11

C—lb

Nursery Grounds and Formation. —The major portion of the land is hilly. The area suitable for nursery purposes (some 14 acres) was subsoil ploughed to an average depth of 12 in. The ground has been laid out in convenient blocks with necessary roads, shelter-belts being provided to form breakwinds. A portion of the seed-bed ground was mock-trenched to a depth of 18 in. ; this work was difficult and laborious owing to the natural hardness and dry condition of the soil. 25J chains of shelterhedges were planted of Berberis aristata. This plant, considering the season, has done remarkably well. Fencing, &c. —The boundary-fences have been considerably strengthened and improved ; serviceable entrance-gates have been hung on strong concrete pillars, this substantial work adding considerably to the appearance of the nursery. The main entrance road has been formed and metalled. Good horse-paddocks, well watered and securely fenced, have been enclosed. Water-supply. —A steady supply of good, pure water is obtained from a spring in the nursery grounds. A thorough efficient service has been laid both for tree-growing purposes and the general requirements of the nursery. A reservoir with a capacity of 3,500 gallons was constructed at an elevation of 120 ft., from which a splendid working-pressure is obtained, and should supply every need in this direction for some time to come. Buildings. —The old sheep-station outbuildings, men's hut, stable, and store-room were in a very bad state of repair ; the whole have been completely renovated, and altered to suit the requirements of the Department. These buildings are now comfortable and in every respect suitable. Seed-frames. —To protect the young seedlings 195 seed-frames 18 ft. by 6 ft. were constructed during the year. Great credit is due to the workmen for the intelligence and energy displayed during the heavy work of the past year. The whole of the improvements have been carried out by the handy men of the staff, no professional mechanics being employed. One-year-old Trees. —Seed-sowing commenced on the 28th September and finished on the Bth October. All the seeds germinated well, but a great number of the young plants soon succumbed to the dry and unfavourable season. The plants are weak and have made poor growth. Lined-out Trees. —Lining out was begun on the 7th August and completed on the 15th September. The growth is very poor, the plants never having a chance to get a hold of the ground. Little or no rain fell during the planting-season, the long drought and the great heat experienced during the summer being entirely responsible for the poor results. The total number of trees lined out was 545,000. The total for the year of trees raised is 176,000; value, £178. Total number of trees in nursery at 31st March, 297,600; value, £447 17s. Estimated number of trees available for planting out in plantation, 118,600. The following is a record of the rainfall and temperature for the year:—

Statement of Accounts. Expenditure. £ s. d. Amount at the 31st March, 1906 ... ... ... ... 750 0 0 Tree-growing ... ... ■■• ••• ... •■• 401 3 1 General maintenance and repairs ... ... ... ... 3463 Nursery-formation... ... ... ... ■ ■■ ■■■ 234 7 7 Horse-feed ... ... ... ••• ••• ... 17 13 8 Manures ... ... ... ■•• ■•• ••• ••• 354 Tree-seeds ... ... ... ... ... ... 41 18 8 Tools, implements, &c. ... ... ... ... ... 256 9 7 Seed-frames ... ... ... ••• ... ... 247 19 11 Water-supply ... ... ... ... ... ... 132 3 7 Buildings ... ... ... ... ... ••• 186 10 3 Fencing ... ... ... ... ■•• ... ... 124 13 11 Miscellaneous works ... ... ... ... ... 38 10 8 Supervision ... ... ... ... ... ... 22 0 0 £2,491 2 6

Month. Rainfall. Number of Days Bain fell. Maximum Temperature. Date. Minimum Temperature. Date. 1906. Inches. 029 2-06 1-35 209 0-96 036 216 0-47 0-79 1-77 6 7 10 3 8 5 5 6 7 6 Degrees. 77 78 68 64 59 66 75 75 87 97£ Degrees. 26 26 26 20 19 20 22 25 28 34 rtarch ipril ... day ... une ... uly ... lugust September )ctober November )ecember 1907. 11th 21st 3rd 21st 13th 20th 29th 19th 24th 25ch 30th 2nd 5th 26th 30th 7th 17th 1st 15th 10th anuary February 039 1-28 7 10 95 91 22nd 25th 36 42 20th 8th Totals ... 13-97 80