REPORT OF MR. S. A. BEDFORD 309 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



zensis (Willow), Larix amcricana pendula (Tamarack), Caragana arhoresccns (Siberian 

 Pea Tree), Ficea alba (Sative White Spruce), Sallx laurifolia (true) (Laurel-leaved 

 Willow). Prunus pennsylvanica (Pin Cherry), Coriius stolonifera (Doyuood), Syrinya 

 vulgaris (Common Lilac). 



CATERPILLAR ON WILLOWS. 



Early in August a number of willows in the propagating beds were attacked b}' a 

 dark caterpillar, with bright spots along its body, probably the larva of a saw tly. 

 Some of the branches were completely stripped of leaves before the insects were noticed. 

 The plants were sprayed with a mixture of one teaspoonful of paris green to one pail of 

 water. This destroyed the insects at once and the plants soon recovered. 



THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. 



Despite the drawbacks resulting from the flood experienced on the farm this season, 

 together with a disastrous cloudburst which occurred on June 1, the vegetable garden 

 suffered comparatively little and the crops were quite up to the average. The month of 

 April being very cool and dull with several snowfalls, outside sowing did not commence 

 until May 25, when onions were sown, closing on May 28 with cucumbers and corn. 

 The soil being very moist, the germination was exceptionally good, the rows showing a 

 continuity (with the exception of some of the pease of weak vitality) not always ex- 

 perienced" here. Following the custom adopted some years ago, three kinds of vege- 

 tables w^ere tested in large variety, viz. : — Pease, Tomatoes and Cucumbers. The cool- 

 ness of the season prevented the tomatoes from ripening, but the others named did 

 exceptionally well. Onions, Beets, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Turnips, Lettuce, Carrots, 

 Squash, Pumpkins and Corn, all gave good returns, and altogether the season was a 

 favourable one for the vegetable garden. 



Following will be found a record of portions of the work undertaken in this depart- 

 ment : — 



PEASE. 



Forty-seven varieties of Garden Pease were sown on May 12 and 13, with hoe, in 

 rows four feet apart, and the crop as a whole, was very satisfactory. The worst feature 

 of the test was the lack of germinating power in many of the varieties due to Pea 

 "Weevil, especially those not grown extensively. This has been a source of annoyance, 

 for some years past, with imported seed and emphasizes the desirability of growing 

 our own seed, which is always free from this trouble. All varieties ripened, and the 

 product has been harvested for use next season, the sample being a fine one. The earl- 

 iest variety proved to be Extra Early Exonian. Champion of England being the last 



readv for table. 



Appended is the result of the test arranged in order of earliness. 



All were sown on May 12 and 13. 



The germination of the following varieties was poor :— Thos. Laxton, Admiral 

 Dewey, C.P.R., Yorkshire Hero, Telephone, Shropshire Hero, Champion of England, 

 Laxton's Prolific, Long Pod, Rennie's Perfection and Duke of York. 



