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Nelson Region. At Golden Downs the total area now in growing trees is 19,245 acres, which includes 64 acres of new planting'. The growing-season was remarkably good, excepting in the nursery, where just as germination was required it was delayed by frost and lack of moisture. A variety species was used in the new planting, and the strike is approximately 84 per cent., which must be considered quite satisfactory. The total blanked area was 396 acres, 185,670 trees being used. Here again the strike was very good. In the nursery 1,313,200 trees were lifted, and 634,700 were lined out; 3541b. of seed was sown. Westland Region. . Tree-cleaning was commenced in 152 acres of Thuya plicata, 1931 planting. Opossums again were numerous in the plantation, and 118 were caught during the winter months. The usual maintenance work was necessary—repairs to fences, painting of buildings, cleaning of creeks, ditches, &c. Canterbury Region. In this Region new planted areas were Balmoral, 105 acres; Eyrewell, 155 acres: total 260 acres. Number of trees used was 139,200. These areas comprised firebreaks and odd corners here and there in the plantations. Owing to favourable weather conditions after planting a good strike of about 90 per cent, was obtained. Tree-growth generally was exceptionally good, thanks to beneficial rains, which were well distributed throughout the season. A second growth commenced in February, and was particularly noticeable in the P. radiata stands. Southland Region. At Pebbly Hills Plantation the only new planting was about 14 acres of a former swamp which had been drained, and at Blue Mountains Plantation 23 acres comprising small detached areas lying along the Clutha River; 19,500 trees were planted. Blanking was cariied out at Naseby and Beaumont, 121 acres and 26 acres respectively being dealt with, and 68,500 trees being used. At Pebbly Hills Nursery about 871b of seed was sown, producing 256,000 seedlings, the species being mainly P Murray ana P. radiata, P. ponderosa, and P. Strobus. Of the trees lifted (316,000) 172,000 were used for planting, 44,000 were lined out and 100,000 despatched to other stations.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (1,834 copies), £28 10s.

By Authority: G. H. Loney, Government Printer, Wellington.— 1936.

Price 9d.]

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