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REPORT ON THE AFJTORESTATION OPERATIONS IN THE NORTH ISLAND, 1912-13. [-By the Superintending Nurseryman, Rotorua.] In reviewing the results if the past season's work it is not possible to generalize because of the somewhat abnormal weather-conditions at certain periods of the year. The winter months -were unusually severe, frost being recorded on eighty-one nights during the year, and in every month except March and December. November was a most trying month; strong drying winds were almost continuous, and in consequence all young growth suffered. From, this month on to the end of March the weather was very dry, and except where the atmospheric conditions were modified by overhead shade the growth made by the trees is unusually small. In the plantations the death-rate is higher, and the growth made by the trees lower, than usual. Trees in the nursery made poorer growth, but the crop of seedlings is a plentiful one.

Prison Labour. The following tables summarize the work done by prisoners at Whakarewarewa and Waiotapu Plantations : —

The employment of prisoners upon afforestation-work has undoubtedly been a success, and it is to be regretted that the number of men thus employed has gradually declined, as shown by the above tables. Insect Pests. For some years past the seedling larch have been attacked by a native brown beetle, the larvae of which feed upon the succulent roots of the plants. The destruction of trees caused by this pest was slight at first, but during the last two seasons it has been very severe. It was observed that the damage first commenced in the autumn, wheji the seedlings were about five months old. At this period the leaves of many of the plants become yellow, and upon investigation it is always found that such plants have been ring-barked just below the surface of the ground. In the spring the seedlings start away into growth, and to all outward appearance they give promise of doing well, but as the weather becomes dryer and warmer it is soon apparent that something is wrong; the leaves lose their healthy green appearance, many drop off, and the remaining ones are only about half the usual size. Plants can be pulled from the ground with the one finger and thumb, and it is found that all the soft roots have been eaten off, leaving only the bare tap-root and the stump ends of the secondary roots. Continued dry weather always results in the trees which are attacked dying out in patches. The beetles, which first make their appearance about the beginning of February, feed upon the leaves of the trees, but the damage done in this way is not as great in comparison as is that wrought by the larvse upon the roots.

Waiotapu Planta }ion. Wb .karewarewa Plai itation. Year. Total Value of Work. Average employed. Total Value of Work. i Average employed. Average per Man. Average per Man. £ s. d. 170 0 0 437 18 6 904 12 11 902 3 0 1,562 0 0 2,440 8 5 2,978 0 0 3,878 7 6 3,496 19 2 3,164 19 2 2,390 7 1 1,750 5 0 1,198 16 9 £ s. d. 8 10 0 24 6 7 40 0 11 30 1 5 36 6 0 57 6 9 83 12 1 100 7 5 106 10 4 113 16 0 101 18 7 102 14 3 78 17 5 £ s. d. £ s. d. 1900-1 1901-2 1902-3 1903-4 1904-5 1905-6 1906-7 1907-8 1908-9 1909-10 1910-11 1911-12 1912-13 *20-00 18-00 22-59 30-00 43-00 42-56 35-62 38-64 32-83 27-81 23-45 17-04 15-20 |11 -00 14-19 11-50 15-05 13-16 10-89 10-44 11-16 9-51 332 13 7 771 8 4 762 11 0 1,103 5 2 971 10 0 789 7 6 957 0 3 934 19 9 931 3 2 30 4 10 54 7 3 66 6 2 73 6 1 73 16 5 72 10 10 91 13 4 83 15 7 97 18 3 Totals Averages $30-35 25,274 17 6 68 18 4 §12-21 7,553 18 9 70 13 3 t 12-0 § 8-75 years. * One month's work. t Nine months' wor years. Year. Average Number Value of Work. — employed. De( Cost of Buildings. Deduc idu | Prison Labour. Supervision, j Net Value of Value per Man per Day. .912-13 .900-13 .. 15-20 .. 30-35 Waiotafu Plantation. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ 1,198 16 9 519 13 0 70 0 0 609 25,274 17 6 2,360 13 1 70 0 0 22,844 s. 3 4 d. 8 5 s. d. 2 7 4 0 912-13 905-13 .. I 9-51 .. I 12-21 Whakarewarewa Plantation. I 931 3 2 I .. 170 0 0 761 7,553 18 9 ) 763 0 0 I 696 14 8 ! 6,094 3 4 2 1 5 1 3 8