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as the European species, for whilst the former variety furnishes little indication of having passed through an unusually dry period, Larix europcea growing in the immediate vicinity under precisely the same conditions have undoubtedly suffered. There were 106,158 trees put out, at 11s. 4£d. per thousand, and the whole of the burnt-out area has now been replanted. 28,642 trees were also planted in places where success was not attained previously. An average of 37 men were engaged here, and their time was chiefly allocated to tree-pruning, attending to fire-breaks, forming tracks, and general maintenance. The immediate future maintenance work should necessitate the employment of only two or three men, and arrangements have already been made to reduce the staff accordingly. It was decided to draw together with a team of bullocks the three huts remaining unoccupied, and form a dwellinghouse for the foreman. This work has already been taken in hand by the nursery carpenters, and is now well advanced. As in the previous year, the Pomahaka River fell to a very low level several times, and failed to form a barrier to a number of cattle and sheep. No damage was created by their presence, although a loss of time was necessitated in ejecting the animals from the reserve. Several fire notices were posted up along the fringe of plantation, and at other conspicious places, as a greater precaution against careless use of fire. Caretaking has also been resorted to during the summer months. Living accommodation for the foreman now having been provided, his constant presence will enable extra caretaking duties to be dispensed with. A statement of expenditure for the year is appended : —

Statement of Expenditure. £ s. d. Amount at 31st March, 1909 ... ... ... ...11,499 15 2 Tree-planting ... ... ... ... ... ... 73 10 0 Cartage of trees ... ... ... ... 446 General upkeep of plantation ... ... ... ... 366 13 10 Horse-feed, purchased and grown ... ... ... ... 15 211 General repairs ... ... ... ... ... ... 820 Miscellaneous works ... ... ... ... ... 8 6 10 Proportion of nurseryman's salary ... ... v ... ••• 15 0 0 Supervision ... ... ... ... ... ... 10 15 0 £12,001 10 3 F. Benfbll, Plantation Foreman. R. G. Robinson, Superintending Nurseryman.

Conical Hills Plantation, Otago. (Area, 3,672 acres; altitude, 400 ft. to 1,050 ft.) The locality in which this station is situated has not been immune from partial drought during the past summer, and consequently trees growing in the drier situations have not made such vigorous headway as in former years. All pines established, however, are making consistent progress, whilst larch, Oregon pine, and spruce fir that occupy the more sheltered positions are succeeding beyond expectations. Towards the end of May tree-planting operations were commenced, and continued until October, and during that period 1,347,700 trees were permanently put out. Planting in grubber pits cost 12s. 4d. per thousand, whilst the preparation of southed spots and " dibbling " trees amounted to only lis. 7d. per thousand for the double operation. The " dibbling " system cannot be generally adopted, as it would be courting distinct failure to deal with ground of a clayey nature in this manner. Arrangements are being made this year to prepare as many pits as possible on the harder ground for the reception of trees, and reserve the areas containing the lighter and more porous surface soil for the " dibbling " process. Of the 858,350 Larix europwa planted this season very few failed to strike. Pinus Laricio were also a success, although in one block where smaller trees were experimented with rather more than 5 per cent, of deaths occurred. There were 619,921 pits prepared by day-labour, at 14s. 4Jd. per thousand, and 293,780 scuffled spots, at 9s. 4d. per thousand. As operations are extended a large area of ploughed ground will become available; and it is more than probable that by letting the pitting of this portion by contract, at 12s. 6d. per thousand, employees will be able to make a satisfactory wage. Ihe new area planted during the year amounted to 495J acres, and the total area under trees at this station is 1,747J acres, containing 5,124,820 trees. There were 70,000 trees, principally Larix europaa and Pinus Laricio, use in replanting previous failures on No. 1 Plantation. To connect with the main road from Conical Hills to Rankleburn, 20f chains of heavy cuttings were made, and not only is much saving of time effected by this direct route, but the conveyance of trees is conducted with a greater measure of safety. The general maintenance item proved to be a somewhat large one; this, however, might only be expected for the two or three years immediately succeeding the actual planting work. Treepruning, removing coarse undergrowth from around trees, cartage of fuel, ploughing of firebreaks, and replanting failures have all been included under this heading.