C.—lβ

8

During the year good progress has been made with the general improvement of the nursery; the formation of extension area has been completed, and all roads throughout the nursery have been gravelled where absolutely necessary. The appearance of the nursery has been much improved during the year by the planting of shelter and ornamental shrubs on spare areas of land, also by sowing grass amongst shrubs. The water-supply obtained from Hanmer Township supply continues satisfactory, and an abundant supply of good water is always available for all nursery purposes. The erection of new five-stall stable, commenced last year, was completed during April, and the old stable converted into an open shed for the storage of implements; a lean-to was also erected, adjoining stable, for the purpose of storing harness, &c. The implement-shed is now too small for the storage of all implements and vehicles, and it is necessary to leave two drays and a wagon outside; this will necessarily cause depreciation in their value. Further accommodation is urgently required at the Nurseryman's quarters, as the present cottage consists of three small rooms, which are quite inadequate for requirements. For the purpose of providing additional paddock-accommodation for the horses, 10 acres of grasses and clover were sown during September, with very favourable results. The horse-paddocks now comprise 25 acres of good pasture. The average number of hands employed daily during the year was six men and three boys. Thirty-five tons of oat-sheaf of excellent quality and 5 tons of swedes and horse-carrots were grown during the year for horse-feed. Schedules are appended of trees in stock and sent out during the year, also details of expenditure and values for the year and to date. The following is a record of the rainfall and temperature for the year : —

Statement of Expenditure. £ s. d. Amount at the 31st March, 1908 ... ... ... ... 3,923 8 5 Tree-growing ... ... ... ... ... ... 727 4 2 General maintenance and repairs ... ... ... ... 139 13 2 Nursery-formation . ... ... ..: ... 17 6 5 Horse-feed purchased and grown ... ... ... ... 118 16 8 Manures ... ... ... ... ... ... 15 9 6 Tree-seeds ... ... ... ... ... ... 96 15 0 Tools, implements, &c. ... ... ... ... ... 85 4 9 Water-supply ... ... ... ... ... ... 106 19 4 Buildings ... ... ... ... ... ... 110 1 1 Fencing... ... ... ... ... ... ... 38 6 7 Miscellaneous works ... ... ... ... ... 867 Proportion of Nurseryman's salary ... ... ... ... 90 0 0 Supervision ... ... ... ... ... ... 36 10 0 £5,514 1 8

Month. Rainfall. Number of Days Rain fell. Maximum Temperature. Date. Minimum Temperature. Date. 1908. Inches. 4-10 4-45 3-37 6-79 2-28 3-25 5-05 0-86 2-11 Degrees. 72 70 63 57 58 69 81 79 70 Degrees. 29 26 27 17 21 29 30 34 33 tpril ... 14 11 13 17 10 12 18 9 17 2nd 3rd 5th 23rd 30th 29th 12th 20th 8th 20th 30th 3rd 12th 10th 20th 29th 13th 10th Aa.y ... une ... uly ... August September )ctober November December 1909. anuary February tlarch 7-63 0-68 4-20 15 5 10 82 83 80 23rd 19th 7th 35 42 32 2nd 25th 30th Totals... 44-77 151