APPENDIX TO THE REPORT OF THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE EXPERIMENTAL FARMS REPORTS or THE DIRECTOE WM. SAUNDERS. AGRICULTURIST JAS. W. ROBERTSON. HORTICULTURIST JOHN CRAIG. CHEMIST F. T. SHUTT, M.A. ENTOMOLOGIST and BOTANIST ... - JAS. FLETCHER. POULTRY MANAGER A. G. GILBERT. SUPT. EXPERIMENTAL FARM, Nappan, N.S. - - WM. M. BLAIR. do do Brandon, Manitoba - S. A. BEDFORD. do do Indian Head, N.W.T. - ANGUS MACKAT. do do Agassiz, B.C. • - THOS, A, SHARPE. FOR 4893 LIBRARY NEW YORK BOTANICAL PRINTED BY ORDER OF PARLIAMENT OTTAWA PRINTED BY S. E. DAWSON, PRINTER TO THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY. 1894 [No. 8^—1894.] Figure 1. Office Building, Museum and Cliemical Laboratory of the Central Experimental Farm. BOTANJCAL TO THE GARDEN REPORT OF THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE ON EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Ottawa, 30th November, 1893. Sir,— I have the honour to submit for your approval my seventh annual report of the work done and in progress at the several experimental farms established in different parts of the Dominion. You will also find appended reports from the following officers of the Central Experimental Farm: From the Agriculturist, Mr. James W. Robertson; from the Horticulturist, Mr. John Craig; from the Chemist, Mr. Frank T. Shutt; and from the Entomologist and Botanist, Mr. James Fletcher. A report is also submitted from the Poultry Manager, Mr. A. Gr. Gilbert. From the branch experimental farms there are reports from Mr. Wm. M. Blair, superintendent of the experimental farm for the Maritime Provinces, at Nappan, Nova Scotia; from Mr. S. A. Bedford, superintendent of the experimental farm for Mani- toba, at Brandon ; from Mr. Angus Mackay, superintendent of the experimental farm for the North-west Territories, at Indian Head; and from Mr. Thos. A. Sharpe, superintendent of the experimental farm for British Columbia, at Agassiz. In these reports the results are given of much careful experimental work relat- ing to agriculture, horticulture and arboriculture embodying the outcome of much practical work in the fields, orchards, barns, dairy and poultry buildings; also of scientific investigation of chemical problems in the laboratory and the careful study of the life history and habits of noxious insects and plants with suggestions of mea- sures calculated to lessen the injury they cause. The great and increasing demand among farmers for these reports is a grati- fying indication of the growing desire for information among this class of the com- munity and of the high esteem in which these records of the experimental farms are held. It is hoped that the facts brought together in the present issue will be found quite as valuable to the agricultural community as those contained in any of the preceding reports. I have the honour to be, sir, Your obedient servant, WM. SAUNDERS. The Honourable The Minister of Agriculture, Ottawa. 8c— 1^ ANNUAL REPORT ON THE EXPERIMENTAL FARMS EEPOET OP THE DIEECTOE. (WM. SAUNDERS, F.R.S.C., F.L.S., F.C.S.) The season of 1893 has been very varied, both in its character and results, in different parts of the Dominion. Almost everywhere the spring season has been back- ward, and cold and wet weather delayed seeding. In the western and central parts of Ontario, a moist spring with an abundant hay crop was followed by a period of severe drought, which, while it did not materially affect the yield of winter wheat, had a marked influence on the different varieties of spring grain, making the average crop light. Summer dairying was also affected by the drying up of the pasture lands: later, timely rains, however, helped the root crops, which turned out fairly satisfactory. In the eastern portions of the province spring growth was also tardy and backward, but under favourable conditions as to moisture an excellent hay crop was gathered. The latter part of the summer was unusually wet, especially just preceding and during the grain harvest, and rust prevailed to such an extent that the weight and quality of spring grain was reduced far below the average, and the returns were in some respects disappointing. The wet weather, however, kept the pasture lands in good condition, and was favourable to the growth of roots for stock, and many varieties have given a generous yield. Fodder corn has also in most localities turned out fairly well. In most parts of Quebec the season has been favourable, the yield of hay has been good and the subsequent luxuriance of pasture growth most advantageous for dairy farming, in which this province has of late made most gratifying progress. The returns of other crops have also been fairly satisfactory. In the Maritime Provinces the early part of the season was dry and the hay crop below the average, but later on timely rains occurred in many localities, which were followed by fairly good yields in the harvest season. The later crops of roots were very fine. In Manitoba and the eastern portions of the North-west Territories, the early part of the summer gave promise of an abundant crop which seemed almost assured, when on the 5th August, within two or three weeks from the usual time of harvest, there began a most unusual heated term. The thermometer ranged during six consecu- tive days in the neighbourhood of and above 90° P. ; and on the 7th rose to 104° — 107° P. in the shade. The high temperature on this particular day was accompanied by a parching hot wind, which blew up from the arid and desert regions south in the United States, and which almost scorched the leaves of the growing grain and brought about premature ripening with a considerable loss of bulk. This untoward circumstance reduced the promise of a generally abundant crop with a probable average of about 25 bushels per acre to one of about 14 bushels, the reduction being brought about partly by a diminished size of kernel and partly by the drying up of the later kernels which in a favourable season form towards its close in the upper part of the spikelets which compose the head of wheat. In some sections of the eastern part of Assiniboia the influence of the heated term was less felt and the yield of wheat has been excellent, many large farms having given a return of from thirty to 6 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. forty bushels per acre. In Saskatchewan and Northern Alberta the yield of all cereals has been good, the beads being plump and well filled. In the interior climates of British Columbia, there have been few unusually heavy crops, but the yields in most instances have been fairly satisfactory, while in the coast climate the i-eturns from the grain harvest have been below the average. While the modifications in crops brought about by conditions of climate are bej'ond the control of the farmer, there are many conditions which he can influence which are most important in their bearing on plant growth and which under favour- able circumstances materially affect the returns. Among these none is moreimpoi-t- ant than the MAINTENANCE OF THE FERTILITY OP THE SOIL, which is the chief aim of all good farming and on which a continuance of good crops mainly depends. In the soil a large store of fertility has been laid up for man's use, which may be regarded as a savings bank reserve for the farmer, and by judicious treatment may be continually added to and improved, but by careless and injudicious management may be prodigally wasted. All soils are the result of the disintegration of rocks by the forces of nature and the intermixture therewith of organic matter, resulting from the decay of animal and vegetable remains. They vary much in fertility, partly owing to diiference in composition of the rocks from which they have been formed, partly to the variable proportion of organic matter they contain, and partly to their mechanical condition and texture. These variations are commonly distinguished by special terms such as clayey, loamy, sandy or gravelly soils, indicating the materials which form the larger proportion of their bulk. The productiveness of a soil also depends partly on its power of holding water and of drawing supplies of moisture from below. Water which in the soil is usually more or less charged with carbonic acid gas is the universal solvent which nature employs to convey food to the rootlets of plants. A good loamy soil will hold much more moisture than either clay or sand and retain it longer, amd among the main advantages resulting from a thorough working of the soil are the prevention of loss of water by lessening rapid and excessive evaporation during the summer, also the opening of it and making it more porous, so that its power of retaining moisture may be increased and its particles at the same time ex- posed to tne beneficial action of air and frost. All soils contain more or less plant food in a soluble form which is immediately available for the use of growing plants — on the other hand there is always a large proportion of the elements of fer- tility, the immediate use of which the farmer cannot command, and which can only be made available gradually through the influences referred to. CONSTITUENTS TAKEN PROM THE SOIL. Of the mineral constituents which enter into the composition of soil, quite a number are taken up by living plants in varying proportions, but of many of the ingredients the quantities used are small and the store of such contained in the soil is usually very ample. There are, however, three ingredients which plants take in comparatively large proportions from the land, which must sooner or later in some measure be restored to it if continual good crops are to be looked for. These are nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash. All arable land contains these important in- gredients and usually in considerable proportions. It is estimated that an acre of soil a foot deep, weighs on an average about 3,500,000 lbs., and that good ordinary loam in Europe, estimated from the results of many analyses will contain an average of not less than 3,500 lbs. per acre of nitrogen and sometimes more than that. The quantity of phosphoric acid varies in the same area from about 3,000 to 6,000 lbs., and potash from 5,000 to 8,000 lbs. From the analyses made by the Chemist of the Experimental Farms, Mr. F. T. Shutt, during the past three years, some of the samples being representative of large areas, it would appear that the soils of Canada compare favourably with those of Europe in their richness in these important constituents. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. Seventeen samples from different parts of the eastern provinces, presuming the fertile soil to have a depth of nine inches have averaged as follows : Nitrogen 6,247 lbs. per acre, phosphoric acid 3,596 lbs., and potash 6,510 lbs. Thirteen samples from different parts of the North-west plains, have also been submitted to analysis. These soils are deeper and may safely bo estimated at twelve inches, and on this basis they show an average in nitrogen of 10,115 lbs. per acre, phosphoric acid 5,040 lbs., and potash 10,500 lbs. When any of these important constituents are present in the soil in unusually large proportion, plants will sometimes, under such circumstances, take up such material in larger quantity than where the same crop is grown on poorer land. The proportions, however, which are taken from the soil are on the whole fairly uniform and for some of the more important crops may be approximately stated as below. As far as the material has been available, the figures in the following estimates have been compiled from the analyses made by the chemist of the experimental farms, sup- plemented by information from the " Compilation of Analyses of American Feeding Stuffs," issued by the United States Department of Agiiculture, 1892. The propor- tions of phosphoric acid and potash have been calculated from analyses conducted by Dr. Goessmann, published in the 10th annual I'eport of the State Agricultural Experi- mental Station, Amherst, Mass., 1892, and from Wolff's tables as given in " How Crops Grow," hy Johnson. Nitrogen, in lbs. Phosphoric Acid, in lbs. Potash in lbs. A wheat crop of 25 bushels per acre, with 2,200 lbs. of straw, takes— 28-50 12 03 12-68 4-96 8-54 »• straw " 2 200 " 10-57 Total 40-53 33-26 12-22 17-64 13-28 3-86 19 -11 K barley crop of 35 bushels per acre, with 2,000 lbs. of straw, takes — For tlie grain weighing 1,680 lbs straw " 2,000 " 8-86 19 39 Total 45-48 32 13 13-90 17 14 10-48 474 28-25 A crop of oats of 50 bushels to the acre, with 2,200 lbs. of straw, takes— for the grain weighing 1,700 lbs " straw " 2 200 " 8-05 24-83 Total A crop of Indian com grown for fodder purposes, to the period when the ears are in the late milk or glazing stage, takes from the soil for each ton • In the following estimates of the feitilizers extracted from the soil by root crops, the roots alone are considered, it being under- stood that the tops are cut off and left on the ground to be ploughed under and the fertilizing constituents they contain returned to the soil : — A crop of turnips takes from the soil for each ton of roots grown. . . mangels " " " ■• carrots " " " ■• sugar beets 46 -03 5-80 3-30 3-03 2-35 470 15-22 2-96 1-86 1-84 2-22 1-92 32-88 6-54 5-50 7-66 6-53 9-06 8 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. It is a very important question, but one concerning which on account of its complex character, no very exact information can be given as to what effect the various natural and artificial fertilizers have on particular crops, and which are the most economical to use, to replace the important consLituents taken from the soil by constant cropping. The results obtained from any method of treatment will, as a matter of course, depend largely on the proportion of these respective ingredients existing naturally in the soil ; much also depends on the character of the season, whether it be favourable or unfavourable for the crop. Some conclusions however more or less general in their character, may be drawn from careful experiments on any soil, and with the object of gaining information on this important topic, a series of experiments was planned and begun on the Central Experimental Farm six yeai-s ago, which may be outlined as follows: — TESTS OF THE ACTION OP FERTILIZERS ON SOME CROPa. A piece of sandy loam, more or less mixed with clay, which was originally covered with heavy timber, chiefly white pine was chosen for these tests. The timber was cut many years ago, and among the stumps still remaining when the land was purchased, there had sprung up a thick second growth of trees, chiefly poplar, birch and maple, few of which exceeded six inches in diameter at the base. Early in 1887 this land was cleared by rooting up the young trees and stumps and burning them in piles on the ground from which they were taken, the ashes being afterwards dis- tributed over the soil as evenly as possible, and the land ploughed and thoroughly harrowed. Later in the season it was again ploughed and harrowed, and most of it got into fair condition for cropping. The plots laid out for the experimental work with fertilizers were one-tenth of an acre each, 21 of which were devoted to experiments with wheat, 21 to barley, 21 to oats, 21 to Indian corn r maize, and 21 to experiments with turnips and mangels. Owing to the difficulty and unavoidable delay attending the draining of some wet places, it was not practicable to undertake work on all the plots the first season. The tests were begun in 1888 with 20 plots of wheat and 16 of Indian corn, and in 1889 all the series were completed excepting six plots of roots, Nos. 16 to 21 inclusive, which were available for the work in 1890. The season of 1889 was wet when several of the plots were found to be insufficiently drained and the crops suffered in consequence. This will be mentioned when the results for that season on these par- ticular plots are given. In the tables the result of the crop of each year is shown, also the average for the whole period during which the experiments have been continued. In 1890 it was found that all the grain plots had become so weedy that the growth of the crops was much interfered with, and with the view of cleaning the land one-half of each of the wheat and oat plots was sown with carrots in 1891, and one-half of each of the barley plots with sugar beets. In 1892 the other half of each plot in each of these series was sown with carrots. In 1893 it was thought desirable to continue this cleaning process, and carrots were again sown on the half of the wheat and oat plots occupied with this crop in 1891, and also on the half of the barley plots cropped with sugar beets that year. It is expected that at the end of another season, the whole of these plots will be sufficiently free from weeds to warrant their being sown entirely with grain again. In the meantime some infor- mation has been gained by these tests as to the effect of the different fertilizers on carrots and sugar beets, which will be given in this connection. WHEAT PLOTS. The seed sown on each of these plots from the beginning has been in the pro- portion of IJ bushels per acre, and each year they have all been sown on the same day. The variety chosen at the outset for sowing was the White Eussian, and this was continued during 1889, 1890 and 1891. In 1892 Campbell's White Chaff was REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. g eubstituted and this variety was also sown in 1893. The following are the recordti of the dates of sowing, coming up and ripening of the wheat each year : — 1888 sown May 23rd, appeared above ground May 28th, ripe August 24th. 1889, sown May 17th, came up May 22nd, ripe August 30th. 1890, sown April 28th, come up May 13th, ripe August 12th. 1891, sown May 9th, came up May 18th, ripe August 24th. 1892^ sown May 6th, came up May 15th, ripe August 14th. 1893, sown May 27th, came up June 2nd, ripe August 23rd. It will thus be seen that the White Eussian wheat required from the date of sowing to maturity a period of 93 days in 1888; 105, in 1889; 106, in 1890; and 107, in 1891, or an average for the four years of nearly 103 days. The Campbell's White Chart" matured in 100 days from the date of sowing in 1892 and in 88 days in 1893, an average for the two years of 94 days. TREATMENT OP SOIL. The usual treatment of the soil on all the grain plots has been to gang plough soon after harvest and after the shed grain and weeds have well started to plough again about 7 inches deep. In spring the plots have been disc-harrowed twice before applying the fertilizers and again harrowed with the toothed or smoothing harrow before sowing. On those plots where barnyard manure has been used, the manure has been lightly ploughed under as soon as possible after it has been spread on the land and harrowed with the smoothing harrow before sowing. Wherever barnyard manure is spoken of it is understood to be a mixture of horse and cow manure in about equal proportions. REMARKS. The season of 1891 was quite favourable for wheat growing whereas 1890 and 1893 were specially unfavourable which will in a measure account for the great variation in the crops of these years notwithstanding the quantities of fertilizers applied to the land in the intervals. This also serves to show that the character of the season has a more immediate effect on the crop of the year than any application of fertilizers no matter how complete or li'^eral that may be. We may however rest assured that the useful elements of fertility stored in the soil will not be lost, but that they will materially aid in every favourable season by increasing the crop returns. BARLEY PLOTS. The quantity of seed sown per acre on the barley plots was 2 bushels in the years 1889, 1890 and 1891 and 1^ bushels in 1892 and 1893. Two-rowed barley has been used for seed throughout the whole period. The variety chosen for the first three years was tho Saale barley, which is highly esteemed by the brewers of G-reat Britain, followed by the Goldthorpe in 1892 and the Duckbill in 1893. In 1889 the seed was sown May 17th, came up May 22nd and the grain was ripe August 20th, 1890, sown April 28th, came up May 13th, was ripe August 11th. 1891, sown May 9th, came up May 16th, was ripe August 17th. 1892, sown May 6th, came up May 15th, was ripe August 18th. 1893 was sown May 27th, came up June 2nd and was harvested August 20th. The average time required from the date of sowing to maturity during the three years in which the Saale barley was used as seed was 99f days, the Goldthorpe matured in 1892 in 104 days from date of sowing and the Duckbill in 1893 in 85 days. 10 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. w ^ S G <^ o S K S > W M ^ ca o 2 ^' « © T CO in _ (M »H 05 £- o ed 00 o^ 13 TT" '■£> e^ OO iO •S o (I I-l O 00 to t- CO 05 lO CO S5 !^ ^ P-l CO ?^ 1-1 i-H (M IM (M T— 1 ^* 2 c >^ 6 0) Pm •sqrj •qsna CO eo .-I ^ CO «o .CO O HO CO *^ T-*» c*<; t^ C5 «0 r-1 CO 00 to i IIP «2 w Eh CO Oh Ph ^ i-:i o o CO oo ■M r-l © © CO CO © 2 c •sqrj; ■qsna o CO © © © 00 in §5 i-l © 00 © , s g ?, 00 (N 00 P bt o S «^ 'S P3 CL, H *" < a M Eh in , 2 ^ © CO (M CO ©© coco 00 ■* (M .-H © CD CO © CO (M © 00 00 © CO o © © ® CO -* (M i^ 00 in i-H l-H N O^ 2 c •sqr[ •qsng © © C © © Tf t^ C © © QC 2 S H =5 5 « I 2... t — o ^ 03 1^ © CO ©© © CO ■^ CO 00-^ (M IM IN r-l © (M CO © C5 © 00 GO C-1 © © © CD t- © ■<)< in CO (M C ^ (H Sh W g O Q)

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While a period of six years in the testing of the efFects of manures on crops is altogether too short to permit of drawing positive conclusions on any point, yet when a considerable degree of uniformity is found in the results thi'oughout the series they may justify an experimenter in calling special attention to them. The results obtained from plots 1 and 2 throughout the whole series in uni- formly large average returns serves to confirm the correctness of the view generally held as to the beneficial action of barn-yard manure. It is, however, worthy of note in this connection, that in its application to wheat, Hjarley and oats, manure used fresh from the barn has produced a higher average of grain than an equal weight of manure which has been well rotted. In the barley plots the fresh manure also gives a heavier weight of straw, while in the oat and wheat plots the advantage, as far as the crop of straw is concerned, is slightly in favour of the rot- ted manure. On the corn plots the fresh manure has given much the heavier crops on the No. 1 series, while the rotted manure has a slight advantage in No. 2. In the case of the roots the advantage is on the side of the rotted manure with the mangels, with the sugar beets grown in 1891, and with the carrots after barley in 1892 ; but the fresh manure gives the larger returns with the turnips, also with all the crops of carrots after wheat and oats and with the carrots after barley in 1893. These facts when carefully compared indicate a considerable advantage thus far in the use of fresh manure over that of rotted weight for weight, which is a most im- portant point in the economy of manui-es, since, during the process of rotting, man- nure loses about 40 per cent of its weight, and to this loss must be added the cost of twice handling, and usually that of turning once or twice during the process of fer- mentation. The explanation of this rather unlooked for result, probably lies in the fact that the liquid portions of the manure, the richest in nitrogen, have much of their most valuable constituent volatilized and lost during the process of rotting. The unmanured plots, Nos. 3 and 12, show fairly uniform results throughout, the slight differences being easily explained by variation in soil. The crops given by plot 4 in all the series seem to show that mineral phosphate untreated no matter how finely ground has little or no effect as a fertilizer, and that the effects observable where nitrate of soda and wood ashes are used in conjunciion with the untreated mineral phosphate are probably due entirely to the action of these added fertilizers. There is however no doubt that the mineral phosphate when treated with sulphuric acid and rendered soluble by being changed to the super- phosphate is a most valuable addition to the fertilizing constituents of the soil. It would appear that, when the finely ground mineral phosphate is intimately mixed with barn-yard manure in an active state of fermentation and composted for several days, better results are obtained than would be expected from the pro- portion of manure used and it is probable that under these circumstances some por- tion of the mineral phosphate is rendered soluble by the action of the ferments in the decaying manure. The addition of highly nitrogenous fertilizers, such as nitrate of soda and sul- phate of ammonia, while usually producing a fair increase in the weight of grain, has a more marked effect on the weight of straw, which is increased very considerabl3^ It is somewhat singular that the inferior quality of superphosphate of lime known as No. 2 has given in nearly all the tests better average results than have been obtained from the use of the more costly No. 1 quality : no explanation can yet be offered for this unlooked for result. The experiments with the use of common salt alone, and land plaster or gypsum alone, have resulted in better average yields than was expected. These results are most probably due in large measure to the influence which both these substances exert in libei-ating potash in the soil, by reducing insoluble potash compounds to soluble forms and also of influencing the texture of the soil so as to enable it to retain more moisture. The use of salt alone seems to be specially beneficial to the barley crop. The tests made with sulphate of iron on grain crops have also given better results on the average than was looked for. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 28 Some of the less favourable results obtained from the use of artificial fertilizers which from the nature of their constituents are known as complete fertilizers are unexpected and disappointing and cannot at present be explained. In all probability the experience of a few more years will throw further light on the subject. DISTEIBUTION OF SEED GRAIN. This useful department of the work of the experimental farms has demanded increased attention during the past year in consequence of the very large number of applications which have been received from all parts of the Dominion. This grati- fying appreciation of the value of this distribution of useful varieties of seed grain, while manifest in most of the provinces has been most marked in the province of Quebec. 11,113 samples of 3 lbs. each were sent to this province, an increase of 2,596 over last year, and there still remained at the close of the distribution two or three thousand applications which had been received late and which could not be supplied, as the available stock of good grain was exhausted. To nearly all the provinces of the Dominion the number of samples sent from Ottawa in 1893 was in excess of any previous year. There was a slight falling off in the number sent to the JSTorth- west Territories, also to British Columbia. This apparent deficiency has been partly if not wholly made up by the larger quantity of samples sent to farmers direct from the experimental farms in- the North-west Territories and British Columbia. At all the branch farms a distribution of such samples now takes place annually to the great satisfaction of the farmers in the provinces and territories where these insti- tutions are located. It is highly desirable that all applications for samples of seed grain should be made as early in the year as practicable, if delayed there is much greater difficulty in meeting the wishes of applicants. The distribution consists mainly of samples of the principal cereals and not more than two are sent to any one applicant. No seeds of field roots, garden vegetables or flowers are supplied. The samples sent out during the early months of 1893 were distributed as follows : — Prince Edward Island. Oats 150 Barley 133 Wheat 131 Pease 21 Indian corn 67 Potatoes 17 Number of applicants supplied 281.- 519 / Nova Scotia. Oats 486 Barley 460 Wheat 254 Pease 65 Indian corn 278 Potatoes... 81 1,624 Number of applicants^supplied 860. 26 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. New Brunswick. Oats ,,. 476 Barley 425 Wheat 351 Pease 154 Indian corn 353 Potatoes 55 1,814 Number of applicants supplied 1,024. Ontario. Oats 1,516 Wheat 956 Barley 940 Pease 476 Potatoes 289 Indian corn 283 4,460 Number of applicants supplied 2,261. Quebec. Barley 3,338 Oats 2,809 Wheat 2,663 Pease 620 Indian corn 1,385 Potatoes 298 11,113 Number of applicants supplied 6,416. Manitoba. Oats 267 Wheat 183 Barley 179 Pease .. 84 Indian corn 176 Potatoes.. 19 908 Number of applicants supplied 507. * REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 27 North-west Territories. Oats 256 Bailey 167 Wheat 148 Pease 69 Indian corn 75 Potatoes 26 741 Number of applicants supplied 382. British Columbia. Oats 71 Wheat 58 Barley 44 Pease 20 Indian corn 5 198 Number of applicants supplied 100. The following list shows the number of three-pound packages of the different varieties which have been distributed : — Oats. Banner 2,471 Prize Cluster 1,454 White Wonder 787 Holstein Prolific , 702 Impi'oved Ligowo 345 Abundance 161 Eosedale Ill 6,031 Barley — Two rowed. Duck-bill 1,594 Kinver Chevalier 1,142 Danish Chevalier 733 Prize Prolific 672 Goldthorpe 547 Canadian Thorpe 249 4.937 Barley — Six-rowed. Baxter's Six- rowed 505 Eennie's Improved 199 Oderbruch 45 749 28 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Wheat. Campbell's White Chaff. 1,813 Ladoga 1,005 EedFife 695 White Fife 361 White Connell 311 Eio Grande 292 Campbell's Triumph , 149 Eed Fern 118 4,744 Pease. Mummy. 1,509 Indian Corn, Eural Thoroughbred White Flint 773 Pearce's Prolific 722 Longfellow 716 NorthDakota 411 2,622 Potatoes. Thorburn 257 Lee's Favourite 241 Early Ohio 171 Wonder of the World 74 Beauty of Hebron ... 42 785 Total number of samples distributed 21,377 Kumber of applicants supplied 11,831 Since it has been found necessary to close ihe operations to be reported on for this year earlier than in the past, so that the annual report might be prepared and distributed in good season, the usual summary of the rejjorts received from those to whom the samples were sent is necessarily omitted. TESTING THE VITALITY OF GEAIN AND OTHEE SEEDS. During the past season the vitality of 1,957 samples of seed grain and agricul- tural seeds has been tested at the Central Experimental Farm and reported on. These have been received from almost every part of the Dominion and the results have conveyed to the farmers, who have sent them for test, much useful infor- REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR 29 mation. As will be seen in the appended table the 613 samples of wheat tested have varied much, from those perfect in germinating proportion to such as had ^entirely lost the power of germinating. The 383 samples of barley have varied in vitality from 100 to 22 per cent, and the 744 samples of oats tested from 100 to as low as 4 per cent. The average vitality of all the samples is a little below the average of last year. The season of 1893 has in many sections been unfavourable for the perfect development of grain, and in some districts very wet weather occurred preceding and during harvest time, causing discolouration of the grain and in some instances mouldiness and sprouting in the field. It is important that farmers residing in dis- tricts where the conditions have been unfavourable should forward for test such samples concerning which any doubts as to vitality and usefulnes«i for seed may exist. Samples sent for testing should not weigh less than one ounce, they can be sent to the Central Experimental Farm, at Ottawa, free through the mail, and in order that the returns may all be made befoi-e the time of seeding arrives they should be forwarded as early as practicable. Eesults of Tests for 1892-93. Kind of Seeds. Number of Tests. Highest Per- centage. Lowest Per- centage. Per- centage of Strong Growth. Per- centage of Weak Growth. Average Vitality. Wheat Barley ; . Oats Rye Pease 613 38.3 744 8 35 22 6 5 5 9 14 5 •i? 13 3 7 11 9 4 6 3 2 2 6 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 100 0 100 0 100 0 950 100 0 100 0 810 910 96-0 960 960 840 46 0 520 940 820 88-0 760 80-0 560 650 530 890 .38 0 560 320 360 900 150 120 47 0 330 00 220 40 790 120 60 100 230 640 780 350 140 280 8-0 210 61 0 150 9-0 8-0 00 250 10 82-0 28-0 00 280 10 0 590 00 120 00 00 70-6 61-8 82-6 11-2 231 10 4 81 84 93 88 65 70 61 54 78 85 73 32 37 31 76 69 53 49 43 22 42 23 85 33 30 30 23 74 7 12 23 16 66 4 6 54 97 0 0 8 9 0 6 7 Clover .... 3 Grrass 9. Beans 4 Sunflowers 8 Turnips Mangels Beets 0 4 0 Carrots 3 Cabbage Cauliflower. 2 0 Onions a Tomatoes Radish 1 5 Parsnips Celery , . . . , Pepper Lettuce . . . ... .... 5 6 6 5 Spinach Cucumber 0 0 Musk melon 0 Water melon ... 0 Flax 5 Thyme Sweet marjoram Sage Summer savory Tobacco ... 5 0 5 5 0 Pumpkins Leek 1 (» 0 Endive . 0 Tares 0 Asparagus Tree seeds 0 0 Total tumber of samples tested, highest and lowest percentage and average vitality 1,957 100 0 0 0 83-8 1 30 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. EXPERIMKNTS WITH PALL WHEAT. During the past season twelve varieties of fall wheat have been tested varying in size from about oV^^ ^o ^ acre. The land on which they were sown was a sandy loam of medium quality. It received a fair coat of barn-yard manure in the spring of 1892, was lightly ploughed to cover the manure and sown with oats. After the oats were harvested the land was immediately gang ploughed to start shed grain and weed seeds and ploughed again and harrowed in September before the wheats were sown. The plots were all sown on September 9th, and the results are given in the appended table. Name of variety, Manchester Early Red Clawson Martin's Amber. . . Jones' Winter Fife. Robert's (Carman's No. 3) , Willit's (Carman's No. 2) Democrat Johnson (Carman's No. 55) Stewart (Carman's No. 51) Tasmania Golden Cross Welds No. 4 Length of straw. Inches. 40 to 45 35 to 40 40 to 43 46 to 48 40 to 42 42 to 45 46 to 48 40 to 42 45 to 48 40 to 42 40 to 42 40 to 45 Character of straw. Stiff, do do do do do Fair, do Stiff. Fair, do , do , Length of head. Inches. 2i to 3i Kind I Date of I . of head, j rii:)ening. Beardless July 24 3 to 34 do 2J to 3i do . 3 to 3^1 do . 8 to 3t!Bearded. 3 to 3i Beardless to 3i to 3| 3 to 3i to 34 to 31 34 to 4 Bearded . do . do' . do . do . do do 24. do 24. do 24. do 22. do 24. do 24. do 24. do 24. do 22. do 22. do 24. Yield per acre. Bush. lbs. 24 03 20 38 18 37 18 36 18 .S3 17 42 17 23 16 50 16 50 15 26 14 34 12 42 Weight per bushel. 571 58i .584 54 55f 53i 564 53" 54 58 58| 561 Propor- tion rusted. Consider- ably, do Badly, do do do do do do V'ry badly 'do do EXPERIMENTS WITH SPRING WHEAT -^^TB. ACRE PLOTS. There were tested during 1893, thirty-two varieties of spring wheat. These were sown on clay loam, the previous crop was hay. The laud was ploughed in the summer of 1892, shortly after the removal of the hay crojD, ploughed a second time late in the autumn and gang ploughed and harrowed in the spring before Bowing. It was intended to sow all the plots the same day, but owing to unfavourable weather this was found to be impracticable, a part were sown on May 26th and part on the 27th. The particulars of growth will be found in the appended table, and it will be observed that the yield of most soi-ts was unusually light, a result brought about mainly by rust, from which all varieties suffered. Eust first appeared on the leaves of the spring wheat during the second week in July, and gradually spread to the stems, and by the end of the month it showed itself in a very marked degree, the earlier ripening varieties being most affected. About the middle of August the earlier sorts were cut, but in every instance the yield was poor and the grain was small and did not reach its usual condition of matui-ity. The harvest weather was also bad and rain fell on an average every second day during August and the first week of September, the total rainfall during this period being over nine inches. Under such conditions it was impossible to save the crop satisfactoi-ily, and after it was cut it was several weeks before it could be dried and housed. In the meantime it was found necessary to untie and spread the sheaves and tie again several times, and with so much handling much of the grain was unavoidably shed ; on this account the comparison of varieties as to yield and quality is not of much value this year. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 31 TEST OP VARIETIES OF WHEAT SOWN MAY 26tH AND 27tH. Name of variety. Si a; Inches. Herison's Bearded '36 to Preston 42 to Dions (resembles Red Fern). . i46to Pringle's Champlain 42 to Wellman's Fife 36 to Crown 42 to Red Fife 40to Beaudry 36 to Stanley ... 43 to Red Fern 47 to Alpha 42 to White Russian 42 to White Fife 36 to Ottawa 36 to Abundance 41 to Rio Grande . 46 to Black Sea 36 to Albert 36 to o Ladoga Hungarian Mountain Huestons Great Western Prince Carleton Beta Manitou (not distinguishable from Red Fife) ... White Chaff ■ Colorado Azima, Russian White Connell 36 to 36 to 38 to 40 to 36 to 36 to 40 to 42 to 36 to 36 to 33 to 40 to Stiff .. do .. Fair.. do .. Stiff.. do .. do .. Fair . . Stiff.. Fair.. Stiff.. Fair.. 44 1 Stiff.. 44 Fair.. 46; do .. 53 1 Stiff.. 45 Fair.. 48 do .. 45 do .. 42lStiff.. 48: Fair.. 52:Stiff.. 451 Fair.. 45; do .. 45 do .. 48 Stiff .. 45 Fair.. 47 Weak 48| do".. 48 Fair.. 53 Hi o Inches. Uto2 2ito3i 3 to 4 3 to 4 23 to 3| 2|to3i 21 to 3" 2ito3 2Sto3i 3 to 4 2i to 3i 2|to3i 2i to 3i 2| to U 3 to 4 2^to3i 2ato3i i24to3| '2|to3i 3 to 4 3 to 4 2|to3i 2|to3i 2ito3| Bearded . . do .. do .. do .. Beardless . Bearded . . Beardless . Bearded . . Beardless . Bearded . , Beardless . do do Bearded . . do .. do .. do ., do .. do ., Beardless do Bearded . do . do ; do . 3 to 4 Beardless 2Uo3 I do 2A to 3i' Bearded. 3"'to4i| do . 2hto 3 Beardless I a. 2 Si 1^ Aug. do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do Sept. Aug. 23 22 30 26 28 89 88 95 91 93 23 88 28 94 23! 88 22 i 88 30 95 23 89 23 1 88 28 93 15 80 17 i 82 31, 96 15 80 15 16 28 25 31 15 15 19 28 20 19 1 27 81 81 94 91 96 80 80 84 93 85 85 98 93 < a; s> -a Bus. lbs. 25 00 20 20 18 00 17 40 16 02 16 00 14 20 14 20 13 50 13 40 13 20 13 00 12 30 11 40 10 40 10 20 10 20 10 00 9 40 9 40 9 30 9 10 8 50 8 40 8 20 7 40 7 00 6 20 5 30 5 27 56 571 Proportion Rusted. Considerably, do 581 Slightly. 54| Badly. 55| Considerably. 553 do 55 I do 58 i 56|; 55| 57 53 55 50|i Badly 53 ! do' 53f do do do do do do 51 50 .50 5U 47| .50 51 .59| 52 49i 48 57 mk 44 do do do do do do do do do do do do Very badly. Badly. do FIELD CROPS OF SPRING WHEAT. Rio Grande. — Soil part sandy loam and part clay loam. The previous crop was barley on the sandy loam, and corn on the clay. The land was ploughed in the autumn of 1892, diec harrowed and harrowed with the smoothing harow in spring of 1893 before sowing; 3|- acres sown May 15th, 1^ bushels per acre, ripe August 27th ; time to mature, 104 days ; yield per acj'e, 20 bushels, 50 lbs., weight per bushel, 55J lbs.; length of head, 3f to 4 inches; bearded, length of straw, 48 to 50 inches, .all standing well and rusted, but not so badly as other varieties. Wellman's Fife — Soil, sandy loam ; pi-evious crop, oats; ploughed in autumn of 1892, gang ploughed in spring of 1893, and haiTowed with smoothing harrow before sowing, 1 acre, sown May 13th, 1^ bushels per acre, ripe August 22nd, lime to mature, 101 days, yield per acre, 13 bushels, 37 lbs., weight per bushel, 53^ lbs.; length of head, 3 to 3f inches, beardless, length of straw, 36 to 42 inches, straw stiff, all stand- ing well, but considerably rusted. CampbelVs White Chaff. — On clay soil, the previous crop was corn. The land was ploughed in the autumn of 1892, had a light coating of manure, 10 to 12 tons per acre in the spring of 1893, then ploughed lightly and hacrowed with smoothing har- row before sowing, 2^ acres, sown May 22nd, 1^ bushels per acre, ripe August 22nd, time to mature, 92 days, yield per acre, 10 bushels, 3 lbs., weight per bushel, 54 lbs. Length of head, 2J to 3 inches, beardless, length of straw, 34 to 40 inches, consider- -ably broken down and very badly rusted. 32 EXPERIMENTA L FA RMS. EXPERIMENTS WITH BARLEY. Twelve varieties of 2-rowed bailey, and 12 varieties of 6-rowed were tested for comparative earliness and yield during the past season on plots of 4^ acre each. It was intended to sow these all on the same day, but heavy rains prevented this and the sowing of some of the plots was unavoidably delayed for two days. These plots were adjoining those of the spring wheat on similar clay loam, and the land received the same treatment. The barley was not nearly so much affected by rust as the wheat was, but it was apparent on the leaves about the same time. It appeared on the stems of the 6-rowed sorts about the last of July, and on the 2-rowed a week later, the 6-rowed varieties were not much injured, but the 2-rowed sorts suffered considerably. TWO-ROWED BARLEY — TEST OF VARIETIES. Name of variety. Thanet Swedish female, with Baxter's six-rowed, male, plant 3 Improved Chevalier French Chevalier Kinver Chevalier Newton. Danish Chevalier . . . Duck-bill New Golden Grains Canadian Thorpe Prize Prolific. '.:... Goldthorpe o S3 Inches. 36 to 39 24 to 36 33 to 39 32 to 39 36 to .39 32 to 41 30 to 37 30 to 36 36 to 39 30 to 33 24 to 38 32 to 36 O J3 o u cS Q o s Inches. Weak 3ito4i Fair. . Weak do do Stifif.. Weak Stiff.. Weak Stifif.. Weak Fair .. 2ito 2|to 3^ to 4 to 2f to 3Jito 2ito 4" 2ito 2|to 2|to bp o m o 0) May 29 do do do do do do do do do do do 29 29 29 29 27 29 27 29 27 29 27 O qj bb 'o.S do do do do do do do do do do Sept. Aug. 20 83 13 19 23 22 25 26 21 22 23 26 9 2 Bus. lbs. 40 40 76 30 10 82 30 86 27 14 85 20 20 90 19 11 89 18 36 86 18 16 85 17 44 88 15 40 89 15 40 104 12 34 bo Lbs. 43| 49f 451 44 43 43| 444 4i| 44 43* 44" Proportion Rusted. Slightly. do Considerablv. Slightly. do Considerably. do Slightly. do Considerably, do do SIX-ROWED BARLEY. — TEST OF VARIETIES. i i -i a S 2 % Name of variety. as 0 0 ^j CD 0 0 0 0 0 s 85 0 < 1 J3 u 2 .12 Proportion Rusted. be s ba <»

Inches. Inches. Bus. lbs. Lbs- Mensury 31 to 44 Fair.. 2| to 3| May ^9 Aug'. 10 73 47 24 46f Slightly. Swedish female, with Baxter's six-rowed male, garden type. 30 to 34 Stifif.. 2 to3 do 27 do 11 76 44 28 47^' do Common six-rowed 33 to 42 28 to 33 33 to 36 Fair., do do 2ito3 2* to 3 2l to 3| do do do 27 29 27 do do do 6 11 11 71 74 7(>> 41 32 38 26 35 .. 48^ 46 48f do Odessa do Summit do Rennie's Improved 33 to 41 Stifif.. 2 to 3 do 29 do 8 71 34 8 48^^ do Baxter's female, with another 1 barley male, name lost 34 to 40 Fair.. 2 to2i do 27 do 8 73 33 16 48 do Baxter's 33 to 38 31 to 36 30 to 39 do Stiff.. do 2 to2| 2 to 3 2A to 3 do do do 27 27 29 do do do 9 12 9 74 77 72 29 8 28 14 25 40 48J 47" do Surprise do Oderbruch do Guaymalaye Hulless . . 24 to 36 30 to 36 Weak Fair.. 3 to 31 2i to 3i do do 29 29 do do 19 8 82 71 16 12 15 40 49A 43| do Petschora do REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 33 FIELD CROPS OF BARLEY. Duck-hill, Two-rowed. — On sandy loam; previous crop was vegetables; ploughed in spring of 1893, and harrowed with smoothing harrow before sowing, 2^ acres; sown May 12th, If bushels per acre; ripe, August 7th ; time to mature, 87 days ; yield per acre, 22 bushels, 15 lbs.; weight per bushel, 42f lbs. ; length of head, 3^ to 3f inches ; length of straw, 39 to 43 inches, all standing well but considerably rusted ; no smut. Oderbruch, Six-rowed. — On light sandy loam ; previous crop was corn ; land ploughed in autumn of 1892 ; gang-ploughed in spring of 1893, and harrowed before sowing; 2 acres; sown May 31st; If bushels per acre; ripe, August 10th; time to mature, 71 days ; yield per acre, 22 bushels 19 lbs.; weight per bushel, 46^ lbs.; length of head, 2^ to 3 inches; length of straw, 28 to 30 inches ; all standing well, but rusted considerably ; a very few heads or smut. Baxter's Six-rowed. — On light sandy loam ; previous crop was corn ; ploughed in autumn ol 1892 ; gang ploughed in spring of 1893, and harrowed before sowing ; 1 acre; sown. May Slst; If bushels per acre; ripe, August 10th ; time to mature, 71 days; yield per acre, 14 bushels, 33 lbs.; weight per bushel, 48 lbs.; length of head, 2 to 2|- inches ; length of straw, 30 to 32 inches ; all standing well ; a con- siderable quantity of smut, and more or less rust. Bennie's Improved Six-rowed. — This was grown alongside of Baxter's six-rowed, on similar soil ; the preparation of the land was the same ; 2|- acres; sown. May 31st; If bushels per acre; ripe, August 11th; time to mature, 72 days ; yield per acre, 19 bushels, 33 lbs. : weight per bushel, 47Jlbs.; length of head, 2-| to 3 inches; length of straw, 32 to 36 inches ; all standing well ; very little smut, but somewhat rusted. EXPERIMENTS WITH OATS. The rust which struck the wheat and barley about the middle of July affected the oats to a much greater extent, spreading over leaves, stems and panicles, and exhausting the plants to such a degree that early in August, in most cases, all growth appeared to have ceased, and the grain dried up prematurely ; com- paratively few of the kernels filled, and the crop for the greater part was very light both in yield and weight of grain. To publish particulars of such results would only tend to mislead, as no satisfactory evidence could be gained of relative earliness or yield under such conditions. In many instances those oats grown on the heaviest and best soils, which under ordinary conditions would have given good returns, gave the poorest results. The best yield was from a field ©f a variety known as Abundance, which gave 36 bushels 11 lbs, per acre, weighing 33|- lbs. per bushel, while the sam^e variety grown on a heavier and better soil was so eaten up with rust that it gave only 11 bushels 11 lbs. per acre, weighing 20 lbs. per bushel. Spratino for Eust. About the time when the rust began to appear one-half of a large num- ber of experimental plots of oats and wheat were carefully sprayed from top to bottom with the usual solution of copper carbonate, and on some of the plots the spraying was tried a second time but there was no perceptible difference between the sprayed and unsprayed portions, the remedy seemed to have no influence in staying the progress of the rust. 8c— 3 34 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. EXPEEIMENTS WITH PEASE. Twelve varieties of pease were sown on plots of y^^th of an acre each as a test of relative eailiness and productiveness. All were sown on 29th May, and in the fol- lowing table will be found the particulars of the results obtained. The soil ^as clay loam, adjoining the J^th acre plots of barley, and had similar preparation. TEST OF VARIETIES OP PEASE. Name of variety. Date of Ripening. Canadian Beauty \ Sept. 1 . Prussian Blue. Aug. 30. . Prince Albert Sept. 2. . Pride . Large White Marrowfat. Centennial Black-eyed Marrowfat.. . Crown Multiplier New Potter Mummy Colden Vine Aug. 21... do 30... do 25... do 30... do 28... do 30... do 30.., do 23.., do 28.., No. of days Maturinsr. 95 93 96 84 93 88 93 91 93 93 86 91 Yield per Acre. Bush. Lbs. 34 40 33 30 29 .. 27 50 26 20 25 10 24 . 23 20 22 50 22 50 22 40 18 20 Weight per Bushel. Lbs. 61| 62| G2i 62 61i eii ml 62i 62i 61 62 6U OTHER PLOTS OF PEASE. Canadian Beauty. — Sown on light sandy loam, previous crop was oats; ploughed in autumn of 1892, gang-ploughed and harrowed in spring of 1893, -jig- acre. Sown May 27th, 2J bushels per acre, ripe August 25th, time to mature, 90 days, yield per acre, 35 bushels, weight per bushel, 61^ lbs. ' New Potter. — Adjoining Canadian Beauty on similar soil with same treatment Y^g acre, sown May 2'7th, 2J bushels per acre, ripe August 25th, iime to mature UO days, yield per acre, 30 bushels 49 lbs., weight per bushel, 62f lbs. Centennial. — On light sandy loam, ploughed in autumn of 1892, on which was spread a light coating of manure, about ten tons per acre, in spring of 1893, which was turned under with gang plough and harrowed before sowing ; |- acre. Sown May 27th, 2f bushels per acre, ripe August 25th, time to mature, 90 days, yield per acre, 30 bushels 15 lbs,, weight per bushel, 61|- lbs. Golden Vine. — Sown on land adjoiningCentennial, of same character and received same treatment, \ acre. Sown May 27th, 2J bushels per acre, ripe August 25th, lime to mature, 90 days, weight per bushel, 62 lbs. FALL RYE. Variety Reading Giant sown on light sandy soil, previous crop was partly oats and partly wheat. Land ploughed, then harrowed three times, no manure was used. Sown Sept. 8th, 1892, 1^ bushels per acre, ripe July 27th, 1893, jneld per acre, 25 bushels 8 lbs., weight per bushel, 54 lbs. ; length of head, 3 to ' average length of straw, 58 inches, badly lodged, no rust or smut. 3^^ inches. EXPERIMENTS WITH TUENIPS. Eighteen varieties were tested in 1893 in experimental plots in two sets sown eight days apart. In sowing the first set only fourteen varieties of seed were used and they were sown 1st June in rows 2^ feet apart, the second series Avith eighteen REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 35 varieties was sown 9th June also 2^ feet apart. Both were pulled on the 25th October, The yield per acre has been calculated from the quantity obtained from 2 rows, 33 feet long and 2^ feet apart. The land used for these experiments was a heavy sandy loam of good quality which was manured in the fall of 1891, about 18 tons being applied to the acre and an oat crop was grown on it in 1892. It was ploughed from 7 to 8 inches deep in the autumn of 1892, and gang-ploughed in the spring of 1893 and harrowed three times and rolled before sowing. The seed was sown on the flat which we find to be less economical than in ridges, the crop requiring more labour in thinning and hoeing than when sown in ridges. The rot which has prevailed in the turnips here for the past two years and was referred to in the annual report for 1892 injured the crop again this year, but in a less degree than formerly, the injury however has been sufficient to lessen the yield very much. EXPERIMENTS WITH TURNIPS — FIRST SERIES — SOWN JUNE IST. Name of variety. Marquis of Lome Prize Purple Top Carter's Prize Winner Bangholm Improved Jumbo or Monarch (Steele) . . . Mixed, from Agassiz, B.C Mammoth Purple Top Carter's Elephant Swede Bronze Purple Top Sutton's Champion Skirving's Purple Top Selected East Lothian Jumbo or Monarch (Vilmorin). Clyde Improved Yield per Acre. Tons. Lbs. 16 1,132 13 1,456 13 400 12 156 11 1,628 10 1,648 10 1,120 10 592 9 1,800 8 l,42i 8 1,160 8 764 8 764 « 1,992 Yield per Acre. Bush. Lbs 552 457 440 402 393 360 352 343 330 290 286 279 279 233 12 36 36 48 48 00 12 00 24 00 24 24 12 Experiments with Turnips — Second Series — Sown June 9th. Name of variety. Carter's Elephant Swede Selected East Lothian Purple Top, seed grown at Agassiz, B.C. Clyde Improved. Bronze Purple Top Simmer's Giant Swede Skirving's Purple Top Jumbo or Monarch (Vilmorin) Marquis of Lome Prize Purple Top Simmer's Champion Purple Top Carter's Prize Winner Elephant Swede (Agassiz) Sutton's Champion Mixed, from Agassiz Bangholm Improved , Mammoth Purple Top Jumbo or Monarch (Steele) Yield per Acre. ;rons. Lbs. 14 908 13 796 12 552 11 572 11 440 11 440 11 176 10 856 10 64 9 1,800 9 744 8 1,688 7 1,972 1 784 7 652 7 124 6 672 4 844 Yield per Acre. Bush. Lbs. 481 446 409 376 374 374 369 347 3.H4 330 312 294 266 246 244 235 211 147 48 36 12 12 00 00 36 m 24 00 24 48 12 24 12 24 12 24 8c-3i 36 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. EXPEEIMENTS WITH MANGELS. Ten varieties of mangels were sown on land adjoining the turnips; the treatment and preparation of the soil will be found under that heading. The seed was sown in rows 2J feet apart, and the plants afterwards thinned out to 8 to 12 inches apart. Two sets of these plots were sown, the first on 1st June, the second on 9th June ; both were pulled 25th October. The yield per acre has been calculated from the result obtained from two rows each 33 feet long and 2| feet apart. EXPERIMENTS WITH MANGELS — FIRST SERIES — SOWN IST JUNE. Name of variety. Champion Yellow Globe. . . . Mammoth Long Red • ■ . • • Giant Yellow Intermediate . Canadian Giant Gate Post Red Globe Warden Orange Globe Golden'Tankard Red Fleshpd Tankard Erfurt Model Yield per Acre. Yield per Acre. Tons. Lbs. Bush. Lbs. 21 504 708 24 20 656 677 36 19 16 633 36 17 1,904 598 24 17 1,640 594 00 17 584 576 24 14 1,964 499 24 13 1,720 462 00 13 1,720 462 00 12 1,872 431 12 EXPERIMENTS WITH MANGELS — SECOND SERIES — SOWN 9tH JUNE. Name of variety. Yield pei Acre. Yield per Acre. Giant Yellow Intermediate Tons. 21 21 18 17 16 14 12 12 10 8 Lbs. 1,560 768 300 452 1,264 512 816 156 1,912 764 Bush. 726 712 605 574 554 475 413 402 365 279 Lbs. 00 Red Globe 48 Mammoth Long Red . Champion Yellow Globe Golden Tankard 00 12 24 Gate Post 12 Canadian Giant , . .\ 36 Warden Orange Globe 36 Red Fleshed Tankard Erfurt Model 12 24 EXPEEIMENTS WITH CAEEOTS. Eleven varieties of carrots were sown on land adjoining the mangels, and similar in character ; the treatment and preparation of the soil was the same as that for turnips, and the particulars will be found under that heading. The seed was sown on the flat, in rows 18 inches apart. There were two sets of plots ; the first sowing was on 1st June, the second on 9th June, and they were both pulled 25th and 26th October. The yield per acre has been calculated from the produce ol two rows 33 feet long and 18 inches apart. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 37 First Series, sown Ist June. Name of variety. Mammoth White Intermediate Giant Short White Improved Short White ^ White Belgian 'Large Short White Vosges Chantenay Half Long Scarlet . , Early Gem Half Long Coreless Half Long Red Dan vers Carter's Orange Giant Long Scarlet Altringham Yield p^ Acre. Tons. Lbs. 28 ' 320 27 1,440 25 1,920 24 840 23 640 22 660 18 300 17 1,640 16 1,880 15 1,240 12 860 Yield per Acre. Bush. Lbs. 938 924 865 814 770 744 605 594 564 520 414 40 00 20 00 20 20 00 00 40 40 20 Second Series, sown 9th June, Name of variety. Mammoth White Intermediate Improved Short White Giant Short White White Belgian Large Short White Vosges Half Long Red Danvers Carter's Orange Giant Chantenay Half Long Scarlet. . Early Gem Half Long Coreless Long Scarlet Altringham Yield per Acre. Yield per Acre, Tons. Lbs. Bush. Lbs. 30 28 25 1,600 1,200 160 1,026 953 836 40 20 00 20 19 1,140 940 685 649 40 00 19 720 645 20 19 60 634 20 17 17 1,200 540 586 575 40 40 13 11 1,940 1,760 466 396 40 00 EXPEKIME]S"TS WITH SUGAE-BEETS. Four varieties of sugar-beets were sown during 1893 on land adjoining that on which the mangels were sown. The treatment of the soil and its preparation will be found under the heading of turnips. There were two series of plots : one was sown on Ist June, the second on 9th June, and both were pulled 25th October, The seed was sown on the flat, in rows 18 inches apart and the yield per acre has been calculated from the weight of roots obtained from two rows each 33 feet long and 18 inches apart. Experiments with Sugar Beets. — First Series, sown 1st June. Name of variety. Yield per Acre. Yield per Acre. White Green Top Brabant Improved Tons. Lbs. 20 700 17 100 15 360 15 140 Bush. Lbs. 678 20 French Klein Wanzleben M'^hite Improved 568 20 506 00 502 20 38 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Experiments with Sugar Beets. — Second Series, sown 9th June. Name of variety. French White (xreen Top Brabant Improved Klein Wanzleben White Improved Yield per Acre. Tons. Lbs. 19 1,600 18 740 - 17 1,860 17 100 Yield per Acre. Bush. Lbs. 660 612 597 568 00 20 40 20 THE BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY. Much interest has attached for many years past to the cultivation of sugar beets, on account of the high percentage of sugar with which they can now be grown, also for the reason that so large a proportion, considerably more than one half, of the world's supply of sugar is now made from the sugar-beet. For several years past experiments have been carried on at the experimental farms and elsewhere with the best seed obtainable from many sources. The results of these tests indicate (as shown in the analyses published by the Chemist of the Farms in previous reports) that the sugar- beet grown in most parts of Canada when raised from the best seed will on the average contain as large a percentage of sugar as similar beets grown in any other part of the world. During the latter part of 1891 the Dominion Govei'nment caused an inquiry to be made in regard to this industry and I was requested to undertake the work. On the 28th of October of that year I visited the beet-sugar factory at Farnham, Quebec, the only factory then in operation in Canada. I then proceeded to Philadelphia where I obtained from a sou of Mr. Claus Spreckles information regarding the recent progress of the beet-sugar industry in California. Washington was next visited and much additional information obtained from Dr. H. W. Wiley, Chemist of the Department of Agriculture, whose general investigations into this subject have given him a world wide reputation. I also visited the beet-sugar factories in opera- tion at Grand Island and Norfolk in Nebraska, where all the information desired was given me by the proprietors, Messrs. Oxnard Bros. On my return a report was prepared on this subject which was submitted to the Honourable Minister of Finance on the Ist of February, 1892 and subsequently distributed in the House of Commons. In this report the rise and progress of this industry in Europe, the United States and Canada were sketched ; the various systems of bounty (without which it does not appear that this industry could be sustained) were explained and statistics given as to the relative cost of production of cane and beet-sugar. In summing up the evidence presented, the following remarks were made : — "It is probable that the strongest objection to the encouragement of this industry on the only basis on which it is claimed it could be established, will be found in the fact that it would require when fully developed an annual subsidy of about $4,000,000 for the raising of which as long as we have free sugar, other industries must be taxed. This sub- sidy might in the course of time be lessened, but in view of all the facts presented, of the greater richness of the sugar cane when grown in the tropics and the probabili- ties of further impi-ovements in the quality of the cane and in the process of manu- facture it is not likely that the bounty could ever be much reduced without crippling the industry." In the second part of this report the improvement of the sugar-beet is treated of, the most improved methods of cultivation explained and other related subjects discussed. This report was favourably received by the larger part of the press of Canada and many copies have been solicited by parties interested in this subject in the United States including Senators and Members of Congress.* * Copies of this report may be had on application. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 39 EXPEEIMENTS WITH POTATOES. Sixtv-one varieties of potatoes have been tested side by side on sandy loam of medium quality. The land received a coating of manure of about 18 tons per acre in the autumn of 1892, which was at once ploughed under. In the spring of 1893^ the land was gang-ploughed and harrowed twice. In planting, the seed end of the potatoe was cut off and rejected and the tubers then cut into pieces with two or three strong eyes, planted one foot apart in the rows, with the rows 2^ feet apart, the seed was then covered with a hoe. The potatoes were planted from May 27th to 30th, came up June 12th to 15th, and were harvested on the 19th September. Test of Varieties of Potatoes. « Name of variety. Size of Plot. Total Yield per acre of Sound and Rotten. Yield per acre of Sound. Yield per acre of Marketable. Yield per acre of Unmar- ketable. Yield per acre of Rotten. Burnabv Seedlinsr Feet. 66x2i 66x2| 132 X 2h 132 X 2| 132 X 2i 132 X 2i 132 X 2h 132 X 2^ 132 X 21 132 X 2\ 132 X 2h 132 X 2i 132 X 2| 132 X 2| 132 X 2% 132 X 2| 132 X 2| 132 X 2| 132 X 2\ 132 X 2^ 132 X 2h 66x2j 132 X 2^ 132 X 2i 132 X 2\ 132 X 2| 132 X 2| 66x24 132 X 2\ 132 X 21 132 X 2i 132 X 2% 132 X 2h 132 X 2| 132 X 2i 132 X 2| 132 X 2| 132 X 21 132 X 2^ 132 X 2i 66x2| 132 X 2| 132 X 2| 132 X 2| 132 X 2h 132 X 2| Bush. 347 341 322 321 315 315 315 309 297 292 288 281 278 278 276 264 261 261 257 255 253 253 253 253 251 250 248 246 240 240 234 232 226 221 216 214 213 212 207 201 195 178 172 171 169 163 Lbs. 36 00 18 12 42 42 42 06 00 36 12 36 18 18 06 00 48 48 24 12 00 00 00 00 54 48 36 24 54 54 18 06 36 06 42 30 24 18 00 00 48 12 42 36 24 54 Bush. 96 121 113 107 90 237 146 165 209 161 118 96 151 148 103 103 125 125 93 124 112 57 73 58 206 61 71 165 96 83 Lbs. 48 00 18 48 12 36 18 00 00 42 48 48 48 SO 24 24 24 24 30 18 12 12 42 18 48 36 30 00 48 36 Bush. 90 116 ■ 111 100 82 221 136 156 194 147 104 83 140 139 93 96 118 118 91 106 103 53 Lbs. 12 36 06 06 30 06 24 12 42 24 30 36 48 42 30 48 48 48 18 42 24 54 Bush. 6 4 2 7 7 16 9 8 14 14 14 13 11 8 9 6 6 6 2 'I 3 Lbs. 36 24 12 42 42 30 54 48 18 18 18 12 00 48 54 36 36 36 12 36 48 18 Bush. Lbs. 250 48 Geo. McKenzie. from Seattle ' White Beauty 220 00 209 00 213 24 Crown Jewel Holborn Abundance London 225 30 78 06 169 24 Sharpe's Seedling 144 06 Dakota Red liCe's Favourite . . 88 00 130 54 Daisy 169 24 Pearce's Extra Early Northern Spy Clark's No. 1 Early Ohio Thorburn Everett 184 48 126 30 129 48 172 42 160 36 136 24 Early Thorburn 136 24 do Sunrise do Puritan. 163 54 130 54 Harbinger 140 48 I. X. L T K Fullerton from 195 48 179 18 Vick'sExtiaEarly Rural Blush 51 174 56 67 158 86 42 54 06 06 24 54 6 31 5 4 6 9 36 54 30 24 36 54 194 42 45 06 State of Maine 189 12 Empire State Lizzie's Pride Polaris Tjftft's'Favourite IVTra Foster 177 06 81 24 144 06 157 18 Chicago Market 89 107 144 77 40 70 176 104 50 83 82 9 27 36 55 06 48 06 00 42 24 00 30 36 m 30 54 30 18 00 82 100 128 69 38 64 155 75 46 77 78 9 20 35 40 30 06 42 18 30 54 06 54 12 00 06 21 54 45 42 6 7 15 7 2 5 20 28 4 6 4 0 6 0 14 36 42 24 42 12 30 54 36 24 36 24 33 36 33 18 143 00 Early Rose, C. E. F Beauty of Hebron Early Rose, Brandon Green Mountain Burpee's Extra Early Vanier Irish Champion Hopeful 118 48 77 Oa 139 42 173 48 143 00 36 18 103 24 150 42 Blue Cup 112 12 Seedling No. 214 do No. 115 95 42 162 48 do No. 230 Algoma No. 1 144 06 133 06 Early Gem 108 54 40 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Test of varieties of Potatoes — Concluded. Name of variety. Seedlinpr No. 25 Vanguard Pearce's Prize Winner. . . Delaware Bras d'Or Seedling ... . Manitoba Kidney White Seedling No. 33 do No. 54 do No. 77 Red River Valley Seedling No. 188 Brant Seedling V do No. 140 do X Size of Plot . Feet. 132 X 2\ 1.32 X 2| 132 X 2l 132 X 2j 132 X 2| 132 X 2| 132 X 2| 132 X 2\ 132 X 2i 132 X 2i 132 X 2| 66x2j 66x2i 132 X 2| 66x2| Total Yield per acre of Sound and Rotten. Bush. Lbs. 161 42 160 36 147 24 143 00 137 30 109 27 102 18 90 12 80 18 72 36 56 39 52 48 48 24 30 48 22 00 Yield per acre of Sound. Bush. Lbs. 84 42 27 30 40 42 15 24 39 36 0 33 7 42 8 48 8 48 3 51 2 12 24 12 2 12 6 36 Yield per acre of Marketable. Bush." Lbs. 67 06 26 57 36 18 14 18 33 00 6 36 7 42 6 36 3 18 Yield per acre of Unmar- ketable. Bush, Lbs, 17 36 0 33 4 24 1 06 6 36 1 06 1 06 2 12 0 33 7 36 6 36 1 39 0 33 4 24 2 12 Yield per acre of Rotten. Bush, Lbs, 77 00 133 06 106 42 127 36 97 54 108 54 94 36 81 24 71 30 72 36 52 48 50 36 24 12 28 36 15 24 THE HAY CEOP. The crop of hay at the Central Experimental Farm has been remarkably good during the past season. About 104 tons have been harvested of extra good quality, the yield running from 2 to 2J tons per acre. This important fodder crop has also given very satisfactory returns over the larger part of the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. In view of the very short supply of hay in Great Britain and some of the countries on the continent of Europe, and the consequent high prices prevailing, it was deemed desirable that the attention of Canadian farmers should be promptly called to the importance of making the best of the advantage which this shortage offered, and by taking extra care in the curing of their hay to have it of that quality which would command a ready sale at che highest price. On the 30th of June, 1893, copies of the following letter were sent to the press which was generally and widely published and commented on: Hat fob the English Market. To the Editor of . Sir, — Hay is the most important and valuable of all Canadian crops, and this year the yield promises to be most abundant. The scarcity in Europe has led to increased demand in Canada, and if the incoming crop be of good quality and well cured it will no doubt command high prices. Hay containing a considerable pro- portion of clover is pi*eferred in Great Britain, and this is more difficult to cure properly than hay composed chiefly of timothy. Permit me to draw the attention of farmers generally, through your columns, to the method of curing hay practised at the Central Experimental Farm, where under the good management of the farm foreman it has given excellent results. It is also, I find, the practice of many of the best Canadian farmers. When the first flower-heads of the clover have about half withered cut the hay in the morning, after the dew is oflF, and begin at 1 p.m. to shake it up with forks or tedder, and cock up early enough in the afternoon to permit of the work being completed before the dew falls in the evening. The cocks are allowed to stand undisturbed the next daj', but during the following morning REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 41 the hay is spread again to finish the drying, and drawn to the barn or stack before evening. If favoured with fine weather, the hay so cured will be of excellent colour, quality and fragrance, and will command the highest price. If the weather is unfavourable or showery, keep the hay in cocks until it becomes fine again. Many farmers adopt the plan of allowing the newly cut hay to dry at once, as it falls from the mower, without putting it in cocks. Hay so cured is usually more or less bleached and does not retain the fine colour and aroma which distinguishes hay of first quality, and does not command so ready a sale or so high a price. WM. SAUNDEES, Director Experimental Farms. Ottawa, June 30th, 1893. The attention of English dealers in hay was also called to the large surplus which Canada would have to offer, and letters of inquiry from prominent firms in Great Britain and France, were published in the press, as received. The attention of the Eastern Boards of Trade was also called to this matter, and many letters written to the larger dealers in Canada giving them information. A considerable foreign demand for Canadian hay was thus created, and large shij^ments have been made. SMUT IN WHEAT. \ For several years past much depreciation has occurred in the value of wheat in Manitoba and the North-west Territories from the presence of bunt or stinking smut. This parasitic fungus has infested the grain in large percentage, and owing to the unpleasant odour of the spores which attach themselves to the grain during the process of threshing, much wheat which would otherwise have commanded a good price has been reduced in value and sometimes rendered unsalable. In Bulletin 3 of the Experimental Farm series, published in March, 1888, pre- pared by Mr. James Fletcher, Entomologist and Botanist to the Experimental Farms, this subject was brought prominently before the farmers of Canada, the life history of this and another species of smut which injures cereals, described, and remedies recommended for preventing the injury they cause. Since that time systematic experiments have been carried on at the Experimental Farms at Brandon, Man., and Indian Head, N.W.T., which have demonstrated that bluo- stone, or copper sulphate (a remedy long used in England for this purpose), is a most economical and reliable means of preventing this evil. The results of these experiments have been fully presented in the annual reports of the experimental farms, but in order to bring the matter more immediately and prominently under the notice of the farmers in the Canadian North-west, who are the chief sufferers from this trouble, a circular was prepared embodying in a condensed form the results of the experience gained, with directions for the use of the remedy, and 25,000 of these were printed and distributed among the western farmers a few weeks before the period of sowing. The following is a copy of the circular : — TO THE FARMERS OF MANITOBA AND THE NORTH-WEST TERRITORIES. SMUT IN WHEAT. The heavy losses which have of late years fallen on many farmers in Manitoba and the North-west Territories from depreciation in the value of their wheat from the presence of smut, should be a warning to every settler to adopt the preventive measures which have been thoroughly tested and shown to be efficient on the Domi- nion Experimental Farms at Brandon, Man., and Indian Head, N.W.T. The " bunt " or " stinking " smut is the result of a fungous growth which is propagated by very minute spores, visible only with a magnifying glass of high power. These spores are scattered over the wheat by the breaking of the " smut balls" during the process of threshing, and they give to the grain a characteristic and offensive odour. If smutty wheat be sown untreated these spores will vegetate 42 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. and develop minute thread-like growths, which find their way through the tissues of the young wheat plant, and multiply in the sap. Later in the season a proportion of the kernels in the head will be found to have their normal contents entirely consumed, to have become unnaturally swollen and the interior filled with a black mass of smut spores. These altered and swollen kernels are commonly known as " smut balls." Full particulars of the life history of this species of smut will be found in bulletin No. 3 of the Experimental Farm series, prepared by Mr. Jas. Fletcher, Entomologist and Botanist. REMEDY. Dissolve one pound of bluestone (copper sulphate) in a pailful and a half of water (about three gallons) and sprinkle the solution on ten bushels of seed wheat, previously spread in a tight wagon box, or on a clear floor space in barn or house, keeping the grain constantly stirred while the solution is being applied, and mixing the whole thoroughly so that every kernel of the wheat may be wetted. In a very few hours the seed will be in good condition to sow with the drill. A good plan is to apply the treatment in the evening and sow the grain the following morning. If the water be used warm and the lumps of bluestone be broken, the solution may be made in a few minutes. As the solution of bluestone lessens in some degree the germinating power of wheat, and more so when it remains long in contact with it, the safe plan is to treat the seed but a short time before sowing. In the tests which have been carried on with this remedy for the past three years at the Experimental Farms at Brandon and Indian Head, the worst smutted samples procurable have been selected for sowing, and the results have shown, by comparing the crop from the treated with that from the untreated grain, that this remedy is thoroughly efficient. It is also easy of application, and its cost is trifling ; usually about one cent per bushel of seed. It has been often observed that a smutty crop will sometimes result when good clean seed has been sown. This is believed to arise from smut spores in the soil coming in contact with the grain when germinating. As millions of these spores are spread in all directions by wind during the period of threshing and carried long distances, there are doubtless large numbers of them in the soil in all the wheat gi'owing districts of the country. Hence it is much safer to treat all seed before sowing, whether it is perceptibly smutty or not, as the coating of bluestone on the treated grain will protect the seed from attack by spores in the soil. Having thoroughly satisfied ourselves of the efficacy and reliability of this remedy, and of the importance of its general use, we would strongly recommend that all seed during the coming season be treated in accordance with the directions here given, believing that every settler who acts on this advice will realize an increased crop, which will bring a higher price, and he will also assist in raising the standard of quality of the wheat grown in Manitoba and the North-west Territories to one of uniform excellence. WM. SAUNDEES, Director Expermental Farms, Ottawa. S. A. BEDFOED, Supt. Experimental Farm, Brandon, Man. ANGUS MACK AY, Supt. Experimental Farm, Indian Head, JS^.W.T. The Winnipeg Board of Trade also issued a circular on this subject, and the press generally commented on the necessity .of farmers everywhere using this remedy, so that this evil might be lessened, and if possible, stamped out. The re- sults have been most gratifying ; many tons of bluestone were bought and used in the manner directed, and the crop of this year is said to be almost entirely free from smut. As a pi-ecautionary measure this method of treating the wheat should be continued for several years. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 43 WORLDS COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. On the 11th of January, 1892, I was appointed by Order in Council, Executive Commissioner for Canada in connection with the World's Columbian Exposition, a position which was held until the 21st of November in that year. Over ten months of incessant and heavy labour in the endeavour to discharge this duty, in addition to the work devolving on me as Director of the Experimental Farms, brought about a condition of ill-health and exhaustion which made my resignation a necessity. In the meantime, however, all the preliminary work had been completed. After a number of visits to Chicago, sufficient space was secured in excellent locations in all the buildings, a most important measure towards success, and as a result of much effort, an admirable site was obtained for a Canadian building, to serve as an office building for the Commissioners and a meeting place for visiting Canadians. The grand dairy exhibit was arranged and provided for. The Governments of all the provinces were interviewed and negotiations conducted, the departments of work which each were to undertake agreed on, and the hearty co-operation of nearly all the provinces secured. With the able assistance of Mr. J. S. Larke (who was subsequently appointed my successor), Mr. Lucien Huot of Montreal, Mr. W. D. Dimmock of Truro, N.S., and Mr. E. A. Charters, of Sussex, N.B., the greater part of the exhibits had been secured, the particulars of which are given in my report of the progress of the work published a few weeks after my resignation.* The way was thus prepared for the brilliant success which has crowned the efforts of our people. To make the agricultural exhibits from the Experimental Farms as complete as possible, special sowings were made in the spring of 1892, of a very large number of different sorts of grain and seeds, and a lively interest awakened in this undertaking among all the officers connected with these institutions. In this way the finest collection of Canadian agricultural products ever seen was made available, and sub- sequently clothed the grand trophy which attracted so much attention in the Agricultural court. Before the time arrived for beginning the work of placing the exhibits, my health was so far restored as to enable me to render further aid in the carrying out of this great undertaking, and at the special request of the Minister of Agriculture, and of my successor in the office of Executive Commissioner, I consented to undertake the designing and arranging of all the exterior decorations of the agricultural court, also the construction of the great central trophy, and to render what help I could by assisting in the arrangement of the products in portions of the interior of the court. After consultation with Mr. D. Ewart, of the Chief Architect's office. Depart- ment of Public Works, he prepared a plan of the woodwork on which the decorations were to be placed which served the purpose admirably, he also supervised its con- struction. As soon as the preparations for the work were sufficiently advanced, I secured the able assistance of Mr. W. H. Hay, the accountant at the Central Experi- mental Farm, and Mr. J. Fixter, the Farm foreman, both of whom brought to bear on this undertaking much practical experience, gained at previous provincial and other exhibitions. We were also assisted by Mr. S. A. Bedford, Superintendent of the Experimental Farm at Brandon, and Mr. A. Mackay, the Superintendent of the Experimental Farm at Indian Head. With these competent assistants the work made rapid progress, and in two or three weeks it was so well advanced that all returned to their other duties, excepting Mr. Hay, who remained to complete the work which had been planned, which he did with good judgment and taste and much credit to himself. The exterior decoi-ations of the court were very much admired, the interior work was equally good, and the Canadian exhibit as a whole was generally con- ceded to be the finest agricultural display in the building. It was arranged in pro- vincial groups, in which all the provinces, excepting Manitoba and New Brunswick * Copies of this Report may still be had on application . 44 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. were represented. The exhibit of Ontario (which included an excellent selection of samples from the Agricultural College at Guelph), was especially fine; Quebec came next in importance, followed by the North-west Territories, British Columbia, Nova Scotia and Piince Edward Island, all the displays being excellent both in the quality and variety of the articles shown. The large central trophy was covered entirely with the products of the several Experimental Farms, from which sources were also obtained the materials for the exterior decoration of the court. Since Manitoba was not represented as a province, the front of the trophy was covered with the products of the Branch Farm for Manitoba ; the samples from the Central Farm were placed on the side contiguous to the exhibits of Ontario and Quebec; the other sides of the exterior and interior of the trophy being devoted to a display of the productions of the branch farms for the North-west Territories, British Columbia and the Maritime Provinces. The samples of grain and agricultural seeds were relieved by the introduction of a very complete collection of native and cultivated grasses arranged by Mr. James Fletcher, Botanist and Entomologist of the Farms, also by a large number of photographs of different portions of the Experimental Farms, including harvest scenes, cattle, &c,, the whole making a grand display, illustrating the manifold character of the work in progress in connection with the Dominion system of Experimental Farms. Adjacent to the trophy, there was displayed in a prominent position, a collection of Canadian insects, prepared and arranged by Mr. James Fletcher, who devoted much labour to this work. In addition to many beautiful examples of insects of brilliant colour and attractive form, this collection included manj'- species which injure agricultural and horticultural products. The dairy exhibits which brought into such prominence the high quality of Canadian cheese and butter, were to a large extent the result of the untiring efforts of the Dairy Commissioner, Mr. J. W. Hobertson, who, assisted by competent experts from the Dairy Associations and members of his own staff, and aided by practical dairymen all over the Dominion, achieved a success for Canada of which the people everywhere have reason to feel proud. During my stay in Chicago, I was also able to render assistance to the Dominion Superintendent in charge of the Canadian horticultural products, Mr. L. Woolverton, in planning the arrangements for the display of fruits and vegetables, to which the Experimental Farms were large contributors. Mr. John Craig, horticulturist at the Central Farm, devoted himself assiduously to the collecting and preparing of fruits for this purpose during the summer of 1892, and there was put up in pre- serving fluids under his supervision an excellent collection representing the progress which has been made in that division of the work which he superintends. The col- lection embraced an extensive and varied assortment of small fruits, also a number of varieties of cherries, plums and some apples, ail grown at the Central Experi- mental Farm. Subsequently during the period of the exhibition Mr. Craig rendered further assistance by sending forward supplies of fresh vegetables and fruits, among the latter a display of grapes, consisting of 122 different varieties, all ripened in the open air at Ottawa. These attracted much attention, and excited the surprise of visiting fruit growers who reside further south, who did not anticipate that so many sorts of grapes could be ripened so well in the open air so far north as Ottawa. The branch Experimental Farms also did excellent service, and in addition to their large contributions to the grain exhibits they provided material for the horti- cultural display. Mr. Wm. M. Blair, the Superintendent of the Experimental Farm for the Maritime Provinces, forwarded from Nappan, Nova Scotia, a large quantity of very excellent roots and other vegetables, partly the growth of the Experimental Farm, and partly contributed by the farmers of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Mr. Blair also sent samples of the small fruits grown on the Nappan Experimental Farm. Mr. S. A. Bedford contributed from the JBrandon, Manitoba Experimental Farm, a quantity of preserved vegetables, also a number of varieties of small fruits both cultivated and wild. An excellent assortment of a similar character was sent by Mr. A. Mackay from the Experimental Farm at Indian Head, N. W. T., and both these western farms sent frequent contributions of fresh vegetables during the sum- mer season. Mr. Thos. A. Sharpe, Superintendent of the Experimental Farm at REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 45 Agassiz, British Columbia, provided a fine assortment of preserved fruits, all grown at the Experimental Farm, and these were followed by consignments of fresh fruit from time to time including gigantic plums, fine cherries, apples and other products. The following list of awards aifords further evidence of the high quality of the products supplied by the Experimental Farms. In Agriculture further awards are expected. Agriculture. Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, cereals and grasses. Exper- imental Farm, Indian Head, cereals and grasses. Horticulture. Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, collection of vegetables and collection of grapes, crop of 1893. Experimental Farm, Nappan, N. S., collection of vegetables ; Experimental Farm, Brandon Man., vegetables preserved in solutions and collection of fresh vegetables. Experimental Farm, Indian Head, N. W. T., collection of vegetables. Experimental Farm, Agassiz, British Columbia, apples, crop of 1893. The intimate knowledge of insects and their habits possessed by Mr. James Fletcher, Entomologist and Botanist of the Experimental Farms, enabled him while in Chicago, during the month of October, to render timely aid to the Executive Com- missioner by examining and reporting on some injurious insects found feeding on the various grains and seeds exhibited, and which at that time were the cause of some anxiety. Mr. Fletcher was able to show that these invaders were old enemies which Canada had no reason to fear and thus the alarm which had been felt under the impression that they were new foes to agriculture was speedily allayed. An opportunity was also afforded Mr. Y. T. Shutt, Chemist to the Experimental Farms, who has had much experience in the analysis of cereals to use the information he has acquired in this branch of his work to the advantage of the Dominion. He was chosen on this occasion as an expert juror in the Agricultural department and devoted many weeks to the analysis of the finer samples of cereals shown, not only in the Canadian exhibits, but also in all parts of the Agricultural building. The results of these analyses have assisted in demonstrating the high quality of Canadian cereals aud especially of the wheat grown in the Canadian North-west. Early in the history of the exposition, elaborate plans were laid to secure the presence and services of competent men in every department of knowledge from all parts of the world to deliver addresses before conventions specially called in the interest of various branches of science, art, industry, education, etci In the early part of the year a series of addresses was delivered under the auspices of the expo- sition authorities, having special reference to the timber productions of the several countries which exhibited in the building devoted to Forestry. An invitation was sent me by the chief of that department to deliver one of these addresses on 20th June, wh<>.n I presented a paper on the subject of tree growth and forest distribution in Canada, in which I called attention to the timber resources of the several pro- vinces and territories in the Dominion. Later in the season, 1 was invited to deliver addresses at several of the special conventions or congresses. Owing to absence on the Pacific coast, I was unable to respond to the invitation to be present at the con- gress of horticulture, but I returned in time to address the congresses relating to agriculture, to agricultural colleges and experiment stations and to forestry. On the occasion of these gatherings I was enabled to disseminate much information re- garding the agricultural and other natural resources of Canada. At the agricul- tural congress, I addressed the assembly on the agricultural resources of the Dominion, when reference was made to the high character and quality of Cana- dian agricultural products as demonstrated by the exhibits which Canada had made. Statistics of the United States and Canada were quoted, showing that the average crops realized by the Canadian farmer were higher than those obtained by farmers in the United States, and special reference was made to the large area of fertile country in the North-west available for settlement, with which my frequent visits had made me personally familiar. At the congress of agricultural colleges and experiment stations I had the plea- sure of meeting representatives from Eussia, Germany and Japan, as well as a large number from the United States, and addressed the assembly on the good work being accomplished in the several provinces of Canada by agricultural colleges, dairy schools, farmers' institutes and agricultural circles, and gave some particulars re- 46 EXPEIilMEXTAL FARMS. awarding the methods by which the Government of Canada was endeavouring to benefit the Canadian farmer through the agency of the experimental farms. At the Forestry Congress the topic assigned for my address was "Forest Coodi- tions of the Plains and Prairies of Canada." In introducing the subject reference was made to the vast timber resources of the older provinces and to the measures which have been taken to preserve the forests from fire and to make the best use of this great source of national wealth. The great plains from Winnipeg to the Rocky Mountains were described, the distribution of forest growth in the various sections leferred to and the efforts made during the past few years through the experimen- tal farms to improve these conditions. Attention was also called to the vast country lying north of present settlement and to the information thus far gained as to the forest resources of that great area. THE COMING ANTWERP EXHIBITION. A short time prior to the close of the World's Columbian Exposition it was decided by the Dominion Government that Canada should take part in the Antwerp Exhibition, and I was requested to assist in selecting from the exhibits in Chicago such examples of agricultural products and of fruits as would be suitable for the purpose and best serve to show the character of the Canadian climate and the pro- ductiveness of the soil, also such products of the forests as could be secured. In company with the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Mr. John Lowe, I visited the several Canadian courts and assisted in securing much useful material. On my return to Ottawa I was requested to continue to render all the assistance in my power to the furtherance of this enterpi-ise and sent my assistant, Mr. W. T. Macoun to Chicago who made a careful selection of the best of the agricultural products shown there. A collection of about 1,500 bunches and sheaves of grain in the straw and 720 of the finest samples of cleaned grain were selected by Mr. Macoun who has had much experience in such work. There were also secured from the Manitoba Exhibits for this purpose about 120 bunches of grain in the straw and 80 samples of cleaned grain. These cereals were packed in suitable cases and are now in Ottawa awaiting shipment to Antwerp. Under the supervision of the Dominion Superintendent of Horticulture, Mr. L. Woolverton, a large number of samples of fruit, including contributions from all the provinces exhibiting, were carefully packed and forwarded. These arrived in Ottawa in fairly good condition and are now being examined, the best specimens are being selected, the bottles filled with fresh fluids such as will withstand frost, and the col- lection will be repacked in time to be forwarded with the other exhibits from Canada. ORNAMENTAL TREES AND SHRUBS. The ornamental planting on the Central Experimental Farm extending from the main entrance gate to the barn and around the buildings and dwellings consists of thirty-five clumps, some of them closely planted, others open and scattered to suit the several situations. These clumps contain at present 1,789 trees and shrubs, comprising a most instructive, interesting and valuable collection. In their arrangement the individual specimens have been selected and grouped with the view of producing the best effects by combinations of spring and autumnal colours, by placing those together which harmonize in form and habit, or which make pleasing contrasts in these particulars. Due regard has been had to the inter- mingling of a sufficient number of evergreens with the deciduous trees to lend a charm to the grounds during those periods in the year when the deciduous trees are leafless. Proper attention has also been given to the judicious placing of the several groups in accordance with the principles practised by the best landscape gardeners. There are in these groups 225 named species and varieties and a few other varieties as yet undetermined. The following are all represented, some by one or two specimens only, of others the number is much larger ; those mai-ked hardy have stood the climate REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 47 of Ottawa uninjured, those marked half hardy have commonly had their wood partly killed, while those marked tender are usually killed back to the snow line. Some of these trees and shrubs have been planted for 5 or 6 years, while others have only been under test for two or three seasons. Nearly all have made satisfactory growth, and these plantations are already attracting much attention from visitors. List of ornamental trees and shrubs in groups and clumps on the Central Experimental Farm. Abies balsamea. — Balsam fir ; hardy, do concolor. — One-coloured fir ; hardy, do Fraseri. — Fraser's fir ; hardy, do pectinata. — Comb-like fir ; tender. Acer dasycarpura. — Silver-leaved maple ; hardy, do do Wierii. — Wier's cut-leaved maple; hardy, do Ginnala. — Ginnalian maple ; hardy, do glabrum. — Smooth maple ; hardy. do Pennsylvanicum. — Pennsylvanian or striped maple ; hardy, do platanoides. — Plane-like or Norway maple; hardy, do do Schwedleri. — Schwedler's maple ; half hardy, ■do pseudoplatanus. — Sycamore maple ; half hardy. do do albo-marginata. — Variegated sycamore maple ; tender, do rubrum. — Eed maple ; hardy, do saccharinum. — Sugar maple; hardy. jEsculus hippocastanum. — Common horse-chestnut ; hardy. Alnus glutinosa. — Sticky alder ; hardy. do do laciniata. — Imperial cut-leaved alder; hardy. Amelanchier Canadensis. — June berry ; hardy. do do nana. — Dwarf June berry; hardy. do vulgaris. — Common June berry ; hardy. Amorpha fruticosa. — False indigo ; hardy. Ampelopsis quinqiiefolia. — Virginian creeper ; hardy. do tricuspidata (Veitchii). — Three-pointed ampelopsis or Boston ivy; tender. Amygdalus nana. — Double flowering almond ; half hardy. Artemisia Abrotanum. — Southernwood ; hardy. Berberis Thunbergii. — Thunberg's barberry; hardy, do vulgaris. — Common barberry ; hardy, do do purpurea. — Purple barberry; hardy, do Aquifolium. — American holly ; half hardy. Betula alba. — European white birch ; hardy. do do fastigiata. — Pyramidal birch ; hardy, do do laciniata. — Cut-leaved birch ; hardy, do do pendula Youngii. — Young's weeping birch ; hardy, do lutea. — Yellow birch ; hardy, do occidentalis. — Western birch ; hardy. Caragana arborescens. — Siberian pea-tree ; hardy. do do pendula. — Weeping caragana ; hardy. Carya alba. — Shell bark hickory ; hardy. Catalpa Ksempferi. — Japan catalpa; half hardy. do speciosa. — Hardy western catalpa ; half hardy, do do variegata. — Variegated western catalpa ; tender. Castanea vulgaris Americana. — American chestnut ; half hardy. Ceanothus Americanus. — New Jersey tea ; hardy. Celtis australis. — European nettle-tree ; hardy. do occidentalis. — American nettle-tree ; hardy. Cephalanthus occidentalis. — Buttonwood ; hardy. Cerasus Pad us. — Bird cherry; hardy. 48 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Cerasus serotina. — "Wild black cherry; hardy. Cercidiphyllum Japonicum. — Katsura-tree ; hardy. Chionanthus virginicus. — Fringe-tree ; tender. Cladrastis tinctoria. — Yellow wood; hardy. Clematis recta. — Erect clematis ; hardy. do Virginiana. — Yirginian clematis ; hardy. Cornus mas. — European dogwood ; hardy. do do elegantissima. — Elegant dogwood; hardy. do do variegata. — Yariegated dogwood; hardy. do eanguinea. — Blood-coloured dogwood; hardy. Cotoneaster vulgaris. — Common cotoneaster; hardy. Corylus Avellana. — Filbert; half hardy. do do laciniata. — Cut-leaved filbert ; half hardy. Crataegus oxyacantha. — English hawthorn ; tender. do do fl. pi. — Double flowering English hawthorn ; tender. Deutzia crenata. — Crenate deutzia; tender. do do fl. pi. — Double crenate deutzia; tender. do gracilis. — Slender deutzia ; half hardy. Diervilla (Weigelia) grandiflora alba. — Large flowered white weigelia ; half hardy. do do do variegata. — Yariegated weigelia ; half hardy. do do lonerii. — Dark red weigelia ; half hardy. do do rosea. — Eosy weigelia ; half hardy. do do do alba. — White weigelia; half hardy. Dimorphanthus Mandschuricus. — Manchurian dimorphantus; half hardy. Elseagnus argentea. — Silvery eleagnus ; hardy. do hortensis angustifolia. — Narrow-leaved eleagnus; half hardy, do angustifolia Eussian olive ; hardy. Exochorda grandiflora. — Large flowered exochorda; tender. Fagus ferruginea. — American beech ; hardy. do sylvaticus purpurea. — Purple beech ; half hardy. Forsythia suspensa. — Drooping forsythia ; ha.lf hardy. do viridissima. — Green forsythia; half hardy. Fraxinus ornus. — Manna ash: hardy. do viridis. — Green ash; hardy. Gleditschia triacanthos. — Honey locust; half hardy. Gymnocladus Canadensis. — Kentucky coffee-tree ; hardy. Hippophae rhamnoides. — Sea buckthorn ; hardy. Hydrangea paniculata grandiflora. — Large flowered hydrangea; hardy. Juni})erus communis. — Common juniper; hardy. do do Canadensis. — Canadian juniper; hardy, do do fastigiata. — Swedish juniper ; hardy, do Sabina. — Common savin ; hardy. do Yirginiana. — Eed cedar; half hardy; sometimes hardy. Juglans cinerea. — Butternut; hardy. do nigra. — Black walnut; hardy. do Sieboldiana. — Japan walnut; hardy. Larix Americana. — American larch ; hardy. do Buropsea. — European larch : hardy. Ligustrum vulgare variegatum. — Yariegated privet ; tender. Lindera Benzoin. — Spice bush ; half hardy. Lonicera flava. — Yellow honeysuckle ; hardy. do Periclymenum. — English honeysuckle ; half hardy. do sempervirens. — Scarlet trumpet honeysuckle ; half hardy. do Tatarica. — White-flowered bush honeysuckle ; hardy. do do Eed do do do Magnolia acuminata. — Cucumber tree ; half hai-dy. Negurdo aceroides. — Box elder ; hardy. Paeonia moutan. — Moutan or tree peony ; hardy. Pavia flava. — Sweet buckeye ; hardy. '<, 2i 2; 1-3 <; 'A ( Z O I— I > REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 49 Phellodendron Amurense. — Chinese cork-tree ; half hardy. Philadelphus coronarius. — Mock orange or syringa ; hardy, do cordilolia. — Heart-leaved syringa ; hardy, do deuiziflora. — Deutzia flowered syringa ; hardy. do Gordonianus. — Gordon's syringa ; hardy. do grandiflora. — Large flowei-ed syringa ; hardy, do nana. — Dwarf syringa; hardy. Picea alba. — White spruce ; hardy, do Alcoquiana. — Alcock's spruce; hardy, do excelsa. — Norway spruce ; hardy, do do pygmsea. — Dwarf Norway spruce ; half hardy, do Bngelmanni. — Bngelmann's spruce ; hardy, do nigra. — Black spruce ; hardy, do pungens. — Eocky Mountain blue spruce ; hardy, Pinus Austriaca. — Austrian pine ; hardy, do Cembra. — Swiss stone pine ; hardy, do coutorta Murrayana. — Murray's pine ; hardy, do Mughus. — Mountain pine; hardy, do do nana. — Dwarf mountain pine ; hardy, do ponderosa. — Heavy wooded or bull pine; hardy, do Strobus. — White or Weymouth pine ; hardy, do resinosa. — Eed pine ; hardy. do sylvestris. — Scotch pine ; hardy, do do Rigaensis. — Eigapine; hardy. Platanus occidentalis. — Buttonwood ; hardy. Populus alba Bolleana. — Bolle's poplar ; hardy, do certincnsis. — Asiatic poplar ; hardy. do grandidentata pendula. — Large-toothed weeping poplar ; hardy. do nigra pyramidalis. — Lombardy poplar ; hardy. do Nolesti. — Eiga poplar ; hardy. Pseudotsuga Douglasii. — Douglas spruce ; half hardy. Ptelea trifoliata. — Hop-tree or wafer ash ; hardy. Prunus Pissardii. — Purple plum ; half hardy. Pyrus Americana. — American mountain ash ; hardy, do Aucuparia. — European mountain ash ; hardy. do do quercifolia. — Oak-leaved mountain ash ; hardy, do do furcata. — Hardy, do Aria. — White beam-tree ; hardy, do baccata auruntiaca. — Siberian pyrus ; hardy. Quercus Eobur. — English oak ; hardy. do rubra. — Eed oak ; hardy. z Eetinospora ericoides. — Heath-like retinospora; half hardy, do filifera. — Thi-ead-like retinospora ; hardy, do obtusa. — Obtuse-leaved retinospora ; half hardy, do plumosa. — Plumose retinospora; halfhai-dy. do do aurea. — Golden plumose retinospora ; half hardy, do do argentea. — Silver plumose retinospora; half hardy, do squarrosa. — Squarrose-leaved retinospora ; tender. Ehamnus catharticus. — Cathartic buckthorn; hardy. do frangula. — Breaking buckthorn ; hardy. Ehodotypus kerrioides. — White kerria; hardy. Ehus aromatica. — Fragrant sumach ; hardy, do cotinus. — Yenetian sumach or mist shrub ; hardy, do glabra laciniata. — Fern-leaved sumach ; hardy. Eibes alpinura. — Mountain currant; hardy. do sanguineum. — Eed flowering currant ; tender. Eobinia pseudacacia. — Common locust; hardy. Eosa rubiginosa. — Sweet briar ; hardy, do rubrifolia. — Eed-leaved rose ; hardy. 8c— 4 50 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Rosa rugosa. — Japan rose ; hardy. Rubus Nutkanus. — White flowered scented raspberry ; hardy, Salisburia adiantifolia. — Maidenhair-tree ; hardy. Salix Babylonica annularis. — Ringed willow; tender. do caprsea pendula, — Kilmarnock weeping willow ; hardy. do laurifolia. — Laurel-leaved willow; hardy. do purpurea pendula. — American weeping willow ; half hardy, do rosmarinifolia. — Rosemary-leaved willow ; hardy. Sarabucus nigra argentea. — Silver-leaved elder; half hardy, do do aurea. — Golden-leaved elder; hardy, do do laciniata. — Cut-leaved elder ; half hardy. Sassafras officinale. — Sassafras-tree ; hardy. Shepherdia argentea. — Buffalo berry ; hardy. Spiraaa Californica. — Calfornian spirea ; hardy. do Japonica alba (callosa alba). — White Japan spirea; hardy. do do rubra (callosa rubra). — Red Japan spirea; hardy, do do Portunei. — Fortune's spirea ; hardy. do media rotundifolia. — Round-leaved spirea; hardy. do opulifolia. — Guelder-rose leaved spirea; hardy. do do . aurea. — Golden-leaved spirea; hardy. do prunifolia. — Plum-leaved spirea double ; tender. do salicifolia. — Willow-leaved spirea; hardy. do Van Houttei. — Van Houtte'i spirea; hardy. Symphoricarpus racemosus. — Snow berry ; hardy. Syringa Chinensis rothamagensis. — Chinese lilac; half hardy. do Japonica. — Japan lilac; hardy. do Josiksea. — Josika's lilac ; hardy. do vulgaris alba. — White lilac; hardy. do do Chas. X. — Charles X. lilac; hardy. do do purpurea. — Purple lilac ; hardy. Tamarix Amurensis. — Russian tamarisk; hardy. Thuya Lobbii atrovirens. — Dark green arbor-vitae; half hardy. 'do occidentalis. — Common arbor-vitse; hardy. do do argentea. — Silver-tipped arbor-vitse; hardy. do do aurea. — Golden arbor-vitse ; hardy. do do Douglas No. 2. — Douglas' No. 2 arbor-vitse; hardy. do do Elwangeriana. — Elwanger's arbor-vitse; hardy. do do globosa. — Globose arbor-vitse; hardy. do do pyramidalis. — Pyramidal arbor-vitse ; hardy. do do Hoveyi. — Hovey's arbor-vitse ; hardy. do do Tom Thumb. — Tom Thumb arbor-vitse ; hardy. do do vervseneana. — Vervaene's arbor-vitse ; half hardy, do Sibirica. — Siberian arbor-vitse; hardy. do Tatarica (Wareana), — Tartarian arbor-vitse; hardy. Thuyopsis borealis. — Northern thuyopsis ; half hardy. Tilia argentea. — Silver-leaved linden ; tender, do cordata. — Small-leaved linden ; hardy, do heterophylla. — American basswood ; hardy, do platj-phyllos. — Broad-leaved linden; hardy, do vulgaris. — European linden; hardy. Tsuga Canadensis. — Hemlock spruce; hardy. XJlmus Americana. — White elm ; haidy. do campestris. — English elm ; half hardy. do fulva pendula. — Weeping slippery elm ; hardy. do montana fastigiata. — Pyramidal Scotch elm; hardy. do racemosa. — Rock elm; hardy. Viburnum Lantana. — Pliant viburnum ; hardy. do opulus. — High bush cranberry; hardy. do pauciflorum. — few flowered viburnum ; hardy. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. . 51 This list contains but a small proportion of the ornamental trees and shrubs under test at the Central Farm. The larger number are arranged in botanical groups in the arboretum, where under the charge of the Botanist of the Experimental Farms, Mr. James Fletcher, over 600 species and varieties have been accumulated. As soon as sufficient information has been gained as to the hardiness of these in the Ottawa climate it is proposed to publish a full list of the entire collection. PLANTATIONS OF FOEEST TREES. There were several objects in view in planting the belts of forest trees which line the west and north sides of the farm. One was to test by actual experiment with a number of different species the comparative results in growth and develop- ment to be had by planting at different distances apart. Five feet by five, five feet by ten and ten feet by ten were the distances chosen for these tests. Another question on which information was desired was the relative growth to which trees would attain when planted in blocks of single species as compared with those planted in mixed clumps where they are associated with a number of other soi'ls. Further information was sought as to how far the crops on the farm located near these tree belts will be influenced by the shelter they would afford as growth pro- gressed. In the planting, the grouping was also designed with the object of producing pleasing effects on the landscape by the intermingling and blending of varieties. The main purpose however was to get all the useful data possible with regard to the more important timber trees of economic value so that object lessons in tree growth might be available to any who in future might desire to study this subject or to engage in the enterprise of timber growing. The work of planting was begun in 1888 and a space laid out on the west boun- dary 165 feet wide extending the whole width of the farm. This gave room for a line of basswood or linden trees five feet inside the boundary fence and 40 feet apart. Fifteen feet were left for a roadway east of which there were ten rows of trees five feet apart each way followed by another ten rows ten feet apart each way. This area was planned to be filled with blocks of trees of various forms, each group to consist of a single species. Along the north boundary a space was provided 65 feet in width which was to be filled as follows. A row of mixed forest trees 40 feet apart placed five feet inside the boundary fence succeeded by ten rows of mixed trees of 10 to 15 varieties, some of which were to be planted five feet by ten and others five feet by five. The first planting in 1888 was done under the supervision of Mr. "W. W. Hilborn, at that time horticulturist of the Central farm, 1,321 trees were set out that year in the mixed belt and several blocks or clumps of single species in the wider belt, numbering about 1,500 trees in all. The accompanying plate is from a photograph recently taken of a part of the trees then planted, a portion of the 5x5 planting is seen to the left and part of the 10 x 10 to the right. In the spring of 1889 the work of planting in b locks of single species was resumed under the charge of Mr. Thos. A. Sharpe, now superintendent of the branch experimental farm at Agassiz, B.C., and about 1,350 were added to the number. In the autumn of the same year with the assistance of the farm foreman, Mr. John Fixter, about 4,000 more were planted in blocks of single species and 560 trees added to the belt of mixed sorts. In 1890-91 and 92 the planting was continued under the supervision of Mr. John Craig, hor- ticulturist of the Central farm and during this period the plantation was much enlarged and the wide belt on the west side completed. Mr. Craig also took charge during these years of the necessary weeding and cultivating. During the past season this work has been continued by Mr. W. T. Macoun, foreman of forestry, and under his care the tree belt on the north boundary has been much extended, and it is hoped that in another year this will be completed. In the following report submitted by by Mr. Macoun, much useful information will be found. 8c— 4^ 52 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. REPORT OP THE FOREMAN OF FORESTRY. Owing to the very wet season, the work of this department was greatly in- creased this 3'ear, and it was only by much labour with the horse cultivator and hand-hoe, that the weeds could be kept in chock. Not only was frequent culti- vation necessary for this reason, but the soil became compact again so soon, on account of very frequent rain, that it was extremely difficult to keep it in that porous condition which is essential to best results in tree growth. Most of the trees and shrubs bordering the avenues in the forest plantations, and on the ornamental grounds, have made rapid growth this year and are fust becoming prominent features of the farm. Insect enemies have been very numerous, and great vigilance was required to keep them in check. By occasional spraying with a mixture of Paris green and water and much picking off by hand, they were prevented from doing any great injury. A blight on the elms caused the limbs on a considerable number of them to die, and in some cases the whole tree was destroyed by it. Nearly nineteen acres are now planted with the trees which form the forest belts along the northern and western boundaries of the farm. The belt on the western boundary is completed and contains 9,686 trees now living. The belt along the northern boundary, which is not yet completed, contains 5,840 trees living. Thus there is now a total of 15,526 trees living in both plantations. FOREST BELT ALONG WESTERN BOUNDARY. In this belt the trees are grouped in clumps of one species each and for com- parison are planted 5 feet apart and 10 feet apart each way to show results of plant- ing at different distances. Where trees have been planted for several years the benefit of close planting is easily discernible, the trees making better growth with a less proportion of broken tops and limbs, and the weeds being prevented from growing by the dense shade long before weeds cease to thrive among the trees planted 10 feet apart. As large additions have been made to this belt since 1889, when the last list was published, a complete record is now given in the following table. Several clumps composed of species which havo not succeeded well have been partly or wholly replaced by others : — Deciduous Trees. Acer saccharinum— Sugar maple ... . . , do do do do platan oides — Norway maple do dasycarpum — Silver leaved maple . . . do nibrum — Red maple Alnus glutinosa— Sticky alder ^sciilus hippocastanum — Horse-chestnut Betula alba — European white birch do lutea — Yellow birch do papyracea — Canoe birch Carya alba — Shell-bark hickory Catalpa speciosa — Hardy Western catalpa do Ksempferi —Japan catalpa do hybrida — Tea's catalpa ... . Carpinus betulus — European hornbeam . . Cerasus serotina — Wild black cherry Eraxinus Americana — White ash do do do do excelsior — European ash do pubescens — Red ash. do viridis — Green ash do sambucif olia — Black ash When Total planted. number planted. 1889 240 1890 60 1889 110 1889 120 1889 170 1889 90 1889 90 1889 90 1889 150 1889 120 1888 8 1889 158 1889 30 1889 30 1890 148 8891 231 1.^89 476 1890 120 1889 40 1889 120 1889 120 1889 120 Number living. 234 60 110 120 170 90 86 90 148 118 8 154 30 30 146 224 473 120 40 120 120 120 Number dead. 2 2 REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 53 Dboiduous Tbebs. Fagus ferruginea — American beech Gymnocladus Canadensis — Kentucky coffee-tree Gleditschia triacanthos — Honey locust Larix Europea — European larch do do Juglans nigra — Black walnut do do Juglans cinerea — Butternut do do Morus hybrida — Russian mulberry Negnndo aceroides — Box elder Pyrus Americana — American mountain ash do Aucuparia — European mountain ash Platanus occidentalis — Button-wood do — (Nebraska seed) Button-wood Populus alba Bolleana — Bolle's poplar do Nolesti — Riga poplar do Petrovsky Petrovsk poplar do certinensis — Asiatic poplar Quercus alba — White oak do macrocarpa— Burr oak do rubra, Red oak do do do do Robur — English oak Robinia pseudacacia — Common locust. . . Salix laurifolia — Laurel-leaved willow do acutifolia — Sharp-leaved willow do Voronesh — Voronesh willow Tilia vulgaris — European linden Ulmus Americana — White elm. do do — (Manitoba seed) White elm .... do do do do do fulva — Red elm racemosa — Rock elm montana — Scotch or Wych elm species undetermined, a small-leaved sort do do do Evergreens. Tsuga Canadensis— Hemlock spruce. do do Abies balsamea — Balsam fir Picea alba — White spruce do excelsa — Norway spruce do do do Pinus Sylvestris — Scotch pine. ao do do do do do Rigaensis — Riga pine. do do .do Austriaca — Austrian pine strobus — White pine do do Thuya occidentalis— Arbor- vitae. When planted. Total number planted. Number living. 1889 42 39 1890 120 112 1890 92 86 1888 275 265 1890 30 20 1888 630 624 1889 193 193 1888 290 288 1889 240 237 1889 90 90 1889 261 261 1889 50 50 1889 110 106 1889 120 119 1890 150 134 1890 150 150 1892 92 92 1890 50 49 1890 40 40 1889 41 41 1893 96 89 1888 21 19 1890 40 36 1890 50 50 1889 213 209 1890 140 138 1890 148 146 1890 60 60 1890 125 122 1889 197 197 1889 38 38 1890 94 94 1889 120 120 1889 220 213 1890 97 92 1890 48 41 1889 30 13 1890 62 61 1890 63 63 1889 180 180 1889 301 301 1893 45 39 1888 424. 423 1889 30 30 1893 108 102 1889 214 214 1889 301 301 1890 250 247 1889 198 198 Number dead. 3 8 6 10 10 6 4 1 16 4 2 2 5 7 17 1 TREE PLANTING, 1893. The spring of 1893, though unfavourable for most field work, was particularly suitable for the planting of trees. Copious rain fell during nearly the whole of May, giving the trees, when planted, good conditions for establishing themselves. TILLING VACANCIES IN FOREST BELT. Every spring it is found that a greater or less number of the trees in the forest belts have succumbed either to the severity of the winter, alternate freezing and thawing in fall and spring, or from the effects of water standing on or near the sur- face of the soil. Last spring 450 trees were needed to fill up the gaps caused in this way during the previous two years. 54 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. REPLACING AVENUE TREES AND ADDITION TO AVENUES. Owing to various causes a certain proportion of the avenue trees also die each year, and this year the following numbers were required to replace those which had died. In some cases, as on the northern boundary, where the row of trees is composed of mixed species, the same kind was not always replanted. SPECIES. Acer saccharinum — Sugar maple... ! 24 Acer rubrum — Red maple 21 Fraxinus Americana — White ash 10 Fraxinus viridis — Green ash 9 Fraxinus sambucifolia — Black ash 10 Tilia vulgaris — European linden 8 Last spring another avenue was formed extending from near the farm fore- man's house to the northern boundary, by the planting of 46 Norway maple trees. These have all done well, except one, which died. This avenue promises to add much to the appearance of that part of the farm. ADDITIONS TO MIXED FOREST BELT. During the spring of 1893 there were 3,511 trees added to the mixed forest belt on the north boundary of the farm. Of these, only 163 have died, and those living seem well fitted, from their appearance at present, to survive the approaching winter. The following is a list of the species planted, with total number of each, and the numbers which have lived and died : — List of Species. Deciduous Trees. Acer saccharinum — Sugar maple do rubrum — Red maple do platanoides — Norway maple do Pseudoplatanus — Sycamore maple .... do Tartaricum — Tartarian maple do campestre — English maple jiEsculus hippocastanum — Horse-chestnut. . Betula alba — European white birch Celtis australis — European nettle-tree Catalpa hybrida — Tea's catalpa Diospyros Virginians, — Persimmon . . , Fraxinus Americana — White ash do viridis — Green ash . . do sambucifolia — Black ash Juglans nigra — Black walnut Negundo aceroides — Box elder Pyrus Americana — American mountain ash . do Aucuparia — European mountain ash. . Populus alba Bolleana — BoUe's poplar do certinensis — Asiatic poplar Platanus occidentalis — Button-wood Quercus alba — White oak do macrocarpa — Burr oak do rubra — Red oak Rhamnus frangula — Breaking buckthorn . . . Tilia vulgaris — European linden Ulmus Americana — White elm , do racemosa — Rock elm do montana — Scotch elm No. No. planted. living. 164 159 198 193 124 124 70 64 32 32 31 31 60 60 191 191 23 19 66 66 5 5 173 172 72 72 61 61 165 165 298 297 25 24 2 1 2 2 129 129 2 2 4 4 155 155 66 64 51 51 47 47 199 197 69 62 76 67 No. dead. 6 6 REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 55 List of Species. Evergreen Trees. Picea alba — White spruce do excelsa — Norway spruce Pinus strobus — White pine. . . do sylvestris Rigaensis — Riga pine do Austriaca — Austrian pine do Mughus nana — Dwarf mountain pine.. Thuya occidentalis — Arbor- vitae No No. planted. living. 198 197 290 257 129 102 228 187 9 7 78 66 19 16 No. dead. 1 33 27 41 2 12 3 EVERGREEN CLUMP. In the year 1888 a large number of young trees was procured and planted in nursery rows to remain until they should be required for the tree belts and clumps, or for other ornamental purposes on the farm. As several hundreds of Norway spruce, Scotch and Austrian pine had, before they were needed, grown too large for successful transplanting, it was decided to leave a clump of these, as a permanent plantation, on a rising piece of land, in a prominent place near the northern boundary of the farm. The trees, having been planted close together, had made quite a thicket, and this year it was considered necessary to cut out a large number of them to admit light and air, and give those remaining a better opportunity to develop. The trees when thinned averaged 2J feet apart in the rows, with the rows 3 feet apart. It is proposed to thin them still further as occasion requires. The following table shows the average height of the trees, the average cir- cumference, 1 foot from the ground, and the number of trees left of each species after thinning. For the double purpose of increasing the size of the clump and adding to its appearance, the rows of trees were extended to the cross road near by. The additions made this year will be found in the table. Names of Speoies. Picea excelsa — Norway spruce Pinus sylvestris — Scotch pine Pinus Austriaca — Austrian pine Total number of trees, 1856 -1^ .£? « do u > 7 feet 9i " 7 " « s (t § So ts © S t' s- o l* 0) fc. 5 in. 5i " 51" c c3 J2 00 Coo 273 636 621 1,530 •a "ft ID . Soo pi-* 168 52 106 326 PLANTING IN POULTRY YARDS. Although the season was far advanced, and the trees and shrubs nearly in full leaf, during the first week of June, 53 trees and shrubs were planted in the poultrj- yards, and notwithstanding the advanced state in which they were when planted. not one has died. SUMMARY OP TREES AND SHRUBS PLANTED, 1893. Trees replanted in forest belt 450 do do along avenues 82 Addition to avenues 46 do to mixed forest belt 3,511 do to evergreen clump 326 Trees and shrubs in poultry yards ...., 53 Wm. T. Macoun. 56 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. VISITS TO THE BEANCH EXPEEIMENTAL FAEMS. During 1893 it was found necessary to visit the branch farms in the west twice, the first time in May and again in August. On the first journey I left Ottawa on the 28th of 'April, and arrived in Chicago a day prior to the opening of the World's Columbian Exposition when an opportunity was afforded of witnessing the com- pletion of the work in connection with the Canadian agricultural and horticultural exhibits which had been planned earlier in the season. The day following the open- ing ceremonies I proceeded westward. As one of the main objects in undertaking this early journey was to reach the branch farm at Agassiz, British Columbia, in time for spring planting, only one day was spent at each of the branch farms at Brandon, Man., and Indian Head, N.W.T. on the way out, giving time only to arrange those details of farm work which were most pressing. Agassiz was reached on the 11th of May, where seven days were spent in planning and arranging the work of the year, a large share of attention being given to the planting of trees and shrubs about the Superintendent's house. These have been so grouped as to produce good effects by agreeable combinations of form and colour, and a sufficient area has been provided adjacent to the dwelling to serve the purpose of an arboretum. Over 500 specimens were planted during the period of my visit, the placing of these produced quite a transformation in the appear- ance of the grounds and prepared the way for giving due prominence to an exceed- ingly interesting feature of the work in progrees there. The orchards were inspected and extensions to these planned, a nut orchard was also planted. The forest tree planting on the mountain sides in rear of the valley land was well advanced before my arrival and by the time the planting season closed over 5,000 hard-wood trees had been set out and arrangements made for the planting of a similar number each year for several years to come. The large young orchard of cherry and plum trees set out three years ago was in full bloom at the time of my visit, and presented a very handsome appearance. I found as a result of the unusually severe winter that all the peach, apricot and nectarine trees, and most of the other sorts of comparatively tender trees and shrubs, wore more or less injured and some of them killed outright. Much of the evergreen foliage of the gigantic native firs looked scorched and brown showing that even the old and long established native trees had been unable to endure without injury this unusually severe visitation, the thermometer having fallen on one occasion for a few hours as much as 12 degrees below zero. The apple, plum and cherry trees did not appear to be injured at all, and the young apple trees later on, bore a very fair crop of fruit, but from the fact of the cherry blossoms not setting and a number of the plums setting very imperfectly, it seems that the very cold weather of the winter had affected even these hardier sorts of trees. The wood of many of the young pear trees was also more or less discoloured within, showing injury which may in some instances be permanent. The spring growth however was pushing rapidly on, and Nature was doing her best to repair the damage which had been done. The farm buildings were examined and everything found in good order, the animals of all sorts were healthy, the spring work was well advanced, most of the grain sown and much of it up and everything betokened good management and care. A good supply of water for this farm being very much needed a sum was placed in the estimates for 1893-94 for this purpose, and during my stay I visited the source of the springs on the hillside from which it is proposed that the water should be obtained. I found the supply abundant and the quality to all appearance excellent. Subsequently a sample of this water was forwarded to Ottawa, to be analysed by the chemist of the farms who confirmed in the report of his analysis the good opinion which had been formed regarding it. I submit herewith the report of the chemist. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 57 Water from Experimental Farm, Agassiz, B. C. A careful and thorough chemical examination of this water affords the following data in parts per million : — Analysis. Free ammonia ,. '032 Albuminoid ammonia '024 Nitrogen in nitrates and nitrites '046 Chlorine 2-5 Oxygen absorbed in 15 min. at 80° F -296 do 4 hours do "594 Total solids, at 105° C 83-6 do after ignition 60*4 Phosphates none. From the above figures, I judge this to be a first class water, free from all con- tamination— animal and vegetable — and of excellent quality. Frank T. Shutt, M.A., Chemist, Dora. Exp. Farms. As soon as the arrangements were completed at Agassiz, B.C., I left for Indian Head, N.W.T., where two or three days were spent in carefully inspecting the con- dition of the branch farm located there, inquiring into the progress made and in discussing and planning work for the future. The forest plantations had wintered well, and the benefits arising from the planting of hedges and shelter belts to break the force of the winds, which sometimes injure the crops have been so thoroughly demonstrated, that plans were prepared for bordering nearly all the roads on the farm with such windbreaks and for planting them elsewhere on the grounds where needed. Arrangements were also made for extending the ai-ea planted with ornamental and timber trees and shrubs, the collection of which now includes about ninety species and varieties which have proven hardy there. The Austrian Brome grass {Bromus inermis) which has been under test at the Indian Head farm for several years, has been grown with so much success, that it was decided to sow a considerable number of acres of this grass for more extended trial for hay and pasture, and a sufficient quantity of seed was procured for this purpose. The cattle and horses had come through the winter in excellent condition, the farm crops were nearly all up and looked well and the land was very clean, giving evidence of great care in its cultivation. On the 22nd May I arrived at the branch farm at Brandon, where several days were spent in inspecting the work in hand and planning for future progress. A day or two was devoted to the laying out and planting of the grounds around the residence of the superintendent. Quite a large number of trees and shrubs were planted, consisting altogether of varieties which have been thoroughly tested, and proven hardy in that climate. A sufficient area of land has been laid out in this connection to furnish space for all the additional varieties of hardy sorts obtainable. The trees and shrubs which have been thoroughly tested for hardiness at Brandon, include about 100 species and varieties and form a most instructive and attractive group. It is expected that this number will be considerably increased during the coming season. As the native plum had succeeded well at the experimental farm at Brandon, it was thought desirable to increase the size of the plantation. For this purpose I visited the Brandon Hills in company with the superintendent, where the trees are found growing wild, and we succeeded in obtaining quite a number of young speci- mens, some of which were planted at Brandon and some sent to the branch farm at Indian Head to be tested there. (When these trees were seen during my later visit to the western farms in the autumn, they were nearly all doing well). Several ad- ditional hedges and windbreaks were also planted during this visit, to afford shelter 58 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS, and form dividing lines between the plantations of small and larger fruits, ornamental trees, shrubs and flowers. AH the divisions of work on this farm were making good progress, the fai*m crops all looked well, the land was in good order and the horses and cattle healthy and in fine condition. A very large number of the farmers of Manitoba visit this farm from year to year, seeking information on all points relating to agriculture and horticulture, and many voluntary testimonies are j-eceived from time to time in regard to the useful- ness, not only of this institution, but also of all the branch farms and of the eflScient manner in which the work is everywhere conducted. I returned to Ottawa on the 2Sth of May. SECOND VISIT TO THE WEST. A second journey to the Pacific Coast was made in August. On the way west I visited Madison, Wisconsin, and attended the meeting of the '•' Society for the Pro- motion of Scientific Agriculture " held in connection with that of the " American Association for the Advancement of Science." At this meeting I had the opportunity of explaining the nature of some of the work in progress for the promotion' of agri- culture at the Experimental Farms, and during the sessions I was honoured by being elected president of the society. I also attended some of the more important sessions of the American Association for the Advancement of Science held at the same place. Journeying westward a day was spent at the North Dakota Experi- ment Station at Fargo, N. D., where through the kindness of Prof. W. Hays who had charge of the experimental work in agriculture, I was shown through the buildings and over the grounds. As this institution has not been long established there has not been much time yet for tree planting and the grounds in this respect, looked very bare. There was, however, some very interesting work in progress, especially with wheat, with the view of producing new varieties by selection and also to some extent by cross fertilization. Useful experiments were also in hand in regard to a proper rotation of crops for that country. EXPERIMENTAL FARM, BRANDON. Two days were spent at the branch farm at. Brandon, where the crops were found to be well advanced and many of the early varieties of cereals were cut. The grain which promised an abundant yield early in the season was found to be shrunken and light, owing to the rapid and premature ripening which took place there during the unusual heated term from the 5th to the 12th of August. All sorts of grain had suffered fram this cause, but the injury was most apparent in the different sorts of wheat and barley. The quality of the oats was much better and the yield also of most varieties was good. The root crops owing to hot weather and light rains had not made satisfactory progress, but all sorts of small fruits were yielding well. The growth of the avenues, forest tree plantations and ornamental trees and shrubs had been good, and the general appearance and condition of the farm was both attractive and creditable. EXPERIMENTAL FARM, INDIAN HEAD. The Indian Head farm was next visited, and similar examinations made. Most of the crops looked remarkably well and did not appear to have suffered much injury from the hot days in August, and the farm was in excellent order. Roots, however, were backward and did not promise well. Austrian Brome grass had given an excel- lent yield of hay, more than three tons per acre, and the crop of all the small fruits was good. The growth of the trees, shrubs and hedges had not been so luxuriant as on the branch farm at Brandon, owing to less favourable climatic conditions but they had made satisfactory progress and have already become a pleasing feature on this prairie farm. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 59 VISIT TO THE EDMONTON DISTRICT. At Calgaiy the bi-anch line of railway to Edmonton was taken which runs through a district I had not visited before. The country for the first fifty miles has much the same appearance as about Calgary, the grass is short and trees and shrubs are almost or entirely wanting, excepting along the margins of streams or watercourses where the moisture is sufficient to sustain them. North of this changes begin to occur, the grasses gradually increase in length and in luxur- iance, clumps of shrubs and dwarfed specimens of trees are occasionally seen, and after a time these are succeeded by patches of woodland of stronger growth with stretches of open prairie adorned with clumps and occasional larger areas of timbered land. Streams and rivers also are oftener seen and by the time that half the distance between Calgary and Edmonton has been covered, the country is found to be well wooded and watered, grasses and pea-vines are luxuriant and abundant and the soil is a dark rich fertile loam. The woods afford shelter and the luxuriant herbage furnishes unlimited quantities of food for stock, making this part of the territories specially suitable for mixed farming. During the five days spent at Edmonton many of the farming settlements in the neighbourhood were visited which involved about 130 miles of driving. All through this district the grain crops looked re- markably well. The harvest was in progress during the time of my visit, and the heads of grain were plump and well-filled. For about sixty miles north of Edmon- ton until the height of land is crossed, the agricultural capabilities of the country appear to be much the same as those about Edmonton, but in the next forty miles which drain into the Athabasca'Eiver, the soil is said to be less fertile although this district is believed to include much excellent land. This belt of fertile country 200 miles or more in width, is said to extend westward from Edmonton more than 200 miles towards the Tellowhead Pass in the Eocky Mountains and eastward, varying in width, for several hundred miles to the shores of Lake Manitoba. At many points in this immense fertile area settlement is progressing satisfactorily, but the capacities of the district are such that millions will eventually find comfortable homes and abundant sustenance there. EXPERIMENTAL FARM, AGASSIZ. Returning to the main line of railway and proceeding westward a journey of about 35 hours across the mountains brought me to Agassiz, where several days were spent in examining the results of the season's growth, not only on the ex- perimental farm, but also on the lands of the neighbouring farmers. At the time of my arrival, a drought had prevailed in this part of the country for five or six weeks and crops of all sorts were suffering for want of rain. Most of the grain was short in straw, but with heads moderately well filled, the yield however was turning out considerably under the average. The root crops were then very backward, but subsequent rains improved these considerably. In the orchards many of the young plum trees were laden with fair crops of fruit of excellent quality, a collection of which was made and forwarded to the World's Fair in Chicago, but the results with most other fruits were disappointing and the apple crop was unusually light. On the experimental farm at Agassiz, there are now more than 1,100 varieties of fruits under test, about 800 of which are large fruits and most of the trees are doing well. Some of the orchards have been planted on the valley land, others on the fertile benches at different heights on the face of the mountains varying from 100 to 800 feet. The orchards located at the highest of these points have thus far been found to have the healthiest trees and are the first to leaf out in the spring. A comparison of these with the trees planted in the valley land for a series of years will be most useful and instructive. 60 - EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. INQUIRIES INTO HOP GROWING AND IRRIGATION. The subject of hop growing is now attracting much attention in some parts of British Columbia, especially in the neighbourhood of the experimeatal farm, where there are several large hop yards, which have given excellent crops during the past season. In order to gain all the information possible for the benefit of the growers there, it was arranged that the superintendent of the farm at Agassiz should join me in visiting the hop yards which had been established in the Fraser Eiver Valley and also some of the more important hop districts in the State of Washington, both in the coast and dry climates of that state, so that opportunity might be afforded of comparing the hops grown there with those produced in the° corresponding climates in British Columbia. After visiting the noted hop districts about Puyallup and the White Eiver Valley a trip was made to Yakima in the dry interior of the state, where nothing can be grown without irrigation. A careful comparison seemed to leave no doubt that hops can be produced in British Columbia as good in every respect as those grown in Washington. Returning eastward a day was spent at Spence's Bridge where some magnificent apples grown by means of irrigation were obtained and forwarded to the Canadian horticultural department at the World's Fair. One of these grown by Mr. A. Clemis was an extraordinary specimen of the variety known as Red Beitegheimer, of beau- tiful form and colour, which measui-ed 15J inches in circumference and weighed 25 ounces. At Calgary a visit was made to the farm of Mr. Hull, a few miles from the town, where excellent crops of oats, wheat and barley had been grown during the past season by means of irrigation. Extensive works have been begun in that neighbour- hood which when completed will result in the irrigation of thousands of acres of land by utilizing portions of the water in the Bow and Elbow Rivers. With a suffi- cient supply of moisture in the soil there is no doubt that abundant crops of grain and fodder can be grown on the fertile lands of that district. Returning homewards Ottawa was reached on the 26th of September after an absence of more than six weeks. EXPERIMENTAL FARM, NAPPAN. Later in the autumn the branch farm at Nappan, Nova Scotia, was visited the results of the year ascertained and arrangements made for future experimental work. This farm has been greatly improved during the past five years by a gradual exten- sion of under-draining, A few acres have been drained each year, until now 78 acres have been so treated with manifestly beneficial results in quantity and quality of crops. Land so drained may be seeded much earlier in the spring, and the soil being kept more open and porous admits of a much better tilth, while the conditions for healthy plant growth are greatly improved. Many promising varieties of grain, roots and potatoes, have been tested, the results of early and late sowing compared, the influence of fertilizers on different crops noted and many other useful lines of experimental work conducted. The fruit plantations contain many varieties both of large and small fruits, most of which have made satisfactory progress and some of the young trees have borne fruit. The number ol ornamental trees, shrubs and plants under test has been increased and useful information gained in this branch of the work. The cattle kept at this farm are almost wholly composed of dairy breeds, and the recent establishment of a cheese and butter factory, at Nappan, under charge of the Dominion Dairy Commissioner, has awakened a general interest in dairying in that part of the country and brought the experimental work carried on at the farm on dairy stock prominently into notice. Since the erection of the piggery several useful breeds of swine have been introduced which are having a good influ- ence in improving the character of the hogs bred in this district. All the animals appeared to be healthy and the general condition of the farm was good, giving evi- dence everywhere of careful management. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 61 BEE KEEPING. For the past two years experiments have heen conducted with bees at the branch farm in Brandon, Manitoba, and recently the initial steps in the direction of inves- tigations on this important subject have been taken at the central farm and a supply of suitable material obtained. The supervision of this work will be undertaken by the entomologist of the experimental farms, Mr. James Fletcher, who will, it is ex- pected be able to give particulars of the progress made in this department in the next annual report. Summary op Crops at the Central Experimental Farm. The following are the i-esults of the harvest of 1893 : — Bushels. Wheat 206 Barley 251 Oats 736 Pease 191 Eye 370 Mixed grain for feed .. 212 Total No. of bushels 1,966 Tons. Lbs. Indian corn for ensilage 440 Sunflower heads for ensilai^e ,.. 25 1,651 Horsebeans " " 15 273 Carrots 131 1,332 Mangels 56 1,388 Turnips , 11 1,174 Potatoes 34 Hay 104 Total No. of tons 828 1,818 COEEBSPONDENCE. The following is o. summary of the letters received and despatched at the Central Experimental Farm for the first eleven months of 1893, ending November 30th, also of the bulletins and reports distributed by mail during the same period : — Director, (including in "letters received " reports on seed grain and in " letters sent" circulars of instruction and acknowledgment of reports received relating to distri- bution of seed grain) Agriculturist Horticulturist (including in "letters sent" circulars regarding diseases of fruits, and varieties of fruits suitable for Quebec) Chemist Entomologist and Botanist Poultry manager Letters Sent. 18,213 3,756 2,180 746 1,261 770 26,926 Number of Reports and Bulletins mailed 227,899 62 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. METEOEOLOaiOAL OBSEEVATIONS. Table of Meteorological Observations taken at the Central Experimental Farm Ottawa, 1893; maximum, minimum, and mean temperature for each month, with date of occurrence ; also rainfall and snowfall : January . , February . March . . . April May June July August . . . September October. . . November Maximum. Date. 40° -2 29th 38-8 10th 45° 0 9th 65-2 13th 87-5 12th 91-5 20th 88-3 1st 94-8 10th 76-3 13th and 15th 72-9 13th 54-2 2nd Rainfall. Minimum. Date. Mean. Inches. —26-2 4th t 3° -6 — 23 1 5th 9 8 007 —5-2 6th 23-2 104 90 2nd 36.5 2-47 338 26th 53-3 4-69 49-5 7th 68-3 4-36 490 9th 661 501 45 5 30th 66-8 8-68 34 9 26th 53-6 3-22 21.5 31st 48-6 118 7-5 25th 32 6 107 31 79 Snowfall. Inches. 3000 29 OO 2-50 500 600 72-50 Rain or snow fell on 158 days during the 11 months. Heaviest rainfall in 24 hours 1"97 in., on September 29th. Heaviest snowfall in 24 hours 8 00 in., on January 2nd. During May rain fell on 17 days. October shows the lowest number of days on which rain feU during the summer months, viz., 9. WILLIAM T. ELLIS, In charge of Observations. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. In closing this section of the report, I desire to express my obligations to all the officers composing the working staff of the several experimental farms for their ready and hearty co-operation in all departments of the work which have been planned and for the successful carrying out of the measures devised, also to the workmen for the interest they have taken in doing their part well. The success of the work has exceeded all anticipations and has gained multitudes of friends and ad- vocates for the farms among the agriculturists and horticulturists of Canada and the most favourable comments from those best able to judge of the value of the work in other countries. The results reflect credit on all. A personal acknowledgment is specially due to those members of the Central Experimental Farm stafl:*, who have so ably assisted me in those sections of the work of which from the beginning I have assumed the personal charge. I allude to portions of the agricultural work (by special arrangement with the agriculturist) to the forest plantations and the planting of ornamental groups of trees and shrubs, the care of the seed testing and pro- pagating houses, and the distribution of seed grain for test. To the farm foreman, Mr. John Fixter ; to the foreman in forestry, Mr. W. T. Macoun ; who has also acted as my assistant in the experimental field work, to Mr. W. T. Ellis, who has had the charge of the testing and propagating houses, and to Mr. J. Kirkpatrick, who has carried on the work connected with the seed distribution, my grateful acknowledg- ments are due for the care and vigilance which they have shown in the manage- ment of these several divisions of the work and in collecting and preserving the data on which much of the information in this part of the report is based. WM. SAUNDEES, Director Dominion Experimental Farms. REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURIST. (Jas. W. Eobertson.) To Wm. Saunders, Esq., Director, Dominion Experimental Farms, Ottawa. SiE, — I have the honour to present reports on, (1) experiments in the fattening of cattle, (2) experiments in the feeding of swine, and (3) the Eobertson mixture for ensilage. The brevity of this report is due to two causes. (1) The discovery that the disease of tuberculosis was widespread in our herd of cattle, led to the stoppage, for a time, of experiments in the feeding of milking cows, also to a postponement of the investigations in the Experimental Dairy. The presence of the disease of tuberculosis in a few of the cattle, had been suspected for some time; but until recently the disease was not known to be of an actively conta- gious nature. After it had been established that, by means of tests made by the injection of a small quantity of Koch's lymph or tuberculin, the presence of the disease in even its incipient stages could be detected, several of the animals were tested. By the steps which were taken to stamp out the disease from the herd, it became impraticable to continue the feeding of a number of cows on the crops of the 40-acre lot, which were reported on last year. A complete record of the crops of the 40-acre lot for 1893 has been taken; and it is intended that the feeding of as many cattle as can be kept on the product of it, will be resumed in 1894. For the reason mentioned, I do not consider the information available in regard to it, for the season of 1893, to be of sufficient importance to be published in its incomplete state. (2) As in former years my duties and opportunities as Dairy Commissioner have absorbed the greater part of my time. Executive work which has arisen from the establishment and management of the Branch Experimental Dairy Stations — (there have been 19 different dairy stations under my control during the year) — has absorbed a large share of my time ; the management of the exhibition of Canadian dairy products at the World's Fair claimed no few hours and days ; meet- ings of farmers, correspondence, &c., &c., had to go sparingly served by what could be taken of it; and the planning and supervising of investigations into the feeding and management of cattle and swine and the other branches of work undertaken by me, at the Central Experimental Farm, in my capacity as Agriculturist, occupied the remainder of it. The supervision of the grain and root crops was taken by yourself, as heretofore. For the faithful and painstaking discharge of their duties, I desire to mention with special commendation, Mr. John Fixter, farm foreman, and Mr. Robert R. Elliott, herdsman. I have the honour to be, sir, Your obedient servant, JAS. W. EOBERTSON, Agriculturist. 64 EXPEIUMENTAL FARMS. PAET I.— THE FATTENING OF CATTLE. Experimental tests in the fattening of steers were commenced at the Central Experimental Farm iu December, 1890. The main object of the experimentu was to obtain information on the comparative cost of fattening steers : — (1.) Upon a ration of which the bulky-fodder portion was mainly corn ensilage, hay and roots ; (2.) Upon a ration of which the bulky-fodder portion was mainly hay and roots; and (3.) Upon a ration of which the bulky-fodder portion was mainly corn ensilage. For the purpose of arranging such data as would be obtained from the tests, in a manner which would be clear to the farmers and useful to thera in making a comparison between the cost of feeding steers on the three different classes of rations, a cash value was estimated for the component fodders in each. The prices at which the several fodders were valued for the purposes of these comparisons, are higher than the cost of production to the ordinary farmers, and may be higher or lower than the prices which could be realized from their sale as fodders. The values at which the calculations for the different years were made, are as follows : — Table I. 1890-91. 1891-92. IflQO QQ Corn ensilage Per ton. Hay Roots (turnips, mangels and carrots) " Straw " Oil-cake and cotton-seed meal " $ cts. 1 40 8 00 4 00 4 00 30 00 20 00 $ cts. 2 00 8 00 4 00 4 00 30 00 20 00 12 00 $ Cts. 2 00 8 00 4 00 4 00 Mixed grain (pease and barley) " Frosted wheat " 20 00 12 00 The following table shows the rations which were fed in 1891-92. In 1890-91, instead oi 2 lbs. of oil-cake in each ration, there were 1 lb. each of oil-cake and cotton- seed meal. Otherwise the rations were the same for the two years. Table II. Ration No. 1. Lbs. Ration No. 2. Lbs. Ration No. 3. Lbs. Com ensilage 20 10 20 5 2 2 2 Hay (cut) Roots . . 20 40 5 2 2 2 Corn ensilage Straw fcuti . 50 Hay (cut) Roots Straw (cut) Oil-cake' Straw (cut) Oil-cake Pease (ground) t. . 5 Oil-cake 2 Pease (ground) Pease (ground) Barley (ground) 2 Barley (ground) Barley (erround) 2 61 71 61 Feeding tests were continued during 1892-93 to obtain further data for a com- parison of the economy of using the bulky-fodder portions of rations. No. 2 (hay, roots and straw), and No. 3 (corn ensilage and straw). Instead of equal ^i^K^ycJ^f^^ REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURIST. 65' quantities of meal being added to the different rations, an equal quantity of meal per head per day, was fed to the animals which were classed for comparison in the two groups. Four steers (two of them 2-year-old8 and two of them l-year-olds) were arranged into Group I. and were fed on ration No. 2, as under; and four steers of similar age, quality and breeding, were put Into Group XI. and fed on ration No. 3, as under. Table III. , Ration No. 2. Hay (cut) ..... Roots (turnips) Straw (cut) . , . Lbs. 20 40 5 65 Ration No. 3. Corn ensilage Straw (cut) . Lbs. 50 5 55 The animals were allowed as much of the mixtui-e as they would eat. The meal, which was fed in addition, was a mixture of equal parts by weight of ground barley, pease and frosted wheat. The two-year-old steers in both groups were given 5 lbs. per head per day of the meal ; and the one-year-old steers in both groups were given 4 lbs. per head per day of the meal. Occasionally, when the animals "were off their feed," the meal was reduced for a few days. The two-year-old steers in both groups wore fed for comparison in a test in 1891-92 ; and the following table of the rate of gain during the feeding period of 18 weeks at that time, shows that the animals were nearly evenly classed. In that test they were all fed on ration No. 3 (corn ensilage, straw and meal) : — Table IV. Group I., steer No. 177 do do 178 Group II. do 175 do do 176 Increase in Weight. Lbs. 163 1 173 / 129 \ 172 j" Feed con- sumed per head per day. Lbs. 45-25 43 -94 Cost per head per day. Cents. 964 9-36 During the preparatory period, for the feeding test of 1892-93, from Oct. 6 to Nov. 22, these four steers were fed on the ordinary maintenance ration. The fol- lowing table shows the gain in weight during that period. Table V. Weight, Oct. 6. Weight, Nov. 22. Gain. Group I., steer No. 177 Lbs. 1,105 1,125 1,060 1,050 Lbs. 1,105 1,235 1,140 1,180 Lbs. do do 178 110 Group IL do 175 do do 176 90 130 8c— 5 66 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. The followiug table shows (1) the increase in weight of each steer during the first 11 weeks (from Nov. 22 to Feb. 7), (2) the quantity of the ration consumed per head per day, (3) the quantity of the meal mixture consumed per head per day, and (4) the average cost per head per day for feed consumed : — Table VI. Rations. Increase in Weight. Bulky- fodder per "head, per day. Meal per head, per day. Cost per head, per day. Hay, roots and straw, steer No. 177 do do 178 Lbs. 127 59 107 130 Lbs. 38-29 37 -75 53-54 55-94 Lbs. 501 5-01 5-01 501 ■ Cents. 14-35 14 -20 Com ensilage and straw, steer No. 175 10 17 do do 176 10-42 The steers on the hay, roots and straw ration were not showing a good appetite, and for the remainder of the feeding period (from February 7 to May 9) ration No. 2 was made up to contain 80 lbs. of roots instead of 40 lbs. The two rations were then as follows : — Table VII. Ration No. 2. Hay (cut) Roots (turnips and carrots) Straw (cut) Lbs. 20 80 5 105 Ration No. 3. Com ensilage Straw (cut) . . . Lbs. 50 5 55 The following table shows (1) the increase in weight of each steer during the 13 weeks (from February Y to May 9), (2) the quantity of the ration consumed per head per day, (3) the quantity of the meal mixture consumed per head per day, and (4) the average cost per head per day for feed consumed. Table VIII. Rations. Increase in Weight. Bulky- fodder per head, per daj'. Meal per head, per day. Cost per head, per day. Hay, roots and straw, steer No. 177 do do 178 Corn ensilaere and straw do 175 Lbs. 89 116 92 100 Lbs. 48-00 48-53 48-40 52-41 Lbs. 4-87 4-86 4-82 4-90 Cents. 15-64 15-75 9 '45 do do 176 9-95 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURIST. 67 The following table shows (1) the increase in weight of each steer for the whole feeding period of 24 weeks, (2) the increase in weight per head per day, (3) the cost per head per day, and (4) the cost per 100 lbs. of increase in weight for feed consumed. Table TX. Rations. Hay, roots and straw, steer No. 177 do do 178 Corn ensilage and straw do 175 do do 176 Meal per Increase Increase Cost per head in per head head per day. Weight. per day. per day. Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. Cents. 4-94 216 1-28 15 05 4 93 175 104 15 04 4 91 199 118 9-79 4-95 2.30 ] 36 10-18 Cost per 100 lbs. of increase. 11-70 14-40 8-26 7-43 Conclusions. From these tests it appears that : — (1.) During the feeding period of 24 weeks, the steers which were fed upon ration No. 3 (corn ensilage, straw and meal) gained in weight on the average 19 lbs. per head more, and cost 5"06 cents per head less, per day for feed con- sumed, than the steers which were fed upon ration No. 2 (hay, roots, straw and meal) ; (2.) The cost for feed consumed per 100 lbs, of increase in live weight, was 66-34 per cent greater on ration No. 2 (hay, roots, straw and meal) than it was on ration No. 3 (com ensilage, straw and meal). The following is a summary of the results from the feeding tests for three years with two-year old steers. Conclusions. From the tests in 1890-91 it appears that: — (1.) During the feeding period of 20 weeks, the steers which were fed upon ration No. 3 (corn ensilage, straw and meal), gained in weight, on the aver- age, 33 lbs. per head more, and cost *7'33 cents per head less, per day for feed con- sumed, than the steers which were fed upon ration No. 2 (hay, roots, straw and meal) ; (2.) During the feeding period of 20 weeks, the steers which were fed upon ration No. 3 (corn ensilage, straw and meal), gained in weight, on the average, 61^ lbs. per head more, and cost 3'68 cents per head less, per day for feed consumed, than the steers which were fed upon ration No. 1 (hay, roots, corn ensilage, straw and meal) ; (3.) When the experiment was ended, the steers which were fed upon ration No. 2 (corn ensilage, straw and meal) w.to in the most attractive condition of the three lots for handling and selling. Conclusions. From the tests in 1891-92 it appears that: — (1.) During the feeding period of 18 weeks, the steers which were fed upon ration No. 3 (corn ensilage, straw and meal), gained in weight on the average 55|-lbs. per head more, and cost 3**75 cents per head less, per dayfor feed consumed, than the steers which were fed upon ration No. 2 (hay, roots, straw and meal); (2.) During the feeding period of 18 weeks, the steers which were fed upon ration No. 3 (corn ensilage, straw and meal), gained in weight on the average 36 lbs. per head more, and cost 3*81 cents per head less, per day for feed consumed, than the steers which were fed upon ration No. 1 (hay, roots, corn ensilage, straw and meal) ; (3.) The cost for feed consumed per 100 lbs. of increase in live weight, was 62-95 per cent greater on ration No. 2 (hay, roots, straw and meal, and 48-32 per cent greater on ration No. 1 (hay, roots, corn ensilage, straw and meal) than it was on ration No. 3 (corn ensilage, straw and meal). 8f— 5^ 68 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Conclusions. From these tests foj- three years it appears that: — (1.) On the average, the steers which were fed on ration No. 3 (corn ensilage, straw and meal) gained in weight on the average 35'8 lbs. per head more, and COST 5'38 cents less per head per day for feed consumed, than the steers which were fed upon ration No. 2 (hay, roots, straw and meal). (2.) On the average of two years, the cost for feed consumed per 100 lbs. of increase in live weight, was 64*64 per cent greater on ration No. 2 (hay, roots, straw and meal) than it was on ration No. 3 (corn ensilage, straw and meal). Feeding tests on the same two rations were carried on during the same time with four one-year old steers. These four steers, like the four two-year old steers, had been on a feeding experiment during the winter of 1891-92. The following tables show the rates of gain, etc.. during that test. Table X. Breed. Shorthorn No. 174 Quebec " 173 Shorthorn " 172 Quebec " 171 Weight Dec. 1. Lbs. 595 480 600 430 Weight April 5. Lbs. 850 644 812 605 Increase. Lbs. 255 164 212 175 Table XI. Rations. Breed. Increase in weight per day. Feed consumed per day. Cost per head per day. Cost per 100 lbs. of increase in weight. Hay, roots, straw and meal do Shorthorn No. 174. Quebec " 173. Shorthorn " 172. Quebec " 171. lbs. 202 1-30 1-68 1-38 lbs. 35-85 25-65 39-00 ' 31-50 cents. 1211 8-67 8-31 671 5-99 6-66 Corn ensilage, straw and meal . . . do 4-94 4-83 Conclusions. From these tests with calf steers it appears that: — (1.) During the feeding period of 18 weeks, the steers which were fed upon ration No. 3 (corn ensilage, straw and meal) gained in weight on the average 16 lbs. per head less and cost 2-87 cents per head less per day for feed consumed, than the steers which were fed upon ration No. 2 (hay, roots, straw and meal); (2.) The cost of feed consumed per 100 lbs. of increase in live weight, was 27"6 per cent greater, on ration No. 2 (hay, roots, straw and meal), than it was on ration No. 3 (corn ensilage, straw and meal). (3.) The cost of feed consumed per 100 lbs. of increase in weight was lowest in the case of a calf steer of " French Canadian " or "Quebec Jersey " breed, fed upon ration No. 3 (corn ensilage, straw and meal). In the test of 1892-93, the two steers which had been on ration No. 2 (hay, roots, straw and meal) in 1891-92, were again put on that ration ; and the other two steers were put as in the former test, on ration No. 3 (corn ensilage, straw and meal). They were allowed as much of the bulky-fodder part of the rations as they would eat; and each steer was given 4 lbs. of the mixed meal (barley, pease and frosted wheat) per day. REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURIST. 69 Eation No. 2 was altered for them also after February Tth by the addition of 40 lbs. of roots as in table VII. The following tables show (1) the increase in weight of each steer for the whole feeding period of 24 weeks, (2) the increase in weight per head per day, (3) the quantity of the ration consumed per head per day, (4) the quantity of the meal mixture consumed per head per day, (5) the coat per head per day, and (6) the cost per 100 lbs. of increase in weight, for feed consumed. Table XII. Rations. Breed. Weight Nov. 22. Weight May 9. Increase in weight. Increase per head per day. Hay, roots and straw Shorthorn No. 174. Quebec " 173. Shorthorn " 172. Quebec " 171. lbs. 1,060 830 1,015 795 lbs. 1,221 955 1,225 986 lbs. 161 125 210 191 lbs. •95 do Oorn ensilasre and straw.. •74 125 do 113 Table XIIL Rations. Breed. Bulky- • fodder per head per day. Meal per head per day. • Cost per head per day. Cost per 100 lbs. of increase. Hay, roots and straw Shorthorn No. 174. Quebec " 173. Shorthorn " 17'2. Quebec " 171. lbs. 42-30 30 74 48-19 40-80 lbs. 395 379 3-95 3-95 cents. 13-89 10-91 8^67 7-87 $ 14-50 do ■Com ensilage and straw 14 66 6-94 do 6 92 Conclusions. From these tests, it appears that : — « (1.) During the feeding period of 24 weeks, the steers which were fed upon ration No. 3 (corn ensilage, straw and meal) gained in weight on the average 57"5 lbs. per head more and cost4'13 cents per head less, per day for feed consumed, than the steers which were fed upon ration No. 2 (hay, roots, straw and meal). (2.) The cost of feed consumed per 100 lbs. of increase in live weight, was 110*39 per cent greater on ration No. 2 (hay, roots, straw and meal) than it was on ration No. 3 (corn ensilage, straw and meal) ; (3.) The cost of feed consumed per 100 lbs. of increase in weight was lowest in the case of a Shorthorn steer; but taking the tests for the two years (1891-92 and 1892-93), the cost of feed consumed per 100 lbs. of increase in weight, was slightly lowest in the case of a steer of the "French Canadian" or "Quebec" breed, fed upon corn ensilage, straw and meal. THE FEEDING OP HEIFERS. Two grade Shorthorn heifers were also fed on ration No. 2 (hay, roots and straw) and one grade Shorthorn and one Holstein heifer, of about similar age and quality, were fed on ration No. 3 (corn ensilage and straw). A grade Hol- stein steer was also fed with these two heifers on ration No. 3. They were allowed as much of the bulkj -fodder part of the ration as they would eat ; and each animal was given 4 or 5 lbs. of the mixed meal (barley, pease and frosted wheat) per day. Eation No. 2. was altered for them also after February 7th by the addition of 40 lbs. of roots, as in Table VII. 70 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. The following tables show (1) the increase in weight of each animal for tho whole feeding period of 24 weeks, (2) the increase in weight per head per day, (3) the quantity of the ration consumed per head per day, (4) the quantity of the meal mixture consumed per head per day, (5) the cost per head per day, and (6) the coat per 100 lbs. of increase in weight, for feed consumed. 4 Table XIV. Ration. Name of steer. Weight, Nov. 22. Weight May 9. Increase in weight. Increase per head per day. Hay, roots and straw Ida. Rose. Queen. Ethel. Baron. Lbs. 850 1,065 900 1,0G5 885 Lbs. 1,021 1,280 1,18.3 1,272 1,163 Lbs. 171 215 283 207 278 Lbs. 101 do do 1-28 Corn ensilage and straw 1-68 do do do do 1-23 1 65 Table XV. Ration. Name of steer. ] Bulky fodder per head per day. Meal per head per day. Cost per head per day. Cost per 100 lbs. of increase. Hay, roots and straw . . do do Ida. Rose. Queen. Ethel. Baron. Lbs. 40 16 43-34 52-22 53-20 52-98 Lbs. 3-92 4-94 3-94 4-88 3-95 cents. 13 -.32 15-01 9-11 10-03 9-20 13 09 11 73 Corn ensilage and straw do do 5-41 8-14 do do 5-56 Conclusions. From these tests it appears that: — (1.) During the feeding period of 24 weeks, the animals which were fed upon ration No. 3 (corn ensilage, straw and meal) gained in weight on the average 63 lbs. per head more and cost 4*72 cents per head less, per day, for feed consumed, than the animals which were fed upon ration No. 2 (hay, roots, straw and meal) ; (2.) The cost for feed consumed per 100 lbs. of increase in live weight, was 94*82 per cent greater on ration No. 2 (hay, roots, straw and meal) than it was on ration No. 3 (corn ensilage, straw and meal). The following tables show the average of the results from the six animals fed upon ration No. 2 (hay, roots, straw and meal) and from the seven animals fed upon ration No. 3 (com ensilage, straw and meal) for the whole feeding period of 24 weeks: — Table XVI. Ration. Weight, Nov. 22. Weight, May 9. Increase in weight. Increase per head per day. Hay, roots and straw Com ensilage and straw . Average of six ani- mals Average of seven animals Lbs. 1,024 997 Lbs. 1,201 1,225 Lbs. 177 228 Lbs. 105 I'Si REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURIST. 71 Table XVII. Ration. Bulky-fodder per head per day. Meal per head per day. Cost per head per day. Cost per 100 lbs. of mcrease. Hay, roots and straw. . . . Corn ensilage and straw . Average of six ani- mals Average of seven animals. , Lbs. 44 00 50-31 Lbs. 4-41 4-36 cents. 13-87 9-26 $ 13-35 6-95 Conclusions. From these tests it appears that: — (1.) During the feeding period of 24 weeks, the animals -which were fed upon ration No. 3 (corn ensilage, straw and meal) gained in weight on the average 51 lbs. per head more, and cost -i'b'l cents per head less per day for feed consumed, than the animals which were fed upon ration N"o. 2 (hay, roots,straw and meal) ; _ (2.) The cost for feed consumed per 100 lbs. of increase in liVe weight, was 92-08 per cent greater on ration No. 2 (hay, roots, straw and meal), than it was on ration No. 3 (corn ensilage, straw and meal) ; (3.) The cost of feed consumed per 100 lbs. of increase in weight was lowest in the case of a grade Shorthorn heifer (viz., $5.44 per 100 lbs. of increase in weight), fed upon ration No. 3 (corn ensilage, straw and meal). PAET II.— THE FEEDING OP SWINE. The experiments in the feeding of swine during 1893 were mainly directed towards gaining information on the quantities of grain consumed per pound of in- crease in live weight by swine of different breeds or breeding. Incidentally, tests with the use of frosted wheat as the whole or part of the ration were continued. First Series. A series of experiments was commenced with four pens of swine of different breeding, by feeding them on frozen or frosted wheatj^'ground and soaked in cold water for an average of 18 hours. The swine in every pen were weighed once a week. Table I. Pen No. 1 contained 3 swine, crossbred by Berkshire sire and Poland-China dam Oct, 3. Live weight. . Increase m w^ght Feed consumed . . . do per lb. of increase in live weight. Lbs. 329 Oct. 31. Lbs. 469 140 585^ 417 Nov. 28. Dec. 26. Lbs. 589 120 565i 4-71 Lbs. 630 41 364 . 8-87 Totals. Lbs. ' 36i' 1,51.-) 503 72 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Table II. Pen No. 2 contained 4 swine, grades by Improved Large Yorkshire sire and Berkshire Grade dam. Live weight. Increase in weight Feed consumed do per lb. of increase in live weight . Oct. 3. Lbs. 376 Oct. 31. Lbs, 499 123 624' 5-07 Nov. 28. Lbs. 642 143 631 4-41 Dec. 26. Lbs. 746 104 608 5-84 Totals. Lbs. 6H) 1,863 503 Table III. Pen No. 3 contained 2 swine, crossbred by Improved Large Yorkshire sire and Berkshire dam. Live weight Increase in weight Feed consumed ........ do per lb. of increase in live weight . Oct. 3. Lbs. 2.56 Oct. 31. Lbs. 331 75 371i 4-93 Nov. 28. Lbs. 398 67 342 510 Dec, 26. Lbs. 426 28 232 8-28 Totals. Lbs. 170 945^ 5-56 Table IV. Pen No. 4 contained 3 swine, purebred Improved Large Yorkshires. Live weight Increase in weight. Feed consumed do per lb. of increase in live weight. Oct. 3. Lbs. 275 Oct. 31. Lbs. 338 63 370 5-87 Nov. 28. Lbs. 405 67 364 5-43 Dec 26. Lbs. 314* 42 276 657 Totals. Lbs. ' 172" 1,010 5-87 * 2 swine only. Conclusions. From these tests with 12 swine, which were continued 12 weeks, it appears that: — (1.) On the average 5*26 lbs. of frosted wheat were consumed per pound of increase in the live weight. Second Series. A series of experiments was commenced with five pens of swine of different breeds or breeding, I y feeding them all on the same ration, — a mixture of equal parts by weight of barley and fiosted wheat, both ground and soaked in cold water for an average of 30 hours. After the first week a quantity of pulped carrots, equal to one-fifth of the weight of grain consumed, was given. REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURIST. 73 Table V. Pkn No. 1 contained 4 swiue, purebred Improved Large Yorkshires. Live weight . . . Increase in weight Feed consumed { ^^rrots'. do per lb. ot increase in live I grain . . weight / carrots . Feb. 7. Lbs. 756 Mch. 7. Lbs. 793 37 322 45 9-91 Apl. 4. Lbs. 825 32 325 65 12 18 May Lbs. 944 119 450 90 4-53 Totals. Lbs. 188 1,097 200 5-83 106 Table VI. Pen No. 2 contained 4 swine, purebred Tamworths. Live weight. Increase in vsreight Feed consumed { f^^^^^g' do per lb. of increase in live i grain. . . weight J carrots. Feb. 7. Mch. 7. Lbs. 457 Lbs. 524 67 394 58 6-74 Apl. 4. May Lbs. 593 69 315 63 5-47 Lbs. 691 98 400 80 4-89 Totals. Lbs. 234 1,109 201 4-74 •86 Table VII. Pen No. 3 contained 3 swine, purebred Berkshires. Feb. 7. Live weight. Increase in weight Feed consumed ......{ °™ts'. do per lb. of increase in live f grain. . . weight / carrots. Lbs. 351 Mch. 7. Lbs. 420 69 299 45 4-98 April 4. Lbs. 469 49 245 49 600 Mav 2. Lbs. 558 89 320 64 4-31 Totals. Lbs. 207 864 158 4 17 •76 Table VIII. Pen No. 4 contained 4 swine, crossbred by Improved Large Yorkshire sire and Poland China dam. Feb. 14. Mch 14. Apl. 11. May 9. Totals. Live weight. , Increase in weight .... .r.. .. 1 r erain. . Lbs. 479 Lbs. 571 92 450 90 586 Lbs. 654 83 335 67 4-84 Lbs. 757 103 445 89 518 Lbs. 278 1,230 Feed consumed {^a^ois ! 246 do per lb. of increase in live \ grain . , . 442 •89 74 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Table IX. Pen No. 5 contained 6 swine, crossbred by Improved Large Yorkshire sire and Essex dam. Live weight Increase in weight Feed consumed {^^rrots. '.'.'.'. [IV do per lb. of 1 grain . . increase in live weight / carrots . Feb. 14. Lbs. 420 Mch. 14. Lbs. 505 85 475 95 670 Apl. 11. Lbs. 633 128 395 79 3 70 May 9. Lbs. 809 176 600 120 409 Totals, Lbs. 389 1,470 294 3-77 •76 Conclusions. From these tests with 21 swine, which were continued for 12 weeks, it appears that: — (1.) On the average, 4*45 lbs. of barley and frosted wheat, both ground and soaked, plus '85 lbs. of pulped carrots, were consumed per pound of increase in the live weight. Third Series. A series of experiments was commenced with eight pens of swine of different breeds or breeding by feeding them all on the same ration — a mixture of equal parts (by measure) of ground barley, rye, frosted wheat and bran. All the grain was ground and soaked in cold water for an average of 8 hours from August 23 to Nov- ember 8 and for an average of 18 hours thereafter. Table X. Pen No. 1 contained 5 swine, crossbred by Berkshire sire and Poland China dam. Aug. 23. Sep. 20. Oct. 18. Nov. 15. Dec. 6. Totals. Live weight Tnnrease m weisrlit Lbs. 418 Lbs. 534 116 446 3-84 Lbs. 643 109 400 4 22 Lbs. 742 99 396 4-00 Lbs. 807 05 297 4-57 Lbs. 389 1,599 do ner lb. of increase in live weieht. . 411 Table XI. Pen No. 2 contained 2 swine, crossbred by Berkshire sire and Tamworth dam. Live weight Increase in weight Feed consumed do per lb. of increase in live weight. Aug. 23. Lbs. 188 Sep. 20. Lbs. 224 36 171 475 Oct. 18. Lbs. 276 52 163 313 Nov. 15. Lbs. 320 44 171 3-88 Dec. 6. Lbs. 346 26 133 511 Totals. Lbs. 158 638 403 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURIST. 75 Table XII. Pen No. 3 contained 5 swine, crossbred by Berkshire sire and Improved Large Yorkshire dam. Aug. 23. Sep. 20. Oct. 18. Nov. 15. Dec. 6. Totals. TjIv© weiffbt Lbs. « 248 Lbs. 319 71 252 3-54 Lbs. 394 75 280 3-73 Lbs. 482 88 304 3-45 Lbb. 544 62 266 4 29 Lbs. \ . , m Tnorpase in weicrlit 296 Feed consumed 1,102 do per lb. of increase in live weiffht 3-72 Table XIII. Pen No. 4 contained 5 swine, crossbred by Improved Large Yorkshire sire and Berk- shire dam. Live weight Increase in weight Feed consumed do per lb. of increase in live weight Aug. 23. Lbs. 210 Sept. 20. Lbs 281 71 210 2-95 Oct, 18. Lbs. 345 64 206 3-21 Nov. 15. Lbs. 394 49 200 4-08 Dec. 6. Totals. Lbs. 430 36 181 502 Lbs. 220 797 3-62 Table XIV. Pen No. 5 contained 5 swine, crossbred by Essex sire and Improved Large Yorkshire dam. Aug. 23. Sept. 20. Oct. 18. Nov 15. Dec. 6. Totals Tiivft wf^iffhti Lbs. 205 Lbs. 256 51 221 4-33 Lbs. 310 54 235 4-35 Lbs. 373 63 245 3-88 Lbs. 417 44 205 4-63 Lbs. Increase in weight 212 Feed consumed. do per lb. of increase in live weight 906 4-27 Table XV. Pen No. 6 contained 5 swine, crossbred by Essex sire and Improved Large Yorkshire dam. Aug. 23. Sep. 20. Oct. 18. Nov. 15. Dec. 6. Live weight Lbs. 225 Lbs. 295 70 256 3-65 Lbs. 363 68 256 3-76 Lbs. 431 68 258 3-79 Lbs. 490 59 220 3-70 Lbs. Increase in weight 265 Feed consumed 990 do per lb. of increase in live weight 3-73 76 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Table XVI. Pen No. 7 contained 4 swine, grades by Tamworth sire and Berkshire Grade dam. Live weight Increase in weight Feed consumed do per lb. of increase in live weight Sep. 6. Lbs. 210 Oct. 4. Lbs. 270 60 209 3-48 Nov. 1. Lbs. 352 82 230 "2 -80 Nov. 29. Lbs. 452 100 34B 3-46 Totals. Lbs. 242 785 3-24 Table XVII. Pen No. 8 contained 5 swine purebred, Improved Large Yorkshires. Sep. 6. Live weight. Increase in weight Feed consumed do per lb. of increase in live weight. Lbs. 241 Oct. 4. Lbs. 293 52 241 4-63 Nov. 1. Lbs. 348 55 181 3-29 Nov. 29. Lds. 411 63 242 3-84 Totals. Lbs. 170 664 3-90 Conclusions. From these tests with 36 swine, which were continued 15 weeks and 12 weekt>, it appears that: — (1.) On the average, 3*83 lbs. of a mixture of barley, rye, frosted wheat (all ground), and bran- were consumed per pound of increase in the live weight. The tests are being continued with the swine in these pens. PAET III.— THE EOBBRTSON MIXTURE FOE ENSILAGE. For a few years I have been seeking to find and put into the silo with Indian corn, some other fodder plant or plants, which would furnish the quantity of albu- minoids necessary to make a well-balanced ration in a form which would cost much loss than ripened cereals or concentrated by-products, such as oil-meal, cotton-seed meal or bran. Clovers and pease were tried with indifferent success, and the climb- ing or pole beans have been grown with cornstalks for trellis without appreciable advantage. It is desirable that ensilage should contain, besides the albuminoids and cjirbo-hyd rates such as may be found in Indian corn and horse beans, a larger quan- tity of fat than these plants contain. In a country with such a climate as prevails in Canada during the winter, it seems advisable to provide a winter ration for cattle containing a fairly large proportion of fat, as a bland, heat-producing part of a lation in a cheap and palatable form. I venture to believe that we have now secured that in the heads of sunflowers. The horse bean or small field bean (Faba vulgaris, variety equina) seems to meet the case, so far as the albuminoids are concerned. This plant grows with a stiff, erect stem of a quadrangular shape. It attains in Canada a height of from 3 feet to 6 feet. It bears pods from within 6 or 8 inches from the base of the stalk to near its top. ■ The beans when ripened are of a grayish-brown colour, and of oblong round shape, about ^-inch in long diameter and from f to a J-inch in short diameters. Plants have carried ripened beans in the lower pods, while the topmost ones on the same stalks were hardly out of bloom. REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURIST. 77 The sunflower (Helianthus annuus) grows luxuriantly over the whole of the tem- perate zone on this continent, and the seeds contain a large percentage of fat. The variety known as Mammoth Russian has been grown in rows 3 feet apart, and it appears to do best when the plants are from 12 to 18 inches apart in the rows. The following table shows the constituents of the horse beans and bunflower heads, as analysed by Mr. Frank T. Shutt, Chemist, Dominion Experimental Farms : — Analyses in 1892. Horse beans do Sunflower heads with seeds Horse beans do , Sunflower heads with seeds Water. Album- inoids. Fat. Carbo- hy- drates. Fibre. Ash. P.O. p. c. p. c. p. c. p. c. p. c. 89-24 2-75 •73 2-26 3-71 1-09 86-15 2-69 •66 4-17 4-98 1-35 75-62 2-35 4'86 7-88 7-94 1-35 Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. per ton. per ton. per ton. per ton. per ton. per ton. 1784-8 55-0 14-6 45-2 74-2 21-8 1723-0 53-8 13-2 83-4 99-6 27 0 1512-4 47-0 97-2 157-6 158-8 27-0 Dry matter. p. e. 10-76 13-85 24-38 Lbs. per ton. 215-2 277-0 487-6 A brief test of the feeding of a group of cows, for 70 days during the early part of the year, was made on a ration composed of: — Pounds. Corn ensilage 40 Eoots 50 Straw 8 Mixed meal 4 A similar group of cows was fed on the following ration, wherein the ensilage contained Indian corn at the rate of 12 parts to 1 part of sunflower heads : — Pounds. Corn ensilage and sunflower heads 40 Eoots 50 Straw 8 Meal 2 No appreciable difference in the quantity or quality of the milk, as to its per- centage of solids from the different groups of cows, could be traced or attributed to the different rations upon which they were fed. After both groups of cows had been fed for two weeks on the different mixtures, tests were made to discover if any difference appeared in the quality of the milk from the different groups, in regard to the readiness with which the cream could be separated by the setting method, or in the quality of the butter which was obtained from it. The following table shows the average of the tests of nine days' milk from the two groups of cows. The test was commenced on 20th February. The milk from both groups was treated exactly alike. The setting was in deep pails in ice water for 22 hours. 78 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. With corn f-nsilage. Lbs. of milk Per cent of butter-fat. Lb.s. of butter-fat Lbs. of skim-milk Per cent of butter-fat in skim-milk., Lbs. of butter-fat in skim-milk . . . . Lbs. of cream Per cent of butter-fat in cream. Lbs. of butter-fat in cream .... Lbs. of butter-milk Per cent of butter-fat in butter-milk . Lbs. of butter-fat in butter-milk. . . . Lbs. of marketable butter Lbs. of milk per lb. of butter Lbs. of butter per 100 lbs. of milk Per cent of butter-fat unrecovered. Lbs. of butter per lb. of bntter-fat in milk. 122 379 4-62 97 •50 •49 25 16-52 413 21-50 •40 •09 5-00 24-40 4-10 13-34 1-08 With corn ensilage and sunflower heads. 121 3-54 4-28 96 ■35 •34 25 15-76 3-94 22-50 •30 •07 4-75 •25.47 3-93 9 58 1-11 Butter from both groups was examined on 15th March, when it was found that the hutter from the sunflower lot, was of richer flavour and a little higher colour than the other. In order to obtain reliable information upon the methods of growing these three plants, Indian corn, horse beans and sunflowers, in the most advantageous manner in different parts of the Dominion, arrangements were made for distributing a small quantity of seeds, at cost price, to a number of farmers in different localities. Our experience in 1892 had pointed in the direction of planting the horse beans and corn mixed in the same rows, and the following circular of directions was sent to the farmers to whom seed was supplied : — Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, 20th April, 1893. Circular op Directions for the Eobertson Mixture for Ensilage. ■Soil If a field with a drained, warm, loamy soil be convenient to the silo, and can be used, it should be selected in preference to a heavy clay or wet soil. In all cases,the land should receive a liberal dressing of manure, be ploughed in the spring, and be harrowed to a state of fine tilth before the seeds are planted. Time to Plant. The time at which Indian corn for fodder may be planted with the best-results, is the best time at which to plant or sow these seeds also. In most districts that period is during the last ten daj^sof May, or late enough in the season to escape frosts at night, and earlj' enough to give the plants the advantage of as long a season for growing as is practicable. The horse beans and sunflowers are loss liable to injury from frost than Indian corn. REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURIST. 79 How to Plant. The Indian corn and horse heans (which have been mixed) are to be planted in rows 3 feet apart, with from 2 to 4 grains per lineal foot in every row. A horse- power corn-planter or seed drill may be used for that purpose. Or they may be planted in hills 3 feet apart both ways, with from 6 to 10 grains in every hill. A horse-power or hand corn-planter may be used. If none of these implements and no other suitable planter be available, furrows 3 inches deep may be ploughed 3 feet apart. The seeds may be put in them and covered, after which the field should be rolled. The sunflower seeds are to be planted by themselves, in rows 3 teet apart with not more than 3 or 4 seeds per foot in the row. They may be planted with a small hand planter, or by a method similar to the one which is used with the Indian corn and horse beans. Depth of Planting. All the seeds should be planted to a depth of from 2 to 3 inches. Cultivation. Only in cases where a crust forms on the land, before or immediately after the plants come up, a light harrowing will prove helpful to the crop. The cultivation between the rows, when the plants are small, should be close to them; when the plants have grown to a height of 2 feet, it should be more distant and shallow, in order not to injure the side roots. Cutting in the Field. The crop is to be cut when the Indian corn reaches the "glazing" stage of growth, that is when the ears are just past the best condition for table use. The corn and beans may be cut by hand or by any of the devices in use for cutting fodder corn in the field. The heads only of the sunflowers are to be used. They may be cut by a com- mon reaping hook or other knife. They may be put directly into a wagon or cart, or into a basket or into heaps, from which they may be loaded afterwards. Putting into the Silo. When the Indian corn has reached the "glazing " stage of growth, the crop is to be put into the silo without wilting or drying; but if and when it has not reached the " glazing " stage before frost comes, it is to be cut and left to wilt or dry in the field for about one day. The corn and beans (from two aires) are to be cut in lengths of from |-inch to 1-inch and put into the silo ; and the heads only (from half an acre) of sunflowers are to be cut with them. They may be fed through the cutting-box on and with the corn and beans. A fairly even distribution of the mixture should be made in the silo, while it is being filled. If the leaves and lighter parts are permitted to flutter into one place, and the stalks, ears and heavier portions are allowed to settle by themselves, the ensilage will not keep well. The mixture is to be tramped thoroughly around the sides and in the corners of the silo. A thin layer of uncut cornstalks should be put between the " Eobertson Mixture " and the other contents (if any) of the silo, in order to mark the exact place in the ensilage. 80 . EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. After the silo is filled, the surface should be levelled and thoroughly tramped ; and after the lapse of not more than one day, it should be covered to a depth of 6 inches with cut straw or cheap fodder. If this be tramped occasionally, and a foot of cut straw be put on top of that a few days later, probably no waste ensilage will be found on the opening of the silo for feeding. Feeding the Ensilage. The " EoBERTSON Mixture " is to be fed with 4 lbs. less meal or grain per 50 lbs. of ensilage, than Iras been required with ordinary Indian corn ensilage, to make an economical ration for feeding milking cows and fattening cattle. tiilo. Ensilage has come to mean any kind of fodder which is cured and preserved in a succulent state for the feeding of domestic animals. The silo has no power to add any nutrient to the fodder which is put into it for preservation. Its contents may become more digestible and palatable by the changes which proceed slowly under the action of ferments, or they may become less pleasant and wholesome, if fermen- tation goes too far. Fodder which is deficient in nutrients before it is put into a silo, will expe- rience no regeneration there. Degeneration into offensive material is the only and constant tendency. To prevent deterioration and decay is the function of the silo ; and to that end it should be constructed to exclude the atmosphere. To do so requires the use of building material of adequate strength. The fastening of the parts, at the founda- tion and at the corners of the silo, should be secure. I have found one ply of sound, 1-inch lumber, tongued and grooved, and nailed horizontally on the inside of studs 2 inches by 10 inches or 2 inches by 12 inches, to be sufficient. A clay or earthen floor is most economical and is as good as any that can be put in. Report on results. Please keep a record of: — (1) How the soil Avas prepared ; (2) How the seeds were planted ; (3) The date of planting; (4) The date of cuttino; ; (5) The stage of growth attained by the different plants of the mixture ; (6) The yield per acre of Indian corn and horse beans ; (7) The yield per acre of sunflower heads ; (8) Any unusual condition of weather such as heavy storm, frost, etc. ; (9) Any other occurrence or condition which may affect the crop. A form upon which to report, will be sent to you in due season. Please fill it up carefully and return it here. Letters on official business can be sent free of postage. Wm. Saunders, Jas. W. Eobertson, Director. Agriculturist. On the Experimental Farm here, the mixture was planted in accordance with these directions, and tests were also made by the planting of the corn and horse beans in alternate rows, and by the growing of the horse beans in rows, by themselves. The following shows the results obtained from the different methods of planting: — A plot of nearly 3 acres was planted on June 3rd with Thoroughbred White Flint corn and horse beans of the Granton variety. The soil on one quarter of the plot was light sandy loam and on the remaining three quarters was heavy sandy loam. A dressing of cattle-stable manure was applied at the rate of 10 or 12 tons per acre, REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURIST. 81 and was ploughed in. 18^ lbs. of corn and 30 lbs. of horse beans were mixed, and put on per acre in rows three feet apart. The crop came up irregularly, and on June 10th it was harrowed with light harrows. The cultivation was similar to that for an ordinary Indian corn crop. On October 2nd the corn plants had reached the late milk stage ; and the bean stalks were fairly well podded although the crop of them was thin. Three represen- tative rows of 100 feet each were cut, and the corn and bean plants were weighed separately. The beans weighed 9*31 per cent of the whole crop. When the crop was cut for the silo on 12th October, it was found that the yield was 40 tons 1,434 lbs. from 2-827 acres. That was at the rate of 14 tons 806 lbs. per acre; or 12 tons 144 lbs. of Indian corn and 1 ton 662 lbs. of horse beans. A plot of 5 acres was planted on 1st June with Longfellow corn and horse beans of the Granton variety. The soil of the plot was clay loam and sandy loam. No manure was applied. 18^ lbs. of corn and 30 lbs. of horse beans were mixed, and put on per acre in rows three feet apart. The crop came up on 9th and 10th June and was harrowed on 9th June with light harrows. On 2nd October the corn plants had reached the glazing or almost ripe stage; and the beans were nearly all ripe. Three representative rows of 100 feet each were cut and the corn and bean plants we^-e weighed separately. The beans weighed 6*3 per cent of the whole crop. When the crop was cut on 10th October, it was found that the yield was 67 tons 1,905 lbs. from 5 acres. That was at the rate of 13 tons 1,181 lbs. per acre; or 12 tons 1,469 lbs. of Indian corn and 1,712 lbs. of horse beans. A plot of 4 acres was planted on 6th July, with Compton's Early corn and horse beans of the G^ran^on variety. The soil was a light sandy loam. A light dressing of cattle-stable manure — about 8 tons per acre — had been applied in the fall. The plot was then sown on 3rd September with fall rye of the Beading Giant variety. The rye was cut on 19th June, a light dressing of manure was ploughed in, and corn and beans were planted on 26th June. The crows pulled up most of the corn and the plot was replanted on 6th July, at the rate of 18|^ lbs. of corn and 30 lbs. of horse beans, per acre, mixed in the same rows, which were three feet apart. On 2nd October, the corn plants had reached the early milk stage ; and the beans were mostly in flower with a few pods at the lower ends. Three represen- tative rows of 100 feet each were cut and the corn and bean plants were weighed separately. The beans weighed 19*78 per cent of the whole crop. When the crop was cut on 14tb to 16th October, it was found that the yield was 39 tons 1,335 lbs. from 4 acres. That was at the rate of 9 tons 1,834 lbs. per acre; or 7 tons 1,912 lbs. of Indian corn and 1 ton 1,922 lbs. of horse beans. In plots where the horse beans were grown in alternate rows with Indian corn, the beans were a comparative failure. That appeared to be attributable mainly to the unfavourable weather which prevailed. A plot of 2 acres was planted on 1st June, with several varieties of horse beans, in rows three feet apart. The soil was a clay loam which had been cropped with barley in 1892, No manure was applied. The beans were planted with a force feed seed drill, with only two spouts running, and at the rate of two-thirds of a bushel per acre. They were planted 1st June, and came up 11th June. They were cut 16th October, and left to wilt in the field for two days before they were weighed and put into the silo. The lower pods on the stalks were filled and ripened, and the upper pods were green, with the beans not quite firm. The following are the yields per acre of the different varieties, weighed after being wilted for two days: Horse Beans. Granton variety 9 tons 1,717 lbs. per acre. Tick do 9 do 1,252 do Carse do 7 do 1,631 do Kilbride do ... 7 do 1,057 do Mazagan do 7 do 979 do Average 8 tons 927 lbs. per acre. 8c— 6 82 , EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. The cost of labour for growing 2 acres of horse beans was as follows : — Eent of land, @ $3 per acre $ 6 00 Ploughing, @ $2 per acre 4 00 Harrowing 3 times, rolling once 1 60 Seed, \\ bushels 2 00 Sowing, 3 hours of team 0 75 Cultivating, single horse, 2 days @ $U50..., 3 00 Hoeing, 10 days 12 50 Cutting with scythe, 2 days 2 50 Loading, 3 days v 3 75 Drawing to silo, 1^^ days of team 3 00 Proportion of time of farm foreman .*. 4 00 Total $ 43 10 Those figures do not include any allowance for the use of farm machinery, nor do they include any amount as an equivalent for the exhaustion of soil. The cost for labour was $21.55 per acre. The average yield of the horse beans was 8 tons 927 lbs. per acre, which gives an average cost of $2.55 per ton for labour of growing, including cost of seed and rent of land. The season in point of weather was a most unusual one over the western part of the province of Quebec and over nearly the whole of the province of Ontario. While many sections were parched with drought fi-om June until August, the rains on the Experimental Farm here were frequent and unusually heavy. Two very severe storms swept over the farm, breaking down the cornstalks and levelling to the ground four-fifths of the sunflower stalks on the different areas on wbich they were planted. For that reason, the results in our trial of sunflowers during the past season cannot be taken as what might be expected in the average of years. The sunflowers in 1892 were such an average crop, as might be obtained where it was not injured by any unusual occurrence. The yield in 1892 was 7^ tons of sunflower heads per acre. As yet, reports have been received from only some 60 farmers, who gave the mixture a trial during the last summer. On account of the unusual weather, the bean crop appears to have been a total or almost total failure in most places in the province of Ontario. In the Maritime Provinces, where the rainfall and temperature were nearer the normal, the reports are favourable and indicate what might be expected in other parts of Canada, when regard is had to the time of planting which is most suitable for the different localities. I quote the following from reports received from some farmers in the provinces of New Brunswick and Quebec : — In all these cases, the mixture was planted according to the directions in the cir- cular which accompanied the seeds, with the corn and beans mixed in the same rows, and the sunflowers grown in rows by themselves. From Mr. Z. E. Estey, Lower French Village, York Co., N.B. " Q. Beans : Were the pods formed, filled or ripened ? — A. Mostly filled and ripened, and shelling considerably. Average height of plants ? Four feet. Yield per acre? Eleven tons of corn with four tons of beans. Yield per acre of sunflower heads ? Five or six tons. G-eneral Eemarks: — The beans I am convinced should be planted later than the Longfellow corn." Prom Mr. Abram Alward, Butternut Eidge, Westmoreland Co., N. B. " Q. Beans : Were the pods formed, filled or ripened ? — A. Some stalks contained a large number of pods, some ripened at bottom, other stalks contained no pods, blossoms seemed to be blighted. Average height of plants ? Three feet six inches. Yield per acre ? Of sunflower heads, about 200 bushels ; of corn and beans, about eight tons, green weight, of which there were five tons of corn and three tons of beans. REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURIST. 83 General Eemarks: I am fully convinced that by planting the horse beans early with the corn, one can increase the yield per acre from 3 to 4 tons without injury to the corn in any way, and the beans seem to grow better and till fully as well among the corn, as they do planted separate." From Mr. E. C. Cole, Moncton, Westmoreland Co., N. B. "Q. Beans: Were the pods formed, filled or ripened? — A. Pods formed very well along whole length of stalk, ripened near butt, and fairly well filled half way up. Average height of plants ? Three feet. Yield per acre? Of sunflower heads, seven tons; of corn and beans, about twelve tons ; of which three-fourths for corn and one-fourth for beans." From Mr. Joseph E. Taylor, Taylor Village, Westmoreland Co., N. B. " Q. Beans : Were the pods formed, filled or ripened ? — A. About one-half of the beans were ripe, the rest well filled. Average height of plants? Five feet six inches; some of the stalks measured as high as seven feet. Yield per acre? — Of corn and beans, 16 tons 130 lbs.; of which, estimate about two-thirds for corn and about one-third for beans." In this case the sunflowers were almost a total failure on account of the storm. From Mr. Percy G. Mills, Eockville, King's Co., N. B. " Q. Beans : Were the pods formed, filled or ripened ? — A, The lower ones were ripened. Average height of plants ? Three feet. Yield per acre ? — Of sunflower heads, four tons ; of corn and beans, fifteen tons ; of which, estimate, ten tons for corn and five tons for beans." From Mr. P. G. Goodenough, Eobinson, Compton Co., Que. " Q. Beans : Were the pods formed, filled or ripened ? — A. Some were ripe. Average height of plants? About three feet. Yield per acre : — Of sunflower heads? — four or five tons. Of corn and beans ? About twelve tons ; of which, estimate eight tons for corn, and four tons for beans. General Eemarks : — I think the beans are a fine thing. I will plant them with all my corn next year, if I can get them." From Mr. Fred. Burns, Island Brook P. O., Compton Co., Que. " Q. Beans : Were the pods formed, filled or ripened ? — A. Well filled and some of them ripe. Average height of plants ? Four feet. Yield per acre : — Of sunflower heads ? — seven tons. Of corn and beans ? — twe nty- two tons ; of which, estimate sixteen tons for corn, and six tons for beans." From Mr. Cecil A. Barton, Frelighsburgh, Missisquoi Co., Que. "Q. Beans: Were the pods formed, filled or ripened? — A. Eipened. Average height of plants ? Pour feet. Yield per acre: — Of sunflower heads ? — About six tons. Of corn and beans ? — About twelve tons; of which, estimate eleven tons for corn, and one for beans. General remarks : — I found some beans six feet high, and containing 40 pods. The beans were ripe, and a good many of the stalks of them dry when harvested. For that reason, they did not weigh as they would have done had they been cut earlier. I had one sunflower head, 13 inches in diameter, which contained one quart of seed when shelled. I prefer one large head of sunflower to many little ones, as the seeds in the small ones are seldom well filled, and they are very much harder to harv^est." 8c— 6^ 84 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Very much valuable information on several aspects of the growing and cultivat- ing of corn, horse beans and sunflowers, has been gained from the full reports which were sent in by the different farmers who gave the mixture a trial. From that source and the results of our own experience, I offer the following recommenda- tions for the growing of this mixture for the coming year: — The horse beans and sunflowers can be obtained from almost any of the dealers in seeds. It is not considered necessary or desirable that seeds should be furnished by the Experimental Farm, after information is available on the desirable methods of cultivation, and when they can be obtained from the seed merchants. Soil. — If a field with a drained, warm, loamy soil be convenient to the silo, and can be used, it should be selected in preference to a heavy clay or wet soil for Indian corn. The horse beans do well in clay soils. In all cases the land will be the better for receiving a liberal dressing of manure. It should be ploughed in the spring, and be harrowed to a state of fine tilth before the seeds are planted. Time to plant. — The time at which Indian corn for fodder may be planted with the best results, in most districts, is during the last ten days of May, or late enough in the season to escape frosts at night, and early enough to give the plants the advantage of as long a season for growing as is practicable. The horse beans and sunflowers are less liable to injury from frost than Indian corn. Throughout the province of Ontario and the western portion of the province of Quebec, the horse beans may be planted with advantage from two to three weeks later than the Indian corn. The sunflowers should be planted as early in the spring as is practicable, — otherwise the heads may not ripen in time to be put into the silo. Proportion. — The mixture should contain about 10 tons of Indian corn fodder, to about 2J or 3 tons of horse beans and about 1 or 1^ tons of sunflower heads. To obtain it in these proportions, it should be grown at the rate of one quarter of an acre of sunflowers, and half an acre of horse beans, to every acre of Indian corn. Mow to -plant. — Throughout the Maritime Provinces and in the eastern part of the province of Quebec, the Indian corn and horse beans may be mixed together and planted in rows 3 feet apart, with from 2 to 4 grains per lineal foot in every row. Elsewhere a larger crop of bean plants, not too ripe and dry for the silo, may be ensured by planting them separate from the Indian corn. The Indian corn may be planted in rows 3 feet apart, with from 2 to 3 grains per lineal foot in every row. A horse power corn planter or seed-drill may be used for that purpose. Or it maybe planted in hills 3 feet apart both ways, with from 4 to 6 grains in every hill. A horse power or hand corn-planter may be used. If neither of these implements and no other suitable planter be available, furrows 3 inches deep may be ploughed 3 feet apart. The seeds may be put in them and covered, after which the field should be rolled. The horse beans may be planted in rows 3 feet apart, with from 3 to 6 grains per lineal foot in every row. The same machinery or method may be used as for the sowing or planting of the Indian corn. The sunflower seeds are to be planted by themselves, in rows 3 feet apart. Not more than one plant per lineal foot in the rows should be left to grow. If they come up thicker, they should be thinned out to one plant for every 12 or 18 inches in the rows. REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST. (John Craig.) To Wm. Saunders, Esq., Director Dominion Experimental Farms, Ottawa. Sib, — I have the honour to submit a report of some of the work carried on in the Horticultural Department of the Experimental Farm for the year 1893. The fruit year as a whole was characterized by a very light crop in the fruit- growing sections of the provinces of Quebec and Ontario. The excessive drought and unusual amount of summer heat prevailing in Ontario between June first and September first, hastened the period of maturity of autumn and winter fruits, and this, together with the presence of apple insects in unusual numbers, caused the fruit to drop from the trees at an earlier period than usual. The price of autumn and early winter apples in Britain did not rise in propor- tion to the shortage of the American crop, owing to the excessively large yield of apples in Great Britain which, coming on the London market in competition with the earlier shipments of Canadian apples, had the effect of keeping the price quite low. At this date the English product, according to reports received, is exhausted, and it would appear that an excellent market for Canadian apples will be available during the remainder of the season. In Nova Scotia a moderate crop of G-ravensteins and Kings, and other standard apples, was harvested and excellent prices obtained. Increased interest is noticed in the work of spraying for the prevention of fun- gous diseases and noxious insects. While in every instance spraying for the pre- vention of fungous diseases, has not rewarded the efforts of the experimenters with complete success, yet there has generally been some particular cause why better results were not obtained, and indeed it is not always wise to quote individual experiments which may have been influenced by local circumstances that do not generally prevail, and so are not applicable to ordinary conditions. A great variety of spraying pumps are now manufactured and offered for sale in the Dominion. The principal drawback in connection with these implements is that many of them are manufactured with the idea of giving a cheap article to the public. The parts are not sufficiently well constructed to bear the strain of continued use during the spraying season, and consequently break down. This frequent stopping for repairs is one of the most annoying incidents connected with the operation of spraying, and often has the affect of discouraging the fruit-grower to such an extent as to prevent his carrying on the work effectually. In the report of Mr. Tweddle, which is referred to in the text, special mention is made of this defect in connection with the machine he used. Large Fruits on the Farm. The standard orchard has, on the whole, made satisfactory progress during the year. Very few varieties which went into winter in good condition were found to be injured in the spring, although the season was very severe. None of the Eussian apples suffered injury from the winter, but, as noted in the article on "Blight," large numbers have been severely attacked by this disease. 86 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. This is also true of a few varieties of American origin, notably " Wealthy " and " Wagener." A considerable number of varieties of Euseian apples blossomed, and bore fruit this season, but it was impossible to secure the specimens at maturity owing to the large number of visitors and the numerous small boys frequenting the orchard on Saturday and Sunday of each week. The orchard has since been inclosed by a barbed wire fence which will, it is hoped, obviate this difficulty another year. The crop of cherries was light this year. A few trees blossomed but did not set fruit. Nearly all the varieties of American plums blossomed and fruited abundantly, but none of the foreign sorts bore any fruit. Special ^mention should be made of " De Soto," " Weaver," and " Wyant." The two former having fruited very heavily for three years in succession. " Weaver " was so heavily laden that it was found necessary to remove at least one-half of the fruit, in order to prevent the branches from being broken by the weight of the crop. Vegetables and Tobacco. Experiments other than those contained in the report have been carried on with vegetables, including fertilizer tests, methods of cultivation, and trial of new varieties. As is well known the results of fertilizer tests, are only reliable after being carried on for a series of years, and for this reason no report is made for the present. At the request of the Honourable the Minister of Agriculture, some experiments in the cultivation of tobacco were begun at the farm and the results will be found in the body of the report. Arrangements have been made with a tobacco manufacturer in Montreal, whereby samples of the different varieties tested at the farm, will be made up in the form of the article for which they seem best fitted, and a report will be afterwards made upon their relative excellence. World's Fair. It was my privilege, "by permission of the Honourable the Minister of Agricul- ture, to visit the World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago. There, in October, I had the opportunity of seeing the display of samples of the standard fruits of America, and as much time as possible was given to studying the same varieties of fruit grown under different climatic conditions, as well as other interesting questions. New fruits and new horticultural implements were also investigated with much advantage. The display from Canada, especially from the province of Ontario, was excel- lent, both from an educational and from an advertising and commercial standpoint. A great deal of credit is due to the Dominion and Provincial superintendents for the effective manner in which the horticultural resources of the Dominion were brought before the public. In this connection it may be stated that displays of fresh vegetables from the Central Experimental Farm were sent forward at intervals during the summer season. This exhibit was supplemented in the autumn by a consignment of 133 varieties of grapes which arrived in Chicago in very good con- dition and made an instructive and interesting exhibit, showing as it did the possi- bilities of this northern latitude in maturing fruit which requires as much summer heat as does the grape. This collection received a diploma from the committee on awards. Prior to this collections of the fruit of 1892, including grapes, currants, rasp- berries and goose-berries were put up with pt-eservative liquids in glass jars. These were forwaided in April, 1893, and materially assisted in keeping up the attractions of the exhibit, before the fresh fruits appeared. Meetings Attended. I attended officially during the year the annual meetings of the Ontario and of the Nova Scotia Fruit Growers' Associations, also the autumn exhibitions at Montreal and Sherbrooke, P.Q. REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST. 87 Acknowledgments. I beg gratefully to acknowledge the following donations : — Mr. John Pitcairn, Point Fortune, Que.— Scions of Pitcairn apples. J. M. Waters, Esq., Pernhill, Ont. — Seedling raspberry and rose plants. W. M. Jones, Esq., Gartmore, Man. — Cuttings of native currant and goose- berry. Mrs. S. Foster, Knowlton, Que. — Two trees each of Hardy and Davis's seedling apples. Charles E. Brown, Esq.. Yarmouth, N.S. — Apple scions. Mr. E. W. Starr, Wolfville, N.S. — Apple and pear scions. Mr. T. H. Eace, Mitchell, Ont. — Scions of Oliver seedling. Mr. A. Eeeve, Highland Creek, Ont. — Gooseberry plants. Mr. W. C. Eeid, Belleville, Ont. — Apple and pear trees. Mr, L. S. Gamache, Cap St. Ignace, Que. — Two trees of Montraagny beauty plum. Mr. Lachlan Gibb, Montreal, Que. — Eoots of Helianthus. Mr. Auguste Dupuis, Village des Aulnaies, Que. — Horse chestnut seedlings, seed of Larix Siberica. Mr. E. B. Whyte, Ottawa, Ont. — Seedling raspberries. Mr. Eobert Snelling, New Edinburgh, Ottawa. — One Snelling plum tree. "W. M. Pattisou, Esq., Clarenceville, Que. — Grape cuttings. Mr. W. H. Murphy, Ottawa. — Scions of Calumet apple. I am much indebted to a number of Canadian enthusiasts in horticulture for information of various kinds, embodied in my report and to Mr, Wm. Taylor, fore- man in the Horticultural Department, for the zeal and faithfulness with which he carried out the experiments committed to his care. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient sei-vant, JOHN CEAIG, Horticulturist. December 15th, 1893. 88 ~ EXPERIMENTAL FARMS PEAE AND APPLE BLIGHT. The disease variously known as "Apple blight," "Pear blight," "Twig blight" and " Fire blight " has wrought a serious amount of injury to trees in the Ottawa Valley during the past season. The presence of this disease has been noticed in America for 100 years past ; one of the first observers being W. Denning, of Massachusetts, who published an article on the " Decay of apple trees' which appeared in the Transactions of the Society for the Promotion of Agriculture, for 1794. In this article he describes the disease as attacking pears and quinces, and thinks that it was caused by a borer in the trunks of the trees. Later we find mention of it in the writings of that pioneer in fruit culture, Wm. Cox, in his work entitled, " The Cultivation of Fruit Trees," written in 1817. Here it is called "Fire Blight," and is minutely described. He says: " I have in twenty years lost upwards of fifty trees in the fulness of vigour; some- times in the most open and airy situations, and in every kind of soil." In horticultural writings numerous references can be found with regard to this disease, without absolutely divining or assigning the cause of it up to 1868, when Dr. Hull, of Illinois, first attributed the disease to fungi. In 1877 the presence of bacteria in affected limbs was discovered by Prof. T. J. Burrill, and in 1880 Prof. Burrill published the first authoritative account of the bacterial origin of this disease, and cited in proof of his observations a lai-ge number of experiments in transmitting the disease in various ways from one tree to another by inoculation. A pertinent question at this time was whether bacteria themselves caused the death of the aifected portion, or whether these followed as a natural con- sequence in the track of the life destroyer. The experiments of Prof Burrill went largely to show that the bacteria them- selves were the actual cause of death, and this point was satisfactorily demonstrated by Prof. Arthur, then of the New York Experiment Station, in 1886, who proved by careful experiments that the disease could only be transmitted by using the juices of branches which contained the characteristic bacteria. In support of this position Prof. Arthur makes the following statements : — A. " Bacteria are found in great abundance in actively blighting tissues, so as to be demonstrable to the naked eye, and occur in less abundance in proportion as the disease is less active." B. " The disease may be introduced into healthy tissues by inoculation with germs from diseased tissues." C. " It is communicated with equal certainty when the germs are separated from all accompanying juices of the diseased tissue, by a series of fractional cultures. D. " Per contra, it is not communicated by the juices of the disease after the germs are removed by filtration. E. " Germs connected with the disease constitute a single species, which is essen- tial to successful inoculation. F. " Per contra, the numerous species of earth, air, and water are found to a noticeable extent in connection with the disease, and cannot be made to originate it by inoculation or otherwise." Prof. Arthur further states as the result of his investigations that "A constant ratio is found between the percentage of water in the branches of the several kinds of pomaceous fruits, corresponding to some extent with their liability to blight. The popular opinion that the more rapid growth of the shoots, the more succulent their tissues, and therefore the more liable to blight, is thus confirmed by trial." The bacteria may keep alive in branches cut from the tree, and remaining in water or moist ground till the following season, and they may also be cultivated in solutions of garden soil, indicating the desirability of promptly destroying all blighted limbs. With a view of obtaining information with regard to the spread and extent of this disease in the Dominion, a circular was sent to the leading fruit growers in the various provinces. The information obtained from these replies is contained in the tables annexed. V REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST. 89 The following tabular statements were arranged with a view of showing the dis- tribution of the disease principally in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, and to bring out the opinions of practical growers with regard to those methods of culti- vation which seem to favour its appearance. It is plainly indicated that without a systematic and very lengthy course of experiments, it is impossible to arrive at satisfactory conclusions regarding any line of remedial treatment; varying con- ditions of soil and environment lead to results at one point, which are contradicted by the experience of a grower in another section. It is interesting to note that of the replies from Ontario, while 44 per cent had observed no difference in the relative prevalence of " blight " on cultivated ground, and in orchards in sod, 38 per cent were in favour of growing in sod and 17 percent in favour of giving high cultivation. There seems to be no doubt that any system of cultivation conducive to rapid succulent growth which is not well ripened in the autumn, furnishes a favourable condition for the development and spread of the disease. Prof. Arthur has clearly demonstrated the truth of this statement. In Quebec blight appeared during the year, in several of the fruit growing sections, notably in the Counties of Shefford, Argenteuil and Eouville. The soil in the portions most affected, is of a loamy or gravelly nature and frequently strongly impregnated with limestone. As pears are not grown to any extent outside of the Island of Montreal, the disease has principally been restricted to apples. Eussian pears at Abbotsford 10 years planted, were very much injured this season. These have been grown in sod since planting. 90 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. TABLE I.— PEAE AND APPLE Tabulated Information gathered from County. Brant do Essex do Frontenac .... Grey . . Huron Halton Hastings do Lanark do Lambton Leeds Norfolk Oxford Perth do Prince Edward . Renfrew do Simcoe do Toronto do Victoria Wentworth .... Welland do Middlesex Observer. J. R. Howell. David Greig. N. J. Clinton . W. W. Hilborn. D.Nicol R. Trotter Alex. McD. Allen. Geo. E. Fisher W. H. Dempsey. W. C. Reid... W. B. Munro. John Hart T. C. Wheatly. W. G. Kerr. . . . J, McMichael. . S. Hunter T. H. Race., J. D. Stewart J. Wellington Boulter . W. R. White. A. A. Wright. G. C. Gaston.. J. P. Cock bum. Stone & Wellington . D. W. Beadle. Thos. Beall.. . E. D. Smith . E. Morden Stone & Wellington. B. Gott Appearance Previous to 1893. 1888. 1887. 1875-76-88 None. 1889 . For many years more or less. Occasionally For several years in June. 1892 1878 Quite frequently 1892 During the past 20 years. For 25 years past . . 1892 1888-89. 1892 For several years past Slightly None. , Slight . Slight in past years. , 25 years ago 1889 25 years For many years past in varying degree. Character of Injury. Severe' Severe on pear trees . On apples Slight on apples and pears. Not destructive on apples and pears. On pears ; branches killed. On pears . Apples slightly Apples severely Severe on crabs Many apple trees kiUed . . Twigs of apples ; branches of pears. Pears . On young shoots of apple and pear, do do . . Slight injury on twigs Severe on apples. On pears . On pears On pears and apple twigs. On pears Injury During 1893. None. do . do . do . do . Slight Severe on apple. None. Slight Considerable None .... Considerable .... Very slight in June. Very slight Considerable on apple. Slight do Slight on apples . Very severe None. do Slight . None . . Slight . None . . REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST. 91 BLIGHT IN ONTAETO. Fruit Growers throughout the Province. Varieties of Pears affected. Clapp's, Flemish Beauty. Clapp's, Bartlett .... Bartlett, Flemish Beauty. Louise Bomie, Duch- ess. Clapp's, Osband's Summer, Bartlett. Vicar of Winkfield, Duchess, Bartlett.. Clapp's . Bartlett, B. d'Anjou. Clapp's, Flemish and most popular varie- ties. Rapid-growing varie- ties. Clapp's, Ananas d'ete Flemish Beauty. Clapp's, Flemish .... Nearly all varieties of early pears. Bartlett, Flemish Beauty. All varieties, more or less. All varieties Varieties of Apples afifected. Cayuga R. Streak . . . Red Astrachan, Trans cendent. Nearly all varieties Cranberry Pippin & Golden Russet. Greening.. Early varieties. Fameuse Alexander, Yellow Transparent. Siberian crabs Seedling trees Greening, Fall Pippin. Nursery stock growing rapidly. Early varieties ; Early harvest ; Snow. On crabs and early varieties. Yellow Transparent, Wealthy. Russian apples . Does High Cultivation Favour Blight? Evidence conflicting. . . Trees in sod free from blight. No difference noted... . No difference noted Rich ground developed more blight than poorer land. Apparently it does . . . Alluvial soils favour blight. Worst in old orchards seeded down. Worst on cultivated ground. Yes; trees in sod are less injured by the disease, No difference Less blight noticed on trees in sod. Has not noticed. No difference noted . . Has made no observa- tions. Probably , No difference noticed . . Yes, on moist soils Remarks. Sometimes prevented by cutting off affected portion. Good results obtained by washing with 1 peck stone lime, 10 lbs. sulphur, 2 oz. crude carbolic acid, mixed with water and applied as a paint. Injury most common on south side of tree. No difference noticed. Ground cultivated ; no difference noticed. Finds regular cultivation and manur- ing productive of good results. Occa- sional cultivation with heavy manur- ing injurious. Has had good results from splitting the bark, which hardens after the tree is attacked. Gives an instance of trees in rich ^ound being attacked, while those in sod escaped. Cutting off affected ]X)rtions appar- ently checked spread of disease. Does not believe in growing pears in sod Affected branches should be removed. Recommends cutting off diseased por- tions. Recommends c*ittingoff diseased bran- ches and mulching trees with coal ashes ; uses no barnyard manure. Reports good results from the use of Bordeaux mixture. Believes in seeding down the pear orchard after three or four years and manuring annually. Recommends cutting off affected branches. Generally worst on low, damp, culti- vated ground. See letter. Branches cut off and destroyed. Clean cultivation given and advo- cated. Believes in growing on dry, airy situa- tions and fertilizing with wood ashes. Thinks neglected trees are most liable. 92 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. PEAR AND APPLE Tabulated Information gathered from * County. Observer. Appearance previous to 1893. Character of Injury. Injury during 1893. Brome Sec. Fruit Growers' Association. R. Brodie W. H. Robinson . . None • Hochelaga Huntingdon Kamouraska . . . For 12 or 13 years . . . On apples during July. . . Slight Slight this year On apples in June. . . J. C. Chapais Jas. Fulton H. G. Joly de Lot- biniere. David Westover . . None Huntingdon .... liOtbiniere Slight None On pears Missisquoi Montreal do Slight twig blight E. B. Meyer Wm. Evans 1892 Twig blight severe in 1892 Slight Argenteuil R. Hamilton 20 years or more 1893 only 1893 only Twigs and branches on apples. Twigs of apples, branches of pears, do do Twigs of apples Apples much injured. Severe on pears do Rouville J. M. Fisk J. Eraser Stanstead For several years Slight Very severe on apples. Shefiford Wm. Gill REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST. 9a BLIGHT IN QUEBEC. Fruit Growers throughout the Province. Varieties of Pears affected. Varieties of Apples affected. Does High Cultivation favour Blight ? Remarks. Blight not noticed. Alexander, Bethel .... Crab apples Has made no observation This point not noticed . . . ToY>dresses with manure and wood ashes. Blight unknovra in Kamouraska. Believes firmly in the value of culti- vation and regular manuring. Blight unknown in this county. Karly varieties This point not notifced . . . Flemish Beauty . Waxen crab, Transcen- dent, Ben Davis, Alex- ander. Ground highly cultivated. Transcendent, Alexander, Fameuse and Russians, Switzer. Evidence not conclusive. Dry, airy positions seem to be less affected than moist, sheltered ones. Alexander, St. Lawrence, Arabka. Duchess and peach All varieties Much worse on rich cul- tivated ground. More blight on unculti- vated ground. Orchards with western aspects are affected more than those with southern aspects. 94 . EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. The following sketch of the history of the disease in Ontario, by Dr. Beadle, will be read with much interest: — "In the early days of fruit-growing in the Niagara District, we had no pear tree blight, nor apple-tree blight. ****:*:* With the advent of what people termed grafted fruit, came after a few years 'blight' on the pear tree, and not until several years after it had become a serious plague of the pear, did it affect the apple tree, to any appreciable extent. The first pear trees that bore fruit in my father's garden were of the Summer Bonchretien variety. These did not blight for some time after they began to bear, and I am unable to give you the exact date of its first appearance, but by the year 1840 it had begun to appear in those, and other pear trees in the garden. In 1847, A. J. Down- ing complained that the ' blight ' of the pear was a serious drawback to the extensive cultivation of the tree. In 1845 it was severe in the west, that is as far west as Indiana, and apparently was but little known in that region before that summer. About 1827 to 30 it was said to have been very destructive to pear trees at Schenec- tady, N.Y., but no mention was made of any injury to apple trees from this cause; it then disappeared for some twenty years. There was a similar apparent periodicity in the Niagara district. My father having learned that some had applied black- smith's cinders with beneficial results, tried them upon his pear trees, digging them into the ground over the roots as far as they probably extended. After this some ten years elapsed without any blight in his trees, but it broke out again, and I think there has never been as long a period of exemption since. " I have no data that enable me to say when it appeared in the apple trees. Its first serious work on apple trees was upon the crab-apple trees, such as Eed and Yellow Siberian. Montreal Beauty, &c., not unfrequently killing the whole tree. Its effects on other apple trees are confined for the most part, if not wholly, to the young shoots of the summer's gi-owth. I cannot now recall one instance of even a whole branch having been killed by it, and am confident that I have never known an apple tree, other than the crabs, to be ruined by the ' blight.' As to the time when the blight appears, there is no time after the beginning of June when it has not appeared, but usually its presence is more abundantly manifested from the middle of July to the end of August. " With regard to varieties of pears, the Duchess d'Angouleme, Kutter and Seckel are the least subject to the ' blight' of the varieties with which I am acquainted. Of the rest, in some seasons one would seem to be the most subject to the 'blight,' in the next year some other variety would take the lead. " Fifth inquiry, trees in sod versus trees in cultivated ground. No opportunity has been presented to me of making such a comparison. In 1885 I copied into the Can. Horticulturist, vol. viii., an editorial from the Philadelphia Record gvfivig an account of two orchards adjoining each other, and in soil and varieties alike, situate at Newfield, New Jersey, the one cultivated to garden crops and liberally manured, the other kept in grass, ploughed occasionally and re-seeded. The first was at that time nearly destroyed by blight, the second as sound as when first set out, though the trees were only about half the size of the cultivated, had never borne as well, nor equalled them in appearance. Query : — Are the bacteria the cause, or is the diseased tree or branch favourable to the multiplication ? " Yery truly yours, " D. W. BEADLE, « Toronto." REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST. 95 BLIGHT AT THE EXPEEIMENTAL PAEM. The experimental pear and apple orchard are on sandy loam underlaid with a stiff gravelly subsoil much too near the surface for the ideal orchard soil. The ground has been cultivated annually, since planting the trees five years ago, and has been manured on alternate years since that time. Blight appeared about the middle of June, 1892, in the pear orchard ; although every blighted branch Cor in bad cases the whole tree) was removed without delay, it continued to spread during the entire growing period and late into autumn. None of the Eussian varieties escaped injury, some twenty-five being killed to the ground. During the third week of June the disease appeared simultaneously in a block of Wealthy trees planted at some distance, and in the Eussian apple orchard, which is contiguous. The injury in both cases amounted to the loss of branches, in some cases a few, in others sufficient to injure the symmetry of the tree. In 1893 it appeared earlier than in the preceding season and simultaneously on Wealthy, the Eussian apples, and pears. The injury was much more severe. One tree of Wealthy was killed, and many specimens of Eussian varieties cut down to mere stumps. The injury to the Eussian pears was of the same character as the year previous and quite as severe. "Flemish Beauty" and "Beurre d'Anjou" in the same orchard suffered only to a slight extent. As soon as a branch was removed the remaining stump was painted with lin- seed oil. Although in every case the cutting was made 15 to 18 inches below any discoloured bark, yet in fully 50 per cent of the cases the disease appeared subsequently at a lower point in the affected branch. This feature in the course of the malady was specially noticeable in the case of the pears, as the blighting of both Eussian apples and pears was so general. A report on the relative immunity of the different varieties is withheld till the experience of another season is added. TMs brief review of the subject has been undertaken with the object of bringing together as much experience as it was possible to collect from the practical grower, and if feasible to make such deductions as would lead to useful practices in con- trolling the disease. While the majority of the replies point to the fact that trees grown in sod have been injured Iqb'^ on the whole than others which were cultivated, it is not proper to conclude that this therefore is the most approved method of growing apples or pears. The nature and character of the soil should, in all cases be duly studied and a treat- ment given calculated to produce a fair amount of well ripened wood each year. On moist rich alluvial soil it is quite probable that clean cultivation in the long run, will not give as good results as growing the trees in sod, which should receive annually a dressing with a fertilizer in which potash and phosphoric acid form the greater proportion. On the other hand it is idle to suppose that apple or pear trees can be successfully grown on light soils without systematic cultivation and annual enrichment of the soil. Situations having subsoils which are cold and wet should be avoided. Where such conditions prevail, tile-training will mitigate to some extent the injurious eff'ect of such unfavourable conditions. NEW FEUITS. GrRAPBS. The following new varieties fruited this season :— Alexander's Winter. — Eeceived spring of 1891 from S. D. Alexander, Belle- fontaine, Ohio. Vine a fair grower, with foliage characteristic of the Labrusca type. Bunch loose, straggling, berry large, round and very slightly oval ; very dark amber in colour ; skin thick ; fairly tender ; very little juice ; pulp, meaty acid. Seeds largej quality only fair. Eipens with Salem. Not likely to be valuable here. 96 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Brilliant. — Mr. T. V. Munson, Denison, Texas, produced this variety by polli- nating Lindley with Delaware in 1883. The vine is moderately vigorous. Bunch long, shouldered, berry medium size, almost round, colour deep garnet ; skin thin, juicy; pulp tender; seeds large, usually two to three; quality good. Berries do not drop easily. The first fruit of this variety did not ripen this season, although claimed to be as early as Delaware by the introducer. Chase Bros. — A single vine of a variety received from Chase Bros. & Co., Eochestei', N. Y., in 1887. and entered in the vineyard records under the above name has fruited for the past three seasons. The introducers write that " the variety originated with Mr. Jacob Moore, formerly of Brighton, N. Y." . They further say " that the fruit is most excellent in quality, but it proved to be a very shy bearer here so much so that we did not feel justified in putting it on the market." As fruited here the bunch is of medium size shouldered, fairly compact; berry medium size, round ; colour rich bright wine, skin fairly thin, juicy, very sweet; pulp tender, melting, seeds medium size, usually two, quality good, ripens with Delaware. Berries drop somewhat after picking. While recommending this variety to growers I would have them bear in mind the experience of the New York introducers. Eclipse. — Originated by John Burr, of Leavenworth, Kansas, and introduced by Stayman & Black, nurserymen of the same place. Vine a weak grower; bunch medium to small, shouldered; berry large, round, vivid green in colour ; skin fairly thick, small amount of juice ; pulp tender, brisk acid, fair quality. Berries hold on well. Eipens a week later than Concord. Too late for this locality. Farrell. — Origin the same as the last. Vine a moderate grower. Bunch large, tapering, shouldered ; berry medium to small, round, yellowish white; skin thin, pulp rather tough; juice vinous sweet. Seeds small, numerous. Too late for this locality taking this season as a criterion. Hermann Jaeger. — Originator, T. V. Munson, Denison, Texas. Produced by pollinating Vitus Jjincecumii, the Post Oak grape of Texas — with Herbemont — an old Texas variety. This did not fruit in sufficient quantity to give a correct impression of the size and form of the bunch which is said to be large and shouldered. Berry was small, round, black with purplish bloom; firmly attached to peduncle; juice and pulp sprightly acid. Seeds small. Not ripe when picked October 10th. Later than Concord. Not promising for this vicinity. Ideal. — A seedling produced by John Burr, and introduced by Stayman & Black, of Leavenworth, Kansas. Bunch medium size ; berry large, round, purplish amber ; skin thick ; juice abundant; vinous sweet; pulp tender. Seeds large and numerous; quality fair to good, ripens with Concord. Oneida. — Said to be a seedling of Merrimack which it does not resemble in a single characteristic. Vine a short jointed, weak grower. Bunch medium size, slightly shouldered ; berry small oval, amber coloured ; skin thick, tough ; juice rich arid sweet; pulp meaty, and acid, seeds large. This variety keeps well, which seems to be its only point of merit. Paragon. — A seedling produced by John Burr and introduced by Stayman & Black. Bunch medium size, cylindrical, compact. Berry medium size, round, black with purplish bloom. Skin thin ; very juicy with a tender dissolving pulp ; seeds small; quality medium. Berry does not drop readily. Eipe, 5th Septem- ber. Keeps till December. Berries resemble Early Victor quite closely. Standard. — Origin the same as the last. Bunch and berry medium size, black. Skin thin : small amount of juice; pulp tough and acid. Ripens a little in advance of Concord. Loses flavour rapidly. Not promising. Campbell.-— Produced from seed of Triumph by T. V. Munson, Denison, Texas. The first fruiting of this variety has given a small compact bunch. Berry medium to small, round; skin thin, translucent; very juicy; pulp melting. Seeds small ; quality good. Eipens with Concord. REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST. 97 White Beauty. — A seedling produced by John Burr and introduced by Stay- man & Black, Leavenworth, Kansas. Bunch medium size, compact, shouldered. Berry round, clear white, covered with lis^ht lilac bloom. Skin thin, very juicy ; pulp moderately tender. Seeds numerous ; quite foxy ; medium quality. Late. Raspberries. Black. Older. — This variety originated with and has been introduced by R. D. McGeehon, Atlantic City, Iowa, from whom plants were received which were set out in the spring of 1892. These bore some fruit the same season and an abundant crop this year. The plant is exceedingly vigorous and roots from the tips very readily. Berry large, rpund, deep black, with very large drupes. The seeds are not prominent, and the berries are borne in good sized clusters, very juicy and of good quality. It also has the habit of fruiting heavily on the young wood. This vear the first fruit ripened with Hilborn, while it continued bearing till the season of Gregg had closed. (See Figure I). So far this seems to be a profitable variety. A number of the newer black caps are being tested, but the above is the only one which so far stands out prominently as a variety worthy of careful trial. 8c— 7 98 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. SEEDLING EASPBEERIES. The seedling raspberries so favourably mentioned by a joint committee of the fruit-growers of Ontario and Quebec, in the annual report for 1890, have been under- going further trial. Transplanted and subjected to ordinary field culture, some have not sustained their early reputation, while others at first not deemed very pro- mising have done remarkably well. Fig. 2. SARAH. One variety not mentioned by the committee in this report for the reason that being very late, it was not at its best during the time of their visit, has since shown so many points of excellence that it has been named and is now being propagated for distribution. It may be described as follows : — Sarah. — (Eecord number 4-38.) Produced in London, Ont., by Prof Saunders, from seed of Shaffer's Colossal. Plant a moderate grower, suckering freely, and pro- REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST. 99 pagating naturally only in this way. The foliage seems to be intermediate between the European raspberry Rubus Idaeus and the American Rubus Strigosus. The canes have been affected to some extent by anthracnose, but not more than Cuthbert or Marlboro growing along side. Fruit large, round ; drupes large, deep garnet, firm, very juicy, pleasantly acid and exceptionally rich. See Fig. 2. A few ripe berries were found last year, and this year, at the time of the first picking of Cuthbert, but the main crop did not ripen till the season of Cuthbert was over, the last picking taking place each year from the 8th to 12th August. A striking characteristic of this variety is its habit of ripening the fruit in con- secutive order and iiuch regularity, beginning with the terminal clusters of each branch. Of course this is in a measure true of all red raspberries, but none that I know of carry the peculiarity to the same extent. SEEDLING APPLES. A large number of samples of apples, mainly seedling varieties, have been received during the past three years. The two following seem to merit propagation and careful trial: — Dery. — (Syns, Alexis Baldwin, Derys seedling, Pomme de Fer.) Received from F. L. Dery, of Mont St. Hilaire, Quebec, October 7th, 1891. The original tree was examined October 23rd, 1892, and samples were again received from Mr. Dery this autumn. Mr. Dery says this tree was raised from the seed of American Baldwin, planted by his father about seventy years ago. Since fruiting age it has borne moderate annual crops. It is still fairly healthy and with good care should live for many years. Fig. 3.— DERY. Fruit medium to lai-ge, oblate, 3i x 21 inches, slightly ribbed. Skin green and almost entirely covered with dark rea, which is specked with numerous white dots, resembling Canada Baldwin, closely in this respect. Stem short usually about half an inch. Cavity moderately shallow, regular and slightly russetted. Basin, small wrinkled. Flesh, greenish white, firm, lacking juiciness, sub-acid, quality good. See Fig. 3. The best condition is reached during March and April. The apple known and cultivated in the Eastern Townships as " Pomme de Fer" resembles the above closely and is evidently from the same stock. 8c-7i 100 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Calumet. — Eeceived from Mr. W. H. Murphy, of Ottawa, who described the tree as growing on his form on Calumet Island supposed to be of seedling origin, apparently about thirty years of age. Fig. 4.— CALUMET. Fruit medium to large, round, or approaching oblong, very regular. Skin green, when fully ripe, yellow, partly covered with streaks and splashes of light red. Stem short; cavity almost wanting : calyx open; basin small and shallow; flesh firm, white, very juicy, sub-acid, good. See Fig. 4. Mr. Murphy says it keeps through the winter with ordinary care. Specimens kept in my office were in good eating condition on the first of last June. The skin of this variety is not of the kind that is usually affected by the "spot" disease Fusicladium. SPRAYING EXPERIMENTS. An extended series of spraying experiments were undertaken and carefully carried out by Mr. Joseph Tweddle, of Stoney Creek, Ont., under my direction. Mr. Tweddle has furnished a report of much interest, on the work of the season, which I wish to acknowledge very gratefully. The season in the Niagara district was an abnormal one in many respects however, and no doubt had an important effect upon the results of the experiments which in many instances were quite contrary to previous experience. Mr. Tweddle reports little protection against codling moth and "apple spot " from the use of Bordeaux mixture or ammoniacal copper carbonate, but says that some few specimens of apples could be found, showing where the disease had attacked the fruit, and apj)arently had been destroyed by the fungicide, leaving a russetted spot on the affected portion, the remainder of the apple being healthy. Mr. Tweddle is also of the opinion that the " codling moth " developed most and caused most destruction after the spraying season closed, although quite a percent- age of the fruit was attacked before spraying was finished. One of the most impor- tant features in connection with the work is the relative efficacy of Paris green in combination with Bordeaux mixture, and when applied alone. Mr. Tweddle writing of this says : " It is apparent to me that the poisonous action of Paris green was lessened when used in combination with the Bordeaux mixture, and the effect was plainly visible in the apple and plum orchard, particularly in the plums. Where Paris green was used by itself on these, they were much more free from curculio than when it was applied with Bordeaux mixture." This raises an interesting ques- REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST. 101 tion. My report of 1891 on spraying shows the value of adding Paris green to the solutions of ammoniacal copper, but no exact figures have been gathered showing the effect of adding lime. Exact data will be obtained on this point as soon as possible. With regard to small fruits, Mr. Tweddle says " some encouraging results came from the use of Bordeaux mixture and Paris green for the destruction of the currant worm, and for the prevention of mildew on gooseberries — some of them English varieties. The first brood of the larvse appeared in myriads on the currant bushes shortly after fruit set. A single application of the above was made soon after the worms were hatched when ^ inch in length, but not all were destroyed. When in two or three days, but before the worms were large enough to devour the foliage rapidly, two more applications were made on the same day, going ojDposite directions on the rows and completely covering the foliage. This was entirely successful in destroying the first brood, and also the second, for the lime in the Bordeaux mixture stuck the whole thing to the foliage so well that it remained all season, and if any of the second brood were hatched, they immediately received their dose and vanished." He says further : '* No mildew or sunscald appeared on the English gooseberries (although none even were left unsprayed as checks on my place), yet both mildew and sunscald affected my neighbour's plantation alongside under similar conditions, where no fungicide was applied." It is hoped that the experience gained as the result of another season's work will clear up some points which at present appear contradictory and unsatisfactory. EFFECTS OF DILUTE SULPHURIC ACID ON FOLIAGE. The use of sulphuric acid has been suggested by prominent horticulturists on the grounds that it contains the essential elements of a fungicide, and being prepared by simple dilution would therefore be more easily applied than the copper salts. Some preliminary experiments were inaugurated this season in order to ascer- tain the maximum strength at which it could be safely applied to the foliage of various plants. The information obtained is embodied in the following tabular statement: — Plants Treated. Grapes . Plu:iis.. Apples . O C a June 5. do 5. do 5. 'Rose foliage,]Mar. 14. mature. Rose foliage, young. c J Strawberry . Geranium .. Hibiscus. . do do do do I per cent. Injured. . . do .. do .. No injury do do do Slight in- jury. Strength by WEroHT. i per cent. 1 per cent, l^ per cent. Badly in- jured. Injured. No injury . Slightly in- jured, do Injured. Consid'rably injured. Slightly in- jured. Badly in- jured. Badly injured. Considerably injured. Remarks. Badly burned and shrivelled. Injury severe. Burned in spots. Injury gradually in- creased. Half -grown leaves uninjured. Badly injured. Young as well as old leaves injured. Badly injured. Scorched in spots. The injury to the foliage in every case appeared to be duo to the concentration of the sulphuric acid by the evaporation of the water used as the dilutent. The rate of evaporation would of course be largely governed by the humidity of the atmosphere and would be relatively slower under greenhouse conditions than 102 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. out of doors. This concentration of the acid into small globules over the surface of the leaf has the effect of scorching a small circular spot wherever the residue is col- lected. The injury was more severe and more readily detected on the foliage treated out of doors than that in the greenhouse. Applied to roses at the rate of \^ per cent by weight, while severely scorching the leaves it had no apparent effect on green and black aphis infesting the plants. While the above experiment may be looked upon as preliminary, yet the out- look considering the dangerous character of this substance as a spraying material, is not encouraging. A DISTRICT FRUIT LIST ADAPTED TO THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC. There is a peculiar interest and fascination connected with the testing of new varieties of fruits, which often leads orchardists into the serious mistake of planting too vnany kinds from a commercial standpoint. There is also a lack of knowledge in many portions of the country, new to fruit growing, with regard to the natural characteristics of the leading varieties of fruits, and their probabilities of success under given conditions. This uncertainty of course often leads to unnecessary ex- penditure of time and money. The following rough subdivision of the province into horticultural districts, with a list of fruits suitable for cultivation in each has been made, with the hope that it will serve as a guide to the inexperienced but in- tending fruit grower. It should be remembered, however, that it will often pay better to cultivate a local variety which is well adapted to the soil and climate of the vicinity, than to import a foreign variety on the strength of a reputation built up abroad. On the other hand, certain varieties have been largely grown and exported, and are now looked upon as standards by the shipping trade; where these succeed, it is of much pecuniary advantage to the orchardist to grow them. Unfortunately there are few sections in the pi-ovince of Quebec where the varieties of apples best known to the export trade can be successfully grown. By top-grafting on hardy stocks, for which purpose Haas, and some of the hardy Russians are useful, there is no doubt that Northern Spy, Jonathan and Ontario varieties well known to the British markets, could be profitably grown in the counties of Missisquoi, Huntingdon, Beauharnois, and on the Island of Monti-eal. Other regions in the Valley of the St. Lawrence possess a suitable climate, but are not equally favoured in the matter of soil; the heavy clays being better adapted to rais- ing farm crops than to the growth of fruit trees. But there is no region in this province wheie a large and varied collection of tree and small fruits, cannot be grown with profit and pleasure to the cultivator. For arranging the district lists, I take occasion to acknowledge a large amount of valuable data given me by the leading fruit growers of the province. The allotment of varieties to the different disTi-icts, was made on a two fold basis. First, to recommend only those varieties presumably well adapted and sufficiently hardy; and second, to reduce to a minimum the total number of varieties recom- mended in each class. Following these rules, therefore, where varieties of equal merit came into competition, the one previously inserted was again chosen ; those of pi'oved health and vigour being first selected. It may be noticed that the same apple, Wealthy for example, appears as an autumn variety in one district, and as a winter variety in another. This is an effect produced by the amount of summer heat and the length of the growing season, charactistic of the climate in which it has been grown. In Ga^p^, Duchess becomes early winter, while Wealthy sometimes ripens with difficulty, and keeps till late winter under ordinary circumstances. The grouping of the counties was made principally on the basis of similarity of climatic conditions, and contiguity of position. The list should be looked upon as an elementary guide to amateurs and beginners in fruit growing, and it is hoped that it will form a starting point for a more complete and accurate classification which should be arranged by the Provincial Horticultural Society. i REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST. 103 Alphabetical Arrangement of Counties with District Number. County. Argenteuil ... Arthabaska . . Bagot Beauce Beanharnoi.s . . Bellechas.sp .... Eerthier Bonaventnre . . . Brome Chambly. . . . Champlain. . . . Charlevoix Ch^teauguay. . Chicontimi Compton .... Dorchester Drummond .... Gaspe Hochelaga . . . . Huntingdon . . . Iberville Jacques Cartier Joliette. Kamouraska . . . Laprairie L'Assoinption . Laval Levis L'Islet Lotbiniere Maskinonge. District No. 9 4 2 4 1 6 11 7 2 2 12 12 1 13 3 6 4 7 10 X, 1 10 11 6 10 9 10 5 6 5 11 County. Megantic Missisquoi Montcalm Montmagny . . . Montmorency . . Montreal Napiervillo .... Nicolet ... Ottawa Pontiac Portneuf . Quebec ........ Richelieu Richmond Rimouski Rouville St. Hyacinthe. . . St. John St. Maurice. .'. . . Saguenay Shefford' Sherbrooke Soulanges . . . Stanstead Temiscouata . . . . Terrebonne . . . Two Mountains. Vaudreuil . . . . Vercheres Wolfe Yamaska District No. 4 1 8 6 12 10 1 5 8 8 12 12 5 3 7 2 2 1 11 13 2 3 10 3 7 9 9 10 5 4 5 DISTRICT No. I.— HUNTINGDON, CHATEAUGUAY, BEAUHARNOIS, MIS- SISQUOI, IBERVILLE, NAPIERVILLE. i Summer — Yellow Transparent, Red Astrachan, Duchess. Autumn — Wealthy, Foundling, Alexander. Winter — Golden Russett, Ben Davis, Scotts' Winter. Pears Flemish Beauty, Beurre d'Anjou, Kurskaya. p f Blue — Glass Seedling, Blue Damson. ^^^^^^ I Red— De Soto, Wolf; Weaver. Cherries Kentish, or Common Red, Early Morello, Spate Amarelle. i White — Lady, Winchell, Moore's Diamond. Red — Moyer, Delaware, Vergennes. Black — Moore's Early, Rogers' 17, Peabody. Raspberries... Gooseberries., Currants Blackberries . Strawberries. ! White — Golden Queen. Red — Heebner, Marlboro, Cuthbert. Black — Hilborn, Gregg, Shaffer (purple). Houghton, Downing, Pearl, Industry. White— White Grape. Red — Red Grape, Versaillaise, Moore's Ruby. Black — Lee's Prolific, Prince of Wales. Snyder, "Agawam. Bubach, Beder Wood, Warfield. 104 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. DISTEICT No. 2.— EOUVILLE, CHAMBLY, BAGOT, SHEFFOED, BEOME. f Summer — Yellow Transpaient, Duchess, Summer Arabka. . J Autumn — St. Lawrence, Wealthy, Fameuse, Antonovka. ^^^^^^ ^\ Winter— Golden Eusset, Scott's Winter, Ben Davis, Canada [^ Baldwin. Pears Flemish Beauty, Kurskaya, Bessemianka. p I Foreign — Lombard, Glass Seedling, Early Eed. ^^^^^^ I Native— De Soto, Wyant, Wolf. Cherries Early Eichmond, Early Morello, "Spate Amarelle. r White — Lady, Duchess, Moore's Diamond. Grapes -I^Eed — Delaware, Moyer, Lindley, Brighton. ('Black — Moore's Early, Worden, Peabod}', Gibb. ( White — Golden Queen. Easpberries.... -I Eed — Hansel, Heebner, Cuthbert. ( Black — Ohio, Gregg, Shaffer (purple). Blackberries. Taylor Prolific, Agawam. Gooseberries.. Houghton, Pearl, Industry, Smith's Improved. r White — White Grape. Currants < Eed — Fays' Prolific, Victoria. ( Black — Black Champion. Strawberries. Bubach, Manchester, Warfield, Beder Wood. DISTEICT No. 3.— STANSTEAD, COMPTON, SHEEBEOOKE, EICHMOND. i Summer — Yellow Transparent, Tetofsky, Duchess. Autumn — Peach, Gideon, St. Lawrence. Winter — Arabka, Wealthy, Ben Davis, Canada Baldwin. Pears Bessemianka, Kurskaya. Pj^ I Foreign — Blue Damson, Glass seedling. I Native — De Soto, Wyant, Eollingston. Cherries Early Eichmond, Large Montmorency, Early Morello. ( White — Lady, Winchell. grapes } Eed — Moyer, Delware, Vergennes, Lindley. ( Black — Early Victor, Moore's Early, Worden. r White — Golden Queen. Easpberries...-^ Eed — Turner, Heebner, Marlboro', Cuthbert. (Black — Doolittle, Hilborn, Shaffer (purple). Blackberries . Snyder, Ancient Briton. Gooseberries.. Houghton, Pearl, Eed Jacket. r White— White Grape. Currants } Red — Victoria, Versaillaise. ( Black — Black Champion. Strawberbies . Crescent, Bubach, Windsor Chief. REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST. 105 DISTEICT No. 4.— MEG AI^^ TIC, WOLFE, ARTHABASKA, BEAUCE, DRUMMOND. i Summer — ^Tetofsky, Red Astrachan. Autumn — Duchess, White Pigeon, Switzer. Winter — Arabka, Scott's Winter, Hibernal, Pears Bessemianka, Sapieganka. Plums Blue Damson, De Soto. Cherries Early Morello, Bcssarabian, Richmond. r White— Lady. Grapes < Red — Moyer, Delaware. ( Black — Hartford, Early Victor, Moore's Early. { White — Caroline. Raspberries ...I Red — Hansel, Turner, Cuthbert. ( Black — Hilborn, Mammoth Cluster. Blackberries . Snyder, Ancient Briton. Gooseberries.. Houghton, Pearl, Red Jacket. r White— White Dutch. Currants < Red — Victoria, Red Dutch (^ Black — Leo's Piolific. Strawberries . Crescent, Capt. Jack, Manchester, Windsor Chief. DISTRICT No. 5.— VERCHERES, RICHELIEU, YAMASKA, NICOLET, LOT- BINIERE, LEVIS. ( Summer — Tetofsky, Blushed Calville. Apples -| Autumn — Duchess, White Pigeon, Switzer. ( Winter — Arabka, Wealthy, Hibernal, Ostrekoff. P ears Bessemianka, Gakovka. Plums Blue Damson, Rollingston, De Soto. Cherries Kentish or Native Red, Early Morello, Bessaiabian. ( White — Lady, Martha. Grapes I Red — Moyer, Delaware. ( Black — Florence, Early Victor, Moore's Early. ( White — Yellow Antwerp. Raspberries ... j Red — Heebner, Turner, Cuthbert, ( Black — Mammoth Cluster, Shaffer (purple.) Blackberries . Snyder, Agawam. Gooseberries.. Pearl, Industry. r White— White Grape. Currants \ Red — Victoria, Red Grape. ( Black — Black Champion. Strawberries . Crescent, Capt. Jack, Manchester. 106 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. DISTRICT No. 6.— DOECHESTER, BELLECHASSB, MONTMAGNY, KAMOU- RASKA, L'ISLET. f Summer — Yellow Tiansparent, Red Astrachan, Blushed Cal- I * 1 1 '^ I Autumn — Duches8, Lubsk Reinette, White Pigeon. [^ Winter — Wealthy, Golden Russet, Switzer, Arabka, Longfield. Pears Flemish Beauty, Bessemianka, Gakovka. p f Foreign — Blue Orleans (Damas), Reine Claude, Lombard. ^^^^^^ I Native— Rollingston, Wolf. p, f Montmorency Ordinaire, Kentish f Cerise de France), Bessara- ^^^^^'^^ I bian, Orel25. Grapes' f White— Lady; Red :— Moyer. I Black — Florence, Early Victor, Moore's Early, Hartford. ( White — Framboise Blanche. Raspberries ...} Red — Antwei-p, Heebner, Cuthbert. (^ Black — Mammoth Cluster, Gregg. Blackberries , Snyder, Agawam. Gooseberries.. Houghton, Pearl, Industry, "Grossellier de France." r White— White Dutch. Currants < Red — Victoria, Versaillaise. (^ Black — Black Champion. Strawberries . Alpine, Bubach, Warfield, Windsor Chief. DISTRICT No. 7— TEMISCOUATA, RIMOUSKI, BONA VENTURE, GASPE. r Summer— Tetofsky, Whitney, No. 20 (Crab.) Apples -| Autumn — Duchess, White Pigeon. Charlamoff. (^ Winter — Wealthy, Longfield, Fameuse, Antonovka. Pears Gakovka, Bessemianka. Plums Blue Damson, De Soto, Blue Orleans. Cherries Early Morello, Bessarabian, Orel 25. Grapes Black — Florence, Cottage, Early Victor. i White — Yellow Antwerp. Red — Heebner, Turner, Cuthbert. Black — Hilborn, Gregg. Blackberries . Snydei*, Ancient Briton. Gooseberries.. Houghton, Downing, Industiy. r White— White Grape. Currants < Red — Versaillaise, Victoria. ( Black — Black Champion. Strawberries.. Alpine White, Crescent, Bubach, Captain Jack. REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST. 107 DISTRICT No. 8.— PONTIAC, OTTAWA, MONTCALM. r Summer — Yellow Transparent, Duchess. Apples } Autumn — Wealthy, Peach, Haas, White Pigeon. (_ Winter — Golden Euseet,Pewaukee, LaRue,Arabka, Hibernal. Pears Bessemianka, Flemish Beauty. p I Foreign- -Blue Orleans, Shropshire Damson, Glass Seedling. " ^ I American — De Soto, Wolf and Local Seedlings. Cherries Montmorency, Early Morello, Orel 25, Bessarabian. i White — Lady, Winchell, Moore's Diamond. Red — Moyer, Delaware, Mary, Vergennes. Black — Early Victor, Moore's Early, Peabody, Roger's 17. r White — Golden Queen. Raspberries.... -| Red — Hansel, Turner, Cuthbert, (^ Black — Hilborn, Mammoth Cluster. Blackberries. Snyder, Agawam. Gooseberries.. Houghton, Pearl, Industry. r White— White Grape. Currants } Red — Victoria, Versaillaise, Prince Albert. ( Black — Lee's Prolific. Strawberries . Crescent, Sharpless, Bubach, Capt. Jack. DISTRICT No. 9.— ARGENTEUIL, TERREBONNE, L'ASSOMPTION, TWO MOUNTAINS. f Summer — Yellow Transparent, Duchess. . \ Autumn — White Pigeon, Switzer, Gipsy Girl, Wealthy. 1 Winter — Golden Russet, Scotts Winter, Fameuse, La Rue, Ai-abka. Pears Bessemianka, Gakovka. p j Foreign — Shropshire Damson, Glass Seedling. ^^^^^^ I American— De Soto, Wolf, Wyant. Cherries Early Morello, Montmorency, Wragg, Orel 25. ! White — Lady, Winchell, Duchess. Red — Lindley, Vergennes, Delaware. Black — Moore's Early, Peabody, Aminia, Gibb, {White — Golden Queen. Red — Hansel, Marlboro, Cuthbert. Black — Ohio, Hilborn. Blackberries.. Agawam, Snydei". Gooseberries.. Houghton, Pearl, Industry. r White— White Grape. Currants \ Red — Victoria, Versaillaise, Red Grape, (^ Black — Lee's Prolific. Strawberries. Bubach, Sharpless, Warfield. 108 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. DISTEICT No. 10.— VAUDREUIL, SOULANGES, ISLAND OF MONTREAL, LAVAL, JACQUES CARTIER, HOCHELAGA, LAPEAIRIE. f Summer — Yellow transparent, Red Astrachan, Duchess. I Autumn — St. Lawi'ence, Golden White, Alexander, Brockville Apples \ Beaut}'. I Winter — Wealthy, Mcintosh Red, Ben Davis, Golden Russet, l^ Winter, St. Lawrence. Pears Flemish Beauty, Beurr^ d'Anjou^ Kurskaya. p ( Foreign — Quackenboss, Seedling Blue of Montreal. ^^^^^^ I American—De Soto, Wolf, Wyant, Weaver. THFRRrFs I English Red, (Ey. Richmond) Montmorency, Wragg, Griotte ( Imperiale. ! White — Lady Winchell, Moore's Diamond. Red — Delaware, Lindley, Vergennes, Salem. Black — Moore's Early, Worden, Aminia, Peabody, Gibb. r White — Golden Queen. Easpberries.... \ Red — Hornet, Heebner, Marlboro', Cuthbert. > \ itcia xiui- net, -LiccuiJCi, ( Black— Hilborn, Older. Backberries... Agawam, Ancient Briton. Gooseberries I Foreign— Whitesmith, Industry, Rifleman. ■■ I American — Pearl, Houghton, Smith's Improved. ( White— White Grape. Currants } Red — Victoria, Versaillaise, Moore's Ruby. ( Black — Black Champion, Strawberries., Bubach. Warfield, Beder Wood, Parker Earle, Manchester. DISTRICT No. 11,— JOLIETTE, BERTHIER, MASKINONGE, ST, MAURICE, r Summer — Yellow Transparent, Duchess. Apples l Autumn — Autumn Strawberry, White Pigeon, Golden White. ( Winter — Wealthy, Golden Russet, Pewaukee, Arabka. Pears Bessemianka, Gakovka. p ( Foreign — Seedling Blue, Quackenboss, Blue Orleans. (American — De Soto, Rollingston, Cherries Montmorency, Orel 25, Wragg, Bessarabian, r White— Lady, Winchell. Grapes < Red — Moyer, Delaware. ( Black — Early Victor, Moore's Early, Worden. White — Caroline. Raspberries.... \ Red — Hansel, Heebner, Cuthbert. Black — Hilborn, Ohio. Blackberries.. Agawam, Ancient Briton. Gooseberries., j I;^oreign-Indu8try Whitesmith. ( American — Houghton. Pearl. r White— While Grape, Currants } Red — Victoria, Red grape. ( Black — Black Champion or Naples, Strawberries.. Crescent, Capt, Jack, Bubach, Parker Earle. REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST. 109 DTSTEICT No. 12,— CHAMPLATN, PORTNEUF, QUEBEC, MONTMOEENCY, CHAELEYOIX. i Summer — Tetofsky, Eed Astrachan. Autumn — Duchess, White Pigeon, Livland Easpberry. Winter — Golden Eusset, Wealthy, Canada Baldwin, Longfield, Pears Besseraianka, Kurskaya. p ^ f Foreign — Blue Orleans, Damson, Quackenboss. ^ I American — Eollingston, Wyant. Cherries Montmorency, Bessarabian, Orel 25, Minnesota Ostheim. p f Black — Florence, Early Victor, Hartford, Gibb. ^^^^^^ I Eed— Moyer. J White — Golden Queen. Eed — Hansel, Heebner, Cuthbert. Black — Hilborn, Ohio. Blackberries.. Agawam, Ancient Briton. r^ f Foreign — Eifleman, Industry. Gooseberries.. { . v -rr ui -d i ( American — Houghton, Pearl. i White — ^White grape. Eed — Eed grape, Victoria, Versaillaise. Black — Black Naples. Strawberries . Crescent, Sharpless, Bubach, Capt. Jack. DISTEICT No. 13.— CHICOUTIMI, SAGUENAY. r Summer— Tetofsky, Whitney No. 20. Apples -l Autumn — Duchess, Summer Arabka, White Pigeon. (^ Winter — Antonovka, Ostrekoff, Longfield, Hibernal. Pears Bessemianka, Gakovka. Plums De Soto, Eollingston, Wyant. Cherries Vladimir, Bessarabian, Eiga 18. Grapes Black — Florence, Gibb. ( White — Golden Queen or Caroline. Easpberries.... -| Eed — Hansel, Turner, Mmlboro'. (^ Black — Mammoth Cluster, Hilborn. Blackberries.. Snyder, Ancient Briton. Gooseberries.. American — Houghton, Pearl, Downing. r White— White Dutch. Currants \ Eed — Eed Dutch, Victoria, Prince Albert. ( Black — Black Naples. Strawberries . White Alpine, Manchester, Crescent, Capt. Jack. no EXPEKIMENTA L FA RMS. YIELD OF VINES PLANTED 3x4 FEET APART AND TRAINED TO POSTS. At the time of planting the vines which now make up the vineyard it was thought advisable to make a comparative test of the single stake method, or what is commonly known in France oi- Germany as the renewal system. For this purpose 325 vines were set out three by four feet apart. Twenty-tive plants each of the Early Victor, Brighton, Champion, Merrimack, Wilder, Niagara and Bacchus were set out, and fifty each of Delaware, Concord and Clinton. Each vine was provided with a four and a half foot stake for the support of the three canes, which were allowed to every vine. As far as practicable these canes were renewed every year by young shoots preserved for the purpose from wood of the previous year. It was not always possible to do this but in most instances the plan was carried out. By this system the wood falls into two classes, viz. : — the fruit bearing wood produced last year, and the young canes of this year's growth, which are designed to replace the first set out and become fruit producers next year. It will be seen by the following tabular statement of returns for the last three seasons, that the pole system is not adapted to the conditions that prevail in the greater portions of Canada, where the most complete utilization of all the available summer heat is a prime requisite to ihe successful cultivation of the grape. YIELD OF VINES TRAINED TO STAKES AS AGAINST THE SAME VARIETIES ON TRELLISES. > o o 20 I :/ ,J 3- 48 .J \ Variety. ; Year. Bacchus. . . do .. do .. do .. do do .. Brighton . do do do do do Champion, do .. do .. do .. do .. do . . Clinton, do do do do do 1S91 1892 1893 1891 1892 1893 1891 1892 1893 1891 1892 1893 1891 1892 1893 1891 1892 1893 1891 1892 1893 1891 1892 1893 How Trained. Stakes, do , do . Trellis., do . do . Stakes. do . do . Trellis., do . do . Stakes, do do . Trellis., do . do . Stakes. do . do . Date of Colouring. Date of Gathering Sept. 20. do 10. do 8. do do do 22. 7. 9. :Oct. 8. do 10 do 15. do 5. do 7. do 11. do 11.. do 10 do 18.. do 12 do 14 . do 18 do do do do do do 12. 10. 4. 27. 26. Aue. 27. do^ 20. Trellis do do Spi)t. 8.. do 13.. do 12.. do 8..1 do 7..I do 6..! do 6. do 6. do 10. Sept. 18. do 5. do 28. Total Yield. Sept. 9. do 1. Oct. 1. do 14. do 18. do 5. do 10. do 11. Lbs. 14i 27' 14i U 63" 52 30 7 25 22 18 4 77 100 42 90 25i 73" 32 33i 33" 39i Average per ^ ine. Lbs. Ozs. 11 1 5 0 11 0 8 21 0 13 8 2 6 1 6 0 5 8 5 7 5 6 0 0 3 3 8 4 9 14 0 30 0 0 8i 1 Si 0 lOi 11 5 11 0 13 1 Yield per Acre. m 73 Lbs. 2,495 4,764 2,495 272 11,424 7,344 8,621 4,991 1,134 4,522 3,978 3,264 680 12,705 16,561 Ozs. 10 6 10 0 0 7,616 16,320 1,928 5,558 2,382 6,264 6,094 7,106 10 0 14 0 0 7 7 3 0 0' o: \ Lbs. 3,251 6,346 4,915 3,921 9,982 11,968 3,289 6,488 REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST. Ill YIELD OF VINES TRAINED TO STAKES, kc- Concluded. o 48- 45 23 22 Variety. \ 22- Conjord . do . do . do . do do . Delaware do . do . do . do . do . Early Victor do do do do do Slerrimack do do do do do Niagara do do do do do Wilder . do . do do do do . Year. How Trained. 1891 Stakes. 1892 I do . 1893 do . 1891 1892 1893 1891 1892 1893 1891 1892 1893 1891 1892 1893 1891 1892 1893 1891 1892 1893 1891 1892 1893 Trellis., do do . Stakes, do . do . Trellis., do . do . Stakes. do . do Trellis., do do . Stakes, do . do . Trellis., do . do . 1891 I Stakes. 1892 I do . 1893 ! do . 1891 1892 1893 1891 1892 1893 1891 1892 1893 Trellis do do Stakes do 8 do do Trellis... do .. do . Date of Colouring. Sept. 8. do 3. do 14. do do do 20. 7. 12. do 4. do 7. do 8. do 5. Aug. 30. do 28. Sept. 4. Aug. 30. do 28. Sept. 4. do 7. Aug. 28. Sept. 4. do 7. do 12. do do Aug 4. 3. 28. Sept 7. Sept. 15. do 10. do 9. do 8. do 14. do 14 do 10 do 6 Date of Gathering Oct. 5.. do 10.. do 18.. do 5.. do 6 . do 11.. do 1.. do 10.. do 16.. do 1.. do 4.. do 7. . Sept. 22. do 25.. do 28.. do 21 . do 26 . do 26.. Oct. 1.. do 3 . do 10 . do 1.. do 6.. do 11.. do 1.. do 10.. do 15.. do 15.. do 6.. do 10.. do 1.. Did not mature. | Oct. 10. do 1.. do 4.. do 7.. Total Yield. Lbs. 201 196 42 25^ 30 52 74 88 13 21 18| 87| 32 54 30 54 2f'| 45 75 63 19 21i 30 75 11^ 44 17^ 31^ 36 72 16i 151 58i Average per Vine. Lbs. Ozs. 4 3 4 1 0 14 8 8 10 0 17 5 1 10 1 15 0 4i 7 0 6 2 29 4 1 6 2 5 1 4 1 13 6 14 15 0 3 6 •> 14 0 14 7 3 10 0 25 0 0 9 2 3 0 14 10 8 12 0 24 0 3 8 0 9 5 8 5 1 19 8 Yield per Acre. Lbs. Ozs. 15,200 14,746 3,176 4,624 5,440 9,418 5,898 7,033 1,020 3,808 3,332 15,912 4,991 8 394 4,537 657 3,808 8,.S10 12,251 10,436 3,176 3,910 5,440 13,600 2,041 7,940 3,176 5,712 6,.528 13,056 2 "■ .2 ^ 2,992 2,754 io,(;os 10 14 4 0 0 0 12 2 15 0 0 0 4 6 8 14 22 0 4 4 14 \ / Lbs. 11,041 6,494 4,650 7,684 3,974 4,258 8,621 7,650 101 I 4,386 T Ol \ 8,432 OiJ 12,705 0 2,041 14 \ 7,373 5,451 When we consider that by the single stake plan over 3,000 vines are planted on each acre, a glance at the comparative returns shows that they do not justify the greater amount of labour involved in growing them under this system. Effect of Summer Pruning of Vines Trained on the Eenewal of French System. The following table shows very eon'-lusively the benefits of summer pruning when applied to the stake or renewal system. Those unpruned were allowed to grow unrestrained after being tied to the stakes in the spring. They soon formed a dense 112 EXPERIMENTA L FA RMS. canopy of foliage over each stake, and set little fruit which ripened very unevenly. The amount of fruit set in the case of varieties like Brighton, which are in the mat- ter of fertilization, dependant in a measure upon pollen from other varieties, was very small, owing no doubt to the leafy covering surrounding the blossoms. It will be noticed that while the yields of both pruned and unpruned vines are in adecreas- ing ratio, for in 1892 and 1893 this feature is much more prominent in the case of the unpruned vines. Yield of Pruned and Unpruned Grape Yines. Number of vines. 3 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 Variety. Trained to Stakes. Bacchus Brighton . (( Champion Clinton . . Concord , Delaware Early Victor. Merrimack Niagara , Uni')runed . Pruned . . . Unprune d . Pruned . . Unpruned . Pruned . . . . Unpruned Pruned. . , . Unpruned . Pruned ... Unpruned . Pruned ... Unpruned Pruned Unpnmed. Pruned . . . . Unpruned . Pruned. . . . 1882. Yield. Lbs. ozs. 4 8 3 7 4 3 10 4 4 5 12 5 5 3 6 0 15 4 2 4 8 8 9 12 3 0 13 8 15 4 10 1803. Yield. Lbs. ozs. 1 0 2 1 none. 0 15 7 13 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 3 2 2 0 2 4 11 0 15 12 10 12 12 8 12 0 10 8 10 Two year average per vine. Pounds. 91 00 83 84 62 04 08 08 08 46 91 09 81 78 87 87 25 53 EXPERIMENTS IN FALL AND 'SPKING TPANSPLANTING. Opinions vary much with regard to the relative success and advantage of trans- planting trees in the fall or in the spring. Some advocate fall planting, while others favour setting in spi-ing. The effect of transplanting apple trees in the autumn in this locality has already been recorded in the report of the Horticulturist for the year 1888, p. 78. In this connection Mr. Hilborn says : " 216 apple trees were transplanted from the nursery rows in the autumn of 1887, to an orchard, with a view of testing the relative merits of fall and spring planting," REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST. 113 " When the snow disappeared in spring it was found that nearly all these autumn planted trees were more or less injured, many of them killed to the snow line. The fact that such varieties as Duchess of Oldenburg, Tetofsky andFameuse, — of which there are healthy bearing trees growing unharmed within a short distance of the farm — suffered equally with the tender sorts, showed clearly that these failures were due to the unfavourable season for planting, rather than the lack of hardiness of some of the sorts tested." In this instance it is reasonable to suppose that the injury would not have been so severe but for the unusually cold weather of the previous winter ; it is right to con- clude, however, that fall planting of fruit trees cannot be safely practised in this locality and in other places with similar climatic conditions. With the object in securing data on the same subject, with regard to forest trees, the following experiment was carried out. Thirty trees each of Green Ash (Fraxinus viridis), Black Walnut (Juglans nigra), Eed OaS (Quercus rubra) and European Mountain Ash {Pyrus aucuparia), were selected in the autumn of 1892. These had for three years been in nursery rows under good cultivation and were thrifty trees eight to ten feet high. Each variety was separated into three lots of ten trees each; the first assortment being planted without pruning; the second having three-quarters of the last season's growth removed, while the tops of the trees in the third lot were cut back to the main stems. They were then carefully set in rows four feet apart, and three feet apart in the row. In the spring of 1893, on the appi-oach of the planting season, a duplicate col- lection of the same varieties was made and treated in a manner similar to those which had been set out the fall previous. The following tabular data gives the results in detail : — 8c— 8 114 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. M Cu J/3 tt) a? a OI o OQ .2 © a 03 © -a p o a o OS o « C3 © > © -^ C o W -6 - ■^ a -S s '0 ' a :8 g How Prun ^ 1 -t^ » 0 -e S 0 :^ 0 "^ 0 -i So5^ S " 0 ° runed lo ;hes cu do ack to d -g g^o-o S co-ri M s s .« go^ § go^ § go^ Si a^ g ^ a.T3 c -a if cS -t^ -*^ 'S -» ^ S 0 c S 3 0 2 3 0 tH 3 ;z; m 0 t5 m 0 ;2i M Q TJ 1 . I ■ . a> -*j 3 fl • :':;:: bis ; ^ b D : bh '- bo '. tD -.S .3_'.S bio ^ bo PI S'SS-S^'C rf »— ( ' fc^ ■— ' ' u <— 1 " t. ^ *£^ ^ 'C ^ *tH £h rt 0-1 "^ Cu '=^ C c3 2.c« a-=« a c5 ^ rf ^ ^ ^ « a " Cu ^ 04 H P=HC/}PHa5(^':/: Ph CC CiH cc Ph cc Phc/^Pho^P^gq fHCOP^CQfMOa ^' ■ ■ ■ * • ' 33 • 0 • - 0 0 0 0 0 .S'OT3T3'0'0 ; 0) .^ 0 'S 3 ' ipH a > ^ , a f^ CO < -0000c g'WO'O'OT: 2 !> 0 0 0 0 0 ^ I-* na 13 73 -a -a cS '-* 0 0 0 0 0 $00000 Q ^ -^ 13 'O 13 ?i '^ TJ 13 TS '^ '^ 3 e s p: P=i' 1 REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST. 115 Some of the effects not clearly shown in the table were the much greater amount of dead wood, the more frequency of the sun scalds, and the uuevenness of the growth of the fall planted trees, as compared to those set out in the spring. These results are more marked in the case of the tenderer varieties and those most difficult to transplant, such as Black Walnut, Eed Oak and Mountain Ash. In the case of Green Ash, which is very hardy, and one of the easiest trees to trans- plant, slightly greater growth was made by those transplanted in the spring; other- wise there was no difference between the two sets. On the whole it is safe to con- clude that in the case of trees which do not transplant easily and which are not strictly hardy, spring planting is attended with better results than autumn planting. PEUNING OAKS IN MID-SUMMER. The following experiment was suggested incidentally in connection with the too severe summer pruning of a number of oaks standing in nursery rows. These had been trimmed higher than desired, and in order to learn if it was possible to form a new head the same season, they were cut back in July with the results delineated below : — A. Three trees cut back to one tear old wood. — These made a feeble start the same year, and produced a growth of a few inches which was winter killed. Their condition in the fall of 1893, was as follows : — No. 1.— Dead. No. 2. — To the ground. No. 3. — Sprouting feebly at two feet from the ground. B. Three trees cut back to two year old wood. — No. 1, grew six inches the same season and eighteen inches the following summer. Fairly healthy but slightly sun scalded. No. 2 and 3 made a slight growth the same summer, and a growth of fourteen to sixteen inches in 1893. Numerous dead points on all three. C. Three trees cut back to three year old wood. — Each made a growth of from six to twelve inches the same season. During 1893 a growth of fifteen to twenty inches was made of well ripened wood. All fairly vigorous and healthy. Dead points not prominent. D. Three trees cut back to pour year old wood. — No. 1, made a growth of ten inches which was slightly killed back the first year ; 1893 a strong growth was made, but the tree was ill-shapen and spreading. No. 2, made a weak growth which was mostly killed back the following winter. No. 3, was killed to the ground last winter. We can readily gather from the above that trees, however hardy and vigorous should not be heavily pruned during the season of active growth, and also that in the case of Red Oak, adventitious buds (by whose agency foliage is renewed) are most easily developed on three year old branches; so that if severe pruning is necessary during summer, it is best to cat back at once to this point. PROPAGATION OF ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS AND CONIFERS. The ease with which many of our most valued ornamental shrubs may be pro- pagated is not generally understood and appreciated. The methods employed in multiplying such fruits as grapes, currants and gooseberries, which may or should be classed among the necessities of life, are universally understood, and there is little excuse for any one — no matter how small the number of plants he starts with — if he does not increase the number sufficiently to meet the home demand. With ornamental shrubs a more general knowledge of simple methods of pro- pagation by the farmei*, would give an increased interest and would redound to the benefit of the planter as well as the nurseryman. 3c— 8i 116 ^ EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. The following methods have been employed here in multipljdng varieties desired for lawn or decoration on this and the Branch Farms : 1. Propagating from cuttings of the ripened wood. — This method is attended with such slight inconvenience and difficulty as to render it practicable to every one having a small area of cultivated ground available. In October, select a warm and well drained situation, stretch a garden line and open a trench eight or ten inches deep and the width of a spade. It will be an advan- tage to have one side of the trench slanting instead of perpendicular, against which to lay the cuttings. The soil at the bottom of the trench should be mellowedby digging. Cuttings of the ripened wood of the current year's growth ax-e then made by cut- ting it into nine inch lengths. These are stuck in the soil on the slanting side of the trench at regular distances of six inches apart. The earth is then filled in and care- fully packed about the cuttings till level with the surface, leaving only the upper bud of each cutting in sight. They may remain in this condition till freezing weather, when the rows should be covered with a mulch of leaves or coarse manure. The mulch should be removed the following spring and the cuttings be given good cultivation. At the end of the season a large proportion of the varieties men- tioned below, will have become well rooted and have made a considerable growth; being large enough in some instances to transplant to the lawn oi' border. The following classes of flowering shrubs are easily propagated in this way : — Honeysuckle (Lonicera) erect and trailing. Spiraea including bridal wreath, and nine bark. Barberry (Berberis) also easily grown from seed. Siberian Pea tree (Caragana) beautiful in spring. Weigelia (Diervilla) Spring and summer flowering shrubs. Japan Eose (^Eosa Rugosa) summer blooming. Tamarisk (Tamarix) Foliage beautiful. Snowball ( Viburnum opulus) grows most readily from layers. Cytisus, closely allied to the laburnums. Shrubby Five-finger (^Potentilla) summer flowering. '^ Sea Buck-thorn (Sippophae rhamnoides). Siberian dog wood {Gornus Siberica) propagates best by layering. Syringa (Philadelphus) the common mock orange. Deutzia (Deutzia) White flowers in early spring. Carolina Allspice (Calycanthm Floridus) Spring flowering. Smoke tree {Rhus cotinus) Autumn flowering. Southern wood (Artemisia). This list includes a large proportion of the most desirable plants of deciduous habit suitable for lawn decoration in this vicinity 2. Propagating prom green wood, — By this method cuttings are taken early in August from the unripened tips of the current year's growth. They should be four to six inches in length and be prepared by removing all the leaves except three or four of those last developed. They are then planted three inches deep in rows in a frame supplied with soil of equal parts of sand and loam. The frame is then covered with hot-bed sash, which is carefully shaded till the plants become rooted. The cuttings should be carefully watered and aired during this period. On the approach of winter the rooted plants may be either taken up and stored in a cold cellar or be protected with a mulch in the frame. Nearly all the plants mentioned in the preceding list may be propagated in this way, but it is specially useful for striking plants of the beautiful large flowered Hydrangea (H. Paniculata grandiflora) which can be multiplied in this manner with as much ease as the geranium. Propagating Eetinosporas and Thujas by Cuttings. There is no class of evergreen plants so useful for house culture in winter as potted plants, or for lawn decoration, as the various species belonging to the genus lietinospora, commonly called Japan Cypress, and to those may be added numerous for-ras of dwarf cedar (Thuja). It is a matter of regret that florists do not grow them more frequently as potted plants, when they may be rooted so easily. REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST. 117 The following method has been adopted here with excellent results: — The cuttings are made in October by selecting side shoots, which are separated from the stem with the "heel" attached. A heel cutting is one provided with the thickened knot or joint found at the base of each branch. The lower branchlets are trimmed off and the cuttings inserted in boxes of sandy soil, which are kept in a cool part of the green-house, where the temperature does not exceed 50 degrees. The soil should be kept uniformly moist. In February they will have calloused, which is the preparatory stage of rooting. They should then be given more heat, when they will root freely and will be ready for setting in nursery rows or potting by the time spring opens. During the winter of 1891 twenty varieties of Thuja were propagated in this way. over 40 per cent of the cuttings of each kind rooting. With Betinosporas the returns are much better. EXPERIMENTS IN PROPAGATING CHERRIES. Root Grafting. A comparative test was made in 1892 with the object of showing the relative success which might be looked for, in grafting Morello cherries upon the common commercial stocks. The work of root grafting was performed according to the method outlined in Bulletin No. 17, reasonable precautions being taken to secure a good stand. The grafts were set in nursery rows early in May, 1892, and given clean cultivation. The results are given below : — Variety. Stock. No. Grafted. No. which grew. Per cent Orel 23 Mazzard 50 13 26 Orel 2^ Mahaleb 41 None. Lutovka Mazzard 50 19 38 Lutovka ' Mahaleb . .50 S 16 Bessarabian Mazzard 50 14 28 Bessarabian Mahaleb 50 None. Vladimir American Plum 50 3 6 Vladimir whip grjlft do 25 6 24 Spate Amarelle do 50 2 4 Shadow Amarelle . . do 50 5 10 The above results are so poor as to render impossible the profitable propagation of cherries by these methods. It is true, however, that they maybe much below the returns of professional proi:»agators. Mazzard makes much the best showing. Suc- cess varies from year to year, according to the season, the care of the graft exer- cised in carrying out the details connected with the operation of grafting. Much also depends upon the condition of the soil and weather at the time of setting out the grafts. On the whole it is safer for the amateur to crown graft in the spring upon stocks planted the year previous. The following results have been obtained in propagating cherries by crown grafting. Variety. Vladimir Lutovka Bessarabian Shadow Amarelle Gruner Glas Orel 24 . Wragg Stock. Mahaleb do do do do do do No. No. Grafted. Grown. 100 92 100 88 100 95 19 16 62 35 68 42 15 12 Per cent 92 88 95 84 56 61 80 118 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Bird Cherry Stocks (Prunus Fennsylvanica.) This native cherry has much to commend it as a propagating stock, but also possesses a few serious defects. It is hardy and easily grown from seed. On the other hand, its growing season is so extended, and growth so rapid and succulent during that period, that it is often difficult to hit upon the most favourable time for budding. Several hundred were budded late in August of 1892, but with poor success, owing to the large amount of sap in the stocks at the time of budding, which prevented the immediate union of the buds, (xrowth continued till arrested by frost late in September. In order to pre- vent the stocks from being girdled by the fibre used in tying, it was necessary to loosen and re-tie, twice after the buds were inserted. This year the stocks were not budded until the first week in September, and less difficulty from over-growth was experienced, and better results are looked for. VEGETABLES. Experiments with Cauliflowers. A varietal test of cauliflowers was carried on this season. Twenty plants each of twenty-eight varieties were set out on 3rd June. The seed from which these were grown was sown in hot bed 4th April, and pricked into a cold frame, 28th April. The ground was prepared by deep fall ploughing and dressing with barnyard manure at the rate of 75 tons to the acre. The plants were set in rows, three by two feet apart and cultivated with a Planet jr. horse cultivator. As the heads matured they were weighed and the weights recorded with dates of cutting. The results are embodied in the subjoined table. Some of the late varieties were injured by root maggots which were not detected soon enough to be successfully treated with hellebore. The season on the whole was favourable for the development of firm crisp heads of good size. Cauliflowers. Variety. Autumn Giant Early Asiatic Early Boston Earliest Dwarf Erfurt Early Dwarf Erfurt Early Perfection Elarly Long Island Beauty. . . Early Paris .... Early Snowball Early Walcheren p]xtra Early Dwarf Erfurt.. . Extra Early Whitehead Seedsman. -S 13 CD a CO C cS H o T-H J.S 4J o to O s Q bb a h3 SI tuoho < Lbs. Lbs. ozs. Thorburn . . 61- June 3, Sept. 30. . Oct. 30.. 85 56| 3 5 Landreth . . . 79- do 3. Aug. 13.. do 20.. 85 63 3 11 Faxon . . . 78- do 5. July 20.. Sept. 9.. 60 34 2 13 March 79- do 5. do 17.. do 19.. 70 54i 3 14 Thorburn . . 91- do 3. do 29.. do 19.. 85 43a 2 9 March 57- do 5. do 17.. do 6.. 94 4 41 2 6 do 93- do 5. Aug. 8.. do 6.. 80 m 2 6 Thorburn . . 79- do 3. do 5. . do 6.. 65 19i 1 8 March . ... 88 do 3. July 18.. do 19.. 86 6 44f 3 7 Thorburn . . 74- do 3. Sept. 19.. Oct. 20.. 80 42 2 10 do ... 29- do 3. Aug. 5 . . Sept. 19.. 85 41 2 6 Steele do 5. July 17.. Aug. 20.. 70- 18 1 4 REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST. 119 Cauliflowers. — Con. Variety. Giant Purple early Giant Purple late Giant White Pearl Gilt Edge Snowball Half Early Dwarf French . . Imperial Novelty Italian Taranto Landreth's 1st Large Algiers Large Early London Large Early Dwarf Erfurt. . . Le Norraand Short Stem Non Pariel Snowball Stadtholder Veitch's Autumn Giant Seedsman. Childs... do . . Pearce Thorbum , do . Landreth. . . Thorbum . . Landreth. . . Thorburn . . do ... do ... do ... do ... March . . . Thorbum . . . Steele Bros.. o a 94- 95- 82- 86- 92- 45- 58 67- 72- 70- 58- 77- 76- 92- 60- 85- 13 a c «8 June do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do 3 '^ bo -S.S c3 -^ 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 5. 3. 5. Sept. 6., do 6. July 26. do 29. do 29. do 17. Oct. 2. July 26. Sept. 6. Aug. 14. July 17. Aug. 8. do 20. do 2. Sept. 6. do 6. •-> bo . 100 Early winter. Through the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association, a number of new seedling black currants have been sent out for trial to different parts of the province. In addition to these, 100 Rosa rubrifolia (red-leaved rose), 75 Spirosa rotundifolia (round- leaved spiraea), were distributed through the same medium, together with 500 plants each of Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens), yellow pine (Pinus ponderosa), and Douglas fir (^Pseudotsuga Douglasii). Cherry Scions. In response to the offer of cherry scions for propagating purposes, of the varieties described in Bulletin No. 17, a large number of applications were received. Many of the applicants were labouring under the erroneous impression that trees instead of scions, would be sent them. One hundred and twenty-eight packages were distri- buted, covering every province in the Dominion, a large proportion going to the Maritime Provinces. Yery satisfactory reports have been received from many who were successful in propagating them. Manitoba and North-west Territories. Another distribution of seeds and cuttings of hardy forest trees was made to the Western Provinces. The details are contained in the following table : — Packages of Plants, Cuttings, &c., Distributed. Forest trees Cuttings Cuttings and trees . Cherry scions Fruits Box elder seed .... Ash seed Asparagus seed . . . Manitoba. No. of Pack- 449 501 177 30 128 796 142 936 North-west Territories. No. of Pack- ages. 381 297 27 13 52 633 52 582 REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST. 121 The following varieties of Russian apples were used in making up the packages of fruits, in addition to plants of the leading varieties of currants: — ~ Antonovka, Karabovka, Aport, 252, Ledenetz, Arkad, Yor., Orel, No. 6, Anisovka, Orel, 27, Borov'nka, , Rosy Voronesh, Blushed Calville, . Repka Aport, Cross, Yor., Red Streak,' Cinnamon, Yor., Simbirsk, No. 1, Cinnamon Pine, Simbirsk, No. 2, Gipsy Girl, Simbirsk, No. 3, Golden Reinette, Simbirsk, No. 5, Knievskoe, Yargul. Kruder, EXPERIMENTS WITH TOBACCO. Some preliminary experiments were undertaken in the cultivation of tobacco, with a view of obtaining information with regard to the varieties best suited to the climate of Eastern Ontario and the province of Quebec ; and the most approved methods of handling the j'oung plants previous to setting out. Seed of thirty-one varieties was sown in a mild hotbed on April 24th, 1893, in rows six inches apart. Germination took place very uniformly in ten days. On May 30th, half the number of plants of each variety were transplanted, pricking them out in a cold frame in rows eight inches apart and three inches apart in the row. On June 6th they were transplanted to the field, which was a thoroughly tilled piece of gravelly loam, that was cropped with beans the previous season, ploughed in the autumn and dressed in the spring with barn-yard manure at the rate of 50 tons per acre. The ground was cultivated sufficiently with a Planet Jr. horse cultivator to keep down all weeds, and as long as the cultivator could pass between the rows without injuring the plants, which were set three and a half feet apart each way. This distance was found to be sufficient for the smaller and more upright varieties such as " Canadian " and " Cannelle," but did not afford enough space for large leaved vigorous kinds like "Conqueror" and "Pennsylvania Seed Leaf." A striking difference was noted in the relative rapidity of growth of plants, which had been transplanted in hotbed, and those of the same variety set out from the original seed bed. Those transplanted in hotbed were much stockier and stronger, as might reasonably be expected, did not flag after setting in the field, and lost no time in becoming established. As the following tabular statement shows, very few plants had to be replaced of those which were transplanted in hotbed. On the other hand, those which had not been transplanted in the hotbed were much slower in taking root and many more of these had to be replaced, as indicated in the table. The difference in the two sets was quite plainly visible for the greater part of the summer, in fact till "topping " had taken place. It should be stated also that in pricking out, the plants were taken in such a manner as to thin regularly those remaining, in order to allow of even development and prevent a spindling and weakly growth. Harvesting after the " single leaf method " described in general notes which follow on the cultivation of tobacco took place Sept. 15th. The leaves were separated into two grades, according to soundness and size, and the figures in the weight columns represent how much the leaves of each variety weighed green, immediately after picking. The second column of weights represent the amount which the same leaves weighed after drying previous to sorting and tying in " hands." The estimated returns per acre show that tobacco, as far as quantity is concerned, can be successfully grown in this and other localities having like climates. 122 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. H fH g >= o ^- CO tH CO IM o o o o o iB «« IM IC iH lO t^ Oi 05 (M no (M t£> (M CO CO 1^ 00 lO t- CO 00 (N iH CO »0 ec Hffi H« -«N mw -«• 0** r*l -*» -+* Hei -+* ecHi -w -*! rHXC0(MlO«ON(N oo©(Moo;ot~iOcoinio-^iHiNC* t^ a R S w a O CO IM i-l OJ rH CO ■*! 00 in ■* CO © © CO -H © CO 05 t^ CD t- © © CD CO © CO 03 05 IM CO 00 O IM TJ< ^ TJ< © lO l-H 05 JO jaquin^ t>. 00 05 »0 IM tH rH iH l-H 00 iniM05©®©©0000500©© t-eOi-IIM00(MC005IMini-l©©CDCO»OCOCOCO •H. 1-l-^IMIMiHrH.HCDiH i-l 00 © O O I-l rH CO CO CO CO N d 00 O '-I ?t rH rH -^ CO CO M rHa!©t-Tflt-Oje0O5lM-*l©0Clr-lt-. ■ o §3 o 3 O o O o T3 0) o s o u O H o ^3 O o O •T3 O (S 3 O ■r; 73 03 3 o o 73 o o •a o 73 O o 73 O 73 O 73 O 73 cS .§ U o 73 (3 • rH 73 c ■B It- O ee fl a> 73 a> fl (► 73 w 73 o w w REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST. 123 r^ in CS -* to eo id to lO o o fO 00 00 •-< T— i 1-1 1— ( iH iH © tH 1-1 c^ IM (M O 1-1 iH 1-1 w iH (M 1-1 © W rH (M iH © (M 1-1 ecW HC» raw -w rf* mw -w -+* KM- e** -+* ow H^ Hn HW HN t- to IM 00 00 00 00 00 (N in 1-1 i-( 1— ( CO 00 •^ CO c; O 00 in b- in 1-H eo lO in •* to •^ CO to in ■* Tfi CO in lO iH t^ in •* • eo ■* -1»< Oi CO t^ (>. Oi in © CO CO CO l^ t~ © 00 in to to CO in ® 00 lO e<5 -* iH (M o Ci oo lO iH © 05 ■* t~ 05 IM 05 CO c IM lO t>. ■^ in ■* Oi Ci t^ © t- iH C5 00 00 to IM 05 1—1 iM t- t~ t- t- 00 (M i-l©©©t~0D00©©©C5©©tO rHC^ -a o a o o -a o c o ai a a o c o -73 -a -c o f3 O o o a 'do o 73 O »— 1 "^ >^ h O >^ k> c5 O O 13 S I— » pq O T3 o O 13 C O 13 O O t« 'S O a S w a? o 13 a; ce i p UJ ?H CC CC 02 H 0) o o 3 O •t-t 3 'So T3 c3 3 3 PQ o 13 O a o j^ ^ o 13 O 13 O S S 124 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. The varieties which have succeeded best both as to yield and time of ripening uie Canadian, Connecticut Seed Leaf, Fryor Yellow and White Burley. HINTS ON TOBACCO CULTUEB. For the benefit of those who are unacquainted with the tobacco plant and its culture, the following brief outline of the course usually adopted in the management of this crop is appended. That group of plants known to Botanists as members of the genus Nicotiana is a large one, and includes many useful decorative plants .as well as the tobacco of com- merce. The genus was named after Jean Nicot, who introduced tobacco into France in the latter half of the 16th century. Nicotiana tabacum and Nicotiana Persica with their varieties include most of the cultivated tobaccos. The development of this industry has proceeded with great rapidity. With the French colonists of the Detroit Eiver region and of the province of Quebec came seed of this plant to Eastern North America. In the eastern portions of this pro- vince long continued selection of home-grown seed has given rise to varieties peculiar to the region. These are usually smaller leaved hardy varieties that do not attain the height of Southern forms. The yield, however, is usually very satisfactory, and with the exercise of skill in harvesting and curing, there is no doubt that an easily marketable product of good quality can be produced. Soil. A soil which is deep, friable, rich, dry and warm, and one which may be easily traversed by the numerous tender fibrous roots of this plant, is advisable in this climate in order to hasten early maturity. A sheltered situation is also very desirable. Tobacco is peculiarly a farmer's crop inasmuch as there are few farms which do not afford an acre or half an acre of the above description. Manures. Analyses of the stems and leaves of tobacco reveal the fact that this plant draws heavily on the potash of the soil, so that in growing it a proper rotation of crops is desirable, and a careful return to the soil of those elementsof fertility which have been withdrawn is of course necessary. The following analyses are taken from the Eeport of the Massachusetts Experi- ment Station for 1892. Substance Analysed. Nitrogen. Aver- age. Potash. Aver- age. Phos. Acid. Aver- age. Linie. Magnesia. Tobacco leaf Tobacco steins 2-75 2-29 2-52 2-52 7-24 6-44 6-44 6-44 •43 •60 •51 •51 4- 17 3^89 217 1 23 The above figures show the principal elements extracted from the soil in grow- ing this crop, and indicate the desirability of returning them if the best results are looked for. It should not be forgotten that the fertilizing constituents are nearly equally divided between the stalk and the leafy matter, and therefore, the utilization of the stalks for fertilizing purposes is an important feature in the economical culture of this plant. It has been estimated by Mr. Loomis of the Connecticut Experiment Station (Eeport for 1887, p. 84), that "the stalks contain about as much nitrogen and potash as would be furnished by an application of 70 pounds muriate of potash REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST. 125 and 300 pounds of cotton-seed meal per acre. The latter would, however, contain nearly twice as much phosphoric acid." In other words, about four tons of barn-yard manure would be needed, from which to obtain an equal amount of potash, as is con- tained in the stalks from an acre, but one and a half tons of barn-yard manure will furnish an equal amount of nitrogen. It will be seen then that potash and lime are specially requii-ed, and soils in which these elements are present in large quantities produce a leaf of superior burning qualities. Eaisinq Plants. Seed should be sown in a hotbed between the 10th and 20th of April; the latter date is usually the right time for this locality. In twenty days the plants should be ready to transplant to a cold frame in the manner already described. Such a course of treatment as will produce good tomato plants may be pursued with every assurance of success. The time of setting out will depend somewhat on the locality, it must not take place till after all danger of frost is over — in this locality from May 24th to June 10th. Transplanting and Cultivating. The large leaved varieties should be set in rows, four feet apart and three feet apart in the row. The rows are easily lined out with a corn marker. Three feet apart each way will give suflScient space to the smaller growing sorts ; such as the " Canadian " and the Turkish varieties. Although a cloudy day is preferable for transplanting, yet if plants have been handled as above described, and carefully taken up with a ball of earth attached to the roots of each, there is little need of delaying the work by waiting for clouds or rain. Like all young plants frequent cultivation is very necessary to the rapid growth of the tobacco plant, and the soil should be stirred at least once in ten days, up to the period when the plants are "topped." Priming and Topping. " Priming " is the term used to designate the removal of one or two of the lower or primary leaves, which are inferior in size and frequently become torn and injured by the cultivator. " Topping " is the more important operation of removing the flower stalk, with one or more of the upper and smaller leaves. The energies of the plant are thus diverted from the natural channel — the production of seed — to the more perfect development of its leafy tissues. After topping, numerous suckers will appear in the axils of the leaves j those should be promptly removed. Harvesting. It is difficult to describe with sufficient accuracy for identification, the appear- ance of the tobacco leaf when it has arrived at the proper stage for cutting. The proper time for harvesting is more easily pointed out in practice than intelligently described. When maturity is reached the leaf loses its deep green, taking on a yellow hue, which in some varieties is mottled with deeper markings of the same colour. At this stage, if the tip of the leaf is doubled back, the mid rib will break with a clean fracture. There are two principal methods of harvesting the crop : 1. Cutting the plant at the ground, and hanging the whole stalk while it is being dried. 2. Stripping the leaves from the plants in the field as they ripen, and stringing them on wires which are attached to laths, in such a manner as to allow each lath 126 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. with its load of leaves to be handled separately. The latter is the ideal method and one which is being introduced into many of the tobacco-growing regions of the United States with excellent results. It entails, however, a greater amount of labour than the first and older method, and at a season when the farmer is usually pressed for time. When the former method is adopted the plants are strung on laths either by piercing or splitting the stalks. After being allowed to wilt for a short time they are taken to the curing house or barn. The best drying-houses are now supplied with a system of heating flues which hastens and facilitates the process of drying, which without these aids takes from four to six weeks according to the humidity of the atmosphere and the system of harvesting employed: the whole plant taking longer, of course, than if the " single leaf method " is adopted. The leaves are next stripped from the plants and graded according to their quality and size, in bundles called " hands " containing a dozen leaves each. Fermenting. In order to give the leaves a uniform colour the " hands " are arranged in a compact heap with butts outward, in which condition they remain till heating com- mences: when the thermometer in the centre indicates a temperature of 100 to 110 degrees the " balk," as this heap is technically called, is opened and rearranged so that the outer tiers are brought to the centre. After the process of fermentation has been completed the " bulk " is opened, the " hands " taken out and arranged in loose tiers where they are gradually cooled. In the case of fine cigar tobaccos the leaves are again sorted before packing in bales or hogsheads for shipment, which completes the course of treatment before marketing. REPORT OF THE CHEMIST (Frank T. Shutt, M.A., F.I.C., F.C.S.) Ottawa, 1st December, 1893. Wm. Saunders, Esq., Director, Dominion Experimental Farms, Ottawa. Sir, — I have the honour to submit herewith the seventh annual report of the Chemical Department of the Dominion Experimental Farms. The work of the department is necessarily of a manifold character. That which relates to the answering of correspondents' questions, and the examining and reporting on samples of soil and agricultural products for individuals, although an extremely useful branch of the work, is not repeated here. In the following pages are recorded only the data and conclusions considered to be of general interest and value to the farming community of the Dominion. A brief outline of this matter, prepared for convenience of reterence, is as follows : — Soils. — Our work on the examination of representative soils has been continued. Interesting data together with conclusions as to the relative fertility and rational treatment of the soils analysed during the past years are here given. The inves- tigation included virgin soils from widely distant points in Canada. An analysis of every soil received is neither possible nor desirable. A qualita- tive and physical examination is however made, and a report forwarded to the sender of the sample, with such suggestions as to fertilizers and modes of treatment as are deemed advisable for increased crop yields. The soils so reported on have been received from all parts of the Dominion. In this new departure, I believe, the Chemical Department has been of much benefit to our agriculturists. Alkaline Soils. — In the chapter on alkaline soils, a distinct and progressive step towards their amelioration is recorded. The experiments of the past year have proven that by the treatment here detailed the baneful effects of magnesium sulphate (Epsom salts) in a soil, may be overcome. The variable character of the alkali in the affected districts, does not allow us to offer any one method whereby all alkaline soils may be alike beneficially treated, unless it be that of thorough drainage. To all those in Manitoba and the North- west Territories possessing " alkali patches," the reading of the present report is commended. Mucks, Peats and Muds. — The value of these naturally-occurring fei-tilizers is stated at some length, and the composition of many samples lately analysed given in tabular form. Suggestions for the economic use of these fertilizers are added. Wood Ashes. — Special attention is called to the value of potash in agriculture, and a plea is made for the better recognition of the value of Canadian wood ashes. Legumes. — The results of analyses of several members of the Leguminosae are inserted together with some remarks upon the value of these plants for fodder and as green manure. Carrots. — An interesting investigation was made to ascertain if there were any difference in feeding value between the part of the root developed above ground and the part below the surface of the soil. Our analytical data and conclusions are here given for the benefit of our readers. 128 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. The Babcock Te'IT. — Dairymen will find a record of further experiments with this useful method of ascertaining the percentage of fat in milk. These have special reference to the amount of potassium bichromate to be used in composite testing. Well Waters, — As in former years, the analysis of farmers' well waters is a matter that has received our attention. The results of the past year are given, and attention is drawn to the danger of drinking from a contaminated supply. Saline Waters. — Some experiments towards the improvement of certain saline waters have been made this year. The results are commended to the notice of those who unfortunately have to depend upon such unwholesome supplies. Miscellaneous. — Several other matters, though perhaps of less importance than the foregoing, are treated of in the following report, since they are considered of general interest to farmers. Addresses have been delivered at several of the larger agricultural conventions in Ontario, and have received publication in their transactions. They are as follows: — Dairymen's Association of Eastern Ontario — Home grown Coarse Fodders. Creameries' Association of Ontario — Paying for Milk according to Butter-fat. Ontario Agricultural and Experimental Union — The Chemistry of Farmyard Manure. Convention of Executive Health OflBcers, Ontario — The Farm Water Supply. Ontario Fruit Growers' Association — The Chemistry of the Copper Fungicides. In addition to these, several Farmers' Institutes were attended and addressed. In August, upon the nomination of Sir Henry Trueman Wood, Secretary to the Royal Commisson of Great Britain, I was appointed a professional juror on cereals at the World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago. Accordingly, with the approval of the Honourable the Minister of Agriculture and yourself, I proceeded to Chicago and there assisted in the analysis of more than 500 samples of grain including wheat, oats, barley, rye, Indian corn, buckwheat, rice and flour — among which were many samples from all parts of Canada. The awards for excellence in this department were granted from data derived from physical inspection and chemical analysis — the nutritive value as deduced from the composition of the grain, being an important factor. In this connection, it is particularly gratifying to note that the analysis of the samples of wheat (principally Eed and White Fife) sent from Manitoba and the North-west Territories, showed them to be of excellent quality and containing a very high percentage of albuminoids, thus confirming previous analyses and opinions of the wheat grown in these provinces. The United States Department of Agriculture purpose publishing in bulletin form the analytical data of all the cereals examined. In January last Mr. A. Lehmann, B.S.A., resigned his post of assistant chemist to accept a position on the staff of the Experiment station of Louisiana, at New Orleans. For two years and a half Mr. Lehmann had worked faithfully and well in our laboratories, and it was with much regret that I parted with an assistant who had proved himself so valuable and had taken such a deep interest in the chemical work of the Farms. Mr. P. H. Le Eossignol, B.A.Sc. of McGill University, Montreal, was appointed to the vacant assistantship in April. Mr. Lo Eossignol has shown himself a careful and skilful analyst and well qualified for the work of this department. To his ability and industry I am indebted for many of the results here recorded. I have the honour to be. Sir, Your obedient servant, FEANK T. SHUTT, Chemist, Dominion Experimental Farms. Chemical Laboratories, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa. H < O PC y. y. REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 129 SOILS. The investigation into the composition of certain Canadian soils has been con- tinued, and the results of the analyses of sixteen samples obtained during the past year are now given. Since the amount of work involved in soil analysis in very considerable, the chemical examination is renLricted to those samples which either represent the virgin soils covering large areas in the Dominion or, on account of supposed barrenness, present themselves as woi-thy of special examination. In previous reports (1890 and 1891) the factors upon which the fertility of a soil depends have been enlarged upon, the constituents of soils enumerated, and the limits between which the elements of the plant food vary in soils given. It will only be necessary, therefore, to insert the following abstracts, which afford sufficient information to render intelligible the chemical data in the subjoined table: Factors op a Soil's P'ertility. — "The factors upon which the fertility of the soil depend are many. The amount of plant food and its degree of solubility, the mechanical texture or tihh and the climate (temperature, amount of rainfall, &c.) are the chief of these. " Soil, to be fertile, must contain the elements of plant food in such forms that they can be readily used for the nutrition of vegetation. At the same time its con- dition must not be too loose, else a firm hold will not be afforded to the roots of plants, and there will be too much drainage and evaporation ; nor must it be too heavy and plastic, for then air and water could not freely permeate it nor the roots extend themselves bej'^ond a very limited area. Generally speaking, light, loose soils are not as rich in plant food as those in which clay predominates ; yet, on account of their excellent condition of tilth, they often yield, in favourable seasons, heavier crops than the latter. Stiff, heavy clays, though I'ich in inorganic plant food (potash and phosphoric acid) are often poor in nitrogen, while their condition is such as to prevent thoi-ough aeration and the penetration of the roots. It is these soil« espe- cially that are benefited by drainage. By a system of drainage the water which saturates the surface soil is carried off, air allowed to permeate, the whole rendered more friable and easily worked, and much plant food is converted into assimilable forms. ** Where sand largely preponderates, the soil is not retentive of moisture and fertilizing material, especially if the subsoil be light, and though easily worked, is not so dei^irable in dry seasons as a heaviec soil. " A proper proportion of sand and clay, therefore, for many reasons, makes the best soil. "With the clay and sand, vaiying amounts of peaty matter or humus (derived from the decomposition of vegetable matter), and of calcaieous matter (principally carbonate of lime) are usually associated, and a right proportion of the two latter exerts a beneficial influence upon the tilth of a soil. From the pi'csence of these pre- dominating materials, soils are known respectively as clay, sandy, peaty and calcare- ous, according as one or the other is in excess. " By the slow decomposition of the clay and the peaty and calcareous matter, plant nutrients are liberated in a soluble form, and therefore the function of these soil fundamentals is not only mechanical but chemical. The Essential Elements op Plant Food. — "The most important inorganic constituents of a soil are potash and phosphoric acid. These, together with nitrogen, are known as the essential elements of plant food. " Fotash — derived principally from the decomposition of felspathic rocks, e.g., granite — exists chiefly in combination with silica in a more or less soluble condition. The limits of potash in a soil lie between a mere trace and about 2 per cent. A good agricultural soil contains between -25 per cent and 1 per cent. Clay soils, usually, are the richest in potash. 8c— 9 130 ^ EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. " Potash, as a fertilizer, is of special value to clover, pease and other leguminous crops ; potatoes, beets, cabbage, grasses and leafy plants in general, are also benetited by it. It should form a large part of manures for orchards and all fruit trees. " Phosphoric acid, combined principally with lime, is found in all fertile soils. Like potash, it has been derived from the rock that originated the soil, and conse- quently is not constant in quantity. It never exceeds 1 per cent, even in the richest soils, and the average in good soils is about "2 per cent. "It benefits chiefly root crops, e.g., turnips and beets, and in conjunction with nitrogenous manures is very effective for the cereals, promoting an early maturity and an increased 3'ield. " Lime. — Of the inorganic elements of minor importance, lime is the principal. It affords food dicectly to the plant and liberates in the soil potash and nitrogen pre-existent in insoluble forms. Many consider that less than 1 per cent shows a soil to be deficient in lime, and calcareous soils are almost invariably fertile. "No special mention need here be made of the other mineral constituents, as most soils contain sufficient for all the requirements of farm crops. " Nitrogen is the element of value in the organic portion of a soil. It there exists, for the most part, in forms from which it can be but slowly absorbed by plants. By a process of fermentation, known as nitrification, it is rendered assim- ilable. The presence of lime (carbonate of lime) appears to assist in this useful operation, especially when the ground is sufficiently open for the air to pei'meate it. Moisture and warmth are also necessary to encourage the growth of the microscopic ferment which causes the formation of nitrates from nitrogenous material. " Very rich soils contain from "5 per cent to 1 per cent of nitrogen ; good, fertile soils possess on an average from '15 per cent to '25 percent, "Nitrogen is essentially the fertilizer for cereals, especially when associated with phosphoric acid. An excess of nitrogen, however, promotes a rank growth of straw." \ NOETH-WEST TEERITOEIES. The samples Nos. 1, 2 and 3, were forwarded by Messrs. Osier, Hammond and Nanton, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, who furnish the following information regarding theii- character: Speaking of No. 1, they say, "This soil exists in large quantities along the line of railway between Qu'Appelle Eiver and Saskatoon, and is found as a layer between the surface and subsoil, which latter is clay. Wherever this layer is found the grass is thin and rank, and the general appearance of the soil is cold and barren." Locally, the soil is classed alkaline. Eesj^ecting soils Nos. 2 and 3, they quote from a letter written by Mr. Dodd, their inspector, as follows : The sample I^lo. 2 "was taken from the bench west of the arm at Chamberlain (Tp. 22, E. 26, W, 2). There were about 6 inches of surface soil, and 2^ feet of this stuff, perfectly dry. Below this 2^ foot layer was good, sweet clay, and moist. I am satisfied the whole trouble with the land is in this layer. Sample No. 3 is from corner of 2 and 3, 35, 34, Tp. 29, E. 24, W, 2. I fancy it is stronger than the other." These soils, which from theii- position must be regarded as subsoils, have in many respects similar characteristics. Air dried, they are almost white, of a very fine texture, and powder easily. They are, essentially, calcareous clays. A mechanical sepai'ation of No. 1 proved it to contain but little true sand, though the treatment served to distinguish between fine clay and small agglutinated masses of clay formed by the cementing action of the carbonate of lime present. Nos. 2 and 3 possess fair proportions of sand. Considered chemically, the following inferences may be made. In potash, while No. 1 is somewhat below the average of good soils, Nos. 2 and 3 contain amounts «qual to those in soils of great fertility. The phosphoric acid in all is low, but many soils of an equally small percentage have borne abundant crops. As might be ■lixpected in a subsoil, the percentage of nitrogen is not high, though in this REPORT OF THE OHEMIST. 131 GO "3 O o •0 •ir. 1 in M ■^ N o I-l ^^ Ln T— 1 t^ IM b- CO lO • Cl t— C5 ■* ^ C*' o CO in © in © t~ . ?1 i-H •«• ■*! CO CO CO O in lO CO c^ CO 00 ;» «o 50 1-1 CO © © IM CO Tf t^ © •'^■qo T-M oo lO »o ■* •* (M lO t- in in t- lO © in « (M 05 h- CO 00 I-l © CO © 00 r^ © © I— 1 * CO CO <£> CO in lO ■* -^ on T^ © Ttl f- © •uaSoaii^ o I-l o ^ I-l * tH I-l (M iH iH © I-H rH o •-^ o o o CO I-l o © © © O CO © © © — : o o O o in iH o © © © © I-l © © © O; => o o o O o © © © © <;-) © © © C' o o g g o o © ® © © © © © © H T— 1 I-l I-l T-\ j-^ I-l I-l iH I-i 1-1 iH iH t— 1 rH rH ^ — ' 00 in o I-l CO CO in CO CO rH Tt< (•pauiuija^apun) T o c tH IM cq © © CM CM © © ;^ CM I-H CO o CO CO CO 00 m t~ t^ CM © CO 00 •pioy oijoqdsoq^ " i-( rH iH IM o IM I— 1 r-^ CM 1—1 I— 1 CO OA tH rH in o t— 1 TJH CO ir; ■* o in t- . •* CO •■epog -f r^ T-H in CO r~l l-H I— 1 1-1 rH 1 ■* Tt< o l~ ■* >n c/r I— 1 ■* CO CO "* © t^ m I-l © •qsB^oj • -* T* rH CO CO CO CO CO CO © © CO ■V rH rH I- ^ •<*< f— ) . o: 05 © IH •* t- 1-1 rH •amiT; T-^ T-H r-1 ^ I- I-l T-{ CI ^ t^ IM ^ m t~ o CO CO CO OO C<1 t- -«< o •uuuutnY i^ — OJ CO la ■* o 00 o 00 1-1 (M CC ■* 00 C L^ IC. CO I-l CO Tt< IM CO t^ CS © CM cq •ja^'B^ c^ c; CO T-l '- m CO IM CO CO lO CO CC CO CO CO p • '■ ^ - ; • t; "^ O' o • N p: - ^ » >** - ^ B ^ ■5 ^ "7 ~ ^J. ^ — >. •f. - 1 r*~^ o cr Ci ^-^ ^ Ci »" • — ^ 1-1 <* ri in" CO > a f> r-T d o 1 a O '5 5 3 •f—i CO CO 'a. 1 3 1 ^3 a a oo' (M - IE c O a >» ,— . ■^ r © u o r- C^ O CZ3 ■- c'^ _^ P~ QJ O ^ • « H o H S'^o 03 .20 .-S K Locality. o'9lli Soda (Na^O). Potash. {K,0). Lime. en 1 -S-r "u 1 s X ■" o H Near Oak Point, Manitoba 24 010 6-29 •27 2-42 10-66 2-42 •245 1( t L 2-263 512 ■13 •31 -56 •62 •441 Near Binscarth " 5-355 1-55 •01 •38 •32 300 •06 -558 From a few miles north of Brandon 4-855 •38 02 •53 •97 2 64 •27 •660 The theoretical combination of these constituents maybe stated as follows No. 1. — Near Oak Point — Per cent. Magnesium sulphate (Epsom !-;il'-) 14-88 Sodium sulphate (Glauber's sail) 9-65 " chloride (common suit, 3-93 Calcium sulphate (gyps'Um) ^83 No. 2.— Near Oak Point- Magnesium sulphate (Epsom snli-) 1*72 " chloride -15 Sodium chloride "94 Calcium carbonate (carbonate of lime) ^23 ft 136 - EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. No. 3. — Near Binscarth — Mairnesium sulphate (Epsom salts) 1-97 Sodium sulphate (Glauber's salt) M-4G " chloride (common salt) -07 Potassium chloi'ide .. -01 Calcium sulphate (gypsum) -89 Calcium carbonate.... -15 No, 4. — Prom North of Brandon — Magnesium sulphate (Epsom salts)... 5 06 Sodium sulphate (Glauber's salt) -355 " chloride -42 Potassium chloride .*. 08 Calcium sulphate (gypsum) 107 " carbonate -325 It is to be inferred from the foregoing that not only the total amount, but also the composition of the alkali in the soils, is extremely variable. Though in all the the four specimens, magnesium sulphate is present in large amounts, and notably so in Nos. 1 and 4, sodium sulphate (also deleterious to vegetation) exists in consid- erable percentages in Nos. 1 and 3. The proportion of magnesium sulphate to sodium sulphate and other soluble alkali is by no means constant. These soils were of the deep black typo, so well known in Manitoba, and contained large percentages of the valuable element, nitrogen. They would undoubtedly prove exceedingly fertile if freed fiom alkali. In 1892 several series of pot experiments were carried on with wheat, pease and Indian corn in soils impregnated (a) with magnesium sulphate, (6) with magnesium sulphate mixed with carbonate of lime (chalk), and (c) with magnesium sulphate and lime. -Many of the results obtained, together with illustrations showing the growth of the plants under these circumstances, are to be found in my evidence before the " Select Standing Committee of the House of Oommons on Agriculture and Colonization" for 1893. It will therefore only bo necessary here to give a summary of th« conclusions then reached. In soils to which 5 per cent of magnesium sulphate (Epsom salts) had been added, the germination of the seeds was always greatly retarded. Many of the seeds sown never produced plants that appeared above the surface of the ground, while those which came up lacked robustness, made but little guowth and then died. All the experiments proved that magnesium sulphate to the extent of 5 per cent in the soil is most disastrous to plant life. In another series, suflScient carbonate of lime, in the form of powdered chalk, was mixed with the soil to theoretically convert after the lapse of time the 5 per cent of magnesium sulphate into an inert and insoluble compound. In these pots germination was also delayed, though not so long as in the former series, and a greater percentage of plants grew, though their development was not equal in vigour or luxuri- ance to those in the potting soil. To a certain extent carbonate of lime had count- eracted the deleterious effects of the magnesium sulphate. Further experiments were then commenced in which lime was substituted for carbonate of lime in the soil containing the 5 per cent of magnesium sulphate. The reaction of the lime in rendering the magnesium salt insoluble would be quicker, and better results were therefore expected, than in the foregoing series. This pre- diction proved correct. Though germination was somewhat retarded, a greater percentage of plants grew and attained a larger and healthier growth than in the soil containing the antidote, carbonate of lime. It was evident that the lime proved the more efficacious of the two. This latter series of experiments has been repeated this year, and the results are now given in graphic form. They are in accord with those of last year and show quite distinctly that soils containing magnesium sulphate as the only form of alkali may be effectually treated by a dressing of lime. The growth of the wheat, . pease and Indian corn plants under the several cii'cumstances of the experiments is well depicted on the accompanying diagrams. The experiments began May 28th and ended July 28th, 1893. REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 137 DIAGEAM SHOWING AVERAGE GEOWTH OF WHEAT PLANTS. Continuous line — Plants in potting soil. Broken line — Plants in soil + 5 % MgS04 + excess of CuO. Dotted line— Plants in soil + 5 % MgSO^. Wheat. — Seed planted May 22nd. Experiment ended July 28th. The average growth of the wheat plants at the close of the experiments (as denoted by the heights attained) in potting soil was 31 inches. In the pots containing the 5 per cent of magnesium sulphate, it was Ti- inches Oq Juno 27th, when the plants died. In the soil containing the lime in addition to the magnesium sulphate the grcwth was 25^ inches when the final measurements were made. 138 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS DIAGRAM SHOWING AVEEAGE GEOWTH OF INDIAN COEN PLANTS. CoDtinuous line — Plants in potting soil. Broken line — Plants in soil + 5 % MgSO^ -|- excess of CaO. Dotted line—Plants in soil + 5 % MgSO^. ::!:::::::t!;:::::: :::":::::: i:"^:::""" :::::: :::::::::::::::::::-::::: :"T":" "-:::::: ^ — _^_ __ _ -,-_ __ _^-, r-^ -_ . .. _ _ _ . -. t: ... - . ^1 ;i!ill^ •* ""' : ^#2' :: -■: : _ ._ -":_.- : ^^^^ - • * ^ 1 xc- i , • 1 *' ^; f- ■^' ^y- ^- ^-s KAY ^uMe JULY Indian Corn. — Seed planted May 11th. Experiment ended July 29th. The average growth as indicated by the heights of the plants is as follows r In good potting soil, 42|- inches. In soil containing 5 per cent of magnesium sulphate, 27^ inches. In the soil containing both the magnesium sulphate and lime, 32 inches. REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 139 DIAGRAM SHOWING AVERAGE GROWTH OF PEA PLANTS. Continuous line — Plants in potting soil. Broken line— Plants in soil + 5 % MgS04 + excess of CaO. Dotted line— Plants in soil + 5% MgSO^. ~ . '•JO il'CH:s ;;;= -__±, .- = -:: ^"^ __ ,£^ 'i C II HiH :5 -, -- ^^ - _ ^ . : , _ . / ,^ : . ^1 -<: - _ . : :::::: _.^Z- ^ -_ . ._ . . ,.-±:- - i^:. , :: t&p - - "I' '-"Z"- ::':i':'""2 : o* ^ .^^ ^ . . _ ._ jL — :. " ._ _". :" I'' ,^ - it --, j/ " — . _ . ": Zt^i "~t:Z' -_.:""■" :.::. _ _ . ,2:_. :=' :. _ - .: . _ : — ._ _ __::.:_z_::. i' it ::..:::::--:;:::::-:-::::::_: 112 .:_ . • . 2. _ __ . ^/- :i- "_"_ : II " '" " ""* " '.x :_: i : , 7 _ _ - _- _. . _4_ ''2 1 11 l<:i E5 > , 1 "-" : I"":: _ i :;_~" ':z z 1- -- (<-- --,'- - - - - /'- ,' _ - _ _ _ ^' -,-' i _ _- . _ «■: ,;' . - ^ _ ^=' tt ^' zt ^' ^^' ~"z , - : - =*! i>i;< :s ^■^ ^' ,''- ,.^ - -- - -'-,'' - : _ _ .- ,^ ,^ . - ^' ,^!- .;_ : _ . ,",'■- _ _ - -- - _,^','' _ _ _ ,.^,.: „,^^^, 1 M , :::;::;:':::::::::::.::::::::::::::::::;:;::: " '" f- ■+ ♦, *- ■♦- + ♦ ?» 7 >3 20 g^ MAY JUNE JULY Pease. — Seed planted May 11th. Experiment ended July 29th. The average growth in potting soil was 45J inches at the close of the experi- ment. In the soil containing 5 per cent of magnesium sulphate \\ inches only on May 28th, when the plant died. In the soil containing both magnesium sulphate and lime the average height waa Z^\ inches. 140 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. The reaction between the magnesium sulphate and the lime would naturally proceed with time, and succeeding seasons would no doubt show better and bettor results on this treated soil. It would appear, therefore, that soils barren from the presence of this salt, may by the simple method of treatment with lime here sug- gested, be brought into a state of fertility. Where a lai'ge portion of the saline matter is sodium sulphate, the treatment with lime would first result in the formation of corrosive soda and then of sodium carbonate. This would finally be converted into sodium sulphate. Although much slower in its action, carbonate of lime would here prove beneficial, since it would render the magnesium salt insoluble without reacting upon the sodium compound. An application of a mixture of gj^psum and lime in such a case might also be of benefit — the former having the tendency to keep the sodium salt as sulphate — the latter converting the magnesium salt into an insoluble form. This treatment should be carried out in conjunction with drainage, which must always be resorted to wherever practicable. For soils impregnated with alkali in which sodium sulphate largely predominates, drainage, deep ploughing, thorough cultivation and high manuring are the only remedies that can now be recommended with confidence. MUCK, LEAF-MOULD, PEAT. Of all the constituents of plant food taken from the soil by growing crops, there are but three that it is generally necessary to return, viz., nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash, and repeated experiments the world over have proved that the fertility of the farm soil can only be maintained by such a return. Without it the land becomes, by successive croppings, less and less productive. Where mixed farming is in vogue, ordinary well preserved barnyard manure is no doubt the most economical form in which to supply these elements, since by this means nearly 80 per cent of the plant food taken from the soil is replaced. From various causes, however, it often occurs that the supply is inadequate and must be supplemented from outside sources. Leaving out of consideration for the present the question of phosphoric acid and potash, we may discuss briefly the sources from which available nitrogen may be obtained, other than that already mentioned. These fall into three classes : 1. Artificial Fertilizers, such as nitrate of soda and sulphate of ammonia. These present nitrogen to the rootlets of plants in an exceedingly soluble form. They are, moreover, concentrated fertilizers, since weight for weight they possess a much larger proportion of this element than other nitrogenous manures. Their cost, however, mitigates against their general use and necessitates, for their economical application, a considerable amount of skill and experimenting on the part of the farmer. 2. Green Manures. — This method consists in ploughing under a growing crop, preferably of clover, pease or some other of the leguminous plants. These plants are known as nitrogen-collectors in contradistinction to others which are nitrogen-con- sumers. They are able to appropriate and assimilate nitrogen from the atmosphere, which when the plants are turned in is preserved in the soil for the growth of succeeding crops. For light sandy soils, poor in organic matter and nitrogen, this method of manuring can be highly recommended. It is economical, since it is both cheap and eftective, improving the tilth and adding to the store of fertility. 3. Muck, Leaf-mould and Peat. These consist largely of semi-decomposed vegetable matter and contain a considerable, though variable, amount of nitrogen. This nitrogen is not so readily available as in the two classes of nitrogenous manures we have just considered, but by fermentation of the material it may be converted into assimilable forms. The value of a muck or similar material depends chiefly there- fore on its percentage of nitrogen. By a suitable treatment of the air-dried muck or peat, many farmers of Canada may obtain at little cost a manure not only rich in the valuable element nitrogen, but also containing notable quantities of other plant food constituents. All fertile soils possess high percentages of organic matter. This, REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 141 besides yielding nitrogen, liberates in the soil by its decomposition carbonic acid. This latter undoubtedly exerts a beneficial action in setting free mineral plant food. It is therefore apparent that green manuring or an application of composted muck serves many useful purposes in the soil. Besides acting chemically, such materials serve to mellow heavy soils by rendering them porous and permeable to the air, while sandy and light soils have their retentive and absorbent qualities increased. We may biiefly discuss the different ways in which muck and peat may be treated before being applied to the land. The air-dried substance is extremely absorbent and capable of soaking up and retaining large quantities of liquid manure. Its use for bedding stock and for spreading in tbe barnyard is therefore apparent. By a plentiful application, much valuable fertilizing material that would otherwise go to waste is saved. The stable manure not only has its good qualities preserved, but by the ensuing fermentation the nitrogen of the muck is rendered available. When it is properly preserved and fer- mented, there results a quick acting and forcing manure. Without its previous use as an absorbent, the air-dried muck may be composted. Alternate layers of say 6 inches of barnyard manure and muck make an excellent compost. The whole should be kept moist, though not too wet, and the heap occa- sionally forked ovei-. If sufficient manure is not obtainable, wood ashes and lime may be substituted. Such a compost would be poorer in nitrogen, but richer in potash than the one just described. To the compost heap should be added all bones, carcasses of dead animals and garbage that accrue on the fai-m. A compost heap not only serves to keep clean and healthy the surroundings of the farmhouse and buildings, but preserves as in a bank from which withdrawals can easily be made and in which good interest is given, much plant food that would otherwise go to waste. Every farm should have a comport heap, conveniently located. If there is not a deposit of muck in the neighbourhood which can be drawn from, the best soil obtainable should be used. Our table shows the composition of 34 different samples of muck, from all parts of Canada, examined during the past year. They vary much in quality, their value as a rule being dependent upon the amount of nitrogen contained ; the condition of decay is also an important factor when con- sidering their availability. 142 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Analyses op Mucks (air-dried), 1893. Nature c and a t i 1 e ter. O h sofNitro- n one ton B air-dried rial. ^ of Local] tj-. Sender. 1/ *^ ^-^ +3 c3 g Material. J5 6 -a 9 69 1 Swamp muck. Sumnierside P.E.I. W. T. Hunt 1'280 52-58 24 05 13 68 25-6 2 11 Montague Bridge ' ' Geo. V>. Campbell. 3 077 71-91 12 83 5 23 10 03 61-5 3 Baldwin's Road. " Micipsa Moar 2 135 72-88 6 02 10 27 10 83 42-7 4 (( (( 11 2 135 77-48 8 52 4 95 9 05 42-7 fi 11 K (1 2 145 00-92 24 26 7 09 7 73 42-9 <) Murray Harbour, < South " A. D. McDonald. . . H. E. Wright 2 1 355 0<)G 61-33 33-63 23 44 25 04 6 15 39 85 9 6 03 48 47 -1 7 Summerside " 21 9 8 11 11 11 2 143 58-88 15 43 14 26 11 43 42-8 9 Kildare, lot 4... " Thos. Cahill 1 170 54-49 9 4! 3 76 32 34 23-4 10 11 s £§ .— -k= ^ ^ >, ^• aj ss q:j "^ bo 2 CO .2 0 be ^ solubl due (c sand.) z 1 5 h- 1 J. A. C. Campbell, << A. E. Plumer H. Cameron, M.P. •730 600 28-72 1 51-35 ■304 2-85 11-44 68-35 •729 249 19 SO 1-37 •014 •44 1-45 39-96 •020 ■38 2.23 18-23 ■^ 13 13-93 17-36 76-34 58-15 79 16 Nos. 1 and 3 contain very fair percentages of nitrogen. No, 2 is much of the nature of a good soil. The lake mud from Walkerville, N.B. (No. 3), consists largely of carbonate of lime, derived from shells. In all essential particulars it may be considered a marl. The samples from Mabou (Nos. 4 and 5) possess large per- centages of carbonate of lime, but are poor in other constituents. Thej' would only prove of service to soils requiring lime. Complete analyses were made of river and mussel mud from Shediac, N.B. The data are as follows : — 144 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Analyses of "Muds," Constituents. Moisture Organic and volatile matter Insoluble matter, sand and clay . . Oxide of iron and alumina Lime(CaO) Magnesia (MgO) Potash (K.>0} SodaiNajO).. Silica (SiOj). . . Phosphoric acid (P.iOj).. Carbonic acid, &c., undetermined Nitrogen •409 River Mud. Mussel Mud. 2-23 1^72 13 18 10 52 67 68 37 51 12 59 9 08 48 21 64 1 50 1 13 23 13 1 28 1 70 04 07 14 13 •65 16 37 100^00 100 00 •294 As regards potash and phosphoric acid, neither of these specimens exceeds in richness ordinary fertile soils ; in fact by reference to the table on page 131 in the pre- sent report, it will be seen that the}' possess amounts under, rather than above, the average found in representative viigin soils. In nitrogen, the river mud is fairly rich, the percentage equalling that found in the most fertile soils. To light, sandy soils that contain in the neighbourhood of '1 per cent nitiogen, this mud would act bene- ficially. The mussel mad possesses about two-ihirds of the amount of nitrogen present in the river mud. The carbonate of lime, derived from the mussel shells, amounts to ;^8 per cent. WOOD-ASHES. It may not be amiss to again call the attention of farmers to the fact that the percentage of soluble or available pota^h even in the most fertile soils, is extremely small, and further, that without rational treatment the successive growth of crops more or less depletes this store. When the produce of the land is fed upon the farm, nearly 80 per cent of the plant food withdrawn from the soil by the crops is returned in the manure and thus fertility maintained. When, however, the produce is sold, and no concomitant return made, the effect of continuous crojDpings must be to leave the land poorer and more particularly so in its available nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash. According to the degree to which this latter style of farming is indulged in, so raust these fertilizers brought from outside sources be added to the soil. Leaving out of consideration for the present bai-nyard manure and muck de- posits— which do but return to the soil what has been more immediately taken from it — we may inquire from what outside, but Canadian sources, these valuable and necessary elements for plant nourishment can be obtained. Phosphoric acid for ages to come can be got from our apatite deposits, nitrogen is made available from the atmosphere through the agency of the leguminosse (pease, clover, &c.) a compa- ratively rapid process, but of potash Canada has, as far as we know, no natural deposits save those which are stored in the trees of her forests. In wood-ashes are the mineral or inorganic constituents which the trees bj^ a slow, life-long process have taken from the soil — and chief among these is potash. As a special fertilizer for supplying potash, wood-ashes are of the greatest import- ance to the Canadian farmer. Nor should it be forgotten that they are also valuable for phosphoric acid, lime and other inorganic plant food, which they furnish in notable quantities. The following analysis, made dui-ing the past year, of an excellent sample for- warded from Williamston, N. S., is now given. Analyses of flue-ashes and of the ashes of oat hulls have also been made and are here stated in tabular form, for the sake of comparison : REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 145 Analyses op Ashes. Constituents. Moisture Organic and volatile matter. Insoluble matter Oxide of iron and alumina. . Lime(CaO) Magnesia (MgO) Potash (K2O) Soda (Na^O) Sulphuric acid (SO3) Phosphoric acid (PjOg) Carbonic acid, &c Wood -ashes from WUliamston . 419 4-48 •78 36-40 4-40 12 00 ■93 •58 1-67 34-57 100 00 Flue-ashes from Montreal. •19 2-22 6504 16-28 7-51 1-76 •19 ■40 3-32 1-24 185 100 00 Ashes from Oat hulls from Fergus, Ont. 1 6 84 ■06 ■14 •62 •40 •02 •67 •59 •57 •15 •60 •18 10000 Assigning the following values to the chief constituents : Potash, 6 cents per lb., and phosphoric acid, 5 cents per lb., the wood-ashes are worth $16.07 per ton, the flue-ashes, $1.24 per ton and the ashes from the oathuHs, $4.90 per ton. WooD-AsHES. — For orchards, vineyards and small fruit plantations, wood-ashes are of especial value, though at the same time they should be supplemented by a more complete manure. All leafy crops, e. g. cabbage, beet and potato, and legumi- nous plants, as the clover, pea and bean, require a liberal supply of potash and hence are much benefited by an application of wood-ashes. They are also of much value in improving the tilth of light, sandy soils, cement- ing together the grains of sand and making the whole more retentive of moisture. Wood-ashes have long been used to advantage for making a compost with muck or peat. The resulting manure is one that is exceedingly rich in available nitrogen and potash. With these facts before us, I may be pardoned for again impressing upon our farmers and fruit growers the good returns resulting from the home use of Canadian wood-ashes, which is yet extremely limited, compared with the quantities exported. It is to be hoped that in the future their true value will be more and more recog- nized and appreciated throughout the Dominion. Flue-Ashes. — These were collected at the base of a flue from a furnace in which coal was burnt, and hence they may be considered as fine coal-ashes. They have an exceedingly low fertilizing value, the value of potash present being only 22 cents per ton of the ashes. Such material, however, serves a useful purpose in mellowing heavy clay soils. Ashes op Oat Hulls. — These were from a by pi'oduct in the manufacture of oatmeal. As already stated, they have a considerable fertilizing value, though in this respect they are much inferior, weight for weight, to wood-ashes. A specimen from a mine on the Tobique Eiver, N.S., was analysed, with the following result : — Analysis op Gypsum. Sulphate of lime (gypsum) 68*65 Insoluble rock matter 15-85 Oxide of iron and alumina 3-91 Carbonate of lime 4*98 " magnesia, &c., by difference 6-61 100-00 8c— 10 146 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Gypsum, in addition to supplying certain elements of plant food, is useful in liberating potash in the soil and absorbing or fixing ammonia. Though not in any sense a complete fertilizer, an application on rich soils is followed by excellent results. For poor soils, its use must be supplemented by manures containing nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash. Gypsum has been found of special value for pease and clover. Since it sets potash free, it is also useful for turnips, Indian corn and many crops that require large quantities of this element. Powdered gypsum when sprinkled in stable, cow-houses, &c., preserves much ammonia (valuable plant food) that would otherwise escape and be lost. Its use therefore for such a purpose is to be strongly recommended. Several members of the leguminosae, to which the pea, bean and clover belong, have been analysed during the past year and their composition is now given. The plants of this order are characterized by a large percentage of albuminoids, and consequently as a rule make more valuable fodder than the grasses. It has been shown of late years by carefully conducted experiments that they procure a large proportion of their nitrogen (the essential element of the albuminoids) from the atmosphere, a property not possessed, as far as is known, by plants of othei- families. They have, therefore, been termed nitrogen-collectors, and must be looked upon as of special value, not only in furnishing rich and nutritious fodder, but also in keeping up the fei-tility of the soil. Green manuring with the legumes, i.e., ploughing under a crop of clover or pease, preferably while in flower, is one of the cheapest and most effective methods of enriching and improving the soil. It increases the amount of organic matter and nitrogen, the latter becoming readily available for succeeding crops. Analyses of Legumes, 1893. Lathyrus sylvestris, Wagneri (green). Lathyrus venosus (hay) Astragalus Canadensis (hay) Melilotus alba (hay) Vicia Americana (hay) Hay or Fresh Material. 79-65 711 9-46 9-30 701 g •53 4- •37 14- •02 lo- •31 ll- •99 13- •52 ■06 -75 -75 -87 6' 60 32 47 33 45 43 24 34 33 m 03 Pl 5W2 6 34 38 27 35 58 •20 -89 -54 •70 •22 Calculated to Water-free Substance. 7^52 7-93 666 5-65 859 Si O P 22 15 11 12 14 -23 •13 •87 •91 •92 32 34 36 47 86 •46 •95 •95 ■67 •90 H X =s 31 72 36-72 42-79 30-79 38-28 X ^^ ll -1-3 ■ ' •07 ■27 •73 •98 -31 The botanical data contained in the following notes have been kindly furnished by Mr. Jas. Fletcher, Botanist and Entomologist of the Experimental Farms. Lathyrus sylvestris, Wagneri (Wagner's Wood Pea). This is a fodder plant of recent introduction, and said to do well even on poor soils. It is a free growing, leafy pea, which in its second year of growth at the REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 147 Central Farm, Ottawa, produced a thick mass of leafy stems nearly four feet in height. It flowers profusely during June. It is extremely rich in albuminoids and is reported from England to be relished by the cattle, both in the green condition and as hay. For these reasons and also that it yields a very heavy crop per acre, it may become a valuable addition to our present list of fodders. Our own experience in feeding it is as yet extremely limited. It would appear that the cattle do not at first evince a fondness for it. Lathyrus venosus, Miihl. A free growing, native, perennial pea, with abundance of leaves. Found on the western plains, from which the sample analysed was obtained. There appears to be no statement on record as to its value as a fodder, though judging from the analysis it is well worthy of trial. Astragalus Canadensis, L. (Canada Milk-vetch). A stiff, free-growing, vetch-like plant, with abundant foliage and spikes of greenish yellow flowers. It occurs usually on river banks and sometimes attains a height of three feet. Flowering period, July. The sample analysed was sent by Wm. Tingey, Esq., Marietou, Assa., N.W.T., who stated that it was cut about two weeks after it had passed its prime. Probably a palatable and nutritive feed if cut while yet young, but no experience of it as a fodder is recorded, beyond that of Mr. Tingey to the effect that "cattle are particularly fond of it." Melilotus alba, Lam. (Bokhara Clover, White Melilot). An introduced biennial. It is a tall, coarse plant, well known for its sweet odour. It occurs now in many waste places throughout Canada as a weed. It pro- duces a large quantity of fodder, which when cut young is succulent and readily eaten by cattle. YiciA Americana, Miihl. A native, perennial vetch, with fine leaves. This sample was obtained on the western plains, where it is an important fodder. Judging from the analysis, it com- pares very well in feeding value with the preceding legumes. EXPERIMENTS WITH CARROTS. It is well known that certain roots have the habit of growing out of the ground, developing to a large extent above the surface of the soil. This exposed portion is green, due to the development of chlorophyll by the action of sunlight. As this tendency is marked among certain varieties of root crops, more especially carrots, it became interesting to ascertain what difference, if any, as revealed by chemical analysis, existed between the lower, underground portion and that which was exposed. To this end, four White Belgian carrots were selected, nearly half of each root being green, due to growth above ground. They were cut in two at the line of junction of the green and white portions. The weight of the parts were as follows : — Lbs. Ozs. Upper and green parts 2 10 Lower and white parts 3 7 Total weight of four roots 6 1 8c— 10^ 148 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. These were then submitted to analysis, with the following results : — Upper (green) portion . Lower (white) portion . o e -t> §1 ^ < r* ^ ^ 89 04 105. •41 7 54 9070 ■75 ■21 6^65 Ill •93 •85 ■76 The composition of the dry matter is given in the subjoined table. Upper (green) portion . Lower (white) do (D O e*-i 11 i •*^ 11 .— I < ^ ^ 9^60 z-ii 68-81 7-97 2-31 71 51 11^ 8^17 These data show that in many particulars the composition of the exposed and underground parts is very similar, and that the differences, where such exist, are by no means large. The most notable of these are in the albuminoids and fat. The slightly higher percentage of the former, recorded as occurring in the exposed portion of the carrot, may probably be due to the presence of the green colouring matter (chlorophyll), which contains nitrogen as a constituent, or it may be owing to a development of soluble nitrogen compounds, whose function is to carry this important element from one part of the plant to another to be finally laid up as protein. Further experiments will be made to ascertain if this increase of nitrogen compounds is constant in the parts developed above ground, and also to find out the true character of such compounds. For the present, it will suffice to say that the apparent increased percentage does not in all probability represent any real or material increase in food value. The larger proportion of the consti- tuent here designated as fat, found in the upper part of the root, is undoubtedly due to the presence of chlorophyll, which by the method of analysis is dissolved out and determined with the fat. This increase, therefore, has a fictitious and not a real value. It may be concluded from the chemical data of the present experiments that no material difference in food value exists between the two portions. The questions of palatability and digestibility (since disagreeable and poisonous principles are sometimes developed in exposed roots), as well as the economic one of cost of culture and harvesting and weight of crop, are probably the most important to be con- sidered in arriving at a conclusion as to the relative merits of those varieties of roots which grow above and below ground. REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 149 THE BABCOCK TEST. In June of this year, a bulletin (No. 13 of the Dairy series) was issued, in which I gave full instructions for working this test in the dairy, for single and composite samples— the latter by the use of potassium bichromate as a preservative. Informa- tion was also added, necessary for the calculation of the payments to patrons of creameries and cheese factories in which the percentage of fat in the milk has been adopted as a basis of remuneration. Since that date, many questions have been received regarding the manipulation of the composite test. Chief among these have been those that referred to the max- imum and minimum quantities of potassium bichromate that can be used without affecting the reading of the fat obtained. Several series of experiments were ac- cordingly instituted to establish the limits between which this preservative can be employed with certainty, and also to ascertain the length of time a composite sam- ple so treated may be kept without showing a diminution in its fat contents. Composite samples were prepared in duplicate from the milk of a herd which, during the week that the samples were taken, gave the average of 3"40 per cent of buttei'-fat as the mean of the daily tests. While preparing the composites (from Monday to Saturday) and until the test was concluded, the bottles were gently shaken every day to incorporate the risen cream and to prevent the latter from sticking to the sides of the bottle. The tem- perature of the samples throughout the test would average about 63°F. Experiment A, Date of composite samples. May 8th-15th, 1893. Mathematical average of daily tests : 3*40 per cent fat. Composite sample A. =600 c.c. milk-j- '3 grms. potassium bichromate. «* " B. = 600 c.c. " + -6 " {Note. These quantities of potassium bichromate are equal to 4J grains and 9 grains to the pint respectively.) The percentage of fat was ascertained in these samples on the subjoined dates, with the following results : — A. B. Fat, Fat, Date. per cent. per cent. May 15th 3-4 3-4 " 20th 3-4 3-4 " 22nd 3-4 3*4 " 27th 3-4 3-4 June 3rd 3-4 3-4 " 10th 3-4 3-4 " 17th 3-4 3-4 These tests were made with the usual quantity of acid and gave clear readings throughout. It may fairly be concluded from these results that (1) any quantity of potassium bichromate between 4|- grains and 9 grains to the pint serves equally well in pre- serving the milk in a fluid condition without interfering with the accuracy of the Babcock test, and (2) that milk so treated, if kept carefully shaken and moderately cool, shows the same percentage of fat for at least one month. 150 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Experiment B. A second series of composite tests was made during the week, May 15th to 22nd. The mathematical average of the daily tests of the samples going to make up the composites A and B was 3'05 per cent fat. The series was carried on in duplicate : — Composite sample A.= 600 c.c. milk -{- 1"2 grms. potassium bichromate. " " B.= 600 c.c. " 4- 2-4 " " " (This is equal to 18 grains and 36 grains to the pint, respectively.) The fat readings are as follows: — A. B. Date. Fat, Fat, per cent. per cent. May 2Yth 3-0 295 June 3rd 3-1 3-00 " 10th 3-1 3-00 " 17th 3-0 300 " 24th 3-0 2-95 July7th 30 2-90 After this Inst date the fat in both samples became slightly curdy and the percent- age gradually lower. The samples were shaken daily and tests made every week until September 26th, when the respective readings were A. 2*20 per cent fat; B. 2'50 per cent fat. Both samples had curdled and were measured with diflSculty. For more than seven weeks the milk had retained its fluidity and yielded a cor- rect percentage of fat, though the preservative had been increased to 36 grains to the pint. Experiment C. A further series was then comn^enced in which composite sample A. had 36 grains potassium bichromate, and B. 72 grains potassium bichromate to the pint. The fat readings were made at intervals of one week from June 3rd to September 30lh. The mathematical average of the peicentages of fat, obtained from the daily tests of the samples making the composites, was 3'51. The results were in accord with those obtained in Experiment B., viz., the per- centage of fat after a time became gradually less. On September 9th, the fat in both samples read 3*1 per cent. It was further observed that, as the quantity of bichromate was increased, the volume of acid had to be slightly decreased in order to get clear readings. Towards the close of the test period, as the bichromate becomes reduced, however, the volume of acid must again be increased. Experiment D. Date of composite sample. May 29th — June 3rd. Potassium bichromate to the amount of 230 grains to the pint was added. The percentage of fat, as obtained from the mathematical average of the daily tests, was 3*35. The normal quantitj^ of acid (17*5 c.c.) charred the fat so that it could not be read. The amount was gradually reduced till the readings became distinct, and as a result it was found that 11*5 c.c gave clear readings and the correct percentage of fat. On June 24lh the milk with this quantity of acid still showed 3*3 per cent fat. After this date the milk became lumpy and the fat adhered to the sides of the bottle, so that a representative sample could not be taken up in a pipette. Conclusions. — A consideration of all these results will show that the exact amount (i.e., within certain limits) of potassium bichromate to be added is of no moment. For ordinary work from 3 to 7 grains (measured roughly on the point of a knife or in a small REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 151 spoon) is ample, and is to be recommended as giving excellent results. The daily shuk ingofthe composite when adding a sample, should bedonegently and thoroughly, and the bottle kept in a cool place. If the fat readings are obscui-e through charring due to excess of the preservative, the quantity of acid must be slightly reduced. The basis or plan of paying in creameries and cheese factories for milk accord- ing to its percentage of fat, as made possible by the Babcock test, appears to give excellent satisfaction to all parties concerned, and it is pleasurable to note that every succeeding year marks its more extensive adoption. It puts the value of the milt upon the constituent that is of the greatest commercial value, and at the same time does away with the necessity of irritating inspection. It encourages good breeding and good feeding, and gives an impulse to intelligent and economic farm- ing. It affords to each patron a just and equitable recompensd for his merchandise and must present itself as being the best basis so far brought forward for the pur- chase and sale of milk. DESICCATED MILK. A sample of this substance, which is made by the evaporation of milk, to which a certain amount of cane sugar has been added, was forwarded from Souris, Prince Edward Island, where it had been manufactured. It is in the form of a yellowish-white powder, and it is claimed that it may be preserved in good condition and palatable for a length of time, even though exposed to the atmosphere. If it possesses this latter quality, it may for certain uses replace the ordinary condensed milk. In view of its possible introduction into the markets as a Canadian dairy pro- duct, its analysis was deemed advisable. Analysis. Water 5-44 Fat 21-73 Albuminoids (casein and albumen) 18-01 Ash 3 15 Milk sugar 25-::2 Cane sugar 26-45 100-(J0 WELL WATERS. It is undoubtedly owing to what has been said in previous reports that year by year there is to be noticed an increased interest taken by farmers in the condition of their water supplies. This is indeed encouraging, but from the character of the samples forwarded for analysis, it is plain that our warnings as to the danger of pollution from the barnyard, stables, &c., must be continued. It is probably true that those only who very strongly suspect contamination send samples — since farniers wishing an analysis are required to follow instructions (forwarded on application) and also to prepay express charges — yet the data here given emphasize the fact that many waters used on Canadian farms are seriously and dangerously pol- luted. In the majority of instances there is no necessit}' to have impure water, the contamination of the supply being due to the location of the well in the barn- yard or stable, or in the vicinity of some such source of pollution. As a matter of course, such wells must act more or less as cess-pools. 162 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS, ANALYSES OF Eesults Btated in No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 Name. Quarantine Station . . (( (( Allen Bros Mummery, A. R . . , Radley, E. C Kemp. D Rice, B. Spring a Johnson, Basil J Carpenter, F.M.,M.P Petapiece, Geo. E . . . . Dunning, W. H Dill, J. W Shearer, Jas Dunning, W. H.. Gordon, J. G Kelsey, J. F McDonald, Jas . . , Experimental Farm.. Knight, Wm McDonald, Hugh .... Campbell, R a n <( <( (( Fathers, Joseph Tragnair, Wm Tattrie, Calvin Locality. Partridge Island, N.B. Winona, Ont. . Chatham, Ont Weymouth, N.S Regina, Assa., N.W.T (( St. Louis, Co. Kent, N.S <( Stony Creek, Ont Manotick, Ont Yarker, Ont Sandwich, Essex, Ont. Moosomin, N.W.T Droniore, Co. Grey, Ont. Sandwich, Essex Co., Ont. Moose Jaw, N.W.T Agricola, Alta., N.W.T.. Starbuck, Man Agassiz, B.C Mabou, C.B Quebec South Cayuga, Ont Welwyn, Assa., N.W.T, River John P.O., N.S... Date. Nov. 30. " 30. " 30. Feb. 2. 3. 3 3. 4. 4. Mar. 29. " 29. " 29. April 5 . May 1. " 15. June 14. " 16. " 26. July 10. " 25. " 25. " 31. " 31. Aug. 11. " 11. " 12. " 12. '• 12. " 12. " 12. " 12. " 31. Sept. 26. Oct. 6. .i d TJ a S o 'C 3 r' tS .a a. < « £ OS Nitrogen ii Nitrates Nitrites. 6 •s Q •056 •130 •250 36 2 None. •058 1-104 19-5 •024 134 1-504 25 5 4-270 •05 None. 440 0 04 •144 •023 3-5 •628 •162 •056 100-0 •004 •104 506 22 0 •21 •11 23-5 •965 •285 180-0 •028 •066 •640 125 0 •14 •155 •963 35 0 None. •064 2-444 430-0 28 00 •97 2500 28 0 •78 •7322 •97 044 •180 4830 •78 •154 None. 120 •032 •022 •026 50 101 •022 500 0 •048 •104 10-0 219 •455 10-5 1-705 •070 2276 0 •032 •024 •046 2-5 •028 •074 03 1-4 •33 •24 293 0 •10 •036 275 0 60 •04 •349 Trace. •054 •27 170 •106 •084 2^787 13 0 -112 •425 •023 15 0 024 •324 •095 105 •256 •098 2 161 150 •229 •314 •804 460 1-676 •084 None. 23-0 •016 •042 924 850 m o • . o Ii © 104 112 138 3536 385 465 182 4240 18390 324 252 1864 1134 398 4147 1867 226 4146 610 720 5915 83 140 0 2468 1855 566 REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 153 WELL WATEES— 1893. Parts per Million. 3 _o '-^ '3 it) § Oxygen absorbed at 80° F. i ai o -a Ah Report. •i-i 02 In 15 Min. In 4 Hours. 80 86 104 3186 290 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 4 0 240 260 340 3500 950 800 500 4600 1638 0 480 420 202 0 206 0 175-2 948-8 439-2 91-6 1094 0 170 0 154 0 1045 0 23-2 53-0 -740 -268 10032 •038 1748 •6768 2 1876 •2844 faint traces. << (( traces. <( heavy traces, traces, heavy traces. (( (( «< Fair ; not polluted by sewage. Of purer quality than No. 1. Fair, though too much vegetable matter. Unfit for use; polluted by drainage from stable. Fair ; no indication of sewage pollution. Unfit for use ; polluted by drainage. Suspicious ; previous contamination indicated. Seriously polluted ; unfit for use. An exceedingly bad water. A fairly good water, though chlorine too high. Not safe for drinking purposes ; polluted. Second class ; with suspicious features. Totally unfit for drinking purposes ; very bad. Very bad water. The free ammonia and chlorine indicate presence of liquid manure. Unfit for drinking purposes. Excellent ; perfectly wholesome and ranking with first-class waters. Polluted as in No. 15. 385 132 3780 16752 276 210 1462 "•4572 •7156 16432 •640 1-532 •252 2 584 6 4952 None. 2 0132 ■1492 'i-664 " 1-384 3-1568 1-200 2-308 -548 5 076 13-3732 •18 3-6364 -3048 928 222 3198 very heavy traces. (1 1428 135 3052 traces, none. 440 566 4870 none. very heavy traces. none. A good water ; safe for drinking purposes. Seriously polluted and unsafe for drinking purposes. Dangerous to use ; a bad water. A first class water of excellent quality. An excellent water. 60 87 •296 •594 Not fit for drinking purposes. it i( A good drinking water. Probably a good and safe water. Polluted. Polluted ; not fit for drinking purposes. A very fair water ; safe to drink. Condemned as a drinking water. 1965-2 1482 0 3110 503-2 373 2 255-0 2 230 •.S764 4 •SOS •7532 none, traces. Dangerously contaminated. Seriously polluted ; unsafe for drinking purposes. Shows previous contamination. 154 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. It would unnecessarily burden these pages to give hero in full the reports for- warded to the farmers who sent the samples, but sufficient is said in connection with the analytical data to point out the general character of the waters. It would only be reiterating what has been said in previous reports were I to state here the reasons why it is ot paramount importance to have pure water on the farm. It is only necessary to add that such is indispensable for the good health of man and beast, and that it is only a matter of time before the effects of an impure supply are apparent to those who choose to see them, indeed to all but the most careless. I am well assured that much sickness on the farm and poor results in the stable and dairy are to be attributed to polluted water, rather than to the causes which many now assign them. It is remarkable that only a very small proportion of those who write for (and receive) the instructions we issue for taking the water, forward a sample. It indicates that many do not consider the knowledge of the character of their well water as worth the trouble and expense consequent upon sending the samj^le. MISCELLANEOUS. EXPEEIMENTS TOWARDS THE IMPEOYEMBNT OF CERTAIN SALINE WATERS. From the examination in our laboratories of several samples of saline, or, as they are usually called, alkaline waters from the North-west Territories and Manitoba, it has become apparent that many contain a large amount of Epsom salts or sulphate of magnesium. In some instances this is associated with other saline matter, as sulphate and chloride of sodium (Glauber's salt and common salt), but it often occurs that the Epsom salts is the chief, if not the only, foreign saline material. The well known purgative effect on man and animals which follows the drinking of such waters makes their improvement a subject of the greatest importance, especially to those situated in localities where ready access to a supply of pure water is not attainable. To the end of being able to suggest a method of treatment that would result in making these waters potable, the following experiments were made: A. To 50 c.c. of a saline water containing Epsom salts were added 100 c.c. of lime water, which precipitated the magnesia as the flocculent hydrate. After settling till the supernatant fluid was clear, the whole was filtered, and the filtrate tested for magnesia with negative results. The washings of the magnesium hydrate however showed traces, pointing to the fact that while magnesium hydrate is insoluble in dilute lime water, it is slightly soluble in pure water, probably owing to the latter containing some carbonic acid gas in solution. B. To 100 c.c. of a I per cent solution of Epsom salts (MgS04, 7 II2O) 200 c.c. of lime-water were added. After standing several hours and filtering, 100 c.c. of the filtrate, after separation of the lime, were tested for magnesia. A very slight pre- cipitation ensued. This precipitate was carefully determined and found to be equal to "00064 gram of magnesium oxide. By calculation it is ascertained, there- fore, that 1*18 per cent, of the original amount of Epsom salts was still in solution, or in other words, the 1 per cent, of Epsom salts had been reduced by this treatment to '01 per cent. These experiments being considered very fairly successful and satisfactory in showing that lime-water can precipitate the magnesia in an inert form, the next step was to ascertain if, after treatment, simple exposure of the water to air would serve to separate out the excess of lime used for precipitating the magnesia as the insoluble carbonate. For it should be noted that the water after the precipitation of the magnesia is strongly alkaline and caustic, due to the presence of the lime as already explained. The experiment now to be detailed offers a solution to this question. C. The saline water used was taken from the same sample as that employed in ex- periment A. It was forwarded from near Regina, N. W.T., and contained 715 grains of Epsom salts to the gallon. To 100 c.c. of the water were added 200 c.c. of lime-water. REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 155 the subsequent treatment being that already described in experiments A and B. The filtrate from the magnesium hydrate was exposed in a shallow dish to the atmos- phere of the laboratory for ten days. A considerable precipitation of carbonate of lime ensued, due to carbonic acid in the air, and the water was no longer found to be alkaline to test paper, proving the absence of caustic lime. From the results of these experiments, I think we may fairly conclude (1) that by the use of lime-water the deleterious magnesium salt may be practically removed, and. (2) that by the subsequent exposure of the treated water to the atmosphere, the excess of lime used in precipitating the magnesia may be precipitated as the innocuous carbonate. No practical application of this mode of treatment on a large scale has yet been made, though its cheapness, simplicity and thoroughness warrant me in suggesting it as well worthy of trial by those compelled to use water more or less impregnated with Epsom salts. Wooden tubs or troughs could be used for the precipitation and subsequent exposure, and no expense, save the cost of the burnt lime, need be entailed. The ^precipitation of the magnesia and subsequently of the lime by ex- posure might proceed simultaneously and in the same vessel, and the clear superna- tant water subsequently poured or siphoned off. If such a pi'ocess were adopted, care must be taken not to have too great an excess of lime, or the total conversion into carbonate would take a very long time. It must be remembered that the water so obtained, though free from Epsom salts and caustic lime, would not rank as first class. It would be a hard water, con- taining both sulphate and bicarbonate of lime, the latter, however, could be got rid of by a subsequent boiling, which would throw it down as the insoluble carbonate. If the water, however, did not originally contain much sulphate and chloride of sodium, I am of the opinion that a fairly palatable water would result, and certainly one much more wholesome than the original. SLUG-SHOT: AN INSECTICIDE. A sample of this material was forwarded by a correspondent in Cape Breton, accompanied by a request for its analysis and a report as to its value for killing the potato beetle. It is a pinkish red, earthy powder, not unlike burnt clay. It was carefully exam- ined for arsenic and other poisonous compounds with negative results. Further exami- nation proved it to contain flowers of sulphur. This constituent was determined and found to be 5'4 per cent. It is scarcely necessary to add that this material must prove valueless for preserving potato vines from the ravages of the potato beetle. THE VALUE OF DILUTE SULPHUEIC ACID FOR CHECKING THE SPROUTING OF POTATOES. From a series of experiments recorded in my last report,* the conclusion arrived at under the conditions of the experiments was that a 2 per cent solution of sulphuric acid was valueless for checking the sprouting of potatoes. These trials were, however, made in the spring, and the treated tubers were not protected from light — conditions which it was thought were perhaps unfavourable to the best results of the treatment. In the experiment the results of which are now given, the potatoes were treated in the autumn and preserved in the dark. On November 30th, 1892, three varieties of potatoes, Early Ohio, Beauty of Hebron and State of Maine were treated (a) for twenty minutes and (b) for one hour with a 2 per cent solution of sulphuric acid. Immediately after the expira- tion of these periods, the several samples were repeatedly washed with water, allowed to drain, placed in jars and stored in a dark place, the other details of the experiments being similar to those given last year. On March 13th, 1892, the potatoes were *Pages 141, 142, Report of Experimental Farm, 1S92. 156 - EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. examined. The potatoes of all the samples, both treated and untreated (the latter being stored as checks) had sprouted. It was noticed that the sprouts of the treated tubers were longer than those of the untreated, showing apparently that the action of the acid treatment was to accelerate rather than retard the sprouting. These results corroborate those obtained and reported on last year. The sprouting of the untreated tubers, as well as of the treated, may probably have been assisted by the presence of air which freely surrounded the potatoes in the jars. Potatoes stored in a bin have smaller air spaces between them, and under such conditions it is found that those on the surface are the first to sprout. It is, however, quite evident from our two years' work on this subject that 2 per cent sulphuric acid has not the deterrent action in preserving potatoes that has been claimed for it. REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST (James Fletcher, F.E.S.C, F.L.S.) W. Saunders, Esq., Director, Dominion Experimental Farms, Ottawa. Sir, — I have the honour to hand you herewith a report upon some of the more important subjects which have been brought officially under my notice during the past season. DIVISION OP ENTOMOLOGY, With regard to insects injurious to the agriculturalindustrieSjthe enormousincrease and spread of the Cattle Horn-fly claim first mention. This fly has undoubtedly caused great loss. Where the well known remedies have been applied perseveringly, there has been decided relief to the infested cattle, and much needless loss has been averted. In most instances of failure, I have found on inquiry that the remedy had been applied once or twice only and then given up. Canadian farmers must recognize the fact that this is an exceptional visitation, and that therefore they must take excep- tional measures to combat it. As to the trouble and expense of these measures, leaving aside altogether a consideration of the cruelty to the animals, that is merely a matter of dollars and cents. The question which all must ask themselves, is, Will the bene- fit I shall reap overbalance the cost of the applications? In reply to this I can answer emphatically that it will, many times over, and further, that the better they attend to the instructions given, so much greater will the profit be. Judging from the past history of the introduction and spread of this pest in America, I am led to hope that in districts which have been badly infested this season, the attack will be decreasingly less severe year after year in future. Grasshoppers have been destructive in western Ontario and a few of the usual fruit peats have been locally abundant. Two of the worst ot these, the Plum Curculio and the Codling Moth, have caused much injury in Ontario. Spraying the trees with Paris green for both of these pests still remains the best remedy. Where the work is done carefully and intelligently it is practically all sufficient, the occasional cases of failure which are sometimes heard of, and these are very rare, are almost invari- ably due to careless work. One of the most remarkable instances I have ever seen of the results of good careful work, was in the orchard of Mr. S. A. Fisher at Knowlton, Que. When I visited him in September last, I could not find in his orchard a single apple which had been injured by the Codling Moth. This was the first year he had sprayed his orchard. In previous years hie crop had always been badly infested, and this year the orchards of his neighbours all around him, none of which had been sprayed, were so still. In British Columbia, where fruit-growing has be- come a leading industry of the country, the Apple Aphis has developed in a remark- able manner and is doing much harm. Besides information from my own corres- pondents I see by the extremely valuable report for 1892, published by Mr. J. R. An- derson, the Statistician of the Department of Agriculture of British Columbia, one of the best colonial reports I have ever seen, that this insect is alarmingly abundant and destructive throughout the province. 158 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. ^ Early in October by the kind permission of the Hon. Minister of Agriculture, 1 had the great advantage of attending the World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago, where 1 not only acquired much information of value to my department by ex- amining the many excellent collections of insects there displayed in illustration of the value of applied entomology, but was able to be of service in reporting upon certain pests of stored grain, which just at that time had been noticed to be des- troying the cereals exposed as samples or used in ornamentation of the various courts in the Agricultural Building. From the fact that very few connected with the exhibits knew the life histories of the pests concerned, there was a good deal of unnecessary anxiety at the time of my visit, which I was pleased to be able in a measure to allay. The entomological division of my department was represented at Chicago by a collection of 20 cases of insects systematically arranged. In the preparation of this collection I was materially assisted by Mr. J. Alston Moffat, of London, who arranged the cases of moths, and by Mr, W. Hague Harrington, of Ottawa, who prepared two beautiful cases of Hymenoptera. I have also to gratefully acknowledge donations of insects from the Entomological Society of Ontario, the Eev. C. J. S. Bethune, of Port Hope, Messrs. H. S. Saunders and W. Rennie of London, Ont., and Prof. W. Saunders, of Ottawa. When finished, the collection pre- sented a very creditable appearance and, when returned, will form the nucleus of a reference collection at the Central Experimental Farm. Such a collection for reference has been much needed in the past. I hope during the coming winter to much increase this collection from the large amount of material which had accumu- lated previous to the appointment of my assistant, Mr. Guignard, and which could not be arranged, owing to pressure of other work. DIVISION OP BOTANY. In the Division of Botany the experiments with grasses, native and foreign, have been continued and have attracted much attention from visitors to the farm. The increased importance of the dairy industry during the last decade, has naturally drawn much attention to the subject of fodder plants. The experimental grass plots covering about 1^ acres are situated on a piece of moderately good land, lying to the west of the main road to the office and between the road and the poultry house. The ground is varied and provides the different kinds of soil and degrees of moisture necessary for the testing of grasses of various habitats. The method which has been followed in furnishing these beds has been to obtain seed by exchange, purchase or collection in the field, and cultivate the plants until a sufficient quantity were on hand to set out a plot of one square rod to each species. There are about 130 of these plots now in use. It is considered that plots of this size are large enough to give a correct idea of the value of a grass from its habit of growth and weight of product per acre. In addition to the whole plots of 1 square rod are half plots where grasses are grown which are of known value or have been tested and which raa3' be of interest to visiting farmers. Grasses of botanical interest only are grown in mixed beds, about 4 rows being given to each species. A bulletin {G.E.F., No, 19.) having been lately issued entitled : " Grasses, their Uses and Composition," treating of the work of this department in that line, it is not thought advisable to devote much space in this report to that subject. Experiments have been carried on, but are not yet completed with permanent pasture and hay and lawn mixtures. Samples of the best mixtures offered for sale by seedsmen were secured and sown, and although on the whole these mixtures were satisfactory, there were several points in which it was thought they could be improved. Some of the grasses which form a large pro- portion of the mixtures were not suited to our climate, and others came to maturity at seasons so different that the gi'asses could not all be at their best when mown for hay. Careful notes have been kept of the time of flowering of all the different varieties year by year, and these have been made use of in some trial mixtures for hay which have been sown in 6 large plots of 2V ^^''® each, lying to the north of the road leading to the poultry house and beyond the row of birch trees shown to the right of the illustration. In addition to the true grasses about 15 plots have REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST. 159 been devoted to clovers and other fodder plants; these lie immediately in front of the poultry house. Early last spring a distribution of seeds of grasses for trial was made to farmers in all parts of the Dominion : over 1,000 packets were sent out to 110 different individuals. With the seeds a letter of instructions was sent and a blank form for filling in data as to lime of sowing, flowering, etc. I am sorry to say that vei-y few reports have been so far received, which is much to be regretted; for farmers all over Canada are buying large quantities of grass seed every year much of which is quite useless to them. If these reports were made, we should have exact data from all provinces which could be tabulated and would then be of great economic value. A large addition has been made to the collection of plants in the Arboretum and Botanical Garden, details of which will be found on page 34 of this report. There has been much correspondence concerning Weeds, particularly from the North-west and Manitoba, where farmers seem to be alive to the importance of de- stroying these agricultural marauders which drain the soil of its nourishment and choko out the crop. A special collection, separate from the large hortus siccus, is being prepared of the weeds of the farm, as well as a reference collection of the seeds of weeds for examination and comparison. Meetings. — I have during the year attended nine agricultural meetings to deliver addresses upon subjects connected with my department: — 1. Dairymen's Association of Western Ontario, London, Ont. 2. Farmers' and Dairymen's Association of New Brunswick, at Fredericton, N.B. 3. Central Farmers' Institute, Toronto. 4. Meeting of fruit growers of Lincoln Farmers' Institute, St. David's, Ont. 5-7. District of Bedford Dairymen's Association, Cowansville, Que., followed by two meetings of horticulturists on the following days at Knowlton and Waterloo, Que. 8. County of Carleton Farmers' Institute at March Corners, Ont. 9. Township of Fitzroy Farmers' Institute at Galetta, Ont. Acknowledgments. — I beg again to express my thanks to my many correspon dents who have rendered me much valuable assistance in making observations and sending me prompt notice of the occurrence of injurious insects. I am more and more convinced every year of the value of being in constant correspondence with those actually engaged in the cultivation of the soil. If suggested remedies are suc- cessful, the very best must be discovered and made known as widely and as quickly as possible ; if they fail, the reason of this must be found out, and if useless, farmers must be warned against them, so that neither labour, time nor money may be lost which might be better employed. I have again to acknowledge many courtesies extended and valuable reports received from colleagues, oflScial entomologists and botanists in other countries, amongst whom I would particularly name Prof. Eiley, the United States Entomologist; Miss E. A. Ormerod, of England ; Dr. J. A. Lintner, of New York; Dr. J. Eitzema Bos, of Holland; Mr. P. Turner, of New South Wales, and Mr. C. French, of Victoria, Australia. An object which has attracted much attention in my office is a wall case given by Prof. Fernald, Secretary of the Massachusetts Gypsy Moth Committee, illustrating by means of beautifully mounted specimens the life history of the Gypsy Moth (Ocneria dispar, L.), which has been the cause of so much loss in the New England States. For identification of difficult species I gratefully acknowledge my indebtedness to the following specialists: For Coleoptera, Mr. Albert Fauvel, of France, Dr. John Hamilton, of Allegheny, Pa., Dr. George H. Horn, of Philadelphia, Pa., and Mr. W. H. Harrington, of Ottawa; for Lepidoptera (Noctuidce) Prof. J. B. Smith, of New Brunswick, N. J.; (^Microlepidoptera) Prof. C. H. Fernald, Amherst, Mass.; for Coccidce, Prof. T. D. A. Cockerell, Las Cruces, New Mexico. For botanical specimens: Prof. J. Macoun, Ottawa; for microscopic fungi, Mr. J. Dearness, of London, Ont., and Prof. B. D. Halsted, of New Brunswick, N. J. To all of whom I here respectfully tender my heartiest thanks. 160 - EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. The following donations of plants and seeds have been received during the year : Prof, Beal, Michigan Agricultural College : collection of grass seeds, 14 species. F. Turner, Esq., Botanist, Department of Agriculture, New South Wales : seeds of grasses and fodder plants, 19 species. Prof. 0. Lugger, Minnesota Experiment Station : collection of grass seeds, 37 species. Steele, Briggs, Marcou & Co., Toronto : collection of imported grass seeds, 34 species, and 13 varieties of rape. W. E. Carles, Esq., Chinkiang, China : seeds of Stillingia sebifera and Anemone cernua ; also bulbs of Tulipa edulis. J. A. Balkwill, Esq,, London, Ont. : roots of native plants. I have the honour to be, sir, Your obedient servant, JAMES FLETCHEE, Entomologist and Botanist. DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY. The grain crops of the Dominion as a whole have been less injured by insect pests during the past season than has been the case for many years. The only occurrencesofunusualseverity have been by Cut-worms to wheat in Manitoba, and by Locusts chiefly to oats in Ontario. Specimens of the true Army-worm {Leucania unipuncta, Haw.) from which the moths were subsequently raised, were sent to me from Manitoba by Mr. Eichard Waugh, of Winnipeg, who writes as follows : — "August 4. — I send you this day samples of some caterpillars which have ap- peared in great numbers on the end of a wheat field, just outside the city, eating both blades and ears. The field abuts on the river and the path is strewn with the worms which are in great force." " August 18. — The army-worm has destroyed a lot of wheat on the east side of the Eed Eiver in Northern Minnesota, and I believe our visitation is a stray lot from that section. They devoured both the leaves and the green heads, but vanished in a few days." The Wheat-stem Maggot (Meromyza Americana, Fitch) was observed to a small extent in wheat fields in the Ottawa district; but few complaints were received from other parts. The larvae were found much more abundantly this year in the root- shoots of grasses than in the stems of wheat and barley. CUT-WOEMS IN GEAIN CEOPS. Year after year complaints are received concerning the injuries of Cut-worms to grain crops, and during the past season, these have been very numerous in Manitoba and parts of the North-west Territories. Up to the present time no satisfactory remedy has been devised to put a stop to these depredations. A great desideratum is more knowledge as to the exact identity and life habits of the species concerned. I trust I may be able next year with the assistance of correspondents in the West, to obtain specimens and work out the life histories and food habits of some of the western Cut-worms, on which there is yet much to learn before a practical remedy can be recommended. The following letters will, I think, give an idea of the urgency REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST, 161 of this case and will indicate the present state of the entomological information in our hands : — " August 19. — I was told a few days ago, that a report had been sent out by you which contained a simple remedy for destroying cut-worms. If such is the case, 1 would like to have it sent to me. I had a 20-acre field of wheatentirely destroyed last year when the second leaf was about one inch long. Where the drill teeth ran, the ground was as fine after they had done as if it had been sifted ; there was not a leaf to be found. As far as I can learn, this grub is known as the little black grub, and what would kill the cut-worm, would kill it." — John Stewart, Begina, Assa. Reply: — "April 26. — I fear the report that I have a simple remedy for destroy- ing Cut-worms is rather more than I can myself admit. Cut-worms are amongst the most troublesome of our farm enemies, more particularly when, as in your case, they attack grain crops. There are upwards of 400 kinds of Cut-worms, some of which ditfer from the others in their habits. I shall be obliged if you will send me this spring some living specimens for examination. This can be done easily by mail and free of postage. As the Cut-worms you refer to attacked your grain crop, it is just possible that they might not injure some other plants, such as potatoes, which do not belong to the Grass family, like the small grains. Could you not put your in- fested field under some other crop next season, so as to try this?" "June 12. — The Cut-worms are not so numerous this summer, as they were last. This evening I could only obtain a few. Last 12th of June, they could have been got by the handful. I send you a box of the grubs." — John Stewart. Reply : — " June 21. — Yours of the 12th inst. and the insects referred to therein arrived safely. The Cut-worms in your grain crop are the Clay-backed Cut-worm (Carneades mswZsa, Walk.^j^ro^js campestris, Gvt.), which in many distric-ts of Mani- toba and the Territories has done much haim during the last ten years. I find by my notes that this species is always most numerous where weeds have been allowed pos- session of the ground during the previous autumn. Were you able this season, as sug- gested by me, to put that part of your farm which was badly infested last year under any other crops than grain?" " June 19. — I am sending you by this mail in a small box some Cut-worms that are doing considerable damage to wheat and oats. A neighbour of mine has had a field of 30 acres of wheat completely cleared by them, and now they have started on my oats in an adjoining field. The land where they began was badly summei-- fallowed last year and the weeds came very thickly, chiefly pig weed or lamb's quar- ters. They seem to have bred in this field. Can you give us any information how to get rid of them? I thought of summer-fallowing all my land on this place next year and sowing timothy. It is no use trying to grow grain where these insects are. I had a small piece of last year's fallow that the weeds had started on this spring, adjoining my neighbour, and when the grubs had cleaned his field they started on the pig weed on mine. I iiauled dry straw and manure and covered them up with it and then set fire to it the next day. They got up into the straw over night and I must have burnt millions of them, for I could take them up by the shovelful. I never saw anything like it. I have put feed oats on the land, but expect thoy will clear the whole. I see they are on many farms here, but the owners do not seem to think much of them, I fear they will be getting worse. There is one thing cer- tain. We shall have to adopt a different method of working our summer-fallows." — Wm. Eichardson, Douglas, Man. In reply Mr. Eichardson was informed that the caterpillars sent were the Clay- backed Cut-worm, and that his theory was correct that the prevalence of these insects was largely consequent upon imperfect summer-fallowing of the previous year. "June 27. — I inclose a few specimens of grubs which are doing considerable damage to gardens and early summer-fallowed lands. Whole fields are being des- troyed by them. Can you give us any information concerning their habits of life, such as how deep the eggs are deposited and if late fall-ploughing would kill them." — John Lawrence, Sewell, Man. 8c— 11 162 ~ EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. In reply Mr. Lawrence was informed that the species was the same as referred to above, and the usual remedies were given. Early last spring I had some correspondence with Mr. Eichard Waugh upon this subject, which began by his sending me a letter from Mr. John Stewart, com- plaining of the injuries to his crop of 1892, in which he also mentioned that a crop of flax had been left untouched; to this I replied, March 26: — "I have read your correspondent's letter carefully and noticed that the crops attacked by the caterpil- lars v/ere oats and wheat (Grarainese), and that flax the only other crop mentioned, which belongs to a diff'erent family of plants, was uninjured. Now some of the Cut- worms which destroy grass crops, grains included, do not injure other crops, and it is just possible that the species in question may be one of these. Should this be the case, the simplest remedy which suggests itself is to put the land under some other crop than one belonging to the Grass family for two or three years. Potatoes are good for this purpose, not only because comparatively few insects injure that plant, but because potatoes are late in appearing above the ground in spring. I surmise that the insect complained of is the same Cut-worm as some years ago was sent to me by Mr. A. Burrows, and upon which I wrote an article for The Nof West Farmer. It is difficult to suggest a definite remedy for any insect without seeing specimens. I hope that Mr. Stewart or any other farmers will send me specimens of insects which may trouble them." " June 7. — Yesterday when at Carberry speaking at the Institute, considerable damage was reported to summer-fallowed wheat by caterpillars of which I send you a sample. Very weedy fields which had been allowed to grow so without disturb- ance, suff'ered most, and a cultivated strip in the same field seemed free of the insects. Barley was being sown on the top of the ruined wheat, in the hope that it would escape. I asked one man to try a half bushel of flax. Some allege that late ploughed fallow does not suff'er, and it is assumed that deep ploughing and rolling later in the year would either bury them or divert them from coming there. Others allege that mellowness of the soil is as much the attraction as the green weeds. Some years ago a crop of wheat was saved by the grubs eating up the pig weed in the crop and leaving the less palatable vegetation. Such grubs have devoured the crops in clean gardens that were summer-fallowed. Will you please consider this and give us your opinion as to remedial action ? Prof, Lugger killed the grasshop- per grubs in Minnesota by deep ploughing." Reply : — " Jur.e 21. — The grubs sent with your letter are the Clay-backed Cut worm (Agrotis campestrisy^ which is frequently very troublesome in Manitoba. You are correct when you say that Cut-worms are most injurious where weeds have been allowed to grow undisturbed the previous year. It is just possible but hardly likely that the barley sown where the wheat was ruined will escape. This Cut-worm, I think, comes to full growth only toward the end of June, and the barley would, of course, be up long before that. Grain crops being occasionally saved owing to the fact that the grubs attacked by preference pig weed and other plants growing among them, is merely due to the fact that some varieties of Cut-worms feed only upon certain kinds of plants ; but then again on the other hand, others are virtually omnivorous, and will eat anything. There are in Canada about 300 different kinds of Cut-worms, many of which differ widely in their tastes and habits. I am afraid that the deep ploughing remedy for this pest, would not avail much. Prof. Lugger's experiments in Minnesota were with grasshoppers' eggs not with the grubs. There are some Cut-worms which pass the winter in the moth state and lay their eggs in the spring, as in the case of the Army-worm moth. It is just possible that those gardens which were infested after having been kept clean the year before, were devastated by a species having this habit. These, however, are luckily few in number, so that, on the whole, I consider one of the best remedies for Cut-worms is, keeping the land as clean as possible in the autumn." There is perhaps no one single question concerning which so man}' inquiries are made by farmers and gardeners every year as the best remedy for Cut-worms. * = Cameades insulsa, Walk. REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST. 163 In my annual repoft for 1888, I published a rather extensive article upon this sub- ject, but as the edition is entirely exhausted, I reproduce here with a few slight alterations part of that article which I think will be of use at the present time. " Cut-worms are the caterpillars of dull coloured active moths belonging to the Noctuidse or Owlet moths, of which there are upwai'ds of 400 on the North American lists. Fig. 1 shows the moth of the Devastating Cut-worm (Hadena devastatrix, Brace). Of course, the diflCerent 'species vary somewhat in their habits, but taken as a class they are very similar, and in the present state of our knowledge,it will be more convenient to treat them as a class, at any rate in a report like this, which is prepared particularly with the hoj^e of helping farmers to overcome their insect foes. As Cut-worms Fig. 1.— The Devastating: Cut- worm, are the caterpillars of so many different species of moths, the inaccuracy of speaking of them as the Cut-worm is apparent. Moreover many other insects are sent in and reported upon as Cut-worms, which do not belong to this class at all. Of these the "White Grubs, the larval state of the June Bugs (^Lachnosterna), are most often referred to. There is some reason in this from their occasional habit of biting off plants in the manner of the true Cut-worms, which are the caterpillars of the moths referred to above; these latter may be described in a general way as smooth, almost naked, greasy-looking, caterpillars of some dull shade of colour similar to the ground in which they hide during the day. The head is smooth and shining and sometimes of a different colour from the rest of the body. On the top of the segment next to the head is a smooth chitiuous plate known as the thoracic shield. There are generally three or four series of bristle-bearing tuber- cles along each sideof the body, and when disturbed the caterpillars curl up into a ring. Their habits are almost always nocturnal ; they lie hid by day just beneath the surface of the soil and come out at night to feed. When, however, they develop in large numbers, they „__,,^.^,,__ frequently change their habits and feed by day, owing probably Fig. 2.— Cut-wormT to the reduced food supply consequent upon their ravages. The habits of most Cut-worms are probably as follows. The egg is laid in the spring, summer or autumn, and the insects may pass the winter, either in the perfect moth state, as a chrysalis, as a young half-grown caterpillar, or as an egg. Those which hibernate as moths lay the spring eggs and moths are produced again before winter sets in. Mo.st of the eggs which are laid in the summer or autumn hatch soon after, and the caterpillars either become full fed the same season and pass the winter underground in the chrysalis state, or after feeding for a short time, become torpid and pass the winter as half-grown caterpillars. In this condition they may be found late in the autumn under stones, logs or heaps of dead vegetation, in the roots of grasses or in cells beneath the surface of the ground. Of some, as in the case of Carneades ochrogaster, Gn., the eggs are laid in the autumn, but do not hatch until the following spring. The ravages of the young caterpillars which hatch in the summer and aiitumn, are seldom noticed then, on account of the abundant vegetation at those seasons. In the spring, however, not only are the catei-pillars much larger and capable of more mischief, but the land is cleared of all weeds and vegetation other than the crop which is to be grown, and when the Cut-worms, revived by the warmth of the sun and the opening of spring, come from their winter retreats, there is nothing for them to eat but the farmer's early crops. They are parti- cularly troublesome in gardens cutting off young cabbages, tomatoes and other plants, as soon as pricked out. When the caterpillars are full-fed, they burrow into the ground to a depth of some inches and turn to brown chrysalides inside a smooth cell or light cocoon. (Fig. 3.) From these, after a few weeks, the perfect moths emerge. They are very active at night, and when disturbed _ _ have the same habit as their caterpillars of dropping Tis^^^^^:^^^r^,^, to the ground and remaining perfectly still as if dead. in cell ■ Fi-om their dull colour they are then difncult to find. 8c— llj 164 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Fig. 4.— The Gothic Dart Moth. Wings open and closed. When at rest (See Fig. 4.), their wings lie hoi'izontally over their backs, and the upper ones entii-ely cover the lower pair. The upper wings are genei-ally crossed with one or more waved lines and always bear two characteristic marks, one about half way down the wing, orbicular in shape, the other nearer the tip, renif'orm or kidney-shaped. Owing to their nocturnal habits. Cut-worms frequently do a great deal of harm to vege- tation without being recognized as the cause. It is important, in the view of discovering useful remedies, to ascertain as soon as possible the habits of all these caterpillars." The remedies given below are from Bulletin 11, of the Experimental Farm series. Remedies. — (i.) Glean Culture. As the young caterpillars of many species hatch in autumn, the removal of all vegetation from the ground as soon as possible in autumn deprives them of their food supply and also prevents the late-flying moths from laying their eggs in that locality. Fields or gardens which are allowed to become overgrown with weeds or other vegetation late in the autumn are almost sure to be troubled with Cut-worms the next spring. (ii.) Traps. — Large numbers may be destroyed by placing between the rows of an infested crop, or at short distances apart on infested land, bundles of any succu- lent weed or other vegetation which has been previously poisoned by dipping it, after tying it in bundles, into a strong mixture of Paris green (2 oz. to a pailful of water). The Cut-worms eat the poisoned plants and bury themselves and die. In hot, dry weather these bundles should be placed out after sun-down, and a shingle may be laid on each to keep it from fading. (iii.) Banding and Wrapping. — (a.) It will be found to well repay the trouble and expense, to place a band of tin around each cabbage or other plant at the time of setting out. These may very easily be made by taking pieces of tin 6 inches long and 2J wide and bending them around a spade or broom handle so as to form short tubes. In placing them around a plant the two ends can be sprung apart to admit the plant, and then the tube should be pressed about half an inch into the ground. I have found this a useful means of disposing of empty tomato and other cans. To prepare these easily, they need only be thrown into a bonfire, when the tops and bottoms fall off and the side becomes unsoldered. The largo piece of tin can then be cut down the centre with a pair of shears, and forms two tubes. (b.) Wrapping a piece of paper round the stems of plants when setting them out will also save a great many and is highly i'ecommended. (c.) Hand-picking or digging out the Cut-worms whenever a plant is seen to be cut off, should, of course, always be practised. Natural Enemies. — There are two enemies of Cut-worms which deserve especial notice, and, from the good service they do, should be known by sight to every cultivator. They are the Fiery Ground-beetle or Cut-worm Lion (Calosoma calidum, Fab., Fig. 5) and the Black Ground Wasp (Ammo- phila luctuosa, Smith) which closely resembles Fig. 6. Both of these are desperate enemies of Cut- worms, the former feeding on them in all of its stages, the latter digging them out and storing its nest with them as food for its young grubs. Fig. .5.— Fiery Ground Beetle. Fig. 6. — Ground Wasp. REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST. 165 THE EED-LEGGED LOCUST (^Melanoplus femur-rubrum, DeG.) One of the notable attacks of the year, mention of which has been made by sev- eral correspondents in Western Ontario, has been that of " Grasshoppers " or more properly Locusts. Their injuries have been most serious in those parts of Ontario which have suffered from a lack of rain. They are also mentioned several times in British Columbian correspondence. In Ontario and Quebec the species of which I have received most specimens, was the common Eed-Legged Locust. Occurring with this, however, were many specimens of the Lesser Migratory Locust {Melanoplus atlanis, Riley) and the large green Two-striped Locust (^Melanopius biviitatus, Say). Special complaints were made of Locust injuries to oats by many correspondents. Major Lloyd, of Oakville, Ont., and Mr. G. C. Caston, of Craighurst, Ont., speak of their damages in turnip fields, and records of their injuries to vegetation in general were frequent ; the following extracts will give some idea of the losses due to these pests : — " There is almost universal complaint of the damage to the oat crop by grass- hoppers. Four-fifths of the correspondents from the Lake Erie counties refer to them. From Lambton, Simcoe, Middlesex, Northumberland and Durham, Prince Edward, Lennox and Addington, and Frontenac, come reports of great destruction to every thing growing in the fields. Correspondents report them more numerous and destructive than for many years." — Bull. 47, Ont. Bureau of Industries, Aug., 1893. " Oats this season are a light crop, owing to the prevalence of rust and the pre- valence of grasshoppers." — BuU.4S, Ont. Bureau of Industries, Nov., 1893. " August 15. — I remember seeing in some pamphlet when at Ottawa a descrip- tion of a machine used in the North-west for destroying grasshoppers; can you let me know how this is made and used. The fact is these insects are becoming a per- fect pest in many parts of Ontario, and if something is not done to at least thin out their numbers, the injury to vegetation will be very serious. They have done, I am told, very great damage in the neighbourhood of Woodstock, and the country round there, and out at ray place at Lake Simcoe, my noigb'jours, as well as myself, have sutfered not a little. Last autumn I was very carelul to have all the stubble and the long grass round the sides of the fields cut close, so as not to leave them any har- bourage or place to deposit their eggs, but they are this year more numerous than ever. If you can suggest anything that we can do to lessen the evil, I shall be very much obliged if you would drop me a line. If they go on increasing, farming in Ontario will suffer a heavy blow." "August 19. — The grasshoppers, now that the grain is ail in, are turning their attention chiefly to the kitchen garden, where they are playing havoc with everything, and there does not seem to be any effectual method of fighting them." — Hon. G. W. Allan, Toronto, Ont. The life history of the Eed-legged Locust is briefly as follows : — It is single-brooded. The eggs are laid in the autumn but hatch only thefoUowing spring. The young pass through five successive moults, attaining their full growth in July, when they have well developed wings. The females deposit their eggs in symmetrical masses called pods within burrows bored with their abdomens ; each female lays 3 or 4 pods of Qgg^ before she dies, each pod con- taining about 30 eggs. Prof. S. A. Forbes says: — " They select by prefer- ence for oviposition hard and dry ground, roadsides and pastures being Fig:. -Locusts laying their eggs. 166 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. especially favourite localities. Meadows and pastures are commonly resorted to by the mature females, especially the latter, as the eggs seem not to be laid ordinarily on ground covered by luxuriant vegetation. I have never known them deposited in cultivated earth. The food habits of these locusts are extremely simple, and consist in eating nearly everything coming in their way." The Lesser Migratory Locust is a very widely distributed species which fre- quently becomes injurious on account of its excessive increase. It is more nearly allied to the Eocky Mountain Locust than to the Eed-legged. It is about the size of the latter, but, like the former, has longer wings and, although to a lesser degree, is migratory in its habits. This is the species to which probably most of the locust injury in Canada should be attributed, as it is a commoo species from British Colum- bia to the Maritime Provinces, and Prof. Lawrence Bruner says: — " It is the species which most frequently does the locust injury in the New England States, much of that in the Northern States, and some of that in the extreme North-west. It has also been known to become injurious in the Middle and Southern States. In its distri- bution this species seeans to be more partial to hilly or mountainous country, and especially is this noticeable in reference to its appearance in destructive numbers. It seems also to prefer wooded or mixed country to the open prairies or plains." The Lesser Migratory Locust is about the same size as, and closely resembles the Red-legged Locust, and, as its range is practically the same, it is impossible to sepa- rate the injuries of the two in the reports received. The two species may, however, be easily distinguished by the entomologist, from the fact that the prosternal spine of ^. atlanis is sharply pointed, while that of M. femur-ruhrum \% spatulate or en- larged at the apex. The Two-striped Locust is the large common olive-green species with heavy body and two light stripes down the back, which is frequently found in gardens and about the edges of fields. It occurs from the Atlantic to the Pacific and from the Gulf of Mexico to the Saskatchewan. Prof. Bruner says of it: — "Its increase in destructive numbers appears to be confined chiefly to the regions lying between the Rocky Mountains and the Atlantic. This locust appears to vary considerably in size and colour. Thtre are, however, two well defined forms, the one receiving the name bivittatus and the other going by that of femoratus, the latter occurring only northward." The large amount of damage annually wrought by locusts is seldom appreciated. Their habits are to frequent grass lands, where a large proportion of the crop may be consumed without making much diff'erence in the appearance of the fields. It is only after hay is cut, or in seasons of unusual drought, that locust injuries are much noticed. If, however, their numbers at all times and their voracity are con- sidered, it will at once be seen that they must every year destroy much produce. They do not develop wings until July, and previous to that they pass most of their lives low down among the stems of grasses. Besides locusts, there are many other grass feeding insects which every year levy a heavy toll unnoticed. These may all be to a large measure controlled by the use of machines called "hopper-dozers," or " tar pans," which wereinvented in the west some years ago at the time of the so-called "locust invasions." Prof. Herbert Osborn, oflowa, writing on means of destroying grasshoppers, says : — " In meadows and pastures we believe the use of the hopper- dozer the most practical plan that can bo recommended. In many cases it can be used to capture these and the leaf-hoppers at the same time, especially if used when grasshoppers are still quite small and can be held by a thin layer of coal tar used on the simple flat sheet of iron. When larger they need a deeper layer of coal tar, or a pan of water with a covering of coal oil on it. A cheap and simple plan for this purpose, costing but fiom $1.50 to $2, was described many years ago by Prof. Riley. It consists of a strip of sheet iron 8 or 10 feet long, turned up 1 inch in fjont and 1 foot behind, with pieces soldered in at the ends (or made of wood), and hooks placed in front at the ends for the attachment of ropes. If to run on rough ground it will be better to put runners 1^ or 2 inches high underneath. Into this put a layer of coal tar half an inch deep, or water and kerosene. It can be drawn by a boy at each end, or by horse power if preferred." REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST. 167 "To treat pastures and meadows for grasshoppers and leaf-hoppers, it would seem from present experience the best plan to run over all grass lands early in May with the simple dozer described for leaf-hoppers (a piece of sheet iron 8J feet long and 2 feet wide, was coated on the upper side with coal tar, and lying flat on the sod was dragged along by means of three cords, one fastened at each end and one in the middle). Pastures should be treated a second time about the middle of June. For meadows, the second treatment may follow hay cutting, if insects are abundant, and then if grasshoppers appear in July in numbers, resort to the deep hopper-dozer described above." {Bull. 14, Iowa Ag. Exp. Station, p. 176.) Summarizing the results of his experiments with leaf-hoppers, the same writer says: — "Experiments with hopper-dozers for grass leaf-hoppers show that this method can be used very successfully in capturing the insects, that the simplest form, a flat sheet of sheet iron was most satisfactory, that one application resulted in adding 34 per cent to the crop of hay on a plot experimented on, and in one experiment leaf- hoppers were captured at the rate of 376,000 per acre." These results are most striking, and one cannot but feel convinced that it would pay well to adopt systematically such a simple and cheap method of freeing pastures of the myriad insects which reduce the yield every year. The use of hopper-dozers in the Western States for the destruction of locusts is recognized as one of the standard methods of fighting these injurious insects, and has been attended with marked success. The other method which is relied on is ploughing the land where the eggs have been deposited, so as either to bury them deeply, so that the young cannot emerge in spring, or so as to expose them under unnatural conditions, to the frosts of winter or their numerous predaceous enemies. In the thickly settled portions of Canada whereas a rule stubble fields are regularly ploughed up before winter, we as a consequence do not suffer from locust plagues so frequently as is the case in the west. The use of insecticides such as Paris green for locust attacks is seldom a practi" cal remedy except on limited areas. In response to some who have applied for the receipt of the bran and arsenic remedy, I extract the following from Prof. Clarence Weed's useful little work, " Insects and Insecticides: " — "A mixture which has been successfully employed, consists of arsenic, sugar, bran, and water, the proportions being one part, by weight, of arsenic, one of sugar and five of bran, to which is ad- ded a certain quantity of water. The arsenic and bran are first mixed together, then the sugar is dissolved in water and added to the bran and arsenic; after which a sufficient quantity of water is added to thoroughly wet the mixture. About a tea- spoonful of this mixture is thrown on the ground at the base of each tree or vine (in gardens and orchards) and left to do its work." I found by experiment that the poison works slowly but is very effectual. 188 ~ EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. GRi^N^RY INSECTS. When visiting the Chicago Exhibition, I was requested by the Executive Com- missioner for Canada to examine the grain exposed in the agricultural trophy and to report to him whether it would be safe to distribute samples of it to farmers who had made application for it, and to use the straw when taken from the trophy for packing purposes. The following is a copy of my report: — REPORT UPON INSECT PESTS IN THE CANADIAN EXHIBIT OF GRAIN AT CHICAGO. J. S. Larke, Esq., Executive Commissioner for Canada, World's Fair, Chicago, Sir, —I have the honour to report as follows with regard to my examination of the exhibits in the Canadian Court of the Agricultural Building at the World's Fair as requested by you, 1 examined them carefully as well as similar exhibits situated near ihem in the building, I found that the greater part of the injury DER CROPS. Fodder crops have been exceptionally good in Canada this year, and very few "Complaints have been received of either fungus or insect injuries. The new fodder plant, the English Horse bean, rcommended by Prof. Eobertson, the Dominion Dairy ■Commissioner, has been largely grown for mixing with Indian corn and the heads of sunflowers in the preparation of a complete ensilage ; and the few reports of injury 1 o fodder crops have been in connection with this plant. The small white Bean Leaf-hopper (Empoafabce, Harris) has occurred in several places and done much injury by puncturing the leaves and causing them to turn black and wither. As the beans were grown this year mixed with the corn, it was difiicult to treat this insect at the time it appeared, in the middle of August. The most satisfactory 1 emedy for the leaf-hoppers is to spray the infested plants early in the season before the insects have developed wings, with Kerosene emulsion. Should this pest become numerous, it will be necessary to watch for its appearance and spray the crop, while the insects are in their larval condition when they have no wings. Blister-beetles have also infested beans to a serious degree in some localities, as shown by the following; — " July 1. — I am mailtngyou under separate cover a number of beetles (these were the Western Blister-beetle, Gantharis Nuttalli, Say) that have proved very destruc- tive to our beans. The specimens were handed to me, by Mr. E. Norton at Brandon. REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST. 173 Ashes appear to drive them away for a time. They eat the plants right to the ground." — S. A. Bedford, Brandon, Man. " July 6, — Cantharis Nuttalli made its appearance on my beans on June 19, but we have had no such immense numbersof them as last year yet." — Thomas Copland, Saskatoon, Sask. " July 7. — I inclose you a few insects that are doing considerable injury in the North-west this year. They attack the Siberian pea tree {Caragand), beans, tares and peas, and in other places garden vegetables. I have used Paris green with good effect. Last year a few were found in our tares ; so far this is the only pest that has troubled us much this year. It seems to especially appreciate Prof. Eobertson's horse-beans." — Angus Mackay, Indian Head, Assa. The insects sent were Cantharis Nuttalli and the Black Blister-beetle (Epicauta Pennsylvanica. DeG.). It was probably the latter which was referred to as attack- ing garden vegetables. "July 4. — I send you to-day some insects, and shall be very much obliged for any information yon can give me about them ; they have appeared on my horse- beans which I have planted with corn. They eat the leaves only, beginning on the outer edge and leaving the stalks and veins of the leaves. They have appeared on a spot three or four rods square. I do not think they breed on the plants. If these are likely to prove destructive, please tell me what I must do to destroy them. They do not eat the corn which is planted in the same hill as the beans." — Percy G. Mills, Sussex, N.B. The insects sent by Mr. Mills were the Gray Blister-beetle {M. unicolor, Kirby). The remedy recommended for blister-beetles on beans in my report last year is as follows : " In looking over all the reports received I find that they are all dated in July, so that the time of injury to this crop will seem to be limited to a few weeks, and if a sharp watch were kept for their appearance, the ravages could be controlled, either by sweeping the crops with a net mounted on a handle or by beating the beetles into a pan containing some water with a little coal-oil on the top. When the area attacked is too large for this, spraying promptly with Paris Green, 1 lb. to 100 gallons of water (or dusting with 1 lb. of Paris green to 50 of flour) would destroy them." V^EGET_A.BLES. Garden vegetables in Eastern Ontario this season have not suffered very severely from insect enemies, although the abtindance of some has made up for the non-ap- pearance of others. The root maggots of the cabbage and onion were very destruc- tive. In the case of the cabbage, experiments with Kerosene emulsion and Hellebore tea poured round the roots of infested plants were to a large measure successful. The Onion Maggot was also experimented with by sowing common salt along the rows and in the bottom of the drills : the results were conflicting, but on the whole quite encouraging, and it is proposed to continue the experiments next year. Cabbages this year in Eastern Ontario had an almost entire exemption from the attacks of the Imported Cabbage Butterfly (Fieris rapce, L.). Beans were damaged in many places during June by Cut-worms of several kinds, Carneades ochrogaster. Gn., being the most genei-ally distributed species. This caterpillar has a very wide range of destruction, specimens having been received from Cape Breton to Calgarj-, Alta. The protection of freshly set out herbaceous plants by wrapping a small piece of paper aiound the stems has been highly com- mended by several to whom this remedy had been suggested. Celery was received which was heavily infested late in the season by an Aphis. It was too late, the crop having been dug, to apply the usual remedies for plant lice. Tomatoes were injured in some places by plant bugs and a report was received from Mr. W. G. Baylay of Ottawa, of the girdling of the main stem by the Buffalo Tree-hopper (Ceresa bubalus, Fab). The insects were, however, fewer than when he recorded the same damage in a previous year. The Tomato Stalk-borer {Hydroecia cataphracta, Grt.) was somewhat prevalent in the Ottawa district, the larvte being 174 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. found in the stems of hollyhocks, sunflowers and other succulent herbaceous plants as well as of tomatoes. Some imported fruit of early tomatoes was sent in from Mr. W. E. Saunders, of London, Ont., containing specimens of the larv» of the Corn or Bull-worm (Helio- this armiger, Hbn.). These had been imported from the United States by Mr. E. West, florist of London, who stated that he had found over a dozen in each crate of tomatoes. Although Heliothis armiger occurs in Canada, I have never in this country seen this injury to tomatoes in the field, which is well known in the States. The Tomato Sphinx (^Protoparce celeus, Hbn.) was reported as rather abundant in centi-al Ontario, but the actual damage by this large conspicuous insect was slight. A few inquiries were as usual made as to any danger from being stung by the cater- pillar when hand-picking it. This, of course, as can easily be ascertained, is utterly impossible; the caterpillar is perfectly harmless. Early planted tomatoes were somewhat injured by the Colorado Potato beetle, before the potatoes came up. This beetle also is so much attracted by the egg-plant, us to render it almost impossible to grow this vegetable in many parts of Ontario without covering the plants. ANOTHEE VEGETARIAN CAREION BEETLE {Silpha bituherosa, Lee). Attack. — Shining black, very active, grubs, f-inch in length, like wood lice, which devour the leaves of pumpkins, squashes and plants of the Spinach family. A new attack of some interest recorded this year for the first time is that of the larvse of one of the native carrion beetles upon plants of the Grourd and Goose- foot families in the North-west Territories. In Europe a very similar insect belong- ing to the same genus is sometimes a serious pest in mangel and beet-root fields. As these last-named plants also belong to the same large family, the Chenopodiacece or Spinach famil}^, it is not impossible that as the North-west is settled up, this new pest may become troublesome, and it is fortunate that its habits have been found out before it does so. My esteemed correspondent, Mr. Thomas Copland, who has assisted me frequently with his careful and reliable observations, when on the look-out during the past summer for the larvae of the Eed Turnip beetle, found larvae of the Carrion beetle mentioned. He writes from Saskatoon, N.W.T. : — " June 5th. — I inclose you a few larvae which I suppose may be those of Entomoscelis adonidis, and. as I am not acquainted with the weed on which they were feeding, I inclose some with the larvae for them to feed upon on the way and for you to identify. These insects are very active in hunting for their food if they happen to be where weeds are few and cultivated food has not yet been supplied in the gardens and fields. It is possible I may be wrong in the identity of the larvte." " June 17. — I send 5^ou two more plants of the weed on which 1 first found the larvaB of the Carrion beetle (which I thought might be those of the Eed turnip- beetle when I sent them). The plants sent were the favourite food of the larvae : but they by no means confined themselves to these. The common lamb's quarters or pig-weed (Chenopodium album, L.) and several other weeds were eaten, but not quite so freely as the specimens sent. The larvae are remarkably active and drop from the food-plants when disturbed, hiding under them or seeking crevices in the ground. I will let you know if they attack any cultivated plants. I have heard of similar, probably identical, larvae attacking the young squash vines ; but, as our vines are inclosed, I cannot say whether they are liable to attack or not." The weeds sent were the wild North-west plant Monolepis chenopodioides, Moq., which also belongs, like the lamb's quarters, to the Ohenopodiacece. Eefen-ing to the above letters, Mr. Copland wrote on July 6th : — " Yours of the 28th June is to hand. I have, since receiving it, recognized and captured a speci- men of the Silphaheetle. I have not found the larvae on any cultivated plants, but did observe that they were rather indiscriminate feeders, and the succulent condi- tion of the plant seemed to have everything to do with the choice, except in the case of the Monolepis chenopodioides, which is their favourite ; they have not yet touched my beets. I will keep a look out for a second brood." REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST. 175 About the same time, I received more specimens of this insect from the same place from Mr. Geo. L. Smith : — " June 17. — I mail to your address to-day a packet containing a number of insects which I discovered to-day eating my squash and pumpkin vines. Some of the vines they had almost destroyed. When disturbed, they drop to the ground and hide under leaves or earth. They are the first I have seen, and they have not been working. I think, more than a couple of days. Let me know what they are and give me what information you can." When received these larvsB were nearly full grown, and when placed in a breed- ing jar, and provided with leaves of lamb's quarters and beet-root, fed freely upon them until ready to pupate. They fed at night and kept out of sight by day. The last date when they were seen feeding was 12th June, and on 24th the first fully dev- eloped beetle appeared. The pupae were white and were found in little cells about 3 inches beneath the surface of the ground. The larvae are entirely black, shining, from J tof of an inch in length, rounded above, flattened beneath, \ inch wide and tapering to each end. The body is divided distinctly at the segments like a woodlouse or " sowbug" (Oniscus). The beetle is dull black, flattened, having a small prominence on each wing case towards the end, and with the thorax covered with fuscous hairs. It is in habits and appearance very much like the European Beet Carrion Beetle \Silpha opaca, L.), which also occurs in North Ame- rica, and like that species, probably has the dual habit, both in the larval and perfect states, of feeding sometimes on carrion as well as on vegetable maiter. I am indebted to Dr. George H. Horn for the identification of the imago. These two species are distinguished as follows : — Form elongate oval (as in trituberculatd) opaca. Form oval (as in ramosa) bituberosa. Of the latter Dr. Horn remarks: "It is a much broader species and in form more nearly resembles incequalis." In opaca, the middle costa of elytron is given as extending nearly to apical margin, while in the other species it does not attain the apical margin. Curtis's figure of the Beet Carrion Beetle (Fig. 10) kindly lent by Messrs. Blackie & Son, of Glasgow, at Miss Ormerod's request, gives so good an idea of the different stages, that Nos. 1, 2, 4 and 5 might almost answer for those of S. bituberosa. Remedies. — Should this insect develop into a pest of Chenopodiaceous plants such as beet-root, mangels and spinach, it will be necessary to protect the plants during the first part of June until the larvae have attained their full growth, by dusting them with Paris green and some dusty diluent such as flour, land plaster, crashes (1 part to 50), or in the case of spinach it maybe necessary to plant a more attractive food-plant near by as a bait, to be afterwards destroyed with the infest- ing insects. For this purpose Monolepis or lamb's quarters should be tried. In the case of young pumpkins or squashes, as the season when the larvae attain full growth is so early, these plants could be easily protected by keeping the hills covered with cheese cloth or paper after dusting the plants with the poison mixture above men- tioned. It is not likely that the mature beetles will attack plants. Fig. 10.— The Beet Carrion Beetle. FRUITS. The crop of large fruits this year has not been remarkable for excellence. In Ontario the November bulletin says : — "The August bulletin did not speak cheer- fully regarding the prospective apple crop, and reports to hand are confirmatory. The Codling moth has done much injury and so have the scab and drought, hence a 176 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. considerable quantity of the unusually light yield of apples are wormy, spotted and small." In British Columbia the orchards on the mainland have been badly infested with Apple Aphis (Aphis mali, Fab.) and the Oyster-shell Bark louse {Mytilaspis pomorum, Bouche). On Vancouver Island Mr. John Tolmie reports "The fruit crop is poor this year, mainly due to heavy showers just as the fruit was forming ; small fruits have, however, done well." Mr. G. A. Knight, of Victoria, B.C., also states that the Woolly Aphis (iSchizoneura lanigera, Hausm.) is now very abundant on Vancouver Island in apple orchards, and that the Cherry-tree Slug (Selandria cerasi, Peck.) Fig. 11, has been this Fig. 11.— The Cherry-tree Slug. year extraordinarily abundant. This insect was also complained of to a certain extent in Nova Scotia and Ontario. At Ottawa, besides cherry trees, the larvse disfigured ornamental hawthorns and the oak-leaved mountain ash. It is easily treated with a weak application of Paris green, or may be dusted with freshly slaked lime. The SnoT-BOR^R (Xyleborus dispar, Fab.), I fear, is again on the increase in the Nova Scotia apple orchards. Through the kindnesss of Mr. W. H. Woodworth, of Berwick, N.S., and Mr. T. E. Smith, of Cornwallis, N.S., I am in possession of a large quantity of facts as to the depredations and habits of this injurious insect, and hope, at an early date, to have more defi- nite information as to remedies than is as yet available. Fig. 12— ^r- T. E. Smith sent to me from North Sydney, Cape Breton, some larv® The Shot- which were abundant there upon apple trees. These, when received, had borer, gpun their cocoons ; of which specimens were submitted to Prof. J. A. Lintner, and he reports: "There is hardly a doubt but that the little cocoons sent me are those of Micropteryx pomivorella, Pack." The Eed-humped Caterpillar op the Apple {(Edemasia concinna, Sm. & Abb.) was rather abundant upon young apple trees at Ottawa, and specimens were also sent by Mr. B. Hutcherson from Ladner's Landing, B.C. These are the first specimens I have seen from British Columbia. The curious caterpillars of the Unicorn Prominent (Ccelodasy& unicornis, Sm. & Abb.) and of the Hag-moth (Phobetron pithecium, Sm. & Abb.) were sent as apple insects by Mr. W, J. Kerr, from Smith's Falls, Ont. A pest which I found to be very abundant in the peach orchards round St. Catharines was the Peach Bark-beetle (Fhlosotribus liminaris, Harris). This was first brought to my notice by Mr. C. E. Fisher, of Queenston, and I have later received specimens and facts bearing on the life history both from that gentleman and Capt. James Sheppard. Some experiments which are being carried on to control this insect are not yet completed, so a report upon them is deferred for the present. Most of the fruit insects reported this year have been enemies of the apple. The Apple-tree Aphis (Aphis mali, Fab.). — From British Columbian reports this insect is committing serious injury in the apple orchards. In the East it is seldom that this insect develops in sufficient numbers to be ranked as a first class pest, but this season a large number of reports have been received from British Columbia complaining that even old trees had been killed. Mr. John S. Warren, in a letter to the Orillia Packet, gives an ac- count of the condition of the orchards at Okanagan Mission, B.C., in which he speaks of ^ serious loss from the Apple Aphis. Mr. J. H. Fig. 13.— The Apple Aphis. Christie also sends specimens of Aphis infested twigs from the same place, of which he says: "The contents of this parcel will, I think, be somewhat of a surprise to you. The twigs sent were cut from three different orchards from trees six to eight years old, and you will have a better idea of the state of affairs here when I tell you that several ten to fifteen year old trees have been destroyed during the last year by Aphis. Large ^ REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST. \TJ magnificent trees now stand blackened and disfigured monuments of the negligence of the owners. This appears to be a new pest, trees of the old-timers never having guflPered before." Mr. Gr. M. Kinnear, of Ducks, B.C., also sent specimens of Apple Aphis with report on their serious injury to his trees. Late in autumn the females of the Apple Aphis lay small black eggs on the twigs of the apple trees. These Qggs do not hatch until the following spring. In Insect Life (vol. VI. p. 152), Prof. F. M. Webster, of Ohio, announces the impor- tant discovery that in the autumn this insect also migrates to fall wheat, wheie it propagates enormously and does mur-h harm. Perfect females then return to the apple trees to deposit their eggs. The most satisfactory remedy I have found to be the Kerosene emulsion which should be sprayed on the trees early in spring just when the leaf-buds are bursting. As large numbers of eggs are frequently laid on the trunks of trees, these should also be well spiayed. The Oyster-shell Bark-louse (Mytilaspis pomorum, Bouch^) is pro- bably the worst pesi of the apple tree, concerning which this year, as well as every other year, there has been much inquiry from every province of the Dominion. The life history of this insect is remark- able. About Ist of June, minute white, mite-like insects with six legs, emerge from beneath the scales on the bark, and for two or three days, during which alone of their whole lives they have the power of loco- motion, run about over the twigs seeking for a suitable place to attach themselves. They then pierce the young bark with their beaks and live on the sap of the tree. They never move from that place again. Each gradually secretes a waxy mantle and by August has transformed itself into a scale covering a cluster of eggs. These remain unchanged through the winter, and the young do not hatch until the next June. Remedies. — This insect, like many others, thrives most on unhealthy trees. When detected, therefore, measures should be adopted for indu- cing a vigorous growth as well as for the removal of the scale insects. Oyster-shell Spraying just before the buds open with the Kerosene emulsion will Bark-louse, destroy many of them; but the best time, which will vary slightly in different localities, is when the young lice are active, for they are then most susceptible to injury. Prof. A. J. Cook, of- Michigan, says that no fruit grower or lover of shade trees can afford to be ignorant of the Carbolic acid emulsion. He writes : " I make it just as I do the kerosene emulsion, only stronger ; one part of crude carbolic acid to from 5 to 7 parts of soap solution (one quart of soft soap, or 1 lb. hard soap in two gallons of water) is of the proper strength. This is the best preparation I know of to })rotect against the Apple-tree Bark-lice and Apple- tree Borers. It is applied to the trunk and larger limbs by means of a stiff brush or cloth about twenty days after the trees blossom." With regard to some inquiries which have naturally suggested themselves to two of my correspondents as to how insects which only have the power of locomotion for three days or so, and then only when extremely minute, can spread so rapidly from tree to tree in an orchard, I be- lieve the generally accepted opinion is, that this is effected through the agency of other larger insects and birds, upon which they crawl when they visit the trees, and by which they are carried to other trees. An attack upon Apple trees which I do not think has been previously recorded from Canada is of the Otiorhynchid beetle, Anametis grisea, Lee. This was received from Mr. E. Z. Eogers, of Grafton, Ont., together with specimens of the way in which apple trees were injured by having the bark oaten off the young twigs. Specimens of a very similar species were forwarded from Okanagan Mission, B.C., by Mr. F. J. Watson. As these beetles are wingless and have to climb up the stems of trees attacked, any mechanical means of preventing them, such as a band of cotton batting or one of the various kinds of " tree protectors " placed around the trunks at the time when the perfect beetles are about, would prevent injury by the mature insects. In Insect Life (vol. IV., p. 401) reference is made to considerable damage by this beetle to young peach trees in Goodison, Michigan; the beetles hid near the surface of the ground during the day time and ate the bark and buds during the night. Similar 8c— 12 178 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. damage to apple trees was reported from Wisconsin in 1882. The larvse in all pro- bability feed on the roots of the trees. THE MOTTLED UMBER MOTH {Hibernia defoliaria, L.). Attack. — Slender loope-s or " measuring worms," found on plum and cherry trees; IJ inches in length, with chestnut red heads, dark reddish brown backs, mottled with broken nar- row black lines, the lowest distinct and waved; the sides bright yellow, paler beneath, including the lege. There is a dark reddish patch shaded with black, surrounding each spiracle. Some years ago a few specimens of the Mottled Umber Moth, the well-known apple tree pest of England, were taken at Victoria, B.C., by Fig. 15. -The Mottled Umber Moth. ^^^ jj^^ George W. Taylor, and since then a few more specimens have been taken by Mr. W. H. Danby of the same place. In June last I received from the latter gentleman a consignment of caterpillars, which may be described in general as above. He wrote : — *' June 20. — I send you herewith some caterpillars which feed mostly on cherry and plum trees. This species is just now rather a prominent nuisance in orchards — what is it?" In acknowledging these specimens, it was surmised that they might be the caterpillars of the Mottled Umber Moth, and Mr. Danby was requested to be on the look out for the moths. I have since received the following notes: — " November 10. — 1 think you are right as to the larvse I sent you : for I to-day caught a fine specimen of H. defoliaria. This moth is very uncertain in its appear- ance. I have seen none since the few I mentioned to you in 1889, but I expect to ' get more within a week or two." " November 20. — I send yon some very fine males of H. defoliaria. I took no less than 98 males, but only one female. This latter is quite the regular apterous female of the English defoliaria ; but some of the males are very dark, and some very much suffused. I have asfine a series for my collection as it is possible to get. This moth occurs very rarely for a few years, and then like other pests is very common. All I took I got in one day, since which none have appeared." ** December 7. — H. defoliaria was wonderfully plentiful this year as compared with other seasons. During June and early in July the larvae were a pest in most plum and cherry orchards. They seemed to prefer the plum. Apple trees grow- ing close to plum and cherry ti-ees were not attacked ; nor can I find from such inquiries as I have made, that the larvae were seen by any one on apple trees. I will, however, make careful observations on this point next year. The moths were very abundant in the latter half of November. The sexes seemed to average 1 female to 6 males. The electric lights proved a great attraction to the males: I collected on one morning eight dozen on the walls and doorways of two hotels, which had been attracted by the lights; and more or less were to be found for several days afterwards." The caterpillars sent me by Mr. Danby were received at Ottawa on June 28th, and were full-grown. They pupated in a few days, most of them on the surface of the ground, but some a short distance beneath. A few specimens were parasitised by a Tachinid fly. The first moth, a male, emerged on November 27th, so that the pupal stage lasted almost five months. The pupa is smooth, dark reddish brown, nearly f of an inch in length, and has the lastsegment terminated with a stout spine. The male moth is of a dull ochre-brown hue, expanding If inches, and has the upper wings dotted and crossed diagonally by two dark waved bands ; the space between these is pale and bears on each wing a dark discal spot ; the lower wings are paler than the upper, and like them sprinkled with brown dots and they have a dark spot near the middle. The female moth is brown with two rows of conspic- uous spots down the back. The wings are almost entirely aborted. REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST. 179 I have to thank my good friend Miss Ormerod for the above excellent cut of this insect, which is the same as is used in her Manual of Injurious Insects, page 336, The occurrence of this insect at Yictoria is worthy of note, as in England it is one of the worst orchard pests, and will probably add one more to the already too long list of apple tree pests. Prof. J. A. Lintner, has already noted no less than 282 different species of insect enemies of the apple. Miss B. A. Ormerod says as to the food of the Mottled Umber Moth: — "The caterpillars are very abundant, and very injurious to the leafage of various kinds of fruit and forest trees, as oak, lime, &c. They have been especially noted as feeding at times on unripe cherries, gnawing away one side of the fruit." (Manual of Injurious Insects, p. 337.) The habits of this moth are very similar to those of our Canker-worms {Anisopteryx). When the moths appear in the autumn, the females crawl up the trunks of trees and lay their eggs on the branches. In this condition the insect passes the winter. Remedies. — The usual remedies for the Canker-worms are applicable for this species and consist of tying sticky bandages or mechanical contrivances around the trunks of fruit trees to prevent the females from crawling up to deposit their eggs, or what will be found far more effective, spraying the trees in spring when the young caterpillars hatch, with Paris green and lime, 1 pound of each to 200 gallons of water. An exac? description of the larvae taken from the British Columbian specimens is as follows: — Mature Larva. — Length \\ inches. Head round, bilobed at apex, chestnut red, mottled. Mouth parts darkened, dorsal i-egion reddish brown, darkened with fine black broken lines arranged as follows : a dorsal double stripe which widens a little in the middle of each segment and is shaded with pale yellow ; two narrow sub-dorsal lines, rather indistinct, and placed on a reddish field ; a double lateral stripe the lower line of which is distinct and sinuous. Beneath this dorsal area the stigmatal area is bright yellow. The spiracles themselves are white, ringed with black and are in the centre of blotches of reddish brown, shaded anteriorly with black. Ven- tral area including thoracic feet and prolegs, pale yellow. Some specimens are much darker than others ; in the darkest there is a broken supraventral stripe just beneath the substigmatal fold, sometimes running up on to it. The prolegs on 10th segment are also sometimes darkened exteriorly. I believe the British Columbian insect to be identical with the English, as I can find no difference between either the moths or the caterpillars. SM^LL FRUITS. Small fruits in Ontario and Quebec have been a good crop this year, strawberries in Eastern Ontario exceptionally so, and, although various insect pests have been sent in, there are none of them which call for special mention. The Easpberry Cane-borer i^Oberea bimaculata, Oliv.) was abundant at Ottawa, as evidenced by the conspicuous injury on the young canes. The injury by this insect, however, I believe to be slight, if the grub be prevented from boring down into the canes, as can so easily be done in June by picking off the injured tips as soon as the}' show by fading, that an egg has been deposited. The method of nipping back the young shoots of raspberries, RiSpberiT ^^ this period, moreover, is in accordance with the views of some horti- Cane-borer. culturists as to the best way of cultivating the raspberry. The Gooseberry Frcjit-worm (Bakruma convolutella, Hbn.) is reported by Mr. B. Loiselle as abundant at Ste. Philoraene, Que. The only remedy which so far can be recommended for this insect, which seems to be attracting much more Fig. 17.— The 'Gooseberry attention in Canada than formerly, is hand-picking the injured rruit-worm, Moth and fruit as soon as its premature coloration shows that it is Cocoon. infested. The Currant Saw-fly (Nematus ribesii, Scop.) was as usual abundant in many places, and when neglected did much harm by defoliating the bushes. Much loss 8c— 12i 180 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. every year is due to fruit growers not recognizing the fact that if the late summer brood of this insect is allowed to destroy the leaves, because as some say, " It does not matter now, as the fruit is all picked for this year;" nevertheless, they do suffer much in the quantity and quality of the next year's crop, which is largely fed, as in all early flowering plants, from material laid up through the leaves in the previous season. The larvse of this saw-fly are extremely easy to destroy. The first brood ap- pears in May and for this first 6rooc? on^z/ a weak mixture of Parisgreen(^oz. to a pailful of water is sufficient) may be sprayed on ihe bushe8,or a dry mixture of 1 oz. of Paris green to 6 lbs. of flour, well mixed together, may be dusted over the bushes after a shower, or when damp with dew. For the second brood of caterpillars, which ap- pears just before the fruit ripens, Paris green must on no.account be used, owing to its poisonous nature; but instead of it, white hellebore, dusted on dry, or in water, 1 oz. to a pailful of water, will be found quite etfective. Black currants were much affected by Eed Spider in the districts where drought prevailed. The same pest was also vei-y abundant on a plantation at Ottawa, where, however, it was to a large extent kept in check by numbers of one of the small Lady- bird beetles {Scymnus punctatus, Melsh.) (?) The Currant Span-worm (Evfitchia ribearia, Fitch) was also pi-esent in small numbers at Ottawa, and specimens were sent in from Mr. R. Bogue, of Moose Jaw, Aasa., who writes: "July 5. — The inclosed caterpillars are doing much misphief on my currants. They first attacked wild bushes, later the culti- vated ones. They have not touched the red and white currant bushes. They strip the leaves off, leaving only the fruit." Mr. W. F. Morden also writes from Morden, Man., con- __ cerning the same insect, stating that Fig. 19.— Moth of Currant he had tried spraying the bushes with Span-worm. white hellebore, but that it had not worked as satisfactorily as he would have liked, and asking if there was a better remed3^ This caterpillar is much more difficult to destroy than the false caterpillars of the Imported Currant Saw-fly, and it is necessary to use Paris green. As there is only one brood in the season, it is easily controlled. If it is consi- ^^^-^^ Fig. 18. — Currant Span worms and Chrysalis. dered unadvisable to use Paris green, the conspicuous yellow and black larvse can be easily picked off by hand. Strawberries have been little attacked, no report having been received of the work of the Strawberry-weevil (Anthonomus signatus, Say), this year. White Grubs (Lachnosternd) and tiue bugs have also only been reported as injurious to this crop in single instances. Several kinds of the true bugs have been abundant in gardens, and have attracted more than usual notice. Mr. J. A. Morton, of Wingham, Ont., sent a box containing the Tarnished Plant-bug (^Lygus pratensis, L.), and the Four-lined Leaf-bug (Pcecilocapsvs Imeatvs, Fab.), which had been very destructive in his garden. He said : " They seem to be omnivorous, and attack currant and gooseberry leaves, and sage, also fennel, the leaves of Gypripedium spectabile, the common chickweed, this latter not so much as I would like, flowers of Gladioli veiy badly, when they shrivel, sweet corn kernels when young, if they can get at them." In reply- ing, I suggested that the attack upon the last five plants named was by the Tarnished Plant-bug, and upon the three first by the Four-lined Leaf-bug. The formei- insect (Fig. 20) passes the winter in the perfect state and attacks plants throughout the season. It is a difficult insect to combat, when, as this year, it occurs in Fiff 20— The Tar- ^^cessive numbers. It sucks the juice from the leaves and nished Plant-bug. flowers of many plants, frequently injuring the young shoots REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOOIST AND BOTANIST. 181 of apple trees and annuals in gardens, its poisonous punctures causing the flowers to become distorted. Spraying the infested plants wilh Kerosene emulsion, 01- dusting them with insect powder, are the active remedies which have been attended with most success, but these cannot be claimed to be altogether satis- factory. The cleaning up of gardens and the burning of all rubbish in the autumn, which will reduce the shelters available for the perfect insects to pass the winter, are very important. Advantage may also be taken of the fact, that although during the heat of the day these bugs are extremely active, they are comparatively slug- gish early in the morning, when many of them may be destroyed by beating them off the plants into an inverted umbrella or other receptacle. The Four lined Leaf-bug (Pig. 21, natural size and enlarged,) is not injurious to as large a number of plants as the last named. It is a bright greenish yellow bug, ^\ inch in length, with two spots on the thorax, and four black stripes down the back. The presence of this insect upon plants is easily detected by the brown Fie 21^— TheFour- spots it makes upon the leaves near the tips of the branches. This lined Leaf -bug. injury is most often seen upon currants, gooseberries, and mint, but also on several other plants, as weigelas, dahlias, snapdragon and sage. Mr. M. V. Slingerland has lately published a very complete account of this insect, which he has made a subject of special study. He has made the important discovery that the winter is not passed in the perfect state, but in the egg state, the eggs being imbedded in the tips of shrubs. This discovery places at any rate a partial remedy within our hands, namely, cutting off the young shoots containing the eggs and burning them. Mr. Slingerland says: "On bushes which have been infested this year the egg scars can soon be found, as the whitish tips of the eggs are quite con- spicuous. After a few have been found and their characteristics noted, it will take but a few minutes to look over a bush and clip off the tips of shoots containing eggs. The eggs remain in these tips nine months, thus making it practicable to do the pruning during winter months when other work is not so pressing. The leaves will then also be off, and the egg scars can be more easily seen." Of insects attacking the grape vine, the kinds which have been most trouble- some are the Grape-vine Leaf-hopper {Erythroneura vitis, Harris) and the Grape-vine Flea-beeile (Graptodera chalybea, Illig.). Specimens of the Beautiful Wood Nymph (Eudryas grata, Fab.) were sent to me by a few correspondents, but more as ob- jects of beauty than as injurious insects. On the Experimental Farm at Ottawa, Mr. Craig, the Horticulturist, records unusual injury by the Large Red-headed Flea beetle (Systena frontalis. Fab.). Major Roland Gregory sent me twigs of grape-vines injured by the Snowy Tree-cricket ((Ecanthus niveus, Serv.). The Grape- vine Leap-hopper. — This is a well known enemy of the grape vine and Virginian creeper, and is generally spoken of among fruit-growers as the " Thiip." It is about ^ of an inch in length, marked with red and pale yellow, as in the enlarged figure (Fig. 22). It is very active and generally occurs in large colonies, when its attacks upon the foliage are so severe that vines are fre- quently defoliated and the fruit is consequently destroyed. It is furnished with a sharp beak with which it sucks the juice out of the Grane^-vine'^eaf- l®^^©*^* Causing them first to turn white in patches and then fall hopper. from the vine. It passes the winter in the perfect state, hidden amongst fallen leaves and other rubbish. In the spring it flies to the vines and deposits its eggs, from which the injurious swarms of young leaf-hoppers hatch. Remedies. — These consist of clean culture and the clearing away of all fallen leaves in autumn, so as to reduce as far as possible the opportunities of wintering near the vines. For this same reason the ground should be raked and kept smooth in autumn. The vines should be examined during the summer, and if the young insects are observed on the leaves, the vines should be sprayed with Kerosene emul- sion before the insects reach their perfectdevelopment, when only they acquire wings and are able to fly. 182 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. The Grape vine Flea-beetle. — This is a shining blue-black flea- beetle ^-inch long, which sometimes appears in large numbers on grape vines when the buds are bursting, and again late in sum- mer. The grub is of a dirty, yellowish-brown, with black shining bristle-bearing tubercles on the body. This, like the matuie beetle, feeds on the foliage which it riddles with holes. Fig. 23 shows the Fig. 23.— The Qrape Yine Flea-beetle enlarged ; the hair line at the side indicates its Grape-vine i i ^l <=> ' Flea beetle. I'eal length. Remedies. — Dusting the vines in early spring when the beetles appear with Paris green and lime (1 lb. to 50), or spraying ^Ib. Paris green to 50 gallons of water. Clean culture and the burning of all leaves and rubbish, as well as keeping the ground smooth, will prevent the mature beetles, which pass the winter in that state, from hibernating near the vines. The Snowy Tree-cricket. — This is not so fre- quently injurious to the grape as to the raspberry, of which, however, Prof. Saunders (Insects Injurious to 24.-TheSnow^ Tree-cricket. ^^^^^^^ "^'J^^l considers it the most troublesome enemy. The injury is committed by the female in the operation of depositing her eggs. These are laid in the autumn in long rows of punctures which weaken the stems so that they break easily. The young hatch out in the spring and feed upon other small insects. The injured twigs should always be cut out and destroyed. Fig. 24 shows the female of the Snowy Tree-cricket life- size. The Large Eed-headed Flea-beetle. — This beetle belongs to an extensive family of injurious beetles, the Chrysomelidce, and is a slender beetle ^ of an inch in length by yig in width at the widest part. The whole body is black and shining, with a dull red patch on the top of the head in front. The beetle was particularly troublesome last season and attacked a great variety of plants. Potatoes and horse-beans, many kinds of deciduous shrubs and particularly grapes were at times badly damaged. Mr. Craig found it very injurious to young grape vines at Ottawa. Its attacks were worst on those varieties which belonged to the thin-leaved grapes derived from Vitis riparia. The greatest damage was done to some young seedlings which were not trained on trellises and which had not been sprayed with fungicides. Remedy. — Spraying infested plants with Paris green, ^ lb. to 50 gallons water. THE BLACK VINE WEEVIL (Otiorhynchus sulcatus. Fab.). Attack. — Snout beetles, three-tenths of an inch in length, black, spotted with white, which attack foliage of various plants. In the larva! state, yellowish white grubs, with head darker, which attack the roots. It may be specially noted as bearing on the question of remedies, that the wing cases which in most beetles are separate and cover true wings, in this family are joined together, and the beetles have no wings, so that they can only reach their food plant by crawling. Last winter I received from Mr. G. A. Knight, of Victoria, B.C., some specimens of Coleopterous larvae. He wrote later : — " February 25. — I received your letter some time ago, asking for some more grubs. They are now turning into beetles, so I send them on. They are from Cyclamen plants in the green-house." " March 31. — The weevil grubs only eat the roots of the Cyclamens and make them sickly and unsaleable. I had thrown my plants away before I received your last letter. I only grow a few Cyclamens, there being little demand for them. I raise the plants from seed every year. I think I have seen a few of these larvae out of doors. They attack lots of other plants in the green-house beside Cyclamens. REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST. 183 Gloxinias and Adiantum8 they are very bad on, eating the roots of the Gloxinias and the young fronds close to the roots of the Adiantums." The Black "Vine Weevil is a rare insect in Canada. In the Canadian Entomolo- gist, XXIII. (1891), page 72, Mr. W. Hague Harrington writes : " Otiorhynchus sulcatus, Fab., was found by me at Sydney, C.B., Nova Scotia, in August, 1884, and again in September last. It is apparently quite abundant, as at several points I found fine fresh specimens under boards, &c. Provancher states that this beetle is common in Quebec, and adds: 'We think that its larva lives in haws, as we have nearly always found it beneath hawthorns and apple trees.' " It may be noted that this last suggestion is erroneous, as the larvse live in the soil and attack roots. In 1891 I received a specimen of this weevil from Mr. W. H. Danby, of Victoria, B.C., and later, as recorded above, specimens came from Mr. Knight of the same place. These are the only records that I know of, of the occurrence of this insect in the Dominion. In Insect Life, III., page 37, Mr. E. A. Schwarz says : " Otiorhynchus sulcatus occurs in both North America and Europe. In the latter country it has been frequently mentioned as an enemy to grape vines, strawben-ies and other cultivated plants. In North America, Dr. J. A. Lintner (Second N.Y. Rep., 1885, p. 51) introduced it, on the testimony of Mr. S. Henshaw, as a species injurious to 'bulbs and house plants,' Mr. Henshaw's statement apparently referring to injury done in Massachusetts. Quite recently Dr. H. A. Hagen {Psyche, V., 1890, No. 167-68, p. 33H) states that this species has injured Cyclamens in green-houses at Montvale, Mass., the flowers being destroyed, and in some instances the bulbs injured. As to the probable future course of this pest, we do not anticipate that its injury will be a very serious one, nor that it will spread very much. The species was already known from North America to coleopterists more than sixty years ago, and is confined to the extreme north-eastern portion of the country (from New York northward to Newfoundland and Nova Scotia). For this reason we are inclined to believe that it is not an imported species, but that it belongs (with the other species of Otiorhynchus known from North America) to the cii-cumpolar fauna." By a further note (/nsect Life,lY., p. 222), it is shown that the weevil has a great partiality for ferns, and it is stated to be '' still comparatively rare in this country. In Europe it has long been known as a pest attacking the grape, strawberry and raspberry, and Miss Ormerod records an instance of its having ravaged a field of mangel-wurzels in England. The beetle feeds at night and remains under shelter during the day. Its nocturnal habits reader it comparatively easy to deal with. The larvse are not so readily destroyed, but the beetles may be shaken at night from the plants infested by them or may be captured by what is known as the chip-trap process, both well known methods employed against the native Plum Curculio." In the letter given above by Mr. Knight it is shown that this insect is capable of committing considerable injury in British Columbia, and it is probable that less careful observers have overlooked it. FOREST TREES. Forest insects have not been brought before the department very much during the past season, most of the injuries reported having been to cultivated shrubs. The most serious of these is by the Western Ten-lined June bug {Polyphylla decem- lineata. Say) upon nursery trees in Yaucouver Island. Grubs were sent by Mr. G. A. Knight, of Yictoria, who had found them very destructive in his nursery. He wrote : " I send you some young plants of Oupressus Lawsoniana to show how plants of dif- ferent kinds are attacked by these pests. They are also very bad on strawberries and young cherry trees. In fact, I know nothing that they will not attack. They are also very hard on young grafts, such as Irish yews, Cedrus Deodara and C. Libani, Araucarias, etc. There appears to be no remedy for this destruction in a nursery because the plants are dead before one knows that the grubs are at work. The onlj- way seems to dig up the plant and kill the grub." 184 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. "March 31. — I send you some more large grubs and somesm:!!! ones that I found with them. A few days ago I was digging up two rows of young plum trees raised from cuttings, and found about one hundred of the large grubs and a large number also of the small ones." In July last Mr. Knight also sent me the larvae, chrysalides and a perfect beetle with the following note : " Last week I was forking among the roses and I found about thirty chiysalides. 1 forward you some of them. The grubs are playing havoc again this season." This large handsome beetle is 1\ inches in length by over \ inch wide. It is shaped like the ordinaiy June-bug, is of a tawny brown appearance with four white stripes and a short dash from the shoulders on each wing case. The colour of the wing cases is really black, but they are so covered with tawny scales as to give the beetle a brown appearance. The thorax is piceous, bears three longitudinal white stripes and is covered with tawny scales. The whole of the thorax beneath is densely covered with long silky down, which also appears above as a conspicuous tuft between the thorax and the wing cases. Abdomen beneath banded with white. A remarkable character in this genus is that in the antennae of the males, the terminal joint is very much enlarged and curved, in this species finch in length. It consists of seven plates closely apprcssed together. The larva from which this large beetle comes is a formidable enemy. When full-grown and stretched to its full length, it is 2J inches in length, by f inch wide. The body is curved and white. The bead pale chestnut, the mandibles black. Thoracic feet long and slender. When full grown, it forms a iarge cell nearly 3 inches in length by I inch in diameter and changes to a pupa from which the perfect beetle emerges two or three weeks later. I regret to say that for the present, I am unable to suggest any practical remedy. Canker-worms, the larvae of two Geometrid moths (Anisopteryx vernata, Peck, and A. pometaria, Harris), were very abundant in the Ottawa district last spring. Only one instance, however, came under my notice of their attacking fruit trees. They were Fig. 25.— Canker-worm 80 abundant in the woods that basswoods (Tilia), ashes, and maples (Acer dasycarpum, Ehrh.) were in some places almost defoliated. In Win- nipeg they were very abundant upon the ash-leaved maples grown as shade trees. Through the commendable efforts of Mr. W. G. Fonseca, of that city, some of the residents were induced to spray their trees with Paris green, and as a consequence many trees were saved. The result of this spraying will also show itself in the future. The ISTequndo Plant-louse (Chaitophorus negundinis, Thomas). — For several years complaints have been received from Manitoba of an injurious ])lant-louse upon the ash-leaved maples (Wegundo), but I always failed to obtain specimens until this year, when a letter was received through Mr. S. A. Bedford fi*om Mr. Thomas Partington, town clerk of the town of Selkirk, Man., as follows: — " June 9. — I inclose sprig of maple for your inspection. All the maples in the town (and we have hundreds of them planted) are covered with these lice, and we are afraid the trees will be ruined. Will you please advise me what to do. Would spraying with tobacco water do, or smoking smudges made underneath have any effect? Kindly advise us as soon as possible." At the same time other specimens were received from the same place, from Mr. A. H. Vaughun. Both of the above were advised to use the ordinary Kerosene emulsion. Subsequently I received the following very satisfactory letter: — "July 10. — In re insects on trees, I thank you for your letter and Bulletin 11. We tried the Kerosene emulsion and found it quite effectual. I think 9 parts of water to 1 of emulsion is a little too strong. With 20 gallons of oil and soap and 12 times as much water we have sprinkled and saved many hundreds of large trees." — Thomas Partington, Town Clerk, Selkirk, Man. REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST. 185 LIV^E STOCK. THE HORN- FLY (Hcematobia serrata, Eob-Desv.). On page 144 of my last year's report I referred to a new cattle pest which had appeared in Canada for the first time in the summer of 1892. This was the Cattle Horn-fly, Hceinatobia serrata, of which an enlarged representation is given here- with. The perfect insect is shaped much like the Common Cattle-fly or the House- fly, but is smaller and slighter, being only one-sixth of an inch in length, that is, one- third the size of those insects. The colour is dark graj' with a yellowish sheen, and the body is covered with short black bristles. The head consists almost entirely of the dark-red silver-edged eyes, but bears on its lower surface the black dagger- shaped tongue which is the cause of so much torture to cattle. When not in use this organ is carried projecting in front of the head. This pest will be at once distin- guished from the ordinary Cattle-fly by its smaller size, greater activity and a char- acteristic habit of gathering in clusters upon the horns of cattle, for which reason Fig. 26.— The Hom-Hy. Enlarged. it is now generally known as the Horn-fly. It is also for some unaccountable reason often referred to as the " Texas fly." This is only the second year since it first appeared in Canada, but it has increased and spread so quickly, that it has produced great consternation among cattle owners. The frequent assertion that the flies or the maggots have caused the death of cattle by boring into the horns, head or body, is entirely inaccurate: the whole injury is due to the bites of the fly ; however, the irritation from this cause is in many cases 80 great that animals fall off" rapidly both in flesh and yield of milk. The life history is briefly as follows : — The matui'e flies appear early in spring and lay their eggs upon the fresh droppings of cattle. These soon hatch and the maggots live in the dung while it is in a moist condition. They then turn to pupae in or beneath the dung, and the flies again appear within two or three weeks from the time the eggs were laid. There can thus be several broods in a season. The enormous increase and rapid spread of this insect throughout the provinces of Ontario and Quebec caused naturally enough, as stated, great consternation among stock owners and dairymen. In many districts the loss was most serious, and I have been informed by cheese-makers that during July in the several districts the amount of milk supplied by their patrons was reduced at least to half the quantit}- it would have been, but for these pests. A large number of letters were received asking for remedies. The following are selected to show how severe the injuries were, although from what I have been told at farmers' meetings, these do not at all indicate the real extent of the loss in many districts of both Provinces. " July 18. — Will you kindly send me recipe for the fly pest on cattle ? The milk has gone down tremendously in this section during the past week owing to the flies." — Ogden Hinch, Napanee, Ont. "July 30. — The horn-fly is playing the mischief hereabouts and we must take prompt measures to fight the pest and minimize the loss it is entailing. The falling off in milk production within a week has been about 25 per cent, in spite of the fact 186 - EXPERIMENTAL FABMS. that frequent rains have kept the pastures in unusually good condition for the sea- son. The milk delivered at a local creamery has diminished in eight days or so from 21,000 to 15,000 lbs. This you will see is a serious matter." — C. H. Parmelee, Waterloo, Que. " August 10. — Please send me a horn-fly Bulletin. The flies are very bad and ihe cows are shrinking and other cattle losing flesh in a frightful way. I have been spraying my cows, etc., for a fortnight with Kerosene emulsion as recommended; but it seems to do but little good. Have you found anything better at Ottawa?" — Sydney A. Fisher, Knowlton, Que. So great was the demand for information on this subject from the Province of Quebec that the French edition of Bulletin 14 on the Hgrn-fly was soon exhausted, and by instruction of the Honourable Minister of Agriculture, I prepared a revised edition which was printed and distributed widely. At the same time I also prepared a single-sheet illustrated circular for publication in newspapers. Copies of this circular were sent to the leading French and English newspapers, together with stereotypes of the above figure, and by that means many who would not otherwise have been reached, obtained the information required to enable them to protect their cattle. The following are the remedies which I have suggested: — Remedies. — Almost any greasy substance rubbed on the animals will keep the flies away for several days. A number of experiments were tried in the field, with the result that train-oil alone, and train-oil or lard with a little sulphur, oil of tar or carbolic acid, added, will keep the flies away for from five to six days, while with a small proportion of carbolic acid it will have a healing effect upon any sores which may have formed. Axle-grease, tallow, and any such greasy substance can be used to advantage, but train-oil or fish-oil seem to be more lasting in their effects than any others experimented with. The safest and most convenient way of using carbolic acid is in the shape of carbolized oil which can be prepared by dissolving one ounce of crystallized or liquefied carbolic acid in 1 quart of oil. Train oil, fish oil, tanner's oil, olive oil or any other fixed oil will answer; but not coal oil, as carbolic acid is not soluble in this liquid. The crude carbolic acid does not dissolve easily in fixed oils, and there- fore must not be used. Instances have been reported to me of injury to animals, and the hands of operators, when the crude has been substituted for the purer form of carbolic acid. An effective and undoubtedly the easiest remedy to apply, if a small spray pump be used, is the Kerosene emulsion ; which consists of the following : — Kerosene (coal oil), 2 quarts ; rain water, 1 quart; common hard soap, 2 oz. Boil the soap in the water till all is dissolved ; then while boiling hot, turn it into the coal oil, and churn it constantly and forcibly with a syringe or force pump for five minutes, when it will be of a smooth creamy nature. If the emulsion be perfect, it will adhere to the surface of glass without oiliness. As it cools it thickens into a jelly-like mass. This gives the stock emulsion, which roust be diluted before using with nine times its measure (that is, twenty-seven quarts) of water. It will be found to mix much more easily if done at once, before it cools. The above proportions give three quarts of the stock emulsion, which with twenty-seven quarts of water added make up thirty quarts of the mixture ready for use. This may be applied to the animals by means of a sponge, brush, rag, or, what will certainly be found most convenient where there are many animals to treat, by means of a force pump and spray nozzle. The emul- sion thus made and sprayed over the cattle kills all the flies it reaches, and if repeated twice a week will almost entirely relieve cattle from annoyance. Another method of diluting the coal oil is to make the emulsion with milk instead of soap and water. Take sour milk, one part ; coal oil, two parts. Mix the two thoroughly, as described above for the soap emulsion. Then dilute with water, so that one part in ten will be coal oil. Prof. H. A. Morgan, of the Louisiana Experiment Station, has tried some experiments during the past year with various materials, the results of which he summarizes as follows : — " It was soon found that none of the solutions were of much value except Kerosene and Fish-oil emulsions, and after a third trial, all were discarded except these. At this time the Fish-oil emulsions had shown superiority REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST. 187 over the Kerosene, and further trials soon showed that animals after four or five days from time of spraying with Fish-oil emulsion were free from attack of flies, while those upon which Kerosene emulsion had been used weie more or less annoyed." (^Louisiana Exp. Station Bull., 2nd series, No. 22.) Fish-oil emulsion differs from Kerosene emulsion only in the substitution of fish-oil for coal oil or kerosene. A good way to fight this pest will doubtless be to prevent it from breeding and increasing. As stated above, the maggots can live only in the moist droppings of cattle. Any means, therefore, which will insure the drying up of these before the maggots uje full grown, will destroy them. This can be done most easily by spreading the dung out in the pastures regularly and at short intervals. Twice a week would be sufficient, and it would be equally effective in wet weather when the substance would be washed away, as in hot weather when it would be dried up. Where the flies gather in large numbers, on the ceilings and walls of stables in cool weather, or when driven from the cattle by applications, they can be destroyed by spraying them with either Kerosene emulsion or a strong decoction of Pyrethrum Insect Powder. Dusting them with dry Pyrethrum powder by means of an " insect gun " would also be effective. In studying the history of this insect since it first appeared in North America in 1887, 1 have noticed that at the places where some years ago its attacks were very severe, it is now much less troublesome. I was, therefore, led to hope that after a time, the considerable loss which Canadians are now suffering from the Horn-fly, would be much less. Correspondence with entomologists confirmed this view. In reply to letters, onthis point and with regard to any new remedies which might have been discovered, addressed to the United States Entomologist, and other specia- lists who have studied this pest, I have received the following : — " Yours of 25th has l^een received during Prof. Eiley's absence. We have found nothing better than Kerosene emulsion for the protection of cattle from the Horn- fly. In answer to your second question, I may say that it has been almost the invariable rule that the second year the flies are worst, and after this bad second year the numbers are fewer. We have explained this on the ground that native parasites preying ordinarily on native dipterous larvae in cow-dung acquire a taste for the Horn-fly larvae after a short time." — L. 0. Howard, Acting Entomologist, Washington, D.C. "Concerning the Horn-fly, I have nothing new in the way of remedies. As I have stated on several occasions, the insect is not now troublesome in our State, and there is no necessity for applications of any kind to cattle. Our farmers found fish-oil with a little carbolic acid to be much the most satisfactory material that could be used, and I never could induce any to try the Kerosene emulsion, A propos of this, at the Madison meeting of the Association of Economic Entomolo- gists, in the course of a discussion, almost all those who had been advocating the use of Kerosene emulsion on live stock, stated that they did not further recommend it, because of the difficulty of getting farmers to make it properly, and of the danger where it is not properly made." — Prof. John B. Smith, New Jersey Agric. Coll. Exp. Station. Prof. W. B. Alwood, of West Virginia, has found that the stock emulsion diluted ten times and mixed with one part of water extract of tobacco waste (made by steeping 1 pound of tobacco stems in 1 gallon of hot water for an hour or more), gave almost perfect immunity for a period of three days, and that two treatments per week almost entirely relieved his cattle from annoyance. He makes the appli- cation with a knapsack pump fitted with a cyclone nozzle, and the work is done just after milking time. His method is as follows: — The animals are driven into an inclosure through a gate which will only admit one at a time. A man with a knap- sack pump on his back stands at the gate and sprays one side of each animal as it passes ; they are then driven out again, and the other side is treated in the same manner. The quantity of liquid thus applied is very small, but has been found sufficient. Prof. Alwood writes recently : — " Concerning treatment of Horn-fly I am pro- ceeding still just as given in my note at Washington meeting. (^See above). Of Igg EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. course details vary with conditions and surroundings. The Horn-fly has given no trouble to speak of, this season. It began its depredations here in 1889, was bad in 1890 and 1891, less so last year, and was scarcely noticed this year after July." With reference to the remedies above given I must mention that I have had complaints from two or three, that the Kerosene emulsion did not protect the cattle for a sufficient time to make it worth while to apply it. I, therefore, have experi- mented to tind something more effective. The results of these experiments were that, when the flies are at their worst, it is necessary to spray cattle with the ordinary Kerosene emulsion every two days. Tanner's oil containing some car- bolized oil, oi- oil of tar, is more lasting in its effects, but takea longer to apply and requires much greater labour. DIVISION OF BOTANY. A large number of additions have been made during the year to the collection of shrubs and trees in the Arboretum; many species of the following genera were allotted places in their own groups in the Botanical garden, viz., the Ashes (Fraxinus), the Lilacs (Syringa), the Elms (Ulmus), the Meadow Sweets \Spircca), the Withe bushes ( Viburnum)^ the Poplars and Willows {Salicacece) , and in addition to these, several specimens were added to other orders of plants. Many plants were set out in the border for perennials, and the seeds of others were sown for future transplantation. At present the collection of trees and shrubs in the Arboretum consists of 600 different species and varieties, all of which are arranged to show the individual species to the greatest advantage and grouped in families. There are in nearly all cases two specimens of each kind. Notes have been taken as to the comparative beauty of the diffei'ent varieties of flowering shrubs, their hardiness at Ottawa and the dates at which they flower. Herbarium specimens have also been taken to show to any one wishing to know the appearance of the best and hardiest shrubs and ornamental trees before purchasing. The following is a list of the orders repi'esented in the Arboretum, with the numbers of species in each order : — Anacardiacese 9 Magnoliacea^ 1 Anonacese .- 1 Moraceai 5 Araliat-ese 1 Myricacese 3 Berberidacese 12 Oleaceae 60 Betulacese 13 Platanaccse 2 Bignoniacese . 5 Rharanacese 6 Caprifoliaceae 51 Rosaceas 64 . Celastracese 9 Eutacese 2 Composilse.... 1 Salicacese 56 Coniferse 83 Sapindacese 34 Cornacese 18 Saxifragacese 27 Cupuliferse 47 Simarubacese 1 Ebenace^e 1 Sohmacese 1 Elseagnaceae 12 Tei-nstroemiacese 1 Eiicacese 1 Thymelaceae 1 Hamamelacese 2 Tiliaceas 8 Juglandacese 9 UrticacefB 27 Lauracese 2 Yerbenacese 1 Leguminosse 23 REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST. 189 AWNLBSS BEOMB, AUSTRIAN BEOME (^Bromus inermis, Leyss). This grass which has sprung rapidly into favour with most who have tried it, has now been under cultivation at Ottawa for 6 years. It has been reported upon favourably two or three times (C. E. F. Annual Report, 1890, p. 185; 1891, p. 213; 0. E. F. Bulletin 19, p. 10.) and all reports which are now being received, particularly from the North-west Territories, are almost univer- sally in praise of it. In order to get it known as soon as possible in those districts where such a grass was urgently needed, samples were distributed to farmers in all parts of Canada in rather larger packets than those which were included in the col- lections of desirable grasses sent out for testing. From such reports as are to hand, I am therefore able to speak more confidently of the value of this grass than if the opinion were formed only upon my experience with it here at Ottawa. It is a perennial with a running rootstock. It is conspicuous for its free leafy growth and tall stems which bear an abundance of good seed. It has proved itself to be very hardy, earlier than most of the grasses in cultivation, and a heavy cropper. It flowers at Ottawa in the last week of June. On good rich moist soil it har? produced over 3| tons of hay to the acre, and later a heavy after- math of succulent leafy shoots. It has great power to withstand drought, as has been observed by my Fig. 27.— Awnless Brome Grass. western correspondents. Prof. S. M. Tracy, Director of the Mississippi Experiment station and one of the leading specialists of economic grasses in the United States, says of it: "This is nearly I'elated to the well-known 'rescue grass,' but is decidedly superior in its more permanent character and ability to thrive on drier and less fertile soil. It starts into growth with the autumn rains, and is fresh and green during the winter months, being uninjured by our heaviest frosts." (This is in Mississippi, but it is equally true in Canada. — J. F.) " It forms a compact sod so firm as to prevent the growth of other grasses and weeds, and the yield of forage is larger than from any other winter grass we have tested. It is eaten well by all kinds of stock." {U.S. Dept. of Ag. Rep., 1892, p. 209.) On the whole we consider this one of the most valuable of the introduced grasses, both from its feeding qualiiies as evinced by the following analysis made by Mr. Shutt, in which it is shown to be rich in albuminoids and at the same time low in fibre, and also for its free luxuriant habit of growth, its earl iness, heavy aftermath and hardy nature. The seed is light and should be sown by hand when there is a slight breeze. It may be sown from 28 to 35 lbs. to the acre """ lbs. to the bushel. The seed weighs 14 Analysis of Awnless Brome. Water 63 Ash. 3 Protein (albuminoids) 4 Fibre 11 Carbohydrates , 17-27 Fat 0-42 Green Plants. 02 12 99 18 100-00 Water-free Substance. 0 8 •45 13 50 30 24 46 65 1 16 100-00 190 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. GRASS FOE THE PROTECTION OF SHORES AND HARBOURS. Inquiries are frequently made for the seeds of grasses to be grown as binders of shores and sand banks. During July last, information was sought on this sub- ject by Mr. E. T. P. Shewen, resident engineer of the Department of Public Works "at St, John, N.B., Mr. Shewen writes: — " August 30. — My object in using the grass is to stop the dry drift of sand which is now filling a harbour. The beach I wish to protect at Cape Traverse is flooded in gales." At the time I received the above letter I had neither seed nor plants of the true Beach grass, J.m wop /«7(Z arundinacea,'Rost.,(=Galamagrostis arenaria, B,oih,:=Psamma nrenaria, R. & Sch.), nor could I, although it is a, native of Canada, obtain any from seedsmen or others. In 1890 I received from Mr. John Mather of Ottawa, seeds of that grass and the closely similar Elymus arenarius, L., both imported from Scotland by him for the very purpose desired by Mr. Shewen. Of all the seed sown of both species, only two plants of Elymus arenarius, Sea Lyme grass, grew, and these have increased and spread enormously since they were first put out in 1891. These two grasses are extremely alike in appearance and habit of growth, in fact in everything except their inflorescence. I therefore sent Mr. Shewen in September about 100 sets of this grass and some of the seed. Some time in October I had the pleasure of show- ing Mr. Artemas Howatt of Tryon, Prince Edward Island, over the grass beds and was explaining the uses of the Sea Lyme grass to him, when he told me he was sure it, or a similar grass, grew on the shores of Prince Edward Island. It at once occurred to me that the grass he spoke of might be the Beach grass I had been try- ing to get. He kindly sent me, on his return home, a good supply of the I'oots and some of the seeds from which I saw it was the true Beach grass. I at once wrote to Mr. Shewen, and he has corresponded with Mr. Howatt with a view to getting a supply of the grass roots. These two grasses mentioned are probably the best varieties for growing for the purpose named, on the sea shore, where the disturbance is sometimes very great. Indeed this disturbance seems to be a necessary factor towards their full development. They will however flourish inland and at localities where they are in noway affected by the sea or its influences, as I have found at Ottawa. On lake and river shores the difterent forms of Agropyrum repens, L., (Quack, Couch, Scutch, etc.) may be grown, or the Holy grass (also called " Indian Hay " and " Yanilla Grass," Hierochloa borealis, R. & S.). A trial might also be made with the new fodder grass, Bromus inermis, Leyss, (Awnless or Austrian Brome grass). When it can be obtained, however, it is probable that the true Beach grass (Ammophila arundinncea) is the best of all for protecting harbours, and after that the Sand Lyme Grass (Elymus arenarius'). The following extract from Sowerby's English Botany, will show the great value of this grass for the purpose recommended: "This grass is known as Mat grass or Murram. Dr. Prior says, the latter name is derived from the Gaelic muram or the Danish marhalm, sea haulm or straw. Its value as a natural sand-binder cannot be overrated ; many thousand acres, on various parts of our coast, are preserved from being overwhelmed by the drifting sand by means of its agency. In the latter part of the last century a large district on the eastern side of Scotland, near the Moray Firth, was completely destroyed and rendered in a few years as desert as the Sahara by the advance of the sand from the shore, owing to the wanton destruction of the Murram that grew upon it. This grass, therefore, when found growing on sandy shores, should always be carefully preserved by proprietors of land. Acts of Parliament have been passed to protect it, which are but little attended to; and in Holland it is said that its destruction is a penal offence. The strong underground stems, which render it so valuable as a protection against the action of the wind and waves, are capable of being made into ropes ; and people near the coast often plait them into mats, whence one of the common names of the grass. Professor Buckman says: ' We have exhumed rhizomata of this grass several feet REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST. 191 in length, and as these mat and weave together, in the position indicated, they act as powerful conservators of the coast-line, and we cannot help thinking that the Psamma might be cultivated with advantage with the view of keeping together some of our slippery railway embankments. To this it may be objected that it is a maritime species ; but inasmuch as we have grown it on the sandy clays of the Forest Marble, far remote from the seaside, we have no fear of its success on this account.' " The following is extracted from " Grasses and Forage Plants " by Charles L. Flint (Boston, 1887), and shows what an important role the plant has played in the history of apart of the American coast : "This grass is very generally diffused on sea coasts over the world and is found inland on the shores of Lake Superior. It has also been cultivated by way of experiment and with success on the sands at Lowell, Massachusetts, and still further up on the banks of the Merrimack Eiver, Though not cultivated for agricultural purposes, it is of great value in protecting sandy beaches. It is preserved in England and Scotland by act of Parliament. It flowers in August. "As it is of national importance in protecting our sandy coasts, some account of its culture may not be inappropriate or uninteresting. The town of Provincetown, once called Cape Cod, where the Pilgrims first landed, and its harbour, still called the Harbour of Cape Cod, — one of the best and most important in the United States, suffi- cient in depth for ships of the largest size, and in extent sufficient to anchor three thou- sand vessels at once, — owe their preservation to this grass. To an inhabitant of an inland country it is difficult to conceive the extent and the violence with which the sands at the extremity of Cape Cod are thrown up from the depths of the sea, and left on the beach in thousands of tons, by every driving storm. These sand-hills, when dried by the sun, are hurled by the winds into the harbour and upon the town. A correspondent at Provincetown says : * Beach grass is said to have been culti- vated here as early as 1812. Before that time, when the sand drifted down upon the dwelling-houses, as it did whenever the beach was broken, to save them from burial, the only resort'was to wheeling it off with barrows. Thus tons were removed every year from places that are now (owing to the cultivation of this grass) perfectly secure from the drifting of sand. Indeed, were it not for the window glass in some of the oldest houses in these localities, you would be ready to deny this statement; but the sand has been blown with such force and so long against this glass as to make it perfectly ground. I know of some windows through which you cannot see an object, except to remind you of that passage where men were seen ' as trees walking.' " "The mode of culture is very simple. The grass is pulled up by hand and placed in a hole about a foot deep, the sand is then pressed down upon it. These holes are dug about one foot and a half apart. The spring is the usual time of planting, though many do this work in the fall or winter. The roots of the grass, from which it soon covers the ground, are very long ; I have noticed them ten feet, and I suppose upon high hills they extend down into wet sand. "Congress appropriated, between the years 1826 and 1839, about $28,000, which were expended in setting out Beach grass near the village of Provincetown, for the protection of the harbour. From the seed of that grass it is estimated that nearly as much ground more has become planted with it, as was covered by the national government. In 1854 five thousand dollars were wisely expended by the general government in adding to the work; and the experience of former years was of great value to the efficiency of this latter effort." The Beach grass and Sand Lyme grass are harsh coarse grasses with tough pale grayish leaves and spread by long underground root stocks. The leaves are tipped with a sharp hard spike which is capable of piercing the skin. The chief difference between these two grasses is a botanical one, viz., in the arrangement of the flowers ; for practical purposes they are so much alike that, if the true Beach grass cannot be obtained, the Sand Lyme grass may be used, but it has not apparently power to spread quite as rapidly. 192 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. As to the fodder value of these grasses, we have made no experiments ; but the following extracts bear on this point: — " Psamma arenaria. — This grass seems to be indestructible by drift sand, and authorities differ as to whether it is eaten by stock ; but the park ranger at Port Fairy says they eat it ravenously in winter and thrive well upon it." (^Report of Agric. Bureau of South Australia for 1892, p. 12.) " Elymus arenarius. — Sinclair calls this grass the sugar-cane of Great Britain. It contains a large quantity of saccharine matter, and it is probable that, mixed with beach grass, as it is in Holland, it would be valuable to cut up and mix with com- mon hay for winter feed." (C.L.Flint. Grasses and Forage Plants, p. 120.) « TUMBLE WEEDS. Tumble Mustard (Sisymbrium sinapistrum, Crantz). This new pest in the ISTorth-west Territories is still very abundant about Indian Head, notwithstanding the efforts which have been made by Mr. Mackay and others to eradicate it. Mr. Mackay writes from Indian Head under date Nov. 14: — " We were almost buried yesterday with a neighbour's tumble weed. A hurricane blew all day from the North-west, and the edge of a field adjoining the farm is now 10 feet deep with this weed. The trees are full and fences cannot be seen for bank of weeds. The result of yesterday's blow will be to give us many extra days' work next summer, for millions of seeds have been left on the farm. Looking between here and the town while the weeds were galloping along, the prairie seemed like the ocean with a big storm blowing." It is needless to say that every effort should be put forth now to eradicate this annual weed, as it is evidently one of the very worst pests which has ever been introduced into the country. The name " Tumble Mustai-d," pro- posed by Prof W. M. Hays of the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment station, is, I think, particularly appropriate for this pest, for, as he says, " it draws attention to the important fact that the weed combines the spreading power of a 'tumbler' with the longevity of seeds of a mustard." The weed which more than any other has always been known as Tumble weed in the west is Amarantus albus, L. The Russian Thistle, Eussian Tumble Weed (Salsola Kali, L., var. Tragus, DC.) This plant which has attracted so much attention in the United States, has not yet been found in Canada ; but it is well to warn our farmers to take every pre- caution against its introduction. The United States Government has issued a timely bulletin by Mr. L. H. Dewey, Assistant Botanist of the United States Department of Agriculture, illustrated by figures of the plant in different stages, and of the seed enlarged. The Farmer's Advocate, of London, Ont., has wisely published a warning article to Canadian farmers, giving quotations of the above, and reproductions of the figures. The publishers have kindly lent me the figures used in that article for this notice. These will serve to draw attention to the plant and show those who have not seen the above articles, .what its appearance is. It is not a true thistle, but is a variety of the European Salt-wort, and is related to the lamb's quar- ters and spinach. It takes its name " thistle " from the fact that, as the seeds ripen, the stems develop at each joint instead of leaves three sharp spines. The spines are described as harder than, and as sharp as, those of the Canada thistle, so that farmers have to wrap leather round their horses' legs when cutting grain infested by it. It is an annual, and has been introduced for fifteen years. It has now spread over an area of 30,000 square miles, and is abundant and troublesome over two-thirds of that area. Mr. Dewey says in his bulletin: "In the badly infested areas more than 940,000 acres are devoted to wheat raising. The average loss on this land, which may be attributed to the Eussian Thistle alone cannot be ■ • '•■' *• '-^ / '■' ' ' 'M H O P5 W ^^ s < Pi o I o pq CO <; o REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTAXIST. 193 less than five bushels per acre; and 3,200,000 bushels at the minimum price of 50 cents per bushel (which is considerably less than the average pi-ice) indicates a loss. to the farmers in the two Dakotas of $1,600,000. The loss in other crops, the injuries caused by the spines, and the fires caused by the plants jumping fire-breaks, will bring the tutal loss to something more than $2,000,000 for the year 1892. Fig. 28. Fig. 30. EussiAN Tumble Weed. Fig. 28." -A branch of a mature plant. Fig. 29.- -A young stem showing the nature of the leaves be- fore the flowering period and a single seed enlarged. Fig. 30. — Enlarged details of the prickles, the flower and the seed from which the seed coat has been removed. "These figures may seem alarming, but they are based on conservative esti- mates. If they are alarming to the farmers, it is well, for it is only when alarmed that most men will take effective measures to avoid danger." I have been on the lookout for this weed through my correspondents for the last two years, and my attention was officially directed to it during the past sum- mer by the Immigration Branch of the Department of the Interior. I am glad to be able to report that so far it has not been detected in the Dominion. 8c— 13 REPORT OF THE POULTRY MANAGER. (A. G. Gilbert.) To William Saunders, Esq., Director Dominion Experimental Farms, Ottawa. Sir. — I beg to submit the sixth annual report of the Poultry Department. During the winter of 1891-92 careful watch was taken of the laying stock in order to discover, if possible, the cause of and remedy for egg and feather eating, the two vices fowls in close confinement are most addicted to. The subject is one of the greatest importance, necessitating the closest attention in order that correct conclu- sions may be arrived at. If the fowls eat their eggs, it is apparent that the whole means of money making is gone from the poultiyman, until the practice ceases. Observation was continued last winter and to the notes already made and published the following may be added : — 1. That the vicious practices are most indulged in during the months of February and March. 2. That, unless at once checked on first showing, they continue until the fowls are allowed outside. 3. That the non-layers do not indulge in the vices until the others commence. 4. That the inactivity of the layers, caused by overfeeding, leads to the vices, 5. That the breeds of the more nervous temperaments viz., Black Minorcas, Andalusians, Eed Caps, &c. &c., are most addicted to the practices. 6. That the vices first show among the fowls in the greatest number in one pen. 7. That egg eating began where the laying nests were most exposed to view of the fowls. CONCLUSIONS ARRIVED AT. It must be understood that the fowls were closely confined to their pens from the time winter prevented their running outside, until the snow disappeared in early spring. The conclusions to be arrived at from the foregoing are : 1. It is imperative that the layers be kept in constant activity. 2. That they must have plenty of room to scratch in. 3. That the pullets are better separated (when possible) from the older fowls. 4. That plenty of green stuff should be fed in the shape of clover hay, cabbage, mangels, turnips, &c. 5. That green bones, cut up and fed regularly, are the best preventives. 6. That the laying stock should have access to barn, shed or stable to scratch in, whenever circumstances permit. 7. That the nest boxes must be so arranged that they will be dark and not too easy to get to. 8. The more limited the quarters, the greater the necessity of exercise. 9. The more natural the conditions under which the layers are kept, during the close season, the better for them, the more profitable the result. In the portions of the Dominion where the winters are comparatively mild the care and treatment of the stock are attended by a minimum amount of labour and anxiety. In such localities opportunities to let the layers out for a run frequently occur and the vices mentioned above are not experienced. On the other hand there are portions of the country where necessity compels the housing and the artificial ti-eatment of the layers during certain months. As remarked in report of 1891, it is to persons so situated that the experiments relating to tlie care and management of fowls in winter quarters will be most valuable. REPORT OF THE POULTRY MANAGER. 195 A PEW PLANS FOE THE FARMER. — HOW RANGE AND SCRATCHINQ ROOM MAY BE SECURED. The farmer with one breed, or his ordinary barn yard fowls will have little difficulty or expense in arranging a house so that while it gives some warmth to the layers at night, which is very desirable, will also afford room for them to range, scratch and dust in during the day, and so prevent the vices aforementioned. It is with the object of giving some help in this direction that the following plans are submitted : Diagram No. 1. niL.iiiiiuiium.r.iiTin mriiiTiniiiiiin 2 A. — 1. Platform. 2. Support for roost with notch. 3. Entrance to nests under platform. 4. Slide door to scratching house. B.— 1. Window facing south. 2. String with cabbage at- tached. 3. Space for straw, sand, gravel, &c., to be let down below. The above plan No. 1 represents a house and addition that can be added to the end or side of a barn facing south. A small portion " A " of the end of the barn is partitioned off fur the roosting and la}' :ng room. The ceiling is made low, and under this low ceiling is the platform and roost so placed as to economise the animal heat of the fowls during the cold night, and keep them as comfortable as possible during that period. The roost should be a 2 x 4 inch scantling, broadside down, and placed 10 or 12 inches over a platform which should be two and a half feet wide and eighteen inches from the ground. Under this platform should be the nests so arranged that by boarding the front of the platform, they (the nests) will be kept dark. The partitions of the nests will support the platform. The object of keeping the nests dark is to offer no inducement to the hens to stay in, or about them after the egg is laid, and to keep the other hens from seeing the Qgg^. Egg eating is so prevented and prevention is a great deal easier than the cure. After keeping themselves comparatively warm by scratching busily all day in the scratching room the layers require some warmth during the night and in most poultry houses that is the very time they are coldest. " B." This is an addition that can cheaply be made to the barn and should be to the south. A slide admits the fowls from A to B. On the floor of this scratching 8c— 13^ 196 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. house B is 2\ feet of dry sand, fine gravel, fine coal cinders, ashes, lime and grit in the shape of ground oyster shells, broken mortar or plaster, pieces of old crockery broken up, and any other substances calculated to make the conditions as like those of the outside run, of the open season, as possible. The floor may be of boards or earth but it must be kept perfectly dry. A narrow trough 2 or 2^ inches wide should be attached to the wall so as to permit of the proper feeding of soft food, if given. The object of this scratching house is to keep the layers busy all day and as much as possible out of house A, where they are only wanted to go to roost in and to lay. A fair sized window or windows should be in the south wall so as to admit as much sunlight as possible. The houses can be made as large or as small a's the number of hens require, always allowing 4 feet square for each hen, at the least, in the scratching room, and 8 to 10 inches roosting room for hens of medium and small size. Diagram No. 2. ^S^^gg. Hens' eggs 2^ oz. each or 1 lb. 11 oz. to 1 lb. 13 oz, per doz. The flesh is white and of very superior quality and the body of the fowl is plump and heavy. The chickens are hardy, and grow rapidly, the cockerels showing a development of 1 lb. per month. They are great foragers and require range. They do not seem to lay as many eggs during the close confinement of winter. It is the intention, another yeai', to give a number of pullets of the same age a trial as winter layers. The standard demands the following weights : — Cock, 7 lbs. ; hen, 6 lbs. ; cockerel, 6 lbs. ; pullet, 5 lbs. It will be noticed that the weights are not as great as those called for in the case of the Black Minorcas. LAYBES OF EGGS OF DAEK COLOUR. Light Brahmas. Hens are layers of large coloured eggs, in number about 100 to 110 per year. When in winter quarters eggs are not quite so large as when hens are running at large. Hens' eggs from 2J to 2^ oz. each ; per dozen 1 lb. 9J oz. to 1 lb. 13 oz. Chickens hardy and grow well at development of 14 to 16 oz. per month for cockerels. Layers require to be kept busy in winter quarters and must not be over fed or will get too fat. They are a very popular breed, being quiet and easily kept in bounds by a low fence. The weights demanded by the standard are : cocks, 12 lbs. ; hens, 9^ lbs. ; cockerel, 10 lbs. ; pullets, 8 lbs. They are classed among the Asiatics. Buff Cochins. Of the Asiatic type. A fair layer of richly coloured eggs. Some strains lay much larger eggs than others. At the farm a hen of one strain layed eggs weighing only If oz. each, while a hen of another strain layed eggs 2| oz. each. They require to be kept active when in close quarters, as they put on fat very easily. The weights ai e : cock, 11 lbs. ; hen, 8| lbs. ; cockerel, 9 lbs. ; pullets, T lbs. The chickens are hardy 204 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. and grow well, showing about the same development as the Light Brahma cockerels. They are great favourites with many fanciers and some very fine specimens are held in Ontario. Langshans Are classed as belonging to the Asiatic family. They are a very valuable breed. In England the}^ are much prized as a market fowl on account of their white flesh. ^5«^Ss^-r5^ The hens lay a rich dark brown egg of fair size and in goodly number. The chickens are hardy and grow well. The standard demands the following weights : cock, 9^ lbs.; hen, 7 lbs. ; cockerel, 8 lbs. ; pullet, 6 lbs. Although these weights are necessary to permit of a successful exhibition in the show room, they are as a rule exceeded by the male birds. Barred Plymouth Eocks. REPOR T OF THE PO UL TR Y MAN A GER. 205 Plymouth Kocks. One of the best known breeds on the continent and one of the best for the farmer, who wishes an all round fowl. The pullets and young hens are good layers and the cockerels put on more flesh per month than any breed so far tried at the Expe- rimental Farm. The chickens are hardy and grow well, the cockerels putting on 1 lb. to 1^ lbs. of flesh per month, when properly cared for and fed. Early pullets will lay at age of five to five and a half months. The laying stock require to be kept busy, and the hens must not be overfed as they get fat very easily. The pullets will stand a little more pushing, as the pullets of all heavy breeds will. The hens make excel- lent mothers. There are three varieties of this popular breed, viz. : Barred, White and Bufil The latter is a new comer. Silver Laced Wyandottes. Another breed of American origin and a great favourite with a great many, on account of their laying and table qualities. The cockerels make good growth, showing a development equal to 14 to 16 oz, per month. They are square and. compact in shape. The hens are excellent layers of eggs of fair size : some strains lay large brown eggs, and they make excellent mothers. They come close after the Plymouth Eock as a general purpose fowl. There are three other varieties, the White, Golden and Buff. The white variety is described later on. The weights called for are: cock, 8^ lbs.; hen, 6J lbs. ; cockerel, 7J lbs.; pullet, 5| lbs. THE NEW VARIETIES ON TEIAL. The White Plymouth Eocks, White Wyandottes and the Coloured Dorkings are the three new breeds on trial at the Experimental Farm. The value of the Dorkings, as table fowls, in Great Britain, is well known, and it is hoped by their numerous admirers that they will be much more extensively bred in this country than they have been. The characteristics of the three breeds are given as follows : — White Plymouth Eocks. All the good points of the Barred are claimed for this variety with the additional ones of greater size and whiter appearance of flesh when dressed for market. The latter claim is advanced on the ground that the white '* pin " feathers do not show so darkly as in the barred. In order to give them a fair trial, eggs from two of the best strains in the country were procured and from them 17 pullets and 8 cockerels were hatched. The chickens were strong from their hatching out and made good progress, a cockerel hatched on the 20th May last showing 6 lbs. on the 2l8t Septem- ber. Two others weighed 4 lbs. 5 oz. and 4 lbs. 8^ oz. respectively. The pullets are large and handsome. So far they are fully equal, if not superior, to the barred in growth and robust health. Careful observation well be made of the one variety as compared with the other. The standard weights required are ; cock, 9J lbs. ; hen, 7 J lbs.; cockerel 8 lbs.; pullet, 6 lbs. White Wyandottes. A very promising variety, showing so far, all the good points of the Silver Laced. They are claimed to dress better for market on account of the white pin feathers showing less. The same point it may be remembered, is claimed for the White Plymouth Eocks. From eggs of different strains procured, eleven pullets and ten cockerels were hatched. The chicks displayed hardinesss and grew well. A cockerel hatched on the 30th May last, weighed on 2nd October following, 4 lbs. 206 ^ EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Two cockerels hatched 12th June, weighed 4 lbs. 6 oz., and 3 lbs. 15|- oz. on 13th October. Other weights were 3 lbs. 14 oz., 3 lbs. 11^ oz., 3 lbs. 10 oz. The merits of the breed as furnishing early cockerels for market will be seen. Careful note will be taken of the laying qualities of the pullets. The weights required are: cock, 8^ lbs.; hen, 6J lbs. Cockerel, 7J lbs.; pullets, 5J lbs. Coloured Dorkings. We have no cut of this favourite English breed. There are three varieties, viz., Coloured, Silver Gray and White. Of these, the Coloured are considered the har- diest, although the breeders of the Silver Gray contend there is no diflference. They are a breed that will surely come to the fore on the score of superior quality and quantity of flesh. They are only fair layers. The chickens were equal in hardiness to that of other breeds. A cockerel hatched on the 25th May showed 3 lbs. 8 oz. on the 26th October. An accident resulted in the loss of the other cockerels so that we have the record of only one. The eggs laid by three hens procured last fall were of medium size. The hens show the long compact bodies so characteristic of the breed. The weights by the standard are: cock, 9^ lbs.; hen, 7J ; cockerel, 8 lbs. ; pul- let, 6 lbs Since writing the above a letter was received from Mr. John Dickinson, of Barrie, Ont., in which he states " that with his sons he is breeding Coloured Dor- kings with great success, and that at date of letter, 2nd Dec, he had cockerels hatched late in May last, which weighed 9f lbs." This is certainly a strong endor- sation of the worth of the breed as a market fowl, EGGS LAID AND THE BREEDS WHICH LAID THEM. The winter of 1891-92 will be remembered for its severity. In the poultry buildings of the farm the cold was felt as it was almost everywhere else. The lowest temperature was noted in No. 1, or the house wherein the layers were kept, when the temperature went down to 20° below freezing on the night of the 24th Decem- ber, and it remained so for twelve or fourteen hours afterwards. Outside the ther- mometer registered 28° below zero, accompanied by a strong and piercing wind from the north-west. In previous reports it has been stated that where the laying stock is kept in cold houses, the food instead of going into eggs is drawn upon to furnish animal heat, and it has been urged upon the farmers to keep their fowls in as comfortable quarters as possible, in order to obtain eggs. Attention is also given to the subject in this report for it is one deserving consideration. It will be inter- esting then to note the eggs laid by the different breeds under the circumstances as noted. It will be seen that some of the breeds said to be the best winter layers and hardiest of fowls did not prove themselves so. The breeds which did best during the cold season were the Plymouth Eocks, Black Minorcas, Andalusians, Eed Caps and White Leghorns, as follows : — Plymouth Eocks. There were eleven hens and nine pullets. Of this number seven pullets were separated and reserved for breeding stock. The remainder laid 211 eggs. During Januarj"^ 97, February 53 and March 59. Some of the hens were two years of age and the pullets late. Black Minorcas. Of this breed there were four hens and thirteen pullets. The hens and five of the pullets were kept as breeders. The remaining eight pullets laid 213 eggs. In January 89, February 50 and March 74. REPORT OF THE POULTRY MANAGER. 207 Andalusians. There were eleven hens and seven pullets of which number five of the hens were used as breeders. The remainder laid during the three first months of the year 182 eggs, viz., January 71, February 72, March 39. Eed Caps. There were five hens and six pullets of this breed, three hens and two pullets being reserved as breeders. The remainder laid 165 Qgg^ as follows : January 55, February 69, March 39. White Leghorns. Of this breed there were seventeen hens and twelve pullets. The most of the hens were old and were kept for breeding from. Seven of the pullets were put into the breeding pen in No. 2 house. The remainder laid 157 eggs, viz., Januaiy 32, February 73, March 51. Wyandottes. Nine hens and six pullets, five pullets being reserved as breeders. The remainder laid 79 eggs, January 25, February 31, March 23. Light Brahmas. There were six hens and sixteen pullets of this breed. They were all in one pen and were rather crowded. The pullets were of late hatch. The hens did nothing, the pullets seemed at a stand-still during the cold season, and did not begin to lay until the change of season in the beginning of April. The lesson to be learned from the foregoing is that pullets of this breed must be hatched early, so as to have every opportunity to mature before the winter season begins, and they must not be crowded. This has been remarked in previous reports. Langshans. There were three hens and eight pullets of this breed. The pullets were late of hatch as in the case of the Brahmas and the same remarks made re last named, apply to the former, as their characteristics are about the same. The three hens laid 95 eggs, viz., January 10, February 25, March 27. Several of the pullets were sickly during the early part of the winter and a good deal of trouble was experienced in getting them on their feet and they were never robust. Fine specimens of this breed have been reared this season from superior stock and good results are hoped for, as the breed is a good one. Houdans. There wei-e eleven old hens of this breed kept for breeding stock and such being the case it would be hardly fair to expect an egg record. These liens did not begin to lay until April. White Leghorn-Brahma Cross. There were six pullets of this cross and one of White Leghorn-Plymouth Eock cross. They were of different ages, some being late. Three pullets laid 75 eggs during the first three months of the year, viz., 42 during January ; 30 in February and 3 in March. A number of eggs were eaten during the last named month. In 208 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. April M'hen the fowls got out, the egg eating ceased and the seven pullets laid 133 eggs during the month. In April the seven pullets laid 7 eggs j^er In accordance with the above Mr. Cowley was requested to send the fowl to the address as requested. On the 18th December, Mr. Cowley drove in from Bristol's Corners with a fowl which had died of the disease and the subject was at once for- warded to Dr. Mills. The result of the examination will be awaited with interest. Beginning of Winter Laying. After enjoying a free run outside, the fowls went into winter quarters during the third week in November. The hens were in most cases over their moult, but some were still very ragged. The White Leghorns were the first to lay followed by the Light Brahmas. Up to date none of the pullets had laid. The Poultry Show at the Industrial. During the Industrial Exhibition at Toronto, in September last, the meeting of the Ontario Poultry Association held on the 15th of the month named was attended and upon the invitation of the president an address was delivered on " the value of poultry as a means of revenue to the country and to the farmer." The exhibition of poultry, held in the enlarged and improved poultry building of the Exhibition Association, was the best fall show ever seen on the continent at the time of year. The management, arrangement and judging of the birds were simply magnificent. Increased interest in Poultry. Apart from the numerous excursion parties which visited the Experimental Farm during the early part of the season, the increase in the number of farmer visitors to the poultry department and in the interest taken in the same were most gratifying. A largely increased correspondence and demand for plans of buildings; reports containing details as to management of poultry, &c., indicate a more general appreciation of the value of the poultry department as a means of making money. Improvements. During the past summer season a large piece of land adjoining the poultry building has been fenced in as part of the department, and will afford change of 8c— 14| 212 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. ground for the young chicks next season. The cedur posts in front of the main poultry building and in the runs to the rear have been removed and replaced by a light iron posts and wire netting, the whole presenting a very handsome appearance. In the outside runs in rear of the buildings one and three and to the side of No. 2, grass sods have been laid for one-half the runs and the other portions have been boxed off and filled with sand in one part and gravel in the other. Earth veesus Straw Covered Floors. In No. 1, on main building which contains the laying stock, the floors of the five pens in the south wing have been covered with sand to the depth of three or four inches. A quantity of fine gravel has been mixed with the sand. In the north wing the floors of the five pens are left covered with the straw and chaff heretofore used. The object is to find out the merits of the earth versus the straw covered floor. It is presumed the conditions will be more natural, in so far, that better oppor- tunity will be afforded the layers to dust, scratch in, pick up grit, &c., &c., and that while Qgg laying will be increased, the vices of egg and feather eating will be pre- vented. Pullets of different breeds on trial. A pen of Barred and another of White Plymouth Rock pullets and a pen each of White and Silver Laced Wyandottes are side by side in the south wing of No. 1 house. Note will be taken as to any points of superiority between these different varieties. Trial is also being made of a pen of pullets of the Langshan-Black Minorca cross and other pullets of the White Leghorn-Brahma cross, all of which promise to make good winter layers. I have the honour to be, sir. Your obedient servant, A. G. GILBERT, Manager Foultry Department, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, 5th December, 1893. EXPERIMENTAL FARM FOR THE MARITIME PROVINCES. EEPOET OF WM. M. BLAIR, SUPERINTENDENT. To William Saunders, Esq., Director Dominion Experimental Farms, Ottawa. Sir, — I have the honour to submit herewith the following report of the opera- tions on the Experimental Farm for the Maritime Provinces at Nappan, N. S., during the year 1893. "Weather. The winter of 1892-93 was a cold one. Water pipes that were 4 feet deep in the ground, were frozen in several places. Seeding commenced on April 29th. The spring was fine and dry, with some very warm weather in May. During June the crops suffered much with drought, which continued until July 4th. After that the vegetation was rapid and with good harvest weather the crops were gathered in good condition and were a good average yield. Manure. Some 200 dollars worth of special fertilizers were used, in addition to the farm- yard manure. These combined are gradually bringing up the farm to a good state of fertility. Hat. The hay was a good crop both on marsh and upland — the former as well as the latter readily responding both in quantity and quality to a more perfect drainage. About 110 tons of excellent hay was secured in fine condition. This hay, with roots and grain grown on the farm is consumed by cattle and horses. Thirty-three loads of English hay was secured from 10 acres of upland, while from the marsh land 50 loads of English and 17 loads of broad leaf hay were harvested, there being 30 acres of the former and 16 acres of the latter. The loads averaged 2,200 pounds. About 10 acres of upland, that was in meadow last year, and yielded 30 tons of hay, was this year devoted to pasturage. Winter Wheat. Eight varieties of winter wheat were sown in September, 1 892, all of which were completely winter-killed, while winter rye sown at the same time on the same kind of land yielded 14|- bushels from f bushel seed sown. 214 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS Spring Wheat. Twenty-nine varieties of spring wheat were sown, as stated below, in plots of one-twentieth of an acre each. Four and one-half pounds of seed (equal to 1^ bushels per acre) was sown on each plot, with the results given. Name of Variety. White Fife Great Western Hungarian Mountain. . . Defiance Rio Grande White Connell Wellman's Fife Red Fife Herisson Bearded Red Fern Ladoga Pringle's Champlain. . . Campbell's White Chaff, White Russian . . Colorado Hueston's Azima, Russian . Black Sea Abundance ,. . . . Beta Alpha Carleton Ottawa Prince Advance Stanley Preston Albert Crown te >> tS t; . • ,^ bSj V. o c u t. n gj rj • (O .a « s > P ^ ^ d sa ZCi X ^ May 4 . . Aug. 29. 117 do 4.. do 22. 110 do 4.. do 23. 111 do 3.. do 24. 113 do 3.. do 22. 111 do 3.. do 26. 115 do 3.. do 24. 113 do 3.. do 22. 111 do 4.. do 24. 112 do 3.. do 23 112 do 3.. do 19. 108 do 3.. do 21. 110 do 3.. do 16. 105 do 3.. do 23. 112 do 3.. do 19 108 do 4.. do 24. 112 do 4.. do 24. 112 do 4.. do 19. 107 do 4.. do 20. 108 do 4.. do 19. 107 do 4.. do 23. 111 do 4.. do 22. 110 do 4.. do 22. 110 do 4.. do 21. 109 do 4.. do 21. 109 do 4.. do 21. 109 do 4 . do 24. 112 do 4.. do 21. 109 do 4.. do 23. 111 o ^ ^ CD ^ Q. o T3 a B ^ ..a 1^ iJ Bush .Lbs. 1 18 20 55 25 20 60i 21 00 61^ 20 00 60 20 50 614 25 40 61i 15 40 57 26 20 59| 21 00 62 19 45 62 21 40 60 23 20 55 24 40 59 21 40 59| 26 40 61 20 40 60 10 40 59 20 00 60 22 30 60 19 40 58i 27 00 58" 24 40 59 22 00 57 15 50 60f 21 30 57 26 40 60 21 00 59i 17 00 59 20 00 60 Condition when cut. Long, stiff, bright straw. Long, weak, bright straw. Medium long, stiff, bright straw. Long, stiff, bright straw. do do Medium long, stiff, bright straw. Short, stiff, bright straw. Medium long, medium stiff, bright straw. Short, stiff, bright straw. Medium long, stiff, bright straw. Medium long, medium stiff, bright straw. Long, medium stiff, bright straw. Medium long, stiff, bright straw. Medium long, medium stiff, bright straw. Long, stiff, bright straw. do do Very short, stiff, bright straw. Medium long, stiff, bright straw. Medium long, weak, bright ; some lodged. Medium long, stiff, bright straw. Long, stiff, bright straw. Medium long, weak, bright straw. Medium long, stiff, bright straw. do do do do do do Long, stiff, bright straw. Medium long, stiff, bright straw. do do do do do do REPORT OF MR. WM. M. BLAIR. 215 Barley. Eighteen varieties of barley were sown in plots of one-twentieth acre each. Four and three-quarter pounds of seed was sown on each plot, with the results as stated below. Name of Variety. Sown. Harvested o.S n 1 Y] per Bush. 37 18 20 25 19 15 24 22 18 31 27 32 26 20 18 26 40 20 eld acre. 1 i Condition of Straw when cut. Baxter's Six-Rowed . Rennie's Improved . . (Odessa May do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do 9.. 9.. 9.. 9.. 9.. 9.. 9.. 9.. 9.. 9.. 9.. 9.. 9.. 9.. 9.. 9.. 9.. 9.. Aug. do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do 10.. 11.. •11.. 10.. 15 . 19.. 16.. 21. 21.. 18.. 19.. 22.. 22.. 18.. 19.. 19.. 21. 21.. 93 94 94 93 98 102 99 104 104 101 102 105 105 101 102 102 104 104 Lbs. 4 46 00 00 28 40 18 4 26 32 4 9 32 20 16 2 00 00 m 46| 44 48 45 59 58 49i 5l| 49| 51 50i 49 49 471 48i Medium long, stiff, very rusty. Short, soft, bright. Medium long, soft, bright. Oderbruch Medium long, stiff, bright. Short, stiff, bright. Short, weak, bright ; some lodged. Short, soft, bright. Short, stiff, bright. Short, weak, bright ; some lodged. Medium long, stiff, bright. Mensury Two-Rowed Naked.. Guaymalaye Thanet New Golden Grains . Duckbill Prize Prolific Golden Melon Goldthorpe Very short, weak ; some rust. Short, soft, bright ; some lodged. Short, weak, bright. Canadian Thorpe . . , French Chevalier . . . Improved Chevalier. Common Six-Rowed. Newton Short, stiff, bright. do do Short, weak, bright. Medium long, soft, bright. Short, stiff, bright. Two varieties of cross-bred barley received from the Central Farm, Ottawa, of one pound each, were sown with the following results : — Name of Variety. Sown. Harvested. Number of days maturing. Lbs. per bushel. Condition of Straw when cut. Summit May 20. . do 20.. Aug. 24 do 24... 96 96 48^ 49 Long, weak, bright ; lodged. Medium long, weak, bright ; some lodged. Surprise 216 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Oats. Forty-three varieties of oats were also grown in plots of one-twentieth acre each; four and a quarter pounds of seed being sown in each case, equal to two and a half bushels per acre, from which the following results were obtained : — Name. Victoria Prize Rennie's Prize White. . Flying Scotchman Challenge (Webb's). ... Early English White , . . Poland White Bonanza Early Racehorse Canadian Triumph Welcome Hazlett's Seizure.. Prize Cluster Early Archangel Rennie's New Improved Ligowo Banner Cream Egyptian . . ... Early Blossom American Beauty .... E»rly Etampes Joanette Prolific Black California Prolific Black Tartarian Abundance Doncaster Prize Holstein Prolific Improved Black Tartar ian Early Gothland Rosedale Black Brie Giant Cluster Black Coulommiers Golden Beauty Oderbruch Scottish Chief Siberian Cave Abysinnia Wide Awake Imported Iri.sh Columbus White Wonder American Triumph .... a o May 8. do 8. do 8. do 8. do 8. do 8. do 8. do 8. do 8. do 8. do 8. do 8 do 8. do 8. do 8. do 8. do 8. do 8. do 8. do do do do do do do do do do 9. do 9. do 9 do 9 do 9 do 9 do 9 do 9 do 9 do 9 do 9 do 9 do 9. do 9. do 9. T3 ® > Aug. 11. do 11. do 12. do 11. do 16. do 18. do 18. do 15. do 15. do 10. do 10. do 11. do 12. do 22. do 17. do 17. do 18. do IG. do 14. do 19. do 19. do 19. do 18. do 17. do 14. do 16. do 18. do 18. do 15. do 24. do 24. do 25. do 19. do 19. do 10. do 23. do 18. do 18. do 18. do 17. do 18. do 11. do 23. 3 a 95 95 96 95 100 102 102 99 99 94 94 95 96 106 101 101 102 100 98 103 102 102 101 100 97 99 101 101 98 107 107 108 102 102 93 106 101 101 101 100 101 94 106 u u a u ! -O s- dT3 -,=^ dS i-q ^ Inch. 3 2 4i 3i 2i 3i 4 4 4 4^ 44 3 34 34 4 4 4 44 3 24 4" 3 44 3 3 34 4 3 21 3 3 4 3 3 4 3 3 3 44 113 107 110 107 107 103 110 110 110 110 110 103 107 113 110 111 103 107 107 105 103 103 110 101 101 110 109 101 103 103 105 104 104 104 107 104 104 104 123 Rust. None. do . do . Little None. do . do . do . do . do . do . do . do . do . do . do . Little do None . do . do ., do . do ., do ., do .. do ., do .. do .. do ., do ., Little , do None . , do .. Little do . do None . . Badly . Ripe. Aug. 24. do 18, do 21. do 18. do 18. do 14. do 21. do 21. do 21. do 21. do 21. do 14. do 18. do 24. do 21. do 22. do 14. do 18. do 18. do 16. do 14. do 14. do 21. do 12. do 12. do 21. do 20. do 12. do 14. do 14. do 16. do 15. do 15. do 15. do 18. do 15. do 15. do 15. Sept. 3. Yield per acre. I Bush. lbs. 36 10 32 40 31 40 31 30 .30 30 30 .. 29 20 28 50 27 50 27 40 27 27 40 30 27 10 27 .. 26 50 25 50 25 50 25 40 25 30 24 50 24 40 24 .. 23 50 23 20 23 .. 22 10 22 .. 22 .. 21 20 21 .. 20 30 19 40 19 .. 18 10 17 50 17 40 16 50 16 40 7 . . 1-5 Lbs. 624 62 61 60 62 59 60 60 59 58 60 55 59 604 60 60 59 60 58 61 59 57 58 60 57 60 59 57 56 56 57 57 57 57 56 56 564 56 32 NoTK. —The weights per bushel given here, and also with all other grain tables in my report, are not the maximum weights that the grain could be brought to, but were taken from grain cleaned to a condition fit for milling pui^poses only. REPORT OF MR. S. A. BEDFORD. 231 Cross- bred Wheats. The parentage of the cross-bred varieties referred to in the table is as follows : — (Bearded) Carleton Ladoga female and White Fife male. (Bald) Stanley (Bearded) Preston do Prince do Abundance do Ottawa do Albert (Bald) Alpha (Bearded) Crown do Stonewall.. do Manifold.. . do ANo. 1 do Trial do Beta do Red do do do do do White do do Eed do do do do do do do do White do do do do do Red do do White do do Red do do do do do do do Summary of tests of varieties continued over a number of years. The conditions surrounding even the best conducted field experiments are so variable that any one year's experience should not be considered final and only by repeated tests continued through a number of years can we hope to reach correct conclusions. A number of the leading varieties of grain have now been tested on this farm for several years and a t^hort summary is submitted of the results obtained. The greater portion of these varieties have been grown during four greatly varying seasons and the average results may be considered fairly reliable. In the accompanying table it will be noticed that Blue Stem, a variety grown quite extensively in the North-western States, has given a large average yield, but we find that it matures on an average 4 days later than Red Fife, a great objection here. White Connell gives a slightly larger return than Red Fife, and White Fife somewhat less than Red. The yield from Ladoga averages nearly 9 bushels per acre less than Red Fife, but Ladoga matures on an average eight days earlier. Hungarian Mountain is a hard variety that promises well and I think deserves some attention. Campbell's White Chaff is an early ripening variety, but soft in the berry and not nearly as productive here as the Fifes. 232 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Tables showing the average wheat yields for four years, with average weight per bushel, and days taken to mature. Variety. Blue Stem Pringle's Champlain . . White Connell Rio Grande Hungarian Mountain . Red Fife Defiance French Imperial White Fife Club Green Mountain Red Fern ..... . . , White Russian Emporium Colorado Wellman's Fife Old Red River Gehun Campbell's White Chaff. Golden Drop Ladoga Campbell's Triumph .... Hard Red Calcutta Years included. L890- 1890- 1890- 1890 1890- 1890- 1890- 1890- 1890- 1890- 1890 1890- 1892- 1892- 1890- 1890- 1890 1891- 1890- 18i)0- 1890- 1890 1890- 91-92. .. 91-92-93. 91-92-93. 91-93.... 92-93 ... 91-92-93. 91-92.... 91-92. .. 91-92-93. 92-93.... 92-93 91-92-93! 93... . 93 91-92-93. 92-93.... 92 93.... 92-93.... -92-93.... 92-93.... -91-92-93. 92-93.... -92 Average Average yield per days acre. maturing. Bush. lbs. 34 42 134 33 18 12.^ 32 8 128 32 2 129 31 57 125 31 56 130 31 4 133 30 32 128 30 23 128 29 19 28 34 28 33 28 10 27 40 27 6 26 58 26 6 25 50 24 49 23 2 23 .. 22 36 18 42 120 121 125 122 126 124 119 123 123 122 120 120 Average weight per bushel. 57 58i 59 60 60 57^ 58 62 58 61 60^ 59 58i. 59" 57 60 60i 60 59^ 61 56 59 61 EARLY MEDIUM AND LATE SOWN WHEAT. These experiments which proved so interesting in 1892 have been repeated this year, and the season being different, the results are not quite the same. With one exception the wheat plots yielded in the order they were sown, the first sown giving the best return and decreasing each week after. They also ripened in the exact order of sowing, again emphasizing the fact that to escape fall frosts, wheat should be sown as early as possible. Eod Fife again gave the largest yield, and ripened as early as the Campbell's "While Chaff, the rust on the latter variety appearing to delay its ripening, soil, black loam ^ acre, sown with common drill, 1^ bushels per acre, summer fallow. When Sown. Length Length No. of Yield Lbs. Variety. of of Rust. days ma- Ripe. per J'^\ Straw. Head. turing. Acre. Bush. Inches. Inches. Bush, lbs. Lbs. May 2.. Red Fife 43 4 None 108 Aug. 18.. 28 10 59 do 9.. do 43 3i do .... 104 do 21.. 33 20 60 do 16.. do 43 3^ do .... 100 do 24.. 28 50 60 do 23.. do 43 34 3^ 3i do .... Little 101 96 Sept. 1.. do 3.. 26 40 22 10 56 do 30.. do 61 June 6.. do 35 3 do .... 98 do 12.. 18 50 59 May 2.. Campbell's White Chaff. . 42 3 do . . . . 108 Aug. 18.. 23 30 60 do 9.. do do . . 46 3^ do .... 104 do 21.. 23 .. 57i do 16.. do do . . 38 3i do . . . . 104 do 28.. 17 .. 57 do 23.. do do . . 36 3 do .... 101 Sept. 1 . . 15 .. 57 do 30.. do do . . 30 3i Badly . . . . 96 do 3.. 15 .. 57 June 6 . . do do . . 34 n Very bad . 95 do 9.. 12 30 59 REPORT OF MR. S. A. BEDFORD. 233 EARLY, MEDIUM AND LATE SOWN OATS. With oats the Banner plots yielded in the order of sowing, but the returns from the Prize Cluster were irregular; the last named variety is more readily affected by drought, the absence of rain even for a short time lessens the yield. The Banner oat has again proved the most productive, but ripened, on an average, 6 days later than the Prize Cluster, soil, black loam, sown with drill, 10 pecks per acre, plots -^ acre, summer fallow. When Length Length No. of Yield Lbs. Variety. of of Rust. days ma- Ripe. per ^^^\ Sown. Straw. Head. turing. Acre. Bush. Inches. Inches. Bush. lbs. Lbs. May 2.. Prize Cluster 41 8 None 94 Aug. 4 . . 61 26 40 do 9.. do 40 9i do 90 do 7. . 69 24 40 do 16 . do 42 9 do 87 do 11.. 64 24 40^ do 23.. do 44 8 Little .... 86 do 17.. 48 28 34 do 30.. do 40 9 Badly .... 85 do 23. . 52 12 40 June 6 . . do 39 9 do .... 80 do 25.. 50 30 38 May 2.. Banner 42 7 None ... . 101 do 11.. 86 16 33 do 9 do 41 40 7 7h Little .... do .. 98 94 do 15.. do 18.. 75 10 69 4 33 do 16.. do 34 do 23 do 46 46 S 9 do ... do .... 91 91 do 22.. do 29 . 61 26 57 12 34 do 30.. do 32 June 6 . . do 44 7 do ... 87 Sept. 1.. 52 32 32 EARLY, MEDIUM AND LATE SOWN BARLEY. Baxter's six-rowed with a single exception yielded in the order sown, ranging from 40 bushels for the first sown plot, to 34 bushels for the last. Two-rowed Duckbill like the Prize Cluster oat, and apparently from the same cause, gave a very irregular yield. Sown with common drill, 2 bushels per acre, soil strong loam, summer- fallowed, size of plot, one-tenth acre. When Sown. Length Length No. of Yield Lbs. Variety. of of Rust. days ma- Ripe. per per Straw. Head. turing. Acre. Bush. Inches. Inches. Bush. lbs. Lbs. May 2.. Baxter's Six Rowed 37 3 None . . . 97 Aug. 7.. 40 40 49 do 9.. do 34 2i do . . . . 90 do 7.. 28 16 49i do 16.. do 37 2i do .... 88 do 12.. 36 12 48 do 23.. do 37 2 do . . . . 81 do 12.. 35 40 46 do 30.. do 34 2i do .... 77 do 15 . . .35 .. 45 June 6. . do .... 32 do . . . . 73 do 18.. 34 IS 42 IVfay 2 . Duckbill Two Rowed. .. . 37 3i do .... 102 do 12.. 43 46 49 do 9.. do 34 3j do . . . . 95 do 12.. 42 34 47 do 16.. do 31 3^ do .... 93 do 17.. 47 24 50 do 23.. do 29 3 do ... 87 do 22., 45 40 48 do 30.. do 33 H do . . . . 90 do 28.. 42 4 47 June 6. . do 31 3 do .. 87 Sept. 1., 36 32 48 234 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. THE CUTTING OF WHEAT AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF RIPENESS. Two years ago a series of experiments were commenced to determine the pro- per stage at which wheat should be cut ; at that time fail frost seriously interfered with the completeness of the experiment. The past season was a more favourable one and the result quite clear. When the season is backward and fall frosts threaten, the temptation to har- vest wheat before it is fully matured is great, but it is evident from the follow- ing table that considerable loss results both in quantity and weight of sample if the grain has not at least reached what is generally called the dough stage. In this experiment both red and white varieties of wheat were used, and the result with each is practically the same. The plots were one-tenth acre ; soil black loam, summer-fallowed previous year, sown with common drill on 5th May, IJ bushels per acre. Variety. Ked Fife, 1st cut do do 2nd do do do 3rd do. do do 4th do White Connell 1st cut. do do 2nd do. do do 3rd do., do do 4th do.. Stage when cut. Early milk stage. Late do Dough stage ... Ripe j'ellow Early milk stage . Late do Dough stage. . . Ripe yellow No. days from sowing. 94 97 101 108 94 97 101 108 Date of cutting. August 7 do 10 do 14 do 21 do i do 10 do 14 do 21 Yield per acre ■ Bush. lbs. 16 20 24 10 28 20 28 40 15 40 20 20 28 29 Weight per bush. Lbs. 45i 54i 58 60 48 53 58 60 The accompanying view is from a photograph taken during wheat harvest at the Brandon Farm. FARVESTIXrx WHEAT, EXPERIMENTAL FAKM, BRANDON, MAN. REPORT OF MR. S. A. BEDFORD. 235 HOME GROWN, AGAINST CHANGED SEED. Red Fife was procured from the North-west Territories and sown alongside of Eed Fife grown on the Experimental Farm, the result is slightly in favour of the home grown seed, but the experiment will have to be repeated several times before a safe conclusion can be reached. Sown on black loam soil 5th May with a common drill, 1^ bushels per acre, land summer-fallowed the previous year, size of plots one-tenth acre. Variety. Lengtli of straw. Length of head. No. days maturing. Ripe. Yield per acre. Weight per bush. Red Fife Home grown Changed seed 42 inches. 42 do . 4 inches . . 4 do .. Ill HI Aug. 24 do 24 Bush. lbs. 29 50 27 50 Lbs. 57 do 58 CULTIVATION OP PALL PLOUGHED LAND. With the object of retaining moisture it is generally considered advisable to harrow and roll land after ploughing in the fall. To ascertain whether this method is beneficial or not four adjoining plots were selected, one received a fall ploughing only, the others were also worked more or less with harrow and roller. It will be seen by the accompanying table that the plot simply fall ploughed, gave the largest return, and was the freest from weeds. The absence of weeds can be explained by the more thorough work of the harrow in spring on the rough fuiTows of this plot. For a comparison a summer- fallowed plot adjoining was sown the same time, this gave three bushels per acre more than the best of the fall ploughed plots, and nearly five bushels more than the average of them. Soil black loam, summer-fallowed, sown with press drill on the 2nd May, IJ bushels seed per acre, bluestoned, no smut or rust, size of plots one-tenth of an acre. Variety, How treated. Weeds. Length Straw. No. days ma- turing. Ripe. Yield per acre. Weight per bushel. Red Fife. .. do Summer fallowed Fall ploughed only Fall ploughed and harrowed twice Fall ploughed and roUed twice. Fall ploughed, harrowed and rolled None do Inches. 43 37 35 28 32i 109 104 104 103 103 .Aug. 19. do 14.. do 14.. do 13.. do 13.. 1 i pa J 26 20 23 20 22 40 21 30 19 10 Lbs. 59 59 do .... do .... do .... Few Weedy Very weedy . . 60 58 60 236 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. THE USE OP BARN- YARD MANURE AS A FERTILIZER. Last year a few tests were made with barn-yard manure as a fertilizer for wheat, to ascertain whether the effect of the manure was lasting or not; these plots were sown again this year with wheat; very little increase is shown from the manure applied in 1892, but the unrotted gives slightly the best return. Upland prairie, light loam, sown 12th May with press drill, IJ bush, per acre, one-tenth acre plots, 20 tons per acre of each kind of manure applied in spring of 1892. Variety. — Length of straw. No. days maturing. Ripe. Yield per acre. Lbs. per bushel. Pted Fife. . . Unrotted manure Inches. 36 38 36 93 93 96 Aug. 13.... do 13.... do 16.... Bush. lbs. 15 10 13 50 13 30 56 do .... do .... Rotted manure No manure 56 55 Besides the plots included in the preceding table, eight additional ones on clay loam were this year treated with manure which_ was applied both on the surface and ploughed in. It will be seen that manure applied on the surface has generally given the best return, it no doubt acted as a mulch and retained the moisture dur- ing the drought. Fall ploughing appears to encourage weed growth, and this agrees with our experience every year. Soil clay loam, Eed Fife, sown 2nd May with press drill, \^ bushels per acre, plots, one-tenth acre, wheat stubble land. When ploughed. Kind of manure. How manure was applied. Weeds. Length of straw. No. days ma- turing. Ripe. Yield per acre. Weight per bushel. Spring FaU Spring.... do do .... Fall do . .. None . , . . Unrotted. . . do ... Rotted do do None No weeds. . . Weedy Few weeds. . do do Very weedy, do do Inches. 42 35 38 35 37 31 36 33 104 104 104 104 102 103 103 103 Aug. 14.. do 14.. do 14.. do 14.. do 12.. do 13. . do 13.. do 13. . Bush. lbs. 22 40 22 20 22 10 21 .. 19 20 19 10 17 .. 17 .. Lbs. 59 On the surface. . . do do Ploughed in On the surface. . . 60 59 60 60 60 59 do Rotted Ploughed in 59 TEST OF DRILLS. The difference each year between the returns from drilling and broad-casting have been so great on this farm, that the importance of this question should be kept constantly before the farming public. In addition to a report of this year's tests of drilling and broadcasting wheat, a summary of four years' tests is also given; it will be seen that the average differ- ence in favour of drills is over 5 bush, per acre with wheat, and 11 bush, with barley. It is estimated that there are one million acres devoted to wheat in this province, and if only 25 per cent of this is sown broadcast and the results reached on this farm fairly represent the whole province it represents a loss of over one million bushels a year. We find that in addition to the increased yield obtained by sowing with a drill, the grain also ripens more evenly and stands up better. REPORT OF MR. S. A. BEDFORD. 237 TEST OF DRILLS FOR SOWING WHEAT.' Wheat stubble ploughed in spring, soil rich black loam, Bed Fife wheat, sown 3rd May, size of plots one-fifth acre. Press Drill, wheel coverers, 3^ inches. Broad-cast Machine, and ploughed in Press Drill, wheel coverers, 7 inches. . Common Drill Press Drill, chain coverers Broadcast Machine I*6cks Length No. of days ma- Ripe. Straw. Inches. turing. 6 41 103 Aug. 14.. 8 41 110 do 21.. 6 44 104 do 15.. 7 41 ■ 108 do 19.. 6 41 108 do 19 . 8 40 111 do 22.. FOUR YEARS' TEST OF DRILLS IN SOWING WHEAT. Yield per Acre. Bush. lbs. 29 35 27 35 25 55 23 50 18 30 17 15 Weight per Bushel . Lbs. 60 m 60 60 60 60 Kind of Drill. Years included. Average Yield per Acre. Average Days Maturing. Common Drill 1890-91-92-93 1890-91-92-93 Bush. lbs. 30 44 30 29 25 18 128 128 Press do Broadcast Machine .... 1890.91-92-93 130 THREE YEARS' TEST OF DRILLS IN SOWING BARLEY. Press Drill 1890-91-92 57 45 53 44 46 37 112 Common Drill , Broadcast Machine 1890-91-92 1890-91-92 112 112 TEST OF BLUESTONE AS A SMUT PREVENTIVE. The use of bluestone as a smut preventive is increasing very rapidly in this province. Merchants who a few years ago were unable to sell a hundred pounds in a season, now import it by the ton, and the almost total absence of smut this year is evidence that this fungus is being rapidly brought under control. The results of this season's experiments with bluestone were practically the same as last, the untreated giving about 30 times as many smutty heads as the treated, the treated also gave from 6 to 7^ additional bushels per acre. Land summer-fallowed, size of plots, one-tenth of an acre, six pecks per acre, bluestone liquid sprinkled on the seed, results obtained by counting the wheat 238 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. heads on ten feet square. Common drill used, soil clay loam, sown 10th May, cut 241 h Anarust. Variety. How treated. Yield per Acre. Weight per Bush. Smutty Heads. Heads with no Smut. Very smutty Red Fife do do I lb. bluestone to 5 bushels . . 1 do 10 du .. No bluestone. Bush. lbs. 27 30 25 5(J 20 00 Lbs. 58 58 55 10 12 306 1,980 1,572 1,956 VARIETIES OP OATS. Forty-five varieties of oats have been tested on the Experimental Farm this year, and although the season has been unfavourable the yield was large and the weight per bushel fair. It is customary in this country to sow oats on land unfit for wheat, and for that reason the grain throughout the central and western portions of the pro- vince suflTered very severely from the unfavourable weather during August. On the Experimental Farm, nearly all the oats were sown on summer-fallow and the drought and hot winds have had very little effect on the yield, but the straw was shorter than usual, but stitf and free from rust. That excellent variety the Banner oat has again made a good record for itself, yielding 91 bushels per acre. Although this variety has been introduced for a number of years, it is still one of the best oats we have, being productive, with a kernel of medium weight, white in colour, and apparently thin hulled. The following varieties have been tested this year for the first time. Wide Awake, — a white branching oat, productive, but rather light in weight for a white oat, this variety yielded Q'6 bushels per acre, the best retui-n from the new varieties of the year. Imported Irish, — white, with a branching head medium early, the straw of this variety was quite rank for the season, and free of rust. Cave, — a rather short strawed white oat, with a very handsome branching head, yield 65 bushels : this variety was badly beaten out by wind, otherwise it would have made a better return. Golden Beauty, — a late ripening white oat, with long straw and kernel : this variety is the lightest weighing oat of the season. White Wonder, — a very early ripening variety, maturing in 93 days, and like all oats of its class, it weighs well. Oderbruch, a promising side oat, but rather light in weight. Scottish Chief and Canadian Beauty are both early, white oats with branching heads, the last named ripens with the Welcome, but does not equal that variety in productiveness. The Columbus has proved both unproductive and light in weight, and its yellow colour is against it. REPORT OF MR. S. A. BEDFORD. 239 TEST or FORTY-FIVE VARIETIES OP OATS. Sown on 6th May in valley on clay loam soil, summer-fallowed, sown with eommon drill, 9 pecks of seed per acre, size of plots, one-tenth of an acre. Variety. Banner Abundance Roeedale . American Beauty Victoria Prize White Russian . . . Early Gothland Welcome English White Challenge White , Improved Ligowo Archangel Prize Cluster Cream Egyptian . Bonanza Winter Gray Abyssinia Wide Awake White Dutch Imported Irish .... Imported Blk. Tartarian. Rennie's Prize White Early Blossom Early Etampes Cave Holstein Prolific Golden Beauty Joanette Black Tartarian Prolific. . Black Coulommiers Hazlett's Seizure Flying Scotchman Royal Doncaster White Wonder California Prolific , Poland White Oderbruch Giant Cluster Scottish Chief Canadian Beauty .... . . ViThite Hungarian American Triumph Siberian ... . Swedish Columbus o . Inch. 41 40 43 42 40 43 42 41 38 45 38 46 41 45 43 47 45 41 40 44 47 46 43 35 39 44 42 31 38 41 46 37 29 43 46 37 40 35 42 39 38 47 43 36 42 Kind of straw. Inch. Branching. . 9 do 8 Half Riled.. 7 Branching . . 8 do .. 7 do 8 Sided 7 Branching. . 7 do .. 10 do 7 do 7 do 9 do 8 do 11 do 8 do 10 Sided 7 Branching. . 8 do 11 do n Sided. 8 Branching.. 10 Half sided... 8 Branching. . 6i do 8 do 7 do 8 do 6 Sided 7 Branching. . 8 do 13 do 7 do 7 do 11 Sided 8 Branching. . 9 Sided 8 do .. 8 Branching . . 8 do 9 Sided n Branching. 9 Sided 8 do 7 Branching . . 7 98 98 97 100 96 97 96 90 95 96 96 96 90 96 90 90 100 100 93 96 100 94 103 100 101 100 102 98 100 '96 90 96 93 100 96 100 100 93 90 104 102 102 104 100 Ripe. Aug. 12. do 12 do 11. do 14. do 10. do 11. do 10. do 4. do 9. do 10. do 10. do 10. do 4. do 10. do do do 14. do 14. do 7. do 10. do 14. do 8. do 17. do 14. do 15. do 14. do 16. do 12. do 14. do — . do 10. do 4. do 10. do 7. do 14. do 10 do 14. do 14. do 7. do 4. do 18. do 16. do 16. do 18. do 14. Yield per acre. Bush lbs. 91 6 85 82 22 82 2 79 4 77 2 76 16 76 6 75 20 75 , , 75 , , 75 74 4 72 2 71 26 71 6 69 14 68 8 67 22 66 17 66 16 66 16 66 6 66 6 65 10 65 10 64 24 64 24 64 24 64 24 63 8 62 32 59 24 59 4 .58 18 57 22 56 6 54 14 54 14 53 28 53 18 53 8 51 16 47 2 31 6 bos Lbs. 35 35 35^ 35 42 38 35^ 41 34 40 38i 40| -ili 40^ 40 41 37 37 38 37 35 40 35 34 3C 32 31 34 33 35 39^ 35 35 41 31 38^ 35 28 40 40^ 33 m 36 31 34 240 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. AVERAGE RESULTS FROM FOUR YEARS TESTS WITH VARIETIES OP OATS. In addition to tables giving the past season's tests with oats, the average results with several of the leading varieties for the past three or four years are given. In this table also the Banner takes the lead for productiveness, with the high average of 82 bush., closely followed by English White and Eosedale. Winter Gray and Prize Cluster are the two earliest varieties, but they are behind in productiveness, Winter Gray also gives the highest average weight per bushel. It is evident from the returns, which cover several seasons of varying tempera- ture and rainfall, that some of these varieties may be safely regarded as less desirable than others for this province. Variety. Banner . English White .... Rosedale White Russian Welcome Australian Early Blossom . Archangel Black Champion ... . Black Tartarian Glenrothern Holstein Prolific Winter Gray Prize Cluster American Triumph . . Early Race Horse . . Rennie's Prize White Years included. 1890- 1890- 1890- 1S90- 1890- 1890 1890- 1890- 1890 1890- 1890- 1890- 1890- 1890- 1890- 1890- 1890- 91-92-93 91-92-93 92-93. . . 91-92-93 91-92-93 91-92. . . 91-92-93 91-92-93 91-92 . . 91-92-93 91-92. . . 91-92-93 91-92-93 91-92-93 91-92-93 91-92... 92-93... Average Yield per Acre. Bush. lbs. 82 8 78 13 74 5 74 3 73 18 72 19 72 5 71 28 71 14 70 19 70 8 69 16 67 12 64 19 64 10 62 5 61 22 Average days maturing. 112 109 109 112 106 121 112 107 120 114 123 117 105 105 118 112 104 Average weight per bushel. Lbs. 35 34 37 36 38 34 36 39 35 34 35 34 40 37 33 39 39 VARIETIES OP BARLEY. Although barley in common with other cereals suffered from the excessive heat and drought of August the returns from this year's crop are nevertheless good, and when taken in connection with the results of the feeding tests it will be seen that this can be made one of the most profitable crops grown in the province. Bai-ley has two strong points in its favour; it is seldom injured by fall frosts, it can be sown after wheat in spring, and harvested before that staple crop is ripe, by this means profitably utilizing the spare time between wheat seeding and harvest. We have found that crushed barley is an excellent food for horses, cattle, swine and poultry. REPORT OF MR. S. A. BEDFORD. 241 TESTS OF VARIETIES OF BARLEY. Sown I6th May with a common drill, 8 peeks per acre, on clay loam soil, sum- mer-fallowed, size of plots Jq acre. Variety. Odessa Mensiiry Sharpens Improved Chevalier, Kinver Chevalier Golden Grains Duckbill Goldthorpe French Chevalier Baxters Danish Chevalier. . . . Oderbriich Canadian Thorpe . . . Rennie's Improved. Common Six-rowed. , Prize Prolific Thanet Petschora GuJ^nalaye , Number Length Kind Length of of of of days straw. head. head. matur- ing. Inch. Inch. 371 6 row 2A 85 40 6 do 3* 86 36 2 do 3 90 39 2 do 3 90 86 2 do 4i 90 36 2 do 3i 86 36 2 do 3 92 36 2 do 4 90 .35 6 do 2 80 33 2 do 4 90 36 6 do 2i 86 36 2 do 2i 90 33 6 do •2l 80 32 6 do 2i 83 33 2 do H 90 41 2 do 5 90 31 6 do U 83 37 6 do 3 85 Ripe. Aug. do do 9. 10. 14. do 14. do 14. do 10. do 16. do 14. do 4. do 14. do 10. 14. 4. 7. 14. 14. do do do do do do do Yield per acre. Bush. lbs. 57 54 53 51 48 48 48 47 46 45 45 44 43 43 42 40 39 31 4 18 6 2 46 26 16 44 42 30 10 38 16 6 14 10 28 2 Lbs. per bush. 48 47 48 47 48 48 45 48 47 454 48 45 47 49i^ 47" 45 42 55 RESULTS OP TESTS WITH BARLEY FROM 1890 TO 1893. In the following table will be found a summary of the results obtained with some of the principal varieties of barley, during the past four years; the Duckbill, Goldthorpe and Odessa are the three most productive varieties, these are also stiff strawed sorts, an important consideration in this country where the rich soil en courages a rank and tender growth of straw. Variety. Duckbill Two-rowed Goldthorpe do Odessa Six-rowed Prize Prolific Two-rowed Sharpe's Improved Chevalier Two-rowed Danish Chevalier do California Prolific do Kinver Chevalier do Rennie's Six-rowed Beardless Tworowed Mensury Six-rowed Thanet Two-rowed Baxter's Six-rowed Years included. 1890, 1890, 1890, 1890, 1892, 1890, 1891, 1891, 1890, 1890, 1892, 1890, 1890, '91, '92, '93 '91, '92, '93 '91, '92, '93 '91, '92, '93 '93 '91, '92, '93 '92 '92, '93 '91, '92. '93 '91, '92 '93 '92, '93 '92, '93 A verage yield per acre. Bush. lbs. 59 59 59 55 54 54 .53 52 51 50 47 44 41 28 21 10 16 38 11 46 22 31 27 34 32 Average days maturing. 102 109 97 105 94 104 105 103 94 110 89 101 88 Average weight per bushel. Lbs. 50i 49h 51"" 50 49i 50J .50| 50" 50 51 47i .50 49 Sc—IG 242 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. PEASE. Twelve varieties of pease have been tested on the farm this year, the season was favourable, and nearly all the varieties have given a good return. This crop if grown on clean land has always given profitable returns here, the only objection to its increased cultivation is the diflSculty found in harvesting and threshing it. To ascertain whether this could be lessened a trial was made of grow- ing it with other grain, and using a binder lo cut, and a separator to thresh the combined crop. Grown with other grain, both stood up well, and were readily cut with a binder, and we found no difficulty in threshing it with a separator, but the accompanying table will show that the return of pease /rom this method was small. It is said that pea harvesters are in use in eastern Canada, but they have not been introduced here. TEST OP VARIETIES OP PEASE. Sown May 5th on summer fallow, with a common drill; soil-clay loam; size of plots one-tenth acre. Variety. Golden Vine Prince Albert Multiplier Crown Mummy Prussian Blue Potter Pride White Marrowfat . Black Eyed Marrowfat Canadian Beauty. . Centennial Amount sown per acre. Bush. Apparent thickness . Right ... Thm do Right ... do ... do ... Very thin Thin .... do do do do Length of straw. Inch. 41 50 49 34 38 41 38 38 35 44 49 48 Length of pod. Inch. 2 3 2i 2 3 3 3 3i 3 3 3 Number of days matur- ing. 101 108 114 99 110 108 115 96 115 111 116 115 Ripe. Aug. 14. do 21. do 27. do 12. do 23. do 21. do 28. do 9. do 28. do 24. do 29. do 28. Yield per acre. Bush. lbs. 36 32 31 31 30 29 29 28 27 26 25 18 20 40 50 50 50 50 00 30 00 30 50 40 Weight per bushel. Lbs. 65 64^ 63 64 64 63 62 63 64 62 62 63^ MIXED CROPS GROWN FOR GRAIN. Variety. Pease — Crown Oats— Prize Cluster. . . . Pease — Crown Wheat— Red Fern . . . . Pease — Crown Barley — Prize Prolific . Pease — Ci'own Oats — Holstein Prolific Pease— Crown Oats — Holstein Prolific Pease — Golden Vine. . . Oats — Banner Wheat— Red Fife o Oh to CO 3 In. Bush. lbs. Red Fife, Barley stubble do summer-fallow. Spring ploughed No spring preparat'n Loam do .... May 3. do 3. 39 40 4 4 Aug. do 19 20 108 109 17 24 05 35 59 58 Red Fife, Millet stubble do summer-fallow. Spring ploughed No spring preparat'n. Loam do .... May 2. do 2. 36 43 4 4 Aug. do 19 19 109 109 28 26 20 20 59 59 Red Fife, Fodder Com stubble do summer-fallow . Spring ploughed No spring prepar.it'n. Clay loam May 17. do 17. 38 41 3h 4 Aug. do 21 21 97 97 35 31 30 30 61 00 Red Fife, Pea stubble. . . do do do summer-fallow. Spring ploughed Unploughed No spring preparat'n. Light loam do .. do .. May 12. do 12. do 12. 34 32 36 31 3| 3i Aug. do do 13 13 15 93 93 95 14 13 15 40 10 00 .54 54 55 Red Fife, Oat stubble .. . do summer-fallow. Spring ploughed No spring preparat'n. Light loam do May 12. do 12. 34 36 11 Aug. do 13 15 93 95 13 15 20 00 55 55 8c—\6^ 244 ~ EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. LOSSES FROM SOWING INJURED SEED GRAIN. Complaints are being received from all parts of the province regarding the lack of germinating power in the grain sown last spring, some farmers losing their whole crop from this cause. The grain of this province if properly stacked and garnered will always show a high germinating power; and the losses this year can generally be traced to the use of damp wheat for seed, the grain garnered in a damp condition may be ap- parently sound, but experience has pi'oved that grain ever so slightly heated, is unsafe to sow and should be tested before sowing, and if this cannot be done, it should be discarded, and only perfectly sound seed used. Where doubts exist regarding the germination of seed grain, a sample should be forwarded by mail to the Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, where it will be tested and the returns sent back, free of charge. All seed grain intended for distribution from this farm is tested for germin- ating power before being sent out. The following tables give the number of samples tested, and the average ger- minating power of each kind of grain grown on the Experimental Farm in 1892. These were tested at the Central Experimental Farm. Wheat, 49 samples tested: average germinating power, 91 percent; strong plants, 84 per cent ; weak plants, 7 per cent. Oats, 41 samples tested: average germinating power, 97 per cent; strong plants, 86 per cent; weak plants, 11 per cent. Barley, 34 samples tested: average germinating power, 90 per cent; strong plunts, 75 per cent; weak plants, 15 per cent. Couch Grass Extermination. Numerous letters of inquiry are received each year regarding the best plan for destroying Couch or Quack Grass. The above terms are applied indiscriminately here to two quite distinct grasses, both of them d liferent from the couch grass of the east, Agropyrum repens. One variety, Agropyrum glaucum or Colorado Blue Stem, Fig. 2, has a bright bluish-green narrow blade, and ripens its seed in July, the other Hierochlou borealis, Holy Grass or Sweet Grass, Fig. 3, has a wide, light green blade, and ripens its seed in May; the last mentioned is the more common, and is fast getting possession of some farms, and corapletly chokes out any giain that may be sown with it. Both varieties are readily propagated from both seed and root stocks. BE PORT OF Mil. S. A. BEDFORD. 215 Fig. 2.-COLORAD0 BLUE-STEM. ( A.,rn,.;iru>a gbuienm, R. ,(-S. v.iv. o.ri-l.nMe, V. & S.; 246 EX PERIMENTA L FA RMS. Fig. 3. — Hierochloa borealis, R. & S. The sweet grass ripening early, generally sheds its seed before summer-fallows are ploughed and the one ploughing usually given summer-fallow here covers this seed, and spreads the root stocks over the field, the smallest piece of which will grow and become a centre of distribution another year. Last spring four one-tenth acre plots badly infested with the sweet grass were set apart for experimental work. All were ploughed May 28th. Plot 1, was at once sown with three bushels of barley per acre, and the crop allowed to ripen. Plot 2, also sown, but with oats, and the crop allowed to ripen. Plot 3, was summer-fallowed by ploughing once and the weeds kept down with surface cultivation. Plot 4, also summer-fallowed but ploughed twice and couch grass roots brought to the surface by harrowing. Very little sweet grass is left in Plots 1 and 2, and none whatever can be seen in Plot 4, twice ploughed ; but in Plot 3, ploughed but once, the grass appears thicker than ever. These plots will be kept in view and their condition reported on next year. 1 REPORT OF MR. S. A. BEDFORD. 247 FODDER CORN. This plant has generally given such good returns here that an increased area has been sown every year. In addition to the fifteen varieties sown in small plots, a field of eleven acres was sown this year for ensilage purposes. As this plant makes its principal growth late in the season, it sufiered severely from the drought and hot winds of August, this reduced the yield to one-half of last year's crop, but the open fall and high temperature was favourable to early maturing and all the varieties formed ears, some of them reaching the roasting stage. In addition to the usual plan of sowing in rows, a set of duplicate plots were planted in hills; sowing in rows is by far the most expeditious and has this year given the largest return ; there was no noticeable difference in point of earliness between the two methods of sowing. The land for this crop was prepared by ploughing in ten loads of rotted manure in spring, was then well harrowed and the corn sown with a press drill. This land was in millet the previous year. Fodder Corn sown on 26th May, with a press drill, in rows three feet apart, and nine inches apart in the row, cut 14th September. Variety. Mastodon Dent Angel of Midnight Compton's Early Grolden Dew Drop Great Northern Gold Dollar North Dakota Flint . . Thorobred White Flint Gold Coin Early Minnesota Pearce's Prolific Smut Nose Flint Early Champion Mitchell's Extra Early Burpee's Firat of AIL . Aug 20 do 1 do 1 do 4 do 2 do 3 do 1 do 25 July 28 Aug 1 do 3 do 4 do 1 July 25 do 29 02 d Aug 25 do 9 do 10 do 20 do 9 do 10 do 9 Sept 5 Aug 9 do 5 do 9 do 15 do 9 do 1 do 7 S c3 Sept Aug do do do do do Sept Aug do do do do do do 4 25 2" 27 26 24 24 11 23 26 15 25 26 10 25 Sept 4 do do do do do Aug 29 Sept Aug Sept do Aug do Stage when cut. Early milk Roasting ears . . . Late milk, do .. Roasting ears do do .. Early milk Roasting ears .... do .. do .. Late milk. Roas ting ears . . Nearlyripe Roas ting ears . . Xi o a Si 84 62 62 63 64 69 59 52 65 52 56 63 39 45 44 Leafiness. Little ... Fair Good do do Very good Good do do do Fair Good Poor do do m .*3 CO bom Hi o Lbs. 7 7i 9 n 8h 10' 8 5 6^ 8 4 5i Yield per acre, green. Tons. Lbs. 13 950 11 1,100 11 ],100 11 1,100 11 11 10 9 1,100 1,450 1,800 9 700 9 700 8 1,050 8 1,050 6 1,200 4 1,900 4 800 248 EXPEKI3IENTAL FARMS. Fodder Corn planted on 26th May, in hills, three feet ap.irt each way, three grains in a hill, cut l4th September. Variety. Mastodon Dent Great ]\orthern Anffel of Midnight.. . . Golden Dew Drop. . . . Compton's Early. . . Thorobred White Flint Gold Coin Smut Nose Flint Pearce's Prolific Gold Dollar North Dakota Flint . . Early Minnesota Early Champion Mitchell's Extra Early Burpee's First of All. . T3 0 'in ^ in ^ <5 i >j .w c3 :3 s ^ Stage when cut. Aug 20 do 2 do 1 do 4 do 1 do 25 July 28 Aug 4 do 3 do 3 do 1 do 1 do 1 July 25 do 29 Aug 25 do 9 do 9 do 20 do 10 Sept 5 Sept Aug 9 Aug Sept Aug do do do Sept 6 do do do 25 27 25 11 23! Aug 29 do 15 do do 9 do do do do do do do do do do do do do Sept Aug Sept do do do Aug do Early milk Roasting ears .... do .. Late milk. do .. Early milk Roasting ears .... 3iLate milk. Roasting ears do .. do .. do .. 5! do . . 20, Nearly ripe 24 Roasting ears 24 5 4 5 to "I 84 64 62 63 62 52 65 63 56 69 59 52 39 45 44 Leafiness. Little . . Good . . , Fair.... Good... do ... do ... do ... do ... Fair Very good Good... do ... Poor . . . do ... do ... o o d a li Li bo 2J flj c Lbs. 04 U 9 Yield per acre, green. Tons. lbs. 11 1,100 64 6| 5 10 8 8 4 54 10 9 9 9 900 1,800 700 1,500 8 1,600 8 1,000 8 500 1,400 1,400 300 .SOO 1,000 1,000 160 MIXED GRAIN FOR HAY. Six plots have been sown with mixed grain for hay, the returns are very variable ranging from under 2 to nearly 4 tons per acre. Plots 5 and 6 were sown for the purpose of testing cross-sowing pease against sowing them in every other drill. In plot 5 the oats were sown at the rate of 8 pecks with a seven-inch drill, then the pease were sown at the rate of 4 pecks in the spaces between the oat drills, making alternate drills of oats and pease, 3|^ inches apart. In plot 6 the oats were sown in 7-inch drills, east and west, and then the pease north and south. It will be seen that the 'dt\ inch drills gave much the best return. Soil clay loam, size of plots one-tenth acre, summer-fallowed. Variety. , /Oats, Prize Cluster.. . . t Pease, Crown 2 / Wheat, Red Fern i Pease, Crown 0/ Barley, Prize Prolific . \ Pease, Crown (Wheat, Red Fife 4-! Oats, Banner t Pease, Golden Vine. . . ^/Oats, Holstein Prolific, \ Pease, Crown J. /Oats, Holstein Prolific. 1 Pease, Crown :.. . 1 0 m 0 Oi (1) ^ 0 4 8 4 8 4 8 4 1 4 8 4 8 4 Date of Sowing. May o. 5. 5. 5. 5. 5. 16. 16. 16. 16. 16. 16. 16. How Sown. *Press drill 1 do J Press drill \ do / Press drill \ do / Common drill \ do \ do J Press drill, 3^ in \ do do / Press drill, east and west. do nortVi and south When Cut Aug. 17. . " 21.. " 14.. " 17.. Weight per Acre Dry. l.< 17.. 17.. Tons. lbs. 1 1,850 2 350 2 1,850 2 1,800 3 1,950 2 1,500 Injured slightly by alkaline soil. REPORT OF MR. S. A. BEDFORD. 249 MILLETS. The hot, dry August of this year was very much against a large yield of millet, but the land selected for this crop was clean and naturally moist and the returns were very fair for the season. The J^ acre plots were sown in drill.> The plots were of 2 sizes, ^ and tV acre. 12 inches apart, and cultivated between the drills with a Planet jr. drill, the ^ acae acre plots were sown in 7 in. drills and not cultivated, it will be noticed that in every case the cultivated drills gave the largest return. One-twentieth of an acre of hemp was also sown. This reached 6 feet high and gave 1,300 pounds of the dry product per acre. Varif'ty. Size of Plot. How treated. Yield per Acre. Green. Dry. Hungarian Grass rio ^ acre . . . h " ••■ A " ••• tV " •-. .L " ... t " :;: A ;; ... 20 > • • 1-foot drills, and culti\"ated between 7-in. drills, not cviltivated Tons. lbs. 3 1,900 3 1,050 3 200 2 1,150 3 100 3 .... 3 700 3 2 900 Tons. lbs. 2 100 2 300 Common Millet 1-foot drills, and cultivated between 7-in. drills, not cultivated 1-foot drills, and cultivated between .... 7- in. drills, not cultivated 1 -foot drills, and cultivated between.. . do do do do . . 2 100 do 1 1,000 German Millet 1 1,800 do 1 800 American Millet White French Millet . . Hemp 1 1,300 1 1,400 . . 1,300 GRASSES. The plots of native and hardy imported grasses sown in 1890 and 1891 were again cut this year: the yield of ail was somewhat smaller than usual, and the timothy sown in 1890 was scarcely worth the cutting. The nativ-e grasses sown the same year are however still giving fair yields. A considerable area was sown to grass seed this year both with and without a grain crop ; owing to the dr}" summer very few of the vai-ieties, native or imported, sown in spring with a grain crop, have grown well ; but six acres sown with native grasses alone, have made a good catch, and were from four to six inches high when winter set in. The plan of sowing grass seed alone on fallowed land late in summer, is, it seems, the most certain for this countiy, and would be more generally adopted if it were not for the loss of a grain crop which that method entails. The accompanying table gives the yield and other particulars of the plots of hardy grasses sown during 1890-92; the plots vary in size from one-tenth to one- half an acre each. Variety. Elymus Americanus Muhlenbergia glomerata . Agropyrum teneram. . . . Austrian Brume Sheep's Fescue Timothy Size of Plot. 25x310 links 60x480 do . 25 X 480 25 X 480 25 X 480 i acre. do do do When sown. Spring 1891 do 1891 do 1892 do 1891 do 1890 do 1890 When cut. July 18 Sept. July 18 .... do do do Yield per acre, dry. Tons. 1 1 1 1 lbs. 1,870 881 400 333 1,.500 1,080 250 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. SUNFLOWERS FOR SEED AND ENSILAGB. Two acres of Eussian sunflowers were sown at three different times, May 8th, 15th and 22nd, and although there were eleven degrees of frost after the plants were up, the frost had no apparent effect on them, the early sown were the finest plants all the season. The sowing was done with a common wheat drill, in rows three feet apart, the seed dropped about one foot apart, and thinned to two feet after the plants were up ; soil clay loam. The field was kept clean with a Planet jr. cultivator during the growing season. The plants averaged 6 feet high when cut, the heads were cut with sickles on September 9th, and run through the cutting box with the fodder corn for ensilage, the seed being nearly ripe at that date. After the heads were cut, the stalks were allowed to dry, then cut and piled for fuel. They burn well when dry and give out considerable heat, but last for a very short time. Where wood cannot be obtained they could be utilized for summer fuel, but would not be suitable for winter fires. The following table gives full particulars of this crop. Variety. Mammoth Russian . I Sown. May 8. When cut for silo. Sept. 9. Yield of heads per acre. 11,220 lbs. When cut for seed. Sept. 16. Yield of threshed seed per acre. 35 bush . , Weight of seed per bushel. 37 lbs.. Yield of stalks per acre. 4Jj cords . Max. dia- meter of heads. 12 inches. SILOS. The ensilage made in the fall of 1892 from well matured and wilted North Dakota Flint Corn proved to be excellent, much better than that made from un- wilted corn in 1891 ; only a very small quantity on top and on the west side of the silo was injured. This year the yield of fodder corn was light and only one silo was filled, partly with corn and sunflower heads, and the balance with corn and horse beans. The silo is not yet opened for use, but judging from appearance the ensilage promises to be as good as last year. Since the silos were built at the Experimental Farm a number of others have been built in different parts of the province, and all appear to give good satisfaction. FIELD ROOTS. Owing to the light rainfall during the season of growth, all kinds of field roots throughout the central and western parts of the province gave a very unsatisfac- tory yield, the returns on the Experimental Farm were no exception to the rule, the yield being scarcely one-half of an average crop. The soil selected for roots was a strong clay loam, thoroughly summer-fallowed the previous year, and all weeds were kept down between the rows by the use of the Planet jr. cultivator. The yield per acre has been calculated from the results obtained from three rows of each variety one chain long. REPORT OF MR. S. A. BEDFORD. 251 RESULTS OF EXPERIMENTS WITH TURNIPS DURING 1893. Land in summer-fallow the previous year, treated with ten tons rotted manure per acre, applied in the spring of 1893. Turnips were sown in flat drills 2^ feet apart. Two sowings were made, one on 3rd June and one on 19th June. Taken up Oct. 10th; soil, clay loam. Variety. Carters 's Prize Winner . . Selected Purple Top .... Selected East Lothian Sutton's Champion Bangholm Improved Skirving's Purple Top Rennie's Prize Purple Top Marquis of Lome Jumbo or Monarch Carter's Elephant Mammoth Purple Top . . . Monarch Yield from Plots sown 5th June. Yield per Acre. Bush. 352 312 293 293 278 275 272 253 249 234 187 139 Tons. lbs. 10 1,120 9 720 8 1,580 8 1,580 8 8 8 7 7 7 5 4 680 500 320 1,180 940 40 1,220 340 Yield from Plots sown 19th June. Yield per Acre. Bush. 296 293 253 281 253 231 246 234 227 202 225 92 Tons. lbs. 1,760 1,580 1,180 860 1,180 1,860 760 :40 1,620 120 1,500 1,520 YIELD OF MANGELS AND SUGAR BEETS. Sown in flat drills 2^ feet apart on clay loam soil, summer-fallowed the previous year, treated with ten tons of rotted barn yard manure applied in spring of 1893. Two sowings were made, one on 6th June and one on 20th June. The roots were pulled on 6th October. Variety. Mammoth Long Red Champion Yellow Globe Giant Yellow Intermediate Gate Post Golden Tankard Canadian Giant Warden Orange Globe Red Globe..-. Red Fleshed Tankard Erfurt Model Green Top Brabant (Sugar Beets) . Vilmorin's Improved do French New Rich do Klein Wanzleben do Yield from Plots sown 6th June. Yield per Acre. Bush. 429 420 378 344 344 340 340 319 261 155 385 344 322 316 12 12 11 10 10 10 10 9 7 4 11 10 9 9 Tons. lbs. 1,740 1,200 680 640 640 400 400 1,140 1,660 1,300 1,180 640 1,320 960 Yield from Plots sown 20th June. Yield per Acre. Bush. 274 386 293 278 312 305 288 259 181 146 264 246 264 246 Tons. lbs. 8 11 8 8 9 9 8 7 5 4 7 7 7 7 440 1,160 1,580 680 720 300 1,280 1,540 860 760 1,840 760 1,840 760 252 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. RESULTS OF EXPERIMENTS WITH FIELD CARROTS. Land in summer-fallow the previous year, treated with ten tons per acre of rotted stable manure, applied in spring. Carrots were sown in flat drills eighteen inches apart. Two sowings were made, one on 6th June and one on 20th June. Soil clay loam. Variety. Large Short Vosges . . . . Early Gem Improved Short White Chantenay Half Long Danvers White Intermediate Long Red without core. White Belgian Carter's Orange Giant . Yield from Plots sown 6th June. Yield i)er Acre. Bush. 154 4 147 4 146 4 146 4 146 4 139 4 110 3 110 3 102 3 Tons. lbs. 1,240 820 760 760 760 340 600 600 120 Yield from Plots sown 20th June. Yield per Acre. Bush. 146 139 132 132 9.5 117 95 95 Tons. lbs. 760 340 1,920 1,920 1,700 1,020 1,700 2 1,700 POTATOES. The potato crop throughout the central and western parts of the province is lio-hter this year than it has been for a number of years; the dry summer and fall reducing the yield to less than one-half of an average crop. Fortunately the eastern parts of the province fared better and are in a position to supply the deficiency in the west. The land on the Experimental Farm selected for this crop was a stiff clay soil, very retentive of moisture and for that reason suffered but slightly from the drought, but the cold, wet soil, delayed germination in spring, making the plants late to ripen and injuring the quality so badly that tests in this particular would be misleading, and arc not included in the tables this year. The accompanying tables give particulars of this crop. The returns j)er acre are based on the product of 2 rows, each one chain long. REPORT OF MR. S. A. BEDFORD. 253 POTATOES. Ploughed in, in rows three feet apart, one foot apart in the row; weeds kept down during the growing season with a one-horse cultivator. All were planted 26th May, and the last were taken up 5th October. Variety. Daisy Rural Blush Rose Valley Genessee Seedling Everett The Freeman ... , Sharjje's Seedling Dakota Red Polaris Bruce's White Beauty . Harbinger Burpee's Extra Early . New Variety No. 1 . . . . Empire Bell Holborn Abundance. . State of Maine Pearce's Prize Winner. Pearce's Extra Early . . Cream of the Valley. . . White Unknown Lizzie's Pride Algoma American Giant I.X.L Toronto Queen . . Northern Spy Early Puritan Green Mountain Crown Jewel Lee's Favourite Early Rose Thorburn's Late Rose . Early Sunrise . . Vanguard Early Ohio Delaware Empire State Beauty of Hebron Steele's Earliest of All. Rural Blush Thorburn's Paragon . . . Clarke's No. 1 Chicago Market Snowdrop Yield per Acre. Bush. 253 251 245 244 242 2.38 236 229 229 223 220 220 216 205 201 201 201 196 190 188 187 187 187 183 179 174 170 168 165 165 165 165 161 157 152 148 146 137 135 128 110 106 100 95 Earliness. Late Late . . . . do .... do .... do .. Medium . Late . . . . do .... do .... do .. . Early . . . Late . . . do . . . . Medium . Late . . . . do .... Size. do do do do Early Late .... do . ... do do do do do Medium . . . do Late do . .. . do Very early Late do do do do do do do do Medium. do Large. do do Small. Medium. Large . do Medium . Small. Large . Medium . do do Large. do do do Medium . do Small. Medium. Large . do do Medium. Large . Medium . do Large . do do Medium . do Large . do Very large. Medium. do Large . do Small. SWINE FEEDING EXPERIMENTS. Two series of experiments in swine feeding were undertaken in the winter of 1891-2, with the anticipation that supplementary tests would be made during the fol- lowing summer. For this reason the results were not published in the last report. It was afterwards found impracticable to make the summer tests for want of suit- able accommodations. The building in which the swine were kept during the winter was very open and cold, the thermometer often going below zero, they were thus fed at a greai disadvantage, but as the conditions were such as obtain on many farms in this country during winter, the results of these experiments may be useful as showing what can be done under very unfavourable circumstances. 254 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. FEEDING FROZEN WHEAT TO SWINE. Two Berkshire grade pigs were selected for this expenment, they were pur- chased at 5c. per pound live weight, and sold at the same rate, their combined live weight when the test began 7th December, was 180 lbs. They were fed three times a day, all the chopped No. 3 or badly frozen wheat they would eat clean, mixed with cold watei- at the time of feeding, the building being too cold to admit of soaking the food for any length of time before using. The accompanying table will show that this wheat, although badly injured, and fed under unfavourable conditions realized in its value in pork 49 cts. per bushel. The market value of such wheat during the winter of 1891-92, was about 30 cts. per bushel, and it would not realize 20 cts. this winter. Amount of wheat consumed each month by the two swine. Gain in pounds of pork each month. Return per bushel of wheat fed. Pounds of wheat consumed for one lb. of pork. Weight of the swine at end of month. First month Lbs. 330 319 294 313 Lbs. 67 45 55 39 Cts. 60 42 56 37 Lbs. oz. 4 14 7 1 5 5 8 0 Lbs. 247 Second do 292 Third do 347 Fourth do 386 Summary. It took on an avei-age 6 lbs. 1 oz. of wheat during the four months, to make one pound of pork. Average return per bushel of wheat consumed, 49 cents. FEEDING BARLEY TO SWINE. The two pigs selected for this test were also grade Berkshires, their combined weight at the commencement of the tost, 28th December, was 117 lbs. These were also purchased at five cents per pound live weight, and sold at the same rate. The barley was fed^three times a day, chopped and mixed with water at the time of feeding. No more was fed than would be eaten up clean at each meal. The following results show that the barley fed in this experiment realized in pork 50 cents per bushel, farmers at that time wore selling the same gi'ade of barley on the market at an average of 25 cents per bushel, a difierence of one hundred per cent in favour of feeding it. First month Second do Third do Fourth do Amount of barley consumed each month by the two swine. Lbs. 288 335 370 341 Gain La pounds of pork each month. Lbs. 83 71 65 62 Return per bushel of barley fed. Cts. 69 50 42 43 Pounds of barley consumed for one pound | of pork. Lbs oz. 3 7 4 11 5 11 5 8 Weight of swine at the end of month. Lbs. 200 271 336 398 REPORT OF MR. S. A. BEDFORD. 255 Summary. It took an average of 4 lbs. 11 oz. of barley during the four months to make one pound of poik. Average return per bushel of barley fed 50 cents. CATTLE. The cattle on the farm have been perfectly healthy during the year, and there have been no losses through sickness. During the year there has been added to the herd the following calves, all bulls, viz.: two Ayrshires, two Holsteins and one each of Shorthorn and Galloway, and one Grade. Three young bulls, one each of Holstein, Ayrshire and Galloway were sold by public auction on November 15th. The herd now consists of 7 Shorthorns, 6 Ayrshires, 7 Holsteins, 4 Galloways and 3 Grades. A record has been kept of the yield of milk given by each cow ; but as the necessary apparatus for testing the quality of the milk of the different breeds, is about to be supplied it is thought best to defer publishing the yields until the relative richness of the milk of the different bi-eeds can be accurately determined. FATTENING STEERS WITH FROZEN WHEAT AND BARLEY. Eecognizing the fact that the results of several years' experiments are required in almost every line before reliable conclusions can be reached, the expe- riments in feeding steers with frozen wheat and barley commenced in the winter of 1892-3, were continued last winter, but with three steers in each group instead of two. Nine very even and fairly thrifty steers, raised by farmers near here, were secured for this purpose. They were all grades, Shorthorn blood predominating and about 2^ years old, they were purchased in the fall at 2^ cents per pound live weight, and sold in the spring at 3J cents. The nine steers were divided into three groups of three each, and fed for live months all they would eat clean of the following rations : — Composition of the different Hations, First lot of steers — Lbs. Cut wheat straw 20 No. 3 frozen wheat chop 15 Second lot of steers — Lbs. Cut wheat straw , 15 No. 3 frozen wheat chop 9 Turnips sliced 20 Third lot of steers — Lbs. Cut wheat straw 10 Barley chop 10 Turnips sliced 20 The several ingredients were spread in layers in a heap, and after being moisJ- tened were throughly mixed and fed all they would eat up clean the following day, in three feeds. 256 EXPERIMENTAL FAB MS. Feed consumed. The total amount and cost of feed consumed during the feeding period (151 days) was as follows : — First lot of steers — 6,344 pounds cut straw 4,996 " wheat chop at J cent per lb $24.98 Second lot of steers — 6,101 pounds cut straw 3,833 " wheat chop at ^cent per lb 19.16 140 bush, turnips at 5 cents per bush 7.00 ^26.16 Third lot of steers — 5.140 pounds cut straw 5^478 " barley chop at ^ cent per lb $27.39 184 bush, turnips at 5 cents per bush 9.20 $36.59 11 Smnniary of liesults First cost of Steers. Cost of Feed. Price sold for. Profit. Dailj' gain of eacVi Steer. First lot of steers— Wheat and straw $ cts. 76 .50 77 85 72 62 .$ cts. 24 98 26 16 36 59 •f cts. 127 05 128 62 130 27 $ cts. 25 57 24 61 21 06 Lbs. OY.. 1 4 Second do Wheat, turnips and straw Third do Barley, turnips and straw . . . 1 3 1 13 Last year's return from the frozen wheat fed to group 1, was equal to 56 cents per bushel, this year it equals 60 cents. Deducting the value of turni})s, the frozen wheat fed to Grroup 2 realized last year 61 cents per bush., this year, 68 cents. The wheat fed was the same both years, but the steers were much quieter last winter and for that reason better feeders. No. 3 frozen wheat sold at an average of 30 cents per bushel in the winter of 1891-2 and about 25 cents last winter. After deducting the value of turnips, the bai-ley fed to group 3 realized forty- two cents per bushel. Fortunately the crops in this province have escaped injury from frost during the past two years, but in case of injurious frost occurring at any future time it is well for the farmer to know that prime beef can be made from even badly frozen wheat, and that he is not compelled to sell it at a sacrifice as is so often done. Barley is a grain that can be sown after wheat seeding, it is seldom if ever injured by fall frost, if sown in good season, and judging from the returns obtained under field culture on this farm, it should be a profitable crop at 42 cents per bushel. \ REPORT OF MR. S. A. BEDFORD. 257 APPLE TREES. The apple trees planted here in 1889 were divided into two lots, one lot was set out in cleared scrub land on the side hill facing the south; it is sheltered on every side by scrub 6 to 12 feet high. As the scrub on each side extends for some distance, very little snow drifted into the plots, and seldom more than six inches of snow lies on the ground each winter, this condition with the southern exposure is probably in part responsible for the heavy losses in trees each year. The other plot used as an apple orchard is in the lower part of the valley with a slightly northern exposure : this plot has simply one row of trees 7 to 15 feet high on the south, east and west sides, the north being without protection ; every winter the snow drifts into this plot from 5 to 10 feet deep, completely covering the apple trees, and is not thawed out until late in the spring. It will be seen from the following table that all the varieties of apple trees but one planted in this plot have survived the past four winters, although the growth has not been large. The Anis apple is the most promising variety grown on the farm thus far, and it is interesting to note that Prof. Budd, of the Iowa Experimental Station, states " That this variety in Iowa is perfect in tree, and its fruit has the size, fine colour, keeping capacity and nearly the high quality of the Jonathan." Apple Trees planted in the valley on black loam soil, spring of 1889 : plot sheltered by a row of trees on the south, east and west. Variety. Anis red Anis yellow Antonovka Aport . Alexander Arabka, winter do summer Borovinka Borodovka BogdanofiFs Glass Ben Davis Baldwin Canada Christmas Duchess of Oldenburg. . . Grimes golden Golden russet Grandmother Grand Duke Constantine Golden white Haas ^ > c 2 Present . 03 O 03 condition. 1889 1893 In. 8 8 11 Extra g'd. \ 2 2 15 Good. 2 2 18 Fair. 2 2 13 do 2 18 do 1 12 Good. 2 14 do 1 16 Fair. 1 10 do 1 11 Poor. 1 ■« 15 do 2 8 Good. 1 4 18 Very good 1 13 Poor. 1 12 do 3 11 Good. 1 22 Fair. 1 17 do 1 13 do Variety. Li viand Raspberry Lead Liebig Mcintosh red Plikanoflf. Pointed pipka ........ Peach Hepolovka Red repka Simbirsk No. 2 Shaker pippin Switzer Steklianka Serinkia Scott's winter . . . . Tsiganka Tetofsky Ukraine Winter St. Lawrence . . . t-ri 1889 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 3 1893 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 3 In. 16 21 8 18 20 12 17 29 9 15 16 14 30 28 19 16 14 22 27 Present condition. Poor. do Good. Poor. Good. do Fair. do do do do Good. do Fair. Poor. Fair. do do Good. 8c— 17 258 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Apple Trees planted on the upland with southern exposure, sheltered on all sides by scrub, soil light loam: trees planted spring of 1889. Variety. Anis, red do yellow do mottled Autumn streaked Antonovka Aport . . Arabka, summer do winter Borovinka . . . Ben Davis .... Cross . . . Christmas Duchess of Oldenburgh. Enormous German Calville . ... Gipsy girl Hibernal. Kruder .... Liebig Longfield Pointed pipka Romna Red repka Repolovka Switzer Silken Tsiganka Titovka Wealthy Number of Trees planted, 1889. 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 4 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 Number of Trees alive, 1893. 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 3 0 1 1 1 1 4 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 2 Season's growth. Inch. 25' 15 17' "c' 20 15 10 2a 13 22 15 17 12 18 16 Present Condition. Good. Fair. Fair, Poor. Poor. Good. Good. Poor. Fair. Poor. Good. Fair. Fair. Good. Poor. Good. Apple Trees planted in 1890. Soil, light loam; southern exposure; sheltered on all sides by scrub. Variety. S . o§ oft 1890 2 1 2 1 3 2 2 3 3 2 1 4 1 1 6 d'c3 "A 1893 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 2 -si 0 bo % dj In. 21 13 11 17 15 4 23 5 15 9 16 19 20 12 Present Condition. Antonovka 1893 2 1 1 1 3 1 2 1 3 1 0 1 1 1 In. 18 25 11 15 16 8 18 17 13 17 '24" 18 13 Good. Very good Good. do Fair. Good. do Fair. Good. Poor. do Good. Poor, Pointed Pipka Very good Fair, do Arabka summer Anis Peach Red Astrachan Steklianka.. Good. Ben Davis Serinkia Stettin Yellow Sandy Glass Sugar Sweet Poor. Canada Baldwin Fair. Duchess of Oldenburgh Fameuse do Poor, Gipsy Girl Golden russet Tashkin (lood. Tiesenhausen Ukraine do Grimes' golden Hibernal do Vargulek. •.■_-' Yellow Arcadian Yusoff. - Poor, Haa^ Fair. Mann Good. REPORT OF MR. S. A. BEDFORD. 259 Apple Trees planted in 1892, soil light loam, plot sheltered on all sides by scrub. Variety. Number of trees planted. Number of trees alive, Fall. Present condition. Season's growth. Remarks. Little Hat Red Raspberry HarePipka Peter Bode Sugar Sweet Blushed Calville Saccharine 1892. 6 6 6 2 6 G 6 6 1893. 6 5 6 2 6 6 4 3 Fair do Poor .... Good... . do do Fair Poor Inches. 30 14 24 22 15 10 17 20 Soft growth. do Doubtful hardiness. Hardy growth. do do Winter kills. Tender. CRAB APPLE TREES. Crab apple trees suffered more injury from winter-killing during last season than they have done any winter yet. One quarter of them were completely killed, and many of the others badly injured. Ten additional Transcendents were received last spring, and have made a good growth. Crab Apple Trees planted on light loam soil, with a southern exposure ; trees jjlanted spring of 1889, plots protected on all sides by scrub. Variety. Transcendent . . . . Whitney's No. 20 Hyslop , Orange Early Strawberry Queen's Choice . . . Number of Trees Living. 1892. 1893. 9 7 3 2 7 4 2 1 2 1 1 1 Present Condition. Extra good Good do Fair do Poor Season's Growth. 34 inches 20 19 12 15 25 do do do do do hardy growth, do do kills back, do do PLUM TREES. Since my last report, two more varieties of plums have been winter killed, and two others have been badly injured. De Soto and Nicholas are still promising. The native Manitoba Plum is quite thrifty under cultivation, and one of the trees planted in 1892, bore a few very fair plums of a bright red colour this season. In May last 70 additional native plum trees were transplanted from the woods, and 68 of them are living at this date. Variety. Bradshaw DeSoto Early Red Nicholas Late Red Otschakoflf Native wild Plum. When planted. 1889 1892 1889 1889 1889 1890 a- Oi tnOO o a .r-i > Or— I 12; Present condition. Fair Good Extra good.. Poor Good.. .. Season's growth. 22 inches, tender growth, 29 do hardy growth. 31 15 do do hardy growth, kills back. .Sfi do good. 8c— 17i 260 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. CHERRIES. This climate appears particularly severe on all cultivated varieties of cherries, each year sees two or three varieties completely killed, 6 m. and Koslov Bush Morello are now the only ones at all promising. A native variety, the Sand Cherry {Frunus pumila) is found growing wild on very sandy soil throughout the province, it is a very handsome shrub when in bloom, and the fruit is decidedly the largest native variety we have, and we have no diffi- culty in growing it on loamy soil. Introduced trees of this variety, as well as the native, seem quite hardy, and bear each year a heavy crop of rather indifferent fruit. Possibly this variety may be the stai'ting point foi' improved varieties hardy enough for this country. Variety. Bessarabian Lutovka 6 m Cherry 12 m Cherry Koslov Bush Morello Vladimir Lutvoka Bessarabian Sand Cherries, Prunus pumila. . When planted. a,' CO Present condition . Present Height. 1890 1890 1890 1891 1890 1892 1892 1892 1892 2 5 2 1 4 6 6 6 5 0 3 2 0 4 4 0 5 5 inches. Poor Fair 40 68 Good Fair 30 51 Fair Good 40 32 Season's growth. 8 inches, doubtfuL 14 do hardy growth. 6 12 do do 10 do 15 do hardy growth, tender growth. tender growth, hardy growth. CURRANTS. Currants of all kinds are quite hardy here, and were well covered with blossom last spring, but the hot winds of July and August caused the immature fruit to drop off, shrinking the fruit to one-half an average crop. Below will be found a descrip- tion of the varieties that have fruited here, also the yield from ten average bushes. In addition to the lists given below, 13 seedlings were planted in 1891, and nine named varieties last spring. All of these are growing and will be reported on as soon as they fruit. Variety. Lee's Prolific Champion Naples Native, Large var do , Small var , Raby Castle Fay's Prolific... Victoria Cherry White Grape Prince of Wales. . Prince Albert. Versaillaise . . . . London Red , Number of Trees living . 1892. 1893. 426 426 10 10 100 100 40 40 8 6 202 202 24 16 13 9 140 140 170 170 8 8 17 17 12 12 12 12 Color. Black do ... do Brown black Jet black. . . Red do do do White Size. Very large. . Large Verj^ large. . Medium to large Small do Large. do do Very large. Flavour. Excellent. Poor Good Strong . Bitter Good.. do . do . do . Choice . .Planted in do do do 1892. Yield of 10 average bushes. 18 lbs. 17 do 10 do 13 do 14 do 10 do 10 do 15 do Very little fruit. do do do REPORT OF MR. S. A. BEDFORD. 261 GOOSEBERRIES. winter-killed last year, and that The last of the Downing gooseberries were variety is evidently too tender for this country. Smith's Improved and Houghton continue hardy,"and the Houghton produced this year about one pound of fruit per bush. A fine collection of nineteen new varieties were received last spring, these have all rooted and will be reported on next year. RASPBERRIES. The yield of raspberries in common with all the small fruits was this year seriously diminished by the summer drought. The Turner and Philadelphia are quite hardy, and do not appear to require covering here, the other varieties need protection by bending down and covering with a little soil and manure. Among the black caps the Hilborn has thus far been the best bearer, and is as hardy as any other of the tip varieties. In addition to the list of varieties given below, three seedlings sent from the Central Experimental Farm in 1890 have proved hardy and fruited last season, the original plants of these were divided this year and for that reason did not fruit. Variety. Number of plants living. Size. Colour. Flavour. "R.pina.T'lYS 1892. 1893. Turner Philadelnhia 200 200 150 50 35 20 20 150 50 50 50 200 200 150 50 35 19 18 150 10 5 8 Medium Medium to small. Large Extra large do Medium do Extra large Large Red do do do do Yellow do Black do Good do Excellent. . . do ... Good do do Excellent. . . Fair Hardy. Extra hardy. Cuthbert Marlboro' Half hardy. Hardy. Reider . Early and hardy . Caroline Golden Queen Hilborn (black cap). . . Nevada blackberry .... Gainor blackberry Wachusett's Thomless blackberry Late and tender. Tender. do do do Large Black Fair do 262 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. FOREST TREE PLANTING. This portion of the Experimental Farm work has given very satisfactory results during the past season. The trees set out in nursery rows and shelter belts have generally made a rapid growth. The avenues have also done remarkably well. The accompanying cut (Fig. 4) is from a photograph showing a part of one of these avenues leading from the main road to the superintendent's house. Considerable additions have been made to the collection of forest trees and shrubs this year. Fig. 4.— part OF AVENUE OF MANITOBA MAPLE, EXPERIMENTAL FARM, BRANDON, MAN. In June last I made a visit to Eat Portage, and procured from there a collection of native trees of the following varieties : White Pine (P/nws Strobus), Jack Pine (^Pinus Banksiana) and EedPine {Finns resinosa) White Spruce (Picea alba), Black Spruce (Picea nigra), Balsam Spruce (Abies balsamea), also plants of native Sumach and Labrador Tea {Ledum latifolium). Although these were moved rather late in the season many of them have rooted, and will make interesting additions to the collection; thei-e are still other varieties of trees and shrubs found in that district that have not been tested here and which it would be desirable to obtain as soon as practicable. A number of Riga Pine, Norway Spruce and Native Oak (Quercus macro- carpa), the latter from seed gathered here, and a very full collection of Lilacs, Spireas with other shrubs were received from the east last spring ; these have nearly all rooted and will be reported on later. FOREST TREES AND SHRUBS PLANTED IN SPRING OF 1892. In the fall of 1891 a number of forest trees and shrubs were received from the Central Experimental Farm, these were heeled in over winter and planted the REPORT OF MR. S. A. BEDFORD. 263 following spring: although they were nearly covered with soil, many of the trees failed to start in the spring. The following list includes all the varieties that rooted, with their growth and present condition. Variety. Number of Trees planted, 1892. Number of Trees alive, 1893. Season's growth. Present Condition. Artemisia Abrotanum (Eng yar) do do (Russian) Alnus glutinosa Acer Tataricum ..... do Pennsylvanicum 4 25 15 2 1 10 20 20 20 1 1 6 25 10 5 25 2 3 2 4 100 25 5 2 5 25 195 10 4 25 15 1 1 0 20 20 20 0 0 4 19 4 5 23 2 3 1 1 100 25 5 1 4 25 195 5 Inches. 14 49 9 iSmall. 7 Hardy growth . do do Tender, do Berberis Thunbergii 4 13 12 Kills back badly. Birch, white Hardy . do yellow do Crataegus coccinea Oaraerana frutescens 5 11 5 18 17 7 G ' 4 GO 15 10 5 30 14 24 6 Tender. Pieea excelsa Halfhardv. do alba do Pyrus Americana Pyrus Aucuparia Pvrus TorinsTO Half hardy . do Healthy. Ptelea trifoliata Rhamnus infectoria Ribes aureum Small. Tender, do RoirsBa ODulifolia Very hardy. Sj'ringa Josikaea do do Rothmagensis ... Salix Babylonica annularis Sambucus aurea Syringa vulgaris Virginian creepers, native Viburnum Lantana Healthy. Winter kills . Tender growth, very handsome. Very hardy . Hardy . Half hardy . 1 1 THE RATE OP GROWTH IN TREES ON THE EXPERIMENTAL FARM. A number of trees were planted on the farm in 1889, from one year seedlings and rooted cuttings of the same age, these were measured this fall, and below will be found their height and also circumference one foot fiom the ground. It will be seen from these measurements that foiest tree protection can be quickly obtained on the rich soils of our prairies, and there is now no necessity for confining the planting to one or two varieties, as a very fair collection of useful sorts are now proven to be hardy. Variety. Height. Circumference at butt. Remarks. Populus Bereolensis 14 feet. 15 do 10 do 12 do 11 do 9 do 12 do 10 do 13 inches. 12 do 10 do 10 do 4 do 6 do 10 do 5 do Trimmed tree shape. do Wobstii Riga do do Siberica do Cottonwood Salix Voronesh do Bush. do acutifolia Ash-leaf Maple Native White Elm do do Tree shape. 264 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Last spring the planting around the superintendent's house was commenced and the following trees and shrubs were set out, nearly all of which have been tested on the farm and found hardy. TREES. Ash white, Fraxinus Amencana. Alder European, Alnus glutinosa. Ash Mountain, Pyrus Americana. Acer ginnala, Asiatic maple. Birch, native. Birch, cut leaved, weeping. Beech, Fagus ferruginea. Arbor-vitse globe. Thuya occidentalis globosa. Arbor-vitse common. Thuya occidentalis. Elm Manitoba white, Ulmus Americana. Poplar, Populus tremuloides. Balm Grilead, Populus balsamifera. Russian Poplar, Populus Petrov8k3\ do do Siberica. Russian Poplar, Populus Alba argentea. do do bereolensis. do do certinensis. do do Yoronesh. Pine, Jack Pine, Pinus Banksiana, do Scotch, Pinus sylvestris. Spruce native white, Picea alba. do Ont. do do Willow Voronesh, Salix Voronesh. do Sharp leaved, Acutifolia. do Golden leaved, Aurea. do Laurel leaved, Laurifolia, French. do do do true. snauBs. Southernwood, Russian, A. abrotanum Var. Tobolskiana. do European, A. abrotanum. Barberry purple, Berberis vulgaris purpurea. do Thunbergii. do common, Berberis vulgaris. Cherry, ground or sand, Prunus pumila. Siberian Dogwood, Cornus Sibirica. Caragana pendula. Weeping Caragana. , do arborescens. Siberian Pea-tree. Caragana mollis glabra. Cytisus capitatus. Currant flowering, Ribes aureum. Elder golden, Sambucus aurea. Honeysuckle, Tartarian. Snowberry, Symphoricarpus. Hazel nut, Corylus Americana. do do rostrata. Cornus native. Cranberry, Viburnum opulus. Sheepberry, do lentago. Honeysuckle, native. REPORT OF MR. S. A. BEDFORD. 265 Lilac Alba, do Siberian, white, do de Marley. do vulgaris, do Lemoinei, fl. pi. do purpurea, do Princess Alexandra, do Josikca. do Prince of Wales, do Albert the Good, do Alba grandiflora. do Jaques Cabot. Olive Eussian. Philadelphus coronarius. Sweet Syringa. do Gordonianus. Gordon's syringa. do primulseflorus. Primula flowered syringa. do Yokohama. Japanese syringa. Eose, native, Manitoba. Spirsea Douglasi. do semperflorens. do superba. do opulifolia. do van Houttei. do Biliardi. do Californica. do floribunda. Saskatoon, native, Amelanchier alnifolius. Viburnum Lantana. EXPERIMENTS WITH TREES AS WINDBREAKS. The windbreaks surrounding the 12 plots mentioned in my last report, have continued healthy, and none of them have been injured by insect enemies. The gaps among the cotton woods caused by cuttings not striking, have been filled with layered plants, these have all rooted and have made considerable growth. The Eussian Poplar (Populus bereolensis) and Salix acutifolia are decidedly the most promising for this pui-pose. Ash Leaf Maple and Elm are also thickening up well, but the Native Green Ash is growing very slowly. These plots are in the most exposed situation on the farm, and before the wind- breaks were planted, the crops sown in this field sufiered severely from wind storms. This year all the plots were sown with rye or barley, and none were injured by wind, and all produced a very heavy crop. To maintain an even growth, the tallest trees among the Willows, Maples, and Elms have been cut back. This is done quickly with a sickle, this encourages side growth, and thickens up the hedge. In the following table particulars are given of the growth of each of the plots enclosed, the distance between the young trees in each wind break, and the growth made by each. 266 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Variety. Size of Plot inclosed in feet. Distance apart of Trees. Average Season's Grovi^th. Average Height. Remarks. Asli-leaf Maple 78 X 330 78 X 330 78 X 330 90 X 330 102 X 330 304 X 60 304 X 66 304 X 66 304 X 66 304 X 66 304 X 66 304 X 66 304 X 66 304 X 66 1x2 2x3 2x2 3x3 2x2 4x4 1x2 2x2 2x2 4x4 2x2 4x4 3 + 3 4x4 Inches. 22 26 29 18 25 13 12 14 6 10 14 30 25 36 Ft. In. 5 0 6 0 6 0 4 0 5 6 4 0 3 6 3 6 2 6 2 6 4 0 8 0 3 0 7 0 Healthy growth. Appears the best. Healthy growth. Healthy. do do do Exposed to wind. Small growth, healthy. do do Very healthy. Already an eflfective hedge. From cuttings, healthy. An excellent wind break. do do do do do do Native Green Ash do Native White Elm Populus Bereolensis Cottonwood Salix acutifolia The accompanying cut (Fig. 5) is from a photograph of one of the earliest planted hedges on the Experimental Farm. Fig. 5.— HEDGE OF MANITOBA MAPLE, EXPERIMENTAL FARM, BRANDON, MAN. REPORT OF MR. S. A. BEDFORD. 267 FOREST TREE AND SMALL FRUIT DISTRIBUTION. This branch of the farm work increases each year. Applications for fifty-nine thousand forest tree seedlings and cuttings, twelve thousand small fruit cuttings, and four hundred one pound bags of maple seed were received last winter. As the applications for forest trees exceeded our supply, ten thousand of these were sent from the Central Experimental Farm, the balance were supplied from trees grown here. Favourable reports are being received of the trees sent out in former years, and in some instances cuttings are already being made from those sent out in 1890. One hundred thousand cuttings are being prepared for next year's distribution. The packages were sent by mail and each contained one hundred trees and cut- tings as follows : — Variety. Ash-leaf maple Cottonwood Artemisia Abrotaniim Native white elm Poplar bereolensis. . . . do Petrovsky do certinensis do alba argentea . do Wobstii Riga. . Willow Voronesh do acutif olia .... TABLE VARIETIES OF CORN. The past season was favourable to the early maturing of corn, and eight of the ten varieties tested produced ears fit for the table. All were planted in hills three feet apart each way in May and kept free from weeds during the season of growth. Variety. Manitoba Squaw corn Mitchell's Extra Early. Early Minnesota Early Marblehead .... Perry's Hybrid Burlington Crosby's Early sugar. . Burpee's First of All . . Stowell's Evergreen. . Early Champion Weight of corn per dozen, green. None, do Lbs. 3 4 5i 4 5| When fit for table use. Aug. 15. do 19. do 20. do 23. do 23. do 23. do 24. do 25. Remarks. The earliest, but flavour poor. An improved Squaw corn. Fair flavour, do do Good flavour ; one of the best, do , and sweet. do , LETTUCE. Eighteen varieties of lettuce were tested on the Experimental Farm this year, seven of these were almost identical, and no doubt are the same variety under difTer- ent names. All were sown in the open on 20th April. 268 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. A second sowing was made on 15th May, but the hot weather interfered with the growth of many of the varieties. Weight When Variety. at maturity. started to seed. Earliness. Quality. Remarks. Silesian . 26 oz July 30 Early. . . do do Tender Wrinklftd Denver Market 18 oz 16 oz Aug. 1... July 27... do Fair do Blonde Beauty Slightly wrinkled. Paris Sugar 15 oz " 27... Late Tender Smooth. Drumhead 12 oz . . . . 8 oz 14 oz 17 oz " 15... Aug. 1 .. " 2... " 1... do do •• do •• do •• .. Fait do . .• do do do Nonesuch do and flat. St. Louis do Hanson Slightly wrinkled. Golden Sunset 14 oz 22 oz. . July 25... Aug. 2. . . July 25... Medium do do Very tender, do do do Nonpareil do do Hamilton Market 16 oz do . . . . do do Rosedale 13 oz Aug. 1... do . . . . do do do Trianon's White Star 12 oz " 1... do . . . . do .. do do E.Kcelsior 17 oz July 25... do . . . . do do do Gardeners' Favourite 10 oz. . . Aug. 4. . . do . . . . do .. do do Boston Market 16 oz July 20. . . do . . . . do do do Toronto Gem 17 oz Aug. 1... do . . . . do .. do do Ti-ianon's Cos 20 oz " 1... do . . . . do Cos. shape. CAULIPLOWKRS. Fifteen varieties of cauliflowers were tested on the farm, the season was very unfavourable for this plant and only the early varieties headed. The following were the best this year : Thorburn's Gilt Edge, Steele's Extra Early, Extra Early Paris, and Extra Early Erfurt. RHUBARB. Mention was made in my last report of the usefulness of this plant here. The series of experiments with seedlings commenced last year were continued this year; and the roots of twenty standard varieties were obtained from the United States and Britain, these were set out and will be reported on next year. A few of the best plants of Victoria and Tottle's Improved Seedlings were allowed to ripen seed, each plant produced about 3 oz. of seed containing 1,800 seeds per oz. The stalks of the plants set out last year were pulled every ten days and weighed; below will be found the returns per plant, &c., as the plants were set 4x4 feet the returns per acre were in some instances very large. Variety. Manitoba Seedling No. 1. do No. 2. do No. 3. do No. 4. Tottle's Improved Origin. Seedling of Victoria do Myatt's Linnaeus.. . do Johnston St. Martin do Stotts Mammoth ., . . Root from J. Tottle, Stonewall. Ready for use. May 26.. do 28.. June 1.. do 10.. do 1.. Yield from each. plant. Lbs. Oz. 21 02 19 13 6 00 5 11 18 13 Quantity. Choice, tender. Good do Green, hard, poor. Fair quality. Good, tender. TOMATOES. Three varieties only of tomatoes were planted on the farm this year. All were sown in hot beds and transplanted to the open ground 1st June. The firat to ripen was Steele's Earliest of All, a large wrinkled variety ; this ripened on 22nd August and yielded 23 lbs. from ten plants. REPORT OF MR. S. A. BEDFORD. 269 Atlantic Prize, nearly smooth, and large, ripened 30th August and gave a return of 20 lbs. from ten plants. Dwarf Champion a smooth variety, medium size, ripened 1st September and gave 1 lb. per plant of choice tomatoes. FLOWERS. Eecognizing the fact that the surroundings of many of the farms in this province require to be made more attractive if the young people are to remain contented with a rural life, some attention has been paid each year to testing the hardier varieties of annual and perennial flowering plants. As many of the perennial plants require very little skill or attention, a special efi'ort has been made to collect and test the varieties likely to be hardy here. The following have so far been found quite hardy, if protected with a few inches of litter; and have flowered freely on the dates mentioned. PERENNIAL FLOWERS. Variety. Tulips, single, double and parrot Crocus Scilla Siberica Pansies Sweet William Paeonies herbaceous Perennial Flax Delphinium, Perennial Columbine Bleeding Heart Day Lily Tiger Lily Pinks, from seed Gladioli collection Hyacinthus candicans Season of Flowering. 20 May to June 15 2 do to May 15 1 do to do 15 1 do to fall frost. . . . 20 .June to do .... 1 .July to July 20 15 May to Aug. 1 20 July to frost 1 do to Aug. 1 20 do to do 1 1 do to do 1 15 do to do 1 1 Aug. to frost 18 do to severe frosts, 1 Sept Remarks. Can remain in ground for years, do do do do do do do do do Should be renewed every two years. Can remain in ground for years. do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do Bulbs require to be stored in winter, do do do Annuals. Variety. Season of Flowering. Remarks. Larkspur 10 July to Aug. 1 Easy of culture and free bloomers, do do do do do do do do do Phlox Drumondii Escholtzia Zinnia 15 do to fall frost 15 do to do ... 20 do to do . . 20 do to do 25 do to do 1.3 do to Aug. 30 1 Aug. to fall frost 15 do to do 1 do to do 1 July to do 1 do to do 15 Aug. to do 20 July to do 1 do to do Mignonette do do very fragrant, do do free bloomers. Godetia Salpiglossis do do do Hibiscus Marigold do do do do but late to bloom. Stocks do and fragrant. Must be sown early. do do to succeed. Sweet Peas Asters Balsams do do do Verbena Easy of culture and free bloomers, do do do Portulacca farmers' institute meetings. During the past winter a number of additional farmers' institutes have been organized throughout the province, and invitations to address meetings have in 270 ~ EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. consequence largely increased, although more of this work was undertaken than in any previous year, I regret that other duties did not permit of my accepting all the invitations received. Institute and other meetings were attended at the following places by in- vitation and the papers mentioned read hy me: — Wawanessa, 13th January, " Experiments in feeding Steers," full meeting. Winnipeg, 18th do Dairymen's Convention, "Fodders and Grasses." Glenboro, 20th do "Preventives of smut," small meeting. Eapid City, 18Lh February, " A Eeview," crowded house. Douglas, 25th do Dairy meeting, "Fodder for cows," full house. Niverville, 27th do "Summary of experiments," good meeting. Morris, 28th do do do large attendance. Elkhorn, 4th March " Cattle feeding," good attendance. Virden, 11th do " Grasses and feeding steers." Carberry, 12th do " Varieties of wheats," small attendance. Portage la Prairie, 22nd March, "Grasses and Fodder Plants," large attend- ance. Hartney, 23rd March, " A Eeview," good attendance. Hartney, 11th May, "Summer-fallow," full attendance. Elkhorn, 3rd June, do good attendance. Eussell, 6th do " Grasses and Fodder plants." Birtle, 8th do " Summary of experiments." TILE DRAINAGE. Three fields on this farm, two of twenty acres, and one of two acres, have each year been more or less flooded during the spring freshets, making it difficult to utilize them for early sown crops, one field in particular remained flooded until ^uly this year, it was found impracticable to remove the water from this field by surface drainage, and a sj^stem of tile under drainage has been commenced, 3,400 feet of this was completed during the fall, and the balance is expected to be in place in time next spring to prepare the land for barley seeding. WINDMILL. The 12-foot steel windmill mentioned in my last report, has so far given entire satisfaction, and has cost nothing for repairs since its erection. Although located directly under a hill one hundred feet high, it pumps the water, grinds the feed, and cuts all the straw required for 35 head of cattle and ten horses. With a moderate wind it pumps eleven barrels of water per hour, and with a stiff breeze grinds 16 bushels of oats, or 8 bushels of barley per hour. Fodder corn for ensilage was also cut by wind power this year, one ton was cut into inch lengths in nine minutes, by a Watson Excelsior cutting box. NEW BUILDINGS, A frame implement and carriage building 28 x 72 feet has been erected this year. Part of the ground floor will be used for storing implements and carriages, and the south end has been partitioned off as an exhibition room for produce grown on the farm. The upper story is utilized for sorting and cleaning grain for seed and exhibi- tion purposes. This building is close to the bank barn and will be a great conve- nience. Poultry runs made of wire netting seven feet high and 60 feet long have been constructed in connection with the poultry house. Now that it is possible to keep the different breeds of poultry separate, we hope to be able to test their suitability for this country. REPORT OF MR. S. A. BEDFORD. 271 METEOROLOGICAL. In July 1889 this fai-m was supplied from the Dominion Meteorological Service •with a set of instruments including four thermometers, rain gauge, wind vane, sun- shine recorder, &c., since that date observations have been taken three times each day and monthly returns forwarded to the Central Office at Toronto for publication. Below will be found the maximum and minimum thermometer readings for the past ten months, also the amount of rainfall and sunshine for the growing season. RAINFALL. April May . . Jt lune. July August September. Total. Inches. 1 9 3 5 7 4 6-9 SUNSHINE. Hours. March 191 April 126 May. June. 278 206 July 286 August 287 September 221 Total. 1,597-6 TEMPERATURE, Months. January . . . Febi-uary. . March April May June July August September . October. .. Maximum. Minimum. o 30 5 on 8th. o — 47 on 29th. 32 6 on 20th. — 52 on 1st . 40 4 on 31st . — 31 on 15th. 59 6 on 30th. —3 6 on 1st . 88 3 on 18th. 21 3 on 25th. 95 6 on 11th. 37 Son 9th. 96 3 on 20th. 35 6 on 9th. 106 4 on 7th . 30 6 on 28th . 93 4 on 3rd . 11 6 on 27th . 63 5 on 19th. 8 3 on 25th . AGRICULTURAL EXHIBITIONS. Unfortunately a large proportion of the agricultural fairs in this j)rovince are held about the same date and only a few can be attended each year. This year two fairs were attended on the main line of the Canadian Pacific Railway, two on the Pembina Branch, and one on the Manitoba and North-western Raih^ay. A full collection of grain threshed and in the straw, field roots, fruits, &c., was shown at the following places : Brandon, 25th and 26th July. Pilot Mound, 3rd and 4th October. Manitou, 5th and 6th do Neepawa, 10th and 11th do Carberry, 12th and 13th do 272 - EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. EXHIBITS FOR THE WORLD's COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. In addition to the collection of field roots, garden vegetables and preserved fruit mentioned in my last report, as having been sent to Chicago, in November, 1892. sixteen cases of grain samples, threshed and in the straw were shipped to Chicago in March last, these were shown in connection with the Dominion Exhibit in the Agricultural Hall. Two awards were received in Chicago for these exhibits. It was intended to supplement the farm exhibit with fresh vegetables from time to time, but owing to the unfavourable season this was found impossible. VISITORS TO THE FARM. It is evident by the rapidly increasing number of visitors each year, that interest in the work of the farm is not abating. This year 11,400 visited the farm, an increase of 6,000 over last year. The Central Farmers' Institute again held their annual picnic on the farm, the Patrons of Industry also joined with them and it was estimated that over 2,000 per- sons attended ; nearly all of whom were farmers and their families. The farm was also visited by a large number of delegations from the United States, Britain and the continent of Europe. These parties wei'e shown over the farm, its objects explained, and every opportunity given them to gain information as to the agricultural capabilities of this part of the province. CORRESPONDENCE. During the ten months since my last report, 1,817 letters have been received and 2,332 letters despatched from this office; the correspondence includes inquiries regarding nearly every branch of agriculture and horticulture and often entails considerable labour and research. I have the honour to remain, sir, Your obedient servant, S. A. BEDFOED, Superintendent. EXPERIMENTAL FARM FOR THE NORTH-WEST TERRITORIES. EEPOET OF A. MACKAY, SUPERINTENDENT. Indian Head, N. W. T., Slst October, 1893. Wm. Saunders, Esq., Director Dominion Experimental Farms, , Ottawa. Sir, — I have the honour to submit herewith my sixth annual report of work done on the North-west Experimental Farm during the year 1893. Except roots and potatoes, crops of all kinds on the experimental farm were good the past season. A hot wind on the 6th of August made the weight of grain less than usual, but the yields in almost all cases were satisfactory. jBaiMi GENERAL VIEW, EXPERIMENTAL FARM, INDIAN HEAD, N. W. T., SHOWING PORTION OF FOREST SHELTER BELT. (From a Photograph). The spring opened much later than usual, but no severe night frosts occurred afterwards and winds not being severe the grain came up evenly and made rapid advancement during the growing season. Eain fell in abundance on the Experimental Farm and induced too much stooling on well worked land which, with warm weather caused a very rank growth of straw in several plots, but except in low places no lodging occurred. 8c— 18 274 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. In consequence of favourable weather, grain matured in less time than usual. The harvest commenced on August 8th when plots of oats and barley were cut and everything was in stook by the end of that month. During the whole harvest the weather continued so favourable that not over one-half day was lost in cutting and drawing in. Broken weather has taken place since harvest, but there has not been sufficient rain to do any good to the root crop, consequently the roots and potatoes on the farm were comparatively poor. WHEAT. Fortj^-eeven varieties of wheat were tested the past season. Of these, 20 were sorts tried before, 8 were new varieties obtained from commercial sources and 19 were cross-bred wheats produced at the Central Experimental Farm. riELD PLOTS. Thirty acres of clean fallowed land were sown with Eed Fife for the purpose of obtaining a large quantity of clean and pure seed for distribution. The soil of this field was unfortunately somewhat lighter than the average and the grain suffered from the extreme heat of 6th August and though sound and good for seed is not as plump as it would otherwise have been. The yield of straw and grain was large, but the sample will scarcely grade No. 1. Six varieties, Wellmau's Fife, Eed Fern, White Fife, White Connell, Ladoga and Johnstons, had two acres each allowed them. These were sown on fallow but on different dates on account of wet places in the field. All suflPered from the heat and in quality or quantity did not turn out as well as Eed Fife although sown in the same field. Following will be found the results in detail. TESTS OF WHEAT IN FIELD PLOTS. Name of Variety. Red Fife do 1^ bu. seed do 2 do Johnston's Wellman'sFife. . Red Fern Ladoga White Fife White Connell .. Acres. Sown. Headed. Ripe. Matured Height. Condition. Yield per acre. Ft. in. Bus. Lbs 24 Apr. 22. July 20.. Aug. 23.. 124 days., 4 7 Very heavy 35 00 3 do 24. do 20.. do 23.. 122 do . . 4 7 do 35 50 3 do 24. do 20.. do 23.. 122 do . . 4 7 do 37 20 2 May 1. do 20.. do 23.. 115 do . . 4 6 Mediuni . . 27 40 2 do 1. do 20.. do 22.. 114 do . . 4 6 do 29 30 2 do 1. do 19.. do 28.. 120 do . . 4 6 Straw soft . 23 40 2 do 1. do 17.. do 19.. Ill do . . 4 7 Medium . . 25 10 2 do 10. do 24.. do 31.. 114 do . . 4 6 do 32 16 2 do 10. do 24.. do 31.. 114 do . . 4 6 do .. 30 00 Weight per bushel. Lbs. 61i 62i 62 56i 60 57i 58i 61i 61 REPORT OF MR. A. MACK AY. 275 TEST OF SOWING WHEAT AT DIFFERENT DEPTHS. Eed Fife was used for this test and two inches proved to be the right depth for last season, as well as for 1892. Name. of Variety. Depth Sown. Sown on. Headed. Ripe. Matured in. Height. Condition. Yield per acre. Weight per bush. Red Fife 2 in . 2iin. May 4 . . do 4.. July 23.. do 23.. Aug. 25 . . do 26.. 114 days.. 115 do . . Ft. in. 4 8 4 8 Good do .... Bush. 41-20 37 10 Lbs. 62 do 61 TEST OF SOWING PLOTS A WEEK APART. Two varieties, Eed Fife and Campbell's White Chaff were sown at the earliest possible date, 19th April, and seedings continued one week apart for 6 weeks, until 22nd May. The plots were one-tenth of an acre each. In this test Campbell's White Chaff, which is a soft wheat, matured from one to two days ahead of Eed Fife and all the plots came in in the order sown with seven days' difference in time of ripening between the first seeding of Eed Fife and the last. The best yields were from second and third weeks' sowing. Following are dates of seeding, yield, &c. RESULTS OP SOWING WHEAT AT DIFFERENT DATES. Name of Variety. Sown. Headed. Ripe. • a -a « u 3 S3 *3 'S Condition. m 2 .S « be 'S Days. Ft. in. Lbs. Bus", lbs. Lbs. Red Fife AprU17.. do 24.. May 1.. do 8.. do 15. . do 22.. April 17 . . July do do do do do do 19.. Aug. do do do do do do 23.. 129 4 6 Stifif & good. do do do do do Good 356 24 40 60i 61^ 62i do 20.. 22.. 22.. 23.. 26.. 18.. 25.. 26.. 26.. 28.. 30.. 21.. 124 118 111 106 101 127 4 6 4 6 4 6 4 6 4 6 4 10 333 458 375 330 325 291 .31 10 37 .. 32 30 30 .. 29 10 26 30 do do 62 do 61 do 61i 58 Campbell's W.Chafif. do do 24.. do 19.. do 23.. 122 4 10 do 369 31 40 58i do May 1.. do 21.. do 25.. 117 4 10 do 319 30 10 61 do do 8.. do 21.. do 26.. 111 4 10 do 357 25 30 56§ do do 15.. do 23.. do 27.. 105 4 8 do 370 30 .. 57 do do 22.. do 25.. do 28.. 99 4 8 do 341 29 50 57i 8c 18J 276 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. TEST OP DIFFERENT VARIETIES SOWN SAME DATE, ONE-TENTH ACRE EACH. To test the question of earliness as well as yield, 35 varieties of wheat were sown on the same day, on as uniform a piece of ground as possible. The land had been fallowed the year previous, receiving one ploughing and several surface cul- tivations. The soil being rather lighter than the average, all the varieties suffered a good deal from hot wind on August 6th. Twelve of the varieties were cross-bred wheats and like the older sorts were injured, which caused the grain to be small and shrunken. In earliness, four of the cross-bred sorts, Beta, Albert, Abundance and Ottawa, — crosses between Eed Fife and Ladoga — Gehun, an Indian variety, and Ladoga were first. In yield Gehun, a wheat received several years ago from India gave the highest, closely followed by one of the cross-bred sorts and four of the older kinds. Gehun was also the best sample. Following are the varieties tested, date sown, date of heading, &c., &c. TESTS OP VARIETIES OP WHEAT, ALL SOWN SAME DAY, ONE-TENTH ACRE EACH. Name of Variety. Red Fife Wellman's Fife White Fife Campbell's W. Chafif White Connell Campbell's Triumph White Russian Hungarian Mountain Great Western Hueston's Ladoga , Red Fern Pringle's Champlain ...... Rio Grande Colorado Azima, Russian Black Sea Herisson Bearded Prince No. 1, cross-bred. . . do 2, do Advance do Carleton do Crown do Preston do Beta do Albert do Abundance, cross-bred Ottawa do Stanley do Alpha do Golden Drop Old Red River Red Fife (from Saskatoon) Gehun Australian •Tohnston's Sown. May do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. do 3. do 3. do 3. do 3. do 3. Headed. 1 July 21.. do 21., do 22.. do 22.. do 22.. do 20.. do 22.. do 22.. do 20.. do 22.. do 18.. do 20.. do 19.. do 23.. do 18.. do 22.. do 20.. do 19.. do 19.. do 19.. do 20.. do 21.. do 21.. do 19.. do 19.. do 20.. do 19.. do 18.. do 19.. do 20.. do 20.. do 22.. do 20.. do 10.. do 20., do 20.. Ripe. Aug 25. do 27. do 27. do 26. do 26. do 24. do 22. do 23. do 27. do 26. do 18. do 23. do 23. do 24. do 22. do 26. do 23- do 27. do 20. do 20. do 21. do 21. do 26. do 21. do 18. do 18. do 18. do 18. do 21. do 22. do 25. do 26. do 27. do 18. do 26. do 26. 0) Height. Days. 115 117 117 116 116 114 112 113 117 116 108 113 113 114 112 116 113 117 110 110 111 111 116 111 108 108 108 108 111 112 115 116 117 108 116 116 Ft. in. 4 4 4 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 4 4 i -4-3 *4H Yield ^3) per Acre. g; ^ Lbs. Bus. lbs. 380 30 00 372 31 20 375 30 50 390 28 20 348 35 20 380 30 00 392 28 00 399 26 50 359 35 30 346 35 41 391 33 10 402 31 20 391 32 40 426 27 20 396 32 20 389 33 30 404 31 00 500 30 00 406 27 20 378 32 GO 381 34 30 436 27 20 392 34 40 410 30 40 448 25 20 467 22 10 465 22 30 397 33 50 489 35 10 404 32 40 403 27 00 395 28 20 454 24 00 322 37 40 336 35 40 456 31 20 9 ,a u bo Lbs. 59i 60" 60 60i 59^ m\ 56| 6l| 6H 57 60 59 Ul\ 60^ 62" 57* 61 56i 57i ml 56" 60^ 58 56i 56| 56" 57 59i 60| 60* 60| 60,L 64| 59i 60 REPORT OF MR. A. MACK AT. 2ni TEST OP SOWING DIFFERENT QUANTITIES OF SEED PER ACRE, In this test Eed Fife was used and sown on 3rd May. The highest yield was obtained from IJ bushels per acre closely followed by IJ bushels seed. All the plots ripened together. Name of Variety. Red Fife do do do ri "~* u TZ OJ s . a a . :"£ Sown. Headed. Ripe. u Height. -^ S T) o -^ S =^ cS .2 eS m § ^ Bush. Days. Ft. in. Bus. lbs. 1 May 3.. July 23.. Aug. 28.. 118 4 6 38 50 li do 3.. do 23.. do 27.. 117 4 6 40 00 l| do 3.. do 23.. do 27.. 117 4 6 39 40 l| do 3.. do 23.. do 27.. 117 4 6 37 30 bo2 62^ 60i 62 61i TEST OF LAND TREATED WITH SUPERPHOSPHATE OF LIME AND FIELD LIME. In this test three plots of y^^th acre each were sown with Eed Fife at the rate of IJ bushels per acre. On one plot 50 pounds of superphosphate of lime was sown; a second plot had 60 pounds of field lime (air slacked) sown on it, and the third plot was untreated. The plot on which field lime was used gave at the rate of 4 bushels per acre more than either of the other two. The superphosphate of lime plot was one day earlier in ripening. The details of the test are as follows: — Name of Variety. Red Fife, do do .. Treatment per acre. 500 lbs. —Sup. ph. lime, 600 lbs.— field lime Untreated . 2 , o a c3 • »« u Sown. Headed. Ripe. 4^ a £ &D -o cS 0) § a >^ Days, Ft. in. Bus. lbs. May 4.. July 22.. Aug. 26. 115 4 6 36 .. do 4.. do 21.. do 27.. 116 4 6 40 50 do 4.. do 21.. do 27.. 116 4 6 36 20 53 be Lbs. 61 m 60i TEST OF BROADCAST, DRILL AND PRESS-DRILL SOWING. Red Fife was used also in this test and the three plots were sown on the same date. The broad-cast plot was so much injured by winds that it was ploughed up and re-sown on 29th May. .fl Name .- u of How Sown. Sown. Headed. Ripe. 4^ a; 4^ Variety. 3 J2 2 "So i "S X >3 Days. Ft. in. Bus. lbs. Lbs. Red Fife. .. •Broadcast May 29.. Aug. 2.. Aug. 29.. 93 4 6 25 40 60 do .... Drill do 4.. do 4.. July 23.. do 21.. do 28.. do 26.. 117 115 4 8 5 .. 36 18 38 20 62^ do .... Press-drill , 62^ *Re-sown May 29th. 278 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. TEST OF STUBBLE FALL PLOUGHED, SPRING PLOUGHED, WITHOUT PLOUGHING AND FALLOWED LAND. In this test two acres of stubble land was ploughed in the fall of 1892, two acres of stubble ploughed with a gang plough at the time of seeding, two acres of stubble land sown by press drill without ploughing and not touched before or after using drill, and two acres of fallow were sown. The stubble in all cases had been fallowed in summer of 1891 and had produced a crop of Eed Fife in 1892. The fallow land gave much the better result, and the fall ploughing the result expected, and the result that has always been had in our experience, a much smaller crop no matter how well the work may be done. Spring-ploughing and the plot sown by the press-drill without ploughing, gave ^ fine crop of straw and a good yield of grain, but the sample was shrunken. TEST OF FALL AND SPRING PLOUGHING AND PRESS-DRILL ON STUBBLE COMPARED WITH SUMMER FALLOW. ,d 2 D Name _g a g of Mode of Cultivation. Sown. Headed. Ripe. -o _S a> ■*^ Variety. 5 Days. S3 o O 3 % Seed badly affected. Red Fife Untreated July 23. do 23. do 23. do 23. do 23. do 23. do 23. do 23. Aug. 29. do 27. do 27. do 27. do 26. do 26. do 26. do 26. 1,452 1,648 1,760 1,590 1,480 1,536 1,700 Recor 251 8 9 6 28 3 2 d lost. Bus. lbs. 24 10 34 20 33 50 31 20 28 10 28 20 .30 30 29 .. Lbs. 57i do 1 lb. to 10 bush 1 lb. to 7 bush 1 lb. to 5 bush Untreated 59i do do Seed not badly affected. Red Fife 6l| 60^ do do do lib. to 10 bush lib. to 7 bush lib. to 5 bush 60i 60 60 REPORT OF MR. A. MACK AY. 279 CROSS-BRED WHEATS. The result of the tests of the cross-bred wheats during the past season, was not very satisfactory. All gave a large quantity of straw and there were fair yields of nearly all the sorts tried, but the grain was poor except in two cases and these were not equal to Eed Fife. This was caused to a great extent, no doubt, by the hot winds of August 6th, as other varieties sown alongside the cross-bred sorts were, with few exceptions as badly hurt. Stanley and Alpha, beardless sorts, give promise of being the most valuable of all thus far tested. These two gave 35-10 and 32-10 respectively per acre, of fairly good grain and were 4 and 5 days earlier than Eed Fife sown alongside for comparison. The results of a test of 12 varieties of these cross-bred wheats sown on yLth acre plots have been given and the yields of 9 varieties which were sown on acre plots will be found below. The small plots are of new sorts, tested here for the first time, and have occupied too small an area to admit of a satisfactory calculation as to yield per acre. Tests op cross-bred wheats on one acre plots. Name of Variety. Cross between Sown. Headed. Ripe. 13 £ D Days. 110 110 110 109 109 111 111 109 106 Height. Yield per Acre. Weight per Bushel. Abundance Carleton Ottawa Ladoga and Red Fife. . do do . . do do . . do do do do . . Ladoga and White Fife do do . . Ladoga and Red Fife. . do do . . May 2. do 2. do 2. do 2. do 2. do 2. do 2. do 2. do 2. July 21. do 19. do 19. do 19. do 19. do 19. do 23. do 18. do 15. Aug. 19. do 19. do 19. do 18. do 18. do 20. do 20. do 18. do 15. Ft. 4-7 4-7 4-7 4-7 4-7 4-7 4-6 4-7 4-7 Bush. 24- 37 15 20- 22-24 27 15 28-9 31-20 25-27 30-40 Lbs. 564 58 56i Stonewall 574 Trial Advance Manifold Albert 60 59 594 57 A. No. 1 584 SMALL PLOTS. New Hybrids Red Fife and Club Bombay. Red Fife and Ladoga. . Anglo-Canadian and Karachi. Red Fife and Ladoga (Red Chafif.) Spiti Valley and Red Fife (beardless.) May 4. July 21. Aug. 22. Ill 4-6 do 4. do 22. do 23. 112 4 6 do 4. do 12. do 24. 113 4 7 do 4. do 21. do 23. 112 4 7 do 4. do 10. do 22. 111 4-7 Plot small and no yield taken, do do do do GENERAL RESULT OF WHEAT TESTS FOR 1893. On account of there being no spring or fall frosts to injure any of the varieties of wheat tested, it may safely be said that Eed Fife has given the best results in every respect. The result of the wheat tests, on the whole, the past season, has not been altogether satisfactory. While the crop of straw in all the varieties was large, the hot winds in August injured the grain in all the late kinds considerably, and caused it to ripen prematurely, but early sorts, such as the Gehun, which were well advanced before the hot winds came suffered less. The result of the injury is not 80 much observed in the yield as in the weight and quality of the grain. 280 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. As to earliness, all the sorts matured in much less time than in 1892. in 1892 took 139 days to mature; this year 115 days; Grehun, in days ; this year 108 days. 1892 Red Fife took 121 BARLEY. Twenty-five varieties of barley were tested the past season. Of these, 17 were old sorts and 8 new hybrids between six-rowed and two-rowed barley which have been produced at the Central Experimental Farm. Five varieties yielded over 50 bushels per acre, 8 over 40 bushels and the remainder over 30 bushels. All kinds were very heavy in the straw but the grain was light in weight caused by the hot winds ripening it too quickly. Except two varieties and in a few others in low places no lodging took place. The straw, as will be seen, was from 3 to 4:^ feet in length, and some kinds went over 400 pounds to the -jV^^ acre. Except a few acres sown on stubble land, all the barley was put in on fallow and unless otherwise stated, 2 bushels of seed were sown per acre. Sixteen varieties sown on the same day, under the same conditions, matured on an average in 95 days, while last year, 13 kinds under the same conditions, took an average of 120 days to ripen. The weather during the barley harvest was fine and all sorts were secured without being weather-stained. FIELD LOTS. — PLOTS OF FOUR ACRES AND UPWARDS. Five varieties were sown in fields, all of these were two-rowed, and one of them California Prolific was sown on three different dates. All sorts were very heavy in the straw, but all, excepting Prize Prolific and Newton, stood up and were easily harvested. One field of California Prolific of 5 acres, yielded 57 bushels 44 pounds per acre, from the thresher. The grain of all the varieties is much lighter than usual. RESULTS OF FIELD CROPS OF TWO-ROWED BARLEY. Name of Variety. California Prolific. . . do do do fall pl'h'ng Newton ... Kinver Chevalier. . . . Prize Prolific . Goldthorpe Sown. May 6 do 8 do 9 do 11 do 12 do 9 do 9 do 11 Headed. July 18 do 17 do 20 do 17 do 19 do 20 do 20 do 21 Ripe. Aug. 12 do 11 do 14 do 12 do 16 do 18 do 18 do 17 Matured in. Days. 98 95 97 93 96 101 101 98 Height. Ft. in. 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 Character of Yield Straw. per Acre. Bush. lbs. Strong & fine. 45 .. Strong & fine. 57 44 Strong. 48 2 Strong. 41 32 Weak. 39 17 Weak. 47 60 Weak. 40 .. Weak. Not Weight per Bushel. Lbs. 49 49 48 47 46i 47 47 threshed RESULTS OF SOWING BARLEY AT DIFFERENT DATES ON ONE-TENTH ACRE PLOTS. In this test Duckbill, a two-rowed variety, and Baxter's six-rowed were used. The first plots were sown on 24th April and the last on 29th May, with a week intervening between each set of plots. The plots sown on Ist and 8th May gave the best returns. The three last plots in both sorts gave a smaller yield per acre and lower weights per bushel than the first three sown, caused probably by the hot wind on August 6th, catching these REPORT OF MR. A. MAC KAY. 281 plots while in the milk stage and hastening their ripening. All the plots were heavy in straw excepting those of the last seeding. Name of Variety. Sown. Headed. Ripe. Matured in. Height. Weight of Straw. Yield per Acre. Weight per Bushel Days. Ft. in. Lbs. Bush. lbs. Lbs. Duckbill April 24 May 1 July do 18 19 Aug. do 12 12 Ill 104 4 4 0 0 222 248 35 .. 43 6 48i do 50^ do do 8 do 15 do 22 do 29 do do do do 21 21 22 26 do do do do 14 15 17 19 99 93 88 83 4 4 4 3 0 0 0 10 273 263 193 144 42 4 .37 44 32 34 26 12 50 do 49 do 46 do 44 Baxter's 6-rowed April 24 do 10 do 8 107 3 6 233 36 42 51 do May 1 do 12 do 8 100 3 6 406 42 24 50i do do 8 do 13 do 9 94 3 6 368 40 .. 50 do do 15 do 15 do 12 90 3 6 280 30 10 m do do 22 do 18 do 14 85 3 6 276 30 .. 46| do do 29 do 20 do 16 80 3 2 249 31 22 49 TEST OJ" VARIETIES ALL SOWN SAME DATE, ONE-TENTH ACRE PLOTS. Sixteen varieties were sown in this test. The soil was sandy loam uniform in character and had been fallowed the preceding year. Two bushels of seed per acre was sown by drill. In earliness the six- rowed matured in from 6 to 11 days less time than the two-rowed. All sorts produced a good crop of straw, some very heavy and all stood up well. Name of Variety. Sown. Headed. Ripe. Ma- tured in. Height. Weight Straw. Char- acter of Straw. Fair . . . Weak . . Fair . . . do ... . do ... . do ... . do ... . do ... . Weak . . Strong. . Weak.. Strong. . do .. do .. Weak . . do .. Yield per Acre. Weight per Bushel. Six-rowed sorts — Baxter's May do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 July do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do 12 9 12 10 10 17 9 11 19 21 17 17 17 17 18 18 Aug. do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do 8 8 12 12 8 14 8 8 19 19 18- 14 18 16 19 18 Days. 90 90 94 94 90 96 90 90 101 101 100 96 100 98 101 100 Ft. 3 4 4 3 4 3 3 4 3 3 3 4 3 4 4 4 in. 6 0 0 6 6 6 6 0 6 6 6 3 6 3 0 0 Lbs. 333 169 298 171 246 263 268 307 338 353 258 155 438 233 368 358 Bush. 36 36 49 49 37 41 42 38 44 54 48 43 42 50 51 54 lbs. 42 42 18 .S8 14 2 4 16 2 28 46 36 4 20 22 38 Lbs. 50 Com mon 51^ Repnie's Improved. . Ouessa 50 49i Petschora 46 Gujrmalaye 59 Oderbruch 52i Mensury 46 Two-rowed sorts — Prize Prolific Danish Chevalier . . . Goldthorpe 48 51^ 49 Canadian Thorpe Improved Chevalier. Duckbill 49 51 50 Thanet Kinver Chevalier. . . . 49 48 TEST OF BROADCAST, PRESS DRILL AND ORDINARY DRILL. In this test California Prolific was used. The soil, was a heavy clay loam which was fallowed the preceding year, and the seed was sown at the rate of two bushels per acre. That put in by the Press-drill gave seven bushels more than that sown by the common drill, and 9 bushels and 28 pounds more than the plot sown 282 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. with the broadcast seeder. The straw was longer where the press-drill was used and the grain ripened 3 days in advance of either of the other two. Name of Variety. Sown. Headed. Ripe. Ma- tured in. Height. Weight of Straw. Yield per Acre. Weight per Bushel Days. Ft. in. Lbs. Bush. lbs. Lbs. California Prolific, press-drill. May 8 July 20 Aug. 19 104 4 8 226 55 .. 49 do common driU.... do 8 do 20 do 18 101 4 .6 163 48 .. 48 do broadcast seeder. . do 8 do 23 do 19 104 4 6 182 45 20 47^ TEST OF STUBBLE VS. FALLOW. In this test four acres of stubble were ploughed in the fall of 1892 and four acres fallowed during the same year. Two bushels per acre of California Prolific Barley were sown by drill. The stubble land used was in rather a low place and was situated alongside of a railway embankment, both of which helped the grain when the hot winds came. The embankment especially breaking the force of the hot blasts as they passed over. Name ot Variety. Land. Sown. Headed. Ripe. Ma- tured in. Height. Yield per Acre. Weight per Bushel. California Prolific . do Fallow Fall ploughing of stub- ble May 9.. do 9.. July 20. do 17. Aug. 14 . do 12. Days. 98 96 Ft. in. 4 2 4 1 Bush .lbs 48 10 41 32 Lbs. 48 47 TEST OF SOWING DIFFERENT QUANTITIES OF SEED PER ACRE — ONE-TENTH ACRE PLOTS In these experiments California Prolific was again used. The soil was a heavy clay loam, which had been fallowed and was in good order. Two bushels per acre gave the best return, and the crop matured in two days less time than either If or \h bushels. Name of Variety. Quan- tity of Seed per Acre. Sown. Headed. Ripe. Ma- tured in. Height. Weight of Grain and Straw. Yield per Acre. Weight per Bnshel. California Prolific do do Bush. 2 11 May 8 do 8 do 8 July 20. do 20. do 20. Aug. 14 . do 16. do 16. Days. 99 101 101 Ft. in. 4 3 4 3 4 4 Lbs. 308 316 229 Bush. lbs. 48 14 44 28 43 44 Lbs. 48i 49 47 REPORT OF MR. A. MACK AY. 233 NEW HYBRID BARLEYS. Two named and six unnamed hybrids were tested in the small plots. All are crosses between Swedish two-rowed female and Baxter's six-rowed male, recently- produced at the Central Experimental Farm, but are of different types. Name of Variety. Surprise Summit Type D. do P. Type A. do 11 do S. do C. Cross between Swedish and Baxter's 6-rd do do do do do do do Sown. Headed. Ripe. May 15. July 15. Aug. 14 . do 15. do 17. do 15 . do 12. do 10. do 11. do 12. do 12. do 14. do 12. do 9. do 11. do 12. do 10. do 14. do 12. do 12. do 14. do 12. do 11. do 11. Ma- tured. Days. 91 92 91 94 91 94 94 91 Yield per Acre. Bush. lbs. 39 .. 40 32 Not thr Weight per Bushel. Lbs. 48 46 , 48i eshed. 47i 48 49i 47 OATS. Forty varieties of oats were tested the past season; all being sown on fallowed land. All the varieties were very heavy in straw and gave good returns with the exception of one 5-acre block which was sown on fall ploughing, and although it gave a fair crop of straw the grain was of poor quality. The best return was obtained from Jj^th acre plot of American Banner, sown by press drill on 12th May, which gave lOO bushels per acre. A field of Prize Cluster, 15 acres in extent, produced 77*10 per acre and Welcome on a 5-acre plot alongside the Cluster yielded 78*18 per acre. The grain in both these cases was very good. FIELD PLOTS. Field plots of 15 acres down to 2 acres were sown on different dates. All were very heavy in straw but some of the plots lodged more or less and the grain in these was light. The heaviest crop was that of the Welcome, mentioned above which gave 78 bushels 18 lbs. per acre. The soil, which was a sandy loam was fallowed, and the land gang-ploughed twice in 1892. Two and one-half bushels of seed was sown per acre and put in by drill. TESTS OP FIELD PLOTS OF OATS. Name of Variety. Welcome Banner Bonanza Cluster Blk. Champion White Russian . . . . Improved Ligowo. English White Winter Grey _c b Acres. Sown. Headed. Ripe. ^3 2 5 Height. 2 o cS s< § tx Days. Ft. in. Bush. 5 May 10.. July 18.. Aug. 15.. 98 4 3 78 18 5 do 6.. do 20.. do 17.. 104 4 6 67 00 2 do 6.. do 15.. do 12. , 99 4 2 60 00 15 do 8.. do 15.. do 11.. 96 4 4 77 10 2 do 12.. do 19.. do 16. . 97 4 0 36 14 2 do 12.. do 18.. do 14.. 95 4 2 48 10 2 do 12.. do 16.. do 14.. 95 4 0 49 10 2 do 12.. do 19.. do 16.. 97 4 0 46 00 2 do 12.. do 17 . do 16.. 97 4 4 50 3". 'tis Lbs. 43 36 40 40 36 39 40i 39 40 284 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. RESULTS OF SOWING OATS AT DIFFERENT DATES, ONE-TENTH ACRE PLOTS. Two varieties, Prize Cluster and American Banner, were chosen for this test and Bown on fallowed land on April 24, and on the same day each week for six weeks ending May 29th. The quantity of seed used was 2J bushels per acre which was sown by drill. The first three dates of seeding gave the best results. The Cluster matured on an average 10 days earlier than the Banner but the latter produced the best crop. The following are the dates of seeding, yield, etc. : — Name of Variety. Cluster do do do do do Banner do do do do do .2 rz Sown. Headed. Ripe. 9 Height. Yield per Acre. 1 Days. Ft. in. Bush. lbs. April 24. . July 13.. Aug. 7.. 106 4 4 72 2 May 1.. do 15.. do 8.. 100 4 4 66 6 do 8.. do 16.. do 8.. 93 4 4 60 30 do 15.. do 21.. do 14.. 92 4 5 56 10 do 22.. do 23.. do 19.. 90 4 5 58 20 do 29.. do 26.. do 22.. 86 4 3 46 6 April 24. . do 17.. do 17., 116 4 6 88 28 May 1 . . do 18.. do 19.. 111 4 6 76 20 do 8.. do 19.. do 21.. 106 4 6 86 6 do 15.. do 21.. do 22.. 100 4 6 87 12 do 22.. do 23.. do 24.. 95 4 5 63 00 do 29.. do 28.. do 31.. 95 4 5 61 26 ■53 ca Lbs. 40i 42 41 4H 40 34^ 33 34 34 32i 33i TEST OP SOWING DIFFERENT VARIETIES ON SAME DATE, ONE-TENTH ACRE PLOTS. Forty varieties were selected for this test. All were sown on the same day by drill at the rate of 2^ bushels per acre. The land was a uniform sandy loam which had been fallowed. The Welcome and Winter Gray were the first to ripen. These varieties matured in 92 days ; while last year they took 127 and 134 days respectively to do so. Six kinds gave over 400 pounds of straw on the tenth acre plot, and one variety produced 520 pounds. The weight of the grain is lower this year than for the last two years, caused, no doubt, by the hot winds. Name of Variety. Cluster Welcome Winter Gray Bonanza . . Improved Ligowo. American Beauty. White Russian. . . . Abundance Gothland English White.... Royal Doncaster . . Giant Cluster Archangel Cream Egyptian.. . White Wonder . . . Columbus Ma- Weight Sown. Headed. Ripe. tured Height. of m. Straw. Days. Ft. In. Lbs. May 9.. July 13. Aug. 10. 94 4 6 423 do 9.. do 12. do 8. 92 4 6 383 do 9 . do 13. do 8. 92 4 6 520 do 9.. do 10. do 7. 91 4 6 355 do 9.. do 10. do 16. 100 4 3 300 do 9.. do 16. do 17. 101 3 6 285 do 9.. do 17. do 15. 99 4 0 336 do 9.. do 17. do 16. 100 4 0 320 do 9.. do 19- do 16. 100 4 6 422 do 9.. do 19. do 19. 103 4 6 349 do 9.. do 23. do 20. 104 4 0 350 do 9.. do 23. do 27. 111 4 0 345 do 9.. do 13. do 14. 98 5 0 365 do 9.. do 15. do 10. 94 4 6 477 do 9.. do 15. do 10. 94 4 6 390 do 9.. do 17. do 18. 102 4 0 220 Character of Straw. Heavy do do do Stiff do do do do do Straw very heavy .... Stiff do . ... do do do Yield per Acre. Bush. 64 00 78 18 82 12 66 16 79 14 77 32 60 00 70 20 76 00 70 30 58 28 65 20 70 20 74 14 55 20 58 28 Weight per Bush. Lbs. 41 42 40i 4l| 40| 31 36 31^ 39 41 32^ 32i 40 40i 31 REPORT OF MR. A. MACK AT. 285 TEST OF SOWING DIFFERENT VARIETIES OP OATS — CoTl. Name of Variety. Sown. Headed. Ripe. Ma- tured in. Height. Weight of Straw. Lbs. 226 340 378 370 383 299 149 259 384 373 370 361 368 352 343 455 405 318 336 357 367 499 384 413 Character of Straw. Yield per Acre. Weight per Bush. Challenge May 9.. do 9.. do 9.. do 9.. do 9.. do 9.. do 9.. do 9.. do 9.. do 9.. do 9.. do 9.. do 9.. do 9.. do 9., do 9.. do 9.. do 9.. do 9.. do 9.. do 9.. do 9.. do 9.. do 9.. Julj do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do 13. 19. 19. 19. 16. 17. 16. 19. 19. 19. 18. 19. 19. 16. 19. 19. 17. 17. 17. 23. 19. 19. 16. 16. Aua:. 14 . do 18. do 24. do 19. do 14. do 14. do 14. do 14. do 19. do 20. do 19. do 20. do 20. do 14. do 27. do 18. do 15. do 14,. do 14. do 27. do 27. do 27. do 20. do 20. Days. 98 102 108 103 98 98 98 98 103 104 103 104 104 98 111 102 99 98 98 111 111 111 104 104 Ft. 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 in. 6 6 3 3 3 0 0 8 8 6 6 0 6 3 0 6 3 8 6 3 6 8 6 6 Stiff do do do do do do do do Weak Stiff do do Fair do do do do do Heavy Weak do do do Bush. 60-1.n Lbs. 42 American Triumph Siberian Abyssinia 58 59 67 64 65 73 66 78 72 82 76 77 64 60 70 66 64 60 56 56 50 57 "^2 28 14 22 24 02 28 16 08 22 12 06 02 04 30 20 06 04 00 26 26 10 22 0? 31i 37 30 Scottish Chief 44 Poland White Rennie's Prize White. . . . Victoria Prize White Golden Beauty Oderbruch 40i 42 41 36 39 Holstein Prolific 37 Wide Awake 38 Cave Flying Scotchman Early Blossom Rosedale Banner 38 37 37i 3l| 31 Imported Irish 42 Hazlett'fi Seizure , Black Tartarian ... California Prolific Black. . Black Couloimimiers Early Etampes Joanette 41 374 37 35" 31i TEST OP PALL PLOUGHINa, SPRING PLOUGHING, WITHOUT PLOUGHING, AND FALLOW. This test was made to find out the yield from these four methods of growing oats. The stubble laud used had a crop of Eed Fife in 1892 and was fallowed in 1891. Five acres were sown in each test. The fall ploughing was done in October 1892. The stubble was turned under 6 inches deep and one stroke of the harrow was given in the spring. It was sown by drill without harrowing after and 2^ bushels of seed used per acre. The spring ploughing was done by gang plough, 3 inches deep at time of seed- ing. The seed was first sown, then ploughed in and harrowed. In the third way, the grain was sown by drill without either ploughing or har- rowing. The fallowed land was gang-ploughed twice and harrowed twice the preceding year and was sown by drill without harrowing. Following will be found the results of tests in detail : — Name of Variety. Welcome, do do do Mode of Cultivation. Fall ploughing Spring ploughing Drill, without ploughing, Fallow _c , »^ &„• o CO 33 2 i *5 Days. Ft. in. Bush. May 13 July 18 Aug. 7 87 4 0 36 do 13 do 15 do 7 87 4 2 66 do 13 do 15 do 8 88 4 2 62 do 10 do 18 do 15 97 4 6 78 be 3 Lbs. 38i 40 40i 43 286 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. TEST OP SEEDING, BROADCAST, DRILL AND PRESS-DRIL, ONE-TENTH ACRE PLOTS. In this experiment the Banner oat was used. Two and one-half bushels per acre being sown in each case. The soil was a heavy clay loam. The plot sown with press-drill ripened in 7 days less than that sown with the broadcast seeder and 1 day earlier than that sown with the common drill. The yress-drill gave 25 bushels per acre more than the broadcast seeding and 15 bushels more than the common drill. Name of Variety. Mode of seeding. o3 "Si u Pi ; if> w P4 % w >^ i? Days. Ft. in. Bus. lbs. Lbs. Banner Broadcast May 12 July 23 Aug. 25 106 4 3 75 20 37 do Drill. Press-drill do do 12 12 do do 19 do 19 18 100 99 4 4 3 6 85 30 100 .. 37^ do ... ISl do 38 1 TEST OP SOWING AT DIFFERENT DEPTHS. The Banner was used in this test also, the condition and character of soil being the same as in the previous test. Name of variety. Depth of Seeding. Sown. Headed. Ripe. .S OS Height. Yield per Acre. Weight per Bushel. "RaTlTlPT .3 in. deen May 12. do 12. July 21. do 20. Aug. 23. do 23. Days. 103 103 Ft. in. 4 3 4 3 Bush. 87-20 81-26 Lbs. 38 do 2 in. do 36 TEST OP SOWING DIFFERENT QUANTITIES OP SEED PER ACRE. In this test the conditions were the same except the quantity of seed sown. Two bushels per acre gave the best return. Name of Variety. Quantity of Seed per Acre. Sown. Headed. Ripe. Days. 102 103 103 Height. Yield per Acre. Weight per Bushel. Banner 2 bush, per acre 2i do 2| do May 8. do 8. do 8. July 18. do 18. do 18. Aug. 17 . do 18. do 18. Ft. in. 4 3 4 4 4 3 Bush. 97 -.^2 89- 14 80 00 Lbs. 37 do 36i do 36i TEST OP GROWING OATS WITH AND WITHOUT FERTILIZERS. Three j^j^th acre plots were sown with Banner Oats. On one plot 50 lbs. super- phosphate of lime was sown ; on the second, 60 lbs. field lime ; and the third was untreated. REPORT OF MR. A. MAG KAY. 2»7 The plot -with super-phosphate of lime gave 20 bushels per acre more than either of the other two, and ripened one day earlier. In this test in 1892, the super- phosphate of lime gave much the better result, but the untreated plot that season was badly injured by winds. Name of Variety. Treatment. Sown. Headed. Ripe. 1 Height. Yield per acre. Weight per bushel. Banner do do 50 lbs. Super- phosph. lime . 60 " Field lime Untreated . May 10 do 10 do 10 July 20 do 21 do 21 Au?. 21 do 23 do 22 Days. 104 106 105 Ft. in. 4 4 4 4 4 4 Bush. 8.'S-20 65-20 65.20 Lbs. 36 35^ 37i PEASE. Twelve varieties were sown in ^ acre plots and 7 of these in acre plots. The crop of straw from all the sorts was heavy but the hot winds injured them so much that the yield was very small. Unfortunately a heavy wind storm took place immediately after the pease were pulled, which mixed the varieties so much that out of 19 plots, returns for only 6 kinds can be given, and they are not accurate for the reason that all the plots were badly threshed out by winds. Two of the sorts that were badly mixed, Centennial and Potter, were the best of all varieties sown. The Pride also was of good quality. ONE ACRE PLOTS OP PEASE. Name of Variety. Pride White Marrowfat Black Eyed Marrowfat Mummy Prince Albert Crown Multiplier Sown. May 5. do 5. do 5. do 5. do do do 5. 5. 5. T3 0) a o P3 July 10. do 14. do 17. do 15. do 16. do 16. do 18. Ripe. Aug. 15 do 23 do 23 do 16 do 22 do 16 do 17 T3 = C Days. 103 ni 111 104 no 104 105 Yield per acre. Bushels. 2000 14 10 11-40 16-40 901 Weight per bushel. Lbs. 61 63 61 62 m Remarks. Mixed by winds, do do ONE-TENTH ACRE PLOTS OF PEASE. Name of Variety. Mummy . . Black Eyed Marrowfat . Pride White Marrowfat Multiplier Prince Albert Crown Potter. Canadian Beauty Centennial Golden Vine Prussian Blue Sown. Blossomed May 10. do 10. do 10. do 10. do 10. do 10. do 10, do 10. do 10. do 10. do 10, do 10, July 14. do 16. do 10. do 18. do 18. do 19. do 17. do 16. do 18. do 16. do 17. do 19. Ripe. Aug. 16. do 23. do 14. do 23. do 21. do 21. do 16. do 19. do 22. do 17. do 22, do 23, Matured in. Days. 99 106 97 106 104 104 99 102 105 100 105 106 Yield per Acre. Bush. lbs. 17-40 Condition. Mixed by winds. do do Very fine, mix. by w . Mixed by -winds. do do do do Small, Very fine, mix. by w . Mixed by winds. Extra fine, mix. by w. Mixed by winds. do do 288 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. FODDEE-MIXTURES AND FODDER PLANTS. As in previous years a good deal of ground was given to fodder mixtures. These were sown on stubble land and on fallow and on account of the very favour- able season a heavy rank crop resulted. A portion of the crop was made into hay, a part cut green and put in silo and the remainder cut on the green side and bound into sheaves to be cut with straw-cutter and fed to horses and stock. In previous years the bulk of these mixtures was made into hay. Last year a test was made of allowing the mixture to partially mature, then cut with a binder and after curing in stook the mixture was cut during the winter with straw- cutter and fed to stock. This method having proved vQry satisfactory, the bulk of the mixtures this year after filling the silo was cured in this way. Spring rye alone made the best hay. Oats and barley made the best fodder mixture, and pease, wheat and oats gave the heaviest crop. The following tables give the results of the tests : FIELD PLOTS. Names of Grain. 1 Oats and Barley . 2 do Barley and Spring Rye, 3 do on Spring Rye land ... 4 Spring Rye on Fallow Sown. Headed. Ripe. Weight per Acre of Cured Hay. Cut for Silo. May 4 . . do 4.. do 5.. April 29.. July 18.. do 15.. do 20. . June 26.. Aug. 14.. do 15.. do 16.. do 1.. Tons. lbs. 3 1,560 3 100 2 1,100 2 1,400 Aug. 1 . . do 1.. do 1.. do 1.. Weight per Acre of Ensilage. Tons. lbs. 6 1,200 5 1,800 4 1,000 5 100 ONE-TENTH ACRE PLOTS. Names of Grain. Golden Vine Pea, 6 lbs Prize Prolific Barley, 5 lbs Banner Oats, 3| lbs Golden Vine Pea, 6 lbs '^ Red Fife Wheat, 5 lbs \ Banner Oats, 3J lbs J Extra Early Peas, 7 lbs , \ White Tares, 6 lbs J Duckbill Baj-ley, 6 lbs \ Spring Rye, 5 lbs / Oats and Spring Rye '( Sowu. Headed. Cut for Hay. May 12.. do 12.. do 12 . do 12. . do 12.. July 18.. do 21.. Aug. 4.. do 4.. do 15.. do 4.. July 1.. do 1.. Weight per Acre of Cured Hay. Tons. lbs. 3 500 2 1,000 200 800 In addition to grain mixtures corn, horse beans and sunflowers were also sown for fodder. The corn although promising at first gave very poor returns when cut. Nine varieties were planted. All were further advanced than in any previous year, but none produced corn fully developed. The nine sorts were planted in hills 3 feet apart each way and the same sown by grain drill in rows 3 feet apart on fallowed land which was ploughed and harrowed before the seed was put in. All were put in the same day and the results show but little difference between the returns from the hill and drill planting. One variety, North Dakota, was sown on potato land that had been well manured before potatoes were planted in 1893, This gave 8 tons 280 pounds per acre. REPORT OF MR. A. MAC KAY. 289 RESULTS OP TESTS OP VARIETIES OP CORN. Name of Variety. Planted in Hills, 3 ft. each way — North Dakota Pearce's Prolific Mastodon Dent Rural Thoro'bred White Flint. Angel of Midnight Com pton's Early Golden Dew Drop Mitchell's Extra Early Smut-nose Flint Sown by Drill in rows, 3 ft. apart — North Dakota Pearce's Prolific Mastodon Dent Rural Thoro'bred White Flint. Angel of Midnight Compton's Early Golden Dew Drop Mitchell's Extra Early Smut-nose Flint Planted on Potato Ground of 1892— North Dakota Planted or Sown. May 26. do 26. do 26. do 26. do 26. do 26. do do 26. 26. do 26. do 26. do 26. do 26 do 26. do 26 do 26. do 26. do 26. do 26. do 26. Tasselled. Cut. Aug. 10.. do 10.. do 18.. do 16.. do 10.. do 2.. do 6.. do 8.. do 8.. do 10.. do 10.. do 18.. do 16.. do 10.. do 2.. do 6.. do 8.. do 8.. do 10.. Aug. 28. do 28. do do do do do do do do do do do 28. 28. do 28. do 28. do 28. do 28. do 28. 28. 28. 28. 28. 28. 28. 28. 28. 28. do 28. Weight per Acre. Tons. lbs. 4 4 5 4 5 5 5 4 4 5 4 4 4 5 5 5 4 5 1,900 1,020 1,000 1,350 780 1,000 450 1,680 1,900 340 1,900 1,580 1,900 1,110 1,000 1,200 1,080 1,770 280 The horse-beans fully matured and were a fair crop. They were cut up along with the corn and put in the silo. Between two and three acres of sunflowers were sown for the purpose of put- ting the heads along with the corn and beans in the silo. On account of taking longer to develop their seed, they were not far enough advanced when the corn and beans were ready and the frost killed them when only a small percentage of the heads were filled. The seed was probably put in too late, it will be sown earlier next year. GRASSES. In the spring of 1892, sixteen varieties of grass were sown in plots, and mix- tures of these with native grasses were sown in the field with barley. Most of the field plots were blown out and the balance killed by dry weather after the seed came up. Out of the sixteen sorts sown only two produced a crop the past season. They were Bromus Inermis and Muhlenbergia Sylvatica. The former gave a yield of 3 tons 1,200 pounds per acre, and the latter f of a ton per acre. As Bromus Inermis had stood two winters and each j^ear given a good crop, and believing that it will be a very valuable hay for the North-west, a quantity bf seed was procured and fifteen acres sown with it last spring, to which large additions will be made in the spring of 1894. This grass has the advantage of starting to grow almost as soon as the snow is gone, and before a green blade is seen on the prairie or in any of the cultivated sorts, the Bromus Inermis is six inches high. In addition to this good feature, it appears to stand the winters and spring frosts to perfection ; at least it has done so for the last two years, and although this may not be long enough to establish a claim to absolute hardiness for years to come, it may safely be recommended as the best and surest grass so far tested on the experimental farm. Good points also in its favour are the ease with which a good catch can be obtained, and its ability to endure our dry warm months. 8c— 19 290 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. SPRING RYE. Five acres of spring rye were sown for seed on April 29th. It came into head on June 2b*th, and ripened August 8th. Two acres were cut for hay on August 1st and the remaining three acres yielded 16^ bushels per acre. FLAX. Two plots of flax were sown on May 30th, which ripened on August 31st. straw was short and the yield of both seed and straw small. The ROOTS. The past season has been one of the worst since the farm was started, for field I'oots. All varieties tested made a good beginning, but on account of injury from a heavy wind soon after the young plants were thinned and a prolonged drought alter the middle of Julv, the returns were small. All roots were sown on fallow land, which was ploughed and harrowed before sowing. TURNIPS. Twelve varieties were tested. The first seeding was done on 25th May, and the 12 sorts were again sown on 6th June. As will be seen, the first seeding gave the best returns. Name of Variety. Carter's Elephant Prize Winner Rennie's Purple Top. . . Marquis of Lome .... Jumbo Skirving's Purple Top. Monarch Sutton's Champion Mammoth Purple Top Bangholm do Selected Purple Top East Lothian Carter's Elephant Prize Winner Rennie's Purple Top. . . Marquis of Lome Jumbo Skirving's Purple Top . Monarch Sutton's Champion . . . . Mammoth Purple Top. Bangholm Selected Purple Top . . . East Lothian . . . Fi/rst Seeding. Second Seeding. Sown. Pu lied. May 25.. Oct. 9.. do 25.. do 9.. do 25.. do 9.. do 25.. do 9.. do 25.. do 9.. do 25.. do 9.. do 25.. do 9.. do 25.. do 9.. do 25.. do 9.. do 25.. do 9.. do 25.. do 9.. do 25.. do 9.. June 6.. Oct. 9.. do 6.. do 9 . do 6.. do 9.. do 6., do 9.. do 6.. do 9.. do 6.. do 9.. do 6.. do 9.. do 6.. do 9.. do 6.. do 9.. do 6,. do 9.. do 6.. do 9.. do 6.. do 9.. Yield per Acre. P>ush. lbs. 623 660 407 322 476 236 472 396 375 403 491 386 172 318 227 243 330 304 282 280 221 320 335 289 20 30 40 30 40 50 20 20 50 30 20 20 50 20 20 30 50 50 30 40 REPORT OF MR. A. MAG KAY. 291 MANGELS. Ten sorts of mangels were tested. Like the turnips they were sown on different dates, May 25 and June 6. The early seeding proved to be the best. Heavy frost in the latter part of September and early in October almost spoiled the crop. Name of Vaiietj'. Sown. Pu lied. Yield per Acre. First Seeding. Erfurt Model Gate Post May 25 . . do 25. . do 25.. do 25.. do 25.. do 25.. do 25.. do 25.. do 25.. do 25.. June 6. . do 6.. do 6.. do 6.. do 6.. do 6.. do 6.. do 6.. do 6.. do 6.. Oct. do do do do do do do do do Oct. do do do do do do do do do 9.. 9.. 9.. 9.. 9.. 9 . 9.. 9.. 9.. 9.. 9.. 9.. 9.. 9.. 9.. 9.. 9.. 9.. 9.. 9.. Bush. lbs. 201 40 271 20 Canadian Giant Orange Giant Yellow Globe 265 50 193 30 282 10 Golden Tankard 165 Giant Yellow (intermediate) 256 40 E.ed-fleshed Tankard Red Globe 348 20 238 20 Mammoth Globe Second Seeding. Erfurt Model Gate Post 267 40 165 .. 183 20 Canadian Giant 183 Orange Giant 146 40 Yellow Globe 192 30 Golden Tankard Giant Yellow (intermediate) Red Fleshed Tankard Red Globe Mammoth Globe - 135 40 172 20 181 30 146 40 187 CARROTS. Nine varieties were sown on two diffei-ent dates, May 25 and June 6, but no variety on either date of seeding gave a crop worth taking up. SUGAR BEETS. Four varieties were tested, but late frosts injured them all. The earliest sowing gave the best results. Name of Variety. Sown. Pulled. Yield per acre. French Klein Wanzlebeii First Seeding. May 25.. do 25.. do 25.. do 25.. June 6. . do 6.. do 6.. do 6.. Oct. do do do Oct. do do do 9.. 9.. 9.. 9.. 9.. 9.. 9.. 9.. Bush. lbs. 275 .. 225 White Improved 192 30 Green Top Brabant . . . French Second Secdinfi. 311 50 183 20 Klein Wanzlebeii 165 W^hite Improved 132 Green Top Brabant 196 30 sc—m 292 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. POTATOES. Thirty-four varieties were tested and like the roots were the poorest crop we have had since-the farm was established. Besides being light in yield, they were small in size, scabby and only fair in quality. The potato land was fallowed in 1892, ploughed before planting and well harrowed. The potatoes were dropped in rows 3 feet apart and 13 inches in the rows, harrowed after they came up and were run through with a scuffler each week. When tops got large enough they were hilled up with a plough. Planted 26th May ; taken up 5th Oct. Name of Variety. Crown Jewel Empire State Thorburn Sharpe's Seedling. . Algoma No. 1 Early Ohio Early Rose .... . Early Puritan Chicago Market . . . Beauty of Hebron . Rural Blush Delaware Lee's Favourite . . , Vanguard Clarke's No. 1 Everett . Daisy Yield per Acre. Bush. lbs. 133 91 67 128 100 91 152 128 141 163 128 183 124 137 165 183 157 .30 40 50 20 50 40 10 20 20 10 20 20 40 30 20 40 Name of Variety. Early Sunrise Holborn Abundance. Northern Spy Dakota Red State of Maine Burpee's Extra Early Polaris Green Mountain. . . . White Beauty New Variety Pearce's Extra Early Toronto Queen Earliest of All American (Jiant . . . Munroe Co Early Gem Sunlit Star Yield per Acre. Bush. 183 165 150 155 73 132 152 124 141 146 143 139 73 135 205 139 128 lbs. 20 20 50 20 20 10 20 20 40 20 20 40 20 20 VEGETABLE GARDEN. As in preceding years, tests were made with several sorts of many kinds of vegetables to find out the earliest and best for the North-west. No special effort was made to produce large specimens or heavy crops, earli- ness and suitability being the main object. On account of protection afforded by the wind breaks, now established on the farm, the crop on the whole was the best and most satisfactory of any yet grown. This was especially the case with the onion crop. ARTICHOKES Did not do well. The tops grew to a good size September and the bulbs were small. Sown, 4th May ; up, 22nd May. but were hurt by frost in ASPARAGUS. The first cutting was had on May 27. It did well and gave a large crop all through the season. REPORT OF MR. A. MAG KAY. 293 BEANS. Nine varieties were planted. The two best were Dwarf German White Wax and Warden's Kidney. These with Yellow Six-weeks and White Kidney were the only ones that matured. Name of Variety. Lazy Wives Mammoth Red German Wax Crystal White Wax Dwarf German White Wax . . Warden's Kidney Dwarf Triumph Mohawk Yellow Six- Weeks White Kidney Sown. Up. May 17. .. May 31.. July — . . . do 17. .. do 31.. do 28... do 17. . do 31.. do 28... do 17. .. do 31.. do 28... do 17. .. do 31.. do 28... do 17. .. do 31.. do 28... do 17. .. do 31.. do 7.. do 17. .. do 31.. do 7... do 17. .. do 31.. do 7...' 1 Fit for use. Hemarks. Xo good. Good. Very good do Fair. Small. Good do do Did not pod. Ripened, do BEETS. Seven sorts were sown. All did well, but Edmonds Early and Black Knight were the best for the table. The seven kinds were also transplanted. When so treated they grew larger than those left in the beds where sown, but were not fit for table use. Name of Variety. Sown. Up. Fit for use. Lifted. Bushels per acre. Remarks. Early Blood Turnip Edmund's Early Rennie's Intermediate May 15 . do 15. do 15. do 15. do 15. do 15. do 15. June 3. . do 3.. do 3.. do 3.. do 3.. do 3.. do 3.. Aug. 15. do 15. do 15. do 15. do 15 . do 15. do 15. Sept. 22. do 22. do 22. do 22. do 22. do 22. do 22. 701 484 6B6 726 556 635 302 Good shape ; light colour. Extra good. Good shape. Eclipse Arlinsrton Very good, do Long Dark Red do Black Knight Small ; good colour. CAULIFLOWERS. Twenty-two varieties were tested and a great difference in value was noted. Giant White Pearl and Thorburn's Large Early Dwarf Erfurt, Early Snowball and Gilt Edged Snowball being the best. Some others were as early but the flowers were small and open. Short Stemmed La Norraande made large flowers but the colour was bad. All the late varieties gave good promise, but were destroyed by frost in September when beginning to make head. 294 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. CAULIFLOWERS. Name of Variety. Large Late Mammoth Veitch's Autumn Giant Early Snowball Gilt Edge Snowball Ex. Ey. Dwarf Erfurt . . Nonpareil Early Paris Early Walcheren Extra Dwarf Erfurt Large Ey. Dwarf Erfurt Half Ey. Dwarf French Large Algiers Italian Taranto Large Early London Stadtholder Autumn Giant Short Stemmed La Normand. Gilt Edge Imp. Earliest Dwarf Erfurt. . Early German Erfurt Giant White Pearl Ex. Ey. White Heads Sown in Hot- bed April 11 do 11 do do do do do do do do do do do do 11 11 11 do 11 do 11 11 11 11 11 do 11 do 11 do 11 do 11 11 11 11 11 11 do 11 do 11 Up. April do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do Trans- planted in Hot-bed. April 25. do 25. do 21. do 21. do 21. do 21. do 21. do 21. do 21. do 21. do 21. do 21. do 21. do 21. April 25. do 25. do 25. do 25. do 21. do 25. do 25. Trans- planted in open Ground. May 29. do 29. do 29. do 29. do 29. do 29, do 29. do 29. do 29. do 29. do 29. do 29. do 29. do 29. April 29. do 29. do 29. do 29. do 29. do 29. do 29. Fit for use. July 7 Aug. 20 July 14 do 14 do 15 July 14 do 14 do 7 Au^. 10 do 12 Aug. 20 do 8 July do do do do 11 Remarks. Small. Hurt by frost. Very good. do Small. No good. do do Very good. The" best. Very poor. Hurt by frost. Poor. No good. Very poor and not put out. Hurt by frost. Fair. Very fine. Small. do Very fine. do CABBA.GE, Twelve varieties were planted and all did well. The Jersey Wakefield, Express and Henley's Champion were the earliest but were small. Burpee's All Head was the best cabbage this season. Early Summer, Surehead and Vandergraw being next. Name of Variety. Burpee's All Head New World Beater Henderson's Earlj' Summer Bridgeport Drumhead Imp. Jersey Wakefield Imp. Am. Dun. Savoy Mam. Red Rock Henley's Champion Express Vandergraw Filderkraut Surehead Sown in Hotbed. April 10. do 10. do 10. do 10. do 10. do 10. do 10. do 19. do 19. do 19. do 19. do 10. Up. April 14. do 14. do 14. do 14. do 14. do 14. do 14. do 23. do 23. do 23. do 23. do 14. Trans- planted in Hotbed April 26. do 26. do 2(i. do 26., do 26., do 26. do 26. May 5. do 5., do 5., do 5., April 26. Trans- planted in Open Ground. May 29 do 27 do 27 do 27 do 29 do 29 do 29 do 29 do 29 do 29 do 29 do 27 Fit for Use. July 28 Aug. 27 July 28 do ~- do Aug, do July 14 do 14. Aug. 27. do 27. do 27. 27. 14. 27. 27. Taken up. Sept. 16., do 16., do 16.. do 16.. do 16.. do 16.. do 16.. do 16.. do 16.. do 16.. do 16.. do 16.. CUCUMBERS. Four varieties of cucumbers were sown in pots in a hotbed on April 16th, and transplanted into frames in the garden on May 26th. They gave a large crop. New Siberian is small but much the most prolific. Giant Pera is a good bearer and very large and well shaped. White Pearl is a poor producer but the pure white cucumber is very handsome and fine flavoured. Those sown in the garden without any protection immediately about them did not produce as abundantly and were not bo early. REPORT OF MR. A. MACK AT, 295 SOWN IN POTS IN HOT-BED. Name of Variety. Giant Pera New Siberian Burpee's White Pearl . White Spine Sown in Hot-Bed. Apr. 16. do 16. do 16. do 16. Up. Apr. 22. . do 22.. do 22.. do 22.. Trans- planted in open. May 26. do 26. do 26. do 26. Fit for use. June 22. . do 20.. do 22 . do 26.. Ripe. Aug. 11. CUCUMBERS SOWN IN OPEN GROUND. Name of Variety. New Paris Pickling Giant Pera New Siberian Sown. Apr. 26.. do 26.. do 26.. Up. May 31. do 31. do 31. Fit for use. Aug. 29 do 29. do 29. CELERY. Eight vai'ieties were tested. None of the sorts did as well as last year. .Giant White, London Eed, and White Plume were the best. Name of Variety. Sown in Hot-bed. Ue ). Trans- planted in Hot-bed. Trans- planted in open. Fit for use. Lifted. White Pascal Apr. 11.. do 11.. do 11.. do 11.. do 11.. do 11.. do 11.. do 11.. May do do do do do do do May 20.. do 20.. do 20.. do 20.. do 20.. do 20.. do 20.. do 20.. July 4.. do 4.. do 4.. do 5.. do 5.. do 6.. do 6.. do 6.. Aug do do do do do do do 16.. 16.. 14.. 16 . 16.. 14.. 14.. 16.. Sept. 20.. Giant Pascal Giant White Paris Golden Yellow New Rose Tjondon Red do 20.. do 20.. do 20.. do 20. . do 20.. White Plume. Giant Golden Heart do 20. . do 20.. CITRONS. Citrons were sown in hot-bed and transplanted in frames in the garden and in open ground. Those in frames produced much the larger specimens, two citrons weighing fifteen pounds each. The seed was obtained from W. F. Johnston, of the variety known as Colorado Preserving. They were sown April 17th, transplanted from hot-bed May 26th, and ripe August 20th. 296 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. TABLE CARROTS. Five sorts were tested, Peer of All and Scarlet Nantes being the best. Name of Variety. Sown. Up. ' Fit for use. Lifted. Remark3. Henderson's Intermediate May 2.. do 2.. do 2.. do 2.. do 2.. May 20.. do 20.. do 20.. do 20. do 20.. July 28.. do 28.. do 28.. do 28.. do 28.. Oct. 14.. do 14.. do 14.. do 14.. do 14.. Very fine. Rough. Very good. Stump rooted . Very good. Half -long Scarlet Carentan Peer of all New Long Red Meux Scarlet Nantes KALE, One variety, Plumage, was sown in hot-bed on April 19th, transplanted in hot- bed on April 2b'th, transplanted to open ground on May 29th, and taken up on September 16 th. KOHL-RABI. Two sorts were tested. Both were a fair crop. Purple Goliath, White Vienna, they were sown May 30th, came up June 5th, and were tit for use October 1st. CORN, Native corn known also as squaw corn, planted on May 25th, was fit for use on August 29th, and ripe on September 1st. MUSHROOMS. A mushroom bed was made in the potato cellar, and the spawn put in on April 8th. The first mushrooms came up on June 22nd, and the bed continued bearing all summer. LETTUCE. Four varieties were tested in a hot-bed, and three of these sown in open ground. Sown in Hot-bed . New Buttercup Denver Market Golden Queen Large Yellow Market Sown in open Denver Market Large Yellow Market New Buttercup Sown. Apr. 17. do 17. do 17. do 17. Trans- planted in Hot-bed. May 26.. do 26.. do 26.. do 26. . Fit for use. July 20. do 26. do 18. do 30. Remarks. Good. Good. Good. Good. Sown. May do do 2. 2.. 9 Up. May 8.. do 8.. do 8.. Fit for use. Remarks. Aug. 15. . do 15.. do 15.. Good. Good. Good. REPORT OF MR. A. MAC KAY. 297 MUSK MELONS. Three varieties of Musk Melons were tried. Sown in pots in a hot-bed and transplanted into frames in the garden. Emerald Gem and Banquet produced a fair crop. Pineapple did not come up. The two former were sown April 17th, came up April 24th, were transplanted May 26th ; the Emerald Gem was ripe August 3rd, and the Banquet September 4th. WATER MELONS. Two varieties of Water Melons were sown in pots in a hot-bed, and transplanted into frames in garden. The Early Eipe produced a good crop of fair sized melons. The Early Canada was not so large, but produced more fruit. They were both sown April 17th, came up April 24th, were transplanted May 26t.h, and the Early Eipe was ripe September 2nd, the Early Canada September 4th. ONIONS. Eight varieties were sown in a hot-bed and transplanted into the garden, and eight sorts were sown in beds in the garden. All those transplanted did extra well. Three of the varieties sown in the open ground also did well. The best onions though not the largest were Mammoth Eed Victoria, Prize taker, Giant Eocca and Eed Globe Danvers. In the following table will be found full particulars of the results of this test. Onions sown in hot-bed. Mammoth White Victoria Mammoth Red Victoria . . Mammoth Pearl Giant Prize Taker Giant Rocca Red Globe Danvers Yellow Globe Danvers Red Wethersfield Sown. Up. Trans- planted. Fit for use. Pupe. Apr. 10.. Apr. 16.. May 5 . . •July Sept . 15 . . do 10.. do 16.. do 5.. do Oct. 12.. do 10.. do 16.. do 5.. do do 12.. do 10.. do 16.. do 5.. do Sept. 15.. do 10.. do 16.. do 5.. do Oct. 12.. do 10.. do 15.. do 5.. do do 12.. do 10. do 15. . do 5.. do Sept. 15.. do 10.. do 17.. do 5. . do do 15.. Bushels per acre. 38S 677 435 .5-0 629 580 389 411 Onions sown in open ground. Red Globe Danvers Yellow Danvers. . . . Extra Early Red... White Barletta.. . . Scotch Leek . . . . , Salzers Earliest. . . . New Queen Silver Skin Sown. Up. Ripe. Bushels per acre. Apr. 19.. do 19.. do 19.. do 19.. do 10.. Mav 27.. Apr. 19.. do 19.. May 23.. do" 23.. do 23.. do 23 . . do 23.. Sept. 15.. do 15 . . do 15.. Aug. 30.. 365 435 504 242 .June 28.. May 23.. do 23.. Sept. 15. . Aug. 30. do 30.. 290 290 145 Remarks. No good. PARSNIPS. Three varieties were sown, the Intermediate, Student duced a good crop, there being no perceptible difference in and Maltese. All pro- the three. They we-e sown May 1st, came up June 1st, and were gathered October 12th. The roots in each case were scood and smooth. 298 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. PEPPERS. Four sorts were tested, the Large Eed Squash, Cardinal, Long Eed and Mon- strous Mammoth, but none matured. PEASE. Nine sorts were sown. Among the small varieties McLean's Little Gem, and American Wonder were best. Among the large sorts Champion of England and Yorkshire Hero were tirst. Name of Variety. McLean's Little Gem , New Queen Earlj; Star Heroine Stratagem Pride of the Market . American Wonder. . . Champion of England Yorkshire Hero ■ Sown. Up. Pulled. May 3.. May 18.. July 15.. do 3.. do 18. do 28.. do 3.. do 18.. do 28.. do 3.. do 18.. do 28.. do 3.. do 18.. do 28 . do 3. do 18.. do 28.. do 3.. do 18.. do 15 . . do 3.. do 18.. do 28.. do 3.. do 18.. do 28.. Remarks. Very good. Large pods. Not well filled . Good. Not well filled. Good. Fair. Very good. Very good. Fair. RADISH. Five sorts were tested, sown in a hot-bed, and four were sown in the garden. The two best in the hot-bed were Earliest White Forcing, and Earliest Carmine, olive shaped. The best in the garden were Eosy Gem and New Pearl Forcing. Four kinds of Winter Eadish were tested. One Long Eed Chinese went to seed but the others did well. Sown in hot-bed. Carmine Olive Shaped New Pearl Forcing Olive Gem Earliest White Forcing Earliest Carmine, Olive Shaped Sown. April 10.. do 10.. do 10.. do 17.. do 17.. Up. April 13. do 13. do 14. do 22. do 22. Fi t for use. Remarks. May 1. May 10. do 18. do 20. Good. No good. Did not do well. Very good. Very good. Sown in open ground. Rosy Gem Long S.almon White Forcing New Pearl Forcing Sown. May 10. do 10. do 10. June 10. Up. May 17. May 17 June 17 Fit for use. June 20. June 20.. July 20.. Remarks. Extra fine. Did not come up. Small. Extra fine. Winter Radish. Long Black Spanish., Long White Spanish. Long White Chinese Long Red Chinese. .. Sown. Up. Fit for use. May 30. . do 30. . do 30. . do 30.. June 5 . . do 5.. do 5.. do 5. Aug. 29.. do 29.. do 29.. i Remarks. Large fine root. Very large. Fair size, straight. All went to seed. REPORT OF MR. A. MA OKAY. 299 RHUBARB. Four varieties have been tested, Victoria, Linnaeus, Carleton Club and Stotts' Mammoth. Victo?"ia and Linnaeus have given the best results, and were fit for use May 3l8t. Although not as large as either Carleton Club or Stotts' Mammoth, they are of finer flavour. Carleton Club and Stotts' Mammoth are exceedingly large varieties ; one stalk of the former measuring over 9 inches in circumference. Stotts' Mam- moth apparently not so suitable to the climate, is gradually dying out. SALSIFY. White Salsify — Sown May 2nd; up May 18; fit for use October 12th ; very rooty. A poor crop. SPINACH. Bloomsdale Savoy Leaved — Sown May 2nd ; up May 14th. Frozen. SAGE. Sown May 2nd ; up May 20th, A good crop. SUMMER SAVORY. Sown May 2nd ; up May 20th. A good crop, PARSLEY. Moss Curled — Sown May 2nd ; up June 2nd. Very good crop. TOMATOES. Eight sorts were tried. Earliest of All and Extra Early Atlantic were the best for colour, shape and quality of fruit. Name of Variety. Strawberry. Sown in ground . Extra Early Atlantic Ponderosa Early Ruby Extra Early Chemin Dwarf Champion . Yellow Plum Earliest of All Sown. Apr. 10. do 10. do do 10 10. do 10. do 10. do 10. do 10. Up. Apr. 15.. do 16.. do 17 . . do 17.. do do 17. 17. do 15.. Trans- planted in hot-bed. May 15.. do 15.. do 15.. do 15.. do 15.. do 15.. do 15.. In fruit. June 26 do 26. do do 26. 28. do .30. do 26. do 22. Ripe. Aug. 9.. do ■ 'i2.. do 20.. do 20. do 7. . do 4.. Remarks. No good. None ripened. TURNIPS, Four sorts of table turnips were sown. Early Snowball proving the best. Name of Variety, Red -top Strap-leaf Early Snowball . . Orange July Breadstone Sown, Up. Fit for use. May 30.. do 30 . do 30.. do 30.. June 5 . . do 5. . do 5.. do 5.. Aug. ft., do 9.. do 9.. do 9.. Remarks. No use for garden. Very fine. Good. Should be '* Grevstone." 300 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. FLOWEE GAEDEN. The flower garden suffered considerably from the dry weather, and especially from the hot winds in A ugust. Although many of the flowers were good, some, such as the Pansies, were poor. Sweet Williams, Asters, Stocks, Drummond Phlox and Verbenas were extra fine. Following are the names of the sorts grown, with remarks on each variety : — Pansies. — Sowed twelve varieties of German Pansies, and one box seed from Ottawa. Did only fairly well. Verbenas. — Sown in hot-bed April 12th. Planted in garden June 22nd. Did fairly well. Pyrethrum. — Sown in hot-bed April 15th. Planted for boi'ders June 15th. Did well; makes good border. Scabiosa. — New Leviathan: Sown in hot-bed April 15th. Planted in garden June 14th. Bloomed July 20th. Very fine. Scarlet Flax. — Sown April 15th. Planted in garden June 14th. Bloomed July 10th, till frozen. JCeranthemum. — (Everlasting.) Sown April 15th. Planted in garden June 22nd. Bloomed August Ist. Good. Abronia Umbellata. — Sown April 15th. Transplanted June 15th. Did not do well. Petunia. — Sown April 15th. Transplanted June 22ud. Did well. Flowered throughout the season. Sweet Peas. — Sown in garden on May 22nd. Did well. Canna. — German seed. Sown April J 5th. Only two plants came up. Canna tubers from Ottawa. — Potted in hot-bed on April 27th. Planted June 8th. Flowered well. Gladioli. — Potted in hot-bed April 27th. Planted June 8th. Flowered well till killed by frost in September. Phlox Drummondi. — Sown in hot-bed April 15th. Fireball, Grandiflora, eight colours, and Nana Compacta, eight colours. Planted in garden June 8th. In bloom July 1st. Continued blooming throughout season. One of the best flowers for this country. Stocks. — Dwarf German, ten weeks, eighteen colours. Dwarf German, eighteen colours. Large Flowering, eighteen colours. Sown in hot-bed April 16th. Planted June 8. Flowered July Ist. Mass of bloom all season. Large flowering made most show. One of the hardiest and best flowers for this climate. Dianthus. — Dianthus Imperialis and Dianthus Heddewigii. Sown April 15th. Planted June 9th. In bloom July 10th. Flowered freely all summer. Stands winter well. Aster. — Victoria, eight colours. Dwarf Bouquet, eight colours, and Trufl^auts Aster. Sown April 15th. Planted June 8th. In flower August 20th. Made good show till killed by frost. Godetia — Eight varieties. Sown in hot-bed April 15th. Planted June 8th. Did not do as well as those sown in garden on May 23rd. Mallow. — Makes good border. Flowers freely. Zinnia Elegans. — Sown in hot-bed May 18th. Planted June 17th. Made a good show until frozen. Mignonette. — Matchett, Aurea, Victoria, Pyramidalis and Common. Sown in garden May 23rd. Bloomed in July, and continued throughout the season. Nasturtiums. — Dwarf and tall varieties did fairly well, but are rather tender for the North-west. Floivering Flax. — Did well for large borders. Flowers freely and stands winter well. Eschscholtzia. — Twelve colours. Sown in garden on May 23rd. Made a great show. Poppy. — Three varieties. Sown May 22nd. Did fairly well. REPORT OF MR. A. MACK AY. 301 Convolvulus Minor. — Sown May 22nd. Made a very showy bed. Eloomed all season. Portulacca. — Sown May 22nd. Good show till first frost. Carnation. — Sown in hot bed and transplanted. Flowered well and plants are in good shape for winter. Perennials. Sweet William. — Stood winter well and made good show. Larkspur. — Did well. Flowered all season. Columbine. — Made good show and'is quite hardy. Tulips. — Did well. In bloom early in June. Feony. — Hardy. Had some fine flowers this season. Roses. — Only one plant (M. P. Wilder) lived through the winter, but it had some fine roses on during summer. English Hollyhock. — Sowed seed in hot bed and transplanted into sheltered places. Plants in good shape for next season. Hyacinthus Candicans. — Planted two bulbs in garden which made flower spikes three feet high. Yellow Flax. — Stood winter well and made good show this season. Lupins. — Sowed in hot bed and transplanted in garden. Plants look strong and health}'. Lilium Thunbergianum. — Stood winter well and had some very fine flowers on this season. Fruit Trees. Apple Trees. — Seven varieties of apple trees were planted in spring of 1892. Last spring every tree was dead. The varieties were Hare Pipka, Blushed Calville, Bodi, Eed Easpberry, Little Hat, Sugar Sweet, and Saccharine, and as they were planted in a sheltered spot, hopes were entertained that better success might follow with them than with preceding trials, but the result was even worse, as not a live root was left. The lonely Red Siberian Crab that has weathered four winters, and last year had a few blossoms on, succumbed this spring, and is now numbered with many others of its kind gone before. Three varieties of Russian Dwarf apple trees, planted in 1889, made a good growth the past season. In previous years these trees were cut back repeatedly, but escaped last winter and are promising. Last spring 27 varieties of apple trees were planted, consisting of 188 trees. Part of these were set out in a grove of young Manitoba maple trees or box elder, where ample shelter will be afforded them. Every tree is living at this date. Several trees also of Transcendant crab were planted last spring. Plums. — Four sorts were planted, consisting of Orleans Blue, Montmorency, Imperial Blue and 100 seedlings of the wild plum. All are alive and have made good growth. In 1890 one variety of plum was received from Prof. Budd, Iowa. This variety Early Red has been cut back each winter excepting the past one, when the three trees have made a good growth and look promising. Cherries. — In the spring of 1889, three trees of Blackhill Cherry were received from Prof. Budd, of Ames, Iowa. These have repeatedly been cut back until the past season, when, I have pleasure in reporting they bore fruit. This variety is I believe a native of the Western States but produces a large fruit ; much larger than our native cherry, and the flavour being fairly good, it will be an acquisition to our list. In spring of 1892, three varieties Lutovka, Yladimir and Bessarabian were planted. All were dead this spring. Three varieties. Old French and Montmorency Cherries and a dwarf variety " Prunus Pumila " were planted the past spring. 302 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. SMALL FRUIT. Currants.. — All varieties of currants gave a most abundant crop the past season. All sorts were large and fine, but Fay's Prolific a red variety was ahead of all others in size. No protection was given the bushes. Last spring the following eleven varieties were added to the collection : Yersaillaise, New Eed Dutch, Odgen's Black, Baldwin's Black, Prince of "Wales, Knight's Earty Eed, La Fertile, La Conde, La Hative, White Transparent and London Eed. The following is result of last season's crop of currants : — BLACK CURRANTS. Black JVaples. — Eipened from 27th July to 10th August. Crop and currants large, but fruit did not ripen evenly. i/ee's Prolific. — Eipe 27th July, The fruit was of large size and the crop very heavy. Eipened evenly. The following seedling black currants produced at the Cen4,ral Experimental Farm have also been tested : No. gij-. — Fairly early. Fruit medium in size and quantity. Climax. — Eipened evenly on July 27th. Heavy crop of large fruit. Charmer. — Poor crop of small fruit. No. -^Y' — Ripened July 27th. Heavy crop of large fruit. No. -J^' — Poor crop. Medium sized fruit. No. I". — Eipened unevenly. Medium crop of small fruit. Beauty. — Eipened unevenly. Heavy crop of large fruit. No. Jj. — Poor crop of poor fruit. Dominion. — Eipened evenly. Well laden bushes of fine fruit. The best of all these new varieties with us. Native Black. — Very large crop. Fruit small. RED CURRANTS. Fay's Prolific. — Eipened 5th August. Very large crop of extra sized fruit. Bed Grape. — Eipened evenly on 1st August. Heavy crop of medium sized fruit. Bed Dutch. — Eipened very evenly Ist August. Heavy crop of fine fruit. Bunches large. Baby Castle. — Eipened evenly 5th August. Large crop of medium fruit. WHITE CURRANTS. White Grape. — Eipened 29th July. Bushes loaded down with large bunches of fine fruit. White Dutch. — Eipe August 1st. A voy heavy crop of large fine fruit. RASPBERRIES. All varieties of raspberries came through the winter in splendid condition. The crop of fruit was very large, but dry weather injured all but the earliest, and the hot wind which did so much injury all over the countrj^, dried up all the late fruit. All the canes were laid down before frost came and covered first with two inches of earth, and then with well rotted manure. The covering was left on until May 9th, and then dug in among the canes. It is very important that the covering should be left on as late as possible, so as to retard the canes in commencing to bud till all danger of frost is past. REPORT OF MR. A. MACK AY. 803 The following are the varieties at present under test liere : — Turner. — Large red. Kipe 29th July, A good crop. Stood the dry weather better than any other sort. Fhiladelphia. — Large dark red fruit. Ripe 29th July. In the first part of the season the berries ripened well, bat dry weather affected the fruit greatly later in the season. Dr. Reeder. — Eipe 29th July. Heavy crop of fine fruit. Large red berry. Cuthbert. — Large red berries. Eipe on 5th August. A good crop of well- flavourcd fruit. Caroline. — Fine large orange coloured berries. Heavy crop. Golden Queen. — Eipe 27th July. Fruit was extra fine, but crop small. Wild. — Fruit and crop large, but fi-uit of poor flavour. STRAWBERRIES. The old plots of Capt. Jack and New Dominion gave a large and fine crop of fruit, as did also the new plot of these sorts set out in spring of 1892. All the plants were covered with coarse manure during the winter. GOOSEBERRIES. These came through the winter fairly well, but some of the young wood was winter killed. Smith's Improved. — Eipe August 20th. Produced a good crop of tine large berries. Downing. — Eipe August 25th. Small crop of good sized berries. HUCKLEBERRIES. Ten bushes of huckleberries were planted last spring. Six varieties of raspberries, 11 of currants, 21 of gooseberries, and 5 of straw- berries were received and planted last spring, and will be reported on next year. FOEEST TEEES. The past season has been without exception the best for trees since the farm started. Those that came through the winter of 1891-2 made a good growth, and ripened their wood so thoroughly that no variety was in the least injured last winter, severe though it was. Attention was drawn to this in my last report, and the trees proved to be in even better condition than was expected at that time. The growth the jjast summer has been very great, Manitoba maple, willow, etc., growing fi-om three to four feet, and apparently the wood has ripened as well as ic did last year. The early part of the season was wet, causing rapid growth, and the latter part being dry, the ripening process was helped to a great extent. Last spring 9,000 trees were transplanted into groves, shelter belts, wind- breaks and along avenues — drawn from young plantations on the farm, and 8,525 trees received from the Central Experimental Farm, were planted principally in sheltered plots. These consisted of 500 elm, 3,000 oak, 3,000 maple, 1,000 Eiga pine, 1,000 spruce and 25 Eussian olive. A large number of the oak, Eiga pine and spruce died after the dry weather set in. By actual count there are at present living on the farm, not counting those received this spring from the Central Farm, the following number of trees :■;— In shelter belts, 46,675; in plantations, 15,800; in avenues, 1,960. These are principally maple grown from seed, and transpl ^' s .-? '*-^^- '- I— I Q 12; 05 -< 1^ H :^ I— I w Oh w I (-5 H H o ? O 73" 3 3 2 bo a; +3 which affected all alike. ;raw stiff and bright. Heads medium length, but very well filled out ; very plump and bright. This is the best of Carter's fall wheats ; stooled well and ■J 73 a> c 1 |i ■*3 eg m 0) a 01 0 73 73 3 cS >^ > M '^ -(J a CO 0 3 5 a •g| -5-3 50 05 73 4^ -k3 o f=( -*J -0 -^M HOI HCI —^1 ■* Tf ■>*i CO CO •^ •^ CO CO -r CO ^ -a §o1 —1 ■*! HI" r-Cl HI! 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Twelve varieties of field pease were sown, at the rate of from 2^ bushels per acre for. small pease, to 3^ bushels per acre for the larger varieties. Name of Variety. Multiplier Mummy New Potter. Crown Centennial . . Prussian Blue Pride Prince Albert Golden Vine Rennie's No. 10 Black-eyed Marrowfat White Marrowfat . Seed per acre. Bushels. 2^ 3 24 2^ 3 24 3 li 34 3| 35 Sown. May 15. do 15. do 15. do 15. do 15. do 15. do 15. do 15. do 15. do 15. do 15. do 15. Ripe. Sept. 5.. do 2., Aug. 30.. do 29.. do 30.. do 31.. Sept . 1 . . do 3.. do 4.. do 1.. Aug. 28.. do 29., Length of straw. Feet. Length of pod. Inches. 2 2 to2J 24 to 3 2 2i 2 24 2 14 2 2 If Yield per plot. Lbs. 128i 12fi| 119i 70| 102 1204 117 94 944 122| 10l| 8O4 Yield per acre. Bush. lbs. 21 25 21 5 19 55 11 424 17 20 05 19 30 15 40 15 45 20 25 16 55 15 05 CORN. Eleven varieties of corn were planted in rows three feet apart, and the stalks thinned out to four to six inches in the row. The same varieties were planted in hills three feet apart each way, leaving two to four stalks in the hill. The drills are the least trouble to plant, and there does not appear to be any advantage to compensate for the extra trouble of planting in hills. The season has been a very poor one for corn, the wet weather in the rotted some of the seed, and retarded the growth of that which did germinate. spring REPORT OF MR. THOMAS A. 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"2 m © CO O -3 3 O 13 330 ~ EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. BROOM CORN. Three varieties of broom corn were planted on May 24th, and came up June 5th, but as they did not mature sufficiently to be of use as broom corn, only about two per cent being headed out October 16th, the crop was cut and put into the silo. The vaiieties planted were Early Bush Evergreen, Improved Dwarf and California Golden Long Brush. TESTS OF MIXTURES OF GRAIN CUT GREEN, AND CURED FOR FEED — ONE-TENTH ACRE PLOTS. Mixture No. 1. — Contained pease, barley and oats in the following proportions, 6 pounds of pease, 5 pounds of Prize Prolific barley and 3J pounds of oats, or at the rate of 1 bushel of each per acre. This was cut when the pease were nearly fit for table. The yield per acre green was 5 tons, 1,793 pounds, and when dried 2 tons 1,903 pounds. Mixture No. 2. — Six pounds of Golden Vine Pease, 6 pounds of Eed Fife Wheat, ^\ pounds of Banner Oats. This was cut when the wheat had formed, and was in early milk stage, and gave at the rate of 6 tons 73 pounds, green ; and when dried 2 tons 1,407 pounds, losing rather more than No. 1, perhaps on account of being cut a little greener. The stock ate both mixtures greedily and wasted none. LATHTRUS STLVESTRIS WAGNERI. This has again been allowed to ripen its seed for distribution. I distributed all that was produced last season, but have nqji yet had any reports. Neither our cattle nor horses care forMt when green. They were led to the plot during June and July, but in no case would they eat it, but preferred the green grasses growing alongside. In this climate where the clovers, timothy, rye grass and other valuable grasses, grow and produce excellent crops, it does not appear to be worth cultivating. It may however prove valuable in the interior, where there is a scarcity of I'ain. As it is said to withstand drought, and if fed a little at a time, cattle might grow to like it. REPORT OF MR. THOMAS A. SHARPE. 331 TURNIPS. Eleven varieties of turnips were sown alongside, and under precisely similar conditions as to land and treatment. The sowings were made, as in the case of the mangels, two weeks apart, and the result shows iu favour of early sowing. Name of Variety. Rennie's Prize Purple Top, Ist sowing do do 2nd do Sutton's Champion, 1st sowing do 2nd do Mammoth Purple Top, 1st sowing .... do 2nd do Carter's Prize Winner, 1st do do 2nd do .... Selected Purple Top, 1st sowing do 2nd do Jumbo, 1st sowing ...,.,.. do 2nd do Carter's Elephant, 1st sowing do 2nd do Bangholm Improved, 1st sowing.. ... do 2nd do Selected East Lothian, 1st sowing. . . . do 2nd do Skirving's Purple Top, 1st sowing do 2nd do Monarch 1st sowing do 2nd do Date of Sowing. May 13. do 26. do 13. do 26. do 13. do 26. do 13. do 26. do 13. do 27. do 13. do 27. do 13. do 26. do 13 do 27. do 13. do 27. do 13. do 27. do 24. June 7 . Up. May 21. June 1. May 26. June 1 . May 22. June 3 . May 20. June 1 . May 21. June 2. May 21. June 1 . May 21. June 1 . May 21. June 1. May 21. do 31. do 29. June 12. May 31. June 12. Yield per Plot. Lbs. 420 197 325 272 267 237 308 227 339 252 291 202 390 252 400 251 305 188 340 242 320 212 Yield per Acre. Bush. Lbs. 616 288 478 398 391 347 485 339 497 369 426 296 572 374 586 368 447 275 498 354 469 310 56 30 56 36 36 4 56 72 36 48 16 10 40 8 20 44 40 56 20 56 Three additional plots of turnips were sown on June 14th. Two new varieties were sent by Mr. Simmers, seedsman, Toronto, and for com- parison Eennie's Prize Purple Top was sown alongside. As the quantity of seed of the new varieties was limited, it was all sown on the same day. All of these varieties would have given a heavier crop if sown a month earlier. Date Date Yield Yield Name of Variety. of of T.^®'" per Remarks. Sowing. coming up. Plot. Acre. Lbs. Bush. Lbs. Simmers' Champion June 14. . June 18.. 308 451 44 Round, smooth roots; small tap root ; top small and close to the bulb ; very fine even crop. Simmers' Giant do 14. . do 18.. 336 492 48 Long, well formed, smooth bulb; top strong and healthy. Bulb smooth, well shaped and even. Rennie's Prize Purple Top do 14.. do 18. . 422 618 56 332 EX PERIMENTA L FA RMS, EOOT CEOPS. Two sowings each of mangels, turnips and carrots were made. MANGELS, Ten varieties of mangels were sown. Two sowings were made two weeks apart. The season has been a very poor one for mangels, the spring growth was very slow, and when the drouth set in they almost stopped growing. It will be seen that the late sown seed produced a much lighter ci-op than the earlier sown, with two exceptions, viz., Erfurt Model and Canadian Giant: — Name of Variety. Erfurt Model, 1st sowing do 2nd do Mammoth Long Red or Gate Post, 1st sowing . do do 2nd do Canadian Giant, 1st sowing do 2nd do Giant Yellow Intermediate, 1st sowing do do 2nd do Champion Yellow Globe, 1st sowing. do do 2nd do Red Globe, 1st sowing do 2nd do Golden Tankard, 1st sowing . . do 2nd do Red Fleshed Tankard, 1st sowing do 2nd do Warden Orange Globe, 1st sowing do do 2nd do Mammoth Long Red, 1st sowing do do 2nd do Date of Sowing. May 12. do 26. do 12. do 26. do 12. do 26. do 12. do 26. do 12. do 26. do 12. do 26. do 12. do 26. do 12 do 26. do 12. do 26. do 12. do 26. Date of coming up. May 22. Juue 4 . May 21. June 4. May 22. June 3. May 23. June 2 . May 23. June 5 . May 22. June 5 . May 21. June 4. May 22. June 3. May 22. June 4. May 21. June 3. Yield per Plot. Lbs. 164 183 206 112 158 176 188 130 126 102 88 80 74 60 90 78 120 80 110 94 Yield per Acre. Bush. Lbs. 240 268 .S02 164 231 258 275 190 184 149 129 117 108 88 132 110 176 117 161 121 32 24 12 16 44 08 44 40 48 36 04 20 31 00 00 44 00 20 20 18 REPORT OF MR. THOMAS A. SHARPE. 332 CARROTS. Nine varieties of carrots were sown on land that had been in pease the year previous, and in fodder corn in 1891, and had never had any manure. This, with the unfavourable year and late sowing, accounts for the light yield. Name of Variety. Improved Short White, 1st sowing do do 2nd sowing Early Gem, 1st sowing do 2nd sowing Mammoth White Intermediate, 1st sowing . do do 2nd sowing . Carter's Orange Giant, 1st sowing do do 2nd sowing Chantenay \ long Scarlet, 1st sowing do do 2nd sowing White Belgian, 1st sowing. . : do 2nd sowing White Vosges, 1st sowing do 2nd sowing Long Red Coreless, 1st sowing do 2nd sowing Danvers Orange, 1st sowing . do 2nd sowing Date of Sowing. May 15. do' 22. do 15 do 29 do 15 do 29 do 15 do 29 do 15 do 29 do 24 June 7 May June 24 7 May June 24 7 May June 24 7 Up. May 25 June 7 May 26 June 8 May 25 June 8 May 25 June 7 May 24 June 7 do do do do do do do do 2. 13. 1. 13. 2. 13. 2. 13. Pulled. Oct. 31. do 31. do 31. do 31. do 31. do 31. do 31 . do 31. do do 31. 31. do 31. do 31. do 31. do 31. do 31. do 31. do 31. do 31. Yield per Plot. Lbs. 171 80 101 74 130 132 120 103 114 82 124 102 134 88 106 78 140 90 Yield per Acre. Tons. Lbs. 12 5 7 5 9 9 8 7 8 6 9 7 9 6 7 5 10 6 1,080 1,733 813 852 1,067 1,353 1,600 1,105 720 27 186 960 1,653 907 1,573 1,388 533 1,200 SUGAR BEETS. Four varieties of sugar beets were sown. Two sowings of each variety were made in rows 30 inches apart and the plants thinned to about 6 inches in the rows. Three rows 66 feet long were weighed and the yield per acre computed. The following is the yield per plot and per acre : — Name of Variety. Klein Wanzleben, 1st sowing do 2nd sowing White Improved (Vilraorin's), 1st sowing, do do 2nd sowing Greentop Brabant, 1st sowing do do 2nd sowing , French (very rich), 1st sowing do do 2nd sowing Date of Sowing. May 24., June 7 . . May 24.. June 7 . . May 24.. June 7 . . May 24.. June 7.. Up. Pulled. June 3 . do 16.. do 3.. do 17.. do 3.. do 16.. do 4.. do 15.. Nov. do do do do do do do Yield per Plot. Lbs. 102 72 124 102 98 74 98 64 Yield per Acre. Tons. Lbs. 4 3 5 4 4 3 4 2 976 336 912 976 624 522 624 1,642 334 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. il •'* -fj -^ S3 +3 ^ ^ .2 a. © o ^ ^ -tJ o ^ o O *2 ■♦H C3 -w la '+1 -u O >^a; a 3 03 a^ -tJ o ^■s g-:2 g-d c; +j O .-. ^ _ a ^3 © -tj . ^H c ® © ^ © -tJ ^ o3 © ^ ^ AT0E8 them hot di Pot me of f very § o !-"'5 ^•2 © ^ >>© m ^ :3 «s ■*^73 -o d © ^ -4-:> 1^ P-i-r © -1 ^.S (B ^H © © o -a -M *3 03 03 -i" © t+i +3 .t^ O © '^ I-.*! ® O 00 ^ '*^ r^ © bp-2 O G +3 ty-0 Owi ligh ^ • <— 1 ^ H s o S a3 bo ^ 73 o S &0 a 0) § 0) a •l-O _3 1-1 CO ^ CO ■S o loio © © o g 00 t-t-tO t-00 o Si © CO ©o® ©o 00 t^cD in CO ® ■n c t^OC © © © OS 01 00 10 © © 00 © o 00 t^ . to©® ©CO© ^ i-H (M © cocoes D P3 00 CD 00 (N (N © IM "* T-H t^OO OS (M IM l-H i-H 1-H © IM 00 IM COCO CO 0> epos Trfr^os © •91 © r-l rH IM IM (M IM © ® CO 00 © (M IM I^ CO CO 1^ 00© ©CO H-1— <«-|<*-l«*H<4-l IM-^ ©®C0»0c0IMC0T).COCOIMCO rH I— I ^rH rH 00 CO 0 © iO CO Tf O o u o u IM o O O .2=3.2 „ o « O) C D " " '^ c8 0) : S o -a o 13 O O 000 ; S w '^'73'^'^ o is p o h^ "W 'D'O O o a) 000 O O -CO c3 b " ' S t- ^• IB 3 ® t>D "O ;— T3 C a o CO c o 03 'U ^3 m a; (h 5q '^acicio a 3 • rH 0) "s s fe a iS S ® D Q 13 . -H -O .^ O) 03 -M • 302 %<. ■r^-"'^ 3 "■? Se_g So C 93 o >"^ S^ g"© o e8 o O 03 c« .♦J "lO OS 03-r; &^ s-o 3 33 M n 00 ■-' a) o 3 Ph U «OiOiO-*io«o«<5co o (-1 p 2 ! ! i ' t •a §, ee o 0 o a 3 '1 \ !=^ ' ^" >> a o o 73 T3 : i^ a ' ' ^ a bo 4) 5 <» 3 c T3--< O O -a— ■ o CTJ-S^ CS hi (C 0) ^ O) ® mS ss a> OO" ©" C5 «' -<©' i-i(M ^ei (NIM *< •^ ■^ 1-1 WM N w Ne^ ^ o o o o o o s Tj T^ '^ t;^ TS-a tc N o ^ 3> o dt CO 2'S 336 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. TEST WITH BORDEAUX MIXTURE. Only one plot of potatoes was tested with Bordeaux mixture this year. The Dakota Red, which was planted in a dry loam, being used for this test and although there was no rot in either plot, the results show an advantage, more than suflScient to cover the cost of spraying, especially where potatoes are planted in low ground. The potatoes were sprayed on July 20th, August 10th and 24th, and September 8th. This was oftener than necessary, but there was a considerable quantity of blight on the unsprayed alongside, and the last two sprayings were given to protect from that danger. The tops of the sprayed remained healthy and vigorous until ripe, there being no blight on the foliage. Potatoes not sprayed Potatoes sprayed. . . , Date of Planting. May 24. do 24. Up. June 18. . do 18.. Size. Medium . . Above medium Yield Yield Market- per plot. per acre. able. Lb.s. Bushels. Per cent. 124 248 75 135 270 85 Rotten. HYBRIDS PRODUCED AT AGASSIZ, 1892. The crosses made last summer by Mr. A. P. Saunders, B.A , and myself, were sown last spring, from which we have quite a number of new varieties of wheat, barley and pease, some of which it is hoped may be useful additions to the lists of these grains. A number of crosses were made this summer, a few of which have been successful. Twenty-four varieties of seedling potatoes have been selected from a lot pro- duced from seed, in the summer of 1891. These will be planted another year, and any of sufficient merit will be distributed for testing on other farms. CAULIFLOWERS. Fifteen varieties of cauliflowers, were sown in a hot-bed in spring, and trans- planted as soon as the plants were large enough. The varieties were : — Walcheren, Le Normand Short Stem, Autumn Giant, Italian Taranto, Large Algiers, Half Early Dwarf French, Early Dwai-f Erfurt, Large Early London, Stadtholder, Early Paris, Thorburn's Nonpariel, Extra Large Erfurt, Gilt Edged Snowball, Early Snowball, Large Early Dwarf Erfurt. Early Snowball was fit for use August 2nd, which was the earliest, followed by Large Early Dwarf Erfurt, August 10th, and Thorburn's Nonpareil, August 17th; Lenormand's Short Stem, September Ist. Autumn Giant is the latest and one of the best, being large, crisp and fine, and keeps for a longer time than any of the others. MILLETS. Three varieties of millet were sown, Pearl Millet, White French Millet and American Millet. Neither Pearl nor White French Millet were worth anything, only growing from two to five inches high and not heading out. The American grew from nine to fifteen inches, but did not head out nor did it stool. It yielded less than one ton per acre. REPORT OF MR. THOMAS A. SHARP E. 337 HEMP. A small plot of hemp was sown, but it did not do very well, it grew fifteen to twenty-four inches high and very slender. JUTE. A plot of this plant was sown, but it only grew from six to ten inches high, and an early frost in October killed it. PEANUTS. A small quantity of peanuts were planted in warm sandy loam on the bench. Above ground the growth has only been from six to ten inches, and below, the nuts did not develop larger than small pease. SUNFLOWERS. Five pounds of Giant Eussian Sunflower seed was sown in May. It was sown at the rate of nearly ten pounds per acre with a Planet Jr. seed drill in rows three feet apart, and thinned when about a foot high to about twelve inches in the row. On October 16th and 17th the heads were taken off, to mix with the corn in the silo. The weight of heads produced was 9,690 pounds, or at the rate of over eight tons per acre. APPLES. The severe winter no doubt shortened the apple crop, but otherwise there was no damage done to the trees on the Experimental Farm. Although some of the varieties were brought from as far south as Texas, they have made a strong growth, and appear to be equal to any demands made on them by the climate here. Quite a number of the trees planted in the spring of 1890 fruited this year, and we were able to contribute some fine apples, as well as plums, to the Experimental Farm Exhibit at Chicago, and also to make a small exhibit of fruit at some of the British Columbia Exhibitions. The following varieties fruited this year : — Eed Astrachan, Fameuse, Wealthy, Alexander, Ben Davis, Baldwin, Yellow Transparent, Tetofsky, Maiden's Blush, Duchess of Oldenburg, American Golden Eusset, Gravenstein, Spitzenburg. These fruited freely, and are too well known in British Columbia, to need any comment on them. Rihston Pippin. — This has proved with us to be a very desirable apple. It fruits young, fruit above medium size, and is free from spot or scab, and is of first quality, keeps well up to the middle of March. Hurlbut. — Is an apple not very well known in British Columbia. Fruited first time with us this year, fruit above medium size and rather handsome, yellow with red stripes, and although not yet fit for use, promises to be a very desii-able early winter apple, either for dessert or cooking. Golvert. — Above medium, very irregular in shape, not of very high quality. Red Bietigheimer. — A very large handsome fruit, liable to spot. Warner's King. — Very large, green with a blush on the sunny side ; may be valuable for cooking. McMahan's White. — Large and very handsome, a free producer, and a strong \figorou8 grower ; may be desirable as a cooking apple. 8c— 22 338 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. St. Lawrence. — Productive aud handsome, a medium sized winter apple. Red Canada. — Small medium ; productive, a winter apple. Hastings. — A medium sized winter apple. Fanny. — Of medium size and pi'oductive. Keswick Codlin. — Lai-ge and a free "producer, handsome, and a desirable fall cooking apple. Walbridge. — Medium size. Tree vigorous, but not very productive when young. The Walbridge trees were three years old when planted (the only trees of that age put out) and only produced about five apples each this year. Seek-no- Further. — A large fine cooking apple, moderately productive, quality good. Season September to November. Longfield. — A very handsome medium sized apple. " Bears young, and apt to be very small unless severely thinned ; a juicy pleasant late fall and early winter dessert apple. Bombshell. — Above medium in size, very irregular in shape, a fall apple, not valuable. Coopefs Market. — Above medium in size, a winter apple. Grimes Golden. — Medium. Very clean and free from blemishes. Tree vigorous and productive, at this date very hard, a winter apple. FallJenneting. — Of large size and inclined to spot. Tree vigorous and fairly productive, a fall apple. Maas. — Fruit above medium size, tree vigorous and productive ; a fall apple. Jonathan. — Small. Tree a slow grower, and not very productive. Salome. — Medium size. Tree vigorous, very few apples this year. Waxen. — Medium to large, tree vigorous, a very few apples. Wellington. — ^Large tree, vigorous, only a few apples. Sweet Bough. — A large handsome apple, useful for dessert. Golden Sweet. — Medium large, desirable for early autumn ; dessert. Talman Sweet. — Medium in size. Tree a moderate grower, productive. Quite an additional number of varieties produced two or three apples, these will be referred to later when the crop is larger. A large numb/er of varieties have been planted this year, some of which have been obtained from England and others from diflferent American nurseries. From England. Ashmead's Kernel Improved, Bismarck, Claygate Pearmain, Cockle Pippin, Cox's Orange Pippin, Devonshire Quarrenden, Dutch Mignonne, Golden Harvey, Grolden Nonpareil, Juueating Eed, King of the Pippins, Mannington's Pearmain, Margil, Peasgood's Nonesuch, Eosemary Eusset, Tyler's Kernel, Washington, Wyken Pippin, Yellow lugestre. From other sources : Golden, Stone Niemetz, No. 331, Early Bogdanoff, Eenaud's Seedling, Arabka Winter; Walworth Pippin, Simbirsk No. 11, Stone Antonovka, Crimeaii Bogdanoff, Bogdanoff, Eoyal Table, Blushed Calville, Golden Eeinette, Early Strawberry, Early Pennock, Golden Sweet, Summer Pippin, Summer Eedstreak, Sops of Wine, Sweet June, Trenton Early, Cole's Quince, Dyer, Fall Wine, Fall Winesap, Fall Orange, Fulton, Flora Belle, Porter, Earasd ell's Sweet, Switzer, Shockley, Arkansas Beauty, American Beauty, Bauraan's German, Borsdorf, Black Twig, Big Eomanite, Cart- house, Clayton, Day, Fink, Iowa Blush, Ishams Sweet, Ingram, June Market, Lansing- burgh, Milan, Minkler, Missouri Superior, Perry Eusset, Plum's Cider, Price's Sweet, Pumpkin Sweet, Eoman Stem, Eubicon, Eed Winter Pearmain, Shannon Pippin, Sweet Spitzenburg, Shackelford, Smoke House, Titter's Large Eed, Vandevere Pippin, White Winter Peai-main, Wythe, Waxy Juicy, Western Beauty, Yellow New- town Pippin, Eebel, Frazer Eiver Beauty, British Columbia, Clayton, Garfield Sugar, Lindsay, Cross, Grandmother, Volga Auis, Streaked Sweet, No. 379, Champagne, Eomna, Striped Anis, Hebron, Klinett, Which with those previously planted, makes 289 varieties of apples. REPORT OF MR. THOMAS A. SHARPS. 339 PEARS. This has been a decidedly poor year for pears in this valley. Very few trees bore any fruit this year, but we have no losses to report, and the severe winter did not affect the growth which has been strong and vigorous. Large additions have been made to the pear orchard, trees having been received from England and from different nurseries in America, Amongst others from Eng- land this year are two William's Bon Chretien, or Bartlett. It will be interesting to note what difference, if any, climate has made in this popular variety. The trees previously planted, having been obtained from trees many years in America. New varieties planted in 1893 imported from England. Aston Town, Huyshe's Bergamot," Beurre d'Amanlis, Beurre Eance, Chaumontel, Compte de Laray, Doyenne d'Alencon, Fondante d'Automne, General Todtleben, Hacon's Incomparable, Madam Treyve, Marie Louise d'Uccle, Nouveau Poiteau, Thompson's, Van Mons, Bergamott© d'Esperin. Beurre Baltet Pere, Beurre d'Aremberg, Bon Chretien, Citron des Carmes, Conseiller de la Cour, Doyenne du Comice, Fertility, Glou Morceau, Hessle, Magnate, Knight's Monarch, Princess (Rivers), Triomphe de Vienne, Gansel's Bergamot, Beurre Brown, Beurre de Capiaumont, Catillac, Colmar d'Et^, Dr. Jules Guyot, Durondeau, Forelle, Gratiole of Jersey, Jargonelle, Marie Beuoist, Nouvelle Fulvie, St. Swithin's, Uvedale's St. Germain. From American nurseries we have received : — P. Barry, Wilder Early, Giffard, B. S. Fox, Directeur Alphande, Vermont Beauty, Lucy Duke, Col. Wilder, Smith's Hybrid, J.apan Golden Eusset, and Seneca. All of these, notwithstanding the long time some of them were in transit, are alive and have made substantial growth. There are now 112 varieties of standard pears in the orchard. Dwarf Pears. The dwarf pear does not seem to endure severe cold so well as standards of the same varieties. Several of the dwarf trees in the orchard died after leafing out this spring, and last year's growth was seriously injured in every case. PLUMS. The collection of plums has also been increased by importation from England, and from several other sources, including the Central Experimental Farm 8c— 22J 340 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. The names of those received this year are as follows : — From England — Angelina Burdett, Belle de Septembre, Curlew, Early Prolific, Groliath, Huling's Superb, Kirke's, Magnum bonura White, Monarch, OuUins Golden Gage, Stint, Transparent Gage, King of the Damsons, From other sources: — Decaisne, White Nicholas, Wolf, Yellow Voronesh, Belgian Purple, Bittern, Diamond, Early Transparent Gage, Grand Duke, Ick worth's Imperatrice, New Late Transparent, Mallard, Orleans Old, Pershore, Sultan, Cluster Damson, Prune Damson, Glass Seedling, Milton, Early Eed, Wyant, Belle de Louvain, Cox's Emperor, Early Favourite, Gisborne's, Heron, July Green Gage, Magnum bonum Eed, jy^itchelson's, Orleans New, Eeine Claude Eouge, The Czar, Frogmore Prolific Damson, Elver's Early Damson. Forest Eose De Soto, Eockford. From Messrs. McGill and McDonald, Tenant Prune. The plum orchard now contains 124 varieties. Plums. Quite a number of the plum trees planted three years ago, fruited this year and some varieties were heavily laden, viz.: Moore's Arctic, Lombard, Pond's Seedling, Gueii, Munroe, Duane's Purple, Smith's Orleans, Victoria, Prune d'Agen, and Hudson Eiver Purple Egg. Name of variety. Ripe. Remarks. Saunders Aug. ^0 Fruit medium size ; long, yellow, and of good quality. Fruit above medium in size ; dark purple ; good flavour ; Moore's Arctic Sept. 4.. tree a very free producer. Gueii , do 23.. Fruited first time this year ; averaging 55 lbs per tree; fruit bluish purple of fair quality. Victoria do 20.. Fruit very large ; light red ; very handsome and of fair quality. Averaged about 45 lbs. per tree. Prune d'Agen do 21.. Fruit medium. A free producer ; averaging 40 lbs. per tree. Pond's Seedling do 28.. Fruit large and handsome ; egg shaped light red ; flesh rather coarse ; a free producer ; 50 lbs. per tree. Lombard do 21.. Fruit medium in size ; round ; pleasant flavour ; productive ; over 100 lbs. per tree. Smith's Orleans do 23.. Above medium in size; reddish purple ; fine flavour ; productive. Duane's Purple do 25.. Above medium in size ; reddish purple. Good quality. Average over 45 lbs. per tree. Hudson River Purple Egg do 23.. Fruit medium in size. Good quality. Average over 45 lbs. per tree. REPORT OF MR. THOMAS A. SHARPE. 341 The following trees produced a few plums each. Varieties. Peters' Yellow Yellow Egg Sugar Plum Damson Reine Claude Fellenberg Peach Plum Coe's Golden Drop Bleeker's Gage Red Egg Washington German Prune Bradshaw Imperial Gage Italian Prune Columbia Jefferson General Hand Niagara Moyer Large Golden Prolific Shippers' Pride Remarks. Medium to large. Very large. Medium. SmalL Medium. do Very large. Large. Medium. Large. Above medium. Medium. Large. Above medium. Medium. Very large. Medium. Medium to large. Large. Medium. Above medium, do CHERRIES. The cherries blossomed very freely last spring, but only a few set fruit, and almost all of the fruit fell off when about a quarter grown. Fig. 1 is from a photograph of a cherry tree at the Experimental Farm, Agassiz, second year from planting, showing the character of the growth. The extreme cold of last winter, followed by the cold wet weather which con- tinued all through the blossoming season, proved unfavourable for this fruit. The chei'ry trees have, however, shown no lack of wood growth, and judging from the fruit buds, there is promise of an abundant crop of this, as of all other fruits next season. The following additional varieties have been planted this year : — Arch Duke, Early Elvers, White Heart, Kose, Grruner Glass, Strauss. Weichsel, Orel No. 20, Downton, Nouvelle Royal, Shadow Amarolle, Koslov Morello, Grlaskirsch Doppelte, Koeper, Early Lyons, Royal Duke, Orel No. 24, Heart Shaped Weichsel, Orel 19, King's Morello. There are now 67 varieties of cherry trees in the orchard. NECTARINES. Nectarines suffered severely from the cold of last winter. On nearly every tree the previous year's growth was killed and had to be removed, and in young trees that is nearly all the growth there is the first spring. Most of the trees have, how- ever, made a fairly strong growth this year. The new varieties planted this spring are : — Albert Victor, Humboldt, Hunt's Tawny, and Pine Apple; there are now in all 16 varieties in the orchard. 312 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. PEACHES. Like the Nectarines and Apricots, the peaches suffered very severely from the cold winter. Almost every tree lost the growth of 1892, and several trees of the previous spring's planting died. This did not, in many cases, appear to be due to tenderness of the variety, as in several varieties one tree died and the other lived (in most instances there are only two trees of a variety) and made in some cases a very vigorous growth. Fig. 2 represents a peach tree, second year from planting, from a photograph. l.^'. X^:^-^t:M mh ^