, but a number of the abies and pines failed to resist the influence of the drought. The grub (Odontria Zealandia), which has previously caused much anxiety here, appeared in increasing numbers, devouring the bark of larch and pine-roots, either killing many of the trees outright or so injuring them as to render the young trees useless for plantation purposes. Different measures for exterminating the grubs have for the most part hitherto proved unavailing, but another attempt will be made during the ensuing year, when the affected area will be planted with hardwood trees (the bark of which appears to be ignored by the pest) and special attention paid to the eradication of weeds growing in the vicinity, in order that no nourishment for the growth of the grubs may be available. A " break" of Fraxinus Americanus is very noticeable for the healthy, vigorous growth made, and, this class of timber being very valuable, a further sowing of the variety is desirable. The total number of trees of all ages in the nursery at present is estimated at 2,852,790, valued at £4,971 3s. 6d. During the winter and early spring months 709,733 trees (as per Schedule 4), valued at £2,090 17s. 3d., were transferred to the following plantations, domains, &c. : Conical Hills Plantation, 632,708 ; Dusky Hill Plantation, 27,000; Waitahuna Plantation, 26,825; Hanmer Springs Nursery, 11,500; Kurow, 10,000 ; Lauder Domain Board, 1,200 ; Waiau Domain Board, 500. Eighty-four thousand two-year-old larch seedlings for lining-out purposes were received from Starborough Nursery, but owing to the prolonged confinement in cases the seedlings did not arrive in very good condition, and the past dry season has not been conducive to the recovery of those that would probably have developed into desirable plantation-trees if a reasonable amount of moisture had been received. The total number of trees grown to the 31st March is 7,524,855, valued at £18,434 17s. 2d., and the total number of trees transferred to plantations, &c, since the initiation of nursery is 4,832,063, representing a value of £15,734 Is. Bd. Building Improvements. —A small outlay only was necessary to erect a substantial shed in horsepaddock to provide shelter for the foals during the winter months, and the method of feeding the young animals in an open shed has been chiefly responsible for their present docility. A much-needed bathroom was attached to men's quarters, and other minor improvements effected. Draining. —An area of about 5 acres of land, overgrown with rushes and previously Used as a horsepaddock, was tilled at a cost of £12 10s., and it is expected to raise a few crops of horse-feed before the area is finally sown down in grass. Shelter and ornamental plantations continue to make excellent progress, and extension-work in this direction was confined to the planting of swamps with alder and poplar. l22fcThe native scale disease (Polyaspia media), which is accompanied with the black fungus " honeydew," has proved very destructive to a portion of our Pittpsporum tenuifolium hedges, and a considerable amount of labour was entailed in checking the spread of the pest by spraying with an insecticide, which had the desired effect for the time being, but owing to the density of the foliage application of mixture difficult, and the treatment will have to be repeated at intervals. The expenditure for the year amounted to £1,517 14s. 4d., providing employment for an average of thirteen men. ... 20 tons of oaten sheaves was harvested from 16 acres, and 10 tons of chaff transferred to other nurseries, as per Schedule 4.

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An excellent crop of rye and clover was also stacked for winter use, and spare ground utilised in growing 2£ tons of carrots. From Eweburn Nursery 574 bushels of oats was received in July, and there is sufficient in stock to meet nursery requirements for the coming year. The following is a record of the rainfall and temperature for the year : —

Statement of Accounts. Expenditure. S, g, d. Amount at the 31st March, 1906 ... ... ...11,867 13 4 Tree-growing ... ... ... ... ... ... 959 0 9 General maintenance and repairs ... ... ... ... 209 2 8 Horse-feed purchased and grown ... ... ... ... 165 17 2 Manures ... ... ... ... ... ... 10 16 1 Tree-seeds ... ... ... ... ... ... 70 2 6 Tools, implements* &c. ... ... ... ... ... 16 5 9 Buildings ... ... ... ... ... 48 6 9 Miscellaneous works ... ... ... ... ... 10 14 8 Supervision ... ... ... ... ... 27 8 0 £13,385 7 8 Values of Stock. & a. d. £ a. d. t s. d. Amount at the 31st March, 1906 ... ... 13,038 7 2 Less value of trees ... ...6,455 8 3 horse-feed ... 125 10 10 6,580 19 1- . 6,502 8 1 Trees, as per Schedule 1 ... ... ... ... ... 962 11 3 2 ... ... ... ... ... 1,353 11 3 3 ... ... ... ... ... 2,655 1 0 Tools, implements, &c. ... ... ... ... ... 16 5 9 Buildings—new and additions ... ... ... ... 48 6 9 Value of five young horses... ... ... ... ... 30 0 0 Horse-feed in stock ... ... ... ... ... 104 15 0 Improved value ... ... ... ... ... ... 210 16 7 £11,883 15 8 Summary. £ f d Value of present stock and general improvements ... ... 11,883 15 8 Value of trees sent out since initiation of nursery ... ... 15,734 1 8 27,617 17 4 Expenditure to date . ... ... ... - ... 13,385 7 8 Credit balance ... ... ... ...£14,232 9 8

April ... May ... June ... July ... August September October November December Month. 1906. 1907. ... i Rainfall. Inches. 5-44 4'03 2-16 3-39 1-43 3-06 1-89 1-24 2-32 Number j of Days Rain fell. 14 22 9 12 7 12 8 9 9 j Highest Beading of Thermometer. i Date. Lowest Reading of Thermometer. f Date. Degrees. '■ 78 16th 65 3rd and 15th 59 5th 58 22nd 69 24th 70 28th 74 12th 79 20th 86 26th Degrees. 31 29 24 21 26 28 i 28 29 i! 38 2nd 30th 30th 29th 2nd 17th 2nd 10th 27th January February March... 0-66 1-89 2-86 6 11 15 88 6th 84 9th 82 7th , 39 40 29 18th 21st 18th Totals... I 30-37 . 134

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Stock in Hand. Schedule 1.—Details of One-year-old Trees, grown 1906-7. (Tenth Crop.)

Schedule 2.—Details of Two-year-old Trees, grown 1905-6. (Ninth Crop.)

Schedule 3.—Details of Three-year-old Trees, grown 1904-5. (Eighth Crop.)

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Name of Tree. Number in Seed-bede. Value per Total Value. Thousand. Keuiarke. Pseudo-tsuga taxifolia .. Picea sitchenais Pinus Austriaca Larieio .. „ ponderosa Benthamiana Torreyana „ Jeffreyii Larix Europsea Fraxinue excelsior Acer pseudo-platurms .. Acer saccharum Quercus pedunculata .. Betula alba Alnus glutinosa 14,000 12,000 58,000 422,000 8,000 3,800 600 500 238,000 4,000 29,000 3,000 75,000 90,000 15,250 973,150 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 4 2 8 2 8 4 4 Lb. 14 6 7 56 18 7 8 1 168 3 sacks 1 pack 14 300 12 6 ]& g. d. £ s. d. 15 0 1 17 10 0 15 0' 15 0 0 10 0 58 0 0 1 0 0 ' 422 0 0 1 0 0 [ 8 0 0 15 0 4 15 0 15 0 0 15 0 1 5 0 0 12 6 1 0 0 238 0 0 10 0 4 0 0 0 10 0 14 10 0 10 0: 300 10 0 75 0 0 10 0, 90 0 0 0 15 0 11 8 9 i 1 Poor results. I Excellent crops. I Sturdy plauts. - Germinated fairly. Extra strong growth. [ Strong plants. 'Germinated well but weakly ) \ Exoellent reRults. Totals.. 962 11 3

Name of Tree. Number voi«« Number in in Height in v ** u . e Seed-beds. Nursery Inches. Tho P u e 8 l and . Total Value. Remarks. Picea excelsa .. Pseudo-tsuga taxifolia Picea sitchensis PinuR Austriaca „ Laricio „ ponderosa , Benthamiana , muricata .. „ Jeffreyii .. „ Torreyana Larix Europcea Acer pseudo-platanus Fraxinus excelsior Betula alba Quercus pedunculate Assorted trees and shrubs 235,000 50,000 82,000 43,000 94,000 88,000 30,000 30,000 200 50 3 8 4 4 8 3 3 5 3 3 15 14 8 9 12 £ s. d. 15 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 1 5 0 ] 5 0 15 0 1 10 0 2 5 0 2 10 0 2 10 0 15 0 1 10 0 15 0 2 5 0 2 5 0 2 5 0 £ s. d. 293 15 0 75 0 0 123 0 0 53 15 0 117 10 0 110 0 0 45 0 0 67 10 0 0 10 0 0 2 6 325 0 0 106 10 0 7 16 3 '2 5 0 11 5 0 14 12 6 [ Well-grown plants. I Excellent seedlings. Pair growth. Medium crop. j Poor results. - Vigorous plants. y Strong, healthy trees. Satisfactory results. 260^000 7l!o00 6,250 1,000 5,000 6,500 Totals 1,353 11 3 888,250 113,750

Name of Tree. Number in Nursery Lines. Height in Inches. Value per Total Value. Thousand. Remarks. Picea excelsa Pseudo-tsuga taxifolia Picea sitchensis Pinus Austriaca . Laricio , ponderosa , radiata Larix Europeea Betula alba Fraxinus excelsior „ Amerioanus Robinia pseudo-acacia Alnus glutinosa Acer pseudo-platanus Acer saccharum Quercus pedunculata Pittosporum tenuifolium.. Ornamental and native trees 261,300 41,500 67,350 58,800 ?9,200 36,800 300 248,320 9,360 31,720 12,940 2,100 200 10,400 1,000 5,000 350 1,000 5 4 8 5 4 4 12 15 14 12 11 21 12 18 7 7 20 15 £ e. d. 3 0 0 3 5 0 3 5 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 1 10 0 3 0 0 2 15 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 10 0 3 10 0 £ s. d. 783 18 0 ! 134 17 6 j 218 17 9 i 176 8 0 ' 267 12 0 110 8 0 0 18 0 744 19 2 28 1 7 95 3 2 38 16 4 3 3 0 0 12 0 28 12 0 3 0 0 15 0 0 14 6 3 10 0 I Only fair results. IJ ' Attacked by grub. f Medium growth. j These trees have resisted | the drought, and made excellent progress. ) Totals .. 877,640 2,655 1 0

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Schedule 4.—Trees transferred from Tapanui Nursery to Plantations, Domains, &c., 1906-7.

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Where sent. Name of Tree. Number. 2a|^ Remarks. lonical Hills Plantation Pinus Auatriaca, .. , Laricio „ murieata .. „ radiata „ strobus „ rigida Picea exceKa Pseudo-tsuga taxifolia Larix Europaea Fraxinus excelsior „ Americanus Quercus pedunculata Acer pseudo-platanus „ saccharum Betula alba Juglans regia Robinia pseudo-acacia Populus (vars.) Trees and shrubs (vars.) .. Quercus pedunculata 113,875 25,750 5,375 1,308 75 75 J 189,300 18,050 131,800 49,925 1,475 13,200 23,950 2,050 50,600 1,300 1,375 2,825 400 236,500 12 10 18 14 9 10 10 12 15 16 12 12 16 12 18 14 15 20 12 £ s. d. 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 5 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 2 15 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 4 5 0 2 5 0 1 10 0 3 0 0 15 0 B a. d. 341 12 6 77 5 0 16 2 6 8 18 5 0 4 6 0 4 6 567 18 0 58 13 8 395 8 0 149 15 6 4 8 6 39 12 0 65 17 3 6 3 0 151 16 0 5 10 6 3 1 10 4 4 9 14 0 295 12 6 I Satisfactory results. Failure. I Fair growth. These trees have made fair progress, but the general deathrats amounts to about 5 per oent. J Sown in situ; germinated well. 869,208 2,500 1,000 500 1,500 21,500 i 15,050 2,188 12 6 Dusky Hill Planta- j tion Pinus Austriaca Picea excelsa Larix Enropsea .. Fraxinus excelsior Acer pseudo-platanus Querous pedunculata 12 15 18 18 20 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 2 15 0 1 5 0 7 10 0 3 0 0 1 10 0 4 10 0 59 2 6 18 16 3 1 [These trees were destroyed by fire. 42,050 94 8 9 "i Waitahuna Plantation Pinus Austriaca .. » pomlerosa .. , strobus „ murieata Picea excelsa Pseudo-tsuga taxifolia Larix Europaea Fraxinus excelsior Quercua pedunculata Betula alba Acer pseudo-platanus , saccharum Alnus glutinosa 3,500 300 50 J 1,000 4,375 2,500 3,000 3,000 2,000 3,000 3,000 1,000 100 12 10 9 18 15 15 18 15 1-1 15 15 12 14 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 5 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 2 15 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 10 10 0 0 18 0 0 3 0j 3 0 0 13 2 6 8 2 6 9 0 0 9 0 0 6 0 0 9 0 0 8 5 0 3 0 0 0 6 0 With the exception of P. murieata and I Acer sacoharum, all these varieties promise to be a success. 26,825 80 7 0 J lamner Springs Nursery -I Betula alba Alnus glutinosa 10,000 1,500 11! 15 2 5 0 2 0 0 22 10 0 3 0 0 ) For plantation purf poses. Five tons chaff at £3 5s. ton 11,500 25 10 0 10 5 0 41 15 0 Lurow Nursery .. I Pinus murieata Five tons chaff at £3 5s. ton 140 sacks at 6s. 6d. per dozen 10,000 4 1 0 0 10 0 0 16 5 0 3 15 10 1 Small, for lining-out j seedlings 30 0 10 Jonioal Hills Plantation )usky Hill Plantation Vaitahuna Plantation lamner Springs Plantation Curow Nursery jauder Domain Board Vaiau Domain Board As per details above 869,208 2,188 12 6 42,050 94 8 9 26,825 80 7 0 11,500 41 15 0 • ■ • Trees and shrubs 10,000 1,200 30 0 10 4 7 9 600 2 0 0 Totals 961,283 2,441 11 10 E. G. iBINSON, Nurser 'man in'Chart :e.

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Conical Hills Plantation, near Tapanui, Otago. (Area, 3,672 acres ; altitude, 400 ft.) The past unusually dry season has not been at all conducive to satisfactory results in tree-planting operations, although it is pleasing to note that trees established not only resisted the influence of the drought, but in many cases made excellent progress. Such success, however, did not attend last season's planting, when the death-rate was estimated at about 5 per cent. There were 632,708 trees planted by day-labour, at a cost of 13s. 4§d. per thousand, and occupying an area of 232J acres, and the preparation of ground and planting of 236,500 acorns was carried on at a cost of 11s. lid. per thousand. The area planted for the year amounted to 281 J acres, making a total of 946J acres, containing 2,943,379 trees. For tree-planting 431,350 pits were made by contract at a cost of £1 ss. per thousand, but on apportioning the Forester's salary this cost per thousand works out at £1 6s. lid. There were also 43,034 grubber pits prepared, at £1 per thousand ; actual cost, £1 2s. Bd. per thousand. Tree-planting with bar will be introduced at this station during the coming year, and for that purpose 8,000 spots were prepared by simply " scuffling." Ploughing of roads and fire-breaks with nursery team occupied about four weeks, , and as planting extends and more roads and breaks are required, it will probably be found that the one team will have difficulty in working the three stations at required periods. Roads ploughed were allowed to remain in their rough state for some months, and then received a few strokes with the harrows. A strip of ground about a quarter of a chain wide and 150 chains long, on the outside of boundaryfence, was also ploughed, and tussocks burnt back from this point to lessen risk of encroaching fires. The whole of the fenced area is now pitted, and the Department have resumed for extension purposes four small grazing-runs adjoining, with a total of 2,622 acres. A dwellinghouse and outhouses and four small huts are included in the property, which has been leased temporarily at a half-yearly rental of £73 7s. 10d. Fencing operations are now progressing, and it is hoped to have the work completed before the winter. The nursery wagon again requiring complete overhauling, authority has been given for the purchase of a new one of heavier type, which should enable the cartage of trees to be carried out more economically and expeditiously. General Maintenance. —Unseasonable frosts are frequently responsible for the sudden checking of growth in young trees, which invariably results in double shoots issuing from the apex of leaders, necessitating the removal of one of them. This work occupied a portion of the time, and cleaning around trees, rabbiting of newly acquired area, cutting scrub, and removal of noxious weeds were also undertaken by day-labour. Arrangements are being made for the planting of 400,000 trees here during the coming spring. The expenditure for the year amounted to £2,782 11s. 5d., providing employment for an average of seventeen men. Expenditure. £ s. d. Amount at the 31st March, 1906 ... ... ... ...5,500 10 3 Cost of acquiring 2,622 acres for extension purposes ... ... 750 0 0 Pitting— 431,350 pits ... ... ... ... ... ... 580 11 3 43,034 grubber pits ... ... ... ... ... 48 15 7 Preparing 8,000 spots for planting with bar ... ... 6 17 9 Tree-planting—632,7oB trees ... ... ... ... 423 7 6 Preparing ground and planting 236,500 acorns... ... ... 141 1 3 Cartage of trees from Tapanui Nursery ... ... . . 18 0 0 General upkeep of plantation ... ... ... ... 314 11 7 Fencing—material and part labour ... ... ... ... 341 14 10 Tools, implements, &c. ... ... ... ... ... 17 15 2 Road-formation ... ... ... •■• ••• ... 26 8 6 Tree-seeds—acorns, and railage ... ... ... ... 7 10 0 Miscellaneous works ... ... ... ... ... 52 2 0 Nurseryman's salary, Proportion of ... ... ... ... 31 0 0 Supervision ... ... .. ... ... ... 22 16 0 £8,283 1 8 Note.—Revenue received : Half-yearly rental amounting to £73 7s. 10d., for the lease of extension property for grazing purposes, from Ist January to 30th June, 1907. H. Howe, Forester. I R. G. Robinson, Nurseryman , in Charge. Dumgree Plantation, Marlborough. (Area, 881 acres ; altitude, 100 ft.) Free and prison labour was again employed on this plantation, but owing to a much larger number of trees having to be dealt with, free labour had to be greatly increased, and the larger portion of the work has been done by free men.

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During the year prisoners planted 76,950 trees, and the free men 484,225, making a total of 561,175. Of this number 525,575 were planted on an area of 193J acres, 35,600 being used to fill up blanks in previous years' plantings. The cost of planting was £1 7s. B£d. per thousand. The area planted to date is 385J acres, with a total of 1,061,661 trees. Pits to the number of 602,258 were dug ; prisoners digging 181,614 and free men 420,644, at a cost of £3 os. 4d. per thousand. 116,800 blank pits were also reopened, the cost being £1 2s. 6d. per thousand. The area pitted and planted during the year was very much more stony than that done in former years, which accounts for the higher rate of cost per thousand than in the previous years. Fire-breaks. —l 72 chains was chipped and cleared, this work being done by both classes of labour. Rabbiting was done periodically, and no damage has resulted from this pest. The cost of this work for the year was £6 17s. 7d. The daily average number of men employed during the year was 2179. Prison Labour. —The daily average number of prisoners employed was 1728, the value of the work done being £675 6s. lid., or an average of £39 2s. 9d. per man for the year. The work done was very creditable and satisfactory. Owing to the severe drought experienced during the spring and summer months, a very large death rate has to be recorded all over the plantation. Planting operations were commenced in May and completed in August. At the end of September mostly all species planted appeared to be going to do well, but during the next three months, owing to drying winds and a meagre rainfall, considerable numbers began to die, and the death rate is estimated at 50 per cent. Those that suffered most were larch and Oregon and Ooisican pines, the deaths among the larch being only where planted on the flats; those on the terraces, where not exposed to the north-west winds, have done well. False acacia also suffered considerably, but a number of these are putting up fresh shoots from the root. Among former years' plantings a considerable number have also succumbed, chiefly larch, and Oregon, Weymouth, and pitch pines. After the experience of the past season, an idea can now be formed as to which of the various species planted are best adapted for this locality. P. Austriaca, P. Laricio, P. 'ponderosa, and P. Benthamiana will probably be found to be the best. Larch, except on southern slopes, cannot be recommended as compared with the four above-mentioned pines. This is strongly demonstrated where, mixed planting was done in 1904—5 ; for every one of these pines found dead probably twenty larches would be got. It is therefore worthy of consideration whether or not this tree should be planted here so extensively as it has been. During the year £22 19s. was received for rent, and £37 19s. for flax, which was duly paid to the credit of State Forest Account. The total revenue received from this plantation to date is £145 6s. The expenditure for the year was £2,556 35., the total to date being £8,796 18s. Expenditure. £ s. d. Amount at the 31st March, 1906 ... ... ... ...6,240 15 0 Pitting — 420,634 pits ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,270 1 3 Reopening 116,800 pits... ... ... ... ... 131 6 5 Tree-planting—4B4,22s trees ... ... ... ... 701 7 3 Cartage of trees ... ... ... ... ... ... 19 19 6 General upkeep of plantation ... ... ... ... 92 6 3 Tools, implements, &c. ... ... ... ... ... 69 1 2 Miscellaneous works ... ... ... ... ... 66 7 0 Supervision of free and prison labour... ... ... ... 159 3 6 Nurseryman's salary, Proportion of ... ... ... ... 28 16 8 Supervision . . ... ... ... .. ... 17 14 0 £8,796 18 0 Note.—Revenue amounting to £60 18s. was received during the year, making a total of £145 Gs. received to date. W. G. Morrison, Assistant Forester. W. Cromb, Nurseryman in Charge. Dusky Hill Plantation, Otago. (Area, 845 acres ; altitude, 400 ft. to 800 ft.) It is with extreme regret that we. have to report a disastrous fire which occurred on this plantation on the 27th October, 1906, resulting in the destruction of two-thirds of the area under trees. It appears that a fire lit by a fisherman tor the purpose of boiling a billy of water got beyond control, and aided by a terrific gale blowing directly across the plantation, and also the unusual dryness of all undergrow T th at the time, soon enveloped the greater portion. Volunteers were available and rendered all possible assistance, but it was not until heavy rain fell that the conflagration was finally extinguished. Fire-breaks on this occasion had very little influence in checking the spread, as the flying debris was ofttimes seen flying across breaks and creating fresh fires many chains distant. The Pomahaka River, which for a considerable distance forms a natural boundary to the plantation, attracts numbers of fishermen annually, and access through the lower portion of property is available and frequently used by picnickers ; and unless this reserve and road are closed, tree-planting operations must be continued with extreme risk of future fire, as the rocky faces extend almost to the river-edge in places, and firebreaks on this side are quite impracticable. A number of hands were employed immediately after

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General View of Tapanui Nursery.

Effects of Disastrous Fire at Dusky Hill Plantation.

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the fire in cutting back deciduous trees to ground-surface, and much success has attended this treatment —many of the oak and ash in sheltered situations having made a vertical growth of fully 3 ft. On cutting back the trees sap quickly promoted numbers of small shoots, and a great amount of labour was required in disbudding all but necessary leaders. Nearly the whole of the acorn blocks have been totally destroyed, and this area, which is confined to the steep hill-sides, will be scuffled with grubbers and planted with the aid of a newly designed " planting-bar," which should enable tree-planting to be carried on with greater facility, less expense, and probably equally good results. In expectations of replanting the greater portion destroyed, a number of men have been engaged cutting and removing burnt trees, and 97,675 pits were made at a cost of 18s. 9d. per thousand. 6,500 spots for planting with bar were also prepared at a cost of 15s. Id. per thousand. The following works were carried on previous to the (ire : Planting 27,000 trees at 18s. 7|d. per thousand ; preparing ground and planting 11,500 acorns at 18s. 3fd. per thousand ; formation of tracks ; ploughing of roads and fire-breaks; general maintenance. For the approaching planting-season preparations are being made for planting about 450,000 trees, to be delivered from Tapanui Nursery. The expenditure for the year amounted to £582 4s. 9d., providing employment for an average of six men. Expenditure. £ a. &■ Amount at the 31st March, 1906 ... ... ... ... 8,017 4 4 Pitting— 98,675 pits ... ... ... ... ... ... 92 10 3 Preparing 6,500 spots for planting with bar ... ... 4 18 5 Tree-planting — 27,000 trees ... ... ... ... ... ... 25 3 6 Preparing ground and planting 11,500 acorns ... ... 10 10 8 Clearing ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 8 10 3 Cartage of trees from Tapanui Nursery .... ... ... 250 General upkeep of plantation ... ... ... ... 192 19 6 Tools, implements, &c. ... ... ... ... ... 10 18 6 Tree-seeds, acorns, and railage ... ... ... ... 1 10 0 Formation of tracks ... ... ... ... ... 580 Cutting back and disbudding burnt deciduous trees ... ... 87 0 2 Cutting down and burning trees destroyed by fire ... ... 54 12 10 Miscellaneous works ... ... ... ... ... 37 15 8 Nurseryman's salary, Proportion of ... ... ... ... 24 0 0 Supervision ... ... ... ... ... ... 24 2 0 £8,599 9 1 F. Benfell, Assistant Forester. R. G. Robinson, Nurseryman in Charge. GrIMMERBURN PLANTATION RESERVE, NEAR NaSEBY, OtAOO. (Area, 1,200 acres ; altitude, 1,200 ft.) The trees at the above plantation have not done very well, owing to the prolonged drought, this being the third season in succession. Trees that have taken hold have made very fair growth, especially the first year's larch. There have been a great many deaths in this season's planting, and probably there will be two-thirds of these to replace. An experiment is to be tried this season by planting in the autumn, and, as the ground keeps fairly dry in winter here, there should not be a great risk of the plants being thrown out by the frost. An area of about 90 acres was sown down in oats, but the season was against success, and there was only about 2 tons to cut. Oats (from the previous season's crop) to the value of £258 lls. Id. were transferred to nurseries, and the value of oats in stock is £48 18s. 10d. |'i] The number of trees planted during the year was 243,500, but of this 51,580 blanks had to be replaced. The area covered to date is 164f acres, and the area planted for the past season is 70-| ac.es. The cost of planting and digging (half-holes) was £1 2s. 4Jd. per thousand. The average number of hands employed was nine. Expenditure. i s. d Amount at the 31st March, 1906 ... ... ... ... 977 3 3 Tree-plantmg ... ... ... ... ... ... 288 12 10 Cartage of trees ... ... ... ... ... ... 33 3 9 General upkeep of plantation ... ... ... ... 76 14 6 Horse-feed purchased and grown ... ... ... ... 159 11 1 Proportion of Nurseryman's salary ... ... ... ... 46 0 0 Supervision ... ... ... ... ... ... 400 £1,605 5 5 A. W. Roberts, Assistant Forester.

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Hanmkr Sprinor Plantation. (Area, 1,488 acres, approximate ; altitude, 1,225 it.) Trees to the number of 502,500 were planted during the year, 19,000 of this number being used to replant blanks in former plantings. The area of new plantation formed was 177 acres. The total number of trees planted to date is 1,271,770, occupying an area of 462 acres. Tree-planting by free labour cost 7s. per thousand ; marking pits by free labour cost 7s. 10d. per thousand ; and digging pits cost 19s. 3d. per thousand. The total number of pits dug during the year was 162,160, and 221,000 spots were marked and scuffled for planting with bar. The total number of pits and spots available for planting during the coming season is 274,200. An area of 61 acres was cleared and burnt for tree-planting, and an additional area of 20 acres was cleared, grubbed, and burnt for horse-paddock. Fencing Extension Area. —l4o chains of rabbit-proof fencing was erected, and 22 chains of fence repaired and converted into rabbit-proof fencing. Buildings. —A galvanised-iron cart-shed was erected to replace the building formerly used for that purpose, which was converted into an additional stall for stable. A medium-draught horse was purchased during the year for plantation use. Trees of all ages and species throughout the plantation have made good growth during the year, although the rainfall recorded was little more than half of the previous year. The trees planted during the year have also, without exception, done well, and the percentage of deaths since transplanting is small. The expenditure for the year was £683 Is. 6d., and the total expenditure on the plantation since its initiation has been £3,250 10s. 9d. The fire-breaks and roads throughout the plantation were cleared of growth and ploughed where possible ; a half-chain fire-break was ploughed round boundary-fence to prevent spread of fire from adjoining land. The average daily number of free men employed during the year was two. The work done by prison labour during the year has been entirely satisfactory ; the total value being £755 3s. 10d., and the average value of work done for the year by each of the 1450 men employed daily was £52 Is. sd. per man. Particulars of the various works undertaken are as follows :—Pitting, 383,160 pits ; clearing, 81 acres ; fencing, 162 chains ; tree-planting, 483,000 trees. Maintenance—clearing round trees, clearing fire-breaks, and repairing tools. Buildings—erection of cart-shed, and alterations to stable. Expenditure. £ s d Amount at the 31st March, 1906 ... ... ... ... 2,567 9 3 Pitting ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 70 18 11 Tree-planting ... ... ... ... ... ... 25 2 0 Cartage of trees and freight ... ... ... ... ... 3 10 6 General upkeep of plantation ... ... ... ... 98 18 5 Horse-feed purchased and grown ... ... ... ... 10 11 0 Fencing ... ... ... ... ... ... .'.. 309 1 1 Tools, implements, &c. ... ... ... ... ... 56 12 9 Buildings ... ... ... .. ... ... 12 14 10 Proportion of Nurseryman's salary ... ... ... ... 77 10 0 Supervision ... ... ... ... ... ... 1820 £3,250 10 9 T. B. Curle, Assistant Forester. Kaingaroa Plains Plantations (Four), near Whakarewarewa. (Altitude, 2,000 ft. ; total area, 25 acres.) Apart from the general upkeep of these four experimental areas, no work has been done during the year. The fire-breaks were kept ploughed. Pruning was done where necessary, and the fences kept in repair. One of the enclosures, which is planted with Lawson's cypress (Chamacyparis Lawsoniana), will be replanted with some other species during the coming winter, as the Lawson's cypress has been a failure. The expenditure for the year was £35 2s. 6d., and the total expenditure to date was £357 15s. 6d. Two men were employed for about six weeks. Expenditure. £ s. d. Amount at the 31st March, 1906 ... ... ... ... 322 13 0 General upkeep of plantation ... ... ... ... 30 2 6 Nurseryman's salary, Proportion of, and travelling-expenses ... 5 0 0 £357 15 6 R. Macßae, Assistant Forester. H. A. Goudie, Nurseryman in Charge.

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Naseby Survey Padtjock Plantation, Otago. (Area, 175 acres ; altitude, 1,900 ft.) The trees at the above plantation have made very satisfactory growth, notwithstanding the very dry season, and do not seem to have been greatly affected, except that the growth is not quite so strong. Owing to the lisk of fire it has been decided to place a man here permanently, and sufficient work can be, found to fully occupy his time, such as pruning, hoeing, and keeping down hares and rabbits. As there have been a large number of hares, &c, in the enclosure lately, it has been decided to wire-net che fence up to the top barb, which, I think, wil l prevent any further trouble in that respect. Fire-breaks have been ploughed around the fence-line, and hoeing, weeding, &c, have been carried out satisfactorily. Trees to the number of 6,500 were planted, at an average cost of £1 9s. 3£d. per thousand. As the above were used for blanks, the area remains at 132J acres and the number of trees at 360,185. Average numbei of hands employed, 0 - 45 (wages). Expenditure. £ s. 6. Amount at the 31st March, 1906 ... ... ... ... 1,756 18 11 Tree-planting ... ... ... ... ... ... 9 10 6 General upkeep of plantation ... ... ... ... 38 12 0 Buildings—workmen's quarters ... ... ... ... 5 2 0 Proportion of Nurseryman's salary ... • ... ... ... 20 0 0 Supervision ... ... ... ... ... ... 2 0 0 £1,832 3 5 A. W. Roberts, Assistant Forester. Puhipuhi Plantation, North Auckland. (Area, 10,000 acres—l,7ol acres fenced ; altitude, 1,000 ft.) During the season trees to the number of 178,245 were planted permanently, 8 ft. apart, occupying an area of 248J acres, making the total of trees planted to date 461,005, and approximate area 700 acres. The average cost of planting trees per thousand was 17s. 10d., including packing trees from heeling-in ground to planters. 34,650 pits were opened at a cost of 10s. per thousand, 14,950 grubber pits at a cost of 15s. per thousand, and 76,700 spade pits at £1 per thousand, making a total of 224,850 pits for the season. The number of pits available for this season's planting is 111,350. The area of land cleared of scrub and standing timber (dry) was 550 acres, at a cost of 10s. per acre. One thousand Juglans nigra were planted in situ, and are making slow growth. Sixty-six chains of boundary and dividing fence was erected at 7s. 10d. per chain, and 42 chains of two-wire fence for horse-paddock was erected at a cost of 4s. 4d. per chain. Eighty-eight chains of boundary-fence were purchased from James Bell at 4s. per chain, and 61 chains from William Hay at ss. per chain. The pigs belonging to the Natives adjoining the plantation have caused considerable damage by grubbing for fern-roots on newly pitted area, and steps will have to be taken to either prosecute the owners or else destroy the pigs, as threats are of no avail. The different species of Eucalypti planted here have done fairly well, with the exception of E. corymbosa and E. sideropMoia, which have grown poorly. E. crebra is also making slow growth. Some specimens of E. rostrata and E. redunca have reached a height of 14 ft. in three years. Podocarfvs totara are making slow but sturdy growth. Fraxinus Americana have taken well. The average number of persons employed during the year was 9-16 men and one boy. The following is a record of rainfall and temperature for' the year : —

Month. Rainfall. Number of Days Rain fell. Maximum Temperature. Date. Minimum Temperature. Date. 1906. April ... May ... June .. July Inches. 1-66 5-13 4-20 1108 10 12 12 22 Degrees. I 76 1st 68 2nd, 29th 62 7th, 9th, 23rd, 25th 62 : 19th, 29th, 23rd, 24th 70 30th 68 14th 82 31st 82 23rd 88 26th Decrees. 38 34 28 32 15th, 17th 2nd, 6th Hth 31st August September October... November December 1907. 1108 11-08 2-67 3-93 4-69 15 15 11 10 10 32 29 32 34 40 31st 11th 1st 11th 16th January February March 18-20 11-69 6-87 15 11 15 88 18th 88 1st 86 24th 40 46 48 20th 21st 15th Totals ... 92-28 158

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Expenditure. £ «. d. Amount at the 31st March, 1906 ... ... ... ... 1,866 0 1 Pitting 227 10 7 Tree-planting—l7B,24s trees ... ... •■• ■■• 159 1 3 Clearing, &c 277 2 0 Freight and cartage on trees ... ■■• • ■• ••■ 15 19 3 General upkeep of plantation ... ... -. •■- 273 14 8 General repairs ... ... ■•• ••• •■• ••• 848 Horse-feed purchased and grown ... ... ■■ ■•• 897 Fencing—material and labour ... ... ••• ••• 102 11 1 Tools, implements, &c. ... ... ••• ••• ■•• 32 3 0 Miscellaneous works ... ... •■■ ••• • 842 Buildings '03 17 5 Water-supply ... ... ... ■•• •■■ ■■• 4 8 11 Supervision ... ... ... ■ ■■• ■■• 16 3 0 £3,103 9 8 Okas. Hooper, Assistant Forester. A. Gordon, Nurseryman in Charge. Waiotapu Plantation, Auckland District. (Approximate area, 6,700 acres ; approximate altitude, 1,200 ft.) The rainfall for the year ending 31st March, 1907, amounted to 58-22 in., falling on 137 days, the heaviest monthly fall being registered in January, when 10-14 in. fell on fourteen days. The lowest shade temperature was 16 deg. Fahr., or 16 deg. of frost, on the 10th June, and the highest temperature was 85 deg. Fahr., on the 21st and 24th January. An average daily number of 35-62 prisoners performed work to the value of £2,978, thus showing an average value of £83 12s. Id. per man for the year. Tree-planting was commenced at the beginning of May and completed in September. During that period trees to the number of 1,642,175 were planted. 114,650 of which were used in replacing deaths in former plantings. The area planted during the year was 561 acres, and the number of trees on new area 1,527,525. The plantation now contains 4,341,704 trees, and the area planted is 1,776-J acres. Except in the Eucalypti area the deaths were all replaced. In this area it is intended to replace the. deaths with larch, as the Eucalypti have on the whole been a failure. All the trees planted during the year have done well, with the exception of Pinus Laricio, and these had a bad start owing to three weeks' dry weather, with frost, at the time of planting. Pinus ponderosa and Pinus Benthamiana did fairly well. Larch and Pinus strobus made very vigorous growth. Pinus Austriaca also did well. Amongst the older trees many of the P. Austriaca have not developed leaders, thus necessitating a lot of pruning. The Oregon pine, which fared so badly since being planted five years ago, have done much better this year owing to the shelter of the other trees that are growing up around them, and the absence of frost during the summer months. Pinus strobw, which were frosted so severely in 1903, are fully recovered, and some of them made a vertical growth of 2 ft. during the past season. The following trees, placed in the order named, appear to be the most suitable for planting in this district: Larch is the hardiest of all, only being affected by frost in the early stages of growth when planted in gullies or moist flats. It has done exceedingly well in pure pumice and on very poor land, and is easily transplanted, as the young trees do not appear to suffer by exposure of their roots to the sun and wind. Last winter a hundred of these trees were accident illy dropped from the wagon and lay exposed to the sun and wind for about three weeks, during which time they were nightly subjected to" very severe frosts—on one occasion 14 degs. When found they were soaked in water for a few hours and then planted, and out of the hundred trees only ten died. The foregoing facts explain to a certain degree the reason of the low death-rate which we have always had in planting larch here. ~ , lL „. Pinus ponderosa and Pinus Benthamiana have never been damaged by frost here, ihese species transplant well and make good annual growth. Pinus Laricio is very easily injured by frost for the first few years until it attains a height of from 5 ft. to 6 ft., when the growth of the leaders are slower and the frost injures the side-shoots only. In the early stages of growth the leaders are frequently cut back by frost, with the result that a considerable amount of pruning is required for a couple ot years to bring the tree back to the desired shape. Pinus Austriaca is similar to P. Laricio in constitution, but seems, if anything, more hardy when it has attained a height of about 6 ft. Pinus strobus makes good growth even in land which is very poor, but this species has frequently been badly injured by frost, and has entailed a lot of work in pruning to single leader. Menzies' spruce, Oregon pine, Lawson's cypress, and English birch require good soil and shelter by other trees. Planted in exposed situations they simply exist for a few years, and if more hardy trees are not grown to shelter them they eventually die. Amongst the oldest trees pruning has been in progress during the summer months. Prisoners who are industrious and trustworthy are selected for this work, and, with few exceptions, the work has been intelligently and carefully done. The formation and upkeep of fire-breaks has been a very considerable item during the year, and this work is increasing annually.

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On the original block and the extension area eleven miles of fire-break 1 chain wide, a mile and a half \ chain wide, and three miles 15 ft. wide was ploughed, and four miles 15 ft. wide was scuffled by hand. Of the fire-breaks formed, one mile a chain in width was ploughed on the dividing-line between the plantation and the Tourist reserve. This reserve is thickly covered with manuka and. dense undergrowth, and, as it is open to tourists and unprotected on the sides of the public roads, it will always be a menace to the plantation, as the reserve contains many thermal wonders and is largely visited by tourists. The natural growth of manuka and other native shrubs adds a beauty to the reserve which could scarcely be produced by artificial planting in a dozen years, and for this reason efforts should be made to protect the area from fire by erecting notice-boards relative to the danger of throwing down lighted matches, and further, by keeping the growth burnt off around the fence-line. Failing such precautions being taken, it will be necessary, for the safety of the plantation, to clear off all growth adjoining the plantations for a distance of at least 3 chains. The internal fire-breaks are all formed along the roads which were laid off for carting trees and general purposes throughout the plantations, thus making them 1 chain wide with the additional width of the road, viz., 12 ft. Around the inside of the boundary-fences 15 ft. was ploughed, but in addition to this the growth between the fence and the public roads —where such exist—was kept burnt off. In many places on the fence-line the land is too steep to plough, and all that could be done to make the boundary fireproof was to keep down the growth —which is fortunately not thick—by hand. In country of this description, where fires are of frequent occurrence, all blocks of land reserved for tree-planting should be safeguarded from fire before any trees are planted. Next summer there will be about fifteen miles of fire-breaks to be gone over twice with the cultivator and harrows, and probably five miles of new fire-breaks to plough and form before the fire-breaks on the present enclosures are completed. For the six summer months there is plenty of work to keep four horses constantly employed, and it will therefore be necessary to purchase two more horses before next spring, in order to form and maintain effective fire-breaks around and through the young plantations. Prison Labour. —Notwithstanding that the work was a considerable distance from the camp, the value of work done by each man was £26 ss. 4d. more than that of the previous year. To account for this a number of reasons are apparent. Capes were supplied by this Department fpr each prisoner, and these enabled the men to go to and from their work without getting wet during showery weather. Much time was thus worked between the showers when otherwise the time would have been lost in camp. The class of prisoner, too, has been more suitable for these camps, and, with few unavoidable exceptions, none of the undesirable class have been sent from the town gaols. To the Prisons Department's officers much credit is due for the value of work performed. The officers have taken a live interest in the work, and assisted in every possible way by carrying out the various works as instructed. The prisoners who do the pruning and the replacing of deaths in the plantation often get very wet among the undergrowth and the branches after rain, and it is necessary that this should be remedied. A few suits of waterproof overalls would probably meet the case. Extension of Plantation. —The survey-pegs were located on the Maungakakaramea Reserve, and the lines for the fence cleared. The material for fencing the block is on order, and a start will shortly be made to erect the fence. It is intended to remove the prison camp to this reserve after the planting is finished next September. Preparations are well in hand for the planting of a million and a half trees during the coming winter. During the year 689 acres of land was cleared for tree-planting, and on this 2,228,562 pits prepared, of which 1,327,525 are available for the coming winter. It is proposed to plant a large block with larch without digging pits, as the small area planted in this manner two years ago has proved very successful. A shed of some description is required for sheltering the implements, as exposure to the weather, combined with the sulphur in the atmosphere, soon causes the iron to corrode. A lean-to to the present stable would meet this requirement, and should be erected at the same time as the camp is shifted. The following is a record of rainfall and temperature for the year : —

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Mouth. I Rainfall. j Number of Days Rain fell. Highest Reading of Ther- ! mometer. I Date. Lowest Reading of Thermometer. Dace, 1906. April ... May ... June ... July ... August SeptemberOctober — November December 1907. January February March Inches. 3-70 §•74 2-43 7-24 351 5-76 . 1-89 4-25 2-99 1014 6-97 3-60 J 15 14 7 21 10 8 7 12 7 14 12 10 ! Degrees. J 66 64 64 63 64 66 79 83 20th 29th 19th 26th 25th 24th 22nd 18th Degrees. I 23 23rd 20 24th 16 lOch 24 31st 20 6th 27 18th. 19th 30 11th 36 16th 85 83 78 21st, 24th 12th 1st 31 ! 20th, 28th 40 21st 44 19th Totals... 58-22 137 i [ i J

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Expenditure. £ s. d. Amount at the 313t March, 1906 ... ... ... ...3,157 11 3 Carting trees ... ... ... ... ... ... 33 11 6 General repairs ... ... ... ... ... ... 74 5 6 Tools, implements, &o. ... ... ... ... ... 54 8 8 Horse-feed 63 0 2 Supervision of prison labour ... ... ... ... 233 18 6 Nurseryman's salary, Proportion of, and travelling-expenses ... 20 0 0 Supervision ... ... ... ... ... ... 25 4 0 £3,661 19 7 B. Magßae, Assistant Forester. H. A. Goodie, Nurseryman in Charge. Waitahuna Plantation, Otago. (Dredged area, 11 acres ; altitude, 331 ft.) Tree-planting operations were resumed on this area, and on completion of the boundary-fence 27,825 pits were opened up hy day-labour, at a cost of 19s. I\A. per thousand, and allowed to remaii. in this state until spring. It was deemed advisable to delay tree-planting until September, when the soil removed from pits would have received the mellowing influence of frosts. This method has proved entirely satisfactory, and of the 26,825 trees planted, at a cost of 13s. 3|d. per thousand, only a very small percentage of failures resulted. The object being purely of an experimental nature, thirteen species of trees were included, and although a drought prevailed in this district success was pronounced with every species planted, with the exception of Pinus muricata. which pine has been unfavourably reported on from other local plantations this season. It is, of course, impossible at the present stage to single out with any degree of accuracy particular species as being the most suitable for dredged areas, but present indications would tend to show the adaptability of the old tailings for the growing of larch, birch, alder, Pinus Austriaca, and spruce. Heavy rain in May caused the Waitahuna Eiver to rise suddenly and overflow its banks, inundating the plantation to the depth of 6 in. Fortunately, no strong current accompanied the rising, which gradually subsided without doing any damage beyond detaching the netting from fence in hollows. An expenditure of £16 6s. 3d. was necessary in grubbing gorse before tree-planting could be carried out, and, although it is a difficult matter to effectively remove this scrub at the first attempt, it is interesting to note that scarcely any sign of the reappearance of gorse is noticeable on the planted area. The required trees were railed from Tapanui in ten straw bundles, and arrived in good condition. It will be necessary during the coming spring to plant an additional thousand trees, replant failures, and remove strong growth from around a number of the smaller-sized plants ; but the estimated cost of this labour will not exceed £12. The expenditure incurred on the plantation for the year amounted to £115 4s. 10d., providing employment for two men for two months, making a total expenditure since its initiation of £154 14s. sd. Expenditure. £ c. d. Amount at the 31st March, 1906 ... ... ... ... 39 9 7 Pitting—27,B2s pits ... ... ... ... ... 27 60 . Tree-planting—26,B2s trees... ... ... ... ... 17 17 0 Clearing gorse ... ... •■• ••• ••• • 16 6 3 Freight and cartage on trees ... ... ••■ ••• 3 12 6 Fencing-—-material and part labour ... ... ... ... 32 3 6 Draining ... ... ... ... ... ••■ ••• 3 10 0 Miscellaneous works ... ... ... ■•■ ■•■ 697 Nurseryman's salary, Proportion of ... ... ... ... 5 0 0 Supervision ... ... ... ... ■•• ••• 300 £154 14 5 D. Bibk, Foreman. R. G. Robinson, Nurseryman in Charge.

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Waitaki Plantation, Otago. (Area, 728 acres ; altitude, 700 to 1,400 ft.) A few weeks prior to the end of the financial year the Department began work on the above area. The immediate and most important work was the boundary-fences ; the total length—five and a half miles—requires considerable repairs, and the erection of hare- and rabbit-proof netting. This work will be pushed on as quickly as possible, nearly all the necessary material being already on the ground The land is all fine, rolling country, every foot of which is plantable. and from a forester's point of view, no better land could be found in North Otago. Mxpenditure. £ s. dFencing ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 26 2 9 Tools, implements, &c. ... ... ... ... ... 500 Proportion of Nurseryman's salary .. ... ... ... 300 Supervision ... ... ... ... . . ... 10 5 0 £44 7 9 N. Craig, Nurseryman in Charge. Whakarewarewa Plantation, Auckland. (Approximate area, 8,912 acres ; approximate altitude, 1,000 ft.) Tree-planting operations have been attended with satisfactory results at this station during the past year, the exceptionally wet weather experienced being responsible to a certain extent for the low death-rate amongst the trees planted. The number of trees dealt with was 1,388,600 ; of this number, 1,205,375 were planted on a new area of 450 acres, while the remainder, 183,225, were used to replace deaths in former plantings. This reserve now contains 3,391,436J i trees, which occupy an area of 1,668 % acres. Prison Labour. —The work done by prisoners has been performed in a very satisfactory manner, and thanks are due to the Prisons Department's officers for the assistance given in carrying out the works as directed. The number of prisoners employed during the year, however, leaves much to be desired, as it is impossible to map out a course of work with any certainty when the number varies so much. An average of 11 - 50 prisoners was employed daily during the year, but the number varied from seventeen men in March to seven men in November. This camp has accommodation for thirtythree, men (twenty-five for forestry-work and eight for prison-work), showing that the camp was on the average only half-full during the whole year. The work done by prisoners is valued at £762 lls., or an average of £66 6s. 2d. for each of the 11-50 men employed. The details are as follows : Clearing for tree-pi anting, 90 acres at £1 Is. Bd. per acre, £97 10s. ; pitting, 84,900 at 10s. per thousand, £42 9s. ; planting, 533,810 trees at Bs. per thousand, £213 10s. sd. ; heeling in and distributing trees, £2 lls. 6d. ; road-formation, 200 chains at 9s. 7|d. per chain, £96 4s. 6d. ; formation of fire-breaks, clearing, burning, and stumping 357| chains, at 7s. 3|d. per chain, £130 10s. ; draining, 10 chains at ss. per chain, £2 lOs. ; making harness, horse-covers, &c, £29 os. 7d ; general upkeej) of plantation—planting blanks, £31 9s. 7d., and pruning, &c, £8 Is. ; general repairs and miscellaneous works, £108 14s. 5d : total, £762 lls. Free Labour. —An average daily number of 20-52 free men were employed, and the cost of the various works undertaken was as follows : Pitting, 10s. OJd. per thousand ; planting, 7s. BJd. per thousand ; reopening pits where deaths occurred, lls. lid. per thousand, and these were replanted at a yost of 12s. 9d. per thousand ; the cost of forming of 130 chains of road was 7s. lid. per chain, and 130 chains of fire-breaks were formed at 6s. 3£d. per chain ; the cost per chain of erecting 129 chains of fencing was Bs. 6d ; clearing 187 acres cost £1 lls. 3£d. per acre. A considerable amount of work has been done in the formation and maintenance of fire-breaks. This work is annually increasing, and in the future will be a big item in the expenditure, as only by continued ploughing and cultivating can they be kept in a state of efficiency. This plantation is bounded on the eastern side by the Wairoa Road, and on the western side by the Waiotapu Road, and as both of these roads are largely traversed by coaches bearing tourists to the Wairoa and Waimaiigu sights, it has been necessary to devote much time in keeping the fire-breaks along these roads in order. Much of the boundary is too steep to plough, and hand-hoeing has been necessary. In other places all the growth alongside the road has been kept down, while the fairly level portions were ploughed. On the Wairoa Road boundary a piece of native land, known as Tikitapu Bush, intersects the plantation reserve, and renders the continuation of the fire-break alongside the road impossible unless it. is formed on Native land. This land is triangular in shape and it is impossible in forming the fire-break to follow the correct boundary, as this passes over rough, precipitous country thickly clad with large native trees, to the top of the Moerangi Mountain, and from there down to the road-line again over a line that it would be impossible to follow on foot

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If the vegetation on this hill was burned, one of the most attractive pieces of scenery on this tourist routs wouldjbo destroyed, and both for the safety of the plantation and the preservation of this beautyspot, a fire-break should bs formed alongside the road-line. This can be done either with the permission of the Native owners or by purchasing the land outright. It is proposed to erect a fence alongside this road in order to keep stock from wandering on to the plantation reserve. .length of fire-breaks formed and ploughed were as follows : 130 chains by J chain, 357| chains by 1 J chains ; ploughed, 65 chains by 2 chains, 267 chains by \\ chains, and 155 chains by \ chain. Pruning was necessary amongst the older pines and larch, in order to suppress double leaders. All the pines and the greater portion of the larch have now been gone through, and the work, which requires a great deal of care and discretion, has been carried out in a very satisfactory manner. In maintenance work clearing growth round the young trees has been the chief item. The fern and tutu grow exceedingly fast, and requires to be kept cut down for several seasons—until the trees are of sufficient size to hold their own. Good results have been obtained with the trees planted during the year, and of these the larch has on the whole made very good growth, with a very small percentage of deaths. A considerable amount of damage was done to the previous season's planting of this species in the Waipa Valley by a severe frost which occurred in November. Many of the young trees had the points of the leading shoots destroyed by the frost, but have since made a good recovery and are developing new leaders, although a considerable amount of pruning will be necessary in order to suppress some of the strong side-growth. Oregon pine has not made good growth, although those planted the previous year are making good headway. Norway spruce and Menzies' spruce have done fairly well in the lower ground, but have made little or no growth on the tops of hills and exposed ridges, where a number of deaths have occurred. Acacia mdanoxylon, although planted very late, has made splendid growth, many of the trees being now 4 ft. in height. Pinus densiflora, Pinus muricata, Pinus tceda, Pinus Ihunbergi, and Pinus Sabiniana were planted for shelter purposes near the prison-camp, and have all done weU, P. tada being deserving of special mention. E. amygdalina and E. paucifiora were the only species of Eucalypti planted, and were used principally to replace failures; both have done fairly well, E. amygdalina having made slightly the better growth. For the coming season preparations are in hand for planting about a million trees. Owing to the frequent rains it has been an extremely difficult matter to get a good burn, and, in consequence, the work has been retarded somewhat. Expenditure. £ s. d. Amount at the 31st March, 1906 ... ... ... ...7,856 19 11 Pitting—l,l2o,47s pits ... ... ... ... ... 525 1 7 Tree-planting—67l,s6s trees ... ... ... ... 268 7 '2 Clearing 187 acres ... ... ... ... ... ... 349 2 4 Cartage of trees ... ... ... ... ... ... 18 11 0 General upkeep of plantation ... ... ... ... 880 19 4 Horse-feed ... ... ... ... ... ... 92 7 9 Fencing—new ... ... ... ... ... 59 2 6 Tools, implements, &c. . . ... ... ... ... 38 9 2 Eoad-formation ... ... ... ... ... ... 50 9 8 Supervision of free and prison labour .. ... ..". ... 144 7 8 Proportion of Nurseryman's salary ... ... ... ... 30 0 0 Supervision ... ... ... ... ... ... 26 0 0 £10,339 18 1 D. J. Buchanan, Assistant Forester. H. A. Goudie, Nurseryman in Charge.

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Larch Plantation, Waiotapu (7-year-old Trees).

Nurseryman's Cottage and Outbuildings, Eeburn.

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Reference-list of Forest Trees and Shrubs grown at the various Nurseries and Plantations, 1906-7. (E, evergreen; D, deciduous.)

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Name of Tree. Synonym. Common Name. Habitat. Acacia melanoxylon (E) Acer saccharum (D) „ pseudo-platanus (D) .. jEsculus hippocastanum (D) Alnus glutinosa (D) Betula alba (D) .. Berberis aristata (D) Castanea sativa (D) Catalpa speciosa (D) Cli'maecyparis Lawsoniana (E) Cordyline Australis (E) „ indivisa (E) Eucalyptus amygdalina (E) Acer saccharinum I Blackwood Su°ar maple Sycamore Horse-chestnut Alder .;. Silver birch Barberry Sweet or Spanish chestnut.. Hardy catalpa • Lawsou's cypress, or whitecedar Ti, or cabbage-tree Toi Almond-leaved peppermint-South-east Australia. North America. Europe and Asia. Southeast Europe. Europe and Asia. Europe. Northern India. Europe and Asia. United States. Northern California. Castanea vesoa Bignonia catalpa Oupressus Lawsoniana calophylla (E) oapitellata (E) „' corymbosa (E) coccifera (E) .. oorynocalyx (E) orebra (E) flcifolia (E) globulus (15) .. Gunnii (E) .. 1 hsemastoma (E) leuooxylon (E) macrornyncha(E) „ marginata'E) .. Muellerii (E) .. maculata (E) .. Australis .. indivisa Eucalyptus sideroxylon gum Bed-gum.. Head-flowered stringy-bark Bloodwood Mountain-peppermint Sugar-gum Narrow-leaved iroubark Scarlet-flowering gum Blue-gum Cider-gum Gum-topped stringy-bark .. Victorian red ironbark Stringy-bark of Victoria Jarrah Mountain red-gum Spotted gum New Zealand. South Island, New Zealand. Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania. South-west Australia. ; New South Wales and Gippsland. ■ New South Wales and South Queensland. i Alpine districts of Tasmania. South-east Australia. ' New South Wales and Queens land. ; South west Australia. Tasmania and Victoria. Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania. Tasmania and Victoria. South Australia. Victoria. South-west Australia. Mountains of Tasmania. New South Wales and Queensland. Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania. Ditto. New South Wales and Southwest Australia. New South Wales, Queensland, and Gippsland. Tasmania a.nd Victor ia. New South Wales and South. Queensland. Tasmania and South-east Australia. Ditto. Eastern Queensland and Port Jackson. New South Wales and Gippsland Tasmania. Western Australia. New South Wales and Queensland. Tasmania and Victoria. Eastern United States. obliqua (E) Stringy-bark or messmate .. pauciflora (E) .. , paniculata (E) Eucalyptus coriacea .. faeoioulosa j White or drooping gum Red ironbark pilularis (E) .. Blackbutt „ regnans (E) „ saligna (E) Swamp-gum Grey or flooded gum • • Stuartiana (E) Apple-scented gum , Sieberiana (E) siderophloia (E) Eucalyptus virgata .. persicifolia Yowut, mountain ash Sydney ironbark „ teretecornis (E) urnigera (E) .. redunea (E) resinifera (E) .. ■ • Red-gum of Queensland Urn-bearing gum The wando or white-gum .. Red or forest mahogany viminalis (E) .. Fraxinus Americana (D) .. Fraxinus Acuminata, F. alba Swamp or manna gum White American ash Fraxinus excelsior (D) Fagus sylvatica (D) Hikoraovata(D) .. „ pecan (D) Juglans eineria (D) nigra (D) regia (D) Juniperus Virginiana (E .. Larix Europsea (D) Liriodendron tulipiferum (D) Laburnum vulgare (D) Phormium tenax (E) Picea excelsa (E) sitchensis (E) Canadensis (E) Pinus Austriaca (E) , Canariensis (E) „ contorta (E) English ash Beech Shagbark, hickory Pecan-nut Butternut Black walnut Walnut .. Red cedar European laroh Tulip-tree, basswood Laburnum Flax Norway spruoe Tideland spruce White-spruce Austrian pine Canary pine Twisted pine Europe and Asia. Europe. Eastern North America. Carya alba .. olivseformis .. Juniperus Barbadensis : Pinus larix .. .. j Cytisus laburnum .. Abies excelsa „ Menziesii Europe and Asia. North America. Europe. United States. Europe. New Zealand. Europe. Alaska, Northern Canada. North-east United States. Southern Europe. Canary Islands. Alaska to California. * _ • • „ Coulterii (E) excelsa (E) flexilis (E).. halepensis (E) Lambertiana (E) .. Laricio (E) muricata (E) ponderosa (E) ponderosa, var. Benthamiana (E) Pinus Murrayana, | Pinus Bolanderi Pinus macrocarpa „ pendula Great-coned pine Himalayan pine Limber pine Aleppo pine Sugar-pine Corsican pine Prickly-coned or Bishop's pine Heavy or bull pine Bentham's yellow-pine California. Himalavan Mountains. Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevada. Levant. Northern California, Oregon. Southern Europe. California. North-west Amerioa. British Columbia.

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Reference-list of Forest Trees and Shrubs grown at the various Nurseries and Plantations, 1906-7. (E, evergreen; D, deciduous) — continued.

Approximate. Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not giveo ; printing (2,250 copies). £4$ lfls. 6d.

By Authority : John Maokay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9o7.

Price Is.]

' Name of Tree. Synonym. Common Name. Habitat. Pinus pinaster (E) radiata (E) rigida (E) Sabiniana (E) strobus (E) Piptanthus Nepalensis (E) Pittosporum crassifolium (Ei eugenioides (E) „ tenuifolium (E) „ Buchananii (E) Populus deltoides (D) Pinus maritima insignis Cluster-pine .. .. Southern Europe. Monterey pine .. .. California. Pitch-pine ... .. I New England to Virginia. Nut pine.. .. ■• California. Weymouth pine .. .. North America. Evergreen laburnum .. ! Himalayas. Karo .. .. . New Zealand. Matipo, tarata .. .. . „ tawhiri .. .. . tawhiwhi.. Canadian or black Italian ] North America. poplar Lombardy poplar .. Europe and Northern Asia. Populus nigra pyramidalis (D) ! Podooarpus dacrydioides (E) totera (E) ... Hallii (E) Pseudotsuga taxifolia (E).. Populus monolifera, Populus Canadensis Populus dilatata, Popu lus fastigata Pyrus aucuparia (D) Quercus coccinea (D) macrocarpa (D) .. pedunculata (D) .. palustris |D) suber (D) Robiniapseudo acacia (D).. Salix Caorea (D) .. „ viniinalis (D) „ vitellina (D) Sequoia sempervirens (E) .. Sophora tetraptera (E) or (D) Vitex lucens (E) .. Nageia totara „ Hallii Abies Douglasii Sorbus aucuparia Querous robur KaMkatea .. ■ • New Zealand. Totara .. .. .. ' Large-leaved totara .. . Oregon pine .. .. j British Columbia, Pacific Coswt &o. Rowan-tree, mountain-ash.. Europe and Asia. Scarlet oak .. .. Eastern North Amerioa. Burr oak.. .. British oak .. • ■ Europe and West Asia. Pin-oak .. .. . ■ South-east of North Amerioa Cork-oak .. .. ■ Southern Europe. Black loquat or false acacia : Pennsylvania Mountains. Goat willow .. .. Europe (Britain). Common osier .. .. , Golden osier .. .. Britain. Redwood.. .. • California. Kowhai .. .. . • New Zealand. Puriri .. .. . North New Zealand. Salix longifolia Taxodium sempervirensEdwardsia microphylla