28

C.—Iβ.

Preparation of Ground.— Undoubtedly one of the most important and indeed difficult propositions to be faced annually here is the preparation of ground for the reception of seedlings. By repeated cultivating the lighter surface soil becomes incorporated with the lower clay, and unless a fairly dry spell is experienced, more harm than good arises from working the ground. It is satisfactory to record, however, that we have not been debarred from conducting the necessary double ploughing and. subsequent cultivating-work this year, and this fact alone should ensure more encouraging results next season. For manurial purposes a rye and clover crop was ploughed under ; but the area thus treated cannot reasonably be brought into use for at least another year, owing to the presence in such numbers of Odontria sandageri and 0. xanthosticta in all stages of development. In many places the clover crop was eaten outright by the pest, thus demonstrating the disadvantages arising from the adoption of this usually excellent means of soil-restoration. Horse-feed.-—An additional 41 acres of heavy land adjoining the nursery were acquired, principally for the production of horse-feed. About half of this area, although only receiving a hurried preparation, yielded about 25 tons of well-headed, oaten sheaves, or sufficient with our other winter produce to keep the horses well supplied during the ensuing year. About 8 tons of rye and clover and an abundance of turnips are also being harvested, although the carrot crop is not of much account. Several paddocks were worked up and repastured, whilst others have received a natural surface-sowing and are in good order for winter. Miscellaneous works.—A. number of inexpensive improvements were introduced. Ihe necessity of renewing a number of our seed-frames becoming apparent, some forty-five, 6 ft. wide, were constructed and used with success. About 20 chains of roads were top-dressed with gravel. The expenditure amounted to £2,089 12s. 6d., providing employment for an average of 8-8 men, and the total expenditure since initiation reaches £27,367 10s. 7d. The year's output to plantations, public bodies, &c, was 700,039 (the lowest for a number of seasons), which are valued at £2,116 7s. as per Schedule V. Some 3,877,080 young trees in various stages are now in stock, against which [the value of £5,714 9s. 9d. has been shown. Statements of expenditure, Property Account, Trees Account, and meteorological records are appended.

Schedule I.

Schedule II. — ■Statement of Expenditure. For Year. To Date. Tree-planting and maintenance — £ s. d. £ s. d. Tree-growing 630 4 0 13,296 19 11 General maintenance and repairs .. 429 10 1 3,109 11 3 Tree-seeds 158 10 4 1,363 10 11 Manures 69 0 7 314 8 8 Horse-feed, purchased and grown .. 105 2 5 1,385 0 4 Miscellaneous works .. . . .. 55 14 6 338 7 4 Stock and material —Tools, implements .. 134 12 8 1,140 6 7 Permanent works — Building's 86 16 1.0 2,358 4 2 Nursery-formation .. .. .. 18 114 521 1 7 Fencing .. .. • • ■ • 52 0 2 669 10 10 Water-supply .. 4 9 7 229 4 1 Supervision and clerical — Proportion of Superintending Nurseryman's salary and clerical assistance .. 190 0 0 2,4181211 Nursery Foreman's salary .. .. 155 0 0 222 12 0 £2,089 12 6 £27,367 10 7

Month. I Rainfall. Number of Days Rain fell. Tempi srature. Minimum. Number of — Days Frosts occurred. Maximum. i 1913. April May June July August September .. October November .. December .. In. 4-13 562 2-06 4-46 5-73 2-46 5-27 4-41 5-42 17 25 18 2,". 14 16 18 15 15 Deg. Fahr. 68 66 56 58 59 68 75 75 84 Deg. Fahr. 29 29 25 24 26 30 32 31 33 6 10 13 11 11 6 2 1 1914. 19 12 11 86 93 78 37 34 35 January February .. March • • 3-23 3-59 142 j Totals 47-80 203 60