C,—lβ.

10

Lining-out Trees. This work was completed early in September, the labour-cost being 2s. 6d. per thousand averaged over the 1,200,000 trees dealt with. The number of deaths caused by transplanting is lower than usual, which is probably due to the wet weather which followed in September and October. During the early part of December strong drying winds were prevalent, and caused a lot of damage to the larch crop; sandy soil was driven against the young plants, with the result that most of the foliage was stripped off them. From this setback they never recovered, because of the hot dry weather, which was prevalent until the end of February. Manuring. —All the nursery which was unoccupied by crops of trees was given a dressing of carbonate of lime. The bulk of such land was sown down with ryecorn as a green-manuring crop, which was ploughed in and followed by a crop of rape. Rye has the advantage of being a very hardy plant, and therefore is admirably adapted for spring sowing here. It throws considerably more leaves than oats, but still as a green-manuring crop it leaves much to be desired. Small experimental plots were sown with other seeds, with varying results. Soja beans were not a great success, and are apparently not quite hardy enough; cow-peas made good growth, but the seed germinated badly. This would probably be a valuable crop for the purpose if good seed could be procured. Mustard ran to flower very quickly without throwing much leaf. Red clover made splendid growth, and but that it was very slow in starting, would be an excellent crop. Prairie-grass made good quick growth, but is too prone to run to flower. Rape throws a lot of leafage, and is very suitable. As usual, artificial manures were largely used with the crops of trees. General. —The output of trees during the year was 3,049,006, and the total output since the nursery was started is 36,768,311. At the 31st March the stock of trees numbered 9,731,925 of which number 4,500,000 will be sent to the plantations during the coming winter. The average daily number of workmen employed was 24 - 95. Details of expenditure and other tabulated information are appended hereto. Following is a record of rainfall and temperature for the year : —■

Schedule I.

Schedule ll. — Statement of Expenditure. For Year. To Date. Tree-planting and maintenance — £ s. d. £ s. d. Tree-growing ... ... .. 2,519 2 0 24,830 19 9 General maintenance £nd repairs ... 419 3 7 3,938 0 7 Tree-seeds ... ... ... 593 16 8 2,699 7 8 Manures ... ' ... ... ... 85 5 2 1,006 15 3 Horse-feed ... ... ... 277 7 4 1,862 9 10 Miscellaneous works ... ... 35 1 4 '360 7 6 Stock and material —Tools and implements 153 17 11 1,172 11 9 Permanent works— Buildings ... ... .. 7 0 0 2,782 12 0 Seed-frames ... ... ... 149 17 4 1,799 2 1 Nursery-formation ... ... 27 15 2 2,322 15 1 Fencing .... ... ... ... 221 12 8 Water-supply ... ... ... 660 18 10 Supervision and clerical — Proportion of Superintending Nurseryman's salary ... ... ... 75 0 0 Proportion of Nurseryman's salary ... 200 0 0 2,946 16 8 Clerical assistance ... ... ... 40 0 0 £4,283 6 6 £46,604 9 8

Month. Rainfall. Number of Days Rain fell. Tempe Maximum. Temperature. jrature. Minimum. Number of Days Frosts occurred. 1912. Lpril -lay ruly Lugust September .. )ctober sTovember .. )ecembpr .. ~1913. In. 5-56 3-56 6-11 6-86 5-35 8-02 5-23 3-03 0-75 22 9 18 11 12 25 16 14 6 Deg. P. 72 69 63 63 62 65 74 78 92 Deg. F. 33 26 27 23 21 33 30 32 31-5 11 11 18 23 4 1 1 January February larch 4-75 0-82 3-52 11 8 9 86 87 88 35 33 33 Totals 53-56 161