REPORT OF MR. R. ROBERTSON 343 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



BEES. 



When taken out of their winter quarters April 18, it was found that the bees had 

 ail wintered well. During the spring two colonies dwindled, one of them getting so 

 weak that it was thought advisable to unite the two weak ones, which was done. This 

 colony was only able to get built up during the summer. Brood rearing in the other 

 colonies progressed very rapidly, consuming all stores, but a crop of crimson clover 

 in the orchard, on which the bees worked well every fine day, enabled us to get along 

 without having to feed them. The clover flow was heavier than the average, while 

 the fall flow was not as good as usual. 



Fourteen colonies were put into the cellar in good shape on December 5. The hives 

 were prepared for the winter in the usual way, i.e., the hives were raised from the 

 bottom boards by having two inch blocks placed under them, the covers and quilts 

 removed and three empty sacks put over each hive. At date of writing, all colonic? 

 are clustering and seem to have wintered well. 



GRAIN AND POTATO DISTRIBUTION. 



As in past years, grain and potatoes were distributed to farmers on application. 

 The following number of 3 lb. sample bags were sent to the various applicant 



Potatoes 2S0 



Oats 314 



Barley 71 



Wheat 62 



Buckwheat 87 



Total number of samples sent out 814 



EXHIBITIONS. 



An exhibit of farm products was made at the Dominion Exhibition, St. John. 

 N.B., the Yarmouth County Exhibition, Yarmouth, N.S., and the Nova Scotia Pro- 

 vincial Exhibition, Halifax, N.S. 



I also attended the Summerside Exhibition. P.E.I., the Charlottetown Exhibition. 

 P.E.I.. the Westmorland and County Exhibition, Sackville, N.B., and the Windsor 

 Exhibition, Windsor, N.S. 



CORRESPONDENCE. 



During the year 2,536 letters were received and 2,212 sent out, exclusive of reports 

 and circulars sent out with samples of grain. 



VISITORS. 



At least the usual number visited the Farm during the year in many small picnic 

 groups. 



Train accommodations are very unsuitable for visitors to the Farm. So far we 

 have not been able to get any improvement in this service. 



