604 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



7 GEORGE V, A. 1917 



Indian Head. — I spent April 17 at the Indian Head Farm. At this time plana 

 were made for filling the vacancies in the various orchards. It was planned to remove 

 every two rows of the Eussian apple seedlings after this year, leaving the rows 9 

 feet apart and let the trees fruit in the remaining original rows. An extension to 

 the gooseberry plantation was decided upon. Experiments with different lawn grass 

 mixtures were suggested for the small area behind the office. It was arranged to 

 widen the main entrance by removing several rows of trees from the forest belt on 

 both sides and to continue the ash aveliue outside the Farai to meet the maple avenue 

 inside. A laurel-leaved willow hedge was planned, to run from the office to the hot- 

 house on the south side of the present row of maples and poplar to make a better 

 background foi* the flower border. On August 3, I was again at Indian Head and 

 discussed the horticultural work with the Superintendent. It was suggested at this 

 time to plant a Caragana hedge on three sides of the new four-acre area to be devoted 

 to fruits and vegetables. A few additional flower beds were planned for near 

 the Superintendent's house to give more colour during the summer months. 



Brandon. — The 3randon Farm was visited on April 19, when the various planta- 

 tions were gone over with the Superintendent. The situation of the orchard at 

 Brandon is particularly trying to apple trees and there are few trees of the Russian 

 apple which have proved so hardy in some parts of Manitoba that are hardy here. 

 The Russian apple seedlings, of which several thousand are growing at each of the 

 prairie Farms, have killed back worse here than at the other Farms. It was decided 

 to remove three of the poorest sample ornamental hedges. I was again at Brandon 

 on -August 2, when the horticultural work was discussed with the Superintendent. 



Morden. — The new Experimental Station, Morden, Man., was visited on April 

 20, when it was arranged to have Caragana arhorescens and laurel-leaved willow hedges 

 planted in a ten-acre field for protection for fruit trees, which were to be planted in 

 1916. The material for these hedges was ordered by me and they were planted during 

 the spring. When at Morden again on July 30 and 31, I found that they had become 

 well established. The Caragana hedges were planted 90 feet apart east and west in 

 the field. A good many seedlings had grown from seed of Caragana, Manitoba maple 

 and green ash, which had been sown in the spring. 



KapusTcasing . — The internment camp at Kapuskasing, Ont., was visited on j\ray 

 22 and 23, to get a better idea of the horticultural possibilities of this part of Ontario 

 preparatory to starting work on what will be an Experimental Station. This situa- 

 tion seems as favourable for fruit and vegetables as any which could be obtained in 

 the clay belt. There is good drainage for the soil into the river which flows past the 

 Farm. After visiting Kapuskasing, seeds of different kinds of vegetables and flowers 

 were sent there for test. I was .again at Kapuskasing on September 17-19, and took 

 notes on the results obtained from sowing this seed. A site for the first orchard and 

 * fruit plantations was selected, and on my .return to Ottawa material for these was 

 shipped there. 



Spi/rit Lahe. — ^The internment camp at Spirit Lake, Que., was visited on May 21, 

 when arrangements were made for the testing of vegetables and flowers, as at Kapus 

 kasing. The soil at Spirit Lake will, it is believed, be very suitable for tree fruits 

 on certain parts of the Farm, which is sandy and stony. Spirit Lake was again visited 

 on September 20-22, when notes were made on the growth of things which had been 

 tested during the season. A supply of fruit trees and bushes was sent there on my 

 return. 



Cap Rouge. — The Experimental Station at Cap Rouge was visited on June 8, 

 and again on October 21, when the various experiments which are being carried on at 

 this Station were gone over with the Superintendent. The orchards at this Station 



Ottawa. 



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