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Schedule 4.—Trees sent out from Nursery to Plantations, &c., 1908-9.

A. W. Roberts, Nurseryman in Charge.

Hanmer Springs Nursery. (Area, 40 acres; approximate altitude, 1,225ft.) Rain fell on 151 days during the past year, the total fall recorded being 44'77 in. The maximum monthly fall was recorded in January, when 7'63 in. fell in 15 days. The maximum temperature registered during the year was 83° Fahr., on 19th February, and the minimum 17° Fahr., on 12th July. The general weather-conditions experienced throughout the past year were, on the whole, fairly favourable for tree-growth, although the lined-out trees were somewhat retarded in growth during November by the exceptionally dry weather experienced during that month. The three-year-old trees of all classes have made exceptionally good growth during the year, and these are all suitable for transferring to the plantation during the coming planting season. Two-year-old lined-out larch are an exceptionally fine crop, of an average height of 12 in., and the whole of this crop can be transferred to the plantation this season. The various species of two-year-old pines have made fair growth; but a large proportion of Pinus Laricio will be rather small for transferring to the plantation during the coming season. Amongst the pines lined out during the year the average number of deaths is about 5 per cent., and there are practically no failures amongst larch. Seed-sowing was commenced on the 7th November, and completed on the 12th of the same month, the weather being favourable while this work was in progress. The crop of seedling larch is a particularly fine one, the average height of these plants being 3 in., and the approximate number in the seed-beds is 1,600,000. Pinus Laricio seedlings are a particularly sturdy crop, and the other varieties of pine seedlings are also very good. Transplanting seedlings was commenced on the 17th August, and completed on the 19th October, the number of trees dealt with being 1,306,261, at a labour-cost of Is. lOd. per thousand. The number of trees raised from seed during the year was 2,899,200, valued at £2,939 35.; and the number of trees raised in the nursery to date since its inception is 7,340,531, valued at £11,315 2s. 7d. The total number of trees in the nursery at 31st March was 4,554,650, valued at £7,033 18s. Trees transferred to the plantation during the year numbered 736,340, valued at £1,699 6s. lid., and the total number of trees transferred to the plantation to date is 2,307,546, valued at £5,588 18s. 6d. The estimated number of trees available for transferring to the plantation during the present season is 1,200,000.

Where sent. Name of Tree. Number. Value per Thousand. Total Value. I Gimmerburn Plantation .. -j Pinus Austriaca Larieio .. ponderosa Larix Europasa 36,885 4,750 10,000 1,750 12,400 33,675 2,000 £ s. d. 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 15 0 4 0 0 3 0 0 £ s. d. 110 13 1 14 5 0 30 0 0 2 3 9 49 12 0 101 0 6 Hon. R. McNab Pinus montana Total 101,460 14,275 11,875 4,050 1,000 21,650 307 14 4 ,„.,_ .. ..| Pinus ponderosa „ Bethamiana Larix Europsea Cytisus vulgare 3 0 0 15 0 15 0 15 0 2 5 0 42 16 6 14 16 10 5 13 1 5 0 48 14 3 Total 52,850 112 13 10 Gimmerburn Cemetery Trust Pinus Austriaca „ ponderosa 215 275 3 0 0 3 0 0 0 12 11 0 16 6 Total 490 19 5 Various domains .. .. j Pyrus aucuparia Oytisus vulgare 1,000 1,000 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 Total 2,000 6 0 0 Tourist Department, Queenstown.. Pyrus aucuparia 50 3 0 0 0 3 0 Tapanui Nursery 200 3 0 0 0 12 0 Totals 157,050 428 12 7