990 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



7 GEORGE V, A. 1917 



Potatoes, planted May 16 and harvested September 15. — Early Rose, Rochester 

 Rose, Early Long Six Weeks Rose. There was no appreciable difference in the yield 

 wliich was 225 bushels per acre. 



The flower garden gave satisfaction as usual. There were 25 kinds of the commoner 

 annuals and fifteen herbaceous perennials; among others, 4 varieties of German Iris 

 which were in flower June 18. 



Flowering Shruhs. — Common Lilacs in varied colours and Syringa vilJosa com- 

 menced to flower May 29 and gave a profusion of bloom during all the month of June. 

 Spiraea arguta flowered early in May. Hydrangea paniculata flowered throughout 

 August. 



Currants and Strawberries. — Currants and strawberries gave an abundant harvest 

 as did the large cultivated varieties of strawberries. 



REPORT BY W. D. ALBRIGHT, BEAVERLODGE (GRANDE PRAIRIE), ALTA. 



VEGETABLES. 



Contrary to previous experience, early planting of gardens proved advantageous 

 in most cases this year. The garden here was a partial exception, for the reason that 

 cutworms devastated the early plantings of lettuce, onions, radishes, carrots, beets, 

 cabbage and cavJiflower. They spared, however, all but the final planting of peas, made 

 late in May. Of the other vegetables mentioned, best results were obtained from plant- 

 ings of May 4, and thereabouts. This was following a soft snowfall, unattended by 

 frost, which favoured us about May Day. The cabbage and cauliflowers sown in the 

 hotbed were not transplanted until well on into June, but nevertheless did well, every 

 head forming solid, even of tlie late Danish Railhead. Cucumbers, pumpkins, squash, 

 beans and corn were mostly planted in hills with hog manure beneath, this being the 

 freest from weed seeds of any we had. The hog manure was probably a mistake, for 

 germination of these things was tardy and subsequent growth slow, whereas a row of 

 Golden Bantam corn planted without manure, germinated sooner, producing an 

 unbroken row, which eventually, when the warm weather came, responded surprisingly 

 and when cut with frost had made a beautiful even row about three feet tall and with 

 ears very near the boiling stage. It is probable that with more care it could have been 

 forced to the development of usable ears. The beans, squash and pumpkins were 

 neglected as utterly hopeless, until quite late in the season, when the few plants in 

 sight were hoed as a matter of form. There followed a period of warm showery weather 

 and their progress was astonishing. The one Longfield pumpkin vine formed a dozen 

 fruits, the largest girthing 34 inches, and while not quite ripening, it was sufficiently 

 mature to cook well for pies. The squash was the sam?. Summer Crookneck ripened 

 first, though some of the English Vegetable Marrow and Scallop Bush matured sufii- 

 ciently to use. All the usual winter vegetables were had in quantity, from parsley to 

 parsnip and salsify. All, too, were of superior texture and flavour, the carrots, cabbage, 

 cauliflower and parsnips being particularly delicious. Parsnips and salsify, wi,th us, 

 however, grow very fibrous branching roots, even in deep tilled soil. Four kinds of 

 peas kept the table supplied for a month to six weeks and a mess of second crop was 

 picked September 11. Gregory Surprise- surprised us by affording a picking two or 

 three days ahead of the excellent Oradus. Thos. Laxton and Excelsior were later. 

 Early Paris Market was the first cabbage to mature, while of the two kinds of cauli- 

 flower, the Extra Early Dwarf Erfurt headed better than the Snowball. Eclipse, Early 

 Model, Crosby Egyptian and Witham Fireball beets, sown May 4, yielded well. The 

 onions were devastated by cutworms. Yellow Globe Danvers and Extra Early Red 



IHeaverlodge. 



