liEPORT OF TEE HORTICULTURIST. 99 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



such seedlings and from cross breeding, that some good, late-keeping, hardy sorts 

 will be obtained. 



Few of the European plums are sufficiently hardy to be grown profitably in such 

 a cold climate as that at Ottawa, and on this account special attention has been given 

 to the improved American plums, no pains having been spared to make the collection, 

 of varieties as complete as possible. The American plums are being very rapidly 

 improved, and some of the best of those which liave fruited here are so good that it is 

 hard to believe they have developed from the \vild type. 



This autumn, part of the Russian orchard, in which the trees had not made satis- 

 factory growth, was drained, and it is expected that the land will ba very much 

 improved and the trees succeed better in the future. 



Experiments with vegetables were again carried on this year to a considerable 

 efctent, in order that information might be obtained which would assist the vegetable 

 grower as well. 



The Arboretum and the Botanic garden looked well this season, as there was suffi- 

 cient rain to keep things fresh and green all summer. As the trees and shrubs develop, 

 they become more interesting and attractive. A large number of additions were made 

 to the collection again in the spring. 



The perennial border had a good show of bloom from early spring until late 

 autumn. 



Large collections of seeds were received this year from various arboreta and botanic 

 gardens, and many new things have been obtained in this way. 



The correspondence, as usual, has occupied much time, but as this is one of the 

 few ways in w^hich the knowledge gained can be imiiarted to the public, the time 

 devoted to it is well spent. 



Meetings attended and Places visited. — During the past year meetings were 

 attended and addresses given at nine different places. On February 20 and 21, I 

 attended the winter meeting of the Quebec Pomological Society at Granby, Que., and 

 gave an address on * The Development of Spraying in Canada.' By arrangement with 

 the secretary of the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association, addresses were given before 

 seven of the horticultural societies affiliated with it, my subjects being ' The Lawn and 

 (larden,' and 'The Flower and Fruit Garden.' These meetings were held at N'apanee 

 on March 12, Port Hope on March 13, Cobourg on March 14-, Trenton on March 15, 

 Picton on March 16, Stirling on March 18, and Belleville on the 19th. I attended 

 the annual meeting of the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association, on December 19, 20 

 and 21, and delivered addresses on 'Results of Experiments in Growing Fruit at the 

 Central Experimental Farm,' and ' Garden Favourites.' 



During the month of June, I visited the Grimsby district and !N'iagara peninsula, 

 and at Niagara examined the trees which had been sprayed with lime mixture the 

 previous winter. The months of July and August were spent in Great Britain, Ire- 

 land, and at the Paris exposition, and while not absent on official business I endea- 

 voured to learn as much as possible of the horticultural conditions in the places visited, 

 and brought home much information which will be helpful to me in my work. 



Aclcnowledgments. — It is again a pleasure to acknowledge the assistance which 

 has been kindly furnished me by a large number of fruit growers throughout Canada. 

 The knowledge which J have gained by this friendly co-operation has enabled me to 

 be of much greater service to the fruit growers, generally, than I otherwise would be. 

 Fellow-workers in the United States have also furnished me with much valuable 

 information. 



As I was absent about two months last summer in the old country, the responsi- 

 bility of carrying on the work of the horticultural division fell on Mr. J. F. Watson, 

 secretary, and Mr. H. Holz, foreman. I was very gratified on my return to find that 

 the former had kept the correspondence and other work in the office in good order, 



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