31

C—3

Details of Three-year-old Trees, sown 1913-14.

Trees transferred from Nursery to Plantations, &c., 1915-16.

Hanmer Springs, Plantation, Canterbury. (Plantation Foreman, A. J. Boydell; area, 3,668 acres; altitude, 1,225 ft.; commenced operations, 1901.) Afforestation operations are generally attended with success at this station, and the past season has been no exception to the rule. The phenomenally dry winter, spring, and summer experienced throughout the greater part of the Canterbury Province did not affect to any great extent the Hanmer Plains and immediately surrounding district, although at times a heavy rainfall would have been highly beneficial. Even in the driest season Hanmer is practically immune from the serious effects of drought, coming as it does within what is familiarly known as the north-west shower area. It would, however, be wrong to convey the impression that the drought was entirely escaped, as a rather heavier percentage of deaths is noticeable among the newly planted trees than is usually recorded in a normal season. Tree-growth. —The usual uniform growth has taken place among all varieties of established trees, and the various blocks are looking remarkably well. Some trial plantings of eucalypts proved a complete, failure, owing to the prevalence of heavy north-west winds for a long period immediately subsequent to planting. Under normal conditions, however, these trees would probably prove a success. The growth among trees planted during the season has been above the average ; but the death-rate has been heavier than usual, especially Pinus radiata, probably owing to the unusually dry spring. A late frost in October cut back the tender leaders of the Douglas fir, Sitka spruce, and larch ; but these trees subsequently recovered and are now looking quite healthy. Tree-planting. —Tree-planting was commenced on the 24th May and was completed on the 23rd September, the total number of trees planted for the season being 763,600, at a cost of £348 ss. lOd. Of this number, 28,900 were used to replace failures in the preceding season's planting. Under the new system of spacing the trees were planted at distances varying from 4 ft. to 6 ft. apart. The area planted for the year was 41.0J acres, making a total area to date of 2,941 J- acres under forest, containing 7,626,411 trees. This completes the planting of the ground now available with the exception of a small block adjoining Jollies Pass, which it is anticipated will, be cleared, fenced, and planted during the coming season. The temporary curtailment of operations during several months following the completion of tree-planting consequent on the shortening of hands has had the effect of placing this station in a partial state of unpreparedncss to cope with the coming season's output, of trees from the nursery. With the recent readjustment of labour, however, and some speeding-up, a successful season may be looked forward to.

Name of Tree. Number in Nursery-lines. Remarks. inus austriaca ,, Laricio .. ,, ponderosa ,, muricata ,, scopulorum 'seudo-tsuga taxifolia . . ietula alba 353,000 5,000 74,000 10,000 5,700 6,000 250 Strong trees. ,, plants. Very fine growth. Strong trees. Medium plants. Poor plants. Good plants. Total 453,950

Where sent. Name of Tree. Number. Hanmer Springs Plantation r Pinus Laricio ,, ponderosa ,, radiata Larix europaea ,, leptolepis Eucalyptus Macarthuri ,, viminalis .. Muelleri .. 344,625 199,875 169,325 13,000 20,850 12,200 3,700 25 I Public Works Department ■Selwyn Plantation Board Vlackenzie County Council Vlackenzie Domain Board Larch and pines Pines Larch and pines Pinus radiata 763,600 34,500 75,500 31,500 1,000 Total 906,100