9

0.—3

greatest portion of this fell during the period from Juno to November, inclusive. The summer months were marked by a light rainfall, a high average temperature, and unusually dry atmospheric conditions. The lined-out trees have all done well, which is largely due to the ease with which the soil between the rows can be kept scarified in order to conserve the moisture, while the trees in tho seed-beds have suffered most owing to the difficulty in keeping the ground from becoming hard. The trees raised from seed during the year are all good average crops, with the exception that the Douglas-fir crop is very thick and the growth somewhat less vigorous than usual. Pinus ponderosa seed was procured from three sources, with the result that there are three distinct forms of seedlings. Inquiries are being made at the Forestry Bureau, Washington, with the object of localizing the various forms of this pine. The Corsican pine, as usual, has made good growth, while, the Monterey pine is less vigorous but nevertheless satisfactory. The two-year-old trees in seed-beds are all less vigorous than usual, the Douglas fir being most noticeable in this respect. The growth made by the trees is, however, satisfactory, being well ripened, thus making them well fitted for transplanting successfully. Of the experimental trees tried last year both types of the Pinus Laricio, variety cebennensis and variety taurica, have made very strong growth, and no difference is noticeable between the two. Both are healthy, and appear to be more vigorous than the Corsican pine. Both lots of Scots fir tried have made very poor growth, and are too small for planting permanently this year, and both are slightly affected with the aphis. The only difference noticeable so far between the two is that the Finland seed germinated better than the Norway seed. In order to maintain the fertility of the nursery lands the vacant plots, aggregating 25 acres, were sown down with clovers and cocksfoot with very satisfactory results. It is probable that, owing to the necessity of curtailing the expenditure, this land will be allowed to remain under the clover crop for another year. In the meantime it will afford valuable grazing for the horses, and will probably give a good return in hay next summer. As will be seen by the appended schedules, the estimated number of trees in the nursery at the 31st March was 9,096,450. The total, number of trees raised since this nursery was started is 58,459,543, of which number 49,363,093 have been transferred to the plantations and other places. The average daily number of workmen employed during the year was 25-41. Appended are schedules showing rainfall and temperature records, and particulars of trees in the nursery and those, sent out during the year.

Rainfall, Temperature, &c.

Details of One-year-old Trees, sown 1915.

2—C. 3.

Month. Rainfall. Number of Days Rain fell. Temp Maximum. Temperature. pers ature. Minimum. Number of Days Frosts occurred. 1915. April May June July August September October November December In. 3-500 2-165 7-520 6-360 4-360 5-160 4-520 7-250 1-450 8 14 19 12 15 20 19 20 10 Dog. F. . 75 66 56 57 62 69 68 67 82 Dog. F. 31 32 30 27 29 32 35 34 37 1 1 II 11 13 3 2 1 2 1916. 2-015 1-310 3-990 13 6 13 80 82 83 40 44 40 1 January February March " .. Totals . . 49-600 169 1(1

Name of Tree. Number in Seed-beds. Height, in Inches. Amount of Seed sown. Remarks. Cupressus Lawsoniana Eucalyptus Macarthuri ,, resinifera var. grandiflora Hypericum calycinum Pinus Laricio ,, ponderosa ,, radiata Pseudo-tsuga Douglasii . . 20.000 100,000 30,000 5,000 600,000 250,000 100,000 1,500.000 2 9 7 i 2' 1* if 5 1 2 1b. 3 „ 1 „ 2 oz. 66 lb. 290 „ 50 „ 125 „ Slow growth. Very good. Very slow. Good. Fair. )) 2,605,000