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'\W EXPKPJMKNTAL FARMS

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DOMINION OF CANADA

III (!ari;i(ln JiLCru'iiltiiro lies at tlui louiuliilioii ot \hr. nation's j^ro.s-

pcrity and involves infcrosis of the _i;-roatost mai;iiiliilo and ini[)!)rt-

uiu'c. The vast aioa of land suitaMe fov ai^ricnitiiral oju'rations

wiihin the Ooniinion, niueh ol'it of unsnipasscti fcrlilily, will always

oniilili- Canada to furnish fi-oin ho:- suri)lns food ]> odiicts of piiiuo

(|ii;ilify for the less favoured nations of Mnrope. Uiil :>ineo (dieap

railway and watei* conveyance ot ;iL;'ricnltnr;d |)i-ol net ions frojii

lli^lllllt countries is i-apidly all'cclini;- the econoniie a-^perls of agri-

uiiUinc in all parts of the world, it is of the utniosi Importance thai

lliosc who ai-o interested in the cultivation of the soil in Canada

should strive to remedy all that is faulty or wastelul in practice, and

liy Iho introduction of now products and improved methods endeavour

'«> maintain the position Canada has gained as a producer and

ox[i()rteroi farm pi'oduce. Ft having becfi demonstrated that agri-

cuUural experimental stations arc of much servix^-o in siippiviic

iiooili^d infortnation and stimulating tho |)rog;'css of agrieulturo

■whorcvor iliey have heen established, either in Murope or America

this important subject lias engaged the attention of the (JovoinmcnL

'•t Canada. A bill was introduced last session by the Honourable tho

Minister of Agriculture, which was passed almost without opposition

by the Parliament of tho country, which provides for a system of

^xpcrimontal agriculture which is likely to meet the most pressing

present noeils of the farming community throughout the Dominion,

•"id by judicious: forethought and experiment will, it is hoped, antici-

l>nto tho ro<piirements of the luture. 'Ihe methods proposed are

miciidod to secure tor (Janadiuii agrljulturo the groatodL good ut u

wmpawtivoly small cost.

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0R(JANIZATI(»N AN]) MANAGEMENT.

A contra) oxporim(Mital fiirm has been secured ijoar tlu^ capitjil
the dividing lino between the iniporlnnt ProvincoH of Ontario anil
Qiiel»ec, comprising 465 nci'os of land, whicb will servo as an cxiiori-
nionlal station for tbese Provinces jointly. Hero the climato lopn-.
Honts the average condition of a largo ])art of the sotllod portions dl
Canada, whei-e all the ceieals ami many oIIum- ticid crops can he
successfully gi'own, and where most of the best varieties of gi'apo>
grown in the open air ripen well, and many worts of a])ple au'l otlior
fruits are raised with lulvanla/rc At this conti-al point all thcdiflfer-
ent classes of experinicnlMl woi-k will be conducted. Tl'.cre will
also be established (me sub-stalion tor the I'rovinces of Nova Scotia.
Now Brunswick and Pi-ince Edward Island i<'»inti3', and one oncli lor
Manitoba, the Norlh-AVost Territories, and British Colundtia. In
the Maritime Provinces and in I'ritish Columbia 200 acres will jini-
bably bo sufficient foi' the purposes of each station, but in Manilolm
and the North-West Tei-ritoi-ies, where land is abundant and vUcwy.
there will pi'ol)ably not be less than a section of OiO aci-es belonging
to oach station, so that there may bo land suflicient to carry on
experiments in stock i-aising and fbrestiy on sucli a scale as the cir-
cumstancos of the caso may lequiie.

With the vaiying conditions of climate and soil necessarily as^o-
ciatod with a stretch of teri-itoiy covering 4,000 miles, from ocean
to ocean, ull now accessible by rail, a station on the Atlanli.,
another on the Pacific, with thiee interjnediate ones, will be am-
stantly re(|uired to cany on the work with reasonable efficiency. It
is also expedient that the (Tovornmont reserve, at suitable points in
Manitoba and the, North-West Territories, from the uvailabl'j aiul un-
occupied Dominion lands, blocks of one, two, or moi'o sections ca<li,
for future experimental work in tree planting. The setting a)iiirlot
these blocks of land for forestry purposes will not in any case bo a los.'-
to the country, since if tliey should be planted ordy in part, thifi will
increase the value of the remaining portion and also that of all the
lands in the neighbourhood. By adding to the value of the adjaicnl
lands these sections would partly pay lor thcmselvos, ami ai ilie
same time prop.iro the way for extended oxporimental work ii
desired, as soon as young forest trees were available for the purpose.

Tho whole will be under the control of one head, known as
Dircotoi', whoKo residence will bo at tho central station, and
whoso <intv it will be to visit llio Hub-Htations as occasion roqiiiros,
and. ill conlcri'Ui'O with tho manai:oi's of siicli stations, ai-ranj^o for
the coiiisc and cbaractci- of tho work to l»e carried on at each, siib-
jccl tu flie a))|>rovaI of llio Minister ol A«i;i-icidliire, This ari-angc-
nicnl will cnstirc dosii:ible unifoi-mity in tlio character of tho woi'k
poilormed, and jnevent tho waste which might result fi-om the
miiKK'cssary (hiplication of oxjK'i'imciits.

Al ;lic central st:i1ioi. there will be I'oqnired, in addition to the
Birectof, a snjiei'intendent of ai^niciiitnre charged with tlie care of
fiirm sf()ci< and d;iiiy ; also with i;ol<l cro])s and tield experiments.

A su)>crintenil(Mit of iioi-ticulliire, wlio will conduct experimentH in
fruit ami vegetal le growing, in di'lninining the vitality and purity
ofsoods, iind h'AW cliaige of the nursery and jiropagating houses.

An cntoniolituist. whose diitv it will l>e to investiiiate the habits
of insects destinictive to fai'ni and gaidcn cro])s, fruit, iVc, as well as
tlioM' atVocting animals, with the view of testing such lemedies as
may be available lor their destruction. He will also prej)aro such
collections for the museum at the central station as will illustrate the
insects injurious and beneticial to vegetation, and duplicate collec-
tions of a similar character as early as practicable for each t)f the
siib-stalious.

A botanist, to whom will bo entrusted the special duty of
investigating the injury done to field and garden crops, fi-uit
aiul toi-est trees, by the lower forms of vegetable life, such as fungi,
i'ust>, moulds, kc; to study the character an<l modes of growth of
liic noxious weeds prevailing in all parts of the Dominion, with tho
object of devising means for their subjugation or destruction. He
will alsii lake chaige of the botanic garden or arboretum, and of that
Jiortion of the central museum illustrating vegetable ])r()ducts.

A chomist, to whom will be referred all questions relating to agri-
cullurul chemistry, su(di as aualj'^sos of fertilizers, the determination
ot the chemical constituents of any substances which it may be de-
^nablc to use in experimental work in feodiug or foi- other j)urpt)ses;
to make analyses ot milk in connection with experiments in dairying,
ot wheats, to determine their relative quality for milling; and to have
charge of all other subjects requiring special chemical investigation
m connoction with the work being carried on at any of the stations.

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Sub-Htath»ns.

Tlio olhc'Oi'H ro(iiiiro(l at each of Iho siil'-htuliotifl will ho a Mipiiin-
toiitleiit of atijrU'ulluio aiui a sujtoriiitoiukiil of hoi'ticiillmc. Tlii'
r^ijtoriiitt'iident of ngiioiilturo to he (ho chiof ()lli(^or of iho ^(;llio||,
Miltordinato only lo tlio Director, aiui io>])oii^ihlo to liim fo- ihr
proper govornmont of the farm, and lor tho duo j)erfoiniaii(o oi all
work directed to be uiidorlaUoii. The buiterinteiulent of hortieiilturc
and all other eiiii>loyoi's will be suhordiiiato lo the superiiileiidoiil
of agriculture, and under hi« direction.

Kepouts.

The outlying stations will rcjmrt to the Diioctor as ol'loii ;i^
roijuircd, and the reports of the otlicers of all the stations will he piv-
sented thi'ouiih the Director to llif Minister of Aii'riculture.

NLllfiEUIES AN1> Puol'AdATINU JI0U.SE8.

At each station there will bo established a nursery for the judiia-
gallon of such varietie> of plants, fruit, forest trees, iVc, as may Ik'
desirable fur the purpose of distribution, ho as to rapidly cxlcnil ilio
area of exi)eriniontal work. Jvich station will also bo providc(i willi
a propagating house to lacilitato lhe,-o objects and for the purpuso of
testing the vitality and purity of soeiU for farmers and others.

Museum.

A general museum will be established in connection with tlie con-
tral station, where .samples of all the variotios of produce riiiM'il
from year to year will, as fiir a.-i possible, bo kept lor JvloieiKc an'l
comparison, as well as ibr the instruction of visiting farnicis.
Specimens ot injurious insects and their work, of injurious aii'l
benelicial birds, and other subjects of interest, will also lind a place licrc.

Other Dltiks ob' Oi'i'icEUs.

in addition to the special duties referred to, the olliccrs of liio
several stations will bo expected to visit, whenever practicable, tin:
])ublic meetings of the liirmers and fruit growers in diiVercnt jiaii-
ot ihe Dominion, lor the purpose of conlerring with them, and aidiii:f
in the discussion of the many problems connected with agricultural
and horticultural pursuits which nuiy bo discussed.

Disposal of rnoDucE.

In the management of the stations all the products will be soM,
and a strict account kept of the returns. No otUcer or onipli<yoo
will receive any portion of the produce without paying lair value
for the same.

Oratn Crops.
All cultivated coroal! iniinlfost, soDnoi' or later, a tendency to
ilotorioralc or run out; some much earlier than others. New
vaiieties freshly introduced in(o a country often show j^reat vigoui*
and a hi^h avera^^o <•!' pr()due(ivene>s. Hence the importance of
iiitrodin'ing new or untried sor^s. and of the exchan/^e of seed
liotween loealitioH having dill'erenl conditions as to cliniale. Sj»iin<;-
wheal has heen fbi* some yoais ])as1 a coin))aiative failui-e in Ontario,
protliuin/;', it is said of \iitv, an averajic ol 12 hushcls, a^ a^'ainst a
lormer yield of noai'ly 20 liushels. This is attrihnted to various
lauhcs, such an climate changes, exhaustion of soil and insect pests.
All these have (some pari in the result, yet it is liU'ely that deteriora-
tion is an im])ortant element in the case. .Moie knowledge as to the
j)i(ipcr lolalion ol'croj)s, moi'c thorou^-li tillage and thoi-oun'h drainage,
would materially aid in advancing productiveness.

When we consider that a single grain ot wheat cai-elully grown as
II Hq):uate ]>lant will yield an average of ahout thi'ce hundredfold,
luici how small compaied with this is the oi-dinary yield in tieM
lultuiu, it is evident that theie is altiindant room foi' experiment and
improvement as to methods of cultivation and treatment. The
ii'sults of Homo reseaiches are of such a nature, that after dolinite
toncliisions have once heen reacdied and |)ul)lis!ied, there is no special
neod of their heing repeated. Not so with the growth of ngrieullu-
nil productH; the circumstances of climate and soil are so variahlo,
aiul changes in the character of plants so ire(iuent, that experiments
may be constantly conducted with ])i'otit.

Recent researches in Russia, lately puhiished in St. Petershurgh,
d"inoiistrate the fact that wheat grown in the northern provinces of
iliut otnpii'c ripens in loss time than that grown in the southern,
the dillorenee being about Bixtcen days. How much of this diiference
:s due to variety has not been detei'mined, but there is no question
tliat if Me succeed in ol>taining for our vast wlieat tields in the
North-AVest earliei' ripening varieties of good quality, the area of
wheat culture will be extendeil, ami the»benefits resulting ditticult to
ovorestinuite. Other Held crops can, in all probability, in like
manner be improved and made more protitable to the growers.

Stock, Horses, «fco.
It is proposed to carry on a series olex})eriments with small herds
ot cattle, -fleeting such breeds as are likely to prove the most gene-

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rnlly URofiil to the fnrmorH roRi'dini; in tho provincoH in wliicli ilu>

'ovci'nl farms will l>o lot-MtiMJ. {''xpiM-iiniMits will Im- c.uiiiiicio.l \',>y

\]\o imrj) ".-t' ••r.'i'iccM'Iniiiini!; Iho viiliic of ditlrront foods for f:illt'iiitiL;

cat tie, a?\(l foi* \\\v pi-odiiction of inilU', cIum'so, :md Imttcr It i> ;i|sn

intiMidcd to tOHt tho value of difforont hrocds of horsos, sImh-ji, :iiMi

piifs.

Dairy PiionucTs.

Since tho <;oiionvl introdm-tion of tho factory system, cheese intulc
in Canada has acquired un excellent re])utiition. owinLT lo llif imi
foi'inity of its (diai-actor, and meets with a ready sale at Wtiv prices ;
at the same time, the quantity exported has increased t(» a rcinark-
ahle de^nee, l>ut the ex])()rts of hiitter have not heon so larne, j):nily,
it is said, owin^ to inferiority, bein^ in most localities tlir j)ro(liici ot
individual and unsl(ilie<l labour. Since Canada is one ot tlu' Ih-m
countrie> in the world for duiryin*,', butter should ratdv oipiai in
([uaiily and in demand with cheese. iMJdence i.^ not wantinii- '"
-hou that whcrevei' croamerios have been established the price ol
tliia pi'oiluet has been eidianced, in conseqiionco of its unifni-mly
ij;ood quality.

Kxperiments in this dej)artraent would no doubt help to adviuicc
the butter interest.

Poultry and Hocjs.

l]y I'eferonce to the statistics ijjivon of the exports of poultry jiiwI
egij;:-", it will be seen that tho o<^i^ trade has increased enornioibly,
and will, on account of the constant and yonei-al use of cl^ia's, aiiiult
of almost unlimited exjiansion. Tho results of oxperinients with
different breeds of fowls, for the purpose of ascertain in;L;' theii rchttivc
merits as uj^-^- layers and flesh j)i'oducers, would be of <iii'at ii^' to
the agricultural community every whei-e.

FUU ITS.

There is no question that most of our best varieties of sniail iVnii'
will succeed in many of the northei-n townships ot our older juv-
vinces, where they are, as yot, but little gi-own, and eipially well in
many localities in tho North-West. From the exj)erience i::iiin''l
regarding- the growth of hardy Jiussian fruits in Iowa, it is IiIl^IiIv
probable that many of those could bo successfully grown m tlu'
northern sections of tho Dominion, not only apples, but jjear>, pliim^
and cherries also. Tho early introduction of those fruits wuuld I't'
highly appreciated.

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III ilu» more fiivoiiicd ^c«•ti()ns of tlio Domini m ihu viirijiltlem'Hs (ji'
tlic uxiistiiig flimutc hlioiiM l»e eon^i<lL'rc<l and f^omu etlV ith mnde
to iticpaio I'or tlmn^i> wliicli will jnoltjibly occur, hooner or later,
fioni ihc doforoKtutitin <»t' tho country.

Tlu' fruit tra<lo of Canada in rapidly incieasint;'. It is lenlold
LMcatt'i- than it was a fow yeais ago, and with a ]>ro])tM' select irui of
late keeping sorts, and the more general introduction of fi-iiit ivapo-
inlorfc', the trade might be ahnost imleliniloly exton<led.

i'\>RKSTKY.

Til /orlv to bo undertakiMi in lliis <U'pai-tmenl will include oxper-
iinei -in rc<dothing ticnuded land, le-.ting the '•onipaijilive value of
(Hir native trees, also of those fr<uii ail oilier parts of the \\oi-|(l^
whei'e similarity of .dimale oi- other (•ii(iim>tan<es icnd( r it jtrcdiable
that (hev will prove uneful. It woidd also include the propagation
ot trees of eeonomic value foi- general di-^triiiiition.

Ffhtii.czkms.
The establishment of a chemical station in coniioclion with tho
i'('riti:il experimental farm will provide the means of thoi-onghly
testing and establishing the value as a tcitili/er of Ciinadian mineial
ph(»sj»hatcs, and undoiibtedly aid ir\ dcvclo]»ing thi^ impoifant indus-
try. Ashes HH1 shijtjicd in laig(^ «puintilies from Canada to the
United States, where thev are sold as a fortili/er, at a c()^t (,'. from
25 to ;}J> cents a bushel, while Canadian farmei-s hesitate to jiay 10
cents j)er bushel. If tlie actual nuinuiial value of ashes on fiirm and
garden cro])s was demonstrated to our farmers, it is altogether pi-o-
bahle that this useful article would be consumed at home.

The character of tho W(*rk involved in tho complete analysis of
fertilizers is such as to require special forms of api)aratus which are
complex and expensive. Appliances of this character would be
needed in the laboratory at the central station for the s])ecial work
to be undertaken there ; and when that department was properly
equipped, all the work cf this nature reqnii-ed for the Dominion
could be ofHciently and economically done there.

Injurious Insects.

Deficiencies in crops often arise from the depredations of insects.
The yearly loss in Canada fi'om this cause is very large, almost
eveiy farmer suffering to some extent. Such losses cannot be
entirely prevented, but might be greatly lessened by the diffusion of

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more general information on the siibjoct. Wore a skilled entomolo-
gist appointed, whoso duty It would bo to visit disti'icts where insect
plagues occur, and give all the information obtainable as to the best
preventive and remedial measures to adopt, the annual losses minht

be greatly reduced.

Botanic Gfarden.

It has long been a reflection on Canadian taste and proi:;ross that
we have no botanic garden in the Dominion. In Australia and India
there are several sucl: gardens supported by the Govern mont.
Botanic gardens have also been long established in Ceylon, tho
Mauritius, Jamaica, and several other of tho West India Islands.
Canada is, indeed, the only important British colony where such an
instructive institution is wanting. In such gardens, trees ure teste'!
as to their hardiness, for tho production of timber, for their bai-k tor
economic purposes, and for their fruit, and all sorts of medicinal and
other flowering plants are grown. Such a garden it is proposed to
establish in connection with the Central Experimental Faim, where
all the native trees, shrubs and flowers of the Dominion can be
brought togothe/' as far as conditions of climate will permit, and new
and useful species introduced and propagated. This garden will
be a very instructive feature in connection with the work and can
be carried on there at a relatively small cost.

General Usefulness.
The agricultural oxperimental farms, properly conducted, will
Boon become bureaus of information for all who are concerned with
agriculture or horticultui-e, which the ftirmor and fruit grower will
be encouraged to visit, and inspect ""he work going on, and where
it is hoped they will feal free to report regarding such difiicultie.s
as they may experience in the course ot their work, and seek intbr-
mation from the oflficers in charge.

General Summary.
The following is a general summary of the work, which, it is pro-
posed under tho act, should be undertaken :

(a). Conduct researches and verify experimentfl designed to tOfst
tho 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-Wei«t Territories ;
(6.) Examine into scientific and economic questions involved in
the production of butter and cheese;

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(c.) Test the meiits, hardinoHB and adaptability of new or untried
varielios of whoator other cereals, and of field crops, gragHce and
forage plants, fruitn, vegetables, plants and trees, and disseminate
among persons engaged in farming, gardening or fruit growing, upon
Buch conditionN as are prescribed by the Minister of Agriculture,
eamples of such surplus pioducts as are considered to bo specially
worthy of introduction ;

(d.) Analyze fertilizers, whether natural or artificial, and conduct
experiments with such feitilizers, in order to test their comparative
value as applied to crops of different kinds ;

(e.) Examine into the composition and digostibility of foods for
domoHtio animals ;

(/.) Conduct experiments in the planting of trees for timbor and

for shelter ;

(g.) Examine into the diseases to which cultivated plants and
trees are subject, and also into the ravages of destructive insects, and
ascertain and test the most useful preventives and remedies to bo
used in each case ;

(/t.) Investigate the diseases to which domestic animals aro sub-
ject;

ft.) Ascertain the vitality and purity of agricultural seeds; and
(/.) Conduct any other experiments and researches bearincr upon
the agricultural industry of Canada, which may be approved by the
iniciter of Agi'iculture.

,,(:.

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WM. SAUNDERS,

DU ecior.