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eventuated, and by the sale of wool and lambs it has been possible to enlarge the original flock until the venture now shows a 30-per-cent. profit on the original outlay. In furtherance of the projected extension in our grazing-scheme, £200 was authorized for the purchase of full-mouthed ewes, 220 of which have been, secured for three of the plantations. It, can be confidently expected that less culti-vation-work will be essential next season, when a full report on the whole matter will be submitted. Fire-lines aggregating 290 acres have been ploughed or cultivated on the four plantations for protective purposes, an expenditure of about £155 having been incurred in this direction. Recognizing the importance of providing the means for speedy communication between two or three centres on large plantations, the installation of a private service at Conical Hills was carried out, and, apart from the simpler measure thus provided for assembling employees in the event of an outbreak of fire, the telephone has proved its extreme usefulness as a time-saver in management generally. Trees fob Farmers. in pursuance of the decision to supply farmer;; with shelter and timber trees at cost price the following varieties and quantity of seed were sown during the latter part of the season : Pinus Laricio .. .. .. .. . . ti lb. ~ ponderosa . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 lb. ~ radiata . . .. . . . . . . 30 lb. ~ maritima .. .. .. .. .. . . 10 lb. Pseudo-tsuga taxifolia .. .. .. .. .. .. 15 Ib. Picea sitchensis .. .. .. .. .. .. .. I lb. Populus deltoides .. .. .. .. ... . . 2,000 cuttings. With the exception of Pseudo-tsuga taxifolia and Picea sitchensis the results an; distinctly good as nearly 250,000 sturdy plants have thus supplemented our main sowings. Whilst a limited number of Pinus radiata could already be drawn from this source for distribution to the most favourable localities with fair prospecta of success, past experience in operating over the greater portion of the South Island emphasizes the necessity of using two-year-old ordinarily grown pines to ensure the best, returns. Both poplars and gums, however, may be permanently planted about a year after the commencement of propagation. A circular indicating the terms upon which trees may be secured, and disclosing details relative to the varieties available, is being printed by the Department; and in dealing with bona fide applications every effort will be made to establish shelter-belts oi- wood-lots economically and expeditiously, although absolute smoothness in promulgating the scheme cannot reasonably be expected until an idea of the farmer's requirements are ascertained. Proposals for 1915 Hi. State Plantations. —During the coming year slightly over 2,500,000 tre.es will he utilized in extending the various South Island State plantations by 1,450 acres. Trees for Farmers.-- It is anticipated that approximately 50,000 trees will be requisitioned for by farmers wishing to take advantage of the scheme initiated this season. Domains and Public Bodies. — Every effort is being directed upon supplying the needs of the Mackenzie County Council and Selwyn Plantation Board, and probably 150.000 trees will be distributed to these bodies at cost price. Acquirement of Land, and Experimental Work. —At both Tapanui and Hanmer Springs districts the resumption or acquirement of land for extension purposes is necessary. Beyond the establishment of experimental plantations at Omarama and Galloway, several important trials associated with treeraising will be undertaken. General. During my five and a half months absence in Europe and America Mr. W. T. Morrison, Nursery Foreman, Tapanui, carried out the Superintending Nurseryman's duties with much ability, and was ably supported by Mr. J. Hetherton, clerical assistant. A report covering experiences in America and the Continent appears as an appendix, and the educational value to me from the comparatively short tour may be gathered by a perusal of the matter. The gradually increasing amount of inspection-work inseparable from the expansion of operations made it necessary to purchase, a motor-car, and more time is now available for attending to clerical duties and personal supervision. R. G. Robinson, Superintending Nurseryman for the South Island. Tapanui Nursery. Otago. (Area, 173 acres ; altitude, 500 ft. ; established, 1897.) In common with most parts of Otago, the past season here has in a way been a severe one, owing to the prevalence of persistent and heavy winds and an almost total absence of those conditions of humidity so necessary at a certain period of the season for the successful raising and growth of trees. Although the weather-records show no exceptional extremes of either heat or cold, with the exception of a few weeks at the beginning of January, the weather throughout the season has been consistently cold and uneondueive to the development of young nursery stock. In the spring and early summer months quite abnormal gales for this district were experienced day after day, and to this must be attributed in a great measure a partial failure in the transplanting of Pinus radiata seedlings from seed-beds to nursery-lines.