73

C—lb

Formation. —Under this heading the ploughing of fire-breaks was the principal work carried on. some four miles being broken up for the first time. The forming of road-cuttings and culverts also engaged attention in order to give access to planted areas. Grading operations were also oair.ied out in several swampy areas. General Upkeep. —Under this heading the reploughing of fire-breaks was one of the principal works carried on, some twelve miles of ground being turned over, thus providing an effectual barrier to fires. The replanting of failures on No. 1 Plantation was pushed on. Pruning and cutting of double leaders were also carried on over the greater part of the same area. A heavy north-west gale in the late autumn did damage to trees, a large number being blown over, and requiring immediate straightening and firming. Buildings. —A camp was formed for the workmen at a spot convenient bo the area being operated upon. All material required for the erection of the new huts at the prison camp was carted from Culverden by the nursery team of horses. Pests. —Both rabbits and hares have been kept well in check by dog? and guns, and very few of either of these pests are now within the enclosed area. A green aphis appeared on the Betula alba during the summer, and, spreading rapidly from tree to tree, soon affected the whole of this variety. While dealing with some lightly, others were severely attacked, and in some instances entire defoliation ensued. A white blight has appeared on Austrian pine in isolated cases, but, with the exception of one or two trees, no damage has so far been done. Prison Labour. —The number of prisoners available for forestry operations throughout the year was very small, a daily average of only 7-31 men being employed; consequently, the total value of this labour for the year is very much below that of former years, although the quality is up to the average. Accommodation is available for forty prisoners, but the number of men in camp during the year has usually been below twenty, thus necessitating the employment of additional free labour to cope with the work in hand. Details and values of work are as follows : Pitting (129,230 pits), £96 18s. 6d. ; tree-planting (366,120 trees), £183 os. Bd. ; formation, £20 18s. 6d. ; clearing 74 acres, £62 12s. 9d. ; general maintenance, £1 10s. ; horse-feed, £1 7s. ; fencing, 12s. Total value for the year, £396 19s. 5d., which works out at £56 14s. 2d. per man for the year. Statements of values and expenditures are appended. Schedule ll. — Statement of Expenditure. For Year. To Date. Planting operations and maintenance — t c. d. £ c. d. Tree-planting .. .. .. .. 459 15 2 2,388 15 6 Pitting .. .. .. .. .. 749 1 8 3,251 15 7 Clearing .. .. .. 214 19 3 1,078 1 11 Cartage of trees .. .. .. 23 16 6 59 19 6 General upkeep of plantation .. .. 276 10 0 1.926 14 3 General repairs .. .. .. .. 3 2 4 11 210 Horse-feed .. .. . . 30 9 9 123 17 3 Permanent works— Fencing .. .. .. .. .. 270 16 10 1,021 13 11 Formation .. .. .. 41 14 10 972 18 7 Buildings .. .. .. 43 8 10 722 0 9 Stock, implements, &c. —-Tools, implements .. 30 4 1 360 13 5 Supervision and clerical— Salaries — Supervision of free labour .. .. 160 0 0 611 14 4 „ prison labour .. .. 80 0 i> 342 16 8 Nurseryman's proportion of clerical assistance .. .. .. 45 0 0 327 7 0 2,428 19 3 13,199 11 6 Estimated value of prison labour (apportioned in above items) .. .. ..' .. 396 19 5 4,261 9 9 Actual expenditure .. .. .. £2,031 19 10 £8,938 1 9 Schedule. 111. Tree Account. Number. Trees received during the ycni .. .. .. .. .. 1.146,905 Less to replace blanks .. .. .. .. .. 34,200 Planted on new area .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,112,705 Previously planted .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,839,246 Total number planted on 1,451$ acres (average age. six veins) .. 3,951,951