90 REPORT OF THE SCOTTISH COMMISSION 



sown about the middle of July at the rate of 12 lbs. of seed per 

 acre, are the best and cheapest of the leguminous plants for this 

 purpose ; summer vetch also gave good results, while rape is the 

 best of the non-leguminous plants, and a mixture of it and 

 ^•English horse beans was found very satisfactory. 



The work described applies more particularly to apples, but 

 experiments have also been conducted in the culture of plums, 

 pears, peaches, cherries, grapes, raspberries, blackberries, currants 

 gooseberries, and strawberries, all of which grow to remarkable 

 perfection in some districts of Canada. 



Vegetable culture has also received much attention. It has been 

 demonstrated that Canada can grow a very great variety of vege- 

 tables to a high degree of perfection if proper cultural methods are 

 adopted. Hundreds of varieties have been tested at the experi- 

 mental farms ; and concise lists of the best vegetables for farmers, 

 . with information as to the best methods of cultivating them, have 

 been widely disseminated. 



Forestry forms a most important branch of the horticultural 

 work. The forest belts at the Central Farm extend to 21 acres. 

 The forestry has been to a great extent directed with the object of 

 discovering and demonstrating how to grow the hardiest and best 

 varieties of trees and shrubs for adorning the homes of farmers, and 

 for providing shelter belts on the treeless wind-swept plains of the 

 great West. The time has come when men are beginning to think 

 of attractive homes on the prairie. 



The experimental work in forestry has clearly shown that this 

 is possible and not even difficult if properly set about. There 

 are trees that will thrive anywhere in these regions, and grow with 

 .great rapidity, even from seed if the ground is tilled previous to 

 sowing or planting and kept free of weeds until the trees are 

 established. The Department of the Interior of the Dominion 

 Government has done much to demonstrate the best methods of 

 cultivating trees and the great effect of shelter belts on the wind- 

 swept plains, and it offers abundance of young trees and seed free 

 to all farmers who undertake to comply with ^the regulations for 

 the establishment of shelter-belts. For this excellent purpose 

 a great forestry department and nursery has been established 

 not far from the branch experimental farm at Indian Head. 

 Farmers on the prairie meanwhile, however, are mostly so much 

 engrossed in striving to increase their slender capital that 

 they have little time to spare on making beautiful homes. 

 But that is coming. Even in the most unlikely places a few 

 were found who pointed proudly to young clumps and strips 

 of trees which they had planted soon after their arrival. They 

 were sufficient to demonstrate that it is possible to alter the whole 

 aspect of the treeless prairie ; for the growth of such trees as 

 Manitoba maple, and certain species of poplar, is so rapid as to 

 yield 5 or 6 feet of growth in three years, even when grown from seed. 

 This work is certain in the future to have a far-reaching effect on 

 the prairie, and the comfort of living there. The settler will be 

 fortunate who early recognises the possibilities of trees as a means 



