298 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



7-8 EDWARD VII., A. 1908 



December 3, The wooden covers and propolis quilts were removed from each 

 hive and the hives covered with empty bags (three bags to each hive) and a three inch 

 block placed in front between the bottom board and the brood chamber, making the 

 full entrance three inches high across the full front. 



At the close of the season 120 lbs. of honey were sold, being an average of 24 lbs. 

 per colony. A number of partly filled sections were kept for spring feeding, probably 

 about 25 lbs. At present date, March 15, all are in good condition with very few 

 dead bees. 



APPLES. 



The winter of 1906 was particularly severe and fruit and ornamental trees suf- 

 fered considerably from winter-killing. The season was a poor one for fruit through- 

 out this country. Although the apple crop at Nappan was not heavy it was nearer a 

 maximum crop than the average. The apple trees have made good growth. 



The new orchard in the shelter enclosure has done remarkably well. Quite a 

 number of young trees have fruited for the first time this season. 



PLUMS. 



Although the plum crop was not large it was better than usual. Some of the plum 

 trees are in an unhealthy condition, part of this may be due to unsuitable soil. Moore's 

 Arctic, Shipper's Pride, Pond's Seedling, Gueii, Quackenboss, Peine Claude, Italian 

 Prune, Prince's Yellow Gage, Improved Lombard, Imperial Gage and Damson, all 

 bore fruit. 



PEAKS. 



Twenty-nine varieties are now growing in the orchard. Most of these are making 

 very indiiferent growth and but few have borne fruit. Clapp's Favourite is the only 

 variety which has fruited well this season. 



STEAWBEREIES. 



Fourteen varieties of strawberries were grown in plots 16i x 5. These plots were 

 planted in the spring of 1906, in 2 rows 3 feet apart and one foot apart in the rows, 

 the runners being cut off 1 foot from the outside of every second row and then 

 allowed to fill up tlie space between, making a matted row 5 feet wide. One foot of 

 space was left between every two rows. These had been covered well with about 

 2 inches of clean straw in November, after the ground was nicely frozen. In the 

 spring this straw was removed and with the exception of a part of this field where the 

 soil was particularly poor and deficient in humus, there were very few plants killed. 

 The following is a list of some of the best yielding varieties. 



