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and so have all unsatisfactory areas fully stocked at as'early a date as possible. By the grazing of sheep the firebreaks have been kept in a very efficient state, and it has not been necessary to resort to horse-work during the past summer. It is most desirable that an increased staff should, if possible, be maintained at this station during the current year in order that the various works —necessarily neglected as the result of the scarcity of labour during the war period —may be given the. attention that is now urgently required. The average number of men employed throughout the year was 8-6. Summary showing Area of Conical Hills Plantation (3,533\ Acres in Trees). How occupied. Acres. Pines .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,850 Larch .. . . . . .. . . . . ... . . 913 Spruce and Douglas fir . . . . .. . . . . . . 138 2 Ash, poplars, &c. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . 126 Miscellaneous mixtures . . . . . . . . . . . . 506 Paddocks, firebreaks, tracks, &c. . . . . . . . -. .. 1382 Total.. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,672 Pukerau Plantation, Otago. (Area, 628 acres ; altitude, 700 ft. to 1,400 ft. ; commenced operations, 1915.) Steady uniform progress is noticeable amongst the trees in this reserve, the different compartments of pines having a particularly healthy and thriving appearance. Vigorous growth has been made during the autumn months by Pinus radiata, Pinus Laricio, and Pinus ponderosa, the latter in particular showing to great advantage. Spruce, poplars, and eucalypts are not making satisfactory headway, and are evidently not suitable for the locality. Amongst the species planted in experimental plots, Pinus Murrayana, Pinus patula, Pinus Montezuma), and Pinus Thunbergii are very promising and satisfactory, but slower development is general on the plot of Pinus strobus. The area selected for experimental work here is particularly well sheltered; and the results obtained give no reliable indication as to the suitability or otherwise for planting on average country, but merely serve to demonstrate that certain species may be grown satisfactorily when planted in specially favoured situations. Somewhat indifferent results attended the planting of an additional area of 37 acres during the spring months, the Pinus radiata seedlings used for the purpose not being sufficiently hardened off to withstand the cold winds experienced shortly after planting, and in addition the plants were too small to compete successfully with the rank growth of coarse herbage, which, owing to the, inadequate amount of available labour, speedily got beyond control. If labour is sufficiently plentiful an effort will be made to complete the planting of this reserve during the coming season. The average of men employed throughout the year was 2-5. Summary showing the Area of Pukerau Plantation (573 Acres in Trees). How occupied. Acres. Pines .. .. .. ..... .. .. .. 555 Douglas fir, poplars, &c. .. .. .. .. .. .. 18 Paddocks, firebreaks, &c. .. .. .. .. .. ..55' Total .. .. .. .. .. .. ..628 Dusky Hill Plantation, Otago. (Area, 845 acres ; altitude, 400 ft. to 800 ft. ;• commenced operations, 1898.) While the past season has not been favourable to the rapid development of trees, a fair rate of growth is noticeable, and satisfactory progress has been maintained. The most uniform development has perhaps been made in the blocks of pines and larch, and it is evident that the climatic conditions have favoured the latter species, which has not been affected by the premature needle-cast so prevalent in recent years. On exposed hillsides the spruce remain practically at a standstill, and it is only where well sheltered that an improved rate of growth can be shown. The deciduous trees also are not developing evenly, growth being good only on the lower ground, where soil of fair quality and a good depth is found. During the spring it was necessary to straighten up and firm a considerable number of the Pinus radiata, which had been over-balanced by heavy falls of snow. A judicious thinning of the older larch in the near future would appear to be advisable, both height and diameter increment having fallen away rather rapidly during recent years. The firebreaks and roads have been satisfactorily grazed by departmental sheep; but as mustering is a difficult undertaking, and past experience has proved that only a very limited flock can be carried through the whole of the year, it would perhaps be a better proposition to lease the grazing-rights at a reasonable rental. The expenditure for the year amounted to £232 Bs. 4d., and the total to date £15,282 15s. lOd. The average of men employed throughout the year was 1-4.