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by flood-waters, requiring considerable expense in keeping out cattle. This was replaced by 25 chains of five-wired fencing on higher land. A substantial four-roomed cottage with lean-to and outbuildings was purchased, and erected on a site overlooking the greater portion of the plantation. This is the first season eucalypti have been planted extensively without moss in this plantation. Where the 11ecs were from 12 in. to 18 in. high at the time of planting the death-rate is not more than 2 per cent.; the smaller trees are a failure, especially so in the case of E. rostrata. E. Stuartiana have made vigorous growth, one tree reaching a height of 4 ft. 4 in. in one year, the average growth being about 18 in. The difference in mossed and unmossed trees is not marked, though the latter are slightly sturdier. E. resinifera have made good healthy growth. A', amyrjdaliiia and rostrata are not so good, the approximate death-rate being fully 25 per cent., principally amongsi the smaller trees. Several of the E. Stuartiana planted three years ago are now from'ls ft. to 18 ft. 2 in. in height, with girths from 9 in. to 11 in. This species is perfectly clean and healthy, and entirely free from the ravages of insect life. Clearing round trees, planting blanks, and upkeep of fire-breaks, &c, cost £790 Is. 6d. The Department having decided to discontinue raising trees "at Ruatangata Nursery after this season, it would be advisable to sow a small quantity of E. Stuartiana seed on the plantation, the trees to be utilised for replacing blanks, as this season's planting will not nearly cover the whole of the plantation; fully half a million more trees will be required. The average number of men employed was 11 "03. The following is a record of rainfall and temperature for the year : —

Statement of Expenditure. £ s . a. Amount at 31st March, 1909 ... ••■ ••• ... 6,486 11 8 Pitting ?44 8 6 Tree-planting - "° * ° Clearing J2 ]' b Cartage of trees onl j« in General upkeep of plantation ... ... ••• ••• „„ ,q V . repairs ** ]* ° Horse-feed purchased and grown ... ... ■ • •• • i 7? 7 Buildings 90 11 J Tools, implements, &c. ... •■• ■•• ••• ••• v 10 3 Salaries — n Foresters: Supervision of free labour ... ... ••• LfV v U Nurseryman's proportion of ... ••• ••• ••• 20 0 0 Proportion of clerk and accountant's salary Supervision ... ... •• ••• ••• 25 0 0 £8,121 18 5 J. Mason, Plantation Foreman. A. Gordon, Nurseryman in Charge.

Month. Rainfall. ._ . Number of Days Rain fell. Maximum Temperature. Date. Minimum Temperature. Date. 1909. April ... Inches. 244 Degi-ees. 76 Decrees. 34 May ... June ... July ... August 7-79 3-76 13-67 11-44 11 18 19 21 20 70 64 66 62 5th, 6th, and 24th 5th and 6th ; 5th and 20th 10th 4th, 24th, and 25th 16th and 27th 3rd, 12th, and 31st 11th and 19th 18th 36 38 34 30 26th 17th 9th and 20th 1st and 25th 10th and 19th September October... 12-67 4-59 22 16 66 66 32 38 10th 10th and 14th November December 1910. 5-95 1-78 13 11 78 82 42 46 7th 15th January February March 4-86 12-34 7-73 13 14 18 82 78 74 25th and 27th 16th 12th 50 55 52 2nd 3rd 18th, 23rd, and 25th Totals ... 8902 196 I