29

C—3

Rainfall, Temperature, &c.

GIMMERBURN PLANTATION RESERVE. (Nurseryman in Charge, A. W. Roberts ; area, 425 acres ; altitude, 1,200 ft. ; commenced operations, 1903.) During the year the work of keeping down rabbits, cutting thistles and oaten sheaf have been the only works carried out at this station. The stacks of oaten sheaf were cut, and resulted in a return of 1,814 bags, of which 1,260 were satisfactorily disposed of, and the remainder carted by our own team for use on nursery and plantation. The whole cost of cutting, bags, coal, &c, was defrayed out of the sale of the same. The net return to the Department was £190 7s. Id., which was paid into the Public Account. The weight of chaff carted for our own use was 22 tons, so that it will be seen that the transaction was a payable one to the Department. The trees on the reserve have made satisfactory growth ; but tho work of keeping down rabbits is a little difficult, as there is no one permanently on the reserve. The implanted portion of the reserve is still let to Mr. Patcrson during tho pleasure of the Department. The expenditure for the year amounts to £34 14s. Bd., and the total to date to £2,684 lis. Id. Hanmer Springs Nursery, Canterbury. 'J- (Nurseryman in Charge, W. G. Morrison ; area, 40 acres ; altitude, 1,225 ft. ; established, 1.902.) Rain fell on 107 days during the year, the total precipitation being 26-57 in. The highest shade, temperature was 92° registered on the 19th January, and the lowest was 12° on the 17th July. Frosts were recorded on 110 nights during the year, being four more than were recorded during the previous year. In perusing the weather records it is readily seen that the weather-conditions prevailing throughout the year were not normal and tended towards unusual dryness, there being a decrease of over 11 in. in rainfall compared with the previous year, which was also dry compared with other years. It is thus apparent that conditions were against obtaining the best results. Tree-growing. —Although general conditions were against the successful raising of trees at this station the results obtained were fairly satisfactory. Seed-sowing was taken in hand early in October and was completed on the I.9th of that month. The results were satisfactory, and 2,221,200 seedlings, detailed as per schedule, have made excellent headway. Lining out was commenced on the 10th August and was completed on the 30th September, a total of 1,369,550 trees being transferred to the nursery lines. The subsequent growth has not been so satisfactory as that of previous years, partly owing to the dry season and partly to weed-growth, which it was impossible to keep in. check owing to the curtailment of labour during the main growing months. Three-year-old trees have, made good headway and were not affected by weed-growth. It is anticipated that about 800,000 trees will be available for transfer to plantations during the coming season. Trees to the number of 906,100 were transferred to plantations and Domain Boards, &c, during the year, as detailed hereunder. The total number of trees in stock on the 31 st March was 3,832,950. Horse-feed. —About 60 acres was put down in crop during the spring, the results being very satisfactory, and about 50-odd tons of sheaf stacked. All chaffcutting for the station was done by contract at a cost of 12s. per ton, sufficient only being cut for immediate use. A small area was put down in carrots for winter use. Two small stacks of clover hay were also harvested. The total cost of horsefeed operations for the year was £158 3s. Id., including cost of seed, freights, &c. General. —All vacant areas on the nursery were put down in oats, the crop being harvested and stubble, ploughed under. Much benefit to subsequent tree crops should thus accrue. To provide for next season's transplantation a paddock of about 6 acres was fenced and worked Up thoroughly. It is considered necessary to give all lining-out ground a dressing of lime, as sorrel is becoming very trouble-

Temperature. Number of Days Frosts occurred. Month. Rainfall. Number of Days Rain foil. Maximum. Minimum. 1915. In. 0-65 1-70 1-00 056 0-33 0-88 3-17 2-43 1-17 Deg. F. 68 62 54 58 64 68 75 77 79 Deg. F. 20 14 14 17 16 20 24 24 ■ 29 April May June July August September .. October November .. December .. 6 9 9 7 5 7 12 13 9 25 27 29 25 25 12 10 8 5 1916. 1-73 5'60 1-98 8 II 11 90 83 80 25 30 28 5 1 3 January February .. March Totals 21-20 107 175