C—IB.

1910. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS: STATE NURSERIES AND PLANTATIONS (REPORT ON).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency. Sir, — Department of Lands, Wellington, 31st May, 1910. I have the honour to submit herewith the combined reports of the Superintending Nurserymen on the State-forest nurseries and plantations under their supervision for the financial year ended 31st March last. The whole position having been carefully explained by these officers in their reports, it will be unnecessary for me to supplement their remarks to any extent, because they have already been generally referred to in Lands Report already laid by you before Parliament. But a brief review of the work actually accomplished since the initiation of the Forestry Branch of this Department may not be out of place. I have, &c, William C. Kknsinoton, Under-Secretary for Lands. The Right Hon. Sir Joseph G. Ward, P.C., K.C.M.G., Minister of Lands and Commissioner of State Forests.

BRIEF REVIEW_OF OPERATIONS. Raising op Trees and Output from Nurseries. A good measure of success has been achieved at each of the nurseries, and the number of seedling trees raised during the year is estimated at 12,412,410. This number is rather more than a million and a quarter in excess of the previous year's results, and, although the success or otherwise of the seedling crop is usually attributed to the climatic conditions, and also to the quality of tree-seeds obtained, yet it is evident that much care and discretion have been used in accomplishing such a favourable record. The total number of seedling trees produced since the establishment of forestry operations now reaches 76,757,658, representing an estimated value of .£140,777, whilst the total cost of the operations has been £185,983 to date. The five nurseries at present contain 23,269,265 trees, of ages ranging from one to four years, and the continuation of an output on the present basis may be anticipated. The output of trees from these five nurseries is assuming larger dimensions, and during the past twelve months 8,292,645 trees, valued at £17,765 2s. lid., were transferred to plantations for permanent planting. This statement reveals an advance of over a million trees on the previous year. The total output to plantations since the year 1896 is 50,545,775 trees, and their value is computed at £113,362 17s. 7d. Hie difference between the total number of trees raised in nurseries and that transferred to the plantations, of about 2,500,000 plants, is accounted for by the distribution of plants to local bodies, creation of shelter-belts in nurseries, and losses of seedlings due to the ravages of the grass grubs. I—C. Ib.