“The Garden

HISTORICAL AND TOURIST PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Prince Edward Island, “the million acre farm,” situated in the Gulf of St. Law- rence, and separated from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia by the Straits of North- umberland, was, from definite records at least, first of all visited by Cartier on June 30, 1534. He describes it as “the fairest it may be possible to see and full of goodly meadows and trees.’ Indians called it “Epagwit” or “Abegweit” mean- ing “reposing on the waves.”

Prior to the fall of (Louisburg in 1758 the Island, known as the “Isle St. Jean” was settled by the French. Subsequent to that historic occasion, however, practically all the French were transported and the present population of about 90,000 souls are mostly the descendants of French, Scottish, English and Irish immigrants who settled in the Province about that time. They are mostly engaged in farm- ing, fishing and commercial enterprise. Considerable information about which industries is given in the editorials follow- ing this.

The powerful modern steel car ferry operated by the Canadian National Rail- ways covers the nine miles between Cape Tormentine, in New Brunswick, and Bor den, on the Island, daily carrying both passengers, railway cars and other freight and vehicles. This ferry has connections at St. John, N.B., with the Canadian Pacific Railway, and a splendid boat ser- vice operates in the summer time between Pictou, Nova Scotia, and Charlottetown, providing an extremely attractive short summer water trip.

For tourists there are many attractions. Seaside hotels, where the famous Prince Edward Island sea foods, chicken, lamb, fresh milk, cream, butter and eggs are in abundance; sea bathing, both surf and

_ still water; fresh water and deep sea fish- ing, which provides some of the finest

trophies to be found in any resort; good roads; pastoral scenery; and seascapes un- surpassed.

~ POTATO GROWING Prince Edward Island Certified Seed Potatoes Have Set the Standard for America! Beginning in 1919, when one carload only of Certified Seed Potatoes was

shipped, the industry in Prince Edward Island has had a phenomenal growth,

CE EDWA

xD ISLAND of the Gulf”

until, during the season of 1927 over 1,000,- 000 bushels of Certified Seed were marketed. i

The climate of Prince Edward Island is ideal for the production of potatoes. There is rarely a drought and never ex- cessive rains. The temperature ranges from 64 to 80 degrees and fogs are unknown. The soil is of a red sandstone formation, naturally somewhat acidulous, free from stones and rocks, has good drainage, all of which are favourable and important factors.

Unlike the practice followed in other seed producing sections, the Prince Ed- ward Island growers do not plant potatoes in the same fields year after year, but rotate their crops and generally have potatoes following a clover crop. In this way the soil maintains its freedom from disease and does not lose its humus.

Other sections products potatoes prim- arily for eating purposes. Prince Edward Island is dedicated to the production of Certified Seed! Knowing their stock must

pass the most rigid Government inspection before it can be marketed under Certified tags, the growers have been educated to use the greatest care in the selection and treatment of their’ seed, in the cultivation and spraying of their crops, and in all of their digging, grading and loading oper- ations. For these reasons, fewer sacks of Certified Seed are required to plant an acre than would be required of seed from other sections, where less care is taken. Therefore, Certified Seed is not only the best, but also the most economical.

The standard set by the Dominion De- partment of Agriculture, for the certifica- tion of,seed, is the most rigid standard in America. The growing crop is subject to two inspections. The tubers are inspected at time of grading, and in addition to the low percentage allowed for diseases which are common to the potato, no frost injury or foreign tubers are allowed. Not more than five percent by weight of the tubers shall be below three ounces, or above twelve ounces. In the fall bin inspection if more than three percent Late Blight be found in bin, the grower will not be allowed certification for his potatoes.

Potatoes must not be sold as certified seed potatoes unless they have the official certification tags attached to the con- tainers.

The attention which has been given the growing of potatoes in Prince Edward Island during the past ten years, has re- sulted in the marketing of potatoes that

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