REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. . 51 



This list contains but a small proportion of the ornamental trees and shrubs 

 under test at the Central Farm. The larger number are arranged in botanical groups 

 in the arboretum, where under the charge of the Botanist of the Experimental Farms, 

 Mr. James Fletcher, over 600 species and varieties have been accumulated. As soon 

 as sufficient information has been gained as to the hardiness of these in the Ottawa 

 climate it is proposed to publish a full list of the entire collection. 



PLANTATIONS OF FOEEST TREES. 



There were several objects in view in planting the belts of forest trees which 

 line the west and north sides of the farm. One was to test by actual experiment 

 with a number of different species the comparative results in growth and develop- 

 ment to be had by planting at different distances apart. Five feet by five, five feet 

 by ten and ten feet by ten were the distances chosen for these tests. Another 

 question on which information was desired was the relative growth to which trees 

 would attain when planted in blocks of single species as compared with those 

 planted in mixed clumps where they are associated with a number of other soi'ls. 

 Further information was sought as to how far the crops on the farm located near 

 these tree belts will be influenced by the shelter they would afford as growth pro- 

 gressed. In the planting, the grouping was also designed with the object of 

 producing pleasing effects on the landscape by the intermingling and blending of 

 varieties. The main purpose however was to get all the useful data possible 

 with regard to the more important timber trees of economic value so that object 

 lessons in tree growth might be available to any who in future might desire to study 

 this subject or to engage in the enterprise of timber growing. 



The work of planting was begun in 1888 and a space laid out on the west boun- 

 dary 165 feet wide extending the whole width of the farm. This gave room for 

 a line of basswood or linden trees five feet inside the boundary fence and 40 feet 

 apart. Fifteen feet were left for a roadway east of which there were ten rows of trees 

 five feet apart each way followed by another ten rows ten feet apart each way. 

 This area was planned to be filled with blocks of trees of various forms, each group 

 to consist of a single species. Along the north boundary a space was provided 

 65 feet in width which was to be filled as follows. A row of mixed forest trees 

 40 feet apart placed five feet inside the boundary fence succeeded by ten rows of 

 mixed trees of 10 to 15 varieties, some of which were to be planted five feet by ten 

 and others five feet by five. 



The first planting in 1888 was done under the supervision of Mr. "W. W. Hilborn, 

 at that time horticulturist of the Central farm, 1,321 trees were set out that year in 

 the mixed belt and several blocks or clumps of single species in the wider belt, 

 numbering about 1,500 trees in all. The accompanying plate is from a photograph 

 recently taken of a part of the trees then planted, a portion of the 5x5 planting is 

 seen to the left and part of the 10 x 10 to the right. In the spring of 1889 the work 

 of planting in b locks of single species was resumed under the charge of Mr. Thos. 

 A. Sharpe, now superintendent of the branch experimental farm at Agassiz, B.C., 

 and about 1,350 were added to the number. In the autumn of the same year with the 

 assistance of the farm foreman, Mr. John Fixter, about 4,000 more were planted in 

 blocks of single species and 560 trees added to the belt of mixed sorts. In 1890-91 

 and 92 the planting was continued under the supervision of Mr. John Craig, hor- 

 ticulturist of the Central farm and during this period the plantation was much 

 enlarged and the wide belt on the west side completed. Mr. Craig also took charge 

 during these years of the necessary weeding and cultivating. During the past season 

 this work has been continued by Mr. W. T. Macoun, foreman of forestry, and under 

 his care the tree belt on the north boundary has been much extended, and it is hoped 

 that in another year this will be completed. In the following report submitted by 

 by Mr. Macoun, much useful information will be found. 



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