494 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



1-2 EDWARD VII., A. 1902 



Unfortunately, in September, a very heavy storm of wet snow broke down a good 

 many varieties of trees and shrubs and was particularly severe on the hedges, several 

 of which were flattened to the ground. As far as possible the snow was shaken off 

 by hand, but with the miles of avenues and hedges on the Farm, the extent to which 

 this work could be carried on was comparatively small. 



Of the shrubs, the Siberian pea-tree, lilacs, honeysuckles and spireas did par- 

 ticularly well. The lilacs were a mass of bloom beginning May 19 and made by far 

 the best showing we have ever had. The same, in fact, was the case with all shrubs, 

 but the lilacs so much surpassed any former year, that they were very noticeable. 



Like the trees, all varieties of shrubs thoroughly matured their wood and are in 

 good condition to stand the winter. 



The distribution of trees, tree seeds, shrubs and shrub seed was larger than usual 

 last spring, but the demand was very largely in excess of the supply available for that 

 purpose. 



A fungus destroyed the maple seed throughout the greater part of Assiniboia, this 

 year, and the seed for distribution had to be obtained from Manitoba. The trees on the 

 Farm bore more than sufficient seed to supply all applicants, but it was rendered useless 

 by this fungus. Ash, elm and caragana seed was abundant and good, and a sufficient 

 supply has been secured. 



THE DISTRIBUTION* OF SEEDLING TREES BY THE FORESTRY BRANCH OF THE DEPARTMENT 



OF THE INTERIOR. 



The Department of the Interior, Ottawa, having decided to grow trees for distri- 

 bution among the settlers of the North-west Territories, fifteen acres of land on the 

 Experimental Farm was granted by the Department of Agriculture for the use of the 

 Forestry Branch, under Mr. E. Stewart, superintendent, for the purpose of raising 

 seedling trees. 



This land was in good condition ; but when the maple seed was sown, a very dry 

 spell set in and only a small proportion of the seed germinated. In addition to the 

 maple, seed of elm, birch, ash and caragana arborescens was sown, and cuttings of 

 poplar and willow planted. 



A great many thousand trees will be available for distribution next spring, and by 

 the spring of 1903, with the additional land taken, there should be many hundreds of 

 thousands ready for the same purpose. 



In the past twelve years the demand for trees and shrubs from the Experimental 

 Farm has been far greater than the supply ; and it will tax the resources of the 

 Forestry Branch to meet the demands, which are steadily on the increase, for trees for 

 the southern portion of 'the Territories. 



It is not intended to curtail the extent of the Experimental Farm distribution, and 

 from the number of applications already received, more material than ever will be 

 required for the coming spring : but the Experimental Farms have received instruc- 

 tions to render the Forestry Branch every assistance in the good work they have 

 undertaken. 



ARBORETUM. 



The Arboretum made good progress during the season, and as many of the species 

 and varieties are now flowering and fruiting, it is becoming one of the most attractive 

 spots on the Farm. 



Following will be found a list of the species and varieties at present under test, 

 with date planted, and notes as to hardiness. Those which have come through one or 

 more winters without injury, or with very slight injury to the tips only, have been 

 marked ' hardy ' ; where the new wood has been killed back to one-half its growth, such 



