REPORT OF MR. S. A. BEDFORD 355 



SESSIONAL RARER No. 16 



adapted in every way to the climatic conditions of the west compiaratively few can be 

 found throughout Manitoba. With a constitution that obviat-es the necessity of the 

 slightest protection and increasing in size of plant and number of blooms from year 

 to year, a few plants give such generous returns for a small expenditure of labour. 



The Paeony begins to bloom toward the end of June and continues throughout 

 July with flowers ranging from 8 to 10 inches in diameter of various colours, many of 

 them possessing a delicate perfume. They present a mass of colour, which never fails 

 to elicit the greatest admiration. Some of the clumps on the Experimental Farm are 

 now 4 to 6 feet in diameter and produce annually an average of 30 to 40 flowers each, 

 perfectly double and of the most delicate colouring and texture. It is a fact worthy 

 of note that although many of the clumps growing on the farm have remained in the 

 same position since planting (eight to ten years ago) that they show no symptoms of 

 deterioration, which is quite contrary to the general opinion that they require lifting 

 and dividing every few years. 



Many varieties can now be purchased having a wide range of colour and form, this 

 fact, combined with their exceeding hardiness and freedom from disease, places them 

 in the foremost rank of our hardy herbaceous perennials. We may mention that pro- 

 pagation is effected by division of the root in a similar manner to that of rhubarb. 



DISTETBUTION OF GEAIN, POTATOES, FOEEST TEEES, SHEUBS, &c 



Seedling trees and shrubs pkgs. 600 



Potatoes in 3-lb. bags 206 



Wheat in 3-lb. " 131 



Oats in 3-lb. " 100 



Barley in 3-lb. " 40 



Pease in 3-lb. " 72 



Maple seed in 1-lb bags ; . 80 



Ehubarb seed pkgs. 33 



Total 1,229 



Number of farmers reporting on their experience with oats. ... 15 



" " " wheat . . 11 



" " barley . 5 



" " " " potatoes. 42 



" " " " pease .. 5 



* Largest yield obtained from 3 lbs. wheat (Preston) 110 lbs. 



« « 3 " oats (Banner) 101 " 



" " 3 " barley (Odessa) 72 " 



" " 3 " potatoes (Uncle Sam) . . 272 " 



« " 3 " pease (English Grey) . . 55 " 



VISITOES. 



Owing to the great interest taken in the agricultural advancement and possibilities 

 of this country, and the increased importance of the city of Brandon as a centre for 

 farming purposes, the number of visitors to the Experimental Farm is increasing 

 every year. It is estimated that over 18,000 visitors called at the farm during the past 

 year. A large number of these were parties examining the country with the idea of 

 becoming settlers in the west. 



The farm was also visited by a number of the leading newspaper correspondents 

 of the United States, and favourable comments were made on the work of this farm 

 by the newspapers they represent. 



Many excursion trains were run to the farm from towns on the main line of the 

 Canadian Pacific Eailway, also from along the line of the Pembina branch. 



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