51 



of loss which occurs between the first and second, or first and third sowings, represents 

 a sum so large that the importance of early seeding cannot be too strongly urged. 



FOEESTET. 



Tree-planting in the forest belts on the Central Experimental Farm has been 

 continued, and about 3,100 trees have been set out along the northern boundary of 

 the farm. It is proposed to continue this planting until the whole length of this 

 side of the farm is furnished with a continuous shelter belt. This will eventually 

 prove a very attractive feature, and also furnish important data in regard to the 

 relative growth of the more important trees of economic value in this country, so that 

 information may be available to those who may need in the future to plant trees 

 either for shelter, ornament, fuel or timber. 



The belts already planted are making good growth ; the avenues and hedges are 

 also doing well. The clumps of ornamental trees and shrubs about the buildings 

 and along the roads have become well established, and already add much to the 

 appearance of the place. 



In this connection I desire to acknowledge the kindness of Prof. Sargent, of the 

 Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plains, Mass., who has generously donated to the experi- 

 mental farms 81 species of trees and shrubs, many of them rare sorts. A part of 

 these are suitable for planting at Ottawa; the more tender sorts have been forwarded 

 for test to the experimental farm at Agassiz, British Columbia. To Mr. L. Jackson 

 Dawson, the efficient superintendent of the arboretum, my thanks are also due for 

 his kindness in making the selection, comprising varieties so well adapted to our 

 needs. 



The distribution of forest trees and forest-tree seeds to settlers on the North- 

 West plains has been continued. In the report of the Horticulturist particulars will 

 be found of the distribution of about 2,000 mail packages of seedling forest trees, also 

 of 4,053 packages of tree seeds, chiefly those of the box elder, Manitoba ash, oak and 

 cherry. This part of the experimental farm work has awakened in the Canadian 

 North-West a very general interest in tree-planting. From the large number of 

 young gi-oves which are thus being established at different points on the great 

 plains, belts and plantations of trees will shortly be planted about dwellings and 

 farm buildings which, in process of time, will afford desirable shelter for man and 

 beast and much improve the general appearance of the country. In a very few years 

 many of these young groves will produce seed, and with tree seeds in plenty, avail- 

 able at so many points, tree culture on the plains will no doubt make rapid advance- 

 ment. 



BUILDINGS. 



The extension to the poultry building mentioned in the last annual report has 

 been completed, and will furnish pens for both breeding and laying, as well as some 

 for experiments with cross breeds. The necessary buildings for carrying on the 

 work on the Central Experimental Farm are now nearly completed. They consist 

 of a barn about 145 x 50 feet, with a wing on either side of 100 x 25 feet, one of which 

 is u^ed for the farm horses; the other is fitted up for bulls. This commodious build- 

 ing is shown in Fig. 3 : 



7f— 4 



