burning, and of certain other shrubby elements, such as the tall species of Carmichaelia, due to combined burning and grazing. The scarcity of Agropyron scabrum is peculiar, and due either to its having been eaten out or not ever having been an important element of the formation. Over certain areas the injurious effects of summer burns on the fescue tussock are notable, but there is no appearance in general of any opening-up of the grassland and the production of steppe. Unlike what happens on lowland tussock grassland, no invasion with Danthonia pilosa has occurred. Certainly a few plants of both that species and D. semiannularis are to be seen, but there is no appearance of that replacement of the tussock growth-form by this genus which is so noticeable and characteristic of much lowland tussock grassland in both the main islands of New Zealand. 6 Deterioration in Carrying-capacity. It is generally accepted that the carrying-capacity of the montane tussock grasslands has seriously deteriorated since they were first brought under occupation. From an examination of the sheep returns covering a considerable period it is evident that deterioration is not a general feature, but is confined to certain special areas. So far as the upper Waimakariri river-basin is concerned, the figures for the four main sheep-stations during the past thirty-five years are as follows:— Name of Station 1879 1889. 1899. 1909. 1914. Castle Hill 7,500 8,800 8,000* These figures are for 1898, the 1899 ones being just under 5,000, but the reduction is due to excessive mortality. 7,500 7,000 Craigieburn 18,000 21,500 22,500 20,000 17,000 Mount White 18,000 32,000 31,000 38,000 27,500† 1913 figures. Those for 1914 show a decrease to 24,000, but this is only temporary, as the run is understocked through both sales and winter losses. Grasmere 8,500 8,500 8,500 7,000 7,500 Totals 52,000 70,800 70,000 72,500 59,000 These figures show that the stock carried thirty-five years ago and to-day is approximately the same, but that during the past six years a considerable decrease has taken place It will be noticed, however, that the carrying-capacity of the two smaller stations has throughout remained much the same. On all these stations the winter country is montane tussock grassland, but they also possess large areas of summer country. Thus, so far as the upper Waimakariri area is concerned, it is hardly correct to say that the grazing-land has seriously deteriorated, as it is quite possible that the low figures for 1913 and 1914 may be improved again in a year or two, as has been the case in the past when a diminution in the flocks has been recorded. For purposes of comparison it is perhaps fairer to take the stock in a whole sheep district for a number of years. As the Mackenzie County sheep district is one that is frequently quoted as showing serious deterioration in the carrying-capacity of its tussock grassland, the