C—lβ.

31

of the past drought. Pinus radiata, Larix Europcea, Pyrus aucuparia, Betula alba, Chamacyparix Lawsoniana, Griselinia littoralis, pittosporums, and retinosporas are a few of the varieties that have suffered most. No seeds were sown this year, and all seed-raising frames were transferred to Rotorua and Ruatangata Nurseries. Lining-out operations were commenced on the sth August, and completed on the 23rd September; a total of 933,000 trees being transplanted on to 9 acres at a cost of 2s. 6fd. per thousand. The grub Odon'tria Zealandia has been very destructive again this year, the area affected being about one acre. The losses from this cause among Pinus Larix, P. ponderosa, P. Benthamiana, P. strobus, and Pseudo-tsuga taxifolia are estimated at 100,000. All varieties otherwise have done remarkably well, the Pinus Austriaea being a fine hardy line of stuff. During the year 559,840 trees, valued at £1,183 19s. 5d., were sent to the following plantations, nurseries, tic: Dumgree Plantation, 494,690; Tapanui Nursery, 64,500; Ward School, 650. (For details, see Schedule 3.) The total number sent out since the initiation of the nursery is 2,483,690, valued at £5,297 15s. lid. Trees of all ages in the nursery total 739,600, valued at £1,634 16s. (see Schedules 1 and 2); and the total number grown since the inception of the nursery is 3,223,290, valued at £6,918 Bs. lid. The expenditure for the year was £1,058 Is. 9d., and the total to the 31st March, 1908, £8,689 Is. 2d. The value of trees, improvements, &c, for the year is £3,569 16s. 7d., and the total to the 31st March, 1908, £8,102 14s. 9d. For horse-feed, 45 acres of oats" were grown. The quantity and quality were not so good as in other years, owing to the dryness of the season, the estimated yield being 45 tons, valued at £157 10s. So that a larger quantity of horse-feed could be grown in the future, 44 acres were resumed by the Department in July. To enclose this area, 13J chains of fencing was erected, and 10J chains purchased from the late lessee at a total cost of £10 11s. Two foals were bred during the year, but one of them unfortunately died. The daily average number of men employed during the year was 6 - 3. Schedules of trees, &c, and details of values and expenditure are appended. The following is a record of rainfall and temperature for the year :—

Statement of Expenditure. & s. d. Amount at 31st March, 1907 ... ... ... ...7,630 19 5 Tree-growing ... ... ... ... ... ... 578 12 8 General maintenance and repairs ... ... .... ... 92 0 5 Nursery-formation... ... ... .. ... ... 4 15 5 Horse-feed purchased and grown ... ... ... ... 84 15 6 Tools, implements, &c. ... ... ... ... 25 13 3 Fencing ... ... ... ... ... .... ... j.O 11 0 Miscellaneous works ... ... . ... ... 104 0 6 Proportion of Nurseryman's salary ... ... .-.-. ... 135 0 0 Supervision ... ... ... ... ... ... 22 13 0 Total to date ... .. .. ... ...£8,689 1 2

Month. Number Rainfall. of Days Rain fell. Highest Reading of Ther- : mometer. ' Date. Lowest Reading of TherJ mometer. Date. 1907. Inches. 2-67 ' 2-61 210 0-88 2-66 240 ■ 0-90 0-28 074 15 7 10 8 14 13 11 5 4 Degrees. 79 14th 67 4th 63 10th 62 1st, 13th 65 28th 69 23rd 73 27th 80 25th 92 17th April... May .. June July ... August September October November December 1908. Degrees. 35 29 26 26 27 27 28 35 40 28th,29th 12th 14th 24th 3rd, 20th 13th 15th 1st 2nd, 3rd January February March . • ■ • 0-02 001 2 05 2 1 14 94 29th 86 16th,29th 86 1st;, 11th _j 40 39 39 17th 26th 15th Totals 17-32 104