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AoTiculrural Colleges

ANf>

Experimental Farm Stations

With suo-cifstions relatinu- to lixperiiiicntal
Aoriciiltuiv in Canada.

liV

Piofessoi- Saunders, l-.K.S.C.

OTTAWA:

Reprinted rrom tlu- ApptiKUx to (ho Ui'imrt of tin- Minister
of AKiifiill mv for ISSS

1 K M U

■ liiwUUirUillBWWI

- CONTENTS -

I'ADK

luBtriictions in and Hcply of Prof. Win. Saiiiulers 1

1. — A<lKIl II.rriiM. C'OLLKOES AM» KXFEKIIIKNTAL StATIOXH IN THK

UxiTEI' StaTKS.

Alubaina 6

Aikiiiisas 6

California tt

(Colorado 8

(lonnecticiit 1>

Delaware 11

Georgia . H

Illinois 12

Indiana . . IK

Iowa 20

Kansas 28

Kentncky H2

Louisiana S2

Maine 33

Maryland 37

.rlassachusetts 38

Michif^an 41

Minnesota 43

Mississippi i 44

Missouri 46

Nebraska 46

Nevada 47

New Hampshire 47

New Jersey 47

New York 49

North Carolina .12

Ohio sa

Orej^on 5ft

Peiinsyl\ania 57

Rhode Island 58

South Carolina ... 58

Tennessee 50

Texas 59

Vermont 59

Virginia ftO

It contknts.

I'AdK

WeHt Virjjiiiia. Gl

WiHCOllHlll (i|

WAHHINinON (FkKKKAI, (JoVKItNMKNT) •i'i

FoKEsTitY (Letter from Mr. ]k*riiliur<l K, Fernow. New York, HecMetiiry

of tlie Aiiiericiiii Forestry ('oii<;reBH) »»t

Forestry Kxpenditure in Cieniuiny 7-

II, — A(tHlCri,Tl'KAI, (.'dI.I.KOKS. KxI'KKIMK.NTVI. S|VTIi>XS AM' S( IHM»I,S
OK Holtricri.TIKK AM> FoKKSTItV IN KlltOI'K.

Enolaxh :

Royal A><ricultunil Collejje at Cirencester I'.i

Dowiiton Colle>,'e of Atjriciilture 7'>

Fkanc'K ?•»

Gkujiany :

The Koyal A^'ricultnral Academy at PojUH-lsMlorf. near Itoun, Prus-
sia 77

The Royal Institute for Fruit and Wine C'ulture ~H

Bkmium:

Tlie Royal Forest School of Bavaria 7'.*

Ajiricultural Experimental Stations HO

The Horticultural School at Ghent SI

OtHKH ('OUNTKIKS .Si

III. — A<uucrLTrRAi, Ei»rcATiox am> Ex. kkimkxtai, Wokk ix Caxaka.
Ontauio

QlTKHKC

Nova Scotia

Nkw BiirxswicK

DOMIXION DKI'AKTMEXT ok AdKICri.TlIlK

Exports

IV. — Gkxkiui. CoNci.rsioxs axi> Rkcommkxhatioxs.

PllKI.IMIXAUV

Division ok Exi'EHImkxtai. Aciiiicri.TrKK :

Proposed Orf{ani/ation and Mana^'ement

Considerations of Advantage

Opinion of Dr. George M. Dawson

FOBKSTKV

. GkNKUAL SrM.MARY

SI

'.12
'.t*J

•»4

!>7

JtH
101
107

no

110

IVV'.K

01

. Ol

rv

i.s

7-2

78
7'>
70

IIS-

... 77

... 7«

. . 7'.»

. . . . ^'O

... «sl

si

NAI'A.

M

*M

<.»-2
'.t'2

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'.>7

.. 101
... 107

.. 110
... 110

A RKPonr (K^^ agjuculhiul colle(!Es ajvd

ICXI'ElilME.yTAL F.lh'M ST.IT1()J^\S

WITH ,sl'(i(!E-«TIONS HKI.ATINii TO

Ixperimenial igFiGuI{ui*e iq ianada

li Y PROF. WIL L I A M SA I'SDKHS, F. It. S. C.

London, Ont., 20th February, I.SSG.

Siu, — I had the lionour to receive in due course the t'ol ■
lowing letter written under your direction : —

" Department of Acjrkultlre,

" Ottawa, 2nd November, 1885.

" Sir, — I have an instruction from the Mini.ster of A;:jri-
culture to state to you, that, havincj in view to put into effect
the vote of last Session for the purpose of establishing an ex-
perimental farm, he will be glad to avail himself of your ser-
vices to obtain certain preliminary information.

" There was, as you are aware, a Select Committee ap-
pointed by the House of Commons in the Session of 1884, of
which Mr. Gigault was -the Chairman, to enquire into the best
means of encouraging and developing the agricultural interests
of Canada. That Committee did take evidence on the subject
of the establishment of an experimental farm, and made a
report in favour of such a project. A copy of that report is
sent to you herewith.

"There are, however, some further points on which the
Minister desires to obtain information in connection with this
question ; and lie would, therefore, feel obliged if you would

S AOUIfULTUUAL COM.KdKS.

havp tin' j^oodiu'ss to visit us many of the more important
a;^rieu!tiiral coll«'<^i's, «'X|H'i-imi'ntal farms and fXjM'rinu'ntal
.stations ii the Unitf(l States and Camida, as von mav think
n«'Ci;.ssarv, for th«! purpose of en(|niriii'^ into th«' various
methods of workin;.^ ; and with a view of ascertaininiif as far as
possihh; what benefits, eith(!r direct or indirect, they are con-
ferrinfj on practical aj^riculture, inchiding stock raisinj^, dairy-
ing, etc.; and, also, of ascertaining^ what is heing' done in
horticulture, t'specially in rej^ard to the production of fruit.

" It is further d(>sired by the Mini.stcr that you .shouhl
inciflentally enquire into the subject of forestry, to ascertain,
as far as practicable, the extent and character of tree-plant-
ini( in tlm Western States, the varieties chieHy used, and the
success which has attended the efforts which have been made.

" It is also desired that you ascertain the areas of land
occupied by the .several inf^titutions you may vi.sit, the charac-
ter of the soil and equipments, with capital ccst ; together
with the expense of maintenance.

" The Minister desires that you shouhl prepare and sub-
mit, as early as practicable, a report on the whole subject, in-
dicating what features of the work, if accompli.shed, would, in
your opinion, be most pa,rticularly beneficial to the agricul-
tural, liorticultural, and, incidentally, to the forest interests
of the Dominion of Canada.

" I have the honour to be, Sir,

" Your obedient .servant,

" John Lowe,
'' Secrefarff, Department of Agriculture.
*• Wm. Saunder.s, Esq.,

' London, Ont."

In compliance with the request contained in this letter, I
have recently visited inany of the agricultural colleges and
agricultural experimental stations in the United States, for
the purpose of enquiring into the methods by which they are
conducted, with a view of ascertaining, as far as possible, whati
benefits, either direct or indirect, they are conferring on

KXl'KUIMKNTAL FARM STATIONS.

letter, I
2es and
.tes, for
ihey are
le, whati

juactieul aj^ricnltun*, iii(!lu<lin<; stock-raisinj^, (luiryin<,', rtc. I
liavo also eii(l(>av()iir«'<l to ascertain what is l»«'iiijif done in hor-
ticulture, especially in re^anl to the j)ro<luetion ot* fruit, and in
forestry, with special ri'fcreneo to the extent and ehanieter of
tree-plantin;^ in the Western States ; also to ;;ain information
as to th(? area of land occupied i)y each institution, the charac-
ter of the soil, buildini^s and e(|uipnients, the expenditure on
capital account and cost of maintenance, to<;ether with such
other particulars as were helieved to be of suffici«'nt importance
to occupy your att(!ntion.

In addition to what has becji aecumulat(Ml as the result of
direct personal emiuiry, I have endeavoured to present a brief
summary of some of the more important features of the work
beiiii^ vlone by similar institutions in those parts of the United
States which the limited time at my disposal dnl not permit
me te visit. Most of these particulars have been obtained by
correspondence. Reference also is made to what is being ac-
coinplislu'(l in Kuropean and other countries in the same
direction, so as to present, as far as practicable, the whole sub-
ject of agricultural progress in a concise form. This is ac-
companied by an outlim; of a proposed system embracing such
features of the work as would, in my opinion, be most par-
ticularly beneficial to the great agricultural interests of the
Dominion of Canada.

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your obedient servant,

WM. SAUNDERS.
The Honourable

The Minister of Agriculture,
Ottawa.

KXPKKIMKNTAL FAHM STATIONS.

REPORT

l.-AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES AND EXPERIMENT-
AL STATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES.

In the yrar IHOl the Conr'ross of the United States, liaving
in view the importance of once ''aj^infj; the development and
progress in that country of tiie two great departments of
industry, passed an Act vv'i..:h piovide^^ ior the endowment of
a college of agriculture and mecimnic arts in each State of the
Union, hy malring a large gr nt jf public lantJN for that pur-
pose. The <iuantity appoi tionud to each State vras equal to
80,000 acres for each senator and representative in Congress
to which such State was respectively entitled \>y the appor-
tionment under the census of 18()0. The Act provided that
the wdiole of the money received from the sale of these lands
should be invested in .safe securities, and the interest only
used for the maintenance of the several institutions. Tlie
States were required to furnish the necessary land for the
colleges, and no portion of the fund could be spent in the pur-
chase, erection or repair of any building or buildings. These
must be supplied by the State or by the liberality of the towns
and cities near which the institutions were to be located.

In this way the foundation was laid for the providing of a
substantial and permanent fund for the maintenance of each
college ; 9,600,000 acres of land were appropriated, from the
sale of which a fund of nearly $9,000,000 has accumulated,
with a considerable quantity of land still unsold. The aggre-
gate of the value of grounds, buildings and apparatus ./as
given in 1882 at S6,o3 1,844, making a grand total of over
fifteen and a-half millions of dollars devoted to furthering the
development of these great national industries.

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.

ALABAMA.

The Ai^ricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama is
situated near Auburn. The quantity of land occupied is 100
acres. The cost of the main building was $05,000. There are
separate structures for chemical laboratory, worksliops, etc.,
tbe total value of grounds, buildings and apparatus being
$100,000. Endowment fund from sale of public lands, $2o3,-
500 ; total revenue, $22,500 ; expenses about the same.

Practical agriculture is taught in all its different branches,
and an experimental field of twenty acres is devoted to the
testing of fertilizers and expei-iments in the cultivation of
field crops, fruits and flowers. The course of study covers
four yeai's, but very few of the students remain long enough*
to graduate. The students in the scientific and mechanical
departments greatly outnumber those pursuing agriculture.

ARKANSAS.

The Industrial University of Arkansas, designed for impart-
ing instruction in agriculture and mechanical arts, is located
near the town of Fayetteville. The endowment fund is
$130,000 ; the land, buildings and appliances are valued at
$170,000. The annual income from the land grant is $10,400,
which is supplemented by annual appropriations from the
State. The yearly expenditure is $17,500, of which the
salaries of the teaching statt' consume $15,500.

In connection with the agricultural department there is an
experimental farm, also a chemical laboratory and museum.

CALIFORNIA.

The University of California obtained the agricultural col-
lege land grant on condition that special departments for the
teaching of agriculture and the mechanic arts should be estab-
lished and maintained there. The amount derived from this
source was $566,280, with land valued at $26,800 still un-
sold. The University is a very extensive one, and is located
at Berkeley. It has grounds, buildings and appliances valued
at $1,000,000, and a total endowment fund of $1,678,386.

EXPERIMENTAL FARM STATIONS.

is 100

jre are

s, etc.,

being

$253,-

anches,
to the

tion of
covers

enough*

jhanical

Iture.

impart-
loested
fund is
alued at
$10,400,
roni the
lich the

ere is an
useuin.

,ural col-
ts for the
be estab-
from this

siill un-
is located
ses valued

,386.

The annual incomes from the proceeds of agricultural college
lands is $39, "20, a large proportion of which is devoted to
agricultural teaching and experimental work. A course of
lectures, condiined with practical instructions, is given in
agriculture, horticulture, botany an<l entomology, and a chemi-
cal laboratory is especially devoted "to agricultural purposes.
There are also three greenhouses, a nurse)-y and propagating
grounds, an arboretum and a garden of economic plants.

The orchards are large and include l.')0 varieties of apples,
140 of pears, 65 peaches, o') plums; also a number of cherries,
apricots and nectarines. The vineyard has 60 >arieties of
European grape.s, in addition to a large number of American

origm.

L\rperi7nental Station. — An experimental station has been
in active operation for several years, under the efficient direc-
tion of E. W. Hilgard, Professor of Agi'iculture. Extensive
experiments have been conducted with fertilizers in growing
grain, forage plants, sugar cane, sugar beets, sorghum and
other tield crops. A large number of grapes have been intro-
duced from all parts of the world, especially those varieties
from which the most highly esteemed wines of Europe are
made ; also those from which the noted raisins of Chili and
other countries are produced. Experiments have been made
in grafting the best cultivated sorts of grapes on the wild
vines of California and other thrifty <jrowi)icr stocks, for the
purpo.se of a.scertaining which will best resist the attacks of
that injurious and troublesome insect, phylloxera, which has
caused the California vinegrowcrs so much anxiety and loss.
The in.sect, together with other injurious s|)ecies, has also been
studied, and mea.sures suggested for its abatement and desti'ue-
tion.

Larije numbers of forest trees have been introduced 'from
Europe, Asia and Australia, which, beside's being tested on the
co'lege farm, have been distributed to many intelligent persons
in^itferent parts of the State f<!r trial. There has been an
annual distribution of samples of grain and gras.ses from all
parts of the world, also seeds of plants, young plants ami

^ 1

'I

ill

8

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.

trees, scions of desirable fruit and other trees, witli accompany-
ing instructions for planting, grafting, etc. These are sent to
applicants engaged in agriculture in the State in the order of
their application, until the stock is exhausted, on receipt of
sufficient nione}' or stamps to cover cost of packing and mail-
ini;.

hi the chemical department many analyses have been
reported of wines of different grades, made in California, of
soils and subsoils, including those of the more noted grape-
growing districts ; also of akaline soils, of water from Arte-
sian wells, and of stream and well waters from mauy parts of
the State.

Notwithstanding all the educational advantages ottered, we
learn from a late report that out of a total number of 246
students only 17 were taking agriculture.

The results of the experimental work are brought promptly
before the public bv the issue of bulletins at intervals of from
one to three weeks durino; the summer. These are mailed to
newspapers, agricultural periodicals and to prominent agricul-
turists : also to the agricultural colleges and experimental
stations of other States.

Since the coast climate of British Columbia is said to be
much like that of the northern part of California, the experi-
mental work carried on at this station becomes of special
interest to Canada.

COLORADO.

The State Agricultural Colletje of Colorado is located at
Fort Collins, in the fertile valley of the Cache-la-Poudre River.
It is endowed with OO.OOO acres of selected lands, which have
not yet been sold. Tlie expenses of the institution are met at
present by a special tax of one-ttfth of a n)ill on State valu-
ation, which gives it an income of about $20,000 a year, a
considerable portion of which is required for salaries of statt*
which i-ange from $1,000 to $2,500. The college was opened
in ] <S82, and occupies 240 acres of lan<l ; the land, buildings
and appliances are valued at $50,000.

EXPERIMENTAL FARM STATIONS.

9

pany-
lent to
rder of
eipt of

I inail-

3 been

rnia, of

Of rape -

II Arte-
)art.s of

sred, we
of 246

romptly
of from

I ailed to
acrricul-

fiuiental

id to 1)6
» experi-
• special

>cate<l at
re River,
lich have
re met at
ate valu-
a year, a
s of start'
IS opened
buildings

The ]arf]fer part of the college farm is under cultivation, the
work being chiefly experimental, including the cultivation of
fruit and forest trees, cereals, grasses, garden vegetables and
small fruits. One hundred and fifty-one varieties of wheat
and twelve of barley, received from Europe, Australia, New
Zealand, California, Manitoba, Mexico and other places, have
alreadv been tested at this institution with fjreat benefit to
the State. A number of experiments with potatoes and other
garden vegetables have also been conducted, a thrifty nursery
and orchard have been established, several hundred small fruits
and several thousand forest trees have been planted, and many
tests made as to the germinating power of vegetable and flower
seeds obtained from a number of ditterent dealers.

The course of instruction in agriculture includes practical
training; in farm work.

CONNECTICUT.

The Shertield Scientific School, which is one of the depart-
ments of Yale College, received the agricultural land grant on
condition that it provided suitable and competent instruction
in aijriculture and the mechanic arts. The endowment fund
from land sales amounts to $185,000. The institution is situ-
ated in the town of New Haven, and the value of the grounds,
buildings and apparatus is $200,000. The course of instruc-
tion is very thorough in all the sciences bearing on agriculture,
and lectures are given on the cultivation of staple crops, tree
planting, etc.

Experimental Station. — Connecticut was the first State
which established an experimental station in agriculture.
This was originally located in the eastern wing of Sheffield
Hall, where good work was done for several years. In 1879
the present efficient director of the station, Dr. S. W. Johnson,
took charge of the work, and has conducted it in such a
manner as to make it extremely useful to the agriculture of
the State. At the outset the State appropriated $5,000 a year
for its maintenance, which has since been increased to $8,000.

10

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.

A special appropriation of S25,000 was also made for the pur-
chase of land, and for buildinjjs and apparatus. There is also
a special tax levied on fertilizers sold in the State, to aid in
defrayini^ the expense attendinj^ their analysis, which adds
about 5?2,500 to the ycarl}^ revenue of the station.

There are seven acres of land attached to the institution,
which, with the buildings on it when purchased, cost $12,000.
A cheiiiical laboratory has since been erected, at a cost of $5,000
for the buiidinu and $2,500 for fittinjjs, includinii many of the
most improved forms of apparatus required for carrying on
this special work. Other structures have also been built.
No stock is kept here ; there are no greeidiouses, and very
little outside work has been done. The operations carried on
have been mainly chemical, particularly in the line of the
analysis of fertilizers, of which there are in Connecticut about
130 different brands in the market. The State laws require
that at least one analysis shall be made every year of each
brand, and the reports of the station work contain returns of
the results of these analyses, averaging in number more than
150 each year. In addition to this, much work has been done
in determining by analysis the relative value of mixtures for
feeding purposes, fodders, etc., also in the analysis of milk
and many other articles of food.

Another department in which good work has been done is
in testing agricultural and comtnercial seeds, to determine
their vital itj' and purity. The annual reports published by
this station average about 120 pages, and are full of most
valuable information. The yearly saving to the farmers of
this State by the exposure of fraudulent and inferior brands
of fertilizers has been v^ery large, amounting to many times
the cost of the maintenance of the station. The staff' consists
of two chemists, two assistants, two clerks and one gardener.
The number of copies of the bulletins printed is from 5,000 to
(5,000, which are distributed chiefly among farmers. The law
requires also that two copies be .sent to each postmaster in the
State.

EXPERIMENTAL FARM STATIONS.

11

,be pur-
B is also
3 aid in
ch adds

titution,
$12,000.
)t' So.OOO
ly of the
rying on
en built,
md very
arrie<l on
16 of the
cut about
s require
V of each
returns of
nore than
been done
ctures for
s of ndlk

en done is
letermine
lished by
I of most
•arniers of
ior brands
lany times
aff consists
rardener.
in 5,000 to
The hiw
ister in the

DELAWARE.

The af:pricultural department of Delaware Col leije is situated
at Newark. It has an endowment fund of .^8.*J,000, and the
land, buildings and appliances are valued at .^7.'>.000. The
total income is about S.i.oOO. The colletre does not own a
farm, but courses of lectures are given on the principles and
practice of agriculture, the composition of soils and fertilizers ;
also in chemistry, liotany and the kindred sciences.

GEORGL\.

The Georgia State College of Am-iculture and Arts is a
branch of the State Universitv. and is located at Athen.s. The
endowment fund from .sale of agricultural lands amounts to
$242,202, which yields an annual revenue of about ?1 7,000-
This is divided between several institutions, to be pre.^ently
referred to, the State College receiving $.S,OO0. The land,
buildings and appliances are valued at $50,000.

A full course of instruction is given in agriculture, horticul-
ture, botany, entomology, etc. There is also an experimental
farm connected with the University, where the students
receive practical instruction. Many very valuable experiments
have been conducted on this farm with different .sorts of cotton
and corn, and the effects of fertilizers on the crojis recorded.
A large chemical laboratory, with all the necessar\- appliances,
affords ample opportunities for the study of this branch of
science, especially in its relation to agriculture. There is al.so
a museum of agricultural products.

There are three other smaller agricultural colleges in
Georcria, each of which receives $2,000 aimuallv from tl.e en-
dowment fund. They are known as the North (Georgia
Agricultural College, located at Dahlonega ; the Middle
Georgia Military and Agricultural College at Milledgcville*
the Southwest Georgia Agricultural College, at Cuthbert ; and
the South Georgia Agricultural College, at Thomasville.
These all provide instruction in agriculture, horticulture and
kindred subjects.

12

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.

ILLINOIS.

The University of Illinois is one of the best eon<lucte<l an«l
most efficient institutions whicli I have visited. It i.s locate«l
ab )ut midway between the towns of Chainpaiijn and Urbaiia.
It has an endowment fund of $887,000, realized from the sale
of public lands, and the buildings, appliances and land are
valued at S?400,00;). The University buildings, which are
fifteen in numlter, include a large and imposing main buiMing.
in whicli are the principal offices, class rooms, library, museum,
chapel, etc. (towanis the erection of this structurt* the State
ci)ntril)uted 8127,001)): a chemical building, containing five
laboratories, erected at a cost of $40,000 ; a veterinary liall :
large maehinerv buiMwiifs, dormitories, etc. The land occu-
pied by the University and its several departments embraces
628 acres.

Deparfinent of A<jrlculture. — There are devoted to the uses
of the Department of Agriculture two farms, one of -HO acres,
known as the " Stock Farm," and one of 180 acres designated
the " Experimental Farm." The soil is prairie, dark coloured
and fertile, well drained with about eleven miles of tile drains
For a number of years past these farms have been so worked
as to give an annual profit of from $1,000 to $l.oOO. The
acreage in various crops in 18.5.5 on the stock farm was : corn,
105; oats, (io : nieadovv, 145; the remainder, pasture.

Stock. — From ei^ht to ten horses are kept, part of which
are used for breeding purposes. There are among them good
specimens of French draught and general purpose horses.

The number of cattle will vary from 125 to 150 head.
There is a good herd of Shorthorns, numbering about 70, a
.small herd of JerseJ^s, and a number of well bred grade cows
of various crosses, including Holsteins, Herefords and Ayr-
shires, and steers of different ages, which are l>eing fed
for the market. The milk of the cows is used chietiy for
butter making, the product being sold in the 2ieighbour-
inr towns.

There are small flocks of Shropshire, Cotswold and South-
down sheep, and their crosses.

EXPERIMENTAL FARM STATIONS.

18

oeate«l
rbaiia.
he sale
ind are
■ch are
uil'ling
\useum.
le State
\x\or tive
iry hall :
nl occu-
mVirace.s

» the use-^
10 acres,
Nsi';rnated
coloured
le drams
worke«l
00. The
a-.: corn,

of which
leui good
jrsesw
loO head,
out 70, a
rade cows
and Ayr-
>eing fed
ihietiy for
leighbour-

nd South-

Of pigs, tliereare a nundier of the following breeds: Poland-
China, Berkshire and small Yorkshire. Some attention is also
iriven to breedinj; Plymouth Rock fowls.

Many experiments have l»een made in breeding' and feeding
cattle, sheep and pigs, the results oi which have been pub-
lished from time to time in bulletins and annual reports.

Fieltl Ej'per'tmenis. — The exjx'riments with tieltl crops have
been carried on for many years, and include the testinj; of a
larsje nund)er of varieties of com to ascertain their relative
yield and the best methods of cultivation ; also experiments in
fertilization anrl with special manures. Similar tests have
been carried on with wheat, oats and other grain ; also with
grasses, potatoes and other field crops.

Experimental Farm. — In the experimental farm there are
35 acres of orchard. Fifteen acres are devoted to forest plan-
tations ; 40 acres to ornamental trees, shrubs and plants ; a
considerable area to small fniits, of which there are a large
assortment, and a portion to vegetables. There is also a nurs-
ery, where young trees are grown and students are taught the
arts of budding, grafting, etc.

Orchard. — This was plantetl in 1869, and included at the
outset 1,800 varieties of fruit tree.s.gleaned from every quarter,
with the view of testing their adaptability to the State of
Illinois. As was anticipated, a large number of them were
failures. Indeed, the climatic and other conditions of this
section are not particularly favourable to fruit growing. The
country is flat, and in many places wet, and difficult to drain,
and the winters sometimes are severe. Many apples which are
grown with profit in Ontario, such as Greenings, Baldwins,
etc., do not succeed well here.

Pear culture has not l>een continuously successful. The
trees did fairly well for ten or twelve years, but last winter
the weather was so severe that a large proportion of them
were killed, both standard and dwarf, although the latter
suflered most. Plums have Wen unsuccessful. Out of many
varieties originally planted there are now but very few left.
Np peaches or apricots are grown.

^

14

AGRICULTURAL COLLKGhlS,

Of cherries there are a lar«(e number, ehieHy of the Morello
type, includint^ many of Wier's seedlings, which do remarkably
well. The sweet cherries belon^jinifto the Bijrarreau class are
almost always killed before coining into bearing. Quinces are
but little grown. Many sorts of grapes are raised, of which
Worden stands highest in favour, Moore's Early and Ive's
Seedling rank next. Delaware in a failure on black prairie
soil, but does nicely on sandy ridges. Strawberries and rasp-
berries are e.xtensively grown, and with much success.

Forest Plantations. — The planting of forest clumps was
begun in 1871, and at that time there were no trees in the
district, except on the margin of streams. The example set
by the agricultural department of the University has stimu-
lated tree planting generally, Ijoth for ornament and shelter.
The black walnut is a favourite tree, so also is the silver
maple (Acer dasycarpuni) and the box elder {Kegumdo acero-
ides.) A variety of cotton-wood {Popidas monilifera) is
much grown. This tree is a native, found on the bottom lands
of the Missouri River from Arkansas to Nebraska, also in
western Iowa. The wood splits well and is generally known
as yellow poplar, It is much more useful than the ordinary
Cottonwood.

In tho college forest plantations there are from one-quarter
acre to two acres each of the following trees : white pine,
Scotch fir, Austrian pine. Norway spruce, European larch,
green ash, western catalpa, southern catalpa, black walnut,
butternut, hickory, burr oak, ailanthus, honey locust, sugar
maple, silver maple, American elm, o-sage orange, box elder,
red cedar and chestnut. Of most of the varieties planted the
failures have been so few as not to interfere materially with
the general results. This forest planting was done chiefly
under the late Dr. Warder's supervision, who was an advocate
of clo.se planting. The trees were planted in rows four feet
apart and two feet apart in the rows, which experience has
.shown to be a waste both of trees and labour.

It is claimed that the box elder ami western catalpa can be
raised with more proflt than any of the other trees on accouni

EXPKHIMENTAL FARM STATIONS.

15

orello
ka\>ly
iss an*
;es are
which
I Ive's
prairio
l rasp-

)s was

in the
pie set

stimu-
shelter.
e silver
o acero-
fera) is
nil lands

also in

known
ircUnary

quarter
te pine,
larch,

walnut,
st, sugar
3X elder,
ntcd the

Uy with
chiefly
advocate
four feet

ence has

ta can be
accouni

n

of tlieir rapid j^rowth. The oitalpa is heing extensively used
for fence posts and railroad ties ; the wood is more durable
than is generally supposed ; the sap wood quiekly decays, but
the heart wood is vc^ry lasting. The white pine trees in the
college plantation have been quite a success, having attained,
in twelve years from planting, a height of 2o feet, with trunks
six inches in diameter at base. These trees were three or four
years old from seed when planted.

The Scotch fir, eleven years planted, average about tlie same
height, with larger trunks, measuring .seven to eight inches at
base. The sugar maples, which were three years old when
planted, have an average diameter of trunk of four to five
inches ; while the silver maple has made from eight to ten
inches in the .same time. The box elder is still more thrifty,
many of the specimens having reached a diameter of trunk of
from 10 to 12 inches. The green ash has formed a handsome
grove, with trees very uniform in height and size, the trunks
rangincr from six to eight inches in diameter.

Black wahiut and butternut have both made fair growth,
but have not grown with that rapidity which might have
been expected. Another clump of black walnut, twenty years
planted, on a difterent part of the farm, was also examined,
and while there were a few fine trees, with trunks over a foot
in diameter, the majority of them had not attained to more
than nine or ten inches. The plantation of European larch is
very fine, the trees being very uniform in growth, fully 25
feet high and about eight inches in diameter of trunk. In
one small spot, where the land was low and wet, the trees
were stunted and unhealthy in appearance. The chestnut
trees have not been successful, but few now remaining of the
original plantation, showing that they are not suited to this
locality. The hickories have made very slow growth ; so also
have the burr oaks. The Austrian pine seemed somewhat
stunted, although fair growth had been made in past years
This stunting was due, no doubt, to a disease which affected
the leaves of the trees, causing many of them to v, ither and
fall.

16

AORICLLTIRAL CDLLKOKS.

Tilt' wliitf willow lias attaint' I a i,M*eat«'r lioiijht than any
of tlu! otluu- tnjus, liavinf^ reached an altitude in thirteen years
of 'M feet or more, and a diameter of trunk exceedin<( a foot
at tlie base.

Shelter Belts. — Some excellent examples of shelter helts are
to be found in the orchard, composed of Norway spruce trees,
arranjifed in rows, so as to divide the orcliard into five or six
sections. No material .advantage has been observed from the
shelter atibrded in the way of protecting trees from winter-
killing, but protection from the prevailing winds has notably
prevented the fruit from falling to the extent it otherwise
would.

Conservatory. — Situated near tlie main building is a con-
.servatory with three propagating liouses, each 50 feet long,
the middle one being fitted with extra pipes, so that a higher
temperature can be maintained in it than in the others, and
one of the outer ones is specially fitted up for propagating, by
boxing in the water pipes so as to give additional bottom heat.
In these buildings are propagated all the bedding plants
needed for ornamenting the grounds. They contain also plants
representing most of the different families required for the
purpose of illustrating botanical lectures and class-work, as
well as furnishing material and appliances for carrying on ex-
perimental work. Cut flowers are sold from these houses
during the winter, and surplus plants in summer, but the
revenue from this source rarely exceeds $300 per annum, and
entails commercial work, which interferes, to some extent,
with the legitimate and more important aims of the institution.

Botanic Work. — The Professor of Botany, Prof. T. J. Bur-
rill, has done good work in his department. While efficiently
carrying on the class-work devolving upon him, he has also
found time to thoroughly study many of the low forms of
plant life, such as smuts, rusts, moulds, etc., many of which
are parasitic on and frequently destructive to the higher
forms of vegetation. The life history amd habits of many of
these have been carefully worked out, and suggestions made
as to the best methods of lessening the injuries caused by

KXPKIUMKNTAL FARM STATIONS.

17

an any
1 years
; a toot

elts are
;e trees,
e or six
roin the
winter-
notaV>ly
[.herwise

s a con-
)et long,
a* higher
hers, and
ating, by
iom heat.
i(T plants
so plants
for the
work, as
net on ex-
houses
but the
num, and
le extent,
istitution.
T. J. Bur-
efficiently
has also
forms of
of which
■le higher
f many of
ions made
caused by

ie

tlit'Ui. It is cliicHy to this carni'st worUci- tluit the crcflit is
diir of havini' solvt'd tlic mystcrv wliicii has so loiiy; sur-
roiiuiled that dn-adod disease known as tlie tire Idi^jht in tlie
pear tree: and since it has been demonstrated beyond reason-
al>Ie doubt that it is caused by the presence and propa,ij;ation in
immense nundters of a very low foi'm of venfetald*' lit'*', a
species of nucrococcus, the way is pi-epared for inteUigent
i'\[)eriment in the direction of measures for j)r»'ventin«4' tlie
♦ lisease. a result which })ear-growei"s will liail with tlio great-
est delight.

Eutoniotofjlrtil. Work. — Prof. 8. A. Forbes, State Entomolo-
gist of Illinois, is now locate* 1 at this University, wher«^ ho
liolds the position also of I'rofesj-or of Entomoiojiy and Zo-
oloiiy. With the help of seyeral assistants, ho is canying on
not only his teacldng duties, which cover a very wide field,
Itut is also pursuing many very interesting lines of experi-
mental work. A careful examination of the results of obser-
vations made during the past year with regard to the codling
woi'm in apples, which will be of great use, not only to that
State, but to fruit-growers in all parts of America, had just
been concludeil at the time of my visit. The object was to
deter nune the precise effect of the use of Paris green in pre-
venting the destruction of the apple crop b}- this insect. The
experiments with the remedy have been conducted along with
careful check experiments, on trees adjacent, not treated at
all, and exact results i-eached bj- the careful handling and
examination of every apple produced on the trees under
inspection. Over 10,000 apples have thus been carefully
scrutinized, and the results show that about two-thirds of the
loss arising from this source may be prevented by the use of
Paris green.

Insects injurious to corn, which is the staple crop of Illinois,
1ms absorbed a large part of the time and attention of the staff
in this department for the past year, and an additional year
or two of patient observation will be required to complete the
work.

2

18

AOHICL'LTIHAL C'OLLEOKS.

A multitinU' of facts liuve IwiMi l»roii<;lit to^otlicr roganling'
tlie foo<l of biitls ; also on tlie luil»it.s aixl food of Hshos. An
I'xti'nsivc and sueeessful series of experiments luive been nuule
in the way of introducint^ disease ainon^' injurious caterpillars
for the purpose of destroyini; them. Illinois was one of tlie
first States to recojjnize tiie important hearint; of entomoloji^y
on agriculture, l»y tht! a))pointinent of a State Kntomolo<jjist ;
and the vast array of valuahle facts wliich have been accunni-
lated and given to the pulilic in the ainnial reports of the
several scientific men who liave held the office durinj^ the past
twelve or tliirteen years, have abun«lantiy justified tlie wisdom
of that proceedinj^.

Revenue (intl Kj'penniture. — The total expenses vary from
^00,000 to §70,000 per annum, of which the teaching str.ff"
receive about S2H,00(). The salaries of the professors ranye
from $!1,H00 to §2,0^ a That of the regent is ^8,(J00.

The farm has been so conducted for several years past that
the revenue has exceeded the expenditure ; but to bring about
this result it has been necessary to reduce the proportion of
experimental work, and to leave undone many things which
hould have been undertaken.

dnidasion. — Notwithstanding all the advantages ofTered
in this institution to those <lesiring a thorough course in agri-
culture, out of a total number of 356 students attending
during 1884, onh- twenty-one were preparing themselves for
agricultural pursuits.

INDIANA.

Purdue University is located about one mile west of the
Cit}' of Lafayette, on elevated ground overlooking the city
and the surrounding country. John Purdue, after whom the
University is named, bequeathed $150,000 towards its estab-
lishment; the county in which it is located gave $50,000;
and the State appropriations have during the past twelve
years amounted to $168,000. The endowment fund from sale
of land grants is about $345,000, and the total value of land.

KXPKUIMKNTAL FARM STATIONS.

lU

». An
I nuule
pillars
of the
nolo^y
)lo^ist ;
ccnmu-
( of tlie
,lie past
svisdom

V from
nor stP.ft*

s rally e

,ast that

i2 about

tioii of

s which

ottered

ill agri-

itending

Ivcs for

t of the
the city
liom the
:s estab-
550,000 ',
twelve
Irom sale
of land,

buiMlngs ami appliances is placed at !*.Sv/(),000. The iiuiiiber
of acres occupied is IJ)0, valued at .*?')0,()()0,

Schoid of A If t'i cult lire. — The school of agriculture, which is
one of the important departments of this University, is carried
on in a buiMing specially erected for this purpose. Besides
class rooms there are museums of agricultural, horticultural
and forestry products, and a siiitable library. The course of
study is a v«.-ry practical one, and associated with two hours'
hand work each day, either on the farm or in the workshops.

The ornamental i;rounds contain about 2,')00 trees and
shrubs, and the conservatory and propagating house are tilled
with choice plants. These, with the orchard and nursery,
otter all the needed facilities for practical instruction.

KrperimenUU Fitrin. — On this farm many experiments
have been conducted to ascertain the relative value of agri-
cultural implen-ents, in testing varieties of wheat, oats, corn,
gra.sses and potatoes, methods and rates of seeiling, ettt'cts of
fertilizers, with comparisons as to relative vigour and ability
to endure severe climatic changes. Experiments lave also
been undertaken with small fruits to ascertain their relative
hardiness, vigour, productiveness and quality of fruit.

C/iemicdl Laboratory. — In this department a considerable
number of fertilizers have been analysed, and the results pub-
lished, uivinjj the manurial value of each on the basis of 10
cents per lb. for soluble phosphoric acid, C cents for reverted
phosphoric acid, .5 cents for insoluble phosphoric ecid, 15 cents
for ammonia, and G cents for potash.

Revenue and Expenditwre. — The total college revenue for
18.S4 was $22,285, $18,280 of which was from interest on
endowment fund. The expenses were $8G,132, the balance
being provided for by State appropriations. The salaries of
the teaching staff" amounted to $18,000. The farm is so
managed that the revenue more than covers the expenditure.
This, however, cannot be done where much experimental
work is undertaken.

Canclusion — Bulletins of ten or twelve pages each are
frequently issued during the season, giving promptly to the

20

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.

farmers the benefit of tlie results of experimental work. The
same complamt is made here as elsewhere, that notwithstand-
ini; all the facilities ottered for ohtaininof a thoroufjli ajiricul-
tural training, very few farmers care to give their sons the
benefit of it ; hence the students in agriculture do not exceed
six per cent, of the whole number receiving instruction.

IOWA.

The Iowa State Agricultural College is situated in the
central county of the State, one and a half miles from the
town of Ames, on the Chicago and North -Western Railway.
It has an endowment fund from the proceeds of public lands
of $087,800, and the value of the land, buildings and ap-
pliances, is placed at $1,000,000.

The college domain includes 700 acres, about 80 of which
are devoted to buildings and ornamental planting, 40 acres to
orchards, .shrubbery, forestry plantations, etc. About 100
acres are under cultivation, 300 acres in woods, and the
remainder in natural pasture.

The buildings are admirably situated on the highest
portions of the college grounds, where they command an ex-
tensive view of the surrounding countr5\ The main building
is a substantial stone structure, 158 x 112, and four stories
hio'li. In the basement are the dining rooms and servants*
quarters ; on the first floor the library, containing 0,000
volumes ; the chapel, and the oflUces of the teachers. The
second fioor is fitted up with lecture rooms and rooms for
students, while the third and fourth fioors, excepting the space
occupied by the museum, are entirely devoted to the accom-
modation of students. About 200 can be lodged in this build-
ing, besides which there are brick buildings near at hand,
known as boarding halls, which furnish dormitories for 90
additional students, with dining rooms, kitchens, etc.

The chemical laboratory, agricultural hall, horticultural hall,
the veterinary building, where diseased animals are treated,
the mechanical shops for working in iron and wood, and the
school for domestic economy for women, are all in separate

KXl^EUIMKNTAL FAiLM S LWTIOXS.

21

buildings. Tiiey are coiuinodious and snlistaiitial in tlioir
cliaraeter, and have every appliance needed i'or cfirrying on
the ditt'erent branches of work tor which the}' have been
specially designed. There are also six detached dwelling
houses, which are occupied by some of the professors.

Students entering tiiis college are not obliged to take an
agricultural course, but have the option of taking either a
general course, which includes instruction in most of the
important branches of learning, or either of the following
special courses : agriculture, mechanical engineering, civil
engineering, veterinaiy science or domestic economy. The
result of this choice in studies is, that the larger proportion
of students take the general educational course, and out of a
total nunil)er of aljout 'M)0, only thirty are at present taking
the agricultural course ; so that instead of this excellent insti-
tution being regarded as a special school of agi'iculture, it might
be more correctly designated a school for higher education
and general training in imlustrial pursuits, with a special
dcpartiiient of agriculture. Nevertheless, it has done and is
still doing most excellent work, both in agriculture and horti-
culture.

Stock. — The stock on the farm consists chiefly of Holsteins
and Shorthorns. A herd of tive pure bred young Holsteins
was imported four years ago, at a cost of $240 per liead,
belonging to a very good milking strain. The.se have been
found very useful, both as nnlking stock and for beef. A
numher of young males have been produced, both pure bred
and grades, and the.se have been sold to the farmers in the
neighbourhood, whose stock iias been greatly improved thei-eby-
The Professor of Agriculture claims to have watched the efl'ect
of these grade males in impi'oving the general stock of the
farmer, and while he would not compare their ]iower to tran.s-
mit theirpeculiarities with that of j)urebred males, he bidieves
their potency has l)een underestimated, and that where the
.service of pure bre<l males cannot be had, that of half-bi'ed
grade males is infinitely better tlian that of males of
couunon stock. A number of grade cows are also kept,

• iwrttmiMtmii

ms

122

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.

both for milk and feeding purposes, and many experiments
have been conducted in feeding calves, pigs and sheep.
The animals are provided mainly for teaching and experimental
purposes, and are not specially needed for the improvement of
stock in the State, as there are about 500 herds of thorough-
bred cattle in Iowa, chiefly Shorthorns, Holsteins and Jerseys.

In experiments with sheep, Southdowns have been crossed
with Shropshires, with the result of materially increasinjj the
wool, ad(-ing two to three pounds to the Heece, while the
quality of the mutton is said to have remained about che same.

Dairying. — Experiments in V)Utter making are carried on
here in abuilding specially designed for that purpose, and fitted
with every necessary appliance. Tests are made of the milk
of the several breeds of cattle kept, for the purpose of deter-
mining the quality and quantity of the butter, and how the
yield is affected by variations in treatment.

The daii'ying interests of Iowa are very important, and
there are a large number of creameries in different parts of the
State, in some of which are manufactured from 4,000 to 5,000
pounds of butter per daj"" during the best part of the season.
In all cases the cream only is collocted, the skim milk being
kept by the farmers for feeding young pigs. Before the
establishment of creameries butter was sold at an average of
from 8 to 10 cents per pound, but as soon as creamery butter
could be had the quality was so superior that the price went
up to 20 cents, which is now about the ruling figure. This
difference in price has added several millions of dollars yearly
to the revenue of the State from this source. Oire serious
difficulty in prosecuting this business arises from the long
drives necessary to collect the cream, sometimes involving a
circuit of foity miles. Iowa has about one-third of all the
creameries in the United States. The cheese interest is com-
paratively small.

Field Experiments. — During the past few years many
varieties of wheat, oats and corn have been tested ; also many
sorts of grasses for fodder, and a large proportion of the
newer sorts of potatoes, as this is an important section of the

EXPERIMENTAL FARM STATIONS.

23

root crop in Iowa. Experiments have also been conducted in
makinrj sufjar from sorfjhum.

The post year's work in potatoes inchides the testing of tlie
•comparative value, both in productiveness and quality, of
from eifjhtv to ninetv varieties. It has been observed that
the newer sorts are much more vi<;orous in their cji'o^vth, and
have almost entirely escaped the rot which has seriouslj-
injured the older kinds. Roots are not much grown ; bran,
which can be bought at from 88 to 810 per ton, is thought to
be cheaper as food for stock. This is alt<^rnated with potatoes,
which, it is claimed, can be grown on rich prairie soil at a cost
of about C cents per bushel.

HorticiiUiire. — It is in horticulture that the work of this
institution has been most pre-eminently useful. The climate
of Iowa is particularly trying to fruit trees ; the hot and dry
weather of summer is very injurious to the foliage, whilt
nothing but the hardiest character of wood will endure the
extreme cold and bitter winds of winter. The hardiest varieties
of apples grown in other States and in Canada will, as a rule,
pass safely through the ordinary winters of Iowa, but an ex-
• ceptionally cold season occurs every few years, which makes
a clean sweep of most of them. Such apples as the Fameuse,
Ben Davis, Talman's Sweet, Wealthy and (Jolden Russet, will
be killed to u:e ground in many parts of the State during
such extreme winters. These bitter experiences have led the
horticulturists of that State to seek to introiluce fruits from
other quarters of the globe where the conditions of climate
are somewhat similar. It had long been known that there
were hardy varieties in European Russia. In<leed, America
had long since received from that countrv several of the
hardiest sorts now generallv grown, such as the Duchess of
OldenVairgh, Red Astrachan and Alexander. The Department
of Agriculture at Washint-ton had also succeeded in obtainiuir
trees and scions of a nund)er of other hardy Russian apples,
through the American Consul at St. Petersbui-gh, which had
shown themselves possessed of great hardiness. But it was
felt that a systematic exploration of the Russian fruit terri-

24

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.

tory was necessary before it could be fully ascertained to what
extent their hardy fruits would meet xVnierican needs. Cor-
respondence was opened with the Ai^ricultural Collej^e of
Moscow and with the Director of the Botanic Garden at 8t.
T*etersburgh, which led to the belief that tliere were varieties
of apple, pear, plum and cherry, 1,'rowiny; in the interior pro-
vinces of that oreat empire which, if introduced to this
country, would be likely to make fruit Ejrowing possible among
those who are carrying on agricultural operations in the
extreme northern sections of America. Finally, the lo^a
Airricultural Colleifc sent its Professor of Afjriculture, Pvof. J.
L. Budd, to Russia, in 1882, and he was joined by one of our
most distinguished Canadian horticulturisis, Mr. Chas. GibI),
of Abbotsford, Quebec.

These two gentlemen were eminently titted for their work,
from their general kncwledoe of fruits and their intimate
acquaintance with the requirements of the colder regions of
this country. They spent several months during the fruit
season, chietlv in the interior of Rui^sia, where thev visited
many of the most noted fruit rei>ions emVn'aced within that
immense tei-ritory.

Beyond bhe range of the Carpathian Mountains the
explorers entered on the great plain known as the East
European Plain, which includes that portion of Austria north
and east of the Carpathians, and the gi-eater part of Russia in
Europe. This immense territory is bounded at the north by
the frozen oeoan, on the east by almost continuous plains,
exteiidiuf; into Northern Asia, and on the west and south by
the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Fiidand, the Caspian and the Black
Seas. The mountain ranges on the south cause precipitation
of the moisture, carried, by winds which have passed over the
inland seas, so that the eastern plain gets but little )-ain from
this source ; while the dry winds from the deserts and sterile
steppes of the south-east shrivel the foliage of trees and plants
in Central Russia, much as the south-west winds do in the
Western States, coming from the dry plains of New Mexico.
Tlie immense swamps with which some portions of this terri-

EXPERIMENTAL FARM STATIONS.

25-

issia in
ortli l)y
plains,
)iith by
0 Black
litation
ivoi" the
ill from

sterile
il plants

in the
Mexico.
is terri-

tory are occupied, particular!}' in the west, modify the climate,
makinrj it vary <jreatlv in diti'erent sections. As far north as
Moscow the prevailing west winds give a fair percentage of
moisture to the air, but in the same longitude, as far south as
Orel, the summer heat and dryness of the air are similar to
Western Iowa, while further east on the Volga the summer
clime is much like Western Kansas and Nebraska, wiiile the
winters are as severe as those of Minnesota, with a scanty and
uncertain snow-fall. Further east the climate is much more
rigorous.

Soon after entering on this vast })lain, the travellers ob-
served a marked change in the character of the fruit trees,
which appeared mor-^ decided as they approached the districts
referred to. It was seen that the foliage became much
thicker and leather-like, and better fitted to endure extremes
of temperature and drought, while in size the trees were
stunted. They penetrated to the interior, visiting several
Provinces where fruit is grown on an extensive scale and
finally reached the Province of Kasan, about 430 miles north-
east of Moscow, on the upper waters of the Volga. As they
journeyed they frequently met with immense orchards, each
containing from 10,000 to 25,000 trees, cultivated and cared
for in the most admirable manner. In the Province of
V^ladimir they found that cherries were grown in very large
quantities, so that during the fruit season whole trains were
laden with them, carrying them to the Russian cities. They
are described as " very prolific, al)Out the size of the Early
Richmond, nearly sweet, witii a small stone, purple flesh, and
nearly black when ripe."

Continuing; eastward and northward, it was observed that
the trees became more and more stunted in their growth,
altliough still bearing good crops of fine fruit, until in the
northern part of Kasan, which is ])roliably the coldest apple-
growing region in the world, the apple tiees were reduce<l to
the size of mere bushes, and were grown in clumps alxjut 10-
feet apart, with two, three and sometimes four little tree* in
a clump. At this point, GOO miles nearer the North Pole than

ll

36

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.

the cit}' of Quebec, are several siiiall villages, wliere one of
the principal industries is a])ple growing, the value of the
crop being estimated in favourable seasons at not less than
.S-)0,000. The thermometer here fre(]uently reaches 4<i' V>elow
zerO; and is said in extreme weather to drop occasionally to 4^"
and even 58 '. Much information was gained in reference to
the <iuality of the different varieties of apples which have,
iluring the past 000 or 800 years, been gradually acclimated
to endure the severe tests to which they are exjx)sed in this
extreme climate, and arrangements were made for obtiiining
the most promising sorts to be tested in America. As results
of this work, Prof. Budd has now growing in the experi-
mental jxrounds of the Iowa Agricultural College more than
100 varieties of apples, about 40 of pears, 30 of plums. 40 of
cherries, and several varieties of peaches and apricots, all from
these cold regions. In addition, this collection inchide-s a
large number of the forest trees found in Russia, especially
the more rapid growing varieties, as well as ornamental shrubs
and trees ; in all, about 100 sorts.

While spending a day with Prof. Budd, in looking over tins
large and interesting collection, and noting their ijrowth and
character, I was convinced that there are among them many
varieties which would be of inestimable benefit to our North-
West Territories, and which would, if introduced into Canada,
enable us to enlai'ge ver}^ much the area of successful fruit
culture in the northern parts of all the Provinces in the
Dominion.

One very striking practical demonstration was afforded as
to the hardiness of the Russian apples. Two adjoining
orchards on the college cjrounds, similar m situation and soil,
were planted some five or six years ago, one with aliout 1.200
trees, embracing 118 varieties of the hardiest apples to be
found in America, including the Duchess of Oldenburgh
{originally from Russia) ; the other with about 1,000 trees,
consisting entirely of Russian sorts. The winter of last year
was very severe in Iowa, and the result was that fullv three-
fourths of the trees composing the orchard of American

EXPERIAU-:XTAL FARM STATIONS.

27

vhei-e one of
value of the
not less than
hes 40' V»elow
ionally to 4H'
I reference to
^ which have.
lly acclimate«l
xposed in this
for obtaining
a. As results
n the experi-
eije more than
if plums. 40 of
•ricots. all from
ion incliKles a
issia, especially
amental shrubs

jking over this
nr orrowth and
irr them many

to our North-
ed into Canatia,

uccessful fruit
ovinces in the

\as afforded as
Two adjoining
nation and soil,
th al«ut 1.200
t apples to be
of Oldenburgh
3ut 1,000 trees,
ter of last year
hat fully thi-ee-
■d of American

Tielection were killed. Chief aruoni; the survivors was the
Duchess of Oldenburgh. with a few others, while iri the adjoin-
ing orchard, composed entirely of Russian sorts, consisting of
over 100 varieties, not a single dead tree could be found.

Since their introduction. Prof. Bu<Ll has propagated these
trees with ujreat industrv. and has sueceedetl in establishincr
ainonjj the fanners and fruit irrowers throuiihout Iowa no less
than 800 sub-stations wheiv these tVuits are being tested.
Fifteen thousand apple trees were distributed in this waj- last
year. Many of the apples are .Sfiid to be of very good ([uality.
Six varieties of the Duchess family have been fruited, which
will extend the time of the Duchess period fully two months.
The best sorts of Russian apples are said to improve in quality
when fjrown in America. The Duchess of Oldenburgh is be-
lieved to be a finer apple here than it is in Russia ; this idea
is quite consistent with what we know of English apples
•cultivated in Canada. There are conditions in our climate or
/.soil which develop in many English and other fruits a high
flavour and quality unattained in their native home.

Forestry. — Forest clumps and shelter belts have been suc-
cessfully established at several points on the college farm, and
the trees are growing thriftily. All that portion of Iowa
through which I passed lx)re evidence of the interest taken
by the people generally in forest planting. On a large propor-
tion of the farms more or less land is devoted to that purpose,
and clumps of j'oung forest trees, varying in magidtude from
one to ten acres, are constantiv to be seen, beautif viny a land-
scape once so monotonous, and providing shelter for man and
beast.

Botany. — In this department of work, carried on until
recently by Prof. Bessey, much has been etteci-ed in investigat-
ing the various species of snuit injuring grain, and their ettects
on stock and horses in cau>ing disease when eaten. The flora
of the State has also been thoroughly worked uj).

Entomology. — Prof. Osliorn, who has this branch in charge,
has been very assiduous in working out the life history and
habits of the many species of external parasites which aflect

28

AGRICULTUKAL COLLEGES.

cattle. He has also specially studied the Phytoptida?, a frroup
of insects the individuals of which arc so small as scarcely to be
visible to th" naked eye, which, nevertheless, inflict serious
injury on ou. orest and fruit trees an«i other vegetable pro-
ducts. Much attention has also been jriven here to the bark
lice, to galls and blister-niites, and many experiments tried
with insecticides.

VeAerlmLrij Department. — A very complete veterinary build-
ing has been recentlv erected and a school of instruction in
this branch established, under Prof. Stalker, who graduated a
few years ago at the Veterinary College in Toronto, Ontario.

Revenue and Expenditare. — The total revenue of this insti-
tution is about .^48,000, which is sufficient to meet the present
outlay. The cost of the teaching staff is $n2S,000 per annum,
the profcjsors receiving from .^1,(300 to ^2,100 each — the
President $:i,100.

The sum spent on the experimental farm and horticultural
department in excess of revenue, and apart from the salaries
of professors, averaged for the years 1882 and 188.'} — the
latest reports obtainable — .S4,8]2 per annum.

KANSAS.

The State A(jricultural Colleije of Kansas is situated about
a mile and a-half from the town of Manhattan, 118 miles
from Kansas City, on the line of the Union Pacific Railway
and near the centre of the State. The land occupied by the
institution is 8()4 acres, lOo of which was recently purchased,
at $12o per acre. It is all well situated, being high-rolling
prairie, every portion of which is available for farm purposes
without draining or other special preparation. The endow-
ment fund amounts to nearly 8500,000, and the value of the
land, buildings and equipment, is ?!()!, 500. The buildings,
which are all of Manhattan limestone, are judiciously placed
on the highest parts of the ground, and command a tine view
of the farm, the adjacent town and tho surrounding country.

The college, while known as a college of agriculture, neces-
sarily covers in its teaching a much wider field than its name

EXPERIMENTAL FARM STATIONS.

2t>

:lbOllt

miles
aihvay

)V the
abased,

oUing^

would indicate. The facilities available to farmers' sons in
the rural districts for obtaining a liberal preliminary educa-
tion are not as good in this newly settled country as in the
older States, hence a considerable part of the work of this
college is in the line of preliminary training, a portion of
which, in older communities, would have been accjuired by
the students before entering. The pupils at present number
iJ()0, one-third of whom are females. Begimiing with the
ordinary branches of an English education, the student is
gradually introduced to the higher «lepartrnents of learning,
as.sociated with a training in practical chemistry, agriculture,
horticulture, botany, entomology and general zoology. In the
industrial departments the young men are in.strueted in prac-
tical agriculture, horticulture and dairying, also in mechanical
work, both in wood and iron. The young women receive
instructions in dairying and in household economy, including
cooking and kitchen work, as well as in sewing, printing, tele-
graphy and music.

Prof. Fairchild, the President of the college, is a gentleman
of high attainments, wdio commands the respect and esteem
of both statt' and pupils. There are no dormitories in this
institution and no provision for boarding the students, who
seek board and lodjxinsf in the adioinino- town, an arrangement
which permits of the college being entirely laid out with a
view to teaching purposes. The main building, l:}0 x 250, is
provided with class rooms, well equipped with apparatus, also
& library of 4,000 vohimes, reading room, .sewing rooms, dairy,
kitchen, etc.

The chemical laboratory is a separate building, with ample
accommodations for training iSO students at one time in prac-
tical work. Mechanics hall is a large two story building,
with carpenter's shop, printing office, telegraph office, etc.
Horticultural hall contains class rooms, museum and work
rooms, with a large conservatory and propagating house
attached. The outbuildings are of a substantial character,
and very well arranged, especially the buildings for housing
stock and for carrying on experiments in feeding animals.

fi

m

80

AGRICULTURAL COLLKGKS.

(S7oc/i*. — The college herd consists mainly of tliorou»rhbre(ls»
einltrueing four distinct breeds, viz., Durlianis, Jerseys, Polled
Aniens jind (jialloways. The surplus stock produced by these
aniniuls is sold to the public from time to time as it accumu-
lates. No s(n"vice is rendered by the male animals, other than
exchanfre service with private breeders of thoroughbred stock,
of which there are some fifteen in all within a few miles of
the college. Some experiments have been made in producing
grade cattle for market, but the stock is maintained chiefly
for the purposes of illustration and instruction. This institu-
tion is also in possession of four breeds of swine, viz.,
Berkshire, Essex, Poland-China and Jersey Red. The Berk-
shires are preferred, for the I'eason that they are less liable to
disease in that climate, while they are found to attain maturity
(juite as rapidly as those of any other breed. The pigs also
are kept solely for the purposes of instruction an ' experiment.
Nothing has yet been done here in other departments of
.stock raising.

Field Experiments. — The experimental work carried on for
the past three years has included the testing of a number of
varieties of corn, with different methods of treatment, also
of sixty-five sorts of wheat ; in the cultivation of mangolds,
and in growincj rjrasses and clover. Tests have also been
made as to the relative value of manures. The grass and
clover experiments have been of great value, and have demon-
strated the practicability of growing red clover and orcliard
grass for fodder, which had formerly been held to be impos-
sible in that climate.

Horticulture. — In the horticultural department many new
varieties of fruit and ornamental trees, shrubs and vines, are
being tested as to their adaptability to this trying climate, and
new varieties are yearly added to the list as they become
available. The orchards contain about 275 varieties of apples,
80 of pears, 16 of plums, 20 of cherries, 10 of apricots and
50 of peaches. In addition to these, about 200 varieties of
small fruits are being tested, and in the vineyard about 100
varieties of grapes.

EXPElilMKNTAL FARM STATIONS

BI

The cliiuato of Kansas is very trvitm to fruit troes ami
vines. But few of tiui bt'tter varieties of apples succeed,
wliile the trees sutt'er uiudi from hli^dit. Pears'also are so very
subject to l)lii;ht that their cultivation has been almost aban-
tloneil. Plums are much injuivtl by the curculio. The Cuth-
bert ras])V»erry is not hardy, alth()U<ifh Turner and Shatit'r's
Colossal stand well. The Manchester and many other varieties
of strawberries fail, from the foliaj^c burning up in the hot.
dry sunnner. The Crescent and Chas. Downing are the two
varieties reported to succeed best.

Forentrij. — Experiments are being conducted in ft)rest plant-
ing for shelter, which is much needed in this State, on account
of the high winds which prevail almost continually. A twelve
acre plot has been devoted to tree-planting, where twenty
species of forest trees are being cultivated. As yet, tree-
planting has been carried on but to a limited extent; small
clumps only are s(>cn at rare intervals. There is very little
native wood, excepting that which lines the nuirginsof streams
and rivers.

Botany. — A conservatory and propagating house has been
built, at a cost of about S'i,0()0, which furnishes the necessary
material for botanical lectures, and also bedding plants for
outside decoration. A portion of the expense of running this
department is defrayed by the sale of surplus stock.

Revenue (ind Expenditure. — The annual revenue is about
S-i5,000, which meets all the expenses of instruction, and with
occasional appropriations from the State for buildings, supplies
the means for carrying on the work. The teaching staff'
receive S2l,5oO, the salaries of professors ranging from $1,400
to $2,500. Student labour is employed to a considerable
extent in all tlie departments related to agriculture, but is
only paid for when given in addition to the hours required l>y
the college regulations, and upon work solely for the profit of
the college. The yearly expenditure on this account amounts
in all to about $3,500.

Conclusion. — The results of the experimental and other
work in all the departments are given to the public promptly,

32

AGHICILTLHAL COLLKOKS.

in a lU'Jitly printt-'d tour \r.v^i' slit-ot, kiunvn as "The IikIus-
ti-ialist. " which is jmlilishrd wot-kly hy the printin;;,^ fh'partiiicnt

of the nolk'ge.

KKNXrcKY,

Tlie A^^M'icultiiral an<l Mccliunical College oF Kentucky is
located at Lexiu^'ton, on ')2 acres of hind within the city
limits, which was i;i\('n l»y the city for coUe^e pui'poses. The
land is valued at ?2.').()()0, the liuildinj^^s at .SfSo.OOO, inakint,' a
total of .^IIO.OOO. The endowment fuml amounts to 8l()r),0()().

The aim of this college is to teach tho-^e hranclies of learn-
in*^ which are related to agi'iculture and the mechanic arts.
The education provided is of a very general cliaracter. There
is no special department of agriculture, although efforts are
Iteing made to organize one. Instruction is given in agricul-
tural chemistrv : lectures on the relations of geolofjy to soils,
the influence of forests on agriculture, also on insects which
are injurious to crops. The numher of students attending,
accortlinij to the last returns, was li'20.

Revenue ami Expenditure. — The annual income from the
endowment fund is i?!),000 ; proceeds of a special tax of h cent
on eacli SlOO of taxable property within the State, S10,()00;
tuition fees. ^2, 500 — total,. ^2.^,400; which is sufficient to cover
the expenditure, a large proportion of which is recpiired to
pay tiie teaching staff.

LOUISIANA.

The State University and Agricultural and Mechanical
•College is situate;' ; ut Baton Rouge, and is the result of a com-
bination of the old State University, former!}' at Alexandria,
Avith the ajTricultural and mechanical eollerje. The combined
endowment funtls amount to 8818,000, and the land, buildings
and appliances are valued at §350,000.

The aim of this institution is to provide general instruction
and education in all the departments of literature, science and
art, and includes special instruction in agriculture and the
mechanic arts. The education in agriculture includes a train-

EXPERIMKNTAL FARM STATIONS. 88

inj; in the cultivation of snjiar, cotton and rice, and in jjcneral
farm work. Instruction is also j^iven in farm architocture,
.survt'vin;^ road ;,levtH!.s,(litclies, etc.; also in veterinary surj^ery.
One hour a day is devoted to lahour in the field, garden or
wurksh ;p. Aecordiui^ to tlu^ latest published returns, the
number of stmlents atteudinj^ is 1.')!).

Vaccine L'sf<(hll,s/nnent. — A .station for the. production of
vaccine hinph has been established, the work of which is car-
ried on chietiy by the studtiiits, under the direction of the
profes.sor in chai';;e. It is said that the vaccine d(>partment
li'is been self-sustaiidng, besides gratuitously distributinj,' a
larLfe number of points everv vi-ar, and has received the
lieartv approval of the physicians of the State.

Heceniie and ExpfiiuUtare. — The annual income derived
from the endowment fund is $li,iiOO, to which nuist be added
an annual State appropriation of about S? 10,000, nuikinj^
.*?24,.')00 in all. This is eutiieient to meet the current expenses,
the larfje-st item of which is the salaries of the teacliiufx staff.

MAINE.

The State Collefje of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts is
located about a mile from the town of Orono, and within nine
miles of Bangor. The land occupied by the institution is 376
acres, the greater part of which is under cultivation. The
.soil consists principally of clay loam, with a part of stiffer
clav. The college was established in 18G8. The land, when
purcliased, comprised two farms, which were much run down,
and the price paid for the lan<l, with the farm buildings, was
811,000. This was presented to the college by the neighbour-
ing towns, Orono and Oldtown. About 8130,000 have since
been spent in the erection of buildings and other permanent
improvements.

The endowment fund derived from land grants is S132,500,
the interest of which amounts to nearly SS,000. In addition
to this the college receives direct sui)sidies from the State.
For the past two years only .87,000 a year has been voted, and
the amount has varied from this sum upwards to $2.5,000 a
3

I

mmmmm

84

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.

year, the larger amounts being given when additional build-
ings were being erected.

This institution aims to give the young men of the State,
at moderate cost, the advantages of a liberal and practical
education, paying particular attention to such branches of
learning as are related to agricultural and mechanic arts.

Stock. — The college herd consists of 42 pure brad animals,
32 Jerseys and 10 Shorthorns, and 6 high-bred grades, crosses
between Jerseys and Ayrshires. The use of the male animals
is extended to neighbouring farmers, as far as circumstances
will permit, at the nominal charge of SI. The herd has not
yet increased to the number it is desired to retain on the farm,
for which reason there have been no sales, except of surplus
male animals, which have been sold to farmers in the State
for improving their stock, at from two to eight months old, at
prices varying from $25 to $75 each. The stock is used partly
for illustrative purposes in teaching, is also utilized to some
extent for breeding experiments, but mainly for dairy pur-
poses. A large quantity of butter is annually produced, which
is sold, and the proceeds applied towards the expenses of the
farm. About twenty acres of land only are reserved for pas-
ture, which, during the summer season, supplies about one-
third of the food required for the stock, and serves to give
them exercise and air ; otherwise they ai'e fed the entire year
on dry fodder and grain.

From 80 to 100 pigs are raised each year, all of the Chester
White breed, nearly all of which are sold to farmers in the
State foi" breeding purposes.

The stock also includes from 20 to 30 pure bied Shropshire
sheep, and both young and mature animals are sold to farmers
in different parts of the State for breeding. Shropshire^; are
preferred here to Southdowns, on account of their largijr size
and heavier fleece, and they are held to be equally good
breeders and to produce mutton of as good a quality as the
Southdowns.

No horses are bred but such as are required for use on the
farm.

^aaam

EXPERIMENTAL FARM STATIONS.

86

pur-

the

The influence of the college work in the improvement of
stock has been very marked, and has been felt throughout the
entire State. The improvement has been so great that some
are of opinion that stock generally has doubled in value since
the college began this department of work. As there is not
so much private enterprise in stock raising in Maine as in
many other Stat as, the influence which the college has exerted
in this direction has been relatively greater than in many
other districts where similar institutions ezist.

Field Experiments. — A number of varieties of wheat, barley
and oats have been tested in experimental plots, the best of
which, after several years trial, have been grown on a hxrge
scale in field culture for the purpose of obtaining seed in
large quantities, so that it might be supplied to farmers at
moderate prices, with a view to the general introduction of
such desirable sorts throughout the State. The Gold Medal
winter wheat, originally produced by hybridizing by the late
Charles Arnold, cf Paris, Ont., is highly esteemed here, and is
regarded as one of the best sorts in cultivation. It has been
thoroughly tested on the college farm and very generally dis-
seminated, and it is claimed that this variety produces larger
and more certain crops than any other wheat grown in Maine.

No spring wheat is grown here ; its cultivadon was aban-
doned some years ago, owing to the crop having been almost
destroyed for several years by the weevil.

Amonn: barleys the Mantchurey is held to be one of the
best. It is a large six-rowed variety, with a light coloured
grain, a regular and heavy bearer, and is much appreciated.
The Purple Hull-lesr is anot% > sort much praised. The seed
of this was hrsb disseminated by the United States Depart-
ment of Ag'-icultuio. It has a dark coloured grain without
husk or hull, is broad leaved, vigorous, and stools freely, and
is said to yield from 35 to 50 bushels per acre, and weighs
from 62 to 04 pounds to the bushel.

In oats the Hogaii, a variety introduced from Ireland, is
highly esteemed. This is a white oat, yielding from 50 to 90
bushels per a- re ami weighing about 40 pounds to the bushel.

mmamm

3G

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.

All these have been widely disseminated throughout the
State from the college farm, and are now said to be the lead-
ing sorts in cultivation.

The only roots which have been tested tc any extent are
potatoes, and of these the Beauty of Hebron stands highest in
productiveness and quality. There lias not been much done
experimentally in fodders beyond tests with Alsike clover,
Millet and Hungarian grass. Hay h a vcr}'^ important crop,
and is largely grown. The size of the experimental plot"^ is
1x4 rods, and the tests are usually made in duplicate, the
results from each plot being given. Tlie whole farm is system-
atically work .1, a careful record being kept of each crop.

Horticulture. — Very little has been done ir this depart-
ment beyond tlie planting of ornamental trees fingly ni\<\ in
clumps for shelter and ornament.

EnUmiology. — This branch is carefully taught, and the
teaching aided by collections of preserved specimens of in-
jurious insects from the college museum. Many of the more
important species are also bred in the class room, so as to give
the students tlie opportunity of becoming familiar with them
in all their different stages. The professor who has charge of
this branch, together with botany and zoology. Professor C.
H. Fernald, brings high qualificatioiis to bear on the work.
He is well known throuohout the scientific world for his
thorough and original work, and has published some ver}
valuable reports, including one on the grasses of MasnO;
which is beautifully illustrated, and one on the butterHies of
the State.

Experimental St(ttiu7L — The experimental station, which
has a separate allowance of $5,000 a year from the State, was
organized in the spring of 1885, and has thus far been mainly
a chemical station for the analyses of commercial fertilizers
and cattle foods. Wood ashes are extensively used in this
State as a fertilizer, both leached and unleached, and nu . i of
the time of the officers of the station has of late been i /•■'■
to determinin<r the relative manurial value of ashes Loin
different sorts of wood.

I

EXPERIMENTAL FARM STATIONS.

87

, was

ainly

llizers

I this

> ti of

Some useful experiments have been made in feeding, par-
ticularly with sheep, to ascertain the relative value of corn-
meal and hav as flesh producinix material. In this connection
digestion experiments have also been carried on to determine
the quantity digested and assimilated in each case as well as
the proportion rejected in the excreta, together with the manu-
rial value of the excreted products.

Some attention ha.-, also l»een given to the examination of
agricultural seeds, for the purpose of ascertaining their purity
and quality, and to investigations connected with insect pests.
The station invites the farmers of the State to co-operate and
correspond. The Director desires to make it r bureau of infor-
mation, which agriculturists may freely consult.

The outdoor work thus far has consisted in cjrowino; corn
for fodder, and in endeavourinsx to determine the value of
ensilage.

Recenue and Exjyenditiire. — The interest from the endow-
ment fund brings the college about S8,000 a year, to which
must be added i?7,000 from the State and about S2,0()0 from
tuition fees— .«51 7,000 in all. Of this sum S12,(i(;0 is paid in
salaries to the faculty, the remainder covering other expenses.
The salary of a full professor is from SI, 500 to S2,000, with,
in some instances, a house. Tiie farm superintendent, who
manages the whole of the farm operations, reveives !?1,000 a
year, his house and entire living, also the usp of a horse. The
last report shows the farm expenditure to have beenSl,.*i47
in excess of the revenue, but a considerable quantity of experi-
mental work was done, which is alwa3's expensive.

MARYLAND.

The Maryland Agricultural College is located at College
station. The land occupied comprises 28G acres, with artifi-
cially drained meadows and dry bottom and rolling uplands.
The endowment fund is $112,000 • tlie value of land, buildinirs
and appliances, $100,000. The main building is an imposing
structure, 120 feet long, 54 feet wide and six ."ifories high, and
is well arranged for the purpose. While the education, as in

38

AGRICULTURAL COIiLEGES.

most of the other col leofes, is largely of a general character, it
is claimed that a considerable proportion of the students are
taking the special agricultural course. The average number
of students attending is about 75.

A herd of stock is kept for use and breeding. Ten acres of
land are devoted to vegetables, and several acres to fruits and
Howers ; a number of plots are also being used for the testing
of cereals.

Revenue and Expenditure. — The receipts include interest
from endowment fund, about $7,000 ; annual State grant,
SG,0(: *. board and tuition fees of students, about $12,000;
total, > 00. The expense for salaries of the teaching
staff is ^;: 00. The balance is required to meet the other
current expenses,

MASSACHUSETTS.

The Massachusetts Agricultural College and Experiment
Station is situated within about a mile of Amherst. It was
established in 1867, and occupies 382 acres of land. The
endowment fund, from sales of public lands, is $246,314,
which has been increased by the State to $360,067. The
value of land, buildings and appliances is $205,771.

This is one of the oldest of tlie agricultural colleges, and
has accomplished much good work, both in the teaching and
experimental lines. In 1870 the late Prof. L. Agassiz, acting
as chairman of the examining committee, reported that " the
theory of scientific agriculture is thoroughly taught, and the
application of such knowledge is made on the farm. All
students are compelled to work at the details of husbandry,
so that manual labour becomes a valuable adjunct to mental
application."

Stock. — The coUeffe herd numbers from 50 to 00 cows,
inchuling from 15 to 20 pure Ayrshires, The chief aim has
been to produce milk, the cream from which is collected and
iMade into butter, and the skim milk sold either to the experi-
mental station or to the neighbouring farmers to be fed to
the pigs. In this connection trials have been made with

EXPERIMENTAL FARM STATIONS.

39

bbe
All

i-y,

ital

\vs,
has
and
«;ri-

nth

.different kinds of fodder plants, to ascertain how far they
atfected the quantity and quality of the milk and butter.
Experiments have also been made to test the comparative
value of methods of setting and treating milk in the dairy ;
the productiveness of different breeds of cows, and accurate
investigations as to the comparative nutritiv'e and feeding
value of northern, southern and western varieties of Indian
corn.

Field Experiments. — Among the more important experi-
ments with field crops which have been conducted here are
the following : The growing of sugar beets, the manufacture
of sugar from them, and trials of their value as food for
cattle ; the growing of early amber cane and the manufactur-
ing of sugar from its juice ; trials with South Carolina mineral
phosphates in the raw state, and after treatment with acids,
to determine their agricultural value, and similar experi-
ments with salt, and with simple and compound commercial
fertilizers.

Horticulture. — The orchard for large fru'ts covers from
eight to nine acres, and contains a number of varieties of
apples, pears, plums and peaches. Peaches do not always
prove hardy. During the past fifteen years the college has
had about five crops of this fruit. Of small fruits there are
many varieties, including most of those generally grown, and
many of those of recent introduction.

The horticultural department occupies 4.5 acres, including
fruits, vegetables, ornamental and forest trees. A large
number of vegetables are orrown and different sorts tested.
Three acres are devoted to a nursery, where students are
taught the arts of budding and grafting. Among the experi-
ments with forest trees there are examples of three-fourths
of an acre each of European larch and Scotch pine. The.se
were planted on a poor piece of land, which was of no value
for ordinary crops. The trees were three feet high when
transplanted from the nursery, have been nine years out, and
will now average from 25 to 30 feet in height and five to six
inches in diameter.

f

m

40

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.

Greenhouses. — There is an extensive conservatory and a
propaj^atinfT house, 100 x 17, the tot.il cost of which has been
$12,000. These are filled with choice plants, and are utilized
in growing a large number of plants and flowers for sale, the
receipts from which defray the greater part of the working
expenses of this department. All products, both of farm and
garden, are .sold, and the proceeds applied to current expendi-
ture. The farm is said to be almost self-sustaining. In the
botanical department there is a herbarium consisting of 10,000
plants.

Meuenue and Expenditure. — The revenue from the endow-
ment fund is 813,000, which, by tuition fees and income froai
other .sources, is increased to about $25,000. Nearly $12,000
of this is paiil in .salaries to the teaching staff, the remainder
used in defraying other expenses. The salary of a full pro-
fessov iso2.:ioO; as.sistants receive from $800 to $1,200. and
should their .services be continued, are fjraduallv raised to the
full salary.

Experimental Station. — The experimental station, although
occupying 10 acres of tlie college farm, is an entirely .separate
institution. It was begun in 1883, when Prof. Goessmann was
appointed Director, a gentleman of high scientific attainments,
and eminently fitted for the position. It is supported by a
special grant from the State, which at first was $5,000 annu-
ally, but which has since been increased to $10,000, Five or
six acres of land have been set apart for growing crops, such
as fodders and grasses.

Many interestincj tests have been made with leguminous
plants, such as white lupine, vetch, lucerne, southern cow-pea.
horse-bean, etc. The southern cow-pea is highly esteenietl
for several reasons. It completely smothers out all weeds, and
makes a most valuable fodder crop green for cows, thej' being
very fond of it. It is also useful as a green manure. The
varieties grown here have not matured any seed, for the
leason that the season is not long enough ; but some earlier
ripening sorts are expected from the South, which it is hoped
will perfect their seed in this locality. This objection, how-

w

EXPERIMENTAL FARM STATIONS.

41

ever, does not materially aflect the value of the cow-pea as a
fodder crop, since seed cau be procured very clieaph' from the
South.

The horse-bean produces a g:rowth of from 3 to 4 feet in
height, is of a very succulent character, and decays rapi<lly
when buried. On this account it is held to be one of the
most useful of the le<Tuminou-s plants for green manuring,
Tests have also been m;vJe with many other forage crops, with
ensilaQ:e, and with a number of varieties of Indian corn.
Experiments have also been conducted to determine to what
extent the vitality of seeds is atfeeted by age, and observations
made on the vitality of ihe seeds of various weeds.

Feeding experiments with cows and pigs have been carried
on for several years, and some valuable reports published.

One of the principal feature.s in this station is the chemical
department, which has l>een conducted with great success,
although lackins: a suitable buildincj fur the work. A new
and very commodious ii.boratory is now nearly completed,
which will be fitted with all needed apparatus and modern
appliances, which will doubtle-<s lead to still greater efficiency.
The results of a large numlier of analyses have been pub-
lished, including connnercial fertilizers, fruits, field crops,
w^eeds, fodders, fish waste, ensilage, etc.

Much credit is due to the enersretic Director for the efficient
manner in which the work of this station is done.

MICHIGAN.

The Michigan State Aijricultural Colleije was begun in
1857. It is the oldest institution of its class in the United
States, and probably the most distinctly agricultural in its
character. It is located three miles from Lansing, the capital,
and occupies G75 acres of land. The soil is vn iable, a portion
being sandy loam and a portion clay loam. The land is
valued at $75 an acre, and the land, buildings and appliances
at $838,471. The endowment fund is $389,000, with a large
quantity of agricultural lands still unsold. The buildings are
very extensive and complete.

42

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.

The full course of study occupies four years, and embraces
the elements ot a general education, the study of agriculture
in all its departments, and of the sciences on which agriculture
depends. For the past three years the attendance has aver-
aged 180, and it is said that about one-fourth of the whole
number graduate. Tuition is free, alike to all within and
without the State. Each student is required to do two hours'
work each day, for which he is paid, the remuneration varying
from 8 to 12i cents per hour, depending partly on the nature
of the work, and partly on the industrj- of the student. The
work is chiefly hand labour ; thev are seldom employed in field
operations.

Stock. — The college herd numbei-s from 80 to 100, and the
animals are mostly pure bred. The Shorthorns predominate,
besides which there are Herefords, Jerseys, Polled Angus,
Galloways, Ayrshires and Holsteins, These breeds are kept
mainly for the purposes of illustration in teaching and for
experiments in feeding. From 100 to 1.50 sheep are kept,
chiefly Merinos, Shropshires and Southdowns ; also a number
of pigs.

Field Experiments. — On the farm a regular sjstem of rota-
tion of crops is maintained. Experiments in the cultivation
of grain are carried on to some extent, but it is difficult to
accomplish much in this direction when so large a proportion
of the time has necessarily to be devoted to teaching.

Horticulture. — About 80 acres are devoted to ornamental
grounds, the trees and shrubs being utilized as object lessons.
There is an orchard of apple trees covering about 10 acres, and
on another part of the ground one of pear trees, containing
about 150 trees ; there are also 50 plum trees. The very cold
winters of late years have killed some of these ; hence there
are a number of vacancies in the orchards. Peaches are not
much grown, as they do not succeed well in this part of Michi-
gan. The vinery contains about 100 sorts of grapes, and many
tests have been made with strawberries, raspberries and small
fruits.

fxpp:rimental farm stations.

48

Greenhouse. — A very liandsome conservatory, with propa-
jjating houses attached, has been built, at a cost of $9,500, in
which are stored a number of plaul/S useful for teaching and
ornamental purposes. Some sales are made of plants and
flowers, the proceeds of which are applied to the payment of
current expenses.

Botanic Garden. — A small botanic garden has been estab-
lished, which is being gradually extended. The botanical
<lepartment, which is in charge of Prof. Beal, is most efficiently
conducted and is very popular. It is carried on in a separate
building, in which there is stored an excellent museum of
vegetable products.

Apiary. — An apiary of considerable dimensions has been
established under the direction of Prof. A. J. Cook, who is
<juite an enthusiast in this department. He is in charge of
the department of zoology, and gives the students instruction
in entomology, paying particular attention to injurious insects.

Revenue and Expenditure. — The annual revenue from the
endowment fund is $23,734, which is liberally supplemented
by State appropriations as needed. The annual expenses are
about S29,000, of which the salaries of the teaching staff
absorb $21,000. The salaries of the professors range from
$1,800 to $2,000.

MINNP^SOTA.

The endowment fund provided for sustaining a college of
^orriculture and mechanic arts in this State has been oriven to
the university on condition that it maintains efficient agricul-
tural and mechanical departments. This institution is located
at Minneapolis, about one mile below the Falls of St. Anthony,
on an elevated bluff overlooking the city and falls. The pro-
ductive funds of the university are $575,000 ; the value of
land, buildings and appliances, $220,000.

By the extension of the city, and the building of a railway
through the grounds, the college land has been so cut up as
to be no longer fit for agricultural use. A new experimental
farm of loo acres has lately been purchased, which will be

44

AGRICULTURAL C()LLK(JKS.

devoted to testing various cereals, fruits, ve^jetaMes, etc., for
the purpose of deterinininf^ those best adapted to endure the
trvinj^ climate of this northern situation.

In tlie agricultural college a full course of instruction i.s
given, embracing both theoretical and practical agriculture.
The students have the full benefit of the library and apparatus
of the university. There is also a museum of agriculture, and
a greenhouse! 45x34, which supplies plants and Howers for
botanical teaching.

Revenue and Expe)iditu7'e.—Th(.- income from productive
funds is about S3o,000 ; from State appropriations, ^23,000
— total, .S-'jH.OOO. There being about 500 students in all in
attendance, a large faculty is required, and a large proportion
of the reveinie is expended in salaries.

MISSISSIPPI.

The fund resulting from the sales of public lands granted
for the education of the people of Mississippi in agriculture
and mechanics has been divided equally between the white
and coloured races. Reference will first be made to the
institution for the whites, which is known as the Agricultural
and Mechanical College of Mississippi, and is situated about a
mile and a half from Starkville. It occu})ies 1,750 acres of
land, about 600 of which is under cultivation. About 400^
acres are good land ; the remainder is known as gullied and
hill land, and leaving out of consideration 200 acres of woods,,
consists chiefly of worn out cotton fields. These worn out
lands are, by liberal treatment, being gradually restored ta
their normal condition of fertility, and are being converted
into fields of corn, grain, grasses, etc.

The endowment fund is $113,575; the land, buildings and
appliances, are estimated at $203,400.

The leading object of this college is declared to be to benefit
agriculture and the mechanic arts. Its efforts are, however,
like most similar institutions, chiefly directed towards general
education, with a special class or division in agriculture.

w

EXPERIMENTAL FARM STATIONS.

45

In the stock department the college has pure bred Jerseys,
Holsteins, Gallovvuys and Shorthorns, Merino sheep and Berk-
shire swine, all of which are used to illustrate the lectui <m
stock <,dven at the college.

A special dairy department has been established, so con-
structed as to secure, as far as possible, an even temperature
throughout summer and wint<'r ; the milk obtained from the
college herd, numbering about 200 in all, being used for the
manufacture of buttei*. The college creamery also draws sup-
plies of cream from the neighbouring farmers, by which the
butter product is materially increased.

The field experiments include the testing of the value of
4litlerent fertilizers on crops of cotton, corn, .sugar cane,
sorghum, wheat and otiier cereals, grasses and forage crops ;
reports on the value of ensilage in stock feeding, also the
comparative results of feeding with cotton-seed meal and other
nutritive sultstances. The farm has been worked .so as to
return, in revenue and in increase of stock, more than an
eqtiivalent for the money spent on it.

One hundred acres are devoted to horticulture, including nine
acres of small fruits, an orchard of over 5,000 trees, including
1,250 apple, 500 pear, :iOO plum, 2,000 peach, 375 mulberry, 20
Japanese persimmon and HO apricot, a vineyard witli a large
assortment of grapes, a nursery and a twenty-acre field devoted
to vegetables. New varieties of fruits, both large and small, as
well as vegetables, are constantly being planted to test their
merits. All students are required to devote three hours each
day for five daj's in tiie week to work on the farm or in the
garden or workshop.

Revenue and Expenditure. — From interest on endowment
fund S5,678, which is supplemented V)}' State appropriation.s.

Alcorn Agricidtir>al and Mechanical College. — This college
is specially desigrcd for coloured people, and is located near
Rodne}^ a short distance below Vicksburg. The endowment
fund is $113,575, the estimated value of land, buildings and
appliances, $43,000. The revenue from the endowment fund
is nearly $6,000, the expenses about the .same.

46

AGRICl'LTUKAL COLLEGKS.

In the college proper there are fifteen students, with a faculty
of three professors. The preparatory school connected with
it has 170 scholars and five instructors ; tuition is free.

Missorui.

The Ajjricultural and Mechanical College of Mis.s....ii has
been organized as a department of the University of the State,
which is located at Columbia, on the Missouri River. The
entlowinent fund is 8219,000, value of buildings, land and
appliances, 8150,000. The college farm consists of 640 acres,
has a variety of soils, and is well watered. It utfords oppor-
tunities for student labour, practical work and agricultural
experiment. Gardens, orchards and vineyards have been
planted, and are being closel v observed and records taken.

A large amount of experimental work has been done, bear-
ing directly on the agriculture of the State, including experi-
ments with many varieties of corn, with 47 sorts of w^ b and
with other cereals ; tests of many varieties of grasses ther

forage plants have been made, the methods of using potatoes
for seed have heen investigated, and the trials repeated every
season for four years, during which time some very practical
conclusions have been reached. Many experiments in feeding
have been conducted, including the fattening of steers, feeding
for the production of milk, feeding pigs, with the special pur-
pose of producing lean meat ; also with grass-fed pigs. In
cultivating the soil, the effects of subsoiling have been carefully'
observed, and tests made to determine the relation of dew to
soil moisture.

A nursery has been established and a plantation of forest
trees commenced. The latest reports give the attendance of
students in the special agricultural course as 21.

The interest from the endowment fund is about $11,000^
which is supplemented by State appropriations.

NEBRASKA.

The Asrricultural College of Nebraska is a branch of the
University of that State, and is situated at Lincoln. The

y"|||

EXPERIMENTAL FARM STATIONS.

47

to

college fann consists of 320 acres of land, all iinproveil, with
good buildings, five breeds of cattle and two of pigs. OrcliardH
have been established, some forest planting has been done, and
an arbo»'etum connnenced. About 15 students are in attend-
ance on the special agricultural course. The institution is
su.stained by annual appropriations from the State, as most of
the agricultural lands appropriated for this purpose are yet

unsold.

NEVADA.

In this State $90,000 have been received from the sale of
agricultural lands, which has been invested. The college has
not yet been organized. In the meantime, the fund is being
yearly increased by the interest added to it. It is proposed
that it be located at Elko, in connection with the State
University.

NEW HAMPSHIRE.

The New Hampshire College of Agriculture and Mechanic
Arts is an institution associated with Dartmouth College,
Hanover. The endowment fund from land grants is $100,000,
and the value of land.s, buildings and appliances, is $100,000.

The college farm consists of 3G0 acres of land, with a soil
admirably suited for agricultural experiments. The stock in-
cludes a herd of 50 cattle, consisting of pure Durhams and
Ayrshires, together with their grades ; also 40 Cotswold sheep
and some horses. Experiments with field crops are being con-
stantly carried on in a portion of the farm devoted to that
purpose. Feeding tests have also been made to determine the
relative value of roots, cornmeal and bran, and early and late
cut hav ; also wdth different fertilizers, to ascertain their rela-
tive value.

The revenue derived from the endowment fund is S6,000 ;
from annual State appropriations, S3,000 — total, $9,000; which
is sufficient to meet current expenditure. The number of
students taking the agricultural course is small.

NEW JERSEY.

In the State of New Jersey, Rutger's Scientific School at
New Brunswick, whiqh is a very old institution, established

rt^

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.

before tlie Revolutionary War, acquired possession of the
agricultural land grant, and thus became the State College of
Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. The 210,000 acres received
were sold for $116,000. Tliis produces $6,960 a year, which is
devoted to the payment of salaries , S30,000 has been spent
on a farm of 98 acres, $50,000 on buildings, and $13,000 for
equipment. The land on which Viv^- college buildings are
placed consists of seven acres within the limits of the town.
The farm is about two miles distant from the collefre. It is
managed b}^ a farm superintendent and has no appropriation
and no resources other tlian moneys realized from sales of pro-
duce. The soil is a loam of mixed sand and clay, well drained
and all improved.

There is a herd of about 60 cows of all sorts — no first-class
specimens among them — which are kept solely for milking
purposes. The milk is sold in Jersey City or New York to
ihe wholesale dealers, and is shipped in cans daily. A con-
tinuous record is kept of the total product of milk. A few
pigs are also kept, but none of tliem are pure bred.

The farm when bought was in very poor condition, but has
been thoroughly drained and enriched by fertilizers, so that
land which at first would not yield 10 bushels of wheat to the
acre, will now yield about 30 bushels.

Under tb.e al)le direction of Prof. Cook, who is Professor of
Agriculture in the college and Director of the experimental
station, much useful experimeiital v:ock has been carried on
for many years. In lieltl experiments many varieties of winter
wheat and rye have been tested. These are grown at first in
plots of one-tenth of an acre each, treated with different sorts
of fertilizers, and the more promising sorts afterwards grown
on a larcfor scale. Fultz wheat is esteemeJ here as amonrr the
best of the winter wlieats. It is a small-grained amber wheat,
with a short, stifl straw, and will yield from 20 to 40 bushels
per acre, or an estimated average in general culture of 25
bushels. The experiment^! in cereals have been repeated year
after year for a nunjber of years. Sorghum has been grown
on a larjie scjde, h!u1 a satisfactory yield of sugar obtained.

EXPERIMENTAL FARM STATIONS.

40

The cultivated land of New Jersey had long been cropped
under the old system of taking everything possible out of the
soil and returning little or nothing to it, and hence in many
districts had become so much exhausted that it would no
longer produce paying crops. Now, and partly from the
stimulus given by the publication of the results of the ex-
perimental work of the station, manuring and enriching have
become general, the science of supplying the soil with such
elements as may be specially required has been carefully
studied and practised, and the result is that many farms
which a few years ago were scarcely considered worth work-
ing, are now once more yielding good crops ; the State is, in
fact, becoming in this respect rejuvenated. Besides the grow-
ing of corn, winter wheat and r3'e, which are the principal
grain crops, grapes are largely cultivated, and the growing oi
peaches, which in many districts had been practically aban-
doned, is being resumed. New orchards are being planted on
a large scale, and there is every reason to expect that within
a. short time New Jersey will regain her formfiv position as a
peach-growing State, and under the new sy.stem of agriculture
so generally adopted, retain that position.

The needs of the State have been such that the efforts of
the experimental station have been chiefly devoted to deter-
mining the value of fertilizers by chemical analyses, and pub-
lishinof the results obtt.ined for the guidance of farmers in
bulletins, which are issued several times during the summer,
and sent to every farmer in the State who expresses a desire
to have them. A special appropriation of S8,000 a year is
made by the State to defray the expenses of the experimental
station.

NEW YORK.

The New York State College of Agriculture and Mechanic
Arts is associated with Cornell University, at Ithaca, founded
by the liberality of Ezra Cornell. The endowmenL fund
obtained from the sale of agricultural lands is $473,412, with
large tracts of land still unsold. The total income of the
4

,^_

60

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.

university from all sources is about $130,Q00 ; the expenditure,
including S85,000 for salaries, is about SI 20,000.

A special course in agriculture is provided, under an able
staff of professors. The course of instruction covers the
whole field of scientific and practical agriculture and horticul-
ture. Students are required to spend three hours a day for
two days in each week in farm work, and in the handling and
feeding of domestic animals. In horticulture they have the
advantage of experimental work m the garden and conserva-
tories. Economic entomology is also ta' ' t by lectures and
by practical work in the field.

The university faria consists of 120 acres of arable land,

the larger part of which is used for experimental purposes.

The stock kept is used also for similar ends. Statistics of

both ex])erimental work and management of stock are kept

on such a system as to show, at the close of each year, the

profit or loss, not only of the whcje farm, but of each crop
and group of animals.

While nearly 400 students attend this university, and so
many advantages are offered to those desiring to study agri-
culture, the agricultural class seldom exceeds in number from
20 to 2,5.

EA'ppA'imentid Station. — This institution has no endowment
funtl from agricultural lands, but is entirely supported by
annual State grants. It was iiicorporated by an Act ot the
State Legislature passed during the Session of 1H81, and
during that year a farm of 125 acres was purchased -'ur
$2.5,000. This expenditure was met by special appropriation,
and a further sum of $20,000 a year provided by the State for
carrying on the work.

The farm is situated nearly two miles from the town of
Geneva, and occupies an olevuted position, the land undulat-
ing, with a gradual slope towards the south. The soil is a
heavy clay loam, more or less gravelly. The buildings en the
farm at the time of purchase were a large residence, stables
and outbuildings. The lower story of the dwelling has been
fitted up for the experimental work of the station, one side as

w

EXPERIMENTAL FARM STATIONS.

61

a chemical laboratory, the other as agricultural and horticul-
tural offices and museum. The Director, Dr. Sturteyvant,
occupies the upper floor as a dwelling. A considerable sum
has been spent in repairing the buildings and in altering them
to meet the requirements of the case, and still they are very
unsuitable for the purposes they have to serve. The new
building is now in process of erection for dair}' work.

Stock. — The stock consists of rive thoroughbred Jersey cow\s,
which are kept solel}'' for experiments in milk and butter.

Fiehl Experimientx. — More than 100 varieties of wheat have
been tested, and their relative merits discussed in the bulletins
and reports wdiich have been issued by the station. The
Wayne County Select has proved to be a very excellent wheat
here, a good cropper, and an early variety, which stools well
Surprise is another productive sort, higld}' prized, in which
the spikelets usually have four grains of seed in each. Martin's
Amber, Landreth and Silver Chaff", are also regarded as very
promising varieties. Oats and barley have also been similarlj'
tested. With many sorts of vegetables and roots, especially
potatoes, the trials have been numerous, and the results of
great practical value.

Field Experiments. — More than 100 varieties of wheat
have l»een tested, and their relative merits discussed in the
bulletins and reports which have been issued by the station.
The Wayne County Select has proved to be a very excellent
wheat here, a good cropper, and an early variety, which stools
well. Surprise is another productive sort, highly prized, in
which the spikelets usually have four grains of seed in each.
Martin's Amber, Landreth and Silver Chaff' are also regarded
as very promising varieties. Oats and barley have also been
similarly tested. With many £,orts of vegetables and roots,
especially potatoes, the trials have been numerous, and the
results of great practical value.

Horticidiiire. — The orchard was planted in 1884, and con-
tains 81 varieties of apples, 26 pears, 45 peaches, 83 plums,
30 cherries, 6 quince. 16 nectarines and 20 apricots. In small
fruits the institution has 42 sorts of grapes, 40 strawberries,

iCwii

'ftm

r

52

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.

50 raspberries, 10 blackberries, 28 currants and 7 of goose-
berries. A careful account is V)eing kept of thein all, and
their relative merits recoi-ded.

Greenhowie. — AboutSl ,200 have been spent on this structure,
which is found to be an indispensable requisite for propagating
purposes and experimental work during the winter and early
spring months. Plants for sunnner decoration of the grounds
are also grown here. A very ingenious apparatus has been
devised for testing the germinating power of seeds, by which a
large number of tests may be carried on in a small space,
and the results coi.venientlv watched.

Chemical Liihorafoi'y. — This department is well supplied
with apparatus, especially such as is required in the analysis
of fertilizers, in the chemical examination of milk, and in
determining the purity of water.

Museum. — This is a very interesting and instructive fea-
ture, and indicates the character and extent of the work being
done. It contains large collections of corn, embracing many
varieties, both in the ear and shelled, of wheat, oats, barley,
peas, beans and other garden and field crops and vegetables,
all of which have been grown at the station : also collections
of the seeds of forage plants and weeds.

Staff awl Expenditure. — The staft' consists of the director,
superintendents of agriculture and horticulture, chemist and
botanist, the salaries ranging from SI ,000 to $2,500, with
house and the use of such products as are grown on the sta-
tion. There are also four assistants. A stenographer is
employed, to whom the Director dictates answers to corres-
pondence, ^^'hich are taken in shorthand, written with a type-
writer and brought for signature. The stenographer also
keeps the books and prepares a type-writer copy of all the
bulletins and repoi tr ror the ^)rinter. The botanist is enaasfed
chiefiy in the investigation of plant diseases.

NORTH CAROLINA.

•o"o

The State University, which is locate<l at Chapel Hill,
received the agricultr.ral land grant, and gives instruction in

w

EXPERIMENTAL FARM STATIONS.

53

those branches of leaniiny: related to agriculture and the
mechanic arts. The endovviuent fund is $125,000, the interest
of which is S7,500. This, with State appropriations and other
revenue, brings the total inconie up to $19,000. The expenses
of the teaching staft'are $16,000; current expenses aVtsorb the
remainder.

The University has no farm or experimental plots. The
teaching is confined to lectures, which cover the whole tield
of agriculture, including the chemistry of soils, the ctnistituents
of plants, nature of plant food, application of fertilizers. et<*.

Experimental Station. — This station was established in 1.S77,
was formerly located at Chapel Hill, in connection with the
Universitv% but in 1<S(S1 it was removed to Raleigh, where it
enjoys ample acconnuodation and possesses all needed appli-
ances in the buildings of the State Agricultural Department.
The work of the North Carolina station has been almost
exclusively chemical, and mainly in the analysis - '.' fertilizers,
soils, minerals and ores. By the information it has given,
inferior brands of fertilizers have been driven from the market;
the quality of those remaining has been improved and the
price reduced. This has resulted in an intelligent demand for
fertilizers, which has greatly increased the annual products of
the soil. The statioa has done much to bring into prominent
notice the value of the inniiense deposits of mineral phosphates
found in the State, which may now be classed with its most
important commercial products.

The station has also made many tests of the purity and ger-
minating power of tield and garden seeds, and aftbrde«l much
protection to the farmers against fraud in this direction.

OHIO.

The State University of Ohio is situated in the suburbs of
the City of Columbus, where it occupies 340 acres of land,
purchased at a cost of $300,000 ; the buildings and equipments
have cost about as much more, making the outlay nearly
$600,000 in all. The endowment fund from the sale of agri-
cultural lands amounts to $538,000. Franklin Countv, in

54

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.

which the University is located, gave S«SOO,000, and citizens of
Columbus S28,000, towards its establishment.

In connection with this University there is not only a
department of agriculture but also an experimental station,
both institutions doing good work in the direction of prac-
tical agriculture. The main work of the University is teach-
ing the higher branches of learning. The total number of
students is about .SOO, of which 85 are taking agricultuiv-
some being entered for a two years course ; others for four
years. A course of 40 lectures is given each year for farmers,
the time occupied with the course being two w^eeks.

Stock. — The stock consists of a herd of IcS thoroushbreii
Jersey cattle and a small herd of Devons, besides which there
are a number of ofrades of connnon cattle crossed with Jer-
seys. The experiments conducted are altogether in reference
to the production of milk, which is regularly sold to the citi-
zens at retail. The net profits last year from this product
was Si, 600, to which must be added the sale of calves,
amounting to .^246.

A few horses are bred, solely for use on the farm, Perche-
rons being preferred. Nothing is done in sheep. Two breeds
of pigs are kept, viz., Berkshire and Poland-China. These
are used for illustration in teaching, and for feeding experi-
ments.

Field Experiments. — The field experiments have been chiefly
with corn and winter wheat, fjrowinjj such varieties on a large
scale as are found to be most productive in the small testing
plots at the experimental station. By this process of selection
the wheat fields of the University yielded, last year, 32 bushels
to the acre, under ordinary field culture, while the wheat crop,
generally, throughout that district, was very poor, owing to
long continued cold weather, on b ire ground during the winter.
Most of the wheat produced on the farm is sold to farmers in
the State for seed at St. 50 per bushel. Experiments are also
being carried on with r(X)ts and other field crops.

Experimental Station. — Ohio Agricultural Experimental
Station is a purely experimental establishment, where all sorts

EXPERIMENTAL FARM STATIONS.

55

^!

?;

I'M

[ i V''

:flv

of grain and other tield and gai-den crops, and fruits, both
large and small, are test<^d. and the results published in bulle-
tins and annual reports. Thf annual c<xst of conducting the
station is from $10,000 to .<! 2,000. $o ,000 of which is a direct
annual appropriation by the State : the remainder is furnished
by the University. The ertieient Director of this station, W.
R. Lazenby, is Professor of Horticulture and Botany in the
University, and in addition to his class \v«)rk, supervises what
is undertaken l)y the special start" at the station. This depart-
ment has been in operation a little more than three years, and
is growing in usefulness, and yearly becoming more popular
with the farmers and horticulturists of the State.

Experiments witJi Cereals. — In the experiuieutal plots 118
varieties of wheat have been teste«:l. The sorts most esteemed
for cultivation in that district ai-e Velvet (.'liafF, Silver Chaff,
German Amber, Fultz, York Wliite Chatf, Russian No. 2 and
Egyptian. Efforts have also lieen made to improve these
promising sorts by cross fertilization and selection. The
results of planting the seed at fliHerent depths have been
noted, thick and thin planting compared : also the effects of
winter protection and spring cultivation, and early and late
ploughing. Twenty varieties of corn have been similarly
tested, and many sorts of barlev ami ojits.

Experiments with Veijetal'f'e-^. — In this department much
attention has been paid to the potato. Fifty varieties have
been tried, and among the most promising ones are, Burbank.
Beauty of Hebron and Rural Blusli. Many sorts of sweet corn,
beans, peas, cabbage and tomat«»es liave been tested, and the
results given to the public. Six acres are set apart for
this special purpose, and in addition to ordinary treatment,
the results of early and lat^ see<ling. thick and thin seeding,
have been tried, and the effects of the use of different sorts
of fertilizers on the crops note<l.

Horticulture. — Six years ago the university planted six
acres with apples and pears, but owing to the unusual severity
of the winters of late, about tliree-fourths of the trees have
perished from winter killing, and have been replaced by other

' 1

::

I'i

5«j

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.

varieties. The number of sorts of apples at present cultivated
is 25, and of pears 25. Many of the latter have suffered from
blight as well as winter killing. Very few plums are grown,
and no peaches. Experience has shown that the fruit trees
obtained from nurseries north of Columbus have proved
hardier than those grown in that vicinity or further south.
Tests are frequently made to show the comparative effects of
mulching, cultivation, and of cropping with grass, grain and
vegetables amonj; the trees.

In the vineyard there are 60 varieties of grapes, and in the
small fruit plantation a large numVjcr of strawberries rasp-
berries, currants and aooseberries. Some efforts have been

»'

made towards originating new kinds, by cross fertilization,
with a measure of success. The products in this department
also are sold. The sum realized last year was §1,278.19, S900
of which was obtained from sales of small fruits.

Miscellaneous. — Tests have been made with noxious weeds,
to determine their relative growth and rapidity of multipli-
cation, and the best methods of extirpating them. Obser-
vations on injurious insects have bf*en conducted and recorded,
with tests of the several insecticides which have been recom-
mended for destroying them. The vitality of seeds is another
line of experimental work undertaken here, and carried out
on an extensive scale.

Conservatory. — A conservatory and propagating house has
been built, at a cost of $3,000, which provides the means for
carrying on experiments throughout the year. It is attached
to the horticultural building, in which there is a museum,
lecture room and a convenient office.

Revenue and Expenditure. — The income from the endow-
ment fund is $32,270. Tuition fees and State appropriations
bring the revenue up to about $52,000. The expenditure is
about $50,000, of which $27,000 is paid for salaries. The
professors receive from $2,250 to $2,750 a year.

OREGON.

The proceeds of the national land grant have in this State
been given to Corvallis College, located at Corvallis. The

EXPERIMENTAL FARM STATIONS.

67

fund amounts to $50,000, The annual income from all sources
is about $0,000, most of which is spent in salaries.

No experimental work is clone here, but practical and
scientific agriculture is taught, including stock raising, the
construction of farm buildings, drainage, analysis of soils,
fertilizers, etc.

PENNSYLVANIA.

The Pennsylvania State College of Agriculture is located in
Centre County, about the middle of the State, and nearly ten
miles from Bellephonte. The endowment fund belonging to
this institution is $500,000 ; the estimated value of lands,
buildings and appliances, $451,600. The main building is an
imposing structure of magnesian limestone, occupying a com-
manding position. It is 240 feet long, 80 feet wide, and five
.stories hioh.

The college owns three experimental farms — one of nearly
300 acres, on which the buildings are located ; one in Chester
County, of 100 acres, and one in Indiana County, of 100 acres.
The soil of the farm at Centre County is a clay loam, mixed
with limestone, with some flint, and seems to be well adapted
to the growth of the grains and grasses cultivated in this
district. Very little purely experimental work is carried on
in the outlying farms, as they are not easily accessible to the
students. These are cultivated with hired help, with the
usual rotation of crops.

The course of instruction in agriculture is of a very practical
nature, and combines farm work with teaching.

Stock. — About 20 animals compose the college herd — 6
thoroughlired Jerseys, 3 Guernseys ; the others are grades.
All the animals are stall fed. Many experiments in feeding
have been reported in the bulletins of the college, and much
information given on this topic.

Field ExpermienU. — One hundred and forty-four plots of
one-eighth of an acre each have been .set aside for some years
past for continuous experiments. Many of them have been
devoted to wheat, where the same variety has beer, grown for

M AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.

several yoars on the same plot with ditt'erent sorts of fertilizers,
and also without any manure whatever. The results of these
tests have heen very instructive. Cro]is of tiuiothy and
clover cut at different periods of their growth have also heen
compared, and the results observed of special manures on the
quality as well as quantity of tiie wheat crop.

Horticultare. — There is an orchard of twenty acres, con-
taining many different sorts of apples, and a vineyard of about
500 vines, chiefly Concord, which usually yields a large crop-
There is not much being done here in small fruits.

Miscellaneous. — A special course of lectures to farmers is
given every year at the college, occupying two weeks. They
consist of from thirty to forty in all, and embrace a variety
of topics covering the whole field of agriculture and horticul-
ture, and are specially designed to meet the wants of farmers
actively engaged in their calling.

The amount annually expended for instruction is about

?1 8,000.

RHODE ISLAND.

The aiiricultural college land grant falling to Rhode Island
was liestowed upon tht Brown University, of Providence, in
1863, and in 1869 a department of agriculture and mechanic
arts was organized in this institution. The endowment fund
amounts to $.50,000.

The course of instruction in agriculture consists of lectures
only, and includes the study of soils, economic geology, chemis-
try, botany, and other kindred subjects.

SOUTH CAROLINA.

The fund derived from the national land grant, amounting
to S191,H00, has been invested in State bonds, and the interest,
$11, .500, is divided equally between the South Carolina Col-
lege of Agriculture and Mechanics, at Columbia, for whites,
and the Claflin College, at Orangeburgh, for coloured people.

In addition to a course of lectures, a farm is attached to the
Columbia College, where students acquire a practical acquaint-
ance with farming operations under a skilled agriculturist.

EXPERIMENTAL FARM STATIONS.

09

The collogc at ClaHin also ijives instruction in agriculture,
and has a farm of 1 KJ acres, with suitahle outhuihlings, valued,
in all, at 810,000, The main work, however, of this institu-
tion, seems to be the primary education of coloured children.

TENNESSEE.

The TJ:>iversitv of Tennessee, located at Knoxville, rec(;ived
the endowment of public lands. The total sum of productive
funds beloneiufj to this universitv is S405,000, the income
from which is S24,410 ; the annual expense of the teaching
start' is about $20,000 ; the remainder of the income is applied
to current expenses. The estimated value of lands, buildings
and appliances, is $134,700.

A course of lectures is given on agricultural subjects.
There is also a farm of 260 acres, well adapted for stock rais-
ing and grain growing, with suitable buildings and implements.
The stock includes seven thorouo-hbred Shorthoins and two
Devons. Several acres are devoted to experiments in growing
wheat, oats and grasses.

As aids in the study of horticulture, there is an orchard of
300 trees, a vineyard, a small greenhouse and a flower garden.

TEXAS.

The State Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas is
located at College Statioii. The endowment fund from the
national land grant is $204,000 ; the land, buildings and
appliances, are valued at $260,000; the income is $14,280;
the expenditure about the same ; the teaching staff costs
$12,000.

A special course of lectures is given in agriculture, includ-
ing dairying, drainage, farm management, entomology and
forestry. For practical illustration the college farm is used.
It has 53 acres under cultivation, including 10 acres devoted
to experimental plots and 1 1 acres to orchard.

VERMONT.

The proceeds of the national land grant to Vermont was
$135,500, which was given to the State University and Agri-

60

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.

\ M.

cultural Collejje at Burlington. This institution 1ms other
productive property, its entire revenue being about S22,000
aiulitsexpemliture about i^'i 1,500, of which Sl7,o00is spent in
salaries. Agriculture is taught in a course of lectures associated
with the kindre«l sciences of cheuiistr}', botany, horticulture,
<lairying, entomology, etc. There is no experimental farm
connt'cU'd with this collejie.

VIRGINIA.

The endowment fund resultinj; from the national land jjrant
to Virginia is .^28.5,000. Two-thirds of this sum was set apart
for the maintenance of the Virofinia Ajjricultural and Me-
chanical Collefre at Blacksburjj ; the other vhird fjiven to the
Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute. The Blacksburg
College has a farm of 300 acres of land, well stocked, where
experiments in agriculture, horticulture and stock raising are
conducted. The land, buildings and apparatus, are valued at
SI 00,000. The total income is about $20,000, of which the
teaching start' receive $14,000.

The course of instruction covers general agriculture, stock
breeding, horticulture, chemistry, botany, the formation of
soils, the elements necessary to a fertile soil, best methods of
restoring lost fertilit}*, necessity and methods of drainage, etc.

Hampton yormal Agricultural Institute. — This institution,
which is located at Hampton, receives one-third of the agri-
cultural lands endowment fund. It is an extensive establish-
ment, artbrding accommodation for 500 pupils, desi'ned n- tl.
instruction of the coloured youth, with the sp
preparing them to go out as teachers among th'
The area of its work has been recently extended
also the Indian youth.

The institute is chiefly supported by voluntary contributions
from northern friend.s. From this source about $80,000 is
annually received ; the interest on the land endowment fund
is $10,000 ; from other sources nearly $5,000 more— $45,000
in all, which is sufficient to meet current expenditure. About

■ject of

vvn people.

y taki Lii in

EXPKKIMKNTAL FARM STATIONS.

CI

S30,000 is r(M|uiro(l for salaries of officers and tt'achcrs. The
value of lands, ljuiUlin<;s and a})|)liances, is 5?420,.SG4.

Agriculture forms part of the regular course of this col'ege.
The students are also trained in practical work. The insti-
tute has two farms — one of 190 acres, and one of GOO acres —
fairly well stocked with the necessary appliances. There are
large orchards of apple, pear, plum and cherry, including
2,250 trees in all, which, with a vinery, nursery and small
fruit plantations, afi'ord ample means for instruction in horti-
culture. Eighty -three of the coloured .students are said to be
receiving special instruction in agriculture.

WEST VIRGINIA.

The West Virginia University in Morgan town received the
national land grant Its productive funds amount to $110,*-
000 ; the grounds, buildings and apparatus, are estimated at
$175,000. The annual income is $6,500, to which the State
adds about $16,000 more.

The agricultural course consists of a series of lectures, cover-
ing two years, on practical agriculture and the allied .sciences.

WISCONSIN.

The State Agricultural College of Wisconsin is a depart-
ment of the University of Wisconsin, which is located within
a mile of Madison, the capital of the State. The town is
very prettily situated on elevated ground overlooking two
lakes. The university is built on a still higher elevation,
overlooking the town as well as the lakes. The endowment
fund from agricultural lands is $267,330 ; other productive
funds amount to $230,660— $4{)7,990 in all. The value of
the grounds, buildings and apparatus, is placed at $455,000.
The land, which consists of 200 acres, is naturally well drained ;
the soil is clay loam, with a subsoil partly of clay and in part
gravel. The special course in agriculture is very thorough,
and is combined with practical work on the farm.

Stock: — The college herd consists of 25 head, some of which
are pure Jerseys ; others Jersey and Holstein grades. There

iT

62

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.

are two pure bred Jersey bulls, whose services are available
to fanners in the neighbourhood for a fee of S2. Nothing
has been done in sheep or horses. A few pigs are kept, mainly
for feeding experiments.

Field Experiments. — These have been continued under
charge of Prof. Henry for a number of years, and inclndt the
testing of a number of v^arieties of corn, wheat and other
cereals. Experiments on a large scale have been carried on
for several years in growing amber cane for sugar making,
and with ensilage.

Very little has been done in horticultui-..

Cheniical Lahovatory. — This depaitment is ver\' complete,
and, under the efficient direction of Prof. Armsby, is doing
very thorough work in the analysis of fertilizers, fodders and
' grain used as food for cattle, the analysis of milk resulting
from various kinds of feed, and particularly in digestion ex-
periments. In these food of a certain character and known
(juantity is given, the excretory products are weighed and
anal^'sed, and the proportion of food assimilated accurately
determined ; also the manurial value of the excreta.

There are about 400 students in the university, but very
few are availing themselves of the privileges ott'ej-ed in the
line of agricultural education.

Revenue and Expenditure. — The entire income of the
university is nearly $83,000, a large proportion of v:hich is
spent in salaries of the teaching statt!

WASHINGTON.

Having reviewed in some detail the nmny items of State
expenditure designed for the advancement of agriculture,
reference will now be made to what is being done by the
Federal Government in the same direction.

The appropriations for the current year for the distribution
of seeds, plants and trees, and defraying the expenses con-
nected with the scientific work undertaken by the ])epartment
for the promotion of agricultun , are ^■I'OS.SIO, exclusive of
the special appropriations for the botanic garden of $19,200.

EXPERIMENTAL FARM STATIONS.

The iteuis ma}'' be thus enuinerate«l :

Chemical bureau (salaries) $11,500

Chemicals and apparatus for the use of
the chemists and miscroscopists, and
for necessar}' expenses in conducting

experiments oO,000

EiUtomological bureau (salaries) 7,900

Investigating the history and habits of
insects injurious to agriculture and

horticulture 20,000

Greenhouses, gardens and grounds .... 27,750

Microscopical bureau 1,800

Botanical bureaa 3,000

Museum 4,120

Library, Dept. Agriculture, scientific

works 1,500

Seed bureau (salaries) 8,240

Purchase, pi'opagation and distribution
of seeds, trees, shrubs, vines, etc., to
be distributed in localities adapted to

their culture 100,000

Tea plants, cultivation and distribution. 3,000
Forestry — to continue to experiment,
investigate and report upon the sub-
ject 10,000

Silk culture — encouragement and de-
velopment of tlie culture and raising

of raw silk 15,000

Bureau cf animal industry 150,000

(53

CO

00
00

00
00
00
00
00

00
00

00
00

00

00
00

$408,810 00

Most of the scientific work cairied on at Washington is of
a very high character and of grea'i practical use. The yearly
reports of the several bureaus are much sought and highly
prized by all who are interested in the subjects on which they
treat, and are a credit to the Government and the country.

m

w

64

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.

As a further evidence of the estimation in which experi-
mental work in agriculture is held in the United States, a Bill
is now before Congress on which the House Committee on
Agriculture have reported favourably, and which is likely to
become law before the close of the Session, providing for the
maintenance by the Federal Government of an experimental
station in each State of the Union, by an annual grant of
§15,000 to each station. This will undoul)tedly give a great
impetus to experimental and practical work; and by providing
the means for more general and "xtended investigations,
agriculture will be materially advanced, the condition of the
farmer improved, and the agricultural calling accorded, in
public estimation, some measure of that dignity and import-
ance to which, as one of the chief elements in national wealth
and greatness, it is fairly entitled.

FORESTRY.

On the important subject of Forestry, I have been favoured
with a communication from Mr. Bernhard E. Fernow, of New
York, Secretary of the American Forestry Congress, one of
the best authorities on this continent, a graduate of the
Prussian Forest Academy at Miinden, who served as Chief
Forester under the Prussian Government for several years
before removing to this country. His letter, which was
kindly written at my request, contains so niuny valuable
suggestions that I append it in full :*

"American Forestry Congress,
"Office of the Corresponding Secretary,

" January 12, 1886.
" Wm. Saunders, Esq. :

" My Dear Sir, — In reply to your request for my opinion
in regard to the needs of forestry in the north-west Provinces
of Canada, and to a plan for its introduction, allow me to say
that a subject so important and complicated can hardly receive

• Since the appended letter was written, Mr. Fernow has been appointed Chief
of the United States Forestry Bureau at Waslungton.

EXPERIMENTAL FARM STATIONS.

60

of

ras

non

ices

Isav

jive

.'hlef

adequate treatment within tl»e limits of a letter. Space, and
my time for using it, being limited, my knowledge of the
specific conditions of the region in question being only im-
perfect, and not derived from personal inspection, I shall
content myself with giving you simply such general hints
from the standpoint of a forester as may be useful in forming
vour own answer to the fiuestions you ask.

"The subject of forestry in your country seems to me to
have two distinct aspects. Forest conservation and the
restoration of natural forests are recjuired on the larger area,
and mainly for economic purpo.ses, while agricultural needs
call for the creation of new forests in a more limited part of
the Dominion, mainly, I believe, in the Provinces of which
you speak.

" I assume that the climatic and hvdrologic influences of
forests in general are too well known to you to need discus-
sion. That a permanently successful agriculture dejiCnds on
a judicious distribution of forests is the natural consequence
of those influences. As the improvident denudation of large
forest areas in the Old World and on this continent has
rendered those districts barren and unproductive and of no
value for agricultural purposes, there can lie little doubt that
reforestation will be the best aid for restorinj; favourable
agricultural conditions.

" Aside from tlie economic value of the wood-lot and the
mechanical influence of the wind-break, retarding the velocity
of surface winds and lesseninrj the severitv of blizzards, the
most important effect of forest areas properly distributed lies
in their livdroloj^ic sirjnificance.

" They are the cheapest, the most reliable, the best irrigators.
This office is due rather to a negative influence upon passing
rain clouds. The forest does not prevent rain-fall, as does the
open plain ; for while the extensive, treeless plains present an
air column, which, being dry and of high temperature, rai.ses
the point of saturation of a passing rain cloud, and allows it
to pass without deriving the benefit of its moi.sture, the cooler
air hovering over the forest tends rather to lower the point

66

AGRICULTUKAL COLLEGES.

of saturation, induces rain-fall on the neighbouring territory,
so that the most helpful agency of the forests on agriculture
is attained by their distribution, in belts or clumps, over the
agricultural lands.

" The co-relation of forests and atmospheric moisture is
such, that while the latter, to a certain degree, is a conditio
fiine qua non for forest growth, at the same time the grow^ing
forest tends to increase the atmospheric moisture of its sur-
roundings, creating the very condition which it requires for
its development.

" I consider, therefoi'e, that the reforestation of the treeless
and arid plains, and thereby their recuperation for agricul-
tural uses, is, beyond doubt, not a difficult task, if begun
juiliciously, starting from the outskirts of the present forest
area and reaching forward gradually with those species,
which, like the Cottonwood, soft maples, birches and others,
will vegetate in the arid soil and dry atmosphere of those
plains. Tliese species may not be the most desirable for
timber growth, and should therefore be replaced as soon as
sufficient increase of favourable conditions is obtained, by
undergrowing them with more valuable species, gradually
removing the first crop, which had fjdHlled its office by
preparing the way for its betters.

" To accomplish the result — modification of climatic condi-
tion— the extent of such forests must be commensurate with
the vast area needing the change, and it is questionable
whether the individual eftbrts of small settlers will not be too
isolated, and the results too limited and too remote, to be
appreciably beneficial.

" But if the Government does not undertake such forest
planting on a large scale, as has been done in European
countries and is now practised in India and Australia, it
would certainly be a wise policy to inaugurate and supervise
s^'stematic planting of forest belts or clumps ^ a condition of
land grants from the public domain. But .his would place
the moral obligation upon the Governii.«(, n^ of providing at
least all possible protection against failure, by gathering and

EXPERIxMENTAL FARM STATIONS.

67

disseminating the necessary information on forest growing.
Cautious and judicious proceedings are in no enterprise more
necessary than in forestry, if financial results are of account.
While agricultural experiments are answered in a year s time,
or at least in a few years, the results of forestal operations
cannot be ascertaineil until many years are elapsed. Mistakes
are apparent only after generations have passed, especially
when timber value or financial results form the main object.

■' A few examples may illustrate my meaning. Some eighty
or ninety years ago the American w'hite pine was highly
extolled in Germany as a desirable immigrant, and largely
planted. To-day it is found that to attain the quality which
we demand for building timber the white pine requires more
than one-third longer time than the native Scotch pine.
Whether the larger yield per acre will offset the amount of
interest on the original outlay thus lost, is extremely question-
able.

"Another mistake was the cu^ivation of birch in pure
(unmixed) growth, wdiich found its advocates some years ago.
The results of this birch mania have been large areas inipover-
ished under the thin foliage of the birch, which neither shades
the ground nor enriches it with suitable humus, taxing the
ingenuity of the forester to restore the soil to proper condition.

" The mistakes made in European forrstr}' are frequent
enough to serve as a warning for others to proceed more
judiciously.

" I would not discourage the planters of walnut in our
northern climes, who, from the rapid growth which the tree
makes in the first ten or twenty years, calculate the prospec-
tive sawlogs of the forty year old tree ; but it has impressed
me more than ever with the importance of the work to \;hich
I was called for some time, namely, to ascertain the rate of
growth of different species at different periods of their life,
and the bearing of this on the financial result of their cultiva-
tion.

" To show you what such a small item as the distance of
planting may have upon the ultimate results, I copy from n)y

'I

68 AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.

note-book the followinff figures of an experiment. Thirty
acres planted witli Scotch pine in different widths, actual
measurement, after twentv-five years' growth reveale<l these
results :

Interval between Proportion

plants. of yield.

H feet \.m

4.;") feet L.'iO

<) feet 1.2-2

7.5 feet 1.20

U feet 1 .0(1

" Such examples may be used to show that fore.st experi-
mentation cannot be expected to be undertaken bv private
individuals — at least, that systematic Government aid is
necessary, if it is the interest of the Governujent to achieve
results for the benefit of its constituents.

"Nowhere, it seems to me, are measures of encouraijement
by Government called for more urgently than in establishing
systematic forestry in yourcountiy. Part of Canada s wealth
lies in Canada's forests ; the nature of the soil and climate in
the northern districts of the eastern an<l central Provinces is.
to a large extent, not tit for anything but forest growth. Yet-
Canada is utilizinn: the natural o-rowth in such a manner as to
deteriorate her forest capacity, and of ten even heragi-icultiiral
possibilities. Timber growing will eventually become an
economic necessity for Canada ; few lumbermen, under exist-
ing conditions, can see any advantage in utilizing supplies
with other views than those of immediate gain — a mans life
seems too short to enter upon such extended enterprise as
forestry — interest in future supplies can concern the State
alone ; at least, so it seems at ])resent.

" The time for a wiser forest policy has come, and the
Government should lay now, while it still retains land and
forest, the foundation of systematic fore.st management — at
least to set, as in Germany, the example after which private
owners may form their forestry.

" There seems to be a misunderstanding as to the position
which the different Governments of Germany hold in respect

EXPERIMENTAL FARM STATIONS.

60

to their forests. Only one-tliir«l of the entire forest area is
State forest; not quite one-fifth, belonging to connnunities,
is under restrictive State supervision ; and the balance, very
nearly one-half (in Prussia o-t per cent.), is in private hands,
to the unrestricted use of their owners, excepting a few cases,
where the danger to neii:hl«ouring agricultural lands from
the indiscriminate removal of the forest makes its manage-
ment under restrictive rules necessary. Yet the good example
set by the management of the Government forests has largely
induced a similar managenu-nt of private forests by their
owners, who frequently employ the neighbouring Government
officer, at a sjnall remuneration, to make their working plans.
" In Germany, where empire forestry has been practised for
more than two centuries, the necessit}- of experimentation
upon a scientific basis, though recognized long ago, has found
practical expression only recently. France has followed, and
we may say that with the year lUlO, when the first experi-
mental stations were estaltlisheJ. one in Baden and another in
connection with the forest school at Tharana, in Saxony, anew
epoch in the art of forestry has been inaugurated.

" The other Governments soon followed, so that there are now
eight central forest experiment stations, with a large number
of secondary stations. All these, except the Austrian, have
formed a union, called the As.soeiation of the German Forestal
Experimental Stations, and work under a common plan
harmoniously together, to furnish a scientific foundation for
a rational management of forests, based upon exact experi-
ments and careful investigation.

" Your Government may congratulate itself that it can
build upon the experience of older nations. For although
European administrative methotls and local management may
not be translated into Canadian practice, their study will be
no small aid in devising a system for your own use. As for
their methods of scientific research, and for the establishment
of the general natural laws governing forest growth, we may
not hesitate to adopt the former and apply the latter as well
in forestry as we do in agriculture.

\T

70

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.

" The natural laws being uniform all over the world, their
practical application will depend only on sound judgment of
local conditions. These we liave to study here. What we
do not know, and cannot learn from the extensive European
libraries of forestal literature, is the capacity of our native
species — not less than 95 in Canada (some '20 only in Germany);
their rate of growth in different periods of life ; their adapta-
Inlity to conditions of soil and climate ; the best mode of pro-
pagation and treatment in the forest generally ; the time of
their maturity ; their value as timber ; their value as con-
servers of forest capacity ; their yielding capacities ; their
behaviour towards each other (a most important and, in this
country, almost entirely disregarded consideration for the
forest grower) ; and many other points essential to a successful
forestry. In the face of the utter ignorance on the forestry
of our native species, I will not mention the subject of accli-
matization of desirable foreigners.

" Close observations and scientific experiment are needed to
arrive at this fundamental knowledjje.

" In this work one point particularly should not be over-
looked, namely, that observations on tree growth for use in
forestry must be made under forest conditions. The nursery-
man and gardener have very different ol)jects in view. They
work under different conditions ; their experiences may often
mislead the forester, and their methods, in most cases, he can-
not adopt. If anything, therefore, is to be accomplished in
forest experimentation, the experimenter must stud}' forest
conditions, and employ them in his experiments.

" I see that the Dominion Lands Act, as amended, provides
for reservations on the slopes and crests of the Rocky Moun-
tains for the purpose of preserving an even water supply.
Such reserves should be placed under the .same direction as the
eventual forest experimental stations. Other reserves in the
plain, giving the opportunity of studying different forest con-
ditions and of applying conclusions for practical results, are not
only an essential adjunct to forest experimentation, but may
eventually form the nucleus for sj'.stematic forest economy.

EXPERIMENTAL FARM STATIONS.

71

" Such reserves, while in the first place designed to serve as
experimental grounds, should be made large enough to estab-
lish and support a regular forest department, and, with a con-
servative polic3\ may be so managed as to demonstrate
financial possibilities, and could in time be made to pay for
the expenses of all forest experimental stations. Germany,
with a forest area of 3o,000,000 acres, of which only 33 per
cent, are State forest, expends on experimental stations alone
in the aggregate over $30,000, out of which only few salaries
are paid, the experimenters being otherwise paid officers.
Experimentation in forestiy then, as in agriculture, is of a
double charactei-, the nursery and forest garden in connection
with the botanical laboratory corresponding to the laboratory
of the agricultural chemist, while the model farm finds its
counterpart in the natural forest and the plantation.

" It would lead me too far to enter into the details of organi-
zation, except to say that centralization of the work is a neces-
sity, and that the centi'al station .should l)e connected with
agricultural colleges or experimental stations, where the aid of
scientific apparatus can be most readily and chtaply secured.
Forestry- being based, somewhat similarly to agriculture, upon
a knowledge of natural sciences, the aid of the scientific stafi
of such institutions would be an advantage : specialists in
botany, chemistry and technology, geology, etc., can be directed
to give attention to their subjects as related to forestry-, and
occasional or regular lectures on forestry matters, by the forest
director and his staff, will soon eniraije close attention from
the students of agriculture, and practical application in the
management of their wood lots at home.

" I hope you will find in the foregoing suggestions some-
thing to aid you in deciding whether and how your Govern-
ment should take steps to provide for the future, not only of
Canadian forests, but also of successful agricultural settlements
on the treeless plains. If I can aid you further, please indi-
cate in what manner, and I will cheerfully do so.

" Yours very truly,

" BERNHARD E. FERNOW."

w

T

72 AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.

Forexli'ii E.rpenditare in Germanif. — I add, as an interest-
ing item from the Budget of Prussia (the most economical of
the (ierman a(hninistration.s), for tlio year 1st April, 18<So-86,
the following figures (rounded off') :

Total expenditure for State $3ir>,000.()00

Total area 86,000,000 acres.

Total State forest area 6,000,000 "

Total expenditure for Forest Depart-
ment 8,250,000

Of which special appropriation for pur-
chas(! of waste lands and removal of
easements 575,000

Of balance for admijiistration —

Personal (4,600 officers of all grades). . 34 per cent.

Material 58

General expenses 8

For forest schools and scientific pur-
poses $ 48,250

Total gross receipts of Forest Depart-
ment 13,250,000

Of which, for wood (260,000,000 cubic

feet) 11,700,000

Net income from Forest Department . 5,000,000

EXPERIMENTAL FARM STATIONS.

78

II. AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES, EXPERIMENTAL
STATIONS AND SCHOOLS OF HORTICULTURE
AND FORESTRY IN EUROPE.

In further proof of the fact that tliere is a general move
ment in niost civilized communities to encourage research an<l
experiment, and to provide an<l impart information with tlie
view of promoting agriculture, a few facts will now be sub-
mitted relating to some of the scliools of agriculture, horti-
culture, experimental stations and schools of forestry in other
countries.

During i)ie autumn of ISHJJ Prof. A. S. Welch, late Presi-
dent of the Agricultural College of Icnva, visited Europe at
the recjuest of the Connnissioner of Agriculture for the United
States, for the purpose of inquiring into the organization and
management of the principal agricultural schools in England,
(jrermany and Belgium. He remained some months, and on
his return, in ISiSi, submitted a report, recently published by
the Department of Agriculture in Wasliington, from whicli
much of what follows has been gleaned.

ENGLAND.

ROYAL A(JRICULTURAL COLLEGE AT CIRENCESTER, ENGLAND.

Tliis well-known institution was estalilished in 184.5 by a
company of noblemen, headed by the late Prince Albert, and
was incorporated at the same time under a charter granted by
Queen Victoria. By the sale of corporation shares a sufficient
sum was realized to erect the main college building, which is
an imposing Gothic structure, located a mile and a quarter from
Cirencester. The building has a frontage of 200 feet, and
contains the apartments of the resident professor, students'
dormitories, library, lecture rooms, laboratories, museums, etc.

74

AGRICULTURAL COLLKGKS.

In 1880 the institution was tiist naim'd ])y Her Majesty tlie
" Royal A<,'ricultural t'oUojjre of Knj^laml. " The formal patron
is the Prince of Wales, an<l the J)uke of MarlboroujLjh is Pre-
sident. The collej^e has no endowment fund ; its support is
wholly derived from students' fees and the patronajje of the
association.

There are alnnit 70 students, .')0 of whom reside in the
eoUej^e; the others are out-students, who Vtoard in the town.
The in-students pay fl8.") (8658) per annum ; the out-students,
for tuition alone, £75 (.^365).

The instruction consist.s of eour.ses of lectures on practical
and scientific agriculture, mechanical work of the farm,
experiments in the field and veterinary hospital practice.
With the.se suhjects are as.sociated chemistry, geology, botany,
zoology, mechanics, physics, mensuration, practical engineer-
ing, land .surveying, book-keeping and architecture. The
.students composing the cla.s.ses take careful notes on the topics
presented to them, then consult works of reference, and pre-
pare themselves for a weekly written examination, b}' the
results of which their standing is in part determine<l.

The chemical lalx)ratory is thoroughly equipped and th^
studies directed by a staff of competent teachers, who instruct
the students in chemical prociSoes, particularly the analyses
of .sultstances a.s.sociated with aijriculture.

In the lecture I'oom is a collection of wheat plants, with
roots and heads well ])reserved, showing the results of an
experiment by Sir J. B. Lawes, of Rothemsted, on a single
variety of wheat cultivated for nineteen successive years in
twenty-eight small plots, one of which received no manure,
while the others were annually treated with definite quantities
of special fertilizers. In this manner, by nineteen repeated
applications, the exact effect of every fertilizer was ascertained
and a most instructive .series of specimens .secured, the un-
nianured examples showing about half the size and weight of
those best manu ed. The relative size and yield of the dif-
ferent .samples showed that super-phosphate of lime and
ammonia salts produce«l the best results.

EXPERIMENTAL FARM STATIONS.

7r>

The biological lultorutory is well supplied with iiii.serosc'opos
an<l other apparatus.

An excellent botanic ganlen is an int»'restiTig feature; it is
well stocked with plants, es])ecially with grasses and other
economic species.

A large nniseuni is another valuable aid. It contains a full
collection of connnercial fertilizers, forage cakes, including
those iiukK' from hemp, rape, palm, coeoanut, cotton and flax
.seeds; also a collection of sugars, starches, animal and vege-
table oils and mineral phosphates. An interesting feature is
a series of wax models representing Knglish j-oot crops and a
large nund)er of neatly preserved British grains and cereals.
The veterinary display is also large, including a set of papier-
mache models for teacbing the anatomy of the domestic
animals.

The department of pbysics is well fitted with apparatus for
illustrating the subjects of light, heat, electricity, etc. The
prominence given to model engines, pumps, water-wheels and
other mechanical appliances, indicate that the practical rela-
tions of this department to agriculture are fully recognized.

The college farm consists of 500 acres of land divided into
twenty fields, in which are raised a great variety of crops on
an approved sj\stem of I'otation. In the stock department a
specialty is made of (yotswohl sheep and Berkshire pigs, and
some of the most perfect specimens of these breeds, as well as
good specimens of all the other leading breeds of sheep in the
world, are to be seen here. Horses and cattle are also bred,
but to a more limited extent.

DOVVNTON ("0LLE(;E OF AGRICULTURE.

This college, located at Downton, near Sali.sburv, was estab-
lished, in 1880, for the purpose of preparing students for
positions of land owners, farmers, etc. The farm comprises
550 acre.s, and on account of the variability of its soil, is well
adapted for purpo.ses of instruction. A flock of Hampshire
Down sheep, numbering about 700, is a prominent feature in
the stock department at this place.

w

76

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.

Both Professors Freaiii and Slieldon, well known in tins
coiintrv from their writinurs on the auricultural resources of
Canada, are activel}'^ enj^^at^ed in this college.

The conrses of lectures are vej'y similar in character to tiiose
of the Royal College of Agriculture, and cover the whole
tield of agriculture and the allied sciences, the teachino- heimj
aid(Ml hy well-titted laboratories, with the newest forms of
apparatus. In this college students are required to work in
the fields and to help in the nuuuigument of live stock.

The expenses, including board, lodging and tuition, arc
.€l'2\) (SO^.S) a year ; for students boarding outsi<le the college,
£()() ($292).

FRANCE. '

jDLai)id progress is being made in experimental agriculture in
France. From the report of the Select Committee of the
House of Conmions, already referred to, much of the following
information is gathered.

In 180S, the Minister of A'aiculture. of France, connnis-
si(med a gentleman w^ell versed in agricultural science, Mr. L.
Crandeau, to visit the agricultural stations of Germany, and
" to report on the working of these institutions, on the services
which they rendered *he German population, an<l as to the
advantage there would be to French sigriculture by encourag-
in<j the creation of analogous establishments.'" He returned
full of admiration for these agricultural stations, which he
describes as producing the ha])piest results, and fui-ther says:
"At whatever cost, our farmers must be made familiar with
the art of experimenting. In a word, it is henceforth indis-
pensable that agricuh iir<', which in our country hns licen
hitherto a science of observation, should become at the same
time an experimental science. In tliis manner, and in this
numuer only, can lie reach.-d better conclusions which will l)e
more abundantly remunerative, and which will more than
compensate the increased labour which the husbandman will
undertake in following the new order.

EXPERIMENTAL FARM STATIONS.

77

u rpi

Tlu- II jnl'ost (leinonstration of the protit, ii'snlting to
agriculture from the union of chemical science and pln'.sio-
logical experiment wliicli was realized at the stations, inade
impression every day more and more, on practical farmers.
The mistrust (/f those whom they called the learned lessened
from day to day, and they liastened to come and ask, at the
station, counsel and instruction as to those things iii their
daily labours on which they most wanted information."

Following this!,l',ere were, in the year I87H, in France forty-
three agricultural experimental stations suhsidize<l ))y the
Government; twenty four received from IToOto l(!,4(i7 francs
each, and nineteen from .')00 to .S.OOO francs.

To France is also due the c)'e<lit of havino- solvcl the ditH-
cult problems which formerly stood in the way of the beet
sugar industry, a result brought about chiefly by the liberality
of the French Government. In the encouragement of tree
planting France has also taken a prominent part, and some
portions of her territory once l)arren and arid are now clotlied
with a luxuriant growth of pines.

GFRMANY.

THE ROYAL AOIMCLLTIUAL ACADEMY AT I'OPI'EI.SDOUF, NEAR

BONN, PRUSSIA.

The Hoval A<jricultural Acailemy bdonus to the hi'diest
class of agricultural schools under the Prussian system. It
aims to give a complete cours<- of instruction in the sciences
on which progressive agriculture is based, as well as practical
instruction in all the details ;nvolve<l in agricultural opera-
tions. It also undei-takes to ca ry on extensive experiments
in every department of agriculture, f(U- the pui-poseof improving
its processtis and increasing the vahu^ of its products, and aims
to make orimnal in\ cstijrations in the sciences which underlie
agriculture.

To accomplish these objects the institution is liberally
supported by the (Jermnji Government. It has a faculty of
lenrned men, a well-managed farm, gardens, extensive experi-

78

AGRICLLTOKAL COLLEGKS.

mental grouiRls and stables, domestic animals, a museum, a
botanic garden and coiiservatories, and numerous laboratories,
in charge of scientific I'xperts, abundantly supplied with
sci*-'ntitic apparatus.

The faculty consists of a Director and 18 professors, each
of whom has one or more assistants. There are also other
officers and clerks to attend to the routine business.

The I)ir(>ctor is the general executive officpr, has control of
all the funds appropriated by the Government for the support
of the Hcademv, and reports annually to the Minister of
Agriculture.

The course of instruction is for two years, and is not open to
the peasantry ; only the middle or higher classes can avail
themselves of its advantages. The usual attendance of
students is about 8.5 ; more than half of the innnber take the
airricultural course ; the others take the course of auricidturi i
engineering.

Some idea can be formed of the extent of the experimental
work undertaken at this academy, when it is known that
in winter wheat alone (iOO varieties have been tested, so as to
aNScertain tlie kinds best adapted to German soils; also, 050
varieties of American, English and (jrerman potatoes for the
same purpose. In many other departments similar exhaustive
courses of experiment have bean pursued.

THE UOVAL INSTITUTE FOR FRUIT AND WINE ("ULTURE.

This in-stitute. which was established by the Prussian
Government twelve yearK ago, is situated at Geisenheim, on
the Bphine, in the centi'(» of the gj-ape-growing district.

The i'aculiry con.v' ' four ^o<#;ssors, all of whom are
men learivid in sc't;nce, - assintawft^i and gardeners. The
experimental groiim' and Wf^W ■«tocked, each division

being placed in chai <^ *fxj^rt. The buildings,

museum, iaboraitories ijuu c.ii.. **< • ain{^^, convenient and
well adapted to their .se"—' ■"■)-,-/..; and an excellent
librar}' is kept weil .-iuppli ii., Jri this establish-

ment the number of students i.s limit law t') ')0.

EXPf:RIMENTAL FARM STATIONS.

7i)

While mainly designed to <five instruction in fruit culture,
this institute also includes in its course vegetable culture,
market gardening and, to some extent, tree-growing. Special
attention is given to the cultivation of the grape and the
manufacture of wine : also, to the growing of apples ami
pears.

In the experimental apple orchard there are nearly 400
varieties, which are being tested for compar'-'tive excellence,
both .standards anrl dwarfs ; 400 varieties of pears, 60 of
plums, .50 of peaches, and 24 of apricots, all of which, as they
fruit, are submitted to careful comparison l)V(iualiiied experts.
In the small fruit section tliere are G() varieties of goose-
berries, 4.5 of raspberries and 100 of strawberries.

In the experimental vinej-ard ;i.")0 varieties of grapes from
all parts of the world are being tested as to their productive-
ness, their quality for table fruit and for wine making. Here
also are greenhouses and propagating houses atibrding eveiy
facilitv for nndtiplving (lesirable sorts for move extensive
experimental work.

The immense expense incurred in carrying on these schools
for .so limited a number of students, and that number being
limited bv law, would seem to indicate that a much higher
value is attached to the general vsults of the experimental
work, of which the entire public receive the full beni'tit in
the yearly reports, than to the teaching given. Further, with
so large a teaching staff, and so comparatively small a nundter
of .students, the teaching can be carried on either by th(,>
professors or their assistants, without interfering much with
experimental work.

BELGIUM.

THE ROYAL FOREST SCHOOL OF RAVARIA.

This school, which is situated at Aschattenburg, attbids very
thorough instruction in forestry. In addition to a f)dl stati'
of professors, who give instruction in all the sciences grouped
around wood craft and forestrv, there are large museums and

80

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.

excellent laboratories supplied with all sorts of scientific
instruments. Here there are (So students.

AURK TLTT'IUL EXl'EHIMENTAI. STATU >NS.

In Belijiuiii there are also nine agricultural expei'iniental
stations, supported jointly by the Government and the local
agricultural societies. The work carried on at these stations
is chiefly chemical. In the station at (Ihent. which may be
taken as a type of the group, there is a director, a chemist
and three assistants; a chemical laboratory, well supplied
with apparatus for conducting analytical work, a stable and
a feeding room.

At these stations analyses are conducted of foods and of
products from the farm, of gras.ses and fodders used for the
production of flesli or milk, for the purpose of determining
their comparative value: also of manures, l»ut more particu-
larly the commercial fertilizei's, such as are purchased and
u.sed bv the Belgian farmer.

Formerly the small farmers of that country were shame-
fully imposed on by the vendors of spurious fertilizers and
cattle foods, the deficiencies in which they were unable to
detect until after they had sunk a large part of their means
in testing them. Now. through the agencies of these useful
instituti<Mis, the farmer can have determined for him before-
hand the actual value of all such substances, and thus be pro-
tecteil from imposition.

The .sugar beet is grown in laige (juantities in Belgium from
ii'iported seed, some samples of which are much adulterated
with old and worthless material. The stations have rendered
most valuable service to the farmers b\- testing the vitality of
the various lots ofierevl in the market, and have thus been the
means of preventing, in large niea.sure, the waste of labour
ami other losses which attend tlie use of worthless st "d.

Feeding experiments have been most carefully condueted
with ditleient breeds of animals, and the results made public.
The officers of this station have al.so devoted some attention
to counterfeits in conniiercial fabrics, determining the precise

EXPERIMKN'TAL FARM STATIONS.

SI

«{UHiitity of cotton in mixed ^oods. No teaohincr is cnrrietl on
at anv of these stations.

THE HoRTrrn/rrit.vi, school at ohest.

This is one of two such natiduil schools supportvd hy tlie
Belgian Government. The hoard of instruction consists of
seven professors, and the course of study extends over three
years. The nuinhei* of students is limited to 25.

At this scliool the cultivation of tiowci-s is a pi-oiiiiucnt
feature, receiving the principal attention hoth as to instruction
and practice. On this account much time is devoted to iKitany.
As aids to study, there are lai-ge collections of plants in the
conservatories, and an innnense herharium of 80.000 specimens,
comprising species from all pai-ts of tlie world. Collections,
charts and casts illustrate the structure and cliaracter of
flowers and fruit, while a number of excellent microscopes
enable students to investigate the minute structure and tis.sut's
of plants. There is a large propagating liouse, wIumv instruc-
tions are given in that part of th<' gardeners art. arwl many
experiments are conducted. Bulb culture, which is an im-
portant connnercial branch of tloricultui*' in Belgium, is
thorouiihlv taught at this school.

The conservatories are very extensive. Thr juain .>«tnMlMiP
is 2oO feet long, 60 feet wide and 40 feet high. Tim is
stocked chiefly with ti'opical plants. For such a^^ re(|uir»* m
lower temperature, another glass house is provif^U-d 200 fent
long and -SO feet wide. A special house has alsi> l»een buik
for orchids and acpiatic plants.

OTHER COUNTRIKK.

To pursue in detail the work being carried on m other
countries in furtherance of agi-i^'ultwre would prolmbly i-e
wearisome, since a vohnne w^ould \uA «ochaust tJ^r i*ubj**et and
the work is everv where much alike in its character. A ft- w
general remarks will enable the reacW to form some id*»* oi
the extent of the work (juietly going on in many ot>uulries,
6 •

82

AGRICULTL'UAL COLLEGES.

some of wliich are supposed, hy tlic uniiit'onned, to Ite Itehiivl
in such undertakings.

Tlie agrieultural college at Petrovsk, near Moscow, in
Russia, is very large, well conducted and well patronized, and
is supplied witli every reipiisite for efficient teaching. It hiv--
1,200 acres of land, with nurseries, arboretum, forestiy belLs.
etc.; an excellent selection of stock is ke]>t, and all kinds of
field crops grown. About (SOO students are in attendance.

Other agricultural and pomological ' institutions are a]si»
doinof irood work in that countrv. The ])otanic i^arden at
St. Peteislmrgh, inider charge of Dr. Kegel, ranks among thi'
largest and most complete in the world. In forestry Russia
has made enormous progress, and has now, according to Pro-
fessor Budds report, no less than 12,502 named forest.*',
covering .^0,000.000 of acres. There are 7()2 large (lovernment
forestry stations thrcaighout the Empire, under the charge
of an eipial nund)ei" of educated directors. In the Steppe
districts much land, formerly ))ai-i'en, owing t(» insuflicient
rain-fall, ha.s, within the last half century, been brought into
condition for cultivation by the planting of tracts of foi-ests
of from 15,000 t(» -SO.OOO acres each, which has had tlie effect
of inducing local rain-fall sufficient to admit of successful
aoriculture. In one Province, that of Tula, where lait little
wood formerly existed, the (Jovernment has seven plantatiou>.
rany-iniif in si/e from IS.OOO to 21,000 acres each.

In Silesia, the Kiny:"s Pomohjgical Institute at Proskau i>
one of the best schools of hovticultiae and forestry in Euro}>e.
where .SOO acres of land are devoted to testing all the haixiiesi
fruits of northern and eastern Europe ; and similar institu-
tions exist in almost every countrv on that continent.

In Ireland a system of agricultural education has l:»een
recently introduced into the elementary scliools, which is full
of pi-omise. The sch(X)ls are associated with school farms and
gardens, where children are taught the principles of agricul-
tuiv and horticulture.

In a i-ecent report it is stated that from 45,000 to 50,000
chi]<lren are ainiually examined as to their proticiencv in

EXPERIMKNTAL FARM STATIONS.

^J$

M^rieulturrtl studit^. an<i that al)out luilt' tliat nuinlK'r ha\«>
succeeded in piinin^ passe?; for their proficiency in this hranch.
The All)ert Aj^rieultnral Institute at Ulasnevin, liesidcs carry-
ing on other qood w<ti-k. is traininir teachers tor tliat purposj*.
and all those now eiiixaije<l in •■lenientarv schools in Ireland are
re<|nii'(>d to iviss an examination in this subject l)et'oi'e enter-
in^j on theii- duties. Were s^onie such n»easui-e as this adopted
in ('ana<la, and the inteix*st of t-liildren ot" all classes awaki-ned
by presenting- to their niin»l'i some of the more attractive
features in agi-icultural pui"suits. there is every reason to be-
lieve that the effect on a<;!:»'ic-»ltural progress \vou]<l l)e very
marked in a single generation. The Minister Agricultural
and Daiiv School is rendering eminent service to farmers in
the county of ( V)rk.

A large number of agrieultiiral expei-imental stations have
been established in different pirts of Clermany, some eighty
in all: many similar stations aiv in active opeiation in Austria.
Hiiugary, Italy and other ci»untries of Europe, most of them
supported or subsidize<l by the respective (Jovernments. The
growing of tind»er on a lai-ge scale lias engaged the attention
of manvof those countries, and is also beinu' can-ied on in a
very large way both in Austi-iilia and in India.

Japan, too. is moving in this matter. Some years ago tlu'
Japanese establi,she<l agriciiltiinil testing farms near Tokyo,
wdiere trees, shrubs and fruit> fnnu foreign countries were
grown, and the most pnnnising s«>rts propagated and dissemi-
nated. Recently the Japan Government has enoaued tlu^
services of an eminent American agriculturist for a term of
years, at a liberal salary, for the purpose of establishing, in
the Japanese Empire. ex|X'rin>»'ntal agricultural stations on
the American plan.

ill

84

AGRICL'LTURAL COLLEGES.

III.— AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION AND EXPERI-
MENTAL WORK IN CANADA.

ONTARIO.

The Ontario Agricultural Colle<;e is the onlv institution of
its kind in Canada. It is located aUmt one mile from the
city of Guelph. The buildings occupy a commanding position,
overlookinfj the farm and the citv. The farm consists of o.50
acres, which was purchased in 1873 at a cost of ?<7.'),000.
From the report of the college for lHi^'2 we learn that the
t(>tal cost of land, buildings, live st<x-k. implements and drain-
age— all of which is charged to capital account — up to tlie
end of 1880. was i?22.').889.46. Subsenuent reports and annual
statements of the public acc(junts of the Province show the
following additional sums expended in excess of revenue:

To 81st Deeend.er, 1881 Sril),;i24 .SJ)

do 1882 .51,050 40

do 1888 .55,801 8(j

do 1884 yO,291 98

From these expenditures there is chargeable to capital
account the following sums:

In 1881 S27,859 95

1882 15,353 09

1888 12,400 68

1884 52,512 98

Total ii5l08,12f; 05

Which, added to the amount given above, makes the invest-
ment on capital account to the end of 1884, $834,016.11.
Deducting the moneys charged to capital account each year
from the total expenditure, the account stands as follows :

p:xperimental farm stations. 85

I '^'S 1 . Expenses of teachinor collefc, as
stated in colloijo ropoi-t ovei- an<l

above revenue S14.!)8() 85

Kxpenses of experimental farm... |:J,4.77 .50

828.464 44

1882. Expen.ses of teaching college s18,.S].t 0;i

do experimental farm 17;}81 42

i<:in.(m .S7

I88.S. — Kxpense.s of teaching college .... .Sl8,7l)7 97
do expei-iniental farm 24.(iO:i 21

.S4:j.401 18

1884. — Expense.s of teaching college .... .^10,760 .5(1
do experimental fai-m 18,018 44

1^-S7,770 00

This points to an average net expenditure on maintenance
account for the past four years of .^5:^6,885. 47, and on capital
account of Jil;27,0:3 1.66.

The land is utilizeil as follows: College and ornamental
grounds, 45 acres : garden, 5 acres ; experimental grounds.
24 acres: orchard, 20 acres; under general cultivation, :324
acres: natural pasture, 60 acres: bush, 65 acres; roads,
7 acres.

All college expenditure is controlled by the Principal : the
farm expenditure by the Professor of Agriculture. In the
astimate of farm expenses the large sums paid foi- student
labour are included, as follows :

For 1881 .S5,202 61

1^^2 4 421 5^

'^^^''^ : 4,000 42

l^^'*--- 4.284 98

8r>

AGHICULTrilAL COLLKCtKS.

A^ this laUour is no douht paid for ut a iniu-li liiulirr rate
than its intrinsic Nahic will warrant, it remains >in open qucs-
tion as to what jiroportion of it is fairly fhaj-ircahlt' to the
farm account.

On till- othi'r hand, the .salai'V of the Profe.s.sor of Airricul-
tun* is charged entirely to the C()llei>e aeeoiint, whereas much
of his time is necessarily occupied in superititendint,' the
Work on the farm.

Tin- Facultx' consists of six professoi's. with .salaries varvinir
in amount from SI. 200 to S2,0()() each, the heads of the two
departments receivino;. in addition to theii- salaries^ furnished
houses, h(»rses, servants and table supplies.

The numlier of students at pi'esent atten^ling is !M. In the
course of insti'uction ai:;riculture occupies a promin<'nt place.
in connection with lessons on live stock, duiryinLT. arltoricul-
ture. chemistry, veterinary .science, hotany, entomology.
En'^iish literature, liook-ki'cpino-, etc. Tlx' full cour.se covers
a period of two years, each year beiui;' di\ ided into four terms,
one of which is (le\-oted entirely to wt)rk in the outside depart-
ment. Durino' each of the other three tei-ms, extendiuij in all
from the first of ( )ctoher to the 1st cf June, there are rei^ular
courses of lectures, associated with a certain amount of out-
d(»or W(jrk. The numi)er of hours of compulsory lal»our lias
lately l»een reduciMl. and students now spend one hour each
mornini; and e\ery alternati' afternoon in this department.
The numltei' of grailuates during- the past four years, as given
in tlie rep»)rt for 1MS4. is as follows: For 1.S81, J); 1.SS2, li);
l<S.s:i. J>: and for IS«4. II.

Stock. — No institution in America can compare with the
Ontario College in the variety and excellence ol its stock. All
the best breeds are represented here — Durhams. Herefords,
Pollt'd Angus, Oalloways, Jerseys, Ayrshires, Holsteins, Devons
an»i Guernseys. These breeds are each repi-esented by a bull
and two cows, recently importe<l. There are also specimens of
the West Highland breed of cattle, which is said to l>e valu-
able foj- its hardiness, but is rather slow in maturing ; besides
which there are two Quebec native cows, which are good

KXPERIMKNTAL FARM STATIONS.

H7

milkers: tlu'so are about the size of .Tcrscvs, and Ity crossiii«>;
tlu'Ui witli piirc-bred Jerseys, it is expoeted tlmt a ^nuh;
animal very valuable for milking; purposes will he ol»tained.

The (lirtereiit breeds of sheep are also well re])resL'nted by
lu.'wly impoi-ted stock, the number, in most eases, bein<( two
rams and three ew«>s of eaeh. The eoUeetion includes (yots-
wolds, Oxfoi-d Downs. Hampshire Downs. South Downs,
Shropshires. Lincolns. Black-faced Higldands, Jjesters. Merinos
and Cheviots.

In piiirs there are two sows and one boai' of eacli of the
followinu' bi'eeds : Berkshire, Esse.x and Middle York. The
services of male animals continue to be <fiven to farmers,
the chai'u'cs vai'viny from ii^l to J510. This is said to cause
•some (h'ssatisfaction amoni^- prominent breeders of thorough-
breds, whose charges for such services are liigher. Experiments
in cattle feeding luive been carried on for eiglit or nine years,
but have now almost ceased, daii'ying occupying most atten-
tion.

Field AV;w/7">(*e/i^s'.— Twenty-four acres are devoted to
experimental work, divided into ItSO plots of one-tenth of an
acre eacli, with suitable spaces between them. The situation
of this field is low, and hence unfavourable for grain culture,
Imt is well suited for grasses, and answers faii'ly well for roots.
Ill the centre of these plots there is a small l)uilding for
meteorological observations, supplied with an excellent rain
gauge and a series of .soil thermometei-s. Part of the interior
is fitted up us a chemical lal)oratory, supplied with apparatus
for the analysis of .soils, n.iilk. etc.

Forty varieties of cereals have been experimented with
during the past year, and foui- sorts of peas. The experiments
with grasses have been satisfactory, and seem to have estab-
lished the value of some varieties for permanent pasture,
especially the meadow fescue, meadow foxtail and perennial

rve ffi'ass.

Many experiments with ensilage have been conducted, and
the conclusicm readied, that where roots can be advantage-
ously grown ensilage is not much needed: but where circum-

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IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

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Hiotographic

Sciences
Corporation

id WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 873-4503

«8

AGRICULTlTIt\L COLLEGES.

stances arc adverse, and difficulties stand in the way of
thoroughly drying such fodder as may he grown, this mode of
preservation may he useful.

Hortn'nUnre. — There is an apple oichard of ovin- 10 acres,
with aVwait 80 varieties of trees; one of cherries and plums, o*'
2 acres with 50 varieties; five acres of small fruits, including
stittwherries, rasphei'ries, g«K)sel>erries and currants. The
vinery covei's three acres, and has al>out 80 sorts; last year
was tlu^ first year of l>earing.

The five acres of veojetalile jraiden an; Itordered with fruit
trees and vines.

Greenhnitscn. — There are three glass stinictui'es, one ust'd as
a con.servatorv, one as an intermediate house, and one as a
propagating house. The.se are very plain huildings, about 80
feet in lentjth, heated bv brick flues, which smoke to that
extent that it is almost impos.sible to grow hard woo<led
plants ; they are very ptK)rly adapte<l for the purpose for
which they were designed. These houses are used partly as
a means of instruction, but chiefly foi- the raising of bed<ling
plants for outdoor derMraticm during the smnmer.

Tree (Jlwinps. — There are five of these in all, covering about
half an acre each. The trees have been .several years planted,
and most of them are now making fair growth. The varieties
are black walnut, sugar maple, Kuropean larch, butternut and
one mixed clump.

Arhnretavi. — This is situated ]>artly in front of the build-
ings and partly in the rear. The groups con.sisting of the
smaller trees and shi-ubs are planted on a lawn of about 12
acres in front of the Imildings, and the larger trees arranged
in the rear, where, when the planting is completed, they will
occupy fully 10 acres. They are gnmped in their natural
orders, some twenty-five ortleix being represented in the col-
lection. Most of the shrubs and trees, although still small,
have made fair growth, and the arlM)retum now contains about
300 species and varieties in all.

A collection of herbaceous plants has also been procured »
consisting of about 200 species and varieties, and there is a

EXPERIMENTAL FARM STATIONS.

89

small nursery tor propagating;; youn*; stock ami growing trees
for th«> arlH)retiin« an«i ornamental grounds. These collec-
tions are found to le very useful for teaching pur|)oses, while
at the same time they add much to tlu^ appearance of the
grounds.

The altitude and location of Guelph are such »is to render
the climate unfavourable to the growth of manv of the less
hardy sorts of trees and shrul)s, which can he successfully
grown in the more favoureci districts of Ontario. This has
cau.sed disappointment in many instances, when the att«'mpt
has been made to intro<luc«^ half hardv thing.s.

A course of instruction is given in practical horticulture,
including grafting, budding, potting, etc.

Mech(imct<. — The.se ar«' taught to a limited extent, but
sufficient perhaps for the requirements of a farmer: but the
buildings neetl enlarging and improving, in order to give the
re<juisite facilities. The carpentei's sliop is fitted with four
benches, aftbrdiny; accomuKMlation for eijjht students at a time;
a black.smith shop is also being constructed, with two forge.s.

Lahovatorti.—k large riMnn in the niain building is used as
a conibine<l laboratory and lectuie r(H)m, with accommcxlations
for giving practical instruction to .'iO students at a time. This
is insufficiently lighted, poorly e<|uipped, an<l inconveniently
situated. So important a department should have a detached
buildinsr for its own u.se.

Readiiuj Rooiu and Library. — A large, commotlious and
well-lighted reading room is provided, with 42 papers, journals
and magazines, including all the leading (^anadian, British
and American periodicals. The library, which is being con-
stantly augmented, consi-sts of o,000 volumes, and includes a
large number of works on agriculture, horticulture and veteri-
nary science.

Museum,. — A general museuni has been established in a
large room in the college building, and contains upwards of
3,000 specimens illustrating agricultural and horticultural
products, Ixitany, geology, entomology, mineralogy and zo-
ology.

90

AGRICI'LTURAL COIiLEGES.

Kiperi mental Dairy. — This is a small building in which
dairy pnxUicts are made on a small scale, and where the
proportionate protiuce of cream, l»utt«»r and cheese contained
in the milk of different breeds of cows is tested. By means
of a centrifugal separator of one hoi-se j)ower. the cream fn)m
the milk of 15 cows can be separate*! in an hour. Lectures
are juriven on this subject twice a week throughout the winter.

Creauioy. — The creamery has only been in opei-ation for
one year. It is under separate management, and is ctmducted
in a buiMing on a distant part of tlu' farm, without reference
to the college stock or the college recjuirements jis to butter
supply,, but students have the opportunity of visiting it and
ob.serving the manner in which the operations are conducted.
The cream is collected almost wholly from farniei-s in the
neighbourho(Hl. It is gathered imce a day and chunied the
following morning. Eight teams are employetl dunng the
season, which lasts from about the loth of May to the loth of
October, the route extending from .seven to ten mile.s. During
the most productive p«M-iod the yield of butter is said tt) have
averaged 000 lbs. per day, and the product has l»een of such
a ((uality that while ordinary farm butter commanded not
more than 12.^ cents, this averasjed li)h cents throuj;hout the
sea,son. It is asserted that this creamery has thus far l»een
.so conducted as to pay all working expenses and leave a small
margin of profit. There has been ready sale for all the butter
made.

Ofltf'r Orifdnlzafioiis. — Excellent work has been done Ijv
the Fruit (Jrowei-s' As.sociation of Ontario by di.stributing
among its members promising fruit trees, vines, etc. In this
way the whole Pi-ovince has been made a testing gii)und:
many excellent varieties have been tried and thus bi-ought
prominently into notice. Fruit culture has l>een further pi-o-
moted by the publication of the annual reports of the associa-
ticji, which are always full of useful and practical infonnation.

The Entomoloffica.1 Society of Ontai'io ha,s also rendere<I
eminent service to farmei*s and fruit growers by dis.seniinating
among them information regarding injurious insects affecting

EXPERIMKXTAL FARM STATIONS.

91

both tield ami ganien cn)ps, witli suggestions as to tlie iimst
useful renwMlies. Both these societies receive vearlv ifmnts
fnnii the PrxAincial (Jovennneiit.

grKBP:c.

Mr. E. A, Banianl. Director of Agriculture of the Province
of Queliec. wrii«-s a> follows:

"The Provino- of t^u«"lM'c suhsidizes three farms, giving to
each J*2,000 annually. Ijesitles paying the board of ten stu«lents
in each scli<»i»l. at ih»* rate <»f $00: besides an allowance to as
manv studenLs of jHO each, which thev can earn for them-
selves by la!«»uriiii^ on the farm.

" Neither of thes^* t>stablishments, however, can properly lie
called ' experiMi«-nta! or stock farms' Very few experi-
ments, if ai;y. hav»- U'en made: and the stock, although gotnl
of its kin<l. i.** by no means remarkable.

"All the.-*e provincial sch<M)ls stand on the same ba.sis
exactly. The farm and .schools, »'tc.. belong to the (Corpora-
tion of the C'ollt-fe at St. Anns, Richmond and L'A.ss<imption.
They have each but tme regular professor — that on agricul-
ture, although a ft-w l»*etures are given in the • curse of the
year by outsidt-rs. Tju-sr corporations manage pretty much
as they pleaj*»-. A Boaiil of Inspectors is sent annually by
the Council of Agriculture to visit the school, and the gi-ant
is paid aft*^r thi> in-spt-ction. '

In addition t»» what luvs l>een accomplished at the college
farms referre*! to. much praise is <lue to Mr. ('ha.s. Gibb, of
AblK»tsford, for his self-sjicriticing individual efforts in fur-
thering the cauv- of horticulture, not only in Quebec, but
also in Manit<>l«i an»l the North- West Territories. He shares
with Prof. Budd. of Iowa, with whom he travelled to Ru.s.sia,
the credit of liavin'4 thoroughly investigated the subject of
hardy Rus.<:ian fruits, and settled the (juesticm as Ut their
quality and extreme hardines.s. By his writings he has done
much t<» impre^ upon the minds of the fruit-growers, Ijoth of
the Unite<l States and l*anada, the importance of introducing
manv of thes<* fruit and forest trees to be tested in tlie colder

■i-

OS

Mifta]tflCILErB.VL COLLEGES.

climate's <»f th'iK <!t»mnnr 3fr. (liW) has combin"*! practi<c»-
with theory, and htwinfj: -^fen ami tasted thr fruits of north-
oast^^ni Russia mill +mnlii><l the cHinatic conditions to which
the tn»es are th«j'e'*"^.poH<^<l. he has imported and is t^'stinj;
many of them oiiilw-nvn farm, and is fully convinced that
there are man}' M*Tii+nie»f of lioth fruit and forest trees which.
if thev were disH«nrhiuied. would hr a sTi'eat l)oon to the settl<*r*
in the noi-th-weai w'^^imnry.

Mr. (lihh is ieHtiur '^>' varieties of ap])les, 41) of peai-s. 10 of
cherries and 4(rf'7iiunj+. the o^reater part of which ar«* fnun
Russia, the others •ftrrom; 3forth (rermany and Poland.

The annual re}KMTt+ .»€ the Montreal Horticultural Society
have l»een full <rf iH4*tJiii ;uid instructive matter relating to all

c?

branches of horti<mJmire. The officers and directors of this
S(x;iety deserve uiudl pntise for the able manner in which it«
aflfairs have bi't*n ujm:nj!:ed, and for the valuable infiuiiiati^tn
which they have cnlU^ned an<l disseminated. This s<»ciety is
subsidized by th*- '^UtitJ^ee fiovei-nment.

NUOVA sroTiA.

The Fruit (jrr(»w«j5f A-4soeiation (»f Nova Scotia has J»eeii
actively enjjaired ioi luiuiv Fears in distributintj information
relating to fruit jrnwinur in that Province, an<l has suc©ee<led
in stimulating thai <i*partn»ent of industry to a remarkable
degree. The iuw««-K»«{; t^xports of fruits of late years from
this Pro%'ince are <itH. in a great measure, to the activity of
this useful associartiiom ;md the <levoti(m shown by the officers
and mem1»ers in tlmij r*tfi>rt.s to extend and pronmt*' the culti-
vation of fruit.

%EM Bai'NSWICK.

In tlie repoj-t td* iille Select Committee appoin./ed by the
House of ( ■omuK^H^ ito'obcain information »xs to the agricul-
tural interests of < >aimitL. we tind a statement from Mr. J. L.
Inches, Secretary tii Ji^pncalture for New Brunswick, in refer-
ence to whathaf^ Ikhil i^one to aid agriculture in that Province,
as follows (p. 30): H«wme three veal's since the Governm^it
imported a nuuiW- .i>tf (yittle. sheep and swine, and placed

KXPEKIMENTAL FAUM STATIONS. 98

about .'JO cattle. 40 sheep and G swine on a farm, as the begin-
ning of a sttx'k farm. Witli the exception that the farm
selected has not proved suitable, this act on the part of the
Govtrnment has been much aj.proved, an(i the short expe-
rience we luive ha<l of it shows that we can supply our farmers
with a larjjer lunuber of tine animals for the same amount of
monev than bv imixntini;. There is no evidence that anv
experimental work 1ms been untlertaken on this farm, beyond
stock raisinji-

DOMINION MEl'AKTMKNT OF AfiKHl'I/ri^RE.

With reference to what has hitlierto been done by the
Dominion Department of Agriculture for the encouragement
ami promotion of that intlustry, we tjuote again fn)m the
excellent report alK>v<' referred to, froui the testimony of Mr.
John Lowe. Secretary of the Department. When .speaking of
the work done by the Department, he .says: "The tirst in
ordt^' in the enumeration of its functions is agriculture. There
has, however, been no general vote for the purposes of
agriculture. There have been special votes for particular
branches — for instance, cattle (juarantine and in.spection, the
gathering of statistics in certain particular cases, and also
grants to exhibitions. Hitherto, these have comprised the
whole functions of the Department in relation to agriculture."
Much good has doubtle-s been accomplished by the measures
which have been carried out l)y the Department, especially
the prompt action taken in preventing the spread of disease
among animals: but when we consider the enormous interests
involved in agricultural pursuits, and the fact that they ati'ord
employment for so large a proportion of the population of the
Dominion, it is evident that increased attention might protit-
ably be given to all the important subjects on which the
prosperity and advancement of this great national industry
depends.

As an indication of the rapid extension of the C^anadian
trade in stock, dairy products, poultry, eggs and fiuit, atten-
tion is invited to the following compilation of figures kindly
furnished by Mr. Lowe, Secretary of the Department:

AORICULTUKAL COLLKUKS.

X

il

H

X

X

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9

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s

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55

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11

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KXPKRIMKNTAL lAlUl STATION'S.

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15 13 ;5 ?• •!• * *-c at T •-: X

r: ?i 3 S « -x S «* 5. i q

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as

us

00

ACiKKlLTUHAL C()LLK(iKS.

Thf n'CH'iit (liininution in the quantity and value (»f the
butter exported may partly he accounted for from the fact
that it is impossible to make the same ni'lk do duty satisfac-
torily for iioth butter and cheese, since no sufficient market
could l)e found for cheese made from skimmed milk. The
very rapid exj)ansion of the one department of dairy industry
mi<;ht reasonal)ly be expected to result in a diminution of
the other: nevertheless, it is hij^hly probable that the relative
inferiority of much of the butter exported has aided in brini;-
inj^ about this result, a view which is strengthened by the
fact that the shipmeTits in IHM, althouc;h less in (juantity
than those of 1885, broujrht $1 •28,000 more.

That so much has been «lone independent of any direct
stimulus from the Department of Agriculture, is strong proof
of the industry and enterprise of the farming community,
and also oi the caj)acity and adaptability of the soil and
climate of the Dominion for still more extended work.
Surely the fosterini; care of the Government should Vte given
in aiding farmers to solve the many difficult problems which
are invariably associated with agriculture, and are increased
and intensified bv the varying conditions of our climate antl
soil.

EXPERIMENTAL FARM STATIONS.

07

IV.-GENERAL CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMEND-
ATIONS.

PRELIMINARY.

From the facts which havo ht'tni pn-scnttMl in the prt'ccdinjif
pages regardifig the expeinliture coimecteii with agricultural
education in teaching colleges in America, a<l<led to the nece.s-
sary cost of eijuipping the various institutions, it is evident that
the outlay is very large in prop^ivtion to the numV>er of persons
directlv benefited. Further, it has been shown that ajjricul-
tural experimental stations have been of very great service in
supplying much needed information and stimulating progress
in agriculture wherever they liave been established, and that
these go(xl results have been ami are being brought about at
comparatively small cost. In Canada agriculture may be
said to lie at the foundation of the nation's prosperity, and
involves interests of such magnitude and importance that any
reasonable expenditure might well be incurred, provided the
results were likely either to add directly to the profits of the
tiller of the soil, by enabling him to increase the pi-oducts of
his land, or to save him from some of the losses incident to
want of knowledge or experience. The consideration of so
important a .subject should be no longer delayed, but since
any very large outlay at the conunencement might be in-
judicious, it would perhaps be better to consider first the mo.st
pressing needs, and provide for them as soon as practicable,
leaving the important subject of agricultural education in
colleges for future consideration.

The following plan or outline of a proposed system of
agricultural experimentation for Canada has been prepared,
with the idea of securing for agriculture here the greatest
good with the least possible outlay, and has been so arranged
that it may be adopted in part without materially lessening
its relative efficiency.

•(M

AORlCL'l/nUAK C(>LLK(iKS.

DIVISION OF KXPKRIMKNTAL AiJHK IM/rURM

IMIOI'OSKI) OIUJANIZATION AND MAXACJKMKNT.

'riicrc. sliould !»»• pi-osiilcd (»n»' «t'iitral station, situated near
the capital, the dividini^ line iK'twccn the itiipoi'tuiit Pr(»-
viiiees of Ontario and Quel»eo. with not h-ss than 400 acres
of land. \vlii(!h should serve as an experimental station for
these Province, jointly. Here the climate represents the
avera«.((f con<litif)n of a laroe pai't of the settled portions of
Canada, whei'e all the cereals and many other field ci-ops can
he suc(!<'ssfullv yfiown, and where most of tlu' best varieties
of ^raj)es i^rown in the open air rij)en well, a!id many sorts of
apples and otlu-r fruits are raised with advatitaj^e. At such
cj'utral point all the different classes of experimental work
miu'ht he conducted. There should also he one suh-station
for the Provinc«\s of Nova Scotia, Ni^v/ Brunswick and Princ<(
Edward Island jointly, and one each for Manitoha, the North-
VVest Ten-itories and Britisli Columliia. In the Maritime
Provinces and in British CohuuKia 200 acres would prohahly
he sutficient foi* the puipo.ses of each station, hut in Manitoha
and the North- West Territories, where land is .so ahundant
and cheap, there .should not he less than a section of 040
acres belonuinj; to each station, so that there mii;ht be land
sufficient to curry on experiments in stock raising and forestry
on such a .scale as the circumstances of each case maj' re<juire.

With the varvini; conditions of climate and soil nece.snu,rilv
as.sociated with a stretch of territory covering 4,000 miles,
from ocean to ocean, all now accessible by lail, a station on
the Atlantic, another on the Pacitic, with three intermediate
ones, would be absolutely re«|uired if the work is to be carried
on with reasonal)le efficienc}'. It would also be expedient
that the (jrovernment should reserve, at suit»xble points in the
North-West Territories, from the available and unt)ccupied
Dominion lands, blocks of one, two or more sections each, for
future experimental work in tree planting. The setting
apart of these blocks of land for forestry purposes would not
in any case be a loss to the countiy, since if they should only

EXPKRIMKNTAL KAUM SIAIIONS.

00

Im' i>laiito<l ill purt. this wouM iiicn'as«' tlic vuliif of tin- rcniaiii-
iiig portion nii<I also tliat of all the lamls in tlu> iiuigiilKMirliooil.
Bv a(i«iiiitjto tlio valui* of tli** tuliaceiit lands tht'V wouM imrth"
pay for tliciiis^'lvrs, an<l at the saiim tini<' prepare the way for
extendt'il «'xporinM'ntal work if drsircd, ms soon as youii;^
trees wore available for the purpose.

Tlie whoh' should he under tiic contrc)! of one head, known
as Director or ('hief. whose rt'sidcnee should he at the central
station, and wiiose duty it should be to visit tiie sub-stations
as occasion re(juired, and, in conference with the man rr'J'H of
the sub-stations, arrani^e for the course and character ; the
work to be carrie(l on at «'ach, subj»>ct to the aj)pro\al oi' the
Minister of Aifiiculture. This arranj-eineiit wo'' i ensure
dt'sirablr uniforniitv- in the chara<-t«'r of the woik perfonneil,
and pri^veiit the Sxisti' which would re.-^ iilt from the n »it' ces-
.«iary dupli 'tion of experiments.

Ce)itr(il Sfnf ion.— At the central station there would be
re((uirtMl, in ad<lition to the Director, a sui)erinten»h'iit of a«^ri-
cultur*' charged with the care of farm stock and the dairy
and field »!xperiiiients.

A superintendent of horticulture, who should conduct
experiments in fruit and vegetable growine^, in determinin<^
the vitality and purit}' of seeds, and have char<^e of the
nursery and propagating houses.

A superintendent of forestry, who shcmld direct all fonvstry
experiments, and eiKjuire into all questions relating to tree
culture and tree protection in the Dominion.

An entomolojjist, whose dutv it should be to investiijate the
haltits of insects destructive to farm and garden crf)ps, fruit,
etc., as well as tho.se affecting animals, with the view of test-
ing such remedies as mav be availaV)le for their destruction.
He should also prepare such collections for the mu.seum at
the central station as would illustrate the insects injurious and
beneficial to vegetation, and duplicate collections of a similar
character as early as practicable for each of tlie sub-stations.

A botanist, to whom should be entrusted the special duty of
in \ estigating the injury done to field and garden crops, fruit

I II

100

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.

and forest trees, by the lower iorins of vegetable life, sueli as
fungi, rusts, moulds, etc.; to study the character and modes of
growth of the noxious weeds prevailing in all parts of the
Dominion, with the object of devising means for their sub-
jugation or destruction. He should also take charge of the
botanic garden or arboretum, and of that portion of the
central museum illustrating vegetable products.

A chemist, to whom should be referred all questions relat-
ing to agricultural chemistry, such as analj-ses of fertilizers,
the determination of the chemical constituents of any sub-
stances which it may be desirable to use in experimental work
in feeding; to make analyses of milk in connection with
experiments in dairying, of wheats, to determine their relative
({uality for milling ; and to have charge of all other subjects
requiring special chemical investigation in connection with the
work being carried on at any of the stations.

A veterinary surgeon, whose services should be available
when required for the treatment of diseases of animals at any
of the stations, and whose duty it should be to study such
diseases, and prepare and submit a yearly report thereon.

Provincial or SnJj-Stations. — The officer required at each
of the sub-stations would be a superintendent of agriculture
and a superintendent of horticulture. The superintendent of
agriculture to be chief of the station, subordinate only to the
Director, and responsible to him for the proper government of
the station, and for the due performance of all work directed
to be undertaken. The superintendent of horticulture and
all other employees to be subordinate to the superintendent of
agriculture, and under his direction.

Reports. — The outlying stations to report to the Director as
often as required, and the reports of the officers of all the
stations to be presented through the Director to the Minister
of Agriculture.

Nurseries and Propagating Houses. — At each station there
should be established a nursery for the propagation of such
varieties of plants, fruit and forest trees, etc., as may be
desirable for the purpose of distribution, so as to rapidly

EXPERIMENTAL FARM STATIONS.

101

extend the area of experimental work. Each station should also
be provided with a propagating house to facilitate these under-
takings, and for the purpose of testing the vitality and purity
of seeds for farmei-s and others.

Museum. — A general museum should be established in con-
nection with the central .station, where examples of all the
varieties of produce raised from year to year should, as far as
possible, be kept for reference and comparison, as well as for
the instruction of visiting farmers. Specimens of injurious
insects and their work, of injurious and beneficial birds, and
other subjects of interest, should find a place here.

Other Duties of Offi,cers. — In addition to the special duties
already referred to, the officers of the several stations should
be required to visit, whenever practicable, the public meetings
of the farmers and fi*uit growers in different parts of the
Dominion, for the purpose of conferring with them, and aiding
in the discussion of the many problems connected with agri-
cultural and horticultural pursuits.

Disposal of Produce. — In the management of the stations
all the products should be sold, and a strict account kept of
the returns. No officer or employee should be allowed to
receive any portion of the produce without paying a fair
value for the same.

Immediate Needs. — If the outline submitted be approved,
it is important that the organization of the central station
should be begun without delay ; also a station in the North
West. The sections intended for future forest belts might
also be reserved, and sites for the other stations secured as
early as practicable. Possibly some arrangement might be
effected whereby the cost of the sub-stations and their man-
agement might be jointly borne by the Dominion and the
Provinces in which they are situated.

CONSIDERATIONS OF ADVANTAGE.

Improvemerit of Stock. — In the report of the Ontario
Agricultural Commission, published in 1881, several qualified
witnesses gave evidence in relation to the comparative value

i

'tl

Km :

102

AGRICULTUBAL COIiLEGES.

Pf

of a well-brod tliree- year-old steer as compared with one of
coimnon stock. It was stilted that, with the same (quantity
and (juality of food, there would be an average difference in
the market vahie of tlie well-bred animal of aliout ^30. If
the breeding of better stock could be nmde more general, and
but one-third of the estimated gain be nnide ($10 a-head), a
reference to the table of exports will enable the reader t<»
calculate the saving which would be elt'ected.

In all the Provinces there are townships where improved
stock is seldom seen, and where farmers do not appear tt) be
fully aware of the importance of introducing it. Some ertbrt
should be made to remedy this defect.

The opinion has also been ailvanced that in the ordinary
breeding of sheep, if a proper selection of stock were made, 5
per cent., at a moderate e.stimate, would be added to the value
of the carcass, and an additional pound of wool to each fleece.
Farmers who pay no attention to breeding get an average of
about 5 pounds of wool per fleece; those who make this
subject a matter of some consideration an«l practice get from
6 to 7 pounds, and fancy breeders I) to 10 pounds. Good
feeding also gives a desirable lustre to the wool. Slovenly
farming always leads to loss, and in this particular good
breeding and careful management will result in good wool
and good mutton.

In the more general improvement of horses and of swine^
similar beneficial results might be obtjiined.

Poultry and Egffs. — By reference to the statistics given of
the exports of poultry and eggs, it will be seen that the egg
trade has increased enormously, and will, on account of the
c»)n8tant and general use of eggs, admit of almost unlimited
expansion. The results of experiments with different breeds
of fowls, for the purpose of ascertaining their relative merits,
would be of great use to the agricultural community every-
where.

Dairy Products. — Since the general introduction of the
factory system, cheese made in Canada has acquired an excel-
lent reputation, owing to the uniformity of its character, an<l

EXPERIMENTAL FARM STATIONS.

108

meets with a ready sale at fair prices ; at the same time, the
(|uantity exported has increased to a lemarkable degree.
On the contrary, tlio exports of Viiitter have slightly decreased*
partly, it is said, owing to inferiority being in most localities
the product of individual and unskilled labour. Since Canada
is one of the best countries in the world for dairying, why
should not our butter rank equal in quality and demand with
the cheese ? Evidence is not wanting to show that wherever
creameries have been estal)lished the price of this product has
been enhanced, in conse<(uence of its uniformly good quality.

Prof. Aniold, of Rochester, estimates the annual loss to
(Janada, on account of the inferior quality and low price
obtained for our butter, at five millions. Much lo.ss might
doubtless be avoided were creameries to be established in all
the principal butter districts.

Gniin CropH. — All cultivate*! cereals manifest, sooner or
later, a tendency to deteiiorate or run out; some much earlier
than others. New varieties freshly introduced into a country
often show great vigour and a high average of productiveness.
Hence the importance of introducing new or untried sorts,
and of the exchange of seed between localities having different
conditions as to climate. Spring wheat has been for some
years past a comparative failure in Ontario, producing, it is
said, of late, an average of 12 bushels, as against a former
yield of nearly 20 bushels. This is attributed to various
causes, such as climatic changes, eichaustion of soil an<l insect
pests. All these probably have some part in the result, yet it
is likely that the deterioration is an important element in the
case. More knowledge as to the proper rotation of crops,
more thorough tillage and thorough drainage, wou'd materially
aid in advancing productiveness.

When we consider that a single grain of wheat carefully
grown as a separate plant will yield an average of about
three hundredfold, and how small compared with this is the
ordinary yield in field culture, it is evident that there is
abundant room for experiment and improvement as to methods
of cultivation and treatment. The results of some researches

104

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.

are of such a nature, that after definite conclusions have once
been reached and published, there is no special need of their
being repeated. Not so with the growth of agricultuml
products; the circumstances of climate and soil are so variable,
and changes in the character of plants so frequent, that
experiments may be constantly conducted with profit.

Recent researches in Russia, lately published in St. Peters-
burgh, demonstrate the fact that wheat gro\ni in the northern
provinces of that empire ripens in less time than that grown
in the southern, the diflference being aViout sixteen days.
How much of this difference is due to varietv has not been
determined, but there is no question that could we obtain
for our vast wheat fields in the North- West earlier ripening
varieties of good quality, the area of wheat culture would be
extended, and the benefits resulting difficult to overestimate.
Other field crops could, in all probability, in like manner be
extended.

Fruits. — There is no question that most of our l^est varieties
of small fruits would succeed well in many of the northern
townships of our older Provinces, where they are, as yet, but
little grown, and equally well in many localities in the North-
West. From the experience related regarding the hardy
Russian fruits in Iowa, it is highly probable that many of
these also could be successfullv cultivated in the same districts
— not only apples, but pears, plums and cherries also. The
early introduction of these fruits would he highly appreciated.

In the more favoured sections of our Dominion we have to
consider not only the variableness of the existing climate, but
must endeavour to prepare for changes which will probably
occur, sooner or later, from the deforestation of the country.
Last winter the extreme cold killed a large proportion of the
fruit trees in many parts of Ohio and Michigan and in
southern Illinois; in the latter district it is estimated that at
least one-third of the apple trees were ruined, and some
orchards are reported as entirely destroyed. Such experiences
point to the importance of introducing varieties possessing
great hardiness.

EXPERIMENTAL FARM STATIONS.

la?

The fruit trade of Canada is rapidly increasing. It is ten-
fold greater than it was a few years ago, and with proper
selection of late keeping sorts, and the more general intro-
duction of fruit evaporators, the trade might be almost inde-
finitely extended.

Ins&is. — Deficiencies in crops often arise from the depre-
dations of insectsL The yearly loss in Canada from this cause
is very laiige, almost every farmer suffering from it to some
extent Sach losses cannot be entirely prevented, but might
be greatly lessened by the diffusion of more general informa-
tion on the .<mbject Were a skilled entomologist appointed,
whose duty it would be to visit districts where insect plagues
occur, and give all the information obtainable as to the best
preventive and remedial measures to adopt, the annual losses
might be greatly reduced.

Fertilizers. — The establishment of a chemical station in
connection with the central experimental farm would provide
the means of thoroughly testing and establishing the value
as a fertilizer of Canadian mineral phosphates, and undoubt-
edly aid in developing this important industry. Ashes are
shipped in large quantities from Canada to the United States,
where they are sold as a fertilizer, at a cost of from 25 to 33
cents a bushel Canadian farmers hesitate to pay 10 cents per
bushel If the actual manurial value of ashes on farm and
garden crops was demonstrated to our farmers, it is altogether
probable that this useful article would be consumed at home.

A few years ago Canada had important belts of wheat lands
east of Montreal What has become of these ? An indifferent
and careless system, or lack of system, has prevailed in those
districts; nuury crops of wheat have been grown in .succes.sion,
and little or nothuig done to replace the elements taken from
the soil This has led to its exhaustion to that extent that
wheat growing no longer pays ; a judicious system of fertili-
zation and rotation of crops would doubtless restore the
fertility of such worn-out lands.

The character of the work involved in the complete analysis
of fertilizers is such as to require special forms of apparatus

f

■H

106

JfiiftftfflrULTUILVL COLLEGES.

•I. I

whiclj are eomjiltis iuoii expensive. Appliances of thii« charae-
ter would l»e ii+«til«i va. the laboratory at the central station
for the speciaJ woufe &> be undertaken there; and when that
departujeut mu^ jufo^nrly enuippetl, all the work of this nature
re(|uired for tW Ib^vniinion could be efficiently and ecooo-
niically done tlitiir*; The .savinf» which would l)e eifecUxi in
the fees M'hicii uuG*c che existing law are to be paid to the
public aualvht*. A^Hiiiti -^o far towards rlefraying the exptmsts
of the cheuiicaJ -HHioiiia of an agricultural station.

Botanic GarfifiH — Dc has long been a reflection on Canadian
taste an<i projt^T+Ni*- oliaA we have no botanic garden in the
Dominion. In jiiu+oniJia and India there are several sueh
gardens su])poru«<] IW nhe (jroveminent. Botanic gardens have
als(j been long ewtuiltHlied in Ceylon, the Mauritius, Jamaica.
and several (ith«i (i>iJ tlie West India Islands. Canada i#,
indeed, the ouJx iiu^nortant British colony where such an
instructive iuHtiDuiiiia in wanting. In such gardens, trees are
tested as to tlj«ir ihtardiness, for the production of tinil^er. for
their bark for ectni'juiic purposes, and for their fruit, and al^
sorts of uiedimiuij ;uiii other flowering plants are grown.
There all the naiiTStt^ nrees, shrubs and flowers of the Dominion
could l»e broujiicixi tDtrfttlier as far as conditions of climate
would permit, anil aew and useful species introduced an<l
propagated. Hniiij ^ garden would be a very instructive
feature in eoun«inii»aj with the proposed central experimental
station, and could tin carried on there at a relatively small
cost.

General CMffdHaum-. — The agricultural experimental farms.
properly condu«t«ti would soon become bureaus of informa-
tion for all who tuft (loncemed with agriculture or horticulture,
which the lanmu^Mii I fruit grower should be encouraged to
visit and inspem niiit work going on, and where they should
feel free to r«jiojti Df*garding such difficulties as they may
experience in thei!H«i?f»e of their work, and seek informatkn
from the offic+*r*; iiu ciiarge

As the Bucoews citf tthiw undertaking woulw depend mainly on
the skill of tlieaumitminnwted with the work, and the earnest-

EXPERIMENTAL FARM STATIONS.

107

ness with wliich they engaged in it, all appointments siumld
be well considered, and none made without satisfactory evi-
dence being given as to the fitness of the individual for the
work assigned to him. With a view to economy at the outset,
and until the requirements of the stations were such as to
demand the full staff, some of the appointments might be
deferred, and others, such as the superintendent of agriculture
and horticulture, and entomologist and botanist, combined.

Opinion of Dr. George M. Dawson.

Dr. G. M. Dawson, A.ssistant Director of the Geological and
Natural History Survey of Canada, whose wide reputation as
a careful and accurate scientific observer adds weight to any
opinion he may advance, having spent the greater part of the
past twelve years in exploring the North-West and British
Columbia, and during this time acquired an intimate knowledge
of the conditions which prevail there, thus expresses himself,
in a communication addressed to the Minister of the Interioi-,
when asked for his opinion regarding the propriety of estab-
lishing agricultural experimental stations in Manitoba and
the North -West:

Memo, on Experimental Agricultural Statiuns.

Ottawa, 27th February, 1884.

"In connection with the proposed establishment of an
experimental agricultural station or stations for Manitoba and
the North- West, I beg leave to oflier the following sugges-
tions, based upon personal acquaintance with the country
during my connection with the International Boundary Com-
mission and Geological Survey since 1873.

"In the establishment of such stations it would appear
desirable to keep two main objects in view:

" 1. The introduction and careful trial of all species of trees,
shnibs, cereals, grasses, fruits, etc., under the varying condi-
tions of soil and climate found in different parts of the
country, attention being directea specially to the Proxnnces of
Quebec and British Columbia, the Northern and Western

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.

States and the interior portion of Europe, as sources from which
plants and seeds likely to be of special value may be obtained
In connection with this function should also be included
experiments as to the rate of growth and best means of propa-
gation and cultivation of native trees and useful plants ; and
further, the publication and general distribution of the results
of these and other experiments in the form of reports.

"2. A second and very important function should be the
propagation and cultivation, on a large scale, of the more
valuable and quick growing timber trees, and their gratuitous
distribution, or sale at the lowest pos.sible price, with the view
of encouraging extensive tree planting on the great plains.
To this may be added the propagation and distribution of
such new or improved varieties of fruit trees, cereals, etc., as
may prove to be adapted to the country.

" For the second class of objects a single station for Mani-
toba and the Noi*th-West might suffice, though the existence
of two or more stations would greatly faciUtate the distribu-
tion of trees and plants, tor the first, or purely experimental
class of objects, it would appear to be almost absolutely
necessary, in view of the diversity of soil, climate and eleva-
tion in this great region, to establish two or more stations.
In the event of the establishment of one station only, it might,
I believe, best be placed in the western portion of the
Province of Manitoba. If two stations be established, one
might be selected in the Red River plain, the second in the
>'icinity of the 104th meridian, near the Touchwood Hills or
Qu'Appelle Valley. I believe, however, that three is the least
number of stations which would satisfactorily serve the
objects in view, and would suggest that in addition to the two
last mentioned, a third should be placed either in the vicinity
of Calgary or near Edmonton.

"In no event should the proposed stations be placed in the
river valleys, as owing to their great depth the conditions
found in these differ considerably fi'om those of the general
surface of the plain. It would also be desirable to select
spots for these stations where belts or groves of trees already

EXPERIMENTAL FARM STATIONS.

100

exist, such as to tbrin wind-breaks, and afford the shelter
necessary for the proper cultivation of seedlings, etc.

"To achieve their proper degree of usefulness, such experi-
mental agricultural station or stations should be under the
superintendence of one experienced scientific agriculturist,
besides those incident to immediate management of the stations,
whose duty it should be to obtain suitable plants and seeds
for experiment fi'om all parts of the world in which such are
likely to be found, to familiarize himself with the results of
similar experiments elsewhere, and to publish the information
so obtained with that resulting from his own experiments, for
the guidance of farmers and others in the North-West. Should
two or more stations be decided upon, it would probably be
found most convenient for the scientific superintendent to
have that in the Red River valley under his immediate super-
vision. This station might be made the principal one for the
reception and distribution of plants and seeds to thosc^ farther
west. The western stations might be placed in charge of
intelligent practical farmers, and occasional visits of inspection
made to them.

" In conclusion, I may be allowed to refer to the recom-
mendations as to tree planting in the North-West contained
in my report on the geology and resources of the 49th Parallel,
published in connection with the Boundary Commission ex-
pedition of 1873-74.

" G. M. Dawson."

Remarks. — Since cheap railway and water conveyance of
agricultural products from distant countries is rapidly chang-
ing the economical conditions of successful agriculture in
many parts of the world, it is of the utmost importance that
all those who are interested in the cultivation of the soil in
Canada should endeavour to remedy all that is faulty in prac-
tice, or wasteful in effect, and to introduce new methods and
new products, as far as they are likely to be profitable, and
thus increase the chances of our being able to retain the posi-
tion we have acquired as producers and exporters of farm
produce. A relatively small proportion of the land, even in

r

110

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.

i

riji J

our most atlvanced Provinces, is under the hfnt of culture
while self-interest and the circumstances of our position
(leniand that we shouhl inak*' tlu; best of evervthinn' we
possess. LiebijLj has well said that "the prosperity of any
nation depends much on the condition of its agriculture," and
to produce the best results, practical skill must be associated
with suitalile information. C'anada has a climate in many
respects favourabh;, and a soil in many districts unsurpas.sed
in fertility, advantaj,a»s which, if properly utilized, will enable
her to continue to furnish from her surplus for the millions in
Kurope food products of prime quality. To aid in this good
work every eftbrt should l>e put forth, both by the J)ominion
and Provincial authorities, to place within reach of willing
hands all iieeded information, and also supplies of .such
ec(momic products as will be likeh' to add to the profit and
attractiveness of agricultural pursuits.

FORESTRY.

There should be a competent forester in charge of this
department, one who thoroughly understands what is needed,
and under whose direction all work connected with the forest
industries of the ])omini(m should be carried on. Such would
include experiments in reclothing denuded land, testing the
comparative value of our native trees, also of those from all
other parts of the world, where similarity of climate or other
circumstances render it probable that they will prove useful.
It would also include the propagation of trees of eccmomic
value for general distribution.

General Summary.

The following is a general .^ummarj' of the work which it
is desired .should be undertaken :

(a.) Conduct researches and verify experiments designed
to test the relative value, for all purposes, of different breeds
of stock, and their adaptability to the varying climatic or
other conditions which prevail in the several Provinces and
in the North-West Territories;

EXPKHIMKNTAL FARM STATIONS.

Ill

(b.) ExainiiK* into scifntitic and economic (jucstions involved
in tin* production of hiittcr and cliuese;

(c.) Test the nu-iits, hurdinciss and ada[»tal>ility of mw or
untried varieties of \ylieat or othe)* cereals, and of Held ciups,
grasses and forage plants, fruits, vegetables, plants and ti'ees,
and disseniiiiatit among persons euL^aj^ed in farnjin<f, iraiden-
ing or fruit growing, upon such conditicMis as are [)iescril)ed
hy the Minister of Agriculture, .samples of such surplus |)ro-
(Jucts as are considered to he specially vvoi-thy of introduction;

(it.) Analy/c fertilizers, whethci- natuiid or artihiial, and
conduct experiments with sucli fertilizers, in oi-dcr to test
their comparative value as applied to crops of diffei'ent kinds;

(c.) Examine into the composition and digestibility of foods
for domestic animals;

Cf.) Con<luct experiments in tlio planting of trees for tindier
and for shelter:

(ff.) Examine into tlie diseases to which cultivated plants
and trees an^ subject, anrl also into tlie ravages of destructive
insects, and ascei'tain and test the most useful preventives and
remiMlies to be used in each case;

(h.) Investigate the diseases to which domestic animals ai"e
subject ;

(i.) Ascertain the vitality and purity of agricultural seeds;
and

(j.) Conduct an}'' other experiments and researches bearing
upon the agricultural industry of ('anada, which may be
approved by the Minister of Agricidture.

The whole respectfully submitted.

\VM. SAUNDERS.

London, Ont.,

Februarv 20th, 1880.