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During the winter months 713,827 trees, as per Schedule 83, and valued at £2,110 17s. 5d., were transferred to the following plantations, domains, &c.: Conical Hills Plantation, 623,000 ; Dusky Hill Plantation, 70,075 ; Hanmer Springs Plantation, 17,525 ; Industrial School, Burnham, 2,220; Domain Board, Gore, 90; Tourist Department, Hanmer Springs, 200; Tourist Department, Queenstown, 392 ; Beautifying Association, Waikoikoi, 325. Eight thousand five hundred Bobinia pseudo-acacia and 100 berberis were received from Eweburn Nursery. The former were sized, and 6,975 sent to Conical Hills Plantation, the remainder being lined out for another year. One hundred Gatalpa speciosa from Eotorua Nursery were also planted, but the first year's growth would indicate that the Catalpa species are not suited to this climate. The total number of trees grown to the 31st March, 1906, is 6,635,705, being valued at £17,556 ss. lid. ; and the total number of trees transferred to plantations, &c, since the initiation of nursery is 4,122,330, representing a value of £13,643 4s. sd. The shelter and ornamental plantations laid out during the past three years are making rapid headway, and many of the trees at the southern boundary of nursery have grown to a height of fully 12 ft. 1,770 additional shelter trees and shrubs were planted out permanently in various exposed corners of property. Buildings : The galvanised-iron sizing-shed, erected in May last, has uot only enabled all winter work to be carried on with greater facility, but has proved itself indispensable as a tool-house and shelter-shed during stormy weather. All ground reserved for coming season's lining-out operations is now in good order, having in the early spring received a double ploughing to a depth of about 10 in., and since remained in fallow. Minor improvements in the form of draining, road-inaking, extension of shrubbery, and general maintenance were also effected. The expenditure for the year amounted to £1,516 17s. 6d., providing employment for an average of twelve men. The three yearling fillies are developing into useful-looking animals, and their value has been increased to £15 per head. About 35 tons of oaten sheaf were harvested from the extension property, but as we have now six horses and four yearlings to provide for, a considerable amount of this yield will have to be chaffed for our requirements. About 8 tons of rye and clover, and 4f tons of carrots, especially grown for winter horse-feed, were also harvested under favourable conditions. Details of trees grown and statements of expenditure for the year are appended. The following is a record of rainfall and temperature for the year : —
E. G. Eobinson, Nurseryman in Charge.
Dusky Hill Plantation. (Area, 845 acres; altitude, 400 ft. to 800 ft.) Satisfactory progress has been made in growth of all trees in this plantation, with the exception of ash, spruce, and sycamore that are planted in situations exposed to the prevailing winds. The season has been an exceptionally wet and cold one, and not at all conducive to rapid progress of these unsheltered trees. A violent hail-storm passed over the plantation, and in consequence many of the larch leaders were broken. As a result, double leaders were found issuing from the heads of injured trees ; but,on the removal of one of these shoots the trees quickly outgrew any apparent defects through the injury. Trees to the number of 70,075 (as per Schedule B 8 ) were planted throughout where failures resulted in previous plantings, at a cost of 18s. 8-|d. per thousand. It is anticipated that an additional twenty thousand trees, planted next year, will complete replanting operations, and more time may be given to the general maintenance of the plantation.
Month. Rainfall. Number of Days Rain fell. Highest Reading of Thermometer. Date. j I Lowest Reading of Thermometer. Date. 1905. Inches. 3-99 1-94 2-60 1-09 1-90 5-62 6-45 5-57 5-46 Degrees. 31 25 22 21 24 30 29 35 34 I 18th 26th 28th 2nd 28th 9th 3rd 3rd, 10th 31st I April ... May ... June ... July ... August September October November December 1906. 14 5 10 3 6 13 7 15 14 Degrees. 78 70 59 64 65 63 75 88 85 6th 6th, 11th 15th 21st 26th 6th 7th 13th 9th, 13th January February March... 3-12 2-70 3-51 18 12 12 85 90 83 13th 11th 15th 36 37 31 2nd, 22nd 15th 10th Totals... 43-95 119