C—l.

Tapanui Nursery, Otago. During the year rain fell on 144 days, with a total of 36-09 in., the maximum fall being 5-81 in. during January. The greatest heat—94°—was experienced on the 20th January, and the lowest shade temperature was registered on the 30th June—l 6°. The general growth of nursery stock has been highly satisfactory throughout, notwithstanding the dull sunless weather prevailing during both summer and autumn. Transplanting was commenced three weeks later than the previous year owinc to prolonged rainfall, but by the end of October 604,820 trees were " lined out," and 504,500 smaller stock " lined in," making a total of 1,109,320 trees planted. The whole of these (with the exception of Pmus laricio, which does not transplant successfully here) have made excellent growth, permitting the removal of a large proportion of same to Dusky Hill Plantation during the approaching season where they will be permanently planted. All seedlings have made good headway, especially larch, which, having reached a suitable size will be removed from seed-beds and "lined out" during the corning spring. An experimental second sowing of larch was made about the end of November, when the protecting-frames were available from the previous sowing ; but, although germinating freely, they have not made sufficient headway to warrant a repetition of this experiment, and a large number will probably not survive if the present winter proves to be as severe as in previous years. The labour in tending transplanted trees has been greatly reduced by the introduction of a machme-hoe for working between the rows, which is also beneficial in keeping the soil open. During August 33 chains of hedges, comprising Pittosporum tenuifolium, P. eugenioides and broadleaf, were planted throughout the nursery, dividing it into breaks. This will enable " setting out" previous to planting being done with greater facility, and also be of service as shelter to young trees. A shelter plantation consisting of 870 trees—chiefly Pinus insignis, Pittosporum tenuifolium cotoneaster, and cabbage-trees—was also formed, and will prove beneficial in breaking the southwest gales so frequently experienced here. All these have done well, very few deaths occurring. A substantial cook-house has been erected, which is greatly appreciated by employees. An additional forty-five seed-frames were made, thus allowing of a much larger quantity of seed being sown in future. All spare land was utilised either for growing horse-feed or sowing down with clover to be ploughed in as green manure. General improvements throughout the nursery have been made, including asphalting workshed forming lawn, and extending border and shrubbery, fencing horse-paddock, erecting breakwind for seed-beds, and painting implements, gates, buildings, &c. The value of nursery stock has increased from £3,375 6s. to £4,451 125., this year's seedlings numbering 708,000, and being valued at £557 12s. 6d., the total number of trees of all ages in nursery at the 31st March being 2,401,000. 422,350 trees, valued at £1,448 15s. 7d., were transferred to Dusky Hill Plantation in forty-two express-wagon loads, and 169,340 trees, valued at £232 19s. 6d., were sent to various public bodies, &c. A transfer of about six hundred thousand trees will probably be made to plantations from this nursery during the coming season. • The expenditure for the year amounted to £1,413 ss. lid., making a total expenditure to date of £5,849 18s. Details of trees and statements of expenditures and values will be found in attached schedules. The following is the record of rainfall and temperature :—

Record of Rainfall and Temperature at Tapanui Nursery.

63

Month. Rainfall. I Number R Hi f. hesfc J of Days of Bain fell. Ther f " momefcer. Date. Lowest Reading ol Thermometer. Date. 1901. Inches. 2-59 3-13 0-41 3'42 2-81 2-53 2-22 4-81 3-98 April ... May ... June ... July ... August September October November December 1902. 12 17 6 15 15 9 9 16 19 Degrees. 80 66 68 56 62 68 80 80 88 6th 4th 12th 11th 29th 22nd 27th 11th 5th and 24th Degrees. 28 28 16 20 24 26 27 28 30 27th 17th 30th 1st 22nd 19th 27th and 6th 6th 22nd January February March... 5-81 1-55 2-83 9 8 9 94 93 82 20th 2nd 2nd 34 38 34 19th 11th and 20th 13th and 19th Totals... 36-09 144