C—lb

70

Water-supply. —The water-supply at the nursery continues to give satisfaction, although additional pressure would be most desirable 111 case of any outbreak of fire. Buildings. —The additions to the nurseryman's house were completed during April, but the erection of a bathroom and woodhouse would be much appreciated. A roof of corrugated iron replaced the felt roofing of tin' office, as most of the hitter material was blown off during a heavy gale. A substantial extension was attached to the workshop, and the accommodation now meets all requirements. A clay floor was put down in the smithy. Horse-feed. Good crops of clover and. rye hay were harvested in good condition for winter feed. An autumn sowing of 12 acres of oats yielded a good crop, which was harvested during January. Maintenance-work. This work- consisted principally in repainting building and vehicles. The repairing of tools, vehicles, and implements was also carried on. Manures. —A sowing of 6 tons of lime was distributed over the vacant areas set aside for seedsowing and lining-out, and was thoroughly worked in with harrows and cultivator. I'lsix. Hares and rabbits were not troublesome, and no damage was done to young trees. The grass-grub was again in evidence, however, and. did very considerable damage to seedling larch. The estimated output was thus reduced by from 30 to 40 per cent. The grubs have also made then- appearance amongst this year's seedling Larch, and it is feared that the loss from this source will be again a heavy one. The sowing of " aptorite " has been tried as a means of dealing with the pest, but sufficient time has not elapsed since its application to enable a decision to be arrived at as to results. An average of 7-01 men were employed on the nursery throughout the year. Statements of expenditure and values, together with records of rainfall for the year, are appended.

Schedule I.

Schedule 11. Statement <>/ Expenditure. For Year. To Date. Tree-planting and. maintenance — t B , j. £ X ,|. Tree-growing .. . . . . .. 596 18 0 3,499 7 I General maintenance anil repairs .. .. 98 •'! 9 437 6 -I Tree-seeds . . . . . . 85 16 6 177 0 3 Manures .. .. .. 10 15 7 18 19 8 Horse-feed, purchased and grown .. .. (>9 7 9 409 6 I Miscellaneous works .. .. .. 28 19 0 144 12 I Stock and material Tools, implements .. 31 16 •"> 531 18 1 Permanent works — Buildings .. . . .. . . 226 r> I !iM I 6 (i Nursery-formation . . .. . . 92 12 5 152 .'! 9 Fencing .. .. .. .. Ll7 6 55 18 5 Water-supply .. .. .. .. .. 140 610 Supervision and clericalProportion of Superintending Nurseryman's salary .. .. .. 35 () 0 115 0 0 Proportion of Nurseryman's salary .. 101 0 0 590 0 0 Clerical assistance .. .. 10 0 0 10 0 0 £1,388 11 10 £8,225 19 7

Mouth. Rainfall. Numbei of Days lUiu fell. Temperature. Minimum. Maximum. Number of Days Frosts occunwl. I'JJO. April May June July August September .. ((ctober November .. December .. 1911. January February March .. Inches. 4-12 3-22 611 5-67 :5-78 2-53 1-30 I -115 5-70 t-08 5-93 0-29 7 » 11 16 11 ii I 6 l(> 9 3 Degrees. 73 72 70 57 65 71 71 85 81 82 85 81 Decrees. 27 1 20 10 20 13 21 11 24 9 27 7 30 3 32 1 37 32 I 36 38 Tut als 44-68 110 56