338 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



2 GEORGE V., A. 1912 



BEES. 



In the fall of 1909, fifteen hives of bees were put in winter quarters in the Superin- 

 tendent's cellar, but as they had insufficient stores only one strong hive came through 

 the winter. During the summer this hive swarmed twice and one of the new hives 

 also threw a swarm. There was practically no honey taken and each of the swarms 

 gathered a good supply of honey for the winter. The average weight of the hives on 

 November ,14, when they went into winter quarters, was seventy-two pounds. 



THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. 



Last year was too dry and hot to expect particularly good results from vegetables, 

 but in spite of the unfavourable conditions during the spring and early summer an 

 excellent crop was harvested. 



When spring weather first opened up late in March, some seed of such crops as 

 carrots, parsnips and onions was sown, but as the weather turned very cold in April, 

 little or nothing was gained by the early seeding. The sharp frosts which occurred 

 repeatedly during April, May and the early part of June cut off the young plants, but 

 they recovered sufficiently well to render resowing unnecessary. The frosts were less 

 injurious than the high winds which occurred at intervals during May and June. 

 Peas, lettuce, turnips and onions which had made considerable growth by that time 

 were badly blackened and materially thinned out. At one time the conditions were so 

 adverse that it seemed as though the whole garden would be a total failure, but a few 

 light showers and thorough cultivation had a wonderfully reviving effect, with the 

 result that practically everything was saved. 



The extreme heat of June and July was accompanied by so little rain that tho 

 growth was somewhat stunted. Constant cultivation was the salvation of the garden 

 eiop? during those months. The most successful crops in the garden this year were 

 squash, pumpkins, citrons, cauliflowers and cabbage. Tomatoes were a fairly good 

 crop, but would have been greatly benefited by more rain. The same is true of carrots, 

 parsnips, beets and celery. 



The first fall frost on August 31 injured many of the tender vegetables, but not 

 seriously. The tomatoes and squash continued to grow until a more severe frost on 

 September 7 stopped all growth for the season. 



Where practicable, the vegetables are grown in long rows so that inter-tillage can 

 be practised to advantage. The rows in our garden were only 18 inches apart, as the 

 cultivation was done by the Planet Junior, but where plenty of land is available the 

 rows may to advantage be two and a half or even three feet apart, and a one-horse 

 cultivator used for the bulk of the work. 



ASPARAGUS. 



An asparagus bed was planted in the spring of 1908 with two-year old roots. A 

 small quantity was produced in 1909, but very little was cut until 1910. The aspara- 

 gus was ready for use May 10, and continued in use until July 8. An application of 

 well-rotted manure was worked into the bed late in the fall. 



CARROTS. 



Three varieties of carrots were grown, but the crop was light and the roots very 

 irregular in form and of small size. Amsterdam Scarlet produced the best crop, while 

 Half Long Chantenay and Early French Horn yielded considerably less. 



