252 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



ARBORETUM. 



The arboretum at the Central Experimental Farm is yearly becoming better known 

 and a much larger proportion of the visitors now see this part of the farm. The trees 

 and shrubs are, many of them, becoming very prominent, the evergreens being especially 

 attractive. Nearly all the genera which are hardy are now represented, some of them 

 by a large number of species. The perennial border which is over half a mile long is 

 almost filled with plants, and these from early spring until late autumn produce a suc- 

 cession of lovely and interesting flowers. Each year valuable data on the hardiness and 

 time of blooming of the trees, shrubs and plants is secured, and it is hoped that in the 

 near future a list will be published of all that have been tested in the arboretum in 

 which these notes will appear. 



PROGRESS OP THE WORK. 



It was feared that, on account of the unfavourable winter, the number of deaths, 

 among the trees and shrubs would be large, but on examination it was found that there 

 were not many killed of those which had already wintered at Ottawa, with the exception 

 of a large collection of named varieties of lilacs grafted on the Californian privet 

 {Ligustrum ovalifolium), which were almost all destroyed. These had been growing 

 here for three years but never made satisfactory growth. Lilacs grafted on privet are 

 very unsuitable for this part of the country and should on no account be planted. 

 Many new species and varieties of trees and shrubs were procured during the spring and 

 autumn and a large area of additional land which had been broken up last year was 

 utilized for them. The surface soil in the circles about the trees and shrubs, in the 

 parts of the arboretum seeded down, was hoed several times during the summer, and 

 weeds destroyed. 



When the mulch of manure was removed from the perennial border it was found 

 that most of the plants had come through the winter in good condition. Large addi- 

 tions were made during the spring, summer, and autumn, to the number grown in 1896 

 and nearly all the border prepared last autumn was utilized. Throughout the summer, 

 the surface soil was kept loose and free from weeds, with the result that strong growth 

 was made and the plants bloomed well. Stakes were driven down beside the taller 

 growing perennials to prevent their breaking and these proved very effective. 



The grass was cut with the pony lawn mower for the first time on the 14th of May 

 and afterwards at intervals until the 15th of September, which kept the lawns at all 

 times in good condition. About eight acres which had been kept cultivated since 1896 

 were seeded down with lawn grass during the summer and by autumn a very good, sod 

 was formed. 



The new road machine did splendid work in making up the roads in the arboretum 

 and several, which had previously been only staked out, were opened for the first time. 

 Coal ashes are now being used, spread on the surface, on several of the roads, and when 

 this is rolled in the spring it is hoped that a good firm road-bed will be formed. 



Boys proved very mischievous on Sundays in the arboretum this year, plucking 

 flowers, disturbing labels, and destroying valuable fruits and seeds. Notices were of 

 no avail and nothing short of a police patrol is likely to stop the annoyance in future. 



DONATIONS. 



We again acknowledge, with gratitude, the donations of seeds which have been 

 kindly furnished us by the Royal Gardens, Kew ; the Arnold Arboretum ; the Missouri 

 Botanic Garden ; the Massachusetts Botanic Garden ; and the Royal Botanic Gardens, 

 Sapporo, Japan. Acknowledgments are also due to Prof. John Macoun and Mr. J. M. 

 Macoun, of the Geological Survey of Canada, for very useful contributions. A Ifvore 

 and valuable collection of seeds of trees and shrubs was received from Mr. J. Niemet^, 

 •of Winnitza, Russia, who kindly had many of these collected, especially for the Canadian 



