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Waipu Sand-dune Areas. Area of marram-grass (Psamma trenaria) established from 1 lth August, 1919, to 19th November, 1922, 160 acres (approximately) ; California tree-lupin (Lupinus arboreus) plantations established on coastal and inland dunes, approximately twe'lvo miles. Green Hill Nursery : An experiment was decided on (1920-21) to establish a nursery to raise pine-trees to transplant on the coastal dunes and other sheltered localities, and also to sow pineseed (Pinus pinaster maritima) and wattle-seed in covered places on sand-dune areas direct. This venture has proved quite successful in both cases. Tree-planting Operations (3rd May, 1923, to 14th August, 1923). —On 7th May a commencement was made to transplant the pine-treess from the nursery beds. The pine-trees, Pinus insignis, Pinus muricata, and Pinus pinaster maritima, we're transplanted principally along tho coastal dunes, but somes hundreds were also transplanted in sheltered localities on the inland drift. Also 126 willowcuttings we;re planted out in suitable places on the coastal dunes. The following is the number of pine-trees transplanted: Pinus insignis, 1,497; Pinus muricata, 1,686; Pinus pinaster maritima, 529 : total, 3,712. The pine-trees have been transplanted on the; coastal and intervening ridges in conformity with the configuration of the sand-dune area, and cover a distance in a serpentine and circular formation for a distance of 6 miles 32 chains, trees being set apart from 6 ft. to 10 ft. The trees are planted out under the shelter of tho established lupin plantations, and this harvesting season the lupin branches have been cleared away, showing that 85 per cent, of the trees planted, have established themselves. The distance', the 2>ine-trees are planted along the coast-lino proper is approximately 1 mile 70 chains. California tree-lupins (Lupinus arboreus) : Harvesting, threshing, and sowing lupin-se>,ed, from 6th December, 1923, to 31st March, 1924. On 6th December the harvesting, threshing, and sowing of lupin commenced, and the following is a summary of the work carried out for the above period : California tree-lupin seed harvested from 6th December, 1923, to 15th February, 1924, 4 cwt. 2 qr. The refuse of threshed seed sown, 90 sacks. Lupin branches carrying seed-pods and lupin fascines laid, 601J chains. Quantity of California tree-lupin threshed seed sown, 3 cwt. 3 qr. 6 lb. The work carrieel out this harvesting season extends from the Ruakaka Rivesr to within two miles of the Waipu Rivor, and is continuous and parallel to the established lupin plantations. Tho germination of the lupin-seed has been good, and the young plants are making favourable! progress. Progress of Work and a General Description of the Growth of Plantation. —The California treelupins established on the Waipu sand-dune areas are making splendid growth, and in a few.placeis both the inland and coastal dunes are completely clothed with the lupins. With the exception of approximately 20 chains the lupin plantations extend from the Waipu River to Ruakaka ; anel across the Ruakaka River towards Marsden Point lupin plantations are also established, but are not doing so weill anel are not so extensive as on tho Waipu coastal and inlanel dunes. Marram-grass plantations (Psamma trenaria) : Seven marram-grass plantations are established from outside; Owen's land, at Ruakaka, to in tho vicinity of the Waipu Road " turn in " from tho beach. The plantations are making good progress both as regards a supply of marram-plants and " holding up " tho sand-drift. With the exception of some repair work, no marram-grass planting has been done since the season of 1922. Green Hill Nursery : During the year, on account of an insufficiency of funels, nursery-work has practically been in abeyance ; however, pine-trees of the sort mentioned elsewhere have been planted on the eastern boundary-line. In connection with this work, 2,000 pine-trees are ready to transplant this season. The following plants and trees planted out on the coastal and inland dunes are making favourable progress : Ice-plants (two varieties), yellow annual lupins, flax (Phormium tenax), Hakea, Saligna, willows (two varieties), A. lopantha, black-wattle, and Ailantus glandulosa. The above plants and trees have been planted on the! Waipu sand-dune areas to test the growth and the; suitability em sand-dune areas of the plants and trees in question. General Remarks. —Trespassing stock were impounded on 20th May, 21st July, and Bth August, 1923, The impounding fees collected were forwarded to the Receiver of Lanel Revenue. Firing marram-grass : The damage done! to marram plantations is becoming a serious menace, and this last two years fully £200 worth of good marram-plants have been destroyed. Last January 24 chains in length and 1 chain wide was completely burnt out at Queen's Plantation, Ruakaka. No evidence could be! found as to the perpetrator of the act. The fact that the plants will grow again after being fired does not remedy the destruction, as the plants are not suitable again for planting out for some seasons hence. Kaipara Sand-dune Area. Area (approximate) of marram-grass established from 10th March, 1920, to 30th November, 1924, 162 acres. California tree-lupin established (approximate), from. 10th March, 1920, to 31st March, 1923 : Inland drift, five plantations, extending at various localities from the Eagle's Nest northerly, six miles. Coastal dunes, from a point opposite the Eagk's Nest along tho coastal dunes northerly to the Otakanini Block, twelve miles. Threshed lupin-seed for shipment to Groat Northern sand-dune areas, 10 cwt. 3 qr. 231b.. Extension of the Pa marram plantation (Puketapu Block) : Reclamation work on this sand-dune area closed down on 31st March, 1923, the worker employed and the overseer proceeding to Waipu to attend to the planting of pine-trees. Returning to the Kaipara sand-dune areas em 17th August, 1923, a commencement was made to dig and prepare marram-plants for a marram plantation, an extension of the Pa marram plantation, and extending across the sand-drift above; Messsrs McLood
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