48 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



sects, and eventually wither. During the early autumn when this bush is in the height 

 of its glory, there are very few other shrubs in bloom. This gives the greater prominence 

 to this showy and valuable shrub which would however hold its place well in any com- 

 pany. This hydrangea is quite hardy in the Ottawa district, and may be propagated 

 by cuttings made from the partly ripened wood during the summer months. 



FOREST AND ORNAMENTAL TREES AND SHRUBS. 



During the year 1894, the forest belts and clumps, which were planned when the 

 work began on the central experimental farm, have been completed by the planting of 

 3,442 trees along the northern boundary of the farm. Particulars of this work will be 

 found in the appended report of the Foreman of Forestry, Mr. W. T. Macoun. In this 

 report it is shown that there are now growing on the experimental farm in the various 

 permanent plantations, avenues, hedges and groups in the shrubbery borders, a total of 

 35,735 trees and shrubs. To this number may be added 1,407 specimens, which have 

 been planted in the Arboretum under charge of the botanist, making a total of 37,142 

 trees and shrubs, all of which have been planted since the improvements began on the 

 experimental farm in 18S7. In this mass of material, there will be found plantations 

 of various sizes of all the valuable economic woods which can be grown in this country 

 for timber or for fuel from which useful data will in future, from time to time, be 

 obtained as to the annual growth of the individual trees and the quantity of wood growth 

 per acre. There are also now in the entire collection more than 700 varieties of trees 

 and shrubs under test as to their hardiness and adaptability to the climate of the 

 Ottawa district. In this number, there are included species and varieties from every 

 part of the world where the climate is such as to give a reasonable probability of success 

 in their growth. It is expected that many additional varieties will be added during the 

 coming season. 



The forest tree department, including the ornamental trees and shrubs, has from 

 the outset been under the special charge of the Director. No sufficient provision having 

 been made otherwise for the work, it was at first more convenient that the material 

 annually distributed by this branch should be put up and mailed by the horticultural 

 division, and this plan was temporarily adopted. I beg to acknowledge my indebtedness 

 to the horticulturist, Mr. John Craig, for the efficient and willing service he has rendered 

 me in this important work, which has required on his part a considerable amount of 

 labour and oversight. Under Mr. Craig's supervision, there were sent out through the 

 mail in 1890, 1,000 packages containing 100,000 young forest trees, each variety labelled, 

 and with each package a circular giving instructions for their planting and care. In 

 1891, 2,000 packages were mailed containing 200,000 young forest trees ; there were 

 also sent out that year 3,782 bags of tree seeds. In 1892, there were distributed 983 

 packages of trees and 918 bundles of cuttings of promising varieties of Russian Poplars 

 and "Willows. In 1893, 830 packages of trees, 798 of cuttings and 214 of mixed cut- 

 tings and trees. In addition, there were distributed that year 1,523 bags of tree seeds. 

 These tree cuttings and tree seeds were nearly all sent on request to settlers on the 

 North-west plains, where trees are absent or very scarce. In 1890 and 1891, larger 

 packages of promising trees and shrubs were also sent to the Mounted Police stations 

 and Indian agencies, also to the experimental gardens of the Canadian Pacific Railway 

 located in the North-west at different points along the main line. My thanks are also 

 due to Mr. Craig for the willing help rendered me in extending the forest plantations on 

 the central farm in 1890 and 1891, also for the supervision given to their care during 

 those years. 



Experience has shown that the experiments conducted with native tree seeds and 

 cuttings of poplars and willows have been more successful than those with most of the 

 young trees. The box elder has however generally done well when grown from seed 

 collected in the North-west. 



Now that a very large amount of such material is available at the branch farms at 

 Brandon, Man., and Indian Head, N.W.T., it is proposed to carry on the distributions 



