21

C—3

Raising of Seedlings. —Although the growth of a number of species leaves much to be desired, the germinating-percentage on the whole is satisfactory, Monterey pine and Douglas fir being particularly good crops, considerably above the average. Gootl germination was also obtained with Pinus strobus, Thuja gigantea, and Cupressus Lawsoniana, while the crop of Pinus ponderosa is somewhat thin, and Cupressus macrocarpa was almost a failure. Owing to the unfavourable season germination in all cases was unusually slow, much of the seed lying dormant for fully two months. Seedlings generally are small but healthy, Pinus radiata being the only species which has made good growth. Pinus Laricio seed arrived too late for sowing, and has been stored until next spring. The estimated number of trees raised from seed was 1,461,700. Transplanted Trees. —As a result of the drought heavy losses have occurred amongst the trees in nursery lines, although everything possible in the way of surface cultivation was done ' , conserve moisture to the greatest possible extent. The conditions under which tree-planting was carried out were fairly good, and until the latter end of January a very successful season was anticipated; from that time onward, however, an almost complete cessation of growth was noticeable, and failures became numerous. The presence of grass-grub in considerable numbers has also been responsible for deaths, chiefly amongst, Pinus Laricio and Pinus radiata. Approximately 600,000 trees will be available for planting during the approaching season, leaving a fair proportion of plants in stock which will not be sufficiently advanced for removal. The output of trees during the past winter and spring totalled 520,627, of which number 43,477 were distributed to farmers and public bodies. The estimated number of trees in the nursery at the 31st March was 2,469,770. Horse-feed. —40 tons of oatsheaf were harvested from 28 acres sown, and about 20 tons of rye and clover hay were grown on spare nursery breaks. Buildings. —A. small building purchased cheaply from a neighbouring settler, and another originally erected for horse-boxes but no longer required for this purpose, were removed to a convenient site and converted into comfortable quarters for employees. Much-needed improvements to one of the nursery cottages were also carried out. The daily average number of men employed was 146.

Rainfall, Temperature, &c.

Details of One-year-old Trees, sown 1919-20.

Month. Rainfall. l_ Number of Days Rain fell. Temperature. Maximum. Minimum. Number of Days Frosts occurred. I 1919. April May June July August September October November December In. 5-90 219 2-94 414 6-53 3-98 3-67 3-20 4-00 In. 5-90 219 2-94 4-14 6-53 3-98 3-67 3-20 4-00 22 14 12 13 .1.9 12 18 20 14 22 14 12 13 .1.9 12 18 20 14 Deg. F. Deg. F. 64 27 63 22 64 22 60 24 71 22 62 26 72 28 71 30 88 32 8 17 13 15 16 16 3 2 1920. 2-33 0-58 1-40 233 0-58 1-40 15 8 10 15 8 10 81 33 89 32 85 - 31 January February March Totals .. 40-82 177 90

Name of Tree. Number in Seed-beds. Amount of Seed sown. Growth. Pinus ponderosa „ radiata ,, strobus ,, muricata . .. Pseudo-tsuga Douglasii Cupressus Lawsoniana 50,000 750,000 30,000 8,000 600,000 6,000 4,500 12.000 200 1,000 lb. 40 149 5 2 56 1 7A1 3 s 3 Fair. Very good. Poor. Good. Fair. Poor. „ ■ macrocarpa Thuja giganlea Sequoia sempervirens Cryptomeria japoniea 5, 5, Pair. Total 1,461,700