324 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



7-8 EDWARD VII., A. 1908 

 CASH STATEMENT. 



255 IDS. honey at 10 cents $ 25 50 



2 hives sold 14 00 



7 additional hives 49 00 



8S 50 

 Less 9 hives and frames bought ■ . . ]8 00 



Net proilt $ 70 50 



Steers were purchased at $33 each, fed and cared for all winter and had a net 

 profit of $G.50. 



Our hives of bees costing $7 each with infinitely less care, netted $5 each, and that 

 in a bad year for honey. 



The value of these bees in fertilizing the blossoms, especially of fruits and clovers, 

 cannot be estimated. 



HORTICULTURE. 



The season of 190G was, taken as a whole, a very favourable one for the horti- 

 culturist. The weather permitted an early commencement of operations in the spring, 

 and the absence of late spring frost, coupled with the exceptionally open fall, contri- 

 buted to the perfect ripening of all late vegetables and fruits. In the vegetable garden, 

 following the precedent established some years ago, a few varieties were given special 

 attention, all the kinds obtainable of each one being tested. Beans and lettuce were 

 the varieties chosen for lf06 and much valuable information was obtained from the 

 notes taken during the season. 



In the larger fruits more promising results are being obtained each year. The 

 introduction, by Dr. W. Saunders, of the Pyrus haccata has given to the Northwest a 

 stock for apple grafting, the thorough hardiness of which, coupled with the good 

 union it makes with other varieties renders it all that can be desired for this purpose. 



Propagation is carried on by means of root grafting, one or two year old roots 

 heing used for this purpose. Upon these roots scions of the most hardy and promising 

 tripos, such as. Hibernal, Duchess, Transcendent, No. 100, and No. 179, are being- 

 grafted. The best results from this method have been accomplished by lifting the 

 roots in the fall and storing them in boxes filled with alternate layers of soil and roots, 

 and bringing them into a cellar about March and gradually thawing them out before 

 using. In past years the scions were also taken in the fall and stored in a similar 

 manner, but the results were not satisfactory and much better result bave been attained. 

 by cutting the scions just prior to grafting. By the latter plan about 90 per cent will 

 usually take, while with the former method rarely 50 per cent could be obtained. The 

 whole operation is simple and we would suggest that all who have an opportunity, 

 should help in this good work by attempting it, if even in a small way, themselves. 



APPLES. 



Since this Experimental Farm was established some eighteen years ago many 

 hundreds of trees, of the many varieties of apples in cultivation have been tested, 

 and, in the vast majority of cases, have been killed by the severity of the climate or 

 by sun scald, before they have borne fruit. 



HIBERNAL. 



Trees of this variety have been many times tested during the past 18 years, but 

 •II died prior to 1901, when three specimens of Hibernal grafted on Pyrus prunifolia 



