0.^3

35

tree-planting is so tar a pi'onountied success on this arid waste land, Only a oiirsory glance is sufficient to show that the trees are and vigorous. Of the various species planted Pinus ponderosa predominates, and lias evidently found a congenial home in this stony land, /'/mis austriaca is doing- well, as is also Pinus ponderosa var. scopulorum, The marginal lines of Populus fastigiata and /'. deltoides were not a success generally, only a patchy " strike " taking place, and it is doubtful whether they will succeed in (his locality. Trees to the number of 049,842 were received from llamiier Nursery, and with one or two exceptions there was a. good "strike," some small lots of Douglas fir, Eucalyptus Macarthuri, and Pinus pinaster being the exceptions. In a, rather late planting of Pinus radiatq, the death-rate was heavier than usual. Tree-planting in this district should be commenced as soon as possible in early winter and completed early, before the prevailing north-west winds set in. The remaining unt'enced portion of the first area acquired was enclosed with rabbit-proof fencing, the total length of fence being 176J chains, the whole of the posts for this work being supplied from the llaniner Plantations. A total of 568,920 pits were opened, and of that number 155,200 are available for the coming season's planting. The additional area, 6,589 acres, which was acquired is for the most part covered with manuka scrub. The whole area was recently surveyed and laid off in blocks of approximately 25(1 acres, which will greatly facilitate the present and future working of them. An adequate system of fire-breaks has been put into effect throughout the whole of the forest reserve. Clearing operations on a block of the new area are well advanced, approximately 140 acres of scrub being felled, and all firewood saved for the use of employees in camp. 'Hie procuration of efficient workmen dining the pitting and planting periods gave some trouble, but ultimately a fail , gang was obtained. The rabbit pest, which is ever before us in (his district, was kept in check by trapping and poisoning. It is proposed to plant from 800,000 to 1,000,000 trees during the coming season should the necessary labour be available. The average number of men employed during the year was 977. The expenditure during Ihe year amounted to £5,428 Bs. 9d., and total to dale £7,171 Ms. 2d.

Acreages of Trees planted.

PART 11.—NATIVE FORESTS. (By E. Phillips Tun nek, F.R.G.S.) Output from Miij.s. At the present time the output of timber by the different mills cannot be satisfactorily obtained; approximations, however, are got by either personal inquiries made at the mills by departmental rangers or by application to sawmillers' associations. As far as could be ascertained, the total output for the year was 247,980,000 superficial feet, being 104,520,000 ft. less than for the previous year. Of the total production the Auckland Land District produced 87,165,516 ft., Wellington 69,120,000 ft., Westland 46,760,100 ft., and Southland 20,000,000 ft. In Canterbury there were about 1,000,000 sup. ft. of Pinus radiata and Eucalyptus timber milled, but practically no native timber, supplies of this last being obtained from other districts. The output of kauri was 20,890,359 sup. ft. Slackness in the building trade, scarcity of labour J shortage of tonnage for export,, and other war conditions have all had an influence in lessening production.

Area. Name of Tree. Pure. Mixed. Pinus Laricio ,, ponderosa ,, Benlhamiana ,, radiata ,, austriaca „ muricata ,, pinaster „ ponderosa vnr. scopulorum Pseudo-tsuga taxifolia Belula alba Populus deltoides ,, fastigiata Acres. Acres. 55 121 li 33 219 1 7* , 2] - 3 Sao ip] y i 3 Totals 456 456