602 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



7 GEORGE V, A. 1917 



Agassiz. — Leaving Ottawa ou March 23, I reached Agassiz, B.C., on March 27. 

 Great improvements had been made in the grounds since the previous year. A number 

 of poor old hedges had been removed, the old yard behind the house had been cleaned 

 up and the grounds on the whole were in better condition. The trees and bushes in 

 the farmers' orchard looked well, though a few Rome Beauty apple trees were already 

 showing the Apple Tree Anthracnose which caused so much injury in the old orchard. 

 It was suggested that the trees of this variety be removed and be replaced by another 

 sort. Agassiz was visited again on August 18, when the improvement noticed in the 

 appearance of the ornamental grounds was again marked. It was suggested at this 

 time that a number of old shrubs on the west side of the house should be removed to 

 still further improve the grounds. At this time the various experiments under way 

 were gone over with the Superintendent. 



Sidney. — The Experimental Station at Sidney, B.C., was visited on March 29, 

 aijd succeeding days. While there I made a detailed planting plan of a 6-acre orchard 

 for walnuts, persimmons, and chestnuts, also a plan in detail of the north arboretiim 

 border, also plans of fig, filbert, and pomegranate plantations, and a small vineyard, 

 as well as ona for miscellaneous econopaic plants. I also planned the planting of the 

 banks of the pond on both sides of the bridge on the main avenue. It was also arranged 

 to extend the planting of trees on the East Saanich road towards Sidney by the use of 

 oriental plane trees. The trees and bushes in the various plantations made in IDM were 

 found to have become well established on the whole. Paths were staked out through the 

 woods below the East Saanich road." On a second visit to the Sidney Station on 

 September 11, I discussed with the Superintendent the possible desirability, in view of 

 the many picnics which would probably be held at the Station in the future, of clearing 

 out the underbrush in, at least, part of this grove, the first plan being to leave the woods 

 in as natural a condition as possible. While at Sidney, it was arranged to send some 

 tulip bulbs grown at this Station, to a number of the Eastern Stations for comparison 

 with imported bulbs, looking to the possibility of ultimately supplying the whole Farms 

 system with bulbs grown at the Sidney Station. 



Summerland. — On April 7, I visited the new Experimental Station at Summer- 

 land, B.C., and went over the ground of the proposed horticultural plantations. An 

 extensive series of cultural experiments bearing particularly on problems of irrigation 

 had been planned in the winter, and the area where these were to go was chosen on 

 the bench just below where the buildings are to be, the variety tests being elsewhere. 

 As there was no water available at planting time, it was decided to defer the main 

 planting until the spring of 1916, but a few apple trees were set out to test planting 

 without irrigation. It was planned to have the ornamental grounds extend from the 

 Canadian Pacific Railway bridge along the edge of the ravine to opposite the site 

 chosen for the Superintendent's house. This should, in time, be a very striking feature 

 of the Station, as the ravine at this point is very deep and rugged. A further area 

 south of the grove below the Canadian Pacific railway was planned for the testing 

 of. ornamental trees and shrubs. I was again at Summerland on August 14, when 

 further plans for future planting were made with the Superintendent, since spring;^ 

 flumes had been constructed and water for irrigation made available. I spent some' 

 time with the Superintendent in visiting the fruit district about Summerland and' 

 learning as much as possible about horticultural conditions there. 



Invermere. — On April 9, the Invermere Station was visited. Most of the trees, : 

 shrubs and herbaceous plants were found to have wintered satisfactorily. At thiai 

 time I planned, with the Superintendent, the site of the ornameutal hedges, decided 

 on the varieties, and ordered most of them. A plan of the ornamental grounds was 

 also decided upon, and arrangements made for the seeding down to lawn grass of 



Ottawa. 



