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year's planting are not yet to hand, but reports show that generally good work has been done, and one group alone established approximately 27,500 acres of new plantations, making a grand total to date of over 82,000 acres. Three private companies planted 420 acres last season. . Although certain afforestation companies have been formed in the South Island, planting operations there so far have been practically nil. Forest-extension. Sales of trees and tree-seeds were not so well maintained as during the previous two years> although substantially in excess of the business transacted during the year ended 31st March, 1925This is doubtless accounted for by the fact that the numerous afforestation companies which commenced active operations within the period first mentioned came to the State for their initial stock requirements, whereas since that date they have had ample time to establish nurseries and raise their own planting stock. It will probably be found, therefore, that sales may show a further decline in future years. The primary function of the Service is, however, to encourage tree-planting amongst the farming community, and supply true to type, hardy, well-rooted tree stock for tins production of farm timber and fuel, and the formation of shelter-belts for stock, wind-breaks, &c.; and despite the bad season from a farming point of view tree-sales for this purpose continue to show a slight increase in the North Island. In furthering the policy referred to good work has been done by numerous public lectures, wintershow exhibits, wireless, broadcasted addresses, and newspaper and magazine articles. A schedule of State sales of trees and seeds for the past ten years is appended.

Comparison of Forest Service Sales of Young Forest Trees from 1921 to 1928.

Comparison of Forest Service Sales of Forest Tree-seeds from 1921 to 1928.

7. Forestry in Schools. Very encouraging results are now being obtained from the earlier propaganda work in connection with school forestry as outlined in previous reports, and, thanks to the continued co-operation of the Department of Education and the marked enthusiasm displayed by all Inspectors and teachers associated with the movement, it can now be definitely asserted that a scheme of elementary forestry study in all its aspects is firmly established in the majority of our country primary schools. The practice of making free gifts of small parcels of trees to plant school-grounds and packets of seed for nursery sowing has been continued, and in the North Island 7,148 trees and 65 lb. of seed were distributed in this manner, whilst in the South Island 82 lb. of seed were likewise made available. As a result, many school plantations have now been formed, and in the Taranaki Education District alone thirty-seven schools have already planted an aggregate area of 30| acres. In many instances the areas planted were small patches of waste or weed-infested ground lying near the school, and eventually a beautiful and valuable plantation will replace a plot which was formerly not only a blot on the landscape, but a menace to adjoining land as well. Apart, however, from the purely materialistic aspect, the inculcation, in the young idea of a love of the beautiful and a greater interest in the world of Nature must raise public opinion in the future to a higher plane in the matter of tree-consciousness. If plans at present under consideration can be brought to fruition a still greater impetus will be given to this important movement in the near future.

i r ear. Trees for planting. (Number.) Forest-treo Seeds. y Trees for planting. (Weight in Pounds.) j (Number.) Forest-tree Seeds. i (Weight in Pounds.) 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 420,412 277,235 520,702 897,552 1,475,581 I 132 1924 1,839,512 130 1925 2,831,932 240 1926 4,226,174 436- 1927 4,760,490 746 1928 3,481.398 618 2,529* 2,692* 3,861* 2,156* * Includes domestic and overseas sales.