45 



During my journey through Manitoba and the North-We^t Territories last sum- 

 mer it was found that the native forest trees were producing seed in great abundance. 

 As this was an opportunity not often to bo had for a most useful work, prompt 

 arrangements were made for the collecting of a large quantity. Both the superin- 

 tendents of the north-western Experimentiil Farms, Mr. A. Mackay and Mr. S. A. 

 Bedford, entered heartily into the wo;k, visited the districts where seeds were most 

 plentiful and, with the help of settlei-s, Indians and half-breeds bucceedea in securing 

 between two and three tons of tree seeds. They consist chiefly of Manitoba maple, 

 ash, oak and wild cherry. About seven acres have been sown on the Experi- 

 mental Farm at Brandon, Man., and enough has been reserved at Indian Head, 

 N.W.T., to cover a similar area. A few sacks have also been kept at each farm to 

 supply any settlers in the neighbourhood who may apply for them. The remainder 

 (about a ton and a-half ) has been forwarded to the Experimental Farm for general 

 distribution. Already more than 500 packages have been sent out by mail and the 

 stock on hand will jjrobably be sufficient for two or three thousand more, leaving 

 sufficient to plant some large plots on the Central Farm. As each of the packages 

 sent out will contain enough seeds to produce many hundreds of trees while the 

 large areas sown at the several Experimental Farms will, if successful, be likely to 

 produce several millions, the results of this years work in the collecting of tree seeds 

 will in a short time do much to further tree planting on the western plains of 

 Canada, 



ANNUAL INSPECTION OF BEANCH EXPEEIMENTAL FAEMS. 



NAPPAN. 



During the summer the usual annual visits were made to the several Experi- 

 mental Farms. The farm for the Maritime Provinces at Nappan was inspected 

 during the latter part of July. Among other features of interest there was a large 

 and instructive series of grain plots of many different varieties, illustrating the 

 variations in individuals sorts, the eftects of special fertilizers on their growth, also 

 the influence of draining, which, by prompt removal of superabundant water, admits 

 of early sowing and thus gives greater vigour to the plants. Useful facts were 

 also being demonstrated regarding the growth of field roots, Indian corn, fruits and 

 garden vegetables. This farm has had many visitors from the adjacent districts 

 who have expressed surprise and gratification at the progress which has been made. 



VISIT TO SOUTHERN MANITOBA. 



The journey westward was undertaken earl}^ in August, when the grain was 

 approaching maturity. Some parts of southern Manitoba were visited when in 

 company with the Dairy Commissioner, Prof. J. W. Eobertson, I had thepleasureot 

 attending several meetings of farmers, especially at Pilot Mound and Glenboro, and 

 also of driving through a very fertile range of country for about 100 miles through 

 an almost constant succession of wheat fields laden with grain, almost ready for the 

 reaper. At Glenboro' the o])portunity was afforded of visiting the adjacent Icelandic 

 settlement where pleasing evidences of thrift, comfort and prosperity were observ- 

 able on every hand. The mixed farming carried on by these worthy settlers is evid- 

 ently the best style of farming for that country and whea generally adopted will 

 result in greater prosperity. Praises of the useful work being carried on at the 

 Brandon Experimental Farm met me here, and I found that many of these people 

 had cheerfully driven the forty miles which separates them from this farm in order 

 to take in some of the useful lessons taught there by the experiments conducted, 

 especially those with varieties of grain and useful fodder plants. 



