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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

CENTRAL EXPERIMENTAL FARM

OTTAWA, - CANADA

TREES AND SHRUBS

TESTED IN

MANITOBA AND THE NORTH-WEST TERRITORIES

BY

BULLETIN 1ST o . 47

WILLIAM SAUNDERS, LL.

W

Director Dominion Experimental Farms

JUNE, 1904

Published by direction of the Hon. Sydney A. Fisher, Minister of Agriculture

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To the Honourable

The Minister of Agriculture.

Sir, — I have now the pleasure of submitting for your approval Bulletin No. 47
of the Experimental Farm series on 1 Trees and Shrubs tested in Manitoba and
the North-west Territories/ which has been prepared by myself.

In this bulletin are given the results of a very large number of trials of trees and
shrubs which have been planted at the Experimental Farms at Brandon, Manitoba,
and at Indian Head in tliG North-west Territories, during the past sixteen years, to
ascertain what species and varieties are hardy enough to endure winter in those
parts of the Dominion. In the gathering of this information I have been ably
assisted by Mr. S. A. Bedford, superintendent of the farm at Brandon and by Mr.
Angus Mackay, superintendent of the farm at Indian Head, who have carefully
planted and cared for the specimens and recorded the results of these tests from year
to year. In my annual visits to these farms during the whole of this period I have
also taken careful notes on the growth and relative hardiness of the many species
under trial, and a summary of all the experience thus gained will be found in thi3
bulletin.

The object in view in compiling this information is to present in a convenient
and condensed form all the facts ascertained for the convenience and encouragement
of those who desire to adorn their homes with these objects of beauty. The love of
trees and shrubs is almost universal and nowhere is it more strongly felt than on the
North-west plains where trees and shrubs are scarce. Until within the past few years
large sums of money have been spent annually by settlers in the purchase of trees
and shrubs from the East, many of which being too tender to endure the climate
have perished the first winter. The information gained from the tests made at the
experimental farms and published annually in the reports has greatly lessened this
injudicious expenditure.

While this bulletin has been written mainly for the information of residents
in the colder sections of Western Canada, it is hoped that it will also be of value to
those living in the East, since any of the species found hardy enough to endure the
climates in the North-west may be planted with assurance of success in any of the
eastern parts of the Dominion.

I have the honour to be
Your obedient servant,

WM. SAUNDERS,

Director Experimental Farms.

Ottawa, June 29, 1904.

339— 1}

TREES AND SHRTJBS

TESTED IN

MANITOBA AND THE NORTH-WEST TERRITORIES.

Sixteen years of experience have now been had in the testing of trees and shrubs
at the Experimental Farms at Brandon,* Man., and at Indian Head in the North-west
territories. During this period a large number of species and varieties have been
tried, and while many have proved tender, the number found hardy has been much
larger than was at first anticipated. Much interest is felt in tree-planting on the
plains, both for ornament and shelter, and improvement made by judicious planting
of hardy species about a home is greatly appreciated. Much time and money have
been wasted in the past in efforts to grow tender sorts, which do not survive the severe
winters. Hie recommendations made in this bulletin as to hardy trees and shrubs,
based on long experience, may be received with confidence. It is hoped that the
information given will result in increased planting in cities, towns and rural dis¬
tricts, thus adding to the pleasures and attractions of home life throughout the great
North-west country. Trees and shrubs which have been found hardy at the Experi¬
mental Farms at Brandon and Indian Head may be safely planted in almost all other
parts of the Dominion.

ACER . Maple.

The maples form a very interesting and attractive group, consisting of many
distinct species, both native and foreign, very few of which will endure the climate
of the Canadian North-west. The well-known sugar, red and Norway maples, which
succeed so well in the East, have been thoroughly tested both at Brandon and Indian
Head by planting many hundreds of each sorts in successive seasons, both in sheltered
and exposed situations, and after many years of experimenting scarcely a single
specimen remains.

Acer dasycarpum, Ehrh. White or Silver Maple.

This is a native of eastern North America, is of very rapid growth and makes a
shapely, rather open, tree. The leaves are silvery white on the under side. The wood
is brittle and the branches are very apt to break when laden with ice in winter. This
species is found growing further north than most of the other large growing maples.

Many hundreds of these trees grown from eastern seed have been planted on the
western Experimental Farms during the past 15 years. Only a few have survived,
and most of these are injured more or less every winter. Several specimens have,
however, shown greater individual hardiness than others at Brandon, Man., where
they have now reached a height of 20 to 25 feet. When seed can be obtained from
these treees, young specimens can probably be grown of a hardier type. There are
several silver maples growing well at Winnipeg, and at Portage la Prairie there is a
group of fine specimens which were planted many years ago near the site of the

♦Brandon Is situated on the main line of the Canadian Pacific Railway, 133 miles
west of Winnipeg, and has an altitude of 1,194 feet. Indian Head is in Eastern Assi-
niboia, 181 miles west of Brandon, also on the main line of the Canadian Pacific, and
has an altitude of 1,924 feet.

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old passenger station of the Canadian Pacific Railway. These trees have been
watched for the past 12 years, and on no occasion has any winter-killing of the wood
been detected. Some seed was obtained one season from these trees, but it did not
germinate. Seedlings produced from seed ripened in Manitoba would probably be
hardy in the North-west. The seed ripens early and falls from the trees about the
middle of June. When gathered it should be allowed to dry for a few days, then sown
about an inch deep in drills a foot apart. The seed germinates the same season, and
the young seedlings usually attain a height of several inches before winter comes.

A. Negundo, L. Box Elder or Manitoba Maple.

This tree is found in many parts of Canada and the United States. It is a native
of Manitoba and of portions of the North-west Territories, and when grown from seed
ripened in the North-west this tree is perfectly hardy and is one of the most valuj
able and useful trees for that country. It is a rapid grower and succeeds well on all
sorts of soil, provided the ground is not wet. Illustrations are given, in plate I.,
fig. 3, of a single tree grown at the Experimental Farm at Indian Head, of an avenue
of the same, plate III., fig. 6, also at Indian Head, and of a hedge of Manitoba Maple,
plate Y., fig. 1, growing on the Experimental Farm at Brandon. This species is
grown readily from seed which should be sown early in the spring, about an inch deep,
in rows about a foot apart. If the ground is kept clean and the surface occasionally
stirred with a hoe, the young trees make rapid growth and the strongest of them may
be put out in permanent plantations the following season. Large quantities both of
the seed and young trees have been distributed annually for many years past from
the experimental farms to settlers in the Canadian North-west. Through this work
plantations of these trees are now found on homesteads in almost every part of Mani¬
toba and the Territories, which furnish shelter for the growing of garden vegetables,
small fruits and flowers, as well as for buildings and stock. Such plantations make
the dwellings of the settlers more attractive and home-like and in their shelter many
other useful and ornamental shrubs may be successfully grown.

A. spicatun, L. Mountain Maple.

This species is found as far north as the Lake of th© Woods, and if obtained
from that locality and planted in sheltered spots should succeed in many parts of
Manitoba and the Territories. Thus far, however, this shrubby species has not been
successfully grown either at Brandon or Indian Head. Some 30 or 40 specimens ha.7e
been planted on each of these farms, and they have usually had their wood killed back
more or less every winter.

A. tataricum, L. Tartarian Maple.

This is a native of Eastern Europe. It is a small tree of slow growth that seldom
exceeds from 12 to 20 feet in height, which as far as it has been tested, has proved
quite hardy. A tree planted at Brandon in 1896 has never been injured by winter,
and has borne seed each year since 1898. Soedling-s grown from seed ripened on this
tree have been planted both at Brandon and Indian Head and are entirely hardy.

A. tataricum Ginnala. Ginnalian Maple.

This is said to be a variety of the Tartarian Maple, and a native of Amurland,
which has been extensively grown both at Brandon and Indian Head since 1891, and
found to be thoroughly hardy. It is more shrubby in habit than the Tartarian Maple,
seldom attaining a height of over 10 or 12 feet. The leaves are small and prettily cut
or lobed. The wings of the seeds are early margined with bright red, and in the
autumn the leaves assume brilliant hues of red and scarlet. This is undoubtedly one
of the hardiest and most beautiful of shrubs, and is well adapted for general cul¬
tivation throughout the North-west country. It is easily raised from seed which is
produced in abundance on comparatively young specimens.

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The following species of maple have been thoroughly tested and found to be too
tender to be grown in the Canadian North-west : —

A. campestre, L. Common European Maple, Europe.

A. circinnatum, Pursh. Vine Maple, British Columbia.

A. glabrum, T. & G. Smooth Maple, British Columbia.

A. Japonicum, Th. Japanese Maple, Japan.

A. monspessulanum, L. Montpellier Maple, Mediterranean region.

A. pennsylvanicum, L. Striped Maple, Eastern Canada.

A. platanoides , L. Norway Maple, Europe.

A. rub-rum, L. Bed or Swamp Maple, Eastern Canada.

A. saccharinum, Wang. Sugar Maple, Eastern Canada.

2ESCULUS. Horse Chestnut, Buckeye.

The following species belonging to this group have been tried, but they have all
proved too tender : —

AEsculus glabra, Willd. Ohio Buckeye, United States.

AE. hippocastanum, L. Horse Chestnut. Europe.

Ad. pavia, L. Bed Buckeye, United States.

AILANTUS. Tree of Heaven.

Ailantus glandulosa , Desf. Tree of Heaven, China. Tested both at Brandon and
Indian Head, but has never survived the winter.

AKEB1A.

Akebia guinata, DC. China and Japan. This interesting climber has been
tried, but is too tender.

ALNUS. Alder.

Among the alders there are one or two hardy species, but most of them are too
tender to succeed in the North-west climate.

Alnus glutinosa. Common Alder, Europe and North Asia.

Specimens of this tree have done fairly well both at Brandon and Indian Head.
Of those planted in 1889, 1890 and 1902 many have proved hardy and have grown well.
This tree does not attain a large size. The foliage is glossy and rather handsome.
Occasionally the wood will kill back a little in the winter, particularly in newly
planted specimens, but usually the tree is quite hardy

A. viridis, DC. Green Alder. Northern Begions.

This, although a native shrub in the North-west, has not succeeded very well in
cultivation. It was first planted at Brandon in 1890, and has generally been hardy

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there. At Indian Plead the wood has usually been more or less injured in winter,
and sometimes it has been killed back as much as one-half.

The species and varieties of Alder which have on trial been found tender are : —

A. cordifolia, Ten. Heart-leaved Alder. South Europe.

A. glutinosa imperialis. Imperial Cut-leaved Alder.

A. incana , M. Speckled or Hoary Alder. Northern Temperate Regions.

A. incana laciniata. Cut-leaved Hoary Alder.

A. maritima , M. Seaside Alder. North America.

AMELANCHIER. June Berry.

Amelanchier alnifolia, Nutt. Alder-leaved June berry, Saskatoon berry, North¬
western America.

This is a native of Manitoba and the North-west Territories. It is a tall shrub,
from 6 to 10 feet high, with a rather straggling habit. It produces a fruit much like
that of the eastern shad bush, which is much prized both by the Indians and the
settlers. The fruit is used in a fresh condition ; it is also dried for winter use. This
shrub grows fairly well in cultivation.

A. canadensis nana.

A dwarf variety of the eastern Amelanchier or shad bush. This shrub bears a
good-sized edible fruit of fair quality, which has been tested for several years at
Brandon and Indian Head, and has been killed back more or less every winter. The
ordinary taller variety, so common in the woods in Eastern Canada, has not been
tested sufficiently to permit of an opinion as to its hardiness, but it will probably
be equally hardy with the dwarf form.

A. vulgaris, M.

The common service-berry of Europe has been tried for several years, but has not
made satisfactory progress. It has been killed back more or less each winter.

AMORPFIA. False Indigo.

Amorpha fruticosa, L. False Indigo.

This is a small shrub which bears very dark, bluish purple flowers in June. It is
a native of Manitoba, and if raised from seed ripened in Manitoba will, in all proba¬
bility, be hardy throughout the western country. This shrub, when grown from seed
ripened in England when planted at Indian Head, has proved tender.

ARISTOLOOIIIA. Birthwort.

Aristolochia sipho, L’JIerit. Dutchman’s Pipe. A native of the United States.

This has been tested at Brandon and Indian Head for the past four years and has

killed back partly or wholly to the ground every winter. Where the roots prove hardy
this climbing vine may be useful, as it makes a considerable and rapid growth each
year. It has large and handsome foliage and curiously formed flowers much resem¬
bling a small tobacco pipe.

[Buli

Lilacs, Seedlings of Charles 10th, at Brandon, Man.

Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2019 with funding from
University of Toronto

https://archive.org/details/treesshrubstesteOOsaun

9

! ARTEMISIA . Southernwood.

Artemisia dbrotanum , L. Old Man, Southernwood.

This has been tested since 1890 both at Brandon and Indian Head. The wood
has been killed back more or less each winter, much as it does in the East, but it
always produces a luxuriant growth during the summer.

A. abrotanum tobolslcianum. Russian Artemisia.

This is a taller and stronger growing variety than the ‘ Old Man ’ with a less
pleasant odor. It has been tested for the past twelve years, the wood usually kills
back in winter from one-third to one-half its length, otherwise it is quite hardy. It
makes a strong and rapid growth in the spring. Cuttings of this shrub root readily
in any moist soil and grow rapidly. At Indian Head a fairly good hedge has been
grown in a single season from cuttings planted in the spring.

BERBERIS. Barberry.

The Barberries are a very useful class of shrubs, many of which are hardy or
nearly hardy in most of the settled parts of the Canadian North-west. These shrubs
bear their small greenish or yellow flowers singly or in bunches, which later in the
season are followed by red or purple berries, which hang on the bushes all winter.
The fruit may be made into a pleasant acid jelly. Fruits of the/ common barberry,
B. vulgaris, are frequently offered for sale for this purpose, especially in the markels
of the towns and cities of Quebec.

Berberis amurensis, Bupr. Amur Barberry, from Manchuria.

This variety was first planted in the Canadian North-west in 1898, and thus far
has not suffered any material injury from winter. It resembles the common barberry,
but seems to be somewhat hardier.

B. aristata, DC. Large Leaved Barberry, from Nepaul and the Himalayas.

This species has been tested for the past eight years, and while in some seasons
it is killed more or less at the tips during the winter, it may be regarded as practically
hardy. It has large leaves and yellow flowers.

B. Canadensis, Pursh. American Barberry.

This promises well, but has not been tested long enough to determine its hardi¬
ness.

B. Sieboldi, Miq. Siebold’s Barberry. China and Japan.

Has been tested both at Brandon' and Indian Head for the past five years, and
while the tips of the branches have usually been killed back two or three inches each
winter, it makes a growth so strong during the summer that the injury is scarcely
noticed.

B. sinensis, Desf. Chinese Barberry. China and Japan.

This variety has been under trial in the North-west since 1894. At first it
suffered from the killing of the tips in winter, but of late years it has been practi¬
cally hardy.

B. Thunbergii, DC. Thunberg’s Barberry. Japan.

While this species may be regarded as generally hardy, it suffers a little some sea¬
sons, usually only at the tips, but occasionally the branches are killed from one-third

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to one-lialf their length. When this occurs, if the dead wood is cut out, the rapid
growth of the bush soon makes it shapely again. This species has been under test
at the western farms for eleven years. In this species the leaves are small, nearly
round and without teeth on the margins. The flowers are borne singly under the
stems, are of a greenish colour and are succeeded by scarlet berries. This shrub sel¬
dom exceeds three to four feet in height, and its neat box-like foliage, which assumes
brilliant red tints in the autumn, followed by the bright scarlet berries which hang
on the bush all winter, combine to make it attractive at all seasons of the year.

B . vulgaris, L. Common Barberry. Europe.

This has been under trial at the North-western farms for the past thirteen years.
At first, and especially when planted in exposed situations, it was killed back con¬
siderably, but in recent years such injuries have been slight, and it may now be
regarded as fairly hardy. This species has fruited in the North-west for several years
past, and from the seed ripened there, seedlings are now growing, which are likely to
prove entirely hardy.

B. vulgaris pui'purea. Purple-leaved Barberry.

This handsome purple-leaved variety of the common barberry seems to be almost,
if not quite, as hardy as the green-leaved form. It assumes its deepest shades of
purple in the spring. It is almost hardy, especially when partly sheltered.

The following additional varieties are under trial, but most of them are too
tender to be of much value: —

B. aqnifolium, Pursh. Oregon Grape. Kills to ground.

B. aquifolium Murrayana. Kills to ground.

B. cretica, L. Cretan Barberry. Kills back considerably.

B. ilicifolia, Eorst. Holly -leaved Barberry. Kills to near ground.

B. Neuberti. Kills to near ground.

B. virescens. Hook. Himalaya. Tender.

BE TULA. Birch.

The birches are very graceful in tliqir manner of growth, and among them there
are several which are hardy in the North-west.

Betula alba, L. European White Birch. Northern Hemisphere.

This species has been under trial at the Brandon and Indian Head farms for the
past 14 years, and its character for hardiness may now be considered as fairly estab¬
lished. Some of the trees early planted are now of good size. In the earlier plant¬
ings, which were mostly made without shelter, specimens were sometimes injured by
winter, but no injury has been noticed for some years past.

B. alba laciniata pendula. Cut-leaved Birch.

This beautiful cut-leaved form of the European Birch is not so hardy as, tho
common variety. Only a small proportion of the trees planted have survived, but
these are now growing and seem to be hardy. This tree has a fine pendulous habit,
its long slender branches like delicate streamers reach almost to the ground.

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B. borealis.

This Birch is a native of Manitoba, and is found growing in a few localities along
the Assiniboine river. The tree is small and the foliage is smaller than some other
varieties of Birch; it grows well at Brandon, but is less thrifty at Indian Head.

B. lenta, L. Sweet Birch. North America.

This tree has been tested in the North-west for about ten years, and while some
of the young trees planted have died, others have survived, and are growing nicely,
with more or less killing back from year to year.

B. lutea, Michx. Yellow Birch. North America.

This variety has not succeeded quite so well as the Sweet Birch ; a larger propor¬
tion of the young trees planted have been killed, and the survivors, although
making fair growth, have been more or less injured. This tree somewhat resembles
the Sweet Birch both in habit of growth and character of foliage.

B. papyrifera, Marshr Paper or Canoe Birch. Canada, United States.

The Canoe Birch is a native of Manitoba, and has succeeded well in cultivation
both at Brandon and Indian Head. A large number of young trees have been collected
on the banks of the Souris river, Man., and distributed from the Brandon farm among
the farmers of Manitoba for test, with good results.

B. pumila, L. Low or Dwarf Birch. North America.

This species is found native both in Manitoba and the Territories, and where
the soil is fairly moist it succeeds well when transplanted.. It makes a pretty low-
growing tree or bush, with its small foliage and twigs dotted with white. It is quite
hardy.

Among other varieties of birch which have been tested and found more or less
tender are the following : —

B. alba fasiigiata. Pyramidal Birch.

B. alba pendula Youngi. Young’s Weeping Birch.

B. alba pendula elegans. Elegant Weeping Birch.

B. alba purpurea. Purple Birch.

B. davurica, Pall., from North Asia.

B. nigra, L. River Birch. United States.

B. occidenialis, Hook. Canyon Birch. British Columbia.

B. populifolia. Marsh. American White Birch.

CAB AG AN A. Siberian Pea Tree.

Of all the shrubs which have been brought from other countries to tliG Canadian
North-west none have been so uniformly hardy under all circumstances as the species
of Caragana, all of which as far as they have been tested have proved perfectly hardy.
They are handsome shrubs, with beautiful foliage and pretty yellow pea-shaped
flowers in the spring followed by small brownish pods which give an abundance of
seed. The different species are readily grown from seed which should be sown in the

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autumn or early in the spring. If well cared for the young seedlings grow rapidly
and produce strong plants the first season, which will be ready to plant in position th<i
year following.

Caragana arborescens , Lam. Siberian Pea Tree. Siberia.

This is a large shrub or small tree growing when mature from 12 to 15 feet in
height. It has been thoroughly tested in many parts of the North-west during the
past fifteen years and is reported everywhere as hardy, in exposed as well as in shel¬
tered positions. It has been widely distributed from the experimental farms among
thousand of settlers and is proving very useful when planted either as single specimens
or as hedges.

C. Chamlagu, Lam. Prom China and Japan.

This is a smaller growing species ranging from three to four feet in height. It
has been under trial for the past four years, and has shown no evidence of winter
killing.

C. frutescens, DC. Woody Caragana. Russia to Japan.

A very pretty shrub rarely exceeding three to four feet in height, handsome both
in foliage and flower. The leaves are compound in all the Caraganas, in C. arborescens
they consist of four to six pairs of leaflets, whereas in this species there are only
two pairs. This has been tested for the past twelve years and has proved hardy.

C. frutescens pendula. Pendulous Woody Caragana.

This differs from the ordinary form of the Woody Caragana in its more graceful
habit and weeping character. It is also quite hardy.

C. frutescens mollis glabra.

Another form of the Woody Caragana which has been found quite hardy at the
North-western farms.

C. grandiflora , DC. Large-flowered Caragana. Region of the Caspian Sea.

This also is one of the lower growing species of Caragana, seldom exceeding a
height of four or five feet. It is distinguished from the other sorts by its unusually
large, bright yellow flowers which give it a handsome appearance in the spring. This
also has been under trial for about 12 years, and has never been injured by winter.

C. pygmaea, DC. Dwarf Caragana. Caucasus to Himalaya.

The Dwarf Caragana is a very low growing form, from 1£ to 3 feet in height, with
very small foliage and small flowers. It makes a very pretty bush and is attractive
all through the season. It is quite hardy.

CARF1NUS. Hornbeam.

Carpinus, caroliniana , Walt. (= C. americana, Mich.). Blue Beech or American
Hornbeam. North America.

This has been several times tried at both Brandon and Indian Head, but the trees
have been invariably killed back, usually to the ground every winter^ and in the course
of three or four years have died.

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CARY A. Hickory.

Cary a alba, Nutt. Shagbark Hickory. North America.

This tree has been thoroughly tested at both the North-west farms, and has invari¬
ably died the first winter after planting.

CASTANEA. Chestnut.

Costarica dentata, Borkh. American Chestnut. North America.

C. sativa , Mill. European Chestnut. South Europe.

Both of these varieties of Chestnuts have been tried and found too tender, none
of the young trees having survived the winter.

CAT ALP A.

Catalpa cordifolia, Jaume. Western Catalpa. Western Kentucky and Tennessee.

C. hybrida, (Teas’) Teas’ Hybrid Catalpa.

C. Kaempferi, S. & Z. Japanese Catalpa. Japan.

Many young trees of each of these species have been planted at the North-west
farms, but in no instance have they survived the winter.

CELASTRUS. Bittersweet.

Celastrus articulatus, Thunb. Japanese Bittersweet.

This climber has been under trial during the past five years, and while most of
the specimens planted have been killed back more or less during the winter, they have
been found quite hardy near the base, and have made good growth during the summer.
It is quite probable that this species may, after a time, become acclimated and useful.

C. scandens, L. Climbing Bittersweet. North America.

This is a handsome climber which is found growing wild in some parts of Mani¬
toba, and is common in the neighbourhood of Birdshill, a few miles east of Winnipeg
It has been found quite hardy at Brandon, and although some specimens have killed
back more or less at Indian Head, it may be regarded as practically hardy there also.
It is of sturdy habit and bears small greenish flowers, which are succeeded by clusters
of orange-coloured berries.

CELTIS. Hackberry.

Celtis occiderdalis, L. Hackberry. North America.

Although this tree is found growing wild in some parts of Minnesota, it has not
been entirely hardy in the Canadian North-west. At Brandon it has been tested for
the past five years, and while some specimens have passed the winters uninjured, others
have been killed back, some at the tips only, others as much as one-half their height.
At Indian Head the specimens under test have been killed to near the ground.
Further trials are being made with specimens grown from seed collected in Minnesota.
The foliage of this tree is very susceptible to frost.

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CEPH ALAN THUS. Button Bush.

Cephalanthus occidentals. Button Bush. North America.

This interesting shrub, so hardy throughout the eastern part of Ontario, is
tender both at Brandon and Indian Head, and is usually killed to the ground each
winter.

CEE CIDIPHYLL UM.

C crcidipliyllum Japonicum, S. & Z. Katsura Tree. Japan.

This is a valuable timber tree in Northern Japan, which has proved hardy in
Ottawa. It is, however, tender in the North-west, and has never survived a winter.

CLEMATIS. Virgin's Bower.

In this group, which consists largely of climbing vines, there are several which
are hardy and useful in the Canadian North-west.

Clematis ligusticifolia, Nutt. Western Canada and United States.

This species is found growing wild in river valleys in Alberta, also through the
dry districts of central British Columbia. It is a strong growing climber, and is
well adapted for the adornment of porches and verandahs/ It is quite hardy at Bran¬
don and Indian Head, and has been grown successfully for some years as an orna¬
mental climber at Calgary. The flowers are small and white, and are produced in
abundance, and in seed the vines are quite ornamental, being covered with masses
of silky material made up of the feathery tails which spring from the base of the
seeds.

C. recta , L. Erect Clematis.

This may be more correctly classed as a herbaceous perrenial than a shrub. It
may, however, be more convenient to treat of it here. This Clematis dies to the
ground every year, and sends up strong shoots in spring, which grow to a height of
about three feet, when their tips become covered with masses of white sweet scented
flowers. This has proved hardy both at Brandon and Indian Head, and if protected
in winter by a mulch of manure or straw, would probably succeed in any part of the
North-west.

C. virginiana, L. Virgin’s Bower. Canada, United States.

This native eastern species, which is highly ornamental when in bloom, has been
tried with some success at the North-western farms. The wood is not entirely hardy,
and is usually killed back more or less in winter, but it makes a vigorous growth from
near the ground and blossoms freely during the summer. The flowers are small,
white and fragrant, and the masses of silky seed tails which cover the vine in the
autumn gives it an attractive appearance at that season also.

C. vitalba, L. Traveller’s Joy. Europe.

The wood of this vine has also been more or less killed by winter in the North¬
west, but as it sends up in spring strong shoots from near the base which grow very
rapidly, the partial winter killing to which it is subject does not much lessen its
value. In this species the flowers are white with a sweet almond scent, but the vine
is about two weeks later in blooming than the Virgin’s Bower.

15

C. viticella, L. Vine Bower. Europe.

In this species the flowers are larger and drooping and vary in colour from a pale
purple to a dull blue, and occasionally are of a dull rose colour.. The wood of this
vine is also more or less injured by winter, but the base of the plant and the roots
are hardy, the growth in summer is rapid and it sometimes blooms freely before the
season is far advanced.

C. paniculata, Thunb. Japan.

C. montana, Wall. Mountain Clematis. Himalaya.

Both these species have been tried, but they are too tender to endure the climate.

COLUTEA.

Colutea arborescens, L. Bladder Senna. Mediterranean region.

This shrub, which is rather tender at Ottawa, has been tried in the North-west,
but has invariably died the following winter.

CORNU S. Dogwood.

Among the many varieties of Dogwood in cultivation there are several which
succeed well in the North-west.

Cornus alba sibiricaj L.C. Siberian Dogwood.

This is a rather handsome shrub, with good foliage and numerous clusters of
small white flowers during tho summer, succeeded by white or lead coloured berries.
The branches and twigs of this shrub, which in summer are greenish or dull reddish,
assume a brilliant red colour during the winter which forms a striking contrast with
the pure white snow. This has been tested for the past seven years at both the
western farms and found to be hardy.

C. alba sibirica variegata. Variegated Siberian Dogwood.

This is a form of the Siberian Dogwood with very pretty variegated leaves, which
are blotched and striped with silver. This shrub has not proved entirely hardy, the
summer growth ha3 been rather feeble and the wood has usually winter killed to the
extent of one-half and sometimes it has been killed to the ground.

C. B alley i, C. & E. North America.

In foliage and habit this variety resembles the Siberian Dogwood. It has not, how¬
ever, shown itself quite so hardy. The wood has usually been winter killed at the
tips, but not to a sufficient extent to interfere with its value as an ornamental object
in the shrubbery border.

C. stolonifera, Michx. Bed Osier Dogwood. North America.

This shrub is found native in Manitoba and the North-west Territories where it

grows freely in
The flowers are

ravines and coulees,
white and borne in

Its foliage is good and its form attractive,
flat clusters, succeeded by white berries. A

very nice hedge may be made of this shrub by growing young plants in the garden
from the seeds in the berries and planting them out when two years old in
a single row a foot apart. They may also be transplanted from the woods. In this
species the branches also became quite red in the winter, but they do not assume

brilliant a colour as those of the Siberian Dogwood.

as

16

The varieties of Cornus which have been tried at the North-west farms and found
tender are : —

C. alba sibirica elegantissima.

C. alba sibirica Spcethii. Golden-leaved Dogwood. See Plate III., fig. 1.

C. amomum, Mill. Known also as C. sericea, L. North America.

C. sanguinea, L. Ked-Branched Dogwood. Europe.

The two first named have usually killed outright the first winter, while the two
latter have generally had their wood killed back one-half, and frequently to near the
ground.

COBYLUS. Hazel Nut.

The two species of wild hazel nut found in Eastern Canada grow plentifully in
Manitoba and the Territories, and when young bushe& are transplanted to the shrub¬
bery or grown from nuts they make very shapely specimens.

Corylus americana , Walt. Common Hazel Nut. North America.

This is much the commonest species, and is found in abundance in many parts
of the North-west. In this species the nut is not entirely covered by the husk, but
shows through at the tip.

C. rostrata , Ait. Beaked Hazel Nut. North America.

In this species the husk or covering of the nut is much longer, and not only
entirely covers the nut, but extends considerably beyond it, becoming beak-shaped at
the tip. Both these species are quite hardy in most parts of the North-west.

COTONEASTER.

The Cotoneasters are handsome shrubs, of which quite a number are being tested.
Three of these appear to be quite hardy, both at Brandon and Indian Head.

Cotoneaster acutifolia , Turcz. Sharp-leaved Cotoneaster. Mongolia.

This has been under trial at the North-west farms for six years, and only once
during this period, in 1900, has it been at all injured by winter, and then it was
only killed slightly at the tips. The bush is compact in form and the leaves glossy
and pointed. It blooms freely in the spring, but the flowers are small; later in the
season the bush is ornamented with black berries.

C. integerrima, Medic. Common Cotoneaster. Mountains of Europe.

This has been under trial for the past seven years, and has proved entirely hardy.
In this species the leaves are more rounded and less glossy; the bush is also more open
in habit. The flowers are small, but the berries are red; they are produced in abund¬
ance and hang on the bushes all winter.

C. tomentosa , Lindl. Alps.

In this species the leaves are downy on the underside; they are pointed but not
glossy. The bush has an upright habit of growth, and the berries are bright red.

These shrubs are not only ornamental when grown singly, they also make very
nice hedges. For this purpose the young bushes two years from seed should be
planted a foot apart and trimmed once or twice a year to make the growth compact

[£late tl.]

[feuLL. 47. ]

1.— Spiraea Van Houtte.
3. — Viburnum uentatum.
5. — Elaeagnus argentea.

[Photos, by C. E. Saunders.]

2. — Lonicera Tatarica alba.

4. — Lonicera Alberti.

G. — Syringa vulgaris Dr. Maillot.

17

They are all easily grown from seed, but frequently the seed does not germinate until
the second season after sowing.

CRATAEGUS. Hawthorn.

There are several species of thorn which have proved useful additions to the
collections of shrubs at the North-west farms, as they are both attractive and hardy.

Crataegus chlorosarca, Maxim. Manchuria.

This thorn is also known under the name of C. sanguinea Schroederi. It bears
pinkish white clusters of blossom in spring, and is very handsome when in bloom.
Its red berries in the autumn are also ornamental. This species has been under trial
for the past six or seven years, and although it has on one or two occasions been
slightly injured in winter at the tips, it may be regarded as practically hardy.

C. coccinea, L. Scarlet Haw. Canada, Eastern States.

This handsome species, so common in fields in the East, is also found native in
Manitoba, and its white clusters of bloom in the spring and later its bright scarlet
fruit, are frequently seen in the coulees and ravines where native shrubs find shelter.
It is found from Winnipeg to near the Rocky Mountains. At both the western farms
this has been tested in cultivation and found quite hardy.

C. oxyaaardha sibirica. Siberia.

This is a Siberian form of the English hawthorn, which has been under trial for
five years. At Indian Head there are specimens from five to six feet high which have
made strong growth and been quite hardy. At Brandon the specimens are some¬
what smaller, but they have wintered equally well.

C. sanguinea, Pall. Siberia.

This species has also stood the North-west winters well for the past five or six
years. It has grown quite vigorously at Brandon, and some specimens have attained a
height of four feet at Indian Head.

There are several other species of thorn under trial, some of which will probably
prove hardy. The common English hawthorn, also the double red and double white
varieties have been tried but these are all too tender for that climate.

CYTISUS. Broom.

In this interesting family of low growing and free blooming shrubs there are
several species quite useful for cultivation in the North-west. While their wood is
not entirely hardy it is usually hardy towards the base and the roots pass the winter
uninjured. In the spring rapid growth takes place from those parts of the branches
which have escaped injury, the bush soon assumes a shapely form, and is covered with
flowers later in the season.

Cytisus capitatus, Jacq. Europe.

Quite a number of specimens of this species are now growing both at Brandon
and Indian Head. A seven years’ trial has shown that they are usually killed at the
tips, and sometimes to the extent of one-half. Occasionally they are killed to the
ground, but they make new growth from the base and the bushes are covered with
their yellow pea-shaped blooms before the season is over.

339—2

18

C. purpiireus, Scop. European Alps.

In this species the flowers are purple and are borne in abundance. Although this
is probably not quite so hardy as C. capitatus, it makes a very handsome bush when
in flower, and although it may be killed to the ground in the spring, it usually flowers
well later in the season.

The following species have also been under trial for several years, and although
they appear to be somewhat less hardy than those above named they may serve a use¬
ful purpose, especially in sheltered spots : —

C. hirsutus , L. .

C. nigricans longispicatus.

C. sessilifolius, L. These all have yellow flowers.

DEUTZIA.

The Deutzias are very beautiful shrubs, especially when in bloom, but unfortu¬
nately none of them are hardy enough to endure the winter in the North-west. The
following species have been thoroughly tested and they have all been winter killed.
Most of the Deutzias have been brought from Japan or China.

Deutzia gracilis. S. & Z.

Deutzia gracilis variegata.

Deutzia Fortunei.

Deutzia hybrida Wellsii.

DIERVILLA. Weigelta.

The Weigelias also are mostly Japanese shrubs which have seldom proved en¬
tirely hardy at Ottawa. One of the hardiest varieties in the East is D. florida Sieboldii,
but this on trial has been found too tender for the North-west.

There is a native species of Diervilla, which although much less beautiful than
the Weigelias is well worthy of cultivation.

Diervilla Lonicera, Mill, also known as D. trifida.

This species is reported by Macoun to be a common native shrub from the island
cf Anticosti in the east to the Red Deer River in the North-west. It is found ‘ in dry,
rocky fields, along fences in dry thickets, and also along the gravelly banks of rivers/
The specimens tried in the North-west have been nursery grown and imported from
Europe. These have proved hardy in some instances, but in others they have been
killed back one-half and sometimes to the ground. They make, however, a vigorous
growth from the roots and produce their yellow flowers in terminal clusters later in
the season. If this shrub werG grown from seed produced in the North-west, it would
in all probability be entirely hardy in cultivation.

E LAE AGNUS. Olive.

The shrubs or small trees belonging to this genus are very ornamental. The
foliage and fruit is of a silvery white — the flowers are small and yellow, fragrant, and
produced in great abundance.

19

Elceagnus angustifolia, L. Russian Olive. Europe.

Tlie ordinary European form of this tree comes from the Mediterranean region
and the Orient. Obtained from these sources, this shrub is usually tender in the
North-west, but there is a hardy form, apparently of the same species, which has been
brought from the northern parts of Russia, and specimens obtained from that source
are quite hardy in the Canadian North-west. *

Many of the specimens tested at Brandon and Indian Head were grown from
seed ripened at the Experiment Station, Brookings, South Dakota. These have made
satisfactory growth and are quite hardy. The Russian Olive can also be grown from
cuttings, just as currants are grown, from short pieces of the wood of the previous year.

E. argentea, Pursh. Wolf Willow, Silver Berry. North America.

This pretty shrub is found in great abundance in many parts of Manitoba and
Cie North-west Territories. In its wild state it is usually of small growth, has a
straggling habit and sends up suckers freely. It frequently grows in large patches,
which when in bloom in the spring till the air with their fragrance. In cultivation,
it makes a bushy and handsome specimen, (see Plate II, fig. 5) which with its shining
silvery foliage is a striking object on a lawn. It has, however, the objectionable habic
of suckering. For this reason, it is not suitable for a cultivated border, but on a
grassy lawn the underground roots can seldom force their shoots through the sod.
This shrub is entirely hardy in cultivation.

The following species have been tried and found too tender : —

E. macrophylla, Thunb. China and Japan.

E. multi-flora, Thunb. China and Japan. This latter species is also known as
Elceagnus edulis.

ETJOJS EMTJS. Spindle Tree.

Most of the species forming this group are shrubs which bear small greenish
flowers in the spring, succeeded later by scarlet berries. None of the species yet
tested are entirely hardy in the Canadian North-west.

Euonymus atropurpureus, Jacq. Burning Bush.

This species, which is a native in western Ontario, has been tried for the past
seven or eight years both at Brandon and Indian Head. In every instance the wood
has been killed back more or less in winter, sometimes one-half and occasionally to
near the ground. Under such disadvantages this shrub does not make much progress.

E. europceus, L. Common Spindle Tree. Europe.

The European Euonymus has also been tried with similar results, the proportion
of winter-killing usually ranging from one-half to three-fourths. A Russian form
of the European species which was introduced many years- ago by Prof. J. L. Budd,
of Iowa, under the name of Russian Euonymus seems to be no hardier in the Canadian
North-west than the ordinary form.

E. nanus obovatus.

This is a species from the Northern Caucasus, which has been tried, but found
no hardier than the two previously referred to.

E. linearis is also under test, but has not been grown long enough to determine
its position as to hardiness.

339— 2h

20

EXO CHORDA.

Exochorda grandiflora , Lindl. China.

This shrub, which makes such a handsome and free flowering specimen in the
Niagara district in Ontario, has been tested at Brandon, but has never survived a
winter.

FAGUS . Beech

Neither the American nor European beech has been found hardy enough to en¬
dure the winters in the North-west country. Both have been tried several times during
the past twelve years, but in no instance have they survived a winter.

FRAXINUS. Ash.

Fraxinus americanus , L. White Ash. North America.

The limits of distribution of this species in Canada is given by Macoun as from
Cape Breton, N.S., in the east, to Owen Sound, Ont., in the west. Several hundred
specimens of white ash trees of different ages have been tried during the past fourteen
years both at Brandon and Indian Head, and a very large proportion of them have
gradually died from successive winter killing. The few survivors appear now to be
almost hardy, occasionally specimens will be killed back more or less, while in other
seasons they appear to pass the winter uninjured.

F. pennsylvanica , Marsh. Bed Ash. North America.

This species is found native in Canada over a very large area, extending from
Halifax, Nova Scotia, to the Bed Deer Biver at the head of Lake Winnipegosis, Lat.
53. The red ash has been planted in considerable numbers at both the western farms,
the young trees sent there having been grown in the east. A large proportion have
lived, and when once well established they appear to be quite hardy. If grown from
seed ripened in the North-west they would no doubt be hardy from the beginning. IE
the branches of this tree are trimmed up so as to expose the bark of the trunk to the
action of the sun, it is liable to sunscald, which sometimes seriously interferes with its
growth.

F'. pennsylvanica lanceolata , Sargent. Green Ash.

The green ash is also a very widely distributed species. It is common from
Ontario to Eort Ellice in the North-west Territories, and is specially abundant in
river valleys. It closely resembles the red ash, and both sorts are readily grown from
seed. Large quantities of these trees have been grown at the western experimental
farms from seed collected in the river valleys in the Territories. They have been
grown to form wind breaks on the farms, and have been distributed in large numbers
among farmers. All the trees from this source have been found quite hardy ; they
are, however, slow growers.

F. nigra, Marsh. Black Ash. Canada, United States.

The black ash is found native in Canada from Anticosti to Fort William on the
western side of Lake Superior, also on the Nepigon river and on the east side of Nepi-
gon Lake. Young trees of this species have been repeatedly sent from Ontario to the
western experimental farms, but only a small proportion of them have survived.
Some which have lived through several winters have gradually reached a fair degree
of hardiness. Much better success has been had with young trees brought from Fort
Wiliam on Lake Superior, such trees have been quite hardy both at Brandon and
Indian Head, and are making very fair growth.

21

The following species of ash have also been tried, but have been found too tender
for the North-west climate : —

F. longicuspis, S. & Z. Japan.

F. quadrangulata, Michx. Blue Ash. Western Ontario and United States.

GENISTA. Greenwood.

None of the members of this family have been found hardy in the North-west.
Genista tinctoria, Dyers’ Green Weed, has been tried several times, but has never sur¬
vived a winter. In 1900 a Siberian form, G. tinctoria sibirica, was obtained and
forwarded for test. This variety has thus far proved hardy at the roots, but the young
shrubs have been killed to the ground each winter.

GLEDITSCIIIA. Honey Locust.

Gledischia triacanthos , L. Honey Locust, North America.

This tree which has been so much used as a hedge plant in western Ontario, is
not hardy enough to endure the climate of Manitoba or the Territories. Some¬
times newly planted specimens in sheltered spots, and small enough to be covered
by snow in winter, have survived for a season, but these have usually died the follow¬
ing year.

GYMNOCLADUS.

Gymnocladus Canadensis. Kentucky Coffee Tree. North America.

Several hundred specimens of this tree have been tried at both the western farms
under varying conditions. A very large proportion of them have died the first winter.
A few have survived for a year or two, making a short stunted growth in the summer
which would be killed back during the winter.

*

The following shrubs have been tested and found too tender for the North-west
climate : —

Hamamelis virginica , L. Witch Hazel. Eastern North America.

Ilippophce rhamnoides, L. Sea Buckthorn. Europe.

Hypericum calycinum , L. Large calyxed St. John’s Wort. Europe.

H. hircinum, L. Goat-scented St. John’s Wort. Mediterranean region.

HUMULUS LUPULUS , L. Hop.

The Hop is a hardy native, which makes a good climber to form shelter on a
trellis, or covering for the lattice work of a verandah. It has been tried both at
Brandon and Indian Head and found hardy. The European sorts of hops., have also
proved hardy at these farms

HYDRANGEA.

Hydrangea paniculata grandiflora , S. & Z. Japanese Hydrangea.

The Japanese Hydrangea has been repeatedly tried at both the western farms,
and although it sometimes survives the winter, it is frequently killed back, and some¬
times to the ground. It is a very free blooming shrub, and when it does survive it

\

22

alwayg makes an effort to flower, but any flowers yet seen in the North-west on this
shrub have been small and puny when compared with the large clusters of bloom
grown in the east. This shrub succeeds best in a moist climate, and the North-west
air is dry; under such circumstances, vigorous growth can scarcely be expected. By
providing careful shelter for the winter and giving a good deal of attention in the
way of watering during the summer, the Japanese Hydrangea may very probably be
induced to grow and bloom, but without such care success 13 very doubtful.

JUGLANS.

Juglans cinerea, L. Butternut. North America.

Juglans nigra , L. Black Walnut. North America.

The Butternut and Black Walnut have both been thoroughly tested at Brandon
and Indian Head, many hundreds of young trees having been planted under varied
conditions as to shelter. As a rule, they have all perished the first winter. Under
exceptional conditions as to shelter, an occasional specimen will sometimes survive
for one or two seasons, but in such cases the growth is very stunted and the new
wood is usually killed back every winter to near the ground.

LI GU STRUM. Privet.

As a class the privets are too tender to succeed in the North-west; there is one
variety, however, which is hardier than the others, with which partial success has
been obtained. This is known as the Amur Privet Ligustrum amurense, Carr., which
comes from the Amur region. Some seasons this seems to be hardy, while at other
times the tips of the bushes will be killed, and occasionally the winter-killing will
extend half way or more to the ground. At Brandon it has been tried as a hedge
and while some specimens have had their wood more or less killed, others alongside
have been uninjured.

The more tender sorts which have been tried are the following, and none of
them have survived : —

Ligustrum sinense, Lour. Chinese Privet. China.

L. vulgare , L. Common Privet. Europe.

L. vulgare fol. aureis, Var. Golden Privet.

LONICERA. Honeysuckle.

The Honeysuckle group includes some climbers, with a large number of bush
varieties, and most of the bush forms are very hardy and well adapted for cultivation
in the North-west country. They flower very freely in the early spring, and the
flowers vary in tint from pure white through different shades of rose to red. They
also vary much in size and are succeeded by berries most of which are red.

Lonicera spinosa, Jacq., var. Albertii. Albert Begel’s Honeysuckle. Eastern Turk¬
estan and Siberia.

This is a low growing bush with narrow leaves* and fragrant flowers of a dull
rose colour. It has been tested at Indian Head for twelve years and has shown itself
always very hardy. It is a most desirable shrub, (see Plate II, fig. 4) which blooms
during the latter part of June.

23

L. bella atrorosea. A medium-sized bush, very free flowering, flowers rosy.
Hardy.

L. flava , Sims. — Another of the bush forms of medium size with yellow flowers.

L. gracilipes, Miq. Japan. A shrubby form of small size, with pink flowers and
small leaves.. Hardy.

L. glauca , Hill. A glaucous-leaved climbing honeysuckle found in the United
States and Canada, a climber with yellow flowers. This species is quite ornamental
and very hardy.

L , hirsuta, Eaton. Hairy Honeysuckle. A bushy shrub with orange yellow
flowers found in Canada and the United States. Hardy.

Lonicera Maaclci, Herd. Maack’s Bush Honeysuckle is a pretty species and a
very hardy form. This is a native of Manchuria, is a very free bloomer and the
flowers are white.

L. Morrowi , A. Gray. Japan. A shrubby species which bears white, or yellowish
white flowers in great profusion. Hardy.

L. oblongifolia , Hook. North America. A native species found in different
parts of Manitoba. Hardy.

L. Sibirica. Another hardy bush form ; a free bloomer and desirable.

L. ruprechtiana , Kegel. A bush honeysuckle from Manchuria, with white or
yellowish white flowers.

L. tatanca, L. Tartarian Honeysuckle..

L. tatarica alba. (See Plate II, fig. 2.)

L. tatarica elegans.

L. tatarica grandiflora.

L. tatarica splendent.

These are all large growing shrubby forms of honeysuckle, originally from Siberia,
which are very ornamental. They flower profusely in the early spring and the flowers
vary in size in the different forms, they also vary in colour from white, through
shades of rose to red, and are very hardy.

L. Xylosteum, L. Upright Fly Honeysuckle is a hardy European sort, with small
creamy white flowers.

Among the varieties of honeysuckle which have been tested and found tender in
the North-west are L. periclymenum, the fragrant English Honeysuckle, and L.
scmpervirens, the Scarlet Trumpet Honeysuckle, both very desirable climbers. These
have been tried several times at both the North-west farms, but have not survived.

LYCIUM. Matrimony Vine.

Lycium Chinense, Mill. Chinese Matrimony Vine, China.

This is a robust growing woody vine which sends up new shoots from the base every
year which grow to a height of 6 or 8 feet, and bear along the greater part of their
length purple flowers followed by brilliant red berries which adorn the vines
until winter. Although they are liable to kill to near the ground in winter in the
North-west, they send up vigorous shoots in the spring which flower and fruit well
during the summer.

\

L. europceum, L. Matrimony Vine. Mediterranean region.

The European Matrimony Vine resembles the Chinese much in its habit of
growth, its flowrers are violet coloured, and the fruit which is smaller than that of the
Chinese species, is bright scarlet. Well established plants in good soil will often make
shoots 8 or 10 feet long in a single season. If grown in the shrubbery border or
singly on the lawn they should be tied to a central stake, and the branches allowed to
droop from this to the ground.

MENISPERMUM. Moonseed.

Menispermum canadense, L. Canadian Moonseed. North America.

The Canadian Moonseed is a woody climber which in the North-west is usually
killed to the ground in winter, but sends up shoots from the base in the spring which
grow rapidly and attain a considerable height before the season closes. The roots are
thick and woody, the flowers small, greenish yellow.

M. Dauricum , DC. Siberia and China.

This is another member of the same family; it closely resembles the Canadian
species, but is perhaps somewhat hardier.

MORUS. Mulberry. *

The only species of mulberry likely to succeed in the Canadian North-west is the
Russian Mulberry Morus hybridum . This has been thoroughly tested both at Brandon
and Indian Head, and has failed owing to lack of hardiness.

* NEILLIA. Ninebark.

Neillia opulifolia , B. & H. Ninebark. North America.

This was formerly grouped with the Spira?as and known as Spiraea opulifolia.
It is native in the western part of Ontario, and in the North-west is usually
found to be quite hardy. It forms a very shapely shrub which produces in the
spring clusters of small white flowers, succeeded by purplish seed pods. In fourteen
years ’trial at Brandon it has only once suffered from winter, that was in 1900, when
the wood was killed back from one-quarter to one-half its length. At Indian Head
it has been tested for the same period and has also been quite hardy except in 1900,
when it was killed back about one-half.

N. opulifolia aurea. Golden-leaved Ninebark.

This is a golden-leaved variety, which is very handsome and attractive, especially
in the spring when its golden hue is brightest; later in the season the golden tint
fades more or less, becoming yellowish green. This seems to be quite as hardy as
the ordinary green form. Both sorts have been tried for many years and have never
been injured by winter except in 1900.

OS TRY A. Hop Hornbeam, Iron wood.

Ostrya virginica} Willd. Ironwood. Ncith America.

The Ironwood is found in many parts of Eastern Canada and the United States,
extending as far west as Minnesota. Many specimens grown in the east have been

[Plate IIT.]

[Bull. 47.]

1. — Golden leaved Dogwood.

3.— Superintendent’s House and Barn, Brandon.
5.— Avenue, Dakota Cottonwood, Indian Head.

[Photos, by C. E. Saunders.]

2. — White Spruce Hedge, Brandon.

4. — SaLIX BR1TZENSIS HEDGE, BRANDON.

G. — Avenue, Manitoba Maple, Indian Head.

planted both at Brandon and Indian Head, and they have usually been killed back
more or less every winter, sometimes at the tips only, at other times half way or to
near the base, and occasionally they have been injured so much as to cause their
death. Some young trees grown from seed ripened in Minnesota have proved con¬
siderably hardier and have come through the past three or four winters, almost
uninjured. Young trees grown from eastern seed are too tender for the North-west
climate, but if grown from seed ripened in Minnesota it is probable that they will,
as a rule, prove fairly hardy in sheltered situations.

PERIPLOCA.

Periploca grazed, L. The Greek Periploca. South-eastern Europe.

This is a deciduous twining woody vine found in many parts of Europe. It has
been tested in the North-west for the past five years, and although it is killed to the
ground each winter, it usually makes a fair growth of young shoots during the sum¬
mer. The foliage of this vine is handsome, the leaves being ovate in form and from
three to four inches in length.

PIIILADELPEU S. Mock Orange.

These shrubs are also known under the name of Sweet Syringa, although the term
Syringa properly belongs to the Lilac. There are many different sorts of Mock Orange
or Philadelphus, all of which produce in spring white flowers in great abundance.
Some of these have a strong perfume resembling that of the orange blossom, while
ethers are almost odorless. When in bloom these shrubs are quite an ornament in the
shrubbery border. In the North-west they are all too tender to be grown with success,
unless the branches are bent down and well covered with soil; without such protection
they very seldom produce any flowers. Some seasons the wood is killed to the extent of
one- third to one-half; at other times it is killed to the ground. The roots, however,
are hardy, and strong shoots are sent up in the spring which make go’od growth during
the summer.

During the winter of 1901-3 two of the varieties under test, which are probably a
little hardier than the other forms, passed through the winter at Brandon with less
than the usual amount of injury and P. deuiziaeflorus and P. grancbijlorus each pro¬
duced for the first time a few flowers. By giving these shrubs the protection referred
to by covering them with soil or by wrapping with straw or covering with a box, they
may be so far preserved as to admit of -their flowering to some extent. Most of the
varieties have been under test for from six to sixteen years.

The following are the sorts which have been under trial : —

Philadelphus cordifolius, Lange. Heart-leaved Philadelphus.

P. coronarius , L. Mock Orange. Asia.

P. coronarius foliis aureis. Golden-leaved Mock Orange.

P. coronarius nana. Dwarf Mock Orange.

P. deutziceflorus. Deutzia-fiowered Philadelphus.

P. gordonianus, Lindl. British Columbia. Western United States.

P. grandiflorus , Willd. Large-flowered Philadelphus. Southern United States.

P. hirsutus, Nutt. Oregon.

P. hyhridus Lemoinei. .Boule d’ Argent.

P. inodorus speciosus grandiflorus.

P. Ketelerii, fl. pi. Double flowered Philadelphus.

P. Satsumi, Siebold. Japan.

20

PLATANUS.

Platanus occidentalism L. American Plane Tree, Buttonwood.

This beautiful tree, which succeeds so well in Eastern Ontario, will not endure
the climate of the North-west. Some hundreds of specimens have been planted at
the two western farms, under different conditions as to shelter, but none of them have
ever survived the winter.

POPULUS. Poplar.

The poplars are a most useful family of trees in the North-west, for the reason
that so many of them are perfectly hardy, they also grow very rapidly and soon make
desirable shelter. In Plate iv, fig. I, a group of poplars is shown in the Arboretum at
Indian Head. They are also easily propagated from cuttings. These may be made
from the growth of the preceding year from 10 to 12 inches in length, cut off to
near a bud at each end and buried in the soil so that the upper bud just shows above
the surface. Such cuttings generally produce young trees from three to four feet
high before the end of the season.

Populus balsamif era , L. Balsam Poplar.

This is a very hardy native tree which attains a large size as far north as the
Mackenzie River and endures the climate well in all parts of the North-west. The
leaves are rather large, ovate and pointed, deep green on the upper surface and whitish
below. The buds of this tree are covered with a sticky gum which has a pleasant
balsamic fragrance. From its sturdy growth this tree does good service in the
shelter belt planted with other sorts.

P. balsamif era suaveolens.

A variety of the balsam poplar, said to bo more fragrant than the common form.
This tree has been tried both at Brandon and Indian Hoad, and found hardy.

P. berolinensis, Dippel.

This is one of the best of the Russian Poplars. It was first planted at the experi¬
mental farm at Brandon in 1889 and at Indian Head in 1890, and has shown con¬
tinued hardiness ever since. It is a vigorous and upright grower, with rather large
foliage and is proving a valuable tree for the North-west country.

P. certinensis, Hort.

•

Like P. berolinensis this is a Russian variety which is very hardy. It has been
under continuous trial for 14 or 15 years, and has never shown any injury from
winter.

P. deltoidea , Marsh. Cottonwood. North America.

The Cottonwood is one of the most vigorous and rapid growers of all the poplars,
and has probably been more largely planted on the prairies than any other species.
This is found native in the North-west, and is quite hardy in all the settled parts of
Manitoba and the Territories. During recent years a yellow rust or fungus has
occurred in many places on the under side of the leaves seriously injuring the trees
and sometimes causing their death. An avenue of these trees grown at Indian Head
is shown in Plate III fig. 5.

P. deltoidea aurea. Golden-leaved Poplar.

This is a very attractive variety with golden tinted foliage. It has been tested
for 10 or 12 years and has only been injured by winter once, which was in 1900. At
that time several were killed back one half at Brandon and others were killed outright
at Indian Head.

27

P. laurifolia, Leder. Siberia.

In this species the leaves resemble those of the laurel in form, being oval, oblong
and pointed. It is very hardy, having stood the winters at Brandon uninjured for
the past six or seven years.

P. nigra, L. Black Poplar. Europe.

The European black poplar has been tested both at Brandon and Indian Head
for the past five years, and has not during that time shown any injury from winter.
This is also a rapid grower. The leaves are of a light green colour, slightly notched at
their edges, and the branches greenish white.

P. nigra Nolestii.

A vigorous growing form of the black poplar, which has also proved quite hardy
in the North-west.

P. petrowshyana , Sch.

This variety has been under trial for 14 or 15 years at the western Experimental
Farms, and has proved hardy throughout.

P. iremuloides, Michx. American Aspen. North America. So named from the
tremulous motion given to the leaves by the slightest breeze.

This is one of the most widely distributed of trees, being found from Labradoi
in the east to the Great Mackenzie Basin in the far north-west ; it is also found in
Alaska. The leaves are rounded, heart-shaped, terminating in a short, sharp point.
The tree grows from 20 to 50 feet high, and is very hardy. Good shelter belts have
been formed at Indian Head by planting young trees of this species five feet apart each
way.

"■ *

P. wobstii, Schroeder.

This is another of the European varieties of garden orgin, which has proved use¬
ful in the North-west country. It is a rapid grower and makes a handsome tree.

Among the varieties of Poplar which have proved more or less tender in the
North-west are the following : —

Populus alba, L. White or Silver Poplar. Europe.

P. alba pyramidalis. Pyramidal Silver Poplar =P. bolleana,

P. grandidentata, Michx. North America.

P. nigra pyramidalis. Lombardy Poplar. Europe.

P. nigra b etui ce folia. Birch-leaved Poplar.

POTENTILLA.

Potentilla fruticosa, L. Shrubby Cinque-foil.

This is rather an attractive shrub with pinnately cut leaves and yellow flowers.
It is found in the northern parts both of Europe and America, and is native in Mani-
toba and in the Territories. For the past eight or nine years it has been tried in culti¬
vation at both the Experimental Farms and found entirely hardy.

23

PRUNUS. Plum, Cherry.

In the genus Prunus are included the wild and cultivated forms of Plum and
Cherry.

Prunus americana , Marsh. Wild Yellow or Ped Plum. North America.

This species is found native throughout the greater part of the United States;
also in southern Ontario in Canada. The flowers are white and are produced in great
abundance before the leaves are fully expanded. The fruit is yellow or red, and
varies much in different trees both in form and quality. The flavour of the fruit
is usually pleasant, but the skin is tough and astringent. The tree has a
spreading habit and bears large crops. The improved forms of this fruit, of which
there are now many, are very desirable, and they are largely grown in districts in
eastern and northern Ontario and in parts of Quebec where the better European sorts
are too tender to succeed.

Some of these are hardy in the Canadian North-west, but the fruit is so late
in ripening that it is generally cut by frost before it is fully matured. In specially
favourable seasons these plums ripen fairly well, when they are very much appreciated.

P. nigra , Ait. Canada Plum. Canada, United States.

The Canada Plum is found wild throughout the greater part of Canada, also in
the United States. It may be said to be the plum of the north and north-west. It is
found wild in Manitoba, and is abundant in the river valleys in the southern parts
of that province. It blossoms about a week earlier than P. americana ; the fruit alsj
ripens earlier. The fruit varies much in quality, form and colour, and in cultivation
it has been found quite hardy all through the North-west country. The tree is more
compact and upright in habit than P. americana, and on account of the earlier ripen¬
ing of its fruit, the Canada Plum is much more useful. New varieties are frequently
produced by selection and cross-fertilizing, and some of these ripen early enough in the
North-west to mature their fruit every season before frost comes. A large number of
seedlings have been grown at Brandon and Indian Head from some of the best and
earliest ripening sorts, and have been distributed among settlers in many parts of the
west for trial.

P. pennsylvanica, L. Pin Cherry. North America.

This species is found throughout the greater part of Canada from Nova Scotia
to the Pocky Mountains. In the East it becomes a tree of from 20 to 30 feet high,
whereas in the North-west it is reduced to the size of a large bush. The flowers are
small, white, with many in a cluster; the fruit is very small, light red in colour,
with a very thin layer of sour astringent flesh covering a relatively large stone. In
the west much of this fruit is gathered and used for making jellies and for other
household purposes. This tree is quite hardy under cultivation.

P. pumila. Sand Cherry. North America.

The sand' cherry is a native shrub which is widely distributed. Macoun says
* it is found on sand beaches and plains on the Gaspe coast, and westward along the
St. Lawrence and Great Lakes, and on the prairies to about the 106th meridian. In
many parts of Manitoba it is quite common. It is a low growing shrub, with a pen¬
dulous habit, having white flowers and narrow willow-like leaves. The fruit which
is usually produced in abundance varies much in size and quality. Sometimes the
pulp is very thin and there is little more than a covering of skin over the stone, and
the fruit is very astringent. Occasionally examples are found where the fruit is much
larger, with a good proportion of pulp, juicy and of fair flavour. It may be grown
from seed, layers, or cuttings. Young trees grown from seed ripened in the East, while
hardy in their wood when planted in the North-west, often have their flower buds

*

29

killed in winter and bear no fruit. Those grown from seed ripened in the North-west,
produce blossom buds which are seldom injured. The sand cherry is quite hardy in
the North-west.

P. demissa, Walp. Western Wild Cherry.

In blossom and in fruit this much resembles the wild black cherry of the east,
I', serotina, but the western wild cherry as seen in Manitoba and the Territories sel¬
dom grows to a height of more than 10 or 12 feet. It is very common, especially in
the northern parts of Manitoba. The bowers are white and are borne in racemes,
and the fruit is purplish black and astringent. This tree is very ornamental, especially
when in bloom and succeeds well in cultivation. It has proved quite hardy both at
Brandon and Indian Head.

F. gray ana, Maxim. Japan.

This species has not been tested very long ; thus far it has been found hardy at
Indian Head.

Primus Maacki, Bupr. Manchuria.

This is a very vigorous growing shrub or small tree which attains a height of
eight to ten feet. It has been under test since 1894, and has been found hardy both
at Brandon and Indian Head.

Among the other species which have been tested the following have proved more
or less tender : —

F. marilima , Waugh. Beach Plum. Eastern United States. Some seasons this
has made fair growth and passed the winter without much injury; at other times
it has been killed to the ground.

F. Mahaleb , L. Europe. Kills nearly to the ground in winter.

F. Maximowiczii , Rupr. Manchuria. This species has not been very long
tested. Some seasons it has seemed fairly hardy, in others it has been killed back
about one-half.

F. tomentosa , Thunb. Japan. This is usually killed during winter to near the
ground, but sometimes it escapes with less injury, the winter killing extending only
half way to the base.

F. serotina , Ehrh. Wild Black Cherry. Canada, United States. This eastern
form has been extensively tested both at Brandon and Indian Head. It is usually
killed nearly to the ground in winter.

PTELEA . Wafer Ash.

Ptelea trifoliata, L. Wafer Ash. Southern Ontario, United States.

The Wafer Ash is a large shrub with numerous stems proceeding from the root-
stock. The flowers are small and whitish, the seed capsules have flattened wings,
somewhat resembling those of the elm, but much larger. This shrub occasionally
survives the winter without injury, but more commonly is killed back from one-third
to one-half its length, and sometimes it is killed entirely.

F. trifoliata aurea. Golden Wafer Ash.

This differs from the type only in the golden yellow colour of its foliage.

PYRUS. Pear, Apple, Mountain Ash, &c.

Included in the genus Pyrus there are several trees and shrubs valuable in the
North-west.

Pyrus baccata, L. Siberian or Berried Crab.

This species is widely distributed throughout Siberia, is found also in Japan and
the Himalayas. In 1889 seed of this tree was obtained from the Imperial Botanic
Gardens at St. Petersburg, Russia. Young trees raised from this seed were sent to
the western Experimental Farms in 1893, and they have been grown there in increasing
numbers ever since and have proved entirely hardy. Pyrus baccata is a handsome
ornamental tree in the spring when covered with its white blossoms; also in the
autumn when thickly hung with red or yellow fruit. The fruit varies in size from
about one-eighth to three-fourths of an inch in diameter ; in colour, through different
shades of red to yellow, and in quality, it is sometimes fairly edible and sometimes
unpleasantly astringent. The fruit of all these different forms makes good jelly,
and on this account is useful to the North-west settlers.

These native forms are quite distinct from the new and improved types of cross¬
bred apples, which have been originated at the Experimental Farms by crossing P.
baccata with different sorts of cultivated apples. These are hardy in the North-west
and large enough to be of value for general domestic purposes.

There are quite a number of different forms of P. baccata in cultivation, but the
differences in them are slight, and as they do not reproduce themselves truly from
seed, they may be all classed together. The varieties referred to are : —

l

P. baccata auruntiaca.

P. baccata cerasiformis.

P. baccata edulis.

P. baccata fiava.

P. baccata macrocarpa.

P. baccata microcarpa.

P. baccata sanguinea.

All these have been tried in the North-west and have proved entirely hard^

P. prunifolia , Willd.

This is also from Siberia. The flowers and fruit are both larger than P. baccata,
the fruit varying from half an inch to an inch in diameter. The variations in colour
and quality are similar to those in P. baccata. This species has been cultivated for
more than a century, and is said to be the original of the garden crabs. In tliis
species the calyx, or eye, of the fruit is usually persistent, whereas in P. baccata the
calyx is usually deciduous, and drops from the fruit before fully matured.

- P. prunifolia has been tested thoroughly at Brandon and Indian Head, and seems
to be equally hardy with baccata.

This species has also several horticultural forms, of which the following have
been tried and found hardy, but the differences are so small that, like those of
baccata , they may be classed together.

P. prunifolia conocarpa.

P. prunifolia intermedia.

P. prunifolia oviformis.

P. prunifolia xanthocarpa.

P. americana, DC. American Mountain Ash.

This species much resembles the European Mountain Ash, but the tree is of
much smaller growth. The berries also are brighter in colour and the clusters are
larger, while the individual berries are smaller ; the leaves also are larger and bright
green, shining above. The leaflets are lanceolate and taper-pointed in the American
Mountain Ash, while they are oblong and obtuse in the European species.

31

i

The American Mountain Asli is a native of Canada, and is widely distributed,
being found from Cape Breton, N.S., to Lake Winnipegosis, in Manitoba. It is also
very common about the Lake of the Whods. Specimens obtained from the neigh¬
bourhood of Whitemouth, Man., -and planted at Brandon and Indian Head have
proved hardy, but specimens grown from eastern seed have been more or less tender.

F . aucuparia , Gaertn. European Mountain Ash.

This well-known tree forms an erect rounded head, and in favourable locations
attains a height of 25 to 30 feet. It has not been successfully grown in the North¬
west. Occasionally a tree in exceptional shelter or at a low altitude will do fairly
well and survive for a time, but it cannot be depended on. At the western Experi¬
mental Farms this tree has; been thoroughly tested and has usually been killed back
more or less each winter, and sometimes killed to near the ground.

The following additional varieties of Pyrus have been tested in the North-west
and found too tender for the climate : —

F. alnifolia , K. Koch. Japan.

P. betulce folia, Bunge. Birch-leaved Pyrus. 'China and Japan.

F. coronaria, L. American Crab Apple. Western Ontario. .

F. Mauleij Mast. Maule’s Japanese Quince.

F. rotundifolia, Bechst. Europe.

F. rivularis, Dougl. North America.

F. sinensis , Lindl. Chinese Sand Pear. China.

F. Sorbus , Gaertn. Service Tree. Europe.

QUEECUS. Oak.

Quercus macrocarpa, Michx. Mossy-cup Oak.

The only Oak native in the North-west is the Mossy-cup Oak. This is a very
slow-growing tree, which is widely distribute!, being found from New Brunswick to
Manitoba. In the east it attains a good size and makes fair growth. Along streams
and in sheltered localities in the North-west, also on the shores of Lake Winnipeg, some
large specimens are found, but in exposed situations further west and north it reaches
but a small size, and is known asi 1 scrub oak.’ On the Experimental Farm at Bran¬
don some very good examples of this stunted growth are found, and from acorns
produced there a large number of seedlings have been raised, which have been planted
at Indian Plead and distributed among settlers in Manitoba and the Territories.
These have proved entirely hardy. Its very slow growth interferes with the more
general planting of this tree.

The only other Oak which has shown encouraging hardiness is an undetermined
species grown from acorns received from Japan. Young trees of this variety have
been under trial for several years, both at Brandon and Indian Head, and appear to
stand the winter well.

The other oaks which have been tested and found too tender for the climate are :

Q. cerris, L. Turkey Oak. South and East Europe.

Q. coccinea, Muench. Scarlet Oak. North America.

Q. pedunculata , Ehrh. Common European Oak. Europe.

Q. pedunculata fastigiata. Pyramidal Oak.

32

EHAMNUS. Buckthorn.

The Buckthorns are shrubs of which a large proportion have proved hardy in
the North-west. Grown as single specimens on the lawn, they are very shapely, and
although the flowers are small and inconspicuous, when in fruit these shrubs are quite
attractive. They are also useful for hedge purposes and are easily grown from seed.

Rhamnus alnifolia , L’Herit. Alder-leaved Buckthorn. Canada, United States.

This' is a low-growing shrub from 2 to 4 feet high, which is a native of the North¬
west. It is quite hardy in cultivation. It has small, greenish inconspicuous flowers,
and oval, acute serrate leaves from to 4 inches long. The fruit is black.

R. cathariica , L. Common Buckthorn. Europe.

This shrub has been under trial for the past six years, both at Brandon and
Indian Head, and has proved hardy. The flowers) are small and green, the fruit black
and about £ inch in diameter. Leaves ovate in form, sharply toothed from 1 to 2
inches long and sub-opposite. This species is usually thorny.

R. ddvurica , Pall. Siberia to China.

This species of Buckthorn usually grows from 5 to 6 or 8 feet in height; is a
large spreading shrub with stout thorny branches'. The flowers are greenish-yellow
and the berries black. The leaves vary in form from obovate to narrow lanceolate,
and are from 1 to 2J inches long. Hardy.

R. F rang ula , L. Alder Buckthorn. Europe.

This is a strong growing shapely shrub, which when mature reaches a height of
5 to 8 feet. The flowers are small and whitish, the fruit dark purple, about | inch in
diameter, and the leaves are obovate, entire and alternate. This also is hardy.

R. infectoria , L. South Europe.

This is a low-growing shrub, about two feet high, which has been tested at the
western farms since 1897. The first year it was slightly injured by winter, but since
then it has passed the winters uninjured. The flowers are greenish-yellow and the
berries black; the leaves are ovate, lanceolate, and the shoots 'are armed with spines,
both terminal and lateral.

R. crenata, S. & Z., a Japanese species, has also been tested, but this has been
found too tender for the North-west climate.

R. Purshiana , DC. British Columbia. Is also tender.

REUS. Sumach.

In this family many of the species are killed to near the ground in winter, but
send up shoots from the base in the spring, which make good-sized specimens by the
autumn, when the foliage assumes brilliant shades of red and scarlet, which make
them very attractive.

R. Canadensis , Marsh. ( R . aromatica, Ait.) Fragrant Sumach. Eastern Canada.

This is a spreading shrub from four to six feet high, with small yellow flowers in
clusters and aromatic leaves. It has been under test at Brandon since 1897. Some
seasons it has wintered well, in others it has killed back more or less, usually about
one-quarter, and in the severe winter of 1900 it was killed to the ground.

[Plate IV.]

[Pull. 47. j

1.— Row OF Poplars IN Arboretum, Indian Head. 2.— Balm of Gilead (Pop. Balsamifera ),
Indian Head. 3. — Manitoba Maple (Acer N e<j undo), Indian Head.

4. — American Elm (Ulmus Americana), Indian Head,

33

It. aromatica tnlobata has only been recently tested, but as this species grows
freely on the banks of the Saskatchewan, near Medicine Ilat, also on the bluffs which
margin the Belly river at Lethbridge, it is no doubt perfectly hardy. This is a very
dwarf species with small foliage, which assumes brilliant tints in the autumn; height
one to two feet.

11. glabra, L. Smooth Sumach.

This species is widely distributed in Canada from Nova Scotia in the east to the
Saskatchewan river in the west. Specimens found in Manitoba and transplanted 1o
the experimental farm at Brandon have been quite hardy. Eastern specimens sent to
Indian Head have usually been more or less winter killed. In the North-west it
grows from five to eight feet high, with large compound leaves and terminal panicles
of crimson fruit.

R. cotin-us , L. The Smoke or Mist Tree, also the variety known as airopurpurea
have both been tested and found too tender.

RIBE8. Currant, Gooseberry.

Only the wild forms will be referred to here.

R. alpinum, L. Mountain Currant.

This is found in the mountains of Europe. In cultivation it makes a compact
and shapely bush, well clothed with foliage. The flowers are yellowish green and the
fruit scarlet, insipid or sweetish. This has been tested at Brandon for the past ten
years and found quite hardy; at Indian Head it has usually been killed at the tips
and sometimes one-third to one-half. A dwarf form known as R. alpinum pumilum
has been hardy at both farms, possibly because the dwarf form is better covered by
snow during the period of lowr temperatures in winter.

R. americanum , Mill. Wild Black Currant.

This is found quite common throughout Manitoba and the Territories, and suc¬
ceeds well in cultivation. The fruit resembles that of the cultivated black currant,
R. nigrum, in flavour, but is stronger and less agreeable. The fruit also ripens more
slowly and irregularly, which is a disadvantage when picking the fruit.

R. aureum, Pursh. Missouri Currant. Mississippi Valley to Rocky Mountains.

This is a yellow flowered currant which, when in bloom in the spring, is very
showy and attractive. The flowers are fragrant and the fruit is dark brown to black.
This has been tested for the past six years, both at Brandon and Indian Idead, and
found quite hardy. A garden variety with cut leaves known as R. aureum tenui-
folium, has also been tested and found to be tender having been killed each winter
from one-lialf to near the base.

The following have also been tested and found too tender : —

R. Gordonianum, Lem. A hybrid between sanguineum and aureum.

R. sanguineum, Pursh. From British Columbia; a very ornamental species with
bright red flowers.

ROBINIA. Locust.

The Locust Tree, Robinia pseudacacia, so commonly grown in the east, has been
tested in the North-west by the planting of several hundred young trees on both of
the Western Experimental Farms for two or three years in succession, and they have
in each instance all died the following winter. '

339—3

34

BOS A . Rose.

The Rose is probably the most popular flower known, and it is in the double
flowered garden form that it is most highly appreciated, where it combines a loveliness
of form with a delightful fragrance. The wild roses as a rule are also sweet scented,
and they have a simple charm and a beauty of their own which deserves attention, and
their more frequent use in the shrubbery border and in clumps on the lawn is most
desirable. Many varieties of roses have been tested in the west, both single and
double, but comparatively few of them have been found hardy enough to endure the
climate.

Bosa Wanda, Ait. North America.

This produces a single rose about 1| inches across, the flowers are usually pink,
but sometimes white. Height, 2 to 4 feet. Hardy.

B. ferruginea , Vill. Purple-leaved Rose. Mountains of Europe.

This is* an upright shrub from 4 to 6 feet high, with purplish branches and foliage
of a dull purplish shade, more or less tinged with red. The flowers are small and
of a deep red colour. This bush is effective in a group from its distinct purplish
foliage. Hardy.

B. rubiginosa. Sweet Briar. Europe.

This well known garden favourite has been tested both at Brandon and Indian
Head, but it has not proved generally hardy. It has usually been more or less
injured by winter every season. One specimen planted at Indian Head passed through
two or three winters without injury, but was killed back one-half in 1900, and has
been killed back more or less several times since. It may, however, be considered half
hardy.

B. rugosa. Thunb. Japanese Rose.

In this/ species the flowers are large, of different shades of red and rose; are
fragrant and are thickly beset with sharp prickles. The branches are slender and
well armed with prickles, and the foliage is wrinkled, shining and of great substance.
The fruit is large and showy, and varies in colour from orange red to deep red. This
rose has been tested in the North-west for about ten years and found to be generally
tardy. Occasionally the tips of the branches are killed back more or less, but this is
rare. There is also a variety with pure white flowers, which is very attractive, and
another form producing red flowers which are loosely double ; both these varieties are
also hardy. A hybrid of B. rugosa , with white loosely double flowers, known as Madame
George Bruant, has survived the winter occasionally, but cannot be recommended as
generally hardy.

Among the single varieties which have been tried and found tender are Bosa
cinnamomea, B. midtiflora , and B. villosa pomifera. These have all been killed back,
more or less during the winter, and sometimes killed to the ground. Many varieties
of the hardiest sorts of Hybrid Perpetual roses have been tried. Some of them have
been partly hardy for a time, but in the majority of instances they have died the first
winter, and in no case have they survived more than two or three seasons.

BIDES. Raspberry, Blackberry, Dewberry.

In addition to the native wild raspberry, there are a number of cultivated varie¬
ties which succeed well in the North-west. All of the ornamental and cultivated
forms of the blackberry and dewberry which have been tested have been found more
or less tender.

35

SALIX. Willow.

Among the willows there are quite a number of species which are hardy in the
North-west, and some of these make handsome specimens. As a family, however,
they do not present very much variety. All the willows may be readily propagated
from cuttings.

Salix alba , L. White Willow. Europe.

This species has been tested both at Brandon and Indian Head and found quite
hardy. The leaves are ashy grey and somewhat silky, from 2 to 4 inches long, narrow
and pointed. This tree is a rapid grower and serves' a good purpose in a wind break;
it also makes a handsome round-headed specimen when grown in the open.

S. alba argentea is a variety of the White Willow with leaves of a more silvery
character. This has not been quite so hardy as the ordinary form, several of the
specimens under trial having suffered more or less' from winter-killing.

* / . *■ ; • ft • * • • : • s

S. daphnoides, Vill. =$. acutifolia , Willd. The pointed or Sharp-leaved Willow.
Europe.

This willow has been tried extensively in the North-west and found entirely
hardy. It has been used for hedges, windbreaks, and also as single specimens, and
has been very satisfactory. Grown in the open it soon makes a small tree from 10
to 15 feet high. The leaves are narrow and sharp-pointed, and the branches are
covered with a whitish bloom.

8. fragilis, L. Brittle Willow. Europe, N. Asia.

This is a rapid grower and eventually makes a large tree. The leaves are large,
lanceolate and pointed, with brown branches. This is a hardy variety, which has
been tested in the North-west for the past eight or ten years, and has1 not been injured

by winter.

S. longifolia, Muhl., is a very narrow-leaved willow which is found native in
Manitoba and the Territories, and is abundant along some parts of the Assiniboine and
Saskatchewan rivers, occasionally forming dense thickets. It is very useful for hold¬
ing the earth along the banks of streams, but its habit of suckering makes it undesir¬
able for general planting. The leaves are very narrow, long and pointed.

S. Nicholsoni purpurascens.

A very attractive species with purplish red twigs and long narrow leaves; a rapid
grower and practically hardy.

S. pentandra, L. Laurel-leaved Willow. Europe.

The laurel-leaved willow is a very handsome and desirable species. When trained
in tree form it develops a nice rounded head. The leaves are of medium size, rather
short and pointed, the upper side having a fine polished surface. This glossy appear¬
ance of the leaves is quite characteristic. It makes an attractive hedge, but being a
rapid grower needs frequent clipping.

S. rubra Forbyana. A red barked willow from Europe. This also is a rapid
grower and quite hardy.

S. viticella Briizensis. In this variety the twigs are distinctly red and the leaves
long, narrow and pointed. It is a rapid grower and quite hardy. This makes a very
handsome hedge. (See Plate III, fig. 4).

339—31

36

S. Voronesh. Voronesh Willow.

This willow was introduced from Russia by Prof. J. L. Budd, of Iowa, U. S., and
has been disseminated under the name of Voronesh Willow. The bark of this species
is a bright deep yellow which makes it a striking object during the winter and early
spring. Later in the summer the yellow colour becomes more subdued, although it is
still distinctly yellow. The leaves are of medium size, narrow, long and pointed ; it
is a very rapid grower and soon develops into a good sized tree. This is a very hardy
sort.

Among the willows which have been tried and found more or less, tender are the
following : —

8. babylonica , L. Babylonian Willow, Europe.

8. babylonica annularis. Ringed Babylonian Willow.

8. Caprea, L. Goat Willow. Europe.

8. Caprea pendula. Kilmarnock Weeping Willow.

8. alba flava. Yellow White Willow.

8. nigra , Marsh. Black Willow. North America.

8. rosmardnifoUa, L. Rosemary Willow. Europe.

8. sieboldiana , Blume. Japan.

8. purpurea pendula.

8. repens argentea.

SAMBUCU8. Elder.

Among the elders there are some desirable sorts which are useful in the North¬
west. The wood of all of them is more or less tender, and most of the varieties are
killed to the ground each winter, but the roots are hardy and send up strong shoots in
the spring which form shapely and desirable shrubs before midsummer.

Sambucus canadensis , L. American Elder. North America.

This is a shrub which attains a height of five to ten feet, with white pith occupy¬
ing the greater part of the stem. The largo flat clusters of flowers are white and
slightly fragrant, and the berries which ripen in August are black. In the North¬
west this usually kills back, from slightly at the tips to half its length, and occasion¬
ally to near the ground.

8. nigra , L. Common European Elder. Europe.

In Europe this species forms a large shrub or small tree, biyt in this country
owing to more or less winter killing annually it is seldom more than four to five feet.
The leaves are compound with smooth deep green leaflets, the flowers cream coloured,
slightly fragrant and the berries round and purplish black.

There are several fine varieties of this species.

8. nigra aurea nova. Golden Elder.

This is a very desirable sort, with golden leaves very ornamental. In the shrubbery
border this forms a striking contrast with the green foliage of other shrubs. If the
young shoots are regularly pinched off when they get the desired height, the golden
colour of the leaves retains much of its brightness throughout the season.

37

S. nigra laciniata. Cut-leaved Elder.

A handsome form in which the leaves are finely cut into very narrow segments.

S. nigra pulverulenta alba.

In this variety the leaves are finely and thickly dotted with silvery white.

S. nigra fol. argenteis variegatis.

A form in which the leaves are variegated with silvery markings. All these are
desirable and ornamental sorts, notwithstanding that they kill to near the ground eve-y
winter, as they make rapid growth in the spring and are handsome shrubs by mid¬
summer.

SHEPHERDIA .

Shepherdia argentea, Nutt. Buffalo Berry.

A hardy shrub or small tree native in the North-west, which is common in the
Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan and other river valleys. When full grown it sometimes
reaches a height of 10 to 12 feet. The flowers are small and rather inconspicuous,
the male and female flowers being born.) on separate trees'. The leaves are rather
small, oblong, ovate, entire and covered with silvery scales. The fruit is a berry
about the size of a red currant, of a scarlet colour, acid and edible. This is quite
hardy in cultivation, and young plants put out a foot apart soon make a goDd hedge.

Shepherdia Canadensis , Nutt. Canadian Shepherdia.

This is a lower growing species1, with somewhat larger ovate leaves, which are
green and nearly smooth above ; beneath they are silvery, more or less hairy, and
dotted with rusty scales. In eastern Canada this shrub is found on the borders of
lakes and rivers, and in Manitoba in some of the river valleys. The flowers! are small
and appear early in the season. The berries are sometimes red and sometimes yellow,
sweetish and scarcely edible. This shrub is quite hardy, but is difficult to transplant
successfully.

SPIRAEA.

The Spiraeas are a very popular and useful class of ornamental shrubs, well
adapted for the shrubbery border or for growing as single specimens on the lawn.
The bushes are medium to low in size, and the flowers, which are small, white or pink,
are very freely produced in showy clusters/.

Spiraea arguta, Zabel. Of garden origin.

This is one of the best and earliest blooming sorts, and is quite hardy. It is also
a free bloomer, and in the flowering season the bush is literally covered with feathery
clusters of small white flowers. It usually grows about three feet in height and is
rather slender and somewhat pendulous in habit.

S. Billardii. Of garden origin, said to be a cross between S. Douglasi and S. salicifolia.

This forms a shrub from 4 to 5 feet high, with long dense clusters of small bright
pink flowers. This variety is later in blooming than Van Ilouttei, and is a desirable
sort. There is also a white variety known as Billardii alba. Both of these have been
tested in the Canadian North-west and have generally proved hardy.

38

S. cliamcedryfolia, L. Germander-leaved Spiraea. Siberia to Dahuria.

This species endures the winter in the Canadian North-west some seasons, while
in others the branches are killed half way back or more. It usually blooms quite
freely ; the flowers are white and grouped in hemisperical clusters, and are produced
in June or July.

8. hyperici folia, L. Northern Hemisphere.

This species has wintered well at Brandon for several years, but has not yet been
thoroughly tested at Indian Head. It is a vigorous, upright grower, producing numer¬
ous white flowers in umbels.

Spiraea irilobata , L.=S. craioegifolia. A native of Northern China and Siberia.

This isi a bushy shrub about four feet high, with slender spreading branches and
pure white flowers, which appear in clusters in May and June. It has proved fairly
hardy both at Brandon and Indian Head.

S. Japonica alba=S. callosa alba.

S. Japonica rosea— S. callosa rosea.

S. Japonica superba=S. callosa superba.

These are handsome forms of Spiraeas, with white or rose coloured flowers, which
are natives of J apan and China. The bushes die to near the ground each year, but
they start afresh from the roots and flower well later in the season.

S. salicif olia, L. White-flowered Meadow Sweet.

This species is found growing wild in many places in Manitoba, and is usually
hardy in cultivation in most parts of the North-west. The flowers are produced in
long dense terminal clusters. The leaves are narrow and pointed, resembling a willow,
and the shrub is from three to four feet in height. There is also a rose-coloured
variety. Both of these are hardy in cultivation.

S. sorbifolia, L. Sorbus-leaved Spiraea.

This is a very distinct form with long compound leaves and large compact ter¬
minal clusters of small white flowers. It is an upright shrub from three to four feet
high, a native of northern Asia. It is hardy both at Brandon and Indian Head.

S. Van Ilouttei, Zabel. Van Houtte’s Spiraea.

Of garden origin, said to be a hybrid of S. Cantoniensis with S. triloba.

This is a vigorous growing spiraea, one of the most beautiful of the early
blooming sorts, and quite hardy. It grows from four to six feet high, with dark green
leaves and white flowers about one-third of an inch across. These are arranged in
clusters which literally cover the bush during the blooming season, making it a most
attractive object. (See plate II, fig. 1.) This variety has been many years under test
both at Brandon and Indian Head and has proved fairly hardy.

The following have been tried and found tender : —

S. Bumalda, Burvenich. Anthony Waterer.

S. bracteata, Zabel = S. media rotundifolia.

S. Douglasi , Hook.

39

SYMPHORICARPUS. Snowberry.

8ymphoricarpus occidentalis, R. Br. Wolfberry or Snowberry. Western North
America.

This is a native shrub very common in many parts of the Canadian North-west
.from the eastern margin of the prairies to the Rocky mountains. The flowers are
pale rose-coloured and inconspicuous. The fruit is a white berry borne in clusters.
It has been grown both at Brandon and Indian Head and found hardy. This shrub
is compact in its growth and has been used at the Experimental Farm at Indian Head
to form a low growing hedge around the margins of the flower beds, and its neat habit
has made it quite effective. (See Plate V, fig. 2.)

8. orbiculatus , Moench. Coral Berry.

This is also found native in the North-west country, and is very plentiful in the
neighbourhood of Edmonton, Alberta.

In this species the flowers are small and reddish, and the fruit dark red in imper¬
fect clusters. It is very hardy.

SYRINGA. Lilac.

The Lilacs are universal favourites, and are beautiful both in flower and foliage.
The flowers are in large showy panicles ranging from white through various shades of
lilac, purple and red. In some varieties the flower clusters are produced so freely as
to almost hide the foliage. There are several different species of lilac in cultivation,
but the common lilac and its varieties are best known, and it is so hardy that it will
succeed almost everywhere throughout the north and west. The fragrance of the
flowers is sweet and rather heavy, if bunches of bloom are taken into the house ; but in
the freshness of the garden the odour is delightful.

Many of the varieties of lilac seed freely, and where seeding is permitted to
excess the shrub is much weakened and the bunches of bloom become fewer and
smaller. To ensure vigorous growth the withered blossoms should be cut off after
their beauty has faded, when the shrub will grow vigorously and produce later in the
season strong, plump terminal buds from which fine clusters of bloom will issue the
following spring.

Lilacs are easily raised from seed, but the seedlings vary much in the quantity
and quality of their flowers. Some fine examples have been raised at the Brandon
farm from seed of Charles 10th. (See plate I.) The best varieties are propagated by
budding on the common stock or by striking cuttings. Tho latter method is preferable,
as the shoots which come up from the roots of those budded on the common lilac pro¬
duce inferior flowers and sometimes grow so strongly as to crowd and partially
smother the branches grown from the bud, unless the undesirable shoots are promptly
cut out; whereas if the shrub is on its own roots any shoots proceeding from it give
flowers of uniformly good character. Lilacs are sometimes propagated by budding or
grafting them on the privet, but this stock is objectionable on account of its tenderness
and lack of vigour.

This useful group of ornamental shrubs contains! several species and many
splendid varieties which are quite hardy in the Canadian North-west. They are all
very attractive when in bloom and the foliage is large and of deep rich shades of green,
which makes the bush an ornament throughout the summer. The leaves are very free
from insect attacks.

Syringa vulgaris L. The Common Lilac. This was introduced to cultivation in
1597, and hence the lilac has been an object of admiration among lovers of flowers for
more than 300 years. It is a native of Persia and Hungary, and when planted in good
soil grows to a height of 10 to 15 and sometimes 20 feet. The Common Lilac is too
wTell known to need description. Among the earliest recorded varieties of this species

40

is tlie single white form and a reddish sort known as Syringa de Marley. The first
of the double sorts of the Common Lilac was introduced in 1870, and in recent years
a large number of very handsome double and single forms have been produced. About
thirty varieties have been tested at the Experimental Farms at Brandon and Indian
Head, nearly all of which have been found quite hardy.

S. vulgaris Charles X. is one of the best of the single sorts. It is a remarkably
free bloomer ; its large clusters of rich reddish purple flowers are produced in such
abundance as to make it a very striking object. The flowers are highly fragrant.

Among other sorts with single flowers of great merit are : —

8. v. Alba grandiflora , which produces very large trusses of charming white flowers.

8. v. Marie Legraye , a free bloomer with large clusters of white flowers ; an
excellent variety.

8. v. Congo , a very distinct single lilac of a deep shade of purplish blue. The
flower clusters are of medium size, but so dark in colour as to be very striking.

Among the double forms of Syringa vulgaris the following are very desirable

8. v Alphonse Lavallee. A very handsome form with beautiful bluish violet
flowers in large clusters.

8. v. Charles Joly. Flowers a dark wine red with a pale underside and set in
large, long clusters. One of the finest of the double sorts.

8. v. Condorcet. In this variety the individual flowers are very large, semi¬
double, pale blue, and produced in long panicles.

8. v. Dr. Maillot. This is a handsome double form which produces large trusses of
flowers of a delicate pinkish purple. (See Plate II, fig. 6.)

S. v. Emilie Lemoine. Flowers very large and globular, of a beautiful rosy lilac
colour, a free producer of large clusters of fine bloom.

S. v. Jean Bart. This variety is of a deep lilac colour in bud; when open the
double flowers have a fine shade of purple. The inner petals are somewhat twisted,
which gives the flower cluster a very graceful habit.

Mons. Maxime Cornu. A very distinct variety, the flowers of which are almost
pink and borne in large trusses.

Madame Abel Chatcnay has pure white flowers, very double, freely produced in
good-sized trusses.

Madame Casimir P crier is another double white, producing large clusters of
handsome flowers.

The above are all very desirable forms of Syringa vulgaris. They all produce
handsome, fragrant clusters of bloom and are quite hardy. Many others are well
deserving of mention, as there are now over one hundred varieties catalogued by
European nurserymen.

’ S. chinensis, Willd., known also as 8. rothamagensis, or Rouen Lilac, is a very
desirable sort and much appreciated. It is said to be a hybrid between 8. vulgaris
and 8. persica. The leaves are smaller than the Comon Lilac ; the bush is of a grace¬
ful hahit, and the flowers, which are of a purplish violet colour, are produced in
abundance in large clusters.

S. Josilcea , Jacq. Josika’s Lilac is a robust-growing species, a native of LIungary.
Its leaves are large and glossy, of a deep green colour above and paler below. The
flowers, which appear from ten days to a fortnight later than the varieties; of Syringa
vulgaris, are of a bluish purple colour. The clusters are smaller than those of the
Common Lilac, and they have very little perfume. When well established this variety
blooms very freely, and on account of its lateness is seldom injured by spring frosts.
It makes a beautiful hedge; its rigid habit and glossy, laurel-like leaves produce a
fine effect. For hedge purposes young plants about 18 to 20 inches high should be
chosen and planted in a single row 15 inches apart.

[Plate V.]

[Bull. 47.]

[Photos, by C. E. Saunders.]

1.— Manitoba Maple Hedge, Brandon, Man.

2. — Flower Garden in Front of Superintendent’s House, Indian Head, N.W.T.

Low Hedges made of Native Shrub known as Snow Berry.

-

'

41

S. villosa, V ahl., a native of the northern parts of China, is of recent introduction.
It is lower growing than the common lilac, ranging from four to eight feet. The
leaves are of medium size and ovate in form, the flowers are of an attractive shade
of pale bluish rose, with a waxy looking surface and a pleasant fragrance, but not
nearly so strong as S. vulgaris. This shrub is a charming addition to the lilac group,
a free bloomer, with flower clusters of medium size. Its time of blooming is about
two weeks later than the common lilac.

S. Japonica , Decne. Japan Lilac.

The Japanese tree lilac was first brought from Japan in 1885. When full grown it
forms a small tree from ten to fifteen feet high. The flowers are small, creamy white
and are produced in large dense clusters. They have a fragrance quite distinct from
that of the ordinary lilac, reminding one of the hawthorn, or the privet. The leaves
are large and of dark green colour. This is the latest of all the lilacs to bloom, the
flowers appearing in Ottawa during the last week in June or the first in July.

With a judicious selection of the species and varieties referred to one may have a
succession of lilacs in bloom for from four to five weeks. All those referred to have
been tested at Brandon and Indian Head and have proved hardy.

TAMARIX. Tamarisk.

Tamarix amurensis. Amur Tamarisk.

This is a graceful shrub producing a feathery growth of branches which are cov¬
ered in June with small pale pink flowers. It succeeds fairly well at Ottawa, but has
proven too tender for the Canadian North-west.

TILIA. Linden.

Tilia americana , L. Basswood or American Linden. North America.

The basswood in eastern Canada is a widely distributed tree of handsome form
and fine foliage. Young trees grown from seed ripened in the east have not been
hardy either at Brandon or Indian Head. There are^ however, some native bass¬
wood trees growing in Manitoba, in the Turtle Mountain district, and the neighbour¬
hood of Carman, and in some other parts of the province, and trees grown from seed
ripened in any part of Manitoba have proved quite hardy at Brandon and fairly
hardy at Indian Head.

Tilia vulgaris , Hayne. European Linden.

The European Linden has also been tried at both the Western Experimental
Farms, but it has usually been killed to the ground or killed outright the first winter.
Several specimens, however, have survived in sheltered locations and at Indian Head
there are now three specimens eight or nine years planted which seem to be quite
hardy.

ULMUS. Elm.

Ulmus americana , L. American Elm.

The American elm is one of the best and most durable of trees for ornamental
or shade purposes. As a street tree or for avenues it is unsurpassed, its beauty of
form, durability and freedom from disease place it in advance of most other trees for
such purposes. In Manitoba and the North-west Territories it is as yet very free
from insect pests. The American elm delights in low, moist and rich soils, and is
found in all parts of Eastern Canada. It occurs native also in many of the river valleys
in Manitoba. Macoun says, fit is found in the valley of the Red river from Pembina

42

to Lake Winnipeg. It ascends the Assinibome to its source. It passes by the way
of Lakes Manitoba and Winnipegosis to Red Deer River which flows into the last
named lake where it ceases to grow in latitude 53°. On the Saskatchewan it ascends to
near Cumberland House in latitude 54°. 1

Trees grown from seed produced in the east are more or less tender and unsatis¬
factory, while those grown from seed ripened in Manitoba or the Territories are quite
hardy. Young seedlings may usually be found in abundance growing under or near
by mature elms in river valleys in the North-west, and if dug up and transplanted
into good soil will grow rapidly, and soon develop into vigorous and shapely trees.
(See plate IV, fig. 4.)

U. racemosa , D. Thomas. Cork or Rock Elm. North America.

This tree is common in some parts of eastern Canada, but has not been found
native in the North-west. A large number of young trees of this species were planted
in 1889 both at Brandon and Indian Head. Those planted at Brandon all died within
a year or two, while a few of those planted at Indian Head in a small nursery where
they had much shelter, survived, and several of them are still living. These have
now attained a fair size and seem quite hardy. As soon as these trees bear seed it is
probable that a hardy race of Rock Elm can be produced.

VIBURNUM . Arrowwood.

The Viburnums deserve a place among our most esteemed ornamental shrubs.
They are decorative when adorned with their clusters of white flowers, also when in
fruit. The foliage is handsome and assumes warm tints of colour in the autumn.
Several of the species are hardy in the Canadian North-west. They can all be raised
from seed, but this is slow to germinate. It seldom grows until the second year, and
instances are known where germination has been delayed until the fourth and even
the fifth year after sowing.

Viburnum lentago , L. Sheepberry, Nannyberry.

This species is found in many parts of eastern Canada, and also in the North-west
in the valleys of the Red, Assiniboine and Saskatchewan rivers. It varies in height
from 6 or 8 to 15 feet or more. The leaves are ovate, pointed, from 2 to 4 inches long,
and the flowers are in flat clusters, varying from 2 to 5 inches across. The fruit is oval
and of a bluish black colour. This is a handsome shrub, which is quite hardy in most
parts of the North-west.

V. opulus , L. High-bush Cranberry.

This species is found in the east as far as Anticosti Island; it is also a native
of the North-west, and is very generally distributed throughout the northern parts
of Canada. The High-bush Cranberry attains a height of from 6 to 10 feet or more
and makes a handsome ornamental shrub, which is interesting when in flower and
very decorative when adorned with its bright scarlet fruit. The berries grown on
the eastern form of this shrub are very bitter, while those grown in the North-west
are pleasantly acid, without bitterness, and arc used by the settlers for the making
of pies, preserves, &c. This difference in the fruit is so marked as to lead one to
suspect that they may belong to different species.

V. Opulus sterile. Snow-ball or Guelder Rose.

This is a well-known form of Viburnum opulus, which has been long in cultiva¬
tion, in which the fertile flowers are nearly all changed to sterile, showy ones. When
this shrub is in full bloom the flowers, which are a snowy white, form numerous large
globular heads, which are very attractive. On this sterile variety it is seldom that
any fruit is formed, and it is propagated from suckers, layers or cuttings.

43

This variety is nearly hardy at Brandon and Indian Head ; occasionally the tips
of the branches are injured by winter, and if the season is very severe they may be
killed from one foot to half way to the ground.

Vilbumum Lantana, L. Wayfaring Tree.

This is an upright and handsome shrub, with medium-sized, strongly veined,
bright green leaves, producing flowers nearly white, in terminal flat clusters, which
are succeeded by bright red berries, which gradually change until they become nearly
black. This is a native of Europe, which has been tested at Brandon and Indian
Head for the past eight years. At Brandon it is seldom injured by winter, and gene¬
rally blooms well ; sometimes, however, the blossom buds are injured. At Indian
Head many of the shoots are killed back, but some usually escape injury, so that the
bush flowers fairly well. Although not entirely hardy, it is so nearly hardy as to be
well worth growing.

V. deniaturn. L. Arrow-wood.

This is found native in different parts of Canada from ISiew Brunswick to Ontario,
also in the United States as far west as Minnesota. It is a handsome shrub (See Plate
II, fig. 3) of upright and compact growth, with coarsely toothed leaves and flat clusters
of white flowers from two to three inches across. The fruit is in small clusters, nearly
round and of a bluish black colour. Although not yet thoroughly tested, it is probable
that this shrub will prove hardy in the North-west.

Other varieties of Viburnum are being tested, and it is probable that additional
hardy species will be found.

VITIS. Grape.

Viiis vulpina, L. V. riparia, Michx. River Bank or Frost Grape.

A vigorous tall growing climbing vine found on river banks and in low thickets
which produces sweet scented clusters of flowers, and later small compact bunches
of round purplish black grapes, covered with a blue bloom. The fruit is acid and if
picked before frost is austere and unpleasant, but after frost it becomes much sweeter
and quite palatable.

This species is common in Eastern Canada, and is found also in the valleys of the
Red, Assiniboine and other rivers, especially in the southern parts of Manitoba. Plants
raised from seed are frequently sterile, producing staminate flowers only. In such cases,
the flower clusters are unusually large and abundant. To secure fruiting vines young
plants should be raised from cuttings taken from vines known to be fruit bearing.
Hardy both at Brandon and Indian Head.

CONIFERAE.

ABIES. Fir, Spruce.

Abies balsamea, Mill. Balsam Fir.

This evergreen has a wide native range, is very abundant in Ontario and Quebec
and in Eastern Canada generally; it is also found native in the North-west country.
It occurs in the Lake of the Woods district and the valley of the Saskatchewan.
Macoun says, 1 it occurs around James Bay, and has been found on the Athabasca.

river in latitude 58^

44

The balsam fir has been tested at the experimental farms at Brandon and Indian
Head for the past ten years. Young trees brought from the east have not been
entirely hardy, but when obtained from the neighbourhood of Rat Portage, they have
proven quite hardy. They are, however, of slow growth.

The variegated form of this tree, Abies balsamea varicgaia , obtained from Europe
has also been tried and found fairly hardy.

JUNIPERUS. Juniper.

Among the junipers there are not many species hardy enough to endure the win¬
ters of the Canadian North-west.

Juniperus Sabina , L. Common Savin.

This handsome evergreen, native in the mountains of Europe, has been tested for
the past eight years, both at Brandon and Indian Head and found hardy. It has
a low growing spreading habit, rarely attaining a height of more than three feet.
When well rooted it grows rapidly, and its rich deep shade of green makes it a desir¬
able object on a lawn. It succeds well also under partial shade.

J. Sabina varicgaia is a variegated form of the Common Savin, and J. Sabina ,
var. erecta an upright growing variety of the same, both of which have been tested in
the North-west and found hardy.

J. Sabina procumbens. Creeping Savin.

This grows abundantly in some parts of Manitoba and the Territories, preferring
sandy and rocky places where the soil is poor and barren, sometimes covering acres
of ground with a carpet of green. It grows about six inches and upwards in height.
Several attempts have been made at the experimental farms to transplant this creep¬
ing form of savin, but without success. Probably the soil in which it has been
planted has been too rich. If it could be successfully transplanted there is no doubt
about its hardiness. Macoun gives the distribution of this species as from Anticosti
Island to the summit of the Rocky Mountain passes.

J. virginiana, L. Red Cedar, Virginian Juniper.

This well known ornamental tree is found growing on dry, rocky and somewhat
sterile soils in different parts of Eastern Canada. It varies in size from a shrub to a
small tree and under favourable conditions develops into a good sized tree of 50 feet
or more in height. It is found in abundance in many parts of Ontario, from Ottawa
to the shores of Lake Erie, and as far north as Parry Sound. The red cedar has been
repeatedly tried at Brandon and Indian Head during the past fourteen years, and
while a large proportion of the specimens planted have died, a few have survived at
each farm gaining apparently in hardiness from year to year, and for the past five or
six years seem to have become quite hardy.

J. virginiana elegans is a handsome variety of this tree, which has been tried
for several years at the North-west farms, and has jshown a fair degree of hardiness.
As yet, however, the specimens are small and usually have the advantage of being-
covered by snow during the coldest winter weather. Among the other varieties of
Juniper which have been tried and found more or less tender are : —

J. communis , L. Common Juniper.

J. communis fastigiata. Irish Juniper.

J. virginiana pyramidalis = J . fragrans.

J. virginiana Schotti.

45

PICE A. Spruce.

i ' \ ; ’ ■' •

Among the Spruces are found some of the most valuable evergreen trees for the
North-west plains.

Picea alba , Link. White Spruce.

This is a very handsome evergreen tree which, when grown in open places, assumes
a compact pyramidal form, branching almost to the ground. It is found in all parts
of eastern Canada, from Gaspe to north of Lake Superior. In Manitoba it is very
common on the sand hills which margin the first prairie steppe. Macoun says :
‘ Occasional trees are met with in the Saskatchewan valley and in the Cypress Hills.’
It has also been found on the Athabasca river in latitude 54°.

When trees of this species are grown from seed produced in eastern Canada and
sent to Manitoba or the Teritories they are usually tender, and if planted in exposed
situations a large proportion of them die the first winter. If, however, they are
brought from the sand hills on the first prairie steppe in the neighbourhood of Sewell
and north and south of that point where young trees can be found in great abund¬
ance, they are perfectly hardy. Many hundreds of these trees have been planted at
the Experimental Harms at Brandon and Indian Head, and no injury from winter
has ever occurred to them. At Brandon one of the finest hedges on the farm is white
spruce. See Plate III. fig. 2. This is one of the most valuable trees for planting in
the North-west, provided the specimens set out are native. In transplanting these or
any other evergreen trees great care should be taken to keep the roots moist during the
time they are out of the ground. If the root fibres arc permitted to dry the young trees
will be very much injured. To prevent this the roots should be well wet as often as is
necessary and covered with wet moss or wet sacking during time of removal. With the
exercise of due care, the white spruce, provided the trees are small, may always bo
transplanted successfully. Well grown bushy specimens, from 1|- to 2 feet high, are
quite large enough. Attempts to transplant trees from 4 to 6 feet high are almost
always a partial if not an entire failure.

Picea nigra , Link. Black Spruce.

This is said to have a wider range than the White Spruce, and to extend from
northern Labrador to Lake Athabasca (lat. 59°). It is very much like the White
Spruce in appearance, and the two species are frequently confounded. They may,
however, be distinguished by the length of the cones, which are shorter in the Black
Spruce, seldom an inch long, while in the White Spruce they are longer, and never
under an inch in length. The needle-like leaves of the Black Spruce are also usually
shorter than those of the white variety. The Black Spruce is said to form the great
bulk of the spruce trees which furnish the large stretches of timber found in many
of the northern parts of Manitoba, west of Lake Winnipeg, and in the northern parts
of the Territories.

The Black Spruce also makes a very handsome tree, see Plate VI, fig. 4, and is
quite hardy if grown from seed ripened in the North-west. Many young trees have
been brought from the vicinity of Rat Portage to both the North-west Experimental
Farms, and have succeeded well.

P. Engehnanni , Engelm. Englemann’s Spruce.

This species grows in abundance in the Rocky and Selkirk Mountains, where it
attains a height of 100 to 150 feet, with the trunk sometimes four feet in diameter.
Three young treees were brought from Glacier in 1895 and planted at Indian Head,
where they have proven hardy.

Picea excelsa, Link. Norway Spruce.

This handsome and well known evergreen is a native of the mountains of
Northern Europe, and has repeatedly been tested at Brandon and Indian Head dur-

40

ing the past fourteen years. A large proportion of the trees planted have died, but
a few have manifested unusual individual hardiness and have survived. The sur¬
vivors have gradually become acclimatized and now appear to be quite hardy. They
have grown to be handsome specimens, and good examples of this species may now bo
found at both of the North-west Experimental Farms. As some of these trees have
begun to bear cones, seed will shortly be obtainable from them for sowing, and trees
grown from such seed will probably be quite hardy from the start.

Picea pungens , Engelm. Rocky Mountain Blue Spruce.

This is probably the most attractive evergreen of recent introduction. It is
found at high elevations in Colorado where it is seen of various tints of colour from
a plain green, through different shades of steely blue, some slightly blue while others
are of a deep, bright, steely or greyish shade of a very striking character. This blue
coloiy in the best of specimens almost disappears in winter, but with the first warm
days of spring the lower branches of the tree begin to brighten, and a deep bluish
tint gradually creeps upward until it pervades the whole tree. By this time the buds
begin to burst and the new growth pushes out of a much brighter shade, and this bright
colour is maintained until the autumn when it changes gradually to a deep green.
The tree has a compact pyramidal habit with the branches produced each year
extending almost horizontally, showing more or less distinctly the separate layers
of annual growth, giving the tree a storied appearance. The leaves are longer and
much stiffer than in most of the other species of spruce. The blue colour of the
foliage is produced by a waxy secretion on the needle-like leaves, a sort cf bloom
which when rubbed is easily removed. The varying shades of colour in different trees
results from the relative density and brightness of this bluish bloom. Nurserymen
engaged in propagating this spruce usually' select seed from the bluest specimens,
when a considerable proportion of the seedlings usually show the blue colour more or
less strongly. The seedlings, however, vary much in this respect. In Europe this
tree is propagated by grafting twigs from some of the bluest trees on young Norway
or white spruce, when the young trees so grown are all uniformly blue. In Europe
these grafted trees of Picea pungens are usually sold under the name of P. Parryana
glauca.

The Rocky Mountain Blue Spruce has been under test both at Brandon and
Indian Head since 1896, and has proven quite hardy, see Plate VI, fig. 1 from photo
of specimen at Indian Head. For several years the specimens planted made slow
growth, and occasionally showed slight injury from winter, but since they have
become well established their growth has been satisfactory, and for the past six years
they have shown no indication of injury from winter.

PINUS. Pine.

There are not many of the pines which furnish satisfactory material for plant¬
ing on the North-west plains. Since they have but few fibrous roots, they are diffi¬
cult to transplant, and efforts to grow pines are sometimes unsuccessful for this
reason rather than from lack of hardiness.

Pinus divaricata, Dum.-Cours., =P. Panic siana, Lamb. Labrador Pine, Banksian
Pine, Jack Pine.

This is a northern species with a very wide distribution. Macoun says it extends
from Halifax, Nova Scotia, north-westerly to the Athabasca river and northerly
down the Mackenzie river to the Arctic circle. When grown without being crowded
this is rather a pretty tree. The leaves are in clusters of two, are rather short, sel¬
dom over an inch long, more or less curved and of a light green colour. It is difficult
to transplant, and the efforts made to move young trees from the districts about Rat
Portage, Prince Albert and Edmonton to the North-west Experimental Farms have

47

not always been successful. There is, however, no lack of hardiness in this variety, and
if transplanted very young, when only eight or ten inches high, this tree can usually be
moved successfully. This is a slow growing species.

P. cembra, L. Stone Pine. Prom Mountains of Central Europe and Siberia.

This tree makes a close, erect symmetrical growth. The leaves are 2J to 3 inches
long in clusters of five. They are slender, flexible, and somewhat triangular, one side
a smooth green, the other two with silvery white lines. It is a very slow growing
tree, and requires many years before a specimen reaches any considerable size. The
Stone Pine has been under test since 1896, both at Brandon and Indian Head, and has
proved quite hardy.

F. sylvestris, L. Scotch Pine. Northern Europe.

This well known evergreen tree has a symmetrical upright habit of growth, and
when allowed sufficient space for development makes a very shapely tree. The leaves
are arranged in clusters of two, are from 2-J to 3 inches long — shorter in old trees —
somewhat flattened and twisted, and of a dull, bluish green colour.

Several hundred young specimens of the Scotch pine were planted at each of
the North-west Experimental Earms in 1889 and 1890. At that time there was very
little shelter to protect them, and a large proportion died during the winters of 1890
and 1891. A few, however, survived, either from individual hardiness or more favour¬
able surroundings as to shelter, and maintained a somewhat stunted growth for
several years, during which time they became established, and have since made satis¬
factory progress. For the past seven or eight years they have been quite hardy.

P. sylvestris Rigaensis . Piga Pine.

This is said to be a somewhat hardier form of the Scotch pine grown from seed
obtained in forests near Riga, Russia. A number of young trees of this variety have •
also been tried both at Brandon and Indian Head. These were put out in 1890, and
subsequent years, and some of the trees have survived. The Riga pine has a more
upright habit of growth than the ordinary Scotch pine, otherwise they seem to be
identical, see Plate VI, flg. 2.

In planting young Scotch or Riga pines in the North-west small well rooted speci¬
mens should be chosen, and they should be put, where possible, in the shelter of some
protecting trees. This tree, however, is a very hardy one, and would probably endure
the winter even in a moderately open place if some slight protection were afforded.

If a stake were driven down near the tree and a wisp of straw wound around to pro¬
tect the foliage this would no doubt help to carry it through the winter.

P. montana, Duroi. Mountain Pine. From Mountains of Central Europe.

This is a large, rather compact, bush-like form of pine, from 5 to 15 feet in
height, very suitable for planting where space is limited. The leaves are in pairs
about two inches long, somewhat twisted, and of a dark green colour.

A considerable number of young specimens of the Mountain Pine were planted
at Brandon and Indian Head in 1890 and 1894, a large part of which died. A few
survived, which have gradually acquired greater hardiness, and those which are now
growing in shelter appear to be quite hardy.

In planting the Mountain Pine in the North-west, small, well-rooted specimens
should be chosen, and they should be so placed as to have the shelter of other estab¬
lished trees.

P. montana muglius . Dwarf Mountain Pine.

This is a low-growing and very compact form of the Mountain Pine, which makes
a neat and attractive specimen. In hardiness this is similar to the ordinary larger
form. The Mountain Pine appears to be somewhat less hardy than the Scotch Pine.

43

Pinas ponderosa, Dougl. Heavy wooded Pine, Bull Pine. From the drier districts in
British Columbia.

This is a handsome species of pine, which is the principal tree occurring in the
central and southern dry regions in British Columbia. When mature, it is a large
tree with widely spreading branches and light red, scaly bark. The leaves are in clusters
of three, rather stout and very long, measuring from 5 to 6 inches.

This species has been tested during the past ten years, both at Brandon and
Indian Head, and a very large proportion of the trees planted have been winter-killed,
and most of the survivors suffered badly during the severe winter of 1900. Speci¬
mens have, however, survived at each of the North-western farms, but the growth has
been stunted. Some of the best of the surviving specimens at Indian Head, growing
in a sheltered spot with some Scotch Pine, were unfortunately destroyed recently by
a fire which occurred in some dry grass in the neighbourhood, and which spread over
this small pl.iniat’cn.

This species may be regarded as tender in the North-west, especially in severe
winters, unless alforded exceptional conditions as to shelter. It is quite hardy at
Ottawa.

Pinus Strobus , L. White Pine.

This species has been several times tested at both the North-west farms, but has
been found too tender to endure the climate. Most of the specimens planted have
died the first winter. The only young trees thus far obtainable have been grown from
eastern seed. In Macoun’s Catalogue this species is said to occur between Lake
Superior and Winnipeg River around Lonely Lake ; also near Lake Winnipeg. If
young trees from these northern localities could be obtained they would in all pro¬
bability prove hardy.

P. resinosa Soland. Red Pine.

This beautiful pine is common in eastern Canada, and is known to extend west
of the Lake of the Woods. It has been found difficult to procure young trees of this
species from northern sources, hence tests were not begun with Red Pine until 1902.
The results obtained thus far are promising as to hardiness, but not yet conclusive.

•

The following have been tried and found too tender to endure the North-west
climate : —

Pinus Laricio nigricans. Austrian Pine.

Pinus contorta murrayana. Lodge Pole Pine.

Tsuga canadensis, L. Hemlock.

Pseudotsuga Douglasii , Car. Douglas’ Spruce.

Thuja occidentals , L. Arbor-vitas, White Cedar.

This is a well-known and widely distributed tree in Quebec, Ontario and New
Brunswick, and extends northwards to the eastern extremity of Lake Winnipeg in
Manitoba. Many specimens have been planted in the city parks at Winnipeg, which
have been brought in by settlers within a few miles of the city. This tree is of a
conical form with a dense frond-like foliage of a bright green colour in the summer,
but which assumes a dull green hue during the winter months.

A large number of young trees of Arbor-vitae were planted on the Experimental
Farms at Brandon and Indian Head in 1889, but most of these being without shelter,
died during the winters of 1890 and 1891. Many additional specimens were planted in
subsequent years, after some shelter had been provided, and some of these have now
stood the winters for five or six years, and appear to be quite hardy. The experience
gained indicates that young Arbor-vitas trees brought from the east are not usually

[Plate VI.]

[Bull. 47.]

1.— Rocky Mt. Blue Spruce, Indian Head.
3. — European Larch (Larix Europea).

[Photos, by C. E. Saunders.]

2.— Riga Pine, Indian Head.

4.— Black Spruce (Picea Nigra).

1

\

a

x •

*

49

hardy in the North-west in exposed situations, but that they are fairly hardy when
planted in sheltered spots. There is little doubt that young native trees from near
Winnipeg would be much hardier than those brought from the east.

There are many very distinct varietal forms of the Arbor-vitae, which have also
been tested at the Brandon and Indian Head farms, and the following, when planted
in sheltered situations, appear to be about equally hardy with the common Arbor-vitae.

T. occidenialis elwangeriana. Elwanger’s Arbor-vitae. A variety with dis¬
tinctly finer foliage and semi-dwarf habit.

T. occidenialis Hoveyi. Hovey’s Arbor-vitae. A compact form with the foliage
in large flat plates which open and close gracefully with the wind.

T. occidentalis variegata. Variegated Arbor-vitae. A variety resembling the
ordinary form with the tips of the foliage white.

T. occidentalis Columbia. Columbian Arbor-vitae. A semi-dwarf form in which
the silvery tipping is deeper and more constant than in variegata.

T. occidentalis Wareana. Ware’s Arbor-vitae. A semi-dwarf variety, forming a
dense nearly oval mass of foliage from six to eight feet high, very regular in outline
and coarser in foliage than the ordinary type.

T. occidentalis aurea (Douglas). Douglas’ Golden. A semi-dwarf form, widely
tipped and splashed with golden shades.

T. occidentalis lutea. A dwarf form with the larger part of the foliage of a
golden hue.

The following varieties have also been tested and appear to be more tender : —

T. occidentalis pyramidalis. Pyramidal Arbor-vitae. A form of the tree which
assumes the character of a dense elongated pyramid with a narrow base.

T. ‘occidentalis Meehani. Meehan’s Arbor-vitae. A golden tinted semi-dwarf
form where the golden hue extends down the foliage in a broken character for three
or four inches from the tips.

There are several other forms of a dwarf character, such as T. 0. compacta and
T. 0 . globosa, which have not yet been tested, but which will in all probability prove
as hardy as the common form of the Arbor-vitae.

LARIX. Larch. Tamarack.

The larches, although they shed their leaves during the winter, are true conifers,
and are entitled to consideration here.

Larix laricina (Du Roi), Koch. American Larch, Tamarack, Hackmatack.

This tree has a very wide distribution. ‘ With the black spruce it occupies the
larger part of the swampy ground from Newfoundland, Labrador and the eastern
provinces to the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains in the Peace river region, lati¬
tude 56° ’ (Macoun). Tlie American larch is of medium height, of rather slender
growth, sometimes pendulous in habit, usually found in swampy woods or on the
margin of lakes. The leaves, which appear early in spring, are narrowly linear in
form and arranged in fasicles or clusters, soft and of a bright green colour ; the cones
ere small from 4-inch to f-inch in length.

A number of young trees of this species have been procured from the neighbour¬
hood of Rat. Portage, also from among the sand hills at Sewell, Man., on the first
prairie steppe. These have grown well and have proven quite hardy at Brandon and
Indian Head.

h. europoea, DC. European Larch.

This is a tall, handsome pyramidal tree of rapid growth and robust habit, found
native in the European Alps. The leaves are linear, soft and arranged in fasicles

339—4

50

as in the American Larch, but usually average a little longer, and are of a deeper
shade of green. The cones are about twice the length of those of the American Larch,
measuring from 1 to If- inches in length ; the branches are usually more or less
pendulous The regularity and beauty of its outline during every stage of its growth
makes this tree a favourite object for decorative purposes. (See Plate VI., fig. 3.)
Unfortunately it cannot be said to be hardy in the North-west. Out of several hundred
young trees planted at the North-west farms at different times during the past 14 years,
only a very few specimens have survived. These, however, seem to have become quite
hardy and are growing well. As soon as seed can be obtained from these acclimatized
trees it is probable that a hardier race may be produced.

There is another specie- of larch known as the Mountain Larch ( Larix Lyalli ),
which may probably prove hardy in cultivation in the North-west. This tree is found
in the Rocky Mountains at an altitude of from 6,000 to 7.000 feet, but no opportunity
has yet occurred for making a satisfactory test of this species.

SALISBURIA.

Salisburia cidiantifolia, Smith. Maiden Hair Tree.

Several specimens of this interesting tree have been tried at each of the western
farms, but in no case have they survived a winter.