C.-l.

Statements of expenditure and estimated values, and plan showing location of crops, are attached. The following is the record of rainfall and temperature for the year:—

Record of Rainfall and Temperature at State Forest Nursery, Tapanui.

Rotortja Nursery. The work which has entailed the most labour during the year has been the transplanting from the seed-beds of all young forest and ornamental trees which were sufficiently advanced to allow of the work being carried out with safety. In the first place, three 20 ft. roads were formed through the lining-out ground, at 3 chains apart, the total length of roading being 37 chains. The good soil therefrom was useful in levelling up the worst of the hollows throughout the ground, and all abrupt " rises " were reduced, so that transplanting could proceed without difficulty. This was commenced in June and completed in September, and during the progress of the work two Native women were employed in removing fern-roots, which were turned up by the plough in large quantities. Owing to the very severe frosts experienced in July it was found necessary to go over the whole of the smaller transplanted trees and tread them more firmly into the soil before the drying spring winds could do them any injury. On either side of the road leading* into the nursery from the main entrance gate a border half a chain in width was ploughed up and formed. One side has been filled with choice native plants in great variety, and these have made wonderful growth throughout last summer. The other border has been planted with exotic trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants and bulbs, and these also have done well. As a background to these borders a belt of Conifers, comprising larch, spruce, and pines, half a chain in width, was planted. These trees were removed from plantations in close proximity to the nursery, and with the exception of larch, which were rather large, have done well. The hill below the nurseryman's cottage and sharp angles of each lining-out "break" were also planted with the same kinds of trees. The triangular piece of ground on the flat below the nurseryman's cottage —an area of a quarter of an acre—was trenched, levelled, and laid out as a rosery. It contains 280 plants, and the varieties are the finest obtainable in the colony. They have grown and flowered profusely throughout the summer. The cost of these has been defrayed by the nurseryman-in-charge. An avenue of birch-trees was planted along the lower edge of the seed-bed ground, and this will afford good shelter from the north winds, as the trees grow up. At the lower edge of the lining-out ground a row of the same trees has also been planted for shelter purposes. An area of 6 acres to the east of the lining-out ground was ploughed up and sown with oats in the spring for horse-feed. The yield (which was light) has been cut and stacked for winter use. A large quantity of forest- and ornamental-tree seeds were sown in the spring, and with very few exceptions the germination has been most satisfactory, and the growth equally so. It is worthy of note that the dressing of lime given to the ground has had a very beneficial effect upon the young seedlings. The watering of seed-beds has been greatly facilitated since the erection of a windmill and supply-reservoir over 100 ft. above the seed-beds. No scarcity of water is now experienced, and the pressure is satisfactory. The stable buildings, which include tool- and implement-sheds, workshop,' &c., are rapidly approaching completion, and will be much appreciated during the coming winter. The nurseryman's cottage, tool-shed, and fence, and gates at main entrance were all painted, and the implements have been kept in good repair. The horses are in good condition, having received good treatment at the hands of the Native ploughman. The value of trees has increased during the year from £1,045 19s. 4d. to £2,412 ss. Id., including this year's crop, which is valued at £852 19s. 3d. .

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Month. Rainfall. dumber of Days Rain fell. Highest Reading of Thermometer. Date. Lowest Reading of Thermometer. Date. 1899. April ... May ... June ... July ... August September October November December 1900. January February March... 3'42 in. 3-88 in. 1-24 in. 5-30 in. 1*51 in. 2-29 in. 2-63 in. 2-94 in. 5-89 in. 2-58 in. 2-95 in. 2-86 in. 21 16 9 16 8 14 16 12 15 15 15 12 Degrees. 70 58 48 50 56 72 72 86 84 98 88 80 1st 4th 12th 17th 28th 14th 9th 19th 10th 11th 26th 1st Degrees. 31 24 24 14 22 24 24 26 30 30 30 30 28 th 30th 4th 25th 5th 28th 6th 4th 19th 26th 5th 25th Total 37-49 in. 169 days.