40 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



4-5 EDWARD VII., A. 1905 



previous. The leaves were turning yellow. Extensive fires were con.suming the forests 

 in many districts and much valuable timber was destroyed. The air in many localities 

 was so filled with smoke as to veil the beauties of the landscape. 



The hay crop had been au excellent one and tlie clover exceptionally heavy. The 

 yield of grain also was fairly good. Oats have given as high as 67 bushels per acre, 

 barley 63 bushels, and spring wheat 33 bushels per acre. Indian corn had made good 

 growth but was rather uneven, due chiefly to faulty germination of the seed. Roots 

 and potatoes promised well. 



The fruit orchards were not in a very satisfactory condition. Many of the young 

 apple trees have been greatly injured by canker which has spread rapidly and proved 

 very destructive, making it necessary to root up many of the trees. Pears were a very 

 light crop and some of the trees were withering from the drouglit. Plums were a fair 

 crop and the rot was not very prevalent this season, so that most of the fruit, was 

 gathered in good condition. 



Blackberries were fruiting well and raspberries had given a fair crop. Currants 

 and gooseberries had also borne fairly well. The nut trees and mulberries were well 

 laden with fruit. 



The cattle and sheep were in good condition, and notwithstanding the long period 

 of dry weather the pastures were looking fairly well. Pigs were thriving, but the 

 litters had been smaller than usual. The fowls had made good progress and there was 

 a large number of chickens. 



VISIT TO VICTORIA. 



While in Victoria, several orchards were seen and the crops seemed to be fully 

 •up to the average. One of these, owned by Mr. R. M. Pamler, deserves si)ecial notice. In 

 has been established as a commercial orchard and comprises twenty acres in all. The 

 trees have all been planted about eighteen feet apart with the intention of allowin;'^ 

 them to bear until they begin to crowd each other and then gradually thin them out. 

 In this orchard there are planted about 3,000 trees. The apples number about 2,000 

 and consist chiefly of Wealthy, Blenheim Orange, Duchess, Boskoop, Cox's Orange 

 Pippin and Lord Suffield. Of pears there are about 200, chiefly Bartlett, Louise Bonne 

 and Beurre Bosc. The cherries, of which there are about 800, are largely Olivet, Belle 

 Magnifique and English Morello. 



This method of growing fruit on the Island is said to have been very satisfactory 

 and to have given good returns. 



VISIT TO VERXOX AND PENTICTON. 



While at Vernon a visit was paid to the Coldstream ranch where the large 

 orchards planted by Lord Aberdeen are now bearing abundantly. These orchards are 

 in splendid condition and remarkably clean and well cultivated. The trees are thrifty 

 with well formed 'heads, and the fruit is regularly thinned, so that none of the trees 

 are allowed to overbear. Nearly all the fruit produced is of first quality. 



The journey on Lake Okanagan from Okanagan Landing to Penticton was very 

 enjoyable, and at the various landing places there was evidence of much progress, and 

 settlement is going on rapidly. Kelowna, which is about half way down the lake, 

 has now become a town of good size, and in the surrounding country, orchards can be 

 seen in every direction. On the return journey, the steamer took on shipments of fruit, 

 &c., for the east. At Summerland, 700 boxes of tomatoes, apples and plums were 

 received, and at Peachland and Kelowna additional shipments were made. There ii 

 a rapidly growing business in fruits and vegetables throughout this region. 



THE EXPERIMENTAL FARM AT XAPPAX, K.S. 



The annual visit was paid to this farm in October, when all the crops were 

 found to be harvested, excepting field roots. Owing to the unusually dry weather in 



