Q—IB

8

The rainfall amounted to 34-71 in., falling on 117 days; the heaviest fall being 5-42 in. during April, and the lowest monthly fall recorded 1-05 in October. The rainfall for 1905-6 was 62-18 in. The maximum shade temperature was 82 deg. on 9th January, and the minimum recorded was 18 deg. on 30th July. Seed-sowing was commenced on the 13th October, and, owing to the very favourable weather experienced while this work was in progress, it was completed on the 25th of the same month. Owing to several weeks of very dry weather immediately following completion of seed-sowing, germination extended over a much longer period than usual, but eventually the principal species sown yielded excellent crops; the larch, Corsican, and Austrian pines being particularly well-grown healthy plants. Pinus ponderosa and Benthamiana germinated very thinly, but these have subsequently become strong plants. Two-year-old larch in seed-beds have made good growth, and one-half of these will be suitable for transfer to plantation this season. Transplanting of one-year-old trees was commenced on the 14th August and completed on the 12th October, under favourable weather conditions. Trees to the number of 924,466 were lined out at a labour cost of Is. B|d. per thousand, and 350,000 were lined in at Is. sd. per thousand ; the total area occupied being 6 acres. The experiment of lining out trees at 2 in. apart in nursery lines instead of 4 in. as formerly was an entire success, particularly as regards larch, which have grown to fine straight plants with a very small percentage having double leaders. The entire crop of lined-out and lined-in trees have made good growth, and the percentage of deaths is small considering the exceptionally dry season experienced. Pinus Laricio and Picea sitchensis have not made such good progress as the other species transplanted, probably owing to their being transplanted immediately preceding a long spell of very dry weather. . . .. The number of trees raised in the nursery during the year was 875,400, their value being £879 15s. The number of trees in the nursery at the 31st March was 2,091,750, valued at £3,586 ss. 9d. Trees to the number of 496,000, valued at £1,158 Is. 6d., were transferred to the plantation during the year. : ■■'• ■' ■■ -; •' The estimated number of trees available for planting during the coming planting-season is 750,000. The number of trees grown in nursery since its inception to date is 2,253,400, valued at £2,281 155., and the number transferred to the plantation to date is 936,026, valued at £2,445 os. 7d. Buildings. Men's quarters, consisting of two bedrooms, kitchen, and bath-room, with all necessary conveniences, were completed during January, and comfortable accommodation is now available on the nursery for eight employees. A galvanised-iron sizing-shed (30 ft. by 15 ft.) was erected, and the sizing of trees can now be carried on with comfort and convenience during weather unfit for outdoor work ; this building is also used for the storage of tools, &c. An implement-shed (16 ft. by 15 ft.) was also erected, and all nursery implements can now be conveniently stored when not in use. t> The roads throughout the nursery were graded where necessary, and those on which the traffic is heaviest- gravelled. . s. ~ Nursery-extension.— An area of 7 acres was broken up for this purpose during the winter, and has since been drained and partly cultivated, and graded in preparation for lining out in the spring. : Several small areas of spare land have been prepared for ornamental plantations, and will be planted during the spring. About 2 tons of oaten sheaves was grown on spare land, also 2 tons of horse-carrots and a quantity of swedes. The daily average number employed was five men and one boy (free labour). The following is a record of the rainfall and temperatures for the year : —

Month. Rainfall. Number ; of Days J Rain fell. I Maximum Tempera- Date, ture. Minimum Temperature. Date. i Degrees, i 74 66 62 60 66 74 79 82 90 19th 5th 24th 25th 27th 28th 30th 24th 22nd I 1906 Inches. 5-42 3-80 2-26 4-86 1-23 353 105 364 Mβ Degrees. 27 24 19 18 '■'■■ 20 30 30 32 33 13th 6th 26th 30th 7th 22nd 3rd 10th loth April ... May ... June ... July ... August September October November December .:.... 1907. 12 10 7 15 6 14 6 12 6 January February March 1-91 2-70 316 8 : | 8 ii 13 94 94 92 10th 16th 3rd 34 42 I 35 30th 1st 26th Totals .... 34-71 117