DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 55 



entrance. From here one has a good view of the valley through 

 which runs the Rideau canal and whose slopes, well clothed with 

 vegetation, make a very pleasant prospect. The interest of 

 this lovely spot has been enhanced by the kindness of H. R. H. 

 The Duchess of Connaught in planting here a memorial tree. 

 Turning to the left along the road for a short distance, a fine 

 view of the towers of the Parliament buildings may be had 

 through a group of old willows and elms, while from many parts 

 of the grounds, the beautiful Laurentian hills may be seen in 

 the distance, forming a background not easily surpassed. 



Scientific Collections and Herbarium. 



Specimens of botanical and economic interest are carefully 

 preserved and may be seen in the herbarium room of the Divi- 

 sion. They will be shown and explained to anyone interested. 

 The herbarium is a very important collection comprising several 

 thousands of sheets of plants carefully preserved, mounted and 

 arranged to facilitate reference. While by no means a complete 

 collection of Canadian plants, yet the herbarium is very valuable, 

 the plants that are lacking being the rarer ones which are not 

 often required for comparison. The Division also possesses a 

 very extensive collection of the seeds of Canadian plants con- 

 veniently kept in small glass tubes. 



Experimental Plots. 



These have always been of special interest to the farmer. 

 They will be found to include nearly every fodder plant under 

 cultivation in this country. Small plots are also used for testing 

 new grasses or other plants with a view to ascertaining their 

 agricultural value. Generally there will be found each year 

 experiments with some crop like millet, hemp, broom corn, etc. 

 The variety tests of clover and alfalfa which have been begun 

 recently with a view to discovering the hardiest strains, their 

 permanence and yield in herbage and seed, should also be found 

 of special interest. 



Reference Books and Botanical Library. 



Students of plant pathology, mycology or general botany 

 will find a useful reference library on these subjects. Together 

 with the collections, field experiments, and the Botanic Gardens, 

 they provide excellent opportunity for the study of agricul- 

 tural and economic botany, and the officers in charge will 

 always be pleased to give personal advice and instruction to 

 those interested. 



