56 EXPERIMEyTAL FARMS. 



64 VICTORIA, A. 1901 



The instructive experiments which have been carried on with many varieties of 

 large and small fruits have served to show where these can be grown to the greatest 

 advantage, and has been helpful in promoting fruit-growing over those large areas 

 where the climate is so well adapted to the growth of fruits of high quality. By cross- 

 fertilization on hardy wild forms new and improved sorts have been produced, some 

 of which will, it is believed, be hardy enough to succeed in all those portions of the 

 country where the climate is less favourable to fruit-growing. The information which 

 has been given on the cultivation of vegetables and the varieties best suited to the 

 different climates of the country has also proved of much value. 



Exp?riments in tree planiing v. ere begun at all the experimental farms as soon 

 as practicable after their organization. At the central farm twenty acres are devoted 

 to forest expeaments to determine the relative growth of the more important timber 

 trees under different conditions. Sixty acres of the same farm are in use as an 

 Arboretum where trees and shrubs from many countries are under test to detrmine 

 how far they are suitable for growth in eastern Canada. Smaller areas are being 

 devoted to the sam3 purpose on the branch experimental farms. As the need for forest 

 shelter is very great on the open plains in the North-west country special attention 

 has been given to the encouraging of tree planting for shelter in Manitoba and the 

 North-west Territories. About sixty to seventy thousand trees have been planted on 

 each of the western experimental farms in shelter belts, shelter blocks, avenues and 

 hedges, furnishing examples as to the best methods of planting and giving information 

 as to the cost of planting per acre. To aid others in starting this useful work there has 

 been distributed free through the mail, on application during the 'past twelve years, 

 1,261,000 young forest trees in lots of about 100 each, and more than 7 tons of tree seeds 

 have been sent to settlers in sample bags of one pound each, every package containing 

 si'fBcient to produce with reasonable care from 500 to 800 young seedlings. The results 

 of this work are now everywhere apparent. On homesteads in almost every part of the 

 North-west plains, there are small plantations of forest trees which afford shelter for 

 buildings and stock; also for the growing of garden vegetables, small fruits and flowers, 

 and at the same time make the dwellings of the settlers more attractive by converting 

 bare and laninviting surroundings into pleasant ad sheltered homes. 



The practical h3lp which has been rendered by the officers who have charge of the 

 more scientific part of the work has also been a source of satisfaction to the public. 

 The information given by my colleague. Dr. James Fletcher, as to the best remedies 

 for the destruction of noxious insects and for resisting the inroads made by fungus 

 diseases fiom which grain, fruit and other crops have suffered has been much appre- 

 ciated, and the good results obtained from the use of the measures recommended have 

 been very satisfactory to farmers and fruit-growers. The subject of noxious weeds 

 has also been fully investigated and the best measures pointed out for their 

 subjugation. 



In the chemical division, under the charge of Mr. F. T. Shutt, investigations 

 have been conducted to determine the nutritious constituents in many fodder plants 

 which have been analysed at different stages in their growth to ascertain the period 

 when thee plants may be cut to the greatest advantage. The farmers of Canada 

 have profited much from this valuable information. In many other linos of chemical 

 research bearing on agriculture much useful information has been given regarding the 

 care of and the action of manures, the usefulness of mucks, muds and marls as fertil- 

 izing agents, on the composition of soils in different parts of the Domin.ion and on 

 many kindred subjects. 



Much information is given each year by the agriculturist, the hoi'ticulturist, the 

 poultry manager and other officers of the central farm. Also by the superintendents 

 and other officsrs of the branch farms wlio attend meetings of fai'mers held in all 

 parts of the country where oi)portunities are afforded of giving fuller explanations 

 concerning all branches of the wo:k in progress at the several experimental farms. 



