514 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



1-2 EDWARD VII., A. 1902 



In July a new circular silo 15 feet in diameter and 30 feet deep was put up in the 

 barn, and is now nearly filled with corn. The old silo which was put in when the barn 

 was built had decayed on the inside, and was no longer fit for service. 



THE FRUIT CROP. 



The fruit crop has been a poor one owing to the very unfavourable spring weather, 

 and as a result few trees set fruit, and the continued rains in May and June prevented 

 effective spraying and in consequence scab on apples and brown rot of the cherry and 

 plum, seriously damaged what fruit did set. 



HEDGES. 



The sample hedges have made satisfactory growth and are very much admired, 

 and of great interest to visitors to the Farm, and many examine them with a view to 

 a selection for their own places. 



FOREST AND TIMBER TREES. 



The forest trees planted in the shelter belt continue to make vigorous growth, 

 and the nut and timber trees planted on the mountain sides are making fair progress. 



ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS AND TREES. 



The ornamental shrubs and trees have done well this season, having made a fine 

 growth, and the flowering shrubs and trees have been very beautiful with a wealth of 

 bloom from early spring, beginning with the Forsythias early in March, and ending 

 with the Japan Hydrangeas which are still in bloom. 



NUT TREES. 



The English, Japanese, American and Heart-shaped walnuts all fruited this year. 

 The Spanish and Japan chestnut trees also produced a few nuts. The crop of filberts 

 was as usual a very poor one and the blue jays carried off many of the nuts before they 

 were fully ripe. Owing to the poor cropping of the filberts and the depredations of the 

 blue jays, which are very plentiful in most districts, it is not at all likely to become 

 a popular bush to plant. 



Most of the nuts saved have been distributed to farmers who want to try a few 

 trees on their own farms. 



The hardshell almonds did not fruit this year, and the soft-shell varieties, although 

 fiiost of them are fairly large trees, have never borne fruit and may be regarded as 

 useless in this climate. 



DITCHING. 



The ditch mentioned in my last report has been extended 720 yards further, and the 

 part previously dug has been deepened and widened. 



Part of the ditch dug this year was very difficult as owing to ridges to be cut 

 through between sloughs it was in some places over 8 feet wide on top and more than 

 that deep, these deep places are being boxed with 2-in. fir plank and will be filled in. 



