REPORT OF TRE HORTICULTURIST 89 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



During last winter a bulletin of 74 pages on Apple Culture was prepared by the 

 Horticulturist and published in April, 1901. There has been a great demand for this 

 bulletin, and it is hoped that it will prove useful to Canadian fruit-growers. 



The top grafting 4 the rrore tender varieties of apples was continued again this 

 year, though many of those grafted in the past suffered from blight in 1900 and 

 were injured by frost last winter. There is still good evidence, however, of the value 

 of top grafting some kinds which would not otherwise succeed here. 



A seedling apple orchard was begun this season, and 491 trees planted, most of 

 which had been grown from seed of apples ripened here. It is hoped that from these 

 seedlings a productive, hardy, late-keeping dessert apple of good quality will be 

 obtained, as such a variety is much needed here. 



Many new varieties of apples were obtained from various sources, some of 

 which were root grafted and others top grafted. The number of varieties in the 

 orchard was also increased by young trees from the nursery. 



The American plums are proving very useful in this district, and there is now a 

 large collection of named varieties in the orchard. As they fruit, these are de- 

 scribed and those found the most satisfactory recommended for planting. A large 

 number of seedlings have been raised from some of the best sorts, and as they fruit 

 they too are tested and described, and if found to be of inferior merit, discarded. 

 A few sorts of great promise have already been obtained. 



A new currant plantation was made last spring containing 111 varieties ; a straw- 

 berry plantation containing 218 varieties, and this autumn a raspberry plantation 

 was made of G3 varieties. 



Many experiments with vegetables were conducted this year, and the average re- 

 sults of some which have been carried on for five and six years obtained, which are 

 very valuable as a guide to farmers and market gardeners. The List of Best Vege- 

 tables for Farmers, published in this report, gives in a concise form the conclusions 

 reached regarding the merits of the different sorts. 



Experiments in testing different varieties of tobacco were continued, and the 

 crop was harvested in good condition and cured in the tobacco house. This was a 

 favourable year for tobacco, it having ripened and cured well. 



Measurements were again taken in the forest belts of the annual growth in 

 height and circumference of the different kinds of timber trees, and new plantations 

 were made where other trees had not succeeded. 



The Arboretum never looked better than it did this year. Large additions were 

 made to the collection of herbaceous perennials, and some new sorts of trees and 

 shrubs were planted. Five hundred and twenty-five species and varieties were ob- 

 tained last spring and planted in nursery rows and will be put in their permanent 

 positions next spring. Notes were made again this year on the hardiness and growth 

 of the different species and varieties. 



As in the past, the correspondence has occupied considerable time, but this is one 

 of the best means of conveying information obtained from the experiments conducted 

 here direct to those who are most anxious to get it. 



The experiments made with a lime mixture for the destruction of the oyster- 

 shell bark-louse were continued last winter, and additional experience gained as to the 

 value of this remedy. Bordeaux mixture and Paris green were used very faithfully 

 in spraying for fungous diseases and biting insects, and the good results from these 

 applications were, as a rule, very apparent. Other mixtures and solutions were used 

 in smaller quantities. 



Meetings attended and Places visited. — I had the pleasure of attending eight 

 meetings during the past year, and while there endeavoured to be of as much service 

 as possible to the farmers and fruit-growers with whom I came in contact. 



At the meeting of the Nova Scotia Fruit Growers' Association, held at Wolf- 

 ville, N.S., on January 28, 29 and 30, I gave an address on ' The Development of 



