C.-3

18

(3) Storage of seed under various conditions to find the maximum period for which it can be economically stored. (4) Experimental treatment of nursery soils with various crops—blue lupin, mustard, vetches, oats, &c. (5) Comparative methods of seed-sowing with improved appliances. The control of grass-grub in nursery lines was again taken in hand, and smoke-screens from burnt sulphur-powder have so far proved effective in the Tapanui Nursery. Manual of Forestation Practice. The co-ordinated experience gained by regional trials over several years will shortly be embodied in a manual on forestation practice, which should prove of great value to officers of the Service. Wrenching. An experiment to ascertain the effect of wrenching of nursery stock upon survival, after planting out in the clay soil at Riverhead Plantation (Auckland), was carried out with insignis-pine seedlings. Unwrenched plants were 12 in. long when lifted —shoot 6 in. and root-system 6 in. Wrenched plants were 8 in. in length—4J in. shoot and 3| in. of root-system. The respective root-system consisted of a long single tap-root and of a branchy fibrous root. No difference was found, in the survivals six months after planting ; but the unwrenched stock cost more to plant, as deeper spits had to be dug to prevent the tap-roots being bent or bunched during planting. Establishment of Plantations by Direct Formation. Further spot-sowing trials were carried out at Riverhead and Maramarua Plantations, and at Waipoua Forest 1-Cxperiment Station. At the two former places ten plots of ten acres each were sown, the plots being selected on different parts of the areas representing various aspects and soil conditions. At Waipoua ten acres were sown. On the three areas the seed sown was of six species of pine, four other conifers, and five species of eucalypts. The seed was sown during the month of September at Maramarua, and in October at the other two stations. Unfortunately, dry weather set in about the time the sowing was completed, and results taken as a whole arc not very encouraging. It is expected that a good deal of delayed germination may take place, and stocktaking results cannot, therefore, be considered as final. At Waipoua, pheasants, quail, and other birds devoured most of the pineseed, and birds were also troublesome at Riverhead, and to a less extent at Maramarua. Mice took the larger seed at both Waipoua and Riverhead. On the whole, the most promising species are Canary Island pine (24-5 per cent.), macrocarpa (34-2 per cent.), and Eucalyptus eugenioides (434 per cent.). Permanent sample plots, ] square chain in area, have been established in all sown areas, and counts are made on these plots from time to time. During 1928-29 it is proposed to sow 100 spots with a variety of species during each of the months April to September, at the five main stations in the region. Provided normal climatic conditions obtain, this test should afford reliable data in respect to the suitability of species and the best season for sowing. Direct sowing was also continued at Kaingaroa where a further area of 2,345 acres was established ; at Karioi, where 173 acres were dealt with ; and on smaller areas at Golden Downs (Nelson), Hanmer, and Balmoral (Canterbury), and Waikaia (Southland). Improvements are still being made to the mechanism of seed-drills and an effective type of hand-sower will be given extensive trials during the forthcoming season, 7. Forest Economy. Forest-products Investigations. The utilization of forest waste has often erroneously been assumed to be the principal object of forest-products research. To be sure, this factor is one of primary importance, but is not of paramount importance in comparison with, the large field which has to be explored. All the objectives of forestproducts research, including waste-prevention, have been clearly expressed by Aldo Leopold, of the United States Forest Products Laboratory, as follows : — (1) To increase the quantity of merchantable forest products by utilizing waste. (2) To enhance the quality and hence the value of forest products by—(ffl) Controlling the properties of the material grown through manipulation of the growth process: (b) sorting the material to segregate the properties required in each use : (c) modifying the properties where sorting is not sufficient, It is towards those ends that local forest-product studies are being directed. The extensive range covered by this research can be visualized by quoting typical results. The completion of a survey of the timber industry resulted in a statistical analysis, giving, inter alia, details of mills cutting the minor native species. This linn already resulted in an increased utilization of the latter, due to a reference system thus being established between consumers and suppliers. An article on woods for butter-boxes was responsible for the complete review of the species suitable for the export package of butter, and showed the manner by which little-used species can replace the high-priced standards at present in use. The completion of grading studies carried, out in all districts of New Zealand has made it possible to revise the grading and classification rules for native buildingtimbers, and is designed to ensure a uniform grading throughout the Dominion. Flotation tests carried out on tawa resulted in methods being developed for the flotation of this valuable hardwood.