DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 93 



Plums of the hardier kinds also do well, most of the plum 

 trees on the Farm being selected strains of the native plum of 

 Manitoba, which varies greatly in size, quality and earhness, 

 some maturing as early as Aug. 15th. A selection called " Major" 

 in particular is a very good strain of native plum. There 

 are also some excellent seedlings of Cheney. 



Although more work has been done with apples than with 

 any other fruit, it is impossible, as yet, to claim success with 

 them at this farm. The apple orchard is situated on the higher 

 land north of the Superintendent's house. The first orchards 

 were planted in the enclosures now used for vegetables and 

 fruits. It was thought that the winter-killing of the trees in 

 this location was due to the heavy, rich land which held much 

 moisture and caused late, sappy growth, easily injured by the 

 winter cold. The present location was chosen on Ught, sandy 

 land, with gravel in the subsoil. The hillside orchard has room 

 for over one thousand trees and is planted almost to its capacity. 

 While winter-killing has not been quite so severe as in the valley, 

 as yet very few standard apples have been grown and, usually, 

 after a standard apple tree bears, it succumbs the following 

 winter. Even with the best varieties of cross-bred apples, the 

 same difficulties have been encountered. 



Vegetable Garden. 



All the common varieties of garden vegetables, including 

 potatoes, are grown each year. The vegetable garden is situated 

 in front of the barns along with the small fruits. 



With onions, carrots, parsnips, turnips, beets, etc., tests 

 are made of the best varieties by planting in rows in the garden. 

 From three to ten varieties of each are grown and the yield, 

 quaUty and earliness noted. With radishes, lettuce and green 

 peas, sowings are made at different dates so as to prolong the 

 season of use. Celery, cabbages, cauliflower, tomatoes, pump- 

 kins, squash, melons, citrons, cucumbers, etc., are started in 

 a simple hot bed and are then transplanted after the danger of 

 severe frost is past. Several varieties of each of these kinds 

 are tested. With tomatoes, a test is made comparing pruning 

 with leaving -the vines unpruned. By pruning severely, we are 

 able to secure a good yield of ripe fruit; the unpruned vines 

 produce a larger yield but do not ripen the fruit. Table corn 

 is always an important part of the garden. By using suitable 

 varieties it is found possible to produce table corn of good quality 

 and have it ready for early use. About ten to twelve varieties 

 are usually tested; the Golden Bantam has proved the best so 

 far. 



For an early vegetable, a bed of asparagus is maintained; 



