49

('.—lβ

Trees transferred from Nursery to Plantations, &c., 1911-12.

A. W. EOBERTS, Nurseryman in Charge.

Naseby Plantation. (Area, 1,350 acres; altitude, 2,300ft.) The total rainfall at this station for the eleven months on which records were taken was 24-03 in. on 119 days. The highest reading of the thermometer (in shade) was 90° in February, 1912. and the lowest 11° in the month of July, 1911. Frost occurred on 191 nights for the eleven months. The weather as a whole has been very favourable for the work carried on, and the trees planted during the first season have made very satisfactory growth. The trees planted this season have also done well, and the percentage of deaths will be very few. As the adjoining land is very bad with rabbits, we have had a great deal of bother in dealing with the pest : but, as the area is fenced off from the portion taken in the first season, little or no damage has been done. On the upper portion the men have been digging-in the burrows and trapping regularly, and at intervals poison has been laid. On investigation at the Survey Paddock plantation, the trees thriving best are Pinus ponderosa and Pinus Laricio. A large number of Pimis austriaca were planted alternately with the Pinus ponderosa : bul as the former arc too slow, and badly attacked with aphis, the selection has not been a wise one. Although the Pinus ponderosa are completely surrounded by trees infested with the aphis, not one shows any sign of infection. The trees best suited for mixing are Pinus ponderosa and Pinus Laricio, as these grow very much about the same rate per year ; but I believe they would be even better planted pure. A number of larch has also been planted, and these have made fair growth, and seem to be perfectly healthy. The County Council has been good enough to form the worst parts of the road leading to the plantation, which has made the work of carting much easier and safer. In order to make a good job of the same on the hillside, plantation labour was employed to gravel the road. The fire-breaks were ploughed on the new area, the whole block being now complete. A toolhouse and shed for fuel has been erected on'skids, and this has been found very convenient. Owing to the scarcity of scrub of any kind it is a difficult matter to supply the men with firewood, but a cheap lignite is put on the ground for them. Pitting by contract was commenced during the latter part of the year, and preparations are being made for the reception of 800,000 trees. During the year 667,555 trees were delivered at the plantation, and of these, 52,050 were used to replace blanks in the previous year's planting. The area planted for the season is 226 acres, making a total on the new area of 336 acres, and the total to date, with the old site, is 486 acres. The number of trees on the plantation to date is 1,297,709. Planting was commenced in the latter part of August and finished in November, the weather beinsj very changeable during operations. The expenditure for the year is £1.710 13s. <ld.. and the total to date £5,355 11s. 8d. The average number of men employed on day-labour was 6-71, and 3-50 on contract. Appended are statements of expenditure, &c. 7—C. Iβ.

Where sent. Name of Tree. Number. i,^, 1 ' 4 : in Inches. Value per Thousand. Total Value. Remarks. . Pinus Laricio ponderosa Benthamiana .. I Larix europaea Naseby Plantation .. Poplar cuttings ' Willow cuttings I Pinus Laricio ponderosa ' Larix europaea Tarras Plantation ..{*ft«S8S " Gimmerbum Cemetery J »~ .. „. , r> « i ' Pinus Laricio Stat.onmaster, Ranfurly ] p?tas auouparja | Pinus ponderosa Kweburu School .. ~ " p vrua aucU pana ' Cytisus vulgaris m . XT (I Poplar cuttings Tapanu! Nursery •• ( Willow cuttings .. 441,950 8 103,950 8 54,925 8 27,050 12 3,430 6,350 350 15,775 13,775 £ s. d. 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 1 0 0 10 0 £ s. d. 1,388 19 7 311 17 0 164 15 6 81 3 0 3 8 7 6 7 0 I These treei have mad< | satisfaotor) J progress. |Rsmovec • from o 1 c I site. 667,555 750 750 250 250 25 25 50 50 50 50 250 250 1 0 0 10 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 :00 3 0 0 1 0 0 10 0 1,956 10 8 0 15 0 0 15 0 0 15 0 0 15 0 0 1 6 0 1 (i 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 8 0 0 3 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 Totals.. .. 670,305 1,960 15 8