C—lb

18

Of the experimental planting made two seasons ago, Pinus ponderosa var. scopulorum continues to make strong sturdy growth. Pinus teocote, where planted in sheltered places, has made an average growth of about 5 ft., and from present indications should prove to be one of the fastest-growing trees we have. It is, however, susceptible to frost, and is not likely to prove generally useful here. A heavy thinning was made over an acre of nine-year-old Pinus radiata, between six and seven hundred trees being left standing. Considering the remarkably rapid growth made by this species, it is apparent that one heavy thinning at this stage will be as effective as two light thinnings during the same period, and at the same time greatly reduces the cost of production. The remainder of this block of 24J acres was cleaned by removing the side branches to a height of about 6 ft. above the ground, the average cost of this work being £2 12s. per acre. About 665,000 pits are available for the coming season, and this will complete the planting of the enclosed area. Maintenance of fire-breaks accounted for an expenditure on labour of £318 Is. lOd. 235 chains of new fire-breaks were formed, varying in width from | chain to 3 chains, the average cost being 4s. sd. per chain. The necessity of keeping the fire-breaks in good order is demonstrated annually. This summer a fire broke out alongside our boundary on Maungakakaramoa, and, although the fire did not actually cross the fire-break, about 2 acres of Pinus austriaca were rather badly scorched, trees 12 chains away from the fire being affected. A fire Ranger was appointed during the year, his duties being to keep the plantation under constant observation during the summer months, and to attend to fire-breaks and fences during winter. Two wooden buildings were erected at the No. 2 camp, each having accommodation for two men. More buildings are needed to meet the present requirements. About 15 tons of hay was saved from the horse-paddock at the No. 1 camp. Rabbits were kept in check by trapping, poisoning, and digging out the burrows. Where the fire-breaks have been newly worked trapping is difficult, and poisoning during the winter months is found to be more effective. The average daily number of men employed during the year was 15-68. A record of rainfall and temperature is attached. [J. Mason, Assistant Forester.

Schedule I.

Schedule II. — Statement of Expenditure. For Year. To Date. Planting operations and maintenance — £ s. d. £ s. d. Tree-planting .. .. .. .. 411 1 0 7,597 13 2 Pitting .. .. .. .. .. 7,164 6 1 Clearing .. .. .. .."'. .. 6,123 2 6 Cartage of trees .. .. .. 15 9 0 612 19 8 General upkeep .. .. .. 1,243 19 6 7,075 19 4 Thinning .. .. .. .. 55 0 0 55 0 0 General repairs .. .. .. 62 710 553 13 9 Horse-feed .. .. .. .. 131 11 2 1,159 10 11 Permanent worksFencing .. .. .. .. .. 2,119 18 11 General formation .. .. .. 53 0 0 1,482 17 1 Buildings .. .. .. .. 138 16 5 1,417 4 0 Water-service Stock, implements, &c. —Tools and implements 140 4 7 1,015 10 7 Supervision and clerical— Supervision of free labour .. .. 277 0 0) Clerical assistance 42 0 0 i 4,608 3 0 2,570 9 6 40,985 19 0 Value of prison labour for which no payment has been made, apportioned in above items .... 24,665 2 6 Actual expenditure .. .. .. £2,570 9 6 £16,320 16 6

Rainfall. Number of Days Rain fell. Tempi stature. Number of Days Frosts occurred. Month. Maximum. Minimum. 1913. Lpril lay une "uly Lugust September .. )ctober November .. )ecember .. In. 0-60 2-65 1-50 4-86 5-32 2-06 3-40 4-85 4-72 4 13 7 14 15 11 14 21 18 Deg. F. 74 63 64 67 62 66 73 74 85 Deg. F. 22 19 18 20 20 21 25 27 29 12 17 21 14 12 10 6 3 3 1914. 0-92 1-46 5-15 5 8 10 84 85 79 31 22 22 fanuary February tlarch 3 3 4 Totals 3749 140 108