C— Iβ

40

Although no meteorological records are available, it is evident by the issue of double leaders and injury to foliage that a severe early frost was experienced in this district, and the European larch and Oregon pine appear to have suffered mostly. Of the shelter trees, Pinus muricata is growing with greater vigour than Pinus radiata, although the latter species have increased their height by nearly 30 in. Both Pinus ponderosa and Pinus Laricio are thriving, and undoubtedly these two varieties of trees would constitute the main body of future artificial forests on dredged tailings. After promising well, the Lanx europaea are beginning to assume a somewhat sickly appearance over the lower branches, but by next report it will be possible to determine if this discoloration can be rightly attributed to climatic influences. Satisfactory headway is also being made by alder, birch, and poplar, whilst Oregon pine is succeeding where a greater proportion of clay and soil is incorporated with the gravel and boulders. The clearance of noxious weeds was begun -after the closing of the year's accounts, and such expenditure will therefore be excluded from the current season's statements. The expenditure to date reaches £203 os. 7d., as per details on schedule hereunder. Schedule 11. — Statement of Expenditure. For Year. To Date. Planting operations and maintenance — . £ s. d. £ s. d. Tree-planting ... ... ... 20 2 0 Pitting . . ... ... 27 6 0 Clearing ... ... ... 23 0 3 Cartage of trees ... ... 300 General upkeep of plantation .. ... . . 37- 2 3 General repairs ... ... ... ... 4 0 0 Permanent works — Fencing ... ... ... ... ... 57 11 1 Formation ... ... tt. 3 10 0 Stock, &o. ... Supervision and clerical Salaries — Supervision of free labour ... ... ... 900 Superintending Nurseryman's- proportion and clerical assistance ... ... 18 9 ft £203 0 7 Schedule 111. — Trees Account. Number. Trees received during year Less to replace banks Planted on new area Previously planted ... ... ... ... ... 30,525 Total number planted on 11 acres (average age, five years) 30,52.5 Schedule IV. — Property Account. £ s. d. Land (11 acres) : Crown land not charged to Forestry Account ... Buildings Live-stock Improvements ... ... ■ •■ •■■ •■ ■■• 3 10 0 Fencing ... ... ... ... ... ••■ ... 57 11 1 Stores in hand £61 1 1 Balance-sheet. £ s. d. Total expenditure ... ... ... ■•■ ••■ ■•■ 203 0 7 Less Property Account .. ... ... ... ... 61 1 1 Cost of operations ... ... ■■• ■• ■ ■■ 14:1 19 6 11 acres planted (average age, five years) Estimated value of plantation per acre ... ... ... £10 3 0 R. (i. Robinson, Superintending Nurseryman. Ewkbubn Nursery, Ranfurly, Central Otago. (Area., 49 acres; altitude, 1,400 ft.; established, 1896.) The rainfall recorded at this station for the past year was 2267 in., which fell on 122 days. This is an exceptional fall for here, and beats all previous records. The rainfall exceeded that of the preceding year by 6 - 41 in. The lowest reading of the thermometer in the screen was 11°, on the 11th of August, and on the ground B°, on the 13th August, 1912. The number of nights frost occurred on in the screen was 129 and on the ground 190 nights. The maximum shadetemperature was 84°, on the 19th January, 1913. The rainfall for the year has been very evenly distributed, except in the month of December, when it only registered 56 points. The season altogether has been very favourable to tree-growth generally, and the crop of seedlings is one of the best yet raised here.