FOREST-TREE GROWING IN THE SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND. I 73 



enhanced by the prevalence of a comparatively mild yet moist 

 winter. Under these conditions the losses in planting-out rarely 

 exceed 4 per cent., although when a severe winter is followed by 

 almost persistent winds and a prolonged absence of moisture, it 

 is not unusual to record as high as 8 per cent, in transplantation 

 failures. 



" Without a doubt greater problems have to be faced in 

 conducting our work in Central Otago. Owing to the severity 

 of winter frosts (on one occasion the thermometer registering as 

 low as 14° F. below zero) which are at times responsible for 

 completely lifting newly planted trees out of the ground, we 

 endeavour to commence the planting-work at Naseby about the 

 early part of August, by which time the surface-soil is relieved 

 of frost. The conditions obtaining at Tapanui and Hanmer 

 Springs Plantations are, fortunately, much milder, and actual 

 planting is often entered upon before the end of April, and 

 continued with occasional intermissions until the beginning of 

 October, during which period between two and a half and three 

 million forest trees are planted out. 



"The mode of preparing pits having already been alluded to, 

 a few brief remarks will be sufficient to explain the planting in 

 operation. Where practicable a light spring dray is used to 

 convey trees from the temporary depots to the planters ; but the 

 hilly and otherwise rough nature of a great proportion of the 

 ground being planted makes it necessary to employ a packhorse, 

 which, with heavy woven baskets, one on each side of the saddle, 

 is able to distribute from conveniently arranged trenches a 

 sufficient number of trees to keep from fifteen to twenty planters 

 fully occupied. By keeping a record of trees thus dealt out, the 

 employee in charge of the packhorse or dray is able to check the 

 number of trees planted daily. For carrying trees, canvas bags, 

 17 ins. long and 14 ins. wide, with shoulder-straps, have given 

 most satisfaction. 



" Although tree-planting was in former years carried on by 

 two operators (one holding the plants and the other using the 

 spade), the equally effective and certainly more economical 

 method of single planting is now employed. 



" The adherence to the following points, as a rule, is 

 maintained, although at times deviations are both necessary and 

 desirable. Assuming that tree-planting is being carried out in 

 grubber-pits : By a well-directed blow or two with the spade an 



