911 H ';«;'<<;<<:<:• ■HHHHBH9 ( I ( t u nVriVtVtxVri i St :<:<:<;<:<:<:<:•:< APPENDIX TO THE REPORT OF THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE EXPEEIMENTAL FAEMS REPORTS OF THE DIRECTOR Wm. SAUNDERS AGRICULTURIST JAS. W. ROBERTSON HORTICULTURIST JOHN CRAIG CHEMIST F. T. SHUTT, M.A. ENTOMOLOGIST and BOTANIST - - - JAS. FLETCHER POULTRY MANAGER A. G. GILBERT SUPT. EXPERIMENTAL FARM, Nappan, N.S. - - Wm. M. BLAIR Brandon, Manitoba - S. A. BEDFORD Indian-Head, N.W.T. - ANGUS MACKAY " Agassiz, B.C. - - THOS. A. SHARPE FOR LIBRARY 1894 NEW YORK BC ;al EN PRINTED BY ORDER OF PARLIAMENT / OTTAWA PRINTED BY S. E. DAWSON, PRINTER TO THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY 1895 [No. 8c— 1895.] ■:< Figure 1.— Office Building, Museum and Chemical Laboratory of the Central Experimental Farm. LIBRARY APPEKDIX N E VV YO R BOTANICAL TO THE REPORT OF THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE ON EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Ottawa, 30th November, 1894. Sir, — I have the honour to submit for your approval my eighth annual report of the work done and in progress at the several experimental farms established in different parts of the Dominion. You will also find appended reports from the following officers of the Central Experimental Farm : From the Agriculturist, Mr. James W. Robertson ; from the Horticulturist, Mr. John Craig ; from the Chemist, Mr. Frank T. Shutt ; and from the Entomologist and Botanist, Mr. James Fletcher. A report is also submitted from the Poultry Manager, Mr. A. G. Gilbert. From the branch experimental farms there are reports from Mr. Win. M. Blair, superintendent of the experimental farm for the Maritime Provinces, at Nappan, Nova Scotia ; from Mr. S. A. Bedford, superintendent of the experimental farm for Manitoba, at Brandon ; from Mr. Angus McKay, superintendent of the experimental farm for the North-west Territories, at Indian Head ; and from Mr. Thos. A. Sharpe, superintendent of the experimental farm for British Columbia, at Agassiz. These reports contain particulars of the results of the experimental work which has been conducted in agriculture, horticulture and arboriculture embodying the outcome of much practical work in the fields, orchards, barns, dairy and poultry buildings ; also of scientific investigation of chemical problems in the laboratory and the careful study of the life history and habits of noxious insects and plants, with suggestions of measures calculated to lessen the injury they cause. Also details of the experiments which have been carried on during the past year in bee-keeping . The increasing demand among farmers for these reports is a gratifying indication 1 of the desire _~,r information among this class of the community and of the high esteem in which these records of the work of the experimental farms are held. It is hoped that the facts brought together in the present issue will be found quite as valuable to the agricultural community as those contained in any of the preceding reports. I have the honour to be, sir, Your obedient servant, WM, SAUNDERS, Director. The Honourable The Minister of Agriculture, Ottawa. 8c— 1J ANNUAL EEPORT ON THE EXPERIMENTAL EARMS. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. (WM. SAUNDERS, F.R.S.G., F.L.S. F.C.S.) The results of eight years of experimental work covering nearly all the departments in which the farming class of the community is engaged, together with the testing of fruits, vegetables, poultry, economic and ornamental trees, shrubs, plants and flowers, are shown in the accumulation of a mass of facts relating to these several subjects, the recital of which gives increasing value to the annual reports of the experimental farms. Where conclusions are drawn from the results of the tests of a single year, they are frequently found to be unreliable as a guide, and since no two seasons are alike, they can scarcely be repeated with similar returns ; but where such tests have been carried on through a series of years the average results may be taken as fairly trustworthy. The very low prices which continue to prevail for wheat and the coarse grain", the returns from the sale of which give now but a small margin beyond the cost of growing, has obliged many farmers to turn their attention to more profitable methods of disposing of these crops than by their bulk sale in the markets. The census for 1890 shows that the number of persons engaged in agricultural pursuits in the Dominion of Canada — farmers and farmers' sons — was in that year 649,506. These with the families depending on them will, it is estimated, make up 45 per cent of the entire population of the country. Where so large a proportion of the community depend for their livelihood on the cultivation of the soil, it is of the utmost importance for the welfare and prosperity of the entire country that their efforts should be directed into the most profitable channels. The experiments which have been con- ducted at the Central and branch Experimental Farms have demonstrated that wheat, as well as other grain, may be made a greater source of profit if fed to steers and swine and thus converted into beef and pork, than by selling these crops in their crude state, at present prices. The feeding of these grains mixed with suitable succulent food, such as ensilage, to c ~ws and converting their milk into cheese and butter, has also been shown to be more profitable than the sale of such grain. Hence the dairying industry has grown very rapidly in Canada of late years, and the demand for first class dairy products seems to be almost unlimited. This branch of farm work has also this great advantage, that the elements of fertility which have been taken from the land by the grain during the process of its growth, is, to a very large extent, restored to the soil in the barnyard manure. It has also the further advantage, when butter-making is carried on during the winter months, of giving additional employment to the farm hands during that season. The more general feeding of a proportion of wheat to swine and cattle will also consume some part of the large stock which has been grown in excess of the requirements of mankind, and which has, no doubt, had the effect of bringing down the price to the present unusually low and unremunerative figure. 6 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. DISTRIBUTION OF SEED GRAIN. The work carried on with grain, at the Experimental Farms, has not been limited to the testing of varieties and determining which sorts promise to be the more profitable for general growth, but during the past six years the endeavour has been made to improve the character and quality of the various sorts of grain grown in Canada, by the distribution of samples among farmers, for seed, of those sorts which have given the best returns. The good results of this continued effort are now beginning to appear in many districts, where these newer and more productive sorts of grain are fast replac- ing some of the less prolific varieties formerly in cultivation. At the outset, when the applications for samples were fewer, there was no difficulty in sending two or three samples to each applicant; but the number of requests received has increased so largely that it was found necessary, last year, to reduce the number of samples sent to each individual to two, and later in the season, to one. With this limitation the available stock was all promised by the middle of February, when the lists had to be closed and the many later applicants could not be supplied. As it is very desirable that this distri- bution be as general as possible, it is proposed to limit the number of samples during the coming season to one for each individual. The distribution provided for from the Central Experimental Farm, for 1895, will consist chiefly of the most promising varieties of oats, barley, wheat, pease and potatoes, all of which have been grown on the Experimental Farms for this purpose. The several branch farms will also distribute, as heretofore, samples to the farmers residing in the provinces and territories where these institutions are established. The samples sent out from the Experimental Farm at Ottawa during the early months of 1894, were distributed as follows : Prince Edward Island. Oats 122 Wheat 77 Barley 73 Pease 50 Potatoes 6 Corn 4 332 Number of applicants supplied, 173. Nova Scotia. Oats 468 Barley 376 Wheat 328 Pease 159 Potatoes 40 Corn 26 1,397 Number of applicants supplied, 758. __ New Brunswick. Oats 344 Barley 237 Wheat , 232 Pease 72 Potatoes 31 Corn 44 960 Number of applicants supplied, 581. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. Ontario. Oats 7g3 Barley 599 Wheat 6»<3 Pease 225 Potatoes 140 Corn 125 Horse beans 5 2,505 Number of applicants supplied, 1,590. Quebec. Oats 4,366 Barley 3,S94 Wheat 2,567 Pease 1,750 Potatoes 1,006 Corn 7G0 Horse beans , 6 14,349 Number of applicants supplied, 9,740. Manitoba. Oats 288 Barley 191 Wheat 150 Pease 81 Potatoes 12 Corn 4 726 Number of applicants supplied, 382. North-west Territories. Oats 163 Barley 130 Wheat 108 Pease 41 Potatoes 17 Corn 2 461 Number of applicants supplied, 252. British Columbia. Oats 56 Barley 30 Wheat 35 Pease 22 Potatoes 1 Corn 2 Horse beans 1 147 Number of applicants supplied 75. 8 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. The following list shows the number of three-pound packages of the different varieties which have been distributed : — Oats Prize Cluster 2,690 Banner 1,327 White Poland 1,255 Bonanza 611 Wallis 508 Bavarian 92 Golden Giant 87 6,570 Barley — Two-rowed. Canadian Thorpe 3,658 Duck-bill 1,348 Goldthorpe 73 5,079 Barley — Six-rowed. Rennie's Improved 305 Baxter's Six-rowed 146 451 Wheat. Red Fife 2,056 Campbell's White Chaff 898 White Connell 418 Wellman's Fife 414 White Fife 332 Ladoga 27 4,145 Pease. Mummy 1,524 Large white Marrowfat 876 2,400 Potatoes. Lee's Favourite 374 Wonder of the World 289 Early Puritan 216 Thorburn 194 Beauty of Hebron .' . 178 Red Dakota 1 Everett 1 1,253 Corn. Pearce's Prolific 504 Longfellow , 424 Compton's Early 39 967 Horse Beans 12 REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. A few samples of Fall Wheat were also sent out, including the following to Ontario 12 Quebec 6 Eritish Columbia 23 41 Number of applicants supplied, 35. Total number of samples distributed at the Central Experimental Farm . . . 20,918 Total number of applicants supplied 13,5S6 Samples were also distributed at the branch Experimental Farms as follows : Experimental Farm, Nappan, N. S. Oats 290 Barley 118 Wheat 138 Pease 31 Potatoes 203 780 Number of applicants supplied, 338. Experimental Farm, Brandon, Man. Oats 43 Barley 18 Wheat 25 Potatoes 71 157 Number of applicants supplied, 157. Experimental Farm, Indian Head, N. W. T. Oats 296 Barley 154 Wheat 176 Spring Rye 18 Pease 73 Potatoes 286 1,003 Number of applicants supplied, 379. Experimental Farm, Agassiz, B.C. Oats 117 Barley 89 Fall Wheat 31 Spring Wheat Pease 95 Potatoes I41 556 Number of applicants supplied, 482. Making a total of 2,496 samples supplied to 1,356 applicants by the branch Experimental Farms. This, added to the distribution made at the Central Farm, gives a total of 23,414 samples to 14,942 applicants. 10 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. The branch Experimental Farms also supplied a large number of farmers in their several districts, with new and promising sorts of grain in bags of two bushels each. These were sold to farmers at a slight advance on the ordinary prices prevailing at the time, for such grain. EXPERIMENTS WITH OATS. Comparative tests have been made with 36 varieties of oats, for earliness, yield and other qualities. These were all sown on clay loam and about the same time, on plots of -^ of an acre each, excepting the varieties known as Banner and Abundance, which were on plots of -£$ of an acre. The previous crop was Indian Corn, and the land was manured in the spring of 1891 with about 20 tons of barnyard manure to the acre; it also received an application of wood ashes late in the autumn of 1893, about 150 bushels to the acre. The treatment of the land was as follows : It was gang-ploughed very shallow in the autumn of 1893, after harvesting, to cover and start into growth any shed grain or weed seeds lying on the surface. Later in the autumn, it was ploughed seven to eight inches deep, and it was disc-harrowed and harrowed with the smoothing harrow in the spring, before sowing. All the varieties were sown on April 18th and 19th. Oats, Test of Yarieties. Name of Variety. Early Blossom Abyssinia Banner Lincoln Golden Beauty Early Gothland Oderbruch Joanette Rosedale .... Giant Cluster Californian Prolific Black . . . Poland ...... Early Etampes, not distin- guishable from Joanette . . . Early Archangel American Triumph Golden Giant, same as Giant Cluster ... Wide- A wake Wallis Columbus Imported Irish Improved Ligowo Holstein Prolific Abundance Elymg Scotchman.... ... . Bavarian Bonanza Welcome Scottish Chief Coulommiers Rennie's Prize White Prolific Black Tartarian Siberian Prize Cluster White Wonder White Monarch Royal Doncaster Prize "S o p +3 JB Ti hn CD o> £ £ bus. lbs. 43 42 39 39 39 39 38 37 37 37 36 36 35 34 34 34 32 32 32 32 31 31 31 30 30 30 30 30 30 29 29 29 28 26 26 16 8 12 14 4 4 4 28 32 18 2 27 26 10 25 24 14 32 12 12 12 26 16 6 30 20 20 10 10 00 24 14 4 8 26 16 16 Lbs 354 38± 34^ 33i 33| 40} 38§ 33 38* 31 29 37i 32 40i 32| 29| 31 334 33" 394 36 34 34 39 33J 40 39 374 3l| 35 304 30" 39| 38i 35| 32 Proportion Rusted. Considerably. cs Slightly. n tt Slightly. Considerably. Slightly. Slighly. Considerably. Considerably. Slightly. Slightly. Very slightly. Slightly. Considerably. a Slightly. << Very slightly. Slightly. Very slightly. Slightly. Slightly. tt Considerably. Badly. Considerably. Slightly. tt Considerably. Badly. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. \\ Several of those included in this table are new varieties : Wallis. — This originated with Mr. John Wallis, of Ferguson, Ont., and is said to have occurred as a sport in a field of Banner. It is a promising oat, a vigorous "rower and prolific, stiff in straw — but no stiffer than Improved Ligowo, Abundance or Banner. It resembles Banner when growing:. Bavarian. — This is a promising sort; has been among the best as to yield, during the past season ; straw stiff. Imported Irish. — This is an oat which was imported from Ireland ; it is a branch- ing sort ; a vigorous grower ; fairly stiff in the straw ; and has yielded well. Lincoln. — A promising variety with a branching head ; has given a good yield ; has a stiff straw, somewhat resembling Banner. White Monarch. — A branching variety not particularly promising ; with fairly stiff straw, not so stiff as that of some of the other leading varieties ; this has not yielded so well as most of the other sorts tested. Columbus. — This variety was imported from Germany in the spring of 1893, but was not reported on last year, owing to the unfavourable conditions which prevailed, the crop of all varieties of oats having been almost destroyed by rust. This variety has done well during the past season ; is a vigorous grower, with fairly stiff straw, and seems to be worthy of more extended trial in the eastern provinces ; at the western farms it has not succeeded so well. FIELD CROPS OP OATS. Prize Cluster. — Soil heavy clay loam ; previous crop was barley. Manured with about 18 tons per acre of barnyard manure in the autumn of 1893, when it was ploughed under. The land was disc-harrowed in the spring of 1894 and harrowed with smoothing harrow before seeding ; 3f acres ; sown April 24th ; 1| bushels per acre ; ripe July 23rd ; time to mature, 90 days ; yield per acre, 32 bushels 33 lbs. ; weight per bushel, 33f lbs. ; length of head, 9 to 11 inches ; branching; length of straw, 44 to 48 inches ; all standing well ; a strong, even growth ; leaves and stems considerably rusted. Another field was sown with this variety, comprising 18 acres of sandy loam of rather poor quality. This was manured in the spring of 1894 with about 18 tons of barnyard manure per acre. The manure was ploughed under, and the land disc-har- rowed and harrowed with smoothing harrow, before sowing. Sown May 2nd ; If bushels per acre ; ripe July 28th; time to mature, 87 days ; yield per acre, 18 bushels 7 lbs. ; weight per bushel, 33f lbs. ; length of head, 7 to 9 inches ; branching ; length of straw, 36 to 46 inches : straw standing well ; leaves and stems considerably rusted. Poland White. — On soil partly heavy clay loam and part peaty ; previous crop was experimental plots of barley and oats ; manured in the autumn of 1893 with about 18 tons of barnyard manure per acre, when it was ploughed under. The land was disc- harrowed in the spring of 1894 and harrowed with smoothing harrow before seeding ; 1\ acres ; sown April 24th ; If bushels per acre ; ripe July 24th; time to mature, 91 days; yfeld per acre, 35 bushels 9 lbs. ; weight per bushel, 38£ lbs. ; length of head, 9 to 1 1 inches ; branching ; length of straw, 42 to 45 inches ; all standing well ; made a strong, even growth ; leaves and stems considerably rusted. Banner. — On soil part peaty, part clay loam and part sandy loam ; previous crop was a mixed grain crop grown for fodder ; manured in the spring of 1892 with about 18 tons of barnyard manure per acre. This land was ploughed in the autumn of 1893 ; disc- harrowed and harrowed with smoothing harrow before seeding, in spring of 1894; 7f acres ; sown April 25th : 1\ bushels per acre ; ripe July 30th ; time to mature, 96 days ; yield per acre, 29 bushels 24 lbs. ; weight per bushel, 32f lbs. ; length of head, 7 to 9 inches; branching ; length of straw, 36 to 42 inches ; all standing well; growth uneven on account of variation in soil ; no rust observed. 12 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Golden Giant. — Soil about half clay loam and half sandy loam ; previous crop was mixed grain grown for fodder ; manured in spring of 1892 with about 18 tons of barn- yard manure per acre. The land was ploughed in the autumn of 1893 ; disc-harrowed and harrowed with smoothing harrow before seeding, in 1894 ; 3 acres ; sown April 25th ; 2£ bushels per acre ; ripe August 9th : time to mature, 106 days ; weight per bushel, 31 £ lbs.; length of head, 9 to 11 inches; sided; length of straw, 36 to 48 inches ; straw stiff and all standing well ; made a strong, even growth ; leaves and stems considerably rusted. Wallis. — Soil, sandy loam ; previous crop was pease ; manured in the spring of 1893 with about 18 tons of barnyard manure per acre ; ploughed in the autumn of 1893 ; disc- harrowed and harrowed with smoothing harrow before seeding, in spring of 1894 ; four acres; sown April 25th; 2 bushels per acre; ripe August 3rd; time to mature, 100 days; yield per acre, 36 bushels 17 lbs. ; weight per bushel 34 lbs. ; length of head, 7 to 10 inches ; branching ; length of straw, 36 to 44 inches ; straw stiff and stood up well ; growth strong and even ; leaves and stems considerably rusted. Bavarian — Soil, sandy loam : previous crop was pease ; manured in the spring of 1893 with about 18 tons of barnyard manure per acre ; ploughed in the autumn of 1893 ; disc-harrowed and harrowed with smoothing harrow before seeding in spring of 1894 ; 2| acres ; sown April 25th ; 2 bushels per acre ; ripe August 3rd ; time to mature, 100 days ; yield per acre, 37 bushels 30 lbs. ; weight per bushel, 34 J lbs. ; length of head, 7 to 10 inches ; branching ; length of straw, 36 to 42 inches ; straw stiff and stood up well ; growth strong and even ; leaves and stems considerably rusted. Bonanza. — Soil, light sandy loam, most of it of poor quality, with a " hard pan " subsoil ; previous crop was oats ; manured in autumn of 1891, with about 18 tons of barnyard manure per acre ; ploughed in the autumn of 1893 ; disc-harrowed and har- rowed with smoothing harrow before seeding, in spring of 1894 ; If acres ; sown April 27th ; 1£ bushels per acre ; ripe July 25th ; time to mature, 89 days ; yield per acre, 19 bushels 4 lbs. ; weight per bushel, 32^ lbs. ; length of head, 7 to 9 inches ; branching ; length of straw, 24 to 42 inches ; straw rather weak and growth uneven ; leaves and stems considerably rusted. Welcome. — Soil, light sandy loam, with a " hard pan " subsoil, most of it of poor quality ; previous crop was oats ; manured in the autumn of 1891, with about 18 tons of barnyard manure per acre ; ploughed in the autumn of 1893 ; disc-harrowed and harrowed with smoothing harrow before seeding, in spring of 1894 ; 3 acres ; sown April 27th ; l\ bushels per acre ; ripe July 27th ; time to mature 91 days ; yield per acre, 16 bushels 13 lbs. ; weight per bushel, 37| lbs. ; length of head, 7 to 9 inches ; branching ; length of straw, 24 to 26 inches ; straw rather weak and growth very uneven on account of variations in soil. This land was flat and the crop suffered from water lying in spots owing to excessive rains. Early Blossom. — Soil, part peaty and part sandy loam of poor quality ; previous crop was mixed grain grown for fodder ; manured in the spring of 1893 ; with about 18 tons of barnyard manure per acre ; ploughed in the autumn of 1893 ; disc-harrowed and harrowed with smoothing harrow before seeding, in spring of 1894 ; 1 acre ; sown April 27th ; If bushels per acre ; ripe August 1st ; time to mature, 96 days ; yield per acre, 24 bushels 24 lbs. ; weight per bushel, 35 lbs. ; length of head, 6 to 10 inches ; sided ; length of straw, 30 to 42 inches ; straw stiff and stood up well ; leaves and stems considerably rusted. Abundance. — Soil, part peaty and part sandy loam of poor quality ; previous crop was mixed grain grown for fodder ; manured in spring of 1891 with 18 to 20 tons of barnyard manure per acre ; ploughed in the autumn of 1893 ; disc-harrowed and har- rowed with smoothing harrow before seeding, in spring of 1894 ; 1£ acres ; sown April 27th ; 2| bushels per acre ; ripe July 30th ; time to mature, 94 days ; yield per acre, 36 bushels 1 lb. ; weight per bushel, 30£ lbs. ; length of head, 8 to 10 inches ; branching ; length of straw, 36 to 44 inches ; straw stiff and stood up well, but on account of var- iability of soil the growth was uneven ; leaves and stems considerably rusted. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 13 EXPERIMENTS WITH BARLEY. Twenty-nine varieties of barley have been tested during the past season, fourteen of which were two-rowed sorts, and fifteen six-rowed. These were all sown on plots of ■gJg- acre each. The soil was a clay loam of fair quality ; it was manured in the sprin" of 1891 with about 20 tons of barnyard manure to the acre ; it also received an ap- plication of wood ashes late in the autumn of 1893, about 150 bushels to the acre. The land was gang-ploughed very shallow after harvest, in the autumn of 1893, to cover and start into growth any shed grain or weed seeds lying on the surface; later in the autumn it was again ploughed seven to eight inches deep, and it was disc-harrowed and har- rowed with the smoothing harrow in the spring, before sowing. The two-rowed varieties were all sown on April 21st and 22nd, and the six-rowed sorts April 20th and 21st. Two-rowed Barley — Test of Varieties. Name of Variety. Bolton Danish Chevalier. . . California Prolific. . . Newton Improved Chevalier. French Chevalier. . . . Prize Prolific Duck-bill Thanet . Kinver Chevalier. . . . Canadian Thorpe. . . . Victor Sidney New Golden Grains . . bo CO — Date >> h of -*% Ripe mng. d July 18.. 89 it 23.. 93 cc 22.. 92 it 22.. 92 cc 23.. 92 cc 2G . 96 if 21.. 91 it 22.. 92 it 20.. 90 u 26.. 96 cc 23.. 93 • c 22.. 92 (< 24. 93 II 23.. 92 Length of Straw. Inches. 42 to 48 27 to 34 34 to 43 30 to 40 34 to 38 30 to 39 35 to 38 36 to 40 34 to 38 33 to 37 28 to 43 36 to 44 36 to 45 21 to 36 £ utn Length 43 of e3 Cm Head. -C O Inches. Fair. . . . 3 to 3f Fair. . . . 3 to 3| Stiff.... 2| to 3 II 2| to 3 Fair 2£ to 4£ (( 3 to 4 (1 34 to 3| Stiff.... 2| to 3 Fair. . . . 34 to 4 cc 3 to 4 Stiff.... 2| to 3 Fair. . . . 2| to 34 cc 3 to 4 cc 34 to 4$ CD Yield Per Acre. ja be 3 * Bush. Lbs. Lbs. 30 40 473 29 18 m 27 4 50 27 4 49 26 32 48 26 22 50 25 40 484 25 40 49 25 30 484 24 28 50 23 16 49 23 6 504 21 42 50 20 10 48 CD .2tf o None. Slightly. Six-rowed Barley — Test op Varieties. Mensury Four- rowed Odessa Common ... Royal Vanguard Phoenix Pioneer Oderbruch Stella j Trooper Petschora Baxter's Rennie's Improved.. Nugent July IS.. 89 CI 19.. 90 a 18.. 89 n 15.. 86 a 16.. 87 n 15.. 86 tt 18.. 89 cc 17.. 87 tt 15.. 86 cc 22.. 93 CC 18.. 89 u 15.. 86 it 16.. 87 II 16.. 87 tl 20.. 90 43 to 40 to 39 to 44 to 39 to 36 to 36 to 40 to 36 to 36 to 32 to 39 to 38 to 36 to 30 to 52 50 46 48 44 45 45 48 44 40 40 44 46 44 37 Fair. . . . 2| to 34 i i 2§ to 3| Stiff.... 2| to 3| CC 24 to 3 Fair 23 to 3| a 24 to 3 Stiff ... 2i to 21 cc 2| to 2| (C 24 to 3 cc 24 to 3 tc 24 to 3 cc 24 to 3 Stiff.... 2| to 2| tc 2| to 2| cc 24, to 3 44 43 41 37 36 34 33 33 31 31 30 30 25 23 22 18 46 46i 46| 32 464 24 47 2 474 38 46? 26 4S| 26 49 2 483 2 484 40 47 20 45f 40 49 16 483 34 464 None. Slightly. None. FIELD CROPS OF BARLEY. Only one variety of barley was sown in field crop. This was Canadian Thorpe, a two-rowed sort. It was sown on clay loam ; previous crop was corn and beans. The land was manured in the spring of 1893, — before sowing the corn and beans, — with from 18 to 20 tons of barnyard manure per acre. It was ploughed in the spring of 14 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. •1894, and harrowed with smoothing harrow before sowing. 8| acres, sown April 21st ; 2 bushels per acre ; ripe July 22hd ; time to mature, 92 days ; yield per acre, 25 bushels 13 lbs. : weight per bushel 49|- lbs .; length of head, 3 to 3} inches ; length of straw, 36 to 42 inches ; all standing well ; some rust on leaves, very little on stems ; no smut. EXPERIMENTS WITH FALL WHEAT. Fourteen varieties of fall wheat have been under test during the past season, most of them in plots of ^ acre each. They were all sown on September 13th, 1893, and harvested from the 15th to the 18th of July, 1894. The soil was a sandy loam which had a light coating of manure in the spring of 1893, about 10 tons to the acre. The previous crop was oats. After the oats were harvested the land was gang-ploughed lightly to start weeds and shed grain and ploughed again about 7 inches deep, and har- rowed with smoothing harrow before sowing. The Manchester, Early Red Clawson and Willit's were all injured by depredations of birds ; but for this, the crop of these varieties would have been reported larger. FALL WHEAT — TEST OP "VARIETIES. Name of Variety. Length of Straw. Character of Straw. Length of Head. Kind of Head. Yield per Acre. Weight per Bushel. Proportion Rusted. Johnson Jones' Winter Fife. Inches. 48 to 56 48 to 56 48 to 58 "6 to 51 Stiff.. tt tt tt tt Fairly stiff. . Stiff it Fairly stiff. . Stiff " Fairly stiff. . Inches. 2} to 2| 2|to3 3 to3A 2}to2g 2f to 3 2} to 3 •2h to 3 2| to 3} 2i to 3| 2 to 2| 2} to 3 2} to 3 2i to 3 J 2 to 3 Bearded . . Beardless . n Bearded . . Beardless . Bearded . . Beardless . a Bearded . . tt Beaidless. tt Bearded . . Bus. lbs. 42 .. 39 9 36 20 36 14 36 .. 34 .. 34 .. 33 40 28 40 27 40 27 10 27 10 2E 50 25 10 Lbs. 58£ 59 62 61* 60A 62} 611 61 62} 61 614 60| 60 61| Slightly to considerably. Very slightly. tt Willit's Democrat Weld's No. 4 Roberts 54 to 60 45 to 54 48 to 56 53 to 60 54 to 63 52 to 59 54 to 58 52 to 60 48 to 58 48 to 58 Slightly to considerably. Very slightly. Slightly. Very slightly. Golden Cross Manchester Early Red Clawson Martin's Amber. . . Tasmania tt Slightly. Very slightly. a EXPERIMENTS WITH SPRING WHEAT. During the season of 1894, thirty-six varieties of spring wheat were tested, twenty- seven of these were on plots of l-20th acre each, and nine on plots of l-40th acre. The land was clay loam adjoining the experimental plots of barley, anil' received a similar application of manure in the spring of 1891, and of ashes in the autumn of 1893. The preparation of the land also was the same as that for the experimental plots of oats and barley. Several of the varieties which show a comparatively small yield, would have been reported as giving more liberal returns but for the depredations of sparrows, which were most persistent in their attentions, especially to the later ripening sorts. Particulars of growth, yield, &c, will be found in the following table : — REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 15 SPRING WHEAT — TEST OF VARIETIES. Name of Variety. be '2 CO ■M.& CD c3 n d Length of Straw. <*- 0 u Qi • O Length of Head. Kind of Head. u < u i 387" 3su 375 229 207J2 334 386 292 183 181 144 192 233 Yield of 7 rows Wondei of the World Lbs. 2-20h 203 124 123 133 159A 192 161 1494 US 151 781 120 208 136 147 113!, 88" 63 82 Total Yield per Acre. Tons. Lbs. 7 1 890 7 4 00 470 4 579 i l,0>o 0 1,090 5 3:0 4 5 1,350 730 5 490 5 3 3 520 150 550 5 5 4 2 2 1 840 440 780 1,930 1,380 1,850 2 1,100 3 300 Total Yield per Acre. Bush. Lbs. 264 50 234 20 141 10 142 50 150 218 10 155 50 178 50 174 50 175 20 102 30 109 10 180 40 174 140 20 98 50 89 40 64 10 85 105 REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 35 Experiments with Fertilizers on Half- Plots, ^ acre of Potatoes after Barley. o 5 o 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Fertilizers applied each Year. Barn-yard manure well rotted, 15 tons per acre. Barn-yard manure, fresh, 15 tons per acre . . Unmanured Mineral phosphate, untreated, finely ground, 500 lbs. per acre Mineral phosphate, untreated, finely ground, 500 lbs. ; nitrate of soda, 200 lbs. per acre . . Barn-yard manure partly rotted, and actively fermenting, 6 tons per acre ; mineral phos- phate, untreated, finely ground, 500 lbs. per acre, composted together, intimately mixed and allowed to heat for several days before using Mineral phosphate, untreated, finely ground, 500 lbs.; nitrate of soda, 200 lbs.; wood ashes, unleached, 1,000 lbs. per acre Mineral phosphate, untreated, finely ground, 500 lbs.; wood ashes unleached, 1,500 lbs. per acre . Mineral superphosphate No. 1, 500 lbs. per acre Mineral superphosphate No. 1, 350 lbs. ; nitrate of soda, 200 lbs. per acre Mineral superphosphate No. 1, 350 lbs. ; nitrate of soda, 200 lbs. ; wood ashes, unleached, 1,500 lbs. per acre Unmanured Bone, finely ground, 500 lbs. per acre .... .... Bone, finely ground, 500 lbs.; wood ashes, un- leached, 1,500 lbs. per acre Nitrate of soda, 200 lbs. per acre Muriate of potash, 150 lbs. per acre Sulphate of ammonia, 300 lbs . per acre Sulphate of iron, 60 lbs . per acre Common salt (Sodium chloride) 300 lbs. pc«":- acre Land plaster or gypsum (Calcium sulphate), 300 lbs . per acre Mineral superphosphate No. 2, 500 lbs, per acre East half of Plots. Yield of 12 rows Thor- burn. Lbs. 342 375 160 155 125 232 175 225 2501 227 313 178 137 230 139 152 134i 134" 162^ 232 206 Yield of 12 rows Beauty of He- bron. Lbs. 325 352 190i 197 1691 260J 26H 239 290 251 337 161 137 2401 176 247 129 14!) 275i 250 Yield of 3 rows Early Rose. Lbs. 75 70 21 32i. 19i 48 33 231 51" 40i 48 161 195 45i 29" 26 16 10 30 314 21" Tota per yield acre. Tons. Lbs. 7 7 3 840 1,940 1,430 3 1,690 3 280 5 810 4 1,390 4 5 1,750 1,830 5 370 6 3 2 1,960 1,110 1,870 5 3 4 2 2 4 320 880 500 1,590 1,860 1,360 5 4 270 1,310 Total yield per acre. Bush. Lbs. 247 20 265 40 123 50 128 10 104 40 180 10 156 30 162 30 197 10 172 50 232 40 118 30 97 50 172 114 40 141 40 93 10 97 40 156 171 10 155 10 $C— 3£ 36 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. I COMPARISON OP RESULTS FROM THE USE OF EQUAL QUANTITIES OP BARN-YARD MANURE, FRESH AND WELL ROTTED. On examination these tables of results all show that the best returns are obtained in growing all of the crops referred to from the use of barn-yard manure, and that in a large proportion of cases the yields are in favour of the fresh manure as compared with that well rotted when used in equal weights. The following table summarizes the rela- tive advantage in yield on both sides during the whole course of these experiments : — In favour of well rotted Manure, 15 tons per ac. Wheat, average yield per acre for 7 years Barley do 6 do Oats do 6 do Corn (Plots 1) do do (Plots 2) do Mangels do Turnips do Carrots after oats do do wheat do do barley do Sugar beets after barley, average yield per acre for 1 year . Potatoes after wheat do I do . do barley do 1 do . 7 do 7 do 6 do 6 do 4 do 3 do 2 do Bush. Lbs. Tons. Lbs. 1,170 1,765 1,205 270 1,830 In favour of Fresh Manure, 15 tons per ac. Bush. Lbs. 8* 1 40£ 3 28 Tons. Lbs. 2 1,878 483 1,155 810 1,100 These results seem to show that fresh barn-yard manure gives on the average greater fertility to the soil than an equal weight of manure well rotted. This subject is a most important one in the economy of manures, since during the process of thorough rotting, barn-yard manure loses about 40 per cent of its weight, to which must be added the cost of twice handling and that of turning once or twice during the process of fer- mentation. As stated in the report for 1893, the reason why the fresh manure is equal to the rotted, weight for weight, probably lies in the fact that the liquid portions of the manure, the richest in nitrogen have much of this most valuable constituent volatilized and lost during the process of rotting. SAMPLE HEDGES ON THE CENTRAL EXPERIMENTAL FARM. In the annual report of the Experimental Farms for 1889 a brief reference was made to ten varieties of trees and shrubs, the suitability of which for hedge purposes was being tested. The many inquiries which have since been made regarding shrubs and trees suitable for hedges from all parts of the Dominion, has led to an extension of this work not only at the central farm but also at the branch farms. These latter will be reported on hereafter. The trial hedges at the central farm now number forty- six in all, ten of which were planted in 1889, fourteen in 1890, nine in 1891, and thirteen in 1894. In planting these hedges the young shrubs or trees have all been put in in single rows and at a uniform distance of fifteen inches apart. These hedges have been planted in sections of fifty feet in length and ten feet apart arranged in a tier covering nearly 500 feet. The object lesson given by this comparative test has in- terested a large number of the visitors to the farm, and many hedges have been planted on private grounds as a result of the information gained here. These hedges are usual- ly pruned twice a year, the first time in June and the second sometime in August, de- pending on the season and the growth the hedges have made. None of them have yet REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 37 developed sufficient strength to serve the purpose of inclosure of land against cattle •without fencing, but many of them are very ornamental and would serve an admirable purpose as dividing lines between neighbours in towns and cities where strong fences are not required or for separating a lawn from the fruit or kitchen garden. HINTS ON HEDGE PLANTING. In planting hedges the young shrubs or trees of deciduous species should not be more than one and a half to two feet high, and at the time of planting should be cut back to six or eight inches above ground to encourage a thick growth at the bottom, a single row fifteen inches apart is all that is necessary in any case. When planting ever- green hedges, young bushy trees from twelve to eighteen inches high should be chosen, and these will need but little trimming when planted, just sufficient to make the plants even in height and width, If evergreens are cut severely back so as to deprive them of much of their foliage they are unable readily to replace such loss and are liable to suffer permanent injury from such treatment. When planting a hedge it should have a space of at least two feet on either side of it clear of grass, and this land should be kept free from weeds and hoed occasionally during the summer ; as the hedge grows, this space will need widening. The after trimming will necessarily vary in degree depending on the annual growth made, and the taste of the grower. Many of the species to be referred to can be easilypropagated from cuttings. Such cuttings should be made late in the autumn unless otherwise directed, after the leaves have fallen ; they should be from six to eight in- ches long ; the lower end should be cut off smoothly just below the bud, the upper end just above the bud. When the cuttings are planted they should be put out in rows from one to two feet apart and about six inches apart in the rows and buried so that the upper bud shall be just above the ground. They may be planted in beds as soon as they are cut or they may be tied in small bundles and buried in the garden a foot or so below the surface and the earth mounded up over them, or buried in moist sand in a cellar and planted very early in the spring. During the winter there forms on the ends of the cuttings a granular growth called a " callous," from which young roots start in the spring. Well established plants suitable for hedge planting may usually be grown in a single season from such cuttings if they are well cared for and in most cases no special skill is required to secure successful results. The method of propa- gation of each species will be given with other particulars under their special headings in the following list. LIST OP TREES AND SHRUBS TESTED FOR HEDGES. 1. Siberian Pea Tree. Caragana arborescens. — This hedge was planted in 1889. Its present height is 4 feet 6 inches, width near base 3 feet, it has made good growth and forms a compact and very pretty hedge. The foliage is neat, and early in the summer it is covered with small bright yellow pea-shaped flowers. It is a native of Siberia, is very hardy and has succeeded well on all the experimental farms, including the farms at Brandon, Man., and Indian Head, N.W.T., and promises to be one of the most useful bushes in cultivation for general hedge purposes. The Siberian pea tree is easily grown from seed, which may be sown when fully ripe in the autumn or early in the spring. 2. American or White Elm. Ulmus Americana. — Planted in 1889, present height 5 feet 4 inches, width near base 3 feet 6 inches. Beginning with young trees about two feet high and cut back, followed by regular training, this makes a compact, hardy and useful hedge. On account of its tendency to make strong growth, it requires more attention than some others. Raised from seed. Young seedlings of this tree of suitable size, may be found in many localities in the woods. 3. Russian Mulberry. Morus Tatarica. — Planted in 1889, present height 5 feet 6 inches, width near base 5 feet. This hedge is very handsome and compact and has grown more both in height and width than most of the others. It is easily kept in order, but is not entirely hardy, the tips of the branches are winter-killed more or less 38 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. every year, but not enough to disfigure the hedge. This may be grown either from seed or cuttings. 4. Norway Spruce. Picea excelsa. — This hedge was planted in 1889, with young trees from 15 to 18 inches high, it now averages 4 feet 6 inches in height, with a width near its base equal to its height. It is very compact and handsome, forming a solid mass of green all through the year. This tree is grown from seed, but is of slow growth, young trees requiring 3 to 4 years to attain a height of 15 to 18 inches. Suitable young trees of this species can usually be obtained from nurserymen at reasonable prices. 5. Honey Locust. Gleditschia triacanthos. — Planted in 1889, height 4 feet 3 inches, width near base 4 feet. This tree has a beautiful fern-like foliage, but it is too tender for hedges for the Ottawa district. Trees planted singly are occasionally found to be quite hardy, but in hedges they kill out more or less, making the hedge irregular and unsightly. This tree is also a very strong grower and hence requires more frequent clipping to keep it in shape than most others, which makes it less desirable for this purpose. It is quite hardy in Western Ontario, where it is being used in some localities to a considerable extent for farm hedges. Its rapid growth makes it very unsuitable for this purpose, as the cost of labour required to keep a hedge of honey locust in good shape would be much more than the price of ordinary fencing, and if neglected each specimen struggles to become a tree, the more vigorous rapidly outgrow and smother the weaker ones, and the plantation soon becomes unsightly. 6. White Spruce. Picea alba. — This native evergreen makes one of the most desir- able of all evergreen hedges. Planted in 1889, present height 3 feet 3 inches, width near base 3 feet 3 inches. This hedge is very compact and handsome, is not quite so rapid in growth as the Norway spruce, but is more dense in its compactness and makes a wall of constant greenness, and requires less clipping to keep it in order. In form it is beauti- fully regular. In many localities young trees may be found in abundance in the woods. If these are used, they should not be more than 12 to 18 inches high when transplanted, and would be better if put into nursery rows in garden soil for a year, removing at the end of that time into hedge row those specimens which have become established, and are fairly even in height and bushiness. The young trees may also be raised from seed, but like the Norway spruce, they make slow growth ; they may be bought ready for planting from the nurseryman. 7. Common Barberry. — Berberis vulgaris. Planted in 1889, present height 4 feet 3 inches, width near base 4 feet. The common barberry makes a thrifty hedge, of a compact and regular form, and from its habit of sending up new shoots every year from the base it becomes after a time so thick as to be almost impenetrable, the foliage is dark green, the leaves small, nearly round and finely serrated. The flowers are small, greenish yellow and in long clusters, and later in tho season the bright scarlet berries add to the attractiveness of this hedge. The barberry is easily grown from seed. 8. Hemlock Spruce. — Tsuga Canadensis. Planted in 1889, height 2 feet 6 inches, width near base 2 feet. This beautiful native evergreen succeeds best in positions somewhat sheltered and rarely does well for any considerable time in a hedge. It does not grow thriftily and branches occasionally die, giving the hedge an irregu- lar appearance. On this account it cannot be recommended for hedge purposes in the Ottawa district. 9. Purple Barberry. Berberis vulgaris purpurea. — Planted in 1889, height 4 feet, width near base 3 feet, 6 inches. This is a purple-leaved variety of the common bar- berry referred to under No. 7. The purple-leaved variety is scarcely so strong a grower as the common green form, but it seems to be equally hardy and it makes in every way as good a hedge, and has the advantage of a rich purple hue which forms a pleasing contrast with other trees and shrubs. As this bush does not always come true to colour when grown from seed, it may be multiplied by suckers or layers, or it may be grown from well ripened cuttings. 10. Prickly Ash. Zanthoxylum Americanum. — Planted in 1889, height 3 feet 6 inches, width near base 3 feet. The prickly ash makes a fairly compact and prickly REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 39 hedge with a neat and pretty foliage, but its tendency to sucker is an objection to its use for hedge purposes. 11. Japan Rose. Rosa Rugosa. — Planted in 1890, height 3 feet 6 inches, width near base 4 feet. This bush makes a fairly compact hedge and grows rapidly, the foliage is larger than that of most roses, and the leaves are thick and glossy, and are seldom injured by insects. When in bloom its large deep rose coloured flowers are handsome and fragrant. The flowers are succeeded by clusters of very large bright red fruit attractive throughout the winter. The tendency of this shrub is towards a spreading growth, and a hedge of it needs more frequent clipping than some others. Its tendency to sucker is also against it. It may be propagated by seed and by suckers. 12. Golden-leaved Spiraea. Spircea opulifolia aurea. — Planted in 1890, height 5 feet, width near base 5 feet. This is one of the handsomest hedges in the group, thrifty and compact in form, a rapid grower and is perfectly hardy. When the foliage expands in the spring it is of a brilliant golden hue, and it retains more or less of this colour until near the end of the season. This hedge contrasts finely with adjacent hedges with green and purple foliage, and is a striking object on account of its unusual colour during the greater part of summer. 13. Red-leaved Rose. Rosa rubrifolia. — Planted in 1890, height 4 feet, width near base, 3 feet 6 inches. This makes a pretty hedge, its small, neat foliage retaining a decided purplish red colour until the autumn. It is almost free from thorns and bears clusters of single pinkish, rose coloured flowers, followed by bunches of large scarlet fruit which remain on the bushes all winter. It does not, however, form a compact hedge, but is thin towards the base, and hence is not so desirable as some others. This is easily grown from seeds and most of the seedlings come true to colour. / 14. Arbor Vitae. Thuya occidentalis. — Planted in 1890, height 3 feet, width near base 3 feet. This valuable native tree makes a first class evergreen hedge, one of the best. It is compact, neat, of a rich green throughout the summer, assuming a duller shade during the winter months. It is very hardy, and does not require much 3are or trimming, although it bears cutting well. In addition to the hedge of 50 feet there is more than a mile of this hedge on the Central Experimental Farm, forming a boundary line on each side of one of the main roads passing through the farm. Arbor vitae hedges have also been planted in several other places as a margin for inclosures adjacent to the buildings. These hedges are all good specimens, they have made regular and even growth, and are much admired by visitors. In many parts of Canada young trees of this species can be obtained from the woods, they should be trans- planted when not more than 12 to 18 inches high into nursery rows and grown for a season, when the most thrifty plants should be selected to form the hedge, and when planted they should be trimmed so as5 to be even in height. Young and well rooted plants can also be obtained from the nurseries. 15. Baker's Rose. Rosa Bakeriana, planted in 1890, height, 2 feet 3 inches width near base 2 feet. This is a European wild rose which is tender in this climate, it kills back badly every year and is of no value here for any purpose. 16. Lilac. Seedlings of Syringa vulgaris alba. — Planted in 1890, height 4 feet 3 inches, width near base 3 feet 6 inches. The shrubs which form this hedge were raised from seed of the White Lilac, procured in Germany. They were from 12 to 18 inches high when planted, have grown well and have made a compact and shapely hedge, no flowers have yet been produced. The foliage is large, glossy and handsome, and the hedge is very attractive. 17. Sweet Briar. Rosa rubiginosa. — Planted in 1890, average height 3 feet 6 in- ches, width near base 3 feet, but very irregular. This bush has a straggling habit in growth, it also lacks hardiness and is of no value for hedge purposes in Ottawa. 18. Thunberg's Barberry. Berberis Thunbergii. — Planted in 1890, height 2 feet 4 inches, width at base 3 feet. This is a recently introduced species from Japan brought over in 1883. It makes one of the prettiest hedges in cultivation where a low growing hedge is desired. It is neat, very compact and regular in growth, is very hardy and retains its foliage during summer nearly to the ground. It bears clusters of flowers in the spring of a greenish straw colour tinged with red, which are followed by brilliant 40 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. scarlet berries. In the autumn the leaves turn to a fiery red and the bush then becomes one of the most striking objects to be found. After the leaves fall the scarlet berries hans as ornaments on the bare branches during the winter. This valuable bush is easily grown from seed. 19. White Pine. Pinus Strobus. — Planted in 1890, height 3 feet 3 inches, width near base 3 feet. This tree makes a handsome and useful evergreen hedge as it is hardy and maintains most of its lively green colour throughout the winter when many other evergreens look dull. The young trees grew irregularly for a year or two, but are now making a symmetrical and compact hedge, which does not require much clipping and appears to bear cutting well. Young white pine trees may be found in the woods in many parts of Canada when they may be transplanted and cared for as directed under arbor vitse (No. 14), or they may be purchased from the nurseries. 20. Snowberry. Symphoricarpus racemosus. — Planted in 1890, height 3 ft. 3 in., width 3 ft. 3 in. This makes a rather weak growing and straggling hedge, the wood of which usually kills back at the tips here in winter ; it also has a habit of suckering which is objectionable. Is not desirable in the east where much better hedges can be grown, but on the experimental farm for the North-west Territories at Indian Head, where this shrub and an allied species S. occidentalis grows wild, it has been found to make a useful hedge for garden purposes. 21. Pliant Viburnum. Viburnum lantana. — Planted in 1890, height 3 ft. 3 in., width near base 3 ft. This bush has large, handsome and deeply veined foliage, bears clusters of white flowers in the spring followed by bright red berries which become dark purple later in the season. It grows wild in Great Britain and has proven very hardy in this country. It makes a compact and desirable hedge. This bush is easily raised from seed, which should be sown in the autumn soon after it ripens, when it will usually germinate the following season. If the seeds are kept over and sown in the spring, germination is often delayed until the following year. 22. Chinese Lilac. Syringa chinensis (rothamagensis). — Planted in 1890, height 2 ft. 9 in., width near base 2 ft. 9 in. This lilac makes a fair hedge but is too loose and open in its growth to entitle it to a place among the best. The foliage is relatively small and the clusters of violet bloom add to the appearance of the hedge during the flowering season. This variety was introduced from China in 1795, it may be increased by suckers which are produced freely. 23. Breaking Buckthorn. Rhamnus frangula. Planted in 1890, height 4 ft. 3 in., width near base 4 ft. 9 in. This shrub is a native of Britain but is quite hardy here and makes a thrifty strong growing compact hedge which deserves a place in the front rank. The leaves are small and the flowers which are borne in the axils of the leaves are very small and of a greenish white colour. Later in the season they are succeeded by round black berries about a quarter of an inch in diameter. This buckthorn is easily grown from seed. 24. Cockspur Thorn. Crataegus eras galli. Planted in 1890, height 3 ft. 9 in., width near base 3 ft. This thorn, which is a native of Ontario, makes a compact and useful hedge, the branches being armed with long stout thorns. It is not a rapid grower but the growth is even and regular. No bloom has yet appeared on this hedge. Thorns are usually grown from seeds which generally lie in the ground over a season before sprouting. 25. Box Elder. Negundo aceroides. Planted in 1891, height 3 ft. 8 in., width near base 3 ft. 6 in. This native tree has been found very useful for hedge purposes in Manitoba and the North-west Territories, where such inclosures are desired more espe- cially to break the force of winds. This tree in hedge grows rapidly and on this account requires more frequent clipping than some others and needs to be kept well cut back if the growth of the side shoots is to be satisfactorily maintained. It is too rank a grower here to make a neat hedge. 26. Van Houtte's Spiraea. Spircea Van Houttei. — Planted in 1891 ; height, 3 feet; width near base, 2 ft. 6 in. This spiraea has too slender and weak a growth to make a useful and compact hedge, but it is very beautiful when in bloom as it is then almost covered with white flowers from top to bottom for about a fortnight. This shrub is REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 41 more valuable as single specimens in the shrubbery or on the lawn than for hedge pur- poses. It is easily propagated by cuttings. •/ 27. Swedish Juniper. Juniperus communis fastigiata. — Planted in 1891 ; height, 2 ft. 9 in. ; width near base, 2 ft. The Swedish juniper has made a very neat and fairly compact evergreen hedge, and appears to be quite hardy. It does not make a strong growth, but it thickens up well, and twice trimming during the year keeps it in good shape. Young trees of this juniper can be had from most of the larger nurseries. 28. Nettle tree. Celtis occidentalis. — Planted in 1891 ; height, 2 ft. 9 in. ; width near base, 3 ft. 6 in. This hardy native tree has made a low, bushy and very compact hedge. The young trees were small when put out and the hedge has not grown as rapidly as was expected from the natural habit of the tree. The growth, however, has been rigid, firm and even, and the hedge is compact and shapely. The lack of symmetry in the leaves at the base gives an interesting character to this hedge. The nettle tree is usually propagated by seeds and is also said to grow from cuttings of well ripened shoots planted in the autumn. (/ 29. Pocky Mountain Blue Spruce. Picea pungens. — Planted in 1891 ; height, 2 ft. 6 in. ; width near base, 2 ft. This is one of the most desirable evergreens of recent in- troduction. It is found native in the vicinity and on the slopes of the Rocky Mountains, and when grown from seed collected from trees found at the higher limits of its growth, it is quite hardy here. Its habit is somewhat stiff, but it is richly clothed with foliage which varies in tint in different specimens from a rich deep green to a pale steely blue. This hedge was planted with young plants selected for their blue colour, but during their subsequent growth some have become decidedly blue, some slightly blue, while others have put on different tints of green. This blending of colour gives the hedge a unique and most attractive character. The hedge is stately in form, very compact, and bears clipping well. Young specimens of this evergreen can be obtained from many of the larger nurseries. 30. Josika's Lilac. Syringa Josikea. — Planted in 1891 ; height 3 ft. 6 in. ; width near base, 3 ft. Of the several lilacs yet tried this seems to be the most promising for hedge purposes. It is a native of Hungary and has a stiff and stately habit which be- comes intensified in a regularly clipped hedge and the large foliage with which it is clothed, while thick, leathery and deep in colour, has a polished surface and laurel-like appearance which is very attractive. It blooms later than the ordinary lilac and makes a very compact and useful hedge and is quite hardy. May be propagated from suckers. Most of the remaining sixteen hedges have been more recently planted and have not made sufficient growth to permit of an opinion yet being formed of their respective merits. They will be reported on hereafter. The following is a list of the names of the trees and shrubs of which these hedges are composed : — Evergreen. Douglas Spruce. — Pseudotsnga Douglasii. Swiss Stone Pine. — Pinus cembra. Douglas' Golden Arbor-vitae. — Thuya occidentalis aurea. Ginnalian Maple. — Acer Ginnala. Russian Olive. — Eleagnus angustifolia. High Bush Cranberry. — Viburnum opulus. Round Leaved Spiraea. — Spiraea media rotundifolia. Double flowering Mock Orange, or Syringa. — PhUadelphus coronarius primulce- Jlorus. Golden Leaved Mock Orange, or Syringa. — PhUadelphus coronarius aurea. Douglas' Spiraea. — Spiraea Douglasii. Amur Privet. — Ligustrum amurense. Maule's Pyrus. — Pyrus Maulei. Wild Plum. — Prunus Americana. Crenate Deutzia. — Deutzia crenata. Headed Cytisus. — Cytisus capritatus. Elongate Cytisus. • — Cytisus elongatus. 42 EX I * EMM EXT A L FA R MS. A CHOICE COLLECTION OF HARDY ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS. The inquiry is frequently made both by visitors and correspondents, who have but a limited garden space, what are the best and most attractive shrubs for such limited areas. As a partial reply to this question a selection of 12 varieties will be briefly des- cribed, each one of which, by its grace of form, its attractive foliage, or beauty of flower, or all combined, will afford much gratification to its possessor. The list is so small that many choice things are unavoidably omitted and no attempt will be made to include in this small number any of the very beautiful evergreens so desirable in every collection. These may be dealt with on a future occasion. Several of the most desirable of the shrubs in this select list have already been mentioned under ornamental hedges, but they are well deserving of special commendation also for the garden or lawn. The illustrations used have been engraved from photographs of specimens growing on the Central Experimental Farm. 1. Lilac Chas. X. Syringa vulgaris Chas. X. — Lilacs are among the best known and most beautiful of the spring flowering shrubs and are universally admired. They are easily grown and flower freely. Some varieties, however, produce flowers in much greater abundance than others. There are about ten species in all of this genus, and of some of these there are many varieties, but none have produced, under cultivation, forms giving so great a vai'iety of character of bush and colour of flower as the common lilac, Syringa vulgaris, and it is one of the most beautiful of these forms known as Chas. X., which will first, claim our attention. Fig. 3 is from a photograph taken in June, 1894, of a specimen Fig. 3. — Lilac Chas. X. about 4 feet high on one of the lawns. This variety is rather dwarf in habit and slow in growth, probably because there is a great tax annually on its powers in the profuse pro- duction of bloom with which it is covered. No other lilac in the large collection now brought together on the experimental farms blooms so profusely as Chas. X., and the bush is perfectly hardy. The flowers are of a deep purplish lilac, fragrant and borne on large trusses. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 43 2. Woody Caragana. Caraganafrutescens. — This is one of a family of most useful and desirable shrubs the most familiar member of which is the Siberian pea tree, Caragana arborescens, which is referred to under ornamental hedges (No. 1). Caragana frutescens is also a native of Siberia, but is a less rapid grower and rarely grows higher than 3 to 4 feet, while the Siberian pea tree attains, under favourable conditions, in a few years a height of 10 to 12 feet or more. C. frutescens also produces flowers more abundantly and the individual flowers are larger. It is a most attractive object when in bloom as the whole bush is thickly covered with bright yellow pea shaped flowers. The flowers open early in the season and are succeeded by small green seed pods which, when approaching ripeness, change to a dull reddish colour and when fully ripe they burst and the seeds are scattered. This desirable shrub is easily raised from seed which may be sown in the autumn as soon as fully ripe, or early in the spring. 3. Large Flowered Variegated Weigelia Diervilla grandiflora variegata. — The cultivated weigelias which are now referred by botanists to the genus Diervilla are among the most beautiful flowering shrubs in cultivation. The large flowered weigelia is a native of Japan — a country which has given us in recent times many beautiful shrubs and flowers. The foliage on the ordinary form of this shrub is green, but in the variegated form, to which reference is here specially made, the leaves are beautifully margined with white which makes it a most attractive object on the lawn at all seasons of the year. When in bloom the flowers are so profuse that much of the foliage is hidden. The flowers are white shaded with rose and are funnel shaped at the base, they are produced in axillary and terminal clusters. Fig. 4 shows one of these shrubs Fig. 4. — Variegated Weigelia. in bloom, a specimen in the arboretum at the Experimental Farm. Most of the weigelias are tender in this climate, and the branches are killed back every winter, half way or more to the ground. This winter killing may be partially prevented by protecting these shrubs during the winter with a wrapping of straw or evergreen branches. The variegated form has been hardier with us than any of the others and has never been protected. From the figure it will be seen that this bush flowered well in 1894, nearly to the tips. It is easily propagated from cuttings. 4. Van Houtte's Spirsea. Spiraa Van Houttei. — This charming spiraea is a fitting companion to the weigelia just referred to on account of the abundance of bloom 44 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. which it produces. The spiraeas form a very large group of interesting and attractive shrubs, representatives of which are found native in almost every part of the world. None, however, are more beautiful when in flower than Van Houtte, which is then literally a sheet of pure white bloom. This bush has already been referred to under ornamental hedges (No. 26), but it is more useful when grown as an individual shrub. Fig. 5 represents a specimen in full bloom on one of the lawns on the Experimental Farm. Fig. 5. — Van Houtte's Spiraea. This bush is about 4 feet high and a little more than 4 feet across. It has a graceful and partly pendulous habit, as a rule it is hardy here, but in severe winters the branches are sometimes injured at the tips. It is quite hardy in Western Ontario ; the usual method of propagation is from cuttings. 5. Thunberg's Barberry. Berberis Thunbergii. — This beautiful barberry, which has already been referred to under No. 28 in the chapter on hedges as one of the most charming shrubs for that purpose, is even more attractive when grown as a single specimen. Then it has an opportunity of displaying its beauty of form which is neat and graceful. The flowers are produced early in the season, but they are not conspicuous and are partly hidden under the branches. Later, the scarlet berries are quite ornamental and the brilliant scarlet colour assumed by the leaves of this bush towards the close of the season makes it then a most conspicuous and attractive object. 6. Red Tartarian Honeysuckle. Lonicera tatarica. — This is a very hardy and useful shrub, a native of Tartary, which has long been a favourite among lovers of shrubs and trees. The flowers open early in the spring. They are rose coloured and so abundant as to partly hide the foliage. Fig. 6 shows one of these shrubs in bloom, a specimen in one of the flower borders on the farm. They remain in flower for two or three weeks, and after the flowers are gone they are succeeded by dark coloured berries which are quite ornamental. In growth the bush has a rounded form and graceful habit. There are a number of species in this group brought from different parts of the world some of which have yellow flowers, others white, red or variegated. A group of the different species and varieties planted together such as may be seen in the Arboretum at REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 45 the Experimental Farm is most charming in the pleasing contrasts of flower and foliage which they display. 7. Golden Leaved Spiraea. Spircea opulifolia aurea. — This attractive spiraea has also been referred to under hedges (No. 12) as one of the most desirable shrubs for this V h / i X \ Fig. 6. — Red Tartarian Honeysuckle. purpose. It is equally useful on the lawn and in the shrubbery : although not specially attractive in flower its clusters of seed vessels are pretty and its golden foliage contrasts so beautifully with the deep green of a well kept lawn or the varying tints of green and purple in the shrubbery that it has become quite a favourite. The golden leaved spiraea is a strong grower, soon attaining a height of 5 or 6 feet, is more or less rounded in form and rather stiff in habit ; the foliage also is larger that that of most of the spiraeas. It is very hardy and may be easily grown from cuttings. 8. Guelder Rose or Snowball. Viburnum opulus sterilis. — This is an old favourite in gardens, too well known to need much description. It forms a very handsome shrub with large foliage, and is a sterile form of the high bush cranberry, Viburnum opulus, in which all the flowers are sterile and fully developed, forming large nearly globular clusters, of a pure white colour which remain on the bush a considerable time before fading. Fig. 7 represents a bush in one of the groups on the Experimental Farm. This species may be propagated by layering or by cuttings of the half ripened shoots made during the summer and inserted in sandy soil in a somewhat shady position. 9. The Pliant Viburnum. Viburna lantana. — There are several handsome species among the Viburnums besides the snowball, and one especially, the pliant viburnum which commends itself for several reasons. This bush has already been spoken of favourably under hedges (No.21). Grown as an individual specimen it makes a fine shapely bush, erect in habit with beautiful foliage, and produces large flat cymes of white flowers early in the season, which are succeeded by clusters of berries which at first are 46 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS bright red and when ripe nearly black. It is very hardy and may be propagated by layers or cuttings as directed for the snowball, or it may be grown from seed. Fig. 7. — Guelder Rose or Snowball. 10. "White Japan Rose. Rosa rugosaalba. — The red flowering form of Rosa rugosa has already been referred to when treating of hedges under No. 11. This is the same \ sasaflafesi. Fig. 8. — White Japan Rose. species with white flowers. It is a vigorous grower and makes a shapely rounded bush about 4 feet high, as seen in figure 8, which represents a specimen in the Arboretum REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 47 at the Experimental Farm. Both the red and white varieties bloom freely and remain in flower for a considerable period, and both may be propagated by suckers which are freely produced when the bushes are well established. 1 1. Large flowered Mock Orange (Philadelphus grandiflora.) Our collection would be very incomplete without an example of the Mock Orange or Syringa. There are several species belonging to this genus, which are very beautiful and interesting, especially when in bloom. Grandiflora is one of the best of them. The flowers are large, pure white, and sweet scented, and are produced in great abundance during the month of June. The bush is a vigorous grower ; and if not interfered with will, under favourable conditions, eventually reach a height of 8 or 10 feet. Since the flowers are produced only on the wood of the previous year, this may be cut away when the flowering period is over, which will give more room to the new shoots, and they will become better ripened. In this way these shrubs may be kept smaller and made to produce flowers in greater profusion. The Syringas will, however, do very well without any pruning beyond the occasional removal of dead wood, and flower freely. The large flowered species is fairly hardy and usually comes through the winter without much injury, espe- cially where partially protected by other trees and shrubs, but in seasons of unusual severity the shoots are often partly winter killed. 12. Large flowered Hydrangea. Hydrangea paniculata grandiflora. Although placed last, because it is later in flowering, the merits of this hydrangea would fairly entitle it to be put among the first and best of flowering shrubs. It was introduced from Japan in 1874, and during the twenty years which have since elapsed, it has become one of the most widely diffused and favourite shrubs in cultivation. It succeeds well under many different climatic conditions, and will grow in almost any soil which is fairly rich, provided it be well supplied with water. Fig. 9 represents a specimen in Fig. y. — JLarge flowered Hydrangea. one of the flower borders at the farm, and shows the profuse flowering habit of this shrub. The clusters of bloom are very large, sometimes nearly a foot long and 8 to 10 inches wide, and are borne at the ends of the branches. After fully expanding, the flowers, which are white, remain in good condition for about a fortnight, after which they begin to assume a pinkish hue and gradually become soiled with dust and by in- 48 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. sects, and eventually wither. During the early autumn when this bush is in the height of its glory, there are very few other shrubs in bloom. This gives the greater prominence to this showy and valuable shrub which would however hold its place well in any com- pany. This hydrangea is quite hardy in the Ottawa district, and may be propagated by cuttings made from the partly ripened wood during the summer months. FOREST AND ORNAMENTAL TREES AND SHRUBS. During the year 1894, the forest belts and clumps, which were planned when the work began on the central experimental farm, have been completed by the planting of 3,442 trees along the northern boundary of the farm. Particulars of this work will be found in the appended report of the Foreman of Forestry, Mr. W. T. Macoun. In this report it is shown that there are now growing on the experimental farm in the various permanent plantations, avenues, hedges and groups in the shrubbery borders, a total of 35,735 trees and shrubs. To this number may be added 1,407 specimens, which have been planted in the Arboretum under charge of the botanist, making a total of 37,142 trees and shrubs, all of which have been planted since the improvements began on the experimental farm in 18S7. In this mass of material, there will be found plantations of various sizes of all the valuable economic woods which can be grown in this country for timber or for fuel from which useful data will in future, from time to time, be obtained as to the annual growth of the individual trees and the quantity of wood growth per acre. There are also now in the entire collection more than 700 varieties of trees and shrubs under test as to their hardiness and adaptability to the climate of the Ottawa district. In this number, there are included species and varieties from every part of the world where the climate is such as to give a reasonable probability of success in their growth. It is expected that many additional varieties will be added during the coming season. The forest tree department, including the ornamental trees and shrubs, has from the outset been under the special charge of the Director. No sufficient provision having been made otherwise for the work, it was at first more convenient that the material annually distributed by this branch should be put up and mailed by the horticultural division, and this plan was temporarily adopted. I beg to acknowledge my indebtedness to the horticulturist, Mr. John Craig, for the efficient and willing service he has rendered me in this important work, which has required on his part a considerable amount of labour and oversight. Under Mr. Craig's supervision, there were sent out through the mail in 1890, 1,000 packages containing 100,000 young forest trees, each variety labelled, and with each package a circular giving instructions for their planting and care. In 1891, 2,000 packages were mailed containing 200,000 young forest trees ; there were also sent out that year 3,782 bags of tree seeds. In 1892, there were distributed 983 packages of trees and 918 bundles of cuttings of promising varieties of Russian Poplars and "Willows. In 1893, 830 packages of trees, 798 of cuttings and 214 of mixed cut- tings and trees. In addition, there were distributed that year 1,523 bags of tree seeds. These tree cuttings and tree seeds were nearly all sent on request to settlers on the North-west plains, where trees are absent or very scarce. In 1890 and 1891, larger packages of promising trees and shrubs were also sent to the Mounted Police stations and Indian agencies, also to the experimental gardens of the Canadian Pacific Railway located in the North-west at different points along the main line. My thanks are also due to Mr. Craig for the willing help rendered me in extending the forest plantations on the central farm in 1890 and 1891, also for the supervision given to their care during those years. Experience has shown that the experiments conducted with native tree seeds and cuttings of poplars and willows have been more successful than those with most of the young trees. The box elder has however generally done well when grown from seed collected in the North-west. Now that a very large amount of such material is available at the branch farms at Brandon, Man., and Indian Head, N.W.T., it is proposed to carry on the distributions REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 49 in future mainly from these points. It is probable that young forest trees and wood for cuttings of poplars and willows grown in the climate in which they are to be planted will prove hardier and better adapted to the country than if grown in the east, they will also reach their destination with less delay. A good supply of native tree seeds can also usually be obtained in the North-west. Several of the varieties of Russian poplar and willow — cuttings of which have been distributed from the central farm and of which there is now material in abundance for further distribution at the branch farms in the North-west — are noted for their rapid growth. They also make shapely and useful trees for wind breaks and shelter belts and would in a few years if planted in sufficient numbers be useful for fuel. Fig. 10 repre ^A k A Fig. 10. — Russian Poplar. P, certinensis. sents a specimen of one of the best of these poplars', Populus certinensis, which was planted as a young tree in the Arboretum at the Central Farm in 1889. During the five years which have since elapsed, this tree has grown to a height of 25 feet or more and its branches expand about 15 feet, while the trunk two feet from the ground has a 8c— 4 50 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. diameter of about 8 inches. Nearly equal growth has been made by the Voronesh willow, Fig. 11, and the laurel leaved willow represented by Fig. 12, planted also in 1889. Fig. 11. — Voronesh Willow. Mr "\ Fig. 12. — Laurel leaved Willow. Both of these willows when planted in the open soon make fine round-headed bushy trees, which make very rapid growth and soon furnish useful shelter. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 51 REPORT OF THE FOREMAN OF FORESTRY. The spring of 1894 was a very early one and work was begun in connection with the division of forestry and ornamental grounds during the first week of April. The mulching of barnyard manure which covered the lawns was removed and the grass was uninjured, excepting in a few exposed places where there was no mulch, and where the snow had been blown off. During the spring and summer the grass was regularly cut by the pony lawn mower, and the lawns at all times looked well. Tree planting was begun on the 18th of April and continued until May 30th. The horse cultivator was used throughout the season among the trees and shrubs as often as necessary, which kept the surface of the soil loose and the weeds subdued. Very little cultivating was required in the forest belt along the western boundary of the farm, as the trees there are large enough in the rows (5 feet apart) to shade the ground and prevent weeds from growing; the same may be said regarding a great many of the trees in the rows 10 feet apart. In the older plantations of trees in the mixed belt along the northern boundary, very little cultivation was found necessary. The trees and shrubs on the farm have, in nearly all cases, made good growth. REPLACING TREES IN FOREST BELT ALONG WESTERN BOUNDARY. By consulting the list of trees given in the report for 1893 as living in the forest belt along the western boundary, it will be seen that there still remained a number of vacancies to be filled. In this plantation the experiment is that of growing trees in blocks all of the same species. In cases where the trees have grown so as to shade the entire surface, it was considered unnecessary to fill the vacancies with young trees of the same species for the reason that they would, in all probability, be smothered by the larger trees before they could establish themselves. Where the species were not per- fectly hardy, the same kinds were not always re-planted. For the first time since the forest belt was begun, several trees, eight in all, were girdled by mice, all of which were White Ash (Fraxinus Americana). There were 131 trees replaced in this belt to fill vacancies. MIXED FOREST BELT, PLANTATION OF 1893. In last year's Annual Report a list was given of the trees added to the mixed forest belt during the spring of 1893 ; also the number of these which had died during the summer of that year. Another record was taken in the spring of 1894, and it was found that 25 more had died in the winter of 1893-94. Of these 8 were Ulmus nion- tana and 17 Acer Pseudoplatanus, neither of which species are perfectly hardy here. The vacancies caused by the death of trees during the summer of 1893 and the winter of 1893-94 were filled, and in the case of Acer Pseudoplatanus and Ulmus montana, replaced by hardier species. This plantation has made very gratifying growth, and towards the close of the season when the growth was completed, in some cases the trees were already touching one another. During the growing season, the soil was kept frequently stirred by the horse cultivator, and to this is to be attributed, in a large degree, the satisfactory growth which the trees have made. MIXED FOREST BELT, PLANTATION OF 1894. To complete the mixed forest belt along the northern boundary of the farm, there remained yet to be planted a strip of land a little more than 500 yards long, extending to Preston street, the greater portion of which had always been one of the roughest parts of the farm. Beginning at the hill opposite Fourth Avenue there was a steep bank sloping to the east. This was partly filled with stones which had been gathered from the farm. In October this stone was covered with a thick coating of soil sufficient 8c— 4J 52 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. to make a gradual descent to the base of the hill For the next 500 feet the surface of the land was about level and the soil of a moist, peaty nature. The rest of the land was more or less stony or gravelly. In places where the solid rock came too near the surface, a coating of soil was put over it sufficient to start the young trees, and any very uneven places were filled in with soil. The land was ploughed and harrowed and the stones taken off before the trees were planted. The forest belt was completed to Preston Street before winter set in, thus making a continuous belt about sixty feet in width along the northern boundary of the farm, with the exception of the breaks caused by a roadway and the Prescott and Ottawa Railway. Even now, before the trees have made any growth, the improvement made by the levelling of the land and the planting of the trees is very marked. The following is a list of the species planted and the number of trees of each species — ADDITIONS TO MIXED POKEST BELT. Acer platanoides — Norway maple 62 Acer Pseudoplatanus — Sycamore maple 1 Acer Saccharinum — Sugar Maple 113 ^Esculus Hippocastanum — Horse-chestnut 22 Betula papyrif era — Canoe birch 180 Euonymus atropurpureus — Burning bush 11 Fraxinus Americana — White ash 186 " pubescens — Red ash 323 " sambucifolia — Black ash 225 Gymnocladus Canadensis — Kentucky coffee-tree 10 v Juglans nigra — Black walnut 71 Larix Americana — American larch 146 Negundo aceroides — Box elder 366 Pinus Cembra — Swiss stone pine 15 ' ' Mughus — Mountain pine 77 ponderosa — Heavy wooded or Bull pine 83 Strobus — White or Weymouth pine 83 sylvestris Rigaensis — Riga pine 160 Picea alba — White spruce 48 " excelsa — Norway spruce 437 " pungens — Rocky Mountain blue spruce 68 Pseudotsuga Douglasii — Douglas' spruce 124 Pyrus Aucuparia — European Mountain ash 11 Quercus alba — White oak 53 Tsuga Canadensis — Hemlock spruce : 3 Thuya occidentalis — Common arbor-vitae ; 139 Ulnnis Americana — White elm ; 353 " racemosa — Rock elm 72 Total 3,442 TREES IN FOREST PLANTATIONS. Now that the forest belt along the northern boundary is completed a list of all the trees in the various forest plantations may be given. The following summary is submitted : — Trees. Forest belt along western boundary 9,701 Mixed forest belt along northern boundary, older plantations 2,329 Mixed forest belt along northern boundary, plantations of 1893 3,511 " " " " of 1894 3,442 Evergreen clump 1,856 Total number 20,839 ADDITIONS TO TREES AND SHRUBS ON ORNAMENTAL GROUNDS. During the spring of 1894 the work of planting additional trees and shrubs on the ornamental grounds was carried on. Several new clumps were arranged and a number it (< REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 53 of single specimens planted, there are now growing on the ornamental grounds in all 2,206 specimens. NEW HEDGES. A hedge of Arbor vitae (Thuya oacidentalis) was planted along Preston street, comprising 500 trees. As the road had been graded and the soil where the hedge was to go being of very poor quality, new soil was drawn and put in the trench prepared for the young trees. The trees used for this purpose were larger than is desirable and had to be severely cut back. Most of them have lived during the summer and promise fairly well. The inclosure, near the Director's house, prepared mainly for special hybridizing experiments, having been found too small for the purpose, was enlarged during the faU of 1893, and in the spring of 1894, hedges of white spruce (Picea alba) and Arbor vit» (Thuya occidentalis) were planted along the extended sides and end. There were planted, 121 white spruce and 116 Arbor vi tee. A hedge composed of 393 Norway spruce (Picea excelsa) was planted along the eastern boundary of the orchard from the corner of the poultry yard to the junction of the eastern and northern boundary. Nearly all of the young trees have lived. The following summary of all the trees and shrubs in all the permanent plant- ations on the Farm, excepting those in the Arboretum, is herewith submitted. Total number of trees. Forest belts 20,839 Avenue trees 971 Trees and shrubs on ornamental grounds 2,206 Hedges 11,719 Total 35,735 SEEDING DOWN AMONG ORNAMENTAL CLUMPS OP TREES AND SHRUBS. Since the ornamental planting was begun on this farm, the clumps of trees and shrubs, where not on permanent lawns, have been kept cultivated with the horse culti- vator in order to promote their growth and to destroy weeds. As these clumps had been cultivated in this manner for several seasons, the weeds subdued, and the trees in most cases well established, most of the land on which the groups were, was seeded down during the past season. Nearly everywhere the grass has taken well and with a light mulch of manure which has been spread over it this fall, it is hoped that the grass will come through the winter in good condition. That growing immediately around the trees has been removed and the soil will be kept loose at the surface so that the trees may have favourable conditions for making z'apid growth. In addition to the seeding down of the ornamental clumps a new lawn has been made, about an acre in extent, leading to the office building and adjoining the residences of the officers. A part of this land was graded and prepared and the lawn grass seed sown during the autumn of 1893, and the remainder in the spring of 1894. Most of the grass sown in the autumn came through the winter well, a few spots only having to be re-sown where the wash of water in the spring had carried away some of the soil. Before the sum- mer ended the whole area was under sod. This new lawn has also been lightly mulched with barnyard manure this fall to protect the newly formed sod. It is intended to utilize part of this ground for the testing of perennial flowers which will be^ grouped in beds prepared for this purpose. Already one bed has been planted with a large collec- tion of lilies and another with irises. A sufficient area was also sodded around the house occupied by the poultry manager, and a large part of the planted area in the Arboretum was seeded down with suitable lawn grass mixtures. That sown early in the season has formed a fairly good sod and it is hoped that by the end of next season the whole area will be covered with good sod. W. T. MACOUN. 54 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. NOTES ON GERANIUMS. The work conducted on the Experimental Farms has a wide range and embraces, in addition to everything which is of direct importance to farmers and fruit growers in their work, the subjects of ornamental trees, shrubs and flowers including plants valuable for decorative purposes both without and within the house. Information gained and given on these matters will, it is hoped, prove useful not only to farmers and their wives but also to all classes of our people who take an interest in these subjects and lead to the more general beautifying of Canadian homes, thus making them more attractive. The following notes on varieties of geraniums which have been tested at the Central Experimental Farm have been prepared by Mr. W. T. Ellis, foreman of the seed testing and propagating houses, and cover the experience of the past three years with many sorts, also tests of a number of the newer varieties for shorter periods. The careful notes which Mr. Ellis has made of the experience gained here as to the suitability of the different varieties for bedding and pot culture will, it is hoped, prove interesting and useful to many. REPORT ON GERANIUMS PLANTED OUTSIDE, 1894. La Vestale. — Plants very small and not well rooted, when planted out. Made very fair growth and bloomed profusely, colour pure white and does not shade, truss large, on long footstalk standing well up, foliage pale green with faint zone. Promises to be the best white variety tried. Leon Perault. — Free growing with compact habit but stems weak and do not stand up well, made fair growth and bloomed very profusely, colour brilliant fiery scarlet, large truss on long footstalk, a very promising variety for bedding out. Ernest Lauth. — Very free growing, compact habit, stems strong and short jointed, foliage large, bright green, with faint zone, very free blooming, double, large truss, flowers well formed, colour bright magenta crimson, a good bedding variety. S. A. Nutt. — A very free growing variet}7, foliage large, dark green, with faint zone. Very free flowering, immense truss, double, rich deep crimson, on long footstalk. The best double variety for pot culture, and for bedding out. Mary Hallock Foote. — A very strong coarse growing variety, small truss of salmon coloured flowers, very shy bloomer, not a desirable sort. Sam Sloan. — A magnificent variety, strong free growing, wood rather long jointed, foliage deep green, very large and velvety with faint zone. Bears an immense truss of rich deep crimson single bloom, on long footstalk, individual florets very large and per- fectly shaped. The best geranium for bedding purposes we have tried, as it is one mass of crimson bloom the whole season until cut down by frost. Souvenir de Mirande. — Strong growing variety, with light green foliage, flowers well formed, upper petals white with salmon rose edge, lower petals rose streaked with white, medium sized truss. Has not done well, planted out, and is useless for winter blooming indoors, and of but little value even in summer. Mazeppa. — A very free growing variety, stems shortjointed, foliage large dark green, with faint zone, very free flowering, immense truss, colour deep carmi»e scarlet, a good single geranium, one of the best for bedding purposes, and unsurpassed for pot culture as a winter blooming variety. Fanny Thorpe. — A very free growing variety with dwarf, shortjointed, compact habit, foliage large, dark green, with broad dark zone, distinctly marked, medium sized truss of delicate rose colour, outer edge of petals white, very free flowering. One of the best geraniums for bedding purposes, and first class for pot culture, as a winter flowering variety. Single. B. K. Bliss. — A very strong free growing shortjointed variety, with light green velvety foliage, flowers double of a vivid fiery scarlet, borne freely on a medium size truss, with long footstalk. Good for bedding out and pot culture. Mme. Ayme de Chevreliere. — A strong free growing variety, with dwarf, bushy, com- pact habit, foliage large, pale green. Immense truss of double pure white bloom, borne REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 55 on long footstalk, blooms have a rather ragged appearance, very free flowering, and a decided acquisition both for bedding purposes and pot culture. M. Adrien Gorret. — Strong growing, compact habit, large pale green foliage, large truss of double cherry scarlet bloom, very free flowering. First class for beddino- and pot culture. Gloire de Lyonaisse. — A very strong free gt owing variety, large velvety foliage, of light green colour, with faint zone in the old leaves. Bears an immense truss of bright orange scarlet flowers, lower petals shaded rose. Have measured individual florets 3 inches in diameter. One of the best single flowered geraniums in cultivation both for bedding and for pot culture. La Favorite.— Strong growing and of dwarf compact habit, foliage large and pale green in colour. Flowers double, pure white, large truss, most perfectly formed florets of any variety tried here. Very free flowering when planted out. Grown in pots this variety makes good healthy growth but does not bloom at all satisfactorily. Mrs. A. Blanc. — Very strong, tall growing variety, foliage very large, dark green and velvety, with dark, strongly marked zone, very free flowering bearing an immense truss of large flowers on long footstalk, colour apricot red, veined with a darker shade. Good both for bedding and pot culture. Gloire de France. — A strong free growing variety, with large pale green foliage with dark zone. Bears an immense truss on long footstalk, individual florets very large and double, colour salmon white, with red eye. First class for pot culture and promises well for bedding. Renaissance. — Slender growth, compact habit, foliage small pale green with dark zone, flowers single, large truss, free bloomer, colour rose with white eye. Has not succeeded well planted out, but was not placed under favourable conditions. A good variety for pot culture but is very apt to lose its foliage if allowed to suffer from lack of water. Prokop Daubec. — A strong robust grower, shortjointed, large dark green foliage with faint zone. A beautiful double free flowering variety, colour bright rose. Good for pot culture, and also for bedding. James Vick. — A very strong growing variety, with large dark green foliage, truss and flowers large, double, flesh coloured, but borne sparingly. Not a desirable variety for bedding or for pot culture. Beatrice. — Dwarf compact habit and free grower, foliage dark green and velvety, truss medium size, borne on long footstalk, colour white with rose eye, very free flower- ing. One of the best geraniums in cultivation for pot culture, for blooming during the winter months. Has not succeeded well when planted out. Imogene. — Dwarf compact habit and free growth, foliage small, very dark green, with darker zone, medium sized truss very free flowering, colour blush shading to crim- son in centre. First class for pot culture, always covered with bloom. Has never succeeded when planted out. Satisfaction. — Strong, free and compact habit of growth, foliage large and glossy, very free flowering, large truss on long footstalk, colour beautiful soft rose, a very good variety for bedding and also for pot culture. Queen of the West. — Very free growing variety, of compact habit, glossy dark green foliage, with zone distinctly marked, very free flowering, medium sized truss, colour orange scarlet, one of the best bedders, stands all kinds of weather, but of no use for pot culture. General Grant. — Very free and compact habit of growth, light green foliage, free flowering, medium sized truss, colour brilliant scarlet, first-class bedder, stands all kinds of weather ; of no use for pot culture. Garden Director. — Very strong, free growing variety, foliage dark velvety green, with faint zone. Very free flowering, bears a large truss on long footstalk, individual florets very large, semi-double, colour orange scarlet, a good bedder, but of no value for pot culture. Madame Saleroi. — Very dwarf, compact habit, thrifty, healthy growth, foliage very small, clear green, edged with pure white. A first class variety for edging, as it rarely grows more than six inches high. 56 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. The above varieties have all been tried here two years or more, and in recommend- ing the best, it is difficult to make a selection, where all are good, but for bedding, the following six single varieties are recommended. La Vestale, pure white, Sam Sloan, crimson, Fanny Thorpe, rose edged with white, Gloire de Lyonaisse, orange scarlet shaded rose, Mazeppa, carmine scarlet, Queen of the West, orange scarlet. The following are recommended as the six best doubles for bedding : S. A. Nutt, crimson, B. K. Bliss, bright scarlet, M. Adrien Corret, cherry scarlet, Mine. Ayme de Chevreliere, white, Ernest Lauth, magenta crimson, Satisfaction, rose. The best of the above named varieties for pot culture are, singles : La Vestale, Mazeppa, Fanny Thorpe, Gloire de Lyonaisse, Sam Sloan, Beatrice and Imogene ; doubles, S. A. Nutt, B. K. Bliss, Mme. Ayme de Chevreliere, M. Adrien Corret, Ernest Lauth and Gloire de France. VARIETIES OF LATER INTRODUCTION. Wm. Pfitzee. — Avery strong free growing variety, compact habit, foliage very large, dark green, velvety, with faint zone. Very free flowering, immense double truss, on long footstalk, colour, bright orange salmon, distinctly edged with white. One of the most beautiful and showy varieties tried here. A decided acquisition as a winter bloom- ing geranium for pot culture. When in rapid growth the wood being soft it requires more care in watering than other geraniums, as if the soil is kept too wet the wood is apt to rot at the base of the stems, but we have found no difficulty in growing it suc- cessfully if the soil is kept rather dry, and when the wood is thoroughly ripened all danger from this cause is past. It also gives promise of being one of the best of the newer varieties for bedding. Meteor. — Strong growing compact habit, foliage large bright green with dark zone, flowers, single, bright scarlet, large truss, very free flowering, gives promise of being one of the best for bedding purposes : has not done well as a pot plant. Panache de Nancy. — Weak straggling growth, very poor habit, flowers small and truss small, colour salmon, streaked with white, not at all desirable either for bedding or pot culture. Ingenieur Parlier. — A very strong growing variety, with large pale green foliage, flowers borne in large truss on long footstalk, colour violet red, double, free flowering, has done well as a pot plant, and promises to be a good bedder. Chaplin. — Very strong, free growing variety, with large velvety leaves of dark green colour, flowers freely, large truss, bright scarlet, semi-double. Not as good as Garden Director, which it much resembles. Buffalo Bill. — Large strong grower, glossy green foliage with a dark zone, flowers double, large truss, colour creamy white, marbled with rose. A very shy bloomer. Copernic. — A strong free grower, with large glossy foliage, large truss, flowers single, rosy carmine, shading to salmon with white eye. Made good growth, but did not bloom well. Admiration. — A strong dwarf, freegrowing variety, with light green velvety foliage, very free flowering, double, colour pale rose shading deeper to the eye, large truss. A very good variety for pot culture, and did well bedded out under adverse circumstances. Note. — I find this variety catalogued under the head of singles. U Immortelle. — Very dwarf compact habit, dark green foliage with faint zone. Large truss, colour dark magenta streaked with lighter lines, a very shy bloomer, and has not done well either planted out, or as a pot plant. M. G. Meynot. — Made very weak growth, single flower, large truss, colour salmon pink with white eye, upper petals shading to white, a rather shy bloomer. Alfred Tennyson. — A strong, free growing variety, free flowering, trusses large, on long stout footstalks, colour, bright orange scarlet, upper petals shaded with lilac, semi-double. A very promising variety. Mad. Alfred Mame. — Made fair growth, flowers freely, truss large, colour rosy scarlet. A promising single flowering sort. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 57 I Sir Trevor Lawrence. — A very free, strong growing variety, truss large, flowers per- fectly formed, and freely borne, double, colour rosy pink, a very promising sort. Golden Dawn. — Of medium growth, compact habit, free flowering, truss medium size on long footstalks, florets large, colour orange scarlet, double, a promising variety. Van Dael. — Made very weak growth, flowers poor and sparsely borne, colour salmon rose bordered with white. Mad. de la Rue. — Made fair growth, fine large truss of full double bloom, colour orange scarlet. A promising variety. E. Legouve. — Made fair growth, flowers semi-double, immense truss, rather loose, on strong stiff stem, colour, orange salmon. A very distinct variety. Comte dElbe. — Made fair growth, habit compact, foliage darkly zoned, very free flowering, truss large but rather loose and flowers ragged, colour, rosy pink. A very promising variety. Gettysburg. — Very free growing dwarf, compact habit, foliage large, dark green, with well marked zone, very free flowering, truss large, flowers well formed, colour bright crimson maroon, a decided acquisition, the best of the new introductions. J. J. Harrison. — A very strong free grower, foliage large, pale green, and velvety, very free flowering, semi-double, large truss, and individual florets very large, colour, brilliant scarlet. Has done well planted out. Lord Lytton. — Dwarf, strong growing and branching, with large pale green foliage, very free flowering, truss large on long footstalk, double, colour cherry red, upper petals orange red. Has done well here and promises to be one of the best of the newer varieties. M. Remy Martin. — Yery free growing, and dwarf branching habit, blooms very profusely, large truss on long footstalk, colour bright rose, upper petals marked with white, double. A promising variety. Carmen Sylva. — A very strong grower, free flowering, large truss, colour white, did fairly well planted out. Mrs. J. M. Garr. — Made fair growth, dwarf, compact habit, free flowering, medium sized truss, single, colour white, but apt to shade to rose when exposed to the sun. Not so good as some other white varieties. Aurora Boreale. — A strong free growing variety, free flowering, single, truss large on long footstalk, colour pale rose with white eye. Succeeded well planted out. Dr. Levavasseur. — Free growing, dwarf compact habit, free flowering, medium sized truss, florets large, colour lower petals orange cerise marked with lilac, the upper petals lilac, veined with red and edged with cerise. One of the best of the newer varieties. White Swan. — Made fair growth, dwarf, compact habit, double, free flowering, truss medium size, colour white, blooms well the whole season, but is not specially desirable as there are several better of the same class. Prof. Peuch. — Yery dwarf compact habit, very free flowering, truss and flower large but rather ragged, colour magenta rose, single. Chas. Jolly. — Made very strong growth, habit of plant dwarf and compact, large fine shaped truss, colour orange scarlet, very free flowering, double. One of the best of the new varieties. Banquise. — Made very weak growth and did not bloom. Chr. Larelle. — A free strong growing variety, very free bloomer, truss large on long footstalk, large individual florets, colour salmon rose, edged with white. One of the best of the new varieties. Mrs. Parker. — Yery free growing compact habit, foliage bright green with white edge, flowers pale pink. P. Crozy. — A free growing variety, makes a dwarf bushy plant, foliage medium sized and of heavy texture, free flowering, truss medium sized, colour bright scarlet, a fine variety. This is a hybrid between the zonale and the ivy sections of geraniums, showing the characteristics of the zonale in the foliage, and the ivys in the flowers. The 33 varieties last named were tried for the first time planted out last season. Many of them were grown under conditions not calculated to give the best results, therefore it would be unwise to condemn any of these without further trial which 58 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. $ it is the intention to make during the coming season. The following are considered the most promising for bedding : Meteor, single, Ingenieur Parlier, double, Ch. Larelle, single, Lord Lytton, double, Sir Trevor Lawrence, double, Aurora Boreale, single, Gettysburg, single, Dr. Levavasseur, single, Chas. Jolly, double, and Win, Pfitzee, double. The last named has been grown two seasons in pots and has proved to be one of the best for winter blooming. TUBERCULOSIS AT THE BRANCH EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. In Bulletin No. 20, in which particulars are given regarding the results of tests of the cattle at the Central Experimental Farm for tuberculosis, the announcement was made (p. 33) that arrangements were in progress for a similar thorough testing of all the animals at the branch experimental farms . In accordance with instructions re- ceived from the Hon. Minister of Agriculture the necessary preparations were made for the carrying out of this investigation, and the branch farm at Brandon, Man., was first visited. EXPERIMENTAL FARM, BRANDON, MAN. On arrival on the 19th of July, 1894, I found that the cattle composing the herd there consisted of 28 animals, 4 of which were grades and 24 were pure bred of the following breeds : — Cows. Heifers. Bulls. Durhams 4 2 2 Ayrshires 2 . . 3 Holsteins 2 1 2 Galloways 2 1 1 Herefords 1 1 A short time before my arrival these animals had been carefully inspected and four of their number had been isolated from the rest of the herd as showing symptoms of dis- ease. The l-emaining animals were regarded as healthy. They were in good condition and most of them appeared to be in robust health. Having secured the assistance of Dr. F. Torrance, V.S., of Brandon and Dr. S. J. Thompson, V.S., of Carberry, Provincial Inspector for the Province of Manitoba, the normal temperature of each animal was taken (per rectum) on the evening of the 19th and morning of the 20th of July. The tuberculin was injected at 11 a.m., and the temperature of each animal taken subsequently every three hours for a period of 21 hours with the results shown in the following table : — REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 59 . 99««H©<9H© S MM»B9o»o e« ©©©©©rH©rH QQ ^ rN 1*4 rt |N ^ aDf0ttoe *©©«•* «DU9J>99 © © 98 IS © CHC©8 9B O H 99 O © rH © © rH rH.*> 73" _ *n **-< a. P3 jo c r— h c o <=ia S » o gr§ p p cd GO CD tS MM 8^ o o CD ■8 "3 p c« cd cd tj: ODMPmPtDycS OOoSOiiSh ,-i CM CO Tf in © t~0C M. P 0>© rHCMCO T! g 8 oPh rt . > "p M s Mat)©©^}^©1^ •c •*■ « » © © -f © © © © -l S rn © rH FN FN FF FN H FN «C0^ A{H <9 © i"! 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CO© CM 93 © © © © rH rH H CD H a & CM iOCMC0t~cM©O500 CM CM© ©SO CM CM CM rH rH © © © © © rH i-HrH rH rH rHIO© b-00 CO CM rH rH CM © © © © © i—i r-i rH rH r-i IOC1 © © HCMHN © © © © r-CN CD - fcjD" 03 s5 CD CD O P tp , CD c3 ^» h o3 »nrp ™ >H io© t~oo CM CM CM CM 03 - o 4J o CD o p p c o p 03 CD ■5 o3 (- CD >■ CD s 60 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. From this table it will be seen that of the 28 animals tested 21 showed a rise in temperature of from two to six degrees Fahrenheit, thus indicating a diseased condition. This result was a matter of surprise to all as so many of them appeared to be healthy, vigorous and in good condition and had never shown any symptoms of disease. The diseased animals were all killed the following day and a careful postmortem examina- tion made in each case with the following results : 1. Rose of Sydenham, Durham cow, 8 years. — Lining of the thoracic cavity cov- ered with many large and small masses of grapy tubercle, partly cheesy and partly cal- careous, peritoneum also covered with finely granular tubercles. Lungs with many small patches of tubercle in their substance and small masses distributed over the sur- face. About one-fourth of the udder was much affected and almost solidified with tubercle. 2. Rose of Darlington, Durham cow, 4 years. — A large portion of one lung was filled with soft tuberculous matter ; the other lung was healthy. Thoracic glands en- larged and filled with solidified tubercle. The udder was slightly tuberculous, and at- tached to the womb there was found a considerable quantity of soft tuberculous matter. 3. Cowslip, Durham cow, 4 years. — In the right lung there were several large cavities filled with tubercle, varying in consistence, some soft and partly fluid, and some solidified. The left lung was healthy. Thoracic glands enlarged and filled with caseous and calcareous tubercle. The tip of one lobe of the liver was also diseased by deposit of tubercle. 4. Fashion, Durham cow, 3 years. — The left lung had a large tuberculous mass in its substance, grapy tubercular deposits were found on the walls of the thorax, and the thorac'c glands were enlarged and filled with tuberculous matter, some of which was soft but solidified and some hard and calcareous. 5. Countess of Brandon, Durham heifer, 1£ years. — The lungs in this animal were healthy and there was no appearance of disease on the lining of the thoracic cavity. In the thoracic glands were found small masses of tubercle and several of the mesen- teric glands were enlarged and filled with calcareous tubercle. 7. General EL, Durham bull, 3 years. — In one lung a large abscess was found just under the surface filled with solidified tubercle, some of it surrounding the cavity, being calcareous. Tuberculous matter was also found in two of the thoracic glands ; in one case in small quantity and in an early stage, and in the other the gland was enlarged and filled with semi-solid tubercle. Some of the mesenteric glands were also tuber- culous. 9. Jewel, Ayrshire cow, 5 years. — Lungs healthy ; one of the thoracic glands en- larged and filled with solidified tubercle. Small tubercles were found on the outer surface of the stomach and small granules of a tuberculous character on the surface of the spleen. 11. Middlesex, Ayrshire bull, 3 years. — Substance of lungs healthy, but some small tubercles were found on the surface. One of the thoracic glands was enlarged and filled with solidified tubercle. Surface of the spleen also dotted with a few small tubercles. 12. Dandy Jock, Ayrshire bull, 1 year. — Surface of both lungs dotted with miliary tubercles, no disease found in their substance, lining of thoracic cavity covered with grapy deposit of tubercle. Thoracic glands enlarged and partly filled with tubercle most of which was in a calcareous condition. 13. Brandon Prince, Ayrshire bull, 1 year. — Surface of one lung dotted with small miliary tubercles, otherwise lungs appeared healthy. Thoracic glands somewhat en- larged and filled with cheesy tubercle. 14. Queen of "Waterloo, Holstein cow, 6 years. — In this animal the lungs and all the other organs appeared to be healthy and no disease was found in any of the thoracic, mesenteric or other glands, but many small tubercles were found scattered over the surface of the inner lining of the bowels. 16. — Princess of Holland, Holstein heifer, 1^ years. — The lungs were free from tubercle, but specimens of a small parasitic worm were found in the bronchial tubes. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 61 Small tubercles were found in considerable numbers on the outer surface of both large and small intestines. 17. Holland Prince, Holstein bull, 3 years. — Lungs and other organs healthy. Some small tubercles were found in one of the thoracic glands and two others were packed solid with calcareous tubercle. 19. Violet, Galloway cow, 8 years. — A large part of one lung was found filled with semi-solid tuberculous matter, the other lung was free from disease. Several of the thoracic glands were also filled with solidified and calcareous tubercle. 20. Hannah B, Galloway cow, 6 years. — Lungs healthy, gland behind pharynx partly filled with calcareous tubercle. In the liver a small cavity was found about one inch in diameter filled with soft tubercle, some small tubercles were also found on the surface of the spleen. 21. Juno, Galloway heifer, 2 years. — Tubercle was found in several places in the substance of the lungs. The thoracic glands were enlarged and filled with tuber- culous matter, some of it was of a soft solid consistence, some calcareous. 22. Chester, Galloway bull, 7 years. — In one lung was found a mass of tubercle about the size of a hen's egg, also a tubercular abscess about same size near the base, the other lung was free from tubercle. The thoracic glands were partly filled with solidified tubercle. Some tuberculous masses were found in the rectum and other larger masses lodged in fat surrounding the third stomach and also in fatty matter among the intestines. 23. Hereford heifer, 1 year. — Only one small tubercle was found in the substance of the lungs, but small tubercles were scattered over the entire inner surface of the thorax. The thyroid glands were enlarged and filled with soft tubercle ; surface of intestines dotted with small tubercles. 24. Hereford bull, 2 years. — One lung had a mass of tubercle just below the sur face near the tip, the other lung was healthy. There was a slight grapy deposit on the lining of the thorax, and the thoracic glands were partly filled with solidified and calca- reous tubercle. 25. Grade steer, 2 years. — In one lung there was a mass of tubercle near the tip, otherwise the substance of the lungs was healthy, the surface of the thoracic cavity was dotted with grapy tubercle, and the thoracic glands were enlarged and filled with turbercle, partly of a cheesy consistence and partly calcareous. Small tubercles were also found on the surface of the spleen. 26. Lily, grade cow, age unknown. — A large mass of tubercle was found in one lung near the tip, the other lung was healthy, the thoracic glands were enlarged and filled with soft solidified tuberculous matter ; large grape-like masses of tubercle were attached to the inner lining of the thorax, and a large tumour was found attached to the lower side of the diaphram, enclosing soft tuberculous matter. Of the 21 animals destroyed 19 were pure bred, and 2 were grades. Nine of these were bred in Manitoba and twelve came from Ontario. The course adopted in this in- stance and subsequently followed at the other branch farms was to bury the animals about six feet below the surface, and scatter lime freely over the bodies before filling the hole. The following instructions were left in each case regarding the cleansing and dis- infecting of the buildings : — Remove the remaining cattle and clean the buildings thoroughly, sweeping walls, woodwork and ceiling. When dry, spray thoroughly the whole surface, floors, wood- work of divisions, walls and ceiling with the following disinfecting solution : 1 lb. corrosive sublimate (corrosive chloride of mercury). \ lb. chloride of ammonium (muriate of ammonia), dissolved in a 40 gallon barrel of water. Repeat the spraying after two days, then whitewash the whole of the woodwork, walls and ceiling with lime-wash containing glue or sugar to prevent it from rubbing off and coat with hot coal tar the floors of the stalls and the sides of the divisions for about one foot above the base. 62 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. EXPERIMENTAL FARM, INDIAN HEAD, N.W.T. After completing the work at Brandon, I visited the Experimental Farm at Indian Head, arriving there on the morning of July 23rd. On this farm there were 39 head of cattle, three of which were calves under two months. Nine were grades and 30 pure bred of the following breeds : — Cows. Heifers. Calves. Bulls. Durhams 4 2 3 2 Holsteins 5 1 2 1 Polled Angus (3 .. 2 2 In this instance I had the assistance of Dr. F. Torrance, V.S., of Brandon, and Dr. J. Harris, V.S., of Moosomin, N.W.T. The normal temperature of each animal was taken twice on July 24th, excepting the three young calves which were not tested, and the tuberculin injected at 5 p.m. the same clay. Subsequently the temperature was taken at intervals of 3 hours for 18 hours, with the results shown in the appended table : — Name of Animal. Durhams. 1. Cowslip, cow 74 years 2. Red Rosebud, cow G| 3. Nellie Elgins " 3^ 4. Prairie Wild flower, cow. . .3 5. Qu'Appelle Rosebud, heifer.l 6. Rosebud's, heifer 1 7. , Red Knight, bull 3h 8. ' Prince of Qu'Appelle, bull . 1 9. Calf of Prairie Wildflower, bull 4 mos. Holsteins. 10. Abi, cow 7 years . 11. Siepkje 3rds', Queen, cow. .6 " 12. Abi of Assiniboia, cow 3 " 13. Abi 2nd of Assa., heifer. . .2 14. Siepkje 3rd's calf, " ... 8 mos. 15. Abi's calf, heifer 4 " 16. Netherlandof Brandon, bull 1 year. Polled Angus. 17. Pride of Eastview, cow 8 years. 18. Stella of Eastview " ....7 19. Daisy of Eaton " ...M " 20. Lady of Eaton " ....3| " 21. Stella of Assiniboia " ....3 " 22. Maid of Skeene "... 3 23. Duke of Eastview, bull . . . A\ " 24. Polled Angus calf " 8 mos. 25. Calf of Lady Eaton "... 8 " 26. Polled Angus calf ".... 6 " Grades. 27. Susan, cow .'. 6 years. 28. Sallie " 6 29. Daisy " 3£ " 30. Nellie, heifer _ 2 years. 31. Ayrshire grade, heifer ... . 2 " 32. Holstein " " 1£ " 33. Grade, steer 2 34. Holstein grade, steer 9 mos. 35. " " " 5 " 36. Durham grade, heifer 5 " 05 a Normal s . Temperature '-■-■ July 24. 11 a.m. 2 p.m. 60 102 s 101 7 60 102 9 102 4 50 102 s 102 7 45 102 2 102 0 30 102 7 102 2 30 103 0 102 0 70 102 0 102 (1 40 104-3 103 7 18 102 0 102-0 60 103 8 1017 60 101 6 101 '.) 45 102 2 102 0 45 103 1 103 0 25 102 7 101 4 18 101 2 102 0 40 102 8 100 8 60 1015 100 9 60 101 4 101 5 60 101 7 101 9 55 102 <) 101 8 50 102 2 102 6 50 101 4 101 3 70 101 8 101 <; 35 102 3 102 6 35 102 3 101 4 25 1018 101-6 55 1017 1014 55 101 7 101 9 50 101 9 102 4 40 102 6 102 0 40 102 9 101 6 35 101 9 101 6 40 102 2 102 1 25 101 6 102 2 20 102 4 102 ii 20 102 7 102 8 Temperature after Injection of Tuberculin, July 24, 5 p.m. July 24. 8 p.m . 103 2 1G3-5 103 0 102 (i 103 () 103 3 102 4 104 8 104 0 102-2 102 3 102 0 103 4 102 9 102 !) 102 2 1013 101 s 101 4 102 0 102 8 102 6 101 2 102 6 103 3 103 6 101-4 101 9 101 2 102 8 102 0 102 7 102 8 1028 1<>3>4 104 2 11 p.m. 103 103 103 101 102 102 101 103 102 4 1012 102-0 1012 102-1 103-1 102 2 1018 July 25. 100 101 100 101 102 101 100 102 102 102 101 100 101 102 101 101 102 102 102 103 2 a.m. 5 a.m. 102-2 103-11 102-4 1G3-3 104-4 106-4 10L-7 1014 102 3 102 5 101-8 101 0 102 3 103-1 102-7 101 0 1017 101 -s 101 0 100 6 101 1 1014 100 9 101-2 102 0 1017 104-4 105-4 101-8 102 2 101-8 101 0 100-9 103-2 101-6 io4-a 101 0 1015 102-2 104-4 1019 102 2 101 6 100 9 100 5 100 7 102-5 101-5 102-2 1010 1014 101-7 1012 100 6 100 6 100 4 101-2 100 9 1015 101-8 101 0 101 0 101 0 101 0 104-4 105-3 102 3 1019 102 8 105-2 102 7 102 2 8 a.m. 105-3 104-3 106-3 102 0 102 6 101-8 105-8 102 3 102-0 102 101 102 102 lOG 101 102 105-0 105 3 103-0 lOG'O 103-5 1015 100 8 102 4 104-5 101 3 101 101 102 104 101 101 106 100 105 101 11a.m. 103-7 103G lOGG 102 7 102-1 101-0 105-5 102 0 101-8 102 9 101-8 102 8 102 2 1G5-6 101-3 101-8 IOS'4 105-2 1W4-0 lOS-4 104-2 102 0 101-2 101-4 101-0 101-7 101 101 101 104 101 101 lOG 101 105 102 REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 63 * Thirteen of these animals gave evidence by rise in temperature of the presence of the disease. These were killed on the 24th, and a post-mortem examination made in each case. 1. Cowslip, Durham Cow, 1\ years. — The lungs of this animal were free from dis- ease, but small patches of tubercle were found in the liver, near the surface. A large mass of tubercle, weighing about a pound, was attached to the omentum with other smaller masses adjacent, mesenteric glands enlarged and filled with tubercle. A tuber- culous cyst attached to the stomach was also filled with pus-like tubercle. Deposits of tubercle were also found in the udder. 2. Red Rosebud, Durham Cow, 6^ years. — The apex of one of the lungs was filled with cheesy and softer masses of tubercle, the other lung was healthy. There was a tumour in the throat of a part fatty and part fibrous character, inclosing small masses of tubercle, some of which was solidified and some semi-fluid. 3. Nellie Elgins, Durham cow, 3J years. — Lungs and other organs healthy. Thoracic glands much enlarged and filled with solidified and calcareous tubercle — parts of the udder indicated the presence of tubercle in its early stages. 7. Red Knight, Durham Bull, 3| years. — Lungs and other organs healthy. No tubercle was found in any of the thoracic or mesenteric glands, but the lymphatic gland on each side of base of scrotum was found charged with tubercle in a semi-fluid condition. 14. Siepkje 3rd's calf, 8 months, Holstein heifer. — In this animal the lungs and liver were healthy, and no tubercle was found in any of the glands. In the udder were found hardened patches of tubercle, and small tubercles were also found on the surface of the spleen. 17. Pride of Eastview, Polled Angus Cow, 8 years. — The lungs appeared to be free from tubercle, but had an unhealthy appearance, the tip of one lobe of the liver was also light coloured and unhealthy looking, not clearly tuberculous, but may have been tubercle in an early stage. The glands were free from tubercle, but tuberculous matter was found on both sides of the udder in patches. 18. Stella of Eastview, Polled Angus Cow, 7 years. — Both lungs were almost filled with masses of soft solidified tubercle. The thoracic glands were much enlarged, weigh- ing about two pounds in all, and were filled with tubercle mostly in a calcareous con- dition. Small tubercles were found on the surface of the spleen, and the udder had small patches of tubercle on both sides. 19. Daisy of Eaton, Polled Angus Cow, 5| years. — One small mass of tubercle was found in one of the lungs near the tip, otherwise these organs seemed healthy. The glands were free from tubercle, but a few small tubercles were found on the surface of the spleen. 20. Lady Eaton, Polled Angus Cow, 3 J years. — A large mass of tubercle was found in the substance of one lung, and many smaller masses distributed through the adjacent structure. Several small tubercles were found just under the surface of the liver, also on the surface of the spleen. The thoracic glands were much enlarged and filled with caseous tubercle. 21. Stella of Assiniboia, Polled Angus Cow, 3 years. — The lungs of this animal were healthy, but a small patch of tubercle was found in the liver. Two of the lym- phatic glands were also found to be slightly tuberculous. In this cow the disease was in a very early stage. 30. Nellie, Grade heifer, 2 years. — No tubercle was found in the lungs, but the sur- face had an unhealthy appearance, liver healthy, one of the thoracic glands was en- larged and partly filled with solidified tubercle. 33. Grade Steer, 2 years. — One lump of semi-solid tubercle was found in the sub- stance of one of the lungs about the size of a hen's egg, and three of the thoracic glands were enlarged and partly filled with caseous tubercle. 35. Holstein Grade Steer, 5 months. — In this instance the lungs and other organs were healthy, but the thoracic glands were considerably enlarged and filled with caseous tubercular matter. In the table it will be seen that the yearling Durham bull, Prince, of QuAppelle, No. 8 had a very unusually high normal 104-3, and although this ran up to 104-8 with- 64 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. in three hours after the tuberculin was injected it fell so rapidly afterwards to the usual normal that it was evident that the high point reached was not due to the action of the tuberculin. The sudden rise also of 2 degrees which took place in the case of the Polled Angus calf No. 26 within three hours after injection was followed by a rapid fall to the normal so shortly after that it was highly improbable that the rise was caused by the tuberculin. As the mother (Cowslip) of one of the young calves not tested was found to be diseased, the calf also was killed but no evidence of disease was found in it — the mothers of the other two young calves proved to be healthy, and they of course were not slaughtered. In this instance 10 of the animals destroyed were pure-bred and 3 grades — four were bred at Indian Head and nine sent from Ontario. EXPERIMENTAL FARM, NAPPAN, N.S. During the month of August, I visited the branch experimental farm at Nappan, N. S., with the object of testing the cattle there. As mentioned in Bulletin No. 20, p. 31, one case of tuberculosis had occurred there in the summer of 1893 when the sus- pected animal was killed and on post-mortem examination found to be affected with this disease. Two of the progeny of this cow -w ere tested shortly after with tuberculin, and shown to be free from the disease, and as the remaining animals appeared to be healthy no further steps were taken at that time in testing the herd. There were 39 animals in the herd on the Nappan Farm, 18 of which were grades, and 21 pure bred. Most of them were in good condition, and apparently healthy. The pure bred animals consisted of the following breeds : Cows. Heifers. Calves. Bulls. Durhams 5 2 1 Ayrshires 3 1 1 Holsteins 3 1 11 Jerseys 2 In this investigation I was assisted by Dr. Geo. Townsend, V. S., of New Glasgow, N. S., Dr. Wm. Jakeman, V. S., of Halifax, and Dr. F. G. Hall, V. S., of Amherst, N. S. The normal temperatures of the animals were taken on the evening of August 22nd, and morning of the 23rd The tuberculin was injected at 1 p.m. that day and the temperature taken every three hours after for 18 hours with the results given in the following table : — REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 65 c3 © CO IN to 3 o 3 H d o o CD 03 ■- 1 01 bp •3 CN IN CN © -^ © © »J( fl i-H CN l-H i-l CN CN l-H J, CS iH I— I ^H 1— I T-H i— I l-H © t- H t~C5 ©CO © OCOMOH o o o o o ■>*< © IN © © © HflWHMO © © © © © © CN © © © s 03 ■f IN © O0 © © i-H © NHOIHHNH j ©©<35©©©©"f i-l iH i-H i-H i-H i-H © IN© -tfl moo OCCHHO © © © © © OH-*HOH H f ) H fl N O ©©©©©© CN i-l © © f©C0© *? ©©©©©©©"* C3 1— I I— I I— I 1— I T— I 1— I 1-" © IM Tj< © TfCO i-H CN CN .-n © © © © © © © © ©©© © HNiiHNH © © © © © © ©,-H ©rH CO CN 3 60 3 < s ft © C0©©iJJ00 rr ^ u . © © 95 rH©r^-H ©-%©©" CO © N CO J, IN.- © — ■ © © © © M 1— I 1— I I— I i-H © $} O © CC o «rH IN © CN _ © © © © © iH i-l r-t Q) © CO ©CO — i-l i-i (N IN ~ © © © © © t~^t tN l-H !-| © © © © © © © IN ■* IO i-H © i-H i-l IN © © © © © •paipafuj sraiuij^; jo -o^[ © © © in © © © © ©©©©©cocot- © © © ©iO ©© © CO © © IO© © © © © W Tt< IN IN t- © © © iO © © © © © © © © ©© cSS S 2 2 - S S >-. ©t^t~©>Oi-lrHTf< 00 S-l c3^ S S Z CO t-COCO iH CN c«- CD CD © ** cn© m ^f o CD CD~ 3 ^2 8- CD 3 O- o a o CD a c3 5Zi s B s 8c— 5 P>^ •J= CD o g »3 5 S.^1 . 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These were killed on the 24th and the particulars of their condition are given in the following notes, taken at the several post-mortem examinations. 4. Fern Duchess, Durham cow. — In this animal the lungs were healthy, so also were the glands. A large tubercular deposit was found on the sternum, measuring about 7 inches by 5 and 2 inches deep. The muscular tissue being filled with tubercle, some of it pus like, some caseous. This patch extended from the bone upwards to within abont 1J inches of the skin. There was no appearance of bruise or other injury on the surface. There was an indurated tumour in one of the teats containing caseous tubercle small lumps of tubercle were also found between the serous and mucous walls of the intestines, 6. Bess, Durham heifer, 1 year. — The lungs of this animal were healthy. One of the thoracic glands was considerably enlarged and filled with tubercle, and several others were diseased but less affected. The intestinal walls were dotted with tubercles of various sizes, most of them filled with material of a cheesy consistence. 7. — Duchess of Nappan, Durham heifer, 1 year. — This animal was not in good con- dition, and was evidently ailing ; her right lung was found to be in a condition of atrophy and much wasted, its surface was covered with small tuberculous pustules, the left lung was better developed, but similarly covered with pustules. The intestinal walls were also studded with tubercular deposits of a granular character. 8. Nappan's Fashion, Durham bull, 4 years. — In this case there was found dis- tributed through the substance of one of the lungs a considerable number of small masses of caseous tubercle, the other lung appeared to be healthy. One of the thoracic glands was much enlarged and filled with caseous tubercle, and several other glands in the thoracic cavity were found filled with tubercle, either cheesy or pus-like but in less quantity. 20. Kate Remona, Jersey cow, 5 years. — In different portions of the substance of both lungs, lumps of tubercle were found in a caseous condition, one lung was found ad- hering to the side. The thoracic glands were much enlarged, indurated and packed with caseous tubercle, and one of the mesenteric glands was similarly affected. Small lumps of tubercle were imbedded in the muscular tissue of the intestines, the inner part of the placenta was also dotted with pustules of tubercle. 22. Old Tingley, Durham grade, 10 years. — In this animal the lungs and other organs were found healthy and no tuberculous deposit could be detected in any of the glands. Small nodules of tubercle in a oaseous condition were lodged under the serous coat of the intestines and distributed in varying proportion all over the large and small intestines. 26. Susie, Guernsey grade cow, 6 years. — Lungs healthy, no deposit found in throracic glands. Mesenteric glands partly filled with caseous tubercle. Small masses of tubercle attached to the surface of the liver, uterus and intestines. 28. Mary, Durham grade cow, 3 years. — Both lungs dotted with tubercular matter in its earlier stages, small deposits of tubercle were also found in the substance of the liver. Inguinal glands slightly tuberculous, the interior walls of the uterus had also patches of tubercle. 32. — Molly, Durham grade heifer, 1 year. — The tip of one lung for about 5 inches was indurated and filled with tubercle in its early stages. No evidence of the presence of tubercle was found in any of the other organs or glands nor about the intestines. 37. Wild Eyes, grade steer, 2 years. — This animal was in poor condition. No evid- ence of tubercle was detected in the lungs, liver or other organs or glands of the body excepting in one of the mesenteric glands, in which tuberculous matter was found, small masses of tubercule were also found attached to the mesentery. In this series of tests it will be observed that the temperatures on which some animals were condemned are lower than some other cases where no action was taken. There was, however, in every instance, where slaughter took place, 1|- degrees or more Fahrenheit of increase above the average normal temperature, except in the case of Duchess of Nappan No. 7, a yearling Durham he;fer, which was not thrifty and appear- ed to be suffering from some internal trouble. She was killed on a rise in temperature 8c-5i 68 EXPEBIMENTAL FARMS. of 145 degrees above her average normal and the condition of the organs on post-mor- tem justified this action. The case of Jennie No. 10, an Ayreshire cow, was suspicious but her temperature varied considerably at different times during the test, which, at the highest, was but nine-tenths of a degree above the highest normal. As there were other reasons which might account for these fluctuations in her case, she has been left over for a second test. Of the ten animals destroyed five were grades and five pure bred. One of the pure bred animals was sent from Ontario, one was purchased in New Brunswick, and of the remainder, including the grades, some were raised at the Nappan farm and the others bought from farmers in Nova Scotia. EXPERIMENTAL FARM, AGASSIZ. On the 13th of September, 1894, I arrived at Agassiz, B. C, and proceeded to test the cattle there, which numbered 18 head, 2 of which were grade animals and 16 pure bred. The pure bred animals consisted of the following breeds. Cows. Heifers. Calves. Bulls. Durhams 2 2 — 1 Ayrshire* 2 2 1 2 Holsteins 2 — — 2 The preliminary tests of normal temperature were completed on the morning of September 14th, and the tuberculin injected at 1 p.m. on the same day. The tempera- ture was subsequently taken every 3 hours for 21 hours with the results given in the appended table. 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P B B P P B P B B P B B P P B B B B B P P B B B B Date of first picking. June 22.. 25.. 25. 22. 22.. 22.. 25.. 22.. 25.. 25.. 22.. 25. 22.. 25.. 23.. 22.. 22.. 22.. 22.. 22. 25. 25. 30.. 22 . 22.. Date of last picking. July 11 " 11 " 11 " 11 " 11. .. " 5 " 11 " 11 " 11 " 11 " 11 " 11 " 11 " 11 " 11 " 5 " 11 " 5 " 11 " 11 " 11 " 11 " 11 " 11 " 11 Yield in boxes from a row 60 feet long. 40 39* 38| 37* 37* 36* 35$ 35| 35 34* 31| 30* 30* 29* 29* 27 26* 26J 26 25* 24* 24J 24^ 23* FRUITS RECEIVED FOR EXAMINATION. I have to acknowledge the kindness of many enthusiastic fruit growers and origina- tors of new fruits in bringing to my attention the merits of new varieties by description, and by forwarding specimen fruits. While individual descriptions are impossible as well as inadvisable in all cases, yet I wish my correspondents to understand that their though tfulness is fully appreciated, and I trust will be continued, as the usefulness of this division of the farm is largely enhanced by the co-operation of fruit growers and nurserymen. Herewith is appended a list of the most important samples of fruits received dur- ing the year. In addition to this a much larger number of specimens of named varie- ties have been received for identification, all of which were examined with pleasure and reported upon to the sender. REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST. 145 APPLES. Sender. Remarks. A handsome fall apple. Thos W Letts, Calumet Island, Que Proved to be " White Astrachan." Fall, of fair quality. Good quality, but too small. Siberian crab ; keeps well. W. J. Kerr, Smith's Falls, Ont C. J. Honner, Amherstburg, Ont W. H. Hope, Paint, Ohio, U.S H. McColl, St. Joseph du Lac, Que S. Greenfield, Archville, Ont C. Wilson, Greenwood, Ont. W. S. Turner, Cornwall, Ont Fall ; too many of same season. Sweet, winter apple ; promising. Good quality ; autumn. Early winter. October and November. Tree 90 years old ; fruit, fair quality. Good quality ; mid winter. Not promising. Apples for name. Fall apple. Five specimens of named varieties. Fall apple. W. M. Pattison, Clarence ville, Que Four Seedlings of Fameuse type. Seedling apples. PLUMS. R. Brodie, St. Henry, Montreal, Que. W. A. Holton, Hamilton, Ont W. H. Snelling, New Edinburgh, Ont Keep Bros. , Winona, Ont . ....... Richard Trotter, Owen Sound, Ont. . D. B. Hoover, Almira, Ont J. Woods, Monticello, Ont A. M. Smith, St. Catharines, Ont R. C. Bradshaw, Thornhill, Man Plums of good quality. Seedling blue plum. See description. Probably a named variety. See description " Lillian August." "John A." No. 1 promising blue. No. 2 free stone ; good. Resembles " Blue Orleans." Extra good keeper. Good specimens of native plum. PEARS. C. H. Roberts, Paris, Ont. R. McDonald, Dufferin, Charlotte Co., N.B.... W. H. Dempsey, Trenton, Ont Seedling No. 5, promising ; qualitj- good ; season Nov- ember and December. Resembles " Flemish Beauty." Cross between " Sheldon " and " Duchess." PEACHES. C. G. Davis, Freeman, Ont. Resembles " Early Crawford." MISCELLANEOUS. J. P. Cockburn, Gravenhurst, Ont. J. A. Carriere White fruited blueberry. Seedling gooseberry. 8c— 10 146 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. DISTRIBUTION OF POPLAR AND WILLOW CUTTINGS. This line of work has been continued on a less extended scale than in former years, on account of the active part taken in it by the Branch Farms at Indian Head and Brandon. Two hundred and sixty -five packages, each containing 125 cuttings, were sent to farmers in Manitoba, and 215 packages to applicants residing in the North-west Territories. These have been sent out, as in other years, only in response to direct individual requests, so that there is greater assurance that they are given into the hands of those persons most likely to appreciate and care for them, and who will report the results of their experience. ASPARAGUS AND RHUBARD SEED. The distribution of asparagus and rhubarb seed has also been continued, much to the satisfaction of many settlers in sections remote from seedsmen and nurserymen, and also with much direct encouragement towards the more general cultivation of these use- ful vegetables. -o - HARDY APPLE AND CRAB SEED. None of the named varieties of apples which have thus far been tried at Brandon, Manitoba, or at Indian Head, in the North-west Territories, give promise of success, though A. P. Stevenson, of Nelson, Southern Manitoba, reports some success with Russian apples and crabs. With a view of introducing seedlings of the hardiest known types of apples, a small distribution of crab and apple seed was made last spring. It is hoped that a certain percentage of the resulting seedlings will endure the climate and bear fruit, and if so the seed of this fruit should be carefully preserved and sown again. It is quite possible that in course of time varieties in a measure adapted to the climate and soil of these regions may be developed by this process. Two hundred packages were sent out with appropriate instructions for planting the seed and caring for the resulting young trees. PLANTS AND SCIONS OF NEW FRUIT. In accordance with the system adopted last year, a distribution of several new and desirable shrubs and fruits was made through the provincial fruit growing organizations of Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia. By this means the Horticultural Division of the farm is brought into a line of useful co-operative work with these sociebies and in touch with those most interested in the development of horticulture in the Dominion. This distribution includes only varieties which are not generally obtainable commercial- ly in Canada, and which are considered worthy of introduction. REPORT OF THE CHEMIST (Frank T. Shutt, M.A., F.I.C., F.C.S.) Ottawa, December 15th, 1894. ¥m. Saunders, Esq., Director, Dominion Experimental Farms, Ottawa. Sir, — I have the honour to submit herewith the eighth annual report of the Chemi- cal Department of the Dominion Experimental Farms. The past year has been an exceedingly busy one, the demands made upon the department being greater than ever before. In evidence of this, and to show the increasing interest on the part of Canadian agriculturists in the chemistry of agricul- ture, it may be stated that no less than 256 samples have been received from farmers for examination, and reported upon. These include soils, fertilizers, well waters and agricultural products in general. The correspondence, including letters received and despatched, for the last twelve months, numbers 2,288 letters. Last year the samples received were 143, and the correspondence 1,596 letters. These two features alone indicate the interest in and popularity of our work, and above all make plain that the information afforded has proved of value to practical farmers. This is exceedingly gratifying, since, until quite recently, the application of chemistry to agriculture has been made little of by many who might have benefited by it. Much of the work referred to is of such a character that it cannot be here included, without unduly increasing the size of this report. Its usefulness, on that account, however, must not be minimized : for in teaching the individual we teach the future generation. Each one becomes a centre for the dissemination of knowledge. Among the more important conventions at which I have delivered addresses may be mentioned those of The Creameries' Association of Ontario, at Belleville, Ont. The Dairymen's Association of Nova Scotia, at Yarmouth, N.S. The Dairymen's Association of Eastern Ontario, at Peterborough, Ont. The American Public Health Association, at Montreal, Que. The Agricultural Conference of Nova Scotia, at Truro, N.S. Several important investigations in connection with Canadian agriculture and horticulture have been carried on during the past year. The results obtained and the conclusions arrived at are given in the pages of the present report. They may be summarized as follows : — Soils. — A complete analysis is not made of all soil samples sent in for examination, but only of those which are thoroughly representative of large areas and have never been cropped nor manured. This restriction is necessary, owing to the very large amount of extremely careful work involved in soil analysis. Eleven of such specimens of virgin soil, comprising samples from British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, are here reported upon. Several of these are treated of at length, since the soils are typical. Rational and economic methods of im- provement and manuring are recommended where deemed necessary or advisable. A considerable number of soils are forwarded by farmers. These are subjected to a qualitative and physical examination and a report given as to their general character, suitability for certain crops, together with suggestions as to fertilizers and treatment. 8c— 10J 148 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Swamp Muck. — A chapter on the occurrence, composition and use of this material is given, together with a table of the data obtained from the analysis of samples from different parts of Canada, but chiefly from the Maritime Provinces. The attention of all farmers anxious to preserve their barnyard manure from loss of fertilizing consti- tuents, is specially directed to this article. Sea Weed. — To those whose farms are close to the sea, the analysis of sea weed here stated will prove of value. Its manurial worth and the best methods for applying it are given. Contributions to Horticultural Chemistry. — These include : (1) an article on the chemistry of the copper-salt fungicides, which, from the number of questions re- ceived during the past year, will I think prove of interest and value to orchardists ; (2) the results of an investigation to ascertain if arsenic from Paris green passes into solu- tion in dilute Bordeaux mixture and ammoniacal copper carbonate ; (3) a second paper on the chemistry of the apple, which gives in detail the analyses of the fruit of four leading varieties and the deductions to be made therefrom as to fertilizers for orchards ; and (4) the results of an investigation into the composition of the strawberry plant, the data including the analyses of four prominent varieties. The last two investigations were commenced several years ago, their completion being necessarily postponed, owing to press of other work. Miscellaneous. — Analyses and brief reports of 50 samples of well waters from farmers' homesteads, examined this year, are given. Attention is again directed to the grave danger in using impure and polluted water, either for household purposes or for stock. A short paper on methods for exterminating gophers is added. Numerous inquir- ies have been received this year from Manitoba and the North-west Territories res- pecting these pests. It is hoped that the suggestions made may prove of service to those troubled by these mischievous rodents. I have thought it well that we should here place on permanent record our analysis of the " Mammoth Cheese," made under the direction of the Dominion Dairy Commis- sioner, at Perth, Ontario, and subsequently exhibited at the World's Fair, Chicago, U. S. A. During the early months of the year, Mr. P. H. LeRossignol, B. A.Sc, the assistant chemist, fell ill. To my very great regret, his health became so shattered that he was obliged to ask for leave of absence. This was granted by the Honourable the Minister of Agriculture, and took effect on June 1st, Mr. Howard T. Barnes, B. A.Sc, of McGill College, taking his duties temporarily, until September 1st. At that date, Mr. LeRos- signol was rather worse than better, and shortly after found that it would be impossible to resume work. He then sent in his resignation. Within a few weeks after that time, Mr. LeRossignol died at his home in Toronto. I wish to record my great indeb- tedness to him for his very faithful work while here as my assistant. He proved him- self a careful and skilful worker, well versed in the theory and practice of chemistry. As an analyst, he was both rapid and accurate, and much of the work in the present report is the outcome of his enthusiastic industry. Towards the end of November, Mr. Henry S. Marsh, Associate of the Institute of Chemistry, was appointed to the vacant post. I have the honour to be, sir, Your obedient servant, PRANK T. SHUTT, Chemist, Dominion Experimental Farms. Chemical Laboratories, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa. REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 149 VIRGIN SOILS OF CANADA. The examination of typical soils representing large areas of territory, has been con- tinued. From the chemical and physical data so obtained, it is possible to give infor- mation respecting the treatment and manuring most likely to be productive of good results in the districts from which the soil were sent. In addition to this immediately useful outcome of the work, it may be pointed out that we are gradually amassing figures that will lead to a better knowledge of the soils of Canada in general — a knowledge not only valuable to our own farmers, but also to those who have thoughts of emigrating from European countries. In former reports I have dwelt at some length upon the factors which conduce to a soil's fertility. It will therefore be unnecessary for me to recapitulate here, more espe- cially as the soils whose composition is given in the following table, are considered in detail. The soils examined during 1894 comprise specimens from British Columbia, Mani- toba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. The results show that Canada possesses soils which compare most favourably in richness of plant food with the best and most fertile of other countries. Concerning much of the prairie soil in Manitoba and the North-west Territories, as well as regards those alluvial soils that have been formed as river deltas or tidal deposits, both on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, it has been ascertained that they are exceedingly rich, possessing vast stores of plant food, a large portion of which is assimilable and ready to be used by crops. Many soils from other parts of the Dominion have also shown themselves to be excellent. The analytical results are given in tabular form, and the deductions therefrom will be found, together with a brief description of each soil examined, under the various provinces from which the specimens were obtained. BRITISH COLUMBIA. Nos. 1 and 2. SOILS FROM PITT MEADOWS. Physical Characters. Surface Soil. — A black loam in a moderately fine granular condition. When air- dried it is a grayish black and crumbles easily to powder ; this on moistening does not become plastic or sticky, nor on subsequent drying does it cake. The tilth (mechanical texture) appears to be very good, allowing freedom for root development and permeation of air and water. At the same time, it is sufficiently com- pact and heavy to prevent easy leaching ; it is undoubtedly retentive of both moisture and fertilizing ingredients to a high degree. The soil granules display a remarkable homogeneity, proving the very intimate incorporation of the organic matter with the inorganic basis of the soil. The sand, upon separation, appears to be very fine. Subsoil. — A grayish yellow soil, powdering easily when air-dried. It contains a considerable amount of fine sand and does not become plastic on moistening. I should expect it to offer a very fair drainage to the surface soil. Chemical Composition. Surface Soil. — This is a clay loam possessing a large amount of vegetable organic matter. The latter constituent is always present in arable soils ; but a high percentage, as in the present instance, always characterizes soils of great fertility. Briefly, the chief functions of organic matter may be stated as follows : By its decomposition in the 150 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. soil, much plant food is set free for the use of succeeding crops, and the carbonic acid, liberated as a product of its decay, acts as a solvent (in the presence of water) in a very- marked degree upon the inorganic constituents of the soil ; by its nitrification, nitrates — the form in which plants take up their nitrogen — are produced ; and, lastly, by its presence, the physical condition of the soil, as regards temperature and retentivity of moisture, is improved. In Nitrogen this soil is particularly rich, containing almost 1*0 per cent, or nearly 34,000 pounds per acre, estimating the weight of an acre of soil to the depth of one foot to be 3,500,000 pounds. Ordinary fertile soils possess from *2 per cent to -5 per cent of nitrogen, and many which produce paying crops, contain indeed less than -2 per «ent of this valuable element. The physical condition of this soil is such that nitrifica- tion would proceed satisfactorily, granted that the climatic influences are favourable. In Potash and Phosphoric Acid this soil is well supplied ; in this respect comparing most favourably with soils of great productiveness. Nitrogen. Potash and Phosphoric Acid are known as the essential elements of plant food, since successive croppings without a concomitant return of fertilizing material exhaust a soil, more particularly of these three important and costly substances. Lime. — Many agricultural chemists consider as deficient in lime, soils containing less than one per cent. It would therefore prove in all probability, advantageous to dress- this soil with lime or marl. Such an application would not only provide plant food and assist in the nitrification of the organic matter, but would correct the slight sourness which now exists. With regard to the latter character, viz., acidity, it may be remarked that it is due to the circumstances accompanying the formation of the soil. I am of the opinion that it is not strong enough to materially affect vegetation. All traces of sourness will quickly disappear with culture and aeration, and more quickly still if lime or marl be applied. This is an alluvial deposit, composed of the detritus brought down by the Pitt River. Such soils are usually very rich and fertile, and there is no reason to suppose that this one will prove an exception. We have seen that, physically and chemically, this soil ranks with the best ; its excellent qualities of tilth and richness of composition are undoubtedly owing to the peculiarly favourable circumstances attendant upon its formation and deposition. MANITOBA. No. 3.— VIRGIN PRAIRIE SOIL. This sample was obtained from section 31, township 4, range 1 west, and sent to representing the unfertilized and uncropped prairie soil of the Red River valley for many m#es around." This surface soil, which is fairly uniform throughout its depth, averages a little over two feet in thickness and mixes very gradually with the subsoil, which is blue clay. The latter, as tested by boring, extends to a depth of at least 250 feet. This soil is a deep black loam, of a fine and peculiarly characteristic granular order. It reduces easily in the air-dried condition to a grayish brown powder. Though there is present a considerable amount of undecomposed root fibre, the soil proper presents a remarkable homogeneity in appearance, indicating a process of physical refining in its formation and a uniformity in its chemical composition. Its appearance and physical condition, as well as its fertility, considered from a chemical standpoint, are no doubt due to the very intimate incorporation of the large amount of organic matter this soil pos- sesses, with the clay and sand which constitute the basis of the soil. On moistening the soil, it does not " puddle " nor become plastic, though it contains a considerable amount of clay ; nor does it subsequently dry into a hard or " cakey " mass, which would exclude air and prevent free root development. On the evaporation of the water, the soil easily powders or rather granulates, thus evincing its extreme friability. REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 151 The value of these qualities will be seen on a brief consideration of the factors which go to make up a soil's fertility. These are (1) climatic influences (rainfall, tem- perature, &c), (2) tilth or physical condition, and (3) chemical composition. In tilth, the relative proportions of clay, sand, limestone and organic matter, play an important role, culture and the weather often materially assisting. Retentivity of moisture and fertilizing material, permeability to air and water, freedom for root growth, stability and strength with friability are among the chief ^qualities of well tilled soil. Though the total amount of plant food is in direct relation to the kinds and amounts of organic and inorganic materials which compose the soil, the percentage of such food immediately available for crop use is largely dependent upon tilth and climatic influence. The importance of a good physical state is, therefore, obvious, and judging from the present sample, the tilth of this prairie soil must be regarded as of a high order. This loam is characterized chiefly by its very high percentage of organic matter and nitrogen, and its remarkable richness in potash ; it thus stands pre-eminent in two of the three essential constituents of plant food. Experience and scientific investigation have shown that the most fertile soils the world over are invariably rich in organic matter (humus) and nitrogen. The presence of humus regulates the soil's temperature, increases its water-holding capacity, and is of much value from a physical standpoint in loosening and aerating the soil, By nitri- fication that valuable and important element, nitrogen, is set free in an available form — as nitrates. The decomposition of the humus in the soil also gives rise to the production of carbonic acid gas, by the agency of which, when dissolved in the soil-water, much inert inorganic material is rendered soluble and useful for plant growth. Nitrogen. — The percentage of nitrogen may usually be considered an indication, or rather a measure, of a soil's fertility. This soil has an average depth, over a large area, of two feet, but if we calculate the weight of nitrogen in the first foot only (assum- ing the weight of soil to that depth over one acre to be 3,500,000 lbs.), we find a store of nitrogen that may become available amounting to 33,145 lbs. Ordinary fertile soils to a like depth contain from 3,500 to 10,000 lbs. of nitrogen per acre ; hence the vast reserve of this valuable constitutent in this prairie soil is apparent. Nitrogen is essentially the fertilizer for cereals, especially when associated with phosphoric acid. It is for this reason that nitrate of soda, sulphate of ammonia, dried blood, and other seurces of easily assimilated nitrogen, are so extensively used in conjunc- tion with superphosphate for obtaining lucrative yields of the grains on partially ex- hausted soils. Potash. — Soils derived from clay are usually rich in potash, and it is probably owing to this cause that this soil contains an amount of potash far in excess of that ordinarily met with. Potash is necessary for all crops, but proves especially useful for roots, grasses, clover, Indian corn and most leafy fodder crops. We may therefore infer that this soil is well adapted to raise in large quantities such food as is necessary to economically maintain stock. Using the factors already given (See table of analyses), we obtain by calculation 33,950 lbs. of potash per acre. Phosphoric Acid. — This constituent may be considered of the greatest importance, next to nitrogen, to the wheat plant, and indeed is very effective for all cereals. In this soil it is present to an amount somewhat above the average. A calculation based on the results of the present analysis shows 9,450 lbs. to the acre. Lime. — After the constituents already discussed, lime stands next in importance, not only because it serves directly as food few plants, but also for the reasons that it materially assists in the nitrification of the organic matter in the soil and liberates potash from its locked up sources. This soil is not rich in calcareous matter, but on the other hand must not be considered deficient — clay loam possessing as a rule from 2 per cent to 3 per cent of carbonate of lime. It will be unnecessary to call particular attention to the percentages of the other ingredients of this soil, since this sample forms no exception to the rule that of mineral matter, other than that specially reported on here, all soils contain a sufficient amount for all the requirements of farm crops. 152 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. ONTARIO. No. 4.— SOIL FROM NEAR PORT ARTHUR This is a sample of virgin soil from the farm of Mr. Wm. Wilson on the Mac- Intyre River near the Red River Road, about six miles west from Port Arthur, and registered as north 100 acres of Lot 24, White's survey, township of Maclntyre. It is said to be fairly representative of the soil within a radius of five miles, though the land is reported as being somewhat heavier on the whole in the Township of Oliver, five or six miles west of the farm from which this specimen was taken. The land originally was heavily timbered, but was burnt over some twenty-five years ago, and is now covered with poplar, birch, spruce and tamarack from ten to twenty feet high. Oats, clover and root crops generally are reported by Mr. Wilson to give ex- cellent yields. It is a grayish red, sandy soil of very fine tilth and is free from lumps. In the essential elements of plant food, viz., nitrogen phosphoric acid and potash, it cannot be considered a rich soil, though under proper tillage and favourable climatic influences, good returns may be expected. The percentages of these constituents lie within the limits set for good agricultural soils, but do not equal those of our more fer- tile soils. Owing to its physical character, it is a warm soil, and one that would in favourable seasons give an immediate and excellent response to the application of man- ure. From its light and sandy nature, however, it would be apt to leach readily, teaching the economy of frequent and light applications of soluble fertilizers, if such are employed, rather than heavier dressings at longer intervals. Perhaps its greatest deficiency is in humus. To improve it in this respect, the turning under of green crops, (preferably clover or pease, for such enrich the soil by nitrogen taken from the atmos- phere), the application of farm-yard manure and of swamp muck (after composting, if feasible), are to be recommended. By such means, not only could the percentages of or- ganic matter and nitrogen be increased, but the tilth would be vastly benefited, since thereby the soil becomes more retentive of moisture and fertilizing ingredients. Organic matter (humus) in a soil has many functions. In its decomposition, carbonic acid is set free, which in turn tends to liberate mineral plant food from the rock-remains in the soil. In this and many other ways does humus act beneficially, and perhaps the most economical way for the new settler to supply it, is by the ploughing under of a green crop. An application of lime or marl, with the muck or other organic manure would enhance the fertility of this soil, for though not very poor in lime, an addition of such fertilizers would assist in rendering other plant food assimilable and the soil more suit- able for the growth of cereals. If artificial manures are employed, they should be first tried on small areas. Those of a soluble nature, as nitrate of soda and kainit, should be applied as a top dress- ing in the spring ; in this way their effect will be more marked. Since wood ashes can easily be procured, a mixture of them with ground bone might prove as cheap and effective a fertilizer as could be recommended. Nos. 5 and 6.— SOILS FROM MUSKOKA. These soils are from the farm of Wm. Stalker, lot 14, concession 10, Brunei town- ship, Muskoka, and constitute the eighth and ninth in a series of virgin soils from that district that are being investigated by us. Former reports contain analyses, and deductions therefrom, of those previously examined. The country in which this sample was taken is well wooded with birch, maple, bass, hemlock and elm. The surface soil is of a light gray colour, and varies from eight to twelve inches in depth. It differs from the preceding members of the series in being a clay loam, all the others having been light in character. It may be termed a strong soil and one REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 153 that is retentive of fertilizing constituents. It further differs in possessing larger amounts of lime and magnesia, features distinctly in its favour, as rendering it Hiore suitable to the growth of cereals. It is, however, particularly deficient in organic matter (humus), and very low in nitrogen. In potash, it is fairly rich ; in phosphoric acid, only moderately so. Barn- yard manure, a rich compost made with muck, or a green crop turned under, are there- fore among the best fertilizers for this land. These should be accompanied if possible with a dressing of lime or marl. On many new farms there is not sufficient barn-yard manure made to properly keep up, not to speak of increasing, the fertility of the land in cultivation. The con- stant aim on such farms should be towards keeping more stock, since, by feeding the product of the fields upon the farm, about three-fourths of the plant food withdrawn by the crops is retained for future use. In the meantime, however* it would be well to practice turning under certain green crops, and thus enrich the land with available plant food. It has been explained previously that pease, clover and other legumes are particularly valuable for this purpose, adding to the soil much nitrogen assimilated from the atmosphere — a clear gain — as well as a large amount of organic matter to other- wise improve the soil. When possible, it will be more economical to feed the green crops to stock, returning the manure to the land ; but if animals for this purpose are not kept, the turning under of the crop will be found to furnish a nitrogenous manure cheaper than any commercial fertilizer. The use of swamp muck may also be referred to as advantageous for such soils. In the air-dried condition it forms an excellent material for absorbing and retaining liquid manure, its own plant food constituents being con- verted by the subsequent fermentation in the heap into soluble and available forms. On another page in this report will be found an article giving information respect- ing the agricultural value and use of this material. QUEBEC. Nos. 7 and 8.— SOILS FROM THE COUNTY OF JOLIETTE. These are from No. 766 in the official cadastral plan of the parish of Ste. Elizabeth, range St. Peter, county of Joliette. The surface soil, about seven inches in depth, is black when moist — when it had the appearance of a clay loam of considerable strength, being compact and cohesive. On drying in the air, it becomes grayish black and powders readily. The subsoil when moist is plastic, but the air-dried sample reduces easily. This sample when received in the moist state was mottled gray and yellowish red. The dry powder is light yellow. The surface soil is a clay loam of average fertility, containing all the elements nec- essary to plant development, and in such proportion as to produce with judicious culture remunerative crops. Nitrogen. — The percentage of nitrogen is -213 per cent. Although the richest soils contain from -5 to 1*0 per cent, the average percentage in good fertile soils is from 15 to -25 per cent. This soil, accordingly, ranks, as regards nitrogen, among those of aver- age fertility. Potash. — The amount of potash is also fairly high (-38 per cent). The percen- tage of this element varies in soils from -1 to 1-0 per cent, according to the nature of the rock from which the soil has been derived. Clay loams are usually richer in potash than sandy soils. PJwsjjhoric Acid. — The phosphoric acid amounts to *27 per cent. The average in ordinary fertile soils is about -2 per cent, though, like potash, the percentage in virgin soils is dependent upon the character of the originating rock. Nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash are known as the essential elements of fer- tility, for they are those of which the soil is more particularly exhausted when succes- 154 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. sive crops are taken without a due return of plant food. Their amounts have there- fore been considered in detail. This soil is somewhat poor in lime, and I am of the opinion than an application of marl or lime would be beneficial, both to supply plant food and to improve the tilth. Such a soil should be well drained. By this means, increased crop yields and greater ease in working would be obtained. Working the soil when wet, should be avoided. It woulfl undoubtedly prove of advantage to increase the amount of humus of the soil. This can be done with farm-yard manure, well composted swamp muck, or by turn- ing under some green crop, — preferably clover or pease. Such organic matter contain? a large amount of nitrogen, one of the most valuable of all soil constituents, and wili effect an improvement not only chemically, but physically. To sum up, this is a good soil of average fertility, and one that can be materially improved on the lines above indicated. It is a strong soil and well adapted for most agricultural crops, and more especially for cereals and fruit trees, provided that other conditions, such as the climate and season, are favourable. The substance of this report was communicated to Mr. Remi Henault, who had procured and forwarded the sample early in the spring of the present year. Under date of October 22nd, he writes as follows : — " I am very much pleased to be able to inform you that the analysis and report that I received from you concerning my soil, have been of great service to me and the members of the Agricultural Circle of our parish. You informed me that the soil was poor in lime. I therefore applied this material at the rate of 20 bushels per acre, and as a result my crop was nearly doubled. Next year I shall plough under a growing crop of pease and also the aftermath of clover, and report results." It is well to remember that the continued use of lime by itself will in time exhaust the soil, since one of the functions of lime is to set free and render available locked-up plant food in the soil. It must be applied with some organic manure, a green crop turned under and swamp muck, if the future as well as the present is to be considered. No. 9.— SOIL FROM THE COUNTY OF BONAVENTURE. This sample from Maria, County of Bonaventure, Quebec, was obtained from newly broken land that had been cut, stumped and burnt during the summer of 1891 and 1892. Previous to this, it had been well wooded with birch, maple, spruce and pine. A third and final burning of the bush and stumps had taken place in the spring of 1893, the sam- ple for analysis being procured in November of that year, when it was given a shallow ploughing. It is a yellow soil, with a shade of red, evidently due to iron, and contains a large number of fragments of undecomposed rock material. Examination proved the coarse material (separated by a 1-5 mm. sieve) to be 36 -63 per cent, the fine soil, of which the analysis was made, being 63*37 per cent. In the table of analyses, it will be noticed that the percentage of clay and fine sand is 40-92. The microscope shows that a considerable part of that amount is fine sand. It is, therefore, probable that the clay and sand are in such proportions as to render the soil favourable, as regards tilth, to the growth of most farm crops. Organic Matter and Nitrogen'. — Although the appearance of this soil would lead to the belief that it was deficient in these valuable constituents, analysis proved to the contrary. Usually a rough estimate of the percentage of humus can be made from the colour of the air-dried soil ; the iron in this soil had been oxidized by exposure, and the colour was no longer any criterion of the soil's richness. Good soils of average fertility contain, as a rule, from 5 per cent to 10 per cent of humus and from *15 per cent to *25 per cent of nitrogen ; the soil under consideration possesses 11 "80 per cent of the former and "238 per cent of the latter. In these constituents, therefore, this specimen is by no means lacking, though there can be no doubt that, to a large degree, they were destroyed in the burning of the land. REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 155 Lime. — From the analysis, this soil shows a deficiency in lime, one per cent being considered a minimum limit for the best returns. Lime may be supplied either as such, or in the form of marl or gypsum, and would be useful, not only as supplying an ele- ment of plant food, but also in promoting nitrification of the organic matter. Potash. — It is exceptionally rich in this constituent, and consequently should prove a good soil for the legumes (clover, pease, &c,), roots and leafy crops generally. No doubt, this potash has been liberated in part by the burning to which the soil was sub- jected. Phosphoric acid. — The average amount in good, fertile soils is about -2 per cent, so that, as may be seen from the table, this soil, as regards this necessary and valuable plant food, is of average quality. The comparatively large percentage of iron is worthy of remark, as denoting a capacity for the retention of phosphoric acid and potash. Organic manures, in one or other of the forms already mentioned (such as barn-yard manure, composted muck, offal or other animal refuse, or a green crop turned under), in conjunction with an application of lime, are to be recommended as beneficial and economical. For the special fertilization of a cereal crop, soluble forms of phosphoric acid and nitrogen, such as superphosphate a»d nitrate of soda, might be used. NEW BRUNSWICK. No. 10.— VIRGIN SOIL FROM BALMORAL SETTLEMENT, RESTIGOUCHE. This, as received, was a pale yellow soil containing a considerable number of lumps or fragments of rock of the same colour, and of various sizes up to one and a half inches in diameter. On close inspection, it was found that these irregular rock frag- ments consisted chiefly of felspar, partially decomposed, though showing some quartz. The soil is evidently derived from the disintegration and decay of this rock material. The soil was separated by a 2 mm. sieve, with the following results : Fine soil 84'8 per cent. Rock fragments 15-2 " Except in potash, this soil must be regarded as poor in the more important ele- ments of fertility. The percentage of potash is considerably above that found in aver- age fertile soils ; the abundance of this useful and valuable constituent is undoubtedly due to the felspar from which the soil has originated. The percentage of phosphoric acid is low. Bone meal, superphosphate or fish waste are perhaps the most available sources from which to supply this necessary ele- ment for plant growth. To supply nitrogen and humus (in both of which important materials this soil is lacking), barnyard manure would, of course, prove very valuable. Air-dried muck, sub- sequently composted with manure, or, if sufficient manure cannot be obtained, with wood ashes and lime, is also to be highly recommended. A third method, and one that can be strongly advised, is the ploughing under of some green crop, preferably clover or pease, while in flower. A dressing of ground unburnt gypsum is often useful in giving such crops a good start. Fish waste and sea weed would also prove valuable manures for this soil. Most agricultural chemists regard a soil to be deficient in lime when it contains less than one per cent. This soil would therefore be benefited by a dressing of lime, either as such or as marl (carbonate of lime) or as gypsum (sulphate of lime). To sum up briefly, organic manures (such as I have mentioned in speaking of nitro- gen and humus) and lime are necessary, and the addition of phosphatic fertilizers high- ly desirable, to render the soil more fertile. The course here suggested will, I think, prove more economical and lasting in its effects than one which includes the use of the more soluble and expensive nitrogenous fertilizers, e.g., nitrate of soda and sulphate of ammonia. 156 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND. No. 11.— SOIL FROM KING'S COUNTY. This soil partakes of the same colour as the light red Triassic sandstone from which it is derived, and in this respect is representative of the characteristic soil of this fertile province. It differs from the preceding specimens in that it is not a truly virgin soil. Some difficulty was experienced in procuring a sample from soil which had not been cropped or manured ; this one is said to fairly represent the unmanured but cultivated soil that extends over a large area in the eastern portion of the island. It was obtained from Lot or Township 53. This soil is a light, sandy loam, of good tilth. By the use of a sieve (mesh 1*5 mm.) the following separation was effected : — Coarse material, chiefly fragments of red sandstone. . . 8-3 per cent. Fine material, chiefly fine red sand 91 '7 " From this sample it is of course impossible to speak of the composition of the virgin soil ; but such is, however, now exceedingly limited in area. The present report will be of service to those farmers who have not in the past kept up the fertility of their land and who are now anxious to restore to the soil economically that plant food used up by the successive cropping of years. Judged from its chemical composition, it must be considered as somewhat inferior to those of average fertility. Of the three essential elements, it is highest in potash, containing a very fair amount. In phosphoric acid, it is very low, while the percent- age of nitrogen is also less than the average found in fertile soils. The amount of lime present is extremely small, and considerably less than that in any of the other samples examined. It is evident, therefore, that besides an organic manure to supply humus and a calcareous one to furnish lime, it is necessary to add nitrogen and phosphoric acid, if the best results are to be expected. Nitrogen and humus are most conveniently (and also most economically) supplied together, as in some organic manures, e. g. barn-yard manure, composted muck, sea- weed, fish offal, etc., or a growing crop of one of the legumes (clover or pease) ploughed under. In this way not only the fertility of the soil, but its capacity for retaining plant food and moisture will be greatly increased. Phosphoric acid may be added in the form of superphosphate or ground bone. If wood ashes are cheaply and easily procured, their application would supply both potash and phosphoric acid. » As already stated, the soil contains a very small percentage of lime. A dressing of lime, marl or gypsum would therefore undoubtedly prove remunerative. If lime is used, other fertilizers (as indicated above) must also be supplied, or in a few years the increased yield resulting from the setting free of soil plant food by the lime, will be followed by a disastrous exhaustion of the elements of fertility. Mai'l does not affect a soil in as marked a manner as lime, nor does it cause exhaustion to the same degree. Unlike lime it cannot do harm if applied in excess. If it is desired to manure by turn- ing under a green crop, a coating of gypsum and kainit or of wood ashes will materially increase the yield of clover. It is hoped to supplement this analysis by that of soils procured in different parts of the island. 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This table presents the composition of the leaves, together with such other inform- ation as may help to elucidate the question under consideration. After the columns containing the names of the varieties and the data when the leaves were gathered, are three columns in which is given the percentage composition of the leaf — the water, organic matter and mineral constituents. Then follow six columns, containing the percentages of the chief inorganic components of the ash. The percentages of nitrogen in the dry organic matter are then given, followed by columns depicting the amounts of nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash contained in 1000 lbs. of the green leaf. These figures serve to show the absolute and relative values of the leaves as a fertilizer, as well as the quantities of these materials taken from the soil for the growth of the leaves. COMPOSITION OF THE FRUIT. The general composition, viz., the percentages of water, organic matter and ash (which make up the whole), and the amount of nitrogen, are given for the four varieties examined in the following tabulated form : — Analysis of Apples. Name of Variety of Apple. Duchess of Oldenburg Wealthy Fameuse Northern Spy Average Water. 88-61 87-00 85 22 87-08 86 98 Organic Matter. 11 14 12 71 14-46 12 65 12 74 Ash. •25 ■29 ■32 ■27 •28 Nitrogen. •0382 •0375 •0512 •0445 •0428 Although there is a great similarity in composition in the varieties examined, and none differ much from the average deduced from them all, it is of interest to note that the Fameuse is the richest in organic matter, in ash constituents and in nitrogen. The Wealthy and Northern Spy contain almost identical amounts of organic matter and ash, and the Duchess of Oldenburg has the largest percentage of water and lowest percent- age of organic matter and ash. Percentages of Important Constituents in Ash. Name of Variety of Apple. Duchess of Oldenburg Wealthy Fameuse Northern Spy Average Phosphor- ic acid. Potash. Soda. • Oxide of Iron. Lime. Magnesia 890 815 719 11-68 53 67 57 00 56 25 54 11 3-28 265 2 56 194 1-77 1-76 126 213 5-80 3 33 3 55 386 520 384 4-03 3-99 8-98 55-26 261 1-72 438 4-27 Silica. •36 •63 •32 111 •60 In this table the composition of the ash in detail is given. Of its components, phosphoric acid and potash are the principal. The latter constitutes over half of the ash (55-26 per cent), while the former is about 9 per cent, the average being 8*98 per cent. REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 167 No great differences between the varieties are here to be noticed, though the Northern Spy presents some striking variations from the average. Its ash contains nearly 3 per cent more phosphoric acid, nearly 1 per cent less soda, about -5 per cent more oxide of iron and alumina, and about -5 per cent more silica than the ash of the other apples. The ratio of the potash to the phosphoric acid in the ash of the fruit is 6 to 1 • in the ash of the older leaves (see table), it is 2 to 1. Relatively, therefore the demands of the leaf and the fruit on the soil for these two constituents are very different. It inio-ht here be remarked that the greater quantity of the ash ingredients of the fruit is contained in the seeds and walls of the ovary, comparatively little being found in the flesh of the apple. A comparison of this table with that showing the composition of the ash of the leaf, will reveal further interesting features. The total percentages of ash in similar weights of leaf and fruit, are as 3*46 to -28. Lime is much more abundant in the ash of the leaf, while magnesia, oxide of iron and silica are about the same, taking the older leaves for comparison. For the purpose of a practical presentation of the subject, the data presented in the following table have been prepared : Weight of Important Fertilizing Constituents withdrawn from the soil. ♦■ Average weight per bushel in pounds. Nitrogen. Phosphoric Acid. Potash. Name of Variety of Apple. Lbs. per barrel. Lbs. per acre, or 160 barrels. Lbs. per. barrel. Lbs. per acre, or 160 barrels. Lbs. per barrel. Lbs. per acre, or 160 ■ barrels. Wealthy Fameuse 44 50 50 46 •046 •057 ■070 •056 7-359 8 220 11223 9-006 •027 •032 •031 •039 4 307 5 181 5 043 6 383 •162 •226 •256 •185 25 975 36 232 39 ' 456 29 570 Average 47-5 •057 8-952 •032 5-228 •217 32 808 Note. — In the above calculations the following data are used : Forty trees per acre in an orchard 25 years old yield, on an average, one hundred and sixty (160) barrels. One barrel contains 2 bushels and 3 pecks. We have here the number of pounds of nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash esti- mated as contained in one barrel of the fruit, and the amounts removed per acre by a good crop. None of the quantities are at all excessive, and the cost of returning them would not be great. The largest demand is on the potash in the soil ; next comes the nitrogen, and lastly the phosphoric acid. In the case of the leaves, the nitrogen stood first. For the vigorous development of the tree and an abundant crop of fruit, the soil must contain these constituents in a more or less immediately available condition. It is for this reason, as well as to replace the exhausted plant food, that fertilizers are neces- sary to profitable apple growing. Nitrogen. — To supply nitrogen, some organic manure is perhaps the most econo- mical. Barnyard manure or the turning under a leguminous crop (the latter being rich in nitrogen) are to be recommended. Besides adding nitrogen, they furnish humus or decaying vegetable matter, which serves a useful function by liberating carbonic acid and which in turn sets free locked-up forms of mineral food. Humus, moreover, has much to do in bringing about good tilth and in the retention of soil moisture. As the period of growth and fruit development in the apple is comparatively long, organic manures in most instances will probably give better returns than those containing more soluble forms of nitrogen, such as nitrate of soda or sulphate of ammonia. 168 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Potash and Phosphoric acid. — To furnish potash and phosphoric acid, we would first mention wood ashes. In most parts of Canada they are the cheapest form in which to purchase these constituents. Moreover, they possess them in the relative pro- portion best suited to tree requirements and in a condition that renders them easily available. If wood ashes are not obtainable, kainit and muriate of potash may be substituted to supply potash ; and bone meal and superphosphate, the phosphoric acid. Bone meal contains 2 per cent to 3 per cent of nitrogen, in addition to the phosphoric acid, but requires a greater length of time in the ground to give up its constituents ; its effects naturally last longer,. For this very reason it is often advocated for orchard fertilization. Both wood ashes and bone meal furnish lime, which we have seen to be a necessary and somewhat important element. Soils differ so much in composition, that it is impossible to state definitely the amounts of these fertilizers that should be employed in all cases. The wants of the tree for fruit and leaves have been given and the principles for an economical return of these requirements indicated. In conclusion, it may be said that the best and most profitable crops can be obtained only when the soil contains what might be thought to be a large amount of plant food, the greater part of which is more or less assimilable. A good tilth, among other advantages, tends to a good root development. In such, the rootlets are able to procure food from a much larger area than otherwise ; but in every orchard, owing to the disposition of the roots, there must of necessity be much unoccu- pied soil, and hence the importance of supplying liberally and in excess of that which is absolutely needed for a season's growth and fruit, those forms of plant food which we have been considering. CHEMISTRY OF THE STRAWBERRY PLANT. In order to ascertain the requirements of the strawberry crop and its effect upon the soil, complete analyses of four varieties of strawberries have been made. The names of these are Sharpless, Crescent, Wilson and Manchester, the whole plant, includ- ing roots, being examined. The plants were colleoted while in flower during the month of June, and before the fruit had appeared. They were carefully freed from ad- hering soil, weighed and analysed. The subjoined table gives, in addition to other information, the percentages of water, organic matter and ash (mineral matter), which together make up the composi- tion of the plant : — Analyses of Strawberry Plants. Name of Variety of Strawberry. Sharpless, whole plant, in flower . Crescent " " Wilson Manchester " Average of four varieties. Date. June 4. Weight of plant. 3 oz. 3£ " 3i " 3A% Composition of Plant. Water. 72-79 70 25 72 80 73 43 72 32 Organic matter. 25 15 27 13 24 89 24 77 25 49 Ash. 206 262 231 1-80 219 REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 169 Water. — This, as well known, is a most important constituent to the well-being of the plant, its presence in certain proportions being absolutely essential to plant life and the performance of the functions of food digestion and assimilation. It is the vehicle by which the assimilated food is conveyed to the various tissues and organs of the plant. The importance of a plentiful supply of soil water for the growth of the plants and their abundant fructification cannot be over-estimated ; but since nature must, in ordinary cases, be depended upon for it, there is no occasion to further discuss this constituent. It may, however, be remarked that the tilth, cultivation, mulching and the presence of humus (as furnished by an organic manure) have largely to do with the conservation of soil moisture. Organic Matter. — Since all its constituents save nitrogen are procured from the atmosphere, it is unnecessary here to consider it. Special remarks on the nitrogen con- tained in the strawberry plant will be made when considering the elements removed from the soil. Ash. — This represents the mineral matter taken from the soil. Its two most es- sential constituents are potash and phosphoric acid. The foregoing data call for no special comment in detail. There is a great similarity in the composition of the four varieties, the variation from the average being small. The following interesting table gives the percentages of the important constituents in the ash : — Percentages of Important Constituents in Ash. Name of Variety of Strawberry. Sharpless, whole plant, in flower Crescent Wilson Manchester " " Average 'o < m d 43 O de of n and jmina. 00 O ^3 cm m '*&< Ph O 7-63 29 91 103 247 508 24 28 0-78 210 5-80 24 31 1-26 2-47 5-88 26 93 109 204 609 26 36 104 224 s 23 67 29 10 27 82 24-75 26 33 p be c3 610 5- 19 611 713 613 OS s CO 402 3 43 460 5-89 449 It is here again noticeable that no great differences exist between the plants analysed. Such as occur, might be accounted for by slight variations in the composition of the soil in which they grew. The ash of the strawberry plant contains about 6 per cent of phosphoric acid, and in the neighbourhood of 25 per cent (one-fourth its weight) of potash. Of the less important constituents, lime takes the precedence, being equal in amount to the potash. The comparatively large proportion of silica and of oxide of iron and alumina in the ash, are interesting from a scientific standpoint, but need not be considered here as they are elements supplied in abundance by every soil. The next table gives the number of pounds of the three essential elements of fer- tility, derived from the soil and contained in the strawberry plant, per 1,000 pounds of green plants and per acre, estimating the number of plants in an acre at 50,000. 170 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Weight of Important Fertilizing Constituents withdrawn from the soil. Nitrogen. Phosphoric Acid. Potash. Name of Variety of Strawberry. Lbs. per 1,000 lbs. of plants. Lbs. per acre, at 50,000 plants. Lbs. per 1,000 of plants. Lbs. per acre, at 50,000 plants. Lbs. per 1,000 lbs. of plants. Lbs. per acre, at 50,000 plants. Sharpless, whole plant, in flower Crescent " " Wilson " " Manchester " " 479 4-59 545 551 449 425 51'0 515 163 133 134 126 153 12 5 126 11-8 6-10 636 561 4-85 57-7 596 52-6 455 Average , 507 475 139 130 575 539 Of these essential elements it is here made clear that the chief demands for the de- velopment of the plant are upon the available potash and nitrogen in the soil. The phos- phoric acid stands third, the ratio of potash to phosphoric acid from our analysis being 4 to 1. Since the plants are finally ploughed under, thus returning the substances former- ly abstracted and assimilated from the soil, the only real loss, theoretically, of plant food is that contained in the fruit. The quantity of fruit obtained per acre varies widely, viz , from 75 bushels to 300 bushels, a good average yield weighing probably 10,000 lbs. From the report for 1892 of Dr. Goessmann, Director of the State Experiment Station, Amherst, Mass., U. S. A., the following averages were obtained : Ash in fruit, -52 per cent; potash in ash of fruit, 53-81 per cent; phosphoric acid in ash of fruit, 17*9 per cent. Estimating the weight of fruit at 10,000 pounds, we find that 52 pounds of min- eral matter, containing 28 pounds of potash and 9 pounds of phosphoric acid, are re- moved per acre. The ratio here of phosphoric acid is 3 to 1. Unfortunately, the amount of the nitrogen was not ascertained. The loss of plant food that the soil sustains through the gathering of the fruit, is not, compared with other crops, an excessive one. At the same time, it is to be remem- bered that the soil has to provide, in addition to those required by the fruit, the fertil- izing constituents as given in the above table though, as already pointed out, the greater part of the latter will eventually return to the soil. A soil to be well manured must contain a large excess of available plant food over and above the amount that can be utilized by the crop, since it can not be supposed that the roots will be able to absorb, by virtue of their disposition in the soil, more than a comparatively small proportion of such fertilizing ingredients. The strawberry is usually considered an " exhausting crop " ; as far as the real loss of plant food through gathering the fruit is concerned, the facts scarcely bear out this opinion. To replace or restore to the soil the substances so removed by the fruit, would not in itself require a very heavy application of manure. It is found, however, as a matter of practical experience that, to make strawberry culture successful, the soil must be fed very liberally. High manuring for strawberries is a common practice. We may advance several reasons why such is necessary and why this practice does not conflict with what has already been said and shown here. The growing season is short, and more especially the fruiting period. During a comparatively brief time there is a large demand for immediately available forms of nitro- gen, phosphoric acid and potash (and especially the first and last of these,) a demand that must be met if the best results are to be obtained. Even the richest soils contain only small amounts of such plant food, and hence the necessity for the presence in the soil of a large quantity of manure that will readily yield its fertilizing ingredients. This more particularly is found to be the case when the rainfall during the fruiting season is below the average. REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 171 Barn-yard manure is the fertilizer commonly used. This, besides furnishing nitro- gen, phosphoric acid and potash, acts beneficially in improving the tilth, in supplying humus, in preserving the soil moisture and equalizing the soil temperature. To supply potash by means of barn-yard manure alone, excess over and above that required for nitrogen and phosphoric acid must be applied, since, owing to faulty methods of pre- servation, this manure is often used when partially leached out. This consideration would suggest that, for the rational manuring of this crop, potash in some form (wood ashes, kainit, or muriate of potash) should be used in conjunction with the barn-yard manure. Wood ashes are for many reasons to be preferred ; they contain potash and phosphoric acid in excellent proportions. The amount and kind of fertilizer required depend very largely upon the season and the character of the soil. If a drought occurs during the fruiting period, a large excess of barn-yard manure in the soil will prove most effective in retaining the soil moisture ; on the other hand, a similar excess if the season is rainy and hot, will tend to the production of foliage and runners to the detriment of the fruit crop. If a soil has been devoted to strawberry culture for some years and barn-yard manure has been exclusively used as the fertilizer, the probabilities are that potash and phosphoric acid are the fertilizing constituents particularly needed. Consequently, wood ashes, or a mixture of finely ground bone and kainit or muriate of potash, as already men- tioned, should be applied. Instead of the bone meal, superphosphate may be used ; it furnishes the phosphoric acid in a more or less soluble condition, but unlike bone meal does not contain nitrogen. Light dressings, in the spring, of soluble nitrogen, as in nitrate of soda (say 100 lbs. to the acre) are frequently of great value, especially on poor soils. THE COPPER SALT FUNGICIDES. AN OUTLINE OF THEIR CHEMISTRY. It is unnecessary to say anything here in support of the practice of spraying ; the value of certain copper compounds for the preservation of orchards and vineyards from fungous foes, is every year becoming better known and more widely appreciated. Ad- vanced orchardists the world over recognize the efficacy of the copper fungicides for keeping both foliage and fruit clean and free from injurious attacks. That the mixture or solution used may be effective in fungicidal power, as well as non-injurious to foliage, two factors must be paid attention to : — (1) the right prepar- ation of the fungicide, and (2) the earliness and frequency of application. It is the first of these only that we shall consider here. As may have already been inferred, the efficacy of the fungicides is largely depen- dent upon their chemical composition and physical condition. These in turn are depen- dent upon the materials and the method of manufacture used. We may further state that a correct and intelligent preparation of the solutions and mixtures necessitates a knowledge, at least in outline, of the changes that take place under varying circum- stances of manufacture. The account of these reactions which follow, though necessar- ily brief, will place the reader in possession of facts of great assistance for effective spraying. Bordeaux Mixture. The source of the copper in all spraying preparations is primarily copper sul- phate, commonly known as bluestone— a deep blue crystalline salt, easily soluble in water, the chemical formula of which is CuS04, 5H20. 172 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Since the efficacy of copper sulphate as a fungicide has been well established — as illustrated by its beneficial action on seed wheat infected by smut spores — and since it is the basis or source of the copper in the spraying mixtures, and a material easily and cheaply obtained, the question is often asked, " Why cannot a simple solution of blue- stone in water be used for spraying ?" The answer may be very briefly stated. A solu- tion of copper sulphate sufficiently strong to prevent the growth of fungous diseases would, so far as our present experience shows, prove injurious to foliage. The corrosive character of this chemical must, by precipitation or neutralization, be rendered inno- cuous before bluestone can be of practical value for spraying when the leaves are out. Fungicides, properly prepared, allow the application of an adequate amount of copper to prove effective and at the same time are non-injurious to foliage. Bordeaux mixture is perhaps the best known and the most highly valued of all the copper compound fungicides. The formula as now advocated is as follows : — Copper sulphate 4 pounds. Lime 4 pounds. Water 50 gallons. Briefly, the directions for manufacture are : The freshly burnt lime is slaked by the addition of successive small quantities of water, and then well stirred" with sufficient water to make a thin, creamy mixture. This is now strained through coarse sacking into a barrel containing the dissolved copper sulphate, and then well stirred and made up with water to 50 gallons. In order to produce a Bordeaux mixture that does not readily " settle out," the milk of lime and the solution of bluestone should both be well diluted before mixing. Concentrated solutions cause a heavy granular precipitate, which quickly separates and falls to the bottom of the barrel. Iron or other metal vessels should not be used for dissolving the bluestone in, nor as receptacles for the resulting mixture, since such cause decomposition, injuring both vessel and fungicide. The reaction that takes place on mixing, is that the lime in solution precipitates the copper from the solution of bluestone as an insoluble compound — cupric hydrate — the sulphuric acid combining with the lime to form sulphate of lime, which on account of its slight solubility remains to a very large extent in suspension. This reaction is repre- sented by the following chemical equation : — CuS04, 5(H20) + Ca(OH), = Cu (OH), + CaS04 + 5HQ0 Copper sulphate. Slaked lime. Cupric hydrate. Sulphate of lime. Water. By reason of the slight solubility of lime — 1 part in 750 parts of water — the fifty gallons cannot hold in solution at once the amount of lime necessary to precipitate, or throw out of solution, the four parts of bluestone. Since, however, the sulphate of lime for the most part separates out as it is formed, the same water again takes up lime, which causes a further precipitation of cupric hydrate. The reaction is continuous and rapid until all the copper is precipitated. Finally, we have insoluble cupric hydrate, lime (from the excess used) and sulphate of lime in a Liquid containing small quantities of the two latter materials in solution. For the sake of simplicity the reaction has been represented as a simple one, re- sulting in the formation of cupric hydrate and sulphate of lime. But although the above equation depicts the chief and final reaction when the Bordeaux mixture is properly made, several other compounds may be formed, according to the condition of preparation. Before the reaction is complete, or if sufficient lime is not present, basic sulphate of copper, [Cu (OH)2, CuS04] is most probably produced. As pointed out by Professor Willard and others, the exposure of this compound to the atmosphere, as upon the foliage, results in the re-formation of corrosive sulphate of copper. Chemistry therefore shows the necessity of an excess of lime, and further explains why an insufficiently precipitated Bordeaux mixture, though it contains no copper in solution, may prove injurious to foliage. The injury arising from the presence of the basic sulphate of copper, as pointed out by Professor Fairchild, may not appear for some time after the application, or until after the first shower. REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 173 To precipitate a definite amount of copper sulphate, a definite amount of lime is necessary — at least 3-5 ounces of freshly burnt lime for each pound of bluestone. In practice, however, in order to ensure the complete precipitation of the copper, and since impurities always exist in the commercial article, an excess of lime should be used. No element of danger is in this way introduced, as the excess of lime, when using the above formula, is not injurious to foliage. It may be pointed out that air-slacked lime con- tains variable and sometimes large percentages of carbonate of lime, and hence its use for this purpose is not advised. It has occasionally been suggested to use the super- natant lime water which can be poured off from the undissolved lime — lime water in fact. Fifty gallons of such saturated lime water contain only sufficient lime to pre- cipitate (practically) two pounds of copper sulphate. Such a practice would leave copper sulphate in solution. As already remarked, it is owing to the sulphate of lime separating as it is formed, that fresh quantities of lime aie dissolved and can, therefore, react with the copper compound. "Well made Bordeaux mixture should be of a deep sky-blue colour. A greenish colour denotes the presence of basic sulphate of copper and an insufficiency of lime. The clear fluid, obtained after filtration or the settling out of the cupric hydrate, should not give a brown colour with potassium ferrocyanide, proving the absence of soluble copper salts. The fluid upon exposure to air should become covered with a thin pellicle of carbonate of lime, indicating the presence of an excess of lime. Bordeaux mixture will not keep without deterioration ; changes occur that mate- rially effect its adhesive qualities. Stock solutions of copper sulphate and milk of lime of known strengths may, however, be kept ready for dilution and mixing. They should be preserved from the atmosphere in well corked stoneware jars. By the evaporation of the spraying solution the copper is left upon the foliage as the hydrate. Copper Carbonate. If a solution of sodium carbonate (Na2C03, 10H2O) be added to one of copper sulphate (CuS04, 5H20), the copper is thrown down as a pale green precipitate. This is " basic carbonate of copper " (a compound containing both carbonate and hydrate of copper), and has the formula, CuC03, CuOH2. It dries to a light green, amorphous powder. In the above re-action sodium sulphate (Na2S04) is formed and remains in solution. The precipitate of basic carbonate of copper may be washed by repeated decanta- tion, and thus freed from the sodium sulphate. Remembering that the weight of basic carbonate formed is, approximately, half that of the copper sulphate used, the addition of the required amount of water makes the spraying mixture known as " copper carbonate in suspension," the formula of which, as recommended by Mr. Craig, is : Basic carbonate of copper 5 ounces. Water 50 gallons. It is scarcely necessary to add that the form of copper salt left upon the foliage when dry is the basic carbonate (CuC03, CuOH2). Ammoniacal Copper Carbonate. This spraying fluid results from the solution in ammonia, of the precipitated basic carbonate of copper, just described, and subsequent dilution with the required amount of water. Two soluble compounds are formed, ammonio-cupric carbonate and ammonio- cupric hydrate, which on drying upon the foliage leave basic carbonate of copper and hydrate of copper, respectively. The formula recommended is : Copper carbonate 5 ounces Ammonia 2 quarts. Water 50 gallons. 174 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. From the excellent results obtained by the use of this fungicide, it may be inferred that this fluid presents the copper compounds in a form which is at once inimical to fungus life and non-injurious to foliage. Eau Celeste. This fungicide is made by adding ammonia to a solution of copper sulphate. The formula usually given for its preparation is : Copper sulphate 1 pound. Strong ammonia 1^ pints. Water 22 gallons. The first action of the ammonia is to precipitate basic copper sulphate (CuS04, 2 CuOH2), which, however, soon dissolves in the excess of ammonia present, to form ammonio-cupric sulphate (CuS04, 4NH4 OH), a deep blue fluid. At the same time ammonium sulphate is produced and remains in solution. The evaporation of the fluid leaves upon the foliage basic copper sulphate and ammonium sulphate. The fungicides, accordingly, fall into two classes. Bordeaux mixture and Copper carbonate in suspension, on the one hand, apply the copper in a more or less insoluble and precipitated form, while Ammoniacal Copper carbonate and Eau Celeste furnish it in solution. It is probable that the latter provides for a more equal distribution of the copper compounds on the leaves. From a chemical standpoint, it might be inferred that the spraying fluids containing the copper in solution, if made according to correct formulae and applied of the proper strength, would prove more efficacious than the fluids containing the precipitated copper, though a slight variation in the strength of the latter would involve, in all probability, less risk of injury to foliage. They are more expensive and troublesome to make than Bordeaux mixture, and their use is now almost entirely restricted to a late application on grapes, cherries and pears. When the fruit is approaching maturity, the Bordeaux mixture is apt to leave a slight deposit on the fruit, which affects its sale. An Investigation to ascertain if Arsenic from Paris green passes into Solution in diluted Bordeaux Mixture and Ammoniacal Copper Carbonate. For some time past the practice of adding Paris green to Bordeaux mixture and thus combining the properties of a fungicide and insecticide, has been in vogue with many orchardists. The economy of this method, providing the results of the treatment are satisfactory, is very apparent. With a view of ascertaining if arsenic went into solution under such circumstances, the following formula was used : — *» Copper sulphate 4 pounds. Lime 4 " Water 50 gallons. Paris green 4 ounces. This mixture was kept well shaken during the time of the experiment. After two days a portion was withdrawn and filtered. The filtrate was free from even traces of arsenic. After ten days, another quantity was withdrawn and similarly treated ; analysis proved the absence of arsenic. There is, therefore, no doubt that the arsenic under such conditions remains insoluble, and, consequently, non-injurious to foliage. The tendency evidently is (as pointed out by Kilgore and Gillette) for the lime of the Bordeaux mixture to render insoluble and inert any soluble compound of arsenic that may be present. Indeed the above authors report having largely increased the amount of Paris green added, without injury result- ing to plum and peach foliage. Judging, therefore, from a chemical standpoint, the Paris green applied with the Bordeaux mixture should be just as efficacious as when applied alone, and, further, REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 175 the addition of this insecticide should not in any way affect the usefulness of the fun'E traces. 02 traces. 2 10 2 0 0 0 0 14 746 532 42 304 23 01 02 07 035 23 03 058 588 83 389 ' 026 0807 051 1319 404 1977 182 3838 4033 0543 0329 061 016 928 9654 7494 69 0506 6341 559 004 (D o o G 160 £ 5 4 2 520 75 440 95 51 5 7 51 2 5 2 0 8 112 80 37 22 2 2 4 7 800 4 5 7 4 11 110 1 2 1 1 333 9 320 326 466 19 6 40 4 250 135 45 T3 . _ © H 60 2306 308 354 i49S 596 1452 498 425 342 210 242 210 376 164 252 656 514 634 370 109 190 187 554 74S 2448 394 314 3G0 256 194 192 190 214 1791 3430 4988 3255 1530 472 42 2560 1156 1150 REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 177 WELL WATERS, 1894. IN PARTS PER MILLION. ® . c3 O a a o S en--; Oxygen absorbed at 80° F. Report. ■/3 bo OH 02 Q to In 15' In 4 hours. 36 0 24 8 0-6515 1-2505 slight traces • A good water and perfectly wholesome for use. Not pure ; unwholesome. A bad water, evidently polluted. 1800 0 0 506 100 0 S 208 0 0787 0 1705 ROS 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 6 6 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 46 -3io 132 392 170 182 202 66 70 52 58 41 48 253 174 250 230 61 62 55 144 238 558 0 0 0 0 8 4 0 0 0 4 1 (i 0 6 0 it 0 6 0 2 0 0 0 Not a first-class water, but probably safe. A fair water, with suspicious qualities. Not a first-class water ; suspicious. Could not be recommended for household or dairy use. Suspicious ; probably contaminated. Condemned as unfit for drinking purposes. CI .1 II A good water, ii ii 0 0 0 0 3 1188 9898 4474 3525 7651 3773 2 0 0 I G 0203 8135 7593 6107 0933 heavy traces 464 1060 328 243 140 144 traces .... << it very heavy traces . 179 a An excellent water. 157 317 0 0 0 0 1320 237(5 4620 6336 <) 0 0 1 184S 2376 9769 4917 << (I A good water. Evidently polluted with drainage matter. Suspicious. A good water. Verv imDure : not fit for use. 122 slight traces 204 none 403 very heavy traces. . 340 Not a srood water. 384 Seriously polluted ; not fit for use. 140 1 0 0 0 0 0 very heavy traces . none Exceedingly bad ; contains liquid drainage. 48 128 9740 3180 3580 7284 1600 5325 3 0 0 1 0 0 6236 9540 8344 298 4108 5727 A very bad water ; condemned. From surface of Long Lake ; a very good water. Dirty bottle had vitiated analysis. Very bad water ; condemned for drinking purposes. Fairly good and safe water. Seriously polluted ; a dangerous water. Insufficient data for report. 132 410 510 1890 very slight traces. . heavy traces ii ii 334 248 262 0 0 4 4 8 4 8 4 60 66 97 112 42 36 46 32 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1544 1123 4795 2580 2292 2296 4588 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 3649 2526 4375 7168 5448 5020 9320 slight traces ... . very heavy traces . traces Suspicious. A wholesome and thoroughly safe drinking water. A good and wholesome water, though not " first-class." Suspicious, not a good water. Long Lake, taken at depth of 11 ft. "j First-class; wholesome; " •' 5 ft. 1 excellent quality, no " " 95ft. j trace of conta- " Deep Creek." J mination. Evidently a very bad water. 144 152 156 144 182 heavy traces . . none a << tt 6 8 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 347 509 864 510 265 142 30 396 232 310 2 6 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 1 0 8992 4404 2526 1 0 2 7674 6512 5467 Very seriously contaminated. Condemned : water dangerous to health. 1444 heavy traces . . 2920 ii ii ii 4123 none Well receives pollution ; water not fit for use. 2745 1265 heavy traces . Condemned ; must receive contaminating soakage. Very bad water ; very seriously polluted. 330 7252 1 4288 heavy traces . . Previous contamination ; unfit for household use. 12 heavy traces . u Seriously contaminated ; use attended with risk to health. 2174 924 840 0 1 2 3316 0608 3320 0 1 8400 8784 Polluted ; condemned for drinking purposes. ii ii >• ii ii ii 8c— 12 178 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. A brief report on the quality of the water is given to indicate the character and wholesomeness or otherwise of the samples. Reports at greater length have been fur- nished those who forwarded the waters. The particulars respecting the environment of the wells are of necessity omitted, owing to their voluminous character. It will be noticed that the samples are from all parts of Canada. In conclusion, it may be stated that without good water, good health cannot be expected. The action of polluted water is often insidious, undermining the general health and frequently causing diarrhoea, indigestion or other intestinal disorders. To dairymen and milkmen, pure water should, of course, be an absolute essential. The wholesomeness of milk and its products, butter and cheese, is to a large extent directly dependent upon the purity of the water used for the stock and in the subsequent dairy operations. THE EXTERMINATION OF GOPHERS. Strychnine as an Exterminator. From the correspondence received during the past season it would appear that the farmers in certain districts of Manitoba and the North-west Territories are seriously troubled by gophers destroying their field and garden crops. Many of the letters are ac- companied by a sample of the stry chine to be tested for adulteration, the failure of this poison being attributed to a supposed impurity. All the specimens, however, submitted to examination have proved to be pure, and there seems to be no ground for the wide-spread belief that this article, as generally sold in commerce, is adulterated. We have, therefore, to look further for the apparent failure which we are accustomed to meet with in using strychnine. From many analyses it appears that strychnine and strychnine sulphate are com- monly sold and used for this purpose of poisoning gophers. Strychnine is a very insoluble substance, one part requiring 6,700 parts of cold, or 2,500 parts of boiling water for solution. In other words, one gallon of cold water can hold about 10 grains, and the same quantity of hot water only 30 grains of strychnine. I think that neglect to recognize this characteristic of marked insolubility has been the chief cause of disappointment with this poison, for unless the strychnine is in solution, the grain cannot absorb it. A few drops of a mineral acid (sulphuric or hydrochloric), or if these are not at hand, a small quantity of strong vinegar, will much assist in dis- solving the strychnine ; but in such a case the solution should not be made in a metal vessel. Strychnine sulphate is much more soluble than strychnine, one part requiring from 10 to 50 parts (according to different authors) of water for solution. As a large excess of the poison is always used, it would, therefore, seem that the strychnine sulphate would, as a rule, give more satisfactory results than strychnine. Since poisoning by strychnine has been hitherto almost the only method practised, it will be well to consider a few important points in the preparation of the poisoned grain. The quantity usually recommended is one ounce of strychnine to one bushel of wheat. If strychnine and not the sulphate is used, this amount appears wasteful, since 8 gallons (the equivalent of one bushel) of hot water can only carry half an ounce of strychnine and it is not at all likely that more water than wheat is used. If a small quantity of acid, or the strychnine sulphate, is used, one ounce of the material may undoubtedly be employed with advantage. REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 179 The strychnine or the strychnine sulphate, as the case may be, should first be powdered. This may be accomplished with a knife blade, piece of iron, or a glass bottle sped as a roller. Use a sufficiency of hot water, and, when the poison is entirely dissolved, pour the solution (of which there should be a large enough quantity to cover the grain) used the wheat. Allow the whole to stand for at least 36 hours, or until the grain has become quite soft, showing that the strychnine has permeated the substance of the wheat. A teaspoonful of the poisoned wheat placed at the mouth of each burrow, should be an ample quantity. Strychnine is an intensely bitter substance even in very dilute solutions, and no doubt the gophers are often deterred from eating the grain by tasting the poison on the outside of the wheat. Numerous correspondents have written to the effect that they cannot get these pests to touch the bait. Though I have never had the opportunity to try its efficacy, I would suggest sugar coating the pills — in other words sprinkling the poisoned and damp wheat with sugar. To recapitulate : Care should be taken to see, in the first place, that the strychnine is all dissolved ; and secondly, that the grain has become soft, showing thorough satu- ration with the poisoned liquid. Of course the greatest care must be exercised when using strychnine, in order that children and farm animals may run no risk of poisoning. Carbon Bisulphide as an Exterminator. A method that is strongly advocated by those who have practised it in the United States is one employing carbon bisulphide. It is held to be cheaper, more efficacious and less dangerous to use than strychnine. Carbon bisulphide is a highly inflammable liquid, with a very disagreeable smelL Though not corrosive, its vapour is detrimental to health when breathed in quantities. It, however, can be used without any danger, provided ordinary care is exercised — more especially with regard to fire and flame. The method is as follows : Saturate a small ball of cotton waste with the bisulphide, and throw it into the burrow in the evening ; then close the mouth of the hole with a little earth. Dry balls of horse manure have been used successfully instead of cotton. Respecting this method, I would make two quotations. Dr. C. Hart Merriam, Chief of the Division of Ornithology and Mammalogy, Washington, D.C., writes me as follows : — " As a general rule, we do not recommend either arsenic or strychnine for the extermination of pocket gophers. We prefer the sulphide of carbon as cheaper and more efficacious. A handful of rags or waste wet with the bisulphide should be thrust into a fresh burrow ; the mouth of the burrow should then be stopped. The fumes from the bisulphide being heavier than atmospheric air, float down along the tunnel to its remo- test ramifications, destroying all animals there." In a letter from Prof. Niswander, of the Wyoming Experiment Station, I have the following testimony : — " Over 2,000 burrows have been treated by me in 1893 by bisulphide, and 99 per cent of the trials have been successful " In a few instances the holes had been apparently opened from the outside, and these were all counted with the unsatisfactory trials. I have no hesitation in recom- mending carbon bisulphide for burrowing animals." Further, he says : — " The most important thing in the use of strychnine is to get the gophers to eat it ; with the bisulphide this is not necessary. Both arsenic and strychnine are dangerous to stock running loose, the bisulphide entails no such risk." During the early months of this summer, Mr. Mackay, Superintendent of the Ex- perimental Farm at Indian Head, N.W.T., was asked to make some experiments with 8c— 12£ 180 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. carbon bisulphide as an exterminator. Under date of 3rd October, he writes me as follows : — " I regret to say that my results with bisulphide are not as complete as I could have wished. It was some time before a supply could be obtained, and when it ar- rived, gophers were getting scarce. Further, it was then difficult to ascertain how many if any were in the holes. However, ten holes were found in which gophers were seen. In these the bisulphide was placed, according to directions, and the holes closed. Of these, two have been opened by the inmates, and eight remain closed, showing that in the latter, death to the gophers resulted. This is a much better result than can be obtained with strychnine, but the experiment is not sufficiently extensive to be con- sidered conclusive." In view of this favourable testimony, I should advise our farmers and munici- palities to give the bisulphide a trial. The retail price of bisulphide of carbon varies with the locality ; in Ontario it is from 25c. to 40c. per lb. Professor Nis wander, whom I have quoted above, states that it may be purchased wholesale from the manu- facturer, E. R. Taylor, Cleveland, Ohio, at ten cents per lb. f. o. b. at the factory. Owing to its inflammable character, specially high rates of freight are charged. One gallon, about 10 lbs., is a quantity sufficient for 160 to 200 burrows. Strychnine for the Poisoning of Crows and Blackbirds. Every year our farmers, more especially in the older provinces, are much annoyed by the depredations of crows. The loss sustained through the spoliation of Indian corn fields by these birds must be a large one annually. In Manitoba and the North- west Territories, the blackbird, in like manner, makes havoc in the wheat fields. Poisoning by the use of strychnine would appear at present to be the most effica- aious and economical manner of getting rid of these marauders. Two plans for killing the crows were tried this year on the Central Experimental Farm. The first was by scattering, just before the plants appeared above the surface of the ground, corn grains that had been soaked in a solution of strychnine. In the prepar- ation of the poisoned grain, the remarks in the foregoing chapter are strictly applicable It must further be stated that the skin of the corn kernel is exceedingly hard and impermeable to fluids. It was accordingly found necessary to soak the grain for three days in the strychnine solution, before its tissue becomes thoroughly impregnated. The other method consisted in chipping away a small piece of the shell from an egg and inserting a small crystal of strychnine. A small pair of forceps were found most useful for this purpose. The eggs were sunk in the soil to about three-quarters of their depth, about seven or eight being placed at intervals over an area of two acres. Crows being very fond of eggs and having a very keen sight, were soon attracted. From one year's experiments it is scarcely possible to say which is the better plan. Both succeeded in protecting the field, when the dead birds were allowed to lie on the field. This work will be continued another year and results reported. It is very probable that wheat soaked till soft in a solution of strychnine and scattered over wheat fields, would protect the latter from the ravages of the blackbird. ANALYSIS OF THE " MAMMOTH CHEESE." A representative sample of the Canadian mammoth cheese, taken from the block of 70 pounds as returned from England, was found on careful analysis to have the following composition : — Moisture 3206 Butter fat 3443 Curd (casein and albumen) 28 " 00 Ash, salt, milk-sugar, &e 5 "51 100 00 The cheese was perfectly sound and entirely free from skippers. REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 181 The two most important constituents in cheese are butter-fat and curd. The amounts and relative proportion of these substances not only assign to cheese its nutri- tive value, but upon them also depend largely its palatability and digestibility. I should judge from the analysis that this cheese was eminently satisfactory in all these particu- lars. English Stilton cheese (made from whole milk, to which some cream has been added) after being kept for some time contains about 29*5 per cent of fat and 24-5 per cent of curd. It is, therefore, evident that the mammoth cheese compares most favour- ably, both as regards heat- and flesh-producing constituents, with this well known and high-priced brand of English cheese. REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST James Fletcher, F.R.S.C, F.L.S. Wm. Saunders, Esq., Director, Dominion Experimental Farms, Ottawa. Sir, — I have the honour to hand you herewith a report on some of the more impor- tant subjects which have been brought officially under my notice during the past season. In addition to those mentioned in the report, a great many other subjects have been studied, which will be of value on future occasions. The correspondence of this depart- ment is now very large ; there were received in the year 1894 from January 1st to December 31st, 2,404 letters; and despatched during the same period, 2,465. Contained in the letters received are very valuable data and records of observations by correspon- dents. These although not used now are carefully preserved, and will be made use of, when the various subjects to which they refer, are treated of in full : among the latter are insect enemies of root crops, fodder crops, vegetables, forest trees and live stock ; the important subjects of grasses and weeds, which have been much inquired about, will re- quire extended treatment at an early date. It will be seen that the greater part of the work of the past season, has been with reference to fruit insects. The matter submitted herewith is such as it has appeared to me, was of the greatest importance to bring for- ward at once, although, in some instances, the information obtained is incomplete. In accordance with an arrangement made last spring, the work upon parasitic fungous diseases is now carried on by Mr. Craig, the Horticulturist. In the arboretum and botanic garden, a good deal has been done during the past season. A large proportion of the part already laid out and planted, has been seeded down to grass. Extensive additions have been made to the collection of shrubs and trees, and two long borders have been prepared and graded for the reception of the col- lection of native and foreign perennials. It is hoped to make this an attractive feature of the botanic garden. A large collection of seeds of native plants has now been made, and next year these will be utilized for the botanic garden. The experiments with native grasses have been continued, and much useful inform- ation with regard to the various species tried here and tested by correspondents is being placed on record. The experiments in the treatment of potato rot were this year ex- tremely satisfactory and showed the very great advantage of spraying potatoes with Bordeaux mixture to protect them against the disease. In accordance with your in- structions, I prepared for publication, early in July last, a short bulletin (Experimental Farm Notes, No. 2) on " Potato Blights." This was widely noticed through the press, and I am pleased to learn that many Canadian farmers tested the remedy and found it satisfactory. Mr. Clarence N". Goodspeed, of Peniac, N. B., writes in regard to spraying potatoes with Bordeaux mixture : " I would say that I sprayed mine twice with very good results. Our land is low and often covered with water by freshets, and seems very liable to potato disease. For the last ten or fifteen years our potatoes have rotted in the ground more or less, sometimes one-third. This year we did not find one potato diseased in our field of four acres. We had some on ground that had been planted two years, some one year, and some never planted before. In this last plot the best results were obtained, and the stalks remained quite green until the crop was dug. I am satisfied with the results obtained." Many appreciative letters have been received from farmers testifying to the value of the information sent out from this department. I give as an example the following, which relates to one of the most injurious enemies of field crops, but at the same time 184 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. one of the most easily controlled. In the beginning of July, Mr. George Thomas, of Jones Falls, Ont., a recent settler in Canada, but who has had an extensive experience as a farmer in England, wrote for a remedy for the " cabbage worm," the caterpillar of the Imported White Cabbage Butterfly, and was recommended to use insect powder diluted with four times its weight of common flour. Reporting on his experience, Mr. Thomas says : " Only for your prompt reply, I should have been the loser of 7,000 cabbages, Brussels sprouts and cauliflowers. I find the white butterfly no respecter of sorts ; but it is of conditions, as I noted it was most severe on the weakest plants. I would here respectfully suggest for such the addition of superphosphate, as it is an insecticide and cheap fertilizer, say five cwt. per acre. I think many make the mistake of using the application once and no more. I had to resort to your splendid remedy on three occasions for successive broods, and it effectually eradicated the caterpillars. I had a perfect crop, while many others in this neighbourhood lost their plants by in- attention, or maybe through ignorance. I like the idea of mixing with flour, as when applied when the dew is on the leaves it adheres admirably. Such information as this you send and such as is sent by the other departments of the Experimental Farms, is, I believe, of incalculable value to the farmers of Canada, and worth thousands of dollars to those who will make use of it." Mr. Forrest E. Caldwell, of Manotick, Ont., likewise says : "I consider the bulletin which you sent me concerning insects, has saved me a great deal of money. In the case of wire worms alone, I have two fields of ten acres each, and on these almost every grain crop I have sown for the last twenty years, has been a failure. From what I now know, since I got the farm bulletins, I recognize that the cause of this loss was wire worms and nothing else. Having followed the advice given me at the Experimental Farm, I fully believe I have been saved a considerable sum of money, and I am glad to testify to the value of the institution to all farmers who are wise enough to avail themselves of the advantages it offers. When I received the bulletin above referred to, I had just made up my mind to try a series of several experiments which. I had seen recommended in newspapers, and which I now know would have been useless and expensive. By following your advice, I have been saved all this trouble and expense, as well as saved my crop." Meetings Attended. — By permission of the Hon. Minister, I have been pleased to attend and speak at several meetings of farmers and fruit growers, and I believe that good work has been done in showing farmers the nature of my work and convincing them that it is of value to them, and that when applications are made for information concerning insects and plants, every effort will be made by the Entomologist and Botanist to assist them. Meetings were attended at the following places : — January. — Manotick, Ont. ; Ingersoll, Ont. ; Aylmer, Que. February. — Montreal, Abbotsford, Cowansville, Chelsea, all in Quebec. April. — Angus, Ont. ; Queenston, Ont. ; Knowlton, Que. ; Cookshire, Que. ; Danville, Que. ; Richmond, Que. June. — Jubilee Point, Rice Lake, Ont. ; Riceville, Ont. ; Richmond, Ont. August. — Charlotte town, P. E. I. ; Knowlton, Que. October. — East Templeton, Que. ; Aylmer, Que. November. — London, Ont. December. — St. Joseph de Beauce, Que. ; Orillia, Ont. Acknowledgments. — I take pleasure in again gratefully acknowledging the valuable assistance I have received from my many correspondents in all parts of the Dominion, who have much aided the work of my department by making observations and by send- ing me prompt notice of the occurrence of injurious insects and weeds. My thanks are also particularly due to : Mr. L. O. Howard, the United States Entomologist, and his staff, for many favours in the identification of insects, for the use of figures and for valuable publications ; to my kind friend, Miss Eleanor A. Ormerod, for many courtesies and for information concerning crop attacks in England similar to some occurring in Canada, as well as for some valuable books and reports, among others the " Agricultural Zoology " REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST. 185 of Dr. J. Ritzema Bos, and a collection of the excellent works of Prof. Alfred Nalepa, of Linz, Austria, upon the Phytoptidse ; to Prof. T. D. A. Cockerell, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, for making a careful study of several species of Canadian Coccidse ; to Prof. T. A. Williams, of Brookings, South Dakota, for the identification of species of Aphididse, and for the drawing of Aphis mali, used in this report ; to Prof. L. R. Jones, of Burlingjbon, Vermont, for a series of photographs, illustrating injuries to potatoes by fungous and insect pests. As in previous years, I am under great obligation to Prof. John Macoun for infor- mation concerning the distribution and for identification of native plants. The following donations have been received in this department during the year : — W. R. Carles, Esq., British Consul, Chinkiang, China : bulbs of three species of Lycoris. Mrs. Dunsterville, Allahabad, India : bulbs of the Aden lily. S. A. Fisher, Esq., Knowlton, Quebec : bulbs of Amaryllis and Eucharis amazonica. T. N. Willing, Esq., Calgary, Alberta : specimens of rare western plants and insects. T. E. Bean, Esq., Laggan, Alberta do do Prof. Comstock, Director, Arizona Experiment Station : roots of the new tanning plant, " Canaigre," for trial in Canada. H. B. Small, Esq., Ottawa : seeds of palms from South America. Erank Gillmor, Esq., Kansas City, Mo. : seeds of Nelumbium luteum. Miss Marion Gordon, Nanaimo, British Columbia : botanical specimens. J. FLETCHER, Entomologist and Botanist. Ottawa, 31st December, 1894. 186 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. CEEEALS. The grain crops of the Dominion have been little injured by insects during the past year. Hessian-fly and Wheat-midge attacks were noticeably less in most of the districts where inquiry was made. The American Frit-fly so destructive to spring wheat in the Ottawa district in 1890, this season could not be found in wheat, and only in small numbers in grasses. The Grain Aphis (SipJwnophora avence, Fab.) has, as usual, been complained of to some extent from all provinces, but has not been the cause of serious loss. In the Maritime Provinces, particularly in Nova Scotia, a peculiar affection of oats, by which the tips of the leaves turned to a bright crimson hue, was very generally attributed to the attacks of this insect. This however, I believe, was upon insufficient evidence. I visited the Maritime Provinces early in August, and had an opportunity of examining fields of oats, and wheat in Prince Edward Island. At that time, there was no trace of the Grain Aphis in the fields, and the oat plants had outgrown the disease. Mr. J. Vroom, of St. Stephen, writes : "July 21. What is the matter with the grain in this section ? Nearly all the oats and barley fields are blighted, though it does not seem to be the ordinary blight which the farmers ascribe to unfavourable weather. The newspapers are saying that a ' bug ' is in the stalks, but the stalks seem to me all right." Writing later, on Aug. 8, Mr. Vroom says : — " All the oat and barley fields about here are more or less afiected, whether sown early or late. By newspaper reports from all the southern counties of New Brunswick, I judge that the disease is widespread, if not general, in this region. At Grand Manan, where seed time is a little later than on the mainland, the fields were quite red in July, after those in this and the neighbouring parishes had apparently recovered from the attack. When first noticed, usually when the plants were about 6 or 8 inches in height, the tips of the leaves were turning red, much redder than in the case of any blight that has been seen here in recent years. An aphis was frequently seen at the base of the diseased leaf, and was by many supposed to be the cause of the trouble. When healthy leaves succeeded and the fields were again turning green, the aphides disappeared. The fields that were under best cultiva- tion, were least affected, the strong and rapid growth of the plants enabling them to quickly outgrow the rust." Although the cause of this disease is not yet explainable, from such inquiries as I have been able to make, it seems to have been chiefly induced by unfavourable cold wet weather in June, followed by a hot dry period. There were also present in the crimson leaves, and probably the cause of that colour, myriads of a bacillus which was referred to on page 179 of the Experimental Farms report for 1890, in an article by Mr. B. T. Galloway, Chief of the Dmsion of Vegetable Pathology, of the United States, in the fol- lowing words : — " The germ has been repeatedly obtained from diseased oats and grown in various artificial culture media, such as nutritive gelatine, oat broth, hay infusion, etc. Inoculations with this material have produced the disease in every case In shape, the organism is sometimes nearly round, although, as a rule, it is several times longer than broad. So very minute is it, that when magnified a thousand times, it is little larger than the head of a pin." It would appear then that the plants were reduced in vigour by unfavourable atmospheric conditions, and were then attacked by this disease, due to a definite and recognizable organism ; but that, owing to the removal of the ag- gravating cause by the improvement of the weather, the plants, particularly and more quickly on well tilled farms, to a large extent outgrew the injury. As opposed to the theory that this disease was due to the attacks of the grain aphis, the " crimson leaf " is of such rare occurrence that, when it first appeared in 1890 as well as this season, it was universally noted as something new; on the other hand, the grain aphis is invariably pre- sent in some numbers every year and should, if it were a characteristic of their attack, always produce the crimson leaves, which it does not. Moreover, as was first pointed REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST. 187 out to me by Mr. John R. McKenzie, a progressive farmer, of Roger's Hill, Pictou, N.S., and since confirmed by my own inquiries, although the "red leaf" was prevalent all over the Maritime provinces, the grain aphis was not exceptionally abundant, and was much less so in some districts than is frequently the case. Wire worms (Materidce). Several letters inquiring for the best »emedy for wire worms have been received. The experience of the past shows that the only one of the many remedies recommended which has given any measure of success is late fall plough- ing. Last spring Mr. Forrest E. Caldwell, of Manotick, Ont., called upon me, and in discussing this matter, told me that he had one field in which for the last twenty years every crop of wheat and oats had invariably been badly attacked by wire worms, but that barley and rye in the same fields, as a rule, gave a good crop. To test the im- munity of rye, which it was convenient for him to sow this year, I requested him to put the land under that crop, which he did, and he now reports that it was one of the finest crops he ever saw. Fall ploughing Mr. Caldwell has found of little use in controlling wire worms. Grasshoppers (Acrydiidce). Early in the season several letters of complaint came in of the unusual abundance of young grasshoppers. In most districts heard from, these disappeared suddenly about midsummer. Mr. G. C. Caston, of Craighurst, Ont., attributes this to three parasites which he found occurring abundantly, and describes as the Red Mite, a hair worm and a maggot, the last two being internal parasites, and the mites attacking the insect beneath and at the base of the wings. The severest attack by grasshoppers was upon Sable Island, off Nova Scotia, and was brought to my notice by the Department of Marine and Fisheries, with a request for suggestions as to their extermination. It was stated that the locusts sent had been very abundant on Sable Island the past summer, and had injured the grass and vegetables to such an extent that the agent of the department feared there would be a scarcity of fodder for the wild ponies during the coming winter. In forwarding the specimens, Mr. J. Parsons wrote : " Some three or four years ago a few were noticed for the first time on the island; the following year there were more, and in the summer of 1893 they were numerous. This season they infest the island. All the cultivated vegetables have been injured, and the grass crop greatly reduced. Whether brought to the island in hay or by wind, or whether the eggs have hatched after being long buried, the superintendent does not know." There is no doubt, I think, that the progenitors of the present invasion were blown from the mainland, as they have been found at sea at a much greater distance from land. From all I can learn of the nature of Sable Island, I judge that i1*^ this colony of grasshoppers could be easily controlled there by the use of hopper-dozers, as recommended on Fig. L The Rocky Mountain Locust page 166 of my last year>s report> in wnich the young could be caught and destroyed before their wings appeared. The species of grasshopper concerned was the Lesser Migratory Locust (Melanoplus atlanis, Riley). Fig. 1 repre- sents the Rocky Mountain Locust ; the present species closely resembles it in shape, but is one-third smaller in size. THE PEA MOTH. (Semasia sp.J Attack. — Small whitish and slightly hairy caterpillars, when full grown about half an inch in length, frequently found inside the pods of pease about the time they are ready for table use, or a little later. " Maggoty " or " wormy " pease are well known to the house-keeper, but it is sel- dom that they are sufficiently abundant in gardens to cause much complaint, and I do not think that anything has been yet written in this country upon the life history of the insect of which these " worms " are one of the preparatory stages. Owing to the 188 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. immunity of certain districts in Canada from the attacks of the Pea Weevil, Bruchus pisi, L., large quantities of seed pease have of late years been grown in these districts for European and American seed houses. Late last season and during the present sum- mer, complaints have come in of the ravages of the Pea Moth, the caterpillar of which is generally spoken of in the trade as the " grub. " Mr. N. H. Cowdry, an extensive grain merchant, of Lindsay, Ont., writes : — " We have no 'pea bugs' in this section; but the ' grubs ' seem to be nearly as bad a pest ; our farmers know no way to prevent the attack. " Messrs. N. B. Keeney and Son, of LeRoy, N. Y., wrote to me as follows : — "November, 18, 1893. — We are growing pease for the seed trade in the counties east of Toronto, Ont., and also in .Northern Michigan. The principal obstacle we encounter in our Canadian field, is the injury by a worm which works inside the pea pod and eats the outside of the green pea when it is in suitable condition for cooking. The injury done by this worm frequently results in destroying the usefulness of from 10 to 20 per cent of the crop, and we would like to know if there is any possible means of pre- venting the work of this worm. " "June 29, 1894. — We shall be glad to have instructions from you and will follow same to our best ability, and we hope a remedy may be discovered for this very serious hindrance to the prosperity of Canadian pea growers. This insect has never worked, to any extent, on this side of the line, so far as we have been able to learn ; nor have we ever seen it in Northern Michigan, notwithstanding we have shipped Canadian grown ppase to Michigan for seed. " Several specimens of the larvae were from time to time forwarded to me by Mr. N. H. Cowdry and Messrs. Keeney and Son's agents, and these are now passing the winter as larvae inside their cocoons. Next spring I hope to obtain the perfect insect, which is undoubtedly a small moth and may possibly prove to be the European Pea Moth, Semasia nebritana, Treits. (Grapholitha pisana, Gn.j. The preparatory stages and the habits of the insect, as far as worked out, all agree closely with those of the European species, as figured and described in Curtis's Farm Insects, page 348, and Miss Ormerod's valuable Manual of Injurious Insects, page 163. Miss Ormerod's description of the English species is as follows : — " These caterpillars or maggots are fleshy and slightly hairx', about or somewhat more than a quarter of an inch in length, and are generally yellowish in colour, with a black head, a brown band on the ring next to the head, and eight brown dots on most of the following rings. They sometimes, however, vary in colour ; in some specimens the head and the next ring are brown, and in some they are intensely black. The legs on the three rings next to the head are black. " The caterpillars go down into the earth to change, where they spin a cocoon (that is, a kind of egg-shaped covering formed of silken threads drawn from the mouth) in which they remain till spring, when they turn to chrysalids, out of which the moths ap- pear in June. "The moths are rather more than half an inch in the spread of the wings, satiny, and mouse-coloured. The upper wings have a row of very short white streaks directed backwards from the front edge, and a silvery oval ring with five short black lines inside it placed near the hinder margin." The following account of the habits of this insect is from the Agricultural Zoology of Dr. J. Ritzema Bos (London, 1894) : — " The moths fly about in large numbers round the pea blossoms, always a short time after sunset. The females lay one, two, or at most three eggs on a very young pod, or an ovary. In fourteen days the caterpillar is hatched, bores into the pod, and attacks the pease. The opening made in the margin of the pod closes up again. The pod generally ripens early. When it opens, the full-grown caterpillars creep out, and become pupa? in the soil, within a web, where the pupa lives through the winter. The pease attacked are always covered, while in the pod, with the coarse-grained excre- ment of the caterpillars, and are often united two or three together by web fibres." Commenting on the above, Mr. Cowdry writes : — " The pods here seldom open na- turally, and I think do not ripen early. The quantity of excrement and web fibres is REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST. 189 not so large in this country." This agrees with what I have myself seen. In fact, of a great many pods examined, I have never seen one which opened of itself ; but in all cases, the larva has eaten a clean, round hole through the side of the pod, and the quan- tity of excrement and web is small. In reply to a letter of inquiry, the following has been received from Professor C. H. Fernald, the eminent microlepidopterist, of Amherst, Mass., : — " I would say that I have never seen, nor heard of Grapholitha pisana, Gn., (more properly named Semasia nebritana, Treits.) in this country, nor of any similar insect attacking pease." The species which attacks our Canadian pease appears to be widely distributed, and probably attacks also the seeds of other Leguminosse. The extent of the in- jury in part of the seed-pea growing districts of Ontario is referred to in the extracts given below. The injury to pease was noticed also, west of Toronto, in Essex county, about Hamilton and London ; also in several places in the province of Que- bec, in Nova Scotia, very bad in some parts in New Brunswick and in Prince Edward Island. In collecting seeds of native plants for the Earm museum, I found that the seeds of Lathyrus ocholeucus and L. palustris at East Templeton, Que., were almost en- tirely destroyed in every pod examined ; likewise at Ottawa the seeds of the new fod- der plant Lathyrus sylvestris-Wagneri on this farm and Vicia cracca growing wild were seriously attacked. As far as I can judge from the observations of the past year, the egg is probably laid upon the young forming pods, either before or soon after the flowers have fallen, but occasionally later, as Mr. Cowdry found quite small caterpillars on July 27, when most of the larvse were full-grown. The egg is laid on the outside of the pod, and the young caterpillar eats its way into it. At that .time, it is of course very small, and the hole is soon obliterated by the natural growth of the pod. The caterpillar then begins to feed upon one of the seeds, generally at the upper end. Sometimes, only one pea is injured, but frequently two or three are more or less eaten. The caterpillar having attained full growth about the last week in July, gnaws a small round hole through the pod, from which it falls to the ground, and burrowing a short distance into the earth, spins a thin but close oval cocoon of white silk, thickly covered outside with grains of earth, in which it remains torpid until the following spring. It then changes to the chrysalis, and the perfect moth appears about the time the peas are in flower. There is only one brood in the season. The following extracts from letters by Mr. N. H. Cowdry, who is a careful observer and an experienced entomologist, give many valuable data concerning the life history of the insect : — "June 9, 1894. — I send you by to-day's mail two pea plants, each with one pod tied up inclosing the caterpillar. Mr. Keeney, of Le Roy, NY., and I took a drive in the country last Saturday and looked over plenty of material, but only found the speci- mens sent you. It is likely, therefore, that they have not damaged the early varieties of pease this year to much extent, or the excessive rain may have diminished their num- bers." " July 17. — So far, I have not yet found the moth, but suspect that it may be iden- tical with two specimens which I was unable to catch. They were about a third of an inch long, whitish with brown markings. Almost all the pease infested, were full sized, never very young and only partially matured. Often, however, the small pea at one end of the pod in almost matured pods would be damaged, but only those very small ones which would not mature. I could never find any trace of the caterpillar in very immature pods, only in those in which the pease were nearly or quite matured. So far, I have only examined crops of Extra Early, Alaska and American Wonder, all of which will be harvested this week. . " About when or where the egg is laid, I can give you no information, but it ap-* pears to me that the larva generally begins its work near the upper end of the pea. Erom the very immature larvse that I have observed in nearly mature pease, I think it very unlikely that the egg is deposited on the flower, and I have never been able to find any trace of the passage of the caterpillar through the pod. It is very probable that numbers of the pupse can be found under the bunches of pea straw in the fields." "July 27. — I opened several pods in the field and noticed as before that no very immature pods were attacked. The small abortive pease in the green, partially matured 190 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. pods, were often eaten, however. The caterpillar has so far appeared to give its atten- tion solely to partially matured pods, never to very immature pods, and (so far as I have noticed) not as yet to pods nearly or wholly dried and mature. What does this mean 1 I find the caterpillar (both very small and apparently nearly ready to change into a chrysalis) in almost fully developed pods, never in very ripe or very green flat ones. The assumption is that the caterpillar only works with partially matured pease. How is it then that I have never found as yet this season fully matured pods at all damaged, although I have opened several ? I confess that this fact rather puzzles me. " Now, as to the date when the caterpillar finishes its work, I send you to-day unopened a pod with a hole in it, the first which I have seen. You will probably see, when you open it, that it contains some damaged pease only and not the cause of the trouble. In the same box you will notice a caterpillar which appeared to me to be ready to pupate, and the pod in which it was contained. Judging from the perforated pod and the mature look of some of the caterpillars, I imagine that the larvae are only now reach- ing full growth. Some, however, which I saw yesterday are very young, not many days old. Either the season for oviposition is very extended, or we have two species or two forms of the same moth to deal with. " With the exception of the crop which I examined to-day, all the early varieties have been harvested. Some will be threshed very soon, others not perhaps for some weeks. I will try to find the chrysalis. I think that it will be found under straw in barns or somewhere thereabout. " You say that only in late years the damage has been so great as to attract atten- tion. Farmers and dealers here say the damage of late years has not been greater than before. That they have always noticed the injury and sometimes as causing more loss than now." " July 30. — I now want to find out where the pupae are to be found. So far I have not found any quite mature pods with either damaged pease or caterpillars in them, pro- bably because they matured too early to be affected, and not that the caterpillar cannot eat the hard, mature pease. In a bin of Black eyes of last year's growth I find that by far the larger number of damaged pease are quite mature, proving, I think, that the larva continues to feed on them until full grown, whether the pease are hard or not." " August 3. — I examined a crop of dwarf pease last Wednesday, and found that a portion grown on low land, badly stunted by wet, was very much injured by the ca- terpillar, while the higher portions of the field escaped serious damage from it. During the winter, when the farmers bring in their pease, I hope to get some evidence as to the influence of sowing early or late, on high or low land, &c. In a crop of dwarf pease which I examined on the 1st of August, nearly all the grubs had finished their work and left the pods." " October 22. — In accordance with your request of some months ago, I send you to-day some perforated pea pods. Also in a pill box the only cocoon which I have found naturally placed. It was found in a pea field, loosely attached to the under sur- face of a stone. " Early pease this year escaped with very little injury from the caterpillar. The later common pease are damaged to about the same extent as in the average of former years. The damage this year is certainly less than in some seasons past, but greater than in others." " December 22. — The farmers here are almost all of the opinion that early sown pease escape the caterpillar better than those sown later. One or two say that very late sowing is of benefit ; but this is opposed by the general opinion. Early peas are - always damaged less than late pease, although I hear that early ripening varieties are sometimes badly damaged. They have, however, I believe, a much better chance than later ripening varieties. High ground is supposed to produce crops more free from ' worm ' eaten pease than low land. Some farmers think that pease are more liable to damage in dry seasons than in wet ones. Regarding the time during which the dam- age is done, I do not know when it begins, but I think it only ends when the pease get too hard to gnaw. I noticed several caterpillars (one only half grown) on August 23 in a small lot of late garden pease. I opened a cocoon a few days ago, and found the REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST. 191 caterpillar very slightly changed. It was, of course, shorter, and with the legs much drawn in, but otherwise not at all like a chrysalis. " The following letter is from a large buyer of seed pease, and gives reliable inform- ation as to the importance of finding a remedy as soon as possible for this serious pest : "December 31, 1894. — Replying to your valued favour of 22nd December, the dam- age done to the pea crop in this vicinity by the Pea Moth, concerning which I wrote you last summer, has steadily increased during the last six years until now it has come to be a very serious matter. Many crops, especially such as have to be fit for seed, con- tain from 5 to 25 per cent of moth-eaten pease which have to be picked out by hand at great expense, in order to make the sample a satisfactory one. I do not know of any remedy for this evil. " Our farmers find that pease grown after pease are apt to be more seriously affected than pease grown after sod, but even in cases of this kind the damage is frequently very considerable, especially in smooth varieties of pease. Am very much in hopes your in- vestigation may result in discoveries which will enable our farmers to successfully com- bat this serious enemy of the pea crop and restore the pea-growing industry to its former prosperity." — J. M. Brooks. Remedies. — There is little danger of this insect increasing largely and becoming a serious pest in gardens, because in most instances, the pease are picked early, and the larvae destroyed before they are full grown. Miss Ormerod suggests that where " mag- got attack is noticeable, the pea haulm should be cleared away directly the crop is gathered, so that all stray pods (which are very likely to be infested) may be cleared off the ground before the maggots leave the pods. This haulm should be carefully de- stroyed at once ; the safest way is to burn it, and it would be a good plan to lay it along the rows where the infested peas stood and burn it there, so as to get rid at once of all grubs remaining in the pods or near the surface of the ground. For field treat- ment, as the haulm could not well be spared, it would be desirable if a pea growing district was infested, to plough deeply so as to bury the chrysalids deeply ; or to skim the surface lightly so as to lay them open to the attacks of birds ; but commonly the regular rotation of crops might be expected to prevent this infestation getting ahead. " (Manual, p. 164.) From my own breeding experiments as well as from Mr. Cowdry's collections in the fields, we know that this insect normally passes the winter in the fields where the pease which the caterpillars had infested, were grown. This fact seems to be recognized by pea-growers. Messrs. N. B. Keeney & Son write : — " Le Roy, 1ST. Y., July 24. — There seems to be a theory among farmers that pease grown on fields where pease have been previously grown are more likely to have worms than crops grown where pease have not been previously grown for some years. This would seem to confirm your belief that the caterpillars spin their cocoons near the sur- face of the soil." " August 6. — We cannot give you the names of farmers who state that pease grown on land previously cropped to pease are more liable to attack from the insect un- der discussion than new land ; but this is the general opinion among all growers, and they try to avoid growing pease after pease, as far as possible, on this account, as well as to avoid the danger of impoverishing the soil." The above records will show the importance of three things: (1) the planting of pease as early as possible, and for a time at any rate growing the earliest ripening var- ieties only, in an infested locality ; (2) the advisability of using every year fresh land, as far as possible removed from fields used before for the cultivation of seed pease ; (3) the value of deep ploughing so as to bury the chrysalids so deep that the moths could not emerge. If, as suggested by Miss Ormerod, applications can be made to the growing crop in order to prevent the moths laying their eggs, the most suitable for the purpose would probably be carbolized plaster, or some other carbolized dry powder such as wood ashes or slaked lime, 1 pint of crude carbolic acid with 50 pounds of the diluent. Mr. Cowdry writes with regard to remedies : — " I think ploughing deeply so as to bury the cocoons far enough to prevent the moths from getting to the surface, is prefer- able to shallow ploughing ; as it is probable, if the cocoons are on the surface, that they would withstand the frost and not be a very tempting morsel for birds. 192 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. " "When a crop is badly infested, I think it would be well to cut it before it is quite mature ; most of the larvae would then be taken into the barn, where the conditions would not be so favourable for their development, and those which did survive and become moths, would have less chance of doing damage next season. Harvesting when not quite mature, would not materially affect the value of the crop, which would already be damaged by the caterpillars. Sowing oats and pease together I think is well worth a careful trial, especially when good seed is required. The pease can easily be separated from the oats by a fanning mill." THE ARMY WORM. (Leucania unipuncta, Haw.) Tig. 2— The Army Worm. Attach — Brown, or sometimes blackish, striped caterpillars (Fig. 2), eating the leaves and stripping the stems of grasses and many other low plants. When attacking cereals, frequently cutting off the heads. When full-grown, over an inch and a half in length, and, when occurring in large numbers, migrating in bodies from one food patch to another. On reaching full growth, the caterpillars burrow into the ground and turn to light brown chrysalids, from which in about two or three weeks the moths emerge. These (Fig. 3) are of a warm satiny-brown colour sprinkled with minute black specks and with a small but distinct white spot in the middle of each upper wing. They are very active. When the wings are closed, the moth measures about an inch in length. The life-history of the Army Worm in Canada is as follows : There are two broods in the year. Eggs are laid in autumn and hatch in ten or twelve days. After feeding for a short time, the small caterpillars, like many of the cut-worms, become torpid and pass the winter beneath tufts of grass and other low herbage. In the following spring they complete their growth, feeding on the young grass and grain crops, and These lay eggs for the second brood, which is usually much the more abundant and destructive. By the latter part of July, in this part of Canada, the young caterpillars are large enough, when abundant, to attract attention by their depredations. They are full grown by about the first week in August, when, burrowing an inch or two into the ground, they change to chrysalids and emerge as perfect moths towards the end of the month. The chief complaints of depredations by the Army Worm this season have been received from North-western Ontario, along the line of the Canadian Pacific Railway. "Mattawa, Ont., July 11. — Inclosed you will find specimens of a worm or cater- pillar which is invading gardens and fields in myriads. It has already done considerable damage to corn, and is now attacking everything else, and I am afraid it will destroy everything, unless you can advise some remedy. We have more or less of them every season." — C. G. Hurdman. " Baillieboro', Ont., July 16. — I am sending you a sample of worms which have got into my pasture. They eat everything and appear to increase very rapidly. It is low, flat land, such as they call ' beaver meadow.' " — R. H. Wood. Fig. 3. — Chrysalis and moth of the Army Worm. produce the moths in June. REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST. 193 "Sturgeon Falls, Ont., July 17. — It is reported that a small black worm or cater- pillar, about one inch long, is making considerable havoc in our locality. This insect attacks oats especially, the leaves of which it eats up, leaving only the stem ; the ground is all covered with them. Last year this insect made its appearance in the neighbour- ing township, Caldwell ; but there were none here. " — Joseph Guerin. "Mattawa, Ont., July 23. — On a farm of mine some 26 miles from here, on the Ottawa river, an army of the most destructive bugs have made their appearance, and seem likely to entirely destroy the late sown timothy grass, oats and corn. It is a dark coloured grub, black on back, striped lengthwise with lighter markings, lighter col- oured on the under side. They feed on the tender leaves of corn at night and hide in the centre of the shoots during the day, and on oats they hide under anything on the ground that affords them a shelter. They are completely destroying oats. Please let me know what can be done to stop the ravages of this, to me, new pest. Could I use an insecticide on corn 1 " — A. Lumsden. In the reply on July 24, the insect was named, and then its habits were described. " With regard to an insecticide, it is of course very difficult to apply any remedy to such a crop as timothy, and I should imagine at this time that that crop is sufficiently advanced to be cut. The fields might then be rolled to destroy the caterpillars. It is even more difficult to make any application to corn, and the only one that occurs to me as likely to be practicable, would be dusting the plants with a mixture of Paris green and flour, wood-ashes, land plaster, or any other fine and perfectly dry powder, in the proportion of one pound of Paris green to 50 of the powder. " "August 1. — Since the reception of your letter of July 24th, I have visited my farm and found it to be an army worm that was destroying the crops there. I am anxious to know of some method of compassing their destruction, and told my farmer to follow out your suggestions, as well as one of my own, of giving them shelter under straw in the early morning and then burning it in the heat of the day, say 2 p.m. Where the oats, timothy and clover plants grow, the young feed first on the grass, then attack the oats, but rarely touch clover, as is evidenced by a field seeded to grass last year, when they first appeared. This year there is an immense growth of clover, but not one blade of timothy, and they are doing the same thing this season. I had my men kill them out of the corn, which is now getting past them. I find the grubs are now enter- ing the second stage of their existence, and I find them in large numbers about an inch under the surface of the ground, at the roots of plants. Will these remain hyberna- ting all fall and winter, or may we expect a destroying army this fall again 1 Could you suggest some method of destroying them in the soil, or would fires kept burning in June at night, catch the moths 1 I found the worm in destructive force as far north as the upper end of Lake Temiscamingue, 325 miles from here." — A. Lumsden. The following letter was received from the Farmer's Advocate, of Winnipeg, with some specimens of ears of wheat, the chaff of which had been much nibbled on the outside : — " I send by mail a few specimens of the caterpillar that has done such havoc to the wheat during the exhibition week. When I left home on Thursday, there was nothing to be seen. On Sunday the whole field was covered ; by Wednesday almost every head was the same as those I inclose, and every leaf stripped from the stock. By Sunday they had pretty well disappeared, and had apparently gone into the ground to turn into the chrysalis state, and I inclose a few in that condition. They have only ap- peared in the new land and summer fallow, but far worse on the new land. I hope you will be able to find out what they are and say whether they are likely to appear next year." — James Glennie. In The Nor1 -west Farmer for August, 1894, is an article on the Army Worm, in which the statement is made that the caterpillar was reported by visitors at the Winni- peg Industrial Exhibition to have been seen in considerable force on wheat crops 15 or 20 miles north-west of Portage la Prairie. 8c— 13 194 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Remedies. — Although only occurring occasionally in excessive numbers, and then in but few localities, this moth is very widely distributed in Canada, and may generally be found in most parts in low lands where the caterpillars have suitable conditions for growth and an abundance of food. It has also been observed that the Army Worm is most abundant in wet seasons following a dry autumn, the damp weather giving them the same conditions over a large area as they would find in their own special habitat, viz., low, swampy, and grassy places. When the caterpillars appear only in moderate numbers, they have an abundant food supply, and do not then acquire the habit of " marching," which is merely moving from one place where all the food has been devoured, to a fresh pasture. When, how- ever, their appearance is excessive, they must of necessity move on to some other place or starve. They may be prevented from marching from one held to another by plough- ing a deep furrow across their path. This should be cleared out so as to have the edge nearest to the field to be protected, perpendicular or slightly overhanging. Along the trench so formed, pits must be dug about 12 feet apart. When the caterpillars come to the trench, they are unable to climb up the opposite side, and after a few trials, walk along until they fall into the pits, when they may be destroyed by covering them with earth and tramping it down, or, as Prof. Lugger, of Minnesota, suggests, " with a liberal dose of kerosene oil and water. Even a shallow ditch will answer this purpose if the earth is made friable enough to keep the worms from ascending. If a log is dragged continually through such a ditch, nearly all the worms collected there are either killed or maimed." If pits are not dug, where the caterpillars occur in large numbei's, the trench will soon be filled, and they will walk over on the bodies of their fellows. In case any of the worms succeed in crossing the ditch, a narrow strip of the plants on the opposite side of the trench should be dusted or sprinkled with a strong mixture of Paris green diluted either with 25 times its weight of flour, ashes or land plaster, or mixed with water as strong as one ounce to a pailful of water. When an attack has been very severe in any locality, much good may be done by burning the old grass and stubble in autumn or spring; in this way many of the young larvse are destroyed, as well as the old stems, which it seems are the favourite place for the spring brood of moths to lay their eggs upon. An encouraging feature in connection with an invasion by the Army Worm, is the fact that it is extremely rare for the insects to appear in large numbers two years run- ning in the same place. This is due to the fact that they are almost invariably attended by parasitic foes, which destroy them so effectually that the occurrence of two "Army Worm years " in the same locality is almost unknown. FEIJITS. The following concise report on the fruit crops of the year has been kindly supplied by my colleague, Mr. John Craig: "Apples were a light crop in Southern Ontario and a fair to good crop in the eastern part of the province, as well as in Quebec and Nova Scotia. There was an exceptionally large crop of pears and of unusually good quality. All young, well cultivated peach orchards gave a heavy yield ; neither rot nor curculio seem to have done much damage ; thinning in many instances would have been advan- tageous. Plums and cherries were a good crop, but suffered considerably from rot and curculio. Of small fruits, grapes yielded and ripened well everywhere ; raspberries were a light crop in Eastern Ontario and Quebec, owing to injuries sustained during the previous winter. In Western and Southern Ontario the crop was light also on account of dry weather. Strawberries were injured in Central and Southern Ontario by late frost ; in Eastern Ontario and Quebec the crop was heavy, but the fruit soft on account of continued wet weather during the picking season. Other small fruits yielded heavily." REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST. 195 Fig. 4.— The Codling Moth. The Codling Moth (Carpocapsa pomonella, L. Fig. 4) was last season a cause of great loss in all parts of Canada where this insect occurs. A great many letters have been received not only- concerning its depredations, but testifying to the great value of spraying with the arsenites. The experience of the past enables us to state posi- tively that Paris green in the proportion of one pound to 200 gallons of water, to which one pound of lime has been added, sprayed over the apple trees by means of spraying pump and nozzle, at the time the eggs are laid, is the best, cheapest and most effective remedy for this insect. Careful observations made during the last ten years convince me that in this part of Canada there is only one regular brood of this insect in the year. This is, I believe, the case as far west as Toronto. In the fruit-growing districts of Western Ontario there are two broods. Prof. Saunders tells me that about London, Ont, during his long experience there as a fruit-grower, the second brood was invariably the more destructive. In California there are known to be at least three broods. It is claimed that so far there is no authentic record of this insect having been found breeding in British Columbia. Should it get introduced, it is probable that thei^e would be two or three broods. The British Columbian Government have wisely adopted stringent measures to prevent the introduction of such a serious pest. Referring to the second brood of the Codling Moth, Mr. L. Woolverton writes as follows : — " Grimsby, Ont., Dec. 21. — The late brood of the Codling Moth did much harm to the ripening fruit and needs more careful attention in future. The injury done by this insect in Canadian orchards must amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. If our practical fruit growers could be induced more generally to use faith- fully those methods for insect destruction pointed out by yourself and other careful experimenters, it would result in an immense increase in the profits of their business. The trouble is that they only half try the remedies, if at all, and then lose faith because they do not secure such good results as they expect." As to the extent of the injury by the second brood, Mr. Murray Pettit writes : — " Winona, Ont., Nov. 7. — In reply to your inquiry in re Codling Moth, the late brood was much worse this season in this locality than ever before to my knowledge. I think fully one-third of the Bartlett, Flemish Beauty and Kieffer pears ripened before attaining full size. Some dropped, and part of them were picked with those naturally ripened." Mr. A. W. Peart, a careful experimenter, writes as follows : — " Freeman, Ont., April 10. — As you are aware, I have been spraying for several years. Paris Green I find effective against the Codling Moth, but am not so certain about its effects on the curculio. I have used lime in water with Paris green of usual quality, and find no damage to foliage." " December 10. — I have sprayed for Codling Moth for many years and am satisfied that I check its ravages in a measure. This year the proportion of worms was larger than for years ; but this I account for by the rains interfering with the action of the poison, and the unusually light crop of apples ; the lighter the crop, the more worms re- latively, is, I think, about an axiom, as well as the converse : the heavier the crop, the fewer the worms are in proportion. The curculio was also bad ; in fact, I do not re- member any year during the last decade, which produced so many insects and fungous pests. We shall certainly have to take more energetic measures to cope with these pests than we have in the past, if we want to make fruit growing profitable." Sc— 13i 196 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Fig. 5.— The Plum Curculio. The following extract is from Bulletin 52, Ontario Bureau of Industries, Toronto, November 20th, 1894 : " Gosfield, S., Essex : There have been a few local tests of spraying apple trees. Where they have been sprayed three or four times at intervals the results have been almost marvellous — large, line, clean, almost perfect fruit, — packers from Huron County say the best they have ever handled. On orchards near by not sprayed there have been but few apples gathered, and these hardly worth the name, being little, gnarled, wormy and scabby." The Plum Curculio (Conotrachehis nenuphar, Herbst, fig. 5.) — Plums and apples in some districts, have been severely attacked during the season, but pea- ches less than usual, by the Plum Curculio. Owing to the enormous crop of peaches, the limited destruction by the curculio and rot is thought by Mr. Craig to have been a benefit to the main crop. A great many letters have been received from Ontario and Quebec, complaining of the work of this weevil on plums. Its depreda- tions on apples were also noted. Mr. T. W. Ramm, writing from Ross Mount, Ont., on August 24, says : — " I send you the worst specimen of an apple that has ever been seen on my place, and I had hundreds about as bad, that either fell off early or I removed them from the tree myself. Much of this injury I attribute to the curculio ; there being no plums, the curculio stings the apples, and it is ten times worse than the Codling Moth, for it makes apples gnarled, bitter, hard and woody, in fact, utterly worthless. The experience of this year satisfies me that we must spray or cut down our trees." Mr. Robert Jack, of Chateauguay, Quebec, gives the names of the following varie- ties as being particularly subject to injuries by the curculio : Duchess, Yellow Trans- parent, Grimes's Golden. Although opinions differ as to the extent of immunity of a crop sprayed with Paris green from attack by the Plum Curculio, there is, no doubt, sufficient benefit to make this method still the cheapest and most practical. The following letter is from Mr. G. W. Cline, of Winona, Ont., probably one of the most extensive and successful plum growers in Ontario : — " December 19. — My crop of plums was saved this season by spraying five times with 3 ounces Paris green to a 40 gallon barrel of water kept well stirred. I usually spray from four to six times, according to the wetness of the season, beginning at the time the covering of the young plum is just bursting open, never before, as I find the curculio does not begin to bite before warm weather, which begins about that time. I have always saved my crop for some twelve years, when I have sprayed at proper time and kept it up as required, and would not return to the jarring process again under any considera- tion. I never use any lime with Paris green, and never had but a few cases of trees scorched on one side, when the men were sucking the water too close to the bottom of the barrel, which had not been properly stirred. If the mixture is kept well stirred, I find no trouble in saving my crop always from the curculio." Mr. James Stewart, of Meaford, Ont., writes : — " I have sprayed my plums for two or three years, and I have found a great benefit in so doing. Last spring I sprayed when the fruit was nicely formed, and a second time in about two weeks. As a result, I had a splendid crop of plums. I am certain there was not a pint of plums fell from the trees, and I know that some of my neighbours who did not spray, lost nearly all their plums." REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST. 197 Fig. 6. — Fall Canker- worm : Canker-worms (Anisopteryx). — Reports of damage by Canker-worms have as usual been received from various districts. Identification of the exact species has in most instances been impossible. The following letter from Mr. A. W. Peart, with which specimens of the Fall Canker- worm (A. pometaria, Harris, Fig. 6), were forwarded, is of special interest, giving the late date in the year when the female moths were active in the Hamilton district : — a, b, "Freeman, Ont., December 17. — I send you by this of eggs ;et ™tei£i3X ■ VT mail £emale Canker-worm moths. We had a sharp frost of larged segment of caterpillar. at least 16° about November 28, and the following day, in going through the orchard, I was surprised to find many dead moths on the trees. Their bodies were rigid and firm. Upon pressing them with the small blade of a knife, they offered such a peculiar and strong resistance that I concluded they must be frozen. There has been a heavy rain since ; and the moths have been washed to the ground among the clover, and are hard to find. Living females are still climbing the trees. I first noticed the female moths climbing the trees about the middle of October, and they are still moving, though in fewer numbers at this date. In my experience, both in this and previous years, the Canker-worm is con- fined almost exclusively to the Northern Spy, although many other varieties of apple are adjacent to and scattered among the Spys. Spraying with me was not very satisfactory this year, on account of the frequent rain falls during the spraying season. However, I did manage to keep the Canker-worm in check fairly well by the use of Paris green, one pound to 200 gallons of water, with a little lime added." The Shot-borer (Xyleborus dispar, Fab., Fig. 7.). Some useful ob- servations have been made on the habits and life history of this injurious enemy of the apple and plum. Some of these I give herewith. "Church Street, N. S., May 8. — Have been examining my apple trees to see if the borers are at work yet. I cannot find any nor any of their fresh work. " " June 7. — In your last letter you wished me to keep watch for the apple borer. Have been working among young apple trees every day this spring, and on June 2, I saw the first and only one this spring, and this in a young tree in an old orchard." — Leander Woodworth. In 1893 Mr. Leander Woodworth wrote to me that he had seen the beetles at work on the bark on June 10. " Berwick, N. S., December 2, 1893. — I first discovered the borers last spring, when I found 25 of my best young trees with the bark turning red, and upon examina- tion found them full of borers. I cut down all but a few and burned them. I washed all my young trees with lime in June. Then I made a wash of soft soap, 1 gallon ; water, 3 gallons ; carbolic acid, £ pint, and washed the trees with this mixture twice in June, once in July and once in August. I have examined the trees carefully and cannot find any work of the borers this year. The trees that had the borers in them were young, healthy, fine-growing trees, as good as any that could be found in the valley." — John S. Woodworth. "Berwick, N. S., December 1, 1893. — I do not know for certain at what time the borers begin to attack the trees, but I think about the end of May. As far as I know, Gravenstein trees (young ones) seem to suffer most, and I am of opinion that the borer will attack healthy trees as well as diseased ones." — W. H. Woodworth. From the above it would seem that preventive washes should be put on the trees from the beginning of May ; three washes one month apart would probably be sufficient. The Oblique-banded Leaf-roller (Caccecia rosaceana, Harris) has caused consi- derable damage to fruit in some districts during the past season. It not unfrequently is troublesome on app]e trees and currant bushes ; but this year it was sent to me as an enemy of birch, apple, pear, gooseberry and black currant. Three unusual and inter- esting attacks were : on garden geraniums in which the leaves were eaten ; on the Silver Fig. 7.- The Shot- borer. 198 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Maple (Acer dasycarpum), when the seeds only were attacked and hollowed out ; and on the pear, where the caterpillars not only destroyed the leaves, but were particularly in- jurious to the young fruit, eating large cavities into the forming pears, in the same way as Professor Gillette describes the attack of the allied Cacozcia argyrospila, "Walker, on apples. (Bui. 19, Colorado State Agricultural College, 1892.) Mr. J.S. Freeman, of Free- man, Ont., in sending the specimens writes : — "June 13. The inclosed worms are eating the pears they are sent with. I believe they have destroyed ^ of my Bartletts by eating the skin off and holes into them." Mr. C. P. Morgan, Truro, JS". S., complained of them attacking his gooseberry and currant bushes, and also notes them as injuring plum and app'e trees. Spraying with Paris green is an effective remedy. The Pear Slug (Eriocampa cerasi, Peck, Fig. 8.) has been the cause of much injury to pear, plum and cherry trees. Mr. G. W. Henry, the well known nurseryman, of Hatzic, B. C, writes : — " Pear and cherry trees suffer- ed badly from slugs last season ; I sprayed with Paris green, which killed the slugs, but Fig. 8. -The Pear Slug. also injured many of my young trees badly, though T used at the rate of 300 gallons of water to 1 pound of Paris green. Fruit-growers are now recognizing the danger of neglecting insects, and I believe in future a more thorough system will be adopted for their destruction." In using Paris green for spraying, an equal quantity of fresh lime should always be added, particularly upon plums and peaches. The following interesting letter refers also to the same insect : — " Burlington, Ont. — My pear orchard consists of about 1,300 trees, more than half of which are Bartletts. These suffered particularly last season from a dark-coloured slug which ate the substance of the leaf, leaving only the skeleton. The work was done very quickly. After an absence of a few days from the orchard, I found this one variety brown from end to end of the row, Clapp's Favourite, Boussock and Anjou, alongside and mixed with them, being comparatively uninjured. I have 500 dwarf Duchess pears. These were injured next in extent to the Bartletts." — W. F. W. Fisher. The pear slug is not a difficult insect to control. Spraying with a weak solution of Paris green or dusting with freshly slaked lime or Paris green diluted with 50 times its weight of some dry powder, are always effective. The Gray Peach Weevil (Anametis grisea, Horn,) has been again reported this year as a troublesome peach pest. I referred to it in my last report as having injured apple trees in the orchard of Major R. F. Rogers at Grafton, Ont. This year, I am glad to learn that it has given no trouble in that orchard. It has appeared at Queenston, Ont., in the orchard of Mr. C. E. Fisher, but has done very little damage. The following record, however, which was brought to my notice by Mr. L. Woolverton, is of a more serious nature : "Fenwick, Ont., April 25. — I write to you in the hope that you may be able to suggest a remedy for this beetle, which has proved very destructive to my young peach trees. Last year we tried picking the insects, but notwithstanding our efforts, they killed many of my trees, and are beginning this year again. The trees are just from the nursery, so there is almost nothing to spray. The beetles eat the young bud as soon as it appears, till they finally kill the tree. They seem to prefer the peach but also attack the pear and plum. " "May 21. — I send you some of the beetles you ask for. It has not been very suitable weather for finding them, as they come out best on warm sunny days. They are not as troublesome in my orchard this year as last, but seem to have gone to other orchards. Last year, they killed 130 young peach trees for me, and ate out four rows of strawberries extending across a six-acre field. They only attack the very first leaf buds and the bark of the young trees when first set out, or when a young tree is budded and cut off near the ground ; then by eating the bud they destroy the tree. In many of their habits they resemble the potato beetle, such as dropping to the ground and REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST. 199 lying apparently dead. On warm sunny days they move about and eat, and on cold or wet days, they lie concealed at the root of the tree in the earth." — E. S. Atkins. These beetles being wingless, they can only reach the buds of the trees by climbino- up the stems ; therefore, any mechanical means of preventing this, such as a band of cotton batting, or one of the many kinds of " tree protectors, " placed around the trunks at the time the mature beetles appear in April and May, would be a sufficient remedy. The Pear Leap Blister (Phytoptus (Typhlodromus) pyri, Sheuten). — This troublesome pest of the pear is becomng much more widespread in Canada. Speci- mens have been sent in from several localities in the east as well as from British Col- umbia. Mr. L. Woolverton says : — " The Pear leaf Blister mite is gaining ground on the pear trees in this district, and, so far as I know, growers have done nothing to check it. Some trees have their leaves full of it. " Among several communications from British Columbia, I received one from Mr. T. A. Sharpe, giving an excellent de- scription of the appearance of the injury : "Agassiz, B. C, July 6. — I send pear leaves which appear to be affected with reddish brown spots on under side, but showing very plainly on the surface. Under the microscope, the under side of the leaf is burrowed and raised into hum- mocks with craters or openings on the crest. A small insect, not visible to the naked eye, appears to be more or less plentiful on the leaves. Are these insects the cause or are they a secondary injury coming on after the fungus sets in 1 In any case, what is the remedy ? " Mr. Sharpe then gives an account of several experiments he tried with various mixtures to find a remedy. During the season he has studied this attack with care and has found in the galls another mite (a Tyroglyphus) which moves much more quickly than the Phytoptus ; but he has not yet been able to detect whether or not it is predaceous on the blister mites. The remedy for this pest which has given the best results, is spraying the trees early in spring with Kerosene emulsion. The Apple Aphis (Aphis mali, Fab., Fig. 9) Attack : Green plant-lice clustered, sometimes in enormous numbers, around the outside and in between the young leaves of the opening buds on apple trees in spring ; also on the young shoots in summer and be- neath the leaves in autumn. The small black shining eggs are laid in autumn on the branches of apple trees, and do not hatch 9.— Apple Aphis : winged female. until tne following spring. The Apple Aphis or green fly is a common insect wherever the apple is grown, and although frequently very abundant, it is seldom that its injuries to its host are of a serious nature in this part of Canada. From British Columbia, however, there have been received during the past three or four years many complaints of great losses from this pest, — particularly since the publication of the excellent reports of Mr. J. R. Anderson, the energetic statis- tician of the Provincial Department of Agriculture, have shown the fruit growers Fig.10. Jointsofantennaof Apple Aphis winged female. 0f that province that useful information can, on application, be obtained as to the best means of fighting their insect foes. From late correspondence with some of the leading fruit growers, it has occurred to me that part of the damage to apple trees complained of under the name of " aphis," " green fly," &c, may have been due to other insects. That the climate of British Columbia is particularly well suited to the development of many species of plant-lice, however, is undoubtedly the case, as I observed in the summer of 1883 and during the spring of 1885, and it is important that as soon as possible the different species should 200 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. be studied critically and their life histories worked out, so that the most suitable reme- dies for those which injure crops may be made known and applied at the proper time. As a contribution towards this knowledge, I am pleased to be able to present herewith careful enlarged drawings of the Apple Aphis (A. mali) and of the joints 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of its antenna (Fig. 10), made by my esteemed correspondent, Prof. H. T. Williams, of the South Dakota Agricultural College, who has made a special study of the Aphididae. This, I believe, will be of great assistance to British Columbian fruit-growers in iden- tifying the species. It is not only in its attack on the apple tree that the Apple aphis levies toll from the farmer, for it is now known to be a serious enemy of fall wheat. Prof. Riley in his report, as United States Entomologist for 1889 (p. 351), when treat- ing of the Grain Aphis, says : " Observations are complicated by the fact that several other species of plant-lice are found in greater or less numbers upon wheat. The com- mon Apple plant-louse {Aphis mali, L.) is often found on wheat after the appearance of the winged generation upon apple, and, indeed it is a question whether this species, in view of what we know of its summer migration, should really be known as the Apple plant-louse, any more than the Hop plant-louse should be called the Plum plant-louse. " Again Prof. F. M. Webster, of Ohio, in a paper on the " Insect Foes of American Cereal grains {Insect Life, vol. VI., p. 152), writes : — " It would appear almost visionary to advocate spraying apple orchards in mid- winter to protect the wheat crop ; but nevertheless one of the most serious enemies of young fall wheat passes its egg stage on the twigs of the apple during the winter season. I refer to the Apple leaf-louse {A. mali, Fab.). Soon after the young wheat plants ap- pear in the fall, the winged viviparous females of this species flock to the fields and, on these, give birth to their young, which at once make their way to the roots, where they continue reproduction, sapping the life from the young plants. On very fertile soils, this extraction of the sap from the roots has no very serious effect; but, where the soil is not rich, and especially if the weather is dry, this constant drain of vitality soon begins to tell on the plants. Though they are seldom killed outright, these infested plants cease to grow, and later take on a sickly look, and not until the aphis abandons them in autumn to return to the apple, do they show any amount of vigour." In my last report, I referred to the complaints from British Columbia that many trees had been killed by the Apple Aphis. Commenting on this, Mr. E. Hutcherson, of Ladners, B.C., a good observer, and moreover one who knows well most of the injurious insects of his province, writes as follows: — "I compared aphids I sent you (true Siphonophora avenai. — J. F.) with those on apple and found them different. As regards the Apple aphis killing trees in this province, I do not know, I am sure, where you got your information ; but I have failed to find a case in my experience, and I can assure you that it is not actually the case ; they may have assisted the Bark blight and Woolly Aphis to some extent, as I have found that weak, poor growing varieties and those suffering from other diseases, are the trees most affected. My experience, in my own orchard, has been that a tree affected this year is almost sure to be free the following season. I cannot say that we have been troubled much with the Apple Aphis for the last two years. We have had rains and wet weather in the spring and early summer, and again early in September ; for this reason, the aphids have not been so plentiful as formerly. In this matter I speak not only for my own district, but for the whole pro- vince, up to the end of 1893." And in another letter Mr. Hutcherson reverts to the same subject : — " In speaking of the trees being killed by the Apple Aphis in the Okanagan country, I would say that in some of the orchards there I found trees badly affected with Scurfy Bark-louse, which with the aid of the green aphis had killed quite a few trees." With regard to the correct identification of the Scurfy Bark-louse in the above quotation, I have some doubts ; but when I wrote for specimens to the owner of the orchard, I found that the trees had all been cut down and destroyed. Remedy. — The most satisfactory remedy for the Apple Aphis I have found to be the Kerosene emulsion, which should be sprayed on the trees early in spring, just as the REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST. 201 buds are opening. As many eggs are frequently laid on the trunks, these latter should also be sprayed. The Apple Aphis very much resembles superficially the Grain Aphis, and, as both occur together on fall wheat, I have asked Prof. "Williams to prepare for me a simple table of the chief points by which they may be separated. He has very kindly sent me the following, which will answer all purposes : — " Aphis mali. Siphonophora avenae. 1. Antennas shorter than body. 1. Antennas as long or longer than body. 2. Antennas on very slight frontal tubercles. 2. Antennas borne on distinct frontal tuber- cles, which are approximate at base and of moderate size. 3. Head pointed in front. 3. Head not pointed in front. 4. Eyes black. 4. Eyes reddish. 5. Prothorax with lateral tubercles. 5. Prothorax with no lateral tubercles. 6. Head and thorax black. 6. Head and thorax brown. 7. Honey tubes not broadened at base. 7. Honey tubes broadened at base. "There are, of course, other differences both generic and specific, such as the closely built body and shorter legs and honey tubes of Aphis, and more elongated body, longer and larger honey tubes and style of Siphonophora, as well as differences in wing charac- ters ; but those given above will, I think, serve to separate the insects readily." THE CIGAR CASE-BEARER OF THE APPLE. (Coleophora Fletcherella, Fernald.) Attack. — Small orange-coloured caterpillars with black heads and dark feet, encas- ed in brown leathery cigar-shaped cases which they carry about with them. They attack the leaves of apple, pear and plum trees, by eating a small hole through the epidermis, and then feeding on the parenchyma or soft substance of the leaf, which lies between the upper and lower surfaces, protruding their bodies a long way out i >f the cases, and eating for some distance around the central hole. "When they have con- sumed all they can reach, they move to a fresh place and make another hole. The brown case is very tough and at the upper end is contracted abruptly into a three-limbed star-shaped orifice, the lips of which fit closely together. Through this hole the excre- ment is ejected and ultimately the moth makes its exit. The larvae and the slender dark brown chrysalids are about four millimetres in length ; the case is six millimetres. There is only one brood in the season. The small shining steel-gray moths appear at the end of July and the beginning of August, and lay eggs from which the caterpillars hatch the same season and make about one fourth of their growth before winter sets in. The young larvae hatch about a fortnight after the eggs are laid, and, burrowing into the leaf, feed upon the cellular portion for a short time. They then cut clean holes through the leaves by taking oval-shaped pieces of the epidermis from both sur- faces of the leaf above and below, and with these they form their curious cases by join- ing them along the edges. The two surfaces of the leaves are easily recognizable on the cases, from the pubescence of that side which was taken from the lower surface. The cases made by the larvae in the autumn are quite different in shape from those of the full-grown larvae which are found on the leaves in June. The autumn cases in which the winter is passed, are curved or elongated kidney-shaped, with a narrow wing in the curve. These are retained for a short time in spring, and are enlarged by the addition of small pieces of epidermis attached to the orifice. Occasionally, a larva leaves an old case on reviving in spring, and forms a new one at once ; but, as a rule, the old case is detached from its winter resting place, and used for some time. The summer cases are cylindrical, tapering slightly to the ends, in fact, very much like a miniature cigar in shape. 202 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. The following is Professor Fernald's technical description of the insect, which ap- pears in the Canadian Entomologist, 1892, page 122 : — " Coleophora JJetcherella, Fernald, — Expanse of wing from 10 to 12 mm. ; head, palpi and basal joints of the antenna?, yellowish steel gray; body, legs and wings above and beneath, plain steel gray, much more intense in fresh specimens. " The palpi are without tufts, the basal joints of the antennas with a slight tuft, and the remaining joints of the antennae and also the joints of the tarsi are steel gray annulated with white. " The cases are brown, composed of a portion of leaf, cylindrical or fusiform, slight- ly compressed laterally, and with a more or less distinct ridge above and beneath. The mouth is more or less oblique, with the edge flaring out slightly. One side of the case is covered with fine hairs the other is smooth, showing that the larva constructs its case from the upper and under sides of the leaf. " Described from three specimens received from Mr. James Fletcher, for whom I name the species, and who bred it from apple. I have also received the same species from Prof. Lintner, who also bred it from apple." This insect has been treated of in previous reports of this department (1891, pages 196-198 ; and 1892, page 146). During the past summer this small but destructive enemy of the apple has been reported to me as injuriously abundant in Ontario, at Oshawa, Maitland and Grimsby, and in Canadian Horticulturist, 1894, page 302, without locality, in Ontario; and in Nova Scotia, at Lakeville and Woodville. It has also been noticed in small numbers at several places in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritime Provinces. It has shown itself to be very difficult to treat ; but it is probable, from Dr. Young's experience cited below with other correspondence, that spraying with Kerosene emulsion and Paris green early in spring is an effective remedy if persevered in. The following extracts from some of the letters received will be found instructive and useful : — " Oshawa, Ont., March 30. — Inclosed you will find two small apple twigs. What is on them ? "Will you write me and let me know how to destroy them '( I have about forty acres of apple orchard and these things are getting very numerous, as you can see by the twigs. As quick as the bud opens in the spring, they crawl out on the young leaves, and, when full grown, are about as big as a kernel of rye." " April 19. — I am glad to know the name of the little pest that is injuring my ap- ple trees, for I think they are hurting the trees considerably. I first noticed them two years ago. They were not so bad as they were last year, taking the orchard all through. "I sprayed a part of the orchard two years ago with Paris green, 4 ounces ; sulphate of copper, 4 pounds ; lime, 4 pounds ; water, 50 gallons. I sprayed for the Codling Moth and Black Spot on apple when the apples were about as big as small cherries, Last year, I sprayed all the orchard but about five acres. The trees on these five acres are about twelve years old, about half Northern Spys and Ribston Pippins. The Rib- stons are very bad ; the insects are about fifty on the unsprayed trees to one where I sprayed ; but the Northern Spys are not much worse than where I sprayed. How much they are hurting the trees, I cannot tell, — if I went by the fruit, I would say a good deal. Two years ago, I had 1,800 barrels of packing apples ; last year, 375 bar- rels ; but I am in hopes the Paris green is going to keep them in check." "June 14. — I now write you my further experience with the Cigar Case-bearer. I sprayed as you recommended as soon as I could. I started on May 7th and sprayed for four days, a part of the orchard with dilute Bordeaux mixture and a part with Paris green alone. I cannot see any difference. I seem to have killed about half or two- thirds of the insects. I believe I should have killed more, but the wind was blowing very hard when I sprayed, and the next week that big rainstorm came. I intended to write before, but was waiting to be sure of the effects of the spraying. The dead caterpillars still stick on the trees ; but the live ones have grown away from the dead ones, so we can tell them now. I am going to spray again in a few days. I thank you very much for the trouble you have taken. When I wrote you first, on the 19th April, I was about discouraged. I did not think the Paris green would kill them. In previous t> REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST. 203 years I did not spray until about the 20th June ; the insects were then full grown, and I did not know when I had killed them, for they still stuck on the trees." — Edwin WoRDEN. Fearing that Mr. Worden might have been deceived by the inactivity of the larva? owing to some of them having completed their growth and fastened their cases to the leaves in order to pupate, I wrote to him again, asking him to send me some of the leaves bearing the larvae which were supposed to be killed. These specimens wore sent forward by Mr. Worden on June 19th, when he wrote : — " I inclose you the leaves as directed by you. The little pest is hard to conquer. T am spraying again now. If these insects would leave my trees alone, I am satisfied I should have a good crop of apples, but they are even eating the little apples now." Upon examining the specimens carefully, it was found that only 17 per cent of the larvje were dead, which was a disappointment, as it indicated that Paris green as a remedy was only partially successful. Mr. Worden was then requested to spray some of his trees with Kerosene emulsion. His answer was as follows : — "July 5. — Inclosed you will find some leaves sprayed with Kerosene emulsion about ten days ago. It does not seem to do much good. I am about discouraged. These little insects seem to be getting worse all the time. Will you write and let me know about how long these insects troubled them in Prince Edward Island 1 If they are the same you mentioned in your report for 1891, I notice you say they were on plum and pear trees. Now, I have plum and pear trees side by side with the apple trees, and I never saw one on a plum or pear leaf. How would you think it would answer to have torches burning here and there through the orchard about the first of August 1 I noticed last year about the first of August, if the door or window was open after the lights were lit, the room would be full of little moths. Please write and give me your opinion of the torches and how far apart to have them in the orchard. I am willing to try anything you suggest to get ricl of these insects, for I am satisfied the orchard will not do any- thing while they are on the trees." Reply : — " July 20. — I was absent from Ottawa when your letter arrived and have just returned. By this time the case-bearers will have stopped their work upon your apple trees. Dr. Young, of Aldolphustown, who suffered very severely a year or two ago from this same pest, treated it very successfully with Paris green and Kerosene emulsion. My correspondent, the late Mr. Wm. Brown, of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, only had this pest on his trees two years ; his attack was upon plum trees. As you have noted, it is a very remarkable thing how the same insect will attack one kind of plant in one district and another somewhere else. An analogous instance is the ' Shot- borer ' beetle of Nova Scotia, which there attacks the apple tree almost exclusively ; while in England the only reported attack by it, is on plum, and, at the same time, the first attack noticed by this insect was upon pear trees, hence one of its names— the Pear- blight beetle. "It is just possible that your suggestion of carrying torches through the orchard when the moths appear may be a valuable one, and I shall be very much obliged if you will try it. The moths are just appearing from the caterpillars which you sent me early in the season, so that now would be the proper time to test this remedy. A con- venient way of destroying them in large numbers, if you find that they are attracted by the light, will be to place in the orchard a lantern or lamp in a basin of water, having first sprinkled a little coal oil on the top of the water. The moths flying to the light will fall into the water and be destroyed by the film of coal oil which floats on the surface. I shall be much obliged if you will try this remedy and let me know how it succeeds." From the following reply, it will be seen that the use of a light at night to attract the moths was not very successful : — " I tried the torch light on a small scale. I had to cross the road from my house to the orchard, and, strange to say, while on the road, the moths would come very thick ; but when I got in the orchard, I did not catch so many all night by leaving the torch burning, as I did during the few minutes outside. I think I destroyed about half of the case bearers with the treatment last summer. Next year I am going to try the Kerosene emulsion, but would like to spray a little later than the time you suggest so as to catch the bark louse as well." — Edwin Worden. 204 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Careful investigations were also made on this insect at Maitland, Ont., by Mr. Harold Jones, who has kindly supplied me with much valuable definite information on its life history. Mr. Jones called upon me on August 24th, and spoke of the case- bearer as having been very abundant in his orchard this year. He first noticed it early in the spring, attacking the buds and the stems of the flowers and leaves. He sprayed at once before the flowers opened. Directly the flowers dropped, he sprayed again with Bordeaux mixture and thinks that 25 per cent of the larvae were destroyed. He sprayed a third time about three weeks later when the apples were about as large as a pigeon's egg. He observed that, about the third week in June, the larvae ceased feeding and went to the upper surface of the leaves to pupate. On September, Mr. Jones sent me a supply of the young larvae with the following letter : — "Maitland, Ont., September 1. — Referring to our conversation of a week ago, I send you by this mail twigs of apple, with the case-bearers attached. You will note that, whereas three weeks ago the young caterpillars were on the underside of the leaves, now you will find them clustered about the buds, attached to the bark of the present year's growth in every case. They are now about double the size they were on the 10th August when I first observed them. I picked out the worst affected twigs that I could find, for I thought you would be glad to note their habit of cluster- ing." Later Mr. Jones sent the following interesting resume of his observations : — " November 6. — Referring to our conversation of August last and our correspond- ence during the early part of September, relating to the actions and life of the Cigar-shaped Case-bearer ; I now give you the result of my observations during the season, hoping that there may be some point that may aid you in finding the best time of the season to most effectually destroy this serious pest to our apple orchards. " During the early part of May, just as the buds were opening, I sprayed my trees with Bordeaux mixture ; and a short time after, when the blossoms opened, I noticed that the half-opened leaves and flowers withered and died. I had no idea of the cause at first, but on examination, I found large numbers of a strange insect (since known as the Case-bearer), had punctured the stems of the leaves and flowers and were working so rapidly that, when the blossoms fell and I was able to spray again, some of the trees had very little set fruit left. " This second spraying was done with Bordeaux mixture and Paris green in the proportion of one pound to 200 galls, of mixture. The results of this application were hard to determine, but I noticed that all further attacks on the young fruit were stopped and the caterpillars were working on the underside of the leaf, whereas before they worked on both sides. " I think T am safe in estimating 20 or 25 per cent destroyed. I sprayed again with the same mixture and Paris green added, about two weeks afterwards when the apples were about the size of the top of my thumb or larger, this making three ap- plications in all. The last application did not affect them perceptibly, as at that time they had permanently attached themselves to the leaf to go into the pupal state. " About the 10th of August I first noticed the young brood feeding, they were then so small as to be hardly noticeable, and were less numerous, there being only about one-fifth of their numbers in the spring. During the next 20 or 25 days, they fed and grew to a length of about —^ of an inch or more. At that time, the first week in September, the weather turned quite cool and they left the leaves and clustered in rings about the base of the present year's wood growth. " From that date until the middle of October, they could be found either on the leaf feeding, or attached to the twig according as the weather was warm or cold. After the middle of October, they left the foliage and twigs and are now attached to the larger parts of the tree, in some cases down on the trunk, but mostly on the under side of the branches at their junction with the trunk or larger branches, and I also find clusters of them in the shelter formed by a partly healed wound where a limb has been severed. " THs winter during the most severe weather, I intend taking a stiff brush and brushing some of the trees in all the crotches and larger branches and letting the in- fects fall on the snow, where I am in hopes they will perish. REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST. 205 " If my theory, that frost and snow will destroy these insects, prove correct, I can quickly and easily remove one-half to three-fourths of the entire brood now lodged on trees eight or ten years of age, and diminish their numbers on larger trees. " — Harold Jones. " Lakeville, N. S., June 8. — I inclose to you to-day some specimens of insect pests for examination. The insect attacks the young buds and leaves, destroying the foliage as soon as it appears. The Baldwin, Tompkins, Twenty-ounce Pippin, Talman Sweet and Rhode Island Greening, were attacked and the young leaves almost entirely destroyed, while the Bishop Pippin (Yellow Belle flower) tree was almost entirely free from the pest. I sprayed before blooming with Paris green 4 ounces, lime 3 lbs., water 45 gallons. I could not see that any insects were killed, being just as numerous after spraying. Any information you can give me about destroying this insect, will be thankfully received." " June 20. — I send you specimens of the insects that have been doing very much damage to fruit trees in this locality this spring. They began their work of destruction about 1st May, when a few were seen to crawl from the angles of the small branches and attach themselves to the leaves just beginning to form. They would move along the branches, the head protruding from the sack or cigar-shaped case. About May 10th I sprayed the trees from which these specimens were taken on June 20th, with Paris green 1 lb., lime 4 lbs., water 160 gallons. At that time only a few were on the foliage. The greater part of the pests were still to be found in the angles of the small branches and rough places of the bark. The application of this mixture destroyed very few, if any. To-day, June 20th, I notice some time after full b'oom the blossoms withering and dropping from the tree at the slightest jar from the hand, and the foliage of the tree having the appearance of boing riddled with small shot and scorched by heat. On th se trees no fruit is forming although the blossoms looked healthy. " — R. A. Beckwith. At the end of the season, Mr. Beckwith reported as follows : — " I did not spray as you advised. By July 1, nearly, or quite all of the insects had disappeared, the trees soon after having a healthy appearance. A few orchards only were damaged by this insect in this section of the valley. " (Lakeville is in the Annapolis Valley, so celebrated for its fruit.) " Those orchards in which the case-bearer appeared were badly damaged, the crop a total failure. " "Woodville, jN. S., March 28. — I send you to-day some apple limbs. You will find on them small insects which have done a great deal of damage in this county. Please explain their habits and send a remedy. " "April 18. — Thanks for information. I am sending you more specimens to-day out of the same orchard. " These insects destroy the buds, as you see by specimens ; destroying the buds in- jures the crop, as new buds have to start. The insects are now commencing to crawl on to the buds, destroying first the buds, then the blossoms, if any are left, and leaves ; so you see something must be done before the trees blossom. They seem to work on some varieties more than on others. The variety sent is Nonpareil. The trees look, at the end of June and in July, when the trees are leafing out and blossoming, as if they had been scorched by fire. " We consider this little caterpillar the worst enemy to our fruit crop. Please advise me what to do, as the remedy must be applied at once." — G. W. F. McLean. Remedies. — As a remedy we at first recommended spraying with Kerosene emul- sion during the winter, to destroy the hibernating larva?, but it appeared to have no effect. Twigs from sprayed trees were sent to me in winter by Dr. Young, which, a fortnight after spraying, still retained strongly the odour of Kerosene (coal oil) ; when revived by the warmth of my office, the larvae crawled about uninjured, and Dr. Young reported that these trees treated in winter showed no benefit from the spraying. Sprayins with Kerosene emulsion and Paris green at the time when the buds are opening, has^iven the best results, as will be seen from the following letters : — " Adolphustown, Ont., June 26. — On the large block of Duchess apple trees, where we sprayed in 1891 and 1892, where the said worms were so numerous, there is only an odd worm to be seen. But in other parts of the orchard, where they had scarcely 206 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. reached at first, they were numerous this spring. We sprayed them with Paris green, but on account of weather, and my brother's illness, the spraying was not complete, nor as effective as one would wish. "July 3. — The Kerosene emulsion, either warm or cold, used in the winter, had no effect. But when used cold in the spring, after the worms began to move about, was very effectual. It more completely cleaned the trees of the Case-bearers than did the Paris green. Still the Paris green did well and took most of them off. We sprayed with both the same day. We sprayed the next year again with Paris green, and this year again, but this year there were very few indeed in that part of the orchard." — Dr. D. Young. From the above it would apear that, owing to the fact that the caterpillars for the most part feed beneath the leaves and eat very little of the outer surface, Paris green, although effective in a certain measure, is not a satisfactory means of controlling the Cigar Case-bearer. The best remedy in our experience so far, is Kerosene emulsion ap- plied as a spray when the young larva? are active, particularly early in spring. THE SAN" JOSE SCALE. (Aspidiotus pemiciosus, Comstock.) Few insects which attack fruit trees are with more reason dreaded by the horticul- turist than the San Jose or Pernicious Scale of the Pacific Coast. On two or three occasions it has been reported to me as occurring in British Columbia ; but I had at first the impression that the insect referred to was the Scurfy Bark-louse (Chionaspis fur- furus, Fitch), or something else. During the past summer, however, undoubted specimens of Aspidiotus pemiciosus on apple have been received from British Columbia and have been identified by Mr. L. 0. Howard. From recent correspondence, I believe it is pro- bable that, at any rate, some of the serious injury to the apple trees in British Columbia which has been reported as due to the Apple Aphis is in reality caused by this and other scale insects. The fact that one is a plant-louse with well developed organs of locomo- tion at all stages after hatching, and the other a scale insect, which has the power to move for only two or three days, does not affect this supposition ; for, unfortunately, there is even yet a most deplorable ignorance and indifference as to the right names of the worst insect enemies of the farmer and fruit-grower. So that the referring a pest even to the right natural order is the exception rather than the rule, "bugs," "flies," " weevils," " grubs " and " worms " being accused indiscriminately of injuries caused by quite different insects. Not only does this cause loss of time, because, in many instances, specimens have to be written for ; but in those cases where cultivators under- take to doctor their crops themselves, the wrong remedy is often applied, of course, to their great disappointment at obtaining no beneficial results. In all cases, whenever possible, specimens should be sent with letters of inquiry. Knowing the great danger which would result from the failure on the part of Canadian fruit-growers to recognize and use every effort to eradicate so pernicious a foe as the San Jose Scale, as soon as it was known for certain that specimens had occurred in Canada, I prepared for The Farmer's Advocate, of London, Ont., which has a wide circulation, and for the Annual Report of the Entomological Society of Ontario, an article giving the life history and the remedies which had been found most effective against this pest. These were drawn for the most part from the records of the warfare waged by the United States Division of Entomology, which have been kindly supplied to me by Mr. L. O. Howard, who has also been good enough to lend me the four figures used to illustrate this article. I reproduce herewith extracts from these articles so as to bring the proper treat- ment to the knowledge and attention of as many as possible. This insect has had attention drawn to it of late by its unexpected appearance in injurious numbers in the Eastern States during the summer of 1893, and the Division of Entomology at Washington, under the direction of the United States Entomologist, Mr. L. O. Howard, has, during the past summer, adopted such vigorous measures to combat it, that there is reason to hope that in all the localities from which it has been reported, the insect has either been eradicated or brought under control. REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST. 207 Up to 1892, the San Jose Scale was thought to be confined in North America to the Pacific States, where it has shown itself to be a most destructive enemy of the fruit grower. It was probably first brought to California on fruit trees imported from Chili about 1870, and the name, San Jose Scale, was given to it by fruit shippers in 1873, from the name of the place in California where it was first noticed. It spread rapidly for seven years without any particular attention being paid to it. In 1880, however, Prof. Comstock pointed out the great loss which it was causing, and gave it the specific name perniciosus, for the reason that he considered it to be the most pernicious scale insect known in the country. It not only swarmed in countless numbers on fruit trees in cer- tain orchards, but infested nearly all kinds of deciduous fruit trees grown in California. In a special circular which Mr. Howard issued last year, when the insect appeared in the States of Virginia and Maryland, he says as follows : " In the course of twelve years, the insect spread through all the fruit-growing regions of California, through Oregon and into the State of Washington." It is known as the worst insect pest of deciduous fruit trees on the Pacific coast, and has caused great pecuniary loss. Many crops of fruit have been ruined, and thou- sands of tre s have been ki led. (L. O. Howard, Circular No. 3.) In 1892 the insect was found in New Mexico on apple, pear, plum, pea-h, quince and rose. It had been brought into New Mexico upon yoang trees rom California. Nearly all the other instances of infestation east of the Rocky Mountains can be traced to two nurseries in New Jersey, where the pest had been introduced in 1886 or 1887 on trees of the Japanese plum " Kelsey, " which had been procured from the San Jose district in California. Idaho pear trees had also been frequently imported from Cali- fornia, which were most probably infested. In 1891 and 1892 several blocks of young apple trees were badly infested. It is on pear trees chiefly that this pernicious scale has been distributed through the State of New Jersey. Prof. J. B. Smith says (Insect Life, VII., p. 166,) : — "The Idaho pear has been the most dangerous because it came infested whenever imported direct, and after it, came in close older, Madame von Sie- bold, Garber, Lawson, Seckel, Lawrence and Bartlett. Other varieties are also in- fested, but less frequently, and the scales do not do so well. Kieffers alone are absolute- ly exempt, and closely following comes the Leconte, which is rarely infested in the nursery, and never in the orchard, in my experience. One tree grafted with Lawson and Kieffer had the Lawson branch and fruit covered with scales, while the Kietfer branch was entirely free. Currants, black and red, became rapidly infested and the scales were certainly distributed on these plants. " Mr. Howard says that this insect spreads rapidly for a scale insect, and is the most dangerous scale known. It is, too, incons- picuous and would be overlooked by many. Specimens of apple boughs received from Bri- tish Columbia were entirely incrusted with the scales, so as to give them the appearance of r\ having been dusted with ashes. Mr. Howard ^ gives the following description of the scale in his circular above referred to : "The San Jose Scale belongs to the same group of scale in- sects, the Diaspinae or armoured scales, to which the Oyster-shell Bark -louse of the Apple belongs. It differs from this species, and in fact from all other eastern species found on deciduous fruit trees, in that the scale is per- fectly round, or, at most, very slightly elon- gated or irregular. (Fig. 11). It is flat, pressed close to the bark, resembles the bark of the twigs in colour, and when fully grown is between T*g an 1 \ of an inch in diameter. At or near the middle of each scale is a small, round, slightly ^^^^^^^t^ir^^^ed black point; or ' this point may same, still more enlarged. sometimes t ppear yellowish. When occur- 208 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. ring upon the bark of the twigs or leaves and in large numbers, the scales lie close to each other, frequently overlapping, and are at such times dilMcult to distinguish with- out a magnifying glass. The general appearance which they present is of a gray- ish, very slightly roughened scurfy deposit." (Fig. 12.) The natural rich reddish colour of the limbs of the peach and apple is quite obscured when these trees are thickly infested, and they have then every appearance of being coated with lime or ashes. When the scales are crushed by scraping, a yellow- ish oily liquid will appear, resulting from the crush- ing of the soft yellow insects beneath the scales, and this will at once indicate to one who is not familiar with their appearance, the existence of healthy, living scales on the trees. During winter the insect is to be found in the half grown, or near- ly full grown condition. The young begin to hatch and to crawl from under the female scales shortly after the trees leaf out, and from this time through the summer there is a constant succession of gener- ations. The insect affects not only the young twigs and limbs and, with young trees, the entire plant, but is also found upon the leaves and upon the fruit. When it is abundant, the fruit is destroyed. One of the most characteristic points in the appear ance of the insect upon fruit is the purple discoloration around the edge of each scale. Fig. 1 4 shows a pear attacked by the scale and a separate The male minute insect. Fig. 12.— San with scales : Jose Scale : Apple branch large scales above at left. figures will ers to should enough recognize scale much enlarged is an active (Fig. 13). The above description and enable fruit-grow- this enemy they be unfortunate to get their orchards infested with it. With regard to remedies, we have the ad- vantage of all the experience of Californian experimenters, the careful work of the Divis- ion of Entomology at Wash- ington, and of Prof. J. B. Smith, of New Jersey, during the past year. There are three methods which have proved effective in fighting the San Jose Scale. In cases of severe attack, it is recommended to cut down the infested trees and burn them. The other methods are : Spraying with in- secticidal washes or fumigating the trees with poisonous gasses. The insecticidal washes may be divided into summer washes, which can be applied while the trees are in leaf, and winter washes of a stronger nature which would injure the foliage, but will do no harm to the trees during the winter when these are in a dormant condition, and yet will have the effect of destroying the scale insect. Of the summer washes, the ordinary Kerosene emulsion (Riley-Hubbard formula) and a Resin wash [Resin 20 lbs., caustic soda (70 per cent strength) 5 lbs., fish oil 3 pints, water 100 gallons], were recom- mended by Mr. Howard, and used with success during the past summer. On peach trees, owing to the susceptibility of the foliage to injury, the stock emulsion was diluted with fifteen times its volume of water, instead of nine times, the usual strength advised Fig. 13. — San Jose Scale : male adult, greatly enlarged. REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST. 209 A X $ X> 6L Fig. 14. — San Jose Scale ; a, pear moderately in fested ; 6, female scale enlarged. for most other plants. It was found advisa- ble to repeat the sprayings at intervals of about a week. The young scale insects were noticed on May 19th at Riverside, Ind., and the females, viviparous in habit, gave birth to young for a full month. This was upon peach trees, and it was found that the Resin wash killed the scales more quickly than the P /•' I \ very much diluted Kerosene emulsion. As Mr. Howard points out, this rapidity of the work is important, since where a full grown female is sprayed Avith Kerosene emulsion, she may live for three or four days, during which time she brings forth young ; whereas if sprayed with Resin wash, fewer young scales are produced. The resin wash, how- ever, is readily carried off by the rains, while the Kerosene emulsion is more resistant. In Prof. J. B. Smith's investigations in Pennsylvania, it is recorded in Insect Life (VII., p. 159) that "he has visited the local- ity at Atglen, Pa., and found that in an orchard of over 7,000 trees, all of certain varieties, and a few of others were infested by the scale. As a result of his recommend- ations, Kerosene emulsion has been applied three times to most of the trees at intervals of ten days, up to the first week in June. The treatment has been absolutely success- ful."' For winter washes, the Kerosene emulsion and Resin washes may be made stronger. The stock Kerosene emulsion has been used diluted with only i\ parts of water, and for the Resin wash the same ingredients were used in the following proportions : Resin, 30 lbs., caustic soda, 9 lbs., fish oil, 4J pints, water, 100 gallons. " The most favoured winter remedy in California, however, is the lime, salt, and sulphur mixture. This consists of unslaked lime 10 lbs., sulphur 5 lbs., stock salt 5 lbs., water to make 15 gallons. This wash will do great damage to the ti-ees if applied during the growing season, and should be used only in winter. All the sulphur and half the lime are placed in a kettle, and 8| gallons of water added ; after which, the contents of the kettle are boiled briskly for about an hour. The solution, which at first is yellow from the sulphur, will turn very dark brown, assuming more or less of a reddish tint, and will finally change from a thick batter to a thoroughly liquid condition, the product being ordinary sulphide of lime. All the salt is added to the remaining 5 pounds of lime, and the latter slaked ; after which, the slaked lime and salt are added to the sul- phide of lime already obtained, the whole being then diluted with water to make. 15 gallons. This should be strained before application, as it does not form a perfect liquid solution, on account of the considerable quantity of undissolved lime, which will soon sink to the bottom, unless the solutionis constantly stirred while being sprayed." (L. O. Howard, Circular No. 3.) The third method of fighting scale insects is known as the Gas Treatment. This has been extensively used in California, but is an expensive operation, and the materials necessary are very poisonous and dangerous to have about a house. It consists, briefly, of covering the tree to be treated with an air-tight tent, and then filling the tent with the poisonous fumes of hydrocyanic acid gas, which is generated by placing 1 oz. of cyanide of potassium, 1 fluid ounce of sulphuric acid and 3 fluid ounces of water in an earthen- ware vessel beneath the tent. The gas is very light and rises to the top of the tent, and if this be kept on the tree for half an hour, every scale will be destroyed. The quantities of ingredients given above are sufficient for a tent inclosing 150 cubic feet. 8c— 14 210 KXPERIMEX TA L FA JIMS. What is wanted, however, is to know the best remedy, and it is satisfactory to find that, on the whole, the standard remedy for scale insects, Kerosene emulsion, is the best. In summing up his experience of the year, Mr. Howard says as follows: — " Remedial work against this insect is onerous, but our experience has shown that three sprayings at intervals of ten days during the latter part of May and June, will practically destroy the insect, whether the spraying be conducted with very considerably diluted Kerosene emulsion or with a resin wash, while during the winter a single application of either of the three winter washes will greatly reduce the numbers of the insect. Among the winter washes, our experience leads us to give the preference to strong Kerosene emulsion ; next, to the winter Resin wash : and finally, to the lime, salt, and sulphur mixture." The Kerosene emulsion is now well known to most Canadian fruit growers ; but it may be well to give its mode of preparation here. Kerosene (Coal oil) 2 gallons. Common soap or Whale oil soap J pound. Water ... 1 gallon. Cut up the soap and boil in the water till all is dissolved ; then add it boiling hot to the coal oil ; churn the whole briskly for 5 minutes with a syringe or force pump. When the emulsion is perfect, it will adhere without oiliness to the surface of glass and when cooling it forms a jelly-like mass, which can be kept indefinitely, if stored in a cool place and covered from dust. When required for use ; for a summer wash, dilute 1 part of the stock made as above with 9 or 15 parts of water. To make the stock dissolve easily, take first 3 parts of hot water to one of the emulsion and then when all is thoroughly mixed, add the rest of the water to make the 9 or 15 parts required ; for a winter wash, mix with 4h or 9 parts of water. THE PEAR-TREE FLEA-LOUSE. (Psylla pyricola, Forster, Fig. 15.) Attack. — Small clear-winged insects, wedge shaped like minia- ture Cicadce, the head being broad, flat in front, and the body pointed behind ; one tenth of an inch in length, of a reddish brown colour with broad black bands across the abdomen. These insects, at the slightest disturbance, leap from the foliage of infested pear trees and 1 fly for a short distance. Occurring with these, will be found on the leaves the curious flattened oval larvse (fig. 16), which, when first hatched, are very small, one-eightieth of an inch in length, of a semi- translucent yellow colour, with red eyes. These grow rapidly, and in about a month pass through five nymph stages, during which the body retains its flattened form and becomes much darker until, in the full grown nymph, the large wing-pads and the greater part of the upper surface are black. The eyes and sometimes the body be- tween the black markings are crimson. The presence of this insect upon trees is easily detected by the copious secretion of honey dew with which the leaves, limbs and trunks of the trees soon become covered and upon which a dirty- looking black fungus, Fumago salicina, develops. After a time, the leaves and young fruit fall, the trees assume an unhealthy appearance, and in the case of severe attack the tree dies. Another enemy of fruit trees which has this year appeared for the first time in Canada, is the Pear-tree Psylla or Flea-louse, specimens of which were sent to me by Mr. J. S. Freeman, of Freeman. Ont,, who writes : — " Freeman, Halton Co., Ont., June 7. — I have a block of three hundred Dwarf Duchess pear trees mixed with apple trees, which are so badly infested with the in- „. 1P ,T ' } ,V, V- , -r t i . n , Fig. 16.— Is vmph of rear- tree 1 lea- sects which 1 am sending you, that, from the appearance Louse enlarged. Fig. 15.— The Pear- tree Flea-louse, en larged. REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST. 211 of the trees at present, the whole crop, some of the worst specimens of which I am sending you, will be destroyed. I do not think the pear trees were troubled before this season. Would you kindly tell me what the insects are and give a remedy 1 Would it be too late to apply a remedy this season 1 Please reply. Reply. — " June 8. Your letter of 7th inst , with insects inclosed, is just to hand and is of great interest. I wish you had written a little sooner in the season. The in- sects sent are the Pear-tree Psylla (Psylla pyricola), a pest which has done great injury in the States of New Jersey and New York. This is the first record of its appearance in Canada. It is a serious pest, and must be fought vigorously at once. The remedy is Coal-oil emulsion. (See page 12 of bulletin 11 sent herewith). Instead, however, of mixing the stock emulsion with nine times its quantity of water, I would suggest your using 12 times the quantity of water first, and see how that works. I shall be obliged if you will write me at once and let me know how long it is since you first noticed this pest, and if it is very prevalent in your district 1 " The presence of this insect is always indicated by a sticky exudation noticeable on the twigs, called honey dew. Upon this, later in the season, a black fungous mould grows which gives the tree a very dirty and unsightly appearance. I cannot impress upon you too strongly the importance of treating this pest at once, and if possible checking its spread. Please let me know if you or any of your neighbours have recently im- ported trees from the States of New Jersey or New York. I shall be glad to give you any further information in my power." — J. F. " Freeman, June 13. — I am much obliged for the information your letter brought me on the 11th inst. I have applied the coal-oil emulsion as you recommended on my Duchess Dwarf trees, which are 12 years old, in 12 times and not 9 of water as in formula ; but besides being on these, I find the insects are more or less over my other pear trees of 9 acres of different varieties. I knew from the appearance of my trees that something unusual was attacking them ; but I did not make a close examination of them until two days before I wrote you. This must be the first season this pest has been bothersome, or I should have noticed the fungous growth last season if it had been there as this. From inquiry of fruit-growers in this section, I think it is likely that this pest may be found in other orchards. The oi^iginal trees in my orchard came some 15 years ago from Lockport, N.Y., and I have, with many of my neighbours, planted more or less pear trees every spring since, all the trees coming from the same place, Lockport. Any more information as to destroying this pest, will be gladly received." — J. S. Freeman. Several articles have lately appeared upon the Pear-tree Flea-louse. By far the most complete study of the subject has been made by Mr. Mark V. Slingerland, of Cornell University, and the results of his labours have been published as Bulletin 44 of the Cornell University Agricultural Station. In this a full history is given of the development and habits of the insect, illustrated by excellent figures, of which Nos. 15 and 1 6 have been kindly lent for this article. Winter is passed in the perfect state, the males and females hiding in crevices and beneath flakes of bark on the pear-trees. In the first warm days of spring, the date varying with the season, they emerge from their winter quai'ters, and after mating, " the egajs are laid in the creases of the bark or in old leaf scars, about the bases of the terminal buds of the preceding year's growth ; some were seen about the side buds near the terminal ones. * * * * * The eggs are scarcely visible to the unaided eye. It would take eighty placed end to end to measure an inch. They are elongate, pyriform in shape, smooth and shiny, of a light orange yellow colour when first laid, becoming darker before hatching. A short stalk to the large end attaches the egg to the bark, and a long thread-like process projects from the smaller end. The temperature conditions in the spring influence not only the time of oviposition of this winter brood, but also the du- ration of the egg stage. The weather remaining cool, eggs upon the trees under natu- ral conditions, did not hatch until May 10, or more than a month after oviposition began." The young nymphs immediately on hatching, suck the sap. Mr. Slingerland found that a few nymphs emerged in spring before the leaves had 'expanded ; these crawled into the buds out of sight. The favourite feeding places of the nymphs to 8c— 14i 212 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. which their flat bodies adapt them, are in the axils of the leaf petioles and of the stems of the forming fruit. After the fifth moult, the adult insects appear ; they are quite different in habits from the nymphs, being extremely active and flying away at the slightest disturbance. The winter form which lays the eggs of this first brood, is larger and brighter-coloured than the summer broods, of which there are two or three. The eggs of the summer broods are not laid " on the twigs, but on the under sides of the tenderest leaves, among the hairs near the mid rib, or on the petiole near the leaf. Sometimes the female very adroitly places an egg or two in each notch of the toothed edge of the leaf." The summer eggs hatch in eight or ten days. Remedies. — As stated above, the Pear-tree Flea-louse hibernates in the perfect state on the trunks of the trees and begins to move about and mate early in the spring. At this time, the insects are not very active, and when it is known that trees are in- fested, many can be destroyed with small expense of labour and material by spraying the trees with Kerosene emulsion. This will be more effective if the rough bark is first removed with a hoe or some similar instrument. The treatment which is most highly recommended is to spray after most of the young nymphs have hatched. Mr. Slingerland says : "The best time to spray is early in the spring, just after the leaves have expanded. In 1892, about May the 15th, was the best time ; then the first brood of nymphs had all emerged and were exposed in the axils. It was the first brood which did the most harm in 1891. Fruit growers should examine their orchards when the leaves are expanding, and, if the nymphs are numer- ous, the trees should be sprayed at once. A second and even a third spraying may be necessary. The destruction of the nymphs is practicable during a pei'iod of two weeks, about May the 15th. If the spraying is thoroughly done at this time, the pest will be so completely checked as to necessitate but little, if any, further attention during the season." The Pear-tree Flea-louse belongs to the same class of insects as the Aphids or plant- lice, with which they form the second section of the Homoptera, known as Dimera, or those with two-jointed feet. In this section we find small insects with antennte longer than the head and, in the winged individuals, four wings, ordinarily all of the same membranous texture. The Psyllidse or flea-lice are small insects found on leaves, and some species, as the Hackberry Flea-louse, give rise to galls. They have long slender antennae terminated by two bristles. The beak is short and tri-articulate, and the eyes are lateral and prominent as in the Cicadce. In fact, these little flea-lice, although sel- dom much more than one line in length, very much resemble Cicadce in miniature. On the front of the face are three ocelli placed in a triangle, the posterior ones quite close to the eyes. Unlike the Aphids or plant-lice, the flea-lice have the power of leap- ing, from which they take their English name. THE PEACH BARK-BORER, ( Pldoeotribus liminaris, Harris.) Attack. — Small cylindrical beetles, one-twelfth of an inch in length, of a brownish black colour, covered with short hairs, which bore in the bark of peach ti'ees, and, if numerous, cause the death of the trees in three or four years. The presence of these beetles is easily recognized by the conspicuous red powder, which is the borings cast out of the holes by them in their mining work, and, in the winter and spring, by enormous quantities of gum which oozes from the infested trees, thus greatly reducing their Adtality- The Peach Bark-borer, although apparently a rare insect in Canada, is a serious pest in one or two orchards in Queenston, Ont. ; I have as yet received myself no authentic record of its occurrence in other districts in Canada, although it is referred to by Dr. Lintner and Mr. Slingerland as having occurred in numbers at Ringwood, Ont. REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST. 213 With a view of bringing out further information as to the prevalence of this pest, and also to put on record what has been done towards finding a remedy and com- pleting its life history, I submit herewith the following correspondence : — " Queenston, Ont., March 22, 1893. — That small beetle borer which I gave you at the St. David's meeting has been seriously affecting my peach trees. I send you a few more. Will you please tell me about its habits and how to combat it ? I wish to be positive as to the non-injury of the peach tree before using any wash. Some of my neighbours claim that they have nearly destroyed some of their peach trees by applying an alkali wash. " — C. E. Fisher. " Queenston, May 22, 1893. — I send you a piece of bark of a peach tree from my orchard, which is full of the little black beetles that we looked for last winter. The bark of this tree is all like the piece I send, and around the collar of the tree there is not le«s than a gallon of gum that has run out from the wounds made by this borer. Young trees do not seem to be attacked as much as older ones. " — Capt. James Shep- pard. A remarkable feature of the attacks of this minute beetle upon the peach trees, is the large quantity of gum which oozes from the infested trees and falls to the ground. Upon wet days this swells up and lies in masses of jelly around the foot of the tree. I saw in several instances two or three quarts given off by a single tree. This must be a great injury to the trees and accounts for the short time in which healthy, vigorous trees are killed. The statement that only unhealthy trees are attacked is undoubtedly wrong. Mr. Fisher and I noticed in his orchard healthy young two, three and four- year old trees which the beetles had just begun to attack. " Queenston, March 2. — With this I send box containing bark from peach tree which I had treated with strong lime and Kerosene emulsion wash twice during last season at intervals of about four weeks, for the Peach Bark-borer. I also send you in the box a small package of bark from a large English cherry tree about seven inches in diameter, which stands several hundreds of yards from my peach orchard and quite isolated f rom any elm or peach trees. The peach bark beetles have been at work in this tree, although they are not nearly so numerous as in the large peach trees. My reason for thinking that the lime and emulsion wash was not very successful was from the fact that, after it had been washed off by the weather, I saw fresh evidences of the borers' work in these trees, the fine chewed or ground bark standing out around the small holes made by the insects. I shall, however, be better able to judge this season as I have five or six trees specially selected to work with. I notice that the oldest trees are the ones selected by the borer, as I find occasionally an old tree in the orchard quite full of the little pest, though, where the insect first started his depredations, small trees only about 2^ or 3 inches in diameter and about four years old, have them in ; but they do not seem to be nearly so numerous as in the old trees which have rough sur- faces and cracks, where I suppose the insect can more easily secure a lodgement. I applied the wash first, I think, in June and then again in July, on a few others about the first week in August. The bark you have, is from a tree which had the two washes first mentioned. From examinations I have made, I am led to believe the borer does not burrow into the solid wood. To prove this I will saw off a section of a tree and mail it to you to-morrow, so you can prove positively whether or not it does. I shall try your advised experiment — the Kerosene emulsion put on with a scrubbing brush — though I have heard you could not injure a peach tree with scalding hot water. " I shall try, as you suggest, pure kerosene on one tree. I might try the hot water on another and your emulsion on the balance of them. I believe this borer is getting more numerous, and I hope you will be able to find a sure preventive remedy." — C. E. Fisher. All the specimens of bark sent contained living beetles, and those in the cherry bark were the true Peach Bark-borer, Careful examination of the sections of wood sent by Mr. Fisher, as well as by Capt. Sheppard, some of which have been kept in closed jars in my office for nearly a year and in which there are still living beetles, and also field observations at Queenston, show that this beetle works entirely in the bark, where all 214 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. the stages are passed. I have not found a single instance where the wood has been penetrated. " Queenston, March 13. — I examined the trunks of the trees, as you sug- gested, on a sunshiny day and found beetles crawling with their wings set for flying. You know, ordinarily th°y do not appear as if they had wings, and those I saw had their wings out ready for use. I will try the alkaline wash, and the first wet day we have when the gum is soft, I will try the brush and emulsion. I believe that, unless these beetles are checked in some way, they are likely to be very troublesome and the cause of much loss to peach growers, as they undoubtedly, to my mind, will destroy the trees unless interfered with." "June 1. — The peach-bark beetles I have been doctoring with linseed oil. I covered the entire trunk. The first tree, which you saw, to which I applied it, seems as thrifty as any one of the others ; it is full of fruit. To two I applied the coal oil ; one of them around which I placed a cloth to cover the trunk, at your suggestion, is dying ; the other, left exposed, is all right. This contains instruction, I suppose. Those to which I applied the whitewash, have not been free from attack. The linseed oil and coal oil trees have not been bothered since. I shall let you know later how the trees get along, and the beetles also." — C. E. Fisher. I visited the orchards of Mr. Fisher and Captain Sheppard on April 16th last, just before the buds burst, and found that the beetles were very active and crawling over and boring into the bark in large numbers ; but no eggs nor larvae were found then. Young larvae were found in the breeding jars in my office at Ottawa early in June, from which the perfect beetles emerged in large numbers in the last week of July and into August. I am of the opinion, although I failed to trace it this year, that there is a second brood from eggs laid in August, which matures before winter and hibernates as perfect bettles in the bark. I have found perfect beetles in the bark from November till April, young larvae in June, pupae in July, perfect beetles by July 27 and through August. In a letter to the Rural New Yorker, Mr. Slingerland, of New York State, says : " Eggs have been found in May and July, larvae and pupae in July, adults in April, May, July, November and February." On the appearance of the summer brood, the following letter was written to Mr. Fisher : — "Ottawa, July 27. — Quite a number of Peach Bark-borers have appeared to-day in the breeding jars. This would look as if the eggs laid this spring had now matured and a brood of beetles was issuing from these eggs. Will you please examine your trees and see if the beetles are not abundant on them just now, running over the bark and sinking- fresh burrows 1 It was supposed that there is only one brood in the year, but the above would certainly look as if there were two, at any rate. I notice that the beetles are pairing, and I imagine eggs will be laid and another brood mature from these eggs this autumn, and pass the winter in the bark, where they will remain until next spring. Please give me your opinion on this."- — J. F. " Queenston, Oct. 15. — Those little Peach Bark-borers have been working woi^se than ever. First, about the treated trees : Two I treated with pure coal oil ; I covered the trunk of one with a sack as you suggested ; it died first ; the other followed suit about two or three weeks later. The one treated with linseed oil died also, but not until the fruit had about half come to maturity. Those I treated with whitewash and whitewash with Paris green, lived, but became infested with the beetles again after the wash was partially carried away by the rain, and did not do well at all ; in fact, they look so bad that I have decided to take them all out and burn the trunks. I treated a large number of trees with the boiled linseed oil, covering the trunk entirely of some of them, of others only in places where beetles had secured a lodgement. All these trees were treated, you remember, after the season was more advanced than when the first one was treated. Those that were healthy, did not seem to be injured by the oil. They passed through the season as well as those with no oil application. Some that were sick, succumbed quite early in the season. I think they were unhealthy at the start. You will gather from this what my conclusions would be. A healthy tree would stand REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST. 215 the linseed oil all right, put on lightly, not thoroughly saturated, after the trees are out in full leaf, but not before. The linseed oil will kill the beetles, but after a time they will trouble the tree again if some are left anywhere. I noticed this, which you may probably know, that old trees, say nine or ten years planted, are more likely to be troubled with the beetles ; still, when numerous, as you saw, they attack young trees. The whitewash was nut effective. I was thinking, would it do to add to the white- wash carbolic acid sufficient to make a strong odour ? Some bugs are sensitive about bad smells. Would this injure the tree 1 And would it kill the bugs, do you think 1 " In reply to yours of July 27th, I examined my trees and found early in August the beetles running over the bark and sinking fresh burrows. About the middle of August they are very numerous, so much so that on a small tree only two inches in diameter, I killed 64 beetles in about 15 or 20 minutes, about sun-down. They must certainly have been a fresh brood, so numerous were they. I believe, with you, that beetles will mature from the eggs laid this autumn and pass the winter in the bark." " December 31. — We found the beetle active during mild weather in February last, and in this December they worked nearly the whole month. " Now, my opinion is, that it is dangerous to use coal oil, or linseed oil either, on peach trees before they have the rough furrowed bark. I have several other trees now which I observed this morning, to which linseed oil was applied freely ; one I noticrd was about dead, a seven year old smooth bark ; several others, a year older, partially dead, all smooth bark ; others older, rough bark, apparently all right. I think, not- withstanding what you have heard concerning application of coal oil for San Jose Scale, that it will have to be used with great caution. I regret it very much, too, it is so easily applied and so effectually disposes of them." — C. E. Fisher. The following letter refers to the same subject : — " Queenston, December 20. — In reply to yours of the 17th instant, I would say that the Peach Bark-borer can injure seriously, and if not interfered with, will kill peach trees about the third or fourth year after the attack begins. I think all the experi- ments I have tried have had some good effect ; but none have been quite successful. I have used coal oil emulsion applied with a spray pump ; also, whitewash and Paris green applied in the same way ; also, plain whitewash applied with a brush, and of different degrees of thickness. All the applications seem to check the work of the borer. The Paris green and whitewash, sprayed with force, and the thick whitewash, seem to give the best results. I applied the whitewash and Paris green twice, the whitewash once. I have been told that this borer is known as the Elm-tree Bark-borer, and I notice that they seem to attack peach trees standing near forest trees, more frequently." — Capt. James Sheppard. The Peach Bark-borer, and the Elm Bark-borer (Hyhsinus opaculus, Lee), although atone time thought to be identical, are entirely distinct, as can be seen at once by exam- ining the antennas. In the case of the former, the club of the antenna; is composed of three separate flattened joints or plates opening like the leaves of a book : although very small, these are easily distinguishable when the insect is moving. In the Elm Bark- borer the club is slightly compressed, ringed, pubescent and oval pointed. This mistake was first made by Dr. Harris many years ago, and was repeated by subsequent writers until attention was drawn to it by Mr. E. A. Schwarz, of the Department of Agricul- ture at Washington, who has made a special study of the Scolytidce, and who has examined the specimens upon which Dr. Harris based his statements. The above extracts show that a certain amount of success has attended all of these experiments ; and, although some important facts have been found out with regard to the life history of this serious enemy of the peach, particularly as to the early date when the beetles are active and the comparatively long time before the eggs are laid in the spring, yet further investigations are necessary to discover the best treatment and the most suitable remedy. Arrangements have been made for further experiments next season. From the work of Mr. C. L. Marlatt, in fighting the San Jose Scale, as detailed in Insect Life, VII., page 116, it would appear that coal oil emulsion of a much greater strength than was tried in Mr. Fisher's orchard, may be applied with safety to peach trees, and it is just possible that the death of Mr. Fisher's trees may have been due to 216 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. some other cause than, the applications made to destroy the borers. He has kindly con- sented to take up the investigation again next spring. There is no doubt that this is a difficult insect to control, and the usual recom- mendation has been, in cases of bad attack, to cut down the trees and burn them. It see • s to me, however, that less heroic measures will be found to meet the case ; for, although this pest is very destructive in certain parts of the orchards in the Queens- ton district, a great many of the trees are only slightly attacked and the whole-ale destruction of them would entail much unnecessary loss. I believe that frequent ap- plications of weak insecticidal or preventive washe-, perseveringly made at regular intervals from the beginning of March to the end of May, and again when the beetles appear in July and August, would prove effective. The greatest success may be expected from ordinary Kerosene emulsion (Riley- Hubbard formula), reduced with 15 parts of water, linseed oil, whitewash and Paris green, enough of the latter to give the wash a green tinge ; whitewash and carbolic acid, one ounce to a pailful of wash ; and particularly the ordinary " Saunders Wash, " which consists of soft soap reduced to the consistence of thick paint by the addition of a satu- rated solution of washing soda in water. If applied during the morning of a warm day,this will dry in a few hours, and form a tenacious coating not easily dissolved by rain. As a preventive wash, this has been found excellent upon young apple trees, and should be applied to all fruit trees as a regular horticultural method every year. It could not injure even young peach trees. I believe that a satisfactory remedy for the Peach Bark- borer will depend largely on beginning operations early enough in the spring. Our present knowledge of the subject would indicate the 1st of March to be about the proper date. Since the above was written, the following important communication from G. 0. Snow, New York, to the American Agriculturist has appeared in their issue of January 5, 1895 :— " Experience with the Shot-hole Peach borer. " Two years ago I had several peach trees infested with the Shot-hole borer of the peach, strong, well-loaded early Orawfords. Under directions given by Dr. Lintner I applied kerosene with an atomizer twice thoroughly , the object being to get the kero- sene in the holes as far as possible. The application was from the ground up to and as far on the large branches as the beetles were at work. The trunk was saturated. The kerosene, apparently, did not kill the beetles or injure the trees. There were five in- fested. However, one tree ripened its fruit prematurely, presenting all the characte- ristics of the yellows, except habit of growth. That tree died in the fall, I believe, from the damage by the beetles, the other trees ripened their fruit at the proper time, but it was of no flavour or value, though fairly good in appearance. These trees came out as well as ever the next spring and are in fine health yet. Some other trees were slightly affected at that time. Since then I have had no trouble from the attacks of the beetles. I wash all trees thoroughly in the spring with the usual material, with the addition of carbolic acid." THE SPOTTED PARIA. (Paria sex-notata, Say, Fig. 17). Attack. — Small, shining brown beetles, shaped as in the figure — £ of an inch in length ; varying much in colour and markings, but in the commonest form having honey -yellow wing-cases, each bearing two large black blotches ; ■p. "i7_The thorax reddish brown ; eyes black ; legs yellow. In many specimens the Spotted Paria, markings cover the greater part of the wing-cases ; and in some, not only life size and the wing-cases, but the thorax as well, is entirely black. All of these enlarged. varieties occur together on the same plant. The attacks reported this year have been only on raspberries, but occasionally the strawberry also is injured. The damage is done early in the season at the time of the bursting of the buds of the raspberry, and is frequently serious. REPORT 0I< THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST. 217 Depredations by this insect have been reported to me many times during the past three or four years ; but I have held the matter back, hoping to be able to work out the life history. So far, however, I have been unable to obtain eggs or any definite informa- tion in Canada, except with regard to its injuries. An interesting account of Paria ater- rima, Oliv., which seems to be extremely similar if not identical with this species, occurs in Prof. Porbes's Insects affecting the Strawberry, 1883 ; but as there are certain dates in that account, that I cannot reconcile with our Canadian observations, I had hoped to obtain material to breed the species through all its stages and compare them : but so far I have been unsuccessful. If Paria sex-notata proves really to be a distinct species from Paria aterrima, there is little doubt that, like that of the latter, as described by Forbes and Cook, the larva feeds on the roots of strawberries and raspberries. Atten- tion is drawn to this insect now at the request of some of the members of the Fruit- Grow ers' Association of Ontario. The Spotted Paria does not attack the raspberry alone; for in 1874 Mr. John McGrady, of Gatineau Point, Que., suffered a disastrous attack upon his strawberry beds, many of the plants having the leaves completely devour- ed and the crop ruined. It was found that hellebore was quite useless against the enemy, and later experience has shown that much stronger poisons are necessary against this beetle than for many others. The beetles appeared suddenly and dis- appeared again as suddenly about ten days later. For three seasons past, the Spotted Paria has been the cause of much loss in some raspberry plantations in the Grimsby, Ont., district. On May 1st, Mr. Linus Woolverton wrote: — "I send you some speci- mens of a little beetle occurring here in large numbers in our raspberry plantations eating up all the buds. Please say what it is and prescribe a remedy. We fear some plantations will have no fruit left." The following letters from Mr. Martin Burrell, of St. Catharines, Ont., a careful experimenter and successful fruit-grower, will show how difficult an insect this is to combat : — " May 13, 1891. — Will you kindly give me the name and general habits of the in- closed beetles 1 My raspberry canes are literally infested with them and I think I am not overstating when I say that one-half of the buds have been eaten and nearly all the young leaves punctured. "Their very objectionable method of work seems somewhat similar to that of the Grape-vine Flea-beetle, but this, apparently is no flea as far as jumping goes ; for, when detected, he immediately turns over on his back and rolls on to the ground curculio fashion. I sprayed my patch yesterday morning at the rate of 2 ounces of Paris green to 40 gallons of water, but the beetles are still in great force ; though possibly 24 hours is not long enough for the poison to take effect. Some blackberry canes adjoining the raspberry patch are scarcely touched by them." " May 2G, 1891. — Many thanks for your kind letter of the 16th inst., identifying the Paria beetle for me. They are most troublesome, and were apparently quite as cheerfully active after two sprayings with Paris green as before. I have given them a third spraying — 4 ounces to 40 gallons — and even this did not completely rout them, tho' a slight rain 24 hours after spraying may have prevented the poison doing its work fully. The raspberry canes are so far advanced now, however, that I fancy the beetles can do little harm, unless in the way of providing another crop of the pests for 1892." "Dec. 30, 1891. — I found that Paria sex-notata, which you kindly identified for me, very difficult to destroy ; the little villains very seriously injured my raspberry crop and it would certainly take as much as 4 ounces of Paris green to 40 gallons of water to affect them." "Feb. 17, 1892. — With regard to your inquiry as to my spraying for the Paria- beetle last year, I find in my note book : — " Mav 11. — Sprayed raspberries for beetle with 2 ounces of Paris green to 40 gallons of water. "May 14. — Beetles still thick ; only found two dead. Sprayed again 3 oz. to 40 gallons, comparatively ineffective. " May 20.— Sprayed again 4 to 40, as the beetles were still very thick.' 218 EX PE RIM EXT A L FA RMS. " I find that rain fell 24 hours after the last spraying and I presume partially de- stroyed its efficacy. I cannot find that I sprayed again, but my impression is that even this dose did not completely fix things ; but by this time I think the leaves had pushed on so far that the beetles could not do much damage. As to the effect pn my crop, I am perfectly safe in saying that at least one-third of the crop was destroyed, in many cases every bud on the cane being eaten out. I found that the beetles were generally very shy and wary, on being approached, running to the edge of the leaf and rolling off, or else turning over "on their backs and simulating death." " May 20, 1892. — My old enemy, Paria sex-notata, has revisited me this spring in greater numbers than ever. I sprayed with Paris green 4 ounces to 40 gallons, but tha foe still bobbed up serenely. To give you some idea of the damage it has done me this year, I may state that out of a quarter of an acre of raspberries not a score of canes have leafed out. I am not the only victim t his year, as several of my neighbours have been seriously injured by the beetles ; I strongly suspect that their canes were more or less injured last year, but they do not seem to have been aware of the existence of the beetle, and some even this year failed to attribute the damage to the right cause. Where the patches are badly affected, I have advised taking out root and branch and burning, and presume this to be the best course. Do you know how many eggs the beetle lays 1 Or have you in any way traced out its life history 1 " I might mention that I found one specimen eating a grape vine bud. Is this new to you V Mr. John Craig, the Horticulturist of the Central Experimental Farm, found this insect early in May last injuriously abundant in raspberry plantations on the road between Hamilton and Grimsby. Mr. Adolphus Pettit, of Grimsby, stated that it was in great numbers on a neigh- bour's raspberries, working on the unopened buds and young leaves, and it occurred on many other fruit farms. Remedies. — The Grimsby fruit growers were recommended to dust the bushes at once with Paris green and slaked lime, or some other quite dry powder, 1 pound of the former to 25 pounds of the latter. This mixture is easiest applied by putting it into a bag of cheese cloth and shaking or tapping it over the bushes. Of course, if this can be done when there is a dew, it is so much the better. Owing to the difficulty of destroying these beetles with poisons and the small quantity of foliage on raspberry bushes at the time of attack, per- haps the most practical remedy will be found to be beating the insects off into a beating net, a light wooden frame with cotton stretched lightly between the side pieces (Fig. 18), and then destroying them by throwing them into some vessel holding water with a little coal oil on the top. An easy plan for collecting them is to hold an open and inverted umbrella beneath the canes when beating them, and then brush the insects out into the coal oil pan. In a import which Mr. Woolverton has been kind enough to send me on the injuries to fruit crops by insects during 1894, he says : — " Tho Spotted Paria was very troublesome about Grimsby this spring, eating out the buds of the raspberry, and thus materially reducing the .gt op. I have made public the remedy you prescribe, and it will be tried faithfully next season by our growers. I shall be obliged to any fruit grower who, next season, will notify me promptly of the occurrence of this insect on its first appearance, and send me living specimens for study. Fig. 18.— Beating net. REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST. 219 THE APIAEY. In the autumn of 1893 arrangements were made, in response to several represen- tations made to the Honourable Minister of Agriculture, to institute an Apiary at the Central Experimental Farm. At that time, 10 swarms of the Common Black Bee were pur- chased. In the spring of 1894 a suitable space was chosen near to the house of Mr. John Fixter, the farm foreman, who had some experience in the "care of bees, and who un- dertook the practical management of the apiary. He has had the sole charge of the bees during the season, and has carried out most carefully with the assistance of his brother, Mr. George Fixter, such experiments as I considered it wise to undertake the first year. I beg to acknowledge gratefully much assistance and valuable advice re- ceived from Mr. R. F. Holtermann, of the Goold, Shapley & Muir Co., Limited, Brant- ford, and Editor of the Canadian Bee Journal. In consulting with Mr. Holtermann as to the most useful experiments which could be undertaken with such swarms as we had and under the existing circumstances in our apiary (with which he was well informed) he was good enough, not only to suggest a useful line of experiments to compare the different kinds of foundation comb used by beekeepers in the Dominion, but himself to prepare the foundations for these experiments. On receipt, these specimens of foundation comb were kindly weighed accurately by Mr. Frank T. Shutt, the Chemist of the Dominion Experimental Farms, and then at the end of the season were again weighed after the honey was extracted. Mr. Shutt has been good enough to prepare a report submitted herewith on these comparative weigh- ings, and has drawn some deductions therefrom which will be read with interest. I also submit an interesting report on the management of the apiary by Mr. Fixter. The two Italian queens referred to, which were substituted for two of our own, were of a race procured from Mr. Holtermann, of which he says : " They are of a set very light in colour which are at present so freely praised on one side, and on the other as freely condemned. It would be a good experiment to try them at Ottawa for wintering as well as for worker qualities next season." The annual meeting of the County of Russell Bee-keepers' Association was held on October 16, at Chard, Ontario. This meeting was attended by Mr. Fixter, and he gave an account of the work being carried on with bees at the Central Experimental Farm, which was listened to with pleasure and interest. We have now in the apiary 20 hives of bees, and preparations have been made for repeating the experiments undertaken this year with foundation combs, with different bee-fodder plants, and as to the best method of preventing injury of the bee-moth. I append herewith reports prepared at my request by Messrs. Fixter and Shutt. REPORT OF MR. JOHN FIXTER First steps were taken in the Bee department in the autumn of 1893, when several swarms were purchased. They were weighed in the autumn before being put into the cellar, and again in the spring of 1894. In spring they weighed on an average 20 lbs. less per colony ; this reduction is considered large and resulted from the temper- ature of the cellar being very low during the winter which necessitated the bees con- suming more honey than if the cellar had been a few degrees warmer. Duiing Novem- ber and December, 1893, the temperature varied from 34 to 38 degrees Fahr. ; during January,1894, 32° to 34°; February, 32° tu 34°; March 38° to 40°; April 1st to 12th, 40° to 48°. • These temperatures are considered too low; from 40° to 46° has been found the best temperature for the whole winter. On April 12th, 1894, the bees began to get uneasy, and, the weather being very fine, they were taken out of the cellar and placed on the summer stands. The first ten days they gathered pollen very freely ; after that a very 220 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. cold wet period set in and lasted several days, when it was found necessary to feed several of the swarms with syrup (2 parts of granulated sugar and 1 part of water) put moderately warm into a Miller feeder and fed in the evening. Swarming began June 14th. The increase in the number of colonies was very small, and the honey flow of the past season has been poor, not only in the Ottawa district, but in many parts of Ontario and Quebec ; several bee-keepers have stated that the past season has been the poorest for many years. The apiary on the farm gave an average of 23J lbs. of honey per colony. There was very little honey gathered from clover this season, the bees made most of their store from the basswood (or American Linden) and the honey did not increase in weight after the basswood ceased to flower. No honey was gathered by our bees from buckwheat, as there are no fields of this crop Avithin several miles of the farm. In the experimental work with foundation combs, the following swarms were selected for the experiment : No. 20 was a swarm that came off a colony of Com- mon Black Bees on June 23 and weighed 9 lbs.; No. 21 was partly Italian and partly Common Black Bees, both swarming together on June 24 ; the weight of this swarm was 9ijf lbs. On August 4th two thoroughbred Italian Queens were presented to the farm by Mr. Holtermann to be introduced into the apiary. Two hives of Common Black Bees were selected that had a good quantity of honey and brood, with young bees just coming out. The old queens and 12 workers with each, were first taken from the swarms and put into a cage, until it was found that the Italian queens had been accepted by the swarms. The Italian queens were introduced as soon as the old queens were taken away, the cage being placed lengthwise on the top of two frames of honey and brood, the bees being allowed to eat their way through about one inch of honey and sugar before the queens could get out. Drone ti'aps were placed at the entrance, so that if the queens attempted to leave, or if any attempt was made to carry them out, they would be easily seen. Both swarms took kindly to their new queens, and 27 days afterwards young Italian workers were noticed. September 24th : the hives were all weighed and several were found to be short of stores to carry them through the winter. All hives that did not weigh 50 pounds were fed, September 27th, with a syrup, two parts of sugar and one of water, fed moderately warni, in the evening, in a Miller feeder; 6 swarms before being fed weighed 214f lbs., and were given 116 lbs. of syrup. In 18 days afterwards they were weighed again and weighed 297 lbs., making 33f pounds less weight than was fed. On November 9th the hives were all weighed again, immediately before being put into the cellar. These same six swarms weighed 286 pounds, being 11 pounds less than on October 12th. This experi- ment indicates that a person feeding should allow about one-third more syrup than the weight required to make up each hive to 50 pounds. The temperature of the cellar, November 9-30, 1894, varied from 40° to 44°F. REPORT UPON AN EXPERIMENT WITH SOME BRANDS OF "FOUNDATION," BY FRANK T SHUTT, M.A., F.I.C., F.C.S. Wax, like honey, is a true secretion and not a material gathered by the bees, special cells or glands having for their function its production. It differs from honey, how- ever, in its formation in certain particulars. Honey would appear to be the result of the action of a diastase or ferment, produced by certain cells in the bee, upon the cane sugar contained in the nectar gathered from flowers. Wax is manufactured, so to speak, in the bee, and is the result of the physiological function of certain glands, as already stated. Wax, therefore, is produced at the expense of the honey or sugar (as the case may be) consumed by the bee. Thus Dumas and Milne-Edwards found that bees fed with 500 grammes of sugar produced 30 grammes of wax, the same weight of honey only yielding 20 grammes. It would also appear that although pollen is not absolutely necessary to the production of wax, its consumption by the bees greatly re- duces the amount of honey or sugar otherwise required (Berlepsch). From this it is evident that wax is secreted, primarily at the expense of the tissue and, secondarily, of the food consumed. REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST. 221 In supplying " foundation " to the bees, the object is to save much of this expendi- ture, and thus allow the bees more time and energy for the production of honey. The primary object of the present series of experiments, as suggested by Mr. Hol- termann, was to ascertain the relative ease with which the various foundations tested were drawn out and used by the bees ; it, naturally, being held that those would be the most profitable which were utilized in this way to the greatest extent by the bees, or, in other words, those to which the least wax was added by the bees in building the comb. It will be seen that other and perhaps more important results have been inci- dentally obtained. The experiments were conducted as follows : — The frames were tilled with the various foundations under test, and the exact weight of two inches square, noted. At the close of the season a similar area of two inches square was cut out of the centre of the full comb, the caps of the cells carefully removed and the honey, was extracted with the extractor and finally by successive exhaustions with cold water. The empty honey-comb was finally allowed to dry in the air and was weighed. The following tables give in consecutive form the data obtained and the averages therefrom. Experiments with Various Brands of " Foundation," 1894. be (3 s gram- Found- inches gram- ,x add- 38, per quare. ®T3 to ® C ® Name of Wax and Mill. &c£ b b -£ «<-■ = „ ® ,J= O c \ b 1? b"*1 & > B c3 re -B K" ® £ w a, in •r- s O 00 CSS B* O 3 O re Qj ®l_3 89 F. l ill ►£ B ®s* i\\t' 1 u I while those of the Russian Thistle are thread-like and fleshy. When ripe, the seeds of the former are lens-shaped, black and highly polished, not more than ^ of an inch in diameter, while those of the latter are shaped as in the figure, dull gray and nearly \ of an inch in their greatest length. Some other western weeds have attracted attention by their aggressiveness during the past season. Mr. A. Mac- kay writes from Indian Head : — " I can safely say thai one half of this farm was literally covered with plants of the Tumble Mustard, Sisymbrium sinapistrum, Crantz, blown in from adjacent farms on November 14, last. By good luck, the greater part of this was fallowed last summer, and I hope not many plants will appear next year in the crop. In 1893 there was not a plant in this whole lot. This year when % we ploughed the field for the first time it was a mass of young stem before the flower- nower, and the plants were so thick that every toot was ing period, natural size and a covered with the weed. The tree plots, garden plots and single seed enlarged. all places of that nature were filled up, and continued so till the frost came. Of course, we ploughed, hoed, scuffled, as each new crop came up, and kept them from going to seed. But with fresh importations from the same quarter this fall, I have no doubt there will be plenty again next year. All our crops had more or less plants in them. We pulled them whenever it was practicable ; but some places were so bad that we did not touch them until the grain was ripe. The plant is easily killed by fallowing the land, but it is spreading fast in the direction of the pre- vailing winds. Our council has power to cause the destruction of this weed, and likely will take steps the coming year to do so. If something is not done soon, this whole country will be overrun. Russian Thistle has not made its appearance here yet, and I hope it will not ; but, as a weed, it is not any worse than our own tumble weed. " There is another member of the Mustard family which is just getting a footing in the North-west Territories as a noxious weed, i. e., Erysimum orientate, R. Br., which has been sent to me by Mr. Mackay, from two or three localities in the same district, and from Beulah, Manitoba. Mr. Mackay says under date of August 29 : " The weed Erysimum orientate is not on the farm, but is found five miles from here, and has caused consider- able loss to the farmer on whose place it has obtained a foothold. I think it is only 8c— 15 226 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. on this one farm, and has been there for six or seven years. I send you seeds, young plants just starting and full grown specimens, all collected together." This plant is a slender branching annual with grayish green succulent leaves, on the stem oblong oval in shape and clasping at the base : the root leaves are spatulate, more elongated and not clasping at base. The flowers are small, of a creamy white, and borne at the tips of the branches ; they are followed by square pods sometimes three inches in length, containing rather large blackish seeds. From what we know of this plant, there is every indica- tion that it may develop into a troublesome weed, and it requires to be watched. This remark also applies to two other members of the Mustard family, which are every year becoming more abundant, Neslia paniculata, Desv., and False flax (Camelina saliva, Crantz). The name given in English books for this weed is " Hare's Ear Mustard," Perennial Sowthistle, Field Sow-thistle (Sonchus arvensis, L.). There are, I believe, in the older portions of Canada few noxious plants which are spreading more rapidly and doing more harm than the Perennial Sow-thistle. It is alarmingly abundant through the province of Quebec and throughout the Maritime Provinces. It is a perennial with strong underground stems, which spread out a long distance from the centre. The leaves cover the ground closely and choke out the crop among which the plant grows. The flowering stems, about three feet in height, have no leaves towards the top, where they bear three or four large yellow flowers, which are conspicuously glandular hairy outside and on the footstalks. The seeds are provided with a copious pappus of pure white silky down, by means of which they are blown long distances. At the time the small grains are in flower or a little later, this plant is easily detected in a crop, from the flowers generally standing up a few inches above the grain. As soon as the conspicuous flowers are seen, every stem as well as the rosette like tuft of leaves around the base of the main stem, should be pulled. This can easily be done at this season, and as soon as the crop is harvested, the stubble should be ploughed. I am informed by Prof. E. A. Barnard, of Quebec, that in some places this plant is so abundant as to have acquired the name of Creves-yeux (Hard on the eyes) from the necessity of covering the face with a veil when threshing grain to keep the particles of down out of the eyes. "When this plant is once noticed in a piece of land, every effort should be made to eradicate it, and this requires the greatest care and perseverance. REPORT OF THE POULTRY MANAGER. (A. G. Gilbert.) To William Saunders, Esq., Director Dominion Experimental Farms, Ottawa. Sir, — I have the honour to submit to you the seventh annual report of the Poultry Department. Among the subjects treated, with a view to the winter production of eggs, are : — 1. Different rations and their constituents. 2. Rations within easy reach of the farmer. 3. When and how to feed the rations. 4. The essentials necessary to success/ The Diseases of Poultry and their treatment, also receive some attention. During the year meetings were attended at Manotick, Hensall (2), Dashwood (2), Wingham (2), Harrow (2), Toronto, Richmond and Cornwall (2), in the province of Ontario, and at Aylruer, P.Q., on two occasions. At these places 16 addresses were delivered on the proper care and management of poultry. I have to acknowledge the reception of settings of eggs, kindly presented to the Department by the following : — 1 setting White Leghorns (Wychoff strain), from Mr. A. A. L. Jack, Chateau- guay Basin, P.Q. 1 setting White Leghorns from Mr. A. G. Brown, Watford, Ont. 1 setting Barred Plymouth Rock eggs from Mr. A. Flawn, London, Ont. The experimental work and results are given in report. One result obtained, worthy of particular note, was that from the careful treat- ment of the hens during their moult. As the moulting period approached the hens were put on a generous diet, similar to that given for egg production. With a free run in the fields and the treatment mentioned, the yearling hens, followed by the two-year- old stock, were first over their moult and as a result 538 eggs were had during December, most of which were laid by them. The unusually mild weather in December was no doubt a factor also, but the fine appearance and condition of the stock were too decided to leave any doubt, as to the benefits of care, good feeding, and housing of young stock. As a rule the laying stock of the farmer receive no particular attention at their moult, and most of them are kept until they are too old. T am, sir, your obedient servant, A. G. GILBERT, Manager Poultry Department. 8c— 15^ 228 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. RATIONS. During the past year careful consideration has been given to, and observation made of, the effect of varied rations in producing eggs in the different seasons. Per- haps closer observation was made during the winter season — the period of artificial ex- istence— with the object of producing eggs, at as little cost as possible at the time when they are highest in price. The substance of these observations will be found in the following pages. It is obvious that the cheaper the cost of production the greater will be the margin of profit, and if we can have this cheap food easily available, so much more beneficial will it be to the farmer and poultryman. It may be like going over old ground to discuss the subject again, but it is one of very great importance, and in which every year makes some important difference and all in the way of ad- vancement. Again, more importance attaches to the subject, because the procuring of a cheap and effective egg-producing food, for winter use, has lately engaged the at- tention of leading scientists and practical poultrymen in Great Britain and this con- tinent to a greater extent than ever before. Among the leading authorities in England, who have given the subject their attention during the past twelve months is Mr. R. Warrington, a chemist, who says in an article on " poultry and poultry rations " in the Agricultural Gazette of London : — " The winter production of eggs and the rearing of early spring chickens, so that the highest prices may be realized in each case, is not made the subject of careful study. " The Hen an important factor. And in order to make good his contention he gives the following figures. He says : — " A good cow may produce in a year six times her weight of milk, with a calf in addition. If we take the cow as weighing 1,000 lbs., we have in the salable product about 800 lbs of dry matter, containing 36*8 lbs. nitrogen. Hens of good laying breeds, weighing 1,000 lbs., will in the same time lay 6,000 lbs. of eggs, the contents of which will include 1,404 lbs. of dry matter contain- ing 120 lbs. nitrogen. " In corroboration of this statement, Mr. M. G. Gillikins, an- other authority, shows in a table prepared by him that taking the Hamburg hen as a layer of 200 eggs per annum, that she will in that number of eggs lay 6-40 times her live weight. He puts the Spanish and Leghorn next with 190 or 150 eggs each, or 4-22 times their weight. "This goes to show, " he says "that in the year of their best production, viz., the second year, the best laying breeds will furnish five to six times their weight in eggs. " Thus we have two good authorities arriving at the same con- clusions, which go to show that the hen is being recognized by leading authorities as an important factor in agriculture. Returning to Mr. Warrington and how to feed the hen, he says : " that since cows milk is much richer in nitrogen than the carcass of an animal, so the food supplied to cows should be of a specially nitrogenous character. The argument ", he says, " has still greater weight in the case of the hen, as we have seen that her production in the same.time from the same body weight contains three and a quarter times as much nitrogen as that of the cow. " It will be interesting to consider some of the best egg producing rations within easy reach of the farmer. DIFFERENT FOODS. Rations within easy reach op the Farmer, the Dairyman and Market Gardener What should be aimed at, and what has been sought after in the poultry depart- ment is to have an effective and cheap ration. What is required is a well balanced REPORT 0*' THE POULTRY MANAGER. 229 ration. Col. T. D. Bliss, in Hoard's Dairyman, gives the following list of foods and their description : — Highly Nitrogenous Foods — Skimmed milk, buttermilk, cotton seed cake, linseed meal, rape cake, malt sprouts, brewer's grains, sunflower seeds, hempseed cake, red clover before bloom, young pasture clover, rich pasture grass, lucerne before bloom ; flaxseed, pea-meal. Foods with an excess of Carbonaceous Matter. — Cream, oat bran, corn bran, wheat middlings, corn, buckwheat grain, oats, barley, rye, carrots, sugar beets, potatoes, corn cobs, ensilage, fodder rye. The following are given as useful forms of food for poultry : — Cow's milk, barley middlings, buckwheat bran, barley bran, rye bran, coarse wheat bran, cotton seed, millet, wheat, turnips, cabbage, white clover, red clover, and alsike. Suitable for both the Dairy Cow and the Hen. In the list will be noticed cow's milk, wheat, turnips, red clover, cabbage, wheat bran and buckwheat bran, all of which are more or less available on a farm, particularly where cows are kept in any number. Indeed, the objection may be raised to the vegetable and some of the other materials named, on the ground that they are intended more for cows than hens. But it is a point in favour of the poultry department, that the food which is best suited to the dairy cow is also the best for the laying hens. As a matter of fact much of the waste of the dairy may be utilized as most suitable food in the hennery. In the first report issued by the Experimental Farm Poultry Department will be found the statement " that milk dealers and market gardeners are most favour- ably situated, as regards the disposal of new laid eggs in winter at the highest figures, for they are among the best people in the city every day." That remark, perhaps, more particularly applied to the opportunities for obtaining high prices, but it is gratifying to find that the dairyman is still more favourably situated, inasmuch that the waste material, or at ^ny rate the material that he has in abundance in his establishment, is one of the best rations for poultry. The waste of the market gardeners, in the shape of unmarketable vegetables, &c, &c, is suitable as good food for egg production. Cow's Milk. As to cow's milk, not long since, I had a letter from a gentleman in the province of Quebec, who asked, " if milk is a satisfactory food for hens, as he had plenty of it 1 " He was answered that it was not only good for his laying hens, but one of the best rations to make his young chickens grow rapidly and vigorously. Again, a leading authority on dairying in the same province wrote me, " If you think milk can be used to good advantage in the poultry department, you will do well by advocating its use, for we are having a large number of dairies started, and there will be plenty of it to spare." As in the previous case, answer was returned that it was one of the best foods for both fowls and chickens. TOO MUCH GRAIN AND ITS EFFECTS. The experience of the past seven years goes to show that a great deal too much grain is fed. A farmer writes : " I feed my hens all the grain they can eat and yet they do not lay." It is generally the case that when grain is made the sole feed, the result is fat rather than eggs, and as is frequently stated in our reports, " a fat hen will not be a laying one." No doubt in the case mentioned above the farmer fed alto- gether too much grain. It must be recognized that fat is a disease in the laying stock. It has been stated in a previous report that the laying gtock require, while confined to winter quarters, to be supplied with all the materials necessary to make the shell as well as the egg. In other words that the hen, in winter quarters must be supplied 230 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. artificially with what she can pick up for herself while running at large. If grain is constantly fed the first intimation given will be an egg laid with a thin shell. This is a hint that there is not enough egg shell forming material in the ration, or in other words that your ration is not well balanced. It is also noticed that if your stock is composed of Asiatics such as Brahmas, Langshans, Cochins, &c, &c, that they are get- ting too fat. And if the hint is disregarded, the egg shells will become rapidly thinner, until an egg is laid without any shell at all. Sometimes eggs with thin shells, or with- out shells, are laid as the result of too much " stimulating," such as the inordinate use of red pepper, or condition powders " warranted to make hens lay." Clover Hay. Mr. P. H. Jacobs, a chemist and poultry breeder, who has given the subject a good deal of study, says : — " One hundred grains of lime are needed to make a strong shell on each egg, and as 1,000 lbs. of wheat or corn contain less than a pound of lime, the hen cannot get the lime she requires to make a strong shell. We actually require a ton of wheat to furnish iirne enough for ten dozen of eggs." The same authority says that there is thirty times as much lime in white clover as there is in the same quantity of wheat, and twenty-eight times as much in red clover. He goes so far as to say that clover will supply "all the lime the hens require." While the latter statement cannot be fully endorsed by experience in our poultry department, there can be no doubt that it is an excellent ration while used with others. It is first cut into half-inch pieces by clover cutters, and steamed during the night by placing it in a pail and throwing boiling water over it ; covering the pail and leaving it until morning. The laying stock in our poultry-house did not take to it when given to them by itself, but eat it readily when mixed with shorts and bran, and which without doubt, made a splendid and effective morning ration. While on this subject it might be as well to quote the statement of the late Mr. F. A. Mortimer, of Pottsville, Pa., who kept over 2,000 pure-bred fowls, and who said two years ago in regard to clover "that had he known of the clover hay food for hens, four years ago, (1888), he could have saved $1,000 and that since he began to feed it that he got more eggs and found fewer sick hens." Mr. Mortimer is credited with being one of the most scientific feeders of his day. Another authority also, a chemist and editor says : — " There is no ready substitute for clover hay as a poultry food. It is not only rich in nitrogen, lime, sulphur, phosphoric acid, magnesia and soda, but also abounds in potash and carbon. Balanced ivith a small quantity of grain, the heat and warmth of the body is secured, and the elements of egg production provided. It is easily digested and avoids over-fattening, the great scourge of the farmer and poultryman." Observation has led to the conclusion, that while wheat is undoubtedly the best all round, or best balanced grain food, that if fed entirely alone produces fat rather than eggs, particularly in the case of the heavy breeds, but when balanced with red or white clover hay is a good egg producer, and both have the merit of being easily obtained. Cow's milk, while not in great abundance on every farm is generally so with dairy- men. It is a good food for poultry, skimmed, sour, or in the shape of buttermilk. Vegetables are in good supply on almost every farm, and particularly so with market gardeners. So we have among our well balanced foods articles of diet within easy reach of the farmer. Cut Green Bones. Not many years ago the orthodox rations for laying stock were grain, vegetables, gravel to grind up the food and lime to make shell, with an occasional warm mash in the morning. Now the three great factors in egg production are cut green bones, green food with grain in moderate quantity, and exercise. The recognition of the poultry de- partment, as an important revenue-producing branch of agriculture, has led to the study of the best means to produce the egg, or, fatten the chicken at the least possible cost, REPORT OF THE POULTRY MANAGER. 231 and the result has been the adoption of green bones as the principal factor in egg pro- duction, because it is the nearest approach to a perfect food yet put within the reach of the poultry-keeper. It is understood that we are treating of fowls which live an arti- ficial existence for several months of the year and which are expected to produce during that period the high price egg. No hens lay as well, as when running at large and en- joying a thoroughly natural existence in summer. The aim of the true poultry-keeper is, to as nearly approach as possible these natural conditions in the winter housing and treatment of his laying stock, and he who iuost successfully does so reaps the richest reward. It is evident that by finding out what the egg is composed of and feeding those constituents, that we are more likely to get the egg. The authorities quoted from, tell us that lime, nitrogen and phosphoric acid, are among the important constituents of eggs. From the same authorities we learn that green bones are rich in albumen, phos- phoric acid and phosphate of lime ; hence their value as an egg producing food, and their cost is a minimum one. At our poultry department the green bones are delivered by the butcher, — while serving other customers with meat, — at one cent per pound. "We are now met with the difficulty as to how the average farmer can procure this food. If the cost is not too much he can purchase a Canadian-made bone mill for fifteen dollars. The ques- tion of cost, is no doubt a serious one to the individual farmer, but it can be made com- paratively light by a number clubbing together to purchase a small machine and so arrang- ing that it can be used in turn. Or, place a larger one in a creamery or cheese factory, where there is always power and when the farmer brings his milk he can bring the bones and have them cut up. It takes but a short time to cut up enough bones to feed 50 or 100 hens, once a day, or three times per week. It is but reasonable to antici- pate, that when the demand for this food becomes general the large butchering estab- lishments, or abattoirs, will cut up the waste bone, and supply the farmers with it, at a moderate figure, say one cent per pound. Cut green bones should be fed in the ratio of one pound to every sixteen laying hens. Other Egg-producing Rations. Should it be difficult or impossible to procure cut green bones, the heads, livei's and lights of animals killed on the farm may be used, after being well boiled. In some poultry districts no part of an animal that will make clean, wholesome food is allowed to go to waste. This boiled food may be fed separately, or cut up into fine pieces and mixed with ground grains, so as to make a warm moi'ning mash, which should always be fed in a crumbly condition. In such a case, or, indeed in any case, the table and kitchen waste can always be utilized in the warm morning mash. Lime for shell, and the necessary grit, will have to be supplied. The afternoon ration will be a liberal one of grain. Rations might be arranged as follows to meet almost every case. Ration 1. Morning. — Boiled heads, livers, lights, &c, cut up fine and mixed with shorts, bran, cut clover hay, provender, ground oats, and table and kitchen waste with a modi- cum of black or red pepper dusted in. Pour boiling water over the whole, and allow it to stand until so cool that it can be held in the hand without difficulty. Feed this in a " crumbly '" state and in such quantity as to barely satisfy, not to gorge. Follow this by throwing a handful of grain in the straw, or other litter on the floor, so as to start the hens scratching. Noon. — A small quantity of grain, say oats, to be thrown in the floor litter to keep hens busy. Afternoon. — This last daily ration must be fed before it is too dark, and should be given in such quantity as to fill the crops of the layers, for they have a long night fast before them. Wheat or buckwheat is best. The foregoing ration ought to suit those who cannot get cut green bones. In such a case lime is best supplied in the shape of ground oyster shells, old mortar, &c. 232 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Ration 2. Morning. — Cut green bones in quantity of 5 lbs. to every fifteen hens. Follow as in previous ration, by throwing a little grain in the floor litter to keep hens busy. Noon. — Scatter a little more grain to keep hens going. Afternoon. — Send layers to roost with crops full of wheat or buckwheat. Ration 3. Morning. — Ground corn, ground oats, bran in proportion of 10 lbs. each ; linseed meal 1 lb. ; salt 1 oz. Mix this intimately and put 1 quart of it into a bucketful of dry cut clover hay, or any kind of cut hay and mix with boiling water. This is calcu- lated for thirty laying hens ; enlarge to suit a greater number. Noon. — As directed in previous rations. Keep the hens active, but do not over- feed at this time. Afternoon. — Give a liberal grain ration, for reasons given. Ration 4. Morning. — Two quarts bran ; one quart middlings ; one quart cornmeal ; half pint oil meal. Mix four pounds of this with 16 lbs. small potatoes boiled and a small quantity of ground bone. Dust a little pepper in the mess. The foregoing will be enough for 100 hens. Noon and Afternoon. — Rations as in previous ones. Ration 5. Morning. — Small potatoes, turnips, or other vegetables boiled and mixed with one quart of cornmeal and the same quantity of bran, to which may be added the table and kitchen waste, and a couple of handsful of coarse sand, or fine gravel with a small quantity of ground bone. The whole fed warm for a morning ration offers variety. Noon and Afternoon. — Rations as dii'ected. Ration 6. Morning. — A correspondent gives the following in Farm^Poultry as a good winter egg-producing ration : 3 lbs. oatmeal, 1 lb. dried blood, 1 lb. cut green bone, 4 lbs. pea- meal, 1 quart skimmed milk. Enough for forty or fifty hens. Noon and Afternoon. — Rations as directed. Objection may be made to the last named, on the ground of expense, but there is plenty of room for choice in the other rations named. The Other Essentials Necessary. Green Food. — In every case vegetable or green food of some kind should be sup- plied. In previous reports the hanging of a cabbage from the ceiling of the hen-house to within three feet of the floor has been recommended as an excellent means of furnish- ing green food and exercise. And it certainly is so. Mr. D. J. Lambert, an authority on poultry matters, says : — " Green foods, as has been often said, are too sparingly given. The majority of poultry-keepers feed too much grain. Less grain and more grass should be the watchword. Cabbage, turnips, cut clover, onions, or anything of a vegetable nature, cheapens the cost of feeding, tends to keep the fowls more healthy, and that means increased egg production, and consequently more profit." It is a fact well known to poultrymen that hens and chickens enjoying free range will fill their crops nearly half full with grass and greens every day. REPORT OF THE POULTRY MANAGER. 233 Grit is another important essential. It is actually the hen's teeth. It should be always before the fowls, and may be supplied in the shape of gravel, sifted coal ashes, crushed oyster shells, broken stone or clear grit. There are several forms of grit substances sold for use of poultry men, all of which are good. Oyster shells are good for grit, also supplying lime for the egg shells. Exercise is another important factor, as has been already remarked, in making hens lay in winter. To keep the hens constantly active requires skilful managing and experi- ence. It is not so easy as may seem, at first glance. It is best secured by throwing the grain among straw, litter, or dry earth (which should be on the floor of the poultry- house) and feeding it as directed in ration No. 1. If dry earth or sand, is used on the floor instead of straw or other dry litter, the earth or sand must be raked over the grain, so as to keep the fowls busy searching for it. In report of last year a diagram of a building and shed attached for the laying stock to scratch in was given with full in- structions as to the best means of keeping the laying stock in activity. The Drink Water. — It has been urged in previous reports to have the temperature of the building, if at all possible, at such a figure (35° or 40°) that the water will not freeze. And where it does freeze the chill should be taken off before the layers are permitted to drink it. This should be done at lest three or four times daily. A con- stant supply of pure water is an important essential. A Comfortable House is another requisite to egg production. Experiment has proved that where the layers are kept in cold habitations, that the food instead of going into eggs will be drawn upon to supply animal heat. Experiment has also led to the conclusion that if the hens are kept comfortable at night so much the better will re- sults be. A room with a low roof or a screen, to be let down over the roosting place at night, might utilize the warmth from the bodies of the fowls. In some recently constructed poultry-houses, the room for roosting in, and that for feeding and exercis- ing in, are separate apartments. The Science of Feeding. The feeding of the laying stock, so as to ensure the best results at as little cost as possible, is a science. It has to be studied, and to be successfully practised an appren- ticeship has to be served, in order to gain the experience necessary. Hence you find intending poultry keepers in many cases taking positions in large poultry establishments in order to gain the knowledge or experience necessary to success. By the Experi- mental Earm system the best methods are found out, and the experience gained, is con- veyed to the farmers in the shape of reports and bulletins, so saving time and expense. The rations may be of the very best, and the good effect lost by a lack of knowledge how to feed them properly. The experience of the past eight years leads to the endorsation of the following, " On the proper method of feeding fowls," by Mr. A. F. Hunter, one of the leading poultrymen of the day, who says in Farm-Poultry : — A fowl should have an empty crop in the morning and a full one at night, and she should not fill it at one or two railway-restaurant-style of feeds, but should fill it a little at a time and be kept at work all day filling it. The work is as essential as the food itself. Next in importance to a well balanced ration is bodily activity and that bodily activity is best promoted by keeping the hen hunting for her food." And then follows instructions as to proper feed- ing similar to those given in my reports of 1889, 1890 and 1891. Concluding, Mr. Hunter says : — The very best way to feed fowls in winter, is to give them for breakfast a light feed of mash (as described). An hour later scatter three or four handsful of oats or barley, (in the straw litter) to start them scratching ; about eleven o'clock three or four more handsfull of barley or oats and more scratching ; about one o'clock a very light feed of wheat, to be scratched for and then enough to fill up the crop for last feed. Keep the hen a little hungry, keep her wanting just a little more, and she will work and sing and lay eggs." The subject of rations and the proper way to feed them has been treated very fully in the foregoing pages for the reason that numerous letters have been received during the past year, as to what and how to feed and the proper quantity to give. This, not- 234 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. withstanding the information fully given in previous reports, which have been exten- sively circulated and read, and which doubtless goes to show the greatly increased de- mand there is for information on the subject. THE EXPERIMENTAL FARM RATIONS. WHAT WAS FED DURING THE PAST YEAR AND THE RESULT. During the winter of 1893 beginning from the month of January, the daily rations were mixed as follows : — Morning Rations. — Warm mash composed of ground wheat, ground barley, ground oats, ground rye &c, bran. Occasionally small potatoes were boiled, or cut clover hay steamed and mixed with the mash, so as to have variety. When cut green bones were fed for the morning ration the mash was not given. Noon. — Light feed of oats scattered among the floor litter. Sufficient grain only to keep the layers busy. Afternoon. — Wheat or buckwheat were given in quantity to fill the crops of the layers, and fed early enough so as to have the fowls search for it. When cut green bone was given for last ration, grain was fed afterwards to fill up the crops. Vegetables in the shape of mangels, carrots, turnips and cabbage were all, or most of the time, before the layers, as were grit, ground oyster shells, gravel, coal ashes, &c, &c. Pure drink water and dust baths were also supplied.' THE LAYING STOCK. The laying stock to which the above mentioned rations were fed, were composed of the following : — Hens. Pullets. Barred Plymouth Rocks 9 13 White " 18 Houdans 6 5 Silver Laced Wyandottes 4 6 White " 7 Langshans 1 8 Light Brahmas 9 White Leghorns 11 Red Caps 5 6 Black Minorcas 9 7 Langshan B., Minorca cross 10 W. Leghorn, Brahma 5 3 59 83 The following were used as breeding stock, and were not supposed to be stimulated to lay : — Breeding Stock. Hens. Pullets. Light Brahmas 5 Langshans 7 Andalusians 11 Black Minorcas 5 White Leghorns 6 Golden Polands 5 Coloured Dorkings 4 43 REPORT OF THE POULTRY MANAGER. 235 Composition of the Laying Stock. The number of layers is apparently 142, but it should be understood that among them were a number of old hens and late hatched pullets. The former would not lay as well as a hen in her prime, and the latter would be late in starting. As stated in previous reports, the old hens, particularly those of the Asiatic breeds, are not money makers during winter, for they are late in moulting, and before beginning to lay eat much of the profit they may afterwards make. The late hatched pullets become appa- rently stunted, for the time being, by the cold. The old hens are useful as steady sitters and careful mothers, but where reliable incubators are used, they are not required. By careful observation and calculation, there were 75 or 80 steady layers, and they gave the following number of eggs in the months named : — January 777 February 791 March 1,644 Preparing for Spring. Towards the middle of the last named month the breeding stock were mated, and by the end of the month, the eggs from them were saved for hatching purposes and sold at $1 per setting. The combined egg yield for the following months was : — April 1,939 May 1,650 June 1,066 As soon as the weather permitted, the fowls were allowed to the outside runs, where they had grass, gravel and sand. At the end of June, the breeding season was over, and the hens were allowed to run at large in the fields in rear of the poultry houses, the male birds having been first removed from the breeding pens, and placed in pens by themselves. Total Egg Yield for the Year. The total egg yield for the year, according to months, was as follows : — January 777 February 791 March 1,644 April 1,939 May 1,650 June 1,066 July 941 August 386 September 236 October : 161 November 114 December 538 Some Lessons from the Foregoing. It will be noticed from the foregoing figures that during the moulting period of September, October and November, there were few eggs laid, for the reason that the hens were comparatively non-productive. During the moulting season the hens were well fed and cared for, as well as having the run of the fields. The result was the great majority of the yearling and two year old hens were in fine condition and ready for winter laying by the end of November. It should be remembered by farmers that their moulting hens require the same care as do the layers in winter. During the moulting period, the food, which at another time goes into eggs, is drawn upon to supply the rapidly growing feathers. The hen which has been a regular layer all the previous winter will take a rest during her moult and she will have well earned that rest. Another lesson to be learned is that in order to keep up the egg supply during the period 236 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. of non-production, scarcity and higher prices, that early hatched pullets are necessary. The difficulty in getting early sitters is no doubt the great drawback, but incubators are now more extensively used for the purpose, and it is only a question of time when they will be in general use. The Best Layers. As in previous years the Black Minorcas, Andalusians, Plymouth Rocks, Langshans, Brahmas, and Wyandottes, proved themselves the best layers. The White Leghorn Brahma, and the Langshan Black Minorca crosses made excellent layers. Large Eggs. It is worthy of note that the Black Minorcas, (see fig. 1) ; Langshans, (see fig. 5) ; and Light Brahmas, (see fig. 4), not only laid well during the winter, but laid very large eggs. The month of December of last year (1893), was a particularly cold one, but the breeds named did not seem to be so much affected by it as were the late hatched pullets. On the 16th January four or five dozen of Black Minorca eggs were weighed, when a number were found to go six to a pound, and all went seven to the pound. Eight dozen Brahma and Langshan eggs were also weighed, and the great majority went seven to a pound. The eggs were shown to many visitors as a sample of what could be done by the farmers of the country in supplying the demand for large eggs in any of the markets offering. We give as follows, cuts and description of the breeds which lay large white and dark coloured eggs, and which have been tried at the Experimental Farm. LAYERS OF LARGE WHITE EGGS. Fig. 1. — Black Minorcas. Black Minorcas. — This is one of the leading breeds of large white egg layers, per- haps the greatest layers of large eggs known. They are rapidly taking the place of REPORT OF THE POULTRY MANAGER. 237 the Black Spanish, as they are larger and hardier, the males making fair table fowls. They are good winter layers when properly housed and fed as all fowls should be. The fowls and chickens are hardy, the latter growing rapidly. Females lay 130 and 140 eggs, or more, per annum, and eggs frequently weigh 6, mostly all 7, to a pound. The standard weight of the cock must be 8 pounds ; hen, 6£ pounds ; pullet, 5^ pounds ; cockerel, 6£ pounds. The laying stock require to be kept busy in winter quarters and liberally supplied with egg shell making material. The females are non-setters. The hens of the white variety are also prolific layers. Fig. 2.- -White Leghorns. White Leghorns. — One of the best layers at all seasons of a large white egg. Some strains lay larger eggs than others. They are non-setters, hardy, and mature rapidly, and will lay well in winter, in a moderately comfortable house. The chickens thrive well and feather quickly, and the hens lay a white egg of large size. The pullets lay at five or six months, or sooner if hatched early. The Brown and Black Leghorns are also great layers. They are good fowls for farmers when kept with a breed of sitters. They are great flyers, like all the Spanish family. There is no standard weight for this breed. The eggs from hens of a large egg laying strain weigh 2£ ounces each ; per dozen, 1 pound 10 ounces to 1 pound 11 ounces. Like the Black Minorcas, the layers require to be kept in activity and well supplied with lime to make shell. Andalusians. Andalusians. — Another breed of the Spanish type, and as a breed of layers rival- ling the Leghorns. They are likely to occupy a high position among poultry fanciers on account of their superior laying merits. They lay well in winter, when looked after, and are hardy, quick-growing chickens. They do not breed true to colour or markings in every case ; but that is a matter of secondary importance to those who wish to keep 238 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. them for their laying properties. Like the Black Spanish, they are not heavy weights, and in consequence are not so good for table use as the heavier breeds. Pullets lay when six months old. Hens lay large white eggs, the weights of which are often 2^- ounces each, and 1 pound 11 ounces to 1 pound 13 ounces per dozen. When closely confined they require to be kept busy. Fig. 3. — Houdans. Houdans. — The females are layers of large white eggs. They do better when per- mitted extensive range. Chickens are hardy, grow rapidly, and are great foragers, but owing to large crest on head are apt to fall an easy prey to hawks, &c. They have the five toes of the Dorking. The cockerels are good for table use, the flesh being white and of superior quality. They often make 1 pound per month in weight. Hens' eggs weigh 1\ ounces each and a little more when fowls have unlimited run ; per dozen, 1 pound 12 ounces to 1 pound 15 ounces. The standard calls for the following weights : — Cock, 7 pounds ; hen, 6 pounds ; cockerel, 6 pounds ; pullet, 5 pounds. The females are non-sitters. Other Breeds. — The following breeds which have not been tried at the Experimental Farm lay large white eggs : — Black Spanish and White Crested Black Polish. REPORT OF THE POULTRY MANAGER. 239 LAYERS OF DARK OR BROWN COLOURED EGGS. Fig. 4. — Light Brahmas. Light Brahmas. — There are layers of large richly coloured eggs. They are a well known and old established breed, with many friends and admirers, and grow to a large size and heavy weight, but take time to do so. They have large frames, and a good deal of feed is required to put flesh on them, but they are very hardy, both as chickens and fowls. They are quiet and bear confinement well. Females are fair layers of eggs of good size, but rather heavy for early sitters (when egg-shells are likely to be thin), and apt to be clumsy as mothers. After seven or eight months of age the males make good table fowls. The pullets lay at about seven months of age. The laying stock in winter quarters must be kept in exercise, and must not be overfed or they will become too fat to lay. Hens' eggs weigh 1\ ounces to 1\ ounces each ; per dozen, 1 pound 1 2 ounces to 1 pound 13 ounces. The weights demanded by the standard are : cock, 12 pounds ; hen, 9 \ pounds ; cockerel, 10 pounds ; pullet, 8 pounds. They are classified as Asiatics. The Dark Brahmas are also a meritorious variety. 240 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Langshans. — These are a favourite breed of great merit, and are classed as Asiatics. The hens lay a large egg of a rich brown colour, and many of them. Some eggs laid by Langshan hens in the poultry department of the Central Experimental Farm during last winter weighed 7 to 1 pound. The cockerels pus on flesh at the rate of 1 --vv'i \NiiK*9^g ^%wA^, Fig. 5. — Langshans. pound per month, and as their flpsh is very white they make good market chickens. Both fowls and chickens are very hardy. The standard weights are : cock, 9£ pounds ; hen, 7 pounds ; cockerel, 8 pounds ; pullet, 6 pounds. Some of the male birds grow to a large size, and weigh between 11 and 12 pounds. REPORT OF THE POULTRY MANAGER. 241 Buff Cochins. — This is another of the Asiatic breeds with a large number of friends. Some strains lay much larger eggs than others. Like all the other breeds of this class, they require to be kept active when in close confinement. The eggs from the hens of some strains weigh 1\ ounces each, but all are of a rich dark colour. The chickens are hardy and grow well, showing about the same development as those of the Light Brahmas. The standard weights are : cock, 1 1 pounds ; hen, 8 \ pounds ; cockerel, 9 pounds ; pullet, 7 pounds. The other varieties of this breed are White, Black and Fig. 6. — Buff Cochins. Partridge Cochins the characteristics of which are about the same as the Buff. The cockerels put on flesh at the rate of about 1 pound per month after first month. The pullets lay at about seven months of age. These are perhaps a little slow for farmers, but may make a good cross. They are not now kept at the Experimental Farm for the reason that they have not been profitable as layers. Other Breeds. — The following breeds not yet tried at the Experimental Farm are also layers of large dark eggs. Black Cochins, Partridge Cochins, and White Cochins. 8c— 16 242 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. BREEDS GOOD FOR EGGS AND MARKET. Fig. -Barred Plymouth Rocks. Barred Plymouth Rocks. — This breed is one of the most popular on the continent as an all round fowl for the farmer, and deservedly so. The females mature quickly and lay well in winter, with moderate protection and proper feeding. The eggs are not quite so large as those of the Minorca or Brahma, although of good marketable size for home and United States markets. Some strains lay larger eggs than others. The chickens are hardy and vigorous. The cockerels have put on more flesh per month, with the same rations, than any others tried at the Central Experimental Farm in six years. After the first month or six weeks the cockerels, with proper care and pushing, ought and will put on flesh at the rate of one pound and a quarter per month. A farmer ought, with a little trouble, to be able to put on the market Plymouth Rock cockerels weighing eight pounds per pair, or four pounds each, at the end of four months. What an improvemeut there would be in the weight and quality of the chickens sold on the markets of the cities if the majority of farmers bred Plymouth Rocks instead of the '' scrubs" usually seen about the barnyards'? There are three varieties of this popular breed, viz., the Barred, White and Buff. The latter is a new comer. REPORT OF THE POULTRY MANAGER. 243 White Plymouth Bocks. — This is a variety lately introduced but equally popular. All the good points of the latter are claimed for these new comers, with the addition of greater size and whiter appearance of flesh, owing to the absence of the dark pin feathers. They are hardy, rapid growers as chickens, and the pullets are excellent jssf*Vtf«!aflii *WlUywj ter^sai^s* ■ Fig. 8. — White Plymouth Rocks. layers. At the Experimental Farm last summer (1893) a cockerel hatched on the 21st May weighed six pounds on the 21st September following. The pullets made large and handsome fowls by the middle of winter, and began to lay in six months. The standard calls for the following weights, viz. : cock, 9 \ pounds ; hen, 7 \ pounds ; ccckerel, 8 pounds ; pullet, 6 pounds. 8r— 16£ 244 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. White Wyandottes. — This is a very promising variety of this popular breed. They have all the good points of the Silver Laced, with the advantage of dressing better for market on account of the white pin feathers not showing so darkly as in the case of the ^#%|% Fig. 9. — White Wyandottes. Silver Laced or Golden varieties. The chicks are hardy and grow well. The pullets- begin to lay at five and a half to six months, and are good layers of a medium sized egg. The cockerels mature early and make good market chickens. A cockerel hatched on 30th May, weighed on 2nd October following 4 pounds. Dorkings. Dorkings. — The Dorkings are, perhaps, one of the best known and appreciated breeds extant, on account of their superior table qualities. They are a breed that should be sought for by all who wish to put fowls of superior flesh properties on the market. There are three varieties in this country, viz., the Coloured, Silver Gray and White. These all possess the same excellent qualities for the table, and the females are fair layers of an egg of good size. Mr. Allan Bogue, the well known poultry breeder of London, Ont., speaks very highly of them, and says they ought to be much more extensively bred for market. REPORT OF THE POULTRY MANAGER. 245 How Breeding Pens were Made Up. About the first and second weeks of March the different breeds mentioned were mated as follows : — Breeds. Brahmas Langshans B. P. Rocks White " Black Minorcas White Leghorns . . . Andalusians White Wyandottes . Silver Golden Polands How Mated. 1 cock 9 hens , 1 " 1 " .... 1 " ... , 1 cockerel . 5 " .... 11 " ..., 11 pullets . 9 hens 1 cock 11 1 cockerel . . 1 cock 9 hens 11 " .. 7 pullets Remarks. Crosses. Indian Game — Brahma.. 1 " 3 — Dorking.. 1 " 2 P. Rock — " . Jl " 2 Early eggs not very fertile. Fairly fertile from first mating. Eggs remarkably fertile from first. Satisfactorily fertile. Hens old. Results satisfactory when hens ran out. Satisfactory. Iverage. Satisfactory. Very good. It is worth noting that the eggs of the White Plymouth Rocks were remarkably fertile from the beginning of the hatching season, notwithstanding the fact that they were pullets and had laid well all winter. This satisfactory result was no doubt owing to the male bird being kept in a separate pen all winter, and to the fowls coming out of the winter in vigorous health. There is an important lesson, in this experience, to all poultry breeders. The early eggs of the Brahmas and Langshans were not as fertile as could be desired, and were not so, doubtless, on account of the hens becoming a little too fat, and to the fact that some of the hens, used as breeding stock, had been good layers during the winter. The run outside soon made an improvement. The demand for eggs for hatching was very great, and many orders received late, could not be filled. It was gratifying to note the increased inquiry for eggs from farm- ers, who preferred, in most cases, the Plymouth Rock varieties. The following were the hatching results : — Eggs Set and Chickens Hatched. When Set. April 3 a CC 3 it 13 tt 26 CC 26 it 26 cc 26 a 26 May 2 it 2 CI CI (£ 12 eS CD w U-4 O A 43 ho 3 £3 94 92 96 92 cS u <4-l o +3 b0 03 Inches. Character of Straw. 93 35 96 30 96 34 98 29 96 33 98 36 96 30 92 32 to 37 to 44 to 34 to40j to 40 to 32 to 37 to 32 to 39 to 40 to 34 to 40 Stiff . . . a Medium Stiff ... Medium Stiff . . . « it Weak '. '. Stiff ... T3 c$ 03 K < 03 <+* . o 43 bO 03 .SP3 a 03 03 Inches. Bus. lbs. Lbs 2 to 2\ 37 24 50 2 to 3 34 8 48 2 to2| 32 4 50 2Uo3 31 32 47£ If to 2£ 31 12 48 If to 2| 30 20 53 2 to 2* 28 36 52 2 to2| 26 12 49 If to 2\ 26 12 51 2Jto3 25 20 53 2 to 2\ 24 8 52£ 2 to2| 16 32 51 Proportion Rusted. Very slightly. Slightly. Very slightly. Slighrly. 256 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Two-rowed Barley — Test of varieties. Name of variety. tab .5 % o CO <4-H o CD a CD a O s> be CO eS o 5 ■sis el m o 4a bo Character of Straw. 3 W o 43 00 CD U u CD a CD P- bo 3 Proportion Rusted. 49 P p 3^ s Hi p CD Hi 9 Spa Inches. Inches. Bus. lbs. Lbs Kinver Chevalier May 9 Aug. 18 101 26 to 30 Weak 3 to 4 36 32 49 Very slightly. " 9 " 23 IOG'33 to 36 Stiff 34 to 4 sltoSf 34 to 4 36 32 50 a Golden Melon " 9 " 9 " 23 " 13 106 96 34 to 36 26 to 30 Weak... . Medium. . . 34 8 30 20 49 49 (< ti Canadian Thorpe " 9 " 13 96 36 to 40 Stiff .... 24 to 3 24to3 3$ to 4 29 8 50£ Slightly. Duck-bill " 9 " 9 " 23 " 23 106 106 3(5 to 40 32 to 36 tt (( 27 44 27 24 49 50 tt Beaver Very slightly. Danish Chevalier " 9 " 18 101 26 to 32 Weak 34 to 4 26 32 51 << Goldthorpe " 9 " 23 106 36 to 40 Stiff 2|to3 25 40 50 ci Prize Prolific " 9 " 18 101 30 to 32 Weak 3|to4 24 28 494 it Thanet " 9 " 9 " 18 " 18 101 101 30 to 31 26 to 32 Stiff 3 2% to 24 20 20 20 20 49 «c Newton Slightly. Two-rowed Naked " 9 " 9 92 24 to 30 Medium . . . 3 to3£ 19 28 60 Very slightly. Nine new sorts of cross-bred barleys, Swedish (two-rowed) female with Baxter's six- rowed male were tested. These all gave good results, and some of them are very promising. , They were sown at the rate of two bushels per acre in plots of ^ of an acre each on clay loam, on which roots were grown in 1893. Hybrid Barley — Test of varieties. Name of Variety. be a '$ o w o CD cS P Date of Ripening. cS O.S 4) 3 Is Length of Straw. Character of Straw. Length of Head . CD (4 o < u CD a, Bus. lbs. 40 30 37 24 35 20 33 16 33 16 29 8 27 44 20 40 18 46 "S be 'S Proportion Rusted. May 9 " 9 " 9 " 9 " 9 " 9 " 9 " 9 " 9 Aug. 23 " 13 " 13 " 15 " 9 " 13 " 13 " 18 " 13 106 96 96 98 92 96 96 101 96 Inches. 39 to 45 28 to 32 37 to 39 33 to 35 30 to 35 37 to 39 33 to 41 30 to 34 28 to 32 Stiff Inches. 3 to3i 2 to2| Si to 4 2 to2i U to2| 24 to 3 2 to 24 .... 3 lbs. 51 504 524 494 50" 52 49 484 48 Very slightly. Stella . . . <« Bolton it cc Nugent Weak Slightly. Pioneer tt Victor Stiff Very slightly. 61 Vanguard (C Type 10 Slightly. Very slightly. " L Cf 2ito3£ Experiments with Oats. Fifty-one varieties of oats were sown on 10th May in plots of one-twentieth of an acre each on clayey loam, the land having been in hay the previous year, no fertilizers were used. All the varieties had remarkably stiff straw. The most noticeable variety in regard to stiffness was the " Schonen," which promises to be a very suitable variety to sow with pease. The earlier sorts did not give as large a yield per acre as the later ones, this was probably due f,o the leaf rust or blight which struck the grain about the middle of July. The later varieties filled out better than the earlier sorts, but the grain was not as heavy on account of dry weather and leaf blight. The oat crop was about one-third REPORT OF MR. WM. M. BLAIR. 257 less than the usual average per acre, with average weight. The results of the tests aro given in the following table : — Oats — Test of varieties. Name of varieties. Abyssinia Oderbruch Rosedale Bavarian Black Brie. Cream Egyptian Cave Joanette Golden Beauty Early Blossom Wallis White Monarch Rennie's New Early Gothland Early Etampes White Russian Siberian Black Coulommiers Prolific Black California. Prolific Black Tartarian . Improved Bl'ck Tartarian Giant Cluster Flying Scotchman Holstein Prolific American Triumph Wide-awake Golden Giant Poland White Banner Early Archangel Columbus Lincoln Hazlett's Seizure Scottish Chief Royal Doncaster Prize. . Abundance White Bonanza Schonen Welcome Winter Grey Challenge Early Race-Horse Early English White. . . Improved Ligowo Victoria Prize Imported Irish Prize Cluster Canadian Triumph American Beauty White Wonder Rennie's Prize White fcjb rn a o & c 3 xn o o 0> v tic -*a -^ s <& cS-~ P p May 10 Aug. 25 ' 10 " 25 ' 10 " 18 ' 10 " 27 ' 10 Sept. 5 ' 10 Aug. 22 ' 10 " 25 ' 10 " 27 ' 10 " 27 ' 10 " 22 ' 10 " 25 ' 10 " 30 ' 10 " 27 ' 10 " 25 ' 10 " 27 ' 10 " 24 ' 10 Sept. 8 ' 10 " 5 ' 10 Aug. 28 ' 10 " 25 ' 10 " 25 ' 10 " 30 ' 10 " 14 * 10 " 18 ' 10 " 30 ' 10 " 23 ' 10 Sept. 2 ' 10 Aug. 24 ' 10 " 16 ' 10 " 14 ' 10 " 25 ' 10 " 24 ' 10 " 13 ' 10 " 14 ' 10 " 25 ' 10 " 24 ' 10 " 22 ' 10 " 15 ' 10 " 14 ' 10 " 13 ' 10 " 14 ' 10 " 16 ' 10 " 18 ' 10 " 23 1 10 " 14 ' 10 " 16 ' 10 " 13 ' 10 " 17 ' 10 " 23 ' 10 " 14 ' 10 " 18 o £ ft 107 107 100 109 118 104 107 109 109 104 107 112 109 107 109 106 121 118 110 107 107 112 90 100 112 105 115 106 98 96 107 100 95 96 107 106 104 97 96 95 96 98 100 105 96 98 95 99 105 96 100 is u 35 tc c CD P In. 41 41 43 38^ 36 44 39 36 38 41 39 39 35 37 33 38 43 38 39 40 37 39 43 40 34 37 37 41 41 41 37 36 44 44 37 36 38 35 42 38 45 42 42 37 43 43 42 44 37 43 42 =a £ O Stiff . . Medium . Stiff Medium. u Stiff ...'. Medium Stiff .... Medi Stiff Medium . Stiff .... Medium . . Very stiff. Stiff Medium . . Stiff Medium . Stiff .... Medium . Stiff .... Medium. Stiff .... cS ho In. 9 10 9 7 9 9 9 7 7 8 9 7 7 n. 8 7 11 9 74 ( 8 8 13 8 7 7 8 8 9 8 7 7 11 9 9 7 8 7 8 8 9 9 12 7 9 8 11 7 10 10 T3 c3 K o a •r-4 Sided. Branching Sided Branching o Sided Branching it n Sided Branching M Sided. Branching Sided. . . Branching Sided Branching Bus. lbs. 65 30 64 24 64 14 55 28 57 22 57 2 56 16 56 16 56 16 56 16 54 8 54 8 52 32 52 26 52 26 52 12 52 12 52 6 50 00 49 14 49 14 46 00 45 30 45 30 43 18 42 32 42 14 42 12 42 12 41 26 41 6 40 00 40 00 40 00 40 00 39 14 39 14 39 14 39 14 38 28 38 28 38 28 37 22 35 10 35 10 34 24 34 24 34 24 34 24 32 32 32 12 fee p ■Spa Lbs 41 44i 40 41 371 43~ 42 37 37 40 41 42 38 42 37 41 40 38 m 39 40 36 38 38 38 411 36 44 39 42 37 40 40 42 40J 36 44 36 h 41 a 40 41 45 40 41 42 a 42 ."•7 43 42 Proportion Rusted. Very slightly. Slightly. Very slightly. Slightly. Very slightly. Slightly. Very slightly. Slightly. Very slightly. Slightly. Very slightly. u Slightly. Very slightly. Slightly. Very slightly. 8c— 17 258 EXPERIMENTA L FA RMS. Oats Sown on Drained and Undrained Land. Eight varieties of oats were sown on drained as well as undrained upland, the soil being as nearly alike as possible. The oats were sown on the drained land 11th May, and on the undrained 17th May, the undrained land being that much later in drying. The growth of straw was much shorter on the undrained land, the drought affecting it much more. The following table gives yield per acre and weight per bushel of each variety : — Name of Variety. Character of Land. Number of days Maturing. Yield per Acre. Weight per Bush. a a Drained Undrained 104 98 99 95 96 94 106 100 98 96 105 98 107 107 107 106 Bus. lbs. 39 14 24 25 34 24 25 17 32 32 24 7 42 12 25 19 34 24 31 27 42 32 33 29 40 26 13 49 14 28 2 44 lb 42 ' 42 ' 42 ' 43 ' 43 ' 44 ' 44 ' 42 ' 42J ' 40 ' 38 ' 40£ ' 38 ' 40 ' 38 ' s. •Canadian Triumph CI ti Drained Undrained White Wonder Drained C( (( Undrained Poland White.. . . Drained .... Undrained. . . << << Imported Irish Drained it a ^Vide-awake Drained n tt Doncaster Prize Drained Undrained Drained n a Improved Black Tartarian Thick and Thin Sowing op Buckwheat. In order to test the relative value of thick and thin sowing of buckwheat, one acre was sown with half a bushel of seed, one with one bushel, one with one and one- half bushels, and one with two bushels per acre. Sown on sandy loam, 29th May ; harvested on 30th August. The grain was affected with blight, and did not fill out well. The Silver-hull was the variety used. One acre | bushel seed per acre, matured in 92 days, 11 J bushels 51 lbs. per bushel, do 1 do do 92 do 9| do 52 do do 1| do do 92 do 9 do 54 do do 2 do do 92 do 8 do 51 do Judging from the results of these experiments, it would appear that in sowing Silver- hull buckwheat, there is no advantage in using more than half a bushel of seed per acre. Early Medium and Late Sowings of Grain. Experiments to test the relative value of early and late sowing were again carried on this year. Such experiments will probably need to be repeated many years before reliable conclusions can be reached as to results, but we find in general that it does not pay to commence to work and seed our fields in the spring before they are dry, and observation leads me to believe that some of our farmers in the Maritime Provinces begin to work their fields before they are in a fit condition, whereas a few days more drying would ensure them a larger return. This is probably the reason why some of the first plots sown in the early and late sowing tests are not up to the average in •quantity. REPORT OF MR. WM. M. BLAIR. 259 The first grain was sown 9th May in one-twentieth acre plots, on sandy loam, the previous crop being corn, one week intervening between each subsequent sowing. These were continued for six weeks, the same kind of grain being used in each case. There were two plots each of wheat, barley and oats in each series. The following table gives the results : — Early Medium and Late Sown Oats ^ Acre Plots. 4J lbs. sown per plot equal to 2\ bush, per acre. Sown. Har- vested. go >> eg ^ ,.• o.S t* 3 CD 3 _c +^ §S Yield per Acre. x\ 00 3 X S3 ft GO X No. 1— May 9.. 9.. " 16.. 16.. 23.. " 23.. 30.. 30.. June 6 . . 6.. " 13.. " 13.. Aug. 23.. 13.. " 27.. " 22.. 29.. 27.. Sept. 7 . . 1.. 13.. " 10.. 19 . " 17.. 106 96 103 98 98 96 100 94 99 96 98 96 Bush. lbs. 42 12 32 12 38 8 26 24 32 12 25 10 31 26 32 32 31 6 24 24 20 22 32 39 41 No. 2— 38 40 No. 3- Prize Cluster 39 43 No. 4— No. 5— Prize Cluster No. 6— 37 41 33 42£ 31 Prize Cluster 39 Early Medium and Late Sown Barley ^ Acre Plots. 4| lbs. sown per plot equal to 2 bush, per acre. No. 1— Baxter's Six-Rowed Duckbill No. 2— Baxter's Six-Rowed Duckbill No. 3— Baxter's Six-Rowed Duckbill No. 4— Baxter's Six-Rowed Duckbill No. 5— Baxter's Six-Rowed Duckbill No. 6— Baxter's Six-Rowed Duckbill Sown. May 9.. (C 9.. t 16.. t 16.. ( 23.. < 23 . t 30.. St 30.. June 6.. a 6.. (< 13.. «« 13.. Har- vested. Aug. 13. 18. 18. 22. 23. 25. 27. 1. 1. 11 7. 17. Sept. to >> c3 13 . •~ £P o a ^ u CD 3 X~*± &4 3^ ft 96 101 94 98 92 94 90 94 S7 97 86 96 Yield per Acre. Bush lbs. 18 23 16 17 15 16 19 19 14 15 12 10 16 16 12 24 20 32 28 8 28 20 44 3 X! U CD x 52 50 49£ 50 50 51 52 46£ 43£ 40 45 30 8c— 17£ 260 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Early, Medium and Late Sown Wheat 7V Acre Plots. 5| lbs. sown per plot equal to If bush, per acre. No. 1— Red Fife . . Stanley No. 2— Red Fife . . . Stanley No. 3- Red Fife . . Stanley No. 4— Red Fife . . Stanley No. 5— Red Fife . . Stanley . . . No. 6— Red Fife . . , Stanley Sown. Har- vested. May 9.. n 9 . « 16.. a 16.. it 23.. a 23.. a 30.. a 30.. June 6.. it 6.. it 13. a 13.. Sept. 1. Aug. 27. Sept. 12. 11. 17. 15. Did Not ripen, o 3 Is 115 110 112 108 108 107 105 ]04 103 101 Yield per Acre. Bush. lbs. 16 15 16 21 15 14 10 18 11 15 40 40 30 20 20 40 20 40 40 20 601 59 5S£ 00 59i 00" 54 53 50 53 Mixed Grain for Feed. Two plots of mixed grain were sown, cut green, and cured for feed, both of these mixtures make good feed, the stock seemed fond of it. The following table gives yield per acre, the size of the plots was ^ of an acre. They were sown on May 11th, and harvested August 11th : No. 1 Plot. Quantity sown per acre. 5 lbs. Prize Prolific Barley. 6 " Golden Vine Pease.. Z\ " Banner Oats Equal to 1 bush, each per acre. Dry. Per acre. 2$ tons. No. 2 Plot. 6 lbs. Golden Vine Pease f Equal to Red Fife Wheat i 1 bush, each 6 3i " Banner Oats . V per acie. 2| tons. REPORT OF MR. WM. M. BLAIR. 261 Field Pease. Ten varieties of field pease were sown 10th May on one-twentieth acre plots. The soil was a light clay loam, which was cropped with turnips in 1893. The pease all made good strong growth and gave large returns. Although not the largest yielder, the Crown pea is probably the most suitable variety to sow with other grain for mixed feed. The vine being small and stiff does not cause the grain to lodge as badly as other sorts ; it also ripens about the same time as the early varieties of grain. The Pride is a very early and rank -growing pea, and is very fine for table use when green. Canadian Beauty and Black-eyed Marrowfat have given the largest yield. Pease — Test of varieties. si S3 fcJD a QQ T3 a! a "O . o O Name of variety. o o 4^ 03 ft •fi 0 ft O ^5 be a e3 u o < a5 a Li O

H >H >* Ton. lbs. Ton. lbs. Bus. lbs. Strong. . May 19. June 2. Oct 17. Oct. 17. 23 200 770 .. 10 1120 t( it 19. a 2. (( 17. it 17. 20 1360 689 20 15 1680 a (( 19. t t 2. it 17. i i 17. 18 1400 656 40 18 1400 a tt 19. it 2. it 17. i t 17. 18 520 608 40 13 1720 a (( 19. tt 2. tt 17. it 17. 17 320 572 .. 11 .... a it 19. it 2. tt 17. a 17. 16 1176 552 56 6 1200 1 1 tt 19. SI 2 tt 17. tt 17. 16 120 535 20 14 776 a it 19. (I 2. it 17. tt 17. 14 160 469 20 5 1000 C ( it 19. < t 2. it 17. tt 17. 13 1010 450 10 11 880 a 1 1 19. (< 2. a 17. tt 17. 13 840 447 20 12 200 a it 19. SI 2. tt 17. it 17. 11 .... 366 40 9 1360 a (( 19. it 2. a 17. tt 17. 8 720 278 40 7 520 b, o Bus. lbs. 352 .. 528 .. 656 40 462 .. 3C6 40 220 .. 479 36 183 20 381 20 433 20 322 40 242 .. Mangels — Test of varieties. Evans Mam. Long Red . . Pearce's Canadian Giant. Gate Post Steele's Mam. Long Red. Carter's Warden Orange Globe Rennie's Mam. Long Red Giant Yellow Interme- diate Prize Long Red Golden Tankard Strong. . May 18. June 1. Oct. 18. Oct. 18. 33 880 1114 40 22 tt " 18. n 1. " 18. " 18. 28 760 946 23 1960 it " 18. (C 1. " 18. " 18. 27 1880 931 20 25 1920 a " 18. CI 1. " 18. " 18. 26 800 880 29 1840 a " 18. II 1. " 18. " 18. 23 640 777 30 20 40 a " 18. (( 1. " 18. " 18. 22 400 740 40 20 1800 a " 18. (( 1. " 18. " 18. 22 633 20 18 1840 tt " 18. (( 1. " 18. " 18. 19 ii.60 752 40 17 320 a " 18. cc 1. " 18. " 18. 19 720 612 18 696 633 20 799 20 865 20 997 20 667 20 696 40 630 572 611 40 30 Sugar Beets. — Test of varieties. Klein Wanzleben Vilmorin's Improved. , French Red Top , Strong. . May 19. June 2. Oct. 24. Oct. 24. 11 1760 396 18 80 w " 19. " 2. " 24. " 24. 15 1680 528 .. 18 1840 CI " 19. " 2. " 24. " 24. 17 320 572 .. 16 1000 601 20 647 20 550 .. Experiment to Ascertain the Effect of Different Quantities of Manure per Acre on Turnips. The land selected for this experiment was sandy loam, and was apparently alJ in the same state of fertility ; the previous crop was buckwheat. One acre received twenty 30-bush cart loads of well-rotted manure per acre. One, thirty 30-bush. cart loads, and one, forty 30-bush. cart loads per acre, which was spread and ploughed in. In addition two barrels of general fertilizers were used to the acre. The results were different from what was expected, probably due to the dry sum- mer. Further experiments will be conducted along this line another year. First plot 20 loads per acre, yielded 578 bushels per acre. Second plot 30 loads per acre, gave 541 bushels per acre. Third plot 40 loads per acre, yielded 536 bushels per acre. 264 EX PERU! EXT A L FA RMS. Large Root Plots. One-half acre of Steele's Improved Short White carrots were sown on 29th May on sandy loam soil. Thirty 30-bush. cart loads of manure and two barrels of general fer- tilizer being used per acre. They were pulled 23rd October, yielding 660 bushels per acre. In addition to the turnip plots already mentioned, there was one and one-half acres of these roots which gave a yield of 750 bushels. Also one-half acre of mangels which gave at the rate of 575 bushels per acre. Experiments in Cutting potatoes for Seed. Eight different ways of cutting potatoes for seed were tried, Pearce's Extra Early being used for this purpose. The following results were obtained Name of variety. Whole potatoes. One eye . Two eyes Three eyes Butt half Seed half Seed end cut off Cut lengthwise . Marketable per Acre. Bushel. 250 220 220 280 330 200 380 170 Unmarket- able per Acre. Bushel. •40 10 30 20 50 50 60 50 Character. Even lot. Fairly even. Large and even. Large medium, even. Average. Medium. Average. Small. Experiments with Potato Eyes. consisting of 100 eyes each were received from Eive new varieties of potatoes, Steele, Briggs & Marcon, Toronto. This seed was planted one foot apart, one eye to the hill. There was very little difference in the yield of each plot, although in one case only about one-quarter of the eyes grew, while in another case about four-fifths grew. These all made good strong growth. They were planted and dug with other potato plots on the same kind of soil. Potato Eyes planted — Yield per plot. Name of variety. Freeman Early Norther Pride of the Table Pride of the Market Dreer's Standard w to 0> a; >> D w ^ 6 -2 O H~ o £ X> Lbs. 100 OS 30 5 100 39 38 3 100 02 34 2 100 84 37 2 100 27 39 2 Matured. Medium late. Medium early it Medium late. Remarks. White, large, round. Light red, very large, round. Red, medium large, medium round. White, large, long, medium flat. Large, round, smooth flat, white. REPORT OF MR. \VM. M. BLAIR. 265 Potatoes. Fifty- four varieties of potatoes were planted on sandy loam in rows 26 inches apart and 66 feet long. These were all planted on the 23rd May and dug on 13th of September. They all made strong growth, and no rot was detected in any of the varieties. All yields per acre have been calculated from the quantity grown in each case on two rows of 66 feet in length. Potatoes — Test of varieties. Name of variety. Early Sunrise Delaware Late Puritan , Bruce 's White Beauty. Richter's Schneerose. . . State of Maine Rural Blush Holborn Abundance. . . Pearce's Prize Winner. Crown Jewel Toronto Queen Thorburn Munroe County Clarke's No. 1 American Wonder Everett Kichter's Elephant .... Chicago Market Polaris I. X. L Rose's New Giant Late Goodrich Muchonic .... Early Ohio New Variety No. 1. . Coinpton's Surprise. . . . London Harbinger Early Gem Pearce's Extra Early. . Daisy Empire State Algoma No. 1 Dixon's Early Rosy Morn . Northern Spy Home Comfort Acadian Richter's Imperial Stray Beauty Early Puritan.. Copper Beauty of Hebron Rural New-Yorker No2 Sharpe's Seedling Earliest of all. . World's Pair... Sugar .... ... Lizzie's Pride. . Dakota Red . . . Early Rose Lee's Favourite Burpee's Extra Early. . Seedling No. 214 When Average Q na- Matured. Size. Hty. Very early Medium Good . Very late. Large . . Fair.. Medium Good. Med. early cc cc Small . . Fair.. it Large . . cc Very late. cc cc Late cc Good. tt Medium c Med. early cc c Med. late . Large . . ( a Medium c a Large . . c Med. earl j' c Late cc c Med. late. Medium t (i cc t it c. i tt CC c c c ( Med. late. Large . . Fair.. Medium cc tt Small . . Good. Early Medium it Med. late. Large . . cc Medium Fair. . Med. late . cc cc Med. early cc Good. Very early Large . . CC Early Medium cc Med. early cc cc Late cc Fair. . Very early Large . Good. Med. early cc cc Med. late. Medium Fair. . Late cc Good. Me€. late . Large . . cc it Medium cc cc cc Fair.. Med. early cc Good. cc cc cc Late cc cc Med. early cc Fair. . c c Good. Med. early cc cc Early Small . . cc Med. late. Medium cc cc Small . . Fair. . cc Medium Good. Early Small . . Good. (C cc cc Very early Medium cc V. small cc Yield per Acre. Total. Market- able. Bus. lbs. Bus. lbs. 360 00 307 30 352 30 317 30 340 00 310 00 335 00 300 00 332 30 275 00 330 00 302 30 327 30 305 00 325 00 292 30 322 30 302 30 317 30 282 30 312 30 270 00 310 00 260 00 307 30 280 00 305 00 282 30 295 00 280 00 292 30 262 30 290 00 250 00 287 30 250 00 287 30 225 00 285 00 257 30 282 30 257 30 2S0 00 265 00 280 00 247 30 275 00 232 30 275 00 250 00 275 00 252 30 272 30 237 30 270 00 232 30 267 30 225 00 262 30 227 30 260 00 232 30 260 00 210 00 260 00 220 00 260 00 212 30 255 00 215 00 252 30 207 30 250 00 230 00 233 36 194 40 230 00 207 30 227 30 155 00 225 00 185 00 223 50 175 00 220 00 185 00 219 30 197 30 217 30 185 00 215 00 177 30 212 30 193 20 207 30 175 00 200 00 150 00 197 06 170 20 192 50 170 20 180 00 135 00 177 30 160 00 175 00 122 30 Unmar- ketable. Bus. lbs. 30 00 oo 00 30 30 30 30 00 00 30 00 30 30 00 00 00 30 30 30 00 00 30 30 00 30 00 30 30 00 30 00 00 30 00 00 00 56 30 30 00 50 00 00 30 30 10 30 00 46 30 00 30 30 35 30 35 57 27 22 32 20 35 42 50 27 22 15 30 40 37 62 27 25 15 32 42 25 22 35 37 42 35 27 50 40 47 40 45 20 38 22 72 40 48 35 20 32 37 19 32 50 26 22 45 17 Form and Colour. Oblong, pink. Round, white. Long, round, white. Oval, white. Round, white. Long, round, white. Round, red. Long, round, white. Long, round, white. Oval, pink and white. Oblong, pink and white. Round, pink and white. Long, round, light red. Round, white and pink. Round, white. Oval, light, pink. Long, round, pink white. Round, oval. Oblong, white. Long, round, white pink. Long, round, white. Round, white. Round, blue and white. Oval, light pink. Round, pinkish white. Round, white. Oval, pink. Round, light pink. Oval, pink. Long, round, white pink . Round, white and pink. Long, round, white. Oblong, pink and white. Oval, pink and white. Round, dark pink. Round, red. Oblong, red. Round, blue. Round, white. Round, red. Round, white. Round, blue. Oblong, white and pink. Round, white. Round, pale pink. Oval, white and pink. Round, white. Round, white. Oval, white and pink. Round, red. Oval, pink. Round, pink and white. Round, pink and white. Round, white. 263 EXPERIMENT A L FA RMS. Corn. Nine varieties of corn were sown 23rd May in rows and in hills, two rows each, 66 feet long and 3 feet apart. The hills were also 3 feet apart each way, all on sandy loam soil. Sowing in rows gave the largest returns per acre, and required less labour, the seed being sown in rows with the seed drill. Pearce's Prolific and Longfellow corn proved to be the best varieties, and gave satisfactory results. The early frost of 7th September prevented the corn from vjroperly maturing. Corn. Name of Variety. Pearce's Prolific Gold Medal Dent Longfellow '. . . Mitchell's Extra Early Livingston Rural Thoroughbred White Flint Angel of Midnight . . .' Smut Nose Conipton's Early Date ol Date Sowing when cut. May 23 . Sept. 15. . 23 ' 15.. 23 ' 15.. 23 • 15.. 23 • 15.. 23 ' 15.. " 23 ' 15.. " 23 ' 15.. 23 ' 15.. Condition when cut. Glazed Silking Glazed Hard glazed Silking Tasselling . Soft glazed . Glazed '. Weight per acre grown in rows. Tons lbs. 14 1150 14 600 14 600 12 750 11 1100 10 1450 10 1450 7 850 6 100 Weight per acre grown in hills. Tons. lbs. 9 1250 11 1650 9 1250 5 1550 9 150 11 8 110 500 7 1950 6 1750 Robertson Mixture. Two acres of corn was sown on 26th May, 30 pounds of seed being sown per acre. The soil was a poor sandy loam. Forty 30-bush. cart loads of manure and one barrel of superphosphate was used per acre. The manure was ploughed in, and the fertilizer sown broadcast and harrowed in. The seed was sown with the seed drill in rows three feet apart. A heavy frost on the 7th September prevented it from properly maturing, and considerably reduced the yield per acre. It was cut on 15th September, giving a yield of 12 tons 130 pounds per acre. One acre of English horse beans was sown on 26th May, 40 pounds of seed being used per acre, sown with the seed drill in rows 3 feet apart. The soil was similar to that of the corn field, and was prepared and fertilized in the same manner and gave a yield of 4 tons 1,485 pounds per acre. % One-half acre of sunflowers were sown 26th May, eight pounds of seed being used, giving a yield of 3,357 pounds or 3 tons 714 pounds of heads per acre. This soil received the same treatment as the corn and beans, and the seed was sown with the drill 3 feet apart in rows. These were well mixed when put in the silo, the corn and beans were cut to about \ inch length, the sunflower heads were put in whole, making about 32 tons of the mixture. Bordeaux Mixture for the Prevention op Potato PtOT. The Bordeaux mixture as a fungicide, as applied to potatoes for the prevention of rot, was again experimented with this year, a plot of State of Maine potatoes being used. The yield of one-half of the plot treated was about the same as the half not treated, there being no rotten ones in either case. REPORT OF MR. WM. M. BLAIR. 267 All plots of the different varieties of potatoes Avere treated with the Bordeaux mixture in combination with Paris green. There were no rotten ones in any of the plots. A sample box of Church's potato bug finish was sent for trial by their agent, this appeared to be equally as effective as the Paris green. This powder was applied when the dew was on, two applications being sufficient. Garden Beans. Seven varieties of garden beans were sown on 26th May ; these made good growth. The Arctic, a yellow and white variety, maturing in 98 days, was not as prolific as the Early Dun Coloured which matured at the same time. Name of Variety. Number of days Maturing. Remarks. New Stringless Green Pod Fine for use green. Fine variety for use green. Not early enough for our season. Very fine early variety. Good early variety. Arctic 107 110 98 98 103 105 Detroit Wax Parsnips. Two varieties of parsnips were sown on 12th May, the Hollow Crown and Maltese. The Maltese, with a few exceptions, failed to germinate. The Hollow Crown made good strong growth. Water and Musk Melons. Several varieties of melons were sown on 26th May, the varieties were Phinney's Early, Montreal market, Col. Preserving, Evans' Superb and Cossaba Large Musk. These varieties all did well until 7th September, when they were completely killed by the early frost. Cucumbers. Five varieties of cucumbers were sown on 26th May ; these were all killed with the early frost. The following is a list of the varieties in order of their earliness : — Character of growth. Siberian Good yield ; good for pickling. New Giant Pera Large yield. Japanese Climbing Fair yield. Improved White Spine Poor yield. Cool and Crisp Fair yield. Onions. Twelve varieties of onions were sown on 11th May. These made poor growth, and with a few exceptions did not mature. The following is a list of varieties grown : — King of Earlies, Wethersfield W. B., Southport White Globe, Large Bed Globe, Yellow Globe, Danvers, New Queen White, Small Silver Skin, Giant Prize Taker, the Oregon, Bed Victoria, and Fancy Yellow Globe Danvers. The King of Earlies matured the best, Wethersfield and Southport White Globe gave fair returns. 268 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Garden Pease. Eight varieties of garden pease were sown on 12th May. The Sunol variety made very strong and rapid growth, but was not very prolific. Bliss's American Wonder was one of the most prolific varieties. Garden Pease. Name of Variety. Prince of Wales Burpee's Profusion Juno Horsford's Mai-ket Bliss' American Wonder, Sunol American Wonder Stratagem ' Character. Dwarf, large long pod, very prolific. Large pod, dwarf, very prolific. Dwarf, very long pod, medium prolific. " short pod, but very prolific. " medium long pod, very prolific. Pole or climbing, short pod, medium prolific and very early. Short pod, dwarf, very prolific. Long pod, dwarf, very prolific. Beets. Nine varieties of beets were sown on May 11th. On account of the dryness during the early part of the season some of these made poor growth ; one variety, the Columbus, did not seem to be much affected by the drought, and made very early, strong and rapid growth. This is a very promising sort for early market, being earlier than any of the others tested, later in the season it grows large and coarse, and is not as good then as other varieties for table use. The Flat Egyptian and Black Queen are of excellent flavour and fine quality. The following table gives the character and quality of the different varieties, as tested at different times : — Name of Variety. Flat Egyptian Columbus Arlington's Favourite The Lentz . . - Black Queen Edmund's Blood Turnip. . . . Rennie's Intermediate New Victoria Crosby's Improved Egyptian. Form. Flat turnip.. . . M'd. flat turnip Turnip Globe Long tapering . Turnip Long tapering . Tapering Turnip Growth. Good. Very strong. Good.. Fair.. Good. Size. o > Medium. . Large Medium . . Fair Large . . . Medium. Large . . , No. 1, 3 2. 3 I. 2. 3, 3 3, Remarks. Good market variety, a (< i< Very good market variety. Fair market variety. Good " Tomatoes. Six varieties of tomatoes were sown in the hot-bed on April 18. Some of the plants were put in the cold-frame on May 21st, others were set out a week later in their permanent places. The plants in the cold frame were removed to the beds without apparently dam- aging their roots. Yet the plants put out direct from the hot bed to the open ground made a stronger growth than those transplanted from the cold frame. The early frost killed the plants before the fruit was fully matured. REPORT OF MR. WM. M. BLAIR. 269 Varieties in order of their earliness : Name of variety. Early Ruby Atlantic Prize . . . Earliest of all . Everbearing .... Dwarf Aristocrat. Dwarf Champion , Remarks. Rough, round, flat, good crop, some ripe. Round, flat, good crop, some nearly ripe. Medium, rough, round, good crop, some nearly ripe. Egg shape, medium cropper. Round, medium crop. " poor crop. Cabbages. Twelve varieties of cabbage were sown in the hot bed on April 18th, and trans- planted to the open ground May 26th. These all made good, strong growth until June 15th, when some of the plants began to wilt, on examination it was found that the cabbage maggot (Anthomyia brassicse) was at work at the roots. Acting under directions given by the Central Experimental Farm bulletin No. 11, page 26, hellebore was used, but this did not prove effective, and many of the plants had by this time died ; a solution of kerosene emulsion was then tried. This seemed to promise better results, but very few of the plants reached maturity. On July 10th new plants were purchased from a local gardener, the Jersey Wake- field. Drumhead, Winningstadt and Early Blood Red varieties, these were planted in the same hills the others were in, but there was worked in around each hill about two shovels of marsh mud. These all lived and made strong growth. Cauliflowers. Six varieties of cauliflower were started with the cabbages, receiving the same treatment. They likewise were destroyed by the maggot. Radishes. Six varieties of radishes were sown on May 11th. These all made good, strong, healthy growth, some being fit to use on June 15th. But their roots were infested with a small maggot, which proved to be the raddish maggot (Anthomyia radicum) all the radishes were affected with these pests and they soon began to wilt and die prevent- ing any test being made as to quality, although the earliness can be given as the growth was considerably advanced. Name of variety. Remarks. Stump-rooted, early, fit for use June 20. Turnip-rooted, medium early, fit for use June 23. Fine and large, medium late. An excellent variety, medium late. Oblong in shape, small taper, fit to use June 20. Long, very early, fit to use June 15. Scarlet White Tipped Carter's Improved New Rosy Gem Scarlet Olive Shaped Brightest Long Red Pumpkins. King Two varieties of pumpkins were grown, Steele's Sugar, and Jumbo, or Mammoth The Jumbo gave the largest yield, both are fine varieties. 270 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Squash. Two varieties of squash, English Vegetable marrow and Loijg White Bush marrow were tried, these were both of excellent quality. Seed sown on May 26th. Garden Corn. Four varieties of early corn were grown in the garden. They were sown on May 23rd, the Extra Early Cory was the earliest variety followed by Mitchell's Extra Early, Dreer's first of all, and Early Vermont. Asparagus, Three varieties of asparagus plants two years old, were planted on May 9th, 50 plants of Columbian Mammoth, 50 of Barr Mammoth, and 50 of Giant Early Argen- teuil. These are all doing well. Hops. Two varieties of hops were set out on May 7th, 100 roots of East Kent Golding were received from Agassiz, B. C, and 100 roots of California Cluster from E. Meeker, of Puyallup, Washington, U.S. The East Kent Goldings were the largest roots and made more rapid progress. A few hops were borne on both sorts. General Statement op Crops. Sixty-five acres in hay gave 144 tons, and in addition to the plots of grain for test- ing purposes, which yielded 301 bushels, there were five acres in oats and pease, which gave 197 bushels; three-quarter acres in pease which gave 19 bushels ; eight acres of marsh in oats, which gave 194 bushels, and three acres in buckwheat, yielding 38 bushels, making in all 749 bushels of grain. The root plots consisting in all of eight acres gave a yield of about 4,300 bushels. Three acres were sown with corn, beans and sunflowers for ensilage, which gave about 32 tons, and three acres were devoted to crops for feeding purposes during the summer months. About 4| acres were in small fruits, nursery, shrubbery garden, &c. The remainder of the cleared land was devoted to pasturage. Drainage. No drainage was done on the upland, but four acres were underd rained on the marsh for the purpose of testing the practicability and economy of underdraining marsh land. So far the drains are working well, and it is hoped that this work may be con- tinued another year, so that a sufficient area may be underdrained to thoroughly test the advantages of such drainage of marsh land, also to ascertain the cost per acre of such work. Grasses. Thirty-five varieties of grasses were received from the Central Experimental Farm. These were sown in plots on 30th April. In the following list the names and growth of the different varieties are given :— - Colorado Blue Stem, Agropyrum glaucum, fair growth. Western Rye Grass, Agropyrum tenerum, very strong growth. Meadow Fox-tail, Alopecnrus pratensis, did not grow, Sweet Vernal, Anthoxanthum odoratum, good growth. Tall Oat Grass, Avena elatior, very strong growth. Slough Grass, Beckmannia erucoeformis, did not grow. REPORT OF MR. WM. M. BLAIR. 271 Meadow Brome, Bromus pratensis, fair growth. Awnless Brome, Bromus inermis, medium growth. Fringed Brome, Bromus ciliatus, good growth. Wild Chess, Bromus secalinus, fair growth. Western Brome, Bromus pumpellianus, good growth. Mexican Brome, Bromus segetum, very strong growth. Crested Dog's Tail, Cynosurus cristatus, strong growth. Orchard Grass, Dactylis glomerata, strong growth. Northern Blue Joint, Deyeuxia Langsdorfii, did not grow. Canadian Lyme Grass, Elymus Canadensis, did not grow. Lyme Grass, Elymus Virginicus, fair growth. Hard Fescue, Festuca duriuscula, fair growth. Tall Fescue, Festuca elatior, good growth. Sheep's Fescue, Festuca ovina, did not grow. Holy Grass, Hierochloa borealis, did not grow. Perennial Rye Grass, Lolium perenne, very strong growth. Satin Grass, Muhlenbergia Mexicana, did not grow. Bearded Satin Grass, Muhlenbergia sylvatica, did not grow. Switch Grass, Panicum virgatum, good growth. Canadian Blue Grass, Deyeuxia Canadensis, did not grow. Wood Meadow Grass, Poa nemoralis, good growth. June Grass, Poa pratensis, did not grow. do Poa pratensis, white form, did not grow. do Poa pratensis, from Calgary, do Fetid Drop-seed grass, Sporobolus heterosis, do Neglected Blue Joint, Deyeuxia neglecta, do The varieties that have given good results in the past are : Western Rye Grass, Orchard Grass, Late or Fowl Meadow, Fringed Brome, Reed Canary, Western Brome, Tall Fescue, Meadow Fescue and Austrian Brome. The Reed Canary Grass and West- ern Brome are very early and rank-growing grasses, the former being 23 inches high on 1st June. The Late Meadow is a very fine late pasture grass. Currants. Several varieties of red, white and black currants have been experimented with. In point of productiveness they rank in the following order : Red — New Red Dutch, La Conde, Knight's Early Red, La Hative and La Fertile ; White — White Transparent, White Grape and White Dutch ; Black — Lee's Prolific, Ogden's Black and Baldwin Black. The New Red Dutch, White Transparent, and Lee's Prolific are the most promis- ing sorts and have made the strongest growth. Raspberries. Several varieties of raspberries have been experimented with,the Cuthbert has prov- ed to be the best variety of red, and the Golden Queen the finest flavoured and most productive of the yellow sorts. Gooseberries. The English gooseberries set out in the spring of 1893, with a few exceptions, did remarkably well, and gave some fine fruit. About the 10th of June the gooseberries were attacked by "the shot hole" fungus (Septoria ribis) which spread very rapidly, the bushes were sprayed on June 12th with a solution of Potassium Sulphide, 1 oz. to a bucket of water, again on the 16th with Bordeaux mixture, which was repeated on the 22nd. These applications completely checked and killed the disease. The disease seemed to yield more readily to the Bor- 272 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. deaux mixture, and I think this may be safely recommended as a reliable remedy. Mildew never made its appearance, probably on account of the early application of theso fungicides. The American varieties of gooseberries were not so susceptible to the attacks of the fungus as the English sorts, although they were not by any means free from it. The following is a list of the gooseberries experimented with. The yield of fruit under the circumstances referred to was small : — Whenham's Industry, Companion, "White Champagne, Early Sulphur, Bobby, Improved Early Hedgehog, Red Champagne, Green Overall, Dublin, Governess, Queen Victoria, Leader, Leveller, Whitesmith, Crown Bob, Lancashire Lad, Pitmaston Green Gage, Bonny Lass. Whitesmith, Governess and Early Sulphur were the earliest varieties, among the later ones Whenham's Industry, Victoria, Green Overall and Leader gave the best re- turns. The Downing, Smith's Improved and Houghton proved to be the most serviceable American varieties. Strawberries. The Bubach, Sharpless and Warfield strawberries have proved to be excellent var- ieties here. Some fine fruit was grown on the plants sent from the Central Experi- mental Farm in August, 1893, and the plots of these will be extended. The follow- ing additional sorts are also under test : — Nicanor, Crawford, Barton's, Moore's Proli- fic, Filora, Logan, Van Deman, Standard, West Brook, Surprise, and Boynton. Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. The following list of ornamental trees and shrubs includes such as have been planted on the farm from time to time, all of which are doing well, and have proven hardy in this climate. Abies balsamea, Balsam fir. Acer platanoides, Norway maple. " rubrum, Red maple. " saccharinum, Sugar maple. Alnus glutinosa, Sticky alder. Ampelopsis quinquefolia, Virginian creeper. Amygdalus nana, Double flowering almond. Artemisia Abrotanum, Southern wood. Berberis Thunbergii, Thunberg's barberry. " vulgaris purpurea, Purple leaved barberry. " Aquifolium, American holly. Betula papyrifera, Canoe birch. " populifolia, American white birch. Caragana arborescens, Siberian Pea-tree. Corylus avellana, Filbert. Deutzia crenata fl. pi., Double crenate deutzia. Diervilla (Weigelia) grandiflora alba, Large flowered white weigelia. " " grandiflora variegata, Variegated weigelia. " " rosea alba, White weigelia. Elfeagnus angustifolia, Russian olive. REPORT OF MR. WM. M. BLAIR. 273 V Hydrangea paniculata grandiflora, Large flowered hydrangea. Juniperus Hibernica, Irish juniper. " Virginiana, Red cedar. Juglans cinerea, Butternut. Juglans nigra, Black walnut. Larix Americana, American Larch. Larix Europaea, European Larch. Lonicera Tatarica, White flowered bush honeysuckle. " " Red flowered bush honeysuckle. Philadelphus coronarius, Mock orange or syringa. " grandiflora, Large flowered syringa. " nana, Dwarf syringa. " deutziflora, Deutzia flowered syringa. Picea alba, white spruce. " excelsa, Norway spruce. " nigra, Black spruce. " pungens, Rocky Mountain blue spruce. Pinus Austriaca, Austrian pine. " Mughus nana, Dwarf Mountain pine. " sylvestris, Scotch pine. " " Rigaensis, Riga pine. " Strobus, White pine. Pseudotsuga Douglasii, Douglas spruce. Populus nigra pyramidalis, Lombardy poplar. " alba Bolleana, Bolle's poplar. Pyrus Americana, American mountain ash. " Aucuparia, European mountain ash. Quercus Robur, English oak. Retinospora filifera, Thread-like retinospora. " plumosa, Plumose retinospora. " plumosa aurea, Golden pi. retinospora. Ribes aureum, Yellow flowering currant. Salisburia adiantifolia, Maiden hair tree. Salix laurifolia, Laurel-leaved willow. Spiraea Californica, Californian spiraea. " Media rotundifolia, Round-leaved spiraea. " opulifolia aurea, Golden-leaved spiraea. " Van Houttei, Van Houtte's spiraea. Syringa Josikaea, Josika's lilac. " vulgaris alba, White lilac. " " purpurea, Purple lilac. Thuya occidentalis, Common arbor- vitae. " " globosa, Globose arbor-vitse. " " pyramidalis, Pyramidal arbor-vitse. " " Douglas, No. 2, Douglas' arbor- vitae.« Tilia vulgaris, European Linden. Tsuga Canadensis, Hemlock spruce. Ulmus Americana, White elm. " campestris, English elm. " racemosa, Rock elm. Viburnum Lantana, Pliant viburnum. " opulus, High bush cranberry. Morus hybrida, Russian mulberry. Shrubs added to the collection during the past summer, which will be reported on as to hardiness, after they have been further tested. Rosa rubrifolia, Red-leaved rose. Lonicera chrysantha, Bush honeysuckle. 8c— 18 274 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Ligustrum Amurense, Amur privet. Pyrus baccata cerasiformis, Cherry-leaved pyrus. " sanguinea, Red berried crab. " macrocarpa, Large fruited berried crab. " genuina, True berried crab. " prunifolia, Plum-leaved crab. Diervilla (Weigelia) lonerii, Dark red weigelia. " " Candida, White flowered weigelia. " " hybrida Hendersoni, Henderson's weigelia. Exohorda grandiflora, Large flowered exchorda. Cornus mas elegantissiina, Elegant dog wood. Thirty-five varieties of lilacs were also received and planted in nursery rows. It is proposed to plant these in a large clump, so that the different sorts of this desirable shrub may be more readily examined and compared. These varieties are given in the following list : — Ambroise veschaffelt, Souv. de la Spathe, Flora plena, Rubra Insignis, Common white, Emodi, Dr. Lindley, Coerula superba, Virginal, Beranger, Persian white, Pyramidalis, Common purple, Villosa, B ;rtha Damman, Laciniata, Persian, Violacea, Prof. Stockhart, Lavanensis, Princess Marie, Mathieu De Dombasle, Nigricans, Rouge de Marley, Gloire de Croncels, Japonica, Madame Moser, Sangeana, Renoncule, Languis, Gloire de Lorraine, President Massart, Ville de Troyes, Persian small flowering, Hyacinthaflora. Orchard. The orchard which has been planted, contains now 81 varieties of apples, 8 of crab apples, 20 of pears, 29 of cherries, and 25 of plums. The soil is a clay loam, under- drained, the apple trees have been planted 36 feet apart, each way, and the pears, plums and cherry trees 18 feet apart each way. A part of the trees were set out in 1889-90, and the remainder since then. The Yellow Transparent, Anis and Sultan are very early and fine varieties of apples ripening by the 1st of September. The White Astrachan, Red Astrachan, Tetofsky and Borovinka, next in earliness, have fruited fairly well. The Longfield and Haas were the most prolific sorts. Maidens Blush and Scotts Winter have also done well, the latter seems to be a very fine variety of winter apple, most of the other varieties planted have not yet fruited. The planting of a second apple orchard was begun in 1892, on a piece of unbroken land in the woods surrounded by a shelter belt of spruce trees. It is expected that this will be completed next year. REPORT OF MR. WM. M. BLAIR. Apple Trees. 275 Name of Variety. a> t. -*^ «*- ¥ °^ 8 CO ^j S * O o a? tL 02 Name of Variety. ■d 0 •iH D u CQ 1> . .3 0 d'B. DO 0 u d cs -d. i| 0) 02 Planted in the fall of 1889. Tetofsky 1894 1889 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 5 1 1890 3 3 3 3 3 1 3 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 5 3 5 3 3 3 3 3 5 s 1S94 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 0 2 1 1 1 1 1894 3 2 2 3 2 1 3 3 2 3 2 3 3 2 3 3 2 2 3 2 0 3 3 3 5 3 5 3 3 3 2 3 4 3 In. 10 17 17 15 18 17 17 ii 11 13 9 7 20 17 11 16 15 9 15 6 10 16 7 8 8 10 10 7 7 9 11 9 ii 11 11 8 8 9 10 9 11 7 15 4 11 Planted in the spring of 1891. Wolf River 1891 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 4 2 2 2 1 1 1 1893 2 2 4 1 1 2 2 3 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 4 2 1 1894 i 3 2 0 2 1 2 4 2 0 2 1 1 1 1894 2 2 3 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 4 2 1 In. Magog Red Streak Serinkia Longfield 1894 Bottle Greening 7 Ananasnoe Planted in the spring of 1892. Peach Princess Louise 1894 Titovka 1894 1894 Steklianka 1893-94 1894 16 ?,0 Bellflower Twenty oz Pippin. . Gravenstein 19 Mcintosh Red Northern Spy 20 1894 ?0 Planted in the spring of 1890. Duchess 17 Chenango Strawberry. . . . 18 Baldwin Bellflower. . . . 12 10 Golden Russet Grimes' Golden . 12 3 Blue Pearmain Planted in the spring of 1893. Wellington. . . . R. I. Greening Fameuse Sucre 1893-94 14 Mcintosh Red Red Beitegheimer.. . . 8 1892-3-4 King 13 Mann MUding . . . 11 1894 1894 1894 1894 Peter 17 Sultan Ben Davis 15 8 Fameuse Twenty oz Pippin 18 Roxbury Russet. . 14 Ribston Pippin.. . 10 Bottle Greening 7 flfl 1894 1892-94 1892- 94 1893-94 1893-94 1S92-94 1S94 '1894" 7 Maidens Blush Planted in the spring of 189 If. Peach Haas Red Astrachan Wealthy 11 Stark 6 18 Spitzenburg 5 Hibernal 7 Scott's Winter Grimes' Golden 1892-94 1893-94 1894 Golden Russet 8c— 18| 276 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Apple Trees planted in second orchard on uncultivated land. Name of Variety. Fruited. 60 03 . £.2 1890 2 3 3 3 2 3 1 2 1> 03 U -t^ . •" $ o.> 1894 2 3 3 2 2 2 1 1 Sh • OJ 43 2 £ 2 5 a & o In. 10 7 11 9 2 10 2 6 Name of Variety. t5 03 43 U no o g d'H, 00 03 u o.> • »— < O 83 O 2 g 43 ^ o Planted in 1S90. Planted in the spring of 1892. Yellow Transparent American Golden Russet . . 1890 2 2 2 3 2 3 2 3 1 1894 2 1 1 3 2 3 2 3 0 In. 9i 8 Winter Bough Bethel 9 Nothern Spy 6 Planted in the spring of 189 1. 1894 Planted in the spring of 1893. Duchess q White Astrachan Gravenstein 4 Fameuse 8 Red Astrachan R 0 Crab Apple Trees planted in the springs of 1891, 92 and 93, these have all grown well. Planted in 1891. Hyslop Montreal Beauty. Transcendent Yellow Siberian . . 1893-94 1893-94 1894 1893-94 Planted in 1892. Gen. Grant. Gideon . . . 1S91 3 4 3 3 1894 3 4 3 3 36 27 18 18 20 0 Planted in 1S93. Gen. Grant. . . Martha Whitney Transcendent Hyslop Montreal Beauty. 1891 2 2 2 2 2 2 1894 1 2 2 2 2 2 In. 13 17 21 18 17 22 Pears. Planted in the spring of 1892. Tyson Osband's Summer Sheldon Bartlett Clapp's Favourite Mount Vernon Flemish Beauty Beurre Superfin Beurre Clairgeau Beurre d'Anjou Seekel , Dr. Reeder Doyenne Boussock Duchess Lawrence 1892 1893 In. 3 3 18 2 2 16 2 1 18 5 3 10 4 3 8 3 0 0 5 5 22 2 2 18 3 1 27 5 5 10 2 0 0 2 1 10 3 0 0 2 1 19 2 2 17 Planted in the spring of 1893. Seekel Mount Vernon Dempsey ... , Frederick Clapp Clapp's Favourite Howell Sheldon Doyenne Boussock.. Beurre Hardy Tyson Goodale 1893 1894 2 0 3 3 1 1 1 1 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 0 15 18 6 7 15 20 rr I 12 13 4 REPORT OF MR. WM. M. BLAIR. 277 Cherries. Name of Variety. Planted in the spring of 1891 Early Richmond Planted in the spring of 1892 English Morello Dyehouse Wragg Ostheini Olivet Black Tartarian Early Richmond Late Duke Downer's Late Red May Duke Windsor Coe'sTransparen t . Yellow Transparent Spanish Montmorency Napoleon , Gov. Wood Black Heart ■Jl zn V u -J3 . 03 "^ ttH £ «*- $ fl & ° J5 6 ft 6 cs O o £ £ m 1891 1894 In. 6 6 18 3 3 15 1 1 24 2 2 13 2 2 14 4 3 12 4 2 17 4 4 18 2 2 18 2 0 0 5 0 0 3 3 11 2 2 19 2 2 14 2 2 15 3 1 27 3 3 8 3 2 17 Name of Variety. Planted in the spring of 1893. Black Eagle Lieb English Morello Empress Eugenie Downer's Late Red Louis Phillippe Great Bigarreau Lithaur May Duke Napoleon Gov. Wood Orel •. Shadow Amarelle Gruner Glas Elton Montmorency Knight's Early Black Windsor Love Apple . c£ 03 1 . *j 9^ Oj c.> n P. O c3 fc fc 1893 1894 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 0 2 0 2 2 2 0 2 0 5 0 3 2 2 0 1 1 3 3 3 0 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 0 o u ■on In. 14 8 13 0 0 18 0 0 0 18 0 18 18 0 17 17 2 17 0 Plum Trees. Name of Variety. Planted in the spring of 1892 Moore's Arctic Shipper's Pride McLaughlin Niagara Pond's Seedling Duane's Purple Geuii Reine Claude Prince's Yellow Gage German Prune Bradshaw Imperial Gage Lombard Eellenburg , Lawrence's Favourite Shropshire Damson Coe's Golden Drop Yellow Gasre 02 ® . 0> r— U « -» js c 5 d'H. QQ . 1— 1 "s * 8 £ a be 02 fc £ 1892 1894 In. 2 2 20 3 3 18 2 1 25 2 2 15 6 3 12 2 2 18 3 2 21 2 2 23 4 4 26 3 3 17 3 3 20 5 5 18 5 5 19 1 1 8 1 1 17 1 1 17 2 2 20 2 2 24 Name of Variety. Planted in the spring of 1892, Stanton Washington Planted in the spring of 1893. Geuii Lombard Large Golden Prolific Washington Moore's Arctic Reine Claude Shippers Pride Burbank Prunus Simon ii Fellenburg Hudson River Purple Egg . . Imperial Gage Niagara Saunders an e 6& 1892 2 2 1893 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 1 1 2 1 2 2 2 1S94 2 2 1894 2 2 2 1 3 2 2 0 1 2 1 2 2 1 o o m u to 60 4) 02 In. 20 21 T7 19 15 27 18 18 18 0 23 16 23 14 11 11 278 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Flowers. Being often asked for a list of the most attractive and hardiest varieties of annual and perennial flowering plants, the following list is submitted as embracing the most useful and promising varieties tested here. The annuals that do well, sown in the open ground, those that require to be started in the hot bed and transplanted, and the perennials are arranged in separate tables. It is hoped that the information here given will enable the farmers of our rural districts to make suitable selections of these desirable flowers and induce them to pay more attention to the beautifying of their places and making their surroundings more attrac- tive, thereby giving the young people a better chance to study the beauties of nature and at the same time foster a stronger love for their homes. The perennials require to be mulched during winter. Annual Flowers — Seed sown in the open ground. Anagallis (less than 1 ft. high) Ha Ha Ha -rdy Jf-hardy . rrlv. Beautiful, white, fine for border. Fine and beautiful for border. Aster , Dwarf, good edging flower. Queen of Autumn flowers. Acroclinium (Everlasting) Calliopsis (Beautiful eye) 18 in high, very pretty. 8 in high, pretty small flower. Fine late bloomer. Very showy, 1 to 3 ft. high. Fine old flower. Candytuft (Iberis) Centaurea Cyanus (Bachelor's Button). . . Centranthus One of the best flowers. Fine variety, Fine late bloomer. Chrysanthemum Clarkia Fine of easy culture. Brilliant flower, trailer. Large flower, very beautiful. Short bloomers, very fine. Fine flowers, keep roots in cellar during winter. Does best with plenty of water and shade. Very showy. 18 in high, yellow bloom. 1 ft. high, very showy and beautiful. Constant bloomers, very fine. 1 ft. high, small flower. Free bloomer and beautiful. Large flowers. Very showy, profuse bloomer. Very beautiful, keep bulbs in cellar in the winter. 1 ft. high, beautiful bloomer. Spike flowers, fine variety of free bloomers. Tall, blooms profusely. Yellow and brown, very beautiful. Beautiful foliage and flowers. Fine free bloomer. Datura Wrightii (Trumpet flower) Delphinium (Larkspurs) Dahlia Half-lia.rdv Dianthus (Japan Pink, China Pink, Im- Ha ■rdy Gilia Gladiolus Half-hardy.. Half-hardy.. Harrlv. Linum (Flax) Malope Marvel of Peru (Four-o'clock) Matricaria (Feverfew) Nasturtium (Tall and Dwarf) Hr lf-ha.rdv. . Very fragrant and fine. Showy flower. Very beautiful, showy flowers. Most beautiful of flowers. Beautiful large flower. Free flowering, most beautiful flowers. Very beautiful, easy culture. Fine, red and white. Fine, beautiful flower. << H Stocks (Dwarf and Pyramidal) U it it Hardy Beautiful, easy culture. Very fine, free bloomers. Thunbergia Climber with very pretty flowers. Beautiful climber. Very pretty dwarf plant. Free bloomer, very fine. Venus's Looking glass ... ( t REPORT OF MR. WM. M. BLAIR. 279 Seed sown in the hot-bed and plants transplanted to the open ground. Antirrhinium (Snapdragon), Balsam , Browallia Calandrinia. Petunia Portulacca Hardy Half-hardy. Hardy Half-hardy. Will keep in cellar during winter, very fine. Very beautiful. Beautiful and delicate flower. Requires sunnv and dry situation, very fine. Profuse-flowering, easy cultivated. Brilliant, grow in sandy soil. Perennials. Aquilegia (Columbine). Anemone sylvestris. " narcissiflora. Aconitum napellus, Monkshood. " lycotonum squarrosa, Monkshood. " cernuum " " kusmalowi " Allium stellarianum, Wild onion. Asclepius tuberosa, Milkweed. Delphinium cashmerianum, Larkspur. " granifldorum " " laxiflorum " " dasyanthus " Dictamnus fraxinella, Gas plant. Eremurus altaicus. Gentiana burseri. Gentiana excisa. Gaillardia aristata. Galega orientalis. Hypericum pyramidatum, St. Johnswort. Helianthus giganteus, Sunflower. Myosotis alpestris, Forget-me-not. Potentilla fruticosa. Papaver orientalis, Oriental poppy. Salvia lavandulifolia. Solidago rigida, Golden rod. Sedum medinezii, Stone crop. Thalictrum aquilegifolium. Veronica saxtatilis, Speedwell. " fruticulosa " " salurgoides " Btjlbs Perennial. Iris or flowering flag. " English. " Spanish. Lilium candidum. " auratum. " speciosum. Hyacinths, single red. " white. " " blue. Tulips single. Tulips, parrot. Jonquils, single. Narcissus. " poeticus. " tazetti. " pseudo scoticus. " incomparabilis. Scilla bifolia. " sibirica. DISTRIBUTION OF SEED GRAIN AND POTATOES. In all 338 applicants have been supplied this year with wheat, barley, pease, oats or potatoes. The quantity distributed has been 3 lbs. in each package, and not more than two packages have been sent to any one applicant. No seeds of field roots, garden vegetables or flowers have been available for distribution. Total number of varieties sent out : — Packages. Potatoes 203 Wheat 138 Oats 290 Barley 118 Pease 31 Total 780 280 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Reports have been received of 104 packages of the 780 distributed. The Delaware potato seems to give general satisfaction, yielding in some localities as high as 85 pounds from 3 lbs. sown, and of good quality. The Polaris has also given good results, yielding as high as 69 lbs. from 3 lbs. sown. This potato is of excellent quality and a good keeper. The reports as to the yield of the Early Sunrise prove it to be a fine extra early variety, yielding in some cases as much as 70 lbs. from 3 lbs. sown. The reports received on barley were few. The Golden Melon in one instance gave a yield of 78 lbs. from 3 lbs. sown. The Duckbill one of the best two-rowed sorts of barley with us has been reported by some as giving a poor yield of inferior grain. This is probably owing to the unusual drought which prevailed during the summer. The Banner oat has given good yield in most cases. The Scottish Chief, Early Racehorse, Cream Egyptian, Early Archangel, Prize Cluster and Rosedale are all well spoken of and have given from 40 lbs. to 60 lbs. from 3 lbs. of seed sown. The wheat generally has not given more than 30 lbs. from 3 lbs. sown. Camp- bell's White Chaff is a variety which appears to give general satisfaction. Meetings Attended. Meetings of farmers for the discussion of agricultural subjects were attended in different parts of the Maritime Provinces : Victoria, Cumberland Co., N. S., 25th January. Wolfville, King's Co., N. S., 17th and 18th January. Kentville, King's Co., N. S., 22nd and 23rd January. Yarmouth, Yarmouth Co., N. S., 28th February. Aylsford's, King's Co., N. S., 29th February. Horton Landing, King's Co., N. S., 30th February. Moncton, West. Co., N. B., 13th March. Memramcook, West. Co., N. B„ 14th March. River John, Pictou Co., N. S., 26th June. Pugwash, Cumberland Co., N. S., 9th July. Fredericton, N. B., 16th August. Truro, KS., 21st August. Yarmouth, N.S., 28th August. Southampton, N.S., 12th October. Amherst, N.S., 8th November. Centreville, Carleton Co., N.B., 24th November. Exhibitions. Two exhibitions were attended. The Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition held at Halifax on September 26th, 27th, and 28th, and a county fair at Sackville, N.B., on October 9th. The farm exhibit consisted of grain threshed and in straw, roots, fruits and grasses, all grown on the farm in 1894, occupying a space of 10 by 15 feet square. The exhibit shown this year has been placed in the Assembly Hall of the Amherst Academy, where it is hoped it will be of permanent value. I have the honour to be, sir, Your obedient servant, W. M. BLAIR, Superintendent. EXPERIMENTAL FARM FOR MANITOBA. Brandon, Man., 31st October, 1894. To Wm. Saunders, Esq.. Director, Dominion Experimental Farms, Ottawa. Sir, — I have the honour to submit herewith my seventh annual report of the experiments undertaken and work accomplished on the Brandon Experimental Farm during the past eleven months. Last spring opened quite late and the April rainfall was heavier than usual, greatly delaying seeding ; the first grain was sown on the Experimental Farm on the 20th April, ten days later than the average date, and the first experimental plots were not sown until 30th April, and even then many low spots in the fields were miry and germination of grain in them was delayed, allowing the weeds in these spots to get a good start which they kept throughout the season. After the middle of May the weather remained unusually dry and the rainfall was only 5-1 inches from 1st April to 30th September, or 1-8 inches less than during the same months last year. Some of the favourable features in the past season was the almost total absence of severe wind storms and the long open fall, the first injury from frost occurring on the 17th September, by which time all grain was either threshed or stacked. Owing to the light rainfall the yield of all farm produce in the western and south western parts of the province was below the average of other years, but owing to the excellent harvest weather and open fall the sample of grain of all kinds was much better than usual and the only losses sustained have been through injury by smut, for in the face of the very conclusive results obtained from the use of bluestone as a smut pre- ventive it is to be regretted that a number of farmers still either refuse to treat their seed wheat or do it so carelessly, that considerable loss has again resulted from this cause. Parties who had escaped for a number of years were heavy sufferers this year and owing to the abundant supply of good wheat, there was very little demand for smutty grain and it had to be sold at a sacrifice. A noticeable feature of the past summer is the large exports of beef cattle from the province ; it is to be regretted, however, that many of them were only thin stockers sold at a sacrifice and which should have been fed over winter and sold in spring as fat cattle at good prices. The returns from all fodder plants have been less than usual, but farmers are every- where learning to utilize the straw, chaff and other by-products instead of burning them as in former years and no scarcity of winter feed is anticipated. Owing to the prevailing low price of wheat, experimental tests have been made this year with special crops, among them flax, millet seed, and pease for the purpose of comparison the money value per acre of each crop is stated ; the values given are based on the wholesale prices prevailing at the farmers' market, Brandon. Variety test of Wheat. Rio Grande, the most productive variety in this year's test, has also made one of the highest average yields for the past four seasons, although a fairly good wheat, it is not considered equal to the Red Fife for milling purposes. Dion's is a newly introduced wheat, of uncertain origin, has this year equalled the Red Fife in productiveness and matured four days in advance of that variety. Dion's 282 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. is a heavy bearded wheat, which is considered a serious objection by many farmers here. This variety will have to be tested for a number of years before reliable conclusions can be reached regarding it. Monarch and Wright's Favourite were sent here by farmers for a comparative test, both are bald varieties, and this year rate low in productiveness. The old favourites — Red and White Fife — are again nearly at the top of the list, and the difference between them in yield is only one bushel per acre, farmers living in districts where these varieties ripen in time to escape fall frosts in an average year will do well to hesitate before abandoning them for varieties of uncertain value. Much injury is sustained by farmers mixing these inferior varieties with their best grain, and by this means permanently injuring the quality of the grain exported from the pro- vince, for that reason farmers should use for feed any variety found inferior in quality and not mix it with their grain offered for sale as is often done. Wheat — Test of varieties, sown in plots of -^ acre in sandy loam. &b i DQ BS T3 o 0 a> c3 c€ c3 •X} j-. O o > £ T3 G > 1 . i TZ O a a CD c8 «w to is c3 *i X T3 03 CD o < CD Name of Variety. o CO <4H 0 o . 0) 3 OCG Sec 4-3 c A <4-l o U CD & Value of Grain per Acre. 4) <& bo S-t be T3 X) be 43 OS cS-3 5^ 3 o3 (3 S3 a> CD lbs. A A fe A In. o A M £ Red Fife. In. Bus. lbs. Harrowed and rolled.. May 3 Aug. 9 98 29 Stiff. 2* Beardless 17 10 61 $6.86 @ 40c. per bushel. Rolled after drilled. . . " 3 " 9 98 26 (C 2 ft 17 00 61 $6.80 " Not rolled " 3 " 9 98 31 kC oa ti 15 30 60 $6.20 " 284 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Wheat Cut at Different Stages of Ripeness. The result of this year's test varies very little from that of last year, the yields and weight with one exception increasing until the grain was ripe ; it is evident, however, that should danger from early frost threaten, wheat of both red and white varieties can be cut in the dough stage without a very large shrinkage either in weight or yield, and a week's time is often sufficient to save the crop from injury by frost. Seven pecks seed per acre. Sown with common hoe drill on summer fallow. Name of Variety. Red Fife, 1st cut, 2nd " 3rd " 4th " White Connell, 1st cut 2nd " 3rd " 4th " Stage when cut. Early milk stage Late " Dough stage . . . Ripe yellow. . . Early milk stage Late Dough stage . . . Ripe yellow - 5 Li ■M P P^< 104 99 99 94 89 96 101 97 95 92 87 91 O02 t.0 0 hi In. -I o g o es t-i o 31 Stiff 30 cc 33 it 31 a 35 a 34 tt 30 a 33 a 30 a 32 (C 31 a 30 a w bo a hi In. 24 3 3 3 24 2 3i 24 3 24 24 T3 c3 T3 Beardless , o3 r— 1 o 0> < 53 £ J# J3 T3 bo > & ca e8 ft 49 CD «4H o u m o a> P O a> . St* O a •° "£ 43 c3 J» 43 tt>M Lbs Bus. lbs. Branching 66 6 39 74 24 38 79 24 39 66 26 40 49 14 38 50 10 35 69 14 40 75 30 41 71 6 40 61 16 41 34 24 40 50 30 38 Proportion Rusted. None. Considerably. Badly. * None. it Slightly. Badly. * A small streak of alkali 3 feet wide running across these plots. Summary of Oat plots, sown at different dates, spring 1894. Average yield of six plots of Banner Oats . " Abundance Oats. of two plots sown May 1 " 8 . " " " 15 " " 22!!!'! ii ft «< 00 June 5.'.'.'.'. Per Acre. Bus. lbs. 64 17 60 20 67 27 75 10 75 15 64 4 42 2 50 20 Three years' average of Banner Oats, sown at different dates. Variety. Banner Oats . 1st plot sown. 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th Average Yield per Acre. Bush. lbs. 70 73 72 62 56 54 26 14 22 32 16 14 m +a >> ,P sj bo . ^ bi 'S'c P &.P ® '£ tt) 3 %% bC ^2 u a «* & £§ CD 0) > ft < < Lbs. 106 35 101 34 97 35 94 35 94 34| 91 33| 73 CD 43 CO P u CO 43 'ft 6 1 2 2 3 3 3 SUMMARY. 1. Three years' experience would appear to indicate that the earliest sown plots of grain almost invari- ably ripen first. 2. That sowing grain before the land is in a fit condition for the seed results in a reduced yield. 3. Late sowing of both wheat and oats encourages rust, and lessens the yield. 4. Early sown oats always weigh the most. 288 EX I 'E RIMES TA L FA RMS. Barley — Results op Early, Medium and Late Sowing. Owing to insufficient seed only seven plots of barley were sown. The second sown plot of Oderbruch and the third of Canadian Thorpe gave the largest yield. Barley was sown on turnip ground with a hoe drill, two bushels of seed per acre. The soil was clay loam, and the size of plots fa of an acre. The following are the results : — T3 5 > o <^ OrB fc fc 3 163 35 213 83 225 u O) Yield per '*-' i acre. bo'£ V£> fe Ibs. Bush. lbs. 20 40 48 29 08 45 24 28 44 Remarks. Germinated slowly and only 75 % Germination not injured. From the above it will be seen that soaking in bluestone solution severely injures the germination of the seed, and that sprinkling only destroys about one-half of the smut, therefore neither of these plans are entirely satisfactory. 8c— 19 290 EXPERIMENTAL FAB MS. Mr. James Elder, of Virden, has tried the following plan with decided success and without injuring the germination of the seed. A quantity of liquid is prepared, composed of one pound of bluestone dissolyed in two pails of water, a coal oil barrel is then three parts filled with the grain and sufficient of the liquid is poured on to just cover the grain, this is allowed to remain for a few minutes only, when the liquid is drawn off through a |-inch hole at the bottom of the barrel, and the grain emptied out, by adding about three-quarters of a pail each time the same liquid can be used a number of times. Red Fife on Land prepared in different Ways. In this test the potato ground was ploughed in the spring, 1894. The summer- fallowed land was ploughed in June, 1893, and cultivated on the surface during the sum- mer of that year, and sown without harrowing the following spring. The third plot was sown on land summer-fallowed in 1892, sown to wheat in 1893, and simply drilled in on the stubble last spring. The soil was clay loam, and the plots one-tenth of an acre each. The exactness of this test as a comparison between fall-ploughing and the other modes of preparation was interfered with by the fall-ploughed plot being injured by wind. Red Fife Wheat. How treated. Sown on potato ground " summer-fallow " stubble without ploughing " spring-ploughed stubble. " fall be S3 DQ is T3 0 a> c8 c-J ei o CO <4-l O m KM o o <4-< 0 -*2 «4-t O ^3 a> 0) be S3 be tt >-> be -4J te-S c Js& c P P 'A A O 1-3 In. In. May 8. Aug. 15. 99 32 Stiff. . 3 " 1. " 13. 104 31 (( 3 " 1. " 13. 104 35 (< 3 " 1. " 11. 102 30 it • 3 " 1. " 11. 102 30 tl 2h Beardless ^ O JS < u g 0) aPQ a, -^> T3 bO a> a; £ Lbs Bus. lbs. 44 10 63 33 40 63 26 20 62 23 00 62 17 10 62 .2# H o a, o None. * Slightly injured by wind. SUMMARY. 1. All kinds of grain crops sown after potatoes generally yield well, if the straw is only stiff enough to stand the luxuriant growth. 2. Summer-fallow prepared by ploughing in June and the surface cultivated during the summer always ensures a good crop on this farm. 3. For a second crop after a clean summer-fallow, on land free of perennial weeds, and in a dry year ; simply drilling in wheat on the stubble will often give a good return, but if attempted under any other conditions it is likely to bring a failure, and in any case it cannot be called good practice. Experiments with Oats. Many farmers throughout the province erroneously attribute the lessened yield of oats for the past three years to the more general use of the white varieties so valuable for milling purposes, and many inquiries for black varieties are being made for next year's sowing. From tables published in last year's annual report from this farm it REPORT OF MR. S. A. BEDFORD. 291 will be seen that the average yield for four years of Banner a good milling white oat was nearly 12 bushels per acre above the yield of Black Tartarian for the same period, and this year the difference is even greater, showing clearly that the lessened yield cannot be charged to the use of a good white oat. From the accompanying table with its varying yields it is evident that only prolific varieties true to name should be sown. The tests referred to have been conducted plots of -j-1^ acre each, soil sandy loam. on Oats — Test of varieties. bo a >> St £ T3 £ a TJ . e« o 2 w t*-0 01 +3 Name of Variety. o m 13 O g O U-4 o Kind of Yield per si •£P4 v be +3 bo <3 u 49 bo Head. Acre. bo o (3 ■a .9 a a> cS • iH ft 'C . 0 ~J1 £ o.S o 0 O 4J aj © bo be c5 a - a £ h-3 In. May 14 Aug;. 6 84 29 14 tt 3 81 27 14 a 3 81 24 14 (6 6 84 26 14 H 1 79 24 14 it 1 79 28 14 a 1 79 24 14 it 1 79 26 14 July 30 77 23 14 Aug. 1 79 21 14 CC 11 89 22 14 Julv 30 77 24 14 Aug. 11 89 21 14 it 1 79 25 14 it 11 89 20 Character of Straw. Fair Stiff tt tt it Fair Stiff CC CC CC Fair Stiff Fail- Stiff Fair -c cS a - Is o a 3 S« 60 1 u 01 >H * In. Bus. lbs. Lbs 3 36 32 46 n 33 36 46 2| 33 06 46 2^ 33 06 49 2 31 42 48 2 30 40 43 2 30 10 46 2 28 16 47 2 28 06 45 2 27 24 50 2i 26 32 50 2 25 00 45 2 22 14 51 2.i, 21 12 49 2 17 14 51 T3 +a 5 5 u O ft o & p- None. Two-rowed, test of varieties. Beaver . . French Chevalier California Prolific Sharpe's Improved Chevalier Thanet Duck-bill. Prize Prolific New Golden Grains Canadian Thorpe Danish Chevalier Newton Ki nver Chevalier May 14 Aug. 18 96 23 ' 14 " 15 93 25 ' 14 " 18 96 27 ' 14 " 15 93 23 ' 14 " 18 96 23 ' 14 " 18 96 21 ' 14 " 18 96 26 ' 14 " 18 96 21 ' 14 " 18 96 21 ' 14 " 18 96 26 ' It " 18 9f> 25 ' 14 " 15 93 27 Stiff ^ 32 04 51 Noi Fair 3h 31 22 48 CC 3 30 40 49 Stiff 3? 30 10 48 ii 34 29 08 48 Fair 3 28 46 48 it 3 27 04 48 tt 3 25 30 49 a 3 24 38 48 a 3.! 23 06 48 a 3 19 08 47 it 3* 18 46 48 Hybrid Barleys. A number of hybrid varieties of barley were originated at the Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, by crossing the two-rowed with the six-rowed sorts were tested on the farm this year. The most promising of these are Pioneer and Bolton, both of which yielded over thirty bushels per acre, the product of these plots has been set aside for further test next year. For comparison a plot of Thanet barley was sown adjoining these hybrid varieties and is included in the tables. These tests were also made on sandy loam on plots of Jjr acre. 8 0 294 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Hybrid Barleys in Plots op -^ Acre. Name of Variety. Date of Sowing. Date of Ripening. in >> C3 T3 • 0.9 a a CD ft >> 2* cS o g CD w CD 3 r -f CD 43 Name of Character of Soil. o o 3 o.S <*-* 43 C&0 s^ o Kind of u CD CD 2 o Variety. o 0 CD *4-i O . CD CIO £ 3 "43 OD o ,3 00 Head. 13 43 HI BO CD N CO 43 CS A 1.9 sS a CD Hi In. c3 o H CD Hi CD CD lbs. o In. Bus. lbs. Red Fife Clay loam. 14 acres. May 4. Aug. 11. 99 35 Stiff .. 3 Beardless . 29 12 62 None. Odessa Barley. k 5i " . " 18. " 12. 86 30 ci 3 54 44 49 c < REPORT OF MR. S. A. BEDFORD. 295 Market Value per Acre op Different Grain Crops. This subject is creating considerable discussion at present, and it is deemed ad- visable to give the result of five years' experience on this farm. The years included in the table are from 1890 to 1894, the crops were all grown on summer-fallow, size of plots one-tenth acre, prices given are those prevailing at this date in Brandon. Name of Variety. Average yield for 5 years. Value per bush. Value per acre. Banner Oats Bush. lbs. 78 5 31 35 54 00 20 cents 42 " .... 23 " .... $ cts. 15 63 Red Fife Wheat 13 26 12 42 Pease. This is a crop which deserves special attention in this time of low wheat values, with proper treatment it has always given a profitable return here. It requires strong land free of weeds, summer-fallow preferred, timothy sod broken the previous year is also good for the purpose ; a liberal and deep seeding will be found the most profitable, 2^ to 3 bushels of the medium sized pease drilled as deep as possible is about right here. So far there has been a steady local demand for pease at good prices, and judging from the number of inquiries received at this farm, a good export trade could be worked up whenever there is a surplus beyond what is required for the home market. The tests reported on in the following table were obtained on clay loam on plots of one-tenth acre each : — Test of Varieties. Name of Variety. Pride Centennial Mummy Golden Vine Prince Albert Crown. ... Black Eyed Marrowfat . Potter. Canadian Beauty Multiplier m Date of Date of V 2 CD cd - w CD ••s«l i - J3 -a o Ph O ^3 Sowing. Ripening. •a* 3^ 3 a> 3 a 43 a CO 43 60 a fc > £ c5 CO CO c co & s- Name of Variety. o < CO -o 55 m o w **- o CO c5 P 0 +3 bb f— o £ *- fa cj 3 -4-3 GO m— 0 -*3 fco a a> In. Character of Straw. 0 $p CO CO a ■si Lbs Value per Acre. Pck In. Bus. lbs. $ cts per bus. Prince Albert Pease 6 May 17 Aug 18 93 43 Leaning . . 2£ 5 00 02 3 75 at 75 cts. G S it It 17 17 ( i IS IS 93 93 37 43 it Fair 15 21 42 22 17 30 37 G3 8 52 20 " 12 27 Prince Albert Pease 13 12 at 75 cts. Prize Cluster Oats 4 > a £ 73 •: m o a •*- ** t*'h am * 5 Jl ■° ■£ *- 0 bO a cb £ J In. 92 18 92 24 92 18 102 102 0} O CD < CB ^3 T3 he to CB £ £ Bush. lbs. lbs. 20 50 56 20 00 56 19 26 54 29 20 62 27 20 63 Value per Acre. $22^ @ $1t% per bus. 22 '* " 21-^a 40 cts. 40 " Flax sown at different dates. Flax 90 lbs. seed. " 90 " 90 " Wlieat sown for comparison. Red Fife Wheat . White Connell Wheat la\ •22.. a 19.. <( 11.. it 3.. it 3. Aug. 18. 16 13. 13. 13. 88 22 89 18 94 20 102 102 21 14 56 20 50 56 18 12 51 29 20 62 27 20 63 20f& $WS per bus. 40 cts. 40 " SUMMARY. 1st. Flax at the prevailing prices is a more profitable crop than wheat. 2nd. One year's experience would appear to indicate that ninety pounds of seed is more profitable than a smaller amount, this is much more than is generally used. 3rd. That the end of May is early enough to sow this crop in a warm dry season. 4th. Flax can be sown with a grain drill, cut with a binder, and threshed with a separator. Flax and Oats. During the spring months many farmers feed to their farm animals a small quan- tity of flax mixed with oats, larger quantities of this would no doubt be used were it not for the weed seeds found in the flax generally offered for sale. For the purpose of ascertaining whether it is possible to grow the flax and oats together, and by this means secure clean seed, two pecks of flax and nine pecks of oats were sown, and the combined crop was readily harvested with a grain binder and threshed with a separator ; the two kinds of grain were separated and the proportions are given in the following tables. The size of plot used was one-tenth of an acre, and the soil was clay loam. Flax and Oats mixed. bo a £ T3 CB a CB U o 43 <4-( o W 5 < u CB Name of Variety. m o o o o u CB Value per Acre. CB CB hC bo §-B bo T3 .SP 3 43 c« is a CB £n a CB CB cbcd Q f=) In. o A p • Lbs per bus. May 17 " 17 Aug. 13 " 13 18 Stiff.... 6 pods . 4 26 55 $ 4 91 at $1 . 10 " Prize Cluster per acre 33 (I 8 in. 41 06 39 8 23 20 cts. $13 14 REPORT OF MR. S. A. BEDFORD. 299 As a large proportion of the millet seed used in this country is imported, it was deemed advisable to test the growing of it here. From the accompanying table it will be seen that at the prevailing price of one dollar per bushel, it is a very profitable crop. Common Millet grown for Seed. Soil, black sandy loam, after potatoes ; sown with a grain drill : Variety. When Sown. CD ft a? CO 43 S3 CD < When Cut. u CD ft-J to 3 ■£p5 Yield of seed per Acre. Value at 11. Common Millet. it May 11.. " 11.. " 19.. Lbs. 23 45 23 Aug. 15.. " 15.. " 13.. Lbs. 51 50 50 Bush. lbs. 29 38 27 09 21 22 $ cts. 29 79 27 18 21 45 Grasses and Fodder Plants. The very dry spring weather prevailing during the past two years has made it almost impossible to get a catch of grass when the seed is sown with grain, and the only successful plan here has been to sow grass seed in August on land prepared as for sum- mer-fallow ; stubble land is ploughed early in June and cultivated on the surface until about the 15th August, when the grass seed is sown on the bare fallow and harrowed in, this plan has never failed to give a good stand of grass even in the driest season. If the grass seed is not sown earlier than the above date, the weeds which always come up freely will be cut down by frost before they ripen, leaving the grass clean the following season. Five varieties of grass were sown on bare fallow in 1893, size of the plots varied from one-quarter acre to three acres ; owing to the very dry season and the light char- acter of the soil the yields were not large. All the plots sown with native varieties were free from weeds, but for some reason the Austrian Brome grass was somewhat weedy, and none of it could be kept for seed. Ten pounds of seed per acre of each variety was used ; 15 pounds would have been better. As an indication of their comparative value for spring and fall pasture, the height on 1st May and amount of aftermath is given : Name of variety. Yield per Acre. Height 1st May. Amount of Aftermath. Remarks. American Rye Grass (E. Americanus) Bald Wheat Grass (A. tenerum) ... Bald Rye Grass (E. Virginicus) Lbs. 2,022 1,916 1,407 1,668 1,391 5 inches . . . 4 " ... 5 " ... 6 " ... Not started Very little . . None Very little . . Good all fall A little Bearded head. Quality good. Quality good. Austrian Brome (B. inermis) Wide leaves. Drop seed or Wild Timothy (M. glomerata) Quality choice. 300 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Millets. As millets of different kinds are grown to a considerable extent, a number of tests in connection with these fodder plants have been made. The Japan millet is a coarse variety with large, rather open heads quite distinct from any variety heretofore grown on this farm. Although badly injured by the drought, it was quite promising and should be again tested. In the test of thick and thin sowing 23 pounds of seed per acre has given the best returns. Test of Millets also Millets and Oats. Soil black sandy loam, summer-fallow, seed sown with a grain drill : Name of variety. When Sown. Japan Millet Common Millet Hungarian Grass and / Banner Oats t May 29. " 25. June 4. 4. 4. When Cut. Sept. 13. " 13. " 13. " 13. " 13. ^3 o s Lbs. 23 23 30 34 30 Yield per Acre. Green. Tons. lbs. 2 409 1 1,681 2 1,750 | 2 1,875 Dry. Tons. lbs. 1 1,638 1 227 1 950 2 25 Thick and Thin sown Millet. Soil black clay loam, after potatoes, sown with a grain drill Name of variety. When Sown. May 11.. "' 11.. When Cut. Aug. 15. . " 15.. Yield per Acre. Green. Dry Hay. c< 45 " " Tons. lbs. 5 700 5 272 Tons. lbs. 2 1,750 2 1,181 Mixed Grain Grown for Fodder. We are pleased to notice a larger number of farmers growing oats, or oats and pease for fodder, on their own farms, in preference to drawing marsh hay from ten to twenty miles, as in former years. The season was not a favourable one for fodder, still the return was fair and the quality good. REPORT OF MR. S. A. BEDFORD. Mixed Grain for fodder. 301 Variety. f Pease, Prince Albert. 1- Wheat, Red Fife - Date of Sowing. How Sown. (_Oats, Banner 1 f Pease, Prince Albert 1 2- Barley, Prize Prolific 1 (. Oats, Banner 1 When Cut. May 17. . Hoe drill July 28. . 17.. 17. 17 17 17 Weight per Acre. Green. Tons. lbs. t 28 . 28. I 28.. i 28. 28. 5 1,900 00 Dry. Ti ms. lbs. 2 500 ■2 950 Fodder Corn. Corn, in common with all fodder crops, has suffered severely by the past summer's drought, and the yield is below the average, but is still sufficiently large to make it the most profitable of all forage crops, and it should be more cultivated, especially on the lighter soils of the province. Owing to the very warm dry summer and open fall, a large proportion of the ears ripened on an early sown 10-acre field of Korth Dakota Flint, about 30 bushels of this was saved for seed, and if wintered safely will be sown next year with the hope that it may produce in time an earlier ripening strain of that variety. It will be noticed that Longfellow corn gave the largest return of fodder, but it is somewhat later than the North Dakota flint. Rural Thoroughbred White Flint, the next in productiveness, is a popular ensilage corn in the east, but is altogether too late for this province ; taking everything into consideration the North Dakota flint is still the most promising variety for this section. Mitchell's Extra Early, the earliest of the varieties tested for fodder, gives too small a return for this purpose, but is as early as the native squaw corn, and has larger ears, and should replace it for table use. It is noticeable that sowing in drills gave the best returns in every case. Test of Varieties. Sown after corn, 10 loads of manure ploughed in the fall ; size of plots one-tenth acre, soil sandy loam ; sown on 21st May with a press drill, drills 3 feet apart, plants 1 foot apart in the drill, also in hills 3 feet apart each way ; kept clean with a Breed weeder and one horse cultivator ; cut on 5th September and immediately weighed. Corn. Name of Variety. Longfellow Rural Thorobred White Flint. North Dakota Flint Angel of Midnight Compton's Early Smut Nose Pearce's Prolific Gold Medal Dent Livingston's Mitchell's Extra Early Date of Sowing. May 21 4 t 21 it 21 ti 21 a 21 tt 21 a 21 a 21 1 1 21 a 21 - V Z ? cS c tit When Tas- selled. In Silk. Early Milk. Late Milk. Condi- tion when cut. s.S — s so c 33 .- be — £ in. Tons lbs 70 July 31 Aug. 7 Aug. 17 Aug. 25 L. milk. 18 740| 05 Aug. 23 July 25 Se] it. 8 Silk.. . 15 140 65 Aug. 4 Aug. 13 Aug. 23 Glazed . 13 400 59 Aug. 1 i 8 Cf 17 it 25 L. milk . 12 640 69 July 27 i i tt 17 it 23 1 1 12 200 67 " 29 t 2 it 12 a 23 a 10 1,340 62 " 27 i 2 t t 14 ti 23 a 9 1,800 61 [Aug. 2 i 7 it 17 Ey. milk 9 1,140 64 i " 1 i 0 a 17 Sept. 4 L. milk . 8 1,600 51 July 20 t 1 it i Aug. 17 Ripe. .. 7 300 2js O —i bo o Tons lbs 12 10 11 M 7 9 7 7 4 200 680 240 300 1,800 300 300 1,400 1,900 302 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Sunflowers and Horse-beans. Sunflowers sown 22nd May, in rows 3 feet apart and 1 foot apart in the row, yielded 13,200 pounds per acre of ripe heads on 11th September. Horse-beans sown 22nd May in rows 3 feet apart, plants 6 inches apart in the row ; yielded on 11th September, 2,640 pounds per acre of combined stalks and grain. Silos. The ensilage made last year from corn and sunflowers proved to be all sound and sweet to the bottom of the silo, this year one silo was again filled, and the corn being well matured, the ensilage is the best we have ever had on this farm. Judging from the four years' test of silos here, they are when placed in a bank barn a decided success, and now that lumber can be obtained at a more reasonable price than formerly, no doubt many will be erected. Field Roots. In former years only two sowings of each kind of field roots were made ; this year, for the purpose of testing very early sowing, three plots were sown, each of them a week apart. The earliest sown as usual has given the largest yield, this was no doubt largely due to the very dry summer. It would appear, however, from the experience of several years, that even in an average season, the root crop should be sown two weeks earlier than in Ontario. In addition to the usual tables, others have been prepared showing the general average for each sowing, also, the average of each variety for the three sowings. It will be seen that East Lothian turnip, Mammoth Long Red mangel and Half Long White carrots gave the best average yield. Also, that the first sown turnips yielded a third more than the last sown, the first sown mangels and carrots nearly doubled the last sown. Turnips. Yield of turnips sown at three different dates ; on millet stubble, land manured and ploughed in the fall ; seed drilled in on flat drills 30 inches apart ; pulled 9th October. Soil sandy loam : estimate of yield made from product of one row 66 feet long. The first plots were sown on the 8th of May, the second series 15th May and the third 22nd May and all were pulled 9th October. REPORT OF MR. S. A. BEDFORD. Roots — Turnips. 303 Name of Variety. Selected Purple Top. . Westbury Improved . . Bloomsdale Swede Selected East Lothian. Champion Purple Top, Marquis of Lome Prize Purple Top Skirving's Selected Snow White Globe.... Jumbo or Monarch Carter's Elephant Giant King Yield per Acre. 1st Plot. Tons 22 20 20 20 20 20 19 19 18 17 16 15 Lbs. 880 920 920 920 392 128 544 16 696 584 1,264 888 Yield per Acre. 1st Plot. Bush. 748 6S2 682 682 673 668 642 633 611 576 554 514 Lbs. 12 48 24 36 36 24 24 48 Yield per Acre. 2nd Plot. Tons. Lbs. 13 1,720 11 13 13 13 10 15 10 9 12 14 17 1,232 664 400 1,456 856 360 328 744 1,608 512 1,112 Yield per Acre. 2nd Plot. Bush. 462 387 444 440 457 347 506 338 312 426 475 585 Lbs. 12 24 36 36 48 24 48 12 12 Yield per Acre. 3rd Plot. Tons. Lbs. 8 630 13 9 25 400 1,800 1,744 12 1,080 7 19 7 12 14 14 14 784 280 256 288 1,040 512 1,040 Yield per Acre. 3rd Plot. Bush. Lbs. 277 12 440 330 862 418 246 638 237 404 484 475 484 24 24 36 48 12 Turnips — General average for three sowings. Sowing of May 8 . " 15. " " 22. Average per Acre. Bush. Lbs. 639 6 431 56 441 28 SUMMARY. Name of Variety. Selected East Lothian. Prize Purple Top Giant King. Champion Purple Top. Westbury Improved. Carter's Elephant Selected Purple Top . . . Jumbo or Monarch . . . Bloomsdale Swede .... Snow White Globe . . . Marquis of Lome Skirving's Selected Average Yield for three Sowings. Bush. Lbs. 661 595 528 516 503 501 495 495 485 442 420 403 28 28 00 16 4 36 44 44 28 42 56 20 304 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Mangels. Yield of Mangels sown at three different dates. The first set of plots were sown 8th May, the second 15th May and the third 22nd May, and all were pulled 21st September, sown on millet stubble, land manured and ploughed in the fall ; flat drills 30 inches apart. With one exception the earliest sown gave the best yield in each variety. The quality of the roots was excellent. The yields have been es- timated fiom the product of one row 66 feet long. Name of Variety. Mammoth Long Red. Selected Long Red.. . Yield per Acre. 1st Plot. Tons. Lbs. 27 648 26 1064 Canadian Giant 24 840 Mammoth Long Red 22 1936 Improved Mam. Prize Long Red 22 1408 j 756 Gate Post 22 880 j 748 Golden Tankard 19 280 [ 638 00 Warden Orange Globe 1 19 16 633 36 Giant Yellow Intermediate 17 848 580 48 1st Plot. Bus. Lbs. 910 48 884 24 814 00 765 36 48 00 2nd Plot. 24 1896 20 656 12 288 20 920 21 1032 21 240 12 816 23 464 13 400 2nd Plot, Bus. Lbs. 831 36 677 36 404 48 682 00 717 12 3rd Plot. 3rd Plot. Tons. Lbs. Bus. Lbs. 20 128 i 668 4S IS 16S 10 1120 13 19S4 602 48 352 00 466 24 704 00 413 36 774 24 440 00 8 632 10 856 9 480 10 1120 Ui 12 347 36 308 00 352 00 64 I 224 24 Mangels — General average for the three sowings. Sowing of May 8 " 15 a it nt> Average per Acre. Bush. Lbs. 748 00 627 14 399 54 SUMMARY. Name of Variety. Mammoth Long Red Selected Mam. Long Red Mammoth Long Red Gate Post Warden Orange Globe Improved Mam. Prize Long Red Canadian Giant Golden Tankard Giant Yellow Intermediate Average Yield for three Sowing. Bush. Lbs. 803 721 638 599 586 583 523 453 415 44 36 00 52 40 44 36 12 4 REPORT OF MR. S. A. BEDFORD. 305 Carrots. Yield of carrots, sown on very deeply fall ploughed land, millet stubble ; barnyard manure applied in the fall ; flat drills 18 inches apart. The first plots were sown on 8th May, the second series on 15th May and the third 22nd May, and all were pulled 22nd September. The yields have been calculated from the product of one row 66 feet long. Name of Variety. Yield per Acre. 1st Plot. Tons. Lbs. 16 120 14 600 14 600 13 840 13 400 Half Long White Improved Short White Mammoth White Intermediate Improved Half Long White St. Valery White Belgian 11 1,320 Guerande 11 440 Giant Short White Vosges 11 Carters Orange Giant 11 Half Long Stump rooted i 10 680 Early Gem j 9 1,800 Iverson's Champion j 9 920 1st Plot. Bus. Lbs. 535 120 476 40 476 40 447 20 440 388 40 374 366 40 366 40 344 40 330 315 20 2nd Plot. Tons. Lbs. 15 800 14 160 14 160 13 400 6 1,200 9 40 10 1,120 10 680 10 680 6 1,640 9 40 9 40 2nd Plot. Bus. Lbs. 513 20 469 20 469 20 440 220 300 40 352 344 40 344 40 227 20 300 40 300 40 3rd Plot. Tons. Lbs. 7 1,400 9 1,580 8 500 10 680 4 1,020 8 1,160 8 1,380 9 40 5 560 3 820 6 1,200 7 80 3rd Plot. Bus. Lbs. 256 40 326 20 275 344 40 150 20 286 289 40 300 40 176 113 40 220 234 40 Carrots — General average for the three sowings. Sowing of May 8 " 15 " " 22 Average per Acre. Bush. Lbs. 405 10 356 53 247 4S 8c- 20 306 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Summary. Name of Variety. Average Yield for three Sowings. Half Long White Improved Short White Improved Half Long White . . . Mammoth White Intermediate Guerande Giant Short White Vosges White Belgian Carter's Orange Giant Early Gem Iverson's Champion St. Valery Half Long Stump Rooted Bush. Lbs. 435 6 424 6 410 40 407 338 33 337 20 325 6 295 46 283 33 283 33 270 6 228 33 Sugar Beets. Yield of sugar beets. Treated the same as mangels. The first plots were sown on 8th May the second series on 15th May and the third 22nd May, and all were pulled on 21st September. In every case the earliest sown gave the largest return. We find the sugar beet very useful for feeding calves j they are more readily eaten by young animals than mangels. The yield in these tests has been calculated from the product of one row 66 feet long. Name of Variety. Yield per Acre. 1st Plot. French Red Top Sugar Vilmorin's Improved. . Klein Wanzleben Tons. Lbs. 20 1712 19 280 15 360 1st Plot. Bus. Lbs 695 12 638 506 2nd Plot. 2nd Plot 3rd Plot. 3rd Plot. Tons. Lbs. Bus. Lbs. Tons. Lbs. Bus. Lbs. 11 1760 396 10 1120 352 6 1992 233 12 6 408 206 48 7 1810 264 7 784 246 24 Cattle. I regret that owing to the prevalence of tuberculosis among our cattle it has been found necessary to slaughter during the summer the larger portion of the farm herd. For this reason very few experiments with cattle have been undertaken of late. The cattle that survived the test are in apparent good health and it is believed that the disease has been stamped out ; the barn has been thoroughly disinfected. Feeding Cows. Many inquiries are received from farmers regarding the comparative amount of food consumed by the different breeds of cattle. REPORT OF MR. S. A. BEDFORD. 307 With a view of obtaining some information on this point, two cows of each of the breeds kept on this farm were placed in double stalls and fed all they would eat up clean of the following ration : — 40 lbs. Corn ensilage. 36 " Cut wheat straw. 12 " Frozen wheat chop. 3 " Barley chop. Any food left in the mangers was deducted from the amount charged to each breed. As the beef breeds were dry and the dairy breeds in full milk they are reported on separately. All were supposed to be in calf. Beef Breeds. Name. Rose of Darlington Rose of Sydenham . Violet Hannah Breed. Shorthorn.. cc Galloway . . T3 O) V Con- dition. Age. Weight April 7. Weight May 7. 3 3 3 3 S o < Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. Dry. . a a tt 4 years 8 " 8 " 6 " 1,545 1,725 1,330 1,235 1,625 1,760 1,355 1,260 } 1,480 } 1,208 Loss or gain in weight. Gain, 80 lbs. 35 " 25 " 25 " Dairy Breeds. Name. Queen Leda Dandy, 2nd Jewel, " Breed. Holstein Ayrshire. Con- dition. Fullm'k Age. 6 years 5 " 5 " 5 " Weight April 7. Lbs. 1,160 1,420 1,155 1,190 Weight May 7. Lbs. 1,160 1,460 1,120 1,105 e **r* en 3 O Lbs. 1 1,584 h 359 Loss or gain in weight. Neither. Gain, 40 lbs. Loss, 35 " " 85 " Yield of Milk from the Different Breeds of Cattle. In view of the many inquiries regarding the quantities of milk given by the dairy breeds kept at this farm, returns are given showing the quantity of milk obtained from two of the cows of each of the dairy breeds. The dates selected were the milking periods of the cows between August, 1892, and October, 1893. There are several circumstances which would prevent this from being a reliable comparative test of milking qualities of the different breeds, and it is not intended for that purpose. No test of this sort can be taken as accurate when applied to the different breeds in a general way, since individual animals of the same breed vary so much in their power of milk production. The cows were fed moderately on corn ensilage, cut wheat straw and a little mixed chop in winter and on fairly good native grass pasture during the growing season. 8c— 20* 308 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Having no Babcock tester at the time, the amount of butter fat of the milk cannot be given. Since then a tester has been procured which will be used in such tests in future. All the cows were young, and since then the yields from all of them have greatly increased. Name. Leda. . Queen . Breed. Dandy . Jewel. . Holstein. Ayrshire. Age. 4 years . . 5 " .. 4 years . . . 4 " ... Days actually giving milk . 324 271 595 334 270 604 Lbs. of milk. 10,155 8,604 18,759 6,693 5,291 11,984 Poultry. The poultry house on the Experimental Farm is a frame building 16 x 32 feet, the spaces between the studs are filled with broken bricks laid in mortar ; although sufficiently warm to keep the combs of the fowls from freezing, it is not warm enough to make fowls tender. The runs in connection with the poultry house being finished, on March 15th, pens of the following breeds of fowls were made up, Barred Plymouth Rocks, White Leg- horns and Light Brahmas. The following table shows the average number of eggs laid per bird of each breed of fowls from 1st April to 31st October : Breed. •-* u a T2> iV> tV have not yet borne fruit. Gooseberries. Nineteen varieties were received from the Central Farm, imported from England in the spring of 1893, and planted in shelter plots on the hillside. These consisted of two each of the following varieties : Whenham's Industry, Lancashire Lad, "Warrington, Bonnie Lass, Leader, Pitmaston Green Gage, Green Overall, White Champagne, Red Champagne, Companion, Improved Early Hedghog, Crown Bob, Early Sulphur, Dublin, Bobby, Leveller, Whitesmith, Queen Victoria and Governess. In the fall of that year they were found to be healthy and to have become thoroughly established, but the following spring all had succumbed to the severity of our winter. The Houghton and Smith's Improved still continue hardy and are recommended for general culture in this province, the Houghton is the most prolific, bearing a crop nearly every year, the fruit is small but excellent both raw and preserved. Smith's Improved is larger in size but the bush is a shy bearer here. The native gooseberry is found to improve greatly under cultivation, with careful pruning large quantities of small but fair flavoured fruit may be produced. Raspberries. The yield of all kinds of raspberries was very small this year owing to excessive dry hot weather just as the fruit was forming. There are fifteen varieties of this fruit at present under test here ; they are as follows : — Red, — Turner, Philadelphia, Cuthbert, Dr. Reeder, Marlboro, Taylors's Prolific, Saunders seedlings, Sarah, 7\ and ^. Caroline and Golden Queen, — Yellow, Hilborn, — Blackcap, Nevada, Gainor and Wachusetts Thornless — Blackberries. All tender varieties were laid down and covered with earth before winter set in, and were found to be in excellent condition when uncovered in the spring. The Turner having withstood previous winters was not protected and was only slightly killed back. The Philadelphia was also left unprotected and proved to be the hardiest variety under cultivation here. REPORT OF MR. S. A. BEDFORD. 313 Some of all varieties have been laid down the present winter, and notes will be taken of their condition during next season. The Turner and Philadelphia of the red, the Caroline of the yellow, and the Hil- born of the black varieties respectively still sustain their reputation for general useful- ness here. The three seedling raspberries mentioned in last year's report, viz., Record num- bers Sarah, -3- and f-% were multiplied by suckers. Sarah has proved itself very prom ising, seems to be fairly hardy, producing a fair crop of large red berries ripening late. T34 is hardy, f- is tender and needs protection. Strawberries. The strawberries now growing on this farm, are Crescent, Wilson, New Dominion, Parker Earle, Windsor Chief and Pineapple, these produced but a small amount of fruit this season owing to the drought, but there are a fine lot of young plants which will be utilized in forming new beds next spring. Twenty-five additional varieties were received from the Central Experimental Farm in September, 1893, these were planted immediately and well watered but frost coming soon after, they perished before becoming established. It seems useless to attempt growing strawberry plants here by planting in the fall : the autumn is usually very dry and the plants have not time to get established before frost sets in. Huckleberries. Ten bushes of huckleberries were received from Iowa and planted in 1893, all started to grow, but this fall only three were alive, these are not promising and will probably succumb during the present winter. Quinces. Ten Japan Quince was added to our list of fruits in 1893, these were presented to the farm by Dr. D. H. Harrison, Neepawa, they made fair growth but do not promise to be hardy here. FORESTRY. Forest Tree Shelter Belt. This belt is situated on the west boundary of the farm and consists of twenty-one rows 4 feet 6 inches apart, and 775 feet long, the trees are planted 4 feet 6 inches apart in the rows. Planting was commenced in 1889 and completed in 1890, but during each of these years a number of the trees died, these were replaced but since 1892 very few trees have died. Some of the trees have grown quite large and last' summer it became necessary to cut back some of the rank giowers to make room for the slow growing and evergreen varieties. 314 EXPE1UMENTAL FARMS. The accompanying view represents a portion of this shelter belt near the western boundary of the farm. i ', f* MM -' ; P* ns o S-. GO CO -3 o cS A CO o c3 REPORT OF MR. S. A. BEDFORD. 315 The following list gives the height and spread of branches of the several varieties, also remarks as to their suitability for shelter belts. The belt has been kept clean with a one-horse cultivator each year since planting commenced. Variety. Oak, mossy cup Ash, white, Fraxinus Americana. " black, F. sambucifolia " red, F. pubescens " green, native Mountain Ash, American European " Manitoba Caragana arborescens Artemisia Abrotanum Spruce, white (native), Picea alba. . . " Norway, Picea excelsa " White (Ontario), Picea alba . Cedar, Arbor- vitae Pine, Scotch, Pinus sylvestris " Austrian, Pinus Austriaca " Riga Larch, European " Manitoba Laurel-leaved willow French, laurel-leaved willow Ash-leaved maple, native Silver-leaved maple, A. dasycarpum. . Norway maple .... White Native Elm, U. Americana . . . White Elm Imported, " Imported White Birch B. alba . . . . Sweet Birch, B. lenta Canoe Birch, B. papyrif era American Alder, from Ontario European Alder Populus bereolensis (Russian Poplar). Carolina Wobstii Riga ' ' certinensis " Sibirica " Petrovsky " Alba argentea Bolleana tremuloides, native Balm of Gilead, native ...... " Cottonwood (Dakota) . (Nebraska) Salix acutifolia, Sharp-leaved willow. . ' ' Voronesh " Wisconsin, weeping willow ■a be '3 S a> ea.5 Ft. 6 4 8 7 9 8 8 6 6 6 5 3 3 7 6 Small. 6 8 7 7 14 6 3 6 3 11 13 12 5 5 16 15 15 11 12 IE 7 5 10 9 16 4 15 14 Ft. o O 1 4 2 3 3 3 G 4 4 3 1 4 3 4 4 4 3 10 2 1 4 2 6 7 8 2 2 10 9 5 10 6 3 4 7 14 3 12 10 Remarks. Hardy, slow grower, a native. Tender, not suitable for this province. Hardy and useful — useful wood. Slow of growth, hardy, useful wood. Sun-scalds, not desirable. a (t Hardy, promising. A pretty flowering shrub, quite hardy. Very useful for bleak places. A handsome tree, hardy. Half hardy, requires protection. it it (( Slow grower, quite ornamental. Hardy only under protection. Hardiness uncertain, promising. Handsome and hardy. a tt Large laurel-like leaves, hardy. Sun-scalds badly. A good wind break, rapid grower. Not desirable, winter kills. Very tender, no good here. Very hardy, slow grower, handsome. Tender, no use here. Sun-scalds, half hardy. Vigorous growth, hardy. Hardy and ornamental. Half hardy. ■; it Very vigorous, hardy and ornamental. Not so spreading in its habits, hardy. Very fast growth, hardy. Strong grower, half hardy. Large dark leaves, slow growth. Seems identical with bereolensis Silver-leaved, half hardy. " tender. Trembling poplar. Promising for shelter belt. A good windbreak, rapid grower. Kills to roots each winter. Very rapid grower, good snow collector. Very pretty in winter. Very tender, no good here. SUMMARY. A shelter belt composed of a number of varieties is more interesting and instructive than if only one variety is used ; it is also well to introduce evergreens into such belts as far as is practicable. The Russian Poplars — Bereolensis, Wobstii Riga and Petrovsky, and our Ash-leaved Maple are quick growers and make good nurses for slower growing and more tender trees. 316 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. For permanent trees the slow growing varieties, such as Green, Red and Black Ash and White Elm, should be interspersed with the others, in time the wood of these varieties will be found valuable. The best and so far only perfectly hardy evergreen is the native White Spruce. Other conifers that will succeed with some protection are Common Cedar, Larch and Scotch Pine. Hedges for Windbreaks. Below will be found a list of hedges now growing on this farm ; they are trimmed each year about harvest time to a uniform height and width, this has a tendency to thicken them. Ash-leaved Ma])le. — Of this tree about 4,000 feet of double hedge is now being tested, for a comparison, these are planted at different distances apart. It is found that two rows of trees planted alternately 3 feet apart each way makes the most effective wind- break. In height they are now from 6 to 16 feet according to age. Ash, Native Green. — Seven hundred and forty feet of this hedge was planted in 1891 ; it is a slow grower, but healthy. Elm, Native White. — Three hundred and seventy feet planted in 1891, compact growth, good snow collector. Spruce, Native White. — Two hundred and fifty feet planted in 1893 ; this is 4 feet high ; handsome all the year round ; quite healthy and decidedly the most promising wind break hedge. Populus Bereolensis. — Three hundred and seventy feet planted in 1891, with one year old trees in double rows 4 x 4, it now stands 9 feet high, and is a compact and effective windbreak. Cottonwood (Dakota). — Three hundred and seventy feet planted with cuttings in 1891, now about 5 feet high, is of more spreading habit than Bereolensis Poplar, and so far not nearly so effective as a windbreak. Sharp-leaved Willow. — Three hundred and four feet planted in double rows 4x4, with one year old trees. This is the most exposed of all hedges, but has made fine growth, is quite dense, and is now 8 feet high. Black Cherry, Native. — Two hundred feet planted in 1893, with young trees from the bush, this is a free bloomer and very pretty, but runs badly to suckers. Caragana arborescens.— Two hundred feet planted in 1893 with one year old trees, now 3 feet high, hardy and ornamental. Asiatic Maple, Acer ginnala. — For a low ornamental hedge, this is very promising. Avenues. There were added 47 ash-leaved maple trees to the avenues last spring, these were planted east and west to connect the two avenues already planted north and south, the trees were selected so as to be uniform in size with those already growing. The sum- mer being unusually dry they made very little growth, but all have apparently become established. The excessive drought of the past two seasons has had very little injurious effect on the avenues on this farm, only four of the 925 maple trees and none of the 180 native white spruce have died in the two years. The 240 Russian poplars planted in the avenue on the east side of the farm are all making a rapid growth and will add variety to the avenue planting, 1,345 avenue trees are now growing on the farm, and the loss from all causes is only a fraction of one per cent per annum. This success is we believe due almost entirely to persistent, clean cultivation for six feet on each side of the trees : in fence corners where this was neglected the trees have soon died and had to be replaced. Avenue trees are planted 20 feet apart, no water is used except for a week or two after planting should very dry weather occur. REPORT OF MR. S. A. BEDFORD. 317 Planting around Superintendent's House. Of the 27 varieties of trees and 49 varieties of ornamental shrubs planted around the superintendent's house in the spring of 1893 only the following varieties have winter killed : — Mountain ash (Pyrus Americana), Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris), Beech (Fagus ferruginea), Thunberg's barberry (Berberis Thunbergii). Last spring the following varieties were added to the collection, and nearly all of them had become established before winter set in : — trees. Siberian Cedar, Choke cherry, Basket Willow, Pyrus Baccata, Manitoba Bass wood, Cottonwood, Russian Euonymus, Native Thorn, Riga Pine, Native Red Willow, Blue Spruce, Black Ash, Green Ash, Red Ash, Yellow Pine, Dwarf Mountain Pine. SHRUBS. Native Sumac, Lonicera Tatarica, do Alberti, do Media, do Splendens, Amur Tamarix, Russian Privet, Prunus Padus, Bitter sweet, Native, Rosemary Willow, Pyrus Toringo, Prunus Maackii, Alnus incana, Improved Elderberry, White Tartarian Honeysuckle, Rosa Rugosa, single, do do double, Artemisia Lancieolata, Caragana grandiflora, Lilac, Ambrose Yerschaffeldt, do Flora plena, do Beranger, Spirea Callosa Alba. Success with Tree-cuttings. Below will be found a table giving the results of a comparative test between fall and spring cuttings of forest trees and shrubs. The fall made cuttings were packed in sand until planting time in sprint. All were planted deep allowing only one bud out of the ground, all cuttings were eight inches long. 318 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Tree-cuttings. Variety. QQ bO .5 -u . s^ <~ t: ° 5 100 100 50 50 100 100 100 100 300 300 25 25 400 400 250 250 When Cut. Percentage Struck. Remarks. It »t 11 II Fall Fall Fall Spring Fall Fall Spring n Fall Spring Fall Fall 50 per 75 ' 70 ' 80 « 42 ' 42 ' 70 ' 25 * 100 ' 100 ' 100 ' 100 « 100 • 100 ' 94 ■ 90 ' cent. Fair growth. Large healthy growth. Fair growth. Poor " Large healthy growth. II (I Cottonwood (Dakota) ii ii ii ii Very large and healthy growth. Small healthy growth. Artemisia (Siberian) 4 feet, healthy growth. it it ii ii (Eng. Var) it a Small growth, very healthy, n ii Salix Voronesh Fair growth. it it ii SUMMARY. Russian Poplars (Bereolensis and Wobstii Riga) have succeeded best from spring cuttings. Cottonwood has done best from fall cuttings. Willows and Artemisia cuttings have nearly all grown equally well whether made in the fall or spring. Seed gathered and sown. Last season it was found that many of the trees planted on the farm in former years were sufficiently large to bear seeds, a large quantity of this seed was gathered ; some of it was sent to the other Experimental farms, a portion sown here in seed beds in the fall, and the balance was packed in sand for sowing and distribution in the spring. Trees. The number of trees, shrubs, etc., growing on the farm at this date is as follows Shelter belts 11,211 Avenues 1,345 Hedges 7,973 Two year old maples 8,461 One year old maples 2,000 Fruit trees and bushes . . 4,019 Nurseries and permanent plantations. . . 30,715 Total 65,724 Forest Tree and Small Fruit Distribution. Four hundred and sixty-eight packages of forest trees were sent out from this farm during the year, the trees supplied were of the same varieties as those sent out last year, a list of which will be found on page 267 of last year's report. In addition to the above, one hundred and seventy-five packages of small fruits were also mailed to farmers throughout the province. Circulars were sent to the parties receiving trees, asking for a report of their .suc- cess or otherwise, these particulars will be compiled, and will, no doubt, prove a useful guide in future distributions. REPORT OF MR. S. A. BEDFORD. 319 Three hundred and fifty 1 -pound packages of native Ash Leaf Maple seeds were distributed throughout the province, principally to farmers ; reports regarding these are coming in daily, and evidently this is one of the best means of encouraging tree growing, undertaken by the Experimental Farms. VEGETABLES. Potatoes. The light rainfall of the past season greatly reduced the yield of potatoes, but the quality was excellent. The land was summer-fallowed the previous season, no manure was applied. The seed was ploughed in, rows 3 feet apart, sets 1 foot apart in the row. . Breed's Weeder was run crosswise of the rows until plants were 3 inches high, after which they were cultivated with a one horse cultivator lengthwise. We would call particular attention to the early maturing of the Early Ohio, which gave dry and good flavoured tubers on 4th August, nearly three weeks earlier than the Early Hose, this agrees with our experience in former years. The varieties were all planted on clay loam, and the yield in each case has been calculated from the product of one row, 66 feet long. Potatoes — Test of varieties. Name of Variety. Planted. Dug. Fit for eating. T3 u P a Xfl -U u 0) o o O p< - ft 0) SI u u o o £ fc No. reports smut. 3 "a little," 2 "yes. 00 o EC >> . * 03 u 4^ * bo Average T3 SP 15*5 §* 5> S SOS yield S o □Q 80 .2 5 c3 per acre. s 1— 1 HH Ul § £ «! bus. lbs. 5 None. 18 8 4 85 30 15 Range of yield. 10 to 55 bus. Reports from farmers supplied with wheat and oats are not at hand at this date in sufficient numbers to compile. Tile Draining. In my last annual report I mentioned that 3,400 feet of tile drain had been laid on the farm in 1893. I am pleased to be able to report that this drain worked satisfac- torily all the season, and enabled us to reap a heavy crop of oats on two fields which we had been unable to sow during past years on account of deep ponds. This fall 1,730 feet of additional tile has been laid, completing the draining on that portion of the farm. The smaller branches have 3-inch tiles, the mains from 4 to 6 inches. The depth varies from 3 feet to 8 feet, the amount of fall is about 10 feet in the 4,300 feet of main drain. Farmers' Institute Meetings. Institute meetings were attended at the following places by invitation, and the papers mentioned read by me : — December 8th, 1893. — Bradwardine, " Review of past season," full house. do 19th, 1893. — Melita, " Cattle feeding," large attendance, do 20th, 1893. — Minga, " Grain growing," small attendance, do 21st, 1893. — Killarney, " Results of 1893 experiments," fair attendance. do 22nd, 1893.— Crystal City, "Results of 1893 experiments," fair attend dance. REPORT OF MR. S. A. BEDFORD. 331 December 23rd, 1893. — Boissevain, "Fodder plants and dairying," fair attendance. January 3rd, 1894. — Portage la Prairie, " A review," fair attendance. do 17th, 1894. — Manitoba Dairy Association, Winnipeg, "Wintering dairy cows." do 18th.- — Kildonan, " Suggestions to suburban farmers." February 10th. — Brandon, "What have we learned about mixed farming during the past year." do loth. — Blythe, same subject, good attendance. March 3rd. — Blythe "Feeding cattle," good attendance, do 8th. — Boissevain, " Grain experiments," full house. do 9th. — Manitou, " Grain experiments," good attendance. do 10th. — Morden, " Mixed farming," good attendance, do 12th. — Kildonan, " Trees, fruits and flowers," good attendance. do 13th. — Rosser, " Farm experiments," small attendance. do 14th. — Neepawa do do do 26th. — Belmont, " Varieties of grain," full house. June 2nd.— Elkhorn, " How to farm with profit under present circumstances." do 15th. — Oak Lake, "A review." do 27th. — Oak Point, " Care of stock and small fruit cultivation." Acknowledgments. I beg to acknowledge the following donations to this farm during the year : — Joseph Anderson, Napinka, Man., half bushel Wright's favourite wheat. A. B. Jones, Hartford, South Dakota, Success, Champion and Excelsior Barleys. Wm. Wagner, Ossowa, Man., French Tares. G. A. Davenport, Russell, Man., Monarch wheat. Frank Cutten, Birds Hill, Man., selected wild raspberry. A. P. Stevenson, Nelson, Man., Collection plants. James Bell, Ninette, Man. do Rev. W. W. Colpitts, tree seed. Nelson Bedford, plant seed. A. J. Butcher, Rapid City, wild clover seed. T. M. Boddy, Portage la Prairie, seed potatoes. J. Barton, Brandon, seeds. J. Daniel, Moosomin, N.W.T., vegetable seed. Prof. Bailey, Cornell University, plants. D. D. Buchanan, plants. Meteorological. Below will be found the maximum and minimum thermometer readings for the past eleven months, also, the amount of rainfall and sunshine for the growing season : Rainfall. Inches. April "7 May -7 June 1 " 7 July '8 August : "7 September "5 51 332 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Sunshine. Hours. March 137-2 April 148 -0 May 257-3 June 283-7 July 306-1 August 264-0 September 166-2 1562-5 TEMPERATURE. Months. January . . . February . . March April May June July August September , October November . Minimum. on 24th. on 19th. on 6th. on 1st. on 27th. on 5th. on 6th. on 3rd. on 30th. on 29th. on 28th. Correspondence. Since my last report 2,113 letters have been received and 2,233 letters despatched from this office : this is irrespective of about 1,000 circulars sent out. I have the honour to remain, sir, , Your obedient servant, S. A. BEDFORD, Superintendent. EXPERIMENTAL FARM FOR THE NORTH-WEST TERRITORIES. REPORT OF A. MACKAY, SUPERINTENDENT. Experimental Farm, Indian Head, N.W.T., 31st October, 1894. p To Wm. Saunders, Esq., Director Dominion Experimental Farms, Ottawa. Sir, — I have the honour to submit herewith my seventh annual report, giving particulars of the work accomplished on the North-west Experimental Farm during the year 1894. The crops on the Experimental Farm the past season have been the poorest since the farm has been established. Although the spring opened favourably and the seeding time was the best for several years past, dry weather set in early in the growing season and with a high temperature, often between 95° and 100° ; the harvest resulted in small yields and with many varieties of grain in poor samples. The crops throughout the Territories were variable. In the northern and north- western districts where rain was more abundant, gratifying results took place. In the eastern part of Assiniboia a fair crop of good wheat has been reaped, while the western half suffered almost a total loss of grain and vegetables. Local showers gave fair crops to a few in a district, while others a few miles away had little or nothing from the showers passing them by. In many cases a good shower saved the crops, and although no large yields are reported, the quality of wheat was good wherever harvested. The harvest came in early and was easily taken off on account of the light crop of straw. In no year has the beneficial effect of fallowing land been so apparent on the Experi- mental Farm as during the past season. While grain sown on fall and spring ploughing held out for a time and at first promised well for a good crop, it gradually went back and finally was not worth cutting. Fallow-land on the other hand held out and proved, as it always has done, to be the only safe way of growing grain in this country. In the districts where almost total failure of crops took place, " fallows," it was said, were of no avail in averting the loss. This may have resulted from various causes, but may safely be put down to the fallow not having been worked early enough in the spring to receive the full benefit of the June and July rains of 1893. Many farmers leave their fallows till the proper season is past for the first ploughing, and then make one plough- ing do for the season, resulting, in dry years, in certain failure. Winds were not so destructive to crops on the Experimental Farm as in some former years. They were, however, troublesome and injured a good many plots after the grain was well above ground, the tender blades being cut by the small particles of earth being blown through them. Winds were continuous during a large part of the growing season, and after being very warm caused the ground to dry up much more than it otherwise would have done. Weeds caused great loss throughout the country the past season, the dry weather giving them a good start in land not properly worked. Pig weed (Chenopodium album) 334 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. was the most common and did the greatest harm. The Experimental Farm was not exempt from this enemy of the North-west farmer, one field of Red Fife wheat being injured very much, although it had been fallowed the previous year. As already stated, the crops on the Experimental Farm were poor the past season. This includes grain, x'oots and part of the vegetables. In wheats the largest yield did not exceed twenty bushels per acre ; while some were as low as twelve bushels. The tests made with fallow asrainst stubble land demonstrated without a doubt the advisability of depending chiefly on the first- mentioned method of preparing land for grain crops. While it may do to risk a portion of the crop on stubble spring-ploughed, it is folly for anyone to depend entirely on it. Barley was a poor crop, by far the worst ever cut on the farm. The seed came up evenly and the plants made good growth till 8 or 10 inches in height, when dry weather set in, and from then until ripe very little gain was made. The 2-rowed sorts especially were very short in straw and gave small yields. The oat crop on fallow land was fair, while on either fall or spring work it was hardly worth cutting. One field of five acres»on spring ploughing was ploughed up early in the season, so that the piece of land might be fallowed. Pease were a light crop, but the sample was very good. Field roots, like the grain, suffered from the dry, hot weather, and as will be seen in the result of tests, gave small yields. Fodder crops, including corn, mixed grain, &c, were very light, but of good quality. The corn was further advanced at time of cutting than in any previous year, and will, no doubt, make better ensilage than it has generally done. Trees did not make anything like the growth of the preceding year. Considerable growth, however, was made early in the season, and the long fall without severe frosts has allowed the wood to ripen, and it is expected that all will go through the coming winter in good condition. Small fruit bushes gave promise early in the season of a most abundant crop of berries, but the dry weather completely dried up raspberries and strawberries, and while currants were numerous, the quality of the fruit was poor and the size small. The past season has been favourable for stock. Although grass or fodder was short on the prairies from want of rain, absence of flies and mosquitoes enabled the cattle to do much better both in flesh and milk than in the preceding year. I regret having to report the presence of tuberculosis in the herds on Experimental Farm and the kill- ing of 13 animals out of 39 tested. Among the 13 were many of the finest in the herd, including Durhams, Polled Angus, Holstein and Grades. The tests and results will, no doubt, be given moi*e fully elsewhere in this report, and having been carried out under your own supervision, will require no lengthy explanation here. I am pleased to note the increased interest taken in dairy work throughout the country, as well as the large numbers going into mixed farming. Only in a few districts is wheat still " king," while many are adding cattle, pigs, poultry, &c, to the farm work. WHEAT. Twenty -eight varieties of wheat were tested the past year, including 12 cross-bred sorts. None of these have produced heavy straw or given a large yield of grain, and the sample of many kinds was thin and light. Following are the results of the tests in full : — Test of different varieties, sown same date, ^ acre each. REPORT OF MR. A. MAG KAY. 335 Twenty-six varieties were sown on same day on fallow land, a sandy clay loam, by drill, with the following result : — Name of Variety. Campbell's White Chaff White Fife Dion's Major Wellman's Fife Red Fern Herisson, Bearded Percy White Connell Rio Grande White Russian Preston Pringle's Cham plain . . . Red Fife Huron Mars Crown Advance Alpha Stanley Ladoga Ottawa Blenheim Captor C. No. 1 Gehun Date of Ripen- ing. Aug. 8. " 10. " 8. " 10. " 11. " 10. " 8. " 10. " 10. " 10. " 9. " 8. " 8. " 10. " 10. " 10. " 8. " 8. " 10. " 8. " 4. " 6. " 10. " 8. " 8. " 2. T3 3 109 28 11128 10931 11128 112 28 111 109 111 111 111 110 109 109 111 111 111 109 109 111 109 105 107 111 109 109 103 o Stiff.. a Weak Stiff . Weak Stiff .' Weak Stiff . Weak Stiff .' Weak Stiff . Weak C« Stiff .' Weak it Stiff .' tt Weak Stiff. Kind of Head. Beardless Bearded t< Beardless Bearded a Beardless Bearded Beardless Bearded a Beardless Bearded Beardless Bearded a Beardless tt Bearded Beardless is '5 Lbs 102 118 110 124 120 120 107 112 115 106 105 110 105 107 125 105 123 127 125 127 119 137 116 110 110 70 Yield per Acre. Bush. Lbs. 21 20 20 19 19 19 19 19 19 18 18 18 18 18 17 17 17 16 16 15 15 15 15 15 13 12 20 20 10 10 10 10 40 20 20 20 30 40 40 30 30 30 15 20 30 Weight per Bushel. Lbs. Proportion Rusted. No r st. Test of sowing plots a week apart. Two varieties of wheat, Red Fife and Stanley, were sown on same day of the week for 6 consecutive weeks, on clay loam, size of plots ^ acre. The first sown plot of Red Fife was never promising and produced a small yield. In none of the other plots was there much difference noted in the growing season and the yields varied very slightly. In this test in 1892 and 1893, the earliest sown grain gave slightly the smaller yield. To this year's result of tests is added date of seeding; and yield of same test in 1892 and 1893, for comparison and the average for 3 years is struck. This average shows that very early or very late sowing is not advisable, but that from about April 20th, to the 15th May wheat may be sown with the best resufts as far as yield is concerned. 336 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. SPRING WHEAT RESULTS OP EARLY, MEDIUM AND LATE SOWING. Name of Variety. Red Fife. Stanley jj T3 £ bb S3 i-c « * Si 73 c3 >«.S 43 02 o£ H (D HO xn Date of Date of Ripen- ing. 05 S o &£ "8 w <4H O Sowing. ho 43 o o3 -p bO <4H O 43 be • a 1 C a o Ins. O 0> l-H M £ Ins. Lbs. April 20 July 30 101 28 Stiff . 24 Bald.. 125 " 27 Aug. 6 101 28 (( • 24 115 May 4 " 8 96 27 CI • 2I 107 " 11 " 10 91 26 a • 2I 116 " 18 " 11 85 26 a ■ 2| 120 " 25 " 19 86 24 a . 24 113 April 20 6 108 29 k • 2| 115 " 27 " 8 103 29 (I . 3 110 May 4 " 8 96 28 (t • 2f 105 " 11 " 10 91 27 a . 3 109 " 18 " 11 85 27 (C . 3 133 " 25 " 19 86 26 (i • 2| 129 U Qj Yield P.9J -»5 per acre. bo "3 Bus. Lbs. Lbs. 9 10 63 14 10 614 16 20 6l| 17 62 15 20 61*. 17 50 60 15 50 603 16 40 61| 15 15 60| 16 62£ 15 61f 15 50 6l| Pro- portion Rusted. No rust. AVERAGE YIELD PER ACRE OP WHEAT SOWN IN WEEK APART TEST FOR THREE YEARS, 1894, 1893, 1892. 1894. 1893. 1892. 3 Years. Date of seeding. Yield per acre. Date of seeding. Yield per acre. Date of seeding. Yield per acre. Average yield. Red Fife tt U April 20 " 27 May 4 " 11 " 18 " 25 April 20 " 27 May 4 " 11 " 18 " 25 Bush. Lbs. 9 10 14 10 16 20 17 15 20 17 50 15 50 16 40 15 15 16 15 15 50 Red Fife. . . . Campbell's White Chaff. tt a tt it tt April 17 " 24 May 1 " 8 " 15 " 22 April 17 " 24 May 1 " 8 " 15 " 22 Bush. Lbs. 24 40 31 10 37 32 30 30 29 10 26 30 31 40 30 10 25 30 30 29 50 Red Fife . . . a (c Campbell's White Chaff. April 15. . " 22.. Not sown. Bus. Lbs 27 40 30 Bush. Lbs. 20 30 25 6 26 40 (( it c< Stanley. a a May 6.. " 13.. " 20.. April 15.. " 22.. Not sown . 35 40 33 26 20 29 40 38 28 26 26 6 24 26 24 28 46 22 42 it a it May 6.. " 13.. " 20.. 28 50 36 40 33 20 23 26 27 13 26 20 Test op drill, broadcast and press-drill seeding. In the above test, Red Fife was used. The land was clay loam, the size of the plots was Txff acre and the three plots were sown on the same day on fallow-land at the rate of 1 J bushel per acre. £ t3 £ 5 a: bb s3 (-. 4J £ -a s3 05 03 U 43 02 u o < "» A Name of Variety. Date of a >> a O J3 8£ MH o ^3 w 0 <44 O 43 14 3 Ph 43 ^H Sowing. °« o a 43 bo s3<" 43 bo 'u bo T3 +3 c S3 a a <0 £ Inch. Inch. Lbs. Lbs. Red Fife, sown bv — pa J Drill April 24 " 24 " 24 Aug. 10 " 16 " 8 109 115 107 28 27 27 Stiff. . it tt 21 2| 2| Bald.. (( tt 134 140 140 17 50 11 40 18 40 63 Broadcast 624 62$ REPORT OF MR. A, MAG KAY. 337 TEST OF SOWING WHEAT AT DIFFERENT DEPTHS. This test has been carried on for five years with varying results. In a dry year the deep seeding has an advantage ; in a wet year the opposite is the case. Red Fife was used in all tests ; sown same day on fallow-land ; clay loam ; size of plots, T^ acre. Name of Variety. Red Fife, sown 1 inch deep. . 2 inches deep 3 inches deep, bib a in bo u 43 CO •S a CD w 03 CD o3 s- 4^ CO Acre. Date of Sowing. a CD OH P. O 03 OH o 42 43 bo £ o Oh O 43 bo K oh 0 T3 Oh o 43 bo CD a ■+3 d o3 C d CD c€ CD J3 CD Lbs. a £ hH D h^ M P Inch. Inch. 2 J w a April 24 Aug. 4 103 24 Stiff. . 2| Bald.. 116 15 10 " 24 (« (1 105 24 CI 1 ( i 122 15 20 " 24 ti 6 105 23 CI it 122 18 — CD -3 bog? 'S3 Lbs. 62 62 62 TEST OF SOWING DIFFERENT QUANTITIES OF SEED PER ACRE. Red Fife was sown in this test. The three plots were sown on same day, by common drill on fallow-land clay loam, size of plots -fa acre. Name of Variety. Date of bb a 'a CO OH Ch m bo T3 3 oS FN CO OH O 43 i 03 CD 43 43 GO o o3 CD K OH O -a c3 CD w OH o3 43 CO OH o 43 CD u o < u CD CO 43M Sowing. 43 03 n o 03 43 bo d CD h5 u O 03 43 O 43 bo 53 T3 ,d .bo '53 2 43 X' 00 P -P CD Inch. Inch. Lbs. Lbs. Red Fife sown at rate of — pq ^ 1 bushel per acre April 24 " 24 Aug. 6 4 105 24 Stiff. . 21 Bald.. 124 14 30 62A 1| bushel per acre 103 22 CI 21 U 130 11 40 62 l| " " " 24 " 4 103 23 IC 2f (( 143 13 20 62^ AVERAGE YIELD PER ACRE FOR THREE YEARS. IN TEST OF SOWING DIFFERENT QUANTITIES OF SEED PER ACRE. 1894. 1893. 1892. 3 Years. Name cf Variety. Date of seeding . Yield per acre. Date of seeding . Yield per acre. Date of seeding. Yield per acre. Average yield. Red Fife— April 24.. " 24.. " 24.. Bush. Lbs. 14 30 11 40 13 20 April 20.. " 20.. " 20.. Bush. Lbs. 28 20 28 — 26 30 May 3,... " 3.... " 3.... Bush. Lbs. 38 50 40 — 39 40 Bush. Lbs. 27 13 li " 26 33 1$ " 26 30 Showing, in an average of three years, that one bushel gave slightly better returns than either 1^ or \\ bushels per acre. 8c— 22 338 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. CROSS-SEEDING VS. ORDINARY SEEDING. Some inquiry having been made as to the probable result of cross-seeding, two plots of y1^ acre each were sown with Red Fife, by drill in fallow land, clay loam. One plot was sown in the ordinary way, first, with 3 pecks per acre, then crossed with the same quantity. The other plot beside it was sown at the rate of 1^ bushels per acre. Following is the result : . . GRAIN WHEAT TEST OP CROSS-SEEDING VS. ORDINARY SEEDING. • bb a i- o3 u CD £ o3 cd -a •4-3 "3 Date Date of i?3 **H fe-S u-t Kind <-*-« Yield cd 5 Name of Variety. of Ripen- ^ts M -2cc ,a of -4-3 per -fc3 sowing. ing. *s s +3 bo a go o3 -*3 50 a head. acre. £1 .fap fe o > =3 . T3 ho <4-< £ 43 o -a c cd . 03 03 w (M o 45 03 CD w o 02 *4H O +3 < H CD ft u CD ft . 6 ft. Square. CD -ca 03 A cd bo CS tH A u u O *> bo S3 cd O bo a CD A a •(-4 bo Lbs CD bo 3 Lbs In. In. Bus. lbs. Good Bad Red Fife— Heads. Heads. 1 lb. Blue-stone to 10 bus. seeds April 24 Aug. 10 109 24 Stiff. 21 Bald 128 17 50 63i 1,000 0 n (( cc n tl " 24 " 10 109 23 cc 2f if 127 16 40 62 846 3 " 24 " 10 109 20 Cf '4 CC 78 5 40 58 77 862 ME POET OF MR. A. MAC KAY. 339 SPRING WHEAT, SOWN ON PLOTS OP ONE ACRE EACH. Date Date of cab 00 £ SO CD Character o bccu cm Kind Yield Weight Name of Variety. of sowing . Ripening. d of Straw. of Head . per Acre. per Bushel. £ J ^ In. In. Bush. Lbs. Lbs. White Fife April 20.. " 20.. Aug. 7.. 8.. 109 110 29 27 Stiff, a 3 2? Bald 14 — . 12 — &2h White Connell 62^ " 20.. " 4.. 106 27 tt 3 CC . 12 — 61 Red Fern " 20.. " 6.. 308 31 Soft 3 Bearded . 11 20 61| Trial " 20.. 4.. 106 29 it 3 . 10 10 61| " 20.. 4.. 106 28 tt 3 Bearded . 10 — 62 A No. 1 " 20.. l; 20. . " 20.. " 4.. 8.. 4. . 106 110 106 31 28 28 ti Stiff,," Soft 3 3 3 Bald. . Bearded 9 — 9 — 8 30 62 62 62£ TEST OP DIFFERENT METHODS OF SUMMER FALLOWING. Red Fife sown on land deep and shallow ploughed summer fallow, clay loam, sown by drill, on plots of j-1^ acre, 1£ bushels per acre. Name of Variety. Red Fife- Ploughed deep. . Ploughed shallow bi) oo a £ Date of Sowing. Date of Ripen- ing. o <-l-C <£ °i3 be a CD £ |J In. April 20 July 31 102 27 " 20 " 30 101 26 <+H Character o Kind of Weight of Straw. of Straw. -4-3 ctf Sffi Head. J In. Lbs. Stiff 3 Bald. .. 160 tt 2| tt 140 Yield per Acre. Bush. Lbs. 16 40 12 20 Weight per Bushel. Lbs. 63£ 63 Test of Fall and Spring ploughing and drill on stubble compared with Summer-fallow. Each year a piece of stubble or root land has been ploughed in the fall and sown with Red Fife in the following spring ; another piece has been gang-ploughed in spring at time of seeding ; and another piece sown by drill without being worked before or after seeding. Along-side, or as near as it has been possible to have it, a piece of fallow has been sown for comparison. The result of this year's test with tests of 1892 and 1893 and average for 3 years is given below. Mode of Cultivation. 1894. Fall ploughing Seed gang-ploughed in Not ploughed Fallow 1893. Fall ploughing Seed gang-ploughed in Not ploughed Drill Fallow 1892. Fall ploughing Seed gang-ploughed in Not ploughed Fallow How sown. Drill Broadcast . Drill Drill Broadcast . Drill Broadcast . Drill Sown. April 28. " 28. " 28. " 28. May 2... " 2... " 2... " 3... April 14. May 16.. " 16.. " 12.. Headed. July 10. " 10. " 10. " 12. July 15. " 18. " 15. " 21. July 17. " 20. " 21. " 25. Ripe. Aug. 4. " 8. " 4. " 10. Aug. 21. " 23. " 21. " 23. Aug. 25 " 29. " 29. Sept. 3. Matured in. Days. 99 103 99 105 112 114 112 113 134 106 106 115 Yield per Acre. Bush. Lbs. 5 — 9 20 8 — 16 40 22 10 31 30 29 50 37 50 27 30 22 30 21 40 30 — 8c— 22£ 340 EXPERIMENTA L FA RMS. Stubble average, 3 years — (From above tests.) Bush. lbs. Fall ploughing 18 13 per acre. Seed gang ploughed in 21 6 " Not ploughed 19 50 Fallow-land 28 10 AVERAGE yield per acre for three years seeding op test of drill, broadcast and PRESS-DRILL. Name of Variety. 1894. 1893. 1892. 3 Years. Date of Seeding. Yield per Acre. Bush. 17-50 1140 18-40 Date of Seeding. Yield per Acre. Date of Seeding. Yield per Acre. Average Yield. Red Fife, sown by — Drill April 24.. " 24.. " 24.. May 4 . . 4. 4.. Bush. 36 18 25 40 38-20 May 12.. " 12.. " 12.. Bush. 24-00 20-20 30 20 Bush. 26-2 193 29-6 Showing in an average of three years, over three bushels per acre in favour of press- drill vs. drill, and nearly 10 bushels in press-drill vs. broadcast. AVERAGE YIELD PER ACRE FOR THREE YEARS IN TEST OF SOWING WHEAT AT DIFFERENT DEPTHS. Name of Variety. 1894. 1893. 1892. 3 Years. Date of Seeding. Yield per Acre. Date of Seeding. Yield per Acre. Date of Seeding. Yield per Acre. Average Yield. Red Fife, sown — 1 inch deep April 24.. " 24.. " 24.. Bush. 15 10 15 20 18 00 May 4. 4.. 4.. Bush. Blown out 4120 37 10 April 20.. " 20 " 20.. Bush. 24 30 27'00 22 30 Bush. 19 50* 2 " 27-53 3 " 25 '50 * 2 years. In 1893, the one inch in depth was destroyed by winds, so that in this test the average is for two years only. The tests of one inch in depth show that depth to be not suffi- cient to resist winds and dry weather. The three inches deep, the past year gave nearly three bushels more per acre than either one or two inches, while the average for three years is in favour of two inches by two bushels per acre. Cross-bred Wheats. In the cross-bred varieties of wheat little or no difference could be seen between the different varieties while growing. REPORT OF MR. A. MACK AY. 341 When threshed, however, considerable difference was found in yield and quality of the grain, but on account of the season being so unfavourable, a just estimate cannot be made of their value from this year's results. Following will be found names, parentage, date of sowing and ripening, weight and yield of the hybrids : — Name of Variety. Major . . . Percy. . . . Preston . . Huron... Crown . . . Advance . Alpha. . Blenheim Stanley . . Ottawa. . Captor . . . A. No. 1. Parentage. Male. White Fife Red Fife White Fife it Red Fife White Fife it Red Fife a White Fife Red Fife Female. Ladoga . Sown. Ripe. Yield. Bush. lbs. April 21 . . Aug. 8.. 19 20 " 21.. " 10.. 19 10 " 21.. 8. 18 20 " 21.. " 10.. 17 30 " 21 8.. 17 — " 21.. 8.. 16 40 " 21.. " 10.. 16 40 " 21.. " 10.. 15 50 " 21.. 8.. 15 30 " 21.. 6.. 15 30 " 21.. 8.. 15 — " 21.. " 8.. 13 20 Weight per Bushel. Lbs. 61| 62£ 63 62£ 62£ 62£ 62£ 62 60| 61? Gil 61j GENERAL RESULTS OF WHEAT TESTS, 1894 AND 1892-93-94. 1. In the result of the tests made the past season, no one variety of wheat has proved much superior to the others as far as yield is concerned, but in quality the fol- lowing were much the best : — Preston, Pringle's Champlain, Rio Grande, Wellman's Fife, Dions, Huron, Red Fern, Red Fife, White Russian, White Connell, White Fife, Mars, Gehun, and Heris- son Bearded. 2. In the week apart tests, the average of three years points to the season between 20th April and 20th May, as being the proper time to sow wheat as far as yield is con- cerned, but frost is not taken into account in these tests and should be considered. 3. The average of three years' trial of Press-drill, Drill and Broadcast sowing is in favour of the Press-drill very considerably. 4. One bushel of seed per acre has given best results in three years' tests. 5. Wheat sown three inches deep gave best results the past season, but the average for three years is in favour of seeding 2 inches deep. 6. No gain resulted from Cross-seeding in the test of the past season, and if time in sowing is considered, a loss took place. 7. Fallow-worked land, as it always has done, gave the best returns. 8. Treating seed wheat with Blue-stone has again demonstrated its great value in killing the smut-germs and saving the grain from being perfectly useless. BARLEY. Twenty-nine varieties of barley were sown last spring, of which 17 were old and 12 new sorts, 15 kinds being 2-rowed and 14 varieties 6-rowed. The 12 new sorts included 6 hybrids, produced at the Central Experimental Farm by crossing 2-rowed with 6-rowed barleys, some of which are very promising, but on account of the extremely dry season gave poor returns. 342 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Test of varieties all sown the same day. Twenty-eight varieties were sown the same day by drill on y1^ acre plots of fallow land, sandy loam ; all the plots were promising until dry weather set in. As will be seen by the following results, the yield was small in every case. BARLEY TEST OF DIFFERENT VARIETIES SOWN THE SAME DAY. Name of Variety. Odessa , Oderbruch Danish Chevalier. . . Rigid Mensury Kinver Chevalier. . . Royal Rermie's Improved . Thanet . . . Phoenix Prize Prolific Petschora Trooper Beaver Common, six-row< <1 . Baxter's six-rowed . . Summit ....... California Prolific. Newton Improved Chevalier Bolton Surprise Victor Canadian Thorpe. . Sidney Duckbill Type L— Hyb Pioneer Date of sowing. May Id 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 Aug. July Aug. Date of ripen- ing. be a o c d 1 28 11 1 1 10 1 10 12 8 11 1 10 10 1 1 10 11 9 11 6 11 9 11 10 11 11 1 83 79 93 83 83 92 83 92 94 90 93 83 92 92 83 83 92 93 91 93 88 93 91 93 92 93 93 83 he a i-5 O Ins. 20 18 18 19 18 18 16 18 19 , 18 19 16 16 ix 16 19 19 18 is 18 22 15 2o 18 19 18 19 19 Stiff 0) o XI 50 C o Ins. 2 2 3 2i 2| 3 2i 2 3 Ol 3 21 A 3 2 2 2* 2| 24 3 2| 2i 2* 2} 2$ 2| 2| 24 Kind of head. 6 rowed. c< 2 " 6 " it 2 " 6 " St 2 " 6 " 2 " G " it 2 " G " if ci bO '53 Lbs 125 109 116 109 113 111 103 109 120 108 119 102 101 114 99 119 121 112 110 112 lz8 6 122 115 121 110 122 119 Yield per acre. Bus. lbs. 23 22 21 20 19 19 19 18 18 17 17 16 16 16 16 15 15 15 15 15 15 12 12 12 12 11 10 6 36 44 42 38 18 8 36 36 34 34 42 42 32 12 30 30 30 30 30 24 24 24 24 32 20 34 be Lbs Result of sowing barley at different dates on -^ acre plots In this test Canadian Thorpe, a two-rowed sort, and Oderbruch, a six-rowed variety, were used, The soil was clay loam. All the plots of two-rowed were poor ; the first two sown being very short and weak in the straw. The six-rowed, on the other hand, while short in straw, stood the dry weather much better and ripened evenly, in the order sown, several days earlier than the two-rowed. The best time to sow barley, as indicated by the results of this test, is from 1st to 15th May, these dates being substantiated by the results of the same test for the past three years. In addition to this year's test, the dates of seeding and yields for 1893 and 1892 are given with average yield for the '6 years. REPORT OF MR. A. MAC KAY. 343 BARLEY — RESULTS OP EARLY, MEDIUM AND LATE SOWING. Name of variety. Canadian Thorpe . Oderbruch . . Date of sowing. Apr. 24 May 1 8 " 15 " 22 " 29 Apr. 24 May 1 " 8 " 15 " 22 " 29 Date of ripen- ing. 60 -g sa Aug. 4 " 20 " 4 " 20 " 14 " 14 Aug. 1 " 1 " 4 " 2 " 9 " 11 103 112 89 98 85 78 107 93 87 82 80 75 6D a CD - a O Ins. 24 18 18 16 20 20 18 18 17 16 18 19 Stiff T3 01 bo s Ins. 21 2§ 2| 2| 2i 2* 2 2 2 2 2 2 Kind of Head. Good. Fair. Good Fair. Good O 60 Lbs 90 82 96 95 93 85 96 100 99 100 97 96 Yield per acre. Bus. lbs. 11 12 10 — 13 26 13 26 12 36 11 32 14 18 20 20 19 28 21 22 15 — 15 — §3 2 ■+3 60 CD ^_ Lbs Average yield per acre, for three years, of barley sown in week-apart test, 1894-93-92. Name of Variety. Canadian Thorpe Oderbruch 1894. Date of Seeding. April 24.. May 1.. it 8.. a 15.. tt 22.. tt 29.. April 24.. May 1.. a 8.. tt 15.. tt 22.. Hi In. 18 18 16 17 Character of Straw. o . 4-i TO h! Kind of Head. Weight of Straw per acre. Yield per acre. Weight per Bushel. Newton May 8.. " 8.. " 8.. " 8.. Aug. 15 " 14 " 15 " 15 100 99 100 100 Stiff.. (< a ft iln. 3 2J 2-rowed . . ct (1 it Lbs. 1,500 1,450 1,325 1,200 Bush, Lbs. 19 20 18 30 16 — 14 20 Lbs. 54i 53 52£ California Prolific . . Kinver Chevalier. . . TEST OF PRESS-DRILL 175. DRILL. In this test the plots were -fa of an acre, clay loam : the results, as will be seen in the following table, are in favour of ordinary drill by 2 bushels 4 lbs. per acre. In 1893 the returns were in favour of press-drill by 7 bushels per acre. The plots were on summer fallow, and seed was sown at the rate of 2 bushels per acre and both on the same day. Name of Variety. Date of Sowing. Date of Ripen- ing. bio CO B si °£ o £ u~» ct -ace +3 be a CO Hi In. 18 17 Character of Straw. O , +-> a bo® Hi Head. Weight of Straw per acre. Yield per acre. Weight per Bushel. California Prolific — Drill May 15. " 15. Aug. 20 " 17 98 95 Stiff it In. 2| Good Lbs. 122 113 Bush. Lbs. 16 12 14 8 Lbs. 53| Press-drill 52| TEST OF SOWING DIFFERENT QUANTITIES OF SEED PER ACRE. In the above test which was made on clay loam on plots of -^ acre each, 1^ bushels per acre sown on May 15th yielded 13 bush, and 36 lbs. per acre, and If bushels sown same date produced 15 bush, and 30 lbs. per acre. The same variety (California Prolific) and the same quantities of seed sown May 8th, 1893, gave 43 bush. 44 lbs. and 44 bush, and 28 lbs. respectively, per acre. In this year's test the two plots were sown on fallow by drill. bb f* Name of Variety. Date of Sowing. Date of Ripen- ing. 6 14— Cj -C02 bo B Character of Straw. O . -CO bCOJ effi Head. Weight of Straw per acre. Yield per acre. Weight per Bushel. £ Hi Hi In. In. Lbs. Bush. Lbs. Lbs. California Prolific — If bush, per acre.. May 15. Aug. 20 98 16 Stiff 2i Good 106 15 20 51i 1£ do " 15. " 20 98 17 n 2£ a 124 13 36 52 REPORT OF MR. A. MAC KAY. 345 TEST OF BLUESTONE *0R SMUT IN BARLEY. For several years many of the varieties of barley have been affected with smut. Bluestone having been used on seed in spring of 1893, with satisfactory results, a test was made during the past season which also proved satisfactory. The plots were -^ of an acre each, soil, clay loam, and they were all sown on the same day, at the rate of 2 bushels per acre, by drill on fallow-land, with the following results : — Name of Variety. bb 3 '% o CO C4-I 0 0) 43 P Date of Ripening. No. of days Maturing. if e3 u 43 CO <4-i O 43 43 bo a Hi * Be' 43 u o 43 gCO 43 O o T3 c3 3 S ft 6 So (3 i-3 5o2 o lbs. "a > In. In. J3 w P X3 CO lbs. Columbus Clay loam . . tV acre.. May 4 . . Aug. 8. 96 29 Weak 5 Branch . 104 27 32 42£ Abyssinia tt a a " 8. 96 24 Stiff.. 5! Sided. . . 104 27 32 41 Banner . . .... ft i t a " 2. 90 29 (( 7 Branch . 105 27 12 374 Holstein Prolific . . a 1 1 a " 6. 94 25 Weak 5* a 108 27 2 40 American Triumph tt tt a " 4. 92 24 (( 64 H 109 26 16 394 37§ tt a t . " 10. 98 29 tt 64 i( 104 25 30 Imported Irish tt a a July 28. 85 26 tt 5 tc 113 25 — 44* Poland a 1 1 a " 28. 85 24 Stiff.. 6 (t 105 25 — 42^ Golden Beauty. . . . ft a a Aug. 6. 94 26 tt 64 it 102 25 — 39^ Abundance a a a " 8. 96 26 Weak 6 tt 108 25 — 3f4 Oderbruch tt a tt " 9. 97 29 tt 6 Sided..! 108 24 24 4l| Improved Ligowo. a a a " 1. 89 26 (C 5 Branch . 110 24 4 40| Wallis a a a " 9. 97 30 (t 6 cc 105 24 4 39f American Beauty.. a tt a " 8. 96 25 Stiff.. 64 tt 108 23 18 404 Cream Egyptian . . a a a " 1. 89 28 it 8 Sided. . ! 120 22 32 43 White Russian... . u it it " 8. 96 25 t i 6 ii 104 22 32 414 California Prolific. (i a a " 10. 98 26 a 64 tt 108 22 32 37 (t a it " 4. 92 26 Weak 5 Branch . 103 22 22 374 tt a a " 4. 92 25 Stiff.. 5 Sided. . . 105 22 12 42| Rennie's Prize a i t a July 27. 84 27 ft 7 Branch . 105 22 2 42 White Early Gothland. . a a a Aug. 8. 96 27 tt 5 Sided. . . 109 22 2 41g White Wonder a a a July 27. 84 30 tt 84 Branch . 105 22 2 424 a a H c i a ■ t ft i t a Aug. 6. " 4. July 27. 94 92 84 30 24 24 Weak Stiff.. 6 5 6 it o ,a bD T3 03 o3 w (M o -0 u 43 02 O be o < u IS N 02 -4J ft 43 Q 6^ a «3 o 3 (a In. In. Lbs. m in 1 acre. May 2. Aug. 8. 92 30 Stiff.. 8 Branch . 1,550 37 14 1 " . " 2. " 1. 92 26 < 8* Sided. . . 1,400 35 16 1 " . " 2. July 28. 88 26 t 8 Branch . 1,125 34 15 1 " . " 2. Aug. 8. 99, 26 i 8 << 1,230 34 4 1 " . " 2. July 27. 87 25 t 5 ic 1,100 32 5 1 " . " 2. Aug. 8. 99] 29 t 7 Sided. . . 1,250 32 — 1 " . " 2. " 1. 92] 26 c 6i Branch . 1,125 31 32 1 " . " 2. " 6. 97 27 ( 6 Sided. . . 1,120 30 29 1 " . " 2. " 8. 99 30 a 6A Branch . 1,100 30 21 1 " . " 2. " 8. 99 26 Weak 6 Sided. . . 1,175 28 — 1 " . " 2. " 1. 92 25 Stiff .. 8 Branch . 1,240 27 20 1 " . " 2. July 28. 88 26 Weak 6 «« 1,130 27 11 1 " . " 2. Aug. 1. 92 26 Stiff .. 6* ii 1,070 26 10 1 " . " 2. " 11. 102 24 a 6 n 1,060 24 6 1 " . " 2. " 1. 92 25 a 6* u 1,400 21 28 1 " . " 2. " 10. 101 27 Weak 6 Sided. . . 1,095 21 4 1 " . " 2. " 1. 92 24 a 7 Branch . 1,100 18 18 1 " . " 2. " 2. 93 22 Stiff.. 6 CI 1,040 14 30 1 " . " 2. " 11. 102 23 Weak 6 Sided. . . 990 12 10 1 " . " 2. " 8. 99 22 [( 5* Branch . 1,050 11 — bo Lbs 40js 44 43| 40i 4l| 39| 40} 40l 40| 42? 38$ 43i 42| 41 42| 41 43| 43 37£ 38? TEST OF FALLOW VS. STUBBLE. Two fields, nearly adjoining, of ten acres each, were sown at the same time with 1\ bushels of seed per acre. The plot of fallowed land was sown by drill : the stubble plot was burnt off and the seed sown on the surface by broadcast seeder and gang-ploughed in. A second field of stubble of 20 acres was burnt off and sown by drill, without ploughing, with 2\ bushels of seed per acre. For a considerable time the 10 acre field of stubble was very promising, but at last it dried up and was with difficulty cut with the binder. On the 20 acre field of stubble the straw was longer and gave better returns. On the fallow, although the straw was short, the returns were fairly good. In the following table the results are given. OATS FALLOW VS. STUBBLE. Name of Variety. Prize Cluster — Fallow Stubble ganged in spring " drilled in Date of sowing. April 25 " 25 " 25 Date of Ripening. July 27. 25. 25. w ho * fS &s %>a cS c., c3 S3 -o | rC02 O to Length ^02 Yield O d "Sd"o C3 <4H u o of Head. be*; per s ° OI r-j O Head. •s ° Acre. Inches. Inches. Lbs. Bus. lbs. 93 25 Stiff. . 6 Good. 13000 27 10 91 23 << 6 Small. 8000 7 16 91 25 ii 6 ii 8500 10 6 01 Lbs. 42£ 40 40 REPORT OF MR. A. MAC KAY. 349 TEST OF SEEDING, PRESS VS. DRILL. In this test the Banner oat was used and sown in fallowed land at the rate of 1\ bushels per acre. The press-drill gave 7 bushels 12 lbs. more per acre than ordinary drill and yield of straw was also larger. As shown in the table the press-drill gave the best returns in 1893 and is 10 bushels 25 lbs. ahead in the average for the two years. The test made in 1892 was badly destroyed by winds and cannot be given. PRESS-DRILL VS. DRILL. Name of f-c'S m 1*8 Size of Date of bb .9 gthof Straw. tX) TO c3 02 O 03 Head. o g J2W Yield per ght per Bushel. Average, 2yrs. Variety. „j3 Plot. Sowing -8 3 a IB 0 *5 o Acre. ( . . '" 3.. 89 17 a " 7.. " 3 . 89 18 " " 6.. 92 20 " " 7 . " 6.. 92 20 « ti r* " G.. 92 20 tt " 7.. " 6.. 92 21 u " 7.. | " 2.. 88 17 a " 7.. " 2.. 88 18 ti " 7.. " 6.. 92 19 O *= o Bri ght T3 O P-l be 5 i-l _c H 2§ 2 2 2 2 3 2* 2| l| 91 T3 O Well filled 03 as & 03 ^ 5 19 15 15 14 11 11 11 11 11 10 10 03 CO am bo s 10 40 30 SO 50 40! 64 40 641 64 64^ 644 64 10 10 4 9 40 64£ 65 63| 64| 63 63 FIELD-LOTS. Mummy Multiplier Pride Clay loam. May 7 . Aug. 6.. " 6.. " 1.. 92 92 S7 20 20 18 Bright. . Well filled 17 .. 12 35 11 10 044 644 64 FODDERS. GRASSES. Except on one variety, no satisfactory report can be made this year on grasses. Out of 16 varieties sown in the spring of 1892, only one is now living. Several were blown out and others dried out the first year and of the balance only two gave a crop in 1893, namely : Bromus inermis and Muhlenbergia sylvatica, the others being so short it was impossible to cut them. All except Bromus inermis promised so poorly this spring that it was thought advisable to plough them up ; consequently, only Bromus inermis is left to report on. REPORT OF MR. A. MAC KAY. 351 This variety gave a fair crop the past season notwithstanding the amount of dry weather it had to contend against. Getting an early start in the spring, the crop was assured before the drought set in. Bromus inermis has been principally sown on fallow-land without grain, but it has also been sown on stubble land, with and without grain. It has, so far however, done much better when sown alone. A grain crop requires so much moisture, that the young grass plants suffer during August or whenever the wet season is over. On this account it is recommended that it be sown alone on fallowed-land or on stubble that has been well ploughed and harrowed. Fifteen pounds per acre is sufficient to sow as it thickens up the second year. After allowing the Bromus to ripen its seed the yield per acre, when cut, was found to be 2 tons 100 lbs. The following grasses were sown last spring : — Bromus inermis, on stubble, alone, May 10. " ganged in on stubble, alone, May 12. Bromus inermis and Alsike, sown together on deep ploughing of oat stubble, May 26. FODDER-MIXTURES AND FODDER-PLANTS. The result of growing fodder the past season was not very satisfactory as far as quantity of production was concerned, but the quality was much better than it has been for several years. Four mixtures of grain and one variety alone were sown for fodder purposes. The mixtures containing pease were not benefited by that grain, as at best they were only a few inches high when cut. The best results in yield and quality were given by a mixture of rye and oats. Hungarian grass and four kinds of millet were sown on spring-ploughing. All were long in germinating, and when rains came, the season was so far advanced that the yields were small in every case. In the following table will be found results of tests : — FODDER-MIXTURES. Names of Grain. Grain. Variety. ("Pease Golden Vine ^| 1-| Barley Prize Prolific I^Oats Banner One bushel of each per acre. C Pease Golden Vine 1 2] Wheat Red Fife [Oats Banner One bushel of each per acre. fRye Spring ~\ Z\ Oats Welcome • [Barley California Prolific One bushel of each per acre. 4(Rye Spring 1 Oats Welcome One bushel of each per acre. 5 Rye Spring Sown. Cut for Hay. May 4 . . July 10.. May 4 . . July 10.. May 4. . July 10.. May 4 . . July 10. . May 4 . . July 10.. Weight per acre Green. Tons. Lbs. 2 150 2 50 2 900 2 1100 1 1850 Weight per acre Dry. Tons. Lbs. 1 350 1 300 1 770 890 190 352 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. CORN. Corn was planted for fodder purposes and, although a very small crop, was much better in quality than usual and will, no doubt, give good satisfaction as ensilage. The test of varieties was on clay loam. INDIAN CORN TEST OP VARIETIES. Name of Variety. Pearce's Prolific Thorobred White Flint. North Dakota Smut-nose Angel of Midnight Mitchell's Extra Early. . Gold Medal Longfellow o > — i <4-l o IB bo o m «4-l O is 5C u O V hrfc £ rf. C m - £> H yA 4 1720 4 760 3 1681 3 1200 3 960 3 486 3 2 920 §3 a — a -^ S ^2 2 1400 2 320 2 1640 1 880 1 840 1 1600 4 400 1 1960 FIELD PLOTS. Corn sown on summer- fallow Corn sown on stubble . . 3 acres May 29 " 29 Str'ng Fair.. 48 45 Early milk 4 200 3 1900 Broom Corn. Improved Dwarf Longbrush Evergreen. . . California Golden Long Brush uVacre May 29 " 29 " 29 Weak 1920 1683 1560 Horse-beans. Sown in drills were poor in quality and quantity and were cut up and put in silo at same time as corn. Sunflowers. Sunflowers were also sown for the silo. They were a fair crop but as they became ripe the black-birds devoured the seeds and a large portion of the field was lost in this way. The sunflowers were sown on April 25th on potato land, headed out on July 15th and was ripe on August 1st. Rape. Several acres of rape were sown on June 14th, but on account of dry weather the crop was short. It, however, afforded a considerable quantity of green fodder during October when all other green feed was gone. By turning the cattle on the rape after milking, no bad flavour was imparted to the milk. ROOTS. Turnips, mangels and carrots were a poor crop the past season. For weeks after they were sown the seeds did not germinate but lay dormant until rains came in July, then made very little growth until after the middle of September. REPORT OF MR. A. MACK AY. 353 Turnips. Thirteen sorts of turnips were sown for test on 28th May, and again on 9th June. The last sown came up first and gave the best yield. The same sorts and two others were sown on May 29th in field lots, and, as they germinated before either of the test plots, they gave considerably the largest returns. All were sown on fallowed land which had been ploughed, harrowed and rolled before seeding. Seed was sown in drills. Following are results of tests both of small plots and field plots. The small plots occupied -£$ of an acre each, the field plots ^ of an acre each, and the soil in all cases was clay loam. TURNIPS — TEST OF VARIETIES. Name of Variety. Westfcmry's Improved Simmer's Champion Giant King Swede Reimie's Prize Purple Top Snow-white Globe . , Bloomsdale Swede ... Marquis of Lome Purple Top — Steele Jumbo or Monarch Carter's Elephant Seed Grown on Ex. Farm, 1893 East Lothian Skirving's Selected Swede Average. ® o go Jo D Weak o m o i— i S3 O o s a May 28 June " 28 " 28 " 28 " 28 " 28 " 28 " 28 " 28 " 28 " 28 " 28 " 28 XS v Ph o 9 Oct. 13. 13. 13. 13. 13. 13. 13. 13. 13. 13. 13. 13. 13. o I— < p-l Ph xf a Oct. 13. 13. 13. 13. 13. 13. 13. 13. 13. 13. 13. 13. 13. 4> S-i o &Ph >H (3 O H 10 10 ^2 l-H 640 520 11(50 800 800 440 1600 1600 1360 1120 760 640 1920 U V < >* 344 342 286 280 280 274 260 260 256 252 246 244 232 256 50 ■— u ^ S3 O H 10 8 10 10 10 9 8 8 9 9 9 10 8 1480 1400 400 640 8S0 1800 200 80 1200 480 1200 1600 1640 CD U a <~ u O as 'CSTJ « 358 290 340 344 348 330 270 268 320 308 320 360 294 CO 319 14 TURNIPS — FIELD-PLOTS. Name of Variety. Giant King or Elephant Rennie's Prize Purple Top Jumbo or Monarch Westbury's Improved .. . Marquis of Lome Seed grown on Experimental Farm, 1893.. Snow-white Globe Purple Top— Steele.- , Skirving's Selected Swede Carter's Elephant Purple Top Simmer's Champion Bloomsdale Swede East Lothian . Sutton's Champion Character of Growth. Fair Average . Weak Sown. May 29.. " 29.. " 29.. " 29.. " 29.. " 28.. " 29.. " 29.. li 29.. " 29.. " 29.. " 29.. " 29.. " 29.. " 29.. Pulled. Oct. 12. " 12 " 12! " 12. " 12. " 12. " 12. " 12. " 12. " 12. " 12. " 12. " 12. " 12. " 12. Yield per Acre. Tons. 19 18 17 16 16 15 14 14 14 13 13 12 12 12 11 Lbs. 880 4S0 380 1600 1120 1680 1040 920 200 1840 1600 1200 400 800 Yield per Acre. Bush. Lbs. 648 608 573 560 552 528 484 482 470 464 460 420 420 400 380 496 36 Note. — The field on which the above varieties were sown in field plots was well sheltered by a maple plantation, which allowed the ground to retain the moisture, thereby causing the seed to germinate more quickly ; hence the increase in yield over the same varieties in the uniform-test plots, which were sown on more exposed grounds, showing the advantage of shelter screens of forest trees. 8c— 23 354 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Mangels — test of varieties. Nine varieties of mangels were tested ; they were sown on clay loam, on plots of -^5- acre each, on May 29, and again on June 9. Seven of the nine kinds were also sown on clay loam, in larger plots of \ acre each, on May 29, and on account of shelter afforded the field by a maple plantation, which made germination of the seed much earlier, the yields per acre were considerably higher than in the test plots : — Name of variety. Mammoth Long Red . . . Pearce's Canadian Giant. Mammoth Long Red . . Mam. Long Red— Evans Gate Post Giant Yellow Intermediate Golden Tankard Imp. Mammoth Long Red . Carter's Warden or Orange Globe Average . c3 O cSrK o Weak 1st Plot Sown. 2nd Plot Sown. May 29 June 9 1st Plot Pulled. 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 Sept. 17 " 17 " 17 " 17 " 17 H 1? " 17 " 17 2nd Plot Pulled. Sept. 17 " 17 " 17 " 17 " 17 " 17 " 17 " 17 Yield per Acre. 1st Plot. G co O £> H m) 9 1800 9 1320 8 1400 8 1400 8 200 8 80 7 160 6 1920 6 840 Yield per Acre. 1st Plot. co co a .q pq w] 330 322 290 290 270 268 236 232 214 272 26 Yield per Acre. 2nd Plot S co O ,fi H ^ 9 600 10 1000 6 1200 9 960 9 1800 8 1760 7 1600 9 7 400 Yield per Acre. 2nd PI. it to CO g £> P3 ^ 310 350 220 316 330 296 260 300 240 291 20 FIELE LOTS. Mammoth Long Red Weak <( tt a cc CC cc May 29 "' 29 " 29 "■ 29 " 29 " 29 " 29 Sept. 15 " 15 " 15 " 15 " 15 " 15 " 15 10 1840 10 400 9 1440 9 1200 9 600 9 8 1880 364 340 324 320 310 300 298 Gate Post and Yellow Tan- kard (mixed) Pearce's Canadian Giant. . . Carter's Warden Giant Yellow Intermediate Golden Tankard 322 17 Carrots. Twelve varieties were sown on clay loam on plots of -fa acre each, the crop in each case was very light. CARROTS— TEST OF VARIETIES. Name of Variety. Giant White Vosges Improved Long White Iverson's Champion Improved Short White , White Belgian Mammoth White Intermediate Carter's Orange Giant Guerande Early Gem Half Long White Half Long Stump-rooted St. Valery Average Character of Sown. Pulled. Yield Yield Growth. per Acre. per Acre. Tons. Lbs. Bush. Very weak .... May 17.. Oct. 13.. 4 1,S40 164 " 17.. 13.. 4 1,360 156 " 17.. 13.. 4 1,100 152 " 17.. 13.. 4 880 148 cc " 17.. 13.. 3 1,920 132 " 17.. " 13.. 3 960 116 cc " 17.. 13.. 3 240 104 cc " 17.. 13.. 3 160 136 it " 17.. 13.. 3 100 it " 17.. 13.. 2 1,280 88 cc " 17.. 13.. 2 1,040 84 " 17.. " 13.. 2 1,040 84 122 * REPORT OF MR. A. MAC KAY. 355 Sugar beets. Three varieties of sugar beets were sown, with the following results SUGAR BEETS — TEST OF VARIETIES. Name of Variety. Character of Soil. Size of Plot. Character of Growth. Sown. Pulled. Yield per Acre. Yield per Acre. French Red Top Clay loam. it tt $B acre. . it a Weak . , cc it May 28.. " 28.. " 28.. Sept. 17.. " 17.. " 17.. Tons. Lbs. 8 800 7 1,600 7 760 Bush. 246 Klein Wanzleben Vilmorin's Improved 280 260 262 Potatoes. Fifty-seven varieties of potatoes were planted the past season ; thirty-five of which were chosen for uniform test, on all the Experimental Farms. The varieties enumerated under No. 2 were additional sorts which it was thought desirable to test at Indian Head ; they were all planted on plots of -£$ acre each, soil clay loam. The season was so unfavoui'able that no just estimate can be made as to the best sorts for the North- West Territories. In the uniform test the fourteen varieties first mentioned in the tables were the earliest in maturing, closely followed by the next eleven, the remainder of the varieties being late. As will be seen, none of the early sorts yielded well and very few of them were of large size, but all were of excellent quality. Among the varieties under test No. 2, there were six early sorts, four of which were good in size and yield, and all were of good quality. TEST OP VARIETIES NO. 1. Name cf Variety. {Early.) Crown Jewel Algoma No. 1 Lee's Favourite Early Gem Wonder of the World. Daisy Seedling No. 214 Sharpe's Seedling .... Early Ohio Early Rose Thorburn Burpee's Extra Early. Pearce's Extra Early . Early Puritan O . S- £ SC3 When T3 ■43 | ^ <| o Sri"2 43 <« PhO CB C *' O H 2 w 248 CO p pq 248 CO 3 tt 236 CO m 12 240 240 230 10 234 234 230 4 232 232 202 30 204 204 164 40 180 180 168 12 148 148 136 12 142 142 132 10 128 128 120 8 124 124 120 4 100 100 65 35 100 100 85 15 80 80 74 6 80 80 76 4 Form and Colour. Lg., pink & wh. Round, pink. Lg., pink & wh. Long, pink. Round, pink. 't tt ' white. Lg., pink & wh. Round, pink. Long, pink. Round, white. "' red. ' pink. Long, white. 8c— 23i 356 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. potatoes — uniform test — Continued. Name of Variety. (Medium.) Clarke's No. 1 Me „vi9 Northern Spy ' ' 1!) Early Sunrise ' ' 19 Chicago Market ' ' 1!) ' 19 Polaris ' ' 19 Everett ' ' 19 Vanier ' ' 19 World's Fair.. ' ' 19 Lizzie's Pride ' ' 19 ' 19 (Late.) State of Maine Late Puritan London I. X. L American Wonder. . Rural Blush Pearce's Prize Winner Dakota Red White Beauty Holborn Abundance S 05 S -u o O h SO -a o o Fair. i Weak May 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 Fair. Weak When Matured. Sept. 26 to Oct. 1. Oct. 2 to 10. Average Size. Large . . Medium Small. . . Medium Small. Medium Large . . Small. . . Medium Large. . . Medium Small. . . Quality. T5 £ o Mealy, good. Dry, good. . . cc Mealy, good. Good. Wet.. Wet, poor.. Wet Dry, good. . Mealy . . Medium Wet. . Mealy. Wet, poor, Mealy. Wet, poor A 03 3 M 220 206 180 180 160 156 148 126 100 92 90 242 212 180 180 172 166 146 118 110 76 *% a H £m tt F y 0 CO - -Is 40 3 r-"C rn-e CO O j* 73 S d) S 'tJ S3 Sown in Hot Bed. p. p.a u H H In Eruit. Ripe. March 28 . Apr. 27. May 30. June 12. July 25. " 28. " 27. " 30. " 10. " 25. " 28. " 27. " 30. " 12. " 25. " 28. " 27. " 30. " 12. Aug. 1. " 28. " 27. " 30. " 20. " 5. " 28. " 27. " 30. " 20. " 1. " 28. " 27. " 30. " 12. July 16. Feb. 7.... Apr. 16. May 30. June 5. . July 21. 1 . . . . " 16. " 30. " 10.. " 16. Remarks. Produced a good crop of large fruit. Very good. Very even in size and shape. Large crop. Not well shaped. Large crop of small, not well flavoured fruit. Nearly all fruit decayed. Extra good, heavy crop of small fruit. Very good. Gave a large crop of fine fruit. Extra good. Very heavy crop. FLOWER GARDEN. Flowers suffered very much from the dry hot weather, and although a limited supply of water was at hand and applied freely, it was of very little use against the blaz- ing sun and temperature of 95° to 100°. Pansies were a poor show until early in the fall, and at this date, November 1, are blooming amid snow and frost better than at anytime before. Asters made a fine display and continued in bloom for a considerable length of time. Dianthus, Mignonette, Stocks and Verbenas did fairly well, but dry weather was much against them. A large number of bulbs were received from the Central Experimental Farm in November, 1893, too late, on account of severe frosts, to plant outside. A few of the following : — Narcissus, Single and Double Hyacinths, Crocus and Scilla Sibirica were potted in November and kept in the house, and gave a fine show of flowers during February and March. The remainder of the bulbs were planted in the garden in the spring, but have not bloomed. A list of the bulbs and all perennials and annuals is given below with date as to flowering and suitability to the North-west. A fine lot of Bulbs have been received again this year, the majority of which were planted in the garden and the balance potted for house-flowering. Annuals. Asters. — Eight colours, Victoria ; five colours, Dwarf Bouquet ; four colours, Dwarf Pseony Flowered, were sown in hot-bed on April 3 ; transplanted in hot-bed on May 1, and into open-ground on June 1 3. All grew well and commenced to bloom about August 15, continuing in bloom till first severe frost. A large number were lifted into REPORT OF MR. A. MAC KAY. 365 pots and boxes before they -were touched by frost, and being protected, made a very fine show in the house for a considerable length of time. Antirrhinum. — Majus and minus were sown in hot-bed on April 20th and trans- planted into open ground on June 14th. Both varieties did well ; making a good show until first severe frost. No North-west flower garden should be without these. Artemisia gracilis. — Foliage variegated, sown in hot-bed, April 19th; transplanted into garden, June 14th. Not more than one-third of the plants were variegated. Makes a fair border plant. Seed sown in open on June 1st did not come up. Alyssum compactum. — Sown in garden on April 23tb, for borders to beds. Came into bloom early in June and continued till hard frost. One of the best flowers we have for bordering beds. Anagallis grandijiora. — Sown in hot-bed April 20 and transplanted into garden June 14th. A very showy free-blooming little plant. In bloom till frozen. Abronia umbellata. — Sown in hot bed April 19th, transplanted into garden June 13th, did well and made a good show. A very good flower for this country. Beta Brasiliensis. — Sown for a border to a bed in garden, but was found to be not suitable for bordering. Would make a much better soiling plant. Clarkia elegans. — Sown in hot-bed on April 20th. Transplanted to garden June 20 ; made a good show for a few weeks but did not stand the dry weather. It is however well worth a place in any North-west garden. Seed was sown in garden on May 12th, but it never came up. Calandrinia grandijiora. — Sown in hot-bed on April 20th. Transplanted to garden June 13th. Very showy, fine foliage. Kept in bloom until first severe frost. Commelina grandijiora. — A very pretty blue flower, but does not stand dry wea- ther well, nor make much show. Convolvulus minor. — Sown in garden on May 12. Made a good show all summer and stood dry weather well. Should be in every North-west flower-garden. Chrysanthemum Dunetti. — Sown in garden May 12. Seed came up only fairly well, but the few plants flowered well up to first severe frost. Cheiranthus maritimus. — Sown in hot-bed April 20. Transplanted into garden June 13. A nice little plant for borders. Sown in open on May 12, plants kept in flower longer than those sown in hot-bed and transplanted. Dianthus Heddewigii and Chinensis. — Sown in hot-bed April 19. Transplanted to garden June 13. Both varieties did extra well and flowered the whole season. Helichrysum monstrosum (Everlasting). Sown in hot-bed on April 20. Trans- planted into garden June 13, made a fair show during August and September. Eschscholtzia (California poppy). — Sown in garden on May 12. One of the best annuals for the North-west. Stands drouth and first frost, and blooms very freely. Gaillardia picta. — Sown in hot-bed April 19. Transplanted to garden June 13. Came into bloom July 15, and continued until hard frost. One of the best flowers for the North-west Territories. Helipterum. — Sown in hot-bed, April 20. Transplanted into garden June 13. A very pretty yellow everlasting. Flowered quite freely but not very showy. Flowers kept well for winter bouquets. Helianthus annuus, pi. fl. (Double Sunflower). — Seed was sown in pots in hot-bed on April 19, and put out in garden on June 1. None of the plants gave double flowers but were very well branched and made a good show. Iberis (Candytuft). — Sown in garden, April 23rd. Came up well but almost all the young plants were eaten off by the turnip beotle. The few plants that escaped flowered well all through the season. Linum grandiflorum. — Rose and scarlet flax were sown in hot-bed on April 19th. Transplanted into garden June 13th. Both flowered well all through the summer, but the scarlet is the stronger grower and makes more show. They were also sown in garden on May 12th and did well. Scarlet flax is one of the best flowers for the North-west. Lupinus. — Mixed sown in pots in hot-bed on April 19th. Transplanted to garden June 14th. All the varieties bloomed fairly well, but, on account of the season being so dry, did not make large plants. Lupins are well worth a trial. 386 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Mignonette. — Seed of Spiralis, Splendens, Giganteum, Aurea, Victoria and Common Mignonette was sown in garden on May 15th. All varieties did well. Aurea made the largest spikes of bloom, but the old Common is excelled by none in fragrance. One of the best flowers for a North-west garden. Matricaria eximia. — Sown in hot-bed April 19th. Transplanted into garden June 14th. A very pretty plant for borders; blooms freely and being very hardy is a good plant for the North-west. Mallow. — Seed sown in border on May 12th. Did not come up as well as usual owing to dry weather, but plants made a good show most of the summer. One of the best flowers for the North-west Territories. Portulaca. — Sown in garden, May 12th. Did not do well early in the season but made a fair show during August. Phlox Drummondi. — Nana Compacta, Grandiflora, Double Yellow, White New fringed and Star of Quedlenburgh sown in hot-bed April 19th. Transplanted into gar- den on June 13th. All flowered fairly well all season but did not make as good a show as the same varieties sown in garden on May 12th. Double Yellow, New Fringed and Star of Quedlenburgh are novelties, but do not make as good a show as the old varieties. Phlox is one of the best flowers for the North-west and should be in every garden. Poppy. — Danebrog, Somniferum, White Swan and seed grown on Experimental Farm, Indian Head, were sown in garden on May 12th. Very few of any of the varieties came up and none of White Swan. The few plants that grew did very well and made a good show. It is hard to get the seed of the poppy to germinate in the open ground, or they would be one of our best flowers. Two plants received from the Experimental Farm, Agassiz, B. O, were very fine, having a small yellow flower. Salpiglossis. — Sown in hot-bed April 19. Transplanted in garden June 13. The flowers were very fine and made a good show all season. One of the best plants for the North-west Territories. Scabiosa. (Tom Thumb). — Sown in hot-bed April 19. Transplanted in garden June 13. Flowered fairly well, but is too small for this country. Schizanthus. — Sown in hot-bed April 19. Transplanted into pots in hot-bed May 1. Put out in garden June 13. There were only six plants, but they made one of the best shows in the garden — covered with bloom all summer. Two plants were potted and did well in the house for a long time. A good flower for the North-west Territories. Stocks. — Large flowering dwarf German Stocks in six colours were sown in hot-bed on April 11, transplanted in hot-bed in May and out in garden June 13. Two large beds were planted out and were a mass of bloom during the whole season up to hard frost. The seed this year was not as satisfactory as formerly, there being a large propor- tion of single with the double-white. Thirty plants were put out, and there was not a double flower in the lot. Stocks are one of the very best flowers for this countiy. Sweet Peas. — Eckford's mixed was sown on May 12 in clusters and did fairly well considering the season. A good flower for the North-west Territories. Verbena. — Verbena Grandiflora was sown in box in the house on February 7, and in hot-bed on March 26. The plants started in house were transplanted into hot-bed on April 16, and the seed sown in hot-bed transplanted in hot-bed on May 1. Both sowings did well ; the former came into bloom the sooner, but was not as healthy as the sowing of March 26. Two beds were set out in garden on June 14 and made a good show all season up to hard frost. A good flower for this country. Nasturtiums. — Tropaeolum Majus and Minus, were sown in hot-bed in pots, but neither did well. The seed sown in gardens, May 12, never came up. Zinnias. — Robusta and Pumila were sown in hot-bed on May 1, and transplanted to garden on June 14. Both did well and made a fine show till first frost. Wild Cucumber. — Sown around flag-pole on May 12. Did well. One of the best hardy climbers for covering rockery or trellis. REPORT OF MR. A. MAC KAY. 367 * Perennial Plants. Dianthus. — About one-half the plants came through the winter in good shape. The bed was filled up with plants grown in hot-bed from seed sown on April 3, and planted out in garden on June 13. All flowered well during the whole season, and the young plants are strong and healthy. Pansies. — Did not come through the winter at all well, except a few young plants that were transplanted late in the fall. Seed of Best English, Yellow, Black Centre, Bright Golden Bronze, Finest Mixed Giant and Snowflake was sown on April 3 in the hot-bed. Transplanted in hot-bed on May 1, and into garden on June 13 and 14. All grew fairly well, but the summer was too dry for Pansies. They made a fine show in October, and, on November 1, the plants were still in bloom. All plants are strong and healthy and should stand the winter well. About 400 plants were grown. Sweet William. — The old bed came through the winter well and made a good show for over a month. It has been completely renewed with young plants and another bed planted, both of which are in good shape for the coming winter. Forget-me-not. — Two dozen plants received from Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, were set out, but they did not come to anything on account of the dry weather. Roses. — The only roses that lived through the winter were two of Marshal P. Wilder, which gave a few very inferior roses. Carnation Marguerite. — Sown April 19. Transplanted into pots May 12, and into garden on June 13. Bloomed August 1. All good double flowers. One of the best flowers for the North-west Territories. Perennial Phlox. — Eugene Schott, Jules Jouy, Boremiham, Virgo Maria, Molier, Jeanne dArc, George Sand, Hamlet, Athis, Sylphide, grew well and flowered. Hibiscus. — Alba and Rubra, 14 planted ; made a growth of two feet, and one plant flowered. Helianthus. — Yery showy, growing about 4 feet high. Flowering Flax. — Hardy and very showy. One of the best perennials for large borders. Yellow Flax. — Yery hardy. Makes a good show of fine colour. Scarlet Lychnis. — Hardy and showy. Yeronica. — Hardy. Blue spikes of flowers. Fairly showy. Primula. — Forty planted in garden, but did not do well. Hollyhock. — Fine plants grown last year came through the winter well and flowered freely. Two plants from Experimental Farm, Agassiz, B.C., did extra well ; making a fine show. Grew 20 young plants which are looking very strong and thrifty now. Platycodon Grandiflorum. — Very hardy. Good showy flowers. Sedum. — Quite hardy. Blooms freely but does not make much show. Double Daisy. — Planted 100 in flower-garden. Made very poor growth, and flowers were small. This climate is too dry for growing them successfully. Aquilegia. — All the old plants died. Planted this spring, 11 Aquilegia Chrysantha, 6 alive, 2 flowered fairly well ; 6 Aquilegia, 3 alive. Pseonies. — The old plants all came through winter well, but only one plant flowered. Planted this spring four new varieties ; all dead. Narcissus. — All the Narcissus planted this spring lived, but very few of them flowered ; all those which were planted last year are dead. Tulips. — None of the tulips planted either this spring or last year have done well. Yery few of last year's planting came through the winter. Fritillaria. — Four planted ; all flowered fairly well. Iris. — A large number of varieties were planted last spring, sent from the Central Farm, and, as far as can be seen, are nearly all alive now. It is expected that some of the hardier forms of Iris will do well in this climate. FRUIT TREES. Apples. No success can yet be reported in growing apple trees. 368 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. All varieties planted in 1893 are either dead or so near it that the chances are very much against a single tree being alive in the spring. The following 27 varieties were planted in the spring of 1893, on a plot well pro- tected by maple hedges. Of the 184 trees set out, and all living when winter of 1893-4 came on, 36 are now barely alive ; the remainder having died during the winter or the past summer. Spring 1893. Fall 1894. Name of Variety. Number 'Planted. Number Living. Number Dead. Borsdorf No. 402 6 3 3 3 3 3 3 11 11 3 6 3 6 3 36 6 6 12 3 6 6 12 3 3 3 18 3 2 1 4 3 2 3 3 3 3 2 9 11 3 6 3 6 3 18 1 18 5 Simbirsk No. 11 6 2 10 3 6 Little Hat . 2 6 Orel 27 10 3 3 3 8 10 3 Total .... 184 36 148 APPLE TREES PLANTED IN MAPLE 1 PLANTATION Thirty-two trees of seven varieties were planted in a maple plantation in place of maples taken out for avenue purposes. This plantation collected the snow in winter and afforded protection from the winds in summer. The best of those living, in the following list, are barely alive and have very small chances of going through the winter successfully. Name of Variety. 1893. 1894. Planted. Living. Dead. Saccharine 2 5 7 5 6 2 5 1 4 1 1 7 Titovka, Koslovv 3 3 1 3 2 3 1 2 32 15 17 REPORT OF MR. A. MACK AT. 369 It will be seen from the foregoing reports that a larger percentage lived in the maple plantation than on the plot protected by hedges. Crabs. Transcendent. Ten planted in spring of 1893. All dead on Nov. 1st, 1894. Huckleberry. Six planted in spring of 1893. Two living, fall of 1894. Plums. Plums, like apples, have heretofore been almost entire failures, but it is expected that native fruit, growing along banks of Red River and in other parts of Manitoba, may succeed here. Although trees of this variety have been growing for several years on the farm, no fruit has resulted, but it is hoped that some of the trees may produce next season. One hundred seedlings of the wild plum were planted in 1893, and all are doing well. For 1895 planting, 42 varieties of this plum have been obtained from Mr. Frank- land's nursery, at Stonewall, Manitoba. Six Orleans Blue, 6 Montmorency and 4 Imperial Blue plum trees were planted in 1893 obtained from the nursery of A. Dupuis, Village des Aulnaies, Quebec. Of these the 4 Imperial Blues are the only ones living at this date. A small plantation was set out last spring with 81 seedlings of the Weaver Plum, and 20 seedlings of Hungarian Plum. Cherries. Except with one variety, no success has been achieved in cherry culture. This sort, Black Hill, an improved variety of the sand cherry [Prunus pumila) has now borne fruit for two seasons and promises to be suitable for the country. The varieties planted in the spring of 1893, Old French and Montmorency, obtained from A. Dupuis, are all dead except one tree of the latter. The ordinary sand cherries {Prunus pumila) planted at the same time are doing well. In May last, the following cherries were planted in a plot well protected from winds : — 15 Ostheim Seedlings, 20 Lithaur Weichsel, 20 Minnesota Ostheim, 5 Carn- ation, 13 Rocky Mountain and 3 Sand Hill Cherries from Dakota. A plantation of 180 sand cherries was also set out ; the trees 7 feet apart each way. SMALL FRUITS. Gooseberries. Twenty-two varieties (58 bushes), mostly English varieties, of this fruit were planted in spring of 1893. Several of the sorts died before winter set in, and all but 30 bushes of 10 varieties have died since. 8c -24 370 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Following is the list, &c. : — Name of Gooseberry. Leader Companion. . . . Whitesmith . . . Early Sulphur. Bonnie Lass . . . Bobbie Governess Warrington Crown Bob Queen Victoria Improved Early Hedgehog . Dubbn. Lancashire Lad Green Overall Columbus Pitmaston Green Gage Red Champagne Whinham's Industry White Champion Industry Downing Native from Edmonton, N.W.T. Planted. 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 2 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 10 18 5 58 Living. 18 3 30 Dead. 1 1 10 28 Currants. The following currants were planted in spring of 1S93, but have not yet borne fruit : — Red, London Red, Versaillaise, Red Dutch, Knight's Early Red, New Red Dutch, White Transparent, La Fertile, La Conde and La Hative — Black — Prince of Wales, Ogden's Black and Baldwin, Dakota Tree Currant. Blackberries and Raspberries The following varieties were planted in spring of 1893 : — 50 Stone's Hardy Black- berry, 50 Shaffer's Colossal, 50 Crimson Beauty, 50 Ohio, and 2 Blackcaps from Edmonton, N.W.T. All are dead except 4 Shaffer's Colossal, 8 Ohio and 1 Black Cap from Edmonton. Strawberries. The following were planted in 1893: — 24 Parker Earle, 24 Windsor Chief, 24 Pine Apple and 24 New Dominion. All were badly winter killed in 1893 and remainder died during 1894. Small Fruit Crop, 1894. The crop of small-fruits on the Experimental Farm has, on the whole, been very poor the past season. Currants, Red, White and Black produced abundantly, but the fruit was very much smaller than usual on account of the dry weather. Raspberries promised extra well REPORT OF MR. A. MAC KAY. 371 early in the season, but were an entire failure. Gooseberries and strawberries were as bad. Following will be found the results in detail of different varieties of small fruits bearing fruit in 1894. RED CURRANTS. Fay's Prolific. — Set a good crop of fruit which ripened fairly well. Raby Castle. — Produced a heavy crop of fruit, which was very much dried up by hot weather. Red Dutch. — Set a very heavy crop of fruit which was badly damaged by dry weather. Red Victoria. — A heavy crop of fruit, badly injured by drouth. WHITE CURRANTS. White Grape. — A very heavy crop of fruit which withstood the drouth much better than the Red varieties. White Dutch. — Heavy yield. Slightly hurt by drouth. BLACK CURRANTS. Black Naples. — Heavy crop of fruit. Fruit small and did not ripen evenly. Lee's Prolific. — Heavy crop. Fruit fair quality, although considerably injured by dry weather. Climax. — A good crop. Fruit small. Ripened unevenly. Charmer. — A good crop. Fruit small. Ripened unevenly. Beauty. — A good crop. Fruit small. Ripened unevenly. Dominion. — A good crop. Fruit fair size. PROSPECTS OP A CURRANT CROP IN 1895. The Red and White varieties of Currants are not in a thrifty condition and do not promise well for a crop next year. The greater part of the leaves fell off in mid- summer and the fruit buds are small and parched looking. The Black sorts have a good stock of healthy young wood and the indications at present are in favor of a good crop for 1895. RASPBERRIES. Covered with earth during winter ; uncovered on May 9. Turner — Came out in splendid condition, blossomed and formed fruit well, but dry weather caused leaves to blight and fall off, and no fruit ripened. Philadelphia — Came out in fair order, but went in same way as Turner. Cuthbert, Hansell, Caroline and Golden Queen were badly winter-killed and came from the winter covering in poor condition, and being less able to stand the dry, hot spell, no fruit whatever set. All the varieties have made a good growth from the roots but the canes are not as strong as they usually are at this season of the year. GOOSEBERRIES. Like all other small fruit, gooseberries were a light crop the past season. The tops of the bushes were cut back considerably and the bushes started out in very poor shape. Dry weather made what little fruit there was, very small. 8c— 24^ 372 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. STRAWBERRIES. Strawberries came through the winter in a more or less damaged condition. One bed had two-thirds of its plants killed outright. None of the plants blossomed freely, and dry weather caused the fruit to be very small, none of which ripened. The vines were covered slightly with strawy manure, and the beds had a large bank of snow over them all winter. They were uncovered on May 9. NATIVE FRUIT. Two varieties of native black currants, 2 of gooseberries, 1 raspberry, 1 cranberry, 2 saskatoons and 2 cherries bore fruit the past season. The black currants were a heavy crop of very large fruit where the bushes had been thinned out ; gooseberries, very small, but numerous ; raspberries did not ripen ; cranberries, ditto ; saskatoons, a small crop, and cherries few and small. cuttings, 1894. 1,400 cuttings of white, red and black currants were set out last May ; 204 are now alive. The loss was caused, no doubt, by dry weather. Conclusions arrived at regarding fruit growing in North-west Territories : — 1. That no variety of apples has, so far, proved suitable to the North-west Terri- tories. 2. That Eastern plums or cherries have not succeeded, but that the native Plum of Manitoba, as well as a cherry, a native of the Western States, will fruit and do well here. 3. That cultivated varieties of small fruits do well in an ordinary year, but are liable to suffer from drouth. 4. That raspberries and strawberries require protection in the winter months. 5. That Turner is the best variety of raspberry thus far tested for the North- west Territories. 6. That Red, White and Black Currants are a safe fruit to plant and require no covering in the winter. 7. That gooseberries are very uncertain and are liable to be killed back. 8. That strawberries are the most uncertain of all fruits. If they escape the winters they are easily injured at time of blossoming, by frost, or when fruit is ripening by dry weather. 9. That all small fruits require good protection from winds in the early part of the growing season, and without this there is not much likelihood of success. 10. That anything that retards for ten days or two weeks, the blossoming of small fruits will much increase the chances of a good crop, provided there is sufficient moisture to ripen the fruit. FOREST TREES. The past season, on account of the dry weather, has not been favourable to forest trees. Early in the season, the trees of all sorts came out in leaf and for two months made a rapid growth. Where trees were planted in single rows and the soil around them worked occasionally, they continued to make some progress, but in shelter belts or plantations where the trees are comparatively close together, the dry hot weather early in July stopped nearly all growth and the leaves fell off long before the first frost. The growth made, although small, seems to have hardened up, and all trees promise well for the coming year. The value of fallow-land for tree planting was demonstrated in a marked degree, the past season. Among the trees planted along each side of a road on the farm, were 19 trees on sod and 553 on land that had been fallowed the year previous. At this date every tree planted on sod is dead ; while not one loss has occurred in the 553 on fallowed- land. The same fate overtook trees or shrubs planted on lawns or other places about the farm where sod or grass exists ; while others, planted in ground that had been culti- vated and where frequent cultivation was possible, stood the dry weather all right. REPORT OF MR. A. MAG KAY. 373 Two new plantations, of four and three acres each in extent, were put out with maples, the past spring. The trees were planted 4 feet apart in the rows and 7 feet between the rows. This was done to permit of two-horse cultivation, either by single or gang ploughs. Heretofore the usual distance apart has been 5 feet each way. For m o 00 o 60 CD -4^ 0) o +3 CD a M "j o p 3 a CD > C4-4 o u o a, o3 o (D three years after planting this distance is satisfactory but when the branches extend, usually about the fourth year, cultivating cannot be thoroughly done ; so the 7 feet by 4 feet has been adopted for the present with a view of finding out which is the best distance apart for forest-trees, with the idea of economy in cost of working. Parti- culars of the cost of planting and cultivation of these new plantations will be kept. The accompanying view represents part of a five acre plot planted four years ago. 374 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Trees growing on Farm. The following trees, native and introduced, are growing on the farm at present. NATIVE. Planted in 1889 to 1894. 1890 1890 1892 1890 1890 1890 1890 1892 1890 1890 1890 1890 1893 1893 Name of Variety. Maple, Box Elder. (Negundo aceroides) Ash. (Fraxinus Americana) Elm. (Ulmus Americana) Oak. (Quercus macrocarpa) Birch. (Betula papyrifera) Poplar. (Populus alba) Balsam poplar. (Populus balsamifera) Willow. (Salix 3 varieties) Buffalo-berry. (Shepherdia argentea) Choke Cherry. (Primus Virginiana) Wild Red Cherry. (Prunus Pennsylvanica). . . . Cranberry. (Viburnum Opulus) Saskatoon. (Amelanchier alnifolia) Spruce. (Picea alba) from Prince Albert, Sask. Spruce. (Picea alba) from Manitoba Condition . Doing well. Growing slowly. it Very slow growth. Slow growth. Fair growth. it Slow growth. Growing well. Very slow growth. INTRODUCED. 1890 1890 1890 1890 1890 1890 189o 1891 1891 1892 1892 1892 1890 1889 1890 1890 1890 1890 1890 1890 1890 1890 1890 1890 1890 1890 Russian Poplar. (Populus Bereolensis) Russian Poplar. .(Populus Wobstii Riga) . . . Russian Willow. (Salix Voronesh) Willow. (Salix aurea) Willow. (Salix acutifolia) Willow. Norway . . Willow. (Salix laurifolia) Elm Nebraska. (Ulmus Americana) Asiatic Maple. (Acer Ginnala) Oak. (Quercus alba) Common Alder. (Alnus glutinosa) Butternut. ( Juglans cinerea) American Cottonwood. (Populus monilif era) Cedar. Arbor Vitae. (Thuya occidentalis). . Red Cedar. (Juniferus Virginiana) American Mountain Ash. (Pyrus Americana European Mountain Ash. (Pyrus aucuparia) Norway Spruce. (Picea excelsa) White 'Birch. (Betula alba) Yellow Birch. (Betula lutea) Scotch Pine. (Pinus sylvestris) Riga Pine Mountain Pine. (Pinus Mughus) Yellow or Bull Pine. (Pinus ponderosa) Douglas Fir. (Pseudotsuga Douglasi) Poplar. (Populus aurea) Good. Kills back, hardening Doing well. Very slow growth. Cuts back. Very slow growth. Rapid growth. Very slow growth. (« Kills back badly. (« Very slow growth. Not very healthy. Some doing extra well Very slow growth. Doing well. Doing fairly well. Good. Additions were make to wind-breaks on farm last year, both by transplanting and sowing seed. Those already planted were of very great service during the whole of last REPORT OF MR. A. MAC KAY. 375 summer in breaking the force of winds and in the garden plots were invaluable in pro- tecting vegetable and other seeds from destruction. The following is from my report of 1893 on wind-breaks or hedges, which I beg to again submit to those who may desire to sow or plant wind-breaks in the North-west Territory : — " The wind-breaks already set out demonstrate that one row of Artemisia or Willow, with plants two feet apart in the rows, is ample, and one row of Maple or Poplar is also sufficient if the trees are cut back several times each season for a few years, so as to allow them to thicken up at the bottom. ' " I desire to call the attention of those in the North-west who may wish to have a small and pretty hedge on their lawn or elsewhere, to the fact that the Native Wolf Willow (Elseagnus argentea) and Native Snowberry (Symphoricarpus racemosus), both found in abundance on the prairie, are excellent for that purpose. Either grown from seed or transplanted, they are cheaply and easily obtained and in two or three years, with pruning can be made attractive as any eastern hedge. " Two hedges made from transplanted plants of these shrubs, attract attention of visitors to the farm, and besides being ornamental are useful as a wind-break around the flower-beds and other plots." To the foregoing may be added that one row of maple-seed sown about 1st May will make the best wind break around buildings and along roads, when appearance and labour are taken into consideration. If maple is used for gardens, etc., not more than one row should be sown or planted together, as even one row absorbs a great dqal of moisture from land in immediate vicinity. Artemisia Abrotanum (Russian) has made the best wind-break and by far the best snow-gatherer for gardens yet tried on the farm ; and although not very ornamental, except when green, should be around every garden in the North-west Territories. For two years back a number of Norway spruce and Scotch and Riga Pine have been transplanted from former plantations, and in both years those transplanted in June have lived ; while those set out in May have died with very few exceptions. Winds which are usually worst in May caused the loss amongst those planted early, they not having had time to take root before being almost blown out of the ground. Tree Seeds sown, and Trees transplanted, 1894. In May last a good sized plot was sown with maple-seed and from this there are now from 15 to 25,000 seedlings ready for distributing or transplanting next Spring. As stated elsewhere, seven acres were planted with maple-trees. In addition to this, 572 trees were set out along roads, and blanks were filled up in avenues and other places. The avenue trees transplanted were drawn from a plantation set out in 1890 and were from 5 to 7 feet high. The trees planted in new plantations were two years old. Avenue trees were all planted in holes dug large and the roots of trees placed a little deeper than where grown. For plantations drills are made as deep as can be made by plough going twice in each one. If drills are long, two men follow, carrying an armfull of trees and planting them at the proper distance apart in bottom of drill, then covering roots by drawing earth with their feet from each side. When planting is finished, the drills are filled in by plough, using one horse. One man, with team and three men assisting, can plant from 3 to 4 acres in this way in a day. Summer fallowing is the best preparation for tree planting, as it affords moisture for the young trees after the dry season sets in. If fallow is not available, stubble land may be used but will require more cultivation the first year than the fallow. It is wasting time and trees to plant in sod or in land that can not be properly cultivated. In 1893 there were between 115 and 120 thousand trees of all sorts on the Experimental Farm ; consisting chiefly of native maple (Negundo). During the past season this number has been greatly added to by seedling-maples which will be ready for distributing or transplanting next spring. 376 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. The following is a list of trees and where growing on Experimental Farm, 1894. trees — 1894. Where growing, etc. Along West boundary — 100 feet wide . . " North boundary— " " North " " North " " East " 1 and 2 years old . Plantations on North part of Farm ... . " around Buildings " on South part of Farm . Wind-breaks along cross-roads around garden-plots . Avenue Trees Plantation . ...... . . , For transplanting Seedlings Two year? old Riga Pine, 470. Cedar, 16 Birch, 58. Norway Spruce, 630 Russian Poplar, 50. Mountain Ash, 128. Scotch Pine, 160. Basswood, 15 Mountain Pine, 47. Cottonwood, 300 . . . Oak, 20. Douglas Fir, 17 Yellow Pine, 219 Shrubs Fruit, cultivated, 423. Native, 100. Total. Variety. Maple. Ash . . . Elm... Maple. it << Ash...' Maple . Elm.... Poplar . . Willow. Maple.. Elm.... Ash.... Maple. . Planted or Sown. Planted Sown . . Planted. Sown . . Planted. Sown]. . a Planted Number. 10,804 10,551 240 250 20,000 6,072 2,574 1,746 15,810 10,780 1,711 269 734 650 2,683 3,700 3,800 20,000 8,000 486 688 178 175 347 37 219 6,870 523 129,897 Shrubs. It gives me pleasure to report that the list of shrubs, doing fairly well on the farm, is increasing. Although many of the sorts kill back partially in the winter and are growing slowly, they are all making some progress, both in size and ability to stand the climate. Among those doing well, Caragana is first in growth and hardiness ; Artemisia Abrotanum continues to do well as a hedge ; Lilacs, Common "White, Persian and Josikea have flowered and given good satisfaction and Acer Ginnala, Russian Olive and Flow- ering Currant have made a fair growth and stand the winter well. Most of the other shrubs tested are cut back during winter and their growth is very slow. The Native Shrubs, such as Hawthorn, Silver Berry, Snowberry and Buffalo Berry, do well. REPORT OF MR. A. MAO KAY. 377 Following is list of shrubs on farm, condition and date of planting. Shrubs— 1894. Name. Year planted. Condition. 1891 1891. Very slow growth and kills back Common (Berberis vulgaris) " Redowsky " frutescens 1891 (i (i 1890 Hardy, doing welL Hardy. cc 1892 1892 1892 1892 Lilac, Persian Hardy, flowered. " Common white ti " Josikea. . . . 1892 CC " Silver White " Jacques Cabot 1892 : ... 1892 (( cc " Prince of Wales 1892 Ci Honeysuckle, Tartarian 1892 cc " Tartarian. . 1893 cc Spiraea Opulifolia 1890 Cuts back. Syringa, Double-flowering " alba grandiflora 1891 a 1891 a 1891 1890 1890 cc " Golden-Leaved... Hardy, flowered. cc Gordon's Flowering Currant Russian Olive 1892 1892 1890 1893 1891 1892 1890 cc Hardy. Cuts back, but hardy. Hardy. cc Artemisia Abrotanum, Old Man Acer Ginnala Common Alder Native. Silver Berry (Elseagnus argentea) Cuts back. Very hardy. cc Snow Berry (Symphoricarpus racemosus) 1890 1890 1890 Sweet Briar (Rosa rubiginosa) cc Tender. 378 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. The following shrubs, etc., were planted last spring. SHRUBS. Name. Name. Lilacs— Almond Double Rose. Gloire de Lorraine. White. Flora Plena. Persian Yellow Rose. Emodi. Hibiscus Hardy. De Marley. Elaeagnus longipes. Nigricans. ' ' macrophylla. Laciniata. Berberis Cerasua. Souvenir de la Spathe. " laciflora. Langius. " Fischeri. Matthieu de Dombasle. " macrophylla. Rubra insignis. Ambroise V erschaffelt. " Sinensis. Russian Snowball. Common White. Lonicera media. Violacea. " Germanica. Persian White Flowering Vor 133. President Massart. Russian Euonymus. Japonica. Prunus Maackii. Bertha Damman. Prunus Grayana maxima. Virginal. Lonicera splendens. Ville de Troyes. Improved Elderberry. Princess Marie. Hypericum Kalmianum. Persian Small Flowering. Betula Dahurica. Hyacinth aeflora. Pyrus. Gloire de Croncels. Cotoneaster vulgaris. Renoncule. Caragana Redowsky. Mme. Moser. pygmaea. Lavanensis. Philadelphus . Villosa. Spiraea media rotundifolia. Caerulea superba. Spiraea opulifolia. Beranger. Rosa rubrifolia livida. Pyramidalis. Lonicera chrysantha. Sangeana. Viburnum rugosum. Prof. Stochart. " Pyrtefolium. Dr. Lindley. Crataegus sanguinea Schroederi. Common Purple. Ligustrum Amurense. Cornus mascula elegantissima. Rosa rugosa. Exochorda grandiflora. Basswood from Manitoba seed. Weigelia Lonerii. Acer Ginnala. " Candida. Douglas Fir. " Henderson's. Yellow Pine. " rosa nana variegata. CONCLUSIONS ARRIVED AT IN REGARD TO TREE CULTURE IN THE NORTH-WEST TERRITORIES. 1. That trees can be grown on the most exposed situations. 2. That tree-seeds should be sown on the farm so that transplanting can be done on the spot ; the trees not having to be transported any distance before being set out. 3. That native trees should be chiefly used until protection is afforded by them, when foreign varieties may be introduced with hope of success. 4. That about the first week in May is the best time to sow maple, elm, and ash seed, also the best time for transplanting all deciduous trees. 5. That June is the most favourable time for transplanting evergreens. 6. That tree seeds should be sown in rows on fallow-land, the plants kept free from weeds and the ground stirred frequently during the first season. 7. That trees should be planted or transplanted when young, on fallow land, two or three inches deeper than where they first grew and the ground ploughed, gang-ploughed or scuffled several times during the season for three or four years. Trees should be far enough apart to permit a span of horses to work freely, so that the land may be kept loose and free from grass with the least expense. REPORT OF MR. A. MAG KAY. 379 8. That Manitoba maple or Box Elder grows the quickest of all native trees and for windbreaks or plantations gives the most satisfaction. 9. That it is a waste of time, money and trees, to plant without good prepa ration before and frequent cultivation after. DISTRIBUTION of Grain samples, Forest-trees, Fruit-bushes, Tree-seeds, Potatoes, Flower-seeds, Vege- table seeds, &c. Last spring, during March, April and May, the following distribution was made : — Distribution of Grain — Wheat, three pound bags . Barley " " . Oats " " . Eye " " . Pease " " . Awnless Brome Grass Forest trees — Maple Elm Ash Willow Poplar Cottonwood .... Caragana ......... Lilac Syringa Evergreen Shrubs . Small fruits — Raspberries, Turner. Philadelphia Caroline Reeder Cuthbert Currants — Red Dutch... Fay's Frolific . White Grape . Raby Castle . . Black Naples Lee's Prolific. Mixed Gooseberries (mixed) Strawberries Asparagus roots Rhubarb roots Tree seeds — Maple — Bags Potatoes — Various sorts — Bags Vegetable and Flower seeds — Collections . Artemisia Abrotanum — Cuttings Number. 176 154 296 18 73 101 10,800 175 1,125 445 325 850 735 46 15 60 1,816 1,298 372 301 24 1,518 1,028 1,056 828 1,736 648 617 992 442 ,572 173 532 286 276 ,085 Total Number. 818 14,576 3,811 7,431 992 442 1,572 173 532 286 276 6,085 Swmmary. Grain Forest trees, including Artemisia cuttings .... Small fruits Strawberries Vegetable roots Tree seeds Potatoes Vegetable and Flower seeds — Collections in bags . Bags. SIS 532 286 276 1,912 Roots, Trees or Cuttings. 20,66i 12,234 442 1,745 35,082 380 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. EXPERIMENTS IN FEEDING STEERS. Experiments were carried on last winter in feeding steers with the different fodders at command. One test was made with the following rations : — 1. Ensilage, meal and straw ; 2. Dry cut feed, turnips and meal ; and 3. Hay, turnips and meal. Six 2 year old steers were fed in this test for four months, one month being preparatory. Lot No. 1 was fed on ensilage, meal and all the oat-straw they would eat. Lot No. 2 was fed on cut-feed, consisting of mixed grain fodder, meal and turnips. Lot No, 3, on hay, turnips and meaL RESULT. Lot No. 1. — Fed 35 lbs. ensilage, 5 lbs. meal (barley and oats ground) and oat-straw. Weight. Dec. Jan. Feb. March. April. Gain. Steer No. 1 880 927 1000 1037 1107\ ,m ,, 2 850 897 955 1050 1120/ *y' Ds" Lot No. 2. — Fed 15 lbs. cut dry fodder, 20 lbs. turnips, and 5 lbs. meal, same as in No. 1. Weight. Dec. Jan. Feb. March. April. Gain Steer No. 1 925 954 1010 1080 1145 2 770 822 870 915 972 | 422 lbs. Lot No. 3. — Fed on 18 lbs. hay, 20 lbs. turnips and 5 lbs. meal, same as No. 1. Weight. Dec. Jan. Feb. March. April. Gain. Steer No. 1 1060 1107 1140 1182 1220\„o9 1K 2 1052 1082 1120 1185 1220/ Ds* The six steers for the above test were bought at 2| cents per pound and sold at 3| cents per pound. Lot No. 1.— Cost $42.57 and sold for $77.94 Gain of $35.37 2.— « 46.60 " 74,44 " 27.84 « 3._ « 58.02 " 85.40 " 27.38 TEST NO. 2. Three steers, 5 years old, fed on different rations for 5 months. Steer No. 1. — Fed on 50 lbs. ensilage, 8 lbs. meal, and straw — Dec. Jan. Feb. March. April. May. Gain. Weight, 1640 1717 1740 1780 1786 1760 120 lbs. Steer No. 2. — Fed 25 lbs. cut fodder, 8 lbs. meal and 20 lbs. turnips — Dec. Jan. Feb. March. April. May. Gain. Weight, 1500 1540 1610 1690 1757 1755 255 lbs. Steer No. 3. — Fed 25 lbs. ensilage, 15 lbs. cut feed and 8 lbs. meal — Dec. Jan. Feb. March. April. May. Gain. Weight, 1620 1650 1720 1790 1890 1890 270 lbs. Steer No. 1.— Cost at 3 cts., $49.20, sold for 3f cts., $66.00. Profit, $16.80 " 2.— " 3 cts., 45.00, " 3§ cts., 65.80. <; 20.80 « 3._ « 3 cts., 48.60, " 3§cts., 70.87. " 22.27 REPORT OF MR. A. At AC KAY. 381 In the above test, ensilage, cut-feed and meal gave the most gain in weight and realized greatest amount of money for feed consumed. Steer No. 1 did not do well while Nos. 2 and 3 made good gain from the first. EXPERIMENTS IN FEEDING Swine. Swine have done well during the past year. Two Improved Large Yorkshire sows, Snowie and Dora had litters about the 1st of January of 7 and 8 pigs respectively. The same two sows had litters again in June of 10 pigs each. By keeping the pigs born in January in a fairly warm place, all lived but grew very slowly and when 10 months old were not nearly as large as pigs usually are at that age, although they were fed regularly with as much at they would eat. Ten of these pigs were penned off and fed for two months with very little grain. They consumed over 7 lbs of grain for each pound of pork made ; which was probably from effects of cold weather they underwent when young. Although the pig house was comfortable except in extreme weather, some pigs from a litter born in September, 1893, died during the winter. As they could not run outside, they became crippled for want of exercise and were only able to move with great difficulty, and at length had to be killed. This is of frequent occurence with litters born in the fall and even if with the greatest care they are brought through the winter, the cold they have to encounter has a serious effect on their after growth. A young Tamworth boar was obtained from the Central Experimental Farm in July last. This animal will be used for crossing and will prove valuable to the neighborhood. TESTS. During last winter a test was made between feeding pigs on soaked wheat and on boiled wheat, resulting in favour of soaked wheat. Two pens of four pigs each (a mixed lot) were put up on December 6, and fed until April 6. One pen was fed on wheat soaked for 24 hours, and the other on boiled wheat. Following is the result in detail : — WHEAT, SOAKED VS. BOILED. Pen No. 1 — Soaked — Dec. Jan. Feb. March April Lbs. Weight, 317 443 536 664 784 Gain 467 Pen No. 2— Boiled- Dec. Jan. Feb. March April Lbs. Weight, 275| 374 447 517 627 Gain 351$ The pigs in pen No. 1, consumed 2160 lbs., wheat. " " " 2 " 2100 lbs. " Therefore, in this experiment it took 4^ lbs soaked wheat to make one pound of pork ; and 6 lbs. of boiled wheat to make the same quantity. Pork at 6 cents per lb. would make the wheat consumed in pen No. 1, worth 74 cents and in pen No. 2, worth 60 cents per bushel. TEST OF WHEAT VS. BARLET AND WHEAT. In this test 10 Improved Large Yorkshires were divided into two pens of 5 pigs each ; as nearly equal in weight as it was possible to get them ; there being only 5 lbs difference between the two. 382 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. One pen was fed on soaked wheat and the other on soaked wheat and barley, mixed. The test commenced on September 1st, and on November 1st the pigs in pen No. 1, fed on wheat alone, had made one pound of pork for every 8^ lbs. wheat used ; while pen No. 2, fed on wheat and barley, made one pound of pork for each 6 lbs. grain eaten. The ten pigs used were born on December 28th, 1893, and January 3rd, 1894, and on account, no doubt, of the extreme cold experienced early in their existence, were small for their age when the test commenced. This may account for the large quantity of grain consumed in comparison with the amount of pork made. FOLLOWING IS TEST IN DETAIL, Pen No. 1 — Fed on soaked wheat — Sept. 1st. Oct. 1st. Nov. 1st. Lbs. Weight, 618 751 820 Gain 202 Pen No. 2 — Fed on soaked wheat and barley — Sept. 1st. Oct. 1st. Nov. 1st. Lbs. Weight, 623 778 898 Gain 275 Pen No. 1 — Consumed, 1,757 lbs. wheat; made 202 lbs. pork, or 8^ lbs. feed to 1 lb. of pork. Pen No. 2 — Consumed, 1668 lbs. wheat and barley; made 275 lbs. of pork, or 6 lbs. feed to 1 lb. of pork. PIG-HOUSE. The pig-house erected in the summer of 1893 is not entirely satisfactory, the walls being made of concrete, lime, sand and broken stones. The building is too damp during the winter months, for pigs. In very cold weather a heavy coating of ice forms on the inside of the walls ; then on a warm day this melts and produces a wet and unpleasant condition. Poultry. The poultry on the farm has not been very successful during the past year. After a long winter of confinement, none of the birds came out in very good shape for laying and very few of the early laid eggs were fertile. The Plymouth Rocks commenced, early, to pull their feathers and continued to do so in spite of all remedies tried. The White Leghorns did the best of any of the four breeds on hand, both in regard to number of eggs laid, and chickens hatched. Four settings of eggs, one each of Black Minorca, Light Brahma, White Leghorn and Plymouth Rock, were received from the Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, last May. From these 8 Black Minorca, 6 light Brahma, 6 White Leghorn and 5 Plymouth Rock, chickens were raised. There are on the farm, at present, the following breeds Black Minorca, Light Brahma, White Leghorn, Plymouth-rock, Houdan and White Wyandotte. Stallion. The Clyde stallion " Barlocco," sent by the Haras National Company, from Montreal, reached the farm on May 3rd, and remained for three months, serving 43 mares during that time. REPORT OF MR. A. MACK AY. 383 Land prepared for crop op 1895. During the past season, 165 acres of land were fallowed and made ready to receive the crop of 1895. The first ploughing was completed by July 1 2th, with single ploughs turning from 6 to 8 inches deep. The portion ploughed early in the season was harrowed, prior to this date, to induce weeds to germinate ; a result somewhat difficult to obtain on account of the dry weather. After the ploughing was finished, all the land was well harrowed. After harvest a large portion of it was gang-ploughed light, and the balance harrowed with either disc or spring-tooth harrows. In addition to the summer fallow, ten acres of oat land were ploughed in the fall after the crop had been taken off. Sixty-five acres of stubble-land were gang-ploughed after the crop had been har- vested, with the intention of starting all weeds and volunteer grain (his fall. This land will be fallowed next year. Seven acres of the fallow-land intended for roots next year, had a heavy coating of manure, well rotted, put on late in the fall. Part of the field was ploughed after the manure was applied and the balance left as it was. The remainder of the year's manure is being put on stubble-land intended for fal- lowing next year. This has been found to be the best and safest way of applying manure in the Territories. No matter how well rotted, if applied in the fall or spring to land to be cropped at once, if the season be dry the manure will keep the land open and instead of being a benefit will prove an injury. If, however, it is applied on stubble- land and the land fallowed, the manure gets well worked in and the June rains complete the rotting process thoroughly. Ensilage. Corn ensilage was a decided success the past winter. Although the crop was small and the ensilage far from filling the silo, what there was of it was good and was eagerly eaten by the stock. Ensilage made from mixed grain crops, cut when well headed and left for two days to wilt, was also a success ; but that made from the same mixed grain crop, left until the heads were filled, though not nearly ripe, was a complete failure. From fifteen to twenty loads of the latter were cut by ensilage cutter and put in silo. Up to Christmas it appeared to be allright but when required for use was found to be quite dry from top to bottom except in a few patches where a small amount of moisture had been retained which were the only parts the cattle would eat. On account of the mixed grain crop being very light and poor, no ensilage was made from this kind of fodder, the past year. Corn alone was put in silo and being further advanced than in former years the ensilage will no doubt turn out welL Improvements. some The improvements made on the farm during the past season were in taking down „o old cottages along the railway, improving the reservoirs on the farm, planting seven acres of maple trees and putting out nearly two miles of avenue trees. Local Exhibitions and Institute Meetings. The only exhibitions attended with products of the farm were Regina and Indian Head. Wolseley, Broadview, Wapella, Fairmede, QuAppelle Station and Fort QuAppelle fairs were attended by myself or staff, who assisted as judges. 384 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. During last winter I attended farmers' meetings in Moose Jaw, Pense, Qu'Appelle Station, Wolseley, Grenfell, in Assiniboia, and in June last, a large meeting of farmers in Saskatoon, Sask., at all of which papers were read on the work of the Experimental Farm. Visitors to Farm. The number of visitors to the farm from a distance slightly decreased during the past season, owing to the train service being a midnight one until after harvest. Local visitors were more numerous than in any year previous. Correspondence. During the ten months ending November 1st, 1,720 letters were received and 2,448 letters despatched. In letters received are not included reports on grain and other samples, and in letters despatched, circulars of instruction regarding samples, &c, are not counted. Meteorological Observations. Temperature, maximum and minimum, for 10 months; average temperature for growing season ; range of temperature for growing season; sunshine for growing season ; rainfall for growing season and days cloudy during growing season : — Location. — Longitude 102° West. Latitude 52° North. Altitude, about 2,000 feet. Temperature. Maximum and minimum, 10 months, from January 1 to October 31, 1894. Months. January . . . February . March April May June July August September . October. . . Maximum. On 13th 45°. 28th 40°. 29th 43°. 26th 74°. 29th 87°. 11th 93° 16th 100° " 21 & 25th 97° 12th 88°. 15th 71°. Minimum. On 7th— 39° 12th— 34° 24th— 15° 8th 17° 8th & 18th 23° 5th 33° 3rd 40° " 14th, 23rd, 29th 40° 29th 19° 29th 17° AVERAGE TEMPERATURE FOR GROWING SEASON, APRIL 1 TO AUGUST 31. Month. April . . May . . . June . . July . . August Daily Average, 5S° REPORT OF MR. A. MAG KAY. 385 RANGE OF TEMPERATURE. Growing Season — April 1 to Aug. 31. Month. April . . May . . . June . . . July . . August . Date. 22 23 6 14 and 24 6 Greatest Daily Range From To 68° 21° 78° 30° 87° 36° 90° 45'' 93° 45° Degrees. 47° 48° 51° 45° 45° Average Daily Range 21° 29° 32° 34° 31° Average range (season), 29° "4. SUNSHINE. Hours of bright sunshine from April 1 to August 31, 1894, and number of days in which there was no sunshine. Month. Hours. Month. No. of Days. April . . . Sunshine. 120 6 214 1 257 1 301 200 • April May June No sun nil inc. 11 May 6 2 July July 0 Total 5 Total 1,092-8 24 Greatest number of hours sunshine in any one day, 14-5 hrs., on July 1st. Average daily for the five months, 7 hrs. 84 min. RAINFALL. From April 1st to August 31st, 1894, rain fell on ten days as follows : — Month. No. of Days. Inches. April May 3 1 2 2 2 12 3 July •8 '57 103 Total 10 39 Greatest rain fall at any one time, on August 9th, 0-S3 inches. WIND. The prevailing wind was north-west. I have the honour to remain, sir, Your obedient servant, ANGUS MACKAY, Superintendent 8c— 25 o OS CO s ■a o D. - be S o CO be e3 -a 0 x c o EXPERIMENTAL FARM FOR BRITISH COLUMBIA REPORT OF THOMAS A. SHARPE, SUPERINTENDENT. Agassiz, B. C, 30th November, 1894. To Wm. Saunders, Esq., Director Dominion Experimental Farms, Ottawa. Sir, — I have the honour to submit herewith my report for 1894, being the sixth annual report of the work done on the Experimental Farm at Agassiz. The season just passed has been a most trying one for the farmers in this province. The winter although not a severe one, was very wet, and the cold rainy, cloudy weather, continued nearly to the middle of June. Up to this time, owing to the cold and wet, vegetation had not made as rapid pro- gress as usual, but with the coming of warm sunshiny weather, there was promise of abundant crops, of the most important grains, roots, etc. The weather in the interior had been cold in the spring, and as a consequence of this, the snows had not melted to any considerable extent on the mountains, until late in May. Then the weather became unusually warm and clear, and the rapidly melting snow brought such an unusual supply of water from all its tributaries that the Frazer River rose to a height never before expe- rienced, since the settlement of the country. The land in many important agricultural districts was overflowed, destroying crops, and carrying oil bridges, fences, and in some cases buildings and cattle. The experimental farm was not overflowed, but a portion of the Canadian Pacific Railway dump across the upper end of the Maria slough was washed out, tilling that water course full, and overflowing a large portion of the lands south of the experimental farm, and on account of the coarse gravelly subsoil the water rose from below, and rilling the soil, filtered through to the surface on all low spots, and small patches on the farm were covered with water in this way. A number of the experimental plots of grain, roots and vegetables, were more or less injured, but fortunately, very little damage was sustained by the fruit trees, although a few of the pear and apple trees, stood in water for eight days, they do not show any appearance of injury on that account, and have since made a strong growth. On the whole the season has been an average one on the experimental farm. The grain crops, where not injured by water, have been fair, the roots good, and apples and plums a good crop. Although we are not troubled with early autumn frosts in British -Columbia, yet it is just as advantageous, and as necessary, to sow grain as early in spring as is practi- cable, as it is in the Territories where early frosts are feared. The weather in the coast region of British Columbia in the latter part of the summer is mild, and the ripening of grain is not hurried forward, and in consequence the harvesting of late sown grain, is likely to be delayed, and the crop injured by rains. The rains and chilly weather in the spring sometimes prevent the perfect fertiliza- tion or development of the blossoms, of some varieties of fruits, and on this account the crop is sometimes thus diminished. 8c— 25£ 388 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. About twenty acres of new land has been ploughed for the first time this yeai', and part of it has been planted out in apple trees, and about six acres more have been grubbed and is nearly ready fur the plough. The large field which has been used for a pasture, has been partially cleared of brush, and fallen timber, and sown with mixed grass seeds, and thus the pasture has been greitly improved. The seed has made a good catch, and will, I trust, give good feed next year. A tank of 20,000 gallons has been put up on the mountain, for the purpose of sup- plying the stock and buildings, with pure spring water. This will be a great boon and prove very convenient for watering the stock at the stables, and will be a safe guard in case of accident by fire. At the time of your annual visit of inspection, the cattle on the farm were tested with tuberculin, and five head which when tested showed symtoms of the disease slaughtered, all of which, were on examination found to be affected with tuberculosis. The balance of the herd, consisting of two Shorthorns, five Ayrshires, three Holsteins and two grades, are in good health and condition. The Berkshire sow had a litter of nine fine pigs, two of which, — one boar and one sow — have been sold for breeders. Both Dorset ewes had lambs last spring, but all were bucks. One of this year's and last year's were sold to breeders, and two are on hand yet. One of the ewes died during the summer. One of the horses was ailing last spring and was at one time thought to be in a dangerous condition, with careful treatment he has recovered and is now all right. The other horses are and have been in good health and condition. The material is on hand for a new poultry house, which it is expected will be built this winter, when the chickens will have better protection. With the present imperfect accommodations they have been exposed to depredations by hawks, skunks, minks and rats, which have caused the loss of quite a number of them. In spring several settings of eggs of different breeds were received from the Central Experimental Farm, but owing to delays or careless handling on the way, none of them hatched out. The Osage orange and Arbor-vitas hedges have made very satisfactory growth this year, but the Osage orange continues growing so late in the fall, that the wood does not ripen, and the ends of the branches kill back considerably every winter. The rows of sample hedges of ornamental and flowering shrubs and evergreens have all made a fine growth and look well. The avenue and shelter belt trees have done extremely well, and are very satisfac- tory, with the exception of the elm, these grow so rapidly, and carry such a weight of foliage, that from time to time during the summer, large limbs split off, injuring the appearance of the trees. The shrubs planted on the lawn, and about the buildings, have grown well, and the flowering varieties produced a constant succession of bloom from early spring until frost in the fall. The splendid collection of seeds and bulbs sent from the Central Experimental Farm, together with the collection of considerably over one hundred and fifty varieties of roses, and other flowering shrubs on the farm, gave a beautiful and abundant supply of flowers from early spring up to the present date, there being pansies now in bloom in the garden. There is a continual and increasing interest taken in the farm by people, not only in this province, but in other provinces of the Dominion, many letters of inquiry are also received from the United States, Great Britain and other countries, and we have had many visitors. The August meeting of the British Columbia Fruit Growers Association was held at Agassiz, which was attended by several hundred people, and papers of interest to horticulturists were read. There is a prospect of the summer meeting of the same society being held here next season. In October we had the honour of a visit from His Excellency the Governor General of Canada. His Excellency was unfortunate in the weather, it being wet during his REPORT OF MR. THOMAS A. SHARPE. 389 visit, as it was on the occasion of his previous visit in 1891. The rain, however, did not prevent him from going through the orchards, and it was encouraging to hear his kindly words of commendation on the progress made since 1891. EXPERIMENTS WITH FALL WHEAT. Test of Varieties — Sown in plots of -^th acre each. Name of Variety. Willits Stewart Johnson Canadian Velvet Chaff. Democrat Manchester . . . Early Red Clawson Martin's Amber. Royal Prize Red Tasmania Golden Cross., . . Carter's K Carter's E Square Head White Queen . . . Carter's C Carter's B Carter's F Carter's G . . Carter's A Carter's D Carter's J Carter's H Volunteer Fill Measure ° 0 A Date of Ripening. 03 .a ■si O =3 a 0) &-< *4-l g O a hp IB Inches. Inches. Nov. 2 Aug. 17 289 36 to 42 Stiff and 2to3i ' 2 " 17 289 42 to 48 bright. 2 to 4 ' ' 2 " 19 291 30 to 36 a 2 to 4 . ' 2 " 22 294 30 to 36 tt 2 to 4 ' 2 " 17 289 42 to 54 CI 2Jto3 ' 2 " 8 280 36 to 48 u 2|to3i ' 9 " 24 296 42 to 48 it 3 to 4 ' 2 " 29 301 30 to 36 a 2 to 3 ' 2 " 15 287 42 to 48 a 2ito3 ' 2 " 10 288 36 to 42 a 2 to 3 ' 2 " 14 28G 52 to 60 tt 2 to 3 ' 2 " 14 286 36 to 48 a 2Uo3J ' 2 " 17 289 36 to 42 a 2\ to 3J ' 2 " 24 296 36 to 42 Ct 2 to 3 ' 2 " 18 290 24 to 48 tt 11 to \\ ' 2 " 18 290 36 to 42 Weak... 2 to 3 ' 2 " 15 287 30 to 48 Stiff and 2\ to 31 ' 2 " 11 283 42 to 48 bright. tt 3 to 4 ' 2 " 20 292 36 to 42 a 3 to 31 ' 2 " 15 287 36 to 42 (( 21 to 4 ' 2 " 15 287 48 to 52 (i 3 to 4 ' 2 " 15 287 42 to 4S Long & slender 3 to 4 ' 2 " 17 289 48 to 52 Weak & slender 3 to 4 ' 2 .i 17 289 36 to 48 Stiff and 2 to 21 ' 2 " IS 290 bright. Soft and crinkled down. Kind of Head. Bald white chaff. IB 19 22 99 Bearded white chaff. Bald white 13 chaff. Bearded white|19 chaff. Slightly beard- 23 ed red chaff . I Bald red chaff. 1 27 Slightly beard- 14 ed white chaff Bald red chaff. 22 Bearded red 23 chaff. 23 26 21 22 20 Bald red chaff.: 19 Bald whitej20 chaff. ..21 ..120 Bald red chaff. 14 22 Bald white chaff. 29 4 20 Bald white chaff. Bearded red chaff. Bald white chaff. 521 131 4S 3 13 7 20 101 12 38 38 36 2 14 15J 46 56 441 36 Proportion Rusted. Xo smut. Baldly winter- killed, no smut. Winter- ki lied, stooled well, no smut. Partly winter- killed. Badly winter- killed. Uneven growth. Considerable smut. Some smut. 390 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. EXPERIMENTS WITH SPRING WHEAT. Test of varieties. — All sown on plots of -^th. acre each. Name of Variety. White Fife Cross-bred. Red Fife with Club Bombay, plant 1. Campbell's WhiteChaff Progress Preston Cross - bred. Ladoga with White Fife. Abundance Cross - bred. Ladoga with White Fife. Crown Cross-bred. Red Fife with Ladoga, plant 2 Rio Grande Well man's Fife Beauty.... , Cross - bred. Ladoga with White Fife, (sport) . Stanley Alpha Advance Rideau Red Fife Bearded Alpha Huron Pringle's Cham plain . . Cross-bred. Spiti Val- ley with Red Fife, plant 2. Percy White Connell Cehun Cross-bred. Red Fife with Ladoga, plant 3 Herisson Bearded Dion's Ladoga Dufferin '5 O to o uncaster Prize. . . Abyssinia Rosedale Prolific Black Cali- fornian. Wallis Columbus ....... Rennie's Prize White. Siberian Schonen American Triumph White Monarch. . . Date of Sowing . Date of Ripen- ing. April 30 " 30 Aug. tt 20 is " 30 a 18 " 30 a 20 " 30 a 10 " 30 tt 20 " 30 a 20 " 30 a 20 " 30 a 18 " 30 tt I'D " 30 a 19 " 30 tt 2! " 30 a 20 " 30 a 25 " 30 tt 18 " 30 tt -20 " 30 tt 2ii " 30 tt 19 " 30 tt 25 " 30 it 19 " 30 tt 20 " 30 tt 24 1 " 30 tt 18 " 30 tt 20 " 30 tt 20 " 30 a 24; " 30 tt 20 " 30 tt 19 " 30 tt 20 " 30 tt 24 " 30 tt 25 " 30 tt 20 " 30 tt 18 " 30 a 24 May 18 April 30 " 30 tt a a 25 21 27 bo Length of Straw. Character of Straw. Inches. 112 36 110130 110148 112 36 101 136 112 112 112 110 42 112 42 111130 11036 112 24 11730 110 1 30 112124 112 30 11124 117 24 11142 112 24 116 24 110 24 to 54. to 54, to 54. to 48. to 42. to 54. to 48. to 48. to 48 to 48. to 42, to 48. to 30 to 42 to 48, to 36. to 48. to 30. to 42. to 54. to 36. to 36. to 30. Stiff.... Stiff..., Stiff..., Stiff.... Weak . . Stiff.... Stiff..., Weak . , Stiff..., Stiff..., Weak . , Stiff..., Short . . Stiff..., Stiff.. . Weak . , Weak . Weak . Stiff.... Weak. . , Stiff.... Stiff.... Weak . . 112 42 to 48. 112 24 to 36. 116 30 to 42. 112|24to42. 11142 to 48. 112124 to 36. 116 117 112 110 116 99 113 119 24 to 30. 24 to 36, 30 to 36. 36 to 42, 30 to 36, 24 to 27 24 to 30 24 to 36 Stiff.. Short Stiff.. Stiff.. Stiff.. Stiff.. Short. Stiff.. Stiff.. Stiff.. Stiff.., Weak . Soft.,, Stiff... Length of Head. Inches. 6 to 10 . 6 to 12. 8 to 12. 6 to 8. 7 to 10. 6 to 10. 6 to 10. 6 to 10. 6 to 10. 7 to 10. 6 to 10. 6 to 10. 8 to 12. 5 to 10. 6 to 10. 6 to 8. 4 to 10. 6 to 10. 6 to 12. 6 to 10. 6 to 10. 4 to 8. 6tol0. 6 to 8. 6 to 8. 5 to 10. 5 to 9. 6 to 10. 5 to 9. 6 to 8. 6 to 12. 6 to 8. 6 to 8. Kind of Head. 4 to 8 6 to 8 4 to 8 6 to 9 Brandling Half sided Branching Sided. . . Branching Sided. . . Branching Half sided Branching Sided. Branching Half sided Sided. . . Branching Sided. . . Branching Yield per Acre. PQ 49 46 43 42 41 40 40 39 38 38 38 37 37 36 35 35 35 35 35 35 34 34 33 33 33 33 32 32 31 29 29 28 25 24 23 23. r2 (J 24 26 33 27 11 10 8 24 28 8 8 12 12 31 15 11 10 5 00 00 24 19 28 18 13 32 12 11 31 11 29 9 1 9 33 8 Proportion Rusted. Considerably. Very slightly. None. a Considerably. Slightly. None. Considerably. None. a Considerably. tt Slightly. Very slightly. Considerably. Slightly. Badly. None. a Very slightly. Considerably. Slightly. None. Considerably . None. Considerably . None. Injured by water. Considerably. Slightly. None. Very slightly. Considerably. REPORT OF MR. THOMAS A. SHARP E. 393 Oats — Results of early, medium and late sowing. These were sown on plots of -fa acre each. There was no smut or rust, but the yield was much injured in all these plots by the high water. Where late plots have shown a proportionately larger yield, it has been because the land on which those plots happened to be was a little higher than others. All suffered from the water, bait some less than others. Every year's experience confirms the opinion that, owing to the diffi- culty in harvesting late sown grain, on account of showery weather, it is very important to get grain sown here as early in spring as the ground can be prepared. DQ - Name of Variety. Sown. Up. Headed out. Ripe. Length of Yield per Remarks. Straw. . c Acre. 6 Feet. CO 7". PS lJ 41 0 Abundance, Plot No. 1. April 24.. May 7 . . July 9.. Aug-. 17.. 2:," to 34 115 (i i 2 May 1.. " 13.. " 13.. it 22.. 2i to 34 113 3S 3 3. 8.. " 18.. " 14 . a 22. . 2 to 3 100 41 16 -w " » 4 " 15.. " 22. " 1G.. i t 25.. 2 to 3 102 32 7 g " 22.. " 27. " 22.. it 27.. 3 to 34 97 35 20 6. " 29.. June 5.. " 30.. a 29.. 3 to 4 92 41 6 c Banner, Plot No. 1.... April 24.. May 7 . . July 13.. Aug. 17.. 24 to 3 115 43 8 3 2.... May 1.. " 13.. " 10.. it 20. 2 to 3 111 4S IS 3.... 8.. " 13.. " 20.. (( 23.. 2 to 3 L09 42 27 fe 4.... " 15.. " 23.. " 24.. (( 27.. 14 to 24 104 32 32 5.... " 22 " 27.. " 27.. it 28.. l.J, to 34 08 31 31 6.... " 29.. June 5.. " 29.. tt 30.. 24 to 3 92 47 22 Wheat — Results op early, medium and late sowing. These plots also suffered from high water, the water oozing through to the surface and remaining, from one to six inches deep, for several days in June, killing the crop in the lowest part of the plots. There was no rust or smut. These plots were all y1^ acre each. Headed out. Length Length 03 • Yield Name of Variety. Sown. Up. Ripe. of of "Stf per Head. Straw. . 0 0 -t3 Acre. £ Inches. Feet. "» 0! 0 x> Stanley, Plot No. 1.... April 24. . May 8.. July 4.. Aug. 16.. 2 to 3 2 to 3 114 pa 1-^ 9 50 2 ... Mav 1 . . it 14.. " 7.. it 16.. 2 to 3 2 to 3 107 16 25 " 3.... 8.. it 17.. " 9. a 18.. 2 to 3 2 to 3 102 14 00 4.. . " 15.. a 21.. " 12.. a 22 . 2 to 3 2 to 3 99 13 5 5.... " 22.. it 27.. " 15 . tt 25.. 14 to 2 2 to 24 95 13 20 6.... " 29.. June 4.. " 19.. it 28.. 1 to 14 14 to 2 91 9 20 Red Fife, Plot No. 1 . . . April 24. . May 8.. July 7 . . Aug. 18.. 1 to 14 2 to 24 116 11 5 " " 2. . May 1 . . tt 14 . 9.. u 22.. 2 to 24 2 to 24 113 10 50 3... 8.. tt 18.. " 12.. tt 25.. 14 to 2 2 to 24 109 11 10 it it A " 15.. a 22.. " 16.. ti 27.. 14 to 2 14 to 24 104 15 00 5... " 22 a 26.. " 20.. tt 29.. 14 to 2 14 to 2 99 14 35 6... " 29.. June 3.. " 23.. Sept. 1.. ltol4 1 to 2 94 7 40 394 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Barley, Results of early, medium and late sowing. The barley plots for this test, were sown along side of the plots of barley for the comparative test of varieties, and suffered also from water. Plots 1, 2 and 6 were a little higher than 3, 4 and 5, and on this account gave better yields. The size of the plots was -Jj of an acre each. The grain did not suffer from rust or smut. The varieties chosen for the test were Canadian Thorpe a two-rowed sort and Oderbruch a six-rowed variety. Name of Variety. Sown. Canadian Thorpe, Plot No. 1 April 24 2 May 1 1 1 a it o it c 4 " 15 :, " 22 ;i a (< /• Oderbruch, Plot No. 1. it a 9 3. 4. " " 5 6. " 29. April 24. May 1 . 8. " 15. " 29! u P- May 6.. a 14.. u 16.. c< 22 (( 27.. June 4.. May 7. . a 14.. t( 16.. (( 20.. C( 27.. June 4.. Headed out. July 4 . 8. " 14. " 17. " 21. " 24. Tune 28. July 2. 6. 9 12. 14. Ripe. Aug. 10. " 16 " 18. " 22. " 25. " 28. July 31. Aug. 2 " 3. " 6. " 13. " 13. Length of Straw. Feet. l|to2 1 tol| 1 to 2 1 to 2 1 to 2 H to 2 1 tol| l|to2 H to 2 1 tol| Hto2 1 tol| Number of days to Mature. 108 107 102 99 95 91 98 93 87 83 83 82 Yield per Acre. Bush. Lbs. 16 2 13 1 7 39 8 26 6 42 13 26 6 42 17 24 18 32 14 8 20 20 9 23 Field Pease on plots op -^ of an acre each. Name of Variety. Golden Vine Crown Centennial White Marrowfat Multiplier Tride New Potter , Canadian Beauty Mummy Prince Albert Black Eyed Marrowfat Prussian Blue 4> 3 -r J. Sown. Lbs 150 150 180 210 150 180 150 200 180 150 210 150 April 18 " 18 " 18 " 18 " 18 " IS •' 18 " 18 " IS " 18 " 18 " is! Up. May 3 " 4 " 4 " 3 " 1 " 3 " 4 " 3 " 2 pa c July 6 ' 4 ' 2 ' 7 ' 7 ' 4 ' 6 ' 6 ' 3 ' 9 ' 3 ' 8 Ripe. Length of Staw. Augt 14 Ft. 3 to 4i " 14 3 to 3$ " 16 2| to 4 14 12 9 16 16 15 16 14 14 3 to3| 3 to3| 2| to 3 3| to 4 2| to 3 2| to3i 3| to 5 3 to3| 2| to 4 oo 118 118 120 118 116 113 120 120 119 120 118 118 Yield per Acie. Bus. lbs 42 .. 39 5 39 .. 37 35 37 .. 36 40 34 25 31 40 31 20 31 .. 29 55 29 55 Remarks. Vines very well loaded with long well filled pods. Vines well loaded, and pods filled out. Straw well furnished with- long well filled pods. Vines well loaded, pods long and well filled. Vines well furnished with well filled pods. Vines well loaded with well filled pods. Vines well loaded with well filled pods. Vines well loaded, pods short. Vines very well loaded witli pods which were not well filled. Vines not very w ell fur- nished, pods long and well filled. Pod long and filled out to the end. Vines well loaded, pods short. View in Hop-yard, near Agassiz, B.C. REPORT Of MR. THOMAS A. SHARPE. 395 Green feed. Two plots of y1^- of an acre each, were sown with mixed grain for the purpose of cutting green, and curing as hay, with the following results. Mixture No. 1. — 6 lbs. of Golden Vine Pease, 5 lbs. of Prize Prolific barley, and 3| lbs. of Banner oats, mixed and sown together on y1^ acre plot equal to 1 bushel of each per acre. Sown April 17, up May 4, cut July 27. Barley in early dough, oats in milk, and Pease about fit for table use. Weight when cut 1,550 lbs. ; weight when thoroughly cured C50 lbs., making 7 tons 1,500 lbs. green and 3 tons 500 lbs. cured fodder per acre. Mixture No. 2.-6 lbs. Golden Vine Pease, 5 lbs. Red Fife Wheat, 3J lbs. Banner Oats, cut when oats and wheat were in milk, and pease were a little too hard for table use. Plot y1^ acre, weight when cut 1,925 lbs., when cured 750 lbs., or at the rate of 9 tons, 1,250 lbs. per acre green and 3 tons 1,500 lbs. when cured. The plots were sown side by side, soil and treatment the same, showing rather better results this year than last, mixture No. 2 being somewhat the heaviest. Last year No. 2 was a little the lightest. Both years, the stock appeared to like this feed very much, and milking cows gave more milk while feeding on it, than on grass similarly cured. Hybridizing. The hybrid grains mentioned in my last report have been sown and harvested this year, and some of them, especially the barleys and pease, are very promising, some of the former being over four feet high with very fine heads, and bright stiff straw. They sported a great deal, but they were carefully harvested and the most promising varieties kept separate for future sowing, with i good prospect of useful results. Out of a number of potato seedlings, twenty four were chosen and planted in 1893. These have been reduced to six, selecting the most promising to try again. A little hybridizing was done with grain this year, and those produced last year were sown, with, in most cases, satisfactory returns. Some efforts have also been made, in the way of producing new varieties of fruits by cross fertilization. Hops. A small experimental yard of hops has been started. A hundred roots of the Kentish Golding, having been procured from Capt. Moore of this place, and a hundred of the California Cluster from Mr. Meeker of Puyallup, Washington Territory. The roots received from Capt. Moore were exceptionally fine, and have made a very fine growth. The others too, have done well, and will be poled next season when a crop may be expected. The hop crop in British Columbia has been a medium one, and some very superior samples have been putup in this neighbourhood but prices have been low, owing to exten- sive plantations in other countries, and heavy yields. Hop growers have perhaps not suffered in this respect, more than other producers, and they have many reasons to feel hopeful for the future. The soil and climate in many parts of British Columbia have proved to be favourable to the production of large yields of hops of a superior quality. Turnips. Twelve varieties of turnips were tested on land that had been in hoed crops the previous year, and was manured in the spring with a light dressing of stable manure. Two sowings of each variety were made in rows 30 inches apart, and the plants thinned to 6 inches in the rows. These plots were above high water, and the turnips were very good. The Elephant and Rennie's Prize Purple Top, are, as in previous years, the finest shaped and best turnips we have tested here. 396 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. TURNIPS. Name of Variety. Skirvings Champion, 1st sowing Skirvings Champion, 2nd sowing Elephant, 1st sowing Elephant, 2nd sowing Rennie's Prize Purple Top, 1st sowing Rennie's Prize Purple Top, 2nd sowing. . . East Lothian Purple Top, 1st sowing East Lothian Purple Top, 2nd sowing Marquis of Lome, 1st sowing Marquis of Lome, 2nd sowing Carter's Elephant, 1st sowing Carter's Elephant, 2nd sowing Jumbo, 1st sowing Jumbo, 2nd sowing Westbury Improved, 1st sowing Westbury Improved, 2nd sowing Selected Purple Top, 1st sowing Selected Purple Top, 2nd sowing Skirvings, 1st sowing Skirvings, 2nd sowing Bloomsdale Swede, 1st sowing. Bloomsdale Swede, 2nd sowing Landreth's Southern Snow, Globe turnips, 1st sowing Landreth's Southern Snow, Globe turnips, 2nd sowing Sown. May 17. " 31. " 17. " 31. " 17. " 31. " 17. " 31. " 18. June 1 . May 18. •Tunc 1. May 18. June 1 . May 18. June 1. May 18. June 1, May 18. June 1. May 18. June 1. May IS. June 1. Up. May 27. June 4. May 27. June 4. May 27. June 5 . May 27. J une 4 . May 28. June 7. May 28, June G. May 27. June 6 . May 26. June 6 . May 26. June 6. May 28. June 7. May 29. June 6. May 28. June 5 . Harvested Nov. 13. 13. 13. 13. 13. 13. 13. 13. 13. 13. 13. 13. 13. 13. 13. 13. 13. 13. 14. 14. 14. 14. 14. 14. Yield per Acre. Tons. Lbs. 20 18 21 23 20 24 23 23 21 27 25 25 33 24 23 21 27 23 16 10 14 9 1,184 1,620 1,560 992 40 136 1,608 992 1,560 1,704 1,920 1,744 12 488 728 272 800 784 208 1,384 1,920 40 8 1,424 8 SOS Yield per Acre. Bush. Lbs. 693 627 726 783 667 802 793 783 726 928 865 862 1,101 808 778 704 913 779 53l i 350 4S2 300 290 2S0 40 00 00 12 20 16 28 12 00 24 20 24 42 08 48 32 20 44 48 24 00 40 24 8 This last named variety is a white turnip only fit for fall feeding. Mangels. The soil for these tests had been dressed with barnyard manured the previous autumn, and was well prepared, but the yields are small on account of the high water in June, which injured some plots much more than others. Eight A?arieties of mangels were tested. Two sowings of each variety were made, one April 22nd and the other two weeks later, they were sown 30 inches apart, and thinned to 6 inches in the row. Name of Variety. Sown. Rennie's Mammoth Long Red, 1st \ pril 20 . . 2nd May 4.. Evan's Mammoth Long Red, 1st I April 20. . 2nd iMay 4.. Rennie's Golden Tankard, 1st April 20. . 2nd May 4.. Mammoth Long Red Gatepost, 1st April 20. . 2nd May 4.. Pearce's Canada Giant, 1st April 20.. 2nd May 4.. Improved Prize Long Red, 1st April 20. 2nd . Carter's Warden Orange Globe, 1st. 2nd. Giant Yellow Intermediate 1st 2nd May 4.. April 20.. May 4 . April 20.. May 4.. Up. May 2. 16. 5 18. 5. 18. 7. 19. 6. 18. I . 18. 3. 17. 7. 21. 0J > Nov. 14. 14. 14. 14. 14. 14. 14. 14. 14. 14. 14. 14. 14. 14. 14. 14. Weight per Acre. Tons. lbs. 11 880 5 1340 21 856 24 928 20 1360 17 1200 19 280 10 1120 16 1352 16 1640 18 608 19 1600 14 14S0 14 424 27 1352 13 256 Weight per Acre. Bush. lbs. 381 20 189 . . 714 20 816 28 689 20 586 40 633 .. 352 . . 555 52 560 40 610 8 660 .. 491 20 473 44 922 32 604 16 REPORT OF MR. THOMAS A. SHARPE. 397 Carrots — test of varieties. Name of variety. 1st Plot Sown. 2nd Plot Sown. 1st Plot Pulled. 2nd Plot Pulled. Yield per Acre. 1st Plot. Yield per Acre. 1st Plot. Yield per Acre. 2nd Plot. Yield per acre. 2nd Plot. Mam. White Intermediate Carter's Orange Giant.. . . Iverson's Champion White Belgian Half Long Scarlet Stump. St. Valery Pearce's Imp. Long White Early Gem April 21 " 21 " 21 " 21 " 21 " 21 " 23 " 23 May 5 5 5 5 5 " 5 " 7 " 7 No v. 14 ' 14 ' 14 ' 14 w ' 14 ' 14 Nov. c( ii a tt « tt a 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 Tons. Lbs. 20 810 20 810 17 430 17 180 12 860 12 420 101,780 9 260 Bush. Lbs. 6*0 10 680 10 573 50 569 40 414 20 407 00 363 00 304 20 Tons. Lbs. 17 1,750 13 1,170 16 1,550 14 50 11 1,540 10 790 7 550 S 1,380 Bush. Lbs. 595 50 452 50 559 10 467 30 392 20 346 30 242 30 2S9 40 Sugar beets. 1 lb. each of the following sugar beet seeds were received, but were drowned out in June. Klein Wanzleben, French Red Top, Vilmorin's Improved. Field corn. A comparative test of nine varieties of field corn has been made, cut green for ensilage. These were grown both in rows and hills ; and, as will be seen from the appended table, the yield varied very much, the rows generally giving a heavier crop than the hills. The plots were all on a loamy soil ; the rows were three feet apart and the plants from 6 to 8 inches apart in the rows. The hills were planted three feet apart each way, with 3 or 4 plants in a hill. The yield in each case has been calculated from the weights obtained from two rows 66 feet long, and in the case of the hills from a similar area. FIELD CORN — TEST OF VARIETIES. Name of Variety. Character of Growth. be '5 w Leafiness. J5 £ GO. In Silk. Early Milk. Late Milk. Condition when cut. eight per ere grown a rows. eight per ere grown l hills. £ £«.* £-.* Inch. Tons. Lbs. 8 £> Livingston's Gold Medium . 72to90 Average . . Aug. 24 Sept.20 Oct. 1 Earlvmilk 14 1040 13 1509 Coin. Vigorous 75to90 Very leafy " 24 " 25 C'n formed 12 1300 11 White Flint. Golden Medal Dent Long and slender. 70to80 Average . . " 20 " 10 Oct. 1 tt 11 500 9 1700 Compton's Early . . Medium . 72to78 tt " 17 Aug. 28 Sept. 12 Sept.20 Glazed . . . 10 900 9 760 Vigorous 72to78 Very leafy " 16 " 28 " 20 " 30 Late milk. 8 1620 5 1200 Medium . 60to72 Not leafy . " 19 " 24 Aug. 30 " 20 Early ears glazed. 8 1600 6 500 Angel of Midnight. (C 70to80 tt Sept. 4 Sept. 10 Sept.30 In early milk. 8 900 8 500 Pearce's Prolific. . . Vigorous 60to66 Average . . Aug. 8 Aug. 16 " 9 Sept.20 Corn well glazed. 5 1100 3 1700 Mitchell's Early. . . Short and slender. 40to48 Not leafy . " 5 " 10 Aug. 24 Aug. 30 Corn ripe. 4 1140 2 1500 Sown on May 31st. All flint varieties with exception of Gold Medal Dent. 398 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. CORN GARDEN VARIETIES. Name of Variety. Mitchell's Extra Early Dreer's First of all Extra Early Vermont. Cory Date of Sowing. May 29.. " 29.. " 29.. " 29.. Up. June 11. . July 13 Tasselled. 12. 11. 11. 21. 24. 20. Fit for Length table. of ear. Aug. 8. 14. 16.. 26.. Inches. 3i too 4 to 6 4 toS 3ito6 Remarks. Not a first class table corn, not sweet and it gets glazed and hard very quickly after being fit for table. Cobs filled out with large ker- nels, remaining fit for table a long time, quality good. Cobs filled out with medium sized kernels of fair quality. Cobs well filled, kernels large, and very tine in quality, remaining fit for table a long time, one of the best table corns. Horse beans and Russian sunflowers for Ensilage. A quantity of Early Mazagan horse beans were sown in drills, 24 inches apart, for mixing with corn, and sunflower heads, for ensilage. They matured fairly well and yielded at the rate of 1h tons per acre. The sunflower heads yielded at the rate of nearly 4£ tons per acre. Experiments with Potatoes. Forty-six varieties of potatoes were tested side by side on a rich loamy soil in rows 2\ feet apart, with sets one foot apart in the rows. The season was not a good one for potatoes, the dry weather, which began in June and continued until the tubers were nearly full grown, very much reduced the yield especially of some varieties, the quality, however, is in most cases very good. The yields per acre have been calculated from the weight of the crop obtained from two rows each 66 feet long REPORT OF MR. THOMAS A. SHARPE. 399 Potatoes — Test op Varieties. 93 c3 5 a) 3 < CD u O < . £ CD u 03 © 1 si Name of Variety. T3 a s P 43 3 ■sS .s«« o 2Ph &1 ^ ^ (J) May 19. Oct. 15. Oct. 5. Damp & soft. 43* co co 3 42 310 27 43 . CO CO 3 4= 310 27 43' co co a 42 None. 43 . CO CO 3 42 pq ^ 247 00 43 . CO CO S 42 W Hi 63 30 World's Fair " 19. Sept. 28. Sept. 25. Poor .... 282 20 205 30 16 50 238 30 27 00 Rural Blush .... ... " 11. " 11. Oct. 13. " 11. Oct. 10. " 10. Good Poor 244 45 232 40 244 45 205 30 None. 27 10 195 15 183 00 49 30 Holborn Abundance . . . 22 30 " 9. " 15. Sept. 15. Good. . . . 220 00 220 00 None. 175 00 45 00 " 9. " 15. " 16. »< 212 40 212 40 tt 169 00 43 00 " 11. " 13. Oct. 10. 196 55 187 15 9 40 151 15 30 00 Early Puritan " 9. " 9. " 1. " 1. Sept. 20. " 6. Good .... tt 194 20 183 40 175 20 183 40 19 00 None. 149 00 157 30 26 20 Burpee's Extra Early . . 26 10 " 11. " 11. " 15. a 168 45 168 45 tt 126 45 42 00 " 9. " 15. " 10. a 166 50 166 50 (C 133 20 33 30 " 11. " 19. " 13. " 15. " 25 Oct. 5. a it 1G5 00 158 50 150 39 158 50 8 30 None. 131 45 135 00 24 45 American Wonder. . . 23 50 Early Ohio " 11. " 9. " 11. " 1. Sept. 10. " 15. a tt 152 10 150 20 152 10 150 20 tt 121 00 132 00 31 10 18 20 New Variety No. 1. . .. " 10. " 2. " 6. it 146 40 138 30 8 10 110 00 28 30 Pearce's Extra Early . . " 12. " 11. " 1. ti 145 45 145 45 None. 115 00 30 45 " 10. " 9. " 11. " 5. " 5. " 12. " G. " 15. " 10. tt a tt 135 40 132 00 132 00 135 40 132 00 128 00 tt a 4 00 118 40 116 20 83 30 17 00 Dakota Red 15 40 Wonder of the World.. 39 30 " 10. " 5. " 6. a 124 40 124 40 None. 93 00 31 40 Pearce's Prize Winner. " 11. " 11. " 15. tt 122 25 122 25 tt 96 55 25 30 I. X. L " 10. " 9. " 9. " 13. " 15. " 1. " 20. " 6. " 4. tt tt 121 00 121 00 121 00 121 00 115 00 114 15 a 6 00 6 45 102 00 93 00 79 45 18 00 Freeman ... 22 00 Bruce's White Beauty. 34 30 Earliest of All " 11. " G. " 1. it 121 00 121 00 None. 80 00 41 00 " 11. " 10. " 10. " 11. " 9. " 10. " 12. " 11. " 6. " 6. " G. " 6. " 15. " 15. " "J: " 5. " 6. " 6. Oct. 5. Sept. IS. " 20. '• 5. " 10. tt Good Poor Good . . . . cc tt " &dry Not 1 s 1 117 20 117 20 116 40 111 50 110 00 110 00 110 00 116 20 117 20 117 20 110 40 111 50 110 00 110 00 110 00 101 00 tt a tt tt a n tt 5 20 98 30 93 30 87 10 89 50 88 00 88 00 70 00 79 00 18 15 Early Sunrise . . 23 50 Polaris 29 30 Northern Spy 22 00 Early Norther 22 00 Clarke's No. 1 22 00 Early London 40 00 Everett 23 00 class. Crown Jewel " 10. " 10. " 2. " 15. " 6. " 24 Good .... tt 114 30 104 00 114 30 102 00 None. 2 00 73 00 70 30 31 30 25 30 Vanguard " 9. " 9. " 1. " 15. " 10. Oct. 1. it It 91 40 88 00 91 40 88 00 None. tt 72 00 70 30 19 40 Pride of the Table 17 30 " 9. " 15. Sept. 25. ti 81 53 81 53 a 62 00 19 53 " 12. " 11. " 11. " 6. " 15. " 15. tt Poor 81 30 77 00 81 30 73 30 it 3 30 55 00 60 00 26 30 13 30 Seedling- No. 214 " 11. " 12. " 10. Good 77 00 74 30 2 30 57 30 17 00 Early Rose " 11. " 12. " 9. " G. " 12. " 15. " 5. " 20. " 10. a tt a 68 00 64 15 57 07 65 30 64 15 57 07 2 30 None. tt 55 00 35 00 48 00 10 30 29 15 Pride of the Market . . . 9 07 Lizzie's Pride " 9. " 15. " 15. tt 55 30 55 30 n 44 30 11 00 Apples. The following varieties of apples fruited this year, some of them for the first time, and some produced only a few apples. The trees were sprayed with Bordeaux mixture before leafing out, and several times after, but the rains were so frequent, that the mixture was washed off, and as a con- 400 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. sequence, could not do its best work, and some varieties of apples were considerably- damaged by spot : — Golden Russet, Alexander, Ben Davis, Baldwin, Bombshell, Colvert, Duchess of Oldenburgh, Fameuse, Pewaukee, Fallawater, Fanny, Gravenstein, Fall Janetting, Haas, King of Tomkin's Co., Keswick Codlin, Longfield, Maiden's Blush, McMahan White, Northern Spy, Red Beitigheimer, Red Astrachan, Swaar, St. Lawrence, Shan- non, Smith's Cider, Spitzenburg, 20 oz Pippin, Talman Sweet, Tetofsky, Wealthy, Yellow Bellflower, Gloria Mundi. Henry Russet. — Larger than Golden Russet, of a bronze russet colour, free from spot, tree very productive ; apple a good keeper. Season, February to March. Anis. — Very similar to Tetofsky in appearance and time of ripening, but not so productive. Bottle Greening. — Only three apples on the tree, medium size, affected by spot. Blenheim Orange. — Fruit large and very handsome and of very fine quality. Season, November. Belle de Boskoop. Produced a few apples above medium in size, handsome and appears to be a fair keeper. Bailey Siceet.— Fruited sparingly, medium size, very handsome. Canada Red. — Below medium in size, free from blemish, a good keeper, and good either for dessert or cooking. Carolina Red June. Produced a few small apples of very good quality for dessert. Season, August. Yellow Transparent. — Large, clean very handsome apple, good quality. — Season August. Cooper's Market. — Fruit above medium, handsome, and appears to be a good keeper. Chenango Straicberry. — Fruit medium in size, very handsome, excellent for dessert. Season, September. Early Harvest, — Fruit medium, good quality, affected by spot and cracks. Season August. Grimes' Golden. — This variety fruited last year and the apples were very fine for dessert in January and February. Fruit medium in size, free from spot, a good cooking apple. Hurlburt. — Fruited, the second time with us, this year, and proves to be productive and an apple of merit. Hastings. — Fruit small, hard and a good keeper, liable to spot, poor quality, tree a poor producer. Jonathan. — Tree a slow grower, but productive ; a fine crop this year; fruit small, handsome and of very fine quality for dessert, a good cooking apple. Season, December to February. Jersey Sweet. — Productive, fruit medium size, juicy and good either for dessert or baking. Season October to November. Peck's Pleasant. — Only a very few apples. Ribston Pippin. Above medium in size, free from spot, productive, very fine flavor. Season, December and January. Rolje. — A free producer, a beautiful red apple, medium in size, a good cooking and dessert apple. Season, November and December. Golden Sweet. — Above medium in size, productive, good for dessert or for baking. Season, August. Hawley. — Tree, vigorous and productive ; fruit, large and handsome, a good cooking apple. Season, October and November. Scott's Winter. — Tree, vigorous and productive ; apple medium size, handsome, a good cooking apple. Season, December and January. Sweet Bough. Vigorous and productive : fruit very large and handsome, a very good dessert and baking apple. Season, August. Salome. Tree vigorous and productive, medium in size, very handsome, free from spot and a good keeper. Season, January to April. / REPORT OF MR. THOMAS A. SHARPE. 401 Waaxn. — Medium in size, handsome and a good keeper. Season, January and February. Wellington. — Above medium, handsome, good keeper, acid. Season, February. Wolf River. — Very handsome ; only three apples this year. Stark. — Above medium, handsome and said to be a very good keeper. Warner's King, — Vigorous grower ; fruit very large, a good cooking apple. Two of the largest this year weighed, one 25^ oz., and the other 25|- oz. respectively. Season, November. The following is a list of the varieties received this year, bringing the collection of apples up to over 500 : — Allen's Russet, Antonovka, No. 236, 26 M., Arabka Summer, Atkinson, Aport 252, Almond Reinette, Aport 23 M., Anisim 18 M., Arabka, (Budd and Gibb,) Arabka 257, Anisovka 185, Alaska Crab, Avenarius, Borsdorf No. 19, Belle Pippin, Baraboo, Basil the Great, Beautiful Arkad 453, Bethel, Barloff, Belmont, Brightwater, Bostic Queen, Buncomb, Bloomless, Beauty of Kentucky, Cinnamon Pine, Chase's Jelly Crab, Cranberry Winter, Charlottenthaler, Charlamoft, Court Pendu Plat, Cross, 15 M., Chickasaw Crab, Cove, Crawford Pippin, Cranberry Pippin, Dartmouth Crab, Dickinson, Extra Early Margaret, Early Sweet, Enormous, Early May, Eikhorn, English Golden Russet, Excelsior, Florence Crab, Franklin Sweet, Flat Voronesh, Golden White, Good Peasant, Gideons No. 10, Gipsy Girl, Grandmother, Green Crimean, Green Stripe, Golden Ball, Gideons Best, (Peter,) Gideons 20, Gracie, Gells Beauty, Golden Beauty Crab, Gideons 30, Grindstone, Hatcher's Seedling, Hebbel White, Hare Pipka, Headly, Holman, Hughes' Virginia Crab, Hennipin, Hy-fill, Hibernal, Haskells Sweet, Indiana, Jones' Seedling, Kentucky Red Crab, Kossuth, Kentucky Longstem, Kentucky Streak, Kirkbridge, Kara Synap (Niemetz.) Kremer's Glass, Knievskoe, Kurskaya, Karabovka 21 M., Lady Elgin Crab, Lankford, North Carolina Limber-twig, Lord Nelson, Late Duchess, Lady Finger, Little's Red Winter, Lyman's Red Seedling, Long Arcade, Landsburg, Lubsk Queen, Ledenetz, Large Anis, Little Hat, Mann Pippin of Arkansas, Martha Washington, Maxey, Magnum Bonum, Missouri Red Winter, Mother, Melonen, McAffee, No. 3 Sweet, (Gideon) Newton, Orel 980, Orel 6, Orel 5, Orel 27, Ogilvie's Crab, Orel 1, Ostrakoff Glass, (Fisk) Ostrakoff, (Beadle) Oblong, Ohio Nonpareil, Ozark, Palouse, Pyles Red Winter, Pound Sweet, Peach Crab, Pickards, Palmer, Pewaukee Russet, Pointed Pipka, Prior's Red, Persian Bogdanoff, Pauls Imperial Crab, Quaker Beauty Crab, Queen's Choice Crab, Romenskoe, Repka Aport, Rambour Reinette, Rosy Voronesh, Rosy Repka, Red Queen (316), Red Streak, Reinette Gris (28), Romna (599), Red Subluck, Repolovka 1 M, Red Aport, Russian Preserve, Round Borsdorf, Red Russet, Red Limbertwig, Raspberry, Ragan's Yellow, Red Belleflower, Red Siberian Crab, Red Queen, Rutledge, Ridge Pippin, Red Cider, Stephens Red, Striped July, Stuart's Golden, Sweeting, Stone's Eureka, Simbirsk No. 5, Simbirsk No. 3, Simbirsk No. 2, Simbirsk No. 10. Simbirsk No. 4, Suislep No. 19, Skirsch (Cross Vor.), Sweet Borovinka (Beadle), Sambo, Tulpenhocken, Taffet Winter, Ukraine (Gibb,) Voronesh No. 9, Voronesh Reinette, Virginia Greening, Virginia Queen, Wandering Spy, Winter Sweet Paradise, Windsor Chief, Winter May, Winter Green, White Rambour, Watterson's No. 4, White Pigeon, White Borovinka, Watterson, Williams Favorite, No. 585, No. 20 (M), No. 569, Yellow Horse, Julian, Newells Winter. Pears. Only a few of the pears fruited this year, although many of the young trees blossomed. Margaret. — A medium sized handsome, russet red pear of very fine quality. Ripe Aug. 14th. Seckel. — One tree produced a few of these delicious little pears. Ripe Oct. 6th. Gliva Kurskaya. — Fruit medium sized, regular in form. Golden russet colour, and very pleasant flavor. Ripe September 6th. Vicar of Winkfield. — Above medium in size, poor quality. Ripe Nov. 11th. 8c— 26 402 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. The pear orchard now contains 145 varieties ; the following additions having been made to the list during 1894 : — Bon Chretien, Fred. Beaudry, Jones' Seedling, Olivier de Serries, Reeder, Pitmaston Duchess, Lady Clapp. Dana's Hovey, Duhamel de Morceau, .Urbaniste, Ansault, Mme Hemniingway, Hoosic, Manning's Early, Lincoln Coreless, Bartlet-Seckel, Dewey's Premium, Edmunds, Andre" Desportes, Bordeaux, Early Bergamot, Beurre de Livonie, Exeglovka, Lemon Kharkoff, Bon Chretien No. 15, Panna No. 33, Princess No. 3, Tonkovietka (Gibb), Gakovka, Zucherbirn (Budd), Lemon (Gibb), Lemonaya, Riga 108 (Gibb), Voronesh, 102 (Budd). Plums. The cold wet spring did not materially affect the plums, some of the young trees being so heavily laden that they had to be supported, notwithstanding that many had been considerably thinned. The following varieties fruited : — Saunders. — Ripe August 8th. A vigorous healthy tree, but not productive. Fruit medium size and of good quality for a few days when just ripe but soon loses its quality by keeping. Skin very thin, the slightest bruise soon turning dark, a poor shipper. Peach. — Ripe August 8th. Fruit very large and handsome, but coarse grained and not of high quality. Niagara. — Very similar to Bradshaw in growth and appearance of tree and fruit. Fruit averages larger than Bradshaw growing alongside, and ripens several days earlier than that variety. Ripened August 22nd. Fruit large, some specimens measuring 2 inches long by If in diameter. Very productive, fruit of very good quality. Bradshaw. — A strong, vigorous, upright grower, and very productive. Ripe August 28th. Fruit large, reddish purple with a light blue bloom, handsome and of good quality. Washington. — A vigorous healthy grower, productive ; fruit, lai'ge and handsome, yellow and of good quality, but will not stand snipping. Ripened, August 30th. Victoria. — A spreading grower ; fruit large, pale red and of fine quality, pro- ductive. Two trees produced over 100 lbs. Ripe, August 28th. Imperial Gage. — A vigorous, healthy grower, and productive ; fruit greenish yellow, larger than Green Gage and of first-class quality. Ripe, August 28th. Jefferson. — A healthy vigorous grower and moderately productive ; fruit above medium size, golden yellow with a reddish cheek and of fair quality. Ripe, August 28th. Columbia. — A spreading grower, and productive ; fruit large, round brownish purple with a blue bloom ; handsome, very sweet when quite ripe. Ripe, August 29 th. Moore's Arctic. — A medium gruwer and begins fruiting when the tree is quite young ; fruit of medium size, blue and only moderately good. Ripe August 30th. Smith's Orleans. — A vigorous grower fairly productive ; fruit of medium size, reddish purple with a blue bloom, fair quality. Ripe, August 31st. Large Golden Prolific. — Tree a vigorous grower, but as yet has only fruited spar- ingly ; fruit above medium size and of very fair quality. Ripe, September 1st. American Violet. — A vigorous grower, fairly productive ; fruit, large, handsome and good, a good shipper. Ripe, September 2nd. Hudson River Purple Egg. — Tree a vigorous and strong grower, fairly productive; fruit, strikingly oblong ; quality good. Ripe, September 2nd. Moyer. — Tree a moderate grower, but not very productive ; fruit of medium size and of medium quality. Ripe, September 3rd. Shipper's Pride. — Vigorous and productive ; fruit above medium size, purple, handsome and of good quality. Ripe, September 3rd. Gueii. — A vigorous grower and one of the most productive varieties yet fruited ; fruit above medium size, purple, very handsome and of good quality, a good shipper. Ripe, September 3rd. Fellenberg. — A vigorous spreading grower, productive ; fruit of medium size, purple, sweet and good. Ripe, September 4th. REPORT OF MR. THOMAS A. SHARPE. 403 Peters' Yellow Gage.- — Tree an upright strong grower, and moderately productive ; fruit of medium size, handsome and of good quality, but apt to crack if not picked before quite ripe. Ripe, September 4th. Lombard. — A vigorous grower and very productive ; fruit above medium in size ; dark red and of fair quality. Ripe, September 5th. Sugar Plum. — A vigorous grower, but not productive ; fruit small, nearly black, sweet and pleasant. Ripe, September 6th. Yellow Egg. — Tree a thrifty strong grower, and fairly productive ; fruit of the largest size and coarse, very handsome and a good shipper. Ripe, September 7th. Damson. — Productive ; fruit small, dark blue and rather acid. Ripe, Septem- ber 7th. Munroe. — Blue. Ripe, September 10th. Heine Claude. — Tree vigorous and very productive ; fruit medium in size, yellow and of good quality, but liable to crack when ripe, if the weather is wet. Ripe, September 8th. Pleecker's Gage. — Tree a vigorous grower and productive. Fruit of medium size, yellow, sweet and very good. Ripe Sept. 9th. Pond's Seedling. — A strong upright grower and very productive. Fruit very large, handsome and purple; a good shipper. Ripe Sept. 10th. Coe's Golden Drop. — A fair grower and moderately productive. Fruit above medium in size, and yellow, of very fine quality. Ripe Sept. 10th. Red Egg. — A vigorous grower. Fruit large and handsome. Ripe Sept. 10th. Prune d'Agen. — A moderate grower, and productive. Fruit of medium size, violet purple. Sweet and very good. Ripe Sept. 13th. General Hand. — A very vigorous grower, but not productive. Fruit large, golden yellow, round, and of medium quality. Ripe Sept. 10th. The following varieties have been added this year to the collection : — Field, Hubbard, Brunswick, Excelsior, Mason, Botankio No. 1, Bailey's Japan, Burbank, Silver Prune, Holman Prune, French Prune, Tragedy Prune, Dunlop, Bryan- ston's Gage, Orange, Youngken's Golden, Prince Englebert, Wangenheim, Lafayette, Henrietta, Centralia, Long Fruit, Willard, Chabot, Hawkeye. Bringing the number up to 157 varieties, more than 30 varieties fruited during the past season. Cherries. The cherry trees, were very full of bloom in spring, but the cold rains probably prevented the proper fertilization of the blossoms, and they fell off. Only the English Morello, Bessarabian, Lieb, Lithaur and Ostheim, produced a few chei'ries each. All the trees are vigorous and promising. The following varieties have been added, this year : — Cleveland, Sparhawk's Honey, Kirtland's Mary and Dwarf Rocky Mountain, making 71 varieties in all. Apricots. Although these trees blossomed very freely last spring, and on several varieties the fruit set, when they grew to be as large as Marrowfat pease they fell off. The trees have in most cases made good growth, and promise well for next year. The following varieties were received and planted last spring, and have made a vigorous growth : — Longfellow, Sweet Russian, Dr. Evart Smith. We have now 26 varieties in all. Nectarines. These trees were not troubled with " curl leaf " last season, and have made a fine healthy growth, and give good promise for fruit next year. One variety, New White, has been added, making 17 in all. 404 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Medlars. The medlars have grown vigorously, and blossomed, but did not fruit. Peaches. Nearly all the peach trees have made a very fine growth this year. They were sprayed, when the leaves were partly expanded, with a strong Bordeaux mixture, idt the prevention of curl leaf ; I am pleased to say that there was no curl leaf this year, a careful watch was made and only three affected leaves found. This disease does not appear to have been troublesome in any orchard in this locality, even where the trees were not treated to prevent it. The trees are very promising now, and with a favourable winter, and spring, many varieties should fruit next year. The following varieties have been added to the collection : — Miller's Cling, Large Early, Gold Dust, Crosby, Champion, Toledo Prolific, Beer's Late, Eaton's Golden, Japan Blood, Peen-to, Park's Late, Hoover's Heath, Jarles' Late White, Silver Medal, Ives' Blood (free), Yum- Yum, Bergen's Yellow, Golden Dwarf, Fourteen Ounce, Magdala, Royal Kensington, Shanghae, Pickett's Late, Barnes, Topaz, Lonoke, I.X.L., Bonanza, Henrietta, Ark. Mamm. Golden, Geary's Hold-on, Blood (free), Flater's St. John, Chas. Wood, Jessie Kerr, Albright's Late, Arkansas, Traveller, Ragan's Yellow, Christiana. These, with those previously planted, make 178 varieties in alL Quinces. The Quince trees blossomed in spring, but the blossoms fell off. The Mammoth Japan and Col. Cheney were the only additions in quinces since my last report ; in all, 1 2 varieties. Mulberries. The Victoria and Hicks have been added to the collection of this fruit. When the trees are a year or two older no doubt they will fruit, but up to the present they have only made each year a vigourous wood growth. Mountain Orchards. The apple, pear, plum, cherry and peach trees, planted in the orchards on the mountain have made a vigorous growth and are very promising, and the question of picking and transporting fruit to the lower level of the valley will soon demand atten- tion. Preparations are being made to add considerably to the area under fruit trees on the highest bench. A number of young apple and other trees for that purpose, being in nursery rows at the present time. Some of the grape vines planted on the benches fruited this season, but none of the fruit ripened. Of the English gooseberries imported in the spring of 1893, a single plant each of several varieties were planted on the bench, and it was satisfactory to note that two varieties, Crown Bob and Whinham's Industry, fruited this year, and although not sprayed, neither fruit nor foliage showed any trace of mildew. Nuts. Filberts. — The filbert, Corylus Avellana, produced a small crop of fine large nuts this year. The sample produced was very uniform in size, and larger than those commonly REPORT OF MR. THOMAS A. SHARPE. 405 sold. It seems probable that filberts might be planted with profit, on the rocky hillsides so common in this province, as they would need but little care or attention. Almonds. — The almonds have not fruited yet, but doubtless soon will, as they have made a strong healthy growth. The following varieties have been added to the list of almonds this year : — Princess, Terragona, Nonpareil, Ne Plus Ultra and Russian. Chestnuts and Walnuts. — The following have been added to the list during 1894 : Hathaway and Giant Japan chestnuts, and Max Cordiformis walnut, altogether 28 varieties of nuts. making The following Catawba, Wilder, Niagara, Massasoit, Early Victor, Agawam, Brighton, Vergennes, Noah, Arnold's No. 1, Cottage, Roger's No. 19, Champion, Eldorado, Oriental, Grapes. varieties of grapes fruited this year Concord, Amber Queen, Hartford, August Giant, Pocklington, Salem, Worden, Florence, Marion, Lady Washington, Elvira, Goethe (Roger's No. 1), Roger's No. 41, Roger's No. 24, Clinton. Delaware, Martha, Jessica, Rogers No. 28, Naomi, Lindley, Herbert (Roger's 44), Eva, Wyoming Red, Woodruff Red, Ulster, Ive's Seedling, Missouri Riessling, Buchanan, Ripe October 11th. Ripe October 11th. Of these, only three ripened before the first frost which occurred on October 15th, namely : — Delaware, bunch and grape small. Ripe October 11th. Jessica, bunch small and compact, grape sweet and pleasant. Worden, bunch small, grape irregular in size, of fair flavour. The following 9 varieties were nearly ripe on October 15th : — Roger's No. 41, Champion, Ive's Seedling, Goethe (Roger's No. 1.) Wyoming Red, Niagara, Martha, Wilder and Concord. The following varieties were received and planted this year. : — Brilliant, Rommel, America, Carman, Dr. Collier. Making in all 95 varieties of this fruit. Cranberries. One hundred plants each of the Bell and Cherry cranberries were received in spring and planted in nursery rows. These will be planted out as soon as a place can be prepared for them. They are growing fairly well where they are. Figs. Two each of several varieties of figs were received from Texas in the spring to replace those killed during the previous winters. These, and those which were hardier, and have lived, have grown well, but have not yet fruited. Currants. from high water The older plantations of currants were on land that suffered which is, I think, the reason why the crop has been small and inferior in quality 406 EXPERIMENTAL FA 11 MS. Gooseberries. The gooseberies suffered considerably from mildew this year, but not nearly as much as formerly. They were sprayed several times, but the constant rains washed the mixture off, scarcely giving it time to produce any effect. Blackberries. The following fruited this year, some of them for the first time. : — Thompson's Early Mammoth. — A strong, vigorous grower, but not productive ; berry very large and handsome with a very good flavor, a little acid. Ripening Augst 7th. Stone's Hardy. — A strong grower but not productive ; berry only medium in size, and frequently imperfect, quality only moderately good. Ripening August 4th. Lovett's Best. — A medium grower and fairly productive ; berry medium size, sweet and very good, keeping its bright color for several days after being picked. Evergreen. — A vigorous grower of trailing habit, productive ; fruit medium size and of fair quality. Ripening August 13th. Minnewaska. — A feeble grower, not productive, pleasant flavored and sweet but too small. Ripening August 10th. Early Cluster. — Not a vigorous grower, but productive ; berry sweet and pleasant, medium size. Ripening August 6th. Early Harvest. — A feeble grower, but productive ; berry medium sized, and very pleasant flavored. Ripening August 7th. Crystal White. — A very feeble grower and not productive ; berry small, pleasant flavoured. Ripe August 10th. Wilson Junior. — A straggling grower, and not very productive ; berry brit it black, handsome, above medium size and fair in quality, acid. Ripening August 10th. Wilson's Early. — -A straggling grower and a free producer ; berry above medium size, but it often has a hard core, quite acid. Ripening August 10th. Erie. — A strong, vigorous grower and productive ; berry large to very large, and very fine quality, sweet and handsome, one the best fruited this year. Ripening August 10th. Early King. — Medium grower and very thorny, productive ; berry very irregular in size, ranging from small to very large, and when perfect very sweet and pleasant flavoured. Ripening August 6th. Lawton. — A very vigorous grower, productive ; berry large, of medium quality. Ripe August 8th. Kittatinny. — Fruited last year and again this year ; canes stout and thorny, pro- ductive ; berry above medium in size and of very good quality when ripe. Ripe August 9th. Snyder, Agawam and Taylor. — Again produced heavy crops of very fine berries this year. Ripening August 1st, 4th, and 6th respectively. The varieties thus far fruited would rank in quality as follows : Erie, Snyder, Kittatinny, Taylor, all good shippers, hardy and productive. Lucretia Dewberry. This variety fruited again this year, and contrary to previous experience, was very productive, and of fine quality, some of the berries being over \\ inches long and nearly 1 inch thick. Owing to their trailing habit, they are very difficult to pick, unless trellised, and they are a little too soft for shipping. Ripe, July 22. Raspberries. The following berries have fruited for the first time this year, except Cuthbert, which I have included in this report for comparison. o to bo a fl o a. OS 00 N REPORT OF MR. THOMAS A SHARPE. 407 Crimson Beauty. — Canes of medium growth ; berry large, round, bright crimson, firm and promises to be a good shipper. Moderately prolific, a pleasant acid. Fruit ripe, July 8. Baumforth's Seedling. — Canes vigorous in growth, berry of medium size and under medium quality. Unless it improves very much another year, it could not be regarded as a desirable berry. Ripe, July 3. Lord Beaconsfield. — Medium grower, berry large, conical, dark red, acid and firm in flesh, would stand shipping well, not productive. Ripe, July 8. Northumberland Filbasket. — A strong vigorous grower. Fruited sparingly. Ber y large and long, color dark red, firm, flavour very good, sweet, a promising variety. Ripening July 8. Carter's Prolific. — Canes very stout, vigorous and productive. Berry large, round, dark red, sweet and pleasant, but appeared to be a little soft. Ripe, July 12. Franconia. — Medium, vigorous, and not very productive. Berry large, round, bright red, rather acid but of good flavour, appeared to be a little crumbly when picked. Ripe, July 9. Carman. — A medium grower, not productive, berry rather small, bright red, acid and only medium in quality. Ripe, July 6. Thompson. — Very bad for suckering, and canes weak. Not productive. Berry small and very crumbly, not desirable. Ripe, July 10. Another year will be required to give these berries a fair test, but judging from this year, none of the new varieties fruited this season, are likely to prove as valuable for all purposes as the Cuthbert. Cuthbert. — A vigorous strong grower very productive and canes stout, berry above medium in size, flavor very good and a good shipper, holds its size well to the end of the raspberry season. Ripe, July 4. All the raspberries reported as having fruited last year, have fruited again this year with very similar results. Yellow Raspberries. Champlain (yellow). — A vigorous grower, productive ; berry large, sweet, and very fine in flavor, but appears to be slightly crumbly ; ripe, July 11th. White Antwerp. — A moderate grower, productive ; berry large, mild acid, good flavour, but pulls to pieces when picked ; ripe July 7th. Golden Queen. — A very vigorous grower ; berry conical, light yellow, above me- dium in size, productive and of very good quality, firm, a good shipper ; ripe July 10th. Black cap Raspberries. Ada. — A rather feeble grower, not productive ; berry small, but very finely flavoured ; ripe July 17. Kansas (black). — A strong vigorous grower, and productive; berry above medium size, and very firm and handsome, of sweet and pleasant flavour; ripe July 15th. Cromwell. — A strong, healthy grower, not very productive : berry large and firm, but not of high quality ; ripe July 9th. Older. — A strong grower, productive ; berry large and handsome, sweet and very finely flavoured ; holding size to end of season ; one of the best black caps yet tried ; ripe July 9th. Progress. — A vigorous grower, but a little tender, the canes killing back at tips every winter, fairly productive ; berry small, sweet and pleasant ; ripe July 11th. Lovett. — A feeble grower, and not productive ; berry medium size, quality good ; a bright handsome berry ; ripe July 11th. Smith's Prolific. — Not very vigorous or productive; berry very uneven in size, varying from large to very small ; quality dry and seedy ; ripe July 15th. Jackson's May King. — Canes erect, but not a vigorous grower, not productive berry small, acid and seedy ; ripe July 8th. 408 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Palmer. — Canes tall, and very vigorous, productive ; berry large, handsome and finely flavoured ; one of the best ; ripe July 10th.- Souhegan. — A moderate grower ; berry of medium size and seedy, flavour poor ; ripe July 14th. Purple Raspberries. Shaffer's Colossal. — Canes very vigorous and tall, productive ; berry large, dark purple, acid, rather soft, not handsome; ripe July 18th. Strawberries. The blossoms were very abundant, but owing to the repeated heavy cold rain storms, perfect fertilization did not take place, and again, when the berries were ripening, so much rain fell that the flavour and keeping qualities of the fruit were very much injured. The following is the order of ripening of the varieties which fruited for the first time this year : — Warjield. — Plant a vigorous grower, but the foliage inclined to rust. Berry medium in size, long neck, short weak stem, allowing the berry to drop to the ground, colour, dark red, rather soft, flavour good. Not very productive. Ripe June 14th. Chairs. — Plant vigorous, healthy and productive. Stem short but stout. Berry large, bright red, and fine shape. Acid, but flavour good, firm and promises to stand shipping well. Ripe June 14th. Alexander II. — Plant a strong vigorous grower, foliage healthy, stem long and stout. Berry large, dark, and coxcomb shape, firm, sweet, flavour good. Plant pro- ductive. Ripe June 14th. Dr. Hogg. — A strong grower, foliage very large and healthy. Productive. Berry large and good shape, but does not ripen at tip for sometime after the body of the berry is coloured. Rather acid. Ripe June 14th. Van Denian. — Plant vigorous and foliage healthy. Stem slender and short, not productive. Berry medium size, round dark red, acid, flavour very good. Ripe June 15th. Hautbois. — Plant a vigorous grower, foliage healthy, not productive. Berry bright red, size medium to small. Flavour very fine. A very good berry for home use. but too small for a profitable market berry. Ripe June 16th. Parker Earle. — Plant a vigorous grower, foliage healthy, stems long and stout. Berry bright red, above medium in size and very fine flavoured, a good bearer. Ripe June 16th. Windsor Chief. — Plant a strong vigorous grower and productive. Foliage very large and healthy. Berry large, bright red, firm and flavour good, promises to be a good shipper. Ripe June 19th. Iowa Beauty. — Plant healthy and vigorous, stem long, and holds the berry well up. Prolific. Berry large to very large, bright red, a little irregular in shape, but firm and flavour good. Ripe June 18th. Eclipse. — Not a strong grower, foliage inclined to rust, stems short and feeble. Not prolific. Berry bright red, only medium in size and quality. Ripe June 19th. Alpha. — Plant vigorous and healthy, stem long and stout. Fairly productive. Berry bright red. Medium in size and firm. Flavour very good. Ripe June 18th. Empress Eugenie. — Medium grower, foliage healtliy, not productive. Berries only medium in size. Flavour good. Ripe June 21st. Yale. — A vigorous healthy grower and productive, stems long and standing up well. Berry above medium in size. Bright red, sweet, and flavour very good, firm, promises well as a shipper. Ripe June 21st. Sir Joseph Paxton. — A strong vigorous grower, but foliage slightly rusted, stem long and siout. Berry bright red and very large, holding its size well to end of season, firm, sweet, and flavour very fine, good shape. One of the best berries fruited this season. Ripe June 23rd. REPORT OF MR. THOMAS A. SIIARPE. 409 Beder Wood. — Plant vigorous and healthy, stem long and fairly strong. Berry bright red, above medium in size, flavour fine, berry a little soft. Ripe June 23rd. Daisy. — Plant vigorous, and foliage healthy, stem long and slender. Berry large and grows in large clusters, dark red, firm and solid, good shape, rather acid but flavour first class. Ripe June 23rd. Bonny Lass. — Plant only a medium grower, foliage healthy. Stem medium in length and stout. Berry above medium in size, not very productive, bright red, coxcomb shape. A rich flavoured sweet berry. One of the best for home use. Retains its size and quality to the last. Ripe June 25th. Pine Apple. — Plant vigorous and healthy, stem long and stout, not productive. Berry above medium in size, but soft and flavour poor. Ripe June 26th. Laxjord Hall. — Plant vigorous and healthy, stem long and stout, not very pro- ductive. Berry only medium in size, round dark red, flavour good, sweet and very firm. Ripe June 26th. Shelter Belts and Forest Trees. The trees in the shelter belts have made fine growth, and only two or three have died since my last report, and these were in a low spot where the water lay a few days, during the high water in June. The plantations on the Mountain have done remarkably well, there being a very small per cent of losses, and in most varieties a very fine growth, considering that they have received no care or cultivation since they were planted. The walnuts and hickory nuts planted last fall on the Mountain, have done very well, at least 70 per cent of the nuts planted having grown, and there may be a larger percentage than this, as they were scattered, over a considerable area, and it is difficult to find a yearling seedling in ferns and underbrush. Another large lot of walnuts has been received from Ontario and are being planted. There are also on hand several thousand young forest trees of varieties valued for their timber which will be planted on the Mountain next spring. Tomatoes. The following varieties of tomatoes were sown in a hot-bed April 24th, and trans- planted June 2nd. A few ripened, but many of the plants were destroyed by water. Early Ruby. — Ripe September 7th, very solid and few seeds, medium size, and smoth. Atlantic Prize. — Did not ripen. Earliest of All. — Small and seedy, ripened September 11th, not productive. Everbearing. — Did not ripen, Livingston's Aristocrat. — Did not ripen. New Dwarf Champion. — Dit not ripen. Peppers. The following varieties of peppers were sown in hot bed April 24th and planted out June 6th. They all fruited freely, but none of them ripened. Sweet Spanish. Mammoth Golden Dawn. Kaleidoscope. Cabbage. The following varieties of cabbage were tested. Seed sown in hot bed April 22nd Transplanted May 18th. 1st. — Burpee's Surehead. — Head medium in size, very firm and solid. 2nd. — Burpee's Earliest of all. — Heads very early, but small and not compact. 3rd. — Simmer's Matchless Flat Dutch.- — Heads fair size firm and solid. 4th. — World Beater. — Did not head very well, heads poor and soft. 5th. — Mammoth Red Rock. — Heads medium sized, very firm and hard. 6th. — Chester King. — Only a few plants formed heads and these were quite small. 410 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 7 th. — Drumhead Savoy. — Heads medium large, very firm and compact. 8th. — Late Drumhead. — A few very fine heads formed but many plants did not head. 9th. — Marblehead Mammoth. — Did not head well ; heads small and soft. 10th. — Autumn King. — No heads of value formed on this variety. 11th. — Stanley. — Heads very small and inferior. 12th. — Louderbach. — Only a few small heads formed. Cauliflower. Six varieties of cauliflower were sown in a hot bed on April 22nd and planted in the open ground, as soon in May as they were sufficiently grown. But they were injured in June by water, and failed to head. TESTS OP DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF GARDEN PEASE. Name of Variety. Sunol . Bliss' American Wonder . Burpee's Profusion. Kentish Invicta . Juno. Horsford's Market Garden . Daniel's Matchless Marrow . Duke of Albany Prince of Wales . Sown. May 2 April 30 30 30 30 Up. May 17 20 20 18 13 21 21 20 20 Fit for Table. Ju ly 4 ' 16 ' 24 ' 18 ' 26 ' 16 ' 20 ' 20 ' 30 Remarks. Pease medium size, pods short and not well filled, medium in quality, not productive ; vines 1^ to 2 feet long. Pease large and fine in quality, pods long and well filled, vines 1 to 1^ feet long, not pro- ductive. Vines 2 to 3 feet long and well loaded with long pod^, well filled with large pease of good quality. Pods long and well filled, pease medium sized and rather poor in quality, vines 2 to 2^ feet long, not productive. Vines 1^ to 2 feet long and very productive, pods long and well filled with large pease of very good quality. Vines 2 to 2| feet long and productive, pods long and well filled with large pease of very good quality. Vines 2£ to 3 feet long, productive, long well filled pods, pease very large and of excel- lent quality. Vines 2^ to 3 feet, and fairly productive, pods long and well filled, pease large and of best quality. Vines 2 to 3 feet long, and productive, pods of medium length and well filled, pease large and cf very fine quality. TESTS OF DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF BEANS. Name of Variety. Burpee's Bush Lima Early Black Pole Lima Burpee's New String Green Pod. Thorburn's Extra Refugee Wax. Emperor William Sown. Up. Fit for Table. May 3 " 3 " 3 3 3 May 27 " 24 " 27 July 27 " 26 " 22 Remarks. Did not germinate. u id not germinate well, and made a feeble growth, pods small and poor in quality. Not a vigorous grower, pods small but very fine in quality. Crisp and very fine for table use. Asparagus. 50 plants each of the following varieties of asparagus were received, and planted, and made a fair growth. Barr's Mammoth, Argenteuil, and Columbian. REPORT OF MR. THOMAS A. SHARP E. 4U Radish. Name of Variety. Sown. Up. Fit for table. Remarks. Scarlet Dwarf White Tip New Rosy Grem Charters Improved April 24 " 24 " 24 " 24 " 24 " 24 " 24 May 3. " 3. " 3. " 2. " 3. " 2. " 2. June 7. " 4. " 16. " 11. " 1. " 18. " 8. Stringy and not crisp or pleasant to eat. Crisp and sweet. Not very good, and ran to seed very soon Pearl Forcing after being large enough for table use. Stringy and tough. Burpee's Earliest Scarlet Button . . . Brightest Red Long Scarlet Scarlet Olive Shaped Crisp, sweet and very good. Nearly all went to seed before becoming fit for table. Crisp, but became stringy very soon after being fit for table. Beets, Carrots, Parsnips and Onions. Nine varieties of table beets, six of carrots, two of parsnips, and thirteen of onions were received and sown, but when the flood came the land on which they were sown became so wet that the crops of all were a failure. EXPERIMENTS WITH DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF LETTUCE. Name of Variety. New Iceberg New Paris Cos All Heart New Giant White Cos New Cos or Celery New Sensation California Cream Golden Queen , Sown. Up. Fit for Use. April 26.. May 16 . . " 24.. " 15.. " 25.. " 13.. " 25.. " 14.. " 25.. " 14.. " 25.. " 14.. " 25.. " 14.. " 25.. " 14.. June 29 July 4. 2. 4. " 7. " 4. " 8. June 27. Remarks. Crisp and sweet. Bitter, not of good quality. Crisp, sweet and a vigorous grower. " A vigorous grower, crisp but bitter. Very crisp and sweet. Not crisp or sweet and a feeble grower. Leaf blighted, turning brown in spots, which made it unfit for use. A vigorous grower, forming fine heads, crisp and of good quality. Parsley. The fine Triple Curled Parsley was sown April 25th, came up May 14th, and was fit for use August 6th. A very fine, vigorous grower. Cucumbers. Name of Variety. Sown. May 1 . . . . " 1.... " 1.... " 1.... Up. Fit for Table. Remarks. New Grand Pera May 28... " 26... " 23... " 28... Aug. 2.. 1.. July 20.. " 26.. Sweet and pleasant, but not crisp or pro- Cool and Crisp ductive. Crisp and of good quality, productive. Improved White Spine .... Very good quality, crisp and pleasant ; pro- ductive. Very small, but of fine quality and productive. 412 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Exhibitions. An exhibition of the produce of the Experimental Farm was made at several of the fall shows, where nearly seventy varieties of apples were shown, and a good display of 30 varieties of plums could have been made had the exhibitions been held a little earlier. Lathyrus Sylvestris Wagneri. — All the seed raised of this fodder plant was dis- tributed this year in small packets, as in former years, but no reports have yet been received. The plant makes a feeble growth the first year, which perhaps has discour- aged farmers, and they may have ploughed it under. A single plant 3 years old was exhibited this year, with the roots attached, showing a splendid top growth, and the roots were over 6 feet long, and at the surface of the ground 1^ inches thick. This plant in the fall of 1891 showed a growth of a single stem, only about 9 inches long. From the strong growth of the roots this plant will probably be valuable in the interior in those parts where there is very little rain. Meteorological. 1894. January February March April May June July August September October November .... December 1st to 15th Total. .. 1893. Number Highest Lowest Number of days on which it rained. Total Rainfall. of days on which Total Number Temper- ature. Temper- ature. sunshine was recorded. amount of sunshine. of snow storms. ■ GO 2 14th 54° 5th 17° 11 4 63 16 62 18 14 26th 50° 19th 10° 12 5 91 18 49 54 9 22nd 64° 4th 28° 15 5 81 19 51 44 8 25th 77° 4th 32° 25 8 28 17 63 57 None 23rd 90° 1st 32° 18 4 89 21 125 27 , 1894— Concluded. Experimental Farm, Agassiz, B.C. 6 Horses Cattle— 7 Durhams 9 Ayrshires 3 Holsteins 2 Grades 3 Dorset horned sheep 2 Improved large Yorkshire swine. . . . 2 Berkshire swine Fowls Vehicles, including farm wagons Farm machinery do implements Hand tools, hardware and sundries. . . Harness Furniture for reception room and bed- room for visiting officials Furniture, supplies and books for office $ cts. 1,250 00 825 00 495 00 350 00 55 00 105 00 60 00 70 00 37 50 295 00 673 50 211 50 105 25 124 00 295 00 128 00 5,079 75 INDEX. Page. Agriculturist, report of the 77 Acknowledgments 77 Bacteria, tests of pure cultures of 86-89 Butter making, by use of centrifugal separators 90 Corn crops 98-99 cost of growing 98-99 Cream, churning at different stages of ripe- ness ... 89 Crops, total yield from forty-acre lot 93-90 Experimental Dairy 86 Forty-acre lot 93 Horse beans 99 cost of growing 99 Milk from forty-acre lot 100-101 Mixed cereal crops 96-97 Root crops on forty -acre lot 97 Sunflower heads 100 cost of growing 100 Swine, experiments m feeding of 78-86 in feeding different crosses of . . . . 78-86 in feeding of frosted wheat, barley, rye and bran 78-82 in feeding buckwheat 85-86 in feeding pease, wheat and rye equal parts 82-84 Bedford, S. A., report on Experimental Farm at Brandon, Man 281 Blair, W. M., report on Experimental Farm at Nappan, N. S 253 Chemist, report of the 147-1S1 Acknowledgments 148 Apple, chemistry of the 148, 164 Apple tree leaves, analyses of 165 fruit composition of 166 Bordeaux mixture, chemistry of 171 Carbon bisulphide as exterminator of gophers 179 Cheese, Mammoth, analysis of 180 Copper carbonate fungicide, chemistry of. . 173 Copper salt fungicides, chemistry of 148,171 Earthy deposit, N.W.T.. analysis of . . . . 162 Eau celeste, chemistry of 174 Gophers, the extermination of 178 Marl, analyses and uses of 161 Meetings attended 147 Muck, swamp, general remarks on 148, 15S analyses of 160 Paris green added to fungicides, chemistry of... . 174 Sea weed, analysis of 148, 163 Soils, virgin, analyses of 147, 149 from British Columbia 1-1'.) from Manitoba 150 from New Brunswick 155 from Ontario 152 from Prince Edward Island 156 from Quebec 153 Strawberry plant, chemistry of 148, 168 fertilizing constituents withdrawn from soil by 170 Strychnine for poisoning crows and black- birds 180 Well waters, analyses of 176 general remarks on 175 Craig, John, Horticulturist, report of 85 8c— 27 Page. Director, report of the . f 4 Acknowledgments 76 Barley, experiments with 13 six-rowed 13 Baxter's 13 Common six-rowed 13 four-rowed 13 Nugent 13 Oderbruch 13 Odessa 13 Petschora 13 Phoenix 13 Pioneer 13 Rennie's Improved 13 Royal 13 Stella 13 Trooper 13 Vanguard 13 two-rowed 13 Bolton.. 13 California Prolific 13 Canadian Thorpe 13-14 Danish Chevalier 13 Duck-bill 13 French Chevalier 13 Golden Grains 13 Improved Chevalier 13 Kinver Chevalier 13 Newton 13 Prize Prolific 13 Sidney 13 Thanet 13 Victor 13 Barnyard manure fresh and rotted com- pared 36 Branch Experimental Farms, visits to 72-75 Carrots, experiments with 19-20 yield of varieties of 19 Corn, experiments with 16 Angel of Midnight 17 Compton's Early 17 Early Small Auxonne 17 Early White Pyrenean 17 Early Yellow Long Eared 17 Evergreen Red Cob 17 Extra Early Huron Dent 17 Gold Medal Dent 17 Indian Corn (Vilmorin) 17 Livingstone's Gold Coin 17 Longfellow 17 Mitchell's Extra Early 17 North Dakota 17 No. 1 (A. L. Howard) 17 No. 2 (A. L. Howard) 17 No. 18 (C.E.F.) 17 No. 30 (C.E.F.) 17 No. 43 (C.E.F.) 17 Pearce's Prolific 17 Rural Thoroughbred White Flint 17 Sanford 17 Smut Nose 17 Crops, action of fertilizers on 25 summary of, on Experimental Farm 22 Ellis, Wm., report of 25 Experiments with fertilizers on barley. . . .27-28 carrots 33 Indian corn 30-31 mangels and turnips 31-32 oats 29 potatoes 33-34-35 wheat 26-27 418 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Page. Dikectoe — Continued. Farmers, number of, in Canada 5 Financial statement 413 Forest belts 51, 53 Geraniums, notes on 54, 58 Grain tests, results of 22, 24 Hedges on the Central IflxperimentallTann.36, 41 Letter of transmittal 3 Macoun, Wra. T., report of 51, 53 Mangels, experiments with 18, 19 yield bf varieties of 18, 19 Meetings attended .... 71 Meteorological observations 25 Oats, experiments with 10 Abundance 10, 12 Abyssinia 10 American Triumph 10 Banner 10, 11 Bavarian 10, 11, 12 Bonanza 10, 12 Californian Prolific, Black 10 Columbus 10, 11 Coulommiers 10 Doncaster Prize 10 Early Archangel 10 Early Blossom 10, 12 Early Etampes 10 Early Gothland 10 Flying Scotchman 10 Giant Cluster 10 Golden Beauty 10 Golden Giant 10, 12 Holstein Prolific 10 Imported Irish 10, 11 Improved Ligowo 10 Joanette 10 Lincoln 10, 11 Oderbruch 10 Poland 10, 11 Prize Cluster 10, 11 Prolific Black Tartarian 10 Rennie's Prize White 10 Rosedale 10 Scottish Chief 10 Siberian 10 Wallis 10, 11, 12 Welcome 10, 12 White Monarch 10, 11 White Wonder 10 Wide- Awake 10 Ornamental shrubs, choice collection oL. .42, 48 Pease, experiments with 15 Black-eyed Marrowfat 16 Canadian Beauty 16 Centennial 16 Creeper 16 ( 'ii iwn 16 Golden Vine 16 Multiplier 16 Mummy 16 New Potter 16 Pride 16 Prince Albert 16 Prussian Blue 16 White Marrowfat 16 Potatoes, experiments with 20, 21 List of varieties, with yield 21 Seed grain, distribution of 6 Seed testing 22, 23, 24 Sugar beets, experiments with 20 yield of varieties of 20 Trees, forest and ornamental 48, 51 in forest belt, additions to 52 summary of in forest plantations . . 52, 53 Tuberculosis at Branch Experimental Farms 58, 71 Visitors to Central Farm 71 Page D l rector — Concluded. Visit to Minnesota Experiment Station. . . 73 South Dakota do ... 73 Wheat, Fall, experiments with 14 Bailey..! 14 Democrat 14 Early Red Clawson 11 Golden Cross 14 Johnson (Carman's No. 53) 14 Jones' Winter Fife 14 Manchester 14 Martin's Amber 14 Roberts (Carman's No. 3) 14 Stewart (Carman's No. 51) 14 Surprise 14 Tasmania 14 Weld's No. 4 14 Willits (Carman's No. 2) . ._ 14 Wheat, Spring, experiments with 14 Admiral 15 Advance 15 Australian 15 Alpha 15 Azima, Russian 15 Beaudry 15 Beauty 15 Blenheim 15 Colorado 15 Connell White 15 Crown 15 Countess 15 Dawn 15 Dion's 15 Dufferin 15 Fife, Bed 15 Fife, White 15 Fife, Wellman's L5 Golden Drop 15 (loose Wheat 15 Herisson Bearded 15 Huron 15 Ladoga 15 Manifold 15 Old Red River 15 Ottawa 15 Preston L5 Percy 15 Pringle's Champlain 15 Progress .... 15 Red Fern 15 Rideau 15 Stanley 15 Vernon 15 White Chaff (Campbell's) 15 White Russian 15 Entomologist and Botanist, report of the.lS3- 226 Acknowledgments 184 Acrydiidee 187 4 marantus aibus 225 Ana ni< lis grizea L98 Anisopteryx 197 pometaria 197 Aph is mali 199 A ] liary, the 219 Apple aphis 199 Arboretum 183 Army-worm 192 . Aspidiotus perniciosus 206 Beating net 218 Blight on oats and barley 186 Botanic garden 183 < 'iia, cia rosaceana 197 Camclina sativa 226 Canker-worms ■ 197 Carporapsa pomoncllei 195 Cereals, insect enemies of 186 INDEX. 419 Page . Entomologist and Botanist— Concluded. Cigar case-hearer of the apple 201 Ci idling moth 195 Coleophom Fit tch ereUa 201 Conotrachehts nenuphar ■ 196 Corn spurry 223 Correspondence 183 Donations received 185 Elateridct 187 Er.iocam.pa cerasi 198 Erysim tun orientate 225 False flax 226 Fixter, John, report by 219 ' ' Foundation, " experiments with brands of 221 Frit-fly, American 186 Fruit crop, report on 194 Fruits, insect enemies of 194 Grain aphis 186 Graptiolitha pisana 188 issboppers 187 Grey peach weevil 198 " Hare 's-ear mustard". 220 Hessian fly 18(i Hylesirtus opaculus 215 Kerosene emulsion 210 Lesser migratory locust 187 Letters, appreciative 183 L< ucania wnipuncta 192 Meetings attended 18-1 Melanoplus atlanis 187 JVeslia paniculata 226 Oblique banded leaf -roller 197 Pari'/ sex-notata... 216 Pea moth 187 Pear slug 198 Pear-leaf blister 199 Pear-tree flea-louse 210 Perennial sowthistle 220 Phlozotribus liminaris . 212 Phytoptus pyri 199 Plum curculio 196 Potato blights 183 Psylla pyricola 210 "Red-leaf" of oats 187 Resin washes 208, 209 Russian thistle 224 Salsola Kali, var. Tragus 229 San Jose Scale 206 tasia, sp 187 in hrilana 188 Shot-borer 197 Shutt, F. T., report by 221 Siphonophora avena : 186, 201 Sisymbrium sinapistrwm 225 Sonch us arvensis 226 Spergula arvensis 223 Spotted Paria 216 Tumble mustard 226 Tumble weed, true 225 Wheat midge 186 Wire- worms 187 Wei .Is, some specially noxious 223 Xtih borus i/ispar 197 Experimental Farm, Agassiz, report of the Superintendent 387 Apples, report on 399, 401 Apricots, report on 403 Asparagus, report on lb Barley, experiments with 391 Beans, report on 41 n Bench orchards, report on 404 Blackberries, report on 40(1 Cabbage, report on . 409 Carrots, experiments with 397 Cauliflowers, experiments with 410 Cherries, report on 403 Page. Experimental Farm, Agassiz— Concluded. Cucuml >ers, re] iort on 411 Currants, report on 405 Corn, experiments with 397, 398 Cranberries, report on 405 Cross-fertilizing and hybridizing 395 Dewberry Lucretia, report on 406 Exhibitions 412 Figs, report on 405 Fruit trees on bench land 404 General remarks on farm operations. . . 388 Gooseberries, repi nt on 406 Grain, results of early, medium and late sowing of ' 393, 394 Grape vines, report on 405 Green feed 395 Horse beans, report on 398 Hops... Hybridizing experiments 395 Lettuce, report on 411 Live stock 388 Mangels, experiments with 396 Medlars, report on 404 Meteori ilogical report. 412 Mixed grain for feed 395 Mountain orchards 404 Mulberries, report on 404 Nectarines, report on in." Nut-bearing trees, report on 404, 10.~> Oats, experiments with 392 Parsley, report on 411 Peaches, repi irt on 404 Pears, report on 401 Pease, field varieties, experiments with. . . :!!i4 garden varieties 410 Peppers, report on 40!) Plums, report on 10L' Potatoes, experiments with 3:i- Poultry, repi ut on Quinces, report on 404 Raspberrii s, n port on 406, 408 Radishes , report on 411 Shelter belt 409 Stallion, report on 412 Strawberries, report on 40s Sugar beets, experiments with 397 Sunflowers, experiments with 3! IX Tomatoes, report on 409 Turnips, experiments with 395, 396 Weather. . 387. 412 Wheat, spring, experiments with 390 winter, experiments with 389 Visitors to farm 383 Experimental Farm, Brandon, report of the Superintendent 281 Acknowledgments 331 Apple trees, report on 309 Avenues 316 Barley, experiments with 292, 293 plots, summary of, sown at differ- ent dates 288 hybrid ... 293 field crops of :_>!I4 Beans, experiments with 325 Beets, experiments with 324 Cabbage, experiments with 321 Carrots, experiments with 305, 324 Cattle, report on 306 experiments with beef breeds 307 do dairy do 307 yield of milk from different breeds. 307 Cauliflowers, experiments with 320 Celery, experiments with 322 Cherry trees, report on 310 Corn, for table use. ... 320 Correspondence 332 420 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Page. Experimental Farm, Brandon— Concluded. Crab-apple trees, report on 310 Crab, wild, of Siberia 311 Currants, report on 311 new. red 312 Cucumbers, experiments with 326 Distribution of seed grain 329 Farmers' Institutes, meetings attended. . . 330 Flax, experiments with 297 and oats, mixed 298 Flowers, experiments with 327, 329 Fodder corn, experiments with 301 Forest trees and shrubs, report on 313, 316 Gooseberries, report on 312 Grain, early medium and late sowing of 285, 287, 288 Grain, grown after potatoes 297 Grasses and fodder plants, experiments with 299 Hedges for windbreaks 310 Horse beans, experiments with . . 302 Huckleberries, report on.. 313 Lettuce, experiments with 326 Mangels, experiments with 304 Manure, barnyard, use of in growing oats and barley 292, 294 Market value of different crops 295 Meteorological 331 Millets, experiments with 299, 300 Mixed grain for hay or green fodder. ... 300 Oats, experiments with 290, 292 plots, summary of, sown at different dates 287 and pease mixed 295 Onions, experiments with : ;2 1 Pease, field, experiments with ... average yields of '296 garden varieties 323 Plum trees, report on 310 Potatoes, experiments with 319 Poultry, report on 308 Quinces, report on 313 Radish, experiments with 325 Raspberries, report on 31 2 Rhubarb 327 Silos 302 Smut in wheat, remedy for 289 loose in barley and oats ... 239 Strawberries, report on 313 Sugar beets, experiments with 306 Sunflowers, experiments wfth 302 Tile drainage 330 Tomatoes, experiments with 323 Tree distribution 318 planting around superintendent's house 312 Turnips, experiments with 302, 303 AWather 281, 331 Wheat, spring, experiments with 281, 282 cost of growing per acre on summer- fallow 284 cutting at different stages of ripe- ness 284 test of rolling 283 summary of plots sown at different dates 286 cross-bred 282 field crops of 294 test with drills 288 sown on land prepared in different ways 290 Experimental Farm, Indian Head, N. W.T., report of the Superintendent 333 Apple trees, report on 367 Artichokes 357 Asparagus 357 Pap t*' Experimental Farm, Indian Head— Cont. Barley, experiments with 341, 344, 345 sown at different dates 342 test of press drill vs. drill 344 test of different quantities of seed per acre 344 tests of stubble land and fallow . . . 345 Beans, report on 357 Beets, report on 357 Blackberries, report on 370 Broom corn, experiments with 352 Cabbage, experiments with 358 Carrots, experiments with 354, 359 Cattle 334 Cauliflower, experiments with 358 Celery, experiments with 359 Cherry trees, report on 369 Correspondence 384 Citrons, experiments with 360 Corn, report on 352, 360 Crab-apples, report on 369 Crops, report on 333 Cross-bred wheats 340 Cucumbers, experiments with 359 Cuttings, propagation by 372 Currants, report on 370, 371 Ensilage 383 Exhibitions attended 383 Farmers' Institute meetings attended 383 Flowers, report on 3G4-367 Fodders. 350 Fodder mixtures 351 Forest trees, report on 334, 372 distribution of 379 Gooseberries, report on 369, 371 Grain, early, medium and late sowing of 335, 342, 347 Grasses 369 Horse beans, report on 352 Huckleberries 369 Improvements 383 Lettuce, experiments with 360 Mangels, experiments with 354 Meteorological report 384 Mixtures of grain for hay 351 Musk melons 361 Oats, experiments with o45, 349 sown at different dates 347 test of stuble land and fallow 348 test of press drill vs. drill 349 test of sowing different quantities of seed per acre 349 Onions, experiments with 361 Parsley, experiments with 362 Parsnips, experiments with 362 Pease, test of 350, 362 Plum trees, report on 369 Potatoes, experiments with 355 distribution of 379 Poultry, report on 382 Preparing land for crop 383 Radish, experiments with 363 Rape, report on 352 Raspberries, report on 370, 371 Rhubarb, experiments with 363 Seed grain, distribution of 379 Shrubs, report on 376 Smut in barley 345 in wheat 338 Spinach 363 Stallion, report on 382 Steers, experiments in feeding 380 Summer savory 364 Sunflowers, report on 352 Stock..... 334 Strawberries, report on 370, 372 Sugar beets, experiments with 355 INDEX. 421 Page Experimental Farm, Indian Head — Con. Swine, report on 381 Tomatoes, experiments with 364 Turnips, experiments with 353 Visitors to farm 383 Water melons 361 Weather 333, 354 Weeds....... 333 Wheat, spring, experiments with 334 Wheat, spring, test of different dates of sowing 335 Wheat, spring, test of sowing different quantities of seed 337 Wheat, spring, test of sowing at different depths 337, 340 Wheat, spring, test of different methods of summer fallowing 339 Wheat, spring, test of drill with broadcast sowing. 336-340 Wheat, spring, general results of tests 341 Wheat, spring, test of cross seeding 338 Experimental Farm, Nappan, N.S., report of the Superintendent 253 Apple trees 275 Asparagus, experiments with 270 Barley, experiments with 255 Barleys, hybrid 256 Beans, experiments with 267 Beets, experiments with 268 Bordeaux mixture for potato rot 266 Buckwheat, experiments with 263 Cabbages, experiments with 269 Carrots, experiments with 263 Cauliflowers, experiments with 269 Cherries 277 Corn, experiments with 269 Crops, general statement of 266, 270 Crab apple trees 267 Cucumbers, experiments with 267 Currants 271 Drainage 270 Early, medium and late sowings of grain. 258-260 Exhibitions attended 280 Flowers, report on 278 Fruit trees, report on 274 Grasses 270 Gooseberries 271 Hay 253 Hops, experiments with 270 Mangels, experiments with 263 Manures 253 Meetings attended 280 Melons, experiments with 267 Mixed grain, experiments with 260 Oats, experiments with 256-258 Onions, experiments with 267 Parsnips, experiments with 267 Pears 276 Plums 277 Pease, experiments with 261-268 Potatoes cut for seed 264 Potatoes, experiments with ... 265 Potato eyes, experiments with 264 Potato rot, experiments with remedies for. 266 Pumpkins, experiments with 269 Radishes, experiments with 269 Raspberries 271 Robertson mixture for ensilage 266 Rye, fall, experiments with 261 Seed grain and potatoes distributed 279 Strawberries 272 Sugar beets, experiments with 263 Squash, experiments with 270 Tomatoes, experiments with 268 Trees and shrubs 272-274 Turnips, experiments with 262 Page. Experimental Farm, Nappan— Concluded. Turnips, experiments with manures on 263 Weather 253 Wheat, spring, experiments with 254 Wheat, cross-bred 255 Winter rye, experiments with ! 261 Fletcher, J., Entomologist and Botanist, report of 182 < Hlbert, A. G., Poultry Manager, report of. . 227 Horticulturist, report of the 103-146 Acknowledgments 107 Apples, experimental spraying of 113 report on 122 effect of winters of 1890-94 on 123 new or much advertised 124 Gideon 124 Mcintosh red 125 McMahan white 125 Salome 125 Scott's winter 125 Winter Duchess 126 Walbridge 126 Russian 126 Arabka 128 Cross 129 Longfield 126 Crabs, desirable 137 Early Strawberry 138 Gibb 136 Hyslop 138 Martha 139 Orange 139 Whitney 13S Bordeaux mixture, preparation of 116 Cherries, experimental spraying of 112 Report on 130 Koslov Morello 130 Cold storage for fruits. 103 Distribution of apple seeds 146 of asparagus and rhubarb seed 146 of poplar and willow cuttings 146 of shrubs and fruits 146 Donations received 107 Examination, fruit received for 144 Fungous diseases, treatment of 105 Grapes, report on . . . 139 Brilliant 139 Farrell 139 Peabody 139 Secretary 140 Meetings attended 106 Paris green applied with Bordeaux mix- ture 120 Peaches, experimental spraying of 110 Pears, do do 112 Plums, do do Ill report on 133 Early Red 133 Hawkeye 135 Moldavka 134 John A Lillian Augusta 1 36 Snelling 136 Stoddard L36 New. 136 Raspberries, report on 140 Sand Cherry 131 selected 132 Spraying experiments 108 experimental work in 1894 109 equipment for 115 reports of experiments 116-120 Spraying calendar 121 422 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Page. Horticulturist — Concluded, Strawberries, report on 140 yield and health of foliage of 142-443 largest yields of 144 Tobacco experiments 105 Mackay, A., Superintendent Experimental Farm, Indian Head, N.W.T., report of. . . 33S Poultry Manager, report of the 227 Aekni iwledgments 227 Andalusians 23', Black Minorcas 23'. Bones, cut green 23'' Breeding pens made up 24; Breeding stock 23 I Buff Cochins 241 Chickens, growth of 24'. > Coloured Dorkings 244 Crosses, made 24(1 Ducks, Aylesbury 250 Pekin 250 Eggs laid 23. > set and chickens hatched 24^ loss in weight of during incubation . . . 24:; Feeding, scienceof 23.'; Fowls, morning rations for 234 ( rreen food, advantages of 232 Page. Poultry Manager — Concluded. Houdans 238 Incubator, trial of 24(i Langshans 240 Layers of large eggs 230 Laying stock 234, 235 treatment of 227-235 rations for 228-231-234 Light Brahmas 239 New stock, purchase of 250 Plymouth Rocks, barred 212 white 243 Poultry, diseases of 247 Rations 228 Silver-laced Wyandottes 244 White Leghorns 237 White Plymouth Rocks 243 White Wyandottes 244 Robertson, J. W., Agriculturist, report of . . . 77 Saunders, Wm., Director, report of. Sharpe, Thos. A., Superintendent Experimen- tal Farm, Agassiz, report of 387 Shutt, F. T., Chemist, report of 147 New York Botanical Garden Librar 3 5185 00258 3068 >;>>:< >kk> W-y-WM