BRANDON. MANITOBA. EXPERIMENT FARM. 377 



BRANDON, MANITOBA, EXPERIMENT FARM, 1903. 



HARRY BROWN, HORTICULTURIST, BRANDON, MAN. 



The total absence of spring frosts, coupled with the generous 

 rains, which fell at an opportune time, contributed to a remarkably 

 heavy setting of fruits, while the many varieties of flowering shrubs 

 under test were literally a mass of color, so much so. in fact, that 

 visitors were heard comparing the farm to a typical California 

 scene. In the crab-apple orchard a very large crop of fruit is 

 promised ; in fact, it will be necessary to provide supports for some 

 of the trees, so heavily are they laden. It is very gratifying to be 

 able to record that fully ninety per cent of the grafts which were 

 put on last year have come through the winter in good condition, 

 and as these contain some very fine varieties of standard apples, 

 valuable results are anticipated in the near future. Perhaps the 

 most encouraging sign in this connection is that one of the recently 

 grafted scions has this year set a small quantity of fruit. A large 

 number of scions of standard apples were top-grafted on to the 

 Pyrus baccata during the present spring, including the following 

 varieties : Duchess, Hibernal, Longfield, Yellow Transparent, Mac- 

 Mahon's White. Patten's Greening and Charlamoff. and there is not 

 a single instance of failure to unite. 



Other additions, including rooted trees of some of the above 

 varieties, have been made to the orchard this spring, and we are 

 now in a position to gain positive information as to the possibilities 

 of apple-growing in Manitoba. 



In the cross-bred apple orchard a large number of trees are 

 fruiting for the first time. 



Some very interesting results are expected from these, and ver\- 

 careful notes will be taken of all characteristics. 



In plums, both the native variety (Prunus nigra) and seedlings 

 of the American plum (Prunus Americana) have set an immense 

 crop of fruit, which should enable us to make a thorough compari- 

 son of varieties in the fall. The disease of plum pocket, or bladder, 

 is not, I am pleased to say, ven.- prevalent this season. 



In the "small fruits," currants have set heavily, and the bunches 

 are exceptionally well filled. A number of new kinds fruiting for 

 the first time will materially add to our list of varieties of this val- 

 uable fruit. The few varieties of gooseberries represented here 

 have also set a larger crop than usual. Raspberries are covered 

 with flower buds and will doubtless also yield above the average, 

 though with this fruit success depends in a great measure upon 

 the weather prevalent during the setting period and at the time ol 

 ripening. 



