24

c.—v

Summary shotting Area of Plantation (6.265 Acres in Trees). How occupied. Acres. Larch .. .. .. 2.944-25 Pines .. .. .. .. .. 3.134-30 Eucalypti .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 180-50 Birch' .. .. .. .. .. 5-95 Roads, tracks, and fire-breaks .. .. .. 337-30 Land unsuitable for planting, including swamps, creeks, horse-paddocks. and residence reserves .. .. .. .. .. 242-00 Unplanted land.. .. .. .. .. 933-00 extension on Kaingaroa Plains recently reserved . . 33.355-00 11.132-30 Summary showing Number of Trees growing on Waiotapu Plantation. Larch .. .. .. .. .. 8.103,930 Pines .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 7.950,135 Blackwood .. .. 1,256 Eucalypti .. .. .. .. 72,000 Douglas fir .. .. .. .. 89,712 Birch.. .. .. 39,230 White-cedar .. .. .. .. 14.200 Cupressus thurifera .. .. 400 16,270,863 R. Macßae, Plantation Foreman.

Puhipuhi Plantation. (Approximate area, 1,200 acres; altitude; 1,000 ft.) The growth made, by the trees at this plantation during the year is unusually good, which is probably due to the wet weather experienced through the summer months. As a rule, trees planted here are slow in making a start, owing to the soil being very porous and liable to crack during dry weather; but the growth of bracken and other weeds with which the land is now covered has assisted very largely in conserving the soil-moisture, and thereby inducing a more even growth amongst the trees. Of the trees planted, Eucalyptus Stuartiana still holds first place in rate of growth and general adaptability to the locality ; E. resinifera has made very good growth, and E. rostrata fair growth. A number of redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), which have merely existed since being planted, made good growth during the past year, and give promise of ultimately developing into fine specimens. This reserve is now in charge of a caretaker, who resides within the enclosure, and whose duties consist chiefly in keeping the boundaries free of growth in order to prevent the spread of fire, keeping the fences in good order, and generally in supervising the place in order to prevent trespass and spread of fire. Following is a record of rainfall and temperature for the year : —

Schedule I.

Month. 1911. April May June July August September .. October November .. December .. •• ! Rainfall. In. 11-67 12-57 9-06 11-02 7-33 5-59 5-27 2-05 i-07 Number of Days Rain fell. ■ 20* 16 25 I'J 10 16 10 12 13 Temperature. ,» , , Number of Days Frosts Maximum. Minimum. occurred. Deg. Fahr. Deg. Fahr. 80 48 70 36 60 36 60 33 66 38 68 34 72 38 78 t0 82 42 1912. January February .. March 1-35 444 7-12 6 8 14 89 42 86 43 80 42