C.—3

10

TABLE 6.

9. Tree-planting by Afforestation Companies, Local Bodies, etc. In addition to the area afforested by the State, it is estimated that the total area of exotic plantations established by the various afforestation companies, local bodies, &c., is now approximately 180,000 acres, of which about 75 per cent, is located on the pumice lands in the vicinity of Rotorua. These plantations should make a valuable contribution to the future timber requirements of the Dominion. 10. Local Collection of Seed. The year has seen advances in the matter of local collections of seed required for State afforestation. All regions save Westland, which is unsuitable, have made a start with this work, while Rotorua and Nelson regions have developed highly satisfactory seed-collecting organizations. The coming year will witness greater improvements generally since the year under review has in some cases, been, to a large extent, experimental. Rotorua and Nelson have proved that a proper seed-collecting organization can produce seed of as good quality as and at a lower cost than overseas supplies. The Service by this operation is, therefore, reducing an establishment cost as well as utilizing a product of our forests and employing labour in its collection. 11. Publications. Forest Alias. During the year seventy-two general-purpose plans were recorded under the permanent forest altas and the mapping of topographical features of portion of Riverhead and Kaingaroa Plantations was continued. Plans of the layout of firebreaks, planting blocks and compartments in parts of Riverhead, Maramarua, Kaingaroa, Golden Downs, and Eyrewell Plantations have been compiled, and the species plans of the areas subsequently planted are under preparation. Compiled plans, tracings, graphs, &c., totalled 1,4-32, while the assistance of another Department was obtained to make 1,248 white prints and seventy-five photostat prints. Four atlas sheets and one map of opossum-trapping blocks were lithographed and 1,400 copies printed. Photographic Record. The total number of negatives recorded was increased by 1,573, and now stands at 9,327. In all, 10,319 prints, nine lantern slides, and seven enlargements were prepared, of which 2,199 prints and two lantern slides were made by this Department. A considerable number of prints have been supplied on request to overseas Governments and to private individuals both here and abroad. Educational Publications and other Literature printed during the Year. 1,000 copies Leaflet No. 11 : " Firewood on the Farm." 1,000 copies Leaflet No. 12 : " The Properties and Uses of Tawa." 500 copies Leaflet No. 13 : " Waste Kauri Wood as a Source of Paper Pulp and Resin." 1,000 copies Leaflet No. 14 : " The Properties and Uses of Silver Beech." 1,000 copies Leaflet No. 15:' "The Properties and Uses of Taraire." 1,000 copies Circular No. 27 : "The Flora and Vegetation of New Zealand." 1,000 copies Circular No. 28: "Paper Pulp from New-Zealand-grown Woods." 12. Reference Library. New books, pamphlets, special reports, &c., to the number of 393 were added to the library during the year under review. The library is an authoritative source of reference on all matters of practical and theoretical forestry generally and cognate subjects, and as such its value is incalculable. The Service by its reciprocal arrangement with other Forest Services continues to receive annual reports, bulletins, special reports on particular lines of scientific research, experiments, &c., from all parts of the Globe and records its thanks to its many contributors in this respect. Regional libraries are being strengthened from time to time as funds permit.

,» Trees for planting. Forest-tree Seeds. v Trees for planting. Forest-tree Seeds. (Number.) (Weight in Pounds.) ear ' (Number.) (Weight in Pounds.) 1921 520,702 240 1926 ! 4,227,174 2,692* 1022 897,552 | 436 1927 4,760,490 3,861* 1923 1 1,475,581 ! 746 1928 3,481,398 2,156* 1924 I 1,839,512 618 1929 3,260,916 2,035* 1925 | 2,831,932 2,529* 1930 2,061,113 1,104* * Includes domestic and overseas sales.