C.—3

30

Acreages of Trees planted. Naseby Plantation No. 1.

GiMMBKBUitN Plantation Reserve. (Area, 425 acres; altitude, 1,200 ft.; commenced operations, 1903.) The cropping of part of the vacant ground at this plantation lias been the only work undertaken during the year, an area of about 100 acres having been sown in wheat and oats —50 acres of each. The resulting crop turned out very satisfactory in spite of a rather hurried preparation of the ground, and it is estimated that some 70 tons of oaten sheaf and anything from 400 to 500 sacks of wheat will result. A portion of the oats will be cut into chaff for departmental use, and the remainder will be threshed and disposed of. It is anticipated that the venture will yield a substantial return for the outlay. There is at present a difficulty in getting either threshing or chaff-cutting done, and it will be well on into winter before this work is commenced. It was found necessary to purchase a McCormick reaper-and-binder for cutting the crop, but this machine will amply repay the Department for the expenditure. A good deal of credit is due to the employees, who undertook the ploughing and sowing under rather adverse conditions, and the success of the crop is in great measure due to their zeal in pushing the work through. The same area is again being sown in wheat and oats this coming season, but the work is expected to be completed before winter. Tree-growth. —As far as the area under trees is concerned, very little need be said. The growth is about normal, but slightly under that of last year. The disease (Chermes laricis) is still very prevalent amongst Pinus austriaca, and many of the trees are not making much progress. Rabbits still prove difficult to cope with owing to there being no one resident on the plantation, and it would be advisable to run an extra division fence across the plantation at the foot of the planted area. They could then perhaps be eliminated from amongst the trees by trapping and poisoning, and the remaining portion would be easier to manage if they were kept away from the thick cover afforded by the trees. The quality of the soil has been demonstrated this year by the wonderful growth of grass and the crop mentioned above, and there is absolutely no reason why tree-planting should not be successful if carefully handled. The completion of planting is strongly advocated as soon as it is possible to undertake the work. The expenditure during the year amounted to £266 10s., and total to date £2,684 17s. Id. The average number of men employed during the year was TB4.

Name of Tree. . Area. Pure. Mixed. Pinus austriaca and P. ponderosa ,, ponderosa and P. Laricio ,, austriaca, Larix europaea, and Belula alba .. ,, austriaca Pyrus aucuparia (marginal belt) Acres. Acres. 75 13 23 23 4 Totals .. 27 111 138 Naseby Plantation No. 2. Name of Tree. Area. Pure. Mixed. Pinus ponderosa and P. Laricio „ Laricio „ ponderosai „ Benlhamiana „ radiata ,, \austriaca Larix europaea „ leptolepis Qupressus macrocarpa Eucalyptus Macarthuri Populus deltoides „ fastigiata Acres. Acres. 460 221 204 5 130 55 266 5 1 1 i 2 1 Totals .. 1 460 889 v.„ „ / h 149