56 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



VISITS TO THE BEANCH EXPEEIMENTAL FAEMS. 



During 1893 it was found necessary to visit the branch farms in the west twice, 

 the first time in May and again in August. On the first journey I left Ottawa on 

 the 28th of 'April, and arrived in Chicago a day prior to the opening of the World's 

 Columbian Exposition when an opportunity was afforded of witnessing the com- 

 pletion of the work in connection with the Canadian agricultural and horticultural 

 exhibits which had been planned earlier in the season. The day following the open- 

 ing ceremonies I proceeded westward. 



As one of the main objects in undertaking this early journey was to reach the 

 branch farm at Agassiz, British Columbia, in time for spring planting, only one day 

 was spent at each of the branch farms at Brandon, Man., and Indian Head, N.W.T. 

 on the way out, giving time only to arrange those details of farm work which were 

 most pressing. Agassiz was reached on the 11th of May, where seven days were 

 spent in planning and arranging the work of the year, a large share of attention 

 being given to the planting of trees and shrubs about the Superintendent's house. 

 These have been so grouped as to produce good effects by agreeable combinations 

 of form and colour, and a sufficient area has been provided adjacent to the dwelling 

 to serve the purpose of an arboretum. Over 500 specimens were planted during the 

 period of my visit, the placing of these produced quite a transformation in the appear- 

 ance of the grounds and prepared the way for giving due prominence to an exceed- 

 ingly interesting feature of the work in progrees there. The orchards were inspected 

 and extensions to these planned, a nut orchard was also planted. The forest tree 

 planting on the mountain sides in rear of the valley land was well advanced before 

 my arrival and by the time the planting season closed over 5,000 hard-wood trees 

 had been set out and arrangements made for the planting of a similar number each 

 year for several years to come. The large young orchard of cherry and plum trees 

 set out three years ago was in full bloom at the time of my visit, and presented a 

 very handsome appearance. 



I found as a result of the unusually severe winter that all the peach, apricot and 

 nectarine trees, and most of the other sorts of comparatively tender trees and shrubs, 

 wore more or less injured and some of them killed outright. Much of the evergreen 

 foliage of the gigantic native firs looked scorched and brown showing that even the 

 old and long established native trees had been unable to endure without injury this 

 unusually severe visitation, the thermometer having fallen on one occasion for a few 

 hours as much as 12 degrees below zero. The apple, plum and cherry trees did not 

 appear to be injured at all, and the young apple trees later on, bore a very fair crop 

 of fruit, but from the fact of the cherry blossoms not setting and a number of the 

 plums setting very imperfectly, it seems that the very cold weather of the winter 

 had affected even these hardier sorts of trees. The wood of many of the young pear 

 trees was also more or less discoloured within, showing injury which may in some 

 instances be permanent. The spring growth however was pushing rapidly on, and 

 Nature was doing her best to repair the damage which had been done. 



The farm buildings were examined and everything found in good order, the 

 animals of all sorts were healthy, the spring work was well advanced, most of the 

 grain sown and much of it up and everything betokened good management and care. 



A good supply of water for this farm being very much needed a sum was placed 

 in the estimates for 1893-94 for this purpose, and during my stay I visited the source 

 of the springs on the hillside from which it is proposed that the water should be 

 obtained. I found the supply abundant and the quality to all appearance excellent. 

 Subsequently a sample of this water was forwarded to Ottawa, to be analysed by the 

 chemist of the farms who confirmed in the report of his analysis the good opinion 

 which had been formed regarding it. I submit herewith the report of the chemist. 



