31

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the heavy north-west winds and dry weather-conditions immediately following, a good " strike" resulted, and the paddocks should now give ample green feed for some years to come. Some work was carried out in the way of levelling, draining, and formation of borders. An extension of the water-supply Was carried to the new seed-bed area, and has proved, sufficient for all purposes. A lot of minor work was done in the way of maintaining tidiness of the buildings generally. Drays and implements wore repaired and painted, roads shingled and kept, clear of weed-growth, drains and ditches attended to, repairs effected to harness and tools, cutting and carting of firewood, shoeing of horses, &c. To give an adequate supply of water at, the stables and dwelling of the nurseryman in charge it, is proposed to connect with the high-pressure water-supply from the Government sanatorium. This will greatly minimize the danger from fire, and the undertaking will not be of a costly nature. The stabling-accommodation being quite inadequate for present requirements, it is proposed to make an addition of two extra stalls, and also increase the loft-accommodation for the storage of chaff, &c. An additional room for the dwelling of the nurseryman in charge is urgently required, the present accommodation being insufficient. The erection of the proposed additions could be carried out quite efficiently and economically by the present staff. As the present nursery area is insufficient for liningout purposes without continually cropping the same ground, it is proposed to bring a new area under cultivation. It, would be advisable to purchase three additional young draught, horses, and dispose of two of the aged horses. The expenditure for the year amounted to £1,538 12s. 3d., the total expenditure to date being £13,819 6s. 3d. The daily average of men employed during the year was 7-80,

Rainfall, Temperature, &c.

Details of One-year-old Trees, sown 1914-15.

I I Temperature. , T , . r Number ot Days Front* Maximum. Minimum. Month. Rainfall. Number of Days Rain fell. 1914. April May June July August September .. October November .. December .. In. 3-61 4-96 4-73 1-02 1-02 3-59 1-77 3-70 4-82 14 14 13 10 7 9 7 16 12 Deg. F. Deg. F. 76 25 3 64 20 19 62 22 20 62 22 20 66 20 24 72 26 17 82 25 3 73 33 82 33 91 36 84 34 85 33 1915. January February March 1-84 3-19 3-71. 4 13 13 Totals 37-96 37-96 132 132 106

Name of Tree. Number in Seed-beds. Height, in Inches. Amount ,-, , ,0 , Remarks. Of Seed sown. Pinus Laricio ,, ponderosa ,, Benthamiana ,, radiata ,, maritima .. ,, muricata .. „ Taeda Larix leptolepis .. Pseudo-tsuga taxifolia Cupressus macrocarpa Thuja plicata Sequoia gigantea ,, sempervirens 1,700,000 360,000 7,000 260,000 6,000 15,000 4,000 20,000 36,000 7,000 4,500 3,000 800 2 2 2h 5 2* 3 3 14 a* 4 24 3 3 Lb. 120 Very fine crop. 64 i Sturdy trees. 7 38 , Very sturdy plants. Good crop. El Fair germination. [ 2 Good plants. 1 Poor growth. 15 Well-grown plants. 1 I Good results. J I Good crop. £ I Sturdy plants. I I Poor germination. Oz. 3 ' Excellent results. I J Poor results. Eucalyptus viminalis ,, Macarthuri „ Muelleri 12,000 25,000 30 10 10 7 Total. .. 2,460,330