39 



A list of these questions is appended to this report together with a series 

 of replies which are typical of hundreds received. These go to prove conclusively 

 that agricultural land, when planted to fruit, is at once increased in value from 

 two to tenfold. This advance does not arise from any sentimental or intangible 

 reason, but on account of the actual cash returns to be obtained under careful 

 scientific management. They also show that while difficulties are to be met 

 with, they can be successfully overcome by the average man who will apply 

 himself, and that notwithstanding an important campaign in many sections 

 to largely increase the present plantings of fruit, there is no uneasiness felt as 

 regards the probability of overproduction in the near future of fruit of high 

 quality, inasmuch as the demand for a product of this kind is increasing faster 

 than it can be supplied. 



MANITOBA, SASKATCHEWAN AND ALBERTA. 



Manitoba Agricultural College. 



On October 11a start was made for the Prairie Provinces, reaching Winnipeg, 

 our first stop, in due course. A visit was paid to the Manitoba Agricultural 

 College, where we were cordially received by Professor Black, Principal, and 

 Professor Broderick, Horticulturist. Owing to the fact that the present grounds 

 of the College are not at all adequate for the purposes intended, new grounds 

 have been secured and extensive buildings are now in course of erection on the 

 banks of the Red River, where there will be ample facilities for the various 

 departments of College work. In connection with the new grounds, Professor 

 Broderick is making extensive plans for the careful trial of all classes of fruit 

 that give any promise of being successful in the climate of Manitoba. Up to 

 the present time, owing to the unsettled conditions and lack of space, not very 

 much has been done in this way. Professor Black believes that the smaller 

 fruits, and possibly some of the hardier varieties of apples and plums should 

 prove successful in some portions of Manitoba, but from the fact that the culti- 

 vation of grain forms a quick and easy prospect of revenue to the average farmer, 

 the culture of fruit has not been undertaken to any great extent, the impression 

 prevailing that the time so spent might be largely wasted. Professor Broderick 

 is giving a good deal of attention to the question of fruits suitable to this climate, 

 and hopes to be able to show some practical results in connection with his work 

 in the near future. 



Professor Bedford, who for a number of years had charge of the Experimental 

 Farm at Brandon is, however, of the opinion that the scope for successful fruit 

 culture in Manitoba is very limited. 



Plum Growing in Manitoba. 



A visit was paid the same afternoon to the nursery of Mr. D. B. Buchanan 

 at St. Charles, a suburb of Winnipeg. For many years Mr. Buchanan has been 

 devoting a good deal of attention to the growing of nursery stock, and to develop- 

 ing some of the hardier varieties of plums of the Americana and Nigra groups. 

 The result of his work in this respect is quite interesting, he having selected 

 about 25 varieties, several of which he considers as likely to be of considerable 

 value. These native plums he has been distributing to various sections of the 

 West and he believes that they should succeed in Alberta, Saskatchewan and 

 parts of Western Manitoba. 



Among the Americana plums, Mr. Buchanan has been successful with the 

 Aitken, Cheeney, Odegard, Bixby and Mankato, and has also ripened varieties 

 as late as De Sota, which he considers one of the best for commercial purposes. 



