354 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



4-5 EDWARD VII., A.. 1905 



There were two frosts in June; one on the 9th of 1°, and one on the 10th of 2°, 

 which did considerable damage to tomatoes, squash and tender annuals that were not 

 covered. Fortunately the most of these were covered, as indications favoured a frost 

 at this time. The only frosts recorded in May were on the 1st, 2nd, 6th and 7th of 1°, 

 5°, 6° and 5°, respectively. The first fall frost, September 1, of 1°, was earlier this 

 season than usual, but light, doing slight damage. One on the 23rd of 9°, and one on 

 the 28th of 2°, killed all tender plants. 



The apple crop here this year was larger than usual. The capacity of the trees for 

 producing is gradually increasing. Some of the varieties produce small unsaleabhi 

 apples, and some are varieties of inferior quality which are hard to dispose of when 

 such sorts as Gravenstein and Bishop Pippin are on the market in quantity at low 

 prices, as was the case this season. Consequently the revenue from this source is not as 

 high as anticipated. Heavy winds during the latter part of August and early Septem- 

 ber shook off a considerable quantity of fruit. 



Two trees of Gravenstein were lost from the disease known as collar rot. - This io 

 a letting of the bark at the surface of the ground. These trees were in a vigorous state 

 until last season, when they appeared to lack vigour, and although the affected portions 

 Avere removed, and the wounds well washed with a copper sulphate solution, they died 

 during the winter, which was no doubt partly due to the severe season. One Banks or 

 Bod Gravenstein also winter root-killed. This tree had not previously been in a very 

 vigorous state, although the bark appeared healthy. This tree was planted where there 

 was heavy clay near the surface, which was probably the cause of its unthrifty con- 

 dition. Four trees were injured by sunscalding above the veneering used for protec- 

 tion in the orchard, and had to be removed. In the orchard, protected by a shelter belt 

 of natural spruce, two trees were injured by mice girdling below the veneering, which 

 was not set down close enough to the ground. Mice were very numerous in the pro- 

 tected orchard, which was no doubt largely due to strips of land between the trees be- 

 ing previously in clover. No mice were noticed in the other orchard, where the whole 

 ground was more or less in cultivated crops. Numerous complaints were received from 

 different parts of the provinces of the damage done by mice. A good protection for 

 trees against their attack is strips of veneering (thin hardwood) about 2 feet long 

 wrapped around the trunk of the tree and tied with binder twine or some such strong 

 twine. This veneering can be kept from year to year and made to serve for a number 

 of years. This is also valuable for protecting trees from sunscald. 



There was very little apple spot on the fruit this year, and very few apple worms. 

 The apple and plum aphis were more numerous than usual, and were controlled by a 

 spray of whale oil soap and water; 1 lb. soap to 6 gallons of water. 



The plum crop was small, which was doubttless largely due to the severe winter. 

 The pear crop was a failure, only the Flemish Beauty producing fruit. The crop of 

 cherries was also small, and, as usual, the birds took the most of the fruit. From our 

 experience it would appear that we cannot grow the sweet cherries here successfully. 

 The common cherry of the Coventry, of Richmond type, found growing in every sec- 

 tion of the country, seems adapted to a larger range of conditions than any others. 

 Seedlings of these start up under old trees and if set out and cultivated have given 

 better satisfaction than any of the newer varieties. In some more suitable locations 

 this may not hold good; but, generally speaking from a maritime standpoint, this is 

 the case. 



The strawberry plantation was on a piece of heavy soil on which ice formed dur- 

 ing the winter, and the crowns of the plants were injured. When the mulch was re- 

 moved it was found that the majority of the plots were killed out completely. Of 

 the remaining plantts the crop was light owing to the dry weather. The crop of goose- 

 berries was fair. The English varieties were badly covered with mildew, rendering 

 them largely unmarketable. They were sprayed several times with potassium sul- 

 phide, 1 oz. to 2 galls, water, which only partially controlled this fungus. The currants 

 were a fair crop. Easpberries a light crop. 



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