311 



The rainfall during the time the plants were growing amounted to 

 28.83 inches distributed as follows : — 



April ... ... 2.03 



May ... ... 6.30 



June ... ... 1.00 



July ... ... 2.43 



August ... ... 4.10 



September ... ... 5.72 



October to 23rd ... ... 7.25 



28 . 83 inches. 



with a larger rainfall, it is possible that the yield, heavy as it was , 

 would have been much heavier. 



The plants are said to ratoon freely, but ours did so but sparingly. 

 The stems were probably cut too close to the ground, if 1 to 2 feet of 

 each stem had been left they might have ratooned more freel3\ 



For fuller information, and an analysis of the seed, see Bulletin for 

 February, 1896. This plant ought to be suited for growing in shel- 

 tered valleys along the coast from St. Margaret's Bay to Manchioneal 

 where Guinea grass has failed to establish itself. 



Himalayan ^r^?ss (Pennisetum orientale, Rich.).— This splendid grass 

 continues to grow luxuriantly and, as it produces seed freely, it will, 

 no doubt, spread in the course of time. 



Bermuda Lilies. — This experiment has not proved a success. 



There is no resting period during which the bulbs may be lifted and 

 shipped ; before the old growths are ripened new shoots are formed and 

 grow vigorously. In a drier district it may be possible to grow this 

 lily successfully. 



Plants Distributed. 



Economic Plants : — 



Sweet Oranges ... ... 21,850 



Sour do. ' ... ... 11,000 



Gfrape Fruit- seedlings ... ... 3,240 



Do. budded ... ... 300 



Shaddock ... ... 775 



Tangierine Oranges ... ... 506 



Limes ... ... 200 



Budded Navel Oranges and Citron ... 6 



Blue Mountain Coffee ... ... 14,750 



Free Grants.' 



West Indian Cedar ... ... 11,560 



Ramie ^ ... ... 1,000 



Other Economic plants ... ... 909 



Ornamental — various ... ... 603 



Total Economic plants distributed ... 66,096 

 Ornamental " " ... 603 



Total number of plants distributed 



66,699 



