Nursery Treatments Experiment 



A study of root and top pruning of white spruce 2-2 was conducted at 

 the Midhurst Nursery during the growing season of 195^» Different degrees and 

 times of root and top priming were carried out. The stock was planted in a 

 designed experiment near Powassan in the spring of 1955> incorporating a treat- 

 ment of rooting hormones© It is expected that first results of this study will 

 be available in the form of a survival coTint in the fall of 1955* 



Straw Fumigation Experiment 



A study of the effect of straw mulch on the population of weeds and 

 the weeding costs of seed beds was started in 19^5* An experiment was started 

 on fall sown beds of 195*^ using ordinary straw compared to straw treated with 

 MCp and straw treated with steaia as mulch. It is planned to compare weed 

 population and costs through the growing season of 1955* 



Nursery Stock Packaging, 1955 



A study into the possibility of obtaining a cheaper material than 

 sphagnum moss as the moisture retaining agent in packaging was started in 195^. 

 :A. designed experiment of four treatments s sphagnum, locally collected moss, poplar 

 wood wool, and poplar wood wool treated with a wetting agent was conducted at 

 Kemptville Nursery* Bales of the fo\ir treatments were planted at half -week 

 intervals for nine plantings at Larose Forest covering a period of h^ weeks. 

 The first results of this experiment will be obtained from a survival count in 

 the fall of 1955* To assist in this experiment, the Mechanics Section under 

 Mr. M. Ho Baker constructed a mechanical baling machine with an electric motor. 



Polyethylene Packaging 



A small quantity of nursery stock was packed at the Fort William Nursery 

 in three comparative wrapping materials! burlap, polyethylene, and kraft paper. 

 This was planted in a designed experiment in Algonquin Park in the spring of 1955. 

 Information has been obtained on the ability of these materials to withstand 

 damage during handling and shipping. Further testing of materials is planned. 



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