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U.B.C. LIBRARY

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ESQUIMALT. B. C.

REFERENCE LIBRARY.

<3.iyi

No.

REPORT OF THE MINISTER vi. ^tF^s^ssFim

REPORT

ON

U.B.C. Library

CAT. N0.Si2£_JLL

ACC.WO. ffy

AGRICULTURAL C

AND

EXPERIMENTAL FARM STATIONS

rITH SUGGESTIONS RELATING TO LC PERIDENTAL AGRICULTURE

IN CANADA.

BY

Professor WILLIAM SAUNDERS, F R.S.C.

OTTAWA i
PRLNTEJ> BY MACLEAN, ROGER & CO., WELLINGTON STREET.

1886.

EEPOET ON AGEICULTUEAL COLLEGES AND EXPEEIMENTAL
STATIONS, WITH SUGGESTIONS EELATING TO EXPERIMENTAL
AGEICULTUEE IN CANADA.

(By Professor William Saunders, F.R.S.C.)

London, Ont., 20th February, 1886.

Sir, — I had the honour to receive in due course the following letter written
under your direction : —

" Department op Agriculture,

" Ottawa, 2nd November, 1885.

"Sir, — I have an instruction from the Minister of Agriculture to state to you,
having in view to put into effect the vote of last Session for the purpose of establish-
ing an experimental farm, that he will be glad to avail himself of your services to
obtain certain preliminary information.

" There was, as you are aware, a Select Committee appointed by the House of
Commons in the Session of 1884, of which Mr. Gigault was the Chairman, to
enquire into the best me^ns 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 he would, therefore,
feel obliged if you would have the goodness to visit as many of the more important
agricultural colleges, experimental farms and experimental stations in the United
States and^Canada, as you may think necessary, for the purpose of enquiring into
the various'methods of working; and with a view of ascertaining as far as possible,
whaCbenefits, either direct or indirect, they are conferring on practical agricul-
ture, including stock raising, dairying, &c; and, also, of ascertaining what is being
done in horticulture, especially in regard to the production of fruit.

" It is further desired by the Minister that you should incidentally enquire into
the subject of forestry, to ascertain, as far as practicable, the extent and character
of tree-planting in the Western States, the varieties chiefly used, and the success
which has attended the efforts which have been made.

" It is also desired that yon ascertain the areas of land occupied by the several
institutions you may visit, the character of the soil and equipments, with capital
cost; together with the expense of maintenance.

" The Minister desires that you should prepare and submit, as early as practic-
able, a report on the whole subject, indicating what features of the work, if accom-
plished, would, in your opinion, be most particularly beneficial to the agricultural,
horticultural, and, incidentally, to the forest interests of the Dominion of Canada.
" I have the honour to be, Sir,

" Your obedient servant,

JOHN LOWE,

" Secretary, Department of Agriculture.
" Wii. Saunders, Esq.,

"London, Ont."

In compliance with the request contained in this letter, I have
recently visited many 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 the view of ascertaining, as far as possible,
what benefits, either direct or indirect, they are conferring on practical agri-
culture, including stock-raising, dairying, &c. I have also endeavoured to ascertain
what is being done in horticulture, especially in regard to the production of fruit,
and in forestry, with special reference to the extent and character of tree-planting
in the Western States also to gain information as to the area of land occupied by
each institution, the chai-acter of the soil, buildings and equipments, the expenditure
on capital account and cost of maintenance together with such other particulars as
were believed to be of sufficient importance to occupy ycfur attention.

In addition to what has been accumulated as the result of direct personal enquiry,
I have endeavoured to present a brief summary of some of the more important fea-
tures of the work being done by similar institutions in those parts of the United
States which the limited time at my disposal did not permit me to visit. Most of
theso particulars have been obtained by correspondence. Eeference also is made to
what is being accomplished in European and other countries in the same direction,
so as to present, as far as practicable, the whole subject of agricultural progress in a
concise form. This is accompanied by an outline of a proposed systom embracing
such features of the work as would, in my opinion, be most particularly 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.

THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES AMD EXPERIMENTAL STATIONS
OF THE UNITED STATES.

In the year 1861 the Congress of the United States, having in view the import-
ance of encouraging the development and progress in that country of the two great
departments of industry, passed an Act which provided for the endowment of a
college of agriculture and mechanic arts in each State of the Union, by making a
large grant of public lands for that purpose. The quantity apportioned to each
State was equal to 30,000 acres for each senator and representative in Congress to
which such State was respectively entitled by the apportionment under the census of
1860. The Act provided that the whole of the money received from the sale of these
lands should be invested in safe securities, and the interest only used for the main-
tenance of the several institutions. The States were required to furnish the neces-
sary land for the colleges, and no portion of the fund could be spent in the purchase,
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 per-
manent 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 aggregate of the value of
grounds, buildings and apparatus was given in 1882 at $6,531,844, making a grand
total of over fifteen and a-half millions of dollars devoted to furthering the develop-
ment of these great national industries.

ALABAMA.

The Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama is situated near Auburn.
The quantity of land occupied is 100 acres. The cost of the Main Building was
$65,000. There are separate structures for chemical laboratory, workshops, &c, the
total value of grounds buildings and apparatus being $100,000. Endowment fund
from sale of public lands, $253,500. 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 experiments in the
cultivation of field crops, fruits and flowers. The course of study covers four years,
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 imparting instruction in
agriculture and mechanical arts is located near the town of Fayetteville. The
1*

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 $1*7,500, of which the
salaries of the teaching staff consume $15,500.

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

CALIFORNIA.

The University of California obtained the agricultural college land grant on con-
dition that special departments for the teaching of agriculture and the mechanic
arts should be established and maintained there. The amount derived from this
source was $566,280, with land valued at $26,860 still unsold. The University is a
very extensive one, and is located at Berkeley. It has grounds, buildings and appli-
ances valued at $1,000,000, and a total endowment fund of $1,678,386.

The annual income from the proceeds of agricultural college lands is $39,226, a
large proportion of which is devoted to agricultural teaching and experimental work.
A course of lectures, combined with practical instructions, is given in agriculture,
horticulture, botany and entomology, and a chemical laboratory is specially devoted
to agricultural purposes. There are also three greenhouses, a nursery and propagating
grounds, an arboretum and a garden of economic plants.

The orchards are large and include 150 varieties of apples, 140 of pears, 65
peaches ; 55 plums, also a number of cherries, apricots and nectarines. The vineyard
has 60 varieties of European grapes in addition to a large number of American origin.

Experimental Station.

An experimental station has been in active operation for several years, undor the
efficient direction of E. "W. Hilgard, Professor of Agriculture. Extensive experiments
have been conducted with fertilizers ; in growing grain, forage plants, sugar cane,
sugar beets, sorghum and other field crops. A large number of grapes have been
introduced 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 bast cultivated sorts of grapes on the wild vinos of California and other
thrifty growing stocks, for the purpose of ascertaining which will best resist the attacks
of that injurious and troublosomo insect, phylloxera, which has caused the California
vincgrowors ho much anxioty and loss. Tho insect, together with other injurious
Bpei ;ilso boon studiod, and measures suggostod for its abatomont and

destruction.

Large numbers of forest trees have been introduced from Europe, Asia and
Australia, which, besides being tested on the college farm, have been distributed to
many intelligent persons in different parts of the State for trial. There has been an
annual distribution of samples of grain and grasses from all parts of the world, also
seeds of plants, young plants and trees, scions of desirable fruit and other trees, with
accompanying instructions for planting, grafting, &c. 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 money or stamps to cover cost of packing and
mailing.

In 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 alkaline soils, of water from
Artesian wells and of stream and well waters from many parts of the State.

Notwithstanding all the educational advantages offered, 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
by the issue of bulletins at intervals of from one to three weeks during the summer.
These are mailed to the newspapers, agricultural periodicals and to prominent
agriculturists; 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 experimental work carried on at this station
becomes of special interest to Canada.

COLORADO.

The State Agricultural College of Colorado is located at Fort Collins, in the
fertile valley of the Cache-la-Poudre Eiver. It is endowed with 90,000 acres of
selected lands, which have not yet been sold. The expenses of the institution ax*e
met at present by a special tax of one fifth of a mill on State valuation, which gives
it an income of about $20,000 a year, a considerable portion of which is required
for salaries of staff, which range from $1,000 to $2,500. The college was opened in
1882, and occupies 240 acres of land ; the land, buildings and appliances are valued
at $50,000.

The larger part of the college farm is under cultivation, the work being chiefly
experi mental, 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 already been tested at this institution with

great 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 different dealers.

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

CONNECTICUT.

The Sheffield Scientific School, which is one of the departments of Yale College,
received the agricultural land grant on condition that it provided suitable and com-
petent instruction in agriculture and the mechanic arts. The endowment fund from
land sales amounts to $135,000. The institution is situated in the town of New
Haven, and the value of the grounds, buildings and apparatus is $200,000. The
course of instruction is very thorough in all the sciences bearing on agriculture, and
lectures are given on the cultivation of staple crops, tree planting, &c.

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 18*79 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 jTear for its maintenance, which has since
been increased to $3,000. A special appropriation of $25,000 was also made for the
purchase of land, and for buildings and apparatus. There is also a special tax levied
on fertilizers sold in the State, to aid in defraying the expense attending their
analysis, which adds about $2,500 to the yearly 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 chemical laboratory has since been erected,
at a cost of $5,000 for the building and $2,500 for fittings, including many of the
most improved forms of apparatus roquirod for carrying on this special work. Other
structures have also boon built. No stock is kept here; thero are no greenhouses,
and very little outside work has been done. The operations carried on have been
mainly chemical, particularly in the lino of tho analysis of fertilizers, of which there
are in Connecticut about 130 difforont brands in tho market. The State laws require
that at loast one analysis shall bo made every yoar of oach brand, and tho reports of
the station work contain returns of the results of those analyses, averaging in number
more than MW each yoar. In addition to this, much work has boon dono in detor-
mi ing by analysis tho rclativo value of mixturoH for feeding purposes, fodders, &o.,
al.-oin tho analysis of milk and many othor articlos of food.

Another department in which good work has been done is in testing agricultural
and commercial seeds, to determine their vitality 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 very 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 6,000, which are distributed chiefly among farmers.
The law requires also that two copies be sent to each postmaster in the State.

DELAWARE.

The agricultural department of Delaware College is situated at Newark. It has
an endowment fund of $83,000, and the land, buildings and appliances are valued at
$75,000. The total income is about $5,500. The college does not own a farm, but
courses of lectures are given on the principles and practice of agriculture, the com-
position of soils and fertilizers ; also in chemistry, botany and the kindred sciences.

GEORGIA.

The Georgia State Colloge of Agriculture and Arts is a branch of the State Uni-
versity, and is located at Athens. The endowment fund from sale of agricultural
lands amounts to $242,202, which yields an annual revenue of about $17,000. This
is divided between several institutions, to be presently referred to, the State College
receiving $8,000. The land, buildings and appliances are valued at $50,000.

A full course of instruction is given in agriculture, horticulture, botany, entomo-
logy, &c. 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 crops, recorded. A large chemical laboratory, with all the neces-
sary appliances, affords ample opportunities for the study of this branch of science,
especially in its rolation to agriculture. There is also a museum of agricultural
products.

There are three other smaller agricultural colleges in Georgia, each of which
receives $2,000 annually from the endowment fund. They are known as the North
Georgia Agricultural College, located at Dahlonega j the Middle Georgia Military
and Agricultural College at Milledgeville ; 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.

ILLINOIS.

Tho University of Illinois is one of the best conducted and most efficiont institu-
tions which I have visited. It is located about midway between the towns of Cham-

paign and UrbaDa. It has an endowment fund of $33*7, 000, realized from the sale of
public lands, and the buildings, appliances and land are valued at $400,000. The
University buildings, which are fifteen in number, include a large and imposing main
building, in which are the principal offices, class rooms, library, museum, chapel, &c.
Towards the erection of this structure the State contributed $127,000. A chemical
building, containing five laboratories, erected at a cost of $40,000 ; a veterinary hall ;
large machinery buildings, dormitories, &c. The land occupied by the University
and its several departments embraces 623 acres.

Department of Agriculture.

There are devoted to the uses of the depai'tment of agriculture two farms, one
of 410 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 $1,500. The acreage in
various crops in 1885, on the stock farm, was: corn, 105 ; oats, 65 ; meadow, 145 ;
the remainder, pasture.

Stock.

From eight to ten horses are kept, part of which are used for breeding purposes.
There are among them good specimens of French draft 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 Jerseys, and a number of well bred
grade cows of various crosses, including Holsteins, Herefords and Ayrshires, and
steers of different ages, which are being fed for the market. The milk of the cows
is used chiefly for butter making, the product being sold in the neighbouring towns.

There are small flocks of Shropshire, Cotswold and Southdown sheep, and their
crosses.

Of pigs, there are a number of the following breeds: Poland-China, Berkshire
and small Yorkshire. Some attention is also given to breeding Plymouth Rock fowls.

Many experiments have been made in breeding and foeding cattle, sheep and
pigs, the results of which have been publishol from time to time in bulletins and
annual reports.

Field Experiments.

The experiments with field crops havo boon oarried on for many years, and
include the tosting of a large number of variotios of corn to ascertain thoir rolativo
yield and tho best methods of cultivation ; also exporimontn in fertilization and 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 plantations; 40 acres to ornamental trees, shrubs and plants, a con-
siderable area to small fruits, of which there are a large assortment, and a portion
to vegetables. There is also a nursery, where young trees are grown and students
are taught the arts of budding, grafting, &c.

Orchard.

This was planted in 1869, and included at the outset 1,800 varieties of fruit trees
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, &c, do not succeed well here.

Pear culture has not been continuously successful. The trees did fairly well for
ten or twelve yoars, but last winter the weather was so severe that a large proportion
of them were killed, both standard and dwarf, although the latter suffered most.

Plums have been unsuccessful. Oat of many varieties originally planted there
are now but very few left. No peaches or apricots are grown.

Of cherries there are a large number, chiefly of the Morello type, including
many of Wier's soedlings, which do remarkably well. The sweet cherries belonging
to the Bigarreau class are almost always killed before coming 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 is a failure on black prairie
soil, but does nicely on sandy ridges. Strawberries and raspberries are extensively
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 margins of streams. The example set by the
agricultural department of the University has stimulated tree planting generally, both
for ornament and shelter. The black walnut is a favourito tree, so also is the silver
maple (Acer dasycarpum) and the box elder (Negundo aceroides.) A variety of cotton-

10

wood (Populus monilifera) is much grown. This tree is a native, found on the bottom
lands of the Missouri Eiver 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 the 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, osage orange, box eldor, 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 super-
vision, who was an advocate of close 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 and western catalpa can be raised with more
profit than any of the other trees on account of their rapid growth. The catalpa is
being extensively used for fence posts and railroad ties ; the wood is more durable
than is generally supposed ; the sap wood quickly decays, but the heart wood is very
lasting. The white pine trees in the college plantation have been quite a success,
having attained, in twelve years from planting, a height of 25 feet, with trunks 6
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 the same height, with larger
trunks, measuring 7 to 8 inches at base. The sugar maples, which were three years
old when planted, have an average diameter of trunk of 4 to 5 inches ; while the silver
maple has made from 8 to 10 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 ranging from 6 to 8 inches in diameter.

Black walnut and butternut have both mado fair growth, but have not grown
with that rapidity which might have been expected. Another clump of black walnut,
twenty years planted, on a different part of the farm, was also examined, and while
there were a few fine trees, with trunks over a foot in diamotor, the majority of them
had not attained to more than 9 or 10 inches. The plantation of European larch is
very fine, the trees boing very uniform in growth, fully 25 foot high and about 8
inches in diamotor of trunk. In one small spot, whore tho land was low and wot,
the trgM wore stunted and unhealthy in appearance. Tho chobtnut treos havo not
been successful, but few now remaining of the original plantation, showing that thoy
are not suited to thin locality. Tho hickories havo made very slow growth; so also

11

have the burr oaks. The Austrian piue 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 wither and fall.

The white willow has attained a greater height than any of the other trees,
having reached an altitude in thirteen years of 30 feet or more, and a diameter of
trunk exceeding a foot at the base.

Shelter Belts.

Some excellent examples of shelter belts are to be fouDd in the orchard, composed
of Norway spruce trees, arranged in rows, so as to divide the orchard into five or six
sections. No material advantage has been observed from the shelter afforded 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 the main building is a conservatory with three propagating
houses, each 50 feet long, the middle one being fitted with extra pipes, so that a
higher temperature can he 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 repre-
senting 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 experimental 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. Burrill, has done good work in his depart-
ment. 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, &c., many of which are parasitic on and frequently destructive to the
higher forms of vegetation. The life history and habits of many of these have been
carefully worked out, and suggestions made as to the best methods of lessening the
injuries caused by them. It is chiefly to this earnest worker that the credit is due
of having solved the mystery which has so long surrounded that dreaded disease
known as the fire blight in the pear tree ; and since it has been demonstrated beyond
reasonable doubt that it is caused by the presence and propagation in immense
numbers of a very low form of vegetable life, a species of micrococcus, the way is

12

prepared for intelligent experiment in the direction of measures for preventing the
disease, a result which pear-growers will hail with the greatest delight.

Entomological Work.

Prof. S. A. Forbes, State Entomologist of Illinois, is now located at this Univer-
sity, where he holds the position also of Professor of Entomology and Zoology. With
the help of several assistants, be is carrying on, not only his teaching duties, which
cover a vory wide field, but is also pursuing many very interesting lines of experi-
mental work. A careful examination of the results of observations made during the
past year with regard to the codling worm 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 concluded
at the time of my visit. The object was to determine the precise effect of the use of
Paris green in preventing the destruction of the apple crop by this insect. The
experiments with tbe remedy have been conducted along with careful check experi-
ments, on trees adjacent, not treated at all, and exact results reached by the careful
handling and examination of every apple produced on the trees under inspection,
Over 16,000 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, has 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.

A multitude of facts have been brought together regarding the food of birds ;
also on the habits and food of fishes. An extensive and successful series of experi-
ments have been made in the way of introducing disease among injurious caterpillars,
for the purpose of destroying them. Illinois was one of the first States to recognize
the important bearing of entomology on agriculture, by the appointment of a State
Entomologist; and the vast array of valuable facts which have been accumulated and
given to the public in the annual reports of the several scientific men who have hold
the office during the past twolvo or thirteen years have abundantly justified the
wisdom of that proceeding.

Jieoenue and Expenditure.

The totul expenses vary from $60,000 to $70,000 per annum, of which the teaching
staff rocoivo about $28,000. The salarios of tho professors range from $1,800 to
82,000. That of tho regent is $3,600.

Tho farm has been so conducted for boveral years pant that the rovonuo has
exceeded tho expenditure ; but to bring about this result it has boon necessary to

13

reduce the proportion of experimental work, and to leave undone many things which
should have baen undertaken.

• Conclusion,

Notwithstanding all the advantages offered in this institution to those desiring a
thorough course in agriculture, out of a total number of 356 students attending
during 1884, only 21 were preparing themselves f:>r agricultural pursuits.

INDIANA.

Purdue University is located about one mile west of the City 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 establishment;
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, buildings and
appliances is placed at $300,000. The number of acres occupied is 190, valued at
$50,000.

School of Agriculture.

The school of agriculture which is one of the important departments of this
University, is carried on in a building specially erected for this purpose. Besides
class rooms there are museums of agricultural, horticultural and forestry products,
and a suitable library. The course of study is a very practical one, and associated
with two hours' hand work each day, either on the farm or in the workshops.

The ornamental grounds contain about 2,500 trees and shrubs, and the conser-
vatory and propagating house are filled with choice plants. These, with the orchard
and nursery, offer all the needed facilities for practical instruction.

Experimental Farm.

On this farm many experiments have been conducted to ascertain the relative
value of agricultural implements, in testing varieties of wheat, oats, corn, grasses
and potatoes, methods and rates of seeding, effects of fertilizers, with comparisons as
to relative vigour and ability to endure severe climatic changes. Experiments have
also been undertaken with small fruits to ascertain their relative hardiness, vigour,
productiveness and quality of fruit.

Chemical Laboratory.

In this department a considerable number of fertilizers have been analysed, and
the results published, giving the manurial value of each on the basis of 10 cents per

14

lb. for soluble phosphoric acid, 6 cents for reverted phosphoric acid, 5 cents for
insoluble phosphoric acid, 15 cents for ammonia and 6 cents for potash.

Revenue and Expenditure. ,

The total college revenue for 1884 was $22,235, $18,280 of which was from
interest on endowment fund. The expenses were $36,132, 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.

Conclusion.

Bulletins of ten or twelve pages each are frequently issued during the season
giving promptly to the farmers the benefit of the results of experimental work;
The same complaint is made here as elsewhere, that notwithstanding all the facilities
offered for obtaining a thorough agricultural 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
Eailway. It has an endowment fund from proceeds of public lands of $637,800, and
the value of the land, buildings and appliances is placed at $1,000,000.

The college domain includes 700 acres, about 80 of which are devoted to build-
ings and ornamental planting, 40 acres to orchards, shrubbery, forestry plantations,
&c. About 100 acres are under cultivation, 300 acres in woods and the remaindor in
natural pasture.

The buildings are admirably situated on the highest portions of the college
grounds, where they command an extensive view of the surrounding country. The
main building is a substantial stone structure, 158 by 112, and four storeys high. In
the basement are the dining rooms and servants' quarters ; on the first floor the
library, containing 6,000 volumes ; the chapol and the offices of the teachers. The
second floor is fittod up with lecture rooms and rooms for studonts, whilo the third
and fourth floors, excepting the space occupied by tho museum, are ontiroly devotod
to tho accommodation of studonts. About 200 can bo lodged in this building, besides
which thero aro brick buildings noar at hand, known as boarding halls, which famish
dormitories for 90 additional studonts, with dining rooms, kitchens, &0.

Tno chemical laboratory, agricultural hall, horticultural hall, the veterinary
building, whore discasod animals aro troatod, tho mechanical shops for working in

15

iron and wood, and the school for domestic economy for women, are all in separate
buildings. They are commodious and substantial in their character, and have every
appliance needed for carrying on the different branches of work for which they
have been specially designed. There are also six detached dwelling houses, which
are occupied by some of the professors.

Students entering this college are not obliged to take an agricultural course,
but have the option of taking either a general corn-so, which includes instruction in
most of the important branches of learning, or either of the following special courses :
agriculture, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, veterinary science or
domestic economy. The result of this choice in studies is, that the larger proportion
of students take the general educational coui-se, and out of a total number of about 300
only 30 are at present taking the agricultural course ; so that instead of this
excellent institution being regarded a special school of agriculture, it might be more
correctly designated a school for higher education and general training in industrial
pursuits, with a special department of agriculture. Nevertheless, it has done and is
still doing most excellent work, both in agriculture and horticulture.

Stock.

The stock on the farm consists chiefly of Holsteins and Shorthorns. A herd of
five pure bred young Holsteins was imported four years ago, at a cost of $240 per
head, belonging to a very good milking strain. These have been found very useful,
both as milking stock and for beef. A number of young males have been produced,
both pure bred and grades, and these have been sold to the farmers in the neighbour-
hood, whose stock has been greatly improved thereby. The Professor of Agriculture
claims to have watched the effect of these grade males in improving the general
stock of the farmer, and while he would not compare their power to transmit their
peculiarities with that of pure bred males, he believes their potency has been under-
estimated, and that where the service of puro bred males cannot be had that of
half-bred grade males is infinitely better than that of males of common stock. A
number of grade cows are also kept, 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 spe-
cially needed for the improvement of stock in the State, as there are about 500 herds
of thoroughbred cattle in Iowa, chiefly Shorthorns, Holsteins and Jerseys.

In experiments with sheep, Southdowns have been crossed with Shropshires,
with the result of materially increasing the wool, adding two to three pounds to the
fleece, while the quality of the mutton is said to have remained about the same.

Dairying.

Experiments in butter making are carried on herein a building specially designed
for that purpose, and fitted with every necessary appliance. Tests are made of the

16

milk of the several breeds of cattle kept, for the purpose of determining the quality
and quantity of the butter, and how the yield is affected by variations in treatment'

The dairying 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 day during the best part of the season. In all cases
the cream only is collected, 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. One serious difficulty in prose-
cuting this business arises from the long drives necessary to collect the cream, some-
times involving a circuit of forty miles. Iowa has about one-third of all the
creameries in the United States. The cheese interest is comparatively 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 root crop in Iowa. Experiments
have also been conducted in making sugar from sorghum.

The past year's work in potatoes includes the testing of the comparative value,
both in productiveness and quality, of from eighty to ninety varieties. It has been
observed that the newer sorts are much more vigorous in their growth, and have
almost entirely escaped the rot which has seriously injured the older kinds. Eoots
are not much grown ; bran, which can be bought at from $8 to $ 10 per ton, is
thought to be cheaper as food for stock. This is alternated with potatoes, which, it
is claimed, can be grown on rich prairie soil at a cost of about 6 cents per bushel.

Horticulture.

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 troes ; the hot and dry
weather of summer is very injurious to the foliage, while 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 rulo, pass
buf'ely through the ordinary wintors of Iowa, but an exceptionally cold season occurs
ovory few years, which makos a cloan sweop of most of them. Such apples as the
I am. use, Bon Davis, Talman's Sweet, Wealthy and Golden Bussot will bo killed to
the ground in many parts of the Stato during such oxtremo wintors. These bittor
experiences have led tho horticulturists of that Stato to seek to introduce fruits from
Other quarter* of tho globe whoro the conditions of climato are somowhat similar. It

17

had long been known that there were hardy varieties in European Eussia. Indeed,
America had long since received from that country several of the hardiest sorts now
generally grown, such as the Duchess of Oldenburgh, Eed Astrachan and Alexander.
The Department of Agriculture at "Washington had also succeeded in obtaining trees
and scions of a number of other hardy Eussian apples, through the American Consul
at St. Petersburg!!, which had shown themselves possessed of great hardiness. But
it was felt that a systematic exploration of the Eussian fruit territory was necessary
before it could be fully ascertained to what extent their hardy fruits would meet
American needs. Correspondence was opened with the Agricultural College of
Moscow and with the Director of the Botanic Garden at St. Petersburgh, which led
to the belief that there were varieties of apple, pear, plum and cherry, growing in
the interior provinces of that great empire which, if introduced to this country,
would be likely to make fruit growing possible among those who are carrying
on agricultural operations in the extreme northern sections of America. Finally,
the Iowa Agricultural College sent its Professor of Agriculture, Prof, J. L. Budd,
to Eussia, in 1882, and he was joined by one of our most distinguished Canadian
horticulturists, Mr. Chas. G-ibb, of Abbotsford, Quebec.

These two gentlemen were eminently fitted for their work, from their general
knowledge of fruits and their intimate acquaintance with the requirements of the
colder regions of this country. They spent several months during the fruit season,
chiefly in the interior of Eussia, where they visited many of the most noted fruit
regions embraced within that immense territory.

Beyond the 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 greater part of Eussia in Europe. This
immense territory is bounded at the north by the frozen ocean, on the east by almost
continuous plains, extending into Northern Asia, and on the west and south by the
Baltic, and the Gulf of Finland, 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 sea3, so that the eastern plain gets but little rain 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 Eussia, much as the south-west
winds do in the Western States, coming from the dry plains of New Mexico. The
immense swamps with which some portions of this territory are occupied, particu-
larly in the west, modify the climate, making it vary greatly in different sections.
As far north as Moscow the prevailing west winds give a fair percentage of moisture
to the air, but in the same longitude, a3 far south as Orel, the summer heat and dry-
ness of the air are similar to Western Iowa, while further east on the Yolga the sum.
mer clime is much like Western Kansas and Nebraska, while the wintors are as severe
as those of Minnesota, with a scanty and uncertain snow fall. Further east the climate

is much more rigorous.
2

18

Soon after entering on this vast plain the travellers observed a marked change
in the character of the fruit trees, which appeared more 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 Pro-
vince of Vladimir 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
Bussian cities. They are described as '' very prolific, about the size of the Early Bich-
mond, nearly sweet, with 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, although still bearing good crops of fine fruit,
until in the northern part of Ivasan, which is probably the coldest apple-growing
region in the world, the apple trees were reduced to the size of mere bushes, and
were grown in clumps about 10 feet apart, with two, three and sometimes four
little trees in a clump. At this point, 600 miles nearer the North Pole than the city
of Quebec, are several small villages, where one of the principal industries is apple
growing, the value of the crop being estimated in favourable seasons at not less than
$50,000. The thermometer here frequently reaches 40 below zero, and is said in ex-
treme weather to drop occasionally to 48 and even 58, Much information was gained in
reference to the quality of the different varieties of apples which have during the past
600 or 800 years been gradually acclimated to endure tho severe tests to which they
are exposed in this extreme climato, and arrangements were made for obtaining the
most promising sorts to be tested in America. As results of this work, Prof. Budd
has now growing in the experimental grounds 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 those cold regions. In addition,
this collection includes a large number of the forest trees found in Eussia, especially
tho more rapid-growing varieties, as well as ornamental shrubs and trees, in all about
100 sorts.

While sponding a day with Prof. Budd, in looking over this large and interesting
collection, and noting thoir growth and character, I was convinced that there are
among them many varieties which would bo of inestimablo benefit to our North-
Wost Territories, and which would, if introduced into Canada, enable us to enlarge
very much tho area of successful fruit culture in tho northern parts of all tho
Provinces in tho Dominion.

One very striking practical demonstration was affordod as to the hardiness of tho
Eussian apples. Two adjoining orchards on tho college grounds, similar in situation

19

and soil, were planted some five or six years ago, one with about 1,200 trees, embracing
118 varieties of the hardiest apples to be found in America, including the Duchess of
Oldenburgh (originally from Eussia) ; the other with about 1,000 trees, consisting
entirely of Eussian sorts. The winter of last year was very severe in Iowa and the
result was that fully three-fourths of the trees composing the orchard of American
selection were killed. Chief among the survivors was the Duchess of Oldenburgh, with
a few others, while in the adjoining orchard, composed entirely of Eussian sorts,
consisting of over 100 varieties, not a single dead tree could be found.

Since their introduction, Prof. Budd has propagated these trees with great industry
and has succeeded in establishing among the farmers and fruit growers throughout
Iowa no less than 800 sub-stations where these fruits are being tested. 15,000 apple
trees were distributed in this way last year. Many of the apples are said to be of
very good quality. 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 Eussian
apples are said to improve in quality when grown in America. The Duohess of Olden-
burgh is believed to be a finer apple here than it is in Eussia ; this idea is quite
consistent with what we know of English apples cultivated in Canada. There are
conditions in our climate or soil which develope in many Eoglish and other fruits a
high flavour and quality unattained in their native home.

Forestry.

Forost clumps and shelter belts have been successfully established at several
points on the college farm, and the trees are growing thriftily. All that portion of
Iowa through which I passed bore evidence of the interest taken by the people
generally in forest planting. On a large proportion of the farms more or less land is
devoted to that purpose, and clumps of young forest trees, varying in magnitude from
one to ten acres, are constantly to be seen, beautifying a landscape once so mono-
tonous, and providing shelter for man and beast.

Botany.

In this department of work, carried on until recently by Prof. Bessey, much has
been effected in investigating the various species of smut injuring grain, and their
effects on stock and horses in causing disease when eaten. The flora of the State has
also been thoroughly worked up.

Entomology.

Prof. Osborn, who has this branch in charge, has been very assiduous in working
out the life history andTiabits of the many species of external parasites which affect
cattle. He has also specially studied the Phytoptidie, a group of insects the indi-
viduals of which are so small as scarcely to be visible to the naked eye, which, never-
2i

20

theless, inflict serious injury on our forest and fruit trees and other vegetable products.
Much attention has also been given here to the bark lice, to galls and blister-mitos,
and many experiments tried with insecticides.

Veterinary Department.

A very complete veterinary building has been recently 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 Expenditure. ,

The total revenue of this institution is about §48,000 which is sufficient to meet
the present outlay. The cost of the teaching staff is $28,000 per annum, the professors
receiving from $1,600 to $2,100 each— the President $3,100.

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
1883— the latest reports obtainable — $4,812 per annum.

KANSAS.

The State Agricultural College 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 insti-
tution is 364 acres, 105 of which was recently purchased, at $125 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 endowment fund
amounts to nearly $500,000, and the value of the land, buildings and equipment is
$161,500. The buildings, which are all of Manhattan limestone, are judiciously
placed on the highest parts of the ground, and command a fine view of the farm,
the adjacent town and the surrounding country.

The college, while known as a college of agriculture, necessarily covers in its
teaching a much wider field than its name would indicate. The facilities available
to farmers' sons in the rural districts for obtaining a liberal preliminary education
are not as good in this newly settled country as in the older States, hence, a consid-
erable part of the work of this college is in the line of preliminary training, a
portion of which, in older communities, would have boon acquired by the students
before entering. The pupils at present number 360, one-third of whom aro femalos.
Beginning with tho ordinary branches of an English oducation, the studont is
gradually introduced to tho highor departments of learning, associated with a
training in practical chemistry, agriculturo, horticulture, botany, ontomology and
gonoral zoology. In tho industrial dopartmonts tho young men aro instructed in
practical agriculturo, horticulture and dairying, also in mochanical work, both in

21

wood and iron. The young women recoive instructions in dairying and in household
economy, including cooking and kitchen work, as well as in sewing, printing,
telegraphy and music.

Prof. Fairchild, the President of the college, is a gentleman of high attain-
ments, who commands the respect and esteem of both staff and pupils. There are
no dormitories in this institution and no provision for boarding the students, who
seek board and lodging in the adjoining town, an arrangement which permits of the
college being entirely laid out with a view to teaching purposes. The main building,
130 x 250, is provided with class rooms, well equipped with apparatus, also a library
of 4000 volumes, reading room, sewing rooms, dairy, kitchen, &c.

The chemical laboratory is a separate building, with ample accommodations for
training 80 students at one time in practical work. Mechanics hall is a large two
storey building, with carpenter's shop, printing office, telegraph office, &c. Horticul-
tural 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.

Stock.

The college herd consists mainly of thoroughbreds embracing four distinct breeds,
viz., Durhams, Jerseys, Polled Angus and Galloways. The surplus stock produced
by these animals is sold to the public from time to time as it accumulates. No
service is rendered by the male animals, other than exchange 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 institution is also in possession of four breeds of swine, viz.,
Berkshire, Essex, Poland-China and Jersey Red. The Berkshires are preferred, for
the reason that they are less liable to disease in that climate, while they are found
to attain maturity quite as rapidly as those of any other breed. The pigs also are
kept solely for the purposes of instruction and 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 65 sorts of wheat ;* in the cultivation of mangolds and in growing grasses 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 demonstrated the practi-

22

cability of growing red clover and orchard grass for fodder which had formerly been
held to be impossible in that climate.

Horticulture.

In the horticultural department many new varieties of fruit and ornamental trees,
shrub3 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.

The climate of Kansas is very trying to fruit trees and vines. But few of the
better varieties of apples succeed, while the trees suffer much from blight. Pears
also are so very subject to blight that their cultivation has been almost abandoned.
Plums are much injured by the curculio. The Cuthbert raspberry is not hardy,
although Turner and Shaffer's Colossal stand well. The Manchester and many other
varieties of strawberries fail, from the foliage burning up in the hot, dry summer.
The Crescent and Chas. Downing are the two varieties reported to succeed best.

Forestry.

Experiments are being conducted in forest planting 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 seen at rare intervals. There is very little
native wood, excepting that which lines the margins of streams and rivers.

Botany.

A conservatory and propagating house has been built, at a cost of about $3,000,
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 and Expenditure.

The annual rovonuo is about 835,000, which moots all the expenses of instruc-
tion, and with occasional appropriations from the State for buildings, supplies the
mean* for carrying on tho work. The teaching staff receive $21,550, tho salaries of
profoHsoiH ; anging from $1,400 to $2,500. Student labour is employed to a considerable
extent in all tho departments related to agriculturo, but is only paid for when given
in addition to the hours roquirod by tho college regulations, and upon work solely

23

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, in a neatly printed four page sheet, known as " The Indus-
trialist," which is published weekly by the printing department of the college.

KENTUCKY.

The Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky is located at Lexington,
on 52 acres of land within the city limits, which was given by the city for
college purposes. The land is valued at $25,000, the buildings at $85,000, making a
total of $110,000. The endowment fund amounts to $165,000.

The aim of this college is to teach those branches of learning which are related
to agriculture and the mechanic arts. The education provided is of a very general
character. There is no special department of agriculture, although efforts are being
made to organize one. Instruction is given in agricultural chemistry ; lectures on
the relations of geology to soils, the influence of forests on agriculture, also on insects
which are injurious to crops. The number of students attending, according to the
last returns, was 320.

Revenue and Expenditure.

The annual income from the endowment fund is $9,900 ; proceeds of a special
tax of \ cent on each $100 of taxable property within the State, $16,000 ;
tuition fees, $2,500 — total, $28,400; which is sufficient to cover the expenditure, a
large proportion of which is required to pay the teaching staff.

LOUISIANA.

The State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College is situated at
Eaton Rouge and is the result of a combination of the old State University, formerly
at Alexandria, with the agricultural and mechanical college. The combined endow-
ment funds amount to $318,000, 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 training
in the cultivation o£ sugar, cotton and rice and in genoral farm work. Instiuclion is
also given in farm architecture, surveying roads, levees, ditches, &c, also in veterin-
ary surgery. One hour a day is devoted to labour in the field, garden or workshop.
According to the latest published returns the number of students attending is 159.

24

Vaccine Establishment.

A station for the production of vaccine lymph has been established, the work of
which is carried on chiefly by the students, under the direction of the professor in
charge. It is said that the vaccine department has been self-sustaining, besides
gratuitously distributing a large number of points every year, and has received the
hearty approval of the physicians of the State.

Revenue and Expenditure.

The annual income derived from the endowment fund is $14,500, to which must
be added an annual State appropriation of about $10,000, making $24,500 in all. This
is sufficient to meet the current expenses, the largest item of which is the salaries
of the teaching staff.

MAINE.

The State College 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 con-
sists principally of clay loam, with a part of stiffer clay. The college was established
in 1868. The land, when purchased, comprised two farms, which were much run down,
and the price paid for the land, with the farm buildings, was $11,000. This was pre-
sented to the college by the neighbouring towns, Orono and Oldtown. About $130,000
have since been spent in the erection of buildings and other permanent improve-
ments.

The endowment fund derived from land grants is $132,500, the interest of which
amounts to nearly $8,000. In addition to thip, the college receives direct subsidies
from the State. For the past two years only $7,000 a year has been voted, and the
amount has varied from this sum upwards to $25,000 a year, the larger amounts
being given when additional buildings were being erected.

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

Stock.

Tho college herd consists of 42 puro bred animals, 32 Jorsoys and 10 Shorthorns,
and 6 highbred grades, crosses botwoen Jerseys and Ayrshires. Tho use of the male
animals is oxtondod to neighbouring farmers as far as circumstancos will permit at
tho nomir.al chargo of $1. Tho herd has not yet increased to tho number it is dosired
to retain on tho farm, for which reason thoro have boen no Hales, except of surplus
male animals, which havo beon sold to farmers in the Slate for improving their

25

stock, at from two to eight months old, at prices varying from $25 to $15 each. The
stock is used partly for illustrative purposes in teaching, is also utilized to some
extent for breeding experiments, but mainly for dairy purposes. 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 pasture,
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 are 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 for breeding purposes.

The stock also includes from 20 to 30 pure bred Shi*opshire sheep, and both
young and mature animals are sold to farmers in different parts of the State for
breeding. Sbropshires are preferred here to Southdowns, on account of their larger
size and heavier fleece, and they are held to bo 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.

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 States, the influence which the college
has exerted in this direction has been relatively greater than in many other
districts where similar institutions exist.

Field Experiments.

A number of varieties of wheat, barley and oats have been tested in experimen-
tal plots, the best of which, after several years trial, have been grown on a large
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 intro-
duction of such desirable sorts throughout the State. The Gold Medal winter wheat,
originally produced by hybridizing by the late Charles Arnold of 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 disseminated, 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 cultivation was abandoned some years ago,
owing to the crop having been almost dostroyed for several years by the weevil.

26

Among barleys the Mantchurey is held to be one of the best. It is a large six
rowed variety, with a light colored grain, a regular and heavy bearer, and is much
appreciated. The Purple Hull-less is another sort much praised. The seed of this,
was first disseminated by the United States Department of Agriculture . 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 64 pounds
to the bushel.

In oats the Hogan, a variety introduced from Ireland is highly esteemed. This
is a white oat, yielding from 50 to 90 bushels per acre and weighing about 46 pounds
to the bushel .

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

The only roots which have been tested to any extent are potatoes and of these
the Beauty of Hebron stands highest in productiveness and quality. There has not
been much done experimentally in fodders beyond tests with Alsike clover, Millet
and Hungarian grass. Hay is a very important crop and is largely grown. The
size of the experimental plots are 1 rod by 4 rods, and the tests are usually made
in duplicate, the results from each plot being given. The whole farm is systemat-
ically worked, a careful record being kept of each crop.

Horticulture.

Very little has been done in this department beyond the planting of ornamental
trees singly and in clumps for shelter and ornament.

Entomology.

This branch is carefully taught and the teaching aided by collections of preserved
specimens of injurious insects from the college museum. Many of the more import-
ant species are also bred in the class room so as to give the students the opportunity
of becoming familiar with them in all their different stages. The professor who
nas charge of this branch, together with botany and zoology, Professor C. H.
Fernald, brings high qualifications to near on the work. He is well known through-
out the scientific world for his thorough and original work, and has published some
very valuable reports including ono on the grasses of Maine, beautifully illustrated)
and one on tho butterflies of the State.

Experimental Station.

Tho experimental station which has a soparato allowance of $5,000 a year from
tho State was organized in tho spring of 1885 and has thus far boon mainly a chemical
Station for tho analyses of commercial fertilizers and cattle foods. Wood ashes are

27

extensively used in this State as a fertilizer both leached and unleached, and much
of the time of the officers of the station has of late been given to determining the
relative manurial value of ashes from different sorts of wood .

Some useful experiments have been made in feeding, particularly with sheep, to
ascertain the relative value of cornmeal and hay as flesh producing 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 manurial value of the excreted products.

Some attention has also been 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 cooperate and cor-
respond. The director desires to make it a bureau of information, which agricultur-
ists may freely consult.

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

Revenue and Expenditure .

The interest from the endowment fund brings the college about $8,000 a year,
to which must be added $7,000 from the State, and about $2,000 from tuition fees,
§17,000 in all. Of this sum $12,660 is paid in salaries to the faculty, the remainder
covering other expenses. The salary of a full professor is from $1,500 to $2,000,
with, in some instances, a house. The farm superintendent, who manages the whole
of the farm operations, reoeives $1,000 a year, his house and entire living, also the
use of a horse. The last report shows the farm expenditure to have been $1,347 in
excess of the revenue, but a considerable quantity of experimental work was done,
which is always expensive.

MARYLAND.

The Maryland Agricultural College is located at College Station. The land occu-
pied comprises 286 acres, with artificially drained meadows and dry bottom and
rolling uplands. The endowment fund is $ 112,500 ; the value of land, buildings and
appliances, $100,000. The main building is an imposing structure, 120 feet long, 54
feet wide, and six storeys high, and is well arranged for the purpose. While the
education, as in most of the other colleges, is largely of a general character, it is
claimed that a considerable proportion of the students are taking the special agricul-
tural 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 flowers ; a number of plots are also being
used for the tosting of cereals.

28

Revenue and Expenditure.

The receipts include interest from endowment fund, about $7,000 ; annual State
grant, $6,000 ; board and tuition fees of students, about $ L2, 000— total, $25,000. The
expenses for salaries of the teaching staff is $3,500. 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 the 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 college herd numbers from 50 to 60 cows, including from 15 to 20
pure Ayrshires. The chief aim has been to produce milk, the cream from which
is collected and made into butter, and the skim milk sold either to the experimental
station or to the neighbouring farmers to be fed to the pigs. In this connection trials
have been made with different kinds of fodder plants, to ascertain how far they
affected 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 investi-
gations as to the comparative nutritive and feeding value of northern, southern and
western varieties of Indian corn.

Field Exp(riments.

Among tho moro important experiments with field crops which have been con-
ducted here are tho following: The growing of sugar boets, tho manufacture of sugar
from them, and trials of their value as food for cattle ; tho growing of early ambor
cano and tho manufacturing of sugar from its juico ; trials with South Carolina
mineral phosphates in tho raw stato, and after troatmont with acids, to dotormino
their agricultural value, and similar experiments with salt, and with simple and
compound commercial fertilizers.

29

Horticulture.

The orchard for large fruits oovers from 8 to 9 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 45 acres, including fruits, vegetables,
ornamental and forest trees, A large number of vegetables are grown and different
sorts tested. Three acres are devoted to a nursery, where students are taught the arts
of ^budding and grafting. Among the experiments with forest trees there are
examples of three- fourths of an acre each of European larch and Scotch pine.
These were planted on a poor piece of land, which was of no value for ordinary
crops. The trees were 3 feet high when transplanted from the nursery, have
been nine years out, and will now average from 25 to 30 feet in height and 5 to 6
inches in diameter.

Greenhouses.

There is an extensive conservatory and a propagating house, 100 x 17, the
total 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
expenditure. The farm is said to be almost self-sustaining. In the botanical depart-
ment there is a herbarium consisting of 10,000 plants.

Revenue and Expenditure.

The revenue from the endowment fund is $13,000, which, by tuition fees
and income from other sources, is increased to about $25,000. Nearly $12,000 of this
is paid in salaries to the teaching staff, the remainder used in defraying other
expenses. The salary of a full professor is $2,250 ; assistants receive from $800 to
$1,200, and if their services are continued, are gradually raised to the full salary.

Experimental Station.

The experimental station, although occupying 10 acres of tho 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 supportod by a special grant from the State which, at first,
was $5,000 annually, but which has since been increased to $10,000. Five or six
acres of land have been set apart for growing crops, euch as fodders and grasses.

30

Many interesting tests have been made with leguminous plants, such as white
lupin, vetch, lucerne, southern cow-pea, horse-bean, &c. The southern cow-pea is
highly esteemed for several reasons. It completely smothers out all weeds, makes
a most valuable fodder crop green for cows, they being very fond of it. It is also
useful as a green manure. The varieties grown here have not matured any seed,
for the reason 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, however, does not materially affect the value of the cow pea, as a
fodder crop, since seed can be procured very cheaply from the South.

The horse-bean produces a growth of from 3 to 4 feet in height, is of a very
succulent character, and decays rapidly when buried. On this account it is held
to be one of the most useful of the leguminous plants for green manuring. Tests
have also been made with many other forage crops, with ensilage, and with a
number of varieties of Indian corn. Experiments have also been conducted to
determine to what extent the vitality of seeds is affected by age, and observations
made on the vitality of the 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 features in this station is the chemical department, which
has been conducted with groat success, although lacking a suitable building for the
work. A new and very commodious laboratory is now nearly completed, which
will be fitted with all needed apparatus and modern appliances, which will doubtless
load to still greater efficiency. The results of a large number of analyses have been
published, including commercial fertilizers, fruits, field crops, weeds, fodders, fish
waste, ensilage, &c.

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

MICHIGAN.

•

The Michigan State Agricultural College was begun in 1857. It is the oldest
institution of its class in the United States, and probably the most distinctly agri-
cultural in its character. It is located three miles from Lansing, the capital, and
occupies 675 acres of land. The soil is variable, a portion boing sandy loam and a
portion clay loam. The land is valued at $75 an acre, and the land, buildings and
appliances at $338,471. The endowment fund is $339,000, with a large quantity of
agricultural lands still unsold. Tho buildings are vory oxtonsivo and complete.

The full course of study occupies four years, and embraces tho elements of a
gonoral education, tho study of agriculture in all its departments, and of tbe sciences

31

on which agriculture depends. For the past three years the attendance has averaged
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 vaiying from 8 to 12i
cents per hour, dependiug partly on the nature of the work and partly on the
industry of the student. The work is chiefly hand labour ; they are seldom employed
in field operations .

Stock.

The college herd numbers 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
150 sheep are kept, chiefly Merinos, Shropshires and Southdowns ; also a number
of pigs.

Field Experiments.

On the farm a regular system of rotation of crops is maintained. Experiments
in the cultivation of grain are carried on to some extent, bat it is difficult to accom-
plish much in this direction when so largo 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 grounds 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 Michigan. The
vinery contains about 100 sorts of grapes, and many tests have been made with
strawberries, raspberries and small fruits.

Greenhouse.

A very handsome conservatory, with propagating houses attached, has been built,
at a cost of $9,500, in which are stored a number of plants useful for teaching and
ornamental purposos. 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 established, which is being gradually extendod.
The botanical department, which is in charge of Prof. Beal, is most efficiently con-

32

ducted and is very popular. It is carried on in a separate buildiDg, in which there is
6tored 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 quite 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 $23,134: which is liberally
supplemented by State appropriations as needed. The annual expenses are about
§29,000, of which the salaries of the teaching staff absorb $21,000. The salaries of
the professors range from 01,800 to $2,000.

MINNESOTA.

The endowment fund provided for sustaining a college of agriculture and
mechanic arts in this State has been given to the university on condition that it
maintains efficient agricultural 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 productive funds of the University are
$5*75,000 \ 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 now
experimental farm of 155 acres has lately been purchased which will be devoted to
testing various cereals, fruits, vegetables, &c, for the purpose of determining those best
adapted to endure the trying climate of this northern situation.

In the agricultural college a full course of instruction is 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 45 x34, which supplies plants and flowers for botanical teaching.

Revenue and Expenditure.

The income from productive funds is about $35,000 ; from State appropriations,
$23,000— total, $58,000. There being about 500 students in all in attendance, a largo
faculty is required, and a large proportion of the revonuo is exponded in salaries.

MISSISSIPPI.

The fund resulting from tho salos of public lands granted for the education of
the pooplo of Mississippi in agriculturo and mechanics has beon divided equally

33

between the white and coloured race3. Beference 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 occupies
1,750 acres of land, about 600 of which is under cultivation. About 400 acre3 are
good land ; the remainder is known as gullied and hill land, and leaving out of con-
sideration 200 acres of woods, consists chiefly of worn out cotton fields. These worn
out lands are, by liberal treatment, being gradually restored to their normal condition
of fertility, and are being converted into fields of corn, grain, grasses, &c.

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

The loading object of this college is declared to bo 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.

In the stock department the college has pure bred Jerseys, Holsteins, Gallo
ways and Shorthorns, Merino sheep and Berkshire swine, all of w hich are used to
illustrate the lectures on stock given at the college.

A special dairy department has been established, eo constructed as to secure, as
far as possible, an even temperature throughout summer and winter ; the milk
obtainod from the college herd, numbering about 200 in all, being used for the manu-
facture of butter. The college creamery also draws supplies of cream from the
neighbouring farmers, by which the butter product is materially increased.

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

100 acres are devoted to horticulture, i deluding 9 acres of small fruits, an orchard
of over 5,000 trees, including 1,250 apple, 500 pear, 300 plum, 2,000 peach, 375
mulberry, 20 Japanese persimmon and 30 apricot, a vinoyai'd with a largo assortment
of grapes, a nursery and a 20 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 threo hours each day far five days in the waek
to work on the farm or in the garden or workshop.

Revenue and Expenditure.

From interest on endowment fund $5,678 which is supplemented by State appro-
priations.
3

34

Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College.

This college is specially designed for coloured people, and is located near Kodney,
a short distance below Yicksbargh. The endowment fund is $113,575, the estimated
value of land buildings and appliances, §13,000. The revenue from the endowment
fund is nearly §6,000 the expenses about the same.

In the college proper there are fifteon students with a faculty of three Profes-
sors. The preparatory school connected with it has 170 scholars and five instructors;
tuition is free."

Missouai.

The Agricultural and Mechanical College of Missouri has been organized as a
department of the University of the State, which is located at Columbia, on the Mis-
souri Eiver. The endowmentfund is §219,030, value of buildings, land and appliances
8150,000. The college farm consists ot 640 acres, has a variety of soils and is we/1
watered. It affords opportunities for student labour, practical work and agricultural
experiment. Gardens, orchards and vineyards have been planted and are being
closely observed and records taken.

A large amount of experimental work has been done, bearing directly on tho
agriculture of the State including experiments with many varieties of corn, with 47
eorts of wheat and with other cereals, tests of many varieties of grasses and other
forage plants have been made, the methods of using potatoes for seed have been
inve8tigated,and tho trials repeated every season for four years,during which timo some
very practical conclusions have been reached. MaDy experiments in feeding havo
been conducted, including the fattening of steers, feeding for the production of milk,
feeding pigs, with tho special purpose of producing lean meat ; also with grass-fed
pigs. In cultivating the soil, tho effects of subsoiling havo been carefully observed
and tests mado to determine the relation of dew to soil moisturo.

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

The interest from tho endowment fund is about §11,000, which is supplemented
by State appropriations.

NEBRASKA.

The Agricultural College of Nebraska is a branch of tho University of that Stato,
and is situated at Lincoln. The college farm consists of 320 acres of land, all
improved, with good building*, fivo breeds of cattle and two of pigs. Orchards havo
been established, some forest planting has boon done, and an arboretum commenced.
About 15 students aro in attendance on tho special agricultural course. Tho inititu-

35

tion is sustained 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 lands, buildings and appliances is 8100,000.

The college farm consists of 360 acres of land, with a soil admirably suited for
agricultural experiments. The stock includes 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 constantly carried on in a portion
of the farm devoted to that purpose. Feeding tests have also been made to deter-
mine the relative value of roots, cornmeal and bran, and early and late cut hay, also
with different fertilizers, to ascertain their relative value.

The revenue derived from the ondowmont fund i3 $6,000 j from annual State
appropriations, $3,000 — 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 N6w Brunswick, which
is a very old institution, established before the Revolutionary War, acquired posses-
sion of the agricultural land grant, and thus became the State College of Agriculture
and Mechanic Arts. The 210,000 acres received wore sold for $116,000. This pro-
duces $6,960 a year, which is devoted to the payment of salaries ; $30,000 has been
spent on a farm of 93 acres, $50,000 on buildings and $13,000 for equipment. The
land on which the college buildings are plaeed consists of seven acres within the
limits of the town. The farm is about two miles distant from the college. It is
managed by a farm superintendent and has no appropriation and no resources other
than moneys realizad from sales of produce. 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 the wholesale dealors and is shipped in cans daily. A continuous rocord is
8*

36

kept of the total product of milk. A few pigs are also kept, but none of them 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 tho acre will now yield about 30 bushels.

Under the able direction of Prof. Cook, who is Professor of Agriculture in the
college and Director of tho experimental station, much useful experimental work has
been carried on for many years. In field 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 larger scale. Fultz wheat is esteemed here as among the
best of the winter wheats. It is a small grained ambor wheat, with a short stiff straw,
and will yield from 20 to 49 bjshels per acre, or an estimate! average in general cul-
ture of 25 bushels. The experiments rn cereals ha^e been repeated year after year for
a number of years. Sorghum has been grown on a large scale, and a satisfactory
yield of eugar obtained.

The cultivated land of New Jersey had long been cropped under the old system
of taking everything possible out of tho 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 crop3. Now, and partly from tho stimulus given by the publication
of the results of the experimental work of the station, manuring and enriching have
become general,the science of supplying the soil with such elements as may bo specially
required has boen carefully studied and praotisod, and tho result is that many farms
which a few years ago were scarcely considered worth working are now onco more
yielding good crops. The State is, in fact, becoming in this respect rejuvenated.
Besides the growing of corn, winter wheat and rye, which are the principal grain
crops, grapes are largely cultivated, and tho growing of poaches, which in many
districts had boon practically abandoned, is being resumod . Now orchards aro being
planted on a large scale, and there is every reason to expect that within a short
time New Jersey will rogain hor former position as a peach-growing Stato, and
under the new system of agriculture so generally adopted, retain that position.

Tho needs of tho Stato have been such thaUho efforts of tho experimental station
have been chiefly devoted to determining tho valuo of fertilizers by chemical analyses,
and publishing tho results obtained for tho guidanco of farmers in bulletins which
aro issuod soveral times during tho summer, and sont to ovory farmer in the Stato
who expic-^os a desire to havo them. A special appropriation ot $3,000 a year is
mado by the Stato to defray tho oxponsos of tho experimental station.

37

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
endowment fund obtained from the sale of agricultural lands is $473,412, with lar°-o
tracts of land still unsold. The total income of the University from all sources
is about $130,000 ; the expenditure, including $85,000 for salaries, is about 8120,000.

A special course in agriculture is provided, urnler an able staff of professors. The
course of iastruction covers the whole field of scientific and practical agriculture and
horticulture. 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 horti-
culture they have the advantage of experimental work in the garden and conserva-
tories. Economic entomology is also taught by lectures and by practical work in
the field.

The University farm 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 experimental 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 cf the whole
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 agriculture, the agricultural class seldom exceeds
in number from 20 to 25.

Experimental Station .

This institution has no endowment fund from agricultural lands, but is entirely
supported by annual State grants. It was incorporated by an Act of tho State
Legislature, passed during the Session of 1881, and during that year a farm of 125
acres was purchased for 825,000. This expenditure was met by special appropria-
tion, 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 tho town of Geneva and occupies an
elevated position, the land undulating, with a gradual slope towards the south. The
soil is a heavy clay loam, more or less gravelly. The buildings on tho farm at the
time of purchase were a largo residence, stables and outbuildings. The lower storey
of the dwelling has been fitted up for tho experimental work of the station, one side
as a chemical laboratory, the other as agricultural and horticultural offices and
Museum. The Director, Dr. Sturteyvanf, occupios the upper floor as a dwelling.
A considerable sum has been ppent in ropairing tho buildings and in altering them
to meet tho requirements of tho case, and still they arc very unsuitable for tho pur-

38

poses they have to serve. A new building is now in process of erection for dairy-
work.

Stock.

The stock consists of five thoroughbred Jersey cows, which are kopt solely for
experiments in milk and butter.

Field Experiments.

More than 100 varieties of wheat have been tested, and their relative merits dis-
cussed 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 an J barley have also been similarly tested. With many sorts of vegetables
and roots, especially potatoes, the trials have been numerous, and the results of great
practical value.

Horticulture.

The orchard was planted in 1884, and contains 81 varieties of apples, 26 pears,
43 peaches, 33 plums, 30 cherries, G quince, 16 nectarines and 20 apricots. In small
fruits the institution has 42 sorts of grapes, 40 strawberries, 50 raspberries, 10 black-
berries, 23 currants and 7 of gooseberries. A careful account is being kept of them
all and thoir relative merits recorded.

Greenhouse.

About $1,200 have beon spent on this structure, which is found to be an indis-
pensible requisite for propagating purposes and experimental work during the winter
and early spring months; Plants for summer decoration of the grounds are also
grown here. A very ingenious apparatus has been devised for testing the germin-
ating powor of seods, by which a largo number of tests may bo carriod on in a small
space, and the results conveniently watched.

Chemical Laboratory.

This department is well suppliod with apparatus, especially such as is required
in tho analysis of fertilizers, in the chomical examination of milk, and in determining
the purity of water.

Museum.

This is a very interesting and instructive feature, and indicato3 tho charactor
and extent, of tho work being dono. It contains largo collections of corn, ombracing

39

many varieties, both in the ear and shelled, of wheat, oats, barley, pea<*, 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 woeJs.

Staff and Expenditure.

The staff consists of the director, superintendents of agriculture and horticulture,
chemist and botanist, the salaries ranging from §1,000 to §2,500, with house and the
use of such products as are grown on the station. There are also four assistants.
A stenographer is employed, to whom the director dictates answers to correspondence,
which 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 tbe
bulletins and reports for the printer. The botanist is engaged chiefly in tbe investi-
gation of plant diseases.

NORTH CAROLINA.

The State University, which is located at Chapel Hill, received the agricultural
land grant, and gives instruction in those branches of learning related to agriculture
and the mechanic arts. The endowment fund is §125,000, the interest of which is
§7,500. This, with State appropriations and other revenue, brings the total income up
to §19,000. The expenses of tho teaching staff are §16,000, current expenses absorb the
remainder.

The University has no farm or experimental plots. Tho teaching is confined to
lectures, which cover the whole field of agriculture, including the chemistry of
soils, the constituents of plants, nature of plant food, application of fertilizers, &c.

Experimental Station.

This station was established in 1877, was formerly located at Chapel Hill, in
connection with the University, but in 1881 it was removed to Raleigh, where it
enjoys ample accommodation and possesses all needed appliances in tho buildings of
the State Agricultural Department. Tho work of the North Carolina station has
been almost exclusively chemical, an*d mainly in tho analysis of fertilizers, soils, min-
erals and ores. By tho information it has given, inferior brands of fertilizers havo
been driven from tho market ; tho quality of thoso remaining has been improved
and tho price reduced. This has resulted in an intelligent demand for fertilizers,
which has greatly increased tho annual products of tho soil. Tho station has done
much to bring into prominent notice tho value of tho immense deposits of mineral
phosphates found ic tho State, which may now be classed with its mo3t important
commercial products.

40

The station has also made many tests of the purity and germinating power of
field and garden seeds, and afforded 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 build-
ings and equipments have cost about as much more, making the outlay nearly
§600,000 in all. The endowment fund from the sale of agricultural lands amounts
to $538,000. Franklin County, in which the University is located, gave $300,000, and
citizens of Columbus $28,000, towards its establishment.

In connection witb this University there is not only a department of agriculture
but also an experimental station, both institutions doing good work in the direction
of practical agriculture. The main work of the University is teaching the higher
branches of learning. The total number of students is about 300, of which 35 are
taking agriculture, some being entered for a two years course ; others for four years.
A course of 40 lectures is given each year for farmers, tho time occupied with the
course being two weeks.

Stock.

The stock consists of a herd of 18 thoroughbred Jersey cattle and a small herd
of Devons, besides which there are a number of grades of common cattle crossed
with Jerseys. The experiments conducted are altogether in reference to tho produc-
tion of milk, which is regularly sold to the citizens at retail. Tho net profits last
year from ihis product was $1,600, to which must be added the sale of calves, amount-
ing to $246.

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

Field Experiments.

Tho field experiments have been chiofly with corn and winter whoat, growing
such varieties on a largo scalo as aro found to bo most productive in the small test-
ing plots at tho experimental station. By this procoss of selection tho whoat fields of
the University yioldcd, last yoar, 3 2 bushels to tho acre, under ordinary field culture,
whilo tho wheat crop, gonerally, throughout that district, was very poor, owing to
long continued coUl weather, on baro ground during tho winter. Most of tho whoat
produced on iho farm is sold to farmers in tho Stato for seed at $1.50 per bushel.
Experiments aro also being carried on with roots and other field crops.

41

Experimental Station.

The Ohio Agricultural Experimental Station is a purely experimental establish-
mentjwhero all sorts of grain and other field and garden crops, and fruit?, both large
and small, are tested, and the results published in bulletins and annual reports. The
annual cost of conducting the station is from $10,000 to $12,000, $5,000 of which is a
direct annual appropriation by the State ; the remainder is furnished by the Univer-
sity. The efficient director of this station, W. R. Lazenby, is Professor of Horticul-
ture and Botany in the University, and in addition to his class work, supervises what
is undertaken by the special staff at the station. This department has been in ope-
ration a little more than three years, and is growing in usefulness, and yearly becom-
ing more popular with the farmers and horticulturists of the State.

Experiments with Cereals.

In the experimental plots 118 varieties of wheat have been tested. The sorts-
most esteemed for cultivation in that district are Velvet Chaff, Silver Chaff, German
Amber, Faltz, York White Chaff, Russian No. 2 and Egyptian. Efforts have also-
been made to improve theso promising sorts by cross fertilization and selection.
The results of planting the seed at different depths have been noted, thick and thin
planting comparod ; 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 barley and oats.

Experiments with Vegetables.

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 Blush. Many sorts of sweet corn, beans, peas, cabbage and tomatoes have
been tested, and tho results given to the public. Six acres are set apart for this
special purpose, and in addition to ordinary treatment tho results of early and lato
seeding,thick and thin seeding, have been tried, and the effects of the use of different
sorts of fertilizers on tho crops noted.

Horticulture.

Six years ago tho University planted six acres with apples and pears, but owing
to tho unusual severity of the winters of lato, about three-fourths of the trees have
perished from winter killing, and havo been replaced by other varieties. Tho
number of sorts of applos at present cultivated is 25 and of pears 25. Many of the
latter havo suffered from blight as well as winter killing. Very few plums are
grown, and no peaches. Experience has shown that tho fruit trees obtained from
nurseries north of Columbus havo proved hardier than those grown in that vicinity
or further south. Tests are frequently mado to thow the comparative effects of

42

mulching, cultivation, and of cropping with grass, grain and vegetables among the
trees.

In the vineyard there are 60 varieties of grapes, and in the small fruit plantation.
a large number of strawberries, raspberries, currants and gooseberries. Some efforts
bave been made towards originating now 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, $900 of which was obtained from sales of small fruits.

Miscellaneous.

Tests have been mado with noxious weeds, to determine their relative growth
and rapidity of multiplication, and the best methods of extirpating them. Observa-
tions on injurious insects have been conducted and recorded,with tests of the several
insecticides which have been recommended 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 con-
venient office.

Revenue and Expenditure.

The income from the endowment fund is $32,270. Tuition fees and State appro-
priations 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 procoeds of tho national land grant have in this State been givon to Corvallis
College, located at Corvallis. Tho fund amounts to $50,000. The annual incomofrom
all sourcos is about $0,000, most of which is spent in salaries.

No experimental work is dono here, but practical and scientific agriculturo is
taught, including stock raising, tho construction of farm buildings, drainage, analysis
of soils, fertilizers, &c.

PENNSYLVANIA.

The Pennsylvania Stato Collego of Agriculturo is locatodin Contro County, about

tho middlo of tho Stato, and noarly ton milos from Bollophonto. Tho ondowmont

I belonging to this institution is $.V)0,000 ; tho ostimatcd value of lands, buildings

43

and appliances, $451,600. The main building is an imposing structure of magnesian
limestone, occupying a commanding position. It is 240 feet long, 80 feet wide, and
five storeys high.

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 com-
bines farm work with teaching.

Stock.

About 20 animals compose the college herd — 6 thoroughbred 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 Experiments.

One hundred and forty-four plots of one-eight 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 been grown for several years on the samo plot
with different sorts of fertilizers, and also without any manure whatever. The results
of these tests have been very instructive. Crops of timothy and clover cut at different
periods of their growth have also been compared, and the results observed of special
manures on the quality as well as quantity of the wheat crop.

Horticulture.

There is an orchard of 20 acres, containing 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 locturos to farmers is given evory year at the college, occu-
pying two weeks. They consist of from thirty to forty in all, and embrace a variety
of topics covering the whole fiold of agriculture and horticulture, and are specially
designed to meet the wants of farmers actively engaged in their calling.

The amount annually expended for instruction is about $18,000.

44

RHODE ISLAND.

The agricultural college land grant falling to Khode Island was bestowed upon
the Brown University, of Providence, in 1863, and in 1869 a department of agricul-
ture 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, chemistry, botany and other kindred subjects.

SO DTH CAROLINA.

The fund derived from the national land grant, amounting to $191,800, has been
invested in State bonds, and the interest, $11,500, is divided equally between the
South Carolina College 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 acquaintance with farming operations under a
skilled agriculturist.

The college at Claflin also gives instruction in agriculture, and has a farm of
116 acres, with suitable outbuildings, valued, in all, at $10,000. The main work,
however, of this institution, seems to bo the primary education of coloured children.

TENNESSEE.

The University of Tennessee, located at Knoxville, recoived the endowment of
publio lands ; the total sum of productive funds belonging to this University is
$405,000; the income from which is $24,410. The annual expense of tho teaching
staff is about $20,000 ; tho remainder of tho income is applied to current expenses.
Tho estimated value of lands, buildings and appliances is S134,700.

A course of lectures is given on agricultural subjects. There is also a farm of 260
acres, well adapted for stock raising and grain growing, with suitable buildings and
implements. Tho 6tock includes seven thoroughbred Shorthorns and two Devons.
Several acres are devoted to experiments in growing whoat, oats and grasses.

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

TEXAS.

The Suto Agricultural and Mechanical Collego of Toxas is located at Collego
Station. Tho endowment fund frcm tho national land grant is $204,000; tho land,
buildings and appliances are valued at $200,000 ; tho Income is $11,280 ; the expendi-
ture about, tho Bamo; tho teaching staff costs $12,000.

45

A special courso of lectaros are given in agriculture, irjclading dairying, drain-
ago, farm management, entomology and forestry. For practical illustration the col-
lege farm is used. It has 53 acres under cultivation, including 10 acres devoted
to experimental plots and 11 acres to orchard.

VERMONT.

The proceeds of the national land grant to Vermont was $135,500, which was
given to the State University and Agricultural College at Burlington. This institu-
tion has other productive property, its entire royenue being about $22,000 and its
expenditure about $21,500, of which $17,500 is spent in salaries. Agriculture is
taught in a course of lectures associated with the kindred sciences of chemistry,
botany, horticulture, dairying, entomology, &c. Thoro is no experimental farm con-
nected with this college.

VIRGINIA.

The ondowment fund resulting from national land grant to Virginia is $285,000.
Two-thirds of this sum was sot apart for the maintonanco of the Virginia Agricultural
and Mechanical College at Blacksburg ; the other third given to tho 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 $100,000. The total
income is about $20,000, of which the teaching staff receive §14,000.

The courso of instruction covers general agriculture, stock breeding, horticul-
ture, chemistry, botany, the formation of soils, the elements necessary to a fertilo
soil, best methods of restoring lost fertility, necessity ard methods of drainage, &c.

Hampton Normal Agricultural Institute.

This institution, which is located at Ilampton, receives one-third of the agricul-
tural lands endowment fund. It is an extensive establishment, affording accommo-
dation for 500 pupils, designod for the instruction of tho coloured youth, with tho
special object of prepai'ing them to go out as teachers among their own people. Tho
area of its work has been recently extended by taking in also the Indian youth.

The institute is chiefly supported by voluntary contributions from northern
friends. From this source about 830,000 is annually received. The interest on the
land endowment fund is $10,000 ; from other sources nearly $5,000 more, or $45,000 in
all, which is sufficient to meet tho current expenditure. About $30,000 is required
for salaries of officers and teachers. Tho value of lands, buildings and appliances is
$420,364.

46

Agriculture forma part of the regular course of this college. The students aro
also trained in practical work. The institute has two farms — one of 190 acres, and
one of 600 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, afford ample means for instruction in
horticulture. Eighty-three of the colored students are said to be receiving special
instruction in agriculture.

WEST VIRGINIA.

The West Virginia University in Morgantown, 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, covering two^ years, on
practical agriculture and the allied sciences.

WISCONSIN.

The State Agricultural College of Wisconsin is a department 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. Tho
University is built on a still higher elevation, overlooking the town as well as tho
lakes. Tho endowment fund from agricultural lands is $267,330 ; other productive
funds amount to $230,660 —or $497,990 in all. Tho value of tho grounds, buildings and
apparatus is placed at $455,000. Tho 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 tho farm.

Stock.

The college herd consists of 25 head, some of which are pure Jorseys; others
Jersey and Holstoin grades, There aro two pure bred Jersey bulls, whose services are
available to farmers in tho neighbourhood for a fee of $2. Nothing has been done
in sheep or horses. A fow pigs aro kept, mainly for feeding experiments.

Field Experiments.

Thcso have been continued under charge of Prof. Henry for a numbor of years,
and include tho tosting of a number of variolios of corn, wheat and other cereals.
Experiments on a largo scalo have beon carried on for several years in growing
amber cano for sugar making, and with onsilage.

Very littlo has boon dono in horticulture.

47

Chemical Laboratory.

This department is very 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 experiments. In these fooi of a certain character and
known quantity is given, the excretory products are weighed and analysed, 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 offered in the line of agricultural education.

Revenue and Expenditure.

The entire income of the University is nearly §83,000, a large proportion of
which is spent in salaries of the teaching staff.

WASHINGTON.

Having reviewed in some detail the many 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 connected with the scientific work undertaken by
the Department for the promotion of agriculture, are 6408,810, exclusive of the
special appropriations for the botanic garden of $19,200.

The items may be thus enumerated : —

Chemical bureau (salaries) 811,500 00

Chemicals and apparatus for the use of the chemists
and microscopists, and for necessary expenses in

conducting experiments 50,000 00

Entomological bureau, (salaries) 7,900 00

Investigating the history and habits of insects inju-
rious to agriculture and horticulture 20,000 00

Greenhouses, gardens and grounds 27,750 00

Microscopical bureau I,8u0 00

Botan cal bureau 3,000 00

Museum ... 4,120 00

Library, Dept. Agriculture, scientific works 1,500 00

Seed bureau, (salaries) 8,240 00

Purchase, propagation and distribution of seeds, trees,
shrubs, vines &c, to bo distributed in localities

adapted to their culture 100,000 00

Tea plants, cultivation and distribution 3,000 00

Forestry— to coutinue to experiment, investigate and

report upon the subject 10,000 CO

Silk culture — encouragement and development of the

culture and raising of raw silk 15,000 00

Bureau of animal industry 150,UjO 10

8408,810 00

48

Most of the scientific work cirried on at "Washington is of a very high character
and of great practical use. The yearly reports of the several bureaus aro 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.

As a further evidence of tho estimation in which experimental work in agricul-
ture is held in the United States, a Bill is now before Congress on which the Houso
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 815,000 to each station. This will undoubtedly give a great impetus to experi-
mental and practical work, and by providing tho moans for more general and extended
investigations, agriculture will bo materially advanced, the condition of the farmer
improved and the agricultural calling accorded, in public estimation, some measure of
that dignity and importance to which, as one of the chief elements in national wealth
and greatness it is fairly ontitled.

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION AND EXPERIMENTAL WORK IN CANADA.

ONTARIO.

The Ontario Agricultural College is the only institution of its kind in Canada.
It ia located about one mile from the city of Guelph. The building? occupy a com-
manding position, overlooking the farm and the city. The farm consists of 550 acres,
which was purchased in 1873 at a cost of $75,000. From the report of the college
for 1832 we learn that the total cost of land, buildings, live stock, implements and
drainage — all of which is charged to capital account — up to tho ond of 1880, was
0225,889.46. Subsequent reports and annual statement? of the public accounts of
the Province show tho following additional sums expended in excess of revenue.

To 31st Decombor, 1881 $50,324 39

do 1882 51,050 46

do 1883. 5o,801 86

do 1884 90,291 93

From those expenditures there is chargeable to Capital Account tho following
sums : —

In 1881 $27,859 95

188J 15,353 09

1883 12,400 68

1884 52,6U 9.i

Total $10B,12G 65

49

Which, added to the amount given above, makes the investment on capital account
to tho end of 1884, $334,016.11. Deducting the moneys charged to capital account
each year from tho total expenditure, the account stands as follows : —

1881. — Expenses of teaching college, as stated in

college report, over and abovo revenue $14,986 85

Expenses of experimental farm 13,417 59

$28,464 44

1882. — Expenses of teaching col lege $18,315 95

do experimental farm 17,381 42

$35,697 37

1883 Expenses of teaching college $18,797 97

do experimental farm , « 24,603 21

$43,401,18

1884 Expenses of teaching college $19,760 56

do experimental farm 18,018 44

$37,779 00

This points to an average net expenditure on maintenance account for the past
four years of $36,335.47, and on capital account of $27,031.66.

The land is utilized 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 ; tho farm expenditure by
the Professor of Agriculture. In the estimate of farm expenses tho largo sums paid
for student labour are included, as follows : —

For 1881 $5,202 61

1882 4,421 68

1883 4,000 42

1884 , 4,234 98

As this labour is no doubt paid for at a much higher rate than its intrinsic value
will warrant, it remains an open question as to what proportion of it is fairly charge-
able to the farm account.

On tho other hand, the salary of the Professor of Agriculture is charged entirely
to tho college account, whereas much of his time is necessarily occupied in super-
intending the work on tho farm.

Tho Faculty consists of six professors, with salaries varying in amount from

$1,200 to $2,000 each, the heads of tho two departments receiving, in addition to their

salaries, furnished houses, horses, servants and table supplies.
4 •

5)

The number of students at presont attending is 91. In the coarse of instruction
agriculture occupios a prominent place, in connection with lessons on live stock,
dairying, aboriculturo, chemistry, veterinary science, botany, entomology, English
literature, book keeping, &c. The full course covers a period of two years, each
year being divided into four terms, one of which is devoted entirely to work in the
outside department. During each of the other three terms extending in all from the
1st of October to the 1st of June, there are regular courses of lectures, associated
with a certain amount of out-door work. The number of hours of compulsory labour
has lately been reduced, and students now spend one hour each morning and every
alternate afternoon in this department. The number of graduates during the past
four years, as given in the report for 1834, is as follows: For 1881,9; 1882,19;
1883,9; and for 1884, 11.

Stock.

No institution in America can compare with the Ontario College in the variety
and excellence of its slock. All the best breeds are represented here. Durhams,
Herefords, Polled Angu3, Galloways, Jerseys, Ayrshiree, Holsteins, Devons and
Guernseys. These breeds are each represented by a bull and two cows, recently
imported. There are also specimens of the West Highland breed of cattle, which
is said to be valuable for its hardiness, but is rather slow in maturing; bosides
which there are two Quebec native cows, which aro good milkers ; these are about
the size of Jerseys, and by crossing them with pure-bred Jerseys it is expected that
a grade auimal very valuable for milking purposes will bo obtained.

The different breods of sheep are also well represented by newly imported stock,
the number, in most cases, being two rams and three ewes of each. The collection
includes Cotswolds, Oxford Downs, Hampshire Downs, South Downs, Shropskires,
Lincolns, Black-faced Highlands, Losters, Merinos and Cheviots.

In pigs there are two sows and one boar of each of the following breods : Berk-
shire, Essex and Middlo York. The services of male animals continue to bo givon to
farmers, the charges varying from $1 to $10. This is said to cause some dissatisfac-
tion among prominent breeders of thoroughbreds, whose charges for such services
are higher. Experiments in cattle feeding have been carried on for oight or nino
years, but have now almost coasod, dairying occupying most attention.

Field Experiments.

Twenty-four acres aro devoted to experimental work, divided into 180 plots of
onotcnth of an aore each, with suitable spaces botweon them. Tho situation of this
field is l'» v, and hence unfavourable for grain culture, but is woll suited for grasses
and answers fairly woll for roots. In tho centre of thoso plots thoro is a small
building for meteorological observations, supplied with au excellent rain gauge and

51

a scries of soil thermometers. Part of the interior is fitted up as a chemical labora-
tory, supplied with apparatus for the analysis of soils, milk, &c.

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

Many experiments with ensilage have been conducted, and the conclusion
reached, that where roots can be advantageously grown ensilage is not much neoded ;
but where circumstances are adverse, and difficulties stand in the way of thoroughly
drying such fodder as may be grown, this mode of preservation may be useful.

Horticulture.

There is an apple orchard of over 10 acre?, with about 80 varieties of trees ; one
of cherries and plums, of 2 acres with 50 varieties ; five acres of small fruits, including
strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries and currants. The vinery covers three acres,
and has about 80 sorts ; last year was the first year of bearing.

The five acres of vegetable garden is bordered with fruit trees and vines.

Greenhouses.

There are three glass structures, one used as a conservatory, one as an interme-
diate house and one as a propagating house. These are very plain buildings, about
30 feet in length, heated by brick flues, which smoke to that extent that it is almost
impossible to grow hard wooded plants ; they are very poorly adapted for the
purpose for which they were designed. These houses are used partly as a means of
instruction, but chiefly for the raising of bedding plants for out-door decoration
during the summer.

Tree Clumps.

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 makirg fair growth. The
varioties are black walnut, sugar maple, European larch, butternut and one mixed
clump.

Arboretum

This i* situated partly in front of the buildings and partly in the roar. The
groups consisting of the smaller trees and shrubs are planted on a lawn of about 12
acres in front of the buildings, and the larger trees arranged in the roar, whoro,when
the planting is completed, they will occupy fully 10 a^res. They are grouped in
thoir natural orders, some twenty-five orders being represented in the collection.
44

52

Most of the shrubs and trees, although still small, have made fair growth and the
arboretum now contains about 300 6pecies and varieties in all.

A collection of herbaceous plants has also been procured, consisting of about 200
species and varieties, and there is a small nursery for propagating young stock and
growing tree3 for the arboretum and ornamental grounds. These collections are
found to bo very useful for teaching purposes, while at the same time they add much
to the appearance of the ground?.

Tbo altitude and location of Guelph are such as to render tho climate unfavourable
to the growth of many of the less hardy sorts of trees and shrubs, which can bo
successfully grown in the more favoured districts of Ontario. This has caused disap-
pointment in many instances, when tho attempt ha3 been made to introduce half
hardy thiDgs.

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

Mechanics.

These are taught to a limited extent, but sufficient perhaps for the requirements
of a farmer j but tho buildings need enlarging and improving, in order to give tho
requisite facilities. The carpenter's shop is fitted with four benches, affording accom-
modation for eight students at a time ; a blacksmith shop is also boiDg constructed,
with two forges.

Laboratory.

A large room in tho main building is used as a combined laboratory and locturo
room, with accommodations for giving practical instruction to 30 students at a time.
This is insufficiently lighted, poorly equipped, and inconveniently situated. So im-
portant a department should have a detached building for its own use.

Heading Jioom and Library.

A largo, commodious and well-lighted reading room is provided, with 42 papers,
journals and magazines, including all tho leading Canadian, British and American
periodicals. Tho library, which is being constantly augmontod, consists of 5,000
volumes, and includes a large number of works on agriculture, horticulture and
veterinary science.

Museum.

A general museum has been established in a largo room in tho college building
and contains upwards of 3,000 spocimens illustrating agricultural and horticultural
products, botany, geology, ontomology, mineralogy and zoology.

5J

Eperimental Dairy.

This is a small building in which dairy products are made on a small scale, and
where the proportionate produce of cream, butter and cheese contained in the milk
of different breeds of cows is tested. By means of a centrifugal separator of one
horse power, the cream from the milk of 15 cows can be separated in an hour. Lec-
tures are given on this subject twice a week throughout the winter.

Creamery.

The creamery has only been in operation for ono year. It is under separate

management, and is conducted in a buildirjg on a distant part of the farm, without

reference to the college stock or the college requirements as to butter supply, but

students have the opportunity of visiting it and obsorving the manner in which the

operations are conducted. The cream is collected almost wholly from farmers in the

neighbourhood. It is gathered once a day and churned the following morning. Eight

teams are employed during the season, which lasts from about the 15th of May to the

15th of October, the route oxtending from seven to ten miles. During the most

productive period the yield of butter is said to have averaged 600 lbs. per day, and

the product has been of such a quality that while ordinary farm butter commanded

not more than 12^ cents this averaged 19^ cents throughout the season. It is

asserted that this creamery has thus far been 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.

Other Organizations.

Excellent work has been done by the Fruit Growers' Association of Ontario by
distributing amoDg its members promising fruit trees, vines, &c. In this way the
whole Province has been made a testing ground ; many excollent varieties havo been
tried and thus brought prominently into notice. Fruit culture ha9 been further pro-
moted by the publication of the annual reports of the association which are always
full of useful and practical information.

The Entomological Society of Ontario has also rondored eminent service to
farmers and fruit growers by disseminating among them information regarding
injurious insects affecting both field and garden crops, with suggestions as to the
most useful remedies. Both these societies receive yearly grants from the Provincial
Government.

QUEBEC.

Mr. E. A. Barnard, Director of Agriculture of the Province of Quebec, writes as

follows: —

" The Province of Quebec subsidizes three farms, giving to each $2,000 annually,
besides paying the board of ton students in each school, at the rate of $60 ; besides
an allowance to as many students of 840 each, which they can earn for themselves
by labouring on tho farm.

54

" Neither of these establishments, however, can properly be called ' experi-
mental ' or ' stock farms.' Very few experiments, if any, have been made ; and the
stock, although good of its kind, is by no means remarkable.

" All these provincial schools stand on the same basis exactly. The farm and
schools, &o., belong to the Corporation of the College at St. Ann's, Bichmond and
L'AssomptioD. They have each but one regular professor — that on agriculture,
although a few lectures are given in the course of the year by outsiders. These
corporations manage pretty much as they please. A Board of Inspectors is sent
annually by the Council of Agriculture to visit the school, and the grant is paid after
this inspection."

In addition to what has boon accomplished at tho college farms referred
to, much praise is due to Mr. Chas. Gibb, of Abbottsford, for his self-sacrificing indi-
vidual efforts in furthering the cause of horticulture, not only in Quebec, but also in
Manitoba and the North- West Territories. He shares with Prof. Budd, of Iowa,
with whom he travelled to Kussia, tho crodit of having thoroughly investigated tho
subject of hardy Eassian fruits, and settled the question as to their quality and
extreme hardiness. By his writings ho has done much to impress upon the minds
of the fruit-growers, both of the United States and Canada, tho importance of intro-
ducing many of these fruit and forest trees to be tested in tho colder climates of this
country. Mr. Gibb has combined practice with thoory, and having seen and tasted
the fruits of north-eastern Eussia, and studied the climatic conditions to which the
trees are there exposed, he has imported and is testing many of them on his own
farm, a>:d is fully convinced that there are many varieties of both fruit and forest
trees which, if they were disseminated would be a great boon to the settlers in the
north-west country.

Mr. Gibb is testing 89 varieties of apples, 49 of poars, 10 of cherries and 4 of
plums, tho greater part of which are from Eussia, tho others from North Germany
and Poland.

Tho annual reports of tho Montreal Horticultural Society have been full of
useful and instructive matter relating to all branches of horticulture. Tho officers
and directors of this society deserve much praise for tho ablo manner in which its
affairs havo been managed, and for the valuable information which thoy have col-
lected and disseminated. This Society is subsidized by tho Quobec Government.

NOVA SCOTIA.

The Fruit-growers' Association of Nova Scotia has boon actively ongagod for
many years in distributing information relating to fruit growing in that Provinco,
and has fcucceoded in ttimulating that departmont of industry to a romarkablo
degree. Tho increased exports of fruits of late years from this Provinco aro duo, in
a . ; at measure, to tho activity of this useful association and the dovolion shown by
tho offi ers tind members in their efforts to extend and promote tho cultivation of
fruit.

55

NEW BRUNSWICK.

In the report of tho Select Committee appointed by tbo House of Commons to
obtain information as to the agricultural interosts of Canada, we find a statement from
Mr. J. L. Inches, Secretary of Agriculture for New Brunswick, in reference to what
has been done to aid agriculture in that Province, as follows (p. 30) : " Some three
years since the Government imported a number of cattle, sheep and swine, and
placed about 30 cattle, 40 sheep and 6 swine on a farm, as the beginning of a stock
farm. With tho exception that the farm selected has not proved suitable, this act
on the part of the Government has been much approved, and the short experience we
have had of it shows that we can supply our farmers with a larger number of lino
animals for the same amount of money than by importing." There is no evidence
that any experimental work has been undertaken on this farm, beyond stock raising.

DOMINION DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

With reference to what has hitherto been done by the Dominion Department of
Agriculture for the encouragement and promotion of that industry, wo quote again
from the excellent report abovo referred to, from tho testimony of Mr. John Lowe,
Secretary of the Department. When speaking of the work done by the Department,
he says : " The first in order 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 quarantine and inspection,
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 doubtless been accomplished by tho measures which
have boon carried out by tho Department, especially tho prompt action taken in
preventing the spread of disease among animals; but when we considor tho enormous
interests involved in agricultural pursuits, and the fact that they afford employment
for so large a proportion of tho population of the Dominion, it is evident that
increased attention might profitably be given to all the important subjects on which
tho prosperity and advancement of this groat national industry depends.

As an indication of tho rapid extension of Canadian trade in stock, dairy pro-
ducts, poultry, eggs and fruit, attention is invited to tho following compilation
of figures kicdly furnished by Mr. Lowe, Socretary of the Department : —

56

EXPOETS

Year.

Horses.

Number-

Value.

Cattle.

Sheep.

5,399

1875

4,382

1876 ....

4,299

18-77.....

8,306

1878

14,179

16,629

21,393

1881.

21,993

1882

20.920

1883

13,019

11,595

1885

12,310

570,544

460,672

442,338

779,222

1,273,728

1,376,794

1,880,379

2,094,037

2,326,637

1,633,291

1,617,829

1,640,506

Number.

39,623
38,968
25,357
22,656
29,925
46,569
54,944
63,277
62,106
66,393
89,263
144,441

Value. Number

951,269

823,522

601,148

715,750

1,152,334

2,093,695

2,764,437

3,464,871

2,256,330

3,893,028

5,681,082

7,508,043

252,081
242,438
141,187
209,899
242,989
308,093
398,746
354,155
311,669
308,474
304,403
335,207

Value.

702,564

637,561

507,538

583,020

699,337

988,045

1,422,830

1,372.127

1,228,957

1,388,056

1,544,605

1,264,811

Batter.

Lbs.

Value.

12,233,046

9,268.044

12,250,063

14,691,789

13,006,626

14,307,977

18,535,362

17,649,491

15,161,839

8,106,447

8,075,537

8,145,310

2,620,305
2,337,324
2,540,894
3,073,409
2,382,237
2,101,897
3,058,069
3,573,034
2,936,156
1,705,817
1,612,481
1,577,428

Cheese.

Eggs.

Poultry.

Fruits.

Year.

Lbs.

Value.

Doz.

Value.

Value.

Barrels.

Value.

$

s

$

$

1874

24,050,932

3,523,201

4,407,534

587,599

79,221

51,084

128,915

1875

32,342,030

3,886,226

3,521,068

434,273

49,787

63,397

176,295

1876

36,024,090

3,751,268

3,880,813

508,425

74,317

84,107

170,005

1877

35,930,524

3,748,575

5,025,953

534,891

48,307

77,888

194,942

1878

38,054,294

3,997,521

5,262,920

646,574

67,448

53,213

149,333

1879

46,414,035

3,790,300

5,440,822

574,093

90,880

87,101

157,618

1880

40,368,678

3,893,366

6,452,580

740,665

141,034

146,548

347,166

1881

49,255,523

5,510,443

9,090,135

1,103,812

133,693

334,538

645,658

50,807,049

5,500,863

10,499,082

1,643,709

149,804

212,526

540,464

58,041,387

6,451,870

13,451,410

2,256,586

161,229

158,018

499,185

69,755,423

7,251,939

ll,490,8.i5

1,960,197

192,903

51,019

173,048

1885

86,579,834

8,902,115

11,542,703

1,830,632

175,889

In 1885 a division was made in statistics by which apples are shown sepirately —

Apple?, 242,164 barrels $507,156

Other fruit 33,667

Total $540,823

The leeont diminution in the quantity and value of the butter exported may
rjartly be accounted for from the fact that it is impossible to make the same milk
do duty satisfactorily for both butter and cheese, since no sufficient market could bo
found for cheese made from skimmed milk. The very rapid expansion of the one de"
partment of dairy industry might reasonably bo expected to result in a diminution of
the other; nevertheless, it is highly probable that the relative inferiority of much
of the batter exported has aided in bringing about this result, a view which is
strengthened by the fact that the shipments in 1883, although less in quantity than
those of 1885, brought $128,000 more.

That so much has been done independent of any direct stimulus from the
Department of Agriculture is strong proof of the industry and enterprise of the
farming community, and also of the capacity and adaptability of the soil and climate
of the Dominion for still more extended work. Surely the fostering care of the
Government should be given in aiding farmers to solve the many difficult problems
which are invariably associated with agriculture, and are increased and intensified
by the varying conditions of our climate and soil.

53

PRELIMINARY.

From the facts which have been presented in the preceding pages regarding the
expenditure connected with agricultural education in teaching colleges in America,
added to the necessary cost of equipping the various institutions, it is evident that
the outlay is very largo in proportion to the number of persons directly benefited.
Further, it has been shown that agricultural experimental stations have been of very
great service in supplying much needed information and stimulating progress in
agriculture wherever they have been established, and that these good results have
been and 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 wore likely either to add directly to the profits of the
tiller of tho soil, by enabling him to increase the products of his land, or to save him
from some of the lossos incident to want of knowledge or experience. The considera-
tion of so important a subject should be no longer delayed, but sinco any very large
outlay at the commencement might be injudicious, it would perhaps bo better to
consider firct the most pressing needs, and provide for them a3 soon as practicable,
leaving the important subject of agricultural education in colleges for future con-
sideration.

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

DIVISION OF EXPERIMENTAL AGRICULTURE.

PROPOSED ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT.

There should bo provided one central station, situated near tho Capital, tho divid-
ing lino between tho important Provinces of Ontario and Quobec, with not loss than 400
acres of land, which should servo as an experimental station for theso Provinces
jointly. Hero the climato represents tho average condition of a largo part of tho
settled portions of Canada, where all tho ceroals and many other field crops can bo
successfully grown, andwhero most of tho best variotios of grapos grown in thoopon
air ripon well, and many sorts of apples and other fruits aro raised with advantage. At
such central point all tho different classos of experimental work might bo conducted.
There should also bo ono sub-station for tho Provinces of Nova Scotia, Now Bruns-
wick and Prince Edward Island jointly, and one each for Manitoba, tho Norlh-Wost

59

Territories and British Columbia. In the Maritimo Provinces and in British Columbia
200 acres would probably be sufficient for tho purposes of each station, but in
Manitoba and the North-West Territories, where land is so abundant and cheap, there
should not bo less than a section of (MO acres belonging to each station, so that there
may bo land sufficient to carry on experiments in stock raising and forestry on such
a scale as the circumstances of each case may require.

With the varying conditions of climate and soil necessarily associated with a
stretch of territory covering 4,000 miles, from ocean to ocean, all now accessible by
rail ; a station on tho Atlantic, another on tho Pacific, with three intermediate ones,
would bo absolutely required if the work is to bo carried on with reasonable efficiency.
It would also be expedient that tho Government should reserve at suitable points in
tho North-West Territories, from the available and unoccupied Dominion lands blocks
of one, two or more sections each, for future experimental work in tree planting. Tho
setting apart of theso blocks of land for forestry purposes would not in any case be
a loss to the country, since if they should only be planted in part, this would increase
tho value of tho remaining portion and also that of all tho lands in tho neighbour-
hood. By adding to the value of adjacont lands they would partly pay for them-
selves and at tho same timo preparo the way for extended experimental work if
desired, as soon as young trees were available for the purpose.

The whole should bo under tho control of one head, known as director or chief
whose residence should bo at the central station, and whose duty it should be to
visit tho sub-stations as occasion required and in conference with the managers of the
sub-stations arrange for the course and character of the work to be carried on at each,
subject to tho approval of tho Minister of Agriculture. This arrangement would
ensure desirable uniformity in the character of tho work performed and prevent tho
waste which would result from the unnecessary duplication of experiments.

Central Station.

At the central station there would bo roquired in addition to tho director a
superintendent of agriculture charged with tho care of farm stock and the dairy and
field experiments.

A superintendent of horticulture, who should conduct experiments in fruit and
vogetablo growing, in determining tho vitality and purity of seeds, and have charge
of tho nursery and propagating houses.

A superintendent of forestry, who should direct all forestry experiments, and
enquire into all questions relating to treo culturo and tree protection in tho Dominion.

An entomologist whose duty it should bo to investigate tho habits of insects
destructive to farm and garden crops, fruit, &c, as woll as those affecting animals,
with tho view of testing such remedies as may bo available for thoir destruction.

60

He should also prepare such collections for the museum 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 the sub-stations.

A botanist, to whom should be entrusted the special duty of investigating the
injury done to field and garden crops, fruit and forest trees, by the lower forms of
vegetable life, such as fungi, rusts, moulds, &c, 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, subjugation 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 relating to agricultural
chemistry, such a3 analyses of fertilizers, the determination of the chemical constitu-
ents of any substances 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 quality 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 sub-Stations.

The officers required at each of the sub-stations would be a superintendent of
agriculture and a superintendent of horticulture. The superintendent of agri-
culture 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, &c, as may be desirable for the purpose of
distribution, *o as to rapidly extend the area of experimental work. Each station

61

should also be provichd with a propagating house, to facilitate these undertakings,
and for the purpose of testing the vitality and purity of seeds for farmers and others.

Museum.

A general museum should be established in connection 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 Officers.

In addition to the special duties already referred to, the officers of the several
stations should bo required to visit, whenever practicable, the public meetings of
the farmers and fruit growers in different parts of the Dominion, for the purpose of
conferring with thsm and aiding in the discussion of the many problems connected
with agricultural and horticultural pursuits.

Disposal of Produce.

In the management of the stations all the pi*oducts should be sold and a strict
account kept of tho 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 tho outlino submitted be approved, it is important that tho organization of the
central station should be begun without delay ; also a station in the North- West. The
sections intended for future forest bolts might also be reserved, and sites for tho other
stations secured as early as practicable. Possibly some arrangement might bo effectod
whereby the cost of tho sub-stations and their management might bo jointly borne
by the Dominion and tho Provinces in which they are situated.

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS.

Improvement of Stock.

In the report of tho Ontario Agricultural Commission, published in 1881, several
qualified witnesses give evidence in relation to the comparative valuoof a well-bred
three-year old steer as compared with one of common stock. It was stated that with
tho same quantity and quality of food thore. would bo an average difference in tho
markot value of the well-bred animal of about $30. If tho breeding of bettor stock
could bo made more general, and but one-third of the estimated gain be made 810 a

Gi

head, a reference to the table of exports will enable the reader to calculate the saving
which would be effected.

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

The opinion has also been advanced that in the ordinary breeding of sheep, if a
proper selection of stock were made, 5 per cent., at a moderate estimate, would
be added to the value of the carcase, 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 and practice
get from 6 to 7 pounds, and fancy breeders 9 to 10 pounds. Good feeding also gives
a desirab!e lustre to the wool. Slovenly farming always leads to loss, and in this
particular good breeding and cai*eful management will result in good wool and good
mutton.

In the more general improvement of horses and of swine, similar beneficial
results might be obtained.

Poultry and Eggs.

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 constant
and general uso of eggs, admit of almost unlimited expansion. The results of experi-
ments with different breeds of fowls, for the purpose of ascertaining their relative
merits, would be of great uso to the agricultural community everywhere.

Dairy Products.

Since the general introduction of the factory system, cheese made in Canada has
acquired an excellent reputation, owing to the uniformity of its character, and meets
with a ready sale at fair prices; at the same time, the quantity exported has
increased to a remarkable degree. On the contrary, the exports of butter have slightly
decreased, partly, it is said, owing to inferiority being in mo3t localities tho
product of individual and unskilled labour. Since Canada is one of the best
countries in tho world for dairying, why should not our butter rank equal in
quality and demand with tho cheese? Evidence is no* wanting to show that
wherever creameries have been established the price of this product has boon enhanced,
in consequonce of its uniformly good quality.

Prof. Arnold, of Rochester, estimates the annual loss to Canada on account of
tho inferior quality and low price obtained for our buttor at five millions. .Much
lofcs might, do lbtlcHH, bo avoided were creameries to bo established in all tho
principal buttor districts.

63

Grain Crops.

All cultivated cereals manifest, sooner or later, a tendency to deteriorate 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, exhaustion of soil and insect pests. All these probably have
Borne part in the result, yet it is likely that deterioration is an important element
in the case. More knowledge as to tho proper rotation of crops, more thorough
tillage and thorough drainage would 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 300 fold 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 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 tho growth of agricultural 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.

Eecent researches in Russia, lately published in St Petersburgh, demonstrate
the fact that wheat grown in the northern provinces of that empire ripens in les3timo
than that grown in the southern, tho difference being about sixteen days. How much
of this difference is due to variety 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 over-estimate. Other field crops could, in all probability, in liko
manner be extended.

Fruits.

There is no question that most of our best 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 bo successfully cultivated in tho same districts — not only
apples, but pears, plums and cherries also. The early introduction of these fruits
would be highly appreciated.

In tho more favoured sections of oar Dominion wo have to consider not only tho
variableness of the existing climate, but must endeavour to prepare for the charges

64

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 ono-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.

The fruit trade of Canada is rapidly increasing. It is tenfold greater than it was
a few yoars ago, and with proper selection of late keeping sorts, and the more general
introduction of fruit evaporators, the trade might be almost indefinitely extended.

Insects.

Deficiencies in crops often arise from the depredations of insects. The yearly
loss in Canada from this cause is very large, almost every farmer suffering from it
to some extent. Such losses cannot be entirely prevented, but might be greatly
lessened by the diffusion of more general information on the subject. 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 expert
mental farm would provide the means of thoroughly testing and establishing the
value as a fertilizer of Canadian mineral phosphates, and undoubtedly aid in develop-
ing this important industry.

Ashes are shipped in largo 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 articlo would be consumed at home.

A few yoars ago Canada had important bolts of wheat lands oast of Montreal.
What has become of these ? An indifferent and careless system, or lack of system,
has pravailod in thoso districts ; many crops of wheat have been grown in succession
and little or nothing done to replace the elomonts taken from tho soil. This has lod
to its exhaustion to that extent that wheat growing no longer pays ; a judicious
system of fertilization and rotation of crops would doubtless restore tho fertility of
such worn out lands.

The character of tho work involved in tho completo analysis of fertilizers is such
u.t to require spocial forms of apparatus which are complex and exponsive.

65

Appliances of this character would be needed in the laboratory at the central
station for the special work to be undertaken there, and when that department was
properly equipped all the work of this nature required for the Dominion could be
efficiently and economically dono there. The saving which would be effected in the
fees which under the existing law are to be paid to the public analysts would go far
towards defraying the expenses of the chemical section of an agricultural station.

Botanic Garden.

It has long been a reflection on Canadian taste and progress that we have no
botanic garden in the Dominion. In Australia and India there are several such
gardens supported by the Government. Botanic gardens have also been long estab-
lished in Ceylon, the Mauritius, Jamaica, and several other of the West India
Islands. Canada is, indeed, the only important British colony where such an instruc-
tive institution is wanting. In such gardens, trees are tested as to their hardiness,
for the production of timber, for their bark for economic purposes, and for their fruit,
and all sorts of medicinal and other flowering plant3 are grown. There all tho
native trees, shrubs and flowers of the Dominion could be brought together as far
as conditions of climate would permit, and new and useful species introduced and
propagated. Such a garden would be a very instructive feature in connection with
the proposed central experimental station, and#could be carried on there at a rela
tivoly small cost.

General Usefulness.

The agricultural experimental farms, properly conducted, would soon become
bureaus of imformation for all who are concerned with agriculture or horticulture,
where the farmer and fruit grower should be encouraged to visit and inspect the
work going on and where they should feel free to report regarding such difficulties
as they may experience in the course of their work, and seek information from the
officers in charge.

As the success of this undertaking would depend mainly on the skill of tho men
ontrusted with the work, and the earnestness with which they engaged in it, all
appointments should bo well considered and none made without satisfactory ovidenco
being given as to tho fitness of tho individual for tho work assigned to him. With
a view to economy at the outset, and until the requirements of the stations wore such
as to demand the full staff, some of the appointments might bo 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, Assistant Director of tho Gcologioal and Natural Ilistory

Survey of Canada, whose world-wide reputation as a careful and accurate scientific
5

GG

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
Interior, when asked for his opinion regarding the propriety of establishing agri-
cultural experimental stations in Manitoba and the North-West : —

" Memo, on Experimental Agricultural Stations.

" Ottawa, 27th February, 1834.

In connection with the proposed establishment of an experimental agricultural
station or stations for Manitoba and the North West, I bog leave to offer the follow-
ing suggestions, based upon personal acquaintance with the country during my con-
nection with the International Boundary Commission and Geological Survey since
1873.

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

" I. The introduction and careful trial of all species of trees, shrubs, cereals,
grasses, fruits, &c, under the varying conditions of soil and climate, found in differ-
ent parts of the country, attention being directed specially to the Provinces of
Quebec and British Columbia, the Northern and Western States acd 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 propagation and cultivation
of native trees and useful plants ; and, further, tho publication and geneial distribu-
tion of the results of these and other experiments in the form of reports.

" 2. A second and very important function should be tho propagation and cultiva-
tion, on a large *calo, of the more valuable and quick growing timber trees, and their
gratuitous distribution, or sale at the lowest possible prico, with the view of encour-
aging extensive tree planting on tho great plains. To this may be added the propa-
gation and distribution of such new or improved varieties of fruit trees, cereals,
&c, as m&y prove to be adapted to the country.

" For tho second class of objects a single station for Manitoba and the North-
West might suffice, though tho existence of two or more stations would greatly
facilitate tho distribution of trees and plants. For tho first, or purely experimental
class of objects, it would appear to bo almost absolutely necessary, in view of tho
diversity of soil, climate and elevation in this great region, to e>tablish two or
more stations. In the event of tho o-tablishment of or.e station only, it might, I
believe, best bo placed in the western portion of the Province of Manitoba. If two
stations bo established, one might bo selected in tho Red Eiver plain, tho second in
the vicinity of tho 104th meridian, near thj Touchwood Hills orQu'Appollo Valley.
I believe, however, that three is the least number of stations which would satis-
factorily servo tho objects in view, and would suggest that in addition to the two
last mentioned, a third should bo placed either in the vicinity of Calgary or near
Edmonton.

In no event should tho proposed stations bo placed in the river valleys, as owing
to their great depth the conditions found in these differ considerably from those of
the gcr.eral surface of the plain. It" would also be desirable to select spots for these
stations where bolts or groves of trees already exist, such as to form wind-breaks,
and afford the shelter necessary for tho proper cultivation of seedlings, &o.

"To achieve their proper degree of usefulness, such experimental agricultural
station or stations should bo under tho superintendence of one experienced scientific
agriculturist, besides those incident to immediate management of tho stations, whoso
duty it should bo to obtain suitublo plants and seeds for exporimont from all parts of

(•1

the world in which such are likely to ha 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 Eed Biver valley under his immediate supervision. This station might be made
the principal one for the reception and distribution of plants and seeds to those
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 refor to the recommendations as to tree-
planting in the North-West contained in my report on the geology and resources
of the 49th Parallel, published in connection Avith the Boundary Commission expedi-
tion of 1873-74.

G. M. DAWSON."

Summary.

Since cheap railway and water conveyance of agricultural products from dis-
tant countries is rapidly changing the economical conditions of successful agriculture
in many parts of the world, it is of the utmost importance that all those who aro
interested in the cultivation of the soil in Canada should endeavour to remedy all
that is faulty in practice, or wastoful in effect, and to introduce now methods and
new products, as far as they are likely to be proStable, and thus increase the
chances of our being able to retain the position we have acquired as producers and
exporters of farm produce. A relatively small proporcioa of the land, oven in oar
mo3t advanced Provinces, is under the best of culture, while solf-interest and the
circumstances of our position demand that we should make the best of everything we
possess. Liebig has well said that " tho prosperity of any nation depends much on
the condition of its agriculture," and to produce the best results, practical skill must
be associated with suitablo information. Canada has a climate in many respects
favourable, and a soil in many districts unsurpassed in fertility, advantages, which if
properly utilized, will enable hor to continue to furnish from her surplus for tho
millions in Europo food products of prime quality. To aid in this good work evory
effort should be put forth, both by the Dominion and Provincial authorities, to place
within reach of willing hands all needed information, and also supplies of such
oconomic products as will be likely to aid to the profit and attractiveness of agricul-
tural pursuits.

FOBESTKY.

There should bo a competont foro3tor in charge of this department, one who

thoronghly understands what is ncodod and under whose direction all work connocted

with tho forest iudustrios of tho Dominion should be carried on. Such would includo

experiments in reclothing denuded land, tosting the comparative value of our native

trees, also of those from all othor parts of the world whore similarity of climato or

other circumstances rouder it probablo that thay will prove usoful. It would also

include tho propagation of trees of economic vuli > lb.- general distribution.
hi

GS

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

" American Forestry Congress,
"Office of tiie Corresponding Secretary, 12th January, 1836.

" "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 mo to say that a subject so important and complicated can hardly receive
adequate treatment within the limits of a letter. Space, and my time for using it
being limited, my knowlcdgo of the specific conditions of the region in question being
only impei feet, 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 your own answer to the questions 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 required on the larger
area, and mainly for economic purposes, while agricultural needs call for the creation
of new forests in a more limited pait of the Dominion, mainly, I believe, in the Pro-
vinces of which you speak.

"I assume that the climatic and hydrologic influences of forests in general aro
too well known to you to need discussion. That a permanently successful agricul-
ture depends on a judicious distribution of forosts is the natural consequence of those
influences. As tho improvident denudation of largo forest areas in the old worid
and on this continent has rendered those districts barren and unproductive and of
no value for agricultural purposes, there can bo little doubt that reforestation will
be the best aid for restoring favourable agricultural conditions.

" Aside from the economic value of the wood-lot and the mechanical influence
of the wind break, retarding the velocity of surface winds, and lessening the severity
of blizzards, the most important effect of forest areas properly distributed lies in
their hydrologic significance.

" They are the cheapest, the most reliable, tho best irrigators. This office is duo
rathor to a negative influence upon passing rain clouds. The forest does not prevent
rainfall, as does the open plain ; for while the extonsive, treeless plains present an
air column, which, being dry and of high temperature, raises the point of saturation
of a passing rain cloud, and allows it to pass without deriving the benefit of its
moisture, the cooler air hovering over tbo forest tends rather to lowor tho point of
saturation, induces rainfall on tho neighbouring territory, so that tho most helpful
agoncy of tho forests on agriculture is attained by their distribution, in belts or
clump*, over tho agricultural lands.

" The cc-relation of forosts and atmospheric moisturo is such, that while the latter,
to a certain degree, is a conditio sine qua non for forest growth, at tho samo time tho
growing forest tends to incrcaso tho atmospheric moisturo of its surroundings, creat-
ing tbo very condition which it requires for its dovolopmont.

" I consider, therefore, that the reforestation of tho treeless and arid plains, and
thoreby their recuperation for agricultural uses, is, beyond doubt, not a difficult tat>k,
if begun judiciously, starting from the outskirts of tho present forest area and reach-
ing forward gradually with those species, which, like tho cottonwood, soft maplos,
birches end others, will vegetate in tho arid soil and dry atmosphere of those plains.

• Since the appended letter was written Mr. Fernow ba3_bcen~appoirjtcd chief of the United States
Forestry Bureau at \Va9hiDgt0n.

G9

These species may not be the most desirable for timber growth, and should there-
fore be replaced as soon as sufficient increase of favourable conditions is attained, by
undergrowing them with more valuable species, gradually removing the first crop,
which had fulfilled its office by preparing the way for its betters.

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

11 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 systematic planting
of forest bolts or clumps as a condition of land grants from the public domain. But
this would place the moral obligation upon the Government of providing at least all
possible protection against failure, by gathering and disseminating the necessary
information on forest growing. Cautious and judicious proceedings are in no enter-
prise 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 ascertained 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. S:>me eighty or ninety years ago
the American white pine was highly extolled in Germany as a desirable immigrant and
largely planted. To day it is found that to attain the quality which wa demand for
building timber tho white pine requires more than one-third longer time than the
native Scotch pine. Whethor the larger yield per acre will offset the amount of
interest on the original outlay thus lost, is extremely questionable.

" Another mistake was the cultivation of birch in pure (unmixed) growth, which
found its advocates some years ago. The results of this birch mania have baen large
areas impoverished under tho 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.

"Tho mistakes made in European forestry 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 troe makos in the first ten or twenty years, calculate the
prospective sawlogs of tho forty year old tree ; bat it has impressed mo more than ever
with the importance of the work to which I was called for somo 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 cultivation.

" To show you what such a small item as the distance of planting may have upon
the ultimate results, I copy from my note book the following figures of an experiment.
Thirty acres planted with Scotch pine in different widths, actual measurement, after
twenty-five years' growth revealed these results : —

Interval Proportion

between plants. of yield.

3 feet 1-60

4-5 feet 150

(J feet 1*22

7-5 feet , 1*20

9 feet 1-00

"Such examples may bo used to 6how that forest experimentation cannot bo
expected to be undertaken by private individuals — at least, that systematic Govern-
ment aid is necessary, if it is tho interest of the Government to achieve results for the
benefit of its constituents.

" No where.it seems to mo, are measures of oncouragemont by Govornmont called
tor more urgently than in establishing systematic forestry in your country. Part

TO

of Canada's wealth lies in Canada's forests ; the nature of the soil and climate in the
northern districts of the eastern and central Provinces is, to a largo extent, not fit
for anything but forest growth. Yet Canada is utilizing the natural growth in such
a manner as to deteriorate her forest capacity, and often even her agricultural pos-
sibilities. Timber growing will eventually become an economic necessity for
Canada ; few lumbermen, under existing conditions, can see any advantage in utilizing
supplies with other views than those of immediate gain — a man's 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 present.

''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 forest manage-
ment— at least, to set, as in Gemany, the examplo after which private owners may
form their fore-try.

" There seems to be a misunderstanding as to the position which the different
Governments of Germany hold in respect to their forests. Only one-third of the
entire forest area is State forest, not quite one-fifth belonging to communities is under
restrictive State supervision, and the balance, very nearly one-half (in Prussia 53
per cent.) is in private hands, to the unrestricted use of their owners, excepting a
few cases, where the danger to neighbouring agricultural lauds from the indiscrimi-
nate removal of the forest makes its management under restrictive rules necessary.
Yet the good examplo set by the management of the Government forests has largely
induced a similar management of private forests by their owners, who frequently
employ the neighbouring Government officer at a small remuneration to make their
working plans.

" In Germany, where empiric forestry has been practised for more than two
centuries, the necessity of experimentation upon a scientific basis, though recognized
long ago, has found practical expression only recently. Franco has followed, and we
may say that with the year 1870,when the first experimental stations were established,
one in Baden and another in connection with the forest school at Tharana, in Saxony,
a new 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 largo number of secondary stations. All these, except
the Austrian, havo formed a union, called the Association 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
experiments and careful investigation.

" Your Government may congratulate itself that it can build upon the exporienco
of older nations. For although European administrative methods and local manage-
ment may not bo 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 tho general natural laws governing forest growth,we may
not hesitate to adopt tho former and apply tho latter as well in forestry as we do in
agriculture

'•Tho natural laws being uniform all over tho world, their practical application
will depend only on sourjd judgment of local conditions. Theso wo havo to study
here. What wo do not know and cannot learn from tho extensive European libraries
of foret-tal litorature is tho capacity of cur native species — not less than 95 in Canada
Ooroo 20 only in Germany) ; their rate of growih in different periods of lifo ; their
adaptability to conditions of soil and climate; tho best modo of propagation and
treatment in tho forest generally ; tho timo of their maturity ; thoir valuo as timber ;
their value as conscrvorsof forestcapacity ; thoir yielding capacities; their behaviour
towards each other (a most important and, in this country, almo&t entirely disregarded
consideration for the forest grower), and many other points essential to a success-
ful forestry. Jn tho ftoo ot tho utter ignoranco on tho forestry of our nativo species,
I will not mention tho subject of ac( li unitization of dosirablo foreigners.

"CloNo observations and scientific experiment are needed to arrive at this funda-
mental knowledge.

Tl

"In this work one point particularly should sot be overlooked, namely, that
observations on tree growth for use in forestry must be made under forest conditions.
The nurseryman and gardener have very different objects in view. They work under
different conditions ; their experiences may often mislead the forester, and their
methods, in most cases, he cannot adopt. If anything, therefore, is to be accomplished
in forest experimentation, the experimenter must study forest conditions and employ
them in bis experiments.

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

" Such reserves, while in the first place designed to serve as experimenta
grounds, should be made largo enough to establish and support a regular forest
department, and, with a conservative policy, may be eo managed as to demonstrate
financial possibilities, and could in time be made to pay for the expenses of all
forest experiment al stations. Germany, with a forest area of 35,000,000 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 experi-
menters boing otherwise paid officers. Experimentation in forestry then, as in
agriculture, is of a doub'e character, 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 organization, except to say
that centralization of the work is a necessity, and that the central station should bo
connooted with agricultural colleges or experimental stations, where the aid of scien-
tific apparatus can be most readily and cheaply secured. Forestry being based, some-
what similarly to agriculture, upon a knowledge of natural sciences, the aid of the
scientific staff of such institutions would be an advantage; specialists in botany,
chemistry and technology, geology, &c, 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 engage close attention from the students
of agriculture and practical application in the management of their wood lots at
homo.

" I hope you will find, in the foregoing suggestions, something to aid you in
deciding whether and how your Government 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 indicate in what mannor, and I will cheerfully
do so.

" Yours very truly,

BERNHARD E. FERNOW."

I add, as an interesting item from the Budget of Prussia (the most economical of

tho German administrations), for the year 1st April, 1885-SG, tho following figures

(rounded off) : —

Total expenditure for State 8315,000,000

Total area 86,000,000 acres.

Total State forest area 0,600,000 "

Total expenditure for Forest Department. 8,250,000

Of which special appropriation for purchase of waste

lands and removiil of casomont* 575,000

T9.

Of balance for administration —

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

Material 58 "

General expenses 8 "

For forest schools and scientific purposes S 48,250

Total gross receipts of Forest Department 13,250,000

Of which, for wood (260,000,003 cubic feet) 11,700,000

Net income from Forest Department 5,000,000

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES, EXPERIMENTAL STATIONS AND SCHOOLS
OF HORTICULTURE AND FORESTRY IN OTHER COUNTRIES.

In farther proof of the fact that there is a general movement in most civilized
communities to encourage research and experiment, and to provide and impart infor-
mation with the view of promoting agriculture, a few facts will now be submitted
relating to some of the schools of agriculture, horticulture, experimental stations
and schools of forestry in other countries.

During the autumn of 1883 Prof. A. S. "Welch, late President of the Agricultural
College of Iowa, visited Europe at the request of the Commissioner of Agriculture
for the United States, for the purpose of enquiring into the organization and manage-
ment of the principal agricultural schools in England, Germany and Belgium. He
remained some months, and on his return, in 1884, submitted a report, recently
published by the Department of Agriculture in "Washington, from which much of
what follows has been gleaned.

ENGLAND.

Royal Agricultural College at Cirencester, England.

This well-known institution was established in 1845 by a company of noblemen,
headed by the late Prince Albert, and was incorporated at the same timo under a
charter granted by Queen Victoria. By the sale of corporation shares a sufficient
sutn was realized to erect the main college building, which is an imposing gothic
structure, located a mile and a quarter from Cirencester. Tho building has a front-
age of 200 ioct, and contains tho apartments of the resident professors, students'
dormitories, library, locturo rooms, laboratories, museums, &c.

'in 1880 the institution was first namod by Hor Majesty the " Royal Agricultural
Collogo of England." The formal patron is the Prince of Wales, and tho Duke of
Marlborough is Prosident. Tho college has no endowment fund; its support is
wholly dorivod from students' fees and tho patronago of tho association.

Thorc are about 70 students, 50 of whom reside in tho collogo; tho others are
out-students, who board in tho town. Tho in-studonts pay £135 (8658) por annum;
the out-student, for tuition alono, £75 ($365.)

73

The instruction consists of courses of lectures on practical and scientific agricul-
ture, mechanical work of the farm, experiments in the field and veterinary hos-
pital practice. With these subjects are associated chemistry, geology, botany,
zoology, mechanics, physics, mensuration, practical engineering, land surveying,
book-keeping and architecture. The students composing the classes take careful
notes on the topics presented to them, then consult works of reference and prepare
themselves for a weekly written examination, by the results of which their standing
is in part determined.

The chemical laboratory is thoroughly equipped and the studies directed by a
staff of competent teachers who instruct the students in chemical processess, particu-
larly the analyses of substances associated with agriculture.

In the lecture room is a collection of wheat plants, with roots and heads well
preserved, showing the results of an experiment by Sir J. B. Lawes, of Kothemsted,
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 instruc-
tive series of specimens secured, the unmanured examples showing about half the
size and weight of those best manured. The relative size and yield of the different
samples showed that super-phosphate of lime and ammonia salts produced the best
results.

The biological laboratory is well supplied with microscopes and other apparatus.

An excellent botanic garden is an interesting feature ; it is well stocked with
plants, especially with grasses and other economic species.

A large museum is another valuable aid. It contains a full collection of com-
mercial fertilizers, forage cakes, including those made from hemp, rape, palm, cocoa
nut, cotton and flax seeds ; also a collection of sugars, starches, animal and vegetable
oils and mineral phosphates. An interesting feature is a series of wax models repre-
senting English root crops and a large number of neatly preserved British grains and
cereals. The veterinary display is also large, including a set of papier-mache models
for teaching tho anatomy of the domestic animals.

The department of physics is well fitted with apparatus for illustrating the sub-
jects of light, heat, electricity, &c. Tho prominence given to model enginos, pumps,
water-wheels and other mechanical appliances indicate that the practical relations of
this department to agriculture are fully recognized.

Tho college farm consists of 500 acres of land divided into twenty fiolds, in which
ace raised a groat variety of crops on an approved system of rotation. In the stock
department a specialty is made of Cotswold shoop 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.

Doicnton College of Agriculture.

This college, located at Downton, near Salisbury, was established, in 1880, for
the purpose of preparing students for positions of land owners, farmers, &c. The
farm comprises 550 acres, and on account of the variability of its soil is well adapted
for purposes of instruction. A flock of Hampshire Down sheep, numbering about
700, is a prominent feature in the stock department at this place.

Both Professors Fream and Sheldon, well known in this country from their
writings on the agricultural resources of Canada, are actively engaged in this college.

The courses of lectures are very similar in character to those of the Eoyal College
of Agriculture, and cover the whole field of agriculture and the allied sciences, th£
teaching being aided by well fitted laboratories, with the newest forms of apparatus.
In this college students are required to work in the fields and to help in the manage-
ment of live stock.

Tho expenses, including board, lodging and tuition, are £129 ($628) a year; for
students boarding outside the college £60 ($292).

FRANCE.

Rapid progress is being made in experimental agriculture in Franco. From:
the report of tho Select Committee of the House of Commons, already referred to,
much of the following information is gathered : —

In 1868, the Minister of Agriculture of France, commissioned a gentleman well

versed in agricultural science, Mr. L. Grandeau, to visit the agricultural stations of

Germany, and " to report on the working of these institutions, on the services which
they render the German population, and as to tho advantage there would bo to
French agriculture by encouraging the creation of analogous establishments." Ho
returned full of admiration for these agricultural stations which he describes as pro-
ducing tho happiest resulte, and further says, " at whatever cost, our farmers must
be made familiar with tho art of experimenting. In a word, it is henceforth indis-
pensable that agriculture, which in our country has been hitherto a science of
observation, should become at tho same time an experimental science. In this manner
and in this manner only, can be reached better conclusions which will be moro
abundantly remunerative, and which will moro than componsato tho increased labour
which tho husbandman will undertake in following tho new order."

" Tho manifest demonstration of tho profit resulting to agriculture from the
union of chemical scienco and physiological experiment which was realized
at the stations, made impression every day moro and more, on practical farmers.
The mistrust of tho?o whom they called tho learned, lessened from day to day,
and they hastened to eomo to ank at tho station, counsel and instruction as to
thoeo things in their daily labours on which thoy most wanted information."

»0

Following this thero were in tbo year 1878 in Franco forty-threo agricultural
experimental stations subsidised by the Government, twenty-four received from
1750 to 16,467 francs each, and nineteen from 500 to 3,000 franc?.

To France is also due the credit of having solved the difficult problems which
formerly stood in the way of the beet sugar industry, a result brought about chiefly
by the liberality of tho French Government. In the encouragement of tree planting
France has also taken a prominent part and, somo portions of her territory once
barren and arid, are now clothed with a luxuriant growth of pines.

GERMANY.

The Royal Agricultural Academy at Poppehdorf, near Bonn, Prussia.

TheEoyal Agricultural Academy belongs to the highest class of agricultural
schools under the Prussian system. It aims to give a complete course of instruction
in tho sciences on which progressive agriculture is based, as well as practical
instruction in all the details involved in agricultural operations. It also undertakes
to carry on extensive experiments in every department of agriculture, for the pur-
pose of improving its processes and increasing the value of its products, and aims to

make original investigations in tho sciences which underlie agriculture.

> _

To accomplish these objects the institution is liberally supported by the Gorman
Government. It has a faculty of learned men, a well-managed farm, gardens, exten-
sive experimental grounds and stables, domestic animals, a museum, a botanic
garden and conservatories, and numerous laboratories, in charge of scientific exports,
abundantly supplied with scientific apparatus.

The faculty consists of a Director and 18 professors, each of which has one or
more assistants. There are also other efficers and clerks to attend to the routino
businoss.

The Director is the general executive officer, has control of all the funds
appropriated by the Government for tho support of tbo academy, and reports
annually to tho Minister of Agriculture.

The course of instruction is for two years, and is not open to tho peasantry.
Only the middle and higher classes can avail themselves of its advantages. Tho
usual attendance of students is about 85, more than half of tho number take tho
agricultural courso; The others take tho course of agricultural engineering.

Some idea can be formed of tho extent of the experimental woik undertaken at
this academy, when it is known that in winter whoat alone 600 varieties have been
tested, so as to ascertain the kinds best adapted to German soils; also, 650 varioties
of American Englkh ard German potatoes for tho samo purpose In many othor
departments, similar exhaustive courses of experiment have been pursued.

7(J

The Royal Institute for Fruit and Wine Culture.

This institute, which was established by the Prussian Government twelve years
ago, is situated at Geisonheim, on the Rhine, in the centre of the grape-growing
district.

The faculty consists of four professors, all of whom are men learned in science,
besides assistants and gardeners. The experimental grounds are large and well
stocked, each division being placed in charge of a special expert. The buildings,
museum, laboratories and cellars are ample, convenient and well adapted to their
several purposes, and an excellent library is kept well supplied with books. In this
establishment the number of students is limited by law to 50.

While mainly designed to give 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 manufac-
ture of wine ; also, to the growing of apples and pears.

In the experimental apple orchard there aie nearly 400 varieties, which are
being tested for comparative excellence, both standards and dwarfs ; 400 varieties of
pears, 60 of plum3, 50 of peaches, and 24 of apricots, all of which, as they fruit, are
submitted to careful comparison by qualified experts. In the small fruit section
there are 66 varieties of gooseberries, 45 of raspberries and 100 of strawberries.

In the experimental vineyard 350 varieties of grapes from all parts of tho world
are being tested as to their productiveness, their quality for table fruit and for wine
making. Here also are greenhouses and propagating houses affording every facility
for multiplying desirable sorts for more extensive experimental work.

The immense expense incurred in carrying on these schools for so limited a
number of students, and that number being limited by law, would seem to indicate
that a much higher value is attachod to the general results of the experimental work,
of which tho entire public receive the full benefit in the yearly reports, than to tho
teaching given. Further, with so large a teaching staff and so comparatively small
a number of students tho teaching can be carriod on oither by the professors or their
assistants, without interfering much with experimo ntal work.

BELGIUM.

The Jloyal Forest School of Bavaria.

This school, which is situated at Aschaffonburg, affords very thorough instruc-
tion in forestry. In addition to a full staff of professors, who givo instruction in all
the sciences grouped around wood craft and forestry, there aro largo musoums and
excellent laboratories supplied with all sorts of scientific instruments. Iloro thoro
aro 85 students.

77

Agricultural Experimental Stations.

In Belgium there are also nine agricultural experimental 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 Ghent, which may be taken as a type
of the gi'oup, there is a director, a chemist and three assistants ; a chemical labora-
tory, 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 grasses and fodders used for the production of flesh or milk, for the purpose of
determining their comparative value; also of manures, but more particularly the com-
mercial fertilizers, such as are purchased and used by the Belgian farmer.

Formerly the small farmers of that country were shamefully imposed on by tho
vendors of spurious fertilizers and cattle foods, the deficiencies in which they were
unable to detect until after they had sunk a largo part of their means in testing them;
Now, through the agencies of these useful institutions, tho farmer can have
determined for him beforehand the actual value of all such substances and thus be
protected from imposition.

The sugar beet is grown in large quantities in Belgium from imported seed, some
samples of which are much adulterated with old and worthless material. The stations
have rendered most valuable service to the farmers by testing the vitality of tho
various lots offered in the market, and have thus been the means of preventing, in
large measure, the wasto of labour and other lossos which attend the use of worthless
seed.

Feeding experiments have been most carefully conducted with different breeds
of animals and the results made public. The officers of this station have also devoted
some attention to counterfeits in commercial fabrics, determining the precise quan-
tity of cotton in mixed goods. "No teaching is carried on at any of these stations.

The Horticultural School at Ghent.

This is ono of two such national schools supported by the Belgian Government.
The board of instruction consists of eoven professors, and tho course of study
extends over three years. The number of students is limited to 25.

At this school tho cultivation of flowers is a prominent feature, receiving tho
principal attention both as to instruction and practice. On this account much time
is devoted to botany. As aids to study, there are largo collections of plants in tho
conservatories and an immonse horbarium of 30,000 specimen?, comprising specios
from all parts of tho world. Collections, charts and casts illustrate tho structure and

character of flowers and fruit, while a number of excellent microscopes enable
students to investigate the minute structure and tissues of plants. There is a large
propagating house, where instructions are given in that part of the gardener's art,
and many experiments are conducted. Bulb culture, which is an important com-
mercial branch of fioriculturo in Belgium, is thoroughly taught at this school.

The conservatories are very extonsivc. The main structure is 250 feet long, 60
feet wide and 40 feot high. This is stocked chiefly with tropical plants. For such
as require a lower temperature, another glass house is provided, 200 feet long and 30
feet wide. A special house has also been built for orchids and aquatic plants.

OTHER COUNTRIES.

To pursuo in detail the work being carried on in other countries in furtherance
of agriculture would probably be wearisome, since a volume would not exhaust the
subject, and the work is everywhere much alike in its character. A few general
remarks will enable the reader to form some idea of the extent of the work quietly
going on in many countries, some of which are supposed, by the uninformed, to be
behind in such undertakings.

The agricultural college at Petrovsk, near Moscow, in Kussia, is very large, well
conducted and well patronized, and is supplied with every requisite for efficient teach-
ing. It has 1200 acres of land with nurseries, arboretum, forestry belts, etc., an
excellent selection of stock is kept, and all kinds of field crops grown. About 800
students are in attendance

Other agricultural and pomological institutions are also doing good
work in that country. The botanic garden at St. Petorsburgh, under
charge of Dr. Kegel, ranks among the largest and most complete in tho world. In
forostry Bussia has made enormous progress, and has now, according to Professor
Budd's report, no less than 12,502 named forests, covering 30,000,000 of acres, Thero
aro 762 largo Government forestry stations throughout the Empire, under the
charge of an equal number of educated directors. In tho Steppe districts much land,
formerly barren, owing to insufficient rainfall, has, within the last half century, been
brought into condition for cultivation by tho planting of tracts of forests of from
15,000 to 30,000 acres each, which has had tho effect of inducing local rainfall suffi-
cient to admit of successful agriculture. In one Province, that of Tula, whero but
little wood formally existed, the Government has seven plantations, ranging in sizo
from 18,000 to 21,000 acres each.

In Silesia, tho King's Pomological Institute at Proskau is one of tho best schools
of horticulture and forestry in Europe, where 300 acres of land arc devoted to testing
all tho hardiest lruits of northern and eastern Europo ; and similar institutions exist
in almost every country on that continent.

Id

In Ireland a system of agricultural education has been recently introduced into
the elementary schools, which is fall of promise. The schools are associated with
school farms and gardens, where children aro taught the principles of agriculture and
horticulture.

In a recent report it is stated that from 45,000 to 50,000 children are annually
examined as to their proficiency in agricultural studies, and that about half that
number have succeeded in gaining passes for their proficiency in this branch. The
Albert Agricultural Institute at Glasnevin, besides carrying on other good work, is
training teachers for that purpose, as all those now engaged in elementary schools in
Ireland are required to pass an examination in this subject before entering on their
duties. Were some such measure as this adopted in Canada, and the interest of children
of all classes awakened by presenting to their minds somo of the more attractive
features in agricultural pursuits, there is every reason to believe that the effect on agri-
cultural progress would be very marked in a single generation. The Munstor Agri-
cultural and Dairy School is rendering eminent service to farmors in the county of
Cork.

A largo number of agricultural experimental stations have been established in
different parts of Germany, somo eighty in all, many similar stations are in active
operation in Austria, Hungary, Italy and other countries of Europe, most of them
supported or subsidized by the respective Governments. The growing of timber on
a laige scale has engaged the attention of many of thoss countries, and is also beiog
carried on in a very large way both in Australia and in India.

Japan too is moving in this matter. Somo years ago tho Japanese established
agricultural testing farms near Tokyo, where trees, shrubs and fruits from foreign
countries were grown, and the most promising sorts propagated and disseminated.
Eecently the Japan Government has engaged the services of an eminent American
agriculturist for a term of years, at a liboral salary, for tho purpose of establish-
ing, in the Japaneso Empire, experimental agricultural stations on the American
plan.

CONCLUSION.

Tho work which it is desired should bo undertaken may thus be summarised : —

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

(6.) Examine into scientific aud economic questions involved in tho production
of butter and cheese ;

(c.) Test tho merits, hardiness and adaptability of new or untried varieties of
wheat or other cereals, and of field c:ops, grasses and forage plants, fruits, vegetables,

80

plants and trees, and disseminate among persons engaged in farming, gardening or
fruit growing, upon such conditions as are prescribed by the Minister of Agriculture,
samples of such surplus products as are considered to be specially worthy of intro-
duction ;

(<2.) Analyze fertilizers, whether natural or artificial, and conduct experiments
with such fertilizers, in order to test their comparative value as applied to crops of
different kinds ;

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

(/.) Conduct experiments in the planting of trees for timber and for shelter;

(<7.) 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 be used in each case ;

(h.) Investigate the diseases to which domestic animals are subject ;
(i.) Ascertain the vitality and purity of agricultural seeds ; and
(j.) Conduct any other experiments and researches bearing upon the agricul-
tural industry of Canada, which may be approved by the Minister of Agriculture.

The whole respectfully submitted.

WM. SAUNDEKS.

London, OnL,

February 20th, 1886.

.

Date Due

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