43

C—lβ

Trees transferred from Nursery to Plantations, &c., 1912-13.

A. W. Eobebts, — Nurseryman in Charge. Nasbby Plantation, Central Otago. (Area, 1,350 acres; altitude, 2,300 ft.; commenced operations, 1900.) The rainfall for the past year as recorded at this station was 2936 in., on 146 days. The highest reading of the thermometer (in shade) was 84° in the months of January and February, 1913; and the lowest B°, in the month of August, 1912. Frost occurred on 198 nights. The season, taken on the whole, has been a very satisfactory one, except that the larch planted during the spring were badly frosted. The trees put out this season have done well, and the percentage of deaths should be very small. The trees previously planted have also made satisfactory growth, and these have been run through to replace blanks, so that the block is now well filled up. The work of keeping down rabbits has been a source of trouble, and so long as they are so plentiful outside the enclosure they will always cause bother. In these parts the land is simply infested with the vermin outside, but through the vigilance of the employees the pest has been kept well under control, and little or no damage has been done. During the year the crossings were formed in the plantation for the.purpose of distributing the trees to the various sites, and drains opened up in wet places. The latter work will be continued during the coming year. By the addition of floors to the men's tents they have been made very much more comfortable. Owing to the small output of trees for the incoming season, no pitting has been carried on during the fall of the year, there being sufficient over from last year to occupy all the available trees. After planting this season's trees there will not be sufficient ground for the reception of trees next season, and I would advise that the fence be extended in order to meet requirements. I would advise that this work be carried on as soon as possible, in order to get the land cleared of vermin before planting begins. The fire-breaks have been reploughed, and are now in good order. Clearing all undergrowth from trees, painting gates, buildings, &c, have also been done, and all tools kept in good repair. Planting was commenced in August and finished in November, the number of trees planted being 608,250, and of these 49,600 were used to replace blanks in the previous year's planting. The area planted for the season was 205 acres, making a total of 541 acres on the new site, and including the old one, 691 acres. The total number of trees on both sites is 1,856,359. The expenditure for the year was £1,076 19s. 7d., and the total to date £6,432 11s. 3d.

Schedule I.

Where sent. Name of Tree. Number Height, I Value per number. i nI nches. Thousand. Total Value. Remarks. faseby Plantation i Pinus Laricio „ ponderofa „ austriaca Larix europaea Willow-cuttings Poplar-cuttings 438,425 61,775 33,600 59,300 9,750 5,400 8 8 8 12 £ s. d. 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 15 0 10 0 10 0 £ s. d. 1,315 5 6 185 6 6 100 16 0 74 2 6 9 15 0 5 8 0 ' I Sturdy plants. I [yde Domain .. 'apanui Nursery "I -I Pinus ponderosa Laricio Pyrus aucuparia Willow-cuttings Poplar-cuttings 608,250 250 140 20 2,450 4,500 1,690 13 6 0 15 0 0 8 5 0 12 2 9 0 4 10 0 Totals.. 615,610 1,698 17 1

Month. Rainfall. Number of Days Rain — fell. Temp Maximum. Temperature. pera ature. Minimum. Number of Days Frosts occurred. 1912. Inches. 1-74 1-45 3-04 2-71 2-13 2-39 3-96 2-33 0-93 Degrees. 69 54 50 50 62 62 70 45 82 Degrees. 22 20 14 11 8 23 22 25 26 April May June July August September October November December 14 8 17 14 6 10 14 16 7 15 29 27 30 28 20 15 10 5 1913. 2-91 1-94 3-83 14 13 13 84 84 74 26 26 24 January February March 6 6 7 Totals .. 29-36 146 198