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Experiments conducted on a small, scale with Eucalyptus Macarthuri have proved that it is not sufficiently hardy to withstand the severe frosts experienced here. Preparations for the coming season's planting have been completed, a further area of approximately 122 acres having been enclosed and pitted during the summer months. This area, together with that left available from the previous season, will be sufficient to accommodate the whole of the output of Ranfurly nursery. The afforestation of the whole of this reserve will probably be completed within the next two years. The grazing by a neighbouring settler of a small number of sheep on the older part of the plantation has been attended with good results, much rank growth having been kept down satisfactorily, thus to some extent eliminating the danger of fires. Maintenance work at this station has been comparatively light, being confined chiefly to the cultivation of firebreaks and the suppression of rabbits. The latter work is a matter of some difficulty, particularly amongst the established trees, to which rabbits in considerable numbers gained admittance during the winter, when the snowdrifts covered the fences. The average daily number of men employed was 6-02. Summary showing the Area of Naseby Plantation (1,776 Acres in Trees). How occupied. Acres. Pines .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,475 Larch. .. .. ■'.. .. .. .. .. ..271 Pines and larch mixture . . .. . . .... .. 23 Miscellaneous trees . . . . . . .. .. .. .. 7 Firebreaks, roads, and tracks.. .. .. .. .. .. 150 Unplanted land . . . . . . .. .. . . . . 550 Unsuitable for planting, including water-race, creeks, residence reserve, &c... 374 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,850 (Survey incomplete ; areas approximate.)

Rainfall, Temperature, &c.

GIMMERBURN PLANTATION RESERVE. (Area, 425 acres ; altitude, 1,200 ft. ; commenced operations, 1903.) No afforestation operations were carried out at this station, practically the whole of the labour applied being in connection with the growing of grain crops, 100 acres cropped during the previous year being again sown in wheat and oats. The crop was sown in the autumn, and until the beginning of summer had every appearance of giving an exceptionally good return; the anticipated success, however, was not realized, the unfavourable weather experienced in midsummer having an adverse effect on the ultimate yield, which was somewhat disappointing and not comparable with the previous year's return. It is estimated that the results of the past season's cropping operations will be in the vicinity of 500 bushels of wheat and 25 tons of oaten sheaf. The previous year's return was 355 sacks of wheat, 210 sacks of oats, and 18 tons of chaff. After reserving sufficient grain for seed and horse-feed 1,085 bushels of wheat and 772 bushels of oats were disposed of at satisfactory prices. Grain-growing in this district is a very uncertain proposition, and it is considered advisable to restrict cropping in future to an area sufficient to produce the amount of horse-feed required for local stations. Regarding the area under'trees little comment can be made, the average annual growth having been made by the plantation as a whole.

Number of Days Rain fell. Temperature. Number of Days Frosts occurred. Month. Rainfall. mm. Minimum. Maximum. 1918. April May June July August September .. October November .. December .. In. 1-26 0-20 1-42 0-69 2-02 1-29 0.71 3-97 2.26 8 4 13 9 Deg. F. 08 60 54 48 60 60 68 74 72 F. Deg. F. 20 i 20 15 9 i 6 16 18 24 i . 20 II 23 20 31 25 22 16 11 11 7 7 7 11 7 1919. 10.25 0-38 0-72 14 3 7 68 79 82 i 28 i 35 I 26 0 January February March 4 Totals 25-23 97 186