268 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



this year was the hydrangea bed, where 58 specimens of this beautiful shrub were 

 planted, and produced during the latter part of July and August a fine mass of bloom. 



VISITORS. 



This year the number of notable visitors to the farm was much greater than at any 

 time during the past, among them being many representatives of both the British 

 Association for the Advancement of Science and the British Medical Association. All 

 seemed pleased with the general appearance of the ornamental grounds, and many ex- 

 pressed their surprise at the growth the trees and shrubs had made in so short a time. 

 Many farmers and farmers' wives, who came on the special excursions which were 

 arranged for from time to time throughout the summer, expressed much interest in the 

 trees, shrubs, and flowers, and it is hoped that some of them will, from seeing the effects 

 of the judicious planting near the houses, spend more time in the beautifying of their 

 own homes. The ladies were especially interested in the flowers and the names of those 

 they admired most were often taken with the intention of procuring some of the desir- 

 able sorts for themselves. 



The splendid example which the ornamental grounds now affords to all who can 

 visit them, will, it is hoped, bear abundant fruit by inciting a greater desire to make 

 the homes of our people more attractive. 



CARE OF THE ORNAMENTAL GROUNDS. 



The work in connection with the care of the ornamental grounds is now very 

 considerable as the trees, shrubs, hedges, flower borders, flower beds, lawns and roads 

 must all be kept in good order. Throughout the summer the grounds at all times looked 

 well. The first work was done with the pony lawn mower on the 10th of May and the 

 grass was kept cut at intervals with it until the 18th of September. The weeds in the 

 flower borders and beds were also kept well in subjection. The surface soil about the 

 trees and shrubs was stirred at intervals throughout the summer both to kill weeds and 

 keep the soil from baking. Some thinning of the original planting of trees and shrubs 

 along the main avenue, was done this year as a number of them were already crowding 

 each other. During the summer many trees and shrubs were sprayed to prevent the 

 depredations of insects and fungous diseases. Aphides were especially troublesome. 



ADDITIONS TO TREES, SHRUBS AND LAWNS. 



Very little planting of trees and shrubs was required on the ornamental grounds 

 this year. In some places, however, clumps were widened by the addition of new speci- 

 mens and those replaced which had died during the winter. The piece of ground north 

 of the poultry building which was planted last year, was seeded down this summer also 

 that on both sides of the avenue leading from the northern entrance to the farm fore- 

 man's house. 



HEDGES. 



Visitors to the Central Experimental Farm are often surprised at the number and 

 variety of the trees and shrubs used for hedge purposes, and they manifest much inter- 

 est in them by asking questions regarding the best varieties to plant and the methods 

 of growing them. Examples of 88 species and varieties are now growing side by side in 

 hedges 50 feet in length and 10 feet apart, which present a very fine appearance in 

 summer when in full leaf. 



The methods to be adopted in growing a hedge successfully are simple, but should 

 be followed if a compact and regular hedge is to be obtained. The young trees or shrubs 

 should be planted in good soil, and if it is not good it should be removed and better 



