C—lβ

30

h'or*(■-feed, and Live-stock. —Scarcely sufficient horse-feed for our stock was grown during the season, as by so doing the nursery-area would have been unduly taxed. Fortunately the associated pastures were in a better condition than formerly, and the consumption of chaff by our thirteen horses was accordingly curtailed. Some 5 tons of oaten sheaf and 10 tons of rye and clover were harvested under favourable conditions, and this quantity will be supplemented by produce specially grown for the southern stations at Gimmerburn Plantation. The number of live-stock was increased to fourteen head by the arrival of a filly of the desired stamp. Miscellaneous Works. —An expenditure of £200 was incurred in the acquirement of the adjoining leasehold property of 12 acres, together with a small dwellmghouse and minor improvements. To overcome the disadvantage arising from the presence of horses grazing amongst the native bush adjacent to the nursery about 40 chains of fencing was erected and gates hung at convenient positions. Several semi-decayed gates on the main boundaries were also replaced with those of a more durable character. All buildings and implements received the usual annual overhaul, and are in excellent order throughout. The annual expenditure amounted to .£2,220 3s. Bd., providing employment to 109 men, and the total expenditure to date reaches £25,277 18s. Id. The j-ear's output to plantations, public bodies, &c, is 1,105,790, which are valued at £3,325 os. lid. as per Schedule V, but in all probability this number will not be reached during the ensuing season. Some 4,069,590 trees in various stages are now in stock, against which the value of £5,852 18s. 7d. has been shown. Statement of expenditure, Property Account, Trees Account, and meteorological records are appended.

Schedule I.

Schedule II. — Statement of Expenditure. m ,-,..',■•. For Year. To Date. lree-planting and maintenance — £ s. d. £ s. d. Tree-growing ... ... ... 887 0 0 12,666 15 11 General maintenance and repairs ... 402 15 2 2,680 1 2 Tree-seeds ... ... ... 138 1 11 0 7 Manures . ... ... ... 23 19 9 245 8 1 Horse-feed, purchased and grown ... 94 0 2 1,279 17 1] Miscellaneous works ... ... 61 13 6 282 12 10 Stock and material—Tools and implements 23 13 11 1,005 13 11 Permanent works —■ Buildings .. ... ... 272 4 0 2,271 7 4 Nursery-formation ... ... 5 5 6 502 10 3 Fencing ... ... ... 13 8 9 617 10 8 Water-supply ... ... ... 0 9 0 224 14 6 Supervision and clerical— Proportion of Superintending Nurseryman's salary ... ... 125 0 0 1,885 14 11 Proportion of Nursery Foreman's _salary_ ... ... ... 67 12 0 67 12 0 Clerical assistance ... .. 105 0 0 342 18 0 2,220 3 8 £25,277 l« 1

Number of Days Rain fell. Temperature. Month. Rainfall. Number of Days Frosts occurred. Maximum. Minimum. 1912. In. 2-80 333 7-98 2-06 2-84 3-10 4-93 3-23 1-29 Deg. Fahr. 73 61 55 58 64 64 71 81 86 Deg. Fahr. 29 27 22 22 22 31 28 32 37 April May June July August September .. October November .. December .. 19 20 24 14 12 19 17 23 12 3 11 12 14 11 4 3 1 1913. January February March 3-11 3-60 5-18 19 16 18 85 87 81 33 33 30 1 Totals 43-45 213 60