HORTICULTURE IN CANADA. 97 



eight hundred, and of small fruits about as many more. Many 

 new varieties have been produced on the farm, by growing large 

 numbers of seedlings of choice sorts and selecting the best, and 

 by cross-fertilization. Comparative tests have also been made of 

 a large number of vegetables. 



A useful adjunct to the horticultural department is the apiary, 

 where the busy bees work all the summer day, gathering stores 

 of honey from the flowers of various plants and trees, and in 

 carrying on their regular work render valued assistance in 

 fertilizing the blossoms of fruits. 



Some people object to planting trees, fearing they may not 

 live long enough to realize much enjoyment from them.' To 

 produce the best results comparatively small specimens should 

 be selected. A young and thrifty tree accommodates itself to 

 change of location much more readily than an older one, and the 

 young tree usually develops its normal form more perfectly. 



During the early years of our work collections of bulbs — in- 

 cluding lilies, hyacinths, narcissus, and many other sorts — were 

 planted in the autumn; but the ground being open and without 

 shelter, the snow at times was so blown off the ground as to 

 leave it nearly bare and most of the bulbs were killed during the 

 Avinter. To provide shelter, and collect and retain snow over 

 them, an enclosure hedged with arbor vitae and Norway spruce 

 was planned and the bulbs planted within it ; since then nearly 

 all have wintered well. During the winter the enclosure and its 

 surroundings are protected by snow, which gathers within and 

 about it to a considerable depth. The evergreen margin is now 

 about three and a half feet high, and portions of it are almost 

 covered with snow during the colder part of the season. 



The beds outside this enclosure afford different aspects, which 

 make them very suitable for certain classes of plants. 



Within, a constant succession of bloom during the summer is 

 maintained : hyacinths, tulips, and other bulbs in the spring, and 

 later fine masses of lilies, herbaceous peonies, and irises are 

 grown. 



The lilacs, when in bloom in the spring, are among the most 

 beautiful of shrubs, and Avhat delightful improvements have of 

 late been made in this old-fashioned favorite ! More than sixtv 



1 Views were shown to demonstrate the development in growth and beauty which uan be 

 made in a brief period of seven or eight years. 



