63

C—IB

Schedule IV. — Property Account. £ s il Land (3,672 acres) ; Crown land, not charged to Forestry Ac-count .. Buildings .. .. . . . . .. .. .. 244 5 4 Stock Improvements .. .. .. .. .. .. 259 11 10 Fencing .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1.105 19 0 Stores in hand .. .. .. .. .. .. 159 15 4 £1.769 11 6 Balance-sheet. k. s. d. Total expenditure .. .. .. .. .. .. 17,555 3 II Less Property Account .. .. .. .. .. 1,769 II ti Cost of operations .. .. .. .. .. ..£15,785 12 5 1.897 acres planted (average age, four pears). Estimated value of plantation per acTe . . . . . . . . £9 10 I) H. Howe, Plantation Foreman. l<. (i. Robinson. Superintending Nurseryman.

Waitahuna Plantation, Otago. (Dredged area, 11 acres ; altitude, 331 ft.) It is very evident by the continued vigorous headway being made by trees growing here that abandoned dredged areas may be speedily ((inverted into flourishing plantations of forest trees. Of the fifteen varieties introduced for experimental purposes. Fraxinus excelsior, Fraxinus americana, Acer saccharum, .!<■</■ pseudo-platanus, and Robinia pseudo-acacia have failed to succeed, whilst Quercus pedunculata and Picea excelsa thrive only when occupying positions where large proportion of clay and fine silt is incorporated with the dredged tailings. The growth of each of the other varieties planted is decidedly satisfactory, and compares quite favourably with that recorded at our most progressive stations. Planting began four pears ago. and European larch. English birch, and alder have now attained a height of from II) ft. to 12 ft. ; although somewhat slower, Psendo-tsuga taxifolia. Pinus austriaca, Pinus Larioio, Pinus ponderosa, and Pinus murieata are making from 15 in. to 18 in. of vertical growth annually, and possess a most healthy appearance. Immediately on ascertaining the relative values of the trees being experimented with, all unsuitable kinds were replaced by cither larch, pines, or birch, and. notwithstanding the present irregular look of the plantation generally, each succeeding year's growth should create greater uniformity. An expenditure of £6 7s. 10d. was incurred in maintenance-work during the year, and. contrary to expectations, little trouble is now being experienced in keeping gorse and broom in check. After an additional two year's growth, no danger to " tree-leaders " should accrue from the presence of a few clumps of the noxious plants, which will lie gradually killed outright by growing trees. Detailed statements of expenditure. &c, arc appended. Schedule /1. Statement oj Expenditure. Per Yi-ur. To Date. Planting operations and maintenance t ,|. t s . f i Tree-planting . . .. .. .. • .. . . 20 2 0 Pitting .. .. .. .. . .. 27 fi o Clearing .. .. .. .. .. 23 II :! Cartage of trees .. .. .. .. .. 3 0 0 General upkeep of plantation .. ' . . ..5710 :)7 2 3 General repairs .. . . .. .. .. 4l> i> Horse-feed Permanent works — Fencing .. .. .. .. .. .. 57 11 1 Formation .. .. .. . . .. .. 310 0 Buildings Stock, implements, &c.—Tools, implements Supervision and clerical — Salaries — Supervision of free labour .. .. ..100 9 0 II prison labour Nurseryman's proportion of clerical assistance .. .. 18 9 0 £6 7 10 £203 0 7