144 WM. SAUNDEES ON EXPEEIMENTS IN TEBE-PL ANTING, ETC. 



of young seedling forest trees containing 100 in each package would be sent from the central 

 experimental farm at Ottawa as long as the supply lasted to any farmer or settler applying 

 for them. Material had been secured sufficient for 1,000 packages, which it was supposed 

 would be ample to meet the demand, but within a month after the announcement was made 

 2,600 applications had been received. As it was not possible then to meet the wishes of all, 

 1,000 packages were sent out to those who had applied earliest, and the names of the others 

 were held over until the following year, when a more liberal provision was made and all 

 were supplied, including applications subsequently received, altogether about 2,000. Ninety- 

 five larger bundles were also sent by express to the Canadian Pacific Railway test gardens at 

 different points along the line, to the agents on the Indian reserves, the Mounted Police 

 stations, and other public institutions. A similar distribution of about 1,000 packages each 

 was also made in 1892 and 1893. As the material for distribution has greatly increased on 

 the branch farms, it has been thought best to encourage the settlers to apply there instead 

 of sending to Ottawa. îTo announcement has been made during the past season of any dis- 

 tribution at Ottawa, but it has been found necessary to put up about 600 mail packages in 

 order to meet the pressing requests received. 



During the past four years a large quantity of tree seeds have also been distrilnitcd free 

 by mail, mainly of such native varieties as could be obtained in the Northwest. Within 

 this period more than five tons of such seeds have been collected and sent out in small bags, 

 each containing from 3,000 to 5,000 seeds. These seeds have been accompanied by instruc- 

 tions for sowing and subsequent care. In 1891 tree seeds were thus sent to about 5,000 

 settlers. A large proportion of those who have received them have been successful in grow- 

 ing them, and from the seedling-beds the young trees have been planted in groves around 

 the houses and buildings on a large number of farms. Many of theee in four or five 3'ears 

 will bear seed and become additional centres of distribution, which in a few years more will 

 produce marked and gratifying results. 



The planting of hardy young trees closely for shelter-hedges has been found most 

 advantageous and beneficial, forming excellent protection for the growing of small fruits, 

 vegetables and other tender or succulent crops. These hedges have been made chiefly of 

 Russian poplars, box-elder, elm, ash and willow, planted in double rows at different dis- 

 tances, 1 ft. by 2, 2 by 2, 2 by 3, 3 by 3, and 4 by 4 ft. The Russian poplars have thus far 

 made the most rapid and desirable growth. A Russian variety of Artemisia, Artemisia 

 Abrotanum var. Tobolskianum, has also been found useful for this purpose on account of its 

 ready and rapid growth from cuttings. The Caragana arborescens, or Siberian pea-tree, 

 which can be readily grown from seed, also makes a very good hedge. In addition to the 

 shelter which these hedges afford, they are beneficial in collecting and retaining the snow 

 in winter, and thus producing favourable conditions of moisture in the spring. The tests 

 which have been made on the western experimental farms have shown that there are now 

 about 100 varieties of trees and shrubs which are hardy enough to endure the climate there 

 and thrive well, and further tests are adding to this number from year to year. The example 

 shown, the information given, and the facilities afforded for obtaining and disseminating 

 cuttings and seeds from the large groves planted, will undoubtedly be the means of bringing 

 about a rapid extension of this desirable work. 



