a—3

6

The area planted in both Islands was 1,972 acres. This area is less than the average, and is accounted for by Hie fact that, owing to an adverse season at Tapanui, there was a much reduced number of trees for planting out on the plantations supplied by that nursery. The total area now planted in both Islands is 37,416 acres. The following table shows the area planted prior to the Ist April, 1909, and the area planted yearly since that date: —

Prison Labour. At Kaingaroa Plantation (Rotorua district) the average number of prisoners employed was 2362. The total value of the work done by prisoners during the year was £2,499 Is. 5d., and the total area planted was 658 acres. The total value of the work done by prisoners in the North Island since 1900 is now £52,300 16s. sd. Owing to the fact that the Prisons Department requires its prisoners for the farming, draining, and other operations which that Department is carrying on elsewhere, it has been arranged that the prisoners will be removed from Kaingaroa about the end of July. It has been found that Maoris have a special aptitude for plantation work, and they will in the future be employed at Kaingaroa Plantation. DISCHARGED-SOLDIER LABOUR. Discharged soldiers have been employed as labourers at both the North and South Island plantations during the year, and at present the total number is fifty-three; but before Christmas the number was more than double this. From the point of view of the Department the employment of this class of labour has not proved altogether satisfactory, as a large number of the men look upon tree-planting as merely a stop-gap occupation and remain only a short time at the work. Damage by Deeu. In both the Rotorua and Tapanui districts deer have become a serious nuisance in the plantations, and though forest officers are permitted to shoot them on the plantations it is both difficult and expensive to keep_ these pests in check. Dr. Sommerville has shown that in the Scottish Highlands deer have in many localities, by eating the seedlings, completely prevented the regeneration of Scots pine. These animals are likely to become a serious trouble in our own native forests as soon as management operations are started in them, and it will be necessary to take strict measures to control them. Trees to Farmers and Local Bodies. The total number of trees disposed of to farmers and local bodies was 277,235, which is a large decrease in the number disposed of last year. The decrease was mainly due to the restrictions imposed by the Railway Department on the carriage of goods, and to a shortage of plants resulting from a bad season in the South. The reports of the Superintending Nurserymen for the North and South Islands are appended hereto.

Island. Planted before 1st April, 1909. 1909-10. 1910-11. 1911-12. 1912-13. 1913-14. 1914-15. 1915-16. 1916-17. 1917-18. 1918-19. 1919-20. Total Area. Sorth South Acres. 7,802 3,291 Acres. 1,807 891 Acres. 1,575 1,025 Acres. 1,664 902 Acres. Acres. 776 1,288 828 537 1,604 1,825 Acres. 1,416 749 Acres. 1,913 764 Acres. 1,918 846 Acres. 1,633 1,020 Acres. 1,835 964 Acres. 1,430 542 Acres. 25,057 12,359 L'otal 11,093 2,698 2,600 2,566 2,165 2,677 2,764 2,653 2,799 1,972 37,416