REPORT OF MR. A. MAG KAY. SO? 



Acer Ginnala planted in 1889, though cut back in 1892, grew wonderfully the 

 past season. 



Spirea opulifolia, planted in 1889, was for two seasons cut back, but is now 

 apparently hardy. In 1892 and the past season it flowered abundantly and is 

 making a good low hedge. 



Last spring the following shrubs were planted : — Nine varieties Lilac ; six of 

 Spirea, and five of Syringa. These will be reported on next year. 



WIND-BREAKS. 



The wind-breaks on the farm are already of great service, and during the past 

 season saved the fruit and vegetaUe gardens from great injury if not from total loss. 



As stated in my report of 1891, wind-breaks consisting of Manitoba Maple, Elm, 

 Willow, Poplar and Artemisia Abrotanura (Eussian) were planted around gardens 

 and other plots in that year. The Elm trees have been kept back by rabbits eating 

 the young growth, but all the other sorts grew and thickened up greatly the past 

 season. So far as experience has shown the Artemisia hedge is first, Willow second, 

 Maple third and Poplar fourth in usefulness. Some of the wind-breaks consist of 

 three rows, others of two rows and some only of one row of trees. The trees are 

 planted two and three feet apart in the rows. 



Those already set out demonstrate that one row of Artemisia or Willow, with 

 plants two feet apart in rows is ample, and one row of Maple or Poplar is also sufii- 

 cient if the trees are cut back several times each season for a few years, so as to 

 thicken up at the bottom. 



I desire to call the attention of those in the North-west who may wish to have 

 a small and pretty hedge on their lawn or elsewhere, to the fact that the Native 

 Wolf Willow and Native Snowberry, both found in abundance on the prairie, are 

 excellent for that purpose. Either grown from seed or transplanted, they are 

 cheaply and easily obtained and in two or three years, with pruning can be made 

 as nice as any eastern hedge. 



Two hedges made from transplanted plants of these shrubs, attract the attention 

 of visitors to the farm, and besides being ornamental are useful as a windbreak 

 around the flower beds and other plots. 



CATTLE. 



Stock of all kinds on the farm is at present in good health and condition. Since 

 my last report three pure bred Shorthorns, one Polled Angus and six grades have 

 been added to the herd. One Shorthorn cow " Wildflower " died in the summer of 

 inflammation of the lungs. 



Fig. 3 shows a group of the cattle in the pasture. From a photograph. 



Two experiments were made last winter to determine the relative values of such 

 fodders as can be grown in the North-west. The first test was between ensilage made 

 from oats and barley sown together and the same mixture cured as hay. The second 

 test was between a cereal crop in the form of dry fodder and the best native hay. 

 The cereal crop consisted of oats, barley and rye cut by the binder while in a green 

 state and before being fed cut by the straw cutter. 



The tests were started rather late on account of not having the animals for the 

 experiments, and the ensilage gave out when the tests had been under way three 

 months, including the preparatory feeding. The records are therefore for only two 

 months. 



Besides the two tests as to the value of the feed, three grade steers and three 

 grade heifers were fed for five months on the same rations to find out the gain of 

 the animals of the different breeds. In addition to the five months of winter feeding 

 the gain of the same six beasts is given for six months while on pasture. 



Eecords have also been kept as to the increase in weight of eight pure bred 

 heifers for twelve months, six months of which they were stall fed and the other six 

 months in pasture, particulars of this test are also given. 

 8c— 20 



