C—IB.

30

Forestry Literature. Every assistance has been extended to officers controlling the afforestation-work in creating valuable reference libraries, which have been made available to any departmental employee desirous of improving himself in matters associated with the work. In addition to this, the Superintending Nurserymen have each conducted a correspondence class (as referred to in detailed reports) very satisfactorily, and the various subjects discussed throughout the term will certainly lead to still further improvement in our working-system generally. Cost op the Work. Summaries are appended hereto, showing in a condensed form the result of the operations for the year and since the initiation of the afforestation-work in 1896. As far as is possible, this information has been given in such a manner as will facilitate a comparison between each of the stations, and at the same time present the salient features of the work in an easily accessible form. The average cost per thousand for raising trees in nurseries from 1896 to 1911 has been £2 4s. 9d., but it should be pointed out that this is not a fair representation of the present position, inasmuch that three of the nurseries—viz., Starborough, Kurow, and Ruatangata where climatic conditions are against the wort have been closed. A perusal of the summary in question will show that at tin , two largest nurseries Tapanui and Rotorua—the cost of raising trees has been about £1 per thousand, and. as far as can be foreseen, the cost for the next few years will remain much the same. Turning to the summary of operations in plantations from 1896 to 1911 it will be seen that the average costs of planting one thousand trees has been £3 6s. 5d., while the cost of every acre planted has been £7 14s. The cost of the work naturally depends very largely upon the climatic conditions and nature of 1 lie soil, hence the figures for each station vary considerably. It should also lie men tioned that at stations where prison labour is employed the value of such labour has been regarded as an expenditure for the purpose of working out these averages. Taking the cost of raising the trees in the nurseries, together with the expenditure incurred mi the plantations, it is found that on the average each acre of plantation has cost £13 15b. Included in these calculations are the stations which have before been mentioned as having been closed, and where the poor results were largely due to the adverse climatic conditions. Again, much valuable experimental work lias been undertaken, and the expenditure on this is not likely to recur. At Dusky Hill Plantation the cost has been excessive, owing to the greater part of the area having to be replanted, as the result of a destructive fire in 1908. occasioned by the carelessness of a fisherman. The outlook for the future is much more encouraging. At the principal stations now in existence the work is at preseni being conducted on etrictly economical lines, and the records show that the cost for forming the plantations varies from £6 to £7 per acre. Detailej) Reports. A report by the Superintending Nurseryman for the North Island will he found in Appendix A following, and the report by tin . Superintending Nurseryman for tin . South Island in Appendix 15.