C—lb

72

Three-year-old Trees, sown 1908-9.

Trees transferred from Nursery to Plantations, &c., 1910-11.

YV. G Morrison, Nurseryman in Charge.

FTanmek Springs Plantation, Canterbury. (Area, 2.568 acres ; altitude, l.L'i , -") It.) Although not quite successful a season as that of last year, which was h record one in the matter ill tree planting and tree-growth., the past season compares very favourably with it. considering the extreme dryness of the early spring months, when moisture was more needed than any other time. Of the trees dealt with during the season, pines Buffered only slightly from the dryness, and a smal' percentage of deaths is recorded ; larch, however, were very severely interfered with, and the death rate amongst them was considerably higher than in past seasons. Taking operations throughout, however, the percentage of deaths would nol be above 12 ot 15, which is comparatively low considering ihe difficulties met with. Excellent growth has been made by all trees during the pasi year, with the exception of two varieties — Pken eitchensis and Pseudo tsuga taxifolia —these two having made very little headway. Larch has again demonstrated its adaptability to this locality by rapid progress. Trees of this variety planted last season have made a vertical growth of from -tin. to 18 in., and those planted (hiring previous years, and which have become established, have put on a growth of from 2 ft. to I ft. 6 in. All varieties of pirns have done exceedingly well, and have increased in height to an average of about 10 in. The total number of trees planted during the year was 1,146,905; of this number. 34.200 were used to replace failures in former planting, and 1.112,705 were planted on an area of 4O8 : | acres, making a total area, of 1,451| acres now under forest, containing trees to the numbei of 3,951,951. It was found necessary to do a large amount of clearing before pitting operations could be commenced, some 283 acres being dealt, with. About three miles of ra.bbit-pioof fencing were erected to enclose part of the new area, recently acquired. Fret Labour. — An average of five men was employed on day-labour and 7*83 on contract-work. The cost of pitting wa> Ise. per thousand ; tree-planting, 7s. 3d. pei thousand : clearing, I Is. (id. per acre : fencing, 4s. 4d. per chain. Pitting. —Pits to the number of 8(16.880 were dug during the year. The numbei available for the coming season's planting is 144.500. Tree-planting. —A total of 745,985 trees were planted out permanently on new area. A large proportion of the proposed planting-area was covered with heavy scrub, and of this, about 209 acres were cut and burned before pitting was commenced.

N«me of Tre Name of Tree. oc. Number in Height Value Nursi in per Total Value, lines. Indies. Thousand. Remarks. 'inue austtiaca .. „ ponclerosa HeiiUiaimana i e s. a. e b. a. 400,000 13 a 0 0 L.200 0 0 190,000 'J 3 0 0 570 0 (I 50,000 9 3 5 0 16-2 10 0 Very sturdy plants. Totals 640,000 .. .. 1,932 10 0

Where Sent. Name of Tree. Number. He i i '; ht Value per Inches. Thousand. Total Value. Remarks ( 1 a n in e i Springs Plantation Larix europaea .. Pinus Laricio austriaca . . ponderosa .. muricata .. Pseudo-tsuga taxifolia Alnus glutinosa .. .. 586,575 264,920 226,470 49,390 4,350 7,200 8,000 £ s. d. 16 3 0 0 13 3 0 0 18 3 0 0 10 3 0 0 14 3 0 0 11 3 5 0 12 3 0 0 £ s. d. 1,759 14 6 794 15 3 679 8 3 148 3 5 13 1 0 23 8 0 24 0 0 82 0 0 Sturdy plants. Strong plants. Cuttings, verypoor take. Strong plants. 'apanui Nursery .. Larix europaea .. 82,000 , 8 10 0 Totals 1,228,905 3,524 10 5