C—1b.

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REPORT ON AFFORESTATION OPERATIONS IN THE SOUTH ISLANIx [By the Superintending Nurseryman, Tapanui.] In adherence to the usual custom, I beg to make brief allusions to the special features of the year's forestry operations, details of which are given in local reports by officers in charge. A glance at the meteorological chart appended will convince one of the abnormally wet season we have just experienced; but, fortunately, this fact has not, on the whole, prevented the attainment of a very fair measure of success. Although at our Canterbury station the rainfall (5073 in. on 139 days) was greatest, a precipitation of 4345 in. occurred over an additional seventy-four days at Tapanui Nursery. At Central Otago the striking feature of the year's work is the unprecedented success in the raising of seedlings, whose rapid development points conclusively to the increased benefits arising from the combined natural application of water and earlier sowing. On 122 days the rainfall aggregated 2267 in., which creates a greater fall than over any similar period during the fifteen years of weather observations at Ranfurly. Unfortunately, several late frosts were experienced at each station, injuring, more or less, the tender terminal shoots of the more sensitive trees; but generally the damage was not irreparable. Snowfalls were rare; but on one occasion at Hanmer Springs a stoppage of all operations for some weeks was brought about by an unusually heavy fall, which, although creating great discomfort, did not cause much damage to either seedlings or trees. NUHWEBY-WORK AND ASSOCIATED EXPENDITURE. The result of the season's tree-raising work in the three nurseries certainly supports the theory advanced by many persons that there is less likelihood of general failure arising in this phase of the work from various causes when trees are grown in several localities differing in climatic influences. An increased amount of moisture, for instance, in Central Otago is conducive to an improvement in results, whilst the heavy nature of the surface soil in the Tapanui district makes the growing of trees difficult in seasons (such as the past) when spring rains are not only heavy but persistent. Under the circumstances, the raising of some 5,144,950 seedlings (which is over a million in advance of last season's figures) may be looked upon as the outcome of careful management by the officers conducting the work. The actual cost of seed-sowing, covering with frames, scrimming, and other labour necessary during the first season amounted to £538 75., which is a much better return than that shown in the previous reports. The development of these yearlings to the transference size, however, is generally so affected by the grubs, damping off, and other inherent pests that it is a wise policy to make provision for a 20-per-cent, death-rate when arranging for their transplantation. Each nursery is well stocked with trees ranging in ages from one to four years. The combined total, as shown in Schedule 111, reaches 9,621,540, representing a value of £14,034 13s. 10d.; and omitting the records of the defunct Starborough Nursery, the average cost per thousand of growing the trees up to a sufficiently strong state for permanent planting, and bundling same in readiness for transportation, amounts to £1 Bs. As by far the largest proportion of the output from the South Island nurseries are three-year-old trees, this rate of production is consistent with the best efforts recorded elsewhere, although we must always take into consideration the low rate of wages paid to employees engaged on similar work on the Continent when framing comparisons of results attained. Since the year 1896 some 22,685,225 trees of various ages have been distributed from the four nurseries to State plantations, and, in addition, domains and public institutions have benefited similarly to the extent of 2,199,132, making a total output to date of 24,884,357. Special Uemakks concerning Principal Trees grown. Although details of the development of trees at each plantation is presented in the following pages, a supplementary reference enlarging on the merits and demerits of certain trees may assist in substantiating facts that call for greater prominency. Since the initiation of the southern nurseries the energies of the Department have in great measure been directed upon the creation of Larix europaea plantations, nor have we until the past two years had any cause to regret specializing with this tree, of which some 6,591,299 are now growing in the eight State forests. Although in certain parts of Canterbury larch have always been regarded in an unfavourable light by arboriculturists, nevertheless the exceedingly rapid headway and healthy appearance until recently of the species tended t"o prove the wisdom of their inclusion in the varieties operated with even at Hanmer Springs, where, however, the altitude reaches 1,225 ft. To the dryness experienced two years ago was attributed a mysterious discoloration of larch needles and on enlisting the services of Mr. A. H. Cockayne, Biologist to the Agricultural Departmteut, a diagnosis of the trouble revealed only climatic interference with the foliage, llealizing that pure larch forests are difficult to raise, owing to their sensitiveness to the contraction of disease, officers make frequent examinations for traces of fungus troubles. In conjunction with the Biologist, information is also being secured relative to the development of perithecia in the fallen needles, so that the determination of the presence of the previously suspected SphaereUa laricina will be possible at an early date. The question now arises, is it advisable to continue planting larch with the present uncertainty of success? Well-drained partially sheltered hillsides in a moist locality of about 1,000 ft. or more above sea-level are generally recognized as ideal conditions for larch-growing, and these conditions exist at most of our plantation areas. On the other hand, a consistent progress is being maintained by both Pinus Laricio and Pinus ponderosa, probably two of the most valuable species of the genera now being operated with. Plant either of these pines in a fairly sheltered, warm position, and a growth of from 18 in. to 2 ft. annually might be expected; but the same healthy tone prevails, even if somewhat slower headway is made, if the most exposed or rocky situations are allocated to them. It