403 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



4-5 EDWARD VII., A. 1905 



preserve. It has also the merit of earliness. The Earliana seems to be the variety 

 best suited to north-western conditions. 



TOBACCO, 1904. 



Six varieties of tobacco were grown during the past season. The seed was sown 

 in boxes in the hot-bed on April 15, and after transplanting, the plants were set out in 

 the open on June 15, and were especially strong and vigorous. Despite the somewhat 

 cool season, the product attained a greater degree of maturity than in any previous 

 tests, and it seems quite probable that we may yet succeed in growing tobacco satis- 

 factorily in Manitoba. The plants were set out in rows 3 feet apart, and 3 feet fipart 

 in the row. During the summer the flowers were pinched off as fast as they appeared, 

 all suckers were removed, and beyond some damage occasioned by heavy winds, the 

 leaves were nearly perfect. 



Following are the leaf measurements of the different varieties under test, together 

 vath the stage of ripeness reached. 



No. 1. "White Burley. — Dimensions of leaf: Length, 2 feet 5 inches; breadth, 16 

 inches. Commencing to colour. 



No. 2. Small Red Canadian. — Dimensions of leaf : Length, 26 inches ; breadth, 

 '17 inches. Commencing to colour. 



No. 3. Primus. — ^Dimensions of leaf : Length, 26 inches ; breadth, 15 inches. 

 Quite immature. 



No. 4. Connecticut. — Dimensions of leaf : Length, 28 inches ; breadth, 14J inches. 

 Quite immature. 



No. 5. Simmers' Spanish. — Dimensions of leaf: Length, 24 inches; breadth, 12 

 inches. 



No. 6. Quesnel. — Dimensions of leaf: Length, 16 inches; breadth, 12 inches. 



Nearly ripe. The earliest of all tested. 



It will be seen from the above that the most promising varieties for Manitoba of 

 those tested are : Quesnel, White Burley and Small Red Canadian. 



FLOWER GARDEN. 



With the overflowing of the Assiniboine river the past spring, and the consequent 

 flooding of the site of our annual flowe'r garden, the prospects for a floral display did 

 not seem at all promising in the early part of the season. After the water receded, the 

 soil was sour, owing to the length of time it had been covered, and it did not seem pos- 

 sible for plants to thrive in it. However, the bed was given a thorough digging, fully 

 two spades deep, and left in a rough condition for a week or ten days in order to give 

 it an opportunity for mellowing. At ths expiration of this time a thorough raking was 

 given and the eeedlings were planted. The plants grew luxuriantly and flowered pro- 

 fusely, the garden being fully as attractive as in previous years. The following annuals 

 may be of interest : — 



Ahronia umhellata.—^A pretty little trailer of easy cultivation and producing com- 

 pact little trusses of pink flowers profusely. 



Bartonia Aurea. — This was one of the most satisfactory annuals ever grown 

 here. The large bright yellow flowers are produced very abundantly, a single plant 

 covering a space three feet square. Hardy and easy of cultivation. 



Nemophil'a maculata. — A pretty little annual, very dwarf and compact in habit^ 

 flowering freely. The colour of the flowers being a very light blue with a dark blue 

 blotch at the base of each petal. Seems to prefer a shady situation. 



