94 



This selection was sent to 250 applicants. Many reports which have come in 

 give very satisfactory accounts of the relative success of the different varieties 

 Those coming from Manitoba and the North- West — M^hich sections received the 

 larger share of the distribution — aie of special interest. Nearly all the varieties 

 started well, except the blackcap raspberries, of which "tip" plants only, were 

 available at the time of sending them out. It is much safer and surer in shipping 

 these varieties long distances to use yearling plants well rooted. 



The following circular of instructions accompanied each parcel : — 



Dominion of Canada, 



Department of Agriculture, 



Central Experimental Farm, 



Ottawa, April, 1890. 



Dear Sir, — A package containing plants of small and large fruits has been 

 mailed you this day, and your attention is specially called to the following 

 instructions : — 



When plants are received unpack at once and wet the roots. If unable to plant 

 immediately, store them in a cool cellar or heel them out of doors, covering them 

 completely with moist earth. Situation. — When selecting a site for planting, if pos- 

 sible choose a loamy and friable soil on a northern slope. A piece that that has 

 been summer fallowed is preferable ; avoid southern exposures, as trees and plants 

 in such situations are liable to be injured by alternate freezing aud thawing in the 

 spring, and hot winds in summer. Work the ground twelve to fifteen inches deep 

 and pulverize thoroughly. Planting — Raspberries. — Set in rows six feet apart and 

 four feet in the row ; care should be taken not to plant the tip varieties deeper than 

 three inches ; the piece of old cane on these sers^es only the purpose of a handle and 

 is of no use after setting out. Examples of this class are Mammoth Cluster, Shaffer 

 and Gregg. The upright varieties. Turner, Cuthbert and Hansell, may be planted 

 deeper. Manure freely and cultivate well. Pinch off the canes when three feet 

 high, and prune back lateral branches the following spring to within twelve or eigh- 

 teen inches of the main cane. It is necessary to bend down the canes in the fall and 

 cover them with earth sufficient to hold them in this position. The apple and cherry 

 trees we send out are cut back, and should be grown with low bushy heads. Bind the 

 trnnks and main limbs in the fall with straw or hay to protect from winter cold 

 and spiing sunshine. Currants and Gooseberries ne^d liberal manuring and mulching 

 in the fall. As two-year old wood bears most fruit it is best to remove annually all 

 canes three j'ears and over. 



You will be expected to take such notes during the growing period as will enable 

 you to make a report at the close of the season on the behavior of each variety, 

 giving soil and exposure. Eeports will be expected whether favorable or unfavor- 

 able. 



Yours truly, 



Wm. SAUNDERS, JOHN CEAIG. 



Director. Horticulturist 



In addition to the above, there were distributsd 110 packages, containing a selec- 

 tion of strawberry, raepberrj^ plants and forest tree seedlings, the latter being a 

 number of incomplete bundles left over at the close of the tree distribution. 



Arrangements have been made whereby this work can be continued during the 



coming season. 



propagation of trees and shrubs. 



In view of the comparatively limited information we have in regard to the best 

 and most expeditious methods of increasing many of the rarer and hardier forms of 

 trees and shrubs, experiments in this direction were inaugurated during the past 



