124 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



2-3 EDWARD VII., A. 1903 



Tlie following other trees peculiar to South-western Ontario, appear to be hardier 

 than the above, and some individual trees are perfectly hardy : — 



Platanus occidentalis, Linn. (Buttonwood). 



Castanea sativa, Mill. var. Americana (Chestnut). 



Fraxinus quadrangulata, Michx. (Blue Ash). 



Gleditschia triacanthos, Linn. (Honey Locust). 



Some of the rest, such as Gymnocladus canadensis, Crato'gtis Crus-galli, Pyrus 

 coronaria, and Juglans nigra, are quite hardy. 



A few of the coast trees of British Columbia kill out root and branch, among such 

 being Acer macrojyhyllum, Arbutus Menziesii, Chrnus Nuttallii, and Quercus garrayana. 



It is interesting to note that out of the list of 121 species of native trees pubhshed 

 by Prof. J. Macoun, about 100 have proven hardy or half hardy here, and the writer has 

 no doubt that when all the species are tested there will not be more than 10 which 

 cannot be grown at Ottav/a. 



The question of the acclimatization of trees, shrubs and plants is a very important 

 one, and one in which there is a good field for work at the Central Experimental Farm. 

 A few instances have been mentioned where native trees have gradually become hardier 

 after being planted S3veral years. It might have been further stated that other spe- 

 cimens of these had been killed out root and branch. These furnish excellent examples 

 of the individuality of trees. We have noticed over and over again in nursery 

 rows that some trees of the same species are hardier and more vigorous tlian others. It 

 has also been noticed that a tree which has a wide range from north to south, will not 

 be as hardy when imported from the south as from the north. An excellent example is 

 the red maple, Acer rubrum. This tree imported from some parts of the United States 

 has killed back and made scrubby trees, while from further north it has done well. 



There is no doubt, in the writer's opinion, that many trees which we have great 

 difficulty in getting to fruit here, will eventually be much hardier when raised from seed 

 ripened at Ottawa. 



Contributions of plants and seeds, especially of rare Canadian species, will be grate- 

 fully received, as the desire is to increase the collection as rapidly as possible and to have 

 the native flora well represented. 



In the report for 1897, a descriptive list of 100 of the best herbaceous perennials 

 was published and since then additional short lists have been given in the annual 

 reports. 



During the past two years the writer has had the opportunity of visiting many 

 gardens and the great dearth of herbaceous perennials has been very apparent. This 

 was most noticeable in the early part of the season. 



The following list of the best herbaceous perennials which bloom at Ottawa before 

 May 31, has been prepared in the hope that it may prove of assistance to lovers of 

 flowers in helping them to make a good selection of plants, some of which will begin to 

 bloom almost as soon as the snow is off the ground. Spring flowering bulbs are veiy 

 desirable, but they should be supplemented by other plants. As there are not many 

 who would desire to get all the kinds described, the best twenty-five are marked with an 

 asterisk. In the following list the species and varieties are given in order of blooming. 



LIST OF BEST SPRING-FLOWERING PERENNIALS. 



* Anemone patens. Spreading pasque flower, (North America). — Height 6 to 9 

 inches. In bloom fourth week of April. Flowers large and pale purple. Very early. 

 A beautiful flower. 



Arabis albida. Mountain rock cress. (Caucasus). — Height 6 to 9 inches. In 

 bloom first week of May. Flowers smaU but pure white and borne profusely in racemes 

 or clusters. 



