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outcrops, forming stone draining with the material, levelling and filling in depressions, and improving roads. Fourteen acres of land were well worked last winter—l ton of lime applied per acre—and 12 acres sown with Algerian oats and rye-corn, resulting in a return of about 40 tons of chaffingsheaves, saved in good order. The balance of the land was utilised in growing Italian rye-grass, maize, and carrots, each of which yielded heavy crops. A strong rick, 26 ft. by 20 ft. by 18 ft., with a lifting roof on pulleys, was erected in sections, to permit removal, the whole work costing in labour and material about £25. One hundred light seed-frames, 18 ft. by 6 ft., were constructed, costing in labour and material about 11s. each. General maintenance-work has formed a heavy item in the year's work. The clearing of creeks of watercress and the suppression of gorse and other weeds was a continuous labour. Arrangements are well forward to provide a substantial nursery-building, which will be probably erected before the winter months. "During the year rain fell on 157 days, with a total fall of 52-61 in., the heaviest monthly fall being 7-41 in October. The maximum temperature registered was 89 deg. Fahr., on the 11th December, and the lowest, 26 deg., on the 11th August. Heavy thunder-storms occurred in the spring, followed by cold winds and changeable weather. With this exception, the year has been remarkable for well-distributed rain and the equable changes in the seasons. I have to thank the staff for the assistance I have received from them in carrying out the year's work. The number of hands employed during the year was five men and six lads. Details of expenditures and values and schedules of trees are appended. The following is a record of the rainfall and temperature for the : —

L. J. Adams, Nurseryman in Charge.

Puhipuhi Plantation, Whakapaba. (Area, 1,121 acres ; altitude, 1,000 ft.) Great changes are evident at this station by the country being cleared of the useless timber over at least 400 acres of the reserve and on "the adjoining block of 250 acres. The bulk of this work was let by contract at the rate of 4s. 6d. per acre. Clearing and burning other growth has cost 3s. per acre. Approximately, 122,000 totara and 135,000 Eucalypti of tested merit are now planted at 8 ft. apart. Upwards of 12,000 acorns were planted in situ last season, on the steep spurs facing the north, at the cost of 16s. per thousand. This fills in all the land that it is desirable to plant on this block, most of the balance being covered with native bush. A large number of trees died owing to the dry season of 1904-5, and these were replaced at a cost of £2 per thousand. On steep hillsides the heavy rains wash the loose soil from the roots of the trees, leaving them exposed to a hot sun, and "the fact that totara is more susceptible to drought than exotic trees generally grown accounts for this loss. Last planting-season 181,847 pits were dug, at an average cost of 16s. 6d. per thousand. Trees to the number of 137,860 were planted, at an average cost 15s. per thousand, including the distribution of the trees to the planters. On steep rough country where kauri logs are strewn in all directions this work is one of considerable expense. It has been found most expedient to pack the mossed trees in cylinder-shaped crates, these being 2 ft. 6 in. long, made of three iron hoops, lin. by Jin. iron, 14in. in diameter, pierced with six holes, on which 2 in. by 1 in. battens are bolted." The ends of the crates are laced with wire, and the inside lined with sacking-material, leaving a space open to put in the'trees. A well-packed crate will hold about 1,000 trees, and remain three or four days without fear of heating. Two crates placed on a pack-saddle form a convenient load for an average horse, and can thus be conveyed about the plantation.

Month. Rainfall. Number of Days Rain fell. Maximum Temperature. Dale. Minimum Temperature. Date. 1905. Inches. 2-17-4-77 405 3-25 7-13 4-56 7-41 3-57 2-55 Degrees. 81 70 66 75 67 69 80 85 89 Degrees. 31 32 33 31 26 33 32 34 38 April May ... June ... July ... August September October November December 1906. 9 14 20 15 13 21 19 14 6 3rd 29th 9th 15th 31st 10th 25th 30th 11th 10th 7th, 19th 6th, 19th 20th 11th 24th 14th 12th 3rd January February March 3-78 4-81 4-56 7 8 11 85 83 81 25th 2nd 15th 38 38 34 2nd 27th 2nd Totals... 52-61 157