526 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



5 GEORGE v., A. 1915 



The rose garden also contains good collections of the best of the Hybrid Perpetual, 

 Hybrid Japanese, climbing, the new class of roses known as Austrian Hybrids or 

 Pernetiana, and the Polyantha Pompon or dwarf bedding roses. 



The Japanese roses, Mos.s roses and a few other hardy types, do not receive winter 

 protection since they are q.uite hardy and do not suffer from winter killing. All other 

 roses, with the exception of a few beds left unprotected for test purposes, are regularly 

 protected during each winter. 



A small collection of Tea roses planted in the spring of 1912, winter-killed during 

 the winter of 1912-13, with the exception of one variety, namely, " Blumen&chmidt."' 



Very few of any of the other classes of roses were winter-killed. A number of 

 the Hybrid Teas, however, succumbed to the heat and dry conditions of the past 

 summer of 1913. 



Notes on the following points have been taken so far on roses under trial: — 



1. On the vigour and blooming capacities, of the plant. 



2. On the beauty, colour, fragrance, etc., of the flower. 



3. On the freedom of each variety from leaf spot and rust. 



4. On the tendencies to continuous and late-blooming habits. 



6. On the eft'ects of various spray mixtures and culture practices. 

 The pamphlet on roses gives fui'ther particulars as to varieties, etc. 



LARGE GROUPS OF POPULAR FLOWERS. 



What are known as "flower groups" have held for some j^ears an important place 

 in the test plots at the Central Farm. Each of such groups is represented by many, if 

 not all, of the best varieties of a particular flower. 



At the present, these groups cover about a dozen different kinds of flowers, sweet 

 peas being one group, irises another, phlox another, and so on. 



In 1913, the sweet pea group consisted of 185 varieties, grown for the sake of a 

 varietal test of these popular flowers. 



Varieties tested in the other groups in the summer of 1913 were as follows : — 



Cannas 60 varieties 



China Asters 90 



Dahlias 56 



Geraniums 124 " 



Gladioli 300 



Irises (German) about 180 " 



Paeonies, about 135 '' 



Perennial phloxes, about 90 " 



In addition to the above, smaller groups of annual flowers, including annual 

 chrysanthemums, coreopsis, zinnias, etc. 



At present the work has not been complete enough with any one of these groups- 

 to record it in detail, as the problems presented in making observations, on these groups 

 are considerable. Chiefly perhaps on account of the large number of varieties in each 

 group, which are practically identical in every regard except the name under which 

 they are offered to the public by those offering them for distribution. 



PERENNIAL FLOWERS. 



A very widespread interest has taken place of late years in one of the most 

 important groups of flowers, namely, herbaceous perennials. On account of their 

 usefulness, ease of culture and many other good qualities, they have been eulogized 

 as being, in a large measure, responsible for the increased intere-t in home beautifica- 



tion. 



Ottawa. 



