31

C—3

Details of Three-year-old Trees, sown 1916-17.

Trees transferred from Nursery to Plantations, &c., 1918.

Naseby Plantation, Central Otago. (Area, 2,850 acres ; altitude, 2,450 ft. ; commenced operations, 1900.) Notwithstanding the, unfavourable weather conditions experienced at this plantation a fair measure of success has attended the, season's operations. The winter and early spring months were unusually dry, and owing to north-westerly gales being very prevalent during the planting season little benefit was derived from the occasional showers which fell at that period ; had it not been for the frequent and heavy precipitations of the summer months there is no doubt that a high percentage of failures would have been recorded. Frosts occurred with considerable frequency during the growing-period, and resulted in. a somewhat serious check to the growth of the younger larch ; amongst other species no ill effects of late frosts are apparent. The number of trees handled during the season was 543,400 : 519,670 of which were planted on new area amounting to 291 acres, while the remaining 23,730 were used in replacing the previous season's failures. Pinus ponderosa and Pinus Laricio occupied practically the whole of the new area, the small number of other species being required for replanting on the older blocks. Satisfactory results have been attained with the mentioned species, Pinus ponderosa showing an excellent growingpercentage, whilst the death-rate amongst Pinus Laricio does not exceed the average, and will probably not amount to 5 per cent. With the exception of the larch already mentioned the established trees continue to make good progress, the rate of growth comparing favourably with that of any previous year, and a general healthy appearance, is noticeable throughout the various blocks. Pinus radiata has shown its characteristic rapid development, and, were it not so difficult to successfully transplant in this district, could be operated with more extensively. While the most uniform growth is displayed on areas of Pinus Laricio, this species is surpassed in rapidity of height-increment by Pinus ponderosa ; but, unfortunately, in the older blocks of the latter there is a considerable proportion of the slowgrowing variety P. scopulorum, giving an impression of uneven development on the areas concerned

Name of Tree. Number in Nursery-lines. Remarks. Pinus ponderosa „ Laricio . . ,, muricala Pseudo-tsuga Douglasii .. Picea excelsa . . Betula alba, 87,700 85,750 300 500 4,200 100 Strong plants. Only fair. Well-grown trees. Majority good plants. Fair plants. Good trees. Total 178,550

Where sent. Name of Tree. Number. Jaseby Plantation r < Pinus ponderosa ,, Liaricio.. ,, radiata. . ,, muricala ,, pinaster Gupressus macrocarpa . . Betula alba Larix europcea ,, leptolepis 141,925 299,050 12,700 470 925 1,630 175 2,375 2,950 462,200 r Pinus ponderosa „ Laricio.. ,, muricala ,, radiata.. 275 4,500 100 100 300 600 100 300 1,100 lupplied to settlers < Cupressus macrocarpa, . . Larix leptolepis Betula alba Populus monolifera, ,, fasligiala 7,375 Total 469,575