C—lb

42

Tree-seeds. —The expenditure on tree-seeds was £104 16s. 9d. —a considerable increase on the previous year. The quality was fairly uniform throughout, and the germination fair, as will be seen by perusal of Schedule V. Manures. —This item of expenditure includes purchase of manures, freights, and cartage. The manures were used in connection with seed-beds, and the oat and carrot crops. Miscellaneous Works. —'Under this heading are included all items that cannot be placed under the other headings in the statement of expenditure. Tools and Implements. —This item includes the purchase of tools, &c, to replace those worn out during the previous years. A new trench-plough was procured for the purpose of more effectual subsoiling. Buildings. —Two huts were transferred from the Prison Camp to the nursery for the purpose of providing accommodation for the nursery employees, &c. ; also to provide storage-accommodation for tools, supplies, &c. Nursery-formation. —-It was found necessary to tile-drain a low-lying portion of the new nursery area. The expenditure also includes levelling, &c. Fencing. —This was a very small item, and includes the construction of a new gate. Water-supply. —There was no expenditure under this heading, the present supply proving quite satisfactory for all nursery purposes. The extension of the supply to the stables and dwelling is, however, very desirable, as in case of fire the present supply at the latter places is totally inadequate to successfully cope with any outbreak. Soil-restoration Measures. In order to restore soil-fertility to the areas which have been continuously cropped since the initiation of the nursery, green manuring was resorted to with beneficial results to the soil, crops of oats and rye being ploughed in when from 12 in. to 15 in. in height. The method has the desirable effect of forming humus, and thus keeping the ground open and friable. The areas thus treated are allowed to fallow, subsequent frequent tillage being resorted to. Live-stock. Our teams are at present composed mainly of aged horses, three being between fifteen and twenty years old. The Department would benefit by selling these and procuring in their place a team of younghorses of a more desirable and useful stamp. Each year the distances to cart the trees increases, and the aged horses are unable to stand the strain of constant road-work. The cartage of supplies from Culverden —twenty-five miles distant—is also heavy, meaning fifty miles in two days, which soon knocks up aged horses. Proposals. As the present seed-bed area has been cropped continuously for the last five years, it will be necessary to fallow and plough in green crops for at least two years or more in order to restore fertility. It is proposed, therefore, to transfer seed-sowing operations to a more suitable area. This area has been sown down in clover for four years in succession, last season's crop being ploughed in during the autumn, and the ground allowed to fallow all winter with subsequent constant tillage, which should bring the soil into fine condition for the above purposes. The expenditure for the year amounted to £1,512 Bs. 6d., the total expenditure to date reaching £12,292 2s. Bd. The daily average of men employed during the year is 6-99. Statement of expenditure, Property Account, Trees Account, and meteorological records are appended.

Schedule I.

Rainfall. Number of Days Rain fell. Temperature. Month. Number of Days Frosts occurred. Maximum. Minimum. 1913. April May June July August September .. October November . . December .. I In. 5-02 5-60 1-98 2.47 3-04 2-29 6-88 3-27 5-22 mn aw 208 4-55 3-42 7 13 6 17 11 9 13 13 13 Deg. Fahr. 78 53 60 63 60 69 77 77 84 Deg. Fahr. 27 10 24 17 19 22 21 9 23 17 22 4 32 1 33 35 1914. 8 11 88 87 85 38 37 1 32 January February March Totals I 4582 128 81