C.—ll-

62

Several trials were made with the recently imported bole-borer, the working of which is briefly described in another portion of the report. On the cleared areas an operatoi can easily prepare 800 holes daily, and with practice this number should be increased fully 25 per cent, without overexertion on the part of the manipulator. Before the advent of the coming planting eeason an extended trial of the machine over an acre or two will be made, and it is more than likely that the result of .same will influence our future planting-work. Fire-breaks. —The yearly increasing labour essential in keeping our fire-breaks in an effective state may be gauged from the fact that two teams of horses were employed for about two months in ploughing, discing, and cultivating these intersecting fire-lines, which extend over an aggregate distance of about nine miles, and average about a chain in width. The caretaking service was maintained on Sundays and holidays during the summer months, and it is gratifying t<> be able to report the entire absence of any outbreak of fire. Knbbitini/. Since the acquirement of this property incessant warfare has been directed against the rabbit pest. Naturally, the rough nature of the ground makes effective work difficult, and it is improbable that we could have continued planting in safety had the divisional fencing scheme not been introduced. By this means we are able to eradicate the rabbits over an area, large enough to contain one year's planting, after which the labbitei. with his traps, (logs, ferrets, fumigator. and poison, devotes his energies in preparing another block for the ensuing season. It has been necessary this year to occasionally provide assistance to the rabbiter. who has accounted for close on five thousand of the destructive animals during the twelve months under review. General Maintenance. The increasing expenditure allocated under this heading was nut unforeseen, as with each year's planting an additional 5(10 acres or more of trees require I" be attended to in I he form of pruning, removal of interfering grass - growth , replanting failures. &c. In arriving at the upkeep-cost (Bs. 7Ad. per acre) consideration has also been given to fire-break labour, horse-shoeing, and repairs. Revision of Records. — In examining the concentrated statements herewith, it will lie seen that credit to the extent of some 700,000 trees given for the previous planting has been withdrawn. In accounting for this, it might be explained that when the acorn- planting scheme was being applied each seed germinating was duly credited as 8 tree planted. The whole venture was not attended with success, as. although the acorns freely germinated and developed into .sturdy yearling oaks, their consequent annual progress was so disappointing that replanting the whole area with more suitable varieties was unhesitatingly adopted, but up to the current year no deduction from the original totals was made for this wholesale replanting. By a careful analysis of trees planted, and a liberal allowance lor deaths .since initiation, it was ascertained thai a! the present time there are. at this station. 5,164.862 forest trees., occupying an area of some 1.897 acres. The expenditure for the vea.r was £3,215 IDs. Id., which provided employment Eor 235 men. Since the beginning of operations here £17,555 .'is. Mil. has been expended, tin , details of which may be seen on reference to tables appended. Schedule 11. Statement <ij Expenditure. For Year. To Date. Planting operations and maintenance t s. <i. t s. <i. Tree-planting .. .. .. .. 915 11 I 3,863 2 <i Pitting .. .. .. .. 1,042 0 :S 5,453 II 10 Clearing .. .. .. .. .. 648 3 8 Cartage of trees.. .. .. .. •",:! 12 I) 272 10 5 General upkeep of plantation .. .. 769 16 it :i.:i77 7 4 General repairs .. .. .. .. 23 1 10 342 Hi '.) HWse-leed .. .. .. T< I (i 78 12 5 Permanent works — Fencing .. .. .. .. (Ml 15 3 1,105 19 II Formation • .. .. .. .. 259 11 10 Buildings .. .. .. .. 20 17 7 244 5 I Stock, implements. &c.—Tools, implements .. 814 1 255 10 (i Supervision and clerical— Salaries — Supervision of free labour 175 0 0 1,200 0 0 prison labour Nurseryman's proportion of clerical assistance .. .. .. 80 ii (i 15:5 9 4 £3,215 in I £17,565 311 Schedule 111.- Trees Account. Number. Trees received during the year .. .. .. .. .. 1,468,975 Less to replace blanks .. .. .. .. .. 89,275 Planted on new area .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,379,700 Previously planted .. .. .. .. .. 3,785,162 Total number planted on 1,897 acres (average age, four years) .. 5,164,862