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The varieties of trees planted included several species which are found to be not well adapted to the soils, and the plants were also rather large. They were set out at 12 ft. apart, and I purpose filling up to 4 ft. apart. The great point to be aimed at in the growing of timber is to produce shelter as soon as possible, and this can only be obtained by close planting. In wide planting every breeze of wind blowing over a plantation acts upon each tree almost as powerfully as if it stood alone. And further, trees planted at 12 ft. apart must of necessity make a large quantity of useless timber by the formation of limbs at the expense of trunk; whereas, if planted closely, absence of light will prevent the formation of side-branches, and at the same time render the timber more free from knots, and therefore of more value commercially. Undoubtedly the first expense will be greater; but against this there is the value of thinnings for fence-posts, sleepers, &c, within a comparatively few years, while considerable labour is saved through the dense canopy of foliage excluding light and preventing the growth of fern and underscrub—a source of considerable danger from fire. An examination of these plantations made during March showed that evergreen trees were doing fairly well with the exception of Pinus laricio, which requires great care in transplanting. Ash, oak, and sycamore on the higher lands towards Galatea had been repeatedly nipped back by summer frosts ; and such varieties will in future be excluded from high-lying and exposed positions. Abies douglassi and Pinus austriaca have in all cases made excellent growth. Sanatobium Grounds and Pack, Eotoeua. Owing to large growing trees as Pinus insignis, Cupressus, Macrocarpa, and blue-gums being planted within a few feet of walks and carriage-drives some years must elapse before the avenues can be properly formed. Every season's growth tends to convert footpaths into tunnels, and the trees being all evergreens such places are cold, damp, and sunless, during the winter months. It is intended to utilise deciduous trees such as lime, plane, horse-chestnut, birch, and moun-tain-ash for future planting as shade trees, and to gradually remove the large growing kinds. These grounds are now being superintended by the Rotorua Forest nurseryman. PUKEEOA BeCEEATION-BESEEVE, BOTOEUA. Plans and estimates for the improvement and maintenance of this reserve have been prepared, and works will be undertaken shortly.

OTAGO. Centeal Nueseby, Ewebuen. Notwithstanding the excessively dry year experienced in this district the young trees have made fair average growth, and appear healthy and vigorous. It was intended to transplant .the whole of last year's seedlings into nursery rows during the spring, but the land was so baked and dry that ploughing and preparing the ground for their reception could not be accomplished. The trees were therefore "lined in" temporarily, with the intention of transplanting them out during the coming planting-season. The total rainfall for the year has only amounted to 923 in. The driest month experienced being June, with 005 in., and the wettest November, with 2-08 in. Considerable labour has been expended in rendering the transplanting-ground an even slope, in order to obtain the best results from irrigation, so necessary in this dry climate. This area has been subsoiled by plough, and thoroughly worked to a fine tilth for planting during the ensuing spring. The following variety of tree-seeds were sown during November last, and have all germinated well, with the exception of Pinus strobus, which came rather poorly : Pinus benthamiana (Bentham's pine), P. ponderosa (heavy-wooded pine); P. laricio (Corsican pine), P. austriaca (Austrian pine), P. strobus (American clear-pine), Larix europea (European larch), Abies douglassi (Oregan pine), and Abies pectinata (silver-fir). A temporary shelter of scrub has been erected around the northern and western boundaries of nursery, which has proved of good service in breaking the heavy gales experienced from these directions. The water-supply from spring-well has proved ample for all requirements, and the dams have been kept filled therefrom by windmill pump. Water-pipes have been laid over a greater portion of the nursery, which greatly facilitates the watering of young trees during continuous dry weather experienced since the inception of the undertaking. An area of 20 acres adjoining southern boundary of nursery has been reserved for extension purposes, and a similar area on the northern boundary for paddock accommodation and dam-sites. Fencing material is already on the ground for the enclosure of these lands, and the work will be proceeded with immediately. The plantation-reserve, known as the " Survey Paddock," containing 75 acres, has been leased for two years for cropping purposes preparatory to planting- same, but, unfortunately, the dry seasons have proved disastrous to the crops. FOEEST NUBSEKY, TaPANUI. Twenty-two acres was selected for the establishment of this nursery on Bun No. 140b, Glenkenich Survey District, a distance of a mile and a half from Tapanui Township, and operations were commenced on the Bth of May last.