< APPENDIX TO THE REPORT OF THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE EXPEEIMENTAL FAKMS REPOETS OP THB DIRECTOR - - - ENTTOMOLOGICAL and BOTANICAL DIVISION - AGRICULTURIST _ - _ - - HORTICULTURIST _ _ _ - - CHEMIST - - - - - - CEREALIST ------- POULTRY MANAGER - - - ^- SUPT. EXPERIMENTAL FARM, Nappan, N.S. Brandon, Man. Indian Head, Sask. Lbthbeidgb, Alta. Lacombe, Alta. Aqassiz, B.C. - Wm. SAUNDERS, O.M.G., LL.D. II II II J. H.'GRISDALE, B. AaB. W. T. MACOUN F. T. SHUTT, M.A. C. E. SAUNDERS, Ph.D. A. G. GILBERT R. ROBERTSON JAMES MURRAY, B S.A. ANGUS MAC KAY W, H. FAIRFIELD, M.S. G. H. HUTTON, B.S.A. TH03. A. SHARPE FOR THB YEAR ENDINa MARCH 31 1909 PRINTED BY ORDER OF PARLIAMENT OTTAWA PRINTED BY C. H. PARMELEE, PRINTER TO THB KING'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY 1909 [No. 16—1909.] 9-10 EDWARD VII. SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 A. 1910 APPENDIK TO THE REPORT OF THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE EXPEKIMENTAL FAKMS REPORTS OF THE DIRECTOR - - - ENTOMOLOOrCAL and BOTANICAL DIVISION AGRICULTURIST - - HORTICULTURIST _ _ _ - - CHEMIST ___--- CEREALIST ------- POULTRY MANAGER ----- SUPT. EXPERIMENTAL FARM, Nappan, N.S. ■I Brandon, Man. ■I Indian Head, Sask. n LeTHBRIDGE, AlTA. II Lacombe, Alta. II Agassiz, B.C. Wji. SAUNDERS, C.M.G., LL.D. II H It J. H. GRISDALE, B. Agr. W. T. MA CO UN F. T. SHUTT, M.A. C. E. SAUNDERS, Ph.D. A. G. GILBERT R. ROBERTSON JAMES MURRAY, B.S.A. ANGUS MACKAY W. H. FAIRFIELD, M.S. G. H. HUTTON, B.S.A. TUOS. A. SHARPE FOR THE YEAR ENDINQ MARCH 31 190 9 PRINTED BY ORDER OF PARLIAMENT LIBRARY ISEW YORH BOX AM H OTTAWA PRINTED BY C. H. PARMELEE, PRINTER TO THE KING'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY 1909 [No. 16 — U.09.] 9-10 EDWARD VII. SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 A. 1910 APPENDIX TO THE REPORT OF THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE ON EXPERIMENTAL FARMS Ottawa, llarcli 31, 1909. Sir, — I beg to submit for your approval the twenty-second annual report of the work done, and in progress, at the several Experimental Farms. Following the report of the Director will be found a report on the work done by the Division of Entomology and Botany, with special references to the work of the late chief officer of this Division, Dr. James Fletcher. You will find also appended reports from the following officers of the Central Experimental Farm : — From the Agriculturist, Mr. J. H. Grisdale ; from the Hor- ticulturist, Mr. W. T. Macoun; from the Chemist, Mr. Frank T. Shutt; from the Cerealist, Dr. C. E. Saunders, and from the Poultry Manager, Mr. A. G. Gilbert. From the branch Experimental Farms there are reports from Mr. R. Robertson, Superintendent of the Experimental Farm for the Maritime Provinces, at Nappan, Nova Scotia; from Mr. James Murray, Superintendent of the Experimental Farm for Manitoba at Brandon; from Mr. Angus Mackay, Superintendent of the Experi- mental Farm for Saskatchewan at Indian Head; from Mr. W. H. Fairfield, Superin- tendent of the Experimental Farm for Southern Alberta at Lethbridge; from Mr. G. H. Hutton, Superintendent of the Experimental 1 Farm for Central Alberta at Lacombe, and from Mr. Thomas A. Sharpe, Superintendent of the Experimental Farm for British Columbia at Agassiz. In these reports there will be found the results of many important and caret ully conducted experiments in agriculture, horticulture and arboriculture, the outcome of practical and scientific work in the fields, barns, dairy and poultry buildings, orchards and plantations at the several Experimental Farms ; of scientific research in con- nection with the breeding of cereals and in determining their relative value; of research work in the chemical laboratories bearing on many branches of agricultural and horticultural employment; and of information gained from the careful study of the life histories and habits of injurious insects and the methods by which noxious IG-li EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 weeds are propagated and spread, together with the most practical and economical measures for their destruction. In the report of the work of the Entomological and Botanical Division will also be found particulars of the experiments and observations which have been made during the past year in connection with the apiary. The large and constantly increasing demand by the farmers of the Dominion for the publications issued from the Experimental Farms, the rapidly extending corres- pondence, and the readiness shown by farmers everywhere to co-operate with the work of the Farms in the testing of new and promising varieties of cereals and other farm crops, furnish gratifying evidence of the desire for information among this class of the community, also of the high esteem in which the work of the Farms is held. It is hoped that the facts brought together in the present issue will be found of much practical value to the Canadian farmer and fruit-grower, and that they may assist in advancing agriculture and horticulture in this country. I have the honour to be, sir, Yovir obedient servant, WM. SAUNDERS, Director of Experimental Farms. To the Honourable The Minister of Agriculture, Ottawa. 9-10 EDWARD VII. SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 A. 1910 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE EXPERIMENTAL FARMS For the year ending IVtarcli 31, 1909 REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR WM. SAUNDERS, C.M.G., LL.D., F.R.S.C., F.L.S. The season of 1908, although not everywhere favourable to the farmer, was, in most parts of Canada, fairly satisfactory. The field crops of the Dominion are said to have covered a total area of 27,505,663 acres, and to have yielded crops which, estimated at average local market prices, would reach the value of $432,534,000. In Ontario the season was not very favourable. The spring was exceedingly wet, and the early sowing of grain was therefore impossible. When at length the seed was all in, the weather changed, and unusual heat and rather severe drought prevailed through the greater part of the summer and autumn. These adverse conditions reduced the crops to considerably below the average except where the soil was unusually rich and retentive of moisture. The results of this season have emphasized the neces- sity for early sowing, and in those localities where early seeding was possible the resulting crops were more satisfactory. The crop of winter wheat was 15,798,000 bushels, the average yield being 23-60 bushels per acre. Spring wheat gave an average of only 15-80 bushels per acre and the crop was 2,259,000 bushels. The total crop of oats was 103,821,000 bushels, with an average yield of 33-40' bushels per acre. The barley, the total crop of which v/as 21,124,000 bushels, gave an average of 28-40 bushels per acre. The hay and clover, which occupies a larger acreage than any other crop in Ontario, gave 5,187,000 tons, which brought an average return of $11.02 per ton, or a total of $57,160,000. In Quebec, where the acreage under crop is very much smaller than in Ontario, winter wheat is not grown. Spring wheat gave an average of 13-50 bushels per acre, oats, 23 bushels, and barley, 19-80 bushels per acre. These three cereals returned to the farmers nearly twenty-two million dollars in all. Hay and clover, on account of drought, gave a yield somewhat less than in Ontario, the total crop being 3,473,000 tons, valued at $38,198,000. The summer weather in this province was unusually dry. In the Maritime Provinces, the winter was mild, the spring dry and the land ready for seeding early. The season was favourable for growth, and the yield of most crops has been up to or above the average. Spring wheat has yielded better crops than in Ontario. In Nova Scotia the average has been 17-40 bushels per acre, in New Brunswick 17-30, and in Prince Edward Island 14-25 bushels per acre, but oats, which occupied a much larger area, have not averaged quite so well as in Ontario. Dairying has been prosperous, cheese and butter bringing unusual prices. Apples have been fairly plentiful and have been of better quality than usual bringing higher prices. The exports of apples from Nova Scotia during 1908 are said to have been the largest on record, amounting to nearly 600,000 barrels. Hay was a heavy crop with lower prices. The yield of potatoes has been excellent. In Manitoba the spring weather was suitable for early sowing, and all crops were got in in good time and under favourable conditions. Good weather continued until about the middle of July, when very hot weath-er set in, which lasted for two weeks. EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 This ripened the grain too rapidly, and the yields of some crops were considerably reduced, especially oats and wheat. There were several degrees of frost on August 22, which injured some of the later fruits. In the Brandon district, the season was a favourable one and a good average crop was secured, in good condition. The total wheat crop in Manitoba was 50,269,000 bushels, with an average yield of 17 bushels per acre. This brought nearly forty-two million dollars into the pockets of the Manitoba farmei-s. Oats yielded over fourteen millions and barley more than six and one-half million dollars. In Saskatchewan, the spring of 1908 was probably the finest season for seeding which this province has had for many years. The weather was favourable at the out- set and seeding was nearly three weeks earlier than that of 1907. The ground was kept in a good condition of moisture by timely showers and growth was very rapid, while, later in the season, hot weather prevailed, which caused the grain to ripen rapidly. On July 25 the temperature rose to 94-5° F. This had an injurious effect on some of the grain, causing it to shrivel. Subseqviently, the weather was very favour- able for harvesting and threshing. At the Experimental Farm at Indian Head, the trial plots of grain gave more than twice the crop of 1907, the varieties averaging 39 bushels 21 lbs. per acre. The total yield of wheat in this province was 34,742,000 bushels. The yield per acre was rather low, 14-50 bushels, but the total crop realized nearly twenty-six million dollars. In Southern Alberta, the crop of winter wheat was very good. The total yield for the province was 3,000,000 bushels, and the yield per acre averaged 29-70 bushels. The yield of spring wheat, of which there was harvested a crop of 3,842,000 bushels, was larger than in any of the other provinces of the Dominion, averaging 22-60 bushels per acre. The ten varieties of winter wheat grown at Lethbridge under ' dry farming ' methods averaged 40 bushels 20 lbs. per acre. A field of Kharkov wheat also grown at Lethbridge of 23^ acres, sown at the rate of 30 lbs. of seed per acre during the first few days of September and cut the last week in July following, yielded at the rate of 54 bushels 11 lbs. per acre. The spring wheat on non-irrigated land gave an average of 29 bushels 32 lbs. per acre, while on the irrigated land the yield was 37 bushels 20 lbs. per acre. At Lacombe, in Central Alberta, the season of 1908 was much more favourable for wheat-growing than that of 1907. The crop was larger and most of the grain was plump. Seeding was about three weeks earlier than last year, and the growth was rapid until August, when cool weather and some frost delayed the matviring of the grain. In 1907, the trial plots of spring wheat gave an average of 21 bushels 51 lbs. per acre, whereas in 1908, the average yield was 33 bushels 34 lbs. per acre. Oats gave a larger average yield per acre in Alberta than in any other of the western province?. In British Columbia the season of 1908 opened earliei*, and grain was sown about ten days sooner than in 1907. The weather later in the season also was favourable to the ripening of the grain, and it matured well and early. Oats, barley, peas, turnips and mangels all gave heavier crops in 1908 than in 1907. EXPERIMENTS IN AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE AND ARBORICUL- TURE AT FORT VERMILION, ON THE PEACE RIVER. In the annual report of the Experimental Farms for the year ending March 31, 1008. reference is made on page 6 to some experiments in agriculture, horticulture, &c., at Fort Vermilion, on the Peace River. These experiments have been continued by Mr. Robert Jones, a practical farmer, who has had many years' experience in the Peace River country. As already stated. Fort Vermilion is about 350 miles in a direct line north of Edmonton, or about 700 miles by the mail route. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR 7 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Under date of December 19, 1908, Mr. Jones reports on the results of the experi- ments conducted, also on the condition of the crops in the Fort Vermilion district. He says : ' The past season was, on the whole, very favourable for crops of all sorts in this locality. The spring opened up about the middle of April and seeding was under full headway by the 1st of May. Wheat was fully ripe by the ITth of August, and the harvest was general by the 20th of that month. None of the wheat grown in this district was frosted.' Owing to delay in the mails, the seed of early-ripening wheat and other early cereals, also seeds of many sorts of vegetables and fodder plants, sent to Mr. Jones from the Central Experimental Farm at Ottawa for sowing, did not reach Fort Ver- milion imtil June, hence they were held over to be sown in the spring of 1909. Mr. Jones has given much of his time this season to the examination of crops grown by farmers in the district, and has obtained samples from them which he has forwarded to the Central Experimental Farm. He says that he thinks he is quite safe in es- timating the wheat crop for the Fort Vermilion district for this year at 35,000 bushels, with an average yield of 24 bushels per acre. The quantity of barley produced he estimates at 5,000 bushels, with an average of about 60 bushels to the acre, and oats about 4,000 bushels, making a total of about 44,000 bushels of grain for that district. Experimental plots of turnips sown by Mr. Jones have given crops of over 16 tons to the acre, mangels 15 tons and white carrots 12^ tons, to the acre. The hardy cross-bred apples produced at the Experimental Farm at Ottawa, also some hardy Russian sorts, which were sent to Fort Vermilion in the spring of 1907 survived the winter of 1907-8, and have made good growth during the past season, some of them as much as two feet. The plums which were sent at the same time have made a still stronger growth. Mr. Jones says, when writing on October 15, 1908 : ' Although most of our native trees have been stripped of their foliage by frost, the leaves on the apple and plum trees are quite green yet.' About twenty-five varieties of black, red and white currants were also sent to Fort Vermilion for test, with three varieties of raspberries and two of strawberries, and all of these are doing well and making good growth. Many varieties of trees and shrubs of the hardiest sorts suitable for shelter and ornament in northern districts were also supplied. Those which survived the hardships connected with transportation and the cold weather of the winter of 1907 — more than fifty varieties in all — are reported as . doing well. Writing on August 29, 1908, Mr. Jones says : ' My garden vegetables are promis- ing large yields. Some of my carrots measure now three inches in diameter, and I have cauliflowers at present which weigh 10 pounds each, also tomatoes of good size which are almost ripe now. The yield of potatoes will be large ; the earliest ones were ready for the table on July 13.' The samples of wheat sent by Mr. Jones from Fort Vermilion were very fine, well matured and very hea^•y• There were five samples in all and their dates of sowing and harvesting were as follows : — Name of Variety. Preston . . Ladoga . . . . Ladoga . . . Early Ri,c:a Riga Date of Sowing. May G... April 31 May 4. .. April 21 . May 9... When Ripe. August 10. August 17 . When Cut. August 22.. Septem ber 5 August 21.. ft 21.. II 29.. Weight per Bu.sliel. Lbs. 64i 04" t)4 63 641 Percent- age of Ger- mination. 100 92 99 9(i ICO 8 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 No samples of Red Fife could be obtained. All the varieties in the above list are earlier than Red Fife, and hence suit this district better. They have all been grown from samples sent to settlers during the past few years for trial, from the Central Experimental Farm at Ottawa. Two samples of oats v.-cre received from Mr. Robert Jones, one of Banner, which weighed 41J lbs. per bushel, and one unnamed sort which weighed 42 lbs. per bushel. The Banner was sown May 16 and was ripe August 24. One sample of barley was sent in, unnamed, which was sown May 16 and was cut August 12. This weighed 494 lbs. per bushel. There was also one sample of peas which was sown May 23 and cut on August 12, weighing 64 lbs. per bushel. Besides these there were two samples of beans which were plump and well-ripened. From the dates of sowing and ripening, the absence of injury from frost and the weights of the samples of the grain received, it is evident that the season of 1908 was quite as favourable for crop growing in the Peace River District as it was in many parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan further south. Writing on December 19, Mr. Jones says : ' The farmers in this neighbourhood are busy at present hauling their wheat to market, all of which is of the very best quality.' Writing again on February 14, Mr. Jones says : ' The winter has been very severe up to date, as the meteorological records will show. The snow is very deep, which puts the idea of the wintering of stock outside out of the question. The live stock at Fort Vermilion are in good condition, the feed supply being plentiful. The lowest temperature was on February 7, when the thermometer dropped to 59-5° below zero. 59° below zero was recorded on January 13, and 58° below zero on January 6 and 14.' Table of meteorological observations taken at Fort Vermilion, Peace River District, Alberta, from July 1, 1908, to March 31, 1909, showing maximum, minimum and moan temperature, also highest and lowest, for each month, with date of occur- rence; also rainfall, snowfall and total precipitation. Month. •July August . . . . September. October . . . November . December. January . . February . , March ,; , -w "y. 'c i CO "he -2 s f^ s K Q O 74-72 0 46-fi5 O 60-68 0 920 23rd 711il 43-35 57 26 85-0 5th 56-97 33-68 45-32 73-9 12th 42-03 20-48 31-25 59 0 11th 18-25 -110 8-45 41 0 6th 1-75 -17 75 -7-90 43-0 11th -13 -5U -36-67 -25 -08 14-4 1st -4 10 -26 50 -15-32 18-2 19th 2517 407 14-47 43-4 25th 0) o 1^ 38 0 33 0 20 0 -15 0 -43 5 -51 0 59 0 -59 5 -26 0 y A xj-^ c 0) •o.^ 6 ci c '3 o C5 03 O Q P^ Uj H •^ ffi 4th 2-30 2 30 10 100 17th 25th 2-O.T 2-05 11 0-73 & 2Cth 0-60 0 69 10 0 14 .30th 0-33 2-66 0 55 7 0-15 30ih 8-50 0 85 6 0-40 29th 2-50 0 25 4 0-15 13th 5 75 0 57 7 0-20 7th 1-50 0 15 5 0-05 8th 4 25 0 42 6 0-20 5-37 24-50 783 66 25th 15th 2nd 4th 28th 13th 22nd 2nd 5th * No records of temperature or precipitation have been supplied for April, May and June, 1908. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 SoJiE weather observations taken at Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, as compared with those taken at Fort Vermilion, Peace River District, Alberta. July. Mean Temp. Highest Temp. Lowest Temp. Total Precipita- tion. Heaviest in 24 hours. Total Hour.s Sunshine. A verage Sunshine per day. Ottawa Fort Vermilion 71-44 GO 08 o 960 92 0 o 4!) 0 3S 0 2 77 2 30 0-97 1-00 284 0 301 0 9-16 9 -70 August. Ottawa Fort Vermilion 66-42 57-26 90-0 85-0 42 6 33 0 1 72 2-05 0-65 0-73 263-4 238-2 8-49 7-68 September. Ottawa Fort Vermilion 63-58 45-32 95-8 73-9 31-0 20 0 1-00 0-69 0 26 0-14 163-4 160 6 5-44 5-35 October. Ottawa Fort Vermilion 49 21 31-25 80-6 590 27 0 -150 2-28 0-55 105 0 15 131-4 127 6 4-23 4-11 November. Ottawa 33-27 845 57-5 41-0 12 8 2-47 085 0-50 0-40 51 6 61-5 1-72 Fort Vermilion 205 December. Ottawa 14-35 7 -'.JO .53-0 430 -16-0 -570 4-38 0-25 0-70 0 15 74-7 68-5 2-40 Fort Vermilion 2-20 •January. Ottawa..... Fort Vermilion 13 23 -25-08 40 5 14-4 -ISO -t,9 0 3-66 0-57 1-04 0-20 66-2 86-7 2-13 2-79 February. Ottawa 15 - 55 -15-32 42-4 18-2 -16-4 -59-5 2 34 0 15 0-41 005 112 4 115 2 401 "Rnrt Vermilion 411 March. Ottawa .... T^ort Vermilion 24 10 11-47 .,4 43-4 - 3 0 -200 3-78 0-42 1-42 0-20 156-8 163 0 5 05 5-25 10 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Rkcord of Sunshine at Fort Vermilion, i^eace Kiver District, Alberta, from May 1. 1908; to March 31, 1909. Month. Number of days with Sunshine. Number of days without Sunshine. Total hours Sunshine. Average sunshine per day. •May June July 18 28 30 29 26 22 18 20 22 28 27 1 2 1 2 4 9 12 11 9 0 4 164-6 209-2 301-0 238-1 160 6 127-6 61-5 68-5 86-7 115-2 163-0 8-66 6-97 9-70 August 768 September October 5-35 411 November December 205 2-20 January 2-79 Febni:i:y March 411 5-25 * No returns for April, 1908, and during May a record of the first nineteen days only was kept, owing to supply of cards for sunshine-recorder having run out. (Signed) WILLIAM T. ELLIS. CO-OPERATIVE EXPERIMENTS BY FARMERS THROUGHOUT CANADA. Another distribution was made this year from the Experimental Farms to Canadian farmers of samples of seed of high quality for the improyemept of crops. The object in view in this distribution was to ascertain by test the relative merits of the different sorts under trial, as to qtiality, productiveness and earliuess in ripeninp-. In conducting these trial plots, farmers everywhere have readily undertaken to co- operate with the Experimental Farms and to report the results of their experiments. These joint efforts have been productive of much good, and a great deal of information has thus been gathered as to the suitability of these different varieties to the climatic conditions prevailing in different parts of Canada. During the season of 1908 the number of Canadian farmers who have united in these .experiments was 38,748. The value of this work in all parts of the Dominion has been abundantly demonstrated. The samples sent from the Central Farm have weighed as follows: Wheat and barley, five pounds each, and oats, four pounds, sufficient in each case to sow one- twentieth of an acre. The samples of Indian corn, peas and potatoes have weighed three pounds each. DISTRIBUTION OF SAMPLES BY PROVINCES. Name of Grain. & •c-i .2 '■4J u en > 0 New Brunswick. 3 0 i 2 1 c (V a 33 Alberta. '3 a 5 ■1-3 M Oats 563 106 188 8 16 94 644 272 335 46 58 442 1,.595 188 704 32 251 861 5,925 1,481 2,546 238 409 2,842 2,009 593 449 40 356 2,159 393 165 491 17 56 738 1,289 466 2,485 38 68 1,340 536 184 600 15 16 554 45 Barley 14 Wheat Peas 28 8 Indian Corn 18 Potatoes 321 Total 975 1,797 .3,631 13,441 5,606 1,860 5,686 1,905 434 Total number of samples distributed, 35,335. REPORT OF TEE DIRECTOR 11 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Total number of packages ot each sort distributed: — Oats 12,999 Barley 3,469 Wheat 7,826 Pea5 442 Indian corn 1,248 Potatoes 9,351 Total 35,335 The following list shows the number of packages of the different varieties which have been sent from the Central Experimental Farm: — Name of Variety. Number of Packages. Name of Variety. Number of Packages. Oats. Banner 6,339 2,056 1,490 1,241 750 608 313 202 Peas. Golden Vine 292 Wide Awake Arthur Total 150 Thousand Dollar Improved LigONVo 442 T^aiii^h Inland Indian Corn. White Giant Tartar King Black Beautv Total 12,999 357 322 Barley (Six-Rowed.) 2,087 718 540 124 Angel of Midnight ' Selected Learning 284 IVTensurv Com pt en's Early ... 249 IVTansfiek^ Champion White Pearl 36 Total (TWO-ROWKD.) 1,248 Potatoes. Rochester Rose Invincible • Standwell Total , 3,469 Spring Wheat. 3,454 2,221 952 421 404 374 2,734 2,259 1,624 1,198 614 Red Fife Carman No. 1 Preston Gold Coin Pringle's Champlain Early White Prize Stanley , Everett Percy Money Maker 579 Huron Late Puritan 343 Total Total 7,826 9,351 DISTRIBUTION OF SAMPLES FROM THE BRANCH EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Samples were also distributed from the branch Experimental Farms as follows : Experimental Farm, Nappan, N.S.- Spring wheat Oats Barley Potatoes Buckwheat Experimental Farm, Brandon, Man. — 80 Wheat 240 Oats 54 Barley 329 Peas 40 Potatoes 55 53 24 17 1.34 743 283 12 EXPERIMENTAL FARUS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Exoerimf-ntal Farm, Indian Head, Sask.— Experimental Farm Agassiz, B.C.— 'Wheat 204 Wheat and Rye. . 43 Oats 226 Oats 223 Barley 132 Barley 80 Peas GO Peas 107 Sundries (flax, rye, spelt) 23 Potatoes 271 Potatoes 630 Indian corn Gl 1,275 7H5 Experimental Farm, Lethbridge, Alberta— Experimental Farm, Lacombe, Alberta- Wheat, oats and barley 104 Wheat 120 Potatoes 28 Oats 55 Barley 20 132 195 By adding the number of fanners supplied by the branch Farms to those supplied by the Central Farm, we have a total of 38,748. The average number of samples sent out each year for the past eleven years has been over 38,000. It is remarkable how rapidly a supply of grain may be built up from a single four or five-pound sample. Take for instance, a sample of oats. The four pounds received will, if well cared for, usually produce from three to four bushels. This, sown on two acres of land, will, at a very moderate estimate, give one hundred bushels, and sometimes much more, but taking the lower figure as the basis for this calculation, the crop at the end of the second year would be sufficient to sow fifty acres, which, at the same moderate computation, would furnish 2,500 bushels available for seed or sals at the end of the third year. The critical point of thes-e tests is the threshing of the grain at the end of the first season, and it is here that some farmers fail to get the full advantage of the ex- periment. The product of the one-twentieth acre ijlot is sometimes threshed in a large machine, which it is difficult to thoroughly clean, and in this way the grain becomes mixed with other varieties and with weed seeds and is practically ruined. At the Central Experimental Farm we thresh the produce of many of the small plots of grain by cutting off the heads, placing them in sacks and beating them with a stick, then winnowing until most of the chaff is got rid of, and the grain made clean enough for sowing. Where the farmer is to use this seed for his own sowing it is not necessary that the sample be entirely free from chaff. It is, however, most essential if he is to get the full benefit of his experiment, that the grain be quite free from all admixture with other sorts of grain or with weeds. Farmers are expected to harvest the product of their exi^erimental plot separately, and store it away carefully, threshing it by hand either with a flail or in such other manner as thay may prefer The results to be gained will abundantly repay the cost of careful handling of the grain. Every season after the regular free distribution of the samples has been provided for, the snrnlus grain grown on the Experimental Farms not required for sowing is sold to farmers in quantities of from 2 to 6 bushels or more each. In this way, a con.siderable number of farmers are supplied every year with seed grain in these larger quiMitities, especially from the branch Farms at Brandon, Manitoba; Indian Head, Saskatchewan; and at Lethbridge, Alberta. TESTS OF THE VITALITY OF SEED GRAIN AND OTHER SEEDS. The following report includes tests of grain and other seeds grown on the several Experimental Farms, as well as those bought with the object of growing them on the Farm.s. The list also includes tests of the vitality of a number of specimens of grain grown in the several provinces of the Dominion from the samples distributed from the Central Experimental Farm. These tests have been made with the object of ascertaining what climatic conditions are most favourable for producing seed of high REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR 13 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 vitality, and how far this desirable quality is likely to be influenced by variations in character of season. Formerly these tests included a number of doubtful samples which were believed, by the parties sending them, to have been injured in their vitality by exposure to unfavourable conditions. All such samples are now referred to the Seed Commissioner for report. The results reported on here are the average propor- tions of vitality shown by samples of grain grown in different parts of the several provinces of Canada, under healthy and normal circumstances. In the following table, showing the results by provinces, the total percentage of vitality is given, also the percentage of strong and weak growth. Eesults of Tests of Seeds for Vitality, 1907-8. Kind of Seed. Number of Tests. Highest Per- centage. Lowest Per- centage. Per- centage of Strong Growth. Per- centage of Weak Growth. Average Vitality. Wheat 521 343 498 11 97 17 9 10 4 2 1 100 0 30 70 10 73 0 380 400 76-0 450 920 7G0 980 75-7 80-7 730 81-0 5-4 81 6-4 5-4 81-5? Barley 100 100 97 100 100 98 88 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 88 79 86 84 82 92 74 97 81 98 8 Oats 4 Rye. Peas 4 5 Corn 7 Flax ' • ? Clover 3 Beans 0 Grass 86 0 98-0 0 Turniijs 0 tested, tage . . . Total number of samples highest and lowest percer 1,513 100 0 10 Table showing Results of Grain Tests for each Province for 190Y-8. Ontario. Kind of Seed. Number of Tests. Highest Per- centage. Lowest Per- centage. Per- centage of Strong Growth. Per- centage of Weak Growth. Average Vitality. Wheat Barley 131 86 104 100 0 100 0 100 0 220 300 180 77-4 80-2 86-4 5-9 10-4 5-7 83-4 90-7 Oats 921 Quebec. Wheat. Barley. Oats. . 33 20 21 990 1000 100 0 220 87-0 370 79-5 87-7 841 41 7-3 6 4 83 6 950 90-6 Manitoba. Wheat 63 43 69 100-0 100-0 100 0 72-0 570 16 0 88-2 82-5 81 0 4-6 6-4 3-4 92-8 Barlev Oats ." 88-9 84-4 14 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 T.\BLE showing Results of Grain Tests for each Province for 1907-8 — Coniimied. Saskatchewan. Kind of Seed. Number of Tests. Highest Per- centage. Lowest Per- centage. Percent- age of Strong Growth. Percent- age of Weak Growth. Average Vitality. Wheat 121 58 103 100 0 100 0 100 0 120 7-0 10 G7-4 TAG 58-0 Go 4-0 90 73 0 Barley Oats 83 G 670 Albekta. Wheat Barley, Oats. . , 54 37 7G 99-0 970 97 0 3 0 210 10 G2-5 G9-5 40- 1 G-5 12-8 10-5 I G9 0 823 .50-7 Nova Scotia. Wheat 54 990 SO 74-7 4-5 79-2 Barley 50 99-0 590 79-4 8-7 88-2 Oats 51 100 0 570 83-8 4-6 88-5 Xkw Bucxswick. Whp.at. Barley. Oats. . SO 7 21 99 0 ;i7 0 100 0 5-3 0 84 0 790 83-2 8G-4 881 4-5 61 30 87-7 92-5 91-2 Prince Edward I.sland. Wheat 25 12 20 100 0 100 0 100 0 Gl 0 80-0 840 85-7 83-7 920 4-2 5-8 3 4 89 9 Bark'V 91-5 Oats 9.J 4 Results of Tests of Seeds for Vitality, 1903-9. British COI.UJIBIA • Wheat Barley Oats 10 30 33 100 0 100 0 100 0 90-0 77 0 790 94-9 880 91-5 2-6 91 3-3 97-5 95 2 94 9 Kind of Seed. Wheat llarley Oats Rye Pea.s Com Flax Bean.s Clover Tares Total nnmber of samples te.sted, highest and lowest percentage. . . Number of Tests. 440 337 450 12 l.-)3 17 9 G 3 1 1,428 Highest Per- centage. 100 0 100 0 100 0 97 0 100 0 100 0 95 0 100 0 87 0 98 0 100 0 Lowest Per- centage. 24 11 37 57 G 58 52 30 70 98 GO Percent- age of Strong Growth. 8S-8 88-9 8G1 79-3 Percent- age of Weak Growth. 2o 40 4 3 30 Average Vitality. 91 93 90 82 74 81 80 78 83 98 •4 0 •5 3 ■4 •6 •4 ■0 3 0 REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR 15 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Table showing Results of Grain Tests for eaeli Province for 1908-9. ONTAniO. Kind of Seed. Number of Tests. Highest Per- centage. Lowest Per- centage. Per- centage of Strong Growth. Per- centage of Weak Growth. Average Vitality. "Wheat . 112 86 99 100 0 100 0 100 0 66 0 610 650 89-7 85-8 91-4 2-7 7-2 3-3 92-4 Barley Oats 93-1 94-7 Quebec. Manitoba. Sask.\tchewan. Alberta. Wheat 36 35 35 100-0 100-0 100-0 72-0 69-0 690 91-7 91-6 85-2 1-9 2-6 4-1 93 G Barley 94-3 Oats 893 Wheat 46 31 43 100-0 100 0 100 0 830 87 0 78-0 91-8 94-9 91-4 r 1-8 1-6 3-6 93 0 Barley Oats 96 6 95 1 Whe;it 86 51 71 100-0 100 0 100-0 62-0 11-0 370 92-4 89-1 88-4 2-0 3-1 3-9 94 4 Barley Oats . . . 92-3 92 4 Wheat Barley Oats . . 72 76 84 100 0 100 0 97 0 560 67 -0 460 84-0 89-2 75-8 3 8 3-7 6 6 Nova Scotia. Wheat Barhy Oats . 23 24 24 930 990 97 0 240 600 73 0 720 82-8 82-0 3-4 3-6 50 New Brunswick. Whent Barley 25 6 37 100 0 980 100-0 68-0 77-0 640 91-2 89-6 ' 87-7 1-2 1-8 3-3 92-5 91 5 Oats 910 Prince Edward Island. Wheat Barlej Oats . . 14 4 32 99 0 100 0 100 0 770 980 830 92-2 97 0 917 2-1 2-2 2-7 British Columbia. Wheat Barley Oats . . 26 24 25 100 -0 100 0 930 46-0 730 710 88-8 91-4 80-4 2-7 2-8 6-7 (Signed) WILLIAM T. ELLIS. 16 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 METEOKOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. Table of meteorological observations taken at the Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, from April 1, 1908, to March 31, 1909, giving maximum, minimum and mean temperature for each month, with date of occurrence; also rainfall, snowfall, and total precipitation. Month. April. . . May June. . . July.. . . Aug . . . Sept.... Oct Nov Dec... Jan .... Feb.... Mar. . . . c3 45-59 68-44 79 64 83-27 79-12 77-19 60-00 38 86 23-49 22-10 25 16 32-90 6 a 27 47 52 59 53 49 38 27 5 4 5 15 be a P5 17 20 26 23 25 27 21 11 18 17 19 17 36 58 66 71 66 63 49 33 14 13 15 24 to 66 86 92 96 90 95 80 57 53 40 42 45 26th 26th 8th 30th 31st Ist 17th 26th 1st 5th 6th 31st o 5 30 40 49 42 34 27 12 -16 -18 -16 -3 cS ft 4th 2nd 3rd 17th 25th 30th 10th 2Ist 6th & 25th 13th 1st 1st k +J « 0 TJ-.S •3 «*- 'Ti , v 0.^ d fM . Oi-- ^ e3 0 ■9. S o a ^- 5Cm m H 55 c M 4-00 341 46' 31 .. .. 77 72 00 28 48 9-90 21 41-75 12 00 16-25 24 00 22-13 107-90 1-74 5-46 1-31 -77 -72 -00 -28 -47 •38 3 66 2-34 3-78 32 91 17 17 8 14 13 6 6 17 21 20 19 16 174 27th 1st 15th 17th 5th 2nd 26th 15th 18th 23rd 24th 25th Rain or snow fell on 174 days during the 12 months. Heaviest rainfall in 24 hours, 143 inches on May 1st. * Heaviest snowfall in 24 hours, 7 00 inches on December 11th and 18th. The highest temperature during the 12 months was 96 -O'' on July 30th. The lowest temperature during the 12 months was — 18 0° on January 13th. During the growing season, rain fell on 17 days in April, 17 days in May, 8 days in June, 14 days in July, 13 days in August, and 6 days in September. September and October show the lowest number of days with precipitation, viz.: 6 in each month. Total precipitation during the 12 months 32 '91 inches, as compared with 38-18 inches during 1907-08; Rainfall, Snowfall, and Total Precipitation, from 1890 to 1909; also the average annual amount that has fallen. Year. 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 •1906, January 1 to March 31. 190607 1907-08 1908-09 Total for 19 years and 3 months. Average for 19 years Rainfall. 24-73 30 19 23-78 31-79 2;3-05 27 -01 21-53 24 18 24-75 33-86 29-48 29-21 25 94 26-43 25-95 23-71 1-90 21-73 24-70 22-13 496 05 26 GO Snowfall 64 73 105 72 71 87 99 89 112 77 108 97 101 85 108 87 24 72 134 107 85 50 00 50 50 50 75 00 25 25 00 25 75 00 75 25 50 50 75 90 1780.75 92 43 Total Precipitation. 31 37 34 39 30 35 31 33 35 41 40 38 36 34 36 32 4 28 38 32 674 35 22 54 28 04 20 76 .50 08 97 63 72 91 10 92 79 42 34 94 18 91 45 26 •The 3 months from January 1 to March 31, 1906 are omitted in calculating the yearly average. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR 17 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Record of Sunshine at the Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, from. April 1, 1908, to March 31, 1909. Months. April. . . . May June Julj' August, . . September October.. . November December. January. . February . March Number of days with Sunshine. 27 25 29 29 31 2fj 25 14 19 15 22 24 Number of days without Sunshine. 3 6 1 2 0 4 6 16 12 IG G 7 Total h ours Sunshine. 194 6 20G G 2!i6 5 284 0 263 4 163 4 131 4 51 6 74 7 66 2 112 4 156 8 Averapre Sunshine per day. 48 64 88 16 49 44 23 72 40 13 01 05 (Signed.) WILLIAM T.. ELLIS, Ohserver. COERESPONDENCE. The correspondence carried on during 1908-9 between the farmers of Canada and the officers of the Experimental Farms has been very large. CENTRAL EXPERIMENTAL FARM. The following is a summary of the letters received and sent out at the Central Experimental Farm from April 1, 1908, to March 31, 1909 :— Letters received. Letters sent. Director 63,981 22,763 Agriculturist 2,789 3,524 Horticulturist 2,240 1,905 Chemist 1,899 1,861 Entomologist and Botanist 2,804 2,713 Cerealist 490 351 Poultry manager 3,489 4,042 Accountant 1,384 2,541 Total 79,082 39,700 Many of the letters received by the Director are applications for samples of grain, or for the publications issued by the Experimental Farms; many of these are answered by mailing the material asked for, accompanied in most instances by circular letters. This will explain why the number of letters received by that officer so much exceeds the nuihbor sent out. DISTRIBUTION OF REPORTS, BULLETINS AND CIRCULAR LETTERS. Reports and bulletins mailed * 282,026 Circular letters relating to samples of seed grain 50,717 Total 332,743 16—2 18 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Branch Experimental Fanns. The correspondence conducted by the superintendents of the Branch Experimental Ifarnis is also large, as is shown by the following figures : — Letters received. Letters sent Experimental Farm, Nappan, N.S 2,965 2,700 Brandon, Man 3,067 3,044 Indian Head, Sask-. . . . 8,114 7,951 Agassiz, B.C 4,881 4,727 Lethbridge, S. Alberla. 1,250 1,239 Lacombe, C. Alberta. . 1,647 1,551 21,924 21,212 Much additional information has also been sent out from the Branch Farms in printed circulars. By adding the correspondence conducted at the Branch Farms to that of the Central Farm, the total number of letters received is found to be 101,006, while those sent out number 60,912. SPECIAL EXPERIMENTS WITH FERTILIZERS. In the Annual Report of the Experimental Farms for 1893, details were given, on pages 8 to 24, of the result-s of a series of tests which had then been carried on iov. some years, on plots of one-tenth acre each, with the object of gaining information regarding the effects which follow the application of certain fertilizers and combina- tions of fertilizers on the more important farm crops. These experiments have been continued, and a summary of the results obtained has been given each year, by taking the average yield of crops from the beginning of the test, adding the results for the current year, and then giving the average yield for the full time. These tests were undertaken on virgin soil, on a piece of land which was cleared for the pur^jose. For particulars regarding the clearing and preparing of the land for crop in 1887-8 and its subsequent treatment, the reader is referred to the earlier issues of this report. VALUABLE INFORMATION GAINED. From this long-continued series of tests some useful information has been gained. These trials have shown that barnyard manure can be most economically used in the fresh or unrotted condition ; that fresh manure is equal, ton for ton, in crop- producing power to rotted manure, which, other experiments have shown, loses during the process of rotting about 60 per cent of its weight. In view of the vast importance of making the best possible use of barnyard manure, it is difficult to estimate the value of this one item of information. When these experiments were planned, the opinion was very generally held that untreated mineral phosphate, if very finely ground, was a valuable fertilizer, which gradually gave up its phosphoric acid for the promotion of plant growth. Many years' exijerience has shown that mineral phosphate, untreated, is practically of no value as a fertilizer. Sulphate of iron, which, at the time these tests were begun, was highly recom- mended as a means of producing increased crops, has also proven to be of very little value for this purpose. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR 19 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Common salt, wlTich has long had a reputation for its value as a fertilizer for barley, with many farmers, while others disbelieved in its efficacy, has been shown to be a valuable agent for producing an increased crop of that grain, while it is of much less use when applied to crops of spring wheat or oats. Land plaster or gypsum has also proved to be of some value as a fertilizer for barley, while of very little service for wheat or oats. Some light has also been thrown on the relative usefulness of single and combined fertilizers. CHANGES MADE IN THE EXPERIMENTS. After ten years' experience had demonstrated that finely-ground, untreated mineral phosphate was of no value as a fertilizer, its use was discontinued in 1898. Prior to this it had been used in each set of plots in Nos. 4, 5, 6, Y and 8, in all the different series of plots, excepting roots. In 1898 and 1899, similar weights of the Thomas' phosphate were used in place of the mineral phosphate, excepting in plot 6 in each series. In this plot the Thomas' phosphate was used in 1898 only. Aft-er constant cropping for ten or eleven years, it was found that the soil on these plots to which no barnyard manure had been applied, was much depleted of humus, hence its power of holding moisture had been lessened, and the conditions for plant growth, apart from the question of plant food, had on this account become less favourable. In 1899, the experiments were modified and an effort made to restore some proportion of the humus and at the same time gain further information as to the value of clover as a collector of plant-food. In the spring of that year ten pounds of red clover seed per acre was sown with the grain on all the plots of wheat, barley and oats. The young clover plants made rapid growth, and by the middle of October there was a thick mat of foliage, varying in height and density on the different plots, which was ploughed under. No barnyard manure was applied on plots 1 and 2 in each series from 1898 to 1905. In 1900 all the fertilizers on all the plots were discontinued, and from then to 1905 the same crops were grown on all these plots from year to year without fertilizers, sowing clover with the grain each season. In this way some additional information has been gained as to the value of clover as a collector of plant-food, and also as to the unexhausted values of the different fertilizers which had been used on these plots since the experiments were begun. In 1905-6-7-8 all the fertilizers were again used as in 1898. SPECIAL TREATMENT OF PLOTS OF INDIAN CORN AND ROOTS. As it was not practicable to sow clover with the Indian corn and root crops, the sowing of these latter crops was discontinued in the spring of 1900 and clover sown in their places, in the proportion of 12 pounds per acre. The clover on these plots made strong growth, so strong as to necessitate twice cutting during the season, the cut clover being left on the ground in each case to decay and add to the fertility of the soil. The clover was left over for further growth in the sprmg of 1901, and ploughed under for the roots about May 10, and for corn, about the middle of that month. Then roots and Indian corn were again sown. In 1902 also crops of Indian corn and roots v.-ere grown on these plots. In 1903 the land was again devoted to clover and was in Indian corn and roots again in 1904 and each year since. IG— 2^ 20 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 WHEAT PLOTS. The seed sown on each of these plots from the beginning has been in the propor- tion of about 1^ bushels per acre, excepting in 1894; and the varieties used were as follows :— In 1888 to 1891, White Eussiaji, and in 1892-3, Campbell's White Chaff. In 1894, Rio Grande was used, and from 1895 to 1908, inclusive, Red Fife. In 1908, the Red Fife was sown May 16, and was ripe August 18. TABLE I.— EXPERIMENTS WITH FERTILIZERS ON PLOTS OF WHEAT. Fertilizers applied each year from 1888 to 18'JS or 18;ii). No fertilizers used froin that time to 1905. Clover sown in l.S9it and each j ear after to 1905 with the grain and ploughed under in the autumn. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizers again applied as in 1898. Clover discontinued. 1 Barn-yard manure (mixed horse- and cow- manure), well rotted, 12 tons per acre in 1888 ; 15 tons per acre each year after to 1898 inclusive. No manure used from 1899 to 1905. In 1S05-6-7-8, 15 tons per acre again used Barn-yard manure (mixed horse- and cow- manure) fresh, 12 tons per acre in 1888 ; 15 tons per acre each year after to 1898 inclusive. No manure used from 1899 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8, 15 tons per acre again used Un manured from the beginning Mineral phosphate, untreated, finely ground, 500 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1888 to 1897 inclusive. In 18!'8 and 1899 a similar weight of the Thomas' jihosijhate was used. No fertilizer use;i from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 Thomas' phosphate again used as in 1899 Mineral phosphate, untreated, finely ground, 500 lbs., nitrate of soda, 200 lbs. per acre used each year from 1888 to 1897 inclusive. In 1898 and 1899, 500 lbs. of the Thomas' phosphate were used in place of the mineral phosphate. No fertilizers used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fer tilizers again used as in 1899 Barn-yard manure, partly rotted and ac- tively fermenting, mineral ground, together to hent SIX tons per acre l>iios)>hate, untreated, finely y'lO lbs. per acre, conii>o»ted intimately mixed and allowed for several days before using. ap lied each year from 1888 to 1897 inclusive. In 1898, 500 lbs. of Thomas li'.iO.-;i)hate were use I in jilace ot the min- eral phosphate. No fertilizers used from 1899 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizers again used as in 1898 Mineral phosphate, untreated, finely ground, 500 lbs ; nitrate of soda, 200 lbs.; wood ashes, unleached, 1,000 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1888 to 1897 inclusive. In 1898 and 1899, 500 lbs. of the Thomas' phosphate weie used in place of the mineral phosphate. No fertilizers used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertili- zers again used as in 1899 Average Yield FOU Twenty Years. 21st Season, 1908. Variety, Red Fife. Yield of Grain. Per acre. Bush. lbs. 22 22 11 12 20^*8 36^ g \o OZjj Yield of Straw. Per acre. 19 2,m 14 6^1 Lbs. 3800 3827 18G2 2001 2589 321G 2594 Yield of Grain. Per acre. Bush. lbs. 13 20 13 00 3 40 5 00 6 40 13 00 8 40 Yield of Straw. Average Yield FOR Tvventy-oneYears. Yield of Grain. Peracrr. Per acre. Lbs. Bush. lbs. 1260 1320 680 700 21 54Jf 22 2Jf 11 16|f 12 15 820 1220 1080 13 132\ 2505 Yield of Straw. Per acre. Lbs. 3679 3708 1806 1939 19 13i\ 13 51 2522 3121 BEPORT OF THE DIRECTOR 21 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 TABLE I.— EXPERIMENTS WITH FERTILIZERS ON PLOTS OF WHEAT— CorjcZudc.-?. c c Fertilizers applied each year from 1888 to 1898 cr 1899. No fertilizers used from that time to 1905. Clover sown in 1899 and each year after to 1905 with the grain and ploughed imder in the autumn. In 1905-U-7-S fertilizers again applied as in 1898. Clover discontinued. 8 M i n e r a 1 phosphate, untreated, finely ground, 500 lbs.; wood ashes, unleached, 1,500 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1S88 to lSi)7 inclusive. In 1898 and 1899, 500 lbs. of the Thomas' phosphate were used in place of the mineral phosphate . No fertilizers used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizers again used as in 1899. Mineral superphosphate. No. 1, 500 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1888 to 1899 inclusive. No fertilizer used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-G-7-8 fertilizer again used as in 1S99 10 Mineral superphosphate. No. 1, 350 lbs., nitrate of soda, 200 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1888 to 1899 inclusive. No fertilizers used from Ib'OO to 1905. In 1905-G-7-8 fertilizers again used as in 1899. 11 Mineral superphosphate, No. 1, 350 lbs., nitnite of soda, 200 lbs., wood ashes, un- leached, 1,500 lbs. per acre, use; leach year from 1888 to 1899 inclusive. No fertilizers use from 19C0 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizers again used as in 1899 12|Unmanured from the beginning 13, Bone, finely ground, 500 lbs. per acre, used each year from 18&8 to 1899 inclusive. No fertilizer used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 bone again used as at first. . . . 14 Bone, finely ground, 500 lbs., wood ashes unleached, 1,500 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1888 to 1899 inclusive. No fertilizers used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizers again used as at first. 15 Nitrate of soda, 200 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1888 to 1899 inclusive. No fertilizer used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizer again used as at first. 16 Muriate of potash, 150 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1888 to 1899 inclusive. No fertilizer used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizer again used as at first. 17 Sulphate of ammonia, ISOO lbs. per acre, used each year from 1888 to 1899 inclusive. No fertilizer used from 1900 to 190.5. In 1905- 6 7-8 fertilizer again used as at first 18 Sulphate of iron, CO lbs. per acre, used each year from 1888 to 1899 inclusive. No fertilizer used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905- 6-7-8 fertilizer again used as at first 19 Common salt (Sodium chloride), 300 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1888 to 1899 incbisive. No fertilizer used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizer again used as at first 20 Land plaster or gyjisuni (Calcium sulphate), 300 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1888 to 1899 inclusive. No fertilizer used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 ferti- lizer again used as at first 21 Mineral superphosphate, 500 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1888 to 1899 inclu- sive. No fertilizer used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizer again used as at first. . Average Yield FOR Twenty Years. Yieia of Grain. Per acre. Bush. lbs. 12 2 12 S9.V 13 34^-f 14 10 12 13 13 42, t 15 27ia 14 9^ Sir 15 20rfV 0 f 12 39J{; 38if 12 50^ 13 19/v Yield of Straw. Per acre. Lbs 2179 1958 2802 2806 1829 2053 2591 2415 2216 2403 1989 1663 1926 1915 21sT Se.ason, 1908 Variety, Red Fife. Yield of Grain. Per acre. Bush. lbs. 6 40 5 20 7 20 8 — 2 40 7 40 11 9 — 8 40 0 20 G 40 7 40 5 20 Yield of Straw. Per acre, Lbs. 660 600 1080 1100 460 r4o 780 ICGO 780 800 720 700 820 700 Average Yield FOR Twenty-oneYears. Yield of Grain. Per acre. Bush. lbs. 11 AV^\ 12 18/t 13 16|f 14 \Uj 10 lOM 12 21l\ 15 im 13 55.ff 15 l^r 12 41 5^ 12 231 13 19 12 35A 12 56 A 1857 Yield of Straw. Per acre. Lbs. 2107 1893 2720 1704 1991 2506 2351 2327 1928 1G20 1873 22 EXPERIMEyTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 BAELEY PLOTS. The quantity of seed sown per acre on the barley plots was about 2 bushels from 1889 to 1891, IJ bushels in 1892 and 1893, and 2 bushels from 1894 to 1908, inclusive. Two-rowed barley was used for seed throughout until 1902, when Mensury, a six- rowed sort, was tried. The varieties used were as follows: 1889 to 1891, Saale; 1892, Goldthorpe; 1893, Duckbill; and in 1894 to 1901, Canadian Thorpe, a selected form of the Duckbill. Since 1902, Mensury has been sown. In 1908 it was sown May 16, and was harvested on August 10. TABLE II.— EXPERIMENTS WITH FERTILIZERS ON PLOTS OF BARLEY. o o Fertilizers applied eacli year from 1889 to 1898 or 1899. No fertilizers used from that time to 1905. Clover sown in 1899 and each year after to 1905 with the grain and ploughed under in the autumn. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizers again applied as in 1898. Clover discontinued. Average Yield FOR Nineteen Years. 20th Season, 1908, Variety, Mensury. Barn-yard manure, well rotted, 15 tons per acre each year to 1898, inclusive. No manure used from 1899 to 1905. In 1905- 6-7-8, 15 tons per acre again used Burn-yard manure, fresh, 15 tons per acre each year to 1898, inclusive. No manure used from 1899 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8, 15 tons per acre again used Unmanured from the beginning Mineral phosphate, untreated, finely ground 500 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1888 to 1897, inclusive. In 1898 and 1899 a similar weight of the Thomas' phosphate was used. No fertilizer used fi-om 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizer again used as in 1899 Mineral phosphate, untreated, finely ground 500 lbs., nitrate of soda, 200 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1888 to 1897, inclu- sive. In 1898 and 1899, 500 lbs. of the Thomas' phosphate were used in place of the mineral phosphate. No fertilizers used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizers again used as in 1899 Barn-yard manure, partly rotted and ac- tively fermenting, 6 tons i)er acre, min- eral phosphate, imtreated, finely ground 500 lbs. per acre, composted together, intimately mixed and allowed to heat for several days before using, applied each year from 1888 to 1897, inclusive. In 1S08, 500 lbs. of the Thomas' phosphate were used in place of the mineral phosjihate. No fertilizers used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizers again used as in 1898. Mineral phosphate, imtreated, finely ground 500 lbs., nitrate of soda, 200 lbs., wood ashe.s, unleached, 1,000 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1888 to 1897, inclusive. In 1898 and 1899, 500 lbs. of the Thon.as' phosphate was used in place of the min- eral phosphate. No fertilizers used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizers used as in 1899 , . . . . Yield of Grain. Per acre. Bush. lbs. 37 29}| 38 15 A 2CH 17 io}5 t^O ^O ^ 7^ Yield of Straw. Per acre 31 18^?, 29 SOj-V lbs. 3007 3138 1479 1557 2220 2448 2453 Yield of Grain. Yield of Straw. Per acre. Bush, lbs, 18 36 22 4 3 16 5 — 9 28 12 44 12 24 Per acre lbs. 1200 1240 440 520 820 960 860 Average Yield FOR Twenty Years. Yield of Grain. Yield of Straw. Per acre. Bush. lbs. 36 32^ 37 10 14 45i^ 16 29H 22 40^^ 30 22A 28 37A 2373 Per acre lbs. 2917 2981 1427 1505 2150 2373 REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR 23 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 TABLE II.— EXPERIMENTS WITH FERTILIZEES ON PLOTS OF BARLEY- -Concluded. 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Fertilizers applied each year from 1889 to 1898 or 18!)9. No fertilizers used from that time to 1905. Clover sown in 1899 and each year after to 1905 with the grain and ploughed under in the autumn. In J 895-6-7-8 fertilizers again applied as in 1898. Clover discontinued. Mineral phosphate, untreated, finely ground, 500 lbs., wood ashes, unleached, 1,500 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1888 to 1897, inclusive. In 1898 and 1899, 500 lbs. of the Thomas phosphate were used in place of the mineral phosphate. No fertilizers used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizers again used as in 1899 Mineral superphosphate No. 1, 500 lbs. per acre u.sed each year from 1888 to 1899, inclusive. No fertilizers used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-G-7-8 fertilizers again used as in 1899 Mineral superphosphate, No. 1, 350 lbs., nitrate of soda, 200 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1888 to 1899, inclusive. No fertilizers used from 1900 to 1905, In 1905-G-7-8 fertilizers again used as in 1899. Mineral superphosphate. No. 1, 350 lbs., nitrate of soda, 200 lbs., wood ashes, unleached, 1,500 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1888 to 1899, inclusive. No fertilizers used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizers again used as in 1899. Unmanured from the beginning Boce, finely ground, 500 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1888 to 1899, inclusive. No fertilizer used from 1900 tD 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 bone again used as at first. . Bone, finely ground, 500 lbs., wood ashes, unleached, 1,500 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1888 to 1899 inclusive. No fertilizers used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizers again used as at first. Nitrate of soda, 200 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1888 to 1899, inclusive. No fertilizer used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizers again used as at first. Muriate of potash, 150 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1888 to 1899, inclusive. No fertilizer used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizer again used as at first, Sulphate of ammonia, 300 lbs. per acre,used each year from 1888 to 1889, inclusive No fertilizer used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizer again used as at first. Sulphate of iron, 60 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1888 to 1899, inclusive. No fertilizer used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizers again used as at first Common salt {Sodium chloride) 300 lbs. per acre used each year from 1888 to 1899, in- clusive. No fertilizer used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizer again used as at first Land plaster or gypsum (Calcium sulphate), 300 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1888 to 1899, inclusive. No fertilizer used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizer again used as at first Mineral suj^erphosphate, 500 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1889 to 1899, inclu- sive. No fertilizer used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizer again used as at first Average Yield FOB NlMETPEN YeAKS. Yield of Grain. Per acre. Bush. lbs. 24 23 29 15 25 22 23 20 20 ^TV 7il 29 30tV 28}^ 121* 17 8U 30A 32A 35-i-Tv 15i% 28 33i!^ 21 391^5 22 11|| Yield Straw. Per acre Lbs. 1900 1761 2357 2496 1236 1375 2109 2143 1770 1822 1559 1867 1521 1678 20th Season, 1908. Variety, Mensurt. Yield of Grain. Per acre. Bush, lbs. 7 44 24 11 32 8 16 3 16 4 8 10 20 10 9 8 8 16 4 28 10 20 5 20 7 4 Y^ield of Straw. Per; Lbs. 480 400 920 800 420 540 640 520 560 580 480 720 540 400 Average Yield FOR Twenty Years. Yield of Grain. Per; Bush. lbs. Per acie 23 32i» 22 I85V 28 35 28 25ja 14 32WV 16 23,'^ 1327 24 41J5 22 li^ 23 Oil 19 5^ 19 25/7 27 37,"^ 20 47^ 21 23AJ 24 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 0-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 OAT PLOTS. The quantity of seed sown per acre on the oat plots was about 2 bushels in 1889 and 1890; 1^ bushels from 1891 to 1893, and 2 bushels from 1894 to 1908, inclusive. The varieties used ware as follows: In 1889, Early English; in 1890 to 1893, Prize Cluster; and from 1894 to 1908, inclusive, the Banner. In 1908, Banner was sown May 16 and the plots were harvested August 12. TABLE III.— EXPERIMENTS WITH FERTILIZERS ON PLOTS OF OATS. o o Fertilizers api:)lied each year from 1889 to 1898 or 1899. No fertilizers used from that time to 1905. Clover sown in 1899 and each year after to 1905 with the grain and ploughed under in the autumn. In 1905 G-7-8 fertilizers again applied as in 1898. Clover discontinued. Barn-yard manure, well rotted, 15 tons per acre each year to 1898, inclusive. No manure used from 1899 to 1905. In 1905- 6-7-8, 15 tons per acre were again used.. . Barn-yard manure, fresh, 15 tons per acre each year to 1898, inclusive. No manure used from 1899 to 1905. In 100o-6-7-8, 15 tons per awe were again used Unmnnured from the beginning Mineral phosphate, untreated, finely ground, 500 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1888 to 1897, inclusive. In 1898 and 1899 a similar weight of the Thomas' phos- phate was used. No fertilizer used from 1900 to 190.5. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizer again used as in 1899 Mineral phosphate, untreated, finelyground, 500 lbs., nitrate of soda, 200 lbs. per acre, used each vear from 1888 to 1897, inclu- sive. In 1898 and 1899, 500 lbs. of the Thomas' phosph.ite were used in place of the mineral phosphate. No fertilizers used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-G-7-8 fertilizers again used as in 1899 Barn-yard manure, partly rotted and ac- tively fermenting, 6 tons per acre, min- eral phosphate, untreated, finelyground, 500 lbs. per acre, composted together, in- timately mixed and allowed to heat for several daj^s before using, applied each year from 1888 to 1897, inclusive. In 1898 500 lbs. of Thomas' phosphate were used in place of the mineral phosphate. No fertilizers used from 1899 to 1905. In 1905-()-7-8, fertilizers again used as in 1898. Mineral phosphate, untreated, finely ground, 5C0Ibs., nitrate of soda, 200 lbs., wood ashes, imleached, 1,000 lbs. jier acre, used each year from 188S to 1897, inclusive. In 1898 and 1899, 500 lbs. of the Thomas' phosphate were used in i)hvce of the min- eral )jhi)spliato. No fertilizers used from 1900 to 1903. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizers again used as in 1899 .' Mineral phosphate, untreated, finely gruund, 500 lbs. wood ashes, unleached, 1,500 lbs. per acre used each year from 1888 to 1897, inclusive. In 1898 and 1899, 500 lbs. of Thomas' phosphate were used in place of the mineral phosphate. No fertilizers used from 190O to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizers again used as in 1899 Average Yield FOR Nineteen Years. Yield of Grain. Per acre. Bush. lbs. 52 32r^g 55 34 25^ 32: c 36 29Jj 48 22'^ 49 2/„ 49 43 32jV Yield , of Straw. Per acre Lbs. 31G0 3336 1702 20th Season, 1908. Variety, Banner. Yield of Grain. Per acre. Bush. lbs. Yield of Straw . Per acre Lbs. 1923 2719 2766 31 26 1300 35 10 15 30 22 12 30 — 1400 580 940 1180 27 2 3111 2514 23 18 22 32 1080 940 960 Average Yield FOR Twenty Years. Yield of Grain. Yield of Straw . Per acre. Per acre Bush. lbs. 51 30,,^ 54 2411 34 0;% 36 4?J 47 25 47 33 47 25J8 Lbs. 3067 3240 1G46 1874 2642 2682 3002 42 30iJ 2437 REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR 25 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 TABLE III.— EXPERIMENTS WITH FERTILIZERS ON PLOTS OF OATS— Concluded. o o 'A Fertilizers applied each year, from 1889 to 1898 or 1899. No fertilizers used from that time to 1905. Clover sown in 1899 and each year after to 1905 with the grain and ploughed under in the autumn. In 1905-U-7-8 fertilizers again applied as in 1898. Clover discontinued. 10 11 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 AvBEAGE Yield FOR Nineteen Yeaks. Yield of Grain. Per acre. 9: Mineral superphosphate. No. 1, 500 lbs, per acre, used each year from 1888 to 1899, inclusive. No fertilizer used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizer again used as in 1899. ... Mineral superphosphate. No. 1, 350 lbs. nitrate of soda, 200 lbs. per acre, used eacli year from 1888 to 1899, inclusive. No fertilizers used froml900 to 1905. In 1905-G-7-8 fertilizers again used as in 1899 Mineral superphosphate. No. 1, 350 lbs., nitrate of soda, 2u0 lbs., wood ashes unleached, 1,500 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1888 to 1899, inclusive. No fertilizers used from 1900 to 1905. In l'.t05-G-7-S fertilizers again used as in 1899 12,Unuiauured from the beginning ISjEone, finely groimd, 500 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1888 to 1899, inclusive. No feitilizer used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 bone again used as at first . . . Bone, finely ground, 500 lbs., wood ashes, unleached, 1,500 lbs. per acre, used eUch year from 1888 to 1899, inclusive. No fertilizers used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizers used again as at first Nitrate of soda, 200 lbs. per acre, used each year from 18!i8 to 1899, inclusive. No fertilizer used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizer again used as at first. Muriaie of potash, 150 lbs. per acre, used each year frou^ 1888 to 1899, inclusive. No fertilizer used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizer again used as at first. Sulphate of ammonia, 300 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1888 to 1899, inclu- sive. No fertilizer used from 1900 to 1905. In 190.5-0-7-8 fertilizer again used as at first Sulphate of iron, 60 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1888 to 18i;9, inclusive. No ifertilizer used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizer again used as at first. Common salt (Sodium chloride), 300 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1888 to 1899, inclusive. No fertilizer used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizer used again as at first Land plaster or gypsum (Calcium sul- phate), .'HOO lbs. per acre, used each year from 1888 to 1899, inclusive. No fertili- zer used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905 6-7-8 fertilizer again used as at first Mineral superphosphate, 500 lbs. per acre, used each year from 18S9 to 1899, inclu- sive. No fertilizer used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizer again used as at first Bush. lbs. 38 16}f 47 fsia 38 2:^/5 23 14ii 40 23i% 46 18H 40 21,«V 46 23 39 33if 40 &^ 36 18^ff 37 15^8 Yield of Straw. Per acre Lbs. 1981 2557 2352 1450 1925 2275 20-17 2159 2736 2029 2011 2023 1894 20th Season, 1908. Variety, Banner . Yield of Grain. Per acre. Bush. lbs. 19 W 22 12 14 24 10 .. 18 8 20 21 6 17 2 28 8 27 22 26 16 25 10 23 IS Yield of Straw. Per acre Lbs. 740 940 600 380 520 640 o Per acre. Per acre Mineral phosphate,untreated,fineIy ground, 800 lbs. per acre, used each vear from 1888 to 1897 inclusive. In 1898 and 1899 a similar weight of theThomas' phosphate was used. No fertilizer used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-G-7-8 fertilizers again used as in 1899 Mineral phosphate, untreated, finely ground, 800 lbs., nitrate of soda, 200 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1888 to 1897 inclu- sive. In 189S and 1899, 800 lbs. of the Thomas' phosphate were used in place of the mineral phosphate. No fertilizers used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizers again used as in 1899 Barn-yard manure, partlj^ rotted and active- ly fermenting, 6 tons per acre, mineral phosphate, untreated, hnely ground, 500 lbs. per acre, composted together, intim- ately mixed and allowed to heat for sev- eral days before using, applied each year from 1888 to 1897 inclusive. In 1898,500 lbs. of Thomas' phosphate were used in place of the mineral phosphate. No fer- tilizers used from 1899 to 1905. In 1905- 6-7-8 fertilizers again used as in 1898 . . . Minei-al phosphate, untreated, finely ground, 500 lbs., nitrate of soda, 200 lbs., wood ashes, unieached, 1,000 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1888 to 1897 inclusive. In 1898 and 1899, 500 lbs. of the Thomas' phosphate were used in place of the min- eral phosphate. No fertilizers used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizers again used a.s in 1899 Mineral phosphate,untreated, finely ground, 500 lbs., wood ashes, imleached, 1,.500 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1888 to 1897 inclusive. In 1898 and 1899, 500 lbs. of the Thomas' phosphate were used in place of the mineral (ihosphate. No fertilizers used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizers again u.sed as in 1899 Mineral superphosphate. No. 1, 500 lbs. per aero, used each year from 1888 to 1899 in elusive. No fertilizer used from 1900 to 190.5. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizer as in 1899 Mineral sup'irphosphate. No. 1, 3S0 lbs., nitrate of soda, 200 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1888 to 1899 inclusive. No fertilizers used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizers again u.sed as in 1899 Mineral sui)orphosp!iate. No. 1, .350 Ujs., nitrate of soda, 200 lbs., wood ashes, un- ieached, 1,500 lbs. j'er acre, used each jear from 1888 to 1399 inclusive. No fertilizers use" from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizers again used as in 1899. Tons. lbs. again used 8 129 11 695 15 1425 14 1305 12 118 11 59 12 1448 15 1204 (M G 0 . be O u^ ^5 bt)0 be a 3 OTJ Per acre. Per acre Tons.lbsiTons. lbs. 5 1312 9 348 11 1975 11 347 9 1276 8 111 10 90 12 "330 4 40 6 1900 9 100 8 1720 6 400 5 1820 6 160 8 1700 c r^ Average Yield POU Seventeen Years. I ^ I 4) . bC rttn Per acre. Per acre Tons.lbsiTons. lbs. 3 1200 7 140 6 740 5 1740 4 660 4 340 5 1000 7 140 7 1653 11 178 15 641 14 682 11 1429 10 1457 12 666 15 410 I s Tons.lbs 5 1070 9 100 11 1314 10 1664 9 652 7 1654 9 1597 11 1731 28 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 EXPERIMENTS WITH FERTILIZERS ON PLOTS OF INDIAN CO^'i— Concluded. o d Fertilizers applied each year from 1888 to 18! i8 or 18'J0. No fertilizers used from that time to 1905. Clover sown in 11)00 in (tlace of the corn and ploni^hed under in May, 1901 , before the corn was planted. In 1903 clover was again sown and plouRlied under in May, 1904. In 1905- (3-7-8 fertilizei's afjjain applied as in 1898. Clover discontinued. 12iUnmanured from the beginning 13 Bone, finely grcuad, 500 lbs. per acre, used each ye^ir from 1SS8 to 1899, inclusive. No fertilizer used from 1900 to 1905. In 19J5-('>-7-8 bone again used as at firot. . . . 14 Bone, finely ground, 500 lbs., wood ashes, unleached, 1,500 lbs. i^er acre, used each year from 1888 to 1899, inclusive. No fertilizers used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905 6-7-5 fertilizers again used as at first. 15 Nitrate of soda, 200 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1888 to 1899 inclusive. No fertilizer used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizer again used as at first. 16!Sulphate of ammonia, 300 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1888 to 1899, inclu- sive. No fertilizer used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizer again used as at first 17 Mineral superphosphate. No. 1, 600 lbs. , muriate of potash, 200 lbs., sulphate of ammonia, 150 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1889 to 1899, inclusive. No fertilizers used from 1900 to 1905. ^ In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizer again used as at first. 18 Muriate of potash, 300 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1889 to 1899, inclusive. No fertilizer used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-(;-7-8 fertilizer again used as at first. 19 Double sulphate of potash and magnesia, 300 lbs. per acre in 1889 and 1890, (mu riateof potash, 200 lbs., substituted, each year since), dried blood, 300 lbs., mineral superphosjihate, No. 1, 500 lbs. per acre used each year from 18S9 to 1899, inclu- sive. No fertilizers used from 190O to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizers again used as at first 20iWood ashes unleached, 1,900 lbs. per acre used each year from 1889 to 1899, inclu- sive. No fertilizer used from 1000 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizer again used as at first 21 Bone, finely ground, .500 lbs., sulphate of ammonia, 200 lbs., muriate of puta.sh, 230 lbs. per acre, used each year from 18S9 to 1899 inclusive. No fertilizers used from 1900 to 190".. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizers again used as at first . AvEKAGE Yield FOR Sixteen Years. u ^ ° . TT 'S "^ P-i g o Hci Per acre. Tons. lbs. 10 952 11 1372 12 1362 11 1G80 12 654 13 426 10 258 12 585 11 5 12 341 I 1= O "A O r^ Per acre. Tons. lbs. 10 240 11 701 12 805 11 042 11 1904 13 1 5 940 9 1910 7 1G60 6 1020 2 IGOO 12 162 10 1713 12 38 Per acre Tons lbs S 783 8 1918 9 1609 9 76 9 982 9 1732 7 11G5 9 399 8 1082 7 1448 PLOTS OF MANGELS AND TURNIPS. lu conducting these experiments, the roots only have been taken from the land, the tops have always been cut off and left on the ground to be ploughed under, so that the plant food they have taken from the soil has been returned to it. One-half of each one-tenth acre plot in the series has been devoted to the gro^vth of mangels, and the other hnlf to turnip^;, and these crops have been alternated from year to year. The preparation of the land has been the same for both these roots. Until 1900 it was REPORT OF TEE DIRECTOR 29 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 ploughed in the autumn after the crop was gathered, gang-ploughed deeply in the spring after the barnyard manure had been spread on plots 1, 2 and 6, and after gang-ploughing, the other fertilizers were spread by scattering them evenly over the surface, after which it was all harrowed with the smoothing harrow, then made in ridges' 2 feet apart, rolled and sown. The variety of mangel principally grown was the Mammoth Long Red, and about four pounds of seed were so^vn per acre each year. The variety of turnip chiefly sown was the Prize Purple Top Swede. The land used for the turnips, which are usually sown later than the mangels, was prepared in the same manner. It was then allowed to stand until the day before sowing, when it was gang-xDloughed shallow or cultivated to kill weeds and loosen the soil, ridged, rolled and so^vn. About three pounds of seed were sown per acre. In 1900 and 1903, no crops of mangels or turnips were gTown, but clover was sown in their place in May at the rate of 12 poimds per acre. This made a strong growth and was cut twice each year during the season, and left on the ground to decay, so that when ploughed under, the land might get the full benefit of the clover crop. The clover was allowed to remain growing until near the middle of May, the year following, by which time it had made a very heavy growth. It was then ploughed under about 6 inches deep and harrowed well, then made into ridges 2 feet apart. These were rolled with a hand roller, which flattened the ridges considerably and made a firm, even seed bed. The crops of clover and roots were alternated in this way, for the purpose of supplying humus and also of gaining information as to the fertilizing effect of green clover ploughed under on land to be used for growing roots. From 1904 to 1908, inclusive, the roots were grown each year. In 1908 both the mangels and the turnips were sown on May 20, and pulled on October 11. The yield per acre has been calculated in each case from the weight of roots gathered from the whole plot. EXPERIMENTS WITH FERTILIZEES ON PLOTS OF MANGELS AND TURNIPS. o Fertilizers applied each year from 1889 to 1898 or 1899. No fertilizers used from that time to 1905. Clover sown in 1900 in place of the roots and ploughed under in Maj', 1901, before the roots were sown. In 1903 clover was again sown and ploughed under in May, 1904. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizers again applied as in 1899. Clover discontinued. Average Yield FOR Sixteen Years. Mangels, Weight of Roots. Per acre. Barn-yard manure (mixed horse and cow-manure) well rotted, 20 tons per acre each year from 1889 to 1898 inclusive. No manure used from 1899 to 1905. In 1905-C-7-8 manure was again used as at first. Barn-yard manure (mixed horse and cow-manure) fresh, 20 tons per acre each year from 1889 to 1898 inchi- sive. No manure used from 1899 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 manure was again used as at first Unmanured from the beginning. . . Mineral phosphate, untreated, finely ground, 1,000 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1889 to 1897, inclu- sive. In 1898 and 1899 a similar weight of the Thomas' phosphate was used. No fertilizer used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizer again used as in 1899 iTous. lbs. 21 1334 20 1765 8 1224 8 1143 Turnips, Weight of Roots. Per acre. Tons. lbs. 14 1848 15 115 7 27 7 1741 17th Season, 1908, Varieties. East Half W^est Half Plot. Plot. Turnips : Purple Top Swede. Weight of Roots. Per acre. Tons. lbs. 4 720 4 540 2 160 Mangels Mammoth Long Red. Weight of Roots. Per acre. Tons. lbs. 13 1060 14 5S0 3 1680 1 1340 4 660 Average Yield For Seventeen Years. Mangels, Weight of Roots. Per acre. Tons. lbs. 21 377 20 990 8 663 Turnips, Weight of Roots. Per acre. Tons. lbs. 14 605 14 846 6 1447 8 644 7 1011 30 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 EXPERIMENTS WITH FERTILIZERS ON PLOTS OF MANGELS AND TURNIPS— Con. c 5 o o Fertilizers applied each j'ear from 1889 to 18!)8 or 1899. No fertil- izers used from that time to 1905. Clover h-own in 1900 in place of the roots and i)ioughed under in May, 1901, 1 Iff ore tlie roots were sown. In 1903 clover was again sown and plough(^d iinder in May, 1904. In 190r)-(]-7-8 fertilizers again applied as in 1899. Clover discontinued. AvER.\GE Yield FOR Sixteen Years. Mangels, Weight of Roots. Per acre. Tons. lbs. Mineral phosjihate, untreated, finely round, 1,000 lbs., nitrate of soda, 250 lbs., wood ashes, unleached, 1,000 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1839 to 1897 inclusive. In 1898 and 1899, 500 lbs. of Thomas' phosphate were used in place of the mineral phosphate. No fertilizers used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6 7-8 fertilizers again used as in 1899] 14 1768 6 Barn-yard manure, partly rotted and actively fermenting, 6 tons per acre, mineral phosphate, untreated, finely ground, 1,000 lbs. per acre, composted together, intimately mixed and allowed to heat for several days before using, applied each year from 1SS9 to 1897 inclu- sive. In 1898, 1,000 lbs. of Thomas' phosphate were used in place of the mineral phosphate. No fertilizers used from 1899 to 1905. In 1905-6- 7-8 fertilizers again used as in 1898. 17 877 Mineral phosphate, untreated, finely ground, 1,000 lbs. sulphate of pota.sh, 200 lbs. in 1889 and 1890 (substituted by muriate of potash, 2-50 lbs. in 1891 tmd subsequent years), nitrate of soda, 200 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1^80 to 1897 inclusive. In 1898 and 1899 1,000 lbs. of the Thomas' phosphate were used in place of the mineral phosphate. No fertilizers used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-G-7-8 fertili- zers again used as in 1899 12 1212 Mineral supnrphosphate, No. 1, 500 lbs., sulphate of potash, 200 lbs. in 1889 and 1890 (substituted by mur- iate of ix)tash, 250 lbs. in 1191 and subsequent years), nitrate of soda, 200 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1889 to 1899 inclusive. " No fertilizers used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizers again used as in 1899 13 1952 Mineral superphosphate. No. 1, 500 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1889 to 1899 inclusive. No fertili- zer used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905- 6-7-8 fertilizer again used as in 1899 9 1208 10 Nitrate of soda, 300 lbs. per acre, u.sed each year from 1889 to 1899, inclusive. No fertilizer used from from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizer used again as in 1899 13 1725 n Sulphate of ammonia, 300 lbs. \oeT acre, used each year from 1889 to 1899 inclusive. No fertilizer used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizer used again as in 1899 11 1916 Turnips, Weight of Roots. Per acre. Tons. lbs. 9 1484 17th Season, 1908, Varieties. Ea<=t Half Plot. Turnips : Purple To]) Swede, Weight of Roots. West Half Plot. Mangels: Mammoth Long Red, Weight of Roots. Average Yield FOR Seventee.v Years. Per acre. Tons. lbs. Tons. lbs. ISO 12 315 9 580 11 647 9 115 293 10 957 3 1480 5G0 4 1220 3 1020 540 Per acre. Tons. lbs. Tons, lbs, 8 1160 9 80 8 1520 8 660 5 1700 6 180 Mangels: Weight of Roots. Per acre. Turnips: Weight of Roots. Per; 14 1026 16 1889 12 7C0 2 1760 I 4 1580 13 1288 9 760 9 937 11 1335 8 ^755 10 1857 8 1462 13 811 8 18.37 11 1073 10 63 REPORT OF TEE DIRECTOR 31 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 EXPERIMENTS WITH FERTILIZERS ON PLOTS OF MANGELS AND TURNIPS- Concluded. o o 12 13 14 15 16 If Fertilizers applied each year from 1889 to 1898 or 1899. No fertiH- zers used from that time to 1905. Clover sown in 1900 in place of the roots and ploughed under in May, 1901, before the roots were sown. In 1903 clover was again sown and ploughed under in May, 1904. In 1905-0-7-8 fertilizers again applied as in 1899. Clover discontinued. Average Yield FOR Sixteen Years. Mangels. Weight of Roots. Per acre. 18 19 20 21 Unmanured from the beginning. . . Bone, finely ground, 500 lbs., wood ashes, unleached, 1,000 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1889 to 1899 inclusive. No fertilizers used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-0-7-8 fertilizers again used as at first . . . Wood ashes, unleached, 2,000 lbs. per acre, used each j'ear from 1889 to 1899, inclusive. No fertilizer used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-G- 7-8 fertilizer again used as at first. Common salt (Soclitnn chloride), 400 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1839 to 181.-9 inclusive. No fertilizer used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905G- 7-8 fertilizer again used as at first. Mineial superphosphate, No. 1, 500 lbs., nitrate of soda, 200 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1889 to 1899 incliLsive. No fertilizers used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-G-7-S fertilizer.s again used as at first. . Mineral superphosphate, No. 1, 3-50 lbs., wood ashes, unleached, 1,500 lbs. per acre, used each vear from 1889 to 1899 inclusive. No ferti- lizers used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizers again used as at first Mineral superphosphp.te. No. 1, 500, lbs., muriate of jjotash, 200 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1889 to 1899 inclusive. No fertilizers used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6- 7-8 fertilizers again used as at first, Double sulphate of potash and mag- nesia, ;'>00 lbs. per acre in 1889 and 1890 (nuiriate of potash, 200 lbs., substituted each year since), dried blood, 250 lbs., mineral super- phos]jhate No. 1, 500 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1889 to 1899 inclusive. No fertilizers used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 ferti- lizers again used as at first Wood a.shes, unleached, 1,500 lb.s., common salt (Sodium chloride), 300 lbs. per acre, used each year from 1889 to 1899 inclu.sive. No fertilizers used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6-7-8 fertilizers again used as at first Mineral superpliosphate. No. 2, 500, lbs. per acre, used each year from 1889 to 1899 inclusive. No fertilizer used from 1900 to 1905. In 1905-6 7-8 fertilizer again used as at first. Tons. lbs. 7 277 12 389 11 109 9 1383 12 643 12 1802 12 1933 14 300 14 1992 14 547 Turnips, Weight of Roots. Per acre. Tons. lbs. 6 1973 8 1450 8 155 7 901 9 1507 10 728 10 1524 11 1127 10 521 10 1140 17th Season, 1908, Varieties. Eist Half Plot. Turnips : Purple Top Swede, Weight of Roots. Per acre. Tons. lbs. 1 1500 2 0 2 20 3 200 4 1800 5 1740 4 1380 3 32i! 2 ISOO 2 1500 West Half Plot. iMangels : Mammoth Long Red, Weight of Roots. Per acre. Tons. lbs. 2 460 5 200 6 320 6 300 4 1380 6 420 8 1700 8 680 8 640 5 1300 Aver.age Yield FOE Seventeen Years. Turnips, Weig ht of Roots. Mangels, Weight of Roots. Per acre. Ton.s. lbs. 6 1700 11 1558 10 1533 9 966 11 1745 12 1015 12 1499 13 1616 14 1207 13 1533 Per acre. Tons, lbs, 6 1357 8 659 7 1441 7 330 9 936 10 199 10 810 11 138 9 1655 10 220 32 EXPERIMENTAL FARMH 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 The season of 1908 at Ottawa has been unfavourable for the trial plots of fer- tilizers. The spring was exceedingly wet, so that it was impossibls to sow early. The grain could not be got in until May 16, which is much too late for good crops in this climate. There was again a considerable falling oS in yield both in grain ar 1 straw; none of the plots of wheat, barley or oats reached the average of past years. The weight of fodder cut from the plots of Indian corn was much less than formerly, due partly to the late date of seeding, June 5, and partly to the unfavour able season. The field roots also gave very inferior crops. BULLETINS ISSUED DUKING THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 1909. Three bulletins were issued during the year, and a second edition of several others of which the first edition was exhausted. Among these were Bulletin No. 37 on Apple Culture, and Bulletin No. 35 on The Stave Silo. The new bulletins were the following : — Bulletin No. GO, The Grades of Wheat in the Manitoba Inspection Division, Crop of 1907. The first part of this bulletin, ' On the Milling and Baking Qualities of the Grades of Wlieat,' was prepared by Dr. C. E Saunders, Cerealist of the Experimental Earms. This contains descriptions of the samples and particulars regarding the cleaning and milling of them, also the percentage of straight flour made from each. The results of the baking tests are also given. The second part, ' A Chemical Study of the Grain and Elour of the Grades of Wheat,' was prepared by the Chemist of the Experimental Farms, Mr. F. T. Shutt. In it are presented the details of the analyses of the various grades of wheat, both as received and as cleaned for milling. The analyses of the flours are also submitted, with much useful information regarding their several constituents. Balletin No. 61 of the Experimental Farm series was prepared jointly by the Cerealist, Dr. C. E. Saunders, and myself. This treats of the results obtained on all the Dominion Experimental Farms from trial plots of grain, fodder corn, field roots and potatoes in 1908. This is the fourteenth issue of this special publication. There are presented in this bulletin the results of a large number of experiments which have been conducted at all the Dominion Experimental Farms during the season of 1908 with spring and winter wheat, oats, barley, peas, Indian corn, turnips, mangels, carrots, sugar beets and potatoes. The average results are also given for the past five years of the comparative tests of those varieties which have been long under trial, and these records are arranged in the order of their yield. These trial plots are conducted with the object of gaining information as to the relative productiveness of the different sorts and their earliness in ripening in the diff.erent climates of Canada. The returns show much variation in the weight and earliness of the crops grown, and point to the importance of care in the choice of varieties of seed for sowing. Bulletin No. 5, second series : ' A List of Herbaceous Perennials tested in the Arboretum and Botanic Garden of the Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa,' with descriptions of flowers and other notes, by W. T. Macoun, Horticulturist and Curator of the Arboretum and Botanic Garden. ■ This bulletin contains a list of the herbaceous perennials which have been tested at Ottawa for the past twenty years. 2,116 species and varieties are recorded. These ere arranged alphabetically under their scientific names, and in all cases where common names could be found these have also been given, together with the name of the country from whence the different species and varieties have been obtained. This list of perennial plants is the result of much labour and painstaking effort on the part of the author. He has given, in addition to the botanical and common names of the species, the year when planted, the height to which the plant grows, the time of blooming and the colour of the flow^ers ; also whether the plant is hardy or tender. In the introduction to this bulletin, some very useful information is given, including brief notes on the planting and care of herbaceous perennial plants. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR 33 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Bulletins of the second series treat of such subjects as are of interest to a limited class of readers, and are mailed to those only to whom the information is likely to be useful. Copies may, however, be obtained by any otie desiring them, as long as the edition lasts, on application to the Director of Experimental Farms, Ottawa, Canada. Three pamphlets have also been issued during the year, giving useful informa- tion, one ' On Preparing Land for Grain Crops in Saskatchewan,' by Angus Mackay, Superintendent of the Experimental Farm at Indian Head, Sask. In this the settlor is advised as to the best methods to adopt to ensure success in grain-growing in that province. The two other pamphlets have been prepared by Mr. W. T. Macoun, Horticul- turist. In pamphlet No. 4 the following subjects are treated of : ' How to make and use a hotbed and cold frame.' ' Top-grafting.' ' How to transplant a tree or shrub.' * Protection of fruit trees from mice and rabbits, and care of injured trees.' Pamphlet No. 5 gives information on ' Asparagus culture, ' Celery culture,' and on ' Onion culture.' Copies of these pamphlets may be had from the Director of Experimental Farms by any one desiring them. VISITS TO THE BKANCIT EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Visits were paid to the branch Experimental Farms in the west during August and September. I left Ottawa for this purpose on August 4. EXPERIMENTAL FARH, BRANDON, MAN. I arrived at Brandon on August 7. The spring weather here had been favourable for the early sowing of all crops, and good weather conditions prevailed until the middle of July, when two weeks of very hot weather began, which caused the grain to ripen very rapidly. As a result the kernel became shrivelled and the weight of the crop somewhat reduced. Notwithstanding this drawback, the trial plots of wheat gave an average yield of 39 bushels 45 pounds per acre, and the oats gave an average of 102 bushels 27 pounds per acre. Everything on the farm was in gcod order, the horses and cattle in good condition and the buildings and implements well cared for. A second visit was made at Brandon on September 22 on the way ea.">t, when the grain was all harvested and threshing was proceeding rapidly in the bright autumn weather. EXPERIMENTAL FARM, INDIAN HEAD, SASK. The season of 1908 was a fine one at Indian Head also, where I arrived August 8, and remained until the 10th. Seeding had been completed some three weeks earlier than in 1907, and the coming harvest was full of promise. The grain was ripening fast. The weather during June and the first three weeks of July was very favourable, and rapid growth was made. The weather subsequently became very hot, which brought about a sudden ripening of the grain, causing it to shrivel more or less. The weather was exceptionally favourable for harvesting and threshing, and the resulting wheat crops gave nearly twice the number of bushels harvested in 1907. I called at Indian Head again on the way home on September 19 and 20. On both occasions I found the farm in excellent condition. The state of the crops, stock, buildings and implements all gave evidence of careful and constant supervision. EXPERIMENTAL FARM, LETHBRIDGE, ALBERTA. A visit was paid to Lethbridge on August 17 and 18. Two sets of trial plots of the most important farm crops were established here: one after the methods practiced 16—3 34 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS "9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 in connection with dry -farming (non-irrigated), the other on irrigated land. The soil had been well prepared and the crops gave promise of an abundant harvest. Later the ten varieties of winter wheat grown on non-irrigated land gave an average of 40 bushels 20 pounds per acre, while spring wheat under the same conditions gave 29 bushels 32 pounds per acre. ISTo winter wheat was grown on irrigated land, but the plots of spring wheat under irrigation gave an average yield of 37 bushels 20 pounds jier acre. Nearly all the crops experimented with gave good returns. The alfalfa fields had become well estab- lished and presented a promising appearance. All the fields and plots both on non- irrigated and irrigated land had been well prepared, and the results were highly satis- factory. EXPERIMENTAL FARM, LACOMBE, ALBEilT.'^. The Experimental Farm at Lacombe was reached on August 22, when the trial plots of grain were looking remarkably fine. The season here also had been much more favourable than that of 1907. Seeding had taken place fully three weeks earlier, and had been followed by favourable conditions and a very rapid growth. Cool weather in August delayed the maturing of the grain, which ripened, however, before frost. The land on this farm also had been well prepared and got into a good condition of tilth. The fertility of the soil was manifested by the strong and rapid growth of the crops. The fourteen varieties, of spring wheat under trial gave an average of 33 bushels 34 pounds per acre. Oats ranged from 110 to 51 bushels per acre and barley from 65 to 40 bushels per acre. The forest, ornamental and fruit trees had all suffered more or less from the severe winter. Many interesting ones, however, had survived and were making promis- ing growth. EXPERIMENTAL FARM, AGASSIZ, B.C. Agassiz also was twice visited, first on August 30 and 31, and again on September 7 to 10. The season of 1908 opened earlier than that of 1907, and grain was sown about ten days earlier than in the latter year. The weather later in the season had also been favourable to the ripening of the grain and it matured early. The average crop of the fourteen varieties of spring wheat grown on the trial plots was 22 bushels 4 pounds per acre, the average of the twenty-four plots of oats was 75 bushels 6 pounds per acre, and the thirteen varieties of barley averaged 41 bushels 30 pounds per acre. The general crop of apples was below medium ; the weather in the spring was cold and showery and the fruit did not set freely. Plums gave a better average yield and the fruit which ripened was of fine quality, owing to favourable weather. The com- mercial orchards recently planted are doing well and many of the trees in the nut orchard had very fair crops. In the various branches of live stock the animals were all found in satisfactory condition. EXPERIMENTAL FARM, NAPPAN, NOVA SCOTIA. Owing to a lengthened absence in the Northwest, followed by a journey to Albu- querque in New Mexico, where I went to represent Canada at an important ' Dry Farming ' congress, it was near the middle of October before I returned to Ottawa, when it was too late to see any of the crops on the Maritime Province Farm. For these reasons the work at Nappan was not inspected this year. From the reports of the superintendent, I learn that, notwithstanding a cold and wet sprinpj-vwhcat gave a considerably higher average than in 1907, and that barley also gave a slightly higher yield. Indian com gave excellent croi>s; with oats also, the average was very good. REPORT OF TEE DIRECTOR 35 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 IRRIGATION AND 'DRY FARMING' CONVENTIONS. ft On August 11 and 12, 1908, I attended the Annual Convention of the Western Canada Irrigation Association, which was held at Vernon, B.C. The meetings of this association were large, and much practical information on irrigation was given. Mr. W. H. Fairfield, Superintendent of the Experimental Farm at Lethbridge, was with me. At the close of the meetings a series of excursions was arranged, which gave the visitors an opportunity of seeing many of the finest orchards in the Okanagan valley. The marvellous extension of the fruit interests in that valley was a great surprise, and several days were spent in looking over some of the most important fruit areas. Some of the earlier-maturing varietLes of peaches were rii^e at the time of our visit, and abundant opportunities were afforded of testing the quality of these fruits, which was pronounced excellent on every hand. The trees seemed healthy and vigor- ous and gave good promise for the future. From September 29 to October 3, I was present at the ' Sixteenth National Irriga- tion Congress ' held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.A. This congress was largely attended by representatives from all parts of the United States, also from many foreign countries, but the main part of the attendance was from those sections of the country where the rainfall is scanty and where it is necessary to use every possible means to economize the rainfall in order that crops may be grown. Exhibits were made in connection with this meeting of various agricultural and horticultural crops which had been grown under dry-farming conditions. Much useful information was comiiivinicated at the meetings and a great deal of enthusiasm manifested. It was a profitable gathering, and many facts learned there will serve a useful purpose in time to come. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. My grateful thanks are due to all the members of the staff for their kind co-opera- tion with me in the various branches of the work conducted both at the Central Ex- perimental Farm and at the branch Farms throughout the Dominion. The present report is largely the result of their earnest efforts to render service to agriculture in their different spheres of labour. To those members of the staff who have aided me in those branches of the work of which I have personal charge, I also tender sincere thanks ; to the farm foreman who has carefully supervised the special tests of fertilizers on field crops and recorded the results ; to the foreman of the distribution branch for his watchful care over the distribution of the sam.ples of seed grain sent for trial to farmers in all parts of the Dominion ; to the foreman in care of the lawns and ornamental grounds at the Central Farm, for the taste and industry he has displayed, and to the foreman of the greenhouses for his careful management of the plants and shrubs under propngation, also for the useful work he has done in testing the vitality of seeds and in the taking of meteorological records. I desire also to bear testimony to the faithful services of my secretary. The employees also of all the farms have my thanks for the interest they have manifested in their work and the careful manner in which they have dis- charged their respective duties. 16— 3J 9-10 EDWARD VII. SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 A. 1910 REPORT OF THE DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY AND BOTANY BY THE DIRECTOS, DE. WILLIAM SAUNDERS, C.M.G. It becomes my painful duty to record the death during the year of a beloved member of our staff, a most highly esteemed fellow worker, one whose urbanity and kindly spirit endeared him to all. I refer to the late Dr. James Fletcher, Entomolo- gist and Botanist to the Dominion Experimental Farms, who died, after a brief illness, on November 8, 1908. He was born at Ashe, in the county of Kent, England, on March 28, 1852, was educated at King's School, Rochester, and came to Canada in 1SY4 to fill the position of a clerk in the Bank of British North America. After two years he gave up his position in the bank and became an assistant in the Library of Parliament at Ottawa. Here he devoted much of his spare time to the study of ento- mology and botany, and became, as years went on, a recognized authority in each of these branches of natural science. Prior to the organization of the Experimental Farms, Dr. Fletcher acted as Hon- orary Dominion Entomologist to the Department of Agriculture, and in this capacity published two reports, the first in 1884, the second in 1885. These reports dealt chiefly with injurious insects and the remedies for their destruction. On July 1, 1887, Dr. Fletcher was appointed Entomologist and Botanist to the Dominion Experimental Farms and was then transferred from the position he had occupied in the Library of Parliament to the staff of the Farms. He was thus enabled to devote himself entirely to natural history and his work became the great pleasure of his life. For twenty-one years the writer was intimately associated with Dr. Fletcher from day to day and watched the development of his 'work with much interest. In his capacity of Dominion Entomologist. Dr. Fletcher studied with gi-eat assiduity the many problems which presented themselves in reference to insect life, such as the life histories of many injurious insects which prey on the crops of the farmer and by their depredations often materially lessen his profits, as well as the life history and habits of the many parasitic species which feed on and destroy the farmer's enemies and thus render him substantial service. He also experimented with the remedies proposed for the destruction of the injurious species and thus tested their efficacy. As Botanist, Dr. Fletcher studied the value as fodder plants of such species of grasses and clovers as can be grown successfully in the different parts of the Domin- ion, He ascertained their value for the production of hay and recommended the most promising of them for more general cultivation. These fodder plants were grown in 37 33 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 convenient plots at the Central Experimental Farm, where they could be shown to visitors and their points of excellence explained. He also studied the subjects of rust, smut and such other low forms of vegetable life as are injurious to our grain crops. Dr. Fletcher also devoted much attention to another class of enemies with which the farmer must wage war if he is to be successful in his work; I refer to the weeds which infest his crops. These, if allowed to multiply, crowd the useful plants he is growing, rob them of light and air and of the moisture they need, also of much of the fertiliz- ing material in the soil which would otherwise contribute to their growth. In both these divisions of Dr. Fletcher's work the field was practically unlimited, and in preparing his Annual Reports from the large mass of material available, the chief difficulty was to select the best and most useful. Dr. Fletcher's first report after his appointment on the Farm staff, that for 1887, may be considered in its general usefulness and the variety of important topics dis- cussed as typical of the series. This begins with an article on the insects injurious to cereal crops, in iwhich those affecting wheat claim first attention, followed by those species which injure other valuable cereals. The species destructive to hay and clover are next considered, then the worst pests which affect field roots and potatoes. Those insects which are destructive to the apple crop were also dealt with, followed by those which injure the grape, raspberry, currant and strawberry. A chapter was also devoted to some of the worst insects affecting forest trees. In all these instances the most useful remedies for the destruction of these injurious species were dealt with. The twenty-one Annual Reports which were written by Dr. Fletcher together with the excellent cuts with which the text was illustrated have been of great value to the farmers of Canada by instructing them how to recognize their insect enemies as well as their insect friends, and at the same time instructed them as to the most practical measures to adopt for the destruction of the more injurious species treated of. He also waged a constant warfare against weeds, and his reports and bulletins containing instructions as to the best methods of destroying the different injurious sjiecies are highly appreciated and followed by many of the most intelligent farmers throughout the Dominion. Bulletin No. 28 of the Experimental Farm series on Weeds, was written by Dr. Fletcher, in which one hundred and sixty-four of the most troublesome weeds are mentioned and the best methods of destroying them. Dr. Fletcher also prepared that beautiful illustrated work on Farm Weeds of Canada published by the Seed Commissioner's Branch. Bulletins on entomological and botanical subjects were prepared, either wholly or in part, by him, of which ISTos. 3, 11, 14, 19, 23, 37, 43 and 46 are examples. His last bulletin was 'No. 52, Insects Injurious to Grain and Fodder Crops, Root Crops and Vegetables. From his busy pen there appeared also, from time to time, many com- munications to agricultural and other papers giving accounts of the occurrence of insect pests in various parts of the Dominion and the best methods to adopt for their destruction. For many years past Dr. Fletcher was invited, from time to time, to give evidence before the Select Committee on Agriculture of the House of Commons. On these occasions he rendered m«st acceptable service by bringing under the notice of the conunittee details of some of the more important lines of work carried on by the Division of Entomology and Botany. During the past twenty-one years Dr. Fletcher carried on a large correspondence with farmers in almost every part of the Dominion. He also attended farmers' meet- ings in all the different provinces, where, in his addresses, he conveyed, in a pleasant and forceful manner, much valuable information to his hearers. In his position as Entomologist he was entrusted with the management of the federal fumigation stations where arrnngimients are made for fumigating trees, shrubs and other nursery stock under the San Jose Scale Act to prevent any further / REPORT OF THE DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY AND BOTANY 39 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 introduction of that terrible pest. During the past two years Dr. Fletcher was also given the supervision of the spraying of orchards in the Indian reservations in British Columbia, to prevent their becoming distributing points for injurious insects. In 1885 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, in which he took an active part, in 1886 he became a Fellow of the Linnajan Society of London, Eng., and in 1896 he received the degree of LL.D., Honoris caxisa, from Queen's University. Dr. Fletcher was kind and generous to all inquirers seeking information, espe- cially to young students in entomology and botany, freely giving them much of his valuable time in helping and encouraging them in their work. His was a busy life, and tJie good work he has done will furnish a lasting memorial to his energy and industry which wiU live long in the memories of those who have profited by his instruction. 40 EXPERIMENTAL FARM 3 ©-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY AND BOTANY. THE BROWN-TAIL MOTH IN SHIPMENTS OF NURSERY STOCK FROM FRANCE, 1909. Early in January, 1909, the officers of the Bureau of Horticulture of the Depart- ment of Agriculture, Albany, New York, discovered nests of the living' larva? of the Brown-tail Moth in nursery and seedling stocks imported from France. Mr. Geo. G. Atwood, Chief of the Bureau of Horticulture, at once communicated this information to the Division of Entomology and Botany of the Dominion Experimental Farms, when the following circular was immediately prepared and sent to nurserymen and others likely to be interested in this matter throughout Canada. Copies were also fur- warded to newspapers and the agricultural press. Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, January 19, 1909. It has recently come to our knowledge through the kindness of Mir. G. G. Atwood, Chief of the Bureau of Horticulture of the State of New York, that about 75 nests of the young caterpillars of the Brown-tail Moth have been found on apple, pear and cherry seedlings, and quince stocks, recently received in New York State from France. The nests contained living caterpillars in the usual winter form. The infested stock so far as examined was paeked in or near Angers, France, and it is probable that some of the larva} of this terribly destructive insect may find their way into different parts of Canada and become established there unless the utmost care is taken to promptly destroy them. This insect has already done incalculable damage to orchards and woodlands in some of the eastern States where many hundreds of thousands of dollars have been spent during the past ten years in the endeavour to exterminate them, with only partial success. The Brown-tail Moth has .recently been found in consider- able numbers in pa.rts of Nova Scotia, where constant efforts are being made to destroy them. It will be a great calamity to our fruit industry were this perni- cious insect to become established in oiir important fruit districts, since this would result in a heavy annual loss. Kindly inform me if you have or v.-ill be importing from France this season any of the seedlings or stocks referred to, as in such case I shall be glad to advise you as to the precautions which should be taken to prevent this pest from becom- ing established in your nursery. In case you have facilities for fumigating nursery stock with hydrocyanic acid gas on your prem.ises, it would be well to place all boxes of fruit seedlings and scock received in the fumigating chamber for a sufiicient length of time to ensure the destruction of all insect life. In case no fumigating chamber is available the cuttings from such seedlings and stocks should be carefully burned. I am mailing you with this a copy of the report of our late Entomologist, Dr. James Fletcher, for 190G, in which you will find good illustrations of the Brown-tail Moth in its different stages, including the winter nest of the young caterpillars, the full grown larva and the male and female motlis, and on pages 222 to 227 the life history and habits of this destructive species are given. 5094-p. 40. REPORT OF THE DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY AND BOTANY 41 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 I would strongly urge upon you the great importance of prompt attention to this impending danger, and trust that you will heartily co-operate with the govern- ment in the carrying out of such precautionary measures as it may be necessary to establish to overcome the threatened invasion of this formidable foe. Yours very truly, WILLIAM SAUNDERS, Director, Dominion Experimental Farms. After undoubted nests of the Brown-tail Moth had been found in shipments of French nursery stock imported into Ontario, the following additional circulnr \vas sent to nurserymen and others:— Division of Entomology, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, February 5, 1909. NURSERYMEN — ATTENTION ! TJie Brown-tail Moth. In view of the fact that a number of the winter nests of the Brown-tail Mo!h, all of which contained living caterpillars, have recently been discovered i-.i Ontario, in nursery seedling stock imported from France, it is extremely imp ir- tant that all seedlings and stocks being brought in this season be carefully examined in a good light to see if this very injurious insect is present in ship- ments received. In New York State, 1,800 nests of the Brown-tail Moth have been found within the past few weeks in cases of stock imported from France. Nests have been found on apple, pear, plum, cherry, rose, quince, elm and Amelanchier. As each winter nest of the Brown-tail Moth contains between two and three hundred small caterpillars, about one-quarter of an inch in length, it can bo easily realized that the danger of this pest becoming introduced is very great. The nests are easily seen, being whitish in colour and situated between two or three twigs or along the main stem of the seedling. We should feel obliged if every nurseryman who has this winter imported seedlings, or stocks, from abroad, would at once communicate with this Division, so that, if necessary, an inspector may be sent to examine the stock, and this is better done at the time the cases are opened. The surest way to destroy the nests is to at once burn them as they are found. All packing material in infested boxes should also be most carefully burned, as well as the boxes, as there is danger of the small caterpillars having left the nests and secreted themselves in the crevices of the cases. All trimmings from stocks should also be promptly burned. In the New England States, hundreds of thousands of dollars have been spent in fighting the Brown-tail Moth. This insect was first introduced into Massachusetts about the year 1890, and it is said to have been brought in on rose bushes from Holland or France. It has now become very abundant and injurious. It would be a great calamity if this dreaded pest established itself, in any locality, from stock imported this season from France. It is hoped, therefore, that all nurserymen will co-operate with the government in every way in their power to prevent the Brown-tail Moth from being thus introduced. The Entomological Division will be glad to receive from nurserymen, or others, any communications on this subject, and to give any further information desired as to the life-history of this insect and the precautionary measures which should be adopted. WILLIAM SAUNDERS, Director, Dominion Experimenlal Farms. ARTHUR GIBSON, Chief Assistant, Division of Entomology. 42 EXPKRIMENTAL FARMB 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 The nurserymen generally were keenly interested in this threatened invasion of Buch an injurious pest, and co-operated with the Division in every way in their i>ower. They were thoroughly alive to the danger from such infested nursery stock, and were grateful for the prompt way in which the department had undertaken the work of inspection. The thanks of the department are due to Mr. G. G. Atwood, Chief of the New York State Bureau of Horticulture, who Avas most helpful in advising iis throughout the season of shipments of nursery stock coming into Canada through New York State. Most of the nurserymen, too, kept the Division well advised of any shipments they had received. As soon as advice of arrival of such stock was received, Mr. Arthur Gibson, Chief Assistant of the Division of Entomology and Botany, was at once sent to examine the same. In this work of inspection it was of course neces- sary to carefully examine all the material to see if any nests of the Brown-tail Moth were present. As a rule these nests are very conspicuous, but occasionally a very small nest, or one which had become broken, was found. To avoid the possibility of any of these escaping required great care. The following list of the stock examined, and the number of nests of the Brown- tail Moth which were discovered, at each inspection, has been prepared by Mr. Gibson : — Date of Examina- tion. • ^Nurseryman or Consignee. Nature of Stock. i Imported From. Nests Found. Jan. 26, 27 E. D. Smith, Winona, Ont. 150,000 fruit seedlings. . . Orleans, France 1 nf>st on plum. 28 C. F. W. Carpenter, Win- ona, Ont. 27,000 Angers ti No nests found. 28 A. G. Hull & Co., St. Catharines, Ont. 12,000 M 1 1 nest on pear. 29 Morris & Wellington.Font- hill, Ont. 35,000 Orleans' H 14 nests, 13 on pear, 1 on quince. Feb. 4 Trappist Fathers, La Trappe, Oka, Que. 2,000 „ 3,200 ornamentals. Angers It No nests found. » 10-13 Brown Bros. Nurserymen Co., Brown's Nurseries, Ont. 10,600 „ 86,000 fruit seedlings. ti II 1 nest on plum. J. E. McCombs, Pelham 13,000 ,. 11 11 4 nests, 3 on pear, Corners, Ont. 1 on apple. B. W. Secord, Pelham 52,000 .. II II 4 nests, 2 on pear, Corners, Ont. 2 on apple. J. E. Crow, Ridgeville, 16,000 II II 4 nests, 3 on pear, Ont. 1 on apple. J. Page, Ridgeville, Ont . . 18,000 II II . ... 1 nest on cherry. 15 E. D. Smith, Winona, Ont. 150,000 fruit seedlings . . . 3,001) ornamentals. Orleans II 20 nests on pear. .. 20-22 Morris & Wellington, Font- 56,000 fruit seedlings. . . II n No nests found. hill, Ont. 6,985 ornamentals. Mar. 2 E. D. Smith, Winona, Ont. 3 C. F. W. Carpenter, Win- 40,300 fruit seedlings. . . 14,000 24 nests on apple. Angers II ..... 8 . ona, Ont. 4 Morris & Wellington.Font- hill, Ont. 600 omamentaLs 'Oi leans It No nests found. 17 Brown Bros. Nurserymen 10,550 gooseberry bushes Hexham, England . . If Co., Brown's Nurseries, Ont. ., 19, 20 II 11 . . 85,000 fruit seedlings. . . 2,000 ornamentals. Anger.s, France 66 nests, 42 on pear, 21 on plum and 3 ) on quince. 22 E. D. Smith, Winona, Ont. 53,000 fruit seedlings.. Orleans II 17 nests on apple. G. W. Robinson & Co., 0,590 assorted roses, &c. Boskoop, Holland. . . No nests found. Hamilton, Ont. 23 J. A. Simmers, Toronto, 1 Ont. 6,950 II II . . . II REPORT OF TEE DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY AND BOTANY SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 43 Date of Examina- tion. Nurseryman or Consignee. Mar. 20,30 n 30, 31 April 1 1-3 5 II 5, 6 6 II 7 14 IG, 17 II 18 II 23 II 24 fl 26 II 27-28 II 28 n 29 May 3 II 10 II 10, 11 •« 12, 13 11 W. O. Burgess, Queenston, Ont. Morris & Wellington, Font- hill, Ont. E. D. Smith, Winona, Ont. W. Rennie Co., Ltd., To- ronto. G. M. Hill, rruitland,Ont. Steele, Briggs Seed Co., Ltd., Toronto, Ont. C. Macdonald, Toronto . . . R. Brecken, Toronto Estate of John Stewart, Goderich, Ont. Jos. Tweddle, S t o n e y Creek, Ont. Connor Floral Co., Hamil- ton, Ont. Graham Bros., Ottawa Canadian Nursery Co., Points Claire, Que. 2G A. Roszel, Pelham Corners, Ont. J. E. McCombs, Pelham Corners. Steele, Briggs Seed Co., Ltd., Toronto. .J. W. Smith & Sous, Vine- land, Ont. Morris & Wellington, Font- hil!. J. E. McCombs, Pelham Comers. John Dobbie, Niagara Falls, Ont. J. Page, Ridgeville, Ont . •J. E. McCombs, Pelham Corners, Ont. W. Baker & Son, Lon- gueuil, Que. B. W. Secord, Pelham Corners, Out. Brown Bros. Nurserymen Co., Brown's Nurseries, Ont. Pointe Claire Nurseries, Pointe Claire, Que. W.C. Reiossible this summer all imported stock which has been planted out, and if any strange looking caterpillars are noticed, send them at once to the Division of Entomology at Ottawa- It is im- portant that this should be done, in case any stray caterpillars may have escaped. In certain instances where broken nests had been found, the great danger of leaving around any packing, of whatever kind, which had been in the case, was particularly pointed out. If such packing were not destroyed before spring, it can very easily be seen how some of these caterpillars might get out and establish themselves.' In view of the widespread interest in the Brown-tail Moth in Canada at the present time, the following account of the insect has been compiled by Mr. Arthur Gibson, Chief Assistant, mainly from the report of the late Dr. Fletcher for 1906 : — INTRODUCTION AND SPREAD IN AMERICA. The Brown-tail Moth was introduced into America about the year 1890, at Somerville, Mass. It is said to have been brought in on nursery stock imported from Holland or France. It was not until 1S97, however, that it attracted particular atten- tion, from its ravages upon pear trees. In Europe this insect has long been known as a pest of fruit and shade trees; it is spoken of there as the 'common caterpillar.' Since its introduction into Massachusetts it has spread into every New England State except Vermont. The following is reprinted from the report for 1906 of tiio late Entomologist and Botanist, Dr. James Fletcher: — The Brown-tail Moth in Canada. * In 1902, Mr. William Mcintosh, of St. John, New Brunswick, took a single male specimen of the Brown-tail Moth {Euproctis chrysorrhcea, L.) about 20 miles from St. John, N.B. About the same time another specimen was taken by Mr. Gordon Leavitt, at St. John; and in July of 1905, Mr. John Kussell took a third specimen at Digby, Nova Scotia. Up to the present time these have been the only authentic records of this much-to-be-dreaded insect having been taken in Canada. Recently, however, I have received from Mr. C. Perry Foote, of Lakeville, Nova Scotia, one of the winter nests of the Brown-tail Moth, filled with the liviiig caterpillars, thus proving that this insect has established itself at one place at least in Canada. * It was to be expected that the moths might be found here at any time, having been brought up direct from Massachusetts on one of the steamboats which ply regu- larly between Boston and the Maritime Provinces ; but this would not necessarily prove that the insect had established itself. The occurrence of the young caterpillars, Ihowever, is a more serious matter, and shows that energetic measures are necessary at once to suppress and possibly to wipe out this unwelcome visitor before it becomes more widespread. The recognition of the winter nests is an easy matter, and this is the time of year to attend to their destruction. The Brown-tail Moth passes the winter as a very young caterpillar, and large numbers of these form colonies at the tips of the branches of the trees upon which they have been feeding the previous sum- mer. The eggs are laid during July, and, on hatching, the caterpilars feed for some time on the upper surface of the leaves. As winter approaches, they crawl to the tip of a branch and bind together a few leaves so as to make a tent. This is securely closed up with silk, and the caterpillars remain dormant all through the winter and until the buds burst the following spring. These winter nests are easily recognized, from being almost invariably at the tips of the branches, and from being at this time of the year the only nests which contain colonies of living caterpillars. These latter are black, but covered with rusty hairs, and on the 10th and 11th segments towards the end of the body there are two very conspicuous, reddish-yellow, cushion-like tuber- cles, one on each segment, which the caterpillars can elevate or depress at pleasure. 46 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 A DANGEllOUS RNEMY. *With the exception of the San Jose Scale, there are no t^o insects which have attracted so much public attention, nor with regard to which so irucl; money has been spent in America by the State and Federal Governments of the United States, as the Gypsy Moth and the Brown-tail Moth. Both of tlicoe are pests introduced into America from Europe — the Gypsy Moth about 1869, and the Brown-tail Moth some- where about 1890. Millions of dollars have now been spent on fighting the Gypsy Moth and the Brown-tail Moth in Massachusetts and the adjoining States. Dr. How- ard, when treating of this insect and of an effort which is being made to introduce European parasites says, in the Tear-book of the Department of Agriculture for 1905: " The Brown-tail Moth has become even more abundant and injurious than the Gypsy Moth, and, owing to the fact that the female flies readily, whereas the female of the Gypsy Moth does not fly at all, the Brown-tail Moth has far exceeded the Gypsy Moth in its spread." PLANTS INJURED. ' These caterpillars injure nearly all of the large and small fruits, and many perennial plants. The pear and apple seem to be favourites; but stone fruits, elms, maples and the oak are also commonly injured. A list of over 80 different kinds of food plants was published in 1903. Thousands of fruit trees in the vicinity of Boston, Df. Howard says, have been killed by the Brown-tail Moth. THE BROWN-TAIL RASH. * Not only are the caterpillars of this insect voracious feeders upon the foliage of many kinds of trees, but they cause much annoyance from their stinging hairs, which cause excessive irritation when they come in contact with the human skin. Each hair is barbed, and at the time the cocoons are spun these hairs are broken off and carried by the wind, when they fall on the neck and other exposed parts of the body, giving rise ta a painful rash, which is very serious with some people, even although they may not have actually touched the caterpillars. Dr. Howard's assistants who have been working on this insect, have suffered very severely; and persons engaged in removing the nests from trees in the winter time must be careful not to handle these nests too freely, or they may be inconvenienced by this rash. The nests should be cut off from the trees, placed in a basket with as little handling as possible, and burnt at once. Dr. Howard states that " a large part of the popular feeling in New England that the Brown-tail Moth must be exterminated, is due as much to the annoyance of this rash as to the loss of vegetation from the caterpillars." As a remedy for this rash a free use of vaseline is recommended. DESCRIPTION OF INSECT. * The Brown-tail Moth resembles very closely the well-kno\\Ti Fall Webworm, being of a beautiful pure white, except the tip of the body, which in both sexes is brown, and from which the popular name is derived. The female bears at the tip of the body an almost globular tuft of brown hairs. Both sexes fly freely, and are much attracted to lights — a fact of some importance as affecting their spread. The search-lights of night-sailing passenger steamers have attracted so many as to have drawn the atten- tion of the officers of such vessels, who reported that moths had alighted upon their ships in great numbers in the vicinity of Boston about midnight on several occasions, and the introduction of the species at more than one seaport in Maine is attributed by Dr. Howard to vessels coming from the infested districts rather than by natural spread by direct flight. REPORT OF THE DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY AND BOTANY 47 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 ONLY ONE BROOD IN THE YEAR. ' The eggs are laid in masses containing about 300 eggs. These masses are brown in colour from a thick covering of the golden brown hairs from the tip of the body , of the female moth ; and the whole egg mass more nearly resembles a silky, downy caterpillar than a cluster of eggs. These masses average about two-thirds of an inch in length by one-fourth of an inch in width, and are found on the lower surface of the leaves in July. The caterpillars hatch in August, but do not injure the trees much before winter. As soon as the buds burst in spring, they are at once attacked by the caterpillars, which emerge from their winter shelters and do much harm. SUMMER TREATMENT. ' If the winter nests of the caterpillars have not been destroyed, trees should be sprayed with arsenical or other poisonous washes, so as to destroy the caterpillars during May and June. The caterpillars of the Brown-tail Moth are not so resistant to the poisonous effects of Paris green as are those of the Gypsy Moth. The spraying of all orchards with the poisoned Bordeaux mixture as a regular practice is recom- mended to all Canadian fruit-growers as the best general means of securing first-class fruit free of most of the ordinary pests which injure fruits. As the Brown-tail Moth caterpillars attack many other kinds of trees than fruit trees, it will be necessary that they should also be sprayed, and for this purpose Paris green may be used. A good useful poison wash consists of Paris green, 1 pound; fresh lime, 1 pound; water, 160 gallons. It is a very useful practice, however, among fruit-growers to use more than 1 pound of Paris green with lime in the 160 gallons, and, indeed, 2 pounds may be used without danger if 2 pounds of lime are added. Arsenate of lead is a newer remedy of great value, from the fact that it does not injure foliage so much, and remains on the leaves for a longer time. Three pounds of arsenate of lead may be used in 40 gallons of water without injury. RESUME. ' The Brown-tail Moth, which has been the cause of enormous loss in Europe and the United States, is undoubtedly established in one locality in Nova Scotia, and pro- bably in several others. It is important to find out as soon as possible the range of infestation ; and everybody is urged to send in as soon as possible any suspicious nests of insects, or clusters of leaves webbed together, particularly if they contain cater- pillars, whenever any are noticed on their trees. ' The collection of the winter nests is the best and easiest means of controlling this insect. ' The collection of these nests must be done carefully, with as little handling as possible, and all should be burnt at once when cut from the trees. ' This work must be done before the buds burst. ' Any trees bearing nests of the Brown-tail Moth, after the buds have opened, must be sprayed with some poisonous mixture for the destruction of the caterpillars. ' The establishment of the Brown-tail Moth in Canada is a serious matter, affect- ing everybody in the district where the insects occur. ' What is now only a matter of considerable interest, may, if neglected, become a public calamity. ' Specimens for examination may be sent to the Entomologist, Central Experi- mental Farm, Ottawa. If so addressed, no postage will be required. James Fletcher.' 48 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Since 1906, the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture has been most active in its endeavours to rid the province of this dreaded i)est. The following letter gives concisely the present state of the Brown-tail Moth in that province. Truro, N.S., June 14, 1909. — * During the year we have had reported to us as destroyed, after a very careful search, about 750 Brown-tail Moth nests, as compared with about 6,000 tv/o years ago, and 4.000 last year. I should also add that this season's search was the most thorough which we have yet made. It would accordingly appear that unless something unforeseen happens, we are making some headway in fghting this pest. Practically all nests have been discovered between Middleton, Annapolis county, and Digby, Digby county, and the majority in the vicinity of Bear River, Digby county. — M. Gumming, Secretary for Agriculture.' In another letter. Prof. Gumming stated that he had received a number of nests from oak and other forest trees. For two years a bounty had been paid on every nest collected, but during the present year this was discontinued, and instead, as is stated by Pi-of. Gumming in a letter dated March 20 : ' We have now got down to what might be termed house to house work, which is being done by graduates of our own college.' Mr. Gibson deserves great credit for the hearty enthusiasm he has thrown into this work and for the patient and thorough examination he has made of an enormous amount of material. EXPERIMENTS WITH HYDROCYANIC ACID GAS TO KILL THE LAUV.E OF THE BROWN -TAIL MOTH. (By Arthur Gibson, Chief Assistant, Division of Entomology and Botany.) In order to test the value of fumigation with hydrocyanic acid gas, to kill the caterpillars of the Brown-tail Moth, the following experiments were conducted: — February 26, 1909. — Two nests on pear seedlings, which had been put in a large wide-mouthed glass jar, with cheese-cloth covering, were fumigated at the same strength as is used in the federal fumigation stations, viz. : 1 ounce of cyanide of potassium, 1 ounce of sulphuric acid and 3 ounces of water, to every 100 cubic feet of air space. The fumigation box which was used is 4 feet high, 4 feet wide and 8 feet long = 128 cubic feet. The amounts of chemicals used were li ounces cyanide of potassium, 1^ ounces sulphuric acid and 3| ounces of water. The nests were exposed to the gas for 45 minutes, and afterwards when opened and examined the larvae were all found to be alive. February 27. — Two different nests on pear fumigated. Ghemicals used: 2 ounces of cyanide of potassium, 2 ounces of sulphuric acid and 4^ ounces of water, for the 128 cubic feet in box. Exposure 55 minutes; no larvae killed. March 2. — The two nests fumigated on February 27 were again submitted to the same strength, but the exposure was for 45 minutes. A few caterpillars had emerged from the nests and were on the outside of the same. Result : none killed. March 12. — The same two nests were fumigated a third time. The strength was increased to 2^ ounces of cyanide of potassium, 2^ ounces of sulphuric acid and 7^ ounces of water to the 128 cubic feet of space. The exposure too, was lengthened to one hour. Many of the caterijillars had left the nests and were resting on the sides of the jar. One small parasite was found alive in the jar, just before the fumigation took place. This, of course, had not been aifected by the two previous fumigations to which these nests were subjected. Result: thirty dead larvae in the jar after the fumigation, which was about one-fourth of the number of living caterpillars which had occupied the nests. March 15. — The remaining larvae in the same two nests were fumigated a fourth time. The strength used was the same as on March 12, but the exposure was lengthened to two hours. Many of the caterpillars were active on the sides of the jar. Result: only twelve dead, although several others were apparently without much life. REPORT OF THE DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY AND BOTANY 49 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 March 16. — The bahince of the larva3 in these two nests were fumigated a fifth time. The strength was the same as on March 12, but the exposure was lengthened to three hours. The larva) were active in the jar before the fumigation. Result: 32 larva3 were found the following day to be dead, but the larger number were still alive. March 18. — Two new nests on pear were fumigated at a strength of 3| ounces of cyanide of potassium, 3^- ounces of sulphuric acid and 11^ ounces of water to the 128 cubic feet of space. This is three times the strength used in the federal fumiga- 'ticn houses for the destruction of the San Jose Scale on stock imported into Canada under the San Jose Scale Act. These two nests had been kept in cold storage until the day previous, and on bringing them into a warm office the larvae soon began to leave the nests, and by the time the fumigation took place, by far the larger number of the caterpillars had emerged. The fumigation lasted for one hour. Result : only 18 larvaj dead. On March 19 it was discovered that the chamber was leaking somewhat. It was at once tightened with new felt. March 22. — The larvae from the two nests fumigated on March 18 were again submitted to ths same strength, but the exposure was lengthened to two hours. Result : about 30 larva) killed, the balance active. March 29.— Other larva), not previously fumigated, but many of which had been out of the nests for a considerable time, were exposed to the same strength of gas, and length of time, as those fumigated on March 22. In this jar there were 55 living larvce. At first it was thought that 50 of these had been killed, but a later examina- tion showed that only 37 were dead and that the rest were reviving. The above experiments, although not very extensive, go to show that fumigation with hydrocyanic acid gas evidently cannot be relied upon as a practical remedy for this insect when in its winter condition. At the above strengths, even when the fumigation chamber was tightened, only a very small percentage of larvae which had left the nests were killed. It would certainly require considerably greater strength and much longer exposure to kill the larvse when within the nests, and, owing to the tough, closely-woven nature of these nests, the outcome would be very doubtful. The following notes on some of the more important injurious insects of the past year have been compiled by Mr. Arthur Gibson, Chief Assistant, mainly from memo- randa gathered by the Division of Entomology and Botany prior to the decease of the late head of the Division, Dr. James Fletcher. THE CHIEF INJURIOUS INSECTS OF 1908. INSECTS INJURIOUS TO CEREAL AND OTHER FIELD CROPS. (By Arthur Gibson, Chief Assistant.) During the season of 1908 very few of the well-known insect enemies of gram crops were injuriously abundant. The Hessian Fly, Mayetiola destructor. Say. — From Manitob<.c a single report came to the Division of injury by this insect. The only occurrence in Ontario which came under our notice was of a rather important outbreak which occurred in some wheat fields near Ottawa. Plants were noticed to be infested about the end of May, and in some places the attack was quite serious. In fields where the soil was poor and where the unfavourable weather conditions had weakened the plants, probably as many as fifty per cent were infested by the Hessian Fly. In other fields where the soil was better, the plants were stronger and better able to withstand the unfavourable condi- tions of the season, and in these fields the loss from Hessian Fly would amount to about five per cent. From collected material, both sexes of the flies emerged on June 16-^ 50 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 20, 22 and 23. Prof. Bethime reports that this insect was present in 1908 in injurious numbers, affecting winter wheat, in the counties of Norfolk, Brant and Essex in the Niagara district. The postponement of the time of seeding of fall wheat, until towards the end of September, has proved to be an important preventive remedy. By that time the flics of the second brood will have emerged and be dead. Care should be taken, of course, to prepare the land as well as possible for the crop, and it will also be a good plan to sow strips of wheat in August, in periods of excessive abundance, which should be ploughed under before the middle of September to kill all the con- tained larvae. Land in which infested wheat has been growing should be put into another crop the following year. The Wheat Joint Worm, Isosoma tritici. Fitch. — In some parts of western Ontario this insect was present in considerable numbers. One correspondent, Mr. Sydney Cooper, of Mull, Ont., reports as follows : — ' September 3, 1908. As requested, I send you the wheat plants injured by the Joint Worm. On further investigation I find that the country for miles around has the Joint Worm in the wheat. Our thresher is quite observant, and he says that he has not threshed one crop as yet which is free of it. He also states that in one in- stance, as the sun was shining on a bin of wheat, it had the appearance of moving, the insects were so thick.' The adult insect is a true fly, with only two wings. It is very small, about one- tenth of an inch long, jet black in colour, with pale legs. The females pierce the straw and lay from six to twelve egg"s inside its tissues. These eggs hatch into very small, slender, footless grubs, of a pale yellow colour, which when mature are about one-eighth of an inch in length. As the young grubs grow they cause a distortion of the stems a little above the first or second joints from the roots. Most of the grubs pass the winter inside of the galls or swellings, but a few transform and appear as flies in late autumn. The following recommendations are taken from Bulletin 52, by the late Dr. Fletcher: — ' There is apparently only one brood of the Joint Worms in Canada ; and, as they pass the winter in the straw, for the most part so near to the ground that a large proportion of the larvae are in the stubble left on the fields, they can be largely reduced in numbers by burning over the stubble or by ploughing it down deeply. The broken off hardened pieces of straw which become separated in threshing and cleaning should be carefully gathered and burnt. Sometimes no apparent galls are formed, merely slight swellings with a hard, thickened condition of the straws representing the galls. These portions break off in threshing, and many are carried through with the grain. Straw from an infested crop should be got out of the way, either by feeding or burning before the ensuing spring.' A regular short rotation of crops, while reducing the number of bad weeds and preventing them from increasing, will also do much to reduce the numbers of the Joint Worms. All recorded occurrences of Joint Worms in Canada have been of short duration. The Chinch Bug, Blissu^ leucoptervs Say. — Occasional records in Canada of this jVery destructive insect have been made, but fortunately no serious outbreak has. as yet, occurred, within the Dominion. In September, 1908, specimens of an insect wore sent to the Division from Mr. R. Benedict, of Crowland, Ont., with the statement that it had destroyed all the late oats in his district. The oats, he said, turned white just after they had headed out, and thousands of the insects were on the ground. When the specimens were examined, it was at once seen that they were the well-known Chinch Bug, which has caused millions of dollars of loss to crops in a single year in the United States. Writing further, under date of October .5, Mr. Benedict says: 'With regard to the Chinch Bug, I may say that the insects did practically no damage REPORT OF THE DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY AND BOTANY 51 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 except to the late oats, of which, owing to the late season, there was quite a large acreage. The damage was general over the county of Welland.' Prof. F. M. Webster, of the Bureau of Entomology, Washington, D.C., who is one of the leading American economic entomologists, and a high authority on insects affecting cereals, writes, in the Annual Report of the Entomological Society of Ontario, for 1898 : ' While the Chinch Bug, in all probability originally a neo-tropical species, has as you know, spread northward over a portion of the Dominion of Canada, and while it has not as yet been known to depredate upon your crops to any notice- able degree, yet it may do so in the future, in which case it may be expected to first make its presence known in your timothy meadows rather than in your grain fields, and quite likely will work considerable injury before it is recognized by your agricul- turists.' The Chinch Bug when mature is about one-fifth of an inch long. It is blackish in colour, with conspicuous white wing-covers. In the immature form, the young bugs are mostly red, but the colour varies in the different stages. The winter is passed in the adult state. In the United States the mature insects hibernate in clumps of grass, under pieces of board, loose bark, stones, &c., and in the first warm days of spring appear again, pair, and the females soon begin to lay their eggs, according to most writers, either about or below the surface of the ground, among the roots of grass or grain. Prof. Webster says : * It is more than likely that this varies with the condi- tion, as the eggs are not infrequently found above ground about the bases of the plants, and even upon the leaves, though I have never found them there, but have often found them under the sheaths of grasses.' The eggs hatch in from two to three weeks. In most areas in North America, where the Chinch Bug is destructive, there are at least two broods, but in northeastern Ohio, which is just across the lake from the Canadian border, Prof. Webster doubted the occurrence of a second brood of young. The Chinch Bug feeds on a number of different plants. It is recorded as feeding on all kinds of grain, several of the native grasses, as well as on broom-corn, sorghum, chicken-corn, rice, &c. In the western portions of the United States the damage is done chiefly to wheat, barley, rye and com. The remedies recommended for this insect are the cleaning up of all refuse in autumn which might serve as hibernating quarters for the adults ; the making of deep furrows around infested fields at the time the insects migrate in which they can be killed by an application of kerosene emulsion; and the spraying of the outer edges of the fields with the same material when the insects are leaving one crop to attack another. If this latter is done it will stop the invasion for the time being and give the farmer a chance to plough another deep furrow along the edge of the field to be protected. The Chinch Bug is treated of very fully by Prof. P. M. Webster, in Bulletin No. 15, new series, of the Bureau of Entomology, Washington, D.C. The Grain Aphis, Macrosiphum granaria Kirby, which caused considerable alarm in the northvv'estern provinces in 1907, owing to the supposition that it was the so- called ' Green Bug,' was in 1908 very prevalent in many parts of Ontario and Quebec. Towards the end of August reports of its presence in large numbers began to come in, the complaints referring to its attacks on wheat. In his report, as Entomologist and Botanist, on the insects of the year 1907, the late Dr. Fletcher says : ' Unfortunately for the Grain Aphis there is no practical remedy which can be applied in a wholesale manner, but Prof. F. M. Webster, who has devoted much attention to the insects which attack grain crops, has constantly drawn attention to the great advantage of practising good agricultural methods in working land, such as the adoption of a regular rotation of crops, so as to keep up the fertility of the soil, and advises that care should be tai<:en to sow grain at the best time to secure a vigorous growth, which will enable the plants to withstand the attacks of the aphis sufficiently long to allow the natural parasites which always sooner or later appear, to increase, 16— 4i 52 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 so that the numbers of the plant lice may be reduced before serious injury is done to the grain plants.' In 1908 it was noticed, in many places, that towards the end of the season, the parasites were present in large numbers and were quickly reducing the colonies of \h? aphis, but some reports say that they did not appear soon enough to prevent some damage. The Clover-seed Midge, Cecido7nyia leguminicola Lint. — During the past season the Clover-seed Midge has done serious damage in districts in Ontario, where clover is grown for seed. Many complaints have been received from farmers of the presence of the small, legless, pink maggots in their clover seed at t.hre.shing time, and sonic anxiety has been felt as to whether these would mature, and affect the crop of next year. In the samples received at the Central Experimental Farm, all the maggots were dead and shrivelled up. The life-history and habits of this insect are well known. There are two broods in the season, corresponding with the two crops of clover seed. The eggs are laid in the forming flower heads of the clover; when these eggs hatch, the maggots penetrate the seed pocls and destroy the seed. When the larvae are full grown, about the end of June, they leave the clover-heads and enter a short distance into the ground, to change to pupae. The perfect insects, forming the second brood, emerge from the ground, just as soon as the second crop of clover is coming into flovver, and the females at once begin to lay their eggs amongst the forming blossoms. These eggs soon hatch, and about the time the seed is ripe the maggots leave the clover and enter the ground to pass the v.inter, whence they emerge again the next spring, just at the time the clover comes into flower. Experience has taught farmers that the practice of feeding off their clover fields with cattle and sheep, until the beginning or middle of June, or cutting it before the 20th of that month, is the only way to secure an autumn crop of seed ; thus the maggots of this first brood are destroyed by the cattle eating them, or they dry up with the clover hay which has been, cut before they were mature enough to leave the heads of clover and go into the ground to pupate and change to the perfect insect, which is a small midge. If the clover is left standing in the fields till the end of June, a sufficient time elapses for this latter process to take place, and the perfect flies emerge again just in time to lay their eggs in the opening flowers of the second crop. In this way the seed of the second crop is destroyed, as well as that of the first. As mentioned above, in all the samples of clover seed received last autumn and during early winter, the maggots were already dead and dried up; consequently there would be no advantage in destroying, by burning, such material. At threshing time, however, if the living maggots are noticed, it would be a good practice to have all screenings swept up and burned. The Hop Flea-beetle, Fsyltiodts punctutata Melsh. — This insect in 1908 again did extensive injury to the hop plants in the large yards in British Columbia. During the last three years it has been estimated that chls sinall black flea-beetle has destroyed fully three-fourths of the hops grown iu British Columbia. The following letters from the cori-eoi^undeuce received by the late Dr. Fletcher show how extensive this outbreak was in 19US, in the large hop yards of Sir Arthur Stepney, at Agassiz, B.C. : — * Vancouver, B.C., April 23. — The flea-beetles since my last visit (to Agassiz) two weeks ago have appeared in large numbers, and are now destroying the shoots of vines which are some five or six inches high. They are also iii considerable numbers in the iK)les. Mr. Wilson showed me your letter to him, advising the spray of whale- oil soap, one pound in ten gallons of water. Fortunately we iiad a considerable supply of this on hand, and I immediately tried the solution advised by you. with most gratifying results. Outside of kerosene it is the only thing v.e have found so far that REPORT OF TEE DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY AND BOTANY 53 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 kills the beetle practically wholesale. I am much obliged, indeed, for your suggestion, as yesterday when I saw the results of our other experiments and the beetle covering such a large area, I was in despair. I tliink the remedy is just in time to save things. I have discovered that the beetles are not confined to the yard, having found a number in the wood adjoining and also on nettles and other plants nearby. — H. C. Akroyd.' Mr. Akroyd was written to on May 9 as follows : — ' I sincerely hope that the go^d effects of the whale-oil soap spraying continues. I am sorry I did not ask you to add to this wash 3 lbs. of arsenate of lead to eacli 40 gallons of wash. I cannot believe that this beetle is immune from the effects of that poison. I am really much inter- ested in this experiment and am determined that we will control this beetle. The chief difficulty, I feel, is the occurrence of the beetle in the wood, which will mean frequent relays of the pest from that source. I believe the whale-oil soap will kill all the beetles it touches. The strength I advised of 1 lb. in 5 gallons of water (not 10 as you say in your letter), but if 1 in 10 answers so much the better because it reduces both the cost and the risk of injury to the plants. — James Fletcher.' ' Vancouver, B.C., May 19. — At the present time the beetles have completely devastated the whole of our yard with the exception of some 20 acres which we are spraying daily. The spray suggested by you proves a great success, but it appears to us we are unable to keep pace with the beetles, for the vines are covered with new insects inside of 24 hours. We experimented in several ways with the whale-oil soap, but found your suggestion of 1 lb. to 5 gallons of water the best. We have not, how- ever, found so far the arsenate of lead to be advantageous. We have been using it in the proportion of 1 lb. to 10 gallons of water. We have also been experimenting with a bucket of kerosene to 80 gallons of wash, but this also does not seem to have made any difference. The whale-oil soap we are using is made by the Royal Soap Company of this city, and guaranteed to be 80 per cent whale-oil. We have five sprayers — three of 45 gallons each and two of 90 gallons each — now in use on the yard, and we have been endeavouring to save a portion of the yard, which was badly damaged when we first commenced spraying. The only way I can see of saving the yard this year would have been by spraying with your solution every 24 hours when the shoot-s first appeared. Of course this would mean a very large outlay in horses and sprayers. Mr. Wilson has written me this morning stating that the Horst Company, have abandoned all hope of any crop this year. I personally went over their yards about a week ago and found them practically devastated. I think I wrote you in my last letter that the beetle had completely eaten up all tomato plants in the district. — II, C. Akroyd.' In a letter written early in July, Mr. Akroyd stated that the constant spraying of the vines with whale-oil soap and water had the effect of curling up the leaves and making them very brittle and tender. Spraying was tried with a slightly less propor- tion of the whale-oil soap than recommended, but it was found that with less strength it would not destroy the beetle. About the middle of July the beetles were reported to have gradually diminished in numbers and that very few were seen on the vines. Towards the end of the month the beetles had practically disappeared. In early September, Mr. Akroyd visited the hop yards, and reported that more beetles were then present but not in very large numbers. At that time coal-oil pans and tarred boards were being used to keep the bec^tle in check. The vines which were sprayed most extensively were reported by Mr. Akroyd, on September 4, to be bearing well, but the crop as a whole would be small. Wilting under date of May 28, Mr. Hulbert, of Sardis, B.C., reported that the Hop Flea-beetle was doing great damage in the hop yards in his district. He stated that he had been keeping his under control for several years by catching them on tarred sheets, which are placed under the vines, and as these are jarred lightly with a branch or light stick, the beetles fall off and adhere to the tar. In a recent bulletin by Dr. F. H. Chittenden on this insect (Bulletin 66, part VI., Bureau of Entomology, Washington, D.C.), valuable information is given on its 54 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 habits in British Columbia, data for which have been furnished by Mr. H. J. Quayle, of "Whittier, Cal., who made studies on the life-history of the flea-beetle in British Columbia in July last. The beetle is a general feeder and besides the hop, is known to fe?d on rhubarb, beet, cucumber, turnip, radish, cabbage, mustard, potato, and red and white clover, as well as a number of weeds. The eggs, larvaj and pupai of the insect were found by Mr. Quayle at a depth of from three to six inches from the surface of the ground, and," it is stated by him, that the larvie apparently feed on the roots of the hop as well as upon other plants growing in the yard. Dr. Chittenden says : ' The abundance of the beetles when they appear early in the season on young plants, their constant reappearance, and the constant new growth of the plants from day to day, make it difficult to apply direct remedies with more than temporary benefit. Where the hops are sprayed with kerosene emulsion or whale-oil soap for the hop aphis the numbers' of the beetles are lessened. Among measures which give promise of value are the institution of clean methods of cultivation, including deep fall ploughing, treating hop poles in such manner as to prevent the beetles from hibernating in them, and clearing all remnants from fields so as to leave them as bare as possible to prevent the beetles from sheltering there in winter. Arsenate of lead, Paris green, kerosene emulsion, whale-oil soap and Bordeaux mixture should receive further tests, as should the employment of trap crops.' With regard to the trap crops, as the beetle is par- ticularly fond of rhubarb, it is suggested in the above bulletin that this plant be grown ' between rows, e.g. in the vicinity of woods, as an attraction, or lure, for the beetles, it being believed that the beetles will concentrate on these plants and thus give tlie crops an opportunity to grow to a sufficient height and strength to be able to resist the ravages of the pest.' INSECTS INJURIOUS TO ROOTS AND VEGETABLES. These crops were affected to a considerable extent by insects during 1908. The season in most districts was a remarkable one, owing to the long continued drought. At Ottawa the months of June, July, August and September were particularly dry, the rainfall from the end of May till the beginning of October being only 6-80 inches. Roots and vegetables consequently suffered severely from this cause and from attacks of various insects. Wire-worms were prevalent in land which had been in sod and which had just been used for potatoes. The Striped Cucumber Beetle was reported as being destructive in western Ontario. The Turnip Flea Beetle was very trouble- some in many gardens. These small, very active, shining beetles did much harm to young turnips and were also very destructive to the first sowings of radishes. Root maggots were more abundant than in 1907. Plant lice were much in evidence during the season. Towards the end of the summer, Swede turnips, cabbages and cauliflowers were attacked in many districts by the Turnip and Cabbage Aphis. At Ottawa, early in October, celery plants were severely injured by plant lice and many rendered useless. The Small White Cabdage Butterfly, Pontia rapce L. — This well-known enemy of market gardeners has been much inquired about. Its injuries during the past season have been prevalent throughout Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick. The velvety green caterpillars, are about an inch long, with a broken yellow line along each side, and an unbroken one down the middle of the back. At first they eat the outside leaves, but eventually bore right into the head of the cabbage. As soon as the first appearance of the caterpillars is noticed, the plants should be dusted with pyrethrum insect powder, 1 lb. in 4 lbs. of cheap flour, after the whole has been mixed together and kept in a tight jar for 24 hours. As this remedy is so simple and has been recom- mended so often the annual loss by this insect should not be allowed to take place. Cutworms. — Early in the season, cutworms, as usual, wtro present in injurious numbers in many districts throughout the Dominion. Reports of serious injury by REPORT OF THE DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY AND BOTANY 55 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 these caterpillars came from British Columbia, but as no specimens were received, it was impossible to say with certainty what the species was which was at work. 'Peachland, B.C., May 28, 1908. — I have a lot of garden stuff this spring and the cutworms are devouring everything. Thousands of tomato and other plants have been cut. Where the land is kept cultivated and no other crops growing between the peach trees, they are climbing the trees. — H. W. Crawlky.' ' Peachland, B.C., June 20. — The cutworms here have caused a loss of thousands of dollars in seeds and plants and labour, not counting the loss of the season's crops of such things as tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, &c. Young fruit trees have suffered; rhubarb, onions, strawberries, in fact evei-ything is attacked by them. — H. W. Crawlky.' In Ontario the Dark-sided Cutworm, Paragrotis messoria Harr. and the Red- backed Cutworm, P. ochrogaster Gn. were responsible for most of the damage. The . - Greasy Cutworm, Agi'otis ypsilon Rott. was locally injurious in fields of corn, as was also the Glassy Cutworm, Iladena devastatrix Brace. The most effective remedy against cutworms is the poisoned bran which has lately come into such wide use. This is made by mixing half a pound of Paris green with fifty pounds of slightly moistened bran. In making this it is best first to dampen some of the bran slightly with water containing a little sugar or molass&s. After mixing thoroughly, add the Paris green by dusting it on the surface and stirring all the time. Half a pound of Paris green is enough to poison fifty pounds of bran, although double this amount may be used. If the mixture is too wet, more bran should be stirred in until the mixture will crumble easily and run through the fingers without adhering. When required for garden use, all that is necessary is to sprinkle a little of the mixture by hand around such plants as are liable to attack. When crops are planted in drills or in rows, a convenient way is to make the mixtvire rather dry, and then distribute it by m.eans of a Planet Jr. or other wheel seeder. In field practice, among such close growing crops as standing grain, the poisoned bran is also serviceable. The mixture can be distributed by means of a paddle or shingle, and can be thrown easily to a distance of 20 feet. When distributed in this way, there is much less danger of chickens and birds picking it up than if it is placed in lumps. Strange to say, the cutworms will devour the poisoned bran in preference to the growing plants. The Apple Leaf-hopper, Empoasca mali LeB. — In eastern Ontario and Quebec, the ravages of the Apple Leaf-hopper, to potatoes, beans and many other kinds of plants, were very serious ; in fact, this outbreak was one of the most important of the year. This insect, which is very small, slender, pale greenish, about one-eighth of an inch long when mature, is closely allied to the Thrip, which commonly attacks the Virginian Creeper and causes the leaves to dry up and fall about the beginning of August. The Apple Leaf-hopper began to make its presence apparent towards the end of June, by causing the leaves of the attacked plants to curl up and turn brown. The injury is done by thousands of these small insects, sucking the juices from the leaves and stems of the plant, which very soon blackens and fades. Some correspondents have thought that the injury to potatoes was due to the ravages of the well-known Potato Blight, a fungous disease, and have been surprised that the standard remedy for that disease, viz. : spraying the foliage with Bordeaux mixture, had not had the desired effect of stopping the injury. The young leaf-hoppers do not get their wings for some timo after they hatch from the cgp;. It is during this stage that most of the harm is done, and this is the only time when a remedy can be applied with much success. As they are sucking insects, something which will kill by merely coming into contact with their bodies must be used, such as whale-oil soap, one pound in fi\"e gallons of water, or the ordinary kerosene emulsion. Potatoes which were sprayed with both of these mixtures early in July, before the young leaf-hoppei-s had acquired 56 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 their wings, were freed from the jjest and not since injured to any appreciable extent. As these insects feed on the lower side of the leaves, it is necessary, in order to reach them with a spray, to attach the nozzle to a short joint of pipe about a foot long, having an angle of about 45 degrees in it. This can be made by any blacksmith. The severity of the outbreak of this insect in 1908, was doubtless much aggravated by the exceptional drought and heat which weakened the plants and made them more tlian usually susceptible to injury by the Apple Leaf-hopper and other insects. The following letters will give some idea of the extent of the injury done by ihe Apple Leaf-hopper. ' Aultsville, Ont., July 30, 1908. — The potato crop in this vicinity is attacked by a very small green fly, which is present in enormous numbers and doing much damage. They appear to work under the leaf, with the result that the leaves curl up and finally die.— John PI. Ckoil.' 'Almonte, Ont., July 30. — I send a sample of some of our potato tops. Is it a blight, or is it a trouble caused by the extreme heat? The trouble appears to effect the older leaves first in most cases, as there will be more or less appearance of it near the base of the stalk while the top is very thrifty and green. — J. K. Darling.' The potato tops were carefully examined on arrival, and they showed the injury caused by the Apple Leaf-hopper. ' Ottawa, Ont., July 30. — A little green fly is killing our scarlet runner beans. Please tell me what will destroy it. — A. R. Ralph/ ' Perth, Ont., August 1. — The potatoes in this vicinity are badly infested with a small green insect. We should like to get some information concerning this pest. — R. S. I-Iamer.' ' Lakefield, Ont., August 31.— I am writing in reference to the widespread failure of the potato crop in our county — Peterborough. The weather has been favourable, though rather dry in August. The potato beetle has been kept in check, and in some cases plants have been sprayed with Bordeaux mixture, but the tops have withered and the tubers are small. On a visit to Bobcaygeon, I found the same conditions there. One grower here says that the plants have been destroyed by little green bugs. —A. W. Mackenzie.' Reports of great damage to potfitoes and other vegetables were received from other points in Ontario and Quebec. Mr. Harold Jones, of Maitland, Ont., called at the Division on August 22, and reported that the leaf-hopper was very bad on potatoes in his district. He gave an instance of where nine potatoes only wore gathered from nine hills. The presence of this insect in injurious numbers was also reported from northern points in New York State. The Destructive Pea Aphis, Nectarophora pisi, Kalt. — Early in August reports were received from correspondents in Ontario and Quebec of serious injury to the pea crop by a large green aphis, which suddenly appeared in enormous numlers. From specimens received, and from an investigation in the Ottav/a district, it was soon seen that the insect at work was the destructive Pea Aphis. This plant-lou?e is pale green, with legs darkened, particularly at the joints, and has long honey tubes. It clusters in enormous numbers at the tips of the shoots, beneath the leaves, and, when very numerous, spreads over the whole plants of field peas, as well as upon the flowering Sweet Peas. These insects, as already mentioned, appear suddenly in large numbers, and very soon kill the plants by sucking their sap. The winged specimens are rather large for plant lice, being about one-eighth of an inch in length, with a wing expanse of nearly one-quarter of an inch. * Lysander, Que., August 7, 1908. — I i-end specimens of a ]iale green insect v%hich are covering my field peas. The plants are turning red and are withering uj). — T. W. LONGMOOR.' ' Bedford Park, Ont., August 3. — A green insect has' appeared on the pea crop in this neighbourhood. Some of the farmers are weeping and wailing because they REPORT OF TUB DIVISION OF- ENTOMOLOGY AND BOTANY 57 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 are going to lose their pea crop. There are myriads of this iiiscc-t in this district. — Sajiuel Wicks.' ' Vars, Out., August 5. — I am sending you a portion of a pea vine which is infested with a small green insect. This insect is playing havoc with the pea crop in some sections. My peas are being destroyed by this insect and some of the neigh- bours' peas are also affected. — D. N. Johnstone.' 'Plainville, Out., August G.- — Please find inclosed a specimen of lou?e thnt is attacking peas to such an extent that many fields will be scarcely worth harvesting. Will you have the kindness to give their history? Are they likely to continue for a number of years, and will it be safe to sow peas next year? While playing havoc with later peas, they did not attack the early peas. — W. J. Westington, President, Farmers' Institute.' In reply to the above, Mr. Westington was informed that the Destructive Pea Aphis was this year being attacked by several important parasites, and owing to this, the injury was being stopped. As to whether it will be safe to sow peas again next year, it v^^as pointed out that this would depotid upon the amount of destruction v;rcught, generally, on the plant lice by the parasites during the autumn. In the last outbreak, in 1889 and 1900, the attack lasted for two years, but it stopped suddenly, just as it began, and in 1901, not a specimen of the insect was seen. ' Freeman, Ont., August 10. — You will be interested in knowing that we have an outbreak of aphis in the pea fields about here. In most cases the little green lice are so plentiful that no portion of the crop is spared. — Geo. E. Fisher.' ' Shawville. Que., August 31. — I have a large field of peas which has been destroyed by a large green louse. They do not eat the leaf, but suck all the substance out of the vines, and the plants dry up. The peas were a pretty heavy crop. Would like to know what this insect is and the cure, as my crop is a total failure. My neighbour's peas are also affected. — Andrew Sly.' In the Ottawa district the Destructive Pea Aphis was particularly noticed on Sweet Peas in gardens. From observations made after the middle of August, it was noticed that several kinds of parasites were busily at work, and that the plant-lice were thus being reduced rapidly in numbers. Lady-bird beetles and syrphus-flies were doing the larger share of this good work, but two other kinds of parasites which had never before been reared in the Division were present in considerable numbers. One of these belongs to the Cecidomyid genus Aphidoletes, the members of which are well kauwn on account of their habits of preying upon aphids. The other was a small four-winged hymenopterous fly which proved to be an undescribcd species, and which has since been described (Canadian Entomologist, March, 1909) as Megorismus fletcheri of Crawford. Remedies. — In the report of the Entomologist and Botanist for 1899, the late Dr. Fletcher wrote as follows : — ' When an insect appears in stich large numbers as the Destructive Pea Aphis did during the past season, and increases with such rapidity, it is evident tliat it would l;c impossible to apply any remedy over such a large acreage as was simultaneously attacked, in most places where the insect occurs; but upon green peas and the flowering Sw.ect Peas in garden, the ordinary remedies used against other plant lice were found to be quite effective against this one also. Upon the Central Experimental Farm the Horticulturist had the plants sprayed with a tobacco and soap wash made of ten pounds of tobacco leaves in half a barrel of water, the liquid from which was strained off after a few hour?, and two pounds of whalo- oll soap were added. V/hen the soap v.as all dissolved water was added to make forty gallons, and tho. liquid was then applied with a spraying pump. Most of the plant lice were found to be dead two days afterwards, and on such parts of the rows as received two applications, the vines were quite cleared of the insects.' In his report for 1901, in speaking of the work of the late Prof. Johnson, bo says: 'Many remedies were experimented with liy Prof. Johnson, and it was found 58 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 that Avhat he has called the " brush and cultivator method " was the most effective remedy. For this it is necessary that the peas should be planted in rows, and when the insects are noticed the vines are brushed backward and forward with a good pine switch, in front of an Iron Age cultivator, drawn by a single horse. In this manner the plant lice which leave the vines quickly when these are shaken were covered up as soon as they fell to the ground, and a large proportion of them destroyed. The operation was not repeated until the third day, as it usually required over 48 hours to destroy the insects v/hen covered with earth. All the practical methods were tried, and it was found that the brush and cultivator method was the most eiiective. Another method which was tried with considerable success, consisted of a brush which dislodged the insects so that they fell into a pan containing coal oil and water drawn between the rows of peas. In this way a bushel of plant lice were caught to each row of peas 125 rods long. Spraying v/as tested by a thorough trial upon 100 acres, and all sorts of insecticides for sucking insects were used, but this method was abandoned because no spray could be, found which would destroy a large enough percentage of the insects to warrant the expense of the operation.' Root Maggots. — These troublesome insects were much inquired about during 1908. From almost every province in the Dominion the complaints refer particularly to ravi^ges to onions. In many instances, whole fields of onions were destroyed. In British Columbia the maggots were still at work when the onions were taken up in autumn. " Cabbages, cauliflowers and radishes were also much injured. As these insects are so often inquired about, it has been thought wise to repeat here wht the late Dr. Fletcher says in his Bulletin No. 52 of the Dominion Experi- mental Farms series. ' The Cabbage or Radish Maggot, and the Onion Maggot, which for all practical purposes may be treated of here as the same species, cause great loss in crops of cauli- flowers, early cabbages, turnips, radishes and onions, almost every season. ' The maggots which are found attacking cabbages, radishes, cauliflowers and tur- nips, and those in onions, and in beans and corn, are very similar, but they belong to three different species, Phorhia hrassicoe, Bouche, attacking plants of the cabbage family, Phorhia ceparum, Meig., infesting onions, and Phorhia fvsciceps, Zett., injuring beans and corn. ' Corn sown during a cold, wet period by which germination is unduly delayed, is very liable to be attacked by the Corn-seed Maggot (P. fnsciceps). In such cases it is well to wait for warm weather to re-sow and then push on the crop with a light dressing of nitrate of soda, 200 lbs. to the acre. ' The perfect flies of all these maggots are very similar to the ordinary observer and may be described as slender flies, somewhat smaller than the ordinary house fly, which fly about close to the ground and lay their white eggs on the stems of the young plants. Here after a few days the maggots hatch and work their way down beneath the soil, where they lie close to the root or burrow into it, tearing the tissues with their hook- like mandibles and living on the sap, thus soon reducing the root or stem to a rotten mass. When full grown these maggots turn to reddish brown puparia in the soil close to the rcots. The exact number of broods of these maggots which may he found in a season seems to be rather complicated by the overlapping of broods, and the delay in issuing of some individuals of each brood; but practically it may be said that cabbage and radi:^h maggots do by far the greatest amount of harm during the month of June, and car'y in July, and in many years their injuries are slight after that period. With onions the injury continues throughout the season and is most noticeable in June, August and September. The injury to beans and Indian corn is only in spring, and, as a rule, is confined to plants wbich have been weakened by the seeds being planted too deeply or by late frosts. However, in seasons of excessive abundance cabbage and onion maggots m.ay be found all through the growing season, and cabbages and cauli- REPORT OF THE DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY AND BOTANY 59 SLSSIONA'- PAPER No. 16 flowers arc cccasionally injured in autumn by the maggots attacking the heads of the plants. 'Remedies. — Up to the present time it cannot be claimed that any perfectly effi- cacious remedy has been discovered for root maggots. In certain years they seem to be so extremely abundant that even the best remedies merely seem to prolong the lives of the plants, and only a very small proportion of a crop can be saved. In ordinary years, however, much can be done to protect crops liable to attack, and the following are the remedies which have given the best results : — ' For Onions. — Wliite hellebore dusted along the rows once a week frona the time the young plants appeared above the ground gave comparatively clean onions, very few being attackc-d. Fresh gas lime broadcasted over onion fields at the rate of two hundredweight to the acre had a similar effect; but, where the caustic lime came in contact with the young onions, they were burnt out. A light dressing, between the rows of onions, of the same material gave almost as good results as where it was dis- tributed over the whole field. When onions have begun to form their bulbs, the earth may be hoed or brushed away right down to the roots, and in some years the maggots do not penetrate the bulbs. As soon as the earth is hoed away in garden practice, a dusting along the rows with white hellebore makes the protection more complete. ' Dressings of salt, Paris green and plaster and wood ashes have been found useless in protecting onions from the attacks of root maggots. ' For Cabbages. — (1.) Tarred Paper Disks.- — Pieces of ordinary tarred paper three inches in diameter, with a slit running to the centre so as to allow of their being placed around the stems of young cabbages and cauliflowers at the time of planting, and pressed down close to the ground, will prevent to a large measiire the flies from laying their eggs on plants so protected, or will kill the young maggots. ' (2.) Insect Powder. — About half a teacupful of a decoction of pyrethum insect powder (four ounces to a gallon of water), or of white hellebore of the same strength poured around the root of each plant, after drawing away the earth right down to the root, will destroy any maggots which may have started to work, Tlie earth should be put back again and the plants well hilled up, when new rootlets will soon be formed. A light sprinkling of nitrate of soda or some special fertiliser will encourage a quick growth and much help the plants to overcome attack. Dressings of one ovmce to the square yard may be used for this purpose. Cabbage plants should be examined late in June to see if the maggots are at work. The earlier the treatment with insect powder or white hellebore is applied the more effective it will be. If the mixture is applied to the roots with a force pump, although more liquid is consumed, it has the advantage of dislodging many of the maggots so that their injuries cease at once.' ' (3.) Cheese-cloth inclosures.- -A very effective and practical means of procuring early radishes, cabbages and cauliflowers, perfectly free from root maggots, is by grow- ing them beneath cheap frames made of light wood covered with cheese-cloth. A con- venient size for small beds is 8 feet long, 2 feet wide and 2 feet high. This frame can be made for about 25 cents, of one and a half inch square wood, nailed together at the corners, and with the chee.se-cloth tacked on the outside. In such a frame five cauli- flowers and two rows of radishes have been grown to perfection. The frame was kept on from the time the young plants came up until the radishes were pulled. ' Cauliflowers were sufficiently advanced to require no further protection and the frames were removed about the first of August. * For Radishes. — The maggot which attacks the radish is the same species as also attacks cabbages and turnips, the severity of attack on those different crops being about in the order in which they are named, so that in years of light attack radishes will draw oft" injury from the cabbages. 60 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 * Injuries to turnips are seldom severe, and in most instances a crop shows little sign of this attack in autumn, even in seasons when the maggots may have been found in considerable numbers in the spring. ' (1.) The Cook carbolic wash, consisting of one quart of soft soap, or one pound of hard soap, in a gallon of water, with half a pint of crude carbolic acid added, and the whole boiled together for a few minutes, to make the stock emulsion, has proved over and over again an excellent remedy for radish maggots. The stock emulsion can be kept in a closed vessel, so that dust and rubbish will not fall into it, and, when required for use, one part of this mixture by measure is added to fifty of water, and should be sprayed directly upon the growing plants from the time they appear above the ground, once a week until ready for the table. ' (2.) White hellebore dusted along the rows of radishes once a week from » the time they appear above the ground, has given good results in most years. For Beans and Corn. — Injury to these crops in Canada is a rare occurrence. The only remedy which can be suggested, is to sow these crops in good season in well prepared soil and not deeper than one or two inches.' During 1908, some experiments were conducted at the Central Experimental Farm with several mixtures in the hope of obtaining something more definite in the way of a practical remedy. The most encouraging results were obtained from a use o-f sulphate of iron, two ounces to every gallon of vnter, applications made a week apart from the time the onions appeared above ground. IKSECTS INJURIOUS TO FRUITS. Among the insects which have been most destcurtive to fruits during 1908, the following may be mentioned : — The Apple Maggot, RJiagoletes pomonella Walsh. — This insect continues to be prevalent in certain districts in Ontario and Quebec. During 1908, it was again present in injurious numbers at Como and one or two other points in Quebec pro- vince. In Ontario, in Prince Edward county, it was much inquired about aiad did serious damage in some orchards. Fortunately, when the Apple Maggot once gets into an orchard its spread is very slow. The mature flies apparently do not fly away to any distance for the purpose of egg-laying, but confine their attention to the trees nearest to the place from which they em^erged. The female fly lays her eggs in the flesh of the apple, by means of her sharp ovipositor. A single female may lay from 300 to 400 eggs, according to Quaintance. The eggs hatch within a week, and the maggots become full-grown in from a month to six weeks. The maggot leaves the apple after this has fallen to the ground and enters the earth just below the surface, where it remains in the pupal stage until the following summer, when the fly emerges. As the larva; do not leave the fruit until this has fallen to the ground, all windfalls should either be carefully gathered by hand or a herd of pigs should be allowed to run in the orchard from July, when early apples which arc specially susceptible to attack begin to fall, until all fruit is gathered. Cattle and sheep are also useful for such a purpose, and if allowed to pasture in the orchard, for a while, when the fruit is falling, much good will be accomplished. If the windfalls are gathered and there is no stock to feed them to, they should be buried in a deep hole with not less, than three feet of earth on the top. As the larva; of the Apple Maggot work entirely within the apple, it cannot be reached by any of the poison sprays such as are used for in ects which feed on foliage. The Codling Moth, Carpocapsa pomonella L. — This insect was again reported as being very destructive in many distriots in Ontario and Quebec. Its injuries were most apparent of course in unsprayed orchards. Growers who had regularly sprayed their trees with the poisoned Bordeaux mixture were well repaid for their labours. REPORT OF THE DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY AND BOTANY 61 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 In Canada, east of Toronto, where there is usually only one annual brood, thorough spraying with the above mixture, three or four times in spring, the first application to be made within a day or two after the blossoms fall, and the subsequent sprayings, er.eh ten days apart, is a satisfactory and well-paying remedy for the Codling Moth. West of Toronto there are two broods, the second of which is the more destructive. It has been found that in addition to the spring spraying, as above mentioned, it is there necessary to band the trees with burlap, sacking, or some other material which will form a refuge in which the caterpillars will spin their cocoons. These bands should be removed at short intervals of a week or ten days, after about the middle of July, at v/hich time the caterpillars begin to spin their cocoons. The caterpillars within the cocoons found may be destroyed by passing the bandages through a clothes- wringer carried on a wheelbarrow. The bark beneath the band should be scraped with a wire brush to kill any of the caterpillars which may have burrowed into the bark. The value of banding the trees has been demonstrated by many writers. In 1908, a small experiment was conducted in an apple orchard close to Ottawa, a part of which showed infestation by the Codling Moth. Twenty trees were banded on August 15. The bands were removed and ex^iJiiined on the following dates, with the results as mentioned: — Cocoons found. August 31 129 - September 8 24 " 15 49 " 23 GO " 30 24 October 7 8 " 15 12 " 23 13 " 30.. 1 The windfalls under these trees were left undisturbed until after the experiment ended. Thk White-mahived Tussock Moth, Hemerocampa leucostigma S. & A. and the Rusty Tussock Moth, Notolophus antiqua L. — A large number of inquiries were received from the Maritime Provinces, chiefly from Nova Scotia, regarding these insects. In most cases the letters were accompanied by the egg masses. Both of these s-pecies, particularly the former, have been abundant in orchards in the above pro- vinces for the last few years, and have in some instances been the cause of considerable injury. The White-marked Tussock Moth is the more injurious and the better known of the two, chiefly from its injuries to ornamental trees. In Montreal, Toronto, Kingston and other Canadian cities it has attracted much attention from its attacks to shada trees, many being entirely denuded of their foliage by the caterpillars. These insects were treated of at some length in the late Dr. Fletcher's report for the year ending March 31, 1908. The egg masses of these two Tussock Moths are quite different in appearance. Those of the White-marked Tussock Moth are laid on or close to the cocoon from which the female moth emerged and are covered with a frothy white deposit, so that they cannot be seen without breaking up the mass. The eggs of the Rusty Tussock Moth having no such frothy covering, are bare and easily distinguish- able. The remedies for these insects are the collection of the egg masses before spring and the spraying of the trees with an arsenical poison as soon as the young caterpillars are noticed. Orchards that are regularly sprayed with the poisoned Bordeaux mixture will be kept free from the attacks of these and many other leaf- eating insects. 62 . EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Cankerworms. — In 1908, Cankerworms did serious damage in many of the or- chards ill the Maritime Provinces. From Nova Scotia, particularly, many complaints were received of the prevalence of these insects, correspondents claiming that the injury had been very severe in many districts. There are two kinds of caterpillars which attack apple trees, which are known as Cankerworms, viz., the Spring Cankerworm and the Autumn Cankerworm. The female moths of both kinds are wingless and have a very spider-like appearance. Those of the Spring Cankerworm appear chiefly in spring and lay oval, pearly-white , eggs, in irregular masses, beneath flakes of bark, &c. The moths of the Autumn Cankerworm, on the other hand, api)ear late in the season (October and November), and the females lay eggs which are brown, flattened at the top, like miniature tumblers with caps on them, and stand close together in clusters of about 100 or more on the outside of the bark. The males are delicate moths, with gauzy wings. The cater- pillars of both species are slender brown, blackish, or green loopers, or ' measuring worms,' about an inch in length when full grown, and with only six pairs of legs, three pairs of which are on the front part of the body, the other three pairs at the rear. The young caterpillars appear about ths time that the leafbuds open, and at that time the trees shoiild be carefully examined, and, if any are found, the trees should at once be sprayed with an arsenical poison. When the caterpillars are small they are very easily killed by the ordinary poisoned Bordeaux mixture, or by Paris green 1 pound in 150 gallons of water, or arsenate of lead 3 pounds in 40 gallons of water. When they are more than half an inch long, however, they are very difficult to kill with any such poisons. At such times, Dr. Fletcher recommended as much as one pound of Paris green in 100 gallons of Bordeaux mixture, and that this latter should be made with five pounds of lime to the four pounds of copper sulphate in the 40 gallons of water. As the female moths crawl up from the ground to deposit their eggs on the trees, all trees in orchards where the Cankerworms have been destructive should be banded in autumn and spring with one of the mechanical tree protectors, or the moths may be prevent'cd from climbing by being caught on bands of thick paper which have been painted with an adhesive mixture, and tacked closely and firmly around the tree. A mixture of castor oil two pounds and resin three pounds has been found satisfactory for cold weather, but in hot weather it is necessary to add one more pound of resin. These ingredients are heated slowly until the resin is all melted and the mixture is then applied to the bands while it is warm. Another formula is five pounds of resin and three pounds of castor oil for warm weather and equal parts by weight for cold weather. As mentioned above, the most convenient way to apply these mixtures is to paint them on bands of thick paper, but they may be applied to the tree without injury to the latter. If this is done it is sometimes necessary to put on a second coating if too much of the oil is absorbed by the bark. Printers' ink five pounds, mixed with one gallon of fish oil, is ako much used in Nova Scotia, and the amount mentioned will treat an acre of orchard. The Chemical Division of the Dominion Experimental Farms recently carried on some experiments in the hope of finding a more economical adhesive material which could be used for such insects. Considerable progress was made, but the Chemist, Mr. Shutt, has informed us that this work is not yet far enough advanced to make a report upon. It is hoped, however, that when further experiments have been con- ducted, some useful deductions may be made. The Pear Leaf Blister Mite, Eriophyes pyri Nalepa. — This old enemy of the pear is steadily spreading in the apple-growing districts of the southern portions of Ontario. It occurs in every part of Canada where the pear is grown, but it is only of late years that it has turned its attention to the apple, although in Europe it is well known to attack that trer-. During ]908, it was much complained of, and infoi-mation asked as to the best known remedy for its destruction. REPORT OF TEE DIVISION Oi ENTOMOLOGY AND BOTANY 63 SISSIONAL PAPER No. 16 The Pear-Leaf Blister Mite, as its name implies, is not on i\isect, but a mite. It is a microscopic creature, being only about Vi25 of an inch in length. Regarding the life habits of these mites. Prof. Parrott, of the New York Agricultural Experiment Station, says : ' The mites spend-the winter in the buds usually under the second and third layers of bud-Scales. They frequently collect in colonies of fifty or more in little depressions in the scales and are more or less concealed and protected by the pubes- cence of the buds. As the buds burst, the mites move to the \infolding leaves in which they burrow and establish new colonies. In October the mites abandon the leaves and hide in the buds.' The irritation caused by the mites burrowing into the leaves from below, induces the growth of galls, or blisters. Within the blisters the eggs are laid; these hatch in a few days and the young mites feed upon the juices of the leaf. If the blisters are examined closely, tiny openings will be seen ; these are made by the mites on entering and leaving the leaf. The chief injuries by the Blister Mite are to the leaves, but the fruit stems and fruit are often attacked. Prof. Lochhead in writing of this pest, in the Annual Report of the Fruit Growers' Association for 1008, says : ' The galls on pear leaves are at first greenish, then reddish, afterwards bright red, and finally Avith the death of the rffected tissues, brown or black, often most conspicuous on the sides of the midrib. When the mites are very num-crous the injuries produce defoliation of the trees. The colour of the galls on apple leaves is much less striking than that on pear leaves. The galls are usually more abundant on the margins of the leaves, and are at first greenish, soon becoming brownish, and only occasionally red. The coalescence or merging together of several of the galls produce irregular-shaped dead areas, which often rupture at the margin.' Quoting from Prof. Parrott, he says : ' About July first the most striking effects of the mites upon the leaves appear, especially if there is much yellowing of the foliage, as frequently occurs. Upon the upper surfaces of such leaves the mite-infested spots are of a light brown or oi a dark green colour, and are uniformly brown beneath. These spots are thickly massed, forming a dark, broad band of irregular width along each side of the leaf, which contrasts conspicuously with the intervening light yellow area about the main rib. To one standing on the ground and viewing the leaves from beneath, this striping of the leaves is very suggestive of the variegated foliage of certain ornamental plants.' The remedy for the Pear Leaf Blister Mite is to spray the trees with the lime- sulphur v.-ash just as the buds are swelling. Although the mites pass the winter hidden away securely beneath the bvid-scales, the expanding of the buds in spring opens the bud-scales sufficiently to allow the entrance of the spraying mixture. DONATIONS TO COLLECTIONS OF INSECTS AND PLANTS. Among the more important donations to the collections of insects and plants of the Division of Entomology and Botany, which have been made during the year ending March 31, 1909, the following may be mentioned: — J. R. Anderson, Victoria, B.C. Pressed botanical specimens of DeJpliininm menziesii, and other interesting plants. G. Chagnon, Montreal, Que. A fine specimen of the noctuid moth Gi'apkipliora fvrfvrata. Nonnan Criddle, Treesbauk, Man. Many specimens of rare Manitoban lepidcplcra. Horace Dawson, Hymers, Ont. Specimens of arctian and noctuid moths of special interest, taken at Hymers. W. A. Dent, Sarnia, Ont. Seeds and living roots of Dioscorea villcsa. Rftv. H. Dupret, Montreal. Fine specimens of Chccrophyllum sativum, Anlhriscus cerefolium, &c. Miss B. Green, Fairview, B.C. Several pressed botanical specimens, including Pedicidaris langsdorffii. 64 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARO VII., A. 1910 A. W. Hanham, Duncans, B.C. Four boxes containing collections of lepidoptera, ccleoptera and hymenoptera, all in splendid condition, among which were many rare specimens. Rev. J. H. Keen, Metlakatlah, B.C. A good series of the rare Byrrid, Exoma plenralis and other insects. W. Metcalfe, Ottawa. Diptera and other insects collected in Ontario. Mrs. D. W. Stewart, Renfrew, Ont. A botanical sheet of Medicago falcata. Rev. G. W. Taylor, Nanaimo, B.C. Many specimens of lepidoptera, coleoptcra, hymenoptera and a named collection of neuropteroid insects, all from British Columbia. Rev. Frere Victorin, Longueuil, Que. Pressed botanical specimens of Ruhus hispidus and Rtihus permixtus. E. P. Vcnables, Vernon, B.C. S]pecimens of hemiptera and other insects from British Columbia. J. B. Wallis, Winnip>eg, Man. A fine series of Catocala coccinata, together with acceptable noctuids, and named specimens of neuropteroid insects. Miss E. Maude Warren, Kelowna, B.C. Living plant of Cypripedium occidentale and botanical specimens of Oenothera muricata, Potentilla camphorum, and other plants for the herbarium. C. H. Young, Ottawa. Beautifully mounted specimens of micro-lepidoptera, some of which have been only recently described. THE APIARY. The apiary is under the management of Mr. D. D. Gray, the farm foreman, whose report I append herewith. The practical work of handling and caring for the bees has been done by Mr. C. A. Burnside. It was thought best to reduce the number of colonies in the apiary during the year, and some of the strong and healthy ones were sold and the number on our stands was thus reduced to thirty-two. REPORT OF APIARY FOR SEASON OF 190S-9. I have to report a fairly successful year with the bees. The weather at the begin- ning of the season was much the same as in 1907 — very wet and cold. The bees w^^re put on their summer stands on April 24, coming from their winter quarters in good condition. They were put in the bee cellar in the fall of 1907, weighing an average of 56-4 pounds each, and, when put out in spring of 1908, the weight was 38-6 pounds each, having lost an average of 17-8 pounds per colony during the winter, somewhat higher than most years. The first supers were put on on May 27 and the extractor was started on July 9. An effort was made to retard swarming as much as possible; there was, however, an increase of ten swarms during the season, the first coming off on June 20. The bees were put In the bee-cellar at the close of the season on November 6, all the colonies weighing over 50 pounds each. An experiment was carried on during the winter to get some data as to the amount of air-space required to winter the colonies satisfactorily. As there is yet practically a month before the bees go out, and this the most trying month of the year, nothing definite can be said at present as to the state of the colonies; all save one appear to be in good condition. D. D. GRAY. 9-10 ECV/ARD VII. SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 A. 1910 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURIST. J. H. GRISDALE, B. Agr. Dr. William Saunders, C.M.G., Director, Dominion Experimental Farms, Ottawa. Sir, — I have the honour to submit herewith reports upon the horses, cattle, sheep, swine and farming operations under my supervision during the past year. I have to report a very successful year in connection with live stock, but the crop returns in 1908 as in 190Y and 1906 fell very considerably below the average, due largely, as in the previous years, to an exceptionally dry summer. The reports of the returns from the different fields under cultivation attached hereto, indicate cleai'ly the injurious effects of the dry weather upon all crops. The hay and corn crop although light in quantity were rather exceptionally good in quality. The roots and grain were both light and of inferior quality. The work in my division was as usual carried on with the efficient co-operation of the farm foreman, Mr. D. D. Gray, and the herdsman, Mr. Wm. Gibson. Mr. Meilleur continues to do good work in the dairy. In correspondence and clerical work I am indebted to Mr. L. Giguere for careful and intelligent co-operation. During the year I have attended a large number of meetings in various parts of Canada in addition to my regular duties on the Central Experimental Farm. From April 1, 1908, to March 31, 1909, 2,789 letters were received and 3,524 despatched by the Agricultural Division. I have the honour to be, sir. Your obedient servant, J. H. GRISDALE, Agi-icuUvj-ist. 65 16—5 66 EXPERIMEyiAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 LITE STOCK. The live stock now (Api-il 1, 1009) occupying the different stables and pens nndei my charge include horses, cattle, sheep and swine. HORSES. The horses are kept for labour exclusively, although some experimental feeding is usually under way to gain some information as to the most economical methods of feeding work-horses, as well as experi.ments to determine the comparative values of different foods as forage for same. The horses are usually 19 in number, made up of : — Thirteen heavy horses of Clydesdale and Percheron blood. Five heavy driving horses. One light driver. CATTLE. There are representatives of fonr breeds of cattle, viz. : Shorthorn, Ayrshire, Guernsey and Canadian. There are besides a number of grade cattle and steers. The cattle are kept for breeding and feeding operations, mostly of an experimental character. Pure-bred breeding animals are usually on sale, howevei", and a consider- able number are sold in the course of the year. PURE-BRED BREEDING CATTLE. The pure-bred cattle in the barn at present are as follows :- Twenty-seven Shorthorns, including 3 bulls and 24 females. Thirty-four Ayrshires, including 7 bulls and 27 females. Fifteen Guernseys, including 2 bulls and 13 females. Twenty-six Canadians, including 4 bulls and 22 females. GRADE CATTLE. At present the grades number 23 head, made up of 2 Shorthorn grades, 5 AjTshire grades, 8 Guernsey grades and 8 Canadian grades. STEERS. Thirty steers are under feed at present. They are of different ages and breeding, and the number is made up of: 18 yearlings, 12 calves. SHEEP. Sheep are not kept in large numbers, only 31 being now in the pens. Two breeds are kept, namely : Shropshire and Leicester. There are 24 Shropshires, as follows: One aged ram, 1 ram lamb, 15 aged ewrs and 7 shearling ewes. There are 8 Leicesters, as follows: 5 ewes and 3 yearling ewes. SWIXE. One hundred and thirty-six swine of all classes are now in the pens, being fed experimentally, or being kept for breeding purposes. The breeds kept are Berkshires, Tamworths and Yorkshires. REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURIST 67 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 The Yorkshires are 38 in number, including : Two stock boars, 3 young boars and 33 breeding sows. The Berkshires are 21 in number, including: Two stock boars, 13 breeding sows and six young pigs. The Tamworths are 14, including: One stock boar, 1 young boar and 12 breeding sows. Sixty-three feeders, different sizes and breeds. HORSES. There are usually 19 horses io the stables. These horses are expected to do the work in the various divisions during the year. The work on the ' 200-acre farm ' is but a part of their duties. They work in addition for the horticultural and cereal divisions, as well as upon the lawns and in the arboretum. In addition a large amount of hauling or cartage in connection with the different divisions, as well as road- making and messenger service, takes up much of their time. HORSE LABOUR. During the year from April 1, 1908, to March 31, 1909, the work done by the 19 horses kept in the stables here was equivalent to 6,574-9 days' work, distributed as follows: Live stock, hauling feed, marketing stock, &c., 162-8 days; farm work '200-acre farm,' 867 -1 days; draining and care of roads, including removing snow and brealcing roads in winter, 156-1 days; manure on '200-acre farm,' 331-2 days; horticultural division, 722 days; lawns, &c., 152-5 days; cereal division, 732-4 days; bulletins and reports from and to farm offices, 44-1 days; poultry, 71 days; mail, including milk delivery, 153 days; omnibus service, including three horses for omnibus, two horses for general driving and horse for supervision of work, 2,467 days ; work about greenhouse, outbuildings, sidewalks, exhibitions, &c., 715-7 days. In estimating the cost of farming operations further on in this report, $3 a day is charged for team and driver. To feed and care for the horses, costs 32^ cents per horse per working day, and the driver receives an average of $1.72^ i)er 10-hour day. It is evident, therefore, that the team and driver costs $2.37^ per day, leaving a margin of 62| cents, or 31^ cents, nearly, per horse per day for wear and tear. DAIEY CATTLE. The herd of dairy cattle during the year 1908-9 consisted of 49 milch cows, all told. They were: Ayrshires 11 Guernseys 8 Canadians 11 Shorthorns 9 Grades (various breeding) 10 FEEDING THE DAIRY COWS. The year 1908-9 has been probably the most trying year dairy farmers have experienced since dairying became one of the chief agricultural lines of effort in Eastern Canada. A very late spring was followed by a very dry summer, so that feed was scarce, not only all summer, but all crops being very light, winter feed also was far from plentiful. On this account dairy herds were materially reduced, going even below low-level mark set the previous autumn. Feed prices have remained very high. They have in fact ruled higher than for many years past. ■ 16— 5 i 68 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 SUMMER I'KKDING. As (lurliifj tlie invvious llinM- ycnrs, the dairy cattle wt-rc allowed only a very small area lor pasture. They depended very largely upon soiling- erops and corn silage. A regular succession of crops was planned to supply the necessary forage. A fourteen acre Held waa available for pasture for 50 head. This field had been seecied down the previous year with the following mixture of seed per acre : — lied eIo\er, 5 lbs.; alfalfa, 7 lbs.; timothy, 10 lbs. This seeding made such a strong growth in late May and early June that it was decided to divide the field, pasture the cattle on one half and cut the other part for soiling purposes. This proved to be a very satisfactory plan and enabled us to materi- ally increase the carrying power of the field. For July, feeding i)rovision had been made by sowing a mixture of peas and cats at the rate of ^ bushels ]xm- acre, ecpinl parts of each by weight. For later feeding, corn was depended ui)on entirely. The fourteen acre field had yielded a good crop, but the dry summer did nothing to encourage growth in July, August and September, hcrce the pasture was merely an exercising ground. The hot dry summer affected tlic milk flow very seriously and milk was produced at a considerably higher cost per hundred pounds than usual. WINTKR FKEDING. The winter feeding was carried on under much more favourable conditions. The new stable was in good shape, well ventilated and well lighted. Feed was scarce, but, in the case of ens^lag(\ roots, straw and hay. of unusually good quality. Cattle came in rather low in fleah but, with normal a.mounts of the above feeds, soon improved and have seemed to require less meal or concentrated feed than \isual to insure good results in the way of milk production. The winter ration has be(Mi on the average about as follows: — Lhs. Ilt^y 5 Corn ensilage HO Roots 10 Straw 4 ^leal 7 The hay was mixed red clover and timothy. The corn silage was of good quality, rich in grain and well preserved. The roots were mangels, sugar mangels, sugar beets and turnips. They were usually pulpfd and mixed w'ith the ensilage. '.riie straw was of course oat, and was of extra good feeding (piality. since there was a considerable percentage of gTeen oats. It was cut and mixed with the pulped roots and ensilage. The meal usually consisted of a mixture of 800 pomuls bran, 300 pounds gluten and 200 pounds oil-cake meal. The meal was scattered on the roughage mixture of roots, ensilage and cut straw after it was before the cattle. The hay given was fed uncut after the other material had been cleaned up. Of course the amount of nuighage fed depends on the appetite of the cow. the amount of meal is influenced rather by the amount of milk being produced by the cow in question. Tier meal ration is gradually increased after calving, until at three or four week-! in milk she is supposed to be on full feed. The amount of meal is judged by the milk produced. If she responds freely to increases in meal, she is fed the more libe'-- REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURIST 69 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 ally, usually up to that point whore an increase in meal does not seem to induce a relatively liberal increase in milk flow. One pound of meal for four pounds of milk is liberal feeding; one pound of meal for three pounds of milk, to leave a profit, neces- sitates selling milk at a higher price than the average farmer may hope for. In this connection it may be observed that the quality or composition of the meal ration is usually an important factor affecting the milk yield. It is exceedingly important, however, to remember that palatability in the meal as well as in the roughage is an influence that is not infrequently underestimated. Variety in meals fed is advisable, but variety should mean a blending of meals, not a substitution of one for another at frequent intervals. To illustrate, it is much better to feed a mixture of bran, oatU, barley, oil, meal, gluten, cotton seed meal, &c., than to feed any one of the.m for a time, to be subse(iuently replaced by some other. Generally speaking, the meal ration for dairy cows should be rich in protein, palatable, easily digested and fairly finely ground, and blended to suit the roughage ration with which it is fed. Meals vary greatly as to composition and effect upon digestive organs of the cattle. While some are laxative, some are constipating in effect, and while some seem to develop appetite, otliers have the opposite effect. INDIVIDUAL cow RECORDS. The records which follow are rather lower than usual for the reasons already given that building operations interfered with the proper care of the herd. The butter is valued at 26 cents per pound. It was really sold at from 25 to 35 cents per pound. Some of the cows suckled calves part of the time, hence did not make as good records as would otherwise have been the case. COST OF FEEDING. In estimating the cost of feeding, the following prices were charged for feed stuffs, being the average local market rates for the same during the season of 1908, save in the case of ensilage and roots, which are charged for at the rate usually affixed in experimental feeding in all parts of America. Pasture, per month $ 1 00 per cow. Bran 20 00 per ton. Gluten meal 28 00 " Oil meal 32 00 Oats 25 00 Barley 22 00 Clover hay Y 00 " Chaff 4 00 Roots and ensilage 2 00 " In estimating the value of the product, 20 cents per pound is allowed for the butter and 20 cents per 100 pounds for the skim milk. The butter sells at from 25 to 35 cents per pound. The Central Experimental Farm dairy herd records as piven below, make only a nuxicrate showing. No effort is being made just at present to get pnrticidarly large yields from the cattle, the aim being now to get some good breeding stock. As will be noted the pure-bred cows are being milked for rather shorter periods than usual. This is on account of their being bred to come in at as short intervals as possible. 70 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 ■Jdaa jnoqiJi 'poijad 3uunp MOO uo ^gojj 00 »0 -T" C-l t^ t^ t^ ca ^ t- e<5 (N 5>1 r-l O b-t-.it-00 i^Oiio i^'-O rH ,-1 ^ ,H ,H rH r-l rH ,H r-( tH t-l i-l i-H t-l 1-1 rH ^ 1-1 •paqoa^Sau •q[ X oonpoid o^ %snQ "00Ol0lOO«0e<500*^C0©Oe0 C010©t^©OOC<5©© © ■* ©lO M© co©eocotr>©o©©©-ncfO©t~eo»o©©c.tr^b-0lOC<5©lOO5-*lOi-lt^t^e0Nr— »OOCDt^OO5050C0O500000000Xi05t^0i©000000000505000005 Oi->*'0> MOO CO t^05 1-1 © >rl<-1<'Jt©C0I-l©T-iO>IMiOT)«C000(MTH00C5.'t< •poTJsd joj paaj JO !)soo iiiiox OCJQ©C:i-ICOi-l©00'rC~'lCO*0'*<0 »o -if o ■■^ — -^ -- '~ -^ -^ '^ ^ " — ^ — OCii— ICOl— ICOO-^C^lCOOTtfOi— 'lC00©Cq©O5©»-l00Oi© t~© t— -r 00 O 00 ■<< •q^juotn J9d x$ !»b ejnjscd uo smuoj^ lOiooiomiOiomoioinioiciOiomioin to lO lO lO iCC34Cl3lO>OiOOlOt->-IO©lOOC^110COCO©b.,-l>-llOiOlOiOO lOCOO-r-f iS^lrttrtliiJtrtr^'-' — ^tt^t ■.-i©oooocoi^t^ot~t^ t>lrHr~ioo 0050©©©©0©©rHlH©©©t^©OOOOCiC;C500©©01©© 0.t^TtlOO--i-tiC.O©-«J'Tff00t>-i0l0C0"XiO co"!-! .-''i-ri-r.--r.-r©'i-ri4~co"i-r^,-ri-rod -^"oo'o'rH'co c^oo T-T.-j'rH 1-H i-T rHi— (r-(i— liHrHi— fi— li— IrHrH,— (t— ii-it--tir-'oOT-ior. o^i-icO'i<'©(M(Mcoco'MTH-r©ciM©-tiiO'"*'iO©'9>-vc5coot-i-i co>oc^©io©©r: x3iO©iocq30i*ic©c0r-ir500iH©o©>oio© eor-ir-i>— iooc5Cj©oo©ooooacGct>.a)t>-tot— oocc;soot-b-;oo lO lO T-l CO lO CO lO 1— c; o -If © O M Tjt » oooo 001 Jad s;u8D os It' i[Xira TIII31S JO anfc^ €© i-l-l«CX).lNO>0O©C-1t^©l>.0000T-li-l©©©,-,C5t^ OOt^OSCDt^ i-lrHrHrHrHi-li-li-lrH r-l i-ItH rHi-i ;Hrt '^ <. 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CO IM 0 0 T 0000 '*< r- IM C CO CO ^ CO t-tO TT ... CO CO to t< M .* in t^ 00 1-1 c; cr. (N -X 0: IM t-r~co to in CO rH 00 in 0 CO Oi (MI^Ii-^ r—f to .c m 1 in r-^ *J? ■^ c^ CO cr: ooc: 000 ^ •. .^ k to CO CO • (M ?« e^ ■ CDOOr- 00 r- n 510 tS • ; < ' 0 >.« g ?.H « 0-3 2 Q-< 0 > 1 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURIST 73 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 DAIKY COW KECORDS. KEEPING RECORDS. An increasingly large number of dairy farmers avail themselves of the offer made by this division to supply, free of cost, forms whereon to keep a record of the milk produced each day, or one day in each week, by each cow. This fact points to pro- gress along right lines. It is only when one knows the individuals in one's herd that one can hope to improve the general quality^ of the herd. The forms supplied are for week-long periods, as illustrated below, or for month- long periods, as may be preferred by the dairymen. In addition, forms for sumjuarizing the month's work as well as forms whereon to enter up the year's record are sent on application. DAILY MILK RECORD. Herd belonging to (This form supplied free by Live Stock Post office Division, Central Experimental Record for week ending Farm, Ottawa, Ont. ) COWS. Day. Time. — Total for day. Suiirlav. Morning. . Evening. . . . Monday Morning r Evening. Tuesday Mornins' Evening Wednesday Morning. . Evening Thursday. Morning. . Evening Friday. .. Morning. . . Evening Saturday Morning Evening Week — — — Total. Wm. Saunders, Director. (Reverse) Central Experimental Farm. J. H. Grisdale, Live Stock and Agriculture. MILK records. 1. The profitable dairy cow must give over 5,000 pounds of milk each year. To know the value of a cow, her total annual yield of milk must be known. The only way to know this is to keep a record of her daily milk yield. 2. The form on the other side of this sheet is intended to help progressive dairy farmers by supplying them with a simple and convenient sheet for the keeping of the milk records of their individual cows. A study of such records will soon indicate which cows should go to the butcher. We would be pleased to receive a summary of your record. If you have no summary forms, write us. 3. Such records are being kept by hundreds of successful dairymen to-day. Many of these men attribute their success to the keeping of such records. Why not give the thing a trial, if you are a dairyman. It will increase your milk product. It will 74 ^ EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 lighten your labour since your interest will be increased in your work and ' interest lightens labour.' It will show you the unprofitable cow, the ' boarder.' You cannot get rid of her too quickly. 4. For weighing the milk a simple spring balance may be secured for from one !and a half to four dollars. If your local dealer cannot supply you, write the under- signed for particulars. A small platform scale is fairly convenient, but we find the spring balance preferable. 5. Many farmers keep records of the amount of food fed to individual cows. If you would like to do so, sample forms would be sent free on writing to J. H. Grisdale, Agriculturist, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Ont. " THE DAIEY HERDS AT THE CENTRAL EXPERIMENTAL FARM. THEIR ORIGIN, GROWTH AND USE. At the Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, are to be found at present four herds of pure-bred dairy cattle. They are Ayrshire, Guernsey, Canadian and Dairy Short- horn. In addition a number of grades or cross-breds find room, bringing the total of dairy cattle up to 130 to 140 head. The present herds date back about eight years. PREVIOUS HERDS. For four or five years previous to the founding of the present herds, only grade cattle had been kept. These had been preceded by small herds of a few individuals each of several breeds, chiefly of a beef-producing character, as Aberdeen, Angus, Galloways, and Scotch Shorthorns, with a representative or two of Ayrshire, Jersey and Holstein breeds. Tuberculosis was responsible for the utter destruction of these various small herds. This insidious disease did, in fact, twice completely or almost completely, clean out the cattle barns. It is only since the stables were remodelled and improved as to lighting and ventilation in 1907, that it has been possible to com- pletely eradicate all traces of this, the worst and almost unique disease against which the Canadian live stock man has to contend. FOUNDATION STOCK. , The foundation stock of the Ayrshire, Guernsey and Dairy Shorthorn herds were purchased in Scotland, Guernsey and England, respectively, and no additions, save an occasional bull, have been made since the original importation in 1901. The French-Canadian herd foundation-stock was secured in the province of Quebec. SELECTING THE BREEDS. Since conditions were such as to preclude the possibility of keeping herds of all the more important classes of cattle, it was thought advisable to select one of the heavy milking breeds, Ayrshire or Holstein, one of the Channel Island breeds, Jersey or Guernsey, and one of the various so-called dual-purpose breeds. Dairy Shorthorn, Red Poll, Lincoln Red, &c. In addition, since we have in Canada a breed peculiar to this country, the French-Canadian, it was only fitting that a herd of this breed should find room on the Central Experimental Farm. The alternative or choice of one from each of the groups of breeds mentioned, was made after a careful study of the various considerations which might be supjKDsed to influence the choice of a farmer as to the breed he should fix upon under such peculiarities as to soil and climatic conditiona as maintain upon this farm. REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURIST 75 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 DISPOSITION OF NATURAL INCREASE. The herds have been gradually enlarged to their present dimensions by keeping the best cow calves of each breed. The bull calves from the best cows are sold to farmers or farmers' clubs for breeding purposes. WHY CATTLE ARE KEPT. The reasons for keeping cattle on the Central Experimental Farm are several and important. In the first place, farming in eastern Canada without live stock would be exceedingly difficult, and is, in fact, practically impossible. Further, it is desired to show as great a revenue as possible from the ' farm ' part of the Experimental Farm. As a means to this end, dairy cattle may be said to be indispensable in eastern Canada. Again, it is necessary to have the Experimental Farm as interesting and instruc- tive as ijossible. Live stock of various classes will certainly do more than anything else to add interest to the farm, for either the casual visitor or the owner. It is probable, however, that the great need for experimental work in breeding, feeding and caring for the various classes of live stock, was the most important reason advanced for the upbuilding and maintaining of considerable herds of cattle here. PAST EXPERIMENTAL WORK. The lines of experimental work that have been carried on with dairy cattle up to date have been quite varied and important. A few might be enumerated as follows : — (1) Experiments to determine the number of dairy cattle that might be carried to the acre of arable land on the average Canadian farm. (2) Experiments in methods of feeding and caring for dairy cows. (3) Experiments in ventilation of dairy barns. (4) Experiments with various feeds, both roughage and concentrate, to determine their values as feeds for dairy cows. (5) Experiments in milking, methods and hours of operation. (6) Experiments to determine cost of production of milk and butter. (7) Experiments in breeding pure-breds and grades. (8) Comparative study of breeds as to economy of production, hardiness and fitness for Canadian conditions. (9) The ' dual purpose ' cow. • FUTURE EXPERBIENTAL WORK. The work in the future will necessarily be along somewhat similar lines. This, however, will not in any way detract from its value, but rather render it more vah.i-'l'le since it is only by repeated experiments that we may hope to gain any really valuable information about anything in agriculture. BEEF PEODUCTION. Between 40 and 50 steers of various ages were fed for shorter or longer periods during the year. Some of the lines of experimental work followed were : — 1. Short-keep steers, cost of beef production therewith. 2. Value of some feeds for beef production. 3. Baby beef. In most cases the common feeds were used, the most largely utilized being gluten meal, oil-cake meal, wheat-bran and corn. For roughage, clover hay, corn ensilage, roots (mangels and turnips) and some straw were as usual the regular feeds. 76 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 SHORT KEEP STEERS. A bunch of nine steers, average weight 1,145 pounds October 8, 1908, were fed as indicated below, and left a very nice margin of profit, in spite of the high prices ruling for meal feeds of all kinds. Three-year Olds — Lot No. 1. Number of steers in lot 8 First weight, gross, October 8, 1908 lbs. 9,160 First weight, average, October 8, 1908 " 1,145 Finished weight, gross, January 16, 1909 " 11,375 Finished weight, average, January 16, 1909 " 1,422 Total gain in 100 days " 2,215 Average gain per steer " 277 Daily gain per steer " 2*77 Daily gain per lot, 8 steers " 22-16 Gross cost of feed $125 30 Cost of 100 lbs. gain 5 61 Cost of steers: 9,160 lbs. at $3.50 per 100 lbs 343 50 Total cost to produce beef 468 80 Sold 11,375 lbs. at $5.35 per 100 lbs., less 5 per cent. ... 578 17 Profit 109 37 Net profit per steer 13 67 Average buying price per steer 42 94 Average selling price per steer 72 27 Average increase in value 27 33 Average cost of feed per steer 15 66 Amount of meal eaten by lot of 8 steers lbs. 3,696 Amount of ensilage and roots " 41,384 Amount of hay " 2,920 Amount of straw eaten and for bedding " 10,928 Meal consumed consisted of bran, 1,136-8 lbs.; gluten, 2,256-8 lbs., and oil meal, 802-4 lbs. FEEDING YEARLINGS. In contrast with the above may be noted an experiment with a bunch of four yearlings purchased for $45 from a farmer near Ottawa, who found himself forced to sell on account of scarcity of feed. The price paid looked very small but proved to be high enough to allow of only a small profit after paying all expenses. Particu- lars follow: — Lot No. 2. Number of steers in lot 4 First weight, gross, October 19, 1908 lbs. 1,890 First weight, average, October 19, 1908. '' 472-5 Finished weight, gross, April 28, 1909 '' 3,540 Finished weight, average, April 28. 1909 " 885 Total gain in 190 days " 1.650 Average gain per steer " 412-5 Daily gain per steer " 2-17 Daily gain per lot of 4 steers " 8-68 Gross cost of feed $ 88 60 Cost of 100 pounds gain 5 37 Cost of steers 45 00 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURIST 77 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Total cost to produce beef $ 133 60 Sold 3,540 -pounds at $4.50 per 100 pounds, less 5 p.c. . . 151 33 Profit 17 73 Net profit per steer. 4 43 Average buying price per steer 11 25 Average selling price per steer 37 S3 Average increase in value 26 58 Average cost of feed per steer 22 15 Amount of meal eaten by lot of 4 steers lbs. 3.528 Amount of ensilage and roots " 34,628 Amount of hay " 2,824 Meal, about equal parts gluten meal and bran. CORN, GLUTEN MEAL AND OIL MEAL EXPERIMENT. In the experiment reported below, it will be noted that bran enters quite largely into the meal ration in each case. In feeding such heavy meals as corn, gluten meal, oil-cake meal, cotton-seed meal, &c., it has been found advisable to use a certain amount of some light meal as an opener. In this case, bran has been so used. It will be noted that the mixture of gluten and oil meal did not do nearly so well as did either of the others. The steers, though quite as good quality if not superior to the corn-fed and oil-meal fed lots, did not make as good gains. It is possible that some other influence than the meal mixture fed should be held accountable for the small gains. No other cause could be observed. Lot— Corn Fed. Number of steers in lot 3 First weight, gross, Feb. 15, 1909 lbs. 2,770 First weight, average " 923 Finished weight, gross, April 26, 1909 " 3,190 Finished weight, average " 1,063 Total gain in 70 days. . " 420 Average gain per steer " 140 Daily gain per steer " 2 Daily gain per lot 3 steers " 6 Gross cost of feed $ 34 24 Cost of 100 pounds gain 8 15 Cost of steers, 2,770 pounds at $4 per 100 pounds, less 5 p.c 105 28 Total cost to produce beef 139 52 Sold 3,190 pounds at $4.75 per 100 pounds, less 5 p.c... 143 92 Profit 4 40 Net profit per steer 1 47 Average buying price per steer 35 09 Average selling price per steer 47 99 Average increase in value 12 90 Average cost of feed per steer 11 41 Amount of meal eaten by lot of 3 steers lbs. 1.3«6 Amount of ensilage and roots " 8,820 Amount of hay " 504 Amount of straw eaten and bedded " 3,670 Meal consisted of bran, 346-5 pounds; ground corn, 1,030-5 pounds. 78 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VLU A. 1910 Xot — Oil Meal Fed. Number of steers in lot 3 First weight, gross, February 15, 1909. . , .• lbs. 2,205 First weight, average " 735 Finished weight, gross, April 26, 1909 " 2,650 Finished weight, average " 883 Total gain in 70 days " 445 Average gain per steer " 148 Daily gain per steer " 2 *1 Daily gain per lot 3 steers " 6-3 Gross cost of feed $ 32 01 Cost of 100 lbs. gain 7 19 Cost of steers, 2,205 lbs. at $4 per 100 lbs., less 5 per cent. 83 80 Total cost to produce beef 115 81 Sold 2,650 lbs. at 119 60 Profit 3 79 Net profit i>ei' steer 1 26 Average buying price per steer 27 93 Average selling price per steer 39 87 Average increase in value 11 94 Average cost of feed per steer 10 67 Amount of meal eaten by lot of 3 steers lbs. 1,176 Amount of ensilage and roots " 7,350 Amount of hay " 420 Amount of straw eaten and bedded " 3,150 Meal consisted of bran, 546 lbs. ; oil meal, 630 lbs. Lot on Gluten and Oil Meal. Number of steers in lot 3 First weight, gross, February 15, 1909 lbs. 2,510 First weight, average, February 15, 1909 " 837 Finished weight, gross, April 26, 1909 " 2,830 Finished weight, average " 943 Total gain in 70 days , " 320 Average gain per steer " 107 Daily gain per steer " 1 -53 Daily gain per lot 3 steers " 4 -.59 Gross cost of feed. . . . .' $ 31 68 Cost of 100 lbs. gain 9 90 Cost of steers, 2,510 lbs. at $4 per lUO lbs., less 5 per cent. 96 40 Total cost to produce beef 128 08 Sold 2,830 lbs. at $4.75 per 100 lbs., less 5 per cent. ... 127 72 Loss 36 Net loss per steer 12 Average buying price per steer 32 13 Average selling price per steer 42 57 Average increase in value 10 44 Average cost of feed per steer 10 56 Amount of meal eaten by lot of 3 steers lbs. 1,050 Amount of ensilage and roots " 8,550 Amount of hay " 420 Amount of straw eaten and bedded " 3,654 Meal consisted of bran, 122 lbs.; gluten, 693 lbs., and oil meal, 235 lbs. REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURIST 79 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 BABY BEEF. Some further work has been done in the production of beef from steers ready for the block at an early age. Below follow reports upon two lots dropped in 1907. STEER CALF EXPERIMENTS. Limited Orowing Ration Lot. Lot 1, Droppal May, 1907. Number of steers in lot 5 First weight, gross, March 31, 1908 lbs. 2,520 First weight, average. . . . ' " 504 Finished weight, gross " 4,935 Finished weight, average " 987 Total gain in 393 days " 2,415 Average gain per steer " 483 Daily gain per steer *' 1-23 Daily gain per lot 5 steers " 6 -15 Gross cost of feed $132 92 Cost of 100 lbs. gain 5 50 Cost of steers: Value March 31, 1908 100 00 Total cost to produce beef 232 92 Sold 4,935 lbs. at $4.75 per 100 lbs., less 5 per cent. ... 222 72 Loss on lot 10 20 Loss per steer 2 04 Average valuation per steer 20 00 Average selling price per steer ; 44 54 Average increase in value 24 54 Average cost of feed for steer 26 58 Amount of meal eaten by 5 steers lbs. 4,585 Amount of ensilage and roots •' 41,915 Am-ount of hay " 3,535 Full fattening ration lot. Lot 2— Dropped May, 1907. Number of steers in lot 6 First weight, gross, April 1, 1908 lbs. 3,560 First weight, average " 593 -3 Finished weight, gross, Jan. 16, 1909 " 6,370 Finished weight, average " 1,061*7 Total gain in 290 days " 2,810 Average gain per steer •■ 468*3 Daily gain per steer " 1*61 Da^-iy gain per lot 6 steers '• 9*66 Gross cost of feed $ 169 25 Cost of 100 pounds gain 6 02 , Cost of steers: cost up to March 31, 1908 140 39 Total cost to produce beef 309 64 Sold 6,370 pounds at $5.35 per 100 pounds 340 80 Profit 31 16 Net profit per steer 5 19 Average value, March 31, 1908 23 40 80 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Average selling price per steer $ 56 80 Average increase in value 33 40 Average cost of feed per steer 43 90 Amount of meal eaten by lot of 6 steers lbs, Y,192 Amtunt of ensilage and roots " 59,823 Amount of hay " 6,162 Meal eaten consisted of bran, 2298-5 pounds; gluten, 4204-5 pounds; oil meal, 185 pounds; corn, 504 pounds. LIFE HISTORIES. Below are summarized the experiments with calves dropped in 1907. All parti- culars from birth to block are given. , LIMITED GROWING RATION LOT. Dropped, 1907. Number of steers in lot 5 First weight, gross, May 1, 1907 lbs. 420 First weight, average " 84 Finished weight, gross, April 26, 1909 " 4,935 Finished weight, average " 987 Total gain in 729 days. . . .- " 4,515 Average gain per steer 903 Daily gain per steer " 1-24 Daily gain per lot 5 steers " 6 -20 Gross cost of feed " $ 207 96 Cost of 100 pounds gain 4 66 Cost of steers, $5 each 25 00 Total cost to produce beef 232 96 Sold 4,935 pounds at $4.75 per 100 pounds, less 5 p.c. . . . 222 72 Loss on lot 10 24 Loss per steer 2 05 Average buying price per steer 5 00 Average selling price per steer 44 54 Average increase in value 39 54 Average cost of feed per steer 41 59 Amount of meal eaten by lot of 5 steers lbs. 6,735 •? Amount of ensilage and roots, mixed " 63,055 Amount of roots -. " 3,710 Amount of hay " 6,565 Amount of straw eaten " 1,120 Meal consisted of bran, 1,882-5 pounds; oil meal, 1,207 pounds; gluten meal, 2,928 pounds; oats, 563:2 pounds; corn, 155 pounds. Full fattening ration lot. Dropped, 1907. Number of steers in lot 6 First weight, gross, May 1, 1907 lbs. 640 First weight, average " 106 Finished weight, gross, Jan. 16, 1909 " 6,370 Finished weight, average " 1,061*7 Total gain in 626 days " 6,730 REPORT OF TEE AGRICULTURIST 81 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Average gain per steer lbs. 955 Daily gain per steer " 1 -52 Daily gain per lot of steers 9:12 Gross cost of feed $ 279 64 Cost of 100 pounds gain 4 88 Cost of steers, $5 each. . . .' 30 GO Total cost to produce beef 309 64 Sold 6,370 pounds at $5.35 per 100 pounds 340 80 Profit on lot 31 16 Net profit per steer 5 19 Average buying price per steer 5 00 Average selling price per steer 56 80 Average increase in value 51 80 Average cost of feed for steer 46 60 Amount of meal eaten by lot of 6 steers , .lbs. 11,201 Amount of ensilage " 83,342 Amount of roots " 10,796 Amount of hay " 9,653 Amount of straw eaten " 1,522 Amount of skim milk " ' 9,828 Meal consisted of oats, 679 pounds; oil meal, 523 pounds; bran, 4,095 pounds; gluten, 5.043 pounds ; corn, 861 pounds. CALVES DROPPED IN 1908. The calves secured in 1908 were not dropped till June, hence are about a month younger than usual at this date, and are accordingly somewhat lighter weights. Only one lot of five was secured. STEER CALVES. (Dropped June. 1908.) Number of steers in lot 5 First weight, gross, June 15, 1908 Ihs. 545 First weight, average " 109 Finished weight, gross, March 31, 1009 '' 2,475 Finished weight, average " 405 Total gain in 290 days " 1,980 Average gain per steer " 396 Daily gain per steer " 1-36 Daily gain per lot 5 steers ** 'J -80 Gross cost of feed $ 75 50 Cost of 100 lbs. gain 3 81 Cost of steers : $5 each 25 00 Total cost to produce beef 100 50 Averag3 cost of feed per steer 15 10 Amount of meal eaten by lot of 5 steers lbs. 2,080 Amount of ensilage and roots " 15,753 Amount of hay " 1,815 Amount of straw eaten and bedded " 6,170 Amount skim milk " 8,533 Amount whole milk " 750 Meal consisted of bran, 607-1 lbs.; oats, 234-1 lbs.; oil meal, 499-2 lbs., and gluten meal, 739-6 lbs. 16—6 82 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 During the year 1908-9 a large number of pigs have been bred and fed. Feed prices have been high and pork prices rather low, but financial results have been fairly satisfactory. FEEDING OLD BROOD SOWS. The practice of wintering sows outside, with no protection save small single board cabins wherein to sleep, and feeding them very largely on roots and clover hay, has been continued, with very satisfactory results. A statement as to the kinds and amoi;nts of feeds, fed a bunch of 27 brood sows, is submitted below. The estimated cost of feeding sows is made up by charging the following prices for feeds : — Bran $20 00 per ton. Eoots 2 00 " Shorts 20 00 " Clover hay 7 00 " COST OF WINTERING 27 BROOD SOWS. Period. From Nov. 1 to Nov. 30, 'OS From Nov. 30 to Dec. 31, '08 From Dec. 31, '08, to Jan. 31, '09 . From Jan. 31, '09 to Feb. 28, '09. . From Fub. 28 to March 31, '09 No. of days. 30 31 31 28 13 Amount of feed consumed Bran. lbs. 1,400 1,200 1,350 1,210 800 Shorts. lbs. 460 700 710 605 400 Roots. lbs. 10,420 11,020 8.400 4,200 Clover Hay. lbs. 300 1^50 600 300 Totnl cost of feed. 25 35 ?,2 82 3ii 33 30 76 18 65 Cost per pig. 93 1 21 1 34 1 13 69 Cost per dav. cts. ■1 •9 3 0 •3 * Refuse, tops, etc., at .?5.00. Total number of days Total tost of feed Average cost y.er pig Average cost per pig per day . 133 .$113 91 5 33 04 FEEDING YOUNG BROOD SOWS. Old sows may usiially be fed on cheap rough feeds as indicated above. Young sows, however, must receive a more liberal ration, and to a bunch of 25 young sows fed outside and sleeping in small cabins, as in the case of old sows, it was found necessary to feed rations considerably more liberal as to meal, in order to keep pigs in uniform, thrifty, growing condition. FEEDING EXPERHfENTS. A n\uiiber of feeding experiments were conducted during the year. One is reported below. The aim of this experiment was to gain some idea as to the compara- tive value of gluten. Imperial (food flnur), and a mixture of oats, oil meal and Tmperia', as meals to lend strength or weight to a finishing-off mixture. Incidentally it was attempted to gain some data as to the value of potatoes when added to such rations as are described below. The whole feeding period was divided into three parts. This was done to permit of the study of the values of feeds, &c., when no disturbing influence such as the change from soTne other feed at first, or the variation in rate of grain due to satiety or finishing-oflf at the end. The different feeds were valued as follows : Barley, $27 per ton ; bran, $2() per ton; gluten, $28 per ton; Imperial (feed flour), $32 per ton; oats, $2G per ton; oil meal, $32 per ton, and small potatoes, $2 per ton. REPORT OF TEE AGRICULTURIST 83 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 00 o 03 CL, Oh O >— ( ft O o .- i 3 • .3 o D 3 s s O c "m 'bb 1— 1 1— 1 s 5 o f~) o o 1 o o o iH o »-4 T— 1 • r "i « 1 • Tl i o o i O O 01 a o C> >. >. >, o _® 01 r2 -_* ^ fc4 ■*-^ ^ £.> £.1 ^ cd c8 c3 cS J3 S> .13 X! O O O <^ oin O o o ^5 © (M (M IN (N CO OOt-l OS 1-1 •* (N !O00 © '*' to ift t^1*l rH •;}i{Si3M aAij iS C<0O 00 C-l o rH Oi o in Ttl 'Xl -f CO in O 'ui'bS -qt x JO IsoQ o ecco CO ■^ •<»< Tf in in in i>.in to com to tal tof Ion. ,;, :r- 1.-5 tH -r -f 00 IN in t^ 00 in CO O -f If u 3J i-< rH CO 00 to IN 35 rH com IN ^ OS CO O 01 4J CC ■* CO COCO t^ CO Kl to WIN m Tfl IN t^ ^82 6© •»qSt8M 02 ■»1< t- lO CO rf in to to o aAr[ 'ut'bS -qj x Joj 5 oa> OJ CO t^ o mo; CO sao^'B^od JO (juaomv eoN ff^ ■*! 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'*< ?» ■^W 00 03 IN CO o CO in T-l O 1^ r-l in •-»< OS CO -if 00 jod ^qSiaAi aSijaaAy J O .-1 T-l rH I-l o I-l t-l tH 1-1 IN 00 o r-l OS 00 00 rH © r-l t-l rH IM IN t^ 05 ^f^ r-l t^lN OS t^rH CO •^namaouauimoo O I-l m (N in in 1-1 rH OO to -r I— 1 o__ ^^IN OS CO r-l t~ t^CO s %v uad jad iq^ia^ k1 I— 1 i-T rn" r-J" s § in>n o lO in O ■nin © mm o o m o S ft tH rH r-l r-l rH Numl of igs in to o 1-] 3 o "eS 3 o w O O W P. 1 M e >< e-i c 1 M 16— 6J 84 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS e-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 H f=] S l-H P5 , a w Pm y. « w w tin -H <5l u ;?j w w E!^ O H-t ^ a s d perial ; potatoes. © s a> « • ^ -tj ■e £L m • s ^ E a g U) '5b t-t M 0 o g § s g g ;^ F-( iH I-I r-i S • •i • *t «•> • « • •V a c c 0 a c3 c3 !3 s 3 »4 u u s S .13 ^ Si ^ 3 © Q 0 ^ © 0 ^5 ^3 ^^ © N C4 OQ c^ c5 . ^ .^ • •. • «v • *s •-'3 >. >» >> >> p^- "n C3 J3 J J i JO © in 0 ^ © © ^^ ^5 © \_ 0 © CQ Cl (N M CO CCIO rt" .-IC. t~ ■* 00 t^ in OS CO CO CM rH Ti ■n-o rH •nop^j JO !jsoo iB^oj, C0C<5 t^ (M(M 10 C CO s CC 0 CO ■* rj< 0 CO CO CO lb 00 C) rH CM COCO 0 •* •e^rp QQ CO f t^ ^l~. CO CI CO ^ 0 © 0 -* © H^ 1^ t~cs w c~. ri tH c -^ pi CM CO rH CM t^ 05 g|7 ui uad .lad incf) IMiM iO th iq 'J' CO tH rt< r-l CI eo-M ■<*< •Sid c^cq t^ 0000 CO ■©CO CO •*■ -^ Oi ©00 rji i^oo 1^ ■it<3> CI CI CO 0 CO rH b CM CO © jad nqSiaAV aScjaAy 1-1 1-l 00 l^ cr- CM »— > 1—1 in 1— 1 ClrH rH rH rH rH CI rH CM ,-1 rH CO— 1 t~ ■<»< m CO C CO CO CI t^ Ti © -f ■^ •pouad JO pua Si 000 CO 0 CO l^ -t< CC 00 cq 0- CC c: cr as in •* in CD 10 C5 rH rHC5 rH in © %'e uad aad ?q«ja^ tH i-i 1-^ rH rH rH «o--^ "c ? m ta 0 OiO 0 «o»o © in in © oin © !r S. T-H r^ l-< rH rH ^— ,.— ' V— ,— ^ * , ' ^ ^— .— ^ *— >— ' ^ 00 rr ■» VJ Ji e« ■*^ CS ■^ 03 -IJ C3 ■*^ •1 H^ a 0 -M 0 ..^ 0 .^ 0 ■» 0 -^ ^■^ K? ^ 1-5 ^ ►J 0 ^. H hJ 0 H Cl 04 N M N fco J2 o a o o (H T3 r- P-C ,cr^ ».— 1 0^ §-cS- R O O-"- . ^ p,-g bO ■ 1" o SI'S cS -<=> >J K rf •■ z *^ •-' O O O ft ^ ^ /•^ ^ . o . _., -Q > -" i> cc cc o- « eo CO to COCQ OC o cc Oi ■g^-.3^ VitC. 1^ INtC c- ooo C5 CJr- T— (X 1- Csl O c3 > is> K ■^ M« « eo ci cq T»< -^ ■- o«c C5 oo^ lO co cc CC CO c- o O O O -k^ €© cqcq ir; (M 5<1 »C CQ r-f ^ CI cc -» C -« ■j; t 0(M c t^io ca CO -t cr in CO 1 t^ Amou: of potato for 1 1 gain li weigh m lO iC. C-5 CO c- iH O i-H oo: o- rH c- 1 o o ^ ^ i -w 5C -r OCl c t--lO cq CO -+ o- in CO t>. Amou of meal f lib. gain li weigh cocr IC CI w I-H oo- eo cc cr CC i-HCC ■if C<1 o CO *= K . 1 Total moun of otatoe con- umed, U3 Ol^ t- t^t- ■ '^ O5 0O t^ t^ir: cc t^cc CO 00 or » t^h- -f c: CO t^ t^ir c- r- cc CO /-, oo cc CC oo a: t^ ooc^ CI o cr C^ cc cr. CI - E^S^Si 3 ^M r— cc rH ^ c^ r-l i-H 1 C^ rH T- CO T-H r- CO c3 O i: ^ .£P>; -? cc _ T-l T. c:: cc 7-1 o t^C cr. 00 — o e« C S.CS fe"3 ^-^ i 1^ C" «c ITO I- C-1 CI c- C^ r-l CI C5 o c; iH !— 1- 0-1 l- T-H r— o 1 T-l > tocD tH 1-^ 1 o1 ^ft 1 i; tc _ bo cj: o; CI Tt cc -i< T»< Tf c r- 1 )0 -I'S- n ^ oo|2: ^_ i =- t^ t^CO i"o >-l r- r- CI C" o !^- I- i T- T— ! rH I-H rA 1— T— T— 1 \A OC t^ l^ -H o cc 1— ic c: in i Tfl t> *"" 00 cr t^ 00 O 1 o o in M^ CO o T-1 C3 ~t- to-^ bo (N OC C C5 r- -*l t>. TfCO C OC lo ci-r--'" £ fcoft ^ IT C > a> ft J t^cc b- Tf C- C3 CI i Ci 00 1^ c- cq OC o -t 1— T— rH r- >- T-i 1-1 ^H tH I— .- Cl r- rH i 1 Weight per pen at com- mence- ment. w I— t> •^o-. « O CO CO C5t- 1 ' C. O ■* Ttl 00 c- b- t^-^ CJ CO CO o -r ir: c. i-H o; O 00 c- a: 00 OC l~ C: O to 0»r: T-H lO t- 1-1 -- ' i-T T-H i-T r-T CO bo E o§ u ft oir; c iriic c lOO © >oin o ir ta O r— / iH . ,_^ iH "^ — , — ^ iH s.-^^ J i-H s-^ V5 to M a> .. 00 ^ -tJ -^3 -*^ r3 -u .4J o ci o "ei o «« O 'i 0 Ci >A •li 1^ + ^J -s >A -s v^ O < M ^ c s t^i < N b ( N Eh N E- I 86 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 The great value of a change in diet, especially if of a palatable character and warmed \ip as in this case, is shown by a study of the following statement, prepared from the last table: — FINISHING PERIOD STATEMENT. Total number of pigs 60 Total weight commencing lbs. 8,096 Average weight commencing " 161 '9 Total weight finishing " 8,757 Average weight finishing " 175 •! Total gain in 7 days " 661 Average gain per pig " 13-2 Average gain per pig per day " 1 -88 Total amount of meal " 1,723 Total amount of potatoes " 1,723 Total cost of food for 7 days $24 07 Cost of 100 lbs. gain live weight 3 79 FINANCIAL STATEIIENT. Below are submitted inventories and returns from the various classes of live stock under my charge during the year April 1, 1908, to March 31, 1909. Class. Horses Breeding Cattle Steers Sheep Swine Total April 1, 1908. No. 19 95 43 42 r.)9 .396 Value. cts. 12,125 00 2,005 00 584 00 2,42G 00 17,140 00 April 1, 1909. No. 19 123 30 31 130 328 Value. $ cts. 14,615 OC 950 00 690 00 2,617 00 18,872 00 Returns. Value. $ cts. 3,944 94 4,497 39 3,729 23 105 30 2,744 47 15,021 33 Gross returns made up of increase in value, value of producta and value of animals sold. $ cts. 3,944 94 G,987 39 2,673 63 211 30 2,935 47 10,752 73 SUMMARY OF LIVE STOCK OPERATIONS. Returns. Gross returns from animals of all classes, including value of products, values of services and increases in value of young stock $16,752 73 Manure, 1,400 tons at $1 per ton 1,400 00 Total $18,152 73 Expenditure — Value of food consumed. Meal, grain, &c $ 5,840 09 Hay at $7 per ton •. . 1,228 39 Roots and ensilage at $2 per ton 1,339 76 Vv^hole milk, 25,305 pounds at $1 per cwt. 253 05 Skim milk, 58,300 pounds at 20 cents per cwt 116 78 Straw, 140 tons at $6 per ton 840 00 Total cost of feed and straw $ OfAS 07 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURIST 87 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Cost of labour in connection vith care of horses, cattle, sheep and swine : — Herdsman $ 720 00 One man 600 00 Three men at $528 1,584 00 Two men at $500 1,000 00 Extra help, teaming, ijcc 230 00 4,134 00 Total expenditure 13,752 07 Balance •. 4,401 66 Less cost of steers and new stock purchased, 1908-9 680 50 Net balance 3,721 16 SUMMARY OF FARMING AND LIVE STOCK OPERATIONS ON 200-ACRE FARJl, 1908. Bcturns. Total value of returns from fields .$ 3,615 93 Total value of returns from live stock 18,152 73 Total returns 21,768 Q'd Expenditure. Total cost of field operations $ 2,891 00 Total cost of live stock operations 13,752 07 Expended, buying stock 6»0 5(.. Total expenditure $17,323 57 Balance $ 4,445 09 88 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A, 1910 CO < S o c a o u o Sh o o tX) VIH eS ^ o u f7 l>. c l> fl a> o s O tn c bl o o X! o cS 3 O > u-i a o C3 w? J'o-'o -u O o ego £ " " -"^ c 6 ,;.£ .o o e § O O (4 X> c ;^ O 0, 2 '^ S-a o Jh c3 J) o £3 SS 5 o 2 c ^^ § S § ° CC C f C 60 O ri C >5 O 1^ to ^ CO cS ^ o a m 13 09 o -a OS o o a o o u c C u o O o o H n O. O u .tS V, § 'S a o O fc< O T3 O 13 « Q Eh < Pi fM o ^ ■sajoy m ■B9JV (1h O O o s 2 o o o 1 •sajoy ui tjajy s ■-t3 t3 g S « *- S =« ^- fe ^ a> S ^ >£. > o ca^ Q O p— t o O C5 =3 O ^ a a : pz; iO M lO ■9H1i:q jo o CO CO o o o o o O --H M •sojoy UI B.jjy o S-? 2-^ 5t^ ^-g ^ cS rf rt o rt ri ci -3 cS c5 "-7 fn fl^ Qj ■4^ 10 c3 rt CO 2S E- O o c- c c C c c c cc 1— 1— T-n c- C5 ?a t^ 00 000 c; C5 c: >3 a 0 5 bo a 0 tt >» t4-4 0 0 TI t-i fl3 a> 15 > JZ 0 0 cw > ■«:> 3 fir 0 bo a Si > -a T. rt kl <1) 01 ^ 0 (-1 IM ci 0) ^ c n j^ CO <^ c. ■r ;; C c "^ •^ 0 fl ^ -g >, ^ ^ T! to u a « <0 '-' ■a a rt M m U-l a 1. -^ < fl 0 '3 C 0 0 3 T (L -O .iJ '/J t^t ^^ 0 0) u ■*-) > ill 0 r! fH 0 (L> « ? be t: r/: 0 0 > -a i i 0 p. C. 0 S 0 m > 0 id 1 w p.c. 2 c a a a 0 V •n 3 r:! .s s Al W.S. 3 L.S.I A.S.14 W.P.G.S.1. F.S. 1 F.S. 3 P.O. 30 30 10 {70 p. c. 45 65 15 20 35 p. c. "5 20 10 30 p. c. 25 P.O. Ac. 9-96 8-90 10-20 915 9-63 1907. Grain . . 1908. Haj^ Grain Hay Corn Grain $ cts. 59 76 53 40 61 20 54 90 57 78 $ eta. 12 95 A 2 Corn Hay 13 60 A3 20 10 15 ». . . 15 10 20 13 26 A 4 ]■ A 5 Grain Hay 14 64 14 68 Aggregate. . . Average per acre 47-84 287 04 G9 14 1.00 6 00 1 44 Average for f o\ir vears . 6 00 1 59 ROTATION Bl W.S. 4 L.S. 2 A.S. 15.... W.P.G.S.2. F.S. 2 5 20 20 20 35 70 60 60 30 5 "5 15 30 50 5 40 5 5 15 5 10 00 8 82 10 20 9 15 9 93 Grain Corn.. . Grain .... Hay Hay Hay Grain Hay Corn Grain 00 00 15! R8 B2 52 92i 1.^ fi.^ B3 61 20 54 90 59 58 288 60 13 26 B4 17 69 B6 15 31 Aggregate 48 10 72 77 Average per acre 1 00 6 00 1 51 Average for foar vear.'! 6 00 1 52 Rotation ' A.' This rotation of five years' duration includes grain, hay (two years), grain and com or roots, in the order named. The grain crop mentioned first comes after corn. iWith the first crop of grain is sown 10 pounds red clover, one pound alsike and 10 pounds timothy per acre. The field is left in hay for two years, then in August of the second year it is ploughed and cultivated at intervals till Octolier, when it is ridged up and left till next spring. Oats are sown on this field, and with them red clover seed at the rate of 10 pounds per acre. This clover is allowed to grow for something over a year, or until corn-seeding ti.nie tlie following spring, when it is turned under with a shallow furrow along with the manure that will have been applied during the winter. After the corn has been harvested, the land is ploughed shallow and left till the next spring. The crops on this rotation have not been very satisfactory this year. On ' Al ' a crop of hay was grown. On ' A2 ' the crop grown was oats. The summer being very dry, the crop was light. 'A3' was under hay and gave a fair crop. The season being very dry, only one crop was harvested off each hay field. ' A4 ' was under corn and gave a very light crop on account of dry weather; a large part of ' A4 ' is sandy soil. ' A5 ' gave a very light crop of grain, due entirely to lack of moisture. REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURIST 95 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 'A' Items of Expense in Raising Crop in 1908. Particulars of Crop in 1908. Manual Labour. Horse Labour. a "-5 S o 3 o H < U s o $ cts. 210 47 11 84 9 95 24 5G 14 92 C5 03 i3 c 8 6 Is > -♦J 0 H i. c^ £. o o > 00 © OS a Ot-H .a Q a O M E '$ CO § w Hrs 54 95 30 12H 1994 500 10-4 9-48 CO 0 w 3 eS 0) o 2 Hrs. 82 $ cts. 13 66 3 58 17 00 24 50 3 33 Hrs 7 2 4 9 2 24 0-5 5-88 $ cts. 17 85 29 03 10 00 39 57 63 74 160 19 § cts. "5'68 4 24 $ cts. 104 32 103 26 101 46 224 87 143 77 Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. 60,810 Lbs. $ cts. 212 83 130 83 184 33 269 73 114 54 .$ cts. 21 46 14 70 18 26 29 48 11 89 $ cts. 10 99 21i 102 147 20 10,760 7,218 11,612 9,182 2 86 52,640 269,730 * 16, 000 8 31 4 92 3 03 3721 61 97 9 92 677 68 17,978 20,794 113,450 285,730 912 56 95 79 30 11 7-7 1 29 3 37 20 14 10 376 434 2,371 5,972 19 07 2 00 63 16 9 2 59 4 45 26 14 94 595 845 2,452 6,288 23 48 B' 734 20 12 24 3 33 11 75 60 83 3 17 10 2 14 15 2 30| 80| 4l| 2764 176| 11 65 28 37 15 95 86 76 56 39 "s'si 96 77 103 76 102 16 222 18 134 45 9 68 11 75 10 01 24 28 13 54 46,980 164 50 113 04 217 28 237 11 106 72 16 45 12 80 21 30 25 91 10 74 6 77 9,375 9,645 1 05 7Qi 365 62,080 ' 237',il0 *6,000 11 L9 1 63 19 7,674 17,049 10,496 2 80 548 91 32 43 6O54 199 12 5 51 659 32 20,1*1 109,060 2,267 243,110 838 65 87 20 23 54 11-3 1 90 89 1259 4 12 11 13 70 354 418 5,054 17 43 23 28 > 1 81 49 17? 2 75 6-5 8-8 4 48 •29 15 14 576 1,007 2,534 5,759 **Green Feed. Rotation ' B.' This rotation of five years' duration includes grain, hay and corn or roots in the order named, the first crop of grain following a crop of corn or roots. Red clover 10 pounds, alsikc 1 pound and timothy 5 pounds, is sown with the grain each time grain is sown. When grain follows hay, the land is ploughed in the early fall. When corn follows hay the land is ploughed in the spring, the spring growth of grass and clover being ploughed in along with the manure which will have been applied during the preceding winter. The crops on this rotation were rather unsatisfactory. A large part of ' Bl * consists of black muck, and hay, did not do well thereon this year. On ' B2 ' the grain suffered from the dry sununer. Off ' B3 ' was harvested a good crop of mixed luiy. ' B4 ' gave a small crop of corn on account of dry weather. The quality was excellent. ' B5 ' gave a very light crop of grain. 96 EXPERIMEXTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 ROTATION Location. Descbiption of Soil. < Lot. • a S 1 1 J -a O p. c. P.O. o S o cS m p. c. > O p. c. i a. p. c. Crops. 6 3 a 1 Seed, twine and use of machinery. D.l E. G. P. S. 2 E. G. P. S. 4 E. G. P. S. C E. G. P. S. 8 P.O. 20 20 30 fiO P.O. 80 80 70 40 Ac. 2 2 2 2 1907. Roots Grain Hay n 1908. Grain Hay ti . ... Roots $ cts. 12 00 12 00 12 00 12 00 S cts. 3 08 D.2 60 ]). 3 D. 4 .■'."■. — 210 200 Aggrega te 8 4800 S-38 - Average per acre in 19( Average for four vears )8 1 600 1 04 % 600 119 ROTATION S. 1 E. G. P. S. 1 E. G. P. S. 3 E. G. P. S. 5 E. G. P. S. 7 20 20 30 GO 80 80 70 40 2 2 2 2 Roots Grain .... Hay 1) ...... Grain Hay 1 Roots .... 12 00 12 00 12 00 12 00 308 S. 2 S. 3 •• 110 210 S. 4 2-CO Aggrega te 8 48 00 8-88 Average per acre in 190 Average for four vf^ars. 8 1 600 111 600 1-21 Rotation ' D.' (Deep Ploughing.) This rotation is of four years' duration, and inchides gi-ain, two-years' hay, roots. The grain crop follows roots, the root land being ploughed to a dei^th of about seven inches, after the roots are harvested in the fall. With the grain is sown 10 pounds red clover, 1 pound alsike and 10 pounds timothy seed per acre. The clovei hay is cut twice in the season, and the second aftermath left on the field; that is, it is not pastured off as is usually done. In the second hay year, two crops are cut if possible, and the land ploughed in August with a deep seven-inch furrow. ' D2 ' and ' D3 ': These two plots were under hay this year; they gave fairly good crops. ' D4: ' : This plot like its fellovN- ' S4,' was under roots. The mangel seed came up well, but only a small crop was harvested on account of extreme drought. ' Dl ' : This i^lot was under oats. Owing to the very dry season the root crop on ' Dl ' shows a loss on work, &c. REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURIST 97 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 •D.' Items of Expense in Raising Crop in 1908 • Particulars of Cfiop in 1908. Manual labour. Horse labour. 9 < ce "5d u © © 1—1 3 s , o bo d c a CM 4J m o bb 4^ £ < CO § 'en C 13 a5 3 O O £ < ^ ^ OJ ? o _c B o > o O o -1 3 0 O 2 J3 o OQ o c3 ^ 3 o o » O Hrs Hrs > H H U o XII M pd H !> Ah Hrs. $ cts. $ cts. $ cts. $ cts. $ cts. Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. $ cts. $ cts. •? cts. 6 1-00 3-17 2-83 1 3 U 191 9 5 8-73 3-45 1-88 1-38 26-44 20-72 18-81 13-22 10-36 9-40 2,3.56 2,674 28-90 36-26 37-80 14-45 18-13 18-90 1-23 19 10,360 10,820 7-77 17 9 -.50 1434 21-53 20 25i 3 6 9 70i 103S 13 10-7 26-15 62-28 31 14 .... 59,8i6 59,810 7,476 10,041 59-81 29-90 *l-24 185^ 28-53 40-21 1-38 128 25 2,356 2,674 21,180 162-77 81-38 23 3-56 5-02 -17 16-03 269 335 2,647 20-34 10-17 37-7 6 71 5-26 •19 19 46 727 599 3,150 26 12 . . . . Loss. 'S.' 6 19 17 100 3-16 28-3 22-42 1 2| 14 20' 25 3 8 274 9 5 674 109 13 8-98 3-32 1 87 25-25 1-32 25-06 20-58 18-80 62-27 12-53 10-29 9.40 31 14 2,245 2,585 riJ470 10,945 55",566 55,500 27-62 40 05 38-50 55-50 13-81 20-03 19 25 27-75 •57 9-74 9-85 1494 *3-38 191i 29-41 49-42 1-32 126-71 2,245 2,585 323 22,415 2,802 3,189 161-67 80-84 24 3-67 6-17 -17 15-84 280 6,937 9,985 20-21 10-00 45-7 6-74 10 6 5-47 -19 19-38 675 602 26-14 Rotation ' 8.' (Sballo-w Ploughing.) This rotation is four years' duration, and includes grain, two-years' hay, roots. The grain crop follo-ws roots, the root-land being ploughed (or cultivated) to a depth of about four inches after the roots are harvested in the fall. With the grain is sown 10 pounds red clover, 1 pound alsike and 10 pounds timothy seed per acre. The clover hay is cut twice in the season, and the second aftermath left on the field; that is, it is not pastured off as is usually done. In the second hay year, two crops are cut if possible, and the land ploughed in August with a shallow four-inch furrow. If manure is applied before ploughing, a subsoiler should be attached to the plough to loosen up the subsoil to a depth of 8 or 9 inches. If manure is not applied, thisi end is attained by means of a strong deep-reaching cultivator after the sod has rotted in the fall, or the next spring. * S2 ' and ' S3 ': These two plots were under hay this year. They gave fairly good crops. ' 84 ' like its fellow ' D4 ' was under roots. The mangel seed came up well, but only a small crop was harvested on account of drought. ' SI ': This plot was under oats. Owing to the very dry season the root crop on ' S4 ' shows a loss on work, &c. 16—7 98 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 ROTATION Location. Description of Soil. Crops. Lot. S p. c 40 10 30 1 § p. C. 40 60 60 1 o ^ 0 s OS s > 0 i u cS f4 0 p H c £ Is E. 1 H. S. 1 L. S. 4 Moon p. c. ■5" y. c. 15 20 p. c. 5 p. C. p. c. Ac. 14 00 13-75 14-00 1907. Corn Pasture Grain 1908. Grain Corn Pasture § Cts. 84 00 82 50 84 00 $ cts. 21 56 E. 2..,. 21 27 E. 3 25 57 ' Aggrega te 41 75 250 50 68 40 Average per acre. 1 6 00 1 64 Averao^e frtr fmir vpsir.. 6 00 1 86 ROTATION Z. 1. Z. 2. Z. 3. W. S. 2. L. S. 3 . Obs. S.. 40 40 15 5 10 60 io 20 10 60 20 16 .... Aggregate Average per acri Average for four years. 6-00 Corn . 5-8l!Hay.. 4 2 Grain 10 01 Grain | 36 00 Corn 34 86 Hay 25 20 96 06 6 00 6 00 9 36 9 45 5 45 24 26 1 51 1 82 Botation ' E/ This rotation of three years' duration includes grain, pasture and corn. The grain comes after the corn, the stubble of which is treated as described under rotation ' A.' With the grain in the spring is sown 10 pounds red clover, 1 pound alsike clover, 5 pounds alfalfa and 5 x>ounds timothy seed per acre. If weather permit-s, the field is pastured slightly in the fall. After the grain crop the land is pastured, the grass seeding having been done with this object in view. In estimating the value of the returns from this field, pasture is charged at $1 per month per cow. At this rate, the returns fall very far short of what would have been the returns if a hay crop had been harvested, if we may judge by the returns from ' Z3.' This rotation and rotation * Z ' were introduced into the list in order to gain some idea as to the difference in returns probable from land pastured and land from which all the crops are harvested. It was expected that the corn crop after the pasture would in a measure make up for the difference in favour of the no-pasture rotation 'Z,' but the returns are on the whole a good deal short of those from ' Z.' Corn follows the pasture. Manure is applied durinsr the fall and winter and turned under with the growth of clover and grass in the spring. Crops were all light ir: 190S. REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURIST 99 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 •E.' Items of Expense in Raising Crop in 1908 • Particulars op Crop in 1908. Manual labour. Horse labour. 2 QO " 0 » < T-H r2 S QJ aj d i 'S CO c3 . 1) H U 0 K O 3 O tab s o O 1- o OI S o a OS 0. 0 u 0 0 0. O 6 5W 6 -3^ -3 o CO O a c3 0 0 '3 0 (0 g ^ Q W Hrs > H H a 0 00 W tf H ^ Ph Hrs. § cts. Hra $ cts. % cts. $ cts. $ cts. Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. $ cts. $ cts. $ cts. 44 7 33 3i 135 46 65 10 24 170 78 12 19 17,421 23,529' 221 2o 15 80 3 61 407 67 82 60" 343 122 67 294 26 109 57 21 40 7 83 357,49 ;^57 43 100 00 25 95 7 15 4 57 * 67 478 11-44 451 75 15 C3^ 152 3 44 589 32 10 24 574 61 . . . . 17,421 23,529 357,430 678 68 48 90 10 79 1 79 1 88 14 11 24 13 7G 417 565 81,563 16 25 1 17 17-53 9 3 6 79 ■ 37 15 18 539 785 8,176 20 44 .. . * Loss. 19 3 16 35 00 1 65 2 10 4 62 135 7 21 23 41 67 3 10 3 50 73 75 123 48 44 55 12 21 21 24 10 61 5,954 . 7,246 74 02 156 21 12 34 26 88 78 26 13 210 156,210 5 64 11 22,360 22,360 8 02 240 39 81 16 •99 204 12-7 7-9 66 00 3 50 241 28 5,954 7,246 156,210 230 23 14 38 117 48 13 79 1-49 2 49 4 16 21 15 07 372 452 1,396 9,757 7 33 86 53 2 97 3 79 18 12 35 485 766 2,038 9,689 23 42 7 94 Rotation ' Z! This rotation of three years' duration includes corn, grain and clover hay in the order named. Corn comes after the clover hay. The manure is applied during the fall or during the -winter and spring, and the clover allowed to grow up through it, so facilitating the turning under the whole mass of manure and spring growth and late fall growth of clover, a few days before the corn is to be sovra. The furrow turned is quite shal'ow, about five inches deep, and the land is then disc-harrowed, and the corn sown in rows 42 inches apart. It receives, later, the usual cultivation and care. Grain follows corn, the land having been ploughed in the fall. With the grain there is sown 10 pounds red clover, 1 pound alsike and 5 pounds timothy seed. The bay is cut twice, and the last aftermath allowed to grow up to be turned under the next spring for corn. Such a rotation would be particularly valuable to a farmer having sufficient rough land for pasture, or to one desirous of keeping as many cattle as possible on the land at his disposal, supposing him willing to grow roots and corn. Crops all light in 1908. 16— 7^ 100 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 ROTATION Location. Description of Soil. eS _C c3 Ac. 3-35 3 15 2-85 Lot. 72 s a a S >i 3 p. c. 20 20 50 s p. c. 10 10 20 o o CS 1 — I > • Crops. Rent and manure. Seed, twine and use of maohinery. H. 1 H. S. 1 H. S. 2 H. S. 3 p. C. ■ 30 25 10 p. c. 40 45 20 p. c. p. c. p. c. 1907. Pasture Roots Oat hay 1908. Roots Oat bay Pasture $ cts. 20 10 18 90 17 10 $ cts. 2 50 H. 2. 4 09 H. 3 — ... 2 85 Aggregate 9-35 50 10 9 44 Average per acre in 1908 1 00 6 00 1 0) Aver-iffe for four ve ars 6 00 1 00 - ROTATION T. 1 S. S. 1 S. S. 2 S. S. 3 S. S. 4 10 15 15 90 85 100 85 1-51 2-44 3-27 3-50 Pasture Hay & past'e Green crop & mangels Oat&pea h'y Roots Hay Hay & i)ast'e H^iy 9 06 14 64 19 62 21 00 1 98 T 2 3 19 T. 3 T. 4 4 25 14 00 Aggregate 10 72 64 32 23 42 Average per acre in 1908 1-00 G 00 2 18 Averawe for four ve.iir.-s . 6 00 1 44 Rotation ' 11.' (Hog Farm.) This rotation is of three years' duration, and includes roots, soiling crop and pasture in the order named. The land is ploughed late in the fall after it has been manured. It is disked the next spring and the roots sown on ridges. The roots receive the usual cultivation and are of varied character, including mangels, sugar mangels, sugar beets and turnips, devoted to pork production for the most part, the surplus being sold to cattle and the returns invested in meal for pig feeding. The soiling-crop field is sown with various crops suitable for feeding to pigs. What is over and above the a.mount possible of consumption by pigs is charged to the cattle at $2 per ton and tlie returns used to purchase meal for pork production. The pasture area is divided into several parts, the seed being sown, as far as possible, at the same time as the soiling crops the previous year, and not allowed to be eaten too close the first fall, although any good growth is not Avasted. ' Hi ' : This field was this year under roots, mangels, sugar beets and sugar mangels. Crop was very light. ' H2 ' : This crop was in oat hay. *H3': This plot was used for pasture. REPORT OF TEE AGRICULTURIST 101 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 'H.' Items of Expense in Raising Crop IN 1908 • Particulahs < DF Crop in 1908. Manual Labour. Horse Labour. i. 00 o 6 o Si ^ OJ^ fl ^ OT 05 += S s o o Si H C8 1 6 r '§ o o Lbs. a > cn 2 (1^ Hrs. $ cts. Hrs His $ Cts. $ cts. $ Cts. $ cts. Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. $ Cts. $ cts. $ cts. 261 39 15 59 94 42 95' 104 70 31 25 80,720 80 80 24 11 *7 14 10 1 67 1 60 6 6 21 30 124 10 93 35 .59 19 95 11 30 7 00 63,000 63 00 42 75 20 00 15 00 8 70 8 CO 271 40 82 53 88' . . . 160 24 146,720 15,059 186 55 59 11 29 4 36 13-2 9-2 5 76i 17 35 .... 19 95 6 00 44 3 6 79 4 41 ... 17 53 84 166 840 18,762 26 27 * Loss. t rp > 165 24 75 4 00 3 33 1 00 38 4 2i 24 47 67 50 130i 12-2 8-9 20 60 3 55 15 62 2 12 60 84 25 38 42 82 31 00 39 76 10 40 13 09 8 85 60,250 60 50 42 09 44 35 55 72 39 53 17 25 13 55 15 92 * 23 24 12,025 4,100 15,925 32,050 0 85 20 6 47 7 07 215 33 08 49 89 160 04 60,250 202 66 86 25 14 62 20 3 08 4 3 61 4 65 14 93 2,989 5,620 18 90 8 04 32 4 69 4 18 16 10 _ 424 1,S25 9,051 20 43 Loss. Rotation ' T.' (Sheep Farm. This rotation of four years' duration includes roots, grain, hay and pasture. The area devoted to sheep farming is rather limited: about 10-72 acres. This area is not included in the ' 200-acre farm.' The whole field has been, for several years, devoted to pasturing sheep, but it has been divided into four rather unequal fields susceptible of further subdivision, and devoted to a rotation considered suitable for sheep. The root field is devoted to white turnips, Swedes, cabbage, kohl rabi, thousand- headed kale, rape, &c. It comes after the pasture, the land being manured and ploughed in the fall. Grain follows on the root land, and with the grain, various clovers and grass seeds are sown to prepare for the ensuing two years. The grain may be harvested or used as soiliug crop for sheep. The hay field is expected to give one crop of hay and then be devoted to pasture for lambs as soon as they are weaned. The pasture field is the field that has been hay the previous year. Alfalfa, red clover, alsike clover, Brome grass {B ramus inennis) and timothy are the clovers and grasses used. The crops on this rotation were very light this year. 102 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 CROPS OUTSIDE THE ROTATION EXPERIMENTS. Besides the crops and fields reported upon below, there were grown upon the ' 200- aere farm' 4 acres of mangels and 8 acres of corn. A statement of the financial side of this 12 acres of crops is as follows : — Cost to operate 12 acres $162 87 Value of product, 242,560 pounds at $2 per ton 242 56 Profit 79 69 SEED GRAIN SELECTION. An experiment to compare the values of seed oats (Banner) coming from regular field crops and those coming from the hand-selected seed plots, was carried on in 1908. A four-acre field was divided lengthwise into 16 plots of i acre each and sown as below. The yield in pounds of clean grain is indicated in the first column. Seed was sown May 6, 1908, and harvested August 11. RESULTS FROM SELECTED OAT SEED, 1908. Plot. Yield, lbs. Source of Seed. 1 224 C. E. F. seed. Heads hand-picked, fanned and ^rain hand selected. 2 230 Main crop 1907, fanned only. 3 273 1 Rtegular run as sold, fanned only. 4 281 1 Heads hand-picked and fanned only. 5 290 1 Heads hand-picked an 1 hand selected. 6 299 1 Regular run as sold, fanned only. 7 329 1 Same as No. 1. 8 337 f II 9 319 1 It 10 325 1 II 11 328 Begular run as sold, fanned only. 12 331 1 joyce 1 1 From hand selected seed plot. 13 344 J )ow Bros' t 1 From hand selected seed plot. 14 285 C. E. F. , 1 Regular run as sold, fanned only. 15 255 It ( 1 Main crop 1907, fanned only. 16 187 M 1 1 Same as No. 1. All sown May 6. Cut Ausrust IL 9-10 EDWARD VII. SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 A. 1910 REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST. (W. T. Macoun.) March 31, 1909. Dr. Wm. Saunders, C.M.G., Director, Dominion Experimental Farms, Ottawa, Sir, — ^I have the honour to submit herewith the Twenty-second Annual Report of the Horticultural Division.- While all the experiments conducted in 1908-9 are not referred to in this report, there will be found the results of those which it is thought desirable to publish at this time. There is also contained in this report records of other matters pertaining to the work of this Division. I have the honour to be, sir. Your obedient servant, W. T. MACOUlSr, Horticulturist. character of season. Since the year 1898 a record has been kept in the Horticultural Division of the first day when the frost was out of the ground sufficiently and the ground dry enough to dig in the nursery at the Central Experimental Farm. The record is as follows : 1898, April 12 ; 1899, April 18 ; 1900, April 19 ; 1901, April 8 ; 1902, Maj;ch 31 ; 1903, March 23; 1904, April 11; 1905, April 13; 1906, April 16; 1907, April 16; 1908, April 17. The average date for the eleven years is thus April 11. Leaving out the two exceptionally early dates in 1902 and 1903, the average date for the remaining nine years is April 15. On April 9, 1908, there was still about a foot of snow on the level, but by the 15th it was all gone except in the drifts, and the frost was out of the ground. April was a cool month, the highest- temperature being 66-5° F. on the 26th, and the lowest 5-5° F. on the 4th. The early part of May was cool and vegetation was very backward, but during the latter part of the month the weather was quite warm, the temperature being 86-8° F. on the 26th, and with abundance of rain the growth was rapid. The last spring frost recorded was on May 2, when the temperature was 30-8° F. There was noticeably less frosts than usual in the spring of 1908. By June 13 rain was needed, the grass being burnt in places. The strawberry crop began to show need of rain on the 22nd, and was considerably injured by the drought. The raspberries, which followed, were also much injured. From the latter part of June until October 24 there was never enough rain. There were some very hot days in June and July, the temperature rising to 92° F. on June 8, and 96° F. on July 30. There was heavy rain on July 21, which improved vegetation tem- 103 104 ~ EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 porarily, but by August 1 rain was again badly needed. August was very dry. The highest temperature was on the 31st, when it was 90° F. By the middle of Sep- tember the drought was so severe that ornamental trees lost some of their foliage and apples were dropping badly. The atmosphere was very smoky from extensive bush fires. The dropping of leaves and fruit became worse towards the end of the month. The first frost to kill tender plants was on September 30, although the thermometer at the Farm recorded only 34° F. The highest temperature in September was 95-8° F. on the 1st. The drought was broken by heavy rains on October 24. The highest temperature in October was 80-6° F. on the 17th, and the lowest, 27° F. on the lOtli. The autumn was warm and dry, and there being no very severe frosts even throughout October, the season was very favourable for the ripening of grapes. Apples, however, matured prematurely aiid were not as good as usual. Snow fell on November 14, and was increased to about nine inches in depth by the 20th, but this was gone by the 27th, and there was no frost in the ground at that date. November was an open month and the weather and soil good for late ploughing. The weather became cold on December 1, and winter may be said to have set in on that date. By the 4th there was sleighing again. There were no very cold days during the winter, the lowest temperature being on January 13, when it was 18° F. , below zero. The weather was very changeable, with frequent snowfalls. There were six thaws during the months of December, January and February. There was a good covering of snow all winter, notwithstanding the mild spells and little or no frost in the ground. On January 23 there was heavy rain, freezing as it fell, and trees and shrubs became thickly coated with ice. Many branches of ornamental and forest trees were broken, but few fruit ti'ees were injured. The weather in March was very change- able, both rain and snow falling during the month. On the 31st there was still about a foot of snow on the ground. FRUIT AKD VEGETABLE CROPS. The crop of apples was less than a medium one in Ontario and Quebec in 1908, and the premature ripening of the fruit, owing to the warm, dry weather, injured the keeping quality of it. The crop of pears was light except in southern Ontario, where it was a little above medium. The crop of early peaches was a medium one on the whole, and the quality good. Late peaches were a light crop. Plums were a light crop on the whole. The crop of cherries was medium to good in quantity, but the size below medium on account of the dry weather. There was an abundant and well ripened crop of grapes, very free of disease. Bush fruits were a good crop in south- western Ontario, but in eastern Ontario and Quebec the crops were below medium on account of drought. Strawberries were also plentiful in soixthwestern Ontario, but the crop was much reduced in eastern Ontario and Quebec by the drought. At Ottawa there was a' medium crop of apples, practically free of spot, but with more codling moth than usual, though the percentage of fruit affected was not largo. The fruit ripened prematurely owing to the drought and heat. There was a medium crop of Americana and Nigra plums, and a few varieties of the European plums were well loaded. A few varieties of cherries bore medium crops, but on the whole the crop was light. The season was very favourable for the ripening of grapes, and while there have been larger crops in previous years there was in 1908 a medium crop of well matured fruit. Although the raspberries wintered well the crop was much reduced by the dry weather, making the yield below medium. Gooseberries and currants were a medium crop. Strawberries wintered well and promised a good crop, but the dry weather caused the yield of this fruit to be below medium also. In the eastern part of Ontario, including the Central Experimental Farm. Ottawa, and in the province of Quebec, vegetables suffered somewhat from the severe drought of 1908. Potatoes, especially, were very light, and almost a total failure in some sections. Tomatoes ripened well in 1908 and the crop on the whole was good. / REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST 105 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 MEETINGS ATTENDED, PLACES VISITED, AND ADDRESSES GIVEN. Every year some of the Horticulturist's time is spent in attending meetings of fruit, flower and vegetable growers, and in most cases delivering addresses at them. During the past year the following meetings were attended and addresses given : — The annual meeting of the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association, Toronto, Novem- ber 11, 1908 ; address, ' New fruits.' Annual meeting of the Ontario Horticultural Association, Toronto, November 11, 1908 ; address, ' Perennial borders.' Annual meet- ing of the Ontario Vegetable Growers' Association, Toronto, November 12, 1908; ' Irrigation and its effect on the growth of small fruits and vegetables.' Annual meet- ing of the Quebec Pomological Society, Macdonald Coxiege, Quebec, December 2 and 3, 1908 ; ' Some results in plant breeding.' Annual meeting of Fruit Growers' Asso- ciation of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, P.E.I., December 8 and 9, 1908; 'Hardy varieties of fruits,' 'Top grafting in relationship to hardiness,' 'Judging fruit at exhibitions.' Annual meeting of Nova Scotia Fruit Growers' Association, Middleton, N.S., December 14, 15 and 16, 1908; 'The life history of an apple tree,' ' Judging fruit.' Annual meeting of New Brunswick Fruit Growers' Association, January 14 and 15, 1909 ; ' Hardy varieties of fruits,' ' Small fruits.' In addition to these regular meetings, the short courses in horticulture at three ■ of the agricultural colleges were attended and addresses given. At the Agricultural College, Truro, N.S., January 11, 12 and 13, 1909; ' Special methods for special condi- tions,' ' Ten forms of winter injury,' ' Strawberry culture.' Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph, Ont., January 28 and 29. 1909 ; ' Propaga- tion of fruit trees and other plants,' ' Judging fruits,' ' Pruning,' ' Top-working.' Macdonald College, Que., February 9-11, 1909 ; ' Cultivation and care of a young orchard,' ' Management and care of a bearing orchard,' ' Improvement of plants,' ' Packages and marketing,' ' Ornamental trees and shrubs.' From July 6 to 17, 1908, I was in attendance at the Graduate School of Agricul- ture at Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., and listened to between forty and fifty lectures on subjects pertaining to agricultural and horticultural science and practice, from which I obtained much useful information and inspiration to greater eifort. On August 30 and 31, and September 1 and 2, I was with the Scottish Agricultural Cniu- mission at Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Beamsville, Grimsby, Winona and Toronto, giving what information I could regarding the fruit districts and fruit growing in Canada. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. It is possible, once a year, through the annual report, to make public acknowledg- ment of the aid given to me in my work by those who, in various capacities, are con- nected with the Horticultural Division, and I desire to refer especially at this time TO Mr. J. F. Watson, secretary; Mr. H. Holz, foreman; Mr. T. Horn, foreman in the Arboretum and Botanic Garden ; and Mr. Horace Reid, who keeps many of the fruit and vegetable records; all of whom have done their work well. The other men en- gaged in the work of the Horticultural Division have been faithful, willing and industrious. I desire also to express my appreciation of the help given to me by horticulturists throughout Canada and the United States at all times when asked for. DONATIONS. The following list of plants, seeds, &c., donated to the Horticultural Division during the past year is published as an acknowledgment of the same and to constitute a record. Many valuable and interesting things have been donated to the Central 106 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Experimental Farm during the past twenty-two years, some of which have been decided acquisitions : — Sender. Donation. Aumiot. A., Anse a Arnas, France Potatoes, 34 varieties. Alexander, A., Hamilton, Ont Seed of Papaver urabrosum. Plants of Phlox. Benson, Thos., Edmonton, Alta Potato seedling. Queen of Thanet, Queen of the North. Botanic Gardens, Durban, Natal Collection of seeds. Botanic Garden, Adelaide, Australia Collection of seeds. Brand, W. H., Jordan Station, Ont Target Brand fungicide oil. Chambers, Wm., Carnavon, Ont Scions of No. 1 and No. 2. Seedling apples. Clarke, M. S New variety of potato. Crow, J. W., O. A. C, Guelph, Ont Scions of Coos Eiver Beauty Apple. Dahl, Carl G., Atvidaberg, Den, Sweden.. ..Scions. D'Arcy, Mrs. D., Sheenboro, Que Cuttings black currants. Farwell, W. E., Orillia, Ont. Seedling potatoes. Gellatly, D., Gellatly, B.C Seeds of Crack Proof tomato. Hodgson, G. D. Hudson, Que Scions of seedling apple and crab apple. Herb, M., Naples, Italy Seeds of 5 varieties onions. Johnston, Asa A., Cowansville, Que Scions Kinkead apple. Little, Prof. E. E., Ames, la., U.S Buds of Angouleme and Timme cherries. Trees. Leonard, E. K., Paradise, N.S Scions of apples. Long, H. W., Milkish, N.B Sealsfoot potato. Marks, John R., Clifton, P.E.I. .. ..Scions of Golden Crown apple Mode, D. G., Vankleek Hill, Ont Scions of late keeping apple. MacDougall, Dr. D. T., Carnegie Institution, Tucson, Arizona, U.S Seeds of ORnothera Lamarkiana, and mutants. McLennan, J. A., Lancaster, Ont Scions, No. 1 and No. 2, apples. Niagara Sprayer Company, Middleport, N.Y., U.S Two- samples Niagara Brand Concentrated Lime-Sulphur ; ten gallons Lime-Sulphur Solution. Phinney, Wm. S., Melvern Square, N.S Scions, Cox's Orange Pippin. Peart, H. S., Jordan Harbour, Ont Canned goods. Royal Botanic Gardens Silpur, near Cal- cutta, India Collection of seeds. Porter, Mrs. R., Parry Harbour, Ont. Potatoes. Randall, J. de W., Niagara, Ont Figs. Reid, Thos., Montreal, Que. . McDougall's Fruit Tree Wash and Insecticide. Roeske, F. W., Ottawa, Ont Scions of seedling plums. Rogers, J., Tilsonburg, Ont Potato, Rutling Rose. Rowan, T., Macgregor, Man Scions, Willard plum. Stevenson, E. B., Guelph, Ont 12 plants King Edward Strawberry. Smith, A. W., Beachville, Ont Potatoes, No. 1 and No. 2. Smith, T., Shirley Falls, Ont Wonderful potato. Smith, P. E., Roxham, Que Onion seed. Schwerdtfeger, R., Morrisburg, Ont Scions of seedling apple. Vroom, C. N., St. Stephen, N.B Scions of crab apple. Wagner, L., Branch la Have, N.S Wagner Potato. Wilson, F. W. Port Hope, Ont Scions of Choate apple. Wilson, J. Lockie. Toronto, Ont Onion seeds. Witzell, E.. College Point, L.I., U.S Potatoes. SEEDLING FRUITS OF CANADIAN ORIGIN RECEIVED FOR EXAMINATION IN 1907-8. The number of seedlings sent in for examination in 1907-8 was not quite so great as during the previous year, but some very good seedlings were received and descrip- tions made of them. All originators of fruits in Canada are invited to send in speci- mens of promising fruits to the Horticulturist in order that they may be described and a record made of them. Some of the seedlings which have already been received are so promising that they may in time take the place of the present commercial varieties. There are new kinds fruiting every year, and it is important that their merits should be generally known as soon as possible. Following are descriptions of those received during the past year. Full descrip- tions are published of the most promising and only partial descriptions of those not likely to prove valuable: — REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST 107 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 SEEDUNG P^RUITS RECEIVED FOR EXAMINATION IN 1907-8. e .a S a 8 42vi 427 428 429 430 431 432 433 431 435 436 437 438 439 410 441 442 443 444 4t.5 4M) 447 448 Province, New Bruns- wick Quebec . Ontario. BritisVi Co lumbia. Ontario Bricish Co lumbia. Name and Address of Grower or Sender. J. W. Stephenson, "Fred- ericton. Henry Wilmot, Frederic- ton. Dudley Currie, Masin- Quac. 3!. F. McLean, Upper Sheffield. It. p. Hitchcock, Massa. ^vippi. .Jules Lagace, Fraserville. E. E. Middleton, New castle. Geo. Binnie, Bunessan. . R. A. Marribon, Catara- qui. T. H. Wootton, Williams Corners. C. L. Stephens, Orillia. T. M. Hipwell, Oro., F. Birdsall, Birdsall. F. Birdsall, Birdsall. . , H. N. Grant, Newton brook. R. Schwerdtfeger, Mor risburg. W. J. Green, Kaslo. J. H. Cockle, Kaslo. Description of Fruit. Jos. Rowley, Cummings Bridge. Win. Judge, Orangeville ft M . . Jas. Tarry, Tarry's. ... . . A. P. Anstad, Traill... APPLES, Burton.' See full description. Belmont.' See full description. See full description. ' Smith Pippin.' See full description. See full description. Below medium size, roundish to oblate ; greenish yellow, washed with red on su>ny side ; subacid with a pleasant but not high flavour ; quality above medium ; season early to mid-winter ; not large enough nor good enough in quality. Above medium size, oblong, angular ; yellow, well washed and splashed with crimson ; subacid, not high flavour ; quality good ; season probably early to late winter. Medium size, roundish ; greenish j-ellow washed with pinkish red on sunny side ; subacid with pleasant flavour ; quality above medium to good; season mid to late winter; not quite good enough. 'Fronrenac' Above medium size, roundish; yellow well washed attractive crimson ; subacid with a pleasant but not high flavour ; quality above medium to good ; season evidently early to late winter ; not quite good enough in quality. ' Crown.' See full description. Below medium size, oblate ; yellow well washed and splashed with crimson ; subacid, plea.sant flavour ; quality good ; season evident^ early to mid winter. Has not as much flavour as either Fameuse or Mcintosh. Above medium size, roundish conical, angular; yellow well washed with bright crimson ; subacid, pleasant flavour ; quality above medium ; season mid to late winter. Not good enough in quality. 'No. 1.' Large, roundish, angular; yellow well washed with crimson ; mildly subacid and with a rather peculiar flav our; quality above medium ; season evidei\tly December to mid or late winter. Not suHiciently promising. 'No 2.' Medium size, yellow, splaslied and washed with purplish red ; quality evidently good but past condition ; season evidently autumn to early winter. See full description. 'Red Cheek Dutch.' Medium size, roundish; pale yellow, almost white, washed with bright red on sunny side ; acid with little flavour ; quality medium; season mid October proliably through November. Not promising. 'Elvin.' Above meduim size, roundish, greenish j^ellow, washed and splashed with deep purplish red ; mildly sub- acid with a pleasant flavour ; quality good ; season evident- Ij' mid to late winter. Not sufliciently attractive. Large, roimdish, slightly tapering and slightly angular ; pale green well washed with deep crimson ; briskly subacid, with little flavour : quality medium to above medium;- .season evidently November ; not good enough in quality. PLUMS. 'Rowley.' -See full description. See full descrijition. See full description. See full description. See full description. CHERRT. 108 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 426. Burton Apple. — Above medium size; roundish to oblate; cavity narrow, medium depth, russeted; stem short, moderately stout; basin open, medium depth, slightly wrinkled; calyx quite open; yellow well washed with attractive crimson; predominant colour crimson ; dots few, yellow, indistinct ; skin thick, tough ; core small; flesh dull white, rather coarse, firm, moderately juicy; subacid, sprightly, pleasant but not high flavour; quality above medium to good; season mid to late winter. A handsome apple and a promising New Brunswick seedling. Seed obtained from Nova Scotia by Mr. McLean ; fruit obtained from J. W. Stephenson, Fredericton. 427. Belmont Apple. — Medium size, roundish, angular ; cavity deep, medium width, russeted. mostly on one side; stem short, moderately stout; basin medium depth and width, wrinkled; calyx open; yellow with a slight reddish blush on sunny side; dots obscure ; skin moderately thick, moderately tender ; core medium ; flesh dull white, tender, fine grained, juicy; briskly svibacid, pleasant but not high flavour; quality above medium to good; season mid to late winter. Tree said to have been planted by the French about 100 years ago. Grown on farm of Henry Wilmot, Fredericton, N.B., and named Belmont after his farm. Received from Henry Wilmot, Fredericton, N.B. 428. Currie, Dudley, Masinquac, N.B., seedling from. — Above medium size; roundish, conic; cavity medium depth and width, russeted at base; stem short, moder- ately stout; dots few, yellow, distinct; basin open, shallow, wrinkled; yellow well washed and splashed with bright crimson; skin thick, moderately tough; core medium; flesh yellowish, firm, moderately juicy; subacid, pleasant but not high flavour; quality above medivnn to good; season mid to late winter. A promising seedling. Tree grow- ing along a line fence without cultivation. Fruit sent by Wm. H. Moore, Scotch Lake, N.B., but grown by Dudley Currie. 429. Smith Pippin. — ^Tedium size; roundish; cavity medium depth and width, rvTsseted ; stem short, moderately stout ; basin open, deep, nearly smooth, sometimes lipped; calyx open; yellowish green with a red blush on sunny side; predominant colour yellowish green; dots moderately numerous, gray, distinct; skin moderately thick, moderately tender; flesh yellowish, crisp, tender, juicy; core small, closed; flavour pleasant to mildly subacid; quality good; season evidently mid to late winter. Specimens received from C. F. McLean, LTpper Sheffield, N.B. 430. Hitchcock, G. P., Massawippi, Que., seedling from. — Large ; roundish ; cavity deep, medium width, russeted; stem short, stout; basin deep medium width, slightly wrinkled; calyx open; yellow or greenish yellow; predominant colour yellow; seeds medium ; dots numerous, gray, conspicuous ; skin moderately thick, tough ; flesh white, tender, crisp, juicy; core medivim ; subacid, pleasant flavour; good quality; season mid to late winter. A seedling grown without care. A pleasant dessert apple. Would be quite promising if red. Specimens received from G. H. Hitchcock. 435. Crown. — Medium size; roundish conic; cavity deep, medium width, russeted; stem short to medium, stout ; basin deep, medium width ; calyx partly open ; yellow well washed with crimson; predominant colour crimson; seeds medium size, deep brown, numerous; dots few, small, yellow, indistinct; skin moderately thick, moder- ately tender; flesh markedly yellow, crisp, tender, juicy; core medium size; subacid, sprightly, good flavoixr, somewhat like Northern Spy; good quality; season evidently mid to late winter. Has grown up under a Northern Spy tree. Evidently a seedling of Northern Spy. Promising, although yellow flesh is not very attractive. Said to be higher coloured than Northern Spy, but is not so good in quality. Specimens received from T. H. Wootton, Wellman's Corners, Ont. 440. Grant, H. N., Newtonbrook, Ont., seedling from. — Above medium size; roundish, conic; cavity open, medium depth; stem short, stout; basin medium width. REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST 109 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 shallow, wrinkled; calyx partly open; yellow with a trace of pink on sunny side; dots nvimerous, green, indistinct ; skin moderately thick, moderately tender ; flesh yellowish, tender, juicy; core medium; subacid, pleasant flavour; quality good; season Nevember, probably to January. A good dessert apple, but not specially attractive in outward appearance. 444. Plum — Joseph. Seedling from Joseph Rowley, sr., Cummings Bridge, Ont. — Form oval, flattened; very large; cavity shallow, medium width; suture a distinct line, not depressed; apex rounded almost pointed; yellow more or less washed and mottled with attractive red; dots numerous, yellow, distinct; bloom medium; skin moderately thick, moderately tender; flesh yellow, juicy; stone above medium size, oval, almost free; flavour sweet, rich, good; quality very good for an Americana plum. An American plum of the largest size. Attractive in appearance and one of the best in quality. Very promising. Came up in Mr. Rowley's garden in 1904. Bore in 1907 one plum. In 1906 two dozen plums. Measures 1| inches around base 1908. No American plum trees near, but may have grown from a pit of American plum. September 24, 1908. 445. Plum Seedling from Wm. Judge, Orangeville, Ont. — Form goose egg shape; medium to above in size, 2. by If inches; cavity shallow, medium width; suture a distinct line, not depressed; apex rounded; yellow tinged with green; dots numerous, indistinct; small, pale yellow; bloom whitish; skin modeTately thick, tough; flesh greenish yellow, jviicy; stone medium size, long, cling; sweet, rich flavour, quality good. A plum somewhat between Yellow Egg and Coe's Golden Drop in shape. Promis- ing. 446. Plum Seedling from Wm. Judge, Orangeville, Ont. — Form oval, slightly flattened at ends; size medium, about size of Lombard, 1^ to 1% inches; cavity medium depth and width ; suture a distinct line, very slightly depressed ; apex slightly indented; dark purplish lilac; dots yellow, numerous, prominent; bluish bloom; skin thin but tough; flesh yellowish, moderately juicy, rather firm; stone medium size, roundish, cling; sweet, rich flavour. Quality good. Much like Lombard in outward appearance but darker in colour and is of better flavour than Lombard. A promising plum if better than Lombard. Domestica group. 447. Plum Seedling from Jas. Tarry, Tarry's, B.C. — Form oval, slightly longer on one side than the other ; size above mediuoa to large, 1 J to 2 inches ; cavity mediuni depth and width; stem medium length, slender; suture a distinct line, slightly de- pressed; apex flattened, slightly indented; dark purple almost black with a blue bloom; dots few, grey, indistinct; blue bloom, medium to heavy; skin thin, tough; flesh greenish yellow, juicy; stone above medium size, oval, cling; sweet, good flavour; quality good. A promising plum ; not very rich, but of good quality and of good size. Domes- tica group. 448. Cherry Seedling from Austad Emil, Trail, B.C. — Fruit large; heart shaped; cavity medium depth and width; stem long. If to 2 inches, slender; apex indented; suture an indistinct line; dark red or blackish showing brighter red through; dots obscure; skin moderately thick, tender; flesh dull red, meaty, juicy; stone medium size, cling; sweet, pleasant flavour; quality good; season evidently late July. Seed planted in 1898 by A. P. Austad, Trail, B.C. A good cherry; evidently a Bigarreau. NEW OR LITTLE KNOWN APPLES IN THE PROVINCES OF ONTARIO AND QUEBEC. A great many named varieties of apples fruit every year in the orchards at the Central Experimental Farm, and from time to time descriptions are published in the 110 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 annual report of those which it is thought would benefit and interest fruit growers in Canada. Following are descriptions of a few of these varieties : — Crimson Beauty. — Below medium size; roundish to oblate; cavity deep, open; stem long, slender; basin open, deep to medium; calyx closed; yellow well washed and splashed with bright red; dots obscure; skin thin, tender; flesh white tinged with red, moderately juicy; core medium; acid; medium quality; season evidently mid August. Taken from an orchard on the old Sharpe Farm, Woodstock, N.B., and called Crimson Beauty by the late Mr. Sharpe. Said to be in all the fruit stores in Wood- stock. Specimens received from E. D. Smith, Winona, Ont. Procured at Woodstock, N.B. Dodd. — Above medium size; oblong; cavity shallow, medium width; stem short, stout, sometimes lipped; basin medium depth and width, almost smooth; calyx open; yellow, splashed and streaked with bright crimson; dots obscure; skin moderately thick, tender; flesh white, crisp, tender, juicy; core medium; subacid, pleasant flavour; quality good; season mid winter. An apple of the Gravenstein type which appears to do well on Prince Edward Island. A good apple. Specimens received from A. McRae, Pownall, P.E.I. Dyer (Pomme Royale'). — Medium to above medium in size; oblate; cavity medium to deep, medium width; stem medium length, moderately stout; basin deep, medium width; calyx closed; greenish yellow often vith a faint bronzy blush; dots numerous, grey, distinct; skin moderately thick, very tender; flesh white, tender, melting, juicy; core medium; seeds rattle; subacid, spicy, high, pear-like flavour; best quality; season late September to mid October. One of the best flavoured apples of its season. La Salle. — Medium to above medium size; roundish to almost oblong, slightly angular; cavity medium depth, medium width to open; stem short to medium, stout; basin deep, open, slightly wrinkled; calyx open; greenish yellow, splashed and washed with rather dull red mostly on sunny side; dots obscure; skin moderately thick, tough; flesh dull white, tender, juicy; core rather large; subacid, not high flavour; above medium quality; season evidently mid to late winter. Originated on the Eraser farm, Lachine, P.Q. Was called Macdonald for a few' years by one of the nursery firms. Pensaukee Eusset. — Above medium size; oblate conical; slightly angular; cavity open, medium depth; stem medium length, stout; basin medium depth and width, smooth; calyx partly open; greenish yellow, heavily russeted, with a red blush on sunny side; dots obscure; skin moderately thick, tender; flesh yellow, firm, juicy; core rather small to medium; briskly subacid, pleasant flavour; good quality; season mid to late winter. A handsome russet apple which may prove useful. Larger than Golden Russet, and tree seems hardier. Rufus. — Medium size; roundish conical; cavity narrow, shallow to medium, rus- seted; stem short, slender; basin narrow, medium depth, wrinkled; calyx partly open or closed; yellow well washed with crimson; dots moderately numerous, yellow, rather indistinct; skin moderately thick, moderately tender; flesh white with traces of red, tender, moderately juicy to juicy; core medium; subacid, pleasant not high flavour; above medium to good in quality; season December and through the winter. An attractive looking apple of the Fameuse type. A promising apple for this district. Specimens received from Miss Joan Matheson, Perth, Ont. REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST 111 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Trenton. — Medium to above medium size; roundish conical; cavity deep, medium width, russeted; stem medium length, slender; basin open, medium depth, wrinkled; calyx open; yellow, washed and splashed with deep rather dull red; dots obscure; bloom pink; skin moderately thick, tender; flesh yellowish, rather coarse, crisp, break- ing, tender, moderately juicy; core above medium; subacid, pleasant flavour; good quality; season late September to early October. Not as attractive looking an apple as Wealthy, nor as long a keeper. Season just before Wealthy here, and may be useful on this account. Originated by P. C. Dempsey, Albury, Ont. A cross between Northern Spy and Golden Russet. APPLES ORIGINATED IN THE HORTICULTURAL DIVISION, CENTRAL EXPERIMENTAL FARM, OTTAWA. There were 249 varieties of seedling apples fruited in the Horticultural Division in 1908 that had never fruited before, making a total of 434 with those which had fruited since 1903, when the first tree of the seedlings planted in 1900 bore fruit. There were quite a number of good varieties among those which fruited in 1908, but only five were named. The descriptions of these follow. Since publishing descrip- tions of the Junco and Eric apples in the Report for 1907-8, it has been found that these varieties had already been described under other names, hence the names and descriptions of Junco and Eric are cancelled. Cromer (Swayzie Seedling). — Above medium size; roundish, angular; cavity medium depth and width; stem short, stout; basin medium depth and width, slightly wrinkled ; calyx open ; green, thinly washed with pinkish red over most of surface ; dots few, grey, distinct; skin thick, tough; flesh yellowish, firm, crisp, moderately juicy; subacid, pleasant, spicy flavour; quality good to very good; season late winter. Does not resemble Swayzie except somewhat in spicy flavour. Of Ribston type. Danville (Lawver Seedling). — Above medium size; conical to oblong conical; cavity medium depth and width, russeted; stem short, moderately stout, basin open, deep, almost smooth ; calyx open ; greenish yellow well washed with deep crimson ; dots few, yellow, distinct ; skin moderately thick, moderately tough ; flesh yellowish, tender, juicy; core mediiim; subacid, sprightly, pleasant flavour; good quality; season late November, probably to late winter. Resembles Lawver a little in colour and in smoothness of skin. Flesh is tender and of somewhat same character as Lawver. Seed not so large as Lawver. Melba (Mcintosh Seedling). — Large; roimdish, slightly angular; cavity medium depth and width; stem short, stout; basin deep, medium width, wrinkled; calyx open; pale yellow well washed and splashed with bright crimson; dots few, white, indistinct; bloom slight, bluish; skin moderately thick, moderately tough; flesh white, tender, crisp, juicy, perfumed; core medium; brisidy subacid, pleasant, slightly aromatic flavovir; good quality; season early to mid September. A handsome apple of good quality. Resembles Mcintosh somewhat about cavity, also in character of flesh and perfume and in aromatic flavour. May prove useful as following Duchess. Pinto (Wealthy Seedling). — Above medium size; oblate; cavity deep, medium width; stem short, slender; basin deep, medium width, wrinkled; calyx closed; pale greenish yellow washed and splashed with dull orange red; dots few, small, yellow, distinct; skin thick, tough; flesh yellowish, tender, juicy; core medium; briskly sub- acid, pleasant, aromatic flavour; good quality; season late October, probably through November. A good deal like Wealthy in flesh, also suggestive of Wagoner. Later than Wealthy. Promising. Radnor (Swayzie Seedling). — Above medium to large; roundish, slightly angular; conic; cavity medium depth and width, russeted; stem short, stout; basin deep, medium width, wrinkled; calyx open; greenish yellow to yellow with a faint bronzy 112 EJPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 pink blush; dots moderately numerous on sunny side, green, distinct; skin thick, moderately tender; flesh dull white or yellowish, crisp, juicy, a little coarse; core medium; subacid, spicy, high flavour; good quality; season evidently November and later. A promising apple on account of size, flavour and firmness. CHARACTERISTICS OF AVEALTIIY APPLE SEEDLINGS. The Wealthy apple is such a well known variety in North America and has proved itself so generally desirable, that it is thought it will prove useful and. interest- ing to record at this time some of the characteristics of seedlings of tlie Wealthy fruited at the Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Canada. In the year 1898 seed was saved from Wealthy fruit grown at Ottawa. No special selection was made of the fruit, though seed was not taken from poor or small fruit. The male parent or parents being imknown; but as the Wealthy trees grew near trees of the Duchess of Oldenburg it is probable that in some cases the Wealthy was pol- len ized by that variety, although from the fact that the Wealthy is self -fertile it is likely that a large proportion of the flowers were self-fertilized. The seeds were sown in the autumn of 1898. They germinated the following spring, and the trees were set out in nursery rows in the spring of 1899. In the spring of 1901 and 1902 there were 153 in all of the best trees planted out. Most of these ■were planted 15 feet apart, but about one-third of them were planted 10 feet fii)ait. Of the 153 trees set out only 11 have died or been winter killed, and there have been some severe winters since they were planted. Of the 14:'2 remaining trees, 93 have fruited, and it is interesting to note when these trees began to bear. One tree fruited in 1903, five years after sowing the seed; one tree fruited in 1904, 19 in 1905, 22 in 1906, 11 in 1907 and 4-1 in 1908. Of these 98 seedlings, 93 have been described; descriptions having been made of good and bad alike. It is from the data available on our description blanks that the following results have been tabulated. Some of the outstanding characteristics of these Wealthy seedlings are : First, the hardiness of the trees, most of them appearing to be equal or superior to Wealthy in hardiness; second, their early bearing habit; third, their great productiveness; fourth, the very large proportion of seedlings bearing marketable fruit ; fifth, the general resemblance to Wealthy in a large proportion of the seedlings, particularly in colour and the rounded, regular outline of the fruit and character of flesh. While fuller descriptions were taken, the characteristics given here refer only to size, form, colour, acidity, quality, season and degree of resemblance to Wealthy. All the descriptions were made by the writer, hence, as near as possible, the same standard was followed throughout, but even so, the descriptions of the characteristics dealt with may not always be true, as one's opinion in regard to acidity or ilavour, for instance, may vary somewhat from one year to another. With the majority of the seedlings, however, the description taken one season has been confirmed or altered in a second season, and sometimes in a third season, in order that it might be as a-'curate as possible. The fruit of the Wealthy itself as grown at Ottawa may be described as medium to almost large on young trees; roundish; yellow well splashed and washed and some- times completely covered with crimson ; flesh yellowish, sometimes tinged with red, crisp, tender, juicy, briskly subacid with a pleasant aromatic flavour; quality good to very good; season late September, October and November. In the following table are given the percentages of different characteristics, based on the descriptions of 93 seedlings : — REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST 113 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 CHARACTERISTICS OF NINETY-THREE WEALTHY APPLE SEEDLINGS. Size — Per cent Small 6-45 (Distinctly crablike, 5-37.) Below medium '. 16-12 Medium 40-86 Above medium 26-88 Large 9-67 99-98 Wealthy is medium to almost large. Form — Per cent. Oblate 30-01 Eoundish 64-62 Conical 2-15 Oblong 3-22 100-00 Wealthy is roundish. Colour — Per cent. Green or yellow 0-00 Splashed or washed with crimson and red 79-56 " " pink or pinkish red 5-37 " orange or orange red 15-05 99-98 Percentage dull red 21-50 Wealthy is yellow, splashed and washed with crimson. Acidity — ^ Per cent. Sweet 16-12 Mildly subacid 1-07 Subacid ,34-40 Briskly subacid 38-70 Acid 9-67 99-96 Wealthy is briskly subacid. Quality — " Ter cent. Below medium 4-30 Medium 30-10 Above medium 46-23 Good 19-35 99-98 Wealthy is good to very good. 16—8 114 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Season — ■ Per cent. August-mid September 27-95 Mid September-October 30-10 October-November 23-65 December-February 8-60 December-April 9-67 99-97 Wealthy is in season late September, October and November. Resemblance to Wealthy, more or less — Per cent. In outward appearance 62-22 In flesh 45-55 In flavour 1^-44 No resemblance 22-58 (Percentage in this case based on 90 seedlings.) Marked resemblance to Wealthy — Per cent. In appearance 21-11 In flesh 14-44 In flavour 3-33 In appearance and flesh 11-11 In appearance, flesh and flavour 2-22(*) (Percentage in this case based on 90 seedlings.) (•Same season as Wealthy 1-11 Later season than Wealthy 1-11) There are some interesting facts brought out in this table. Although Wealthy is said to have been grown from 'cherry crab seed' only 5-37 per cent of the seedlings, or 6 out of the 93 described, was distinctly crablike. The fact that 93J per cent of the seedlings was large enough to be marketable is worthy of note. It is remarkable that not one of the seedlings was entirely green or yellow, all having more or less red. It is interesting to note that over 15 per cent was orange or orange red in colour; In this connection it may be stated that quite a number of the seedlings had the peculiar flavour of Sops of Wine or Haas, which are of this colour, and while the Sops of Wine or Haas were in the same orchard with the Wealthy trees they were a considerable distance away. It will be noticed that over 16 per cent of the apples was sweet, while only one per cent was mildly subacid. There was over 65 per cent of the seedlings above medium and better in quality, which is a remarkably large proportion, we thinlc. Over 23 per cent of the seedlings was about the same season as Wealthy, and over 18 per cent later, which is encouraging in the breeding of hardy winter apples. The large proportion of apples which bear more or less resemblance to Wealthy is worthy of note. INDIVIDUALITY OP APPLE TREES AS SIIOW^N IN THE ORCHARDS AT THE CENTRAL EXPERIMENTAL FARM, OTTAWA. There is a growing interest in the individuality of plants, and breeders of fruits are now paying considerable attention to this interesting subject. Since the year 1898 records have been kept of the yields from each apple tree in the orchards at the Central Experimental Farm. These records show that there has been a marked dift'erence in the yields of trees of the same variety planted in the same year and in about the same kind of soil. In some cases there have been only a few trees of a variety for com- parison, but the difference in yield even between two trees has been very_ marked. There is as yet little data to show whether these characteristics will continue in trees propagated from them, but young trees are now growing at the Experimental Farm REPORT OF TEE HORTICULTURIST 115 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 propagated from the best and the poorest yielders, and some useful information may be obtained in the future. A few trees have also been top grafted. The following tables will show the marked differences in yields between tree."? of •the same age planted at the same time: — Apples, Wealthy — Planted 1896 — ^Yield in Gallons. Tree. 1899. 1900. 1901. 1902. 1903. 1904. 1905. 1906. 1907. 1908. Total Yield, 1899-1908. 1 2 1-0 2-0 1-75 9 0 7-5 3-25 7-5 2-25 •5 120 2.25 6.5 6.5 1.0 8.5 11-25 12-25 11-25 7-5 6-25 5-5 2-25 2-25 20 2 2 2 15 7 3 10 75 5 25 5 75 5 0 5 25 15 12 8 20 23 24 19 21 27 30 21 18 20 34 21 22 22 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 5 5 0 5 5 0 0 5 5 5 27-0' 7-5 'ie-o' "2-o' 0-5 "8-5' 4-5 17 14 6 1 23 17 io 21 17 31 13 20 17 31 16 0 0 5 0 0 5 6' 0 5 0 5 5 0 5 5 1 8 7 28 13 5 19 5 20 8 10 13 19 8 16 23 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 5 150 2 75 Dead. 1-5 140 11-5 ■3-5" 2-25 1-75 18-5 2-5 1-25 140 25-0 1-75 Dead. 25-6 17 0 71 41-75 3 24 14 9 6 6 8 4 11 "4 13 15 12 1 5" 5 5 5 0 5 75 5 75 0 5 5 5 37 154 116 80 80 58 95 85 105 57 84 95 123 104 5 4 25 5 75 6 75 7 1-5 3-5 5-0 100 5 8 5 9 75 10 10 1-25 ^5 IX ... 0 12 Removed. 3-0 0-5 5 13 14 15 4 25 2-5 4 0 3 4 1 5 5 5 0 0 0 0 75 16 30 14-6 7-5 5 17 8 5 16 0 590 Apples, McMahan White — Planted I8881 — Yield in Gallons. Tree. 1898. 1899. 1900. 1901. 1902. 1903. 1904. 1905. 1906. 1907. 1908. Total Yield, 1898-1908. 1 2 620 420 32-0 35 0 'i'6' 290 '37-5' 4-5 9-5 90 83 0 6-0 49-0 34-5 55 0 46-0 19 5 270 20 12-5 18 0 40 490 0-5 40 90 147 0 98 0 55-0 63 0 '69-5' 190 53-0 1-5 23-0 63 5 340 610 43-0 39-5 15-5 141-0 116 0 56-0 670 '72'6' 14-0 54 0 400 300 108 69 0 98-0 96-0 37-0 35-6 124 0 114 0 9 0 49 0 75-6 '64-6' 11 17 81 31 54 52 20 21 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 142 120 0 12-0 730 'si'o ■96-6' 753 579 515 459 354 568 163 391 5 3 5 4 5 5 5 6 29-0 0-5 7-0 5 7 8 -. 0 0 Apples, McIntosh Eed — Planted 1890 — ^Yield in Gallons. Tree. 1898. 1899. 1900. 1901. 1902. 1903 1904. 1905. 1906. 1907. 1908. Total Yield, 1898-1908. 1 17-5 1-0 260 9-5 370 10-5 6-5 1-0 71-5 37-5 94-0 31-0 12-0 6 0 109 0 72 0 30 6 0 1090 230 160 330 501-5 2 230-5 Apples, Patten Greening — Planted 1892 — Yield in Gallons. Tree. 1898. 1899. 1900. 1901. 1902. 1903. 1904. 1905. 1906. 1907, 1908. Total Yield, 1S98-1908. 1 270 2 0 20 130 1-0 2-0 6-0 31-0 350 14 0 1-5 6-5 190 1-5 190 40 5 0-5 710 24-0 22-0 120 17-5 15-0 55-5 67 0 15 0 21 0 8»-a 7-5 26 0 45 0 510 06 0 69 0 45 0 75-0 92-0 "6-5 13-0 0-5 30 82-0 710 480 74-0 138 0 'e-o' 120 502-5 2 276 0 3 3:^6-5 4 209 5 5 202- 5 IG— 8i 116 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 PLUMS. Owing to the failure of the European, and Japanese plums to produce fruit except in favourable seasons over a large part of Ontario and the province of Quebec, more attention is now being paid to the improved varieties of native and Americana plums, but not nearly as much interest is being shown in them yet as they deserve. The native wild plum, Prunus nigra, is represented by such varieties as Aitkin, Cheney, and Odegard, although these were originated in the United States. While not as high in flavour as some of the varieties of Prunus americana, the trees of the native varie- ties are much tougher than the Americanas, and do not break down as easily, the breaking of the trees in winter being a great weakness in some of the best varieties of the Americana plums. The thick, tough skin of most of the Americana varieties is the chief drawback to their more general use as canned fruit, but by removing the skin by steaming before canning this objection may be overcome. The varieties of Nigra plums have thinner skin than the Americana and are better for caiming on this account. The native plums in eastern Ontario are, however, usually badly affected with the spot or blight of the native plum — Cladosporium carpophilum — but by thorough spraying with Bordeaux mixture this can be controlled. Among the varieties on the market the following, in order of ripening, are among the best: — Americana and Nigra Plums. — Aitkin, Bixby, Mank-ato, Cheney, Wolf, Admiral Schley, Brackett, Hawkeye, Stoddard. The Omaha, a plum of hybrid origin, is very promising. GRAPES. The season of 1908 was one of the most favourable for grapes that has been experienced during the past twenty-one years, and during the dry, warm autumn the grapes ripened well, 118 varieties having matured. The crop was, however, not so heavy as in 1907, although there was a fair amount of fruit. One seedling of unknown parentage, but of decided merit, fruited this year. It has been called MacTavish. MacTavish. — Ripe Sei^tember 23, 1908. Bunch below medium to small, broad, very compact, rarely slightly shouldered. Eruit medium size, roundish, pale green, slightly tinged with purple when exposed to sun; skin thick, tough; pulp tender but does not separate readily from seeds, which are rather large and usually three to a fruit; juicy, sweet, good flavour, slightly foxy. Quality good to very good. Produc- tive. Owing to its earliness and good quality this should prove a useful grape in the north. BUSH FRUITS. Although the raspberries wintered well during 1907-8 and gave promise of a good crop of fruit, it was reduced below medium by the extreme drought of July. The gooseberry crop was also below medium. The mildew did not affect the English varie- ties as much as usual. The crop of currants was but a medium one. The older plan- tation set out in 1899 was rooted up in 1908 after the fruiting season was over. As the bulletin on bush fruits was so recently published no details are given in regard to varieties in this report. STRAWBERRIES. There is no fruit of which there are so many new kinds offered for sale each year as the strawberry, and as it takes several seasons to determine whether a variety is a valuable addition or not there is always a large number of sorts under test at the Experimental Farm. In 1908 there were 207 kinds in the experimental plots. REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST 117 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 There was a very severe drought during the strawberry season of 1908, and the crop from this cause. was much reduced both in size of fruit and in total yield. The effect of the drought was much more apparent on some varieties than on others. A record was made of those which showed the greatest resistance to drought by holding fruit of good size longest. As the early varieties had matured a large part of their fruit before the drought affected the plants very much, the following kinds which were most resistant when the drought was greatest are for the most part medium and late : — Armstrong, Barton's Eclipse, Beidler, Big Bobs, Buster, Commonwealth, Clyde, Daniel Boone, Dora, E. H. Ekey, Gandy, Giant, Gibson, Glen Mary, Governor Kollins, Great Ruby, Greenville, Hatch Experiment Station, Hood Biver, Hero, Joe, Luxury, Miller, Mrs. Cleveland, Mrs. Fisher, Mrs. Miller, Murray, Nettie, New Dominion, New Globe, Parson's Beauty, Pennell, Pocomoke, Ridgeway, Robbie, Ruby, Scarlet Ball, Seedling from C. H. Smith, Yarmouth, N.S., Stevens' Late Champion, Sumiy- side, Tennessee Prolific, Uncle Jim and Williams. Of these varieties the most productive are Barton's Eclipse, Big Bobs, Buster, Daniel Boone, Dora, Glen Mary, Greenville, Pocomoke, Tennessee Prolific and Williams. There were few promising new named sorts fruited in 1908, none of them being promising enough to make it likely that they will take the place of the varieties which have been recommended for the past few years. Some very promising seedlings of the Bubach and Wm. Belt strawberries origin- ated at the Central Experimental Farm are being thoroughly tested and compared with the varieties above mentioned. VEGETABLES. The tests with vegetables continue to be an important part of the work of the Horticultural Division. Varieties have been very thoroughly tested, and each year the new kinds are compared with those which have been found to be the best of the older ones. Several lines of work are in progress with a view to finding out the value of selection in raising home-grown vegetable seeds. The results of selecting the tomato are given in this report. The potato is such an important crop that each year considerable space is devoted to that vegetable in this report. It has been found that the ' List of best vegetables for farmers,' published from time to time in the annual report is much appreciated. It was published last in the report for 1906, and is reprinted again with the few changes deemed necessary. farmers' list of best vegetables. The results of variety tests of vegetables for the past eighteen years are sum- marized in the following table, where a list is given of the varieties of each kind of 'vegetable which are considered the best to plant. Asparagus. — Conover's Colossal is the best all round variety, but this is more subject to rust than Palmetto or Argenteuil. Beans. — Round Pod Kidney Wax, Keeney's Rustless Golden Wax or Wardwell's Kidney Wax, for early crop; Early Refugee for medium; and Refugee or 1,000 to 1, for late crop, are the most satisfactory dwarf varieties. Asparagus, Lazy Wife and Old Homestead are three of the best pole varieties. Beets. — Egyptian Turnip, Meteor and Eclipse are three of the best. Borecole or Kale. — Dwarf Green Curled Scotch is the best. Broccoli. — White Cape. 118 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Brussels Sprouts. — Improved Dwarf is the most satisfactory. Cabbage. — Early Jersey Wakefield (early), Succession (medium), Late Flat Dutch, Houser, Drumhead Savoy (late), Eed Dutch (red), is a select list of the best varieties of cabbage. For extra early use, Paris Market is desirable, being a v?eek earlier than Early Jersey Wakefield. Cauliflowers. — Early Dwarf Erfurt and Early Snowball. Carrots. — Chantenay is one of the best, but if a good extra early sort is required the Early Scarlet Horn can be planted with advantage. It is a small variety. Celery. — Golden Self -Blanching (Paris Golden Yellow), Improved White Plume (early). Perfection Heartwell, Triumph, Winter Queen, French's Success, London Ked (late), are among the best. Corn. — Early Fordhook, Early Cory (early), Crosby's Early, Golden Bantam, Henderson's Metropolitan (second early). Perry's Hybrid, Stabler's Early, Early Evergreen, and Black Mexican (medium), Stowell's Evergreen, Country Gentleman (late). In planting, the Country Gentleman should not be omitted, as it lengthens the season very considerably and is of fine quality. Golden Bantam is the best second early for home use. Cucumbers. — Peerless White Spine or White Spine, Cool and Crisp, and Giant Pera are three of the most satisfactory slicing varieties. Boston Pickling and Chicago Pickling are good pickling sorts. Egg Plant. — New York Improved and Long Purple succeed best. Lettuce. — ^Black Seeded Simpson, The Morse (early curled) ; Iceberg, New York, Giant Crystal Head, Crisp as Ice, and Improved Hanson (curled cabbage) ; Improved Salamander (cabbage) ; Trianon and Paris (Cos lettuce). Melons, Musk. — Long Island Beauty, Hackensack and Montreal Market, of the Nutmeg type; Surprise, Emerald Gem and Paul Rose, of the yellow fleshed types, are all good. Melons, Water. — Cole's Early, Salzer's Earliest, Ice Cream, Phinney's Early are good early water melons. Onions. — Yellow Globe Danvers and Large Red Wethersfield are two of the best onions in cultivation. Parsnips. — Hollow Crown and Dobbie's Selected are both good sorts. Parsley. — Double Curled is as good as any. Peppers. — Cayenne, Chili and Cardinal are three of the best. Pease. — Gregory's Surprise, Thos. Laxton, Gradus, American Wonder, Premium Gem (early) ; McLean's Advancer, Nott's New Perfection, Heroine (medium). None of these are tall growing varieties. Stratagem, Juno (dwarf). Telephone (late). Excelsior (Sutton's) is a promising second early sort. Potatoes. — Extra early: Rochester Rose, Early Ohio, Early Andes (pink), Bovee (pink and white), Burpee's Extra Early, Eureka Extra Early, Early Petoskey (white). Early: Early White Prize, Irish Cobbler (white), Vick's Extra Early (pink and white). Main crop: Carman No. 1 (white), Dooley (white), Vermont Gold Coin (white). Money Maker (white), Burnaby Mammoth (pink and white). Radishes. — Early: Scarlet White-tipped Turnip, Rosy Gem, French Breakfast, Red Rocket (red). Icicle (white). Late: White Strasburg, Long White Vienna. Winter : Long Black Spanish, Chinese Rose-coloured. Rhubarb. — Linnaeus, Victoria. Salsify. — Long White, Sandwich Island. REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST 119 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Spinach. — Victoria, Thickleaved. Squash. — Early: White Bush Scalloped, Summer Crook Neck. Late: Delicious, Hubbard. Tomatoes. — Early: Sparks' Earliana, Chalk's Early Jewel, Dominion Day. Main crop: Brinton's Best, Trophy, Matchless (scarlet), Burpee's Climax, Autocrat, Living- ston's Globe (purplish pink). There are many .varieties of tomatoes vyhich are almost equal in excellence and productiveness. Turnips. — Early; Extra Early Milan, Red Top Strap Leaf. Swedes. — Champion Purple Top, Skirving's Luproved. POTATOES. The year 1908 marked the third season in succession which- has been unfavourable to the potato crop. There was never enough moisture for the potatoes from the middle of June until the vines died, notwithstanding thorough cultivation. A severe attack of thrips, which it seemed impossible to control satisfactorily, also checked the growth of the vines. The vitality of the seed, which must have been considerably lowered by the previous dry seasons and premature ripening, doubtless also had an unfavourable effect on the crop. While the yields were not large, the tubers which formed were clean, and most of them of good marketable size. The potatoes in the uniform test plots were planted on May 21 in sandy loam soil which had been manured the year previously for corn. The ground was thoroughly prepared by ploughing and harrowing, after which the drills were opened 30 inches apart with the double mould board plough. Sixty-six sets of each variety, having at least three good eyes, made by cutting the potatoes, were dropped one foot apart in the rows. These sets were covered with the hoe. The land was harrowed just as the potatoes began to come up, to kill weeds. Thorough cultivation was given at intervals until the vines of most varieties covered the ground, practically level cultiva- tion being adopted, there being but a little soil drawn towards the plants. The vines were sprayed with Bordeaux mixture six times and Paris green was used to destroy the potato beetles. The potatoes were dug on October 5. There was very little scab or rot. A much larger number of varieties than usual were tested in the imiform plots this year, 154 sorts being grown. Tables follow of the twelve varieties which have averaged highest in yield for the last five seasons, and the thirty most productive sorts in 1908. Twelve Most Productive Varieties of Potatoes ; Average of Five Years, 1904-8. u s 3 Name of Variety. Number of Years under Test. Season. Colour. Quality. Average Yield per acre, 1904- 190S. 1 Dooley Carman No. 1 (new stock) Vermont Gold Coin Rural Blush 8 5 6 20 6 20 14 11 16 6 7 11 Medium Medium late. . It . . Late Medium . . Late II Medium Early II II Medium ^Vhite II 11 ... ...... Pink and reddish . Pink and white White Good Bush. Lbs. 268 24 9 267 31 3 263 7 4 2f)3 7 5 Morgan Seedling Holborn Abundance Sabean's Elephant Canadian Beauty Vick's Extra Early Quick Crop Crine's Lightning Burnaby Mammoth 256 58 6 Medium Good 245 31 7 239 22 8 Pink and white.. . . II .... 11 .... Pink with red eye . Pink and white. . . 233 12 q 230 7 10 226 36 11 12 II - It 226 36 224 50 120 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Potatoes — Test of Varieties — Thirty Most Productive Varieties in Uniform Plots, 1908. 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Name of Variety. Quality. Extra Early Hero Woodbury's White Rose From T. Rowan, McGregor, Man. King Edward (Wilson's) Early Harvester White Nebraska New Early Standard Early Petoskey White Beauty Planet White Giant Pinnacle Beauty Snow Perfection Johnson's No. 2 . . . Improved Early Ohio Barkley 's Seedling Hick's Jubilee Star of the East New Reliance White Ohio Sutton's Sion House Sutton's Prolific Dalmeny Beauty Sirdar Solanum Commersonii Violet Prince Albert Sir John Llwellyn Dewey Immigrant Good. Good. Medium. Medium . Good...'. Good . Medium. Good . . . . Total Yield per Acre. Yield per Acre, Market- able. Bush. lbs. Bush, lbs 325 316 308 275 275 270 266 261 255 2.55 253 253 250 250 244 235 231 220 215 213 212 200 198 193 193 189 182 182 182 176 24 48 36 12 48 12 12 48 48 12 24 36 24 12 12 36 36 12 36 36 36 303 281 290 226 264 261 253 235 233 244 244 167 158 151 167 171 176 15S 171 1&8 24 36 24 36 48 24 12 12 12 239 48 237 36 220 .. 233 220 173 200 195 12 48 12 48 180 24 209 .. 12 24 48 12 36 24 36 24 Yield per Acre, Un- market- able. Bush. lbs. 24 35 17 48 11 8 13 26 22 11 8 13 13 30 11 15 57 19 19 33 13 33 39 41 26 17 6 24 11 17 12 36 24 48 12 24 48 Colour. 48 12 36 48 24 36 36 12 36 Pink. White. 12 Pink or reddish. 12 White. 48 Pink. 24 12 I „ 48 White. Pale pink. Pink. White. Violet. White. SMALLER- PLOTS OF POTATOES. The number of varieties grown in plots smaller than the uniform test plots in 1908 was 119. Of these only the ten most productive are given. Potatoes — Yields from Smaller Plots — Ten Most Productive Varieties — Thirty-three Sets Planted. u S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Name of Variety. Montcalm Vulcan The Cottar. .. . King of Michigan Noxall Ireland Dewey Rose Orphans Clyde Ramona Total Yield per Acre. Bush. Lbs. 391 325 303 294 290 255 246 202 202 198 36 36 36 48 24 12 24 24 24 Yield per Acre Marketable. Bush. Lbs. 338 299 277 2S1 286 220 206 193 ISO 136 48 12 12 36 48 36 12 24 Yield per Acre, Unmarket- able. Bush. Lbs. 52 26 26 13 4 35 39 8 13 61 48 24 24 12 2t 12 3fi 48 12 36 Photij ill F. T. Shutt. Lilacs in the Arboretum, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Ont. Mviskmelon Plantation at Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Ont. 5094— p. 120. Photo hv F. T. Shutt. REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST 121 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 POTATOES CHANGE OF SEED. The seasons of 1906, 1907 and 190S were three of the most unfavourable for pota- toes that have been experienced in twenty-one years at the Central Experimental Farm. Varieties which had been grown from the same stock year after year for seventeen years showed no signs of deteriorating in vigour before 1906. The best potatoes had been used each year for seed, and the continued selection had evidently pi-evented deterioration. The season of 1906 was, however, very dry, and varieties which had been yielding at the rate of over three hundred bushels per acre in some cases gave scarcely half as much. The growth of the tubers had been stopped prema- turely by the dry weather. These tubers were used for seed in 1907, and another unfavourable season, combined with the poor seed, resulted in another poor crop. The crop of potatoes was again small in 1908, but the tubers which formed were most of them well developed when dug. The crop of potatoes had been so poor in 1906, and the prospects for a good crop in 1907 from the tubers not being thought favourable, it wa?^ considered desirable to compare the results with imported seed. Accordingly, small quantities of tubers of six well known varieties of potatoes were procured from the Experimental Farm, Nappan, IST.S. As the best of the home-grown seed had been used in other experi- ments before this imported seed was planted the results obtained that year are not considered reliable, but it may be said that the average yield from the imported varie- ties was almost twice as great as from the home-grown seed of the same sorts. In 1908 it was possible to make a fairer comparison, and the best seed from the im- ported stock of the year before was compared with the best seed of the home-grown stock. The results given in the following table show that the extra vigour and produc- tiveness of the imported stock were still maintained to a marked degree. Name of Variety. Late Puritan Rochester Rose Early White Prize Vick's Extra Early Money Maker Carman No. \ Average Average difference in fav- our of Napxjan seed . . Seed from Nappan, N.S., 1907. Total Yield per Acre, C.E.r.,1908. Bush. Lbs . 343 281 272 213 213 193 12 36 48 24 24 36 Yield per Acre, Marketable, C.E.F.,1908. C.E*F.!i908. C.E.F.,1908 Bush. Lbs. 332 242 201 195 191 182 12 48 48 24 36 253 .. 133 28 234 18 128 20 Yield per Acre, Unmarket- able, C. E. F. Seed, 1907. Total Yield per Acre, Bush. Lbs. 11 39 11 17 22 11 36 .36 18 42 5 8 Bush. Lbs. 118 90 123 150 118 103 48 48 12 12 48 24 119 32 Yi^ld per Acre, Marketable, C.E.F.,1908. Rush. Lbs . 110 88 96 127 114 99 48 36 24 105 58 Yield per Acre, Unmarket- able, C.E.F.,1908. Bush. Lbs . 8 8 26 28 4 4 48 48 24 36 24 24 13 34 It has been found in Great Britain and Ireland that seed potatoes from the south of England, where the season is comparatively hot and dry, do not produce nearly as good crops as the Irish and Scotch seed grown in cooler and moister climates, and it is becoming a common practice for English growers to use either Scotch or Irish seed. While it is evident from the results at the Central Experimental Farm that potatoes do not soon run out if the seed is carefully selected each year, and that providing there is no great reduction in vigour, as has been the case during the past three seasons here, large yields may be obtained from Ontario grown seed. The results obtained in Great Britain and the results obtained from Nappan seed would indicate that at least every few years it would be profitable for Ontario growers to import seed from the Maritime Provinces or from the cooler and moister parts of Ontario and Quebec, providing known productive varieties could be obtained. 122 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 POTATOES — COMPARISON OP SPROUTED, CELLAR-STORED AND COLD STORAGE POTATOES. It has been tbe practice of many market gardeners to sprout their seed potatoes, as they have found that by sprouting them they will have new potatoes sooner. The sprouting of potatoes is a well known practice also in Great Britain and Europe, both early and late varieties being found to benefit by it, both in earliness and productive- ness. A comparison was made in 1908 with an early and medium late variety at the Experimental Farm, the varieties used being Rochester Rose, early; and Carman No. 1, medium late. Part of the tubers were spread out in a light room from April 1 until May 16 before planting. At the time of planting there were short, stout green sprouts on the tubers. Part of the tubers were kept in the potato cellar, where the temperature rose to between 50 and 60 degrees F. before planting time, by which time the sprouts were beginning to grow. The remainder of the tubers were kept in cold storage at a temperature of 40, and were quite dormant when planted. The tubers were planted whole in rows two and one-half feet apart and one foot apart in the rows on May 16. They were kept thoroughly cultivated throughout the season, the rows being but slightly ridged. - In the following table the results are given, which show an advantage in yield in favour of the sprouted seed. A still greater advantage was shown in the greater earli- ness of the crop from the sprouted seed. The extremely dry season caused all the yields to be very small. Name of Variety Sprouted. Stoked in Cellar. Cold Stobage. Total Yield per acre. Yield per acre Market- able. Yield per acre Unmar- ketable. Total Yield per acre. Yield per acre, Market- able. Yield per acre, Unmar- ketable. Total Yield per acre. Yield per acre. Market- able. Yield per acre, Unmar- ketable. Rochester Rose. Carman No. 1. . . Bus. lbs. 198 .. 154 .. Bus. lbs. 162 48 140 48 Bus. lbs. 35 12 13 12 Bus. lbs. 180 24 136 24 Bus. lbs. 145 12 118 48 Bus. lbs. 35 12 17 36 Bus. lbs. 180 24 110 .. Bus. lbs. 162 48 105 36 Bus. lbs. 17 36 4 24 Average 176 .. 151 48 24 12 158 24 132 26 24 145 12 134 12 11 .. TOMATOES. CHANGES MADE BY SELECTION. In the year 1901 seed was saved of the earliest ripe fruit of the Sparks Earliana tomato, grown at the Central Experimental Farm. Selection from the earliest tomato was continued each year until 1904, when several selections were made from the plants of that year. One selection was a single tomato from the plant giving the largest crop of early and most uniform fruit in 1904; another selection of a single tomato was made from the plant giving the largest and most uniform crop, regardless of earliness, in 1904; and a third selection was made of the earliest fruit from the plants in the experiment in 1904, regardless of which plant it came from. A similar selec- tion has been kept up each year since, the seed being taken from the first good tomato produced on the individual plants giving the crop most like that desired, and the other selection of the earliest ripe fruit from the plot or field of plants under experiment. The results have become so marked that it is thought desirable to publish them to show what can be accomplished by the market gardener, seedsman or plant breeder in the selection of tomatoes. The experiment is being continued with the object of learning whether after several years' selection certain strains from the diflferent selections will remain more constant than others. In the following tables the records are given of twenty-five plants from each selec- tion, taken as they came in the plantation. REPORT OF TEE HORTICULTURIST 123 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Selection from One Plant for Uniformity and Productiveness. Date of First Ripe Fruit. 1S08. Aug. 18. .. 18. „ 18 ,. 18. „ 18. M 18; „ 18. >, 18. ,. 2.5. ■■ 24. „ 1.5. .. 17. • M 18. M 25. „ 15. 4 23. 23. 14. 14. 27. 18. 25. 28 16. Fruit Ripe to Au^ist 18, 1908. July II Aug. It July Aug. II July Aug. Total Average, Aug. 14. Lb3. 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 Ozs. 5 3 4 12 4 5 8 14 0 0 8 4 6 0 14 14 6 9 7 8 1 10 0 IH 8 Total Yield of Ripe Fruit, 1908. 18 U-Sfi Lbs. 17 15 14 13 14 14 15 13 16 16 19 25 13 19 14 20 16 18 12 12 14 14 13 15 14 Ozs. 13 11 4 0 0 5 12 6 6 4 0 4 8| 8 14 14 2 9 15 12 1 6 2 71 10 Q o -^ 'm '-5 13 5 E C 13 11 12 12 10 10 11 11 9 9 11 9 6 7 11 12 11 11 13 13 13 8 9 8 12 395 15 14 13-36 262 12-4 Selection from One Plant for Uniformity and Largest Crop of Early Fruit. Date of First Ripe Fruit. July 25 . II 27. 1908. 18 27 28 29 22 22 Aug 4 July 22 24. 23. Aug. If July Aug. July Aug. July 27... 4... 25... 23... 27 . 4 .. 27... 25... 23.., 27... 23... Fruit Ripe to August 18, 1908. Total Average, July 26 Lbs. 2 1 1 1 1 1 0 2 1 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 Ozs. 3 1 4 4 0^ 7 10 4 3 5 8 3 7 3 10 13 1 IH 13 3 0^ 10 Sh Hi Total Yield of Ripe Fruit, 1908. 26 1 7 0-92 Lbs. 10 12 10 10 17 15 12 11 11 10 10 10 14 15 ]3 9 17 16 20 14 15 11 11 15 10 7 13 4 2i 3 15 6 13 1 IH 5 7 Oh 2 H 12i 5h 328 13 14 2-48 » i m • 0^ be c '~' to c ^ -U CD O 13 11 17 14 18 16 13 14 14 12 12 14 13 14 9 13 17 15 11 10 12 18 10 8 11 329 13 16 124 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Selection from Field for Earliest Ripe Fruit. Date of First Ripe Fruit. Fruit Ripe to August 18. 1908. Total Yield of Ripe Fruit. 1908. Number of As- terisks, Repre- senting Degrees of Uniformity. 1908. July 27 Lbs . Ozs . 1 12^ 1 13 0 6 0 in 0 9 1 11^ 1 8 1 8i 1 2 1 14 3 1 0 11 0 14 1 8i 0 14" 1 0 2 7 1 5i 0 13 1 1 0 4* 1 3l 1 Oi 1 9 1 4 Lbs. Ozs 17 4i 10 6 12 2 10 15i 9 7 10 7i 11 10 18 12* 20 2" 16 2 22 5 13 15 15 14 15 2i 9 lo- ll 8 15 3 14 9i 11 10 10 7 9 14i 10 13i 8 6| 10 11 12 0 16 „ 28 M 25 „ 31 . 15 10 12 Aug. 17 July 25 13 15 Aug. 4 July 30 Aug. 16 July 27 14 18 12 11 „ 30 M 27 „ 27 Aug. 4 Jvily 22 15 12 13 14 10 Aue. 17 11 July 27 .... 11 Ausr. 4 13 July 28 . . 13 „ 28 Aug.l8 July 25 ... ... 9 12 12 „ 29 14 12 M 30 16 Total 32 Oi 1 4"48 329 6h 13 2'8 1 323 12-92 It will be seen from the above tables that in a selection from individual plants each year the selection for earliness has resulted in plants which bear ripe fruit nine- teen days earlier than the plants from the selection which has been made for produc- tiveness, whereas, on the other hand, the plants from the selection for earliness and uniformity without regard to productiveness, yielded 20- 45 per cent less than the plants selected for productiveness, but the amount of ripe fruit up to August 18 was 46-11 per cent greater in the selection for earliness than that for productiveness. Comparing the selection for earliness from the individual plant each year with that where the selection was made from the first ripe fruit in the plot or field, it will be seen that the average date of first ripe fruit is five days earlier where the selection was made from the individual plant, although by August 18 the yield of fruit was somewhat more from the field selection. The total yields were almost the same. At each picking of tomatoes the relative uniformity of the crop was gauged by the eye, three, two, one, and no asterisks being given according to the uniformity of the fruit. "While this method could not give perfectly accurate results, it should be fairly reli- able. The selection for uniformity for several years has not so far shown as marked results as the selection for earliness. No check plots of unselected plants have been used in this experiment. SPRAYING. Spraying to control insect pests and fungous diseases is now a regular practice with the best fruit growers, but there is still a large proportion of the men that grow REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST 125 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 fruit who, if they spray at all, do not do it systematically. If the results from spray- ing to control the Apple Spot and some other diseases were as self-evident every year as spraying to kill the San Jose scale and potato beetle there would be no diificulty in persuading fruit growers of the importance of spraying, but sometimes when spot does not happen to be troublesome those who do not spray may have as clean fruit as he who does. But the experience of the most successful fruit growers is that it does not pay to take chances, and that the best results follow, taking one year with another, when spraying is done regularly every year. EXPERIMENTS IN SPRAYING, 1908, TO CONTROL GOOSEBERRY MILDEW. As good results were said to have been obtained elsewhere from the use of the lime sulphur wash in controlling gooseberry mildew, a number of varieties of English gooseberries usually more or less affected with the disease were sprayed in 1908 with the lime-sulphur wash made here in the proportion of 12 lbs. sulphur, 12 lbs. lime and 40 gallons water, and the Niagara Brand lime-sulphur wash. The V-I Fluid was also tried. In most cases five bushes of each variety were sprayed, leaving one bush of each unsprayed. The bushes were sprayed on May 1, 1908, with the home-made lime-sulphur wash when the leaves of most varieties were showing green and begin- ning to expand. A second spraying was made with this wash on May 2, as it rained within an hour after the first spraying. The Niagara Brand lime-sulphur and V-I Fluid were both used on May 2. There was not nearly as much mildew in 1908 as usual, but this was evidently not due to the spraying, as no difference in the amount of mildew could be seen on the sprayed and unsprayed bushes, when notes were taken on June 6 and also just before picking. As there was little inildew this year, even on unsprayed bushes, no conclusions could be drawn from these experiments as to the value of the lime-sulphur washes in controlling gooseberry mildew. TO CONTROL APHIS. Several mixtures were used in 1908 for aphis on apple trees, this insect being very troublesome in 1908, appearing in great numbers on the young trees. Eighteen young apple trees, in most cases, were sprayed with each mixture on July 28, with the fol- lowing results : — Flour Emulsion (5 lbs. flour, 4^ gallons kerosene, 36 gallons water) : — July 29. — Aphis almost all dead on a few leaves and a considerable number dead on many leaves. McDougall's Insecticide and Fungicide Wash (^ pint to 5 gallons water) : — July 29. — Aphis almost all dead on many leaves. V-2 Fluid (latest brand) :— July 29. — A considerable number of aphis killed but nor so many as with some other insecticides. The V-2 Fluid used was not the one originally received, but an improved mixture received from the company later. Niagara Brand Lime-Sulphur Wash (1 gallon to 50 gallons water) : — July 29. — Few, if any, aphis were killed. Target Brand Fungicide (1 gallon to 100 gallons water) : — July 29. — A considerable number of aphis were killed. It was not claimed that this mixture would kill aphis. Whale Oil Soap (1 lb. to 6 gallons water) : — July 29. — Most of the aphis were killed where hit. Eight trees sprayed in this case. Of the mixtures used, the Whale Oil Soap and McDougall's Insecticide gave the best results, both apparently killing what aphis were hit. It is very difficult to destroy 126 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 all aphis at one application ; indeed, it is almost impossible to spray them all with the mixture when the leaves are curled. DISEASES OF THE NATIVE PLUM (PRUNUS NIGRA). Diseases of fruit were not as troublesome in 1908 as in some years, doubtless owing to the warm, dry season. There are, however, two diseases to which attention should be drawn, as they have proved so injurious to the native plum (Prunus nigra), and have in many places in eastern Ontario and Quebec ruined the crops of that fruit, which, where the European varieties of plums cannot be grown, is of consider- able importance to settlers over a wide area of country. Spot or Blight of the Native Plum (Cladosporium carpophilum V. Thumen). — The almost complete absence of native plums during recent years in the Ottawa district and elsewhere in Eastern Ontario and the province of Quebec, is due in a large measure or almost entirely to the disease known as blight. The fruit forms and reaches more than half its size, but colours prematurely. When affected by the disease it shrivels and falls to the ground without ripening. If the fruit is examined when half grown or later, small pale green or yellow patches will be noticed. These gradu- ally enlarge until finally they are about half an inch in diameter, at which time the blotches are darker in colour, of more irregular outline and are raised on the skin. The Americana plums are not, as a rule, seriously affected with this disease, which is principally confined to the Nigra varieties. Eemedy. — This fungus is nearly related to the apple spot, and can be satisfac- torily treated in much the same way. The trees should be sprayed with Bordeaux mixture just after the blossoms fall, again two weeks later, and a third time two weeks after the second application. It is also advisable to spray a fourth time with am- moniacal copper carbonate just when the fruit is beginning to colour. The native varieties ripen early, and if the ordinary Bordeaux mixture were applied the last time, the fruit might remain stained. The ammoniacal copper carbonate does not leave a noticeable stain on the fruit. This remedy has been very satisfactorily used by one grower in particular near Ottawa, who has thus been able to grow native plums very profitably, and at the Experimental Farm spraying with Bordeaux mixture has kept the disease under perfect control. The Americana varieties may be top grafted on the native ones, with the result that there will be less disease as the former are not as much afl'ected as the native. All other plum trees not looked after or bearing poor fruit should be burned; also all fruit which is. diseased. Plum Pockets (Exoascus pruni Fckl.). — The disease known as plum pockets has been recently very injurious to the native plum (Prunus nigra), the entire crop of fruit in many cases being ruined by this disease. The mycelium of the disease which causes the pockets is able to live for more than a year in the tree, and although the pockets may not be produced one year the disease may be in the tree, and if conditions are favourable the next year the tree may be covered with them. It is thus not neces- sary for the disease to start from spores every year. The fruit is affected soon after tlie tree has blossomed, and is indicated by the unnatural swelling and bladder-like appearance of the fruit and by its unusual yellow colour. There is no stone in fruit affected by this disease. When the spores of the disease which has been working in- side the fruit appear on the surface they give the pockets a grey appearance. Later on the pockets turn almost black and fall to the ground. The leaves and twigs are also noticeably affected with this disease, the former becoming curled and unhealthy looking and the twigs swelling unnaturally. There is no known thoroughly tested remedy for this disease, but as it is closel.y related to the peach leaf-curl, which is controlled by early spraying with Bordeaux mixture (4 lbs. bluestone, 4 lbs. lime and REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST 127 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 40 gallons water), it is quite likely that the plum pockets may be prevented by its use also. The most important spraying would appear to be just before the flower buds open, and as soon as the petals fall. It may be said that in the orchard at the Experi- mental Farm, where the trees are thoroughly sprayed every year, there has been no plum pocket, and in another orchard of native plums near Ottawa which is well sprayed each year there are few plum pockets ; whereas, in the vicinity trees along the roadside have been badly affected. In addition to spraying, it is recommended to cut back the trees which are affected, thus removing the diseased twigs; also to pick off the pockets as soon as they appear. FOREST BELTS. ^ The work in the forest belts at present consists mainly in recording the height and diameter of the different kinds of trees, of preventing some of the more valuable species from being smothered in the mixed plantations by the faster growing species, and by lopping off branches and the removing of dead and fallen trees. The last table showing the height and diameter of the trees was published in the report for 1906. The table which follows shows the growth up to the autumn of 1908. Owing to the dry weather of the past two seasons the increase in height and diameter of most kinds of trees has been small. 128 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 V ^ c P D a . *" »0 iH •* jj -t<0'-iiOrHl:^0'-Hint^-^'r'*t-iHMCOt~t~-C^»OCD-^OON'l<0500COOO IS -1-3 c ID Ph X S-i CI HI O +3 CO -;^ 1 — I O -t3 CC o; u o CO m ;-• o o O 01 bo-e . t-llCiHI>.X-ti»OO5C<5C0i-lt-ei5CO«0 (MlOlOCOtDOO COM O'- t-CO t-r-l OM .tJ ■^Oi-im.-lC'"lr-llNCD«D05tCi05-Jl0inO-fC<5OO>-ICDC5l-'-lt~a3;CCCh^OC0irSl-.ON. IM r-lrH(Nr-iPJrH,-ICOC^COCOIM~1Coo2»ooiooin©inoioo»oiooiooo.='moioici©iooS22ccncoS2 i-H r-t'-' T-HlHrHTHi-i rHi-Hi-Hi-l rH r-( r-l " X X X ^ 0OCO353500a500C5O5O535a3C5C5O5O;S>O5O5O5O5O2O5O5O5CO00CC00000000l— 05050000 OOQOGOCOOOXCOOOOOXlOOCCCOQOXiMCOXXVDCCCOOOOOCCaooOOOOOOOOOSOCCCCOOOOOO ooQOODoioccooooooaoco^co'/:'X)ooccooiOcccO'XXccaoooaoacoooooocoooccc/occooco o 02 o c3 o g as ci O # g >, 'a rt E-o C ' ' c3 fl - O <^ w ►*. >—t CO -*j -a >■. > ^ a =S o bo c^ !« c h-l 1-1 0) be c3 cS O O c CO T p C 3 S fl C 2 ^ C 03 !« c^ K- cc ^ a: CO 3 S o cS (S bo §^ or; ' ' -« >> bcC "^ CO bo o be i s e3 O >> >-.T3 e T3 'CXJ CCS S3 C cS 5 tS cS c3 " O M CO CO ,ij .4J g g be cs be o fl ce be S c3 c3 O o 0/ a. o i c3 bo bo 3 3 Is o 03 S ^ r 3 = 1 e4 c5 -3 a "5) 3 3 3 r I ■ o 01 (^ '^ 3 05 11 a a > e4 r M X 3 3 3 C C a X X 05 33 a Qi U cr « t— X M 6-1 OJ .3 CQ -^ —< ^v^ 1^ rvi 3 rs o a Xi 00 QO « -^^ MO e3 3 cS 'C s § '.9 3 X ■~ 03 X u rt ft. «8 3 = 0 rS Oto 'O 3J . C > <5 3 u C §s is T3 (1) u OS 5 3 03 3 C a 3 REPORT OF TEE HORTICULTURIST 129 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 t-tCH0CH0O-«'J«-tD-*N .-*C.«CU»X-«!'»IiaX'-H< l-H 1-1 tH tHO t-M 0C©OOS c3 c ^ c c Vj •Jl bo io is ; S fl a o * =s c3 bo O I— H B : ai to c3 c3 J3 '5 o o >> cS o P 2 u -S -a S c3 3 0) t) O D O -9 15 16- 3 0) 3 - 0 X ki £8 cs 02 > 1 (-1 i to 3 1 J3 u PL, 1 rf, 1 < ^ - t i ■-^ s Cl a> & 0) « O s 3 -C -. a i^ o 05 D- > =« o (-1 r/5 bl) " c • l-t ■rH o if g fcJO 05 03 o (1) o ;.! 3 a fH ;:' • <-^ 4J & GO 05 o 05 r^ ;^ 4^ ^ w 05 03 j3 -i-> ■73 a -t-i ^ c8 ^ -S -1.3 05 3 d 1^ a o a 05 ^ ^ o a CS pS c« M a 05 05 •rH > :g o -a -c 05 -73 03 ^ C .1.3 ^- ton 05 a •i-i r 05 #-H tr rH o 03 ^~' t^. 05 tfi •o -C CI c3 H ? OJ o ^ , L4 fi JZ^ to o -t^ m 73 ^ 03 ■C c« H a 1 =/5y c3 bj 05 H o ^ R 05 . ■^ -=5 e3 4J 130 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 ARBORETUM AND BOTANIC GARDEN. The additions to the Arboretum and Botanic Garden in 190S, while not very numerous were mainly of valuable species and varieties. In addition to the plants raised from seed at the Central Experimental Farm and the plants obtained from nurserymen, a good collection received from the Arnold Arboretum in the autumn of 1907 was planted out in the spring of 1908. In this collection was a large number of species of Crataegus, which with the many kinds received in previous years from the Arnold Arboretum makes the number of species under test of this interesting genus very large. The total number of trees and shrubs added in 1908 was 326, comprised of 276 species and varieties, making a total of 3,280 species and varieties, represented by 4,978 specimens, living in the Arboretum in the autumn of 1908. The number of species and varieties of herbaceous perennials added was 198, making a total of 2,068 alive in the border in the autumn of 1908. The winter of 1907-8 did not apparently cause more than the average amount of injury. The summer season was very dry, and the plants in the herbaceous border suffered badly from the drought, the growth not being nearly as strong as usual. During the past year a bulletin on herbaceous perennials was published by the writer under the title ' List of Herbaceous Pereimials Tested in the Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Canada, with Descriptions of Flowers and other Notes.' In this bulletin are recorded the names of 2,116 species and varieties of herbaceous perennials tested at the Central Experimental Farm during the past twenty years, with descriptions of a large proportion of them, includ- ing their relative hardiness, time of blooming, height to which the plants grow and colour of the flowers. Asterisks are also used to indicate their relative value from an ornamental standpoint. Lists of the best sorts are given. The information contained in this bulletin represents many years' work. While a general distribution of this bulletin was not made, it will be sent free to any one applying for it. ORNAMENTAL TREES. There have been numerous inquiries from correspondents for information in regard to the best hardy ornamental trees and shrubs. To meet these inquiries there was published in the writer's annual report for 1897 a list of one hundred of the best, with short descriptions of each. A part of this list was revised and republished in the annual report for 1906 as ' A List of Best Thirty Hardy Ornamental Flowering Shrubs.' Other lists, however, have been published since 1897, such as ' Some Good Low Growing Flowering Shrubs,' in the report for 1899 ; ' A List of the Best Lilacs,' in 1901 ; and ' A List of Deciduous Trees, Shrubs and Climbers with attractive Foli- age, Bark and Fruit,' in 1903. It is thought desirable to now publish 'A List of the Best Twenty-five Ornamental Deciduous Trees,' and ' A List of the Best Twenty-five Ornamental Evergreen Trees.' For the most part these are the same as were given in the list of 1897, with some revi- sions and changes. The heights of the trees given in this list are not in all cases the maximum height which these trees may reach, but are sufficiently accurate to be used as a guide when planting. LIST OF BEST TWENTY-FIVE HARDY ORNAMENTAL DECIDUOUS TREES, 1. Acer dasycarpum laciniatum. — Wier's cut-leaved maple (Canada), height 40 to 50 feet. This is a cut-leaved variety of the native silver-leaved maple, which origin- ated in Europe, and is a very quick growing, robust tree, with large, deeply cut leaves, and pendulous branches. It requires plenty of space to appear to the best advantage. REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST 131 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 2. Acer platanoides. — Norway maple (Europe). Height 30 to 50 feet. The Nor- way maple is one of the hardiest of ornamental trees. The dark green leaves appear before those of our native hard maple and fall from two to three weeks later in the autumn, but do not assume such a brilliant colour, the leaves having different shades of yellow. When in flower this tree is also quite attractive. 3. Acer platanoides Schwedleri. — Schwedler's Norway maple. One of the best ornamental trees. The leaves are large, and in the early part of the summer are of a bright, purplish red, becoming duller as the season advances, and finally losing the purplish tinge. The variety Reitenbachii, while not having so attractive foliage, re- tains the purplish tinge throughout the summer. 4. Acer saccharinum. — Hard, or sugar maple (Canada). Height 50 to 70 feet. The hard maple needs no description. Its clean, clear cut, green leaves, almost free from insect pests, handsome form, delicately and highly tinted leaves in autumn, recommend it as one of the best of hardy trees. 5. Acer tataricum Gi7inala. — Ginnalian maple (Amurland). Height 10 to 20 feet. The deeply cut, pretty leaves of this little maple make it ornamental throughout the summer, and in the autumn it rivals all other maples in the variety and brilliancy of its colouring. 6. Aesculus Hippocastanum. — Horse chestnut (Mountains of southeastern Europe). The horse chestnut is well known. At Ottawa all specimens have not proven hardy, but if procured from northern grown stock they should do well. This tree is very ornamental when in full leaf and flower. 7. Alnus glutinosa imperialis. — Imperial cut-leaved alder (Europe). Height 20 to 30 feet. The cut-leaved alder is a very distinct and graceful tree with deeply cut fern- like leaves and pendulous branches. 8. Betula alba laciniata pendula. — European cut-leaved birch (Europe). Height 30 to 50 feet. One of the most graceful and hardy of all ornamental trees. The pendulous branches, finely cut foliage and elegant form of this birch make it very desirable. After it has been twenty years planted at Ottawa the top begins to die back and the trees become unshapely During recent years it has been affected with borers. 9. Catalpa Kaempferi. — Japanese catalpa (Oapan). Height 30 feet. In bloom second week of July. Flowers yellow spotted with purple, and smaller than those of the hardy catalpa. The leaves are purple veined. This is the hardiest catalpa grown here. 10. Catalpa speciosa. — Hardy catalpa (United States). Height 30 to 40 feet. In bloom fourth week of June. Flowers large, white, spotted with purple and yellow. This tree is very handsome when the flowers are in bloom. The leaves are large and heart-shaped. The seed pods which form during the latter part of the summer become more than one foot in length. The whole tree is very tropical looking. To ensure hardiness, trees should be obtained from northern grown stock, as but few specimens have proved hardy at Ottawa. Tea's hybrid catalpa, while not quite so handsome is about as hardy or hardier. 11. Cercidiphyllum japonicum. — Katsura tree (Japan). Height 30 to 50 feet. The pyramidal shape and delicate heart-shaped leaves of this tree make it very attrac- tive and ornamental. It is closely related to the magnolia family but is quite hardy at Ottawa. 12. Crataegus Crus-gaUi. — Cockspur thorn (Ontario). Height 15 to 25 feet. In bloom second week of June. Flowers white, tinged with pink. The leaves of this tree are very ornamental, being thick, smooth and very shiny. 16— 9i 132 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 13. Elaeagniis an giisfi folia. — "Russian olive (South Europe, Orient). Height 15 to 20 feet. In bloom third week of June. Flowers small, yellow, very sweet scented. This is a very ornamental tree with narrow silvery leaves and is perfectly hardy. 14. Ginkgo hiloha. — Maiden-hair tree (China). Height 20 to 60 feet. This odd looking tree is a deciduous conifer with peculiar fan-shaped leaves. It is rather a slow grower but eventually reaches a good size. 15. Larix europcea. — European larch (Europe). Height 60 to 80 feet. This tree is more graceful than our native tamarac, and will succeed on a greater diversity of soils. IC. Larix leptolepis. — Japanese larch (Japan). The Japanese larch is as large and is a more attractive tree at Ottawa when young than the European species, and promises to be one of the best ornamental trees. 17. Platanus occidentalis. — Button-wood (Ontario). Height 50 to 60 feet. A very handsome and striking native tree with large, deeply cut foliage. Its chief draw- back is the lateness in leafing out in spring. 18. Prunus Grayana. — (Japan). Some of the species of cherries are very orna- mental when in bloom, and this is one of the best. The tree is very hardy and grows at least from twenty-five to thirty feet high. During the latter part of May this species is covered with racemes of white flowers, and is a decidedly ornamental object at that time. The tree is moderately upright in habit and of good shape, and remains ornamental throughout the summer. Two other good hardy cherries are Primus Padus Albertsii and Prnntis Maachii. 19. Pyrus Aucuparia. — European mountain ash, rowan tree (Europe). Height 20 to 30 feet. In bloom fourth week of May. Flowers white, borne in large clusters. This is a very graceful lawn tree, remaining ornamental throughout the winter, when it is covered with its scarlet fruit. The American species is also very good. It is a smaller, more compact tree, flowering about one week later than the European. 20. Pyrns haccala. — Siberian crab (Siberia). Height 15 to 20 feet. In bloom third week of May. Flowers white, tinged with bright pink. This compact little tree bears such a profusion of flowers in spring that it is one of the most ornamental at that time, and later in the summer when the highly coloured fruit hangs thickly among the leaves it is again very handsome. This is one of the hardiest trees grown here Most of the crabapples make good ornamental trees. 21. Pyrus corona/ria fl, pi. — (Bechtel's flowering crab.) This is a charming, double flowering variety of the native crabapple which blooms during the fourth week of May. The flowers are large, semi-double and of a delicate shade of flesh pink. They have a very delightful fragrance much resembling that of violets. This tree will probably not grow more than fifteen or twenty feet in height. 22. Crataegus coccinea. — Scarlet fruited hawthorn (Canada). Tree. Height 10 to 20 feet. In bloom fourth week of May. Flowers white, borne in great profusion. This valuable native tree is ornamental in spring, stimmer and autumn. The flowers are pretty, the leaves dark and shiny, and the fruit bright red and very showy. 23. Querciis rubra. — Red oak (Canada). A large, handsome tree, with very glossy leaves which turn red in autumn and at that time render it very ornamental. The leaves stay on the tree until winter. The red oak is the most rapid growing oak v.hich has been tested. The golden leaved red oak (^Quercus rubra aurea) is one of the best hardy yellow leaved trees. REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST I33 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 24. Syringa japonica. — Japanese or Tree Lilac (Japan). Height 15 to 20 feet. In bloom fourth week of June and first week of July. Flowers creamy white, without lilac perfume, borne in very large panicles. This is the latest blooming lilac tested here, being more than one month later than the common species, and being tall and of tree-like habit is very noticeable. The species known as ^S^. amurensis resembles this very much. 25. Salix pentandra (8. lauri folia). — LaLirel-leaved willow (Europe). Height 20 to 30 feet. The leaves of this willow are deep green and very shiny. Wlien given room to develop symmetrically it makes a very handsome specimen on the ornamental grounds. UST OP BEST TWENTY-FIVE HARDY EVERGREENS. 1. Ahies concolor. — White fir (Colorado). Height 30 to 60 feet. This is a very beautiful and striking species with large, flat, glavicous green leaves. Young trees of this species should be obtained from northern grown stock. 2. Cupressus ericoides. — Heath-like retinospora (Japan). Height 2 feet. This is a very pretty dwarf evergreen, with fine, soft, delicate green foliage, which becomes of an attractive purjjish tinge in winter. In exposed places the leaves of this little shrub are sometimes injured by winter. 3. Cnpressvs pisifera filifera. — (Japan.) This is a very distinct and beautiful variety of retinospora, with drooping branches and slender thread-like pendulous branchlets. This is the best retinospora tested at the Experimental Farm, where one specimen is now nine feet high. 4. Cupressus pisifera plumosa. — (Japan.) A compact tree, and very ornamental when young. Its branchlets are somewhat feathery in form. This tree is sometimes injured by winter and occasionally killed outright. 5. Cupressus pisifera plumosa aurea. — (Japan.) One of the most beautiful golden leaved evergreen shrubs in cultivation. It is of compact form and holds its colour well. It also is liable to be injured by winter. 6. Juniperus communis fasti giata. — Irish juniper (Europe). Height 4 to 8 feet. The Irish juniper is an erect, compact form of Juniperus communis with light green foliage, silvery beneath. It makes a very attractive shrub on the lawn. The tips are usually injured by winter, which affects its appearance for a time in spring. Y. Juniperus Sahina tamarisci folia. — Tamarisk-leaved savin (Europe). Height 1 to 2 feet. This is a low growing variety with widely spread trailing branches and attractive foliage. 8. Pinus Laricio nigricans (P. ausfriaca). — Austrian pine (Austria). Height 30 to 60 feet. A very handsome pine with dark green rigid leaves and upright branches. This is a very compact growing species and one of the most beautiful. 9. Pinus montana Mughus. — Dwarf mountain pine (Mountains of Central Europe). Height 2 to 10 feet. This is a very ornamental, dwarf, compact-pine. Its height varies considerably, some specimens being quite dwarf and others attaining a height of about 10 feet. 10. Pinus ponderosa. — Heavy wooded or bull pine (British Columbia). Height 50 to 80 feet. The bull pine is one of the most handsome species. The long, glaucous green leaves, sometimes twisted into peculiar forms, and its erect habit give it a very majestic appearance. 134 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 11. Pinus resinosa. — Red pine (Canada). Height 40 to 60 feet. Not unlike the Austrian pine when young, but becoming less stiff in form as it becomes larger. The leaves are also much softer than those of the Austrian pine. 12. Pinus sylvestris. — Scotch pine (Europe). Height 40 to 60 feet. A very rapid growing pine with bluish green leaves. It is not so shapely as some of the other species, but grows well in nearly all kinds of drained soils. 13. Pinus Strohus. — Wliite pine (Canada). Height 50 to Y5 feet. The white pine is better known as a timber tree in Canada than as an ornamental tree, but when it branches from near the ground, and has sufficient space to develop symmetrically, it becomes one of the most graceful evergreens grown. The leaves, which preserve their colour well in winter, are a very lively green. 14. Picea alba. — White spruce (Canada). Height 30 to 50 feet. A very beautiful native species with glaucous green leaves and rather rigid branches, but making a fine ornamental tree. 15. Picea alcochiana. — Alcock's spruce (Japan). Height 40 to 60 feet. This ia a very ornamental Japanese species, and quite distinct from all others. The dark green of the upper part of the leaves, and the bluish silvery green of the lower surface, make it very attractive. 16. Picea excelsa. — Norway spruce (Europe). Height 50 to 75 feet. The Norway spruce is one of the most popular evergreens planted, being a very rapid grower, of graceful form, and doing well on a great variety of soils. 17. Picea pungens glauca. — Rocky mountain blue spruce (Western United States). Height 40 to 60 feet. A very beautiful species with steely blue coloured leaves. One of the most ornamental trees. It is a slow grower and takes some years before it at- tains much height. As this tree varies in colour from green to blue in individual specimens, in procuring young trees the blue variety should be ordered. 18. Pseudotsuga Douglasii. — Douglas fir (British Columbia). Height 50 to 75 feet. The Douglas fir is a very majestic and handsome tree, with foliage dark green above and silvery beneath. The seed or young trees should be obtained from as far north as possible, or high up on the mountains, as otherwise it is not likely to prove hardy 19. Taxus cuspidaia. — Japanese yew (Japan). The Japanese yew has proved perfectly hardy so far at Ottawa, and is a decided acquisition to the list of desirable evergreens. It is of more upright habit than the Canadian yew and has attractive dark green foliage. 20. Thuya occidentalis aurea Douglasii. — Douglas' golden arbor-vitse (United States). This is a very beautiful form with bright golden coloured foliage and up- right habit. 21. Thuya occidentalis compacta. — Compact arbor-vitse (United States). A dwarf compact variety with bright green foliage. 22. Thuya occidentalis Ellwangeriana. — Ellwanger's arbor-vitse (United States). This is a fine, compact, dwarf, vigorous variety with slender leaves and branches. 23. Thuya occidentalis Hoveii. — Hovey's arbor-vitae (United States). This is one of the finest and most desirable varieties. The leaves are bright green and the branches flat and parallel, giving the shrub a very remarkable and attractive appearance. 24. Thuya occidentalis pyramidalis. — Pyramidal arbor-vitae (United States). The pyramidal arbor-vitae is a very compact upright grower, and its columnar form makes it one of the most conspicuous objects on the grounds. REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST 135 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 25. Thuya occidentalis luareana (T. occ. Sihirica). — Siberian arbor-vitse (Europe). The Siberian arbor-vitse is a well known compact form with deep green, blunt leaves, which keep their colour well in winter. LILACS. The many varieties of lilacs now offered for sale make it confusing for the average person to know which kinds to purchase. In the Arboretum at the Central Experimental Farm there is now a collection of 177 species and varieties, 148 of which are forms of "the common lilac (Syringa vulgaris.) A list of twenty-five of the best of these, with descriptions of the flowers, is given below in order to aid those who desire to have the most beautiful of them. Many of the varieties are so nearly equal in merit that it is difficult to choose aniong them, and opinions differ with diiferent persons as to the relative beauty of each. The single flowered varieties appeal to some persons, while by others those with double flowers are more admired, while still others may like those with twisted or curled petals. In preparing the list given below the aim has been to have in it as great a range of colour as possible, and also to have the different types represented. While the varieties of the common lilac are the most beautiful, there are some very fine hardy species which bloom after the others are over. These include in order of blooming, Syringa Bretschneideri, Syringa Josihcea, Syringa villosa, Syringa amu- rensis, and Syringa japonica, bringing the blooming period to the month of July. SINGLE VARIETIES. Alha Grandiflora and Marie Legraye. — ^Panicles large, moderately loose; flowers above medium size, single, white. Very free bloomers. These two varieties are very similar and of about equal merit. Aline Mocqueris and Gloire de Croncel are much alike. Panicles large, rather loose; flowers large, single, purplish-mauve, brighter in bud. Charles X. — ^Panicle medium size, compact; flowers medium size, single, purplish- mauve, soon fading to lighter. A very free bloomer. Still among the best on account of vigour and blooming habit. Congo. — Panicle large, rather loose; flowers large, single, purplish-mauve, brighter in bud. Much the same colour as Gloire de Croncel and Aline Mocqueris but with livelier shades. Delepin. — Panicle above medium size, moderately compact; flowers medium size, lavender-blue, whitish about centre. Moderately free bloomer. The bluest lilac in the collection. Jacques Caloi. — Panicle large, loose ; flowers large, single, purplish-mauve in bud, violet-mauve when opened. A very attractive shade. Lovaniensis. — ^Panicle medium, compact; flowers medium size, single, light-lilac with decided pink effect fading to almost white. A rare and attractive colour. One of the best. Very free bloomer. Madame F. Morel. — Panicles large, loose; flowers very large, single, purplish- mauve suffused with paler shades and almost white about centre. Free bloomer. A very good one. Negro. — Panicle large, loose; flowers very large, single, bishop's violet. A free bloomer. Not quite so bright in colour as Congo nor as rich as Toussaint L'Ouver- ture, but flowers are larger. 136 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 BuheUa. — Panicle medium size, compact; flowers meditim size, single, purplish- mauve suffused with lighter shades, buds brighter. In somewhat the same class as Charles X., but is more attractive. Toussaint-Louverture. — Panicle above medium size, moderately loose; flowers above medium, single, darkest shade of bishop's-violet, almost purple. The darkest in colour. DOUBLE VARIETIES. Charles Joly. — Large, loose panicle; flowers large, semi-double, twisted petals, vinous-mauve, almost purple; free bloomer. One of the best. Comte de Kerchove. — Panicles large, loose; flowers large, double, purplish-mauve in bud and when opening, afterwards changing to lighter shades with more blue in them. A very fine lilac. OondorceL — Panicles large, moderately compact; flowers above medium size, double, violet-mauve in bud, bluish-violet shading lighter when open. Free bloomer. One of the best of those with bluish shades. Emile Lemoine. — Panicles large, compact; flowers large, double, purplish-mauve suffused with lighter shades in bud; heliotrope, shading to almost white in centre when open. Free bloomer. Later than most. One of the best. Georges Bellair and Wm. Robinson. — These are much alike. Panicles medium size, compact; flowers above medium size, double, purplish-mauve in bud and when opening, afterwards suffused with lighter shades and central petals tipped with white. Both very good; very- free bloomers. Jean Bart. — Panicle large, loose; flowers large, double with twisted petals, pur- plish-mauve in bud, violet-mauve when opened shading to lighter. One of the best of this type. Madame Ahel Chdtenay. — Panicle above medium size, moderately loose; flowers above medium, double, white. A free bloomer. The best double white tested here. Madame Amelie Duprat. — Panicles medium size, moderately compact; flowers above medium size, double, bright purplish-mauve in bud and of a lighter shade of the same colour when open, suffused with paler tints. Very good. One of the best. Madame Casimir Perier. — Panicle medium size, compact; flowers medium size, double white. A very free bloomer. One of the best double white varieties. Madame Leon Simon. — Panicle very large, compact; flowers very large, double, purplish-mauve in bud, violet-mauve and bluish-violet when open. Very fine. Marc Micheli. — Panicle medium size, moderately compact; flowers very large, double, violet-mauve in bud, heliotrope shading to almost white in centre when open; free bloomer. Very good. One of the best. Grand-due Canstantin. — Is very similar to Marc Micheli. Michel Buchner. — Panicle large, moderately compact; flowers large, double, violet- mauve in bud, bluish-violet shading to almost white in centre when open. Very good. One of the best. President Grevy. — Panicle very large, moderately compact; flowers large, double, light lilac in bud, violet-blue or lavender-blue when opened. A very striking variety. President Viger. — Panicle large, moderately loose; flowers very large, double, purplish-mauve in bud, bluish-violet shading lighter when opened. Fairly free bloomer. Very fine. 9-10 EDWARD VII. SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 A. 1910 REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. Frank T. Shutt, M.A., F.I.C., F.C.S., F.R.S.O. Ottawa, April 1, 1909. Dr. "Wm. Saunders, C.M.G., Director, Dominion Experimental Farms, Ottawa. Sir, — I have the honour to submit herewith the twenty-second annual report of the Chemical Division of the Experimental Farms. As heretofore, investigation and research in matters relating to the general agri- culture of the Dominion have had our first attention, but there has been no neglect in respect to those other branches of our work that bring us into direct touch with the individual farmer and fruit grower — the furnishing of infornriation by correspondence and the analysis of samples of an agricultural nature sent in for examination. The larger number of the more important problems that we have been at work upon during the past year are reported on, and brief reference may be made to them as follows : — Wheat. — Continuing our inquiry on the influence of environment on the composi- tion of wheat, we are able to present further evidence that the proportion of protein in wheat is markedly affected by the moisture-content of the soil during the develop- ment period of the grain. Interesting data have been obtained from the analysis of the winter wheats, Turkey Red and IQiarliov, grown at Lethbridge and Lacombe, Alta. The quality of the wheats as grown under irrigation as compared with that of wheats from non-irri- gated areas, is an important question that receives elucidation from this work. A noteworthy fact in these analyses is that the percentages of protein from these winter wheats are not appreciably lower than many we have obtained from Red Fife as grown in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The influence of storage on wheat and flour has been studied from the chemical standpoint. The work, which is as yet of a preliminary character, indicates a slight increase in the percentage of protein due to storage, the increase being larger when the samples had been kept as flour. The first steps have been taken towards learning the effect of dampness on the quality of the wheat. The present results indicate that wheat may remain very wet for a considerable time without its composition being materially affected, provided that there has been no heating or fermentation of the grain. Boils. — A number of soils collected in the valleys of the Upper Columbia and East Kootenay, B.C., have been submitted to analysis. From the chemical and physical data of the examination, suggestions have been made towards the economic mainten- ance of their fertility. Certain alkali-affected soils from British Columbia have been examined, and information respecting their reclamation given. Further data as to the enrichment of soils through the growth of clover have been tabulated. For the past six years a plot has been constantly in clover, and analyses made from time to time show a continued increase in its nitrogen content. The total increase in nitrogen during the period mentioned amounts to 375 lbs. per acre. Inoculation for the Growth of Alfalfa. — Alfalfa hays from inoculated and un- treated soils, at the Experimental Farm, Lacombe, Alta., have been analysed, with the result that the alfalfa from the inoculated plot was found the richer in protein. 137 138 ' EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Fertilizing Materials. — Under this caption we report upon various materials of more or less fertilizing value, as follows : Dogfish scrap, muck, mussel mud, marl, gypsum, wood ashes, black muck ashes, &c. Fodders and Feeding Stuffs. — Information of interest and value to the farmer and dairyman is afforded in the data and accompanying notes obtained from the examination of a number of the more important feeds offered on the Canadian market. Field Roots and Sugar Beets. — The investigations to ascertain the relative feed- ing value of field roots, the influence of heredity on. the composition of mangels and the quality of certain varieties of sugar beets as grown on the Experimental Farms of the Dominion during the past season, have been continued. Insecticides and Fungicides. — A very considerable amount of investigatory and analytical work has been done in connection with insecticides and fungicides. This has been prompted by the numerous inquiries that have been received from fruit growers and others respecting newly proposed sprays and a number of ready-made commercial products that have recently appeared on the market for spraying purposes. It is hoped that the various chapters under this heading may prove of value to that large body of our readers who find it necessary to combat insect and fungus pests. The subjects treated of include arsenate of lead, arsenite of lime, lime-sulphur washes, formaldehyde and agricultural bluestone. Rain and Snow. — Another year's determinations of the nitrogen compounds in the rain and snow are reported. In certain respects they are extremely interesting as showing that practically twice as much nitrogen (chiefly as free ammonia) was found as in the rain and snow of the preceding year. This was traced to the smoke- laden atmosphere which prevailed during the autumn months in the neighbourhood of Ottawa, caused by the extensive bush fires which raged for so many weeks and which resulted in such a large destruction of timber. Well Waters from Farm Homesteads. — The examination of waters from farm wells has always proved a popular feature, and farmers who have reason to suspect the purity of their supply continue to avail themselves of the privilege of forwarding a sample for analysis. To the results of the past year we have added some words of advice respecting the all-important matter of the rural water supply. Samples received for Examination. — In the following table we present a classifica- tion of the samples received for analysis during the past year, and the provinces from which they were sent. Samples Received for Examination and Report for the Twelve Months ended March 31, 1909. Sample. d '.3 a .SO J F— t < a "g 1 CO i '5 2 O a a Nova Scotia. Prince Edward Island . 3 Number still awaiting e x- amination. Soils 79 13 12 6 1 1 7 8 14 149 4 15 244 97 309 2G 2 13 33 40 42 7 1 2 2 9 3 10 13 7 8 ■■■■;. i 3 1 294 20 49 325 178 407 61 4 Manure and fertilizers Forage plants and fodders. . . Well waters Miscellaneous including dairy products, fungicides and insecticides 2 « 4 9 "U 5 4 1 6 12 18 4 18 0 176 Totals 100 36 49 37 818 156 15 50 12 1,273 2G3 REPORT OF THE CHEMIST 139 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 It very frequently happens that the analytical work in connection with the inves- tigations carried on by the Division entirely precludes the possibility of undertaking, for the time, further work ; it should, therefore, be distinctly understood that the recep- tion and acknowledgment by us of samples does not imply their immediate examina- tion. The ever-increasing correspondence and number of samples forwarded, make it more and more difficult to attend promptly to this branch of our duties, and we are consequently obliged to ask our correspondents to exercise patience. While every effort is made to furnish information respecting the samples of a purely agricultural nature, we wish to advise our readers that it does not come within our province to analyse and report upon samples of commercial fertilizers. Corres- pondents desiring such analyses should communicate with the Inland Revenue Department, Ottawa. Nor can we undertake the assays or analyses of minerals and mineral waters. Questions relating to minerals may be addressed to the Department of Mines, Ottawa. And, lastly, we cannot make any analysis the results of which we do not consider of general value to the agricultural public. Examination in connec- tion with suspected poisoning cases of animals is not undertaken. Meat Inspection Division, Health of Animals Branch, Department of Agriculture. — During the past year new and further work has been asked of us in the examination of samples collected by the government meat inspectors at the various packing houses in Canada. These materials include preservatives, dyes, spices and condiments, pick- ling solutions and various drugs and chemicals used in the packing house business. Our examination was made with the view of determining their nature, purity and the character of adulteration, if present. To date, we have received in the neighbourhood of 250 samples, the greater number of which have been analysed and reported upon. The chemical and microscopical work involved in this investigation has, naturally, made a large draft upon the time of the staff. Acknowledgments. — To Mr. A. T. Charron, M.A., First Assistant Chemist, Mr. H. W. Charlton, B.A.Sc, and Mr. A. Gordon Spencer, M.Sc, Assistant Chemists, I desire to again tender my thanks for good and efficient work during the past year. In my last report I referred to the various ways in which these gentlemen assisted in and pushed forward the work of the Division, and it may therefore be only necessary on this occasion to state that whatever degree of usefulness this Division inay have attained to in its relations to the agriculture of the Dominion, is very largely due to their skill, industry and hearty co-operation. The clerical duties have been performed by Miss Olive Robertson, to whom I would extend my thanks for much careful and faithful work. I have the honour to be, sir. Your obedient servant, FRANK T. SHUTT, Chemist, Dominion Experimental Farms. 140 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 WHEAT. THE COMPOSITION OP THE GRAIN AS INFLUENCED BY THE SOIL MOISTURE CONTENT. In studying the problem of the influence of environment — and more particularly of climatic conditions — upon the composition of wheat, we have found that the moisture content of the soil during the period of development markedly affected the percentage of protein in the grain. Our results indicated that prolonged vegetative growth, as induced by excessive moisture, defers the ripening process and allows the further deposition of starch, resulting in a ' piebald ' or soft kernel. On the other hand, early ripening of the wheat, such as is brought about by high temperatures and the gradual lessening of the supply of soil moisture during the maturation of the grain, resulted in a hard, glutinous wheat.* If these conclusions are correct, then it might be conjectured that wheat grown under irrigation in a semi-arid district would be more or less glutinous according to the amount of water supplied during the growing, and more particularly, the ripening period. To obtain information concerning this matter, areas irrigated and non-irri- gated were sown last season on the Experimental Farm, Lethbrioge, southern Alberta, with Red Fife and Kharkov wheats. This district is usually one of sparse precipita- tion and one, consequently, where the methods of the so-called ' dry ' farming must be practiced in parts where there is no prov;ision for irrigation. As a rule, irrigation is necessary to obtain the best yields. The object of the experiment was to ascertain what effect the added water on the irrigated areas might have on the quantity and quality of the grain. The season, during the earlier months, was unusually wet, and consequently not favourable to the experiment in hand. Only one irrigation was found necessary, owing to the ample rainfall referred to, and this was not made until July 16, immediately following the second collection of soil samples for moisture-content. The percentages of moisture in the soil of these areas, as determined at intervals throughout the season, in samples taken to a depth of 14 inches, were as follows: — Irrigated. Non-irrigated. Per cent. Per cent. May 14, 1908 16-56 15-61 July 15, 1908 - 8-78 8-11 August 17, 1908 10-37 6-38 Until July 15, therefore, the moisture-content was almost the same for both the areas under examination, but subsequent to that date — that is during the ripening period of the wheat — that of the irrigated was considerably higher than that of the non-irrigated area. The protein-content of the wheats grown on these areas may now be given. Red Fife is a spring wheat ; Kharkov, a winter variety. Protein, (N X 5-7.) Red Fife — Original seed from Brandon, Man 15-95 per cent. " Grown on irrigated land 13-70 " " Grown on non-irrigated land 16-37 " Kharkov — Grown on irrigated land 12-31 " Grown on non-irrigated land 13-12 " a * Report of the Chemist, Experimental Farm Eeport, 1907-8. REPORT OF THE CHEMIST 141 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 In the case of spring wheat we notice a difference of more than 2-5 per cent and with the winter wheat of 1 per cent protein, the richer wheat in both instances being from the soil that partially dried out during the ripening period. This experiment, therefore, furnishes further evidence to that obtained in northern Manitoba, the details of which were fully discussed in last year's report, and tends to show that the quality of the wheat of any season may be largely determined by the character of the season. It seems more than probable that if there is a sufficiency of moisture in the soil during the earlier part of the season to bring the wheat crop to its full growth, then a grain richer in protein will result if the weeks following are characterized by hot, dry weather, than if the weather during this period is cool and wet. Climatic conditions influence the quality of the wheat through the vegetative processes — by shortening or lengthening the time which elapses between the formation of the kernel and its maturity — the shorter the i)eriod the higher the protein-content within certain limits. High temjjeratures, long days and absence of excessive mois- ture during the ripening process, we have evidence, hasten the maturation of the grain and increase its percentage of gluten. These are the conditions that prevail in the Northwestern wheat areas in thos^ seasons which give the largest proportion of first quality wheat, and we may therefore argue that in them we have an asset fully equal in importance towards the production of the finest grain to that which we possess in our fertile prairie soils. WINTER WHEATS GROWN AT LETHBRIDGE AND LAGOMBE, ALBERTA. Complete chemical analysis has been made of the flours of certain winter wheats (Kharkov and Turkey Red) grown at Lethbridge and Lacombe, Alta., during the season of 1908.* These flours have been made the subject of special study as to baking qualities by the Cerealist, to whose report the reader may be referred for particulars ds to bread-making values. Previous to milling the protein-content of the whole wheat was ascertained, the following data being obtained: — Analyses of Wheats. Laby. No. G563 6564 6565 6566 6567 Designation of Sample. Kharkov (irrigated ) Lethbridge, 1908 II (non-irrigated) Lethbridge, 1908 Turkey Red No. 380 (non-irrigated)— Lethbridge, 1908 Turkey Red (after Timothy sod) — Lacombe, 1908 . . . Turkey Red (after summer-fallow) — Lacombe, 1908. . . . Moisture . Crude Protein. (NxG-25) P.O. P c. 7-70 12-31 7 97 13 12 8-47 12.25 818 12 13 917 13 12 Ash. p c. •65 ■50 ■48 ■79 ■05 The interesting results for the two samples of Kharkov, showing the higher pro- tein-content of the wheat grown without irrigation, have already been referred to in our consideration of the influence of environment on the composition of the wheats, and, therefore, require no further comment here. Respecting the two Turkey Red samples grown at Lacombe, we have unfor- tunately no data as to the moisture-content of the soils during the growing season. * The wheats known as Kharkov and Turkey Red are, according to the Cerealist, difierent strains of the same variety. 142 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Ordinarily, we might suppose the ' timothy sod ' to be the drier soil and, arguing from previous results obtained in this laboratory, premise that its wheat would be the richer in protein. Such, however, is not the case, and the explanation may lie in the fact that the excessive rains during the early part of the season kept all the land prac- tically saturated, thus off-setting the effect of the growing sod of the previous season, which undoubtedly tended towards the drying out of the soil. Analyses of Flours. o bo 238 239 240 241 242 Designation of Sample. Kharkov (irrigated), Lethbridge, 1908 M (non- irrigated), Lethbridge, 1908 Turkey Red, No. 380 (non-irrigated), Lethbridge, 1908.. II (timothy sod), Lacombe, 1908. . , II (after summer-fallow), Lacombe, 1908... t- 0) c'« -4J ci * u ■^ ■J X o-n d) "5 m %.^ XI S Ph f^ Q lin P.O. P.O. p 0. p.c. p.c. 8 05 10-43 114 79 02 0 15 8-47 1112 1-08 78-65 0-12 8-60 10-72 1-05 78-93 0 15 8-76 10 -26 1-08 79-14 013 8 79 11-46 1-03 77-94 0-20 c. 61 56 55 63 58 The first feature to be noted in a consideration of the above data is that the pro- tein-content of the flours follows very closely that of the wheat from which they were milled. "We do not call attention to this as a discovery or a fact for the first time noted; in all our work in which both the grain and its flour have been examined we have invariably found this to be the case — the richer the wheat the richer the flour. It is, however, a point worth emphasizing, not merely as showing that variations in nitrogen-content occur in the endosperm or portion of the grain made into flour and not solely in the parts of the grain removed in milling, but as making clear that in the nitrogen-content of the wheat we have a gauge of the protein-content of the flour. The recognition of this is of particular value in breeding and selection investigations in which the quantity of the wheat is insufficient to mill, a comparatively small amount only being required for the nitrogen determination. It is noteworthy that the percentages of protein in these winter wheats are not appreciably lower than many wc have obtained from Red Fife as grown in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. There is little resemblance, so far as the amount of protein is concerned, between the Kharkov and Turkey Eed and the ' fall ' wheats (e.g., Dawson's Golden Chaff) more commonly grown in Ontario. Gliadin, Gliadin-ratio and Wet and Dry Gluten. Designation of Sample. 3 ;2 0 Gl.DTEK. Percentage of ^ minoidsin the of Gliadin. p 'is Pi Physical Characters. o fcO .5 1 a *0Q Colour. 238 239 240 241 Kharkov (irrigated), Lethbridge, 1908 11 (non-irripated), Lethbridge, 1908.. Turkey Red, No. 380 (non-irrigated), Leth- bridge, 1908 Turkey Red (after timothy sod), Lacombe, 1908 p.c. 4-67 4 56 4 67 4-56 4-90 P- 44 41 43 44 4?, 7 0 5 4 7 P- 35 37 34 34 38 c. 26 93 87 66 32 p- 11 12 11 11 12 c. 53 32 42 09 39 3 3 3 3 3 06 08 05 12 09 Good. II If H M Good. II M II 1. . Slightly yellow, II Good. 242 Turkey Red (after summer-fallow), Lacombe, 1908 II REPORT OF TEE CHEMIST 143 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 The percentages of gliadin vary but slightly throughout the series, and though somewhat lower than the figures we obtained from Red Fife representative of the grades of 1907, they do not appreciably differ from many of the results from Red Fife and other spring wheats previously examined by us. As in former work, we find there is a close relationship between the protein-con- tent and the data representing the wet and dry gluten. As regards the physical character of the glutens we could detect very little difference between them ; all were good in respect to resiliency and elasticity. The colour of the glutens from the two samples of Kharkov were, however, slightly more yellow than that of the Turkey Red. To obtain further information on the question of the relationship of composition to volume of loaf, we made the determinations recorded in the following table. As explained in Bulletin No. 60, it is held by certain investigators that the volume of loaf is largely controlled by the amount of nitrogen-and-ash-free extract present in a flour. The argument is that this extract being of the nature of sugar is capable of producing gas under fermentation and the volume of gas so evolved determines the volixme of loaf. Flours — Solids, Ash, Nitrogen, &c., in Aqueous Extract. Designation of Sample. Percentages of Soluble Constitdents OF Flours. Cereal- ist's Marks. i be f— « m H OQ < a t < Phosphor- ic acid as P.O5. Nitrogen- an d-ash- free-ext. Volume of Loaf. 238 Kharkov (irrigated). Lethbridere. 1908 6-79 6-26 7-25 7-61 7-77 0-42 0 43 0-40 0-46 0-42 0-27 0-23 0 27 0-29 0-29 0-161 0-178 0-110 0 156 0 147 0-163 0 119 0116 0 092 0 137 4-83 4-52 5-31 5-50 5-70 433 239 240 241 242 1. (non-irrigated), Leth bridge, 1908 Turkey Red, No. 380(non-irrigd), Lethbridge, 1908 II (after timothy sod), Lacorabe, 1908.. It (after summer-fallow), Lacombe, 1908 481 450 402 409 Comparing the Cerealist's numbers for volume of loaf with the data for the nitrogen-and-ash-free extract, no direct relationship is to be observed, though there is a well marked tendency in the series towards an inverse ratio — the higher the per- centage of extract the smaller the volume of loaf. This is practically what we found in studying the grades of wheat of 1907, the results of which were published in Bulletin No. 60. This series of flours was also utilized to further prosecute the inquiry respecting any relationship that might exist between the ratio to total nitrogen of soluble ash constituents and the shape of loaf — a matter fully discussed in Bulletin No. 60, Ex- perimental Farm Series. In the following table we present these ratios and the Cerealist's figures for the shape of loaf (i.e., height divided by diameter). 144 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Ratio to Total Nitrogen of Soluble Constituents, Shape of Loaf and Strength. ^ 2S8 239 240 241 242 Designation of Sample. Kharkov (irrigated), Lethbridge, 1908 1. {non- irrigated), Lethbridge, 1908 Turkey Red, No. 380 (non-irrigated), Lethbridge, 1908 II (after timothy sod), Lacxjmbe, 1908 II (after summer-fallow), Lacombe, 1908... a 01 to o O p.c. 1-83 1-95 1-88 1-80 2 01 Ratio to Total Nitrogen of Soluble. 4-4 45 47 3-9 4 8 c3 ad "* 11-3 11- 10-9 16- 170 16 11-5 19 13-7 14- Cerkalist's Marks. a, m 0-69 070 0 71 0-66 0 63 90 96 93 82 81 The data for the ' ash ' ratio of the first three numbers of the series differ but very slightly, and the same is true for the numbers representing shape. Flour No. 241 has a low ash ratio and also a low number for shape. If this completed the exam- ination, our work might be held to support the view that the ratio varied directly with strength (in so far as the shape of loaf is concerned), but a notable exception exists in No. 242, in which the ratio is the highest of the series with the lowest figure for shape of loaf. We are, therefore, imable to say that this theory, advanced recently by Mr. T. B. Wood, Cambridge University, receives unqualified support from these data. It is possible, however, that with further investigation the irregularities or exceptions may be capable of explanation, for it should be stated that in the larger number of flours examined, we have found a aDrrelation — the higher latios associated with the higher results for shape of loaf. In concluding this brief review, it may be said that the data do not indicate, in the samples examined, any special characteristic not possessed by Red Fife and other spring wheats. Differences in composition there undoubtedly are, but these appear to be, so far as chemistry can determine, merely differences of degree — indeed such as might be found among a number of samples of wheat of the same variety grown uoder varying climatic conditions. INFLUENCE OF AGE ON WHEAT AND FLOUR. It is a generally received impression that flour improves as to colour and strength with age. To obtain definite information on this important matter, the Cerealist instituted a series of experiments in 1907, as to the effect of storage on wheat and flour. The chemical work was prosecuted with a view of discovering such changes as might have taken place in composition and which might furnish an explanation for variation in strength due to storage. Three members of the series were stored both as wheat and flour, the remaining four being kept over as grain only. The storage was for a period of sixteen months — from September, 1907, to January, 1909.* * That part of the inv&stigation including all milling and baking tests, was carried on by the Cerealist, in whose report will be found further particulars regarding the improvement from the baker's standpoint. REPORT OF THECEEMI8T 145 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 o o CO l> ft. K* o Pq OQ o cc < >H pq H o 1— 1 H kJ ^ CO rrl O D W s o ^ CO ?83 8 CO >0 lO 1-1 (^ i-J .-I => O l^ O X 00 CO OS OS. 00 05 t-t- Ol CO S5 CO S3 H < 6 <: o s 3 O r o 6 T3 "S >, O E S S * cS 2 o H O c^ O -a o o Ph. 2 o : o O c3 o c t* T3 O O yfj(J JO oi^B-y^ (M30-* ecoo-* t^ictfi en lO ■V ■♦' i3< 05 o rf CO rH m mto pOB BISjfl'BaY JO 8^'B(J ©i> osS = c © cr. Oi © © © ! 05 : t^05 © ^i en Sa © © 05 05 i OS I I. 16—10 c3 - » II g eS * .S « *» be O. O. D.C CCi-5 03>-5 Ofji-O (C d tCt-o 1 ■8 I Mr: « c3 (d S 5) CO. •J- ® ® o o 3 4^ « is boa 'Z ^ oW I >> o '3 " ci 02 +3 :'! c =« 'bco, OM I O r a O O c o ■ a • « : * be a © 00 CO d 55 = •a a: Pd 3) 146 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Protein. — A comparison of the protein data of the members of each group, inter se, indicates a slight increase in the percentage of this important constituent due to storage — the increases being larger when the samples had been kept as flour. One exception occurs in the case of the Yellow Cross, in which the protein-content remained practically constant whether the wheat was kept as grain or flour throughout the entire storage period. The slight increase in the percentage of protein might, we presume, be accounted for by the destruction of some of the carbohydrates by slow oxidation during storage, and no doubt the fact that flour presents a larger surface to the air, thus allowing more rapid oxidation, furnishes the explanation for the change being greater in the flour than in the grain. Comparing group with group it is evident that the amount of protein is related to the baking strength of a flour. Thus, in the Red Mfe group we have over 14 per cent protein accompanied by baking values of more than 100, while Dawson's Golden Chaff with a protein-content of less than 11-5 per cent has baking values less than 77. Though the percentage of protein is an index of strength, we have not been able to establish any definite ratio between these two classes of data. Gli-adin. — A tendency towards an increase in this constituent is observed in a number of the groups, showing a certain amount of parallelism between protein-con- tent and gliadin. Throughout the series there are no indications within the group that the quantity of gliadin materially influences the baking strength. Differences in baking values among the members of a group are at times quite marked, but the percentages of gliadin for these same flours may not vary beyond the limits of experimental error. It is, however, significant that the percentages of gliadin of the Red Fife group, rated as the highest in baking strength, are decidedly higher — 1-5 per cent — than those of the Dawson's Golden Chaff group, which, it will be observed, stands lowest in strength. Again, Chelsea, Stanley A and Turkey Red all fall below 5 per cent in gliadin, and the strength of their flours is considerably under 100 — the mark awarded to several in the series containing 5 per cent and over of gliadin. Gluten. — The general agreement between dry gluten and protein, regarding which we have in past years furnished much evidence, is again to be noted. It follows, therefore, that whatever we have said concerning the relationship of protein to baking strength applies equally to dry gluten. Nitrogen-and-ash-free Extract and Volume of Loaf. — A consideration of the results from the determinations of the nitrogen-and-ash-free extract and the volume of loaf indicates that if there is any relationship between the two classes of data it is not as might have been expected — volume increasing with the amount of extract — but rather the reverse, for in four of seven groups maximum extract is associated with minimum volume of loaf. REPORT OF TEE CHEMIST SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 NiTROGEN-AND-AsH-FREE Extract and Volume of Loaf. 147 Nitrogen-and- Volume of Loaf No of Sample. Ash-free Extract. (Cerealist's Marks). p.c. 6143 3-39 433 6533 2 14 474 6532 4-45 395 5146 319 534 6535 308 539 6534 3.65 539 5147 • 4.28 402 6539 3 44 484 6538 2-G2 421 5144 3 85 402 6537 5 21 366 5145 3.67 415 6536 4.58 420 5148 3-26 374 6531 3-43 392 5149 408 485 6530 4 39 407 Ratio of Soluble Ash to total Nitrogen and Shape of Loaf. — These data lend no support to the view that the shape of loaf is governed by the proportion of protein (or total nitrogen) to- the soluble ash constituents, as will be evident from an inspection of the following table. Ratio to Total Nitrogen of Soluble Constituents and Shape of Loaf. Ratio to Total Nitrogen of Soluble. Shape of Loaf (Cerealist's Marks). No of Sample. Ash. Alkali as Phosphoric acid as K^O P^O, 5143 60 20 16 •61 6533 70 20 16 •73 6532 40 15 11 •67 5146 7-6 21 21 •63 6535 7-4 22 20 •73 6534 6 0 19 15 •71 5147 6-4 16 17 •56 65:59 4.9 14 11 •75 6538 61 16 13 •70 5144 50 15 15 •60 6537 3-9 12 9 •68 5145 5 0 14 14 •65 6.536 4 7 14 11 •72 5148 00 18 20 ■5ti 6531 70 17 16 •66 5149 5-9 17 17 •64 6530 50 14 12 ■71 THE EFFECT OF DAMPNESS ON THE QUALITY OF WHEAT. It sometimes happens in the wheat fields of northwestern Canada, that, owing to inclement weather following the cutting of the grain, wheat becomc-s damp while in the stook and may remain so for some weeks before it is threshed. Since such wheat receives a lower commercial grade on account of the duller and paler appearance of the grain in some cases, and because of the common impression that the moisture in the grain has injuriously affected the gluten and thus -impaired the resultant flour for bread-making purposes, it becomes a question of considerable importance to ascertain 16— lOJ 148 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 as carefully as may be, by chemical and baking tests, how far this contention may be correct. Damp wheat which does not contain a large excess of moisture is known commercially as 'tough.' In October, 1908, Messrs. Joseph G. King & Co., lessees of the Canadian Pacific Railway elevator, Port Arthur, Ontario, furnished us with three samples of such wheats, describing them as follows: ' They grade respectively, " tough " No. 1, 2 and 3 Northern. We dried them, the wheats losing from 4^ to 5 per cent moisture. These wheats had been wet at least eight or nine months, for they were from the 1907 crop. These samples show no apparent signs of fermentation, and there was no evidence when the wheats were received, either from appearance or smell, that they had been heated.' On being submitted to analysis the following results were obtained : — Composition of * Tough ' Wheats. Laby No. 5958 5959 69C0 Designation. Red Fife— Tough No. 1 Northern It II II !N O. 2 ir II II II No. 3 II Weight of 1,000 kernels Moisture. Fat. Protein. (Nx6.25) Carbo- Fibre. Grammess. p.c. p.c. p.c. p.c. p.c. 26-64 12-73 211 14-37 67-05 1-99 26 12 12 05 2-25 15 10 66-77 1-88 24-84 12-33 2 17 15-23 66-19 2-37 Ash. p.c. 1-75 195 1-71 The data show that, as receivDd, all three wheats were normal as to moisture-con- tent ; the drying in the elevator had evidently dispelled the excess of moisture. In point of protein-content the wheats are all very satisfactory, and a general survey of the analytical results reveals no abnormality as to composition. Analyses of Flours. — Protein, Gliadin, Treatment of Sample. R^ d Fife-Original sample untreated II 5 itjinutes in water II 10 days damp II 20 days damp 11 27 days damp Laby. No. 6608 6609 6610 0611 6612 o 246 247 248 249 252 Ash. p.c. Protein (Nx5-7) -59 •54 •54 •52 •55 p.c. 11-79 12 00 11 79 1150 11 70 Gliadin (Nx5-7) p.c, 5 5 5 5 5 22 20 22 11 13 ii 1-1.1 i§o 44-2 4:} 3 412 44 4 43 8 Wet. p.c. 38 55 38 52 .S8-22 37 W 37 19 Dry. p.c. 13-90 1409 13 14 12-31 1202 Ratio of Dry to Wet. 77 73 •90 -o» 09 REPORT OF THE CHEMIST 149 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Unfortunately the samples were not sufficiently large to allow of milling, and we were therefore constrained to ascertain the character of the gluten from the ground whole wheat, rather than from the flour, as is usually our custom. Our trials with the gluten so prepared indicated in all three instances excellent quality; the glutens were characterized by toughness and resiliency and might be considered as satisfactory. From these results, therefore, it would seem that the wheats in question have not appre- ciably suffered as regards quantity and quality of gluten, and this deduction is in accord with the opinion of Joseph G. King & Co., who maintain thai; 'the moisture floes not injure the gluten, provided fermentation has not taken place.' The further prosecution of this investigation has been made with the co-operation of Dr. Charles E. Saunders, Cerealist, who had instituted a series of experiments, damping wheats artificially to ascertain what deterioration or change in bread-making value might result from keeping wheat more or less damp for a longer or shorter period before being milled. The general method of treatment is outlined in the first column of the following table. The range of temperature of the wheat while being kept damp was for the first ten days between 40 degrees F. and 50 degrees F., for the subsequent ten days between 45 degrees F. and 58 degrees F., and for the last seven days between 47 degrees F. and 50 degrees F. In the sample that had been kept damp twenty days, mustiness was noticed, and in that which had been damp for twenty-seven days, the mustiness was more pronounced and sprouting had commenced. At the expiration of the treatment periods, these wheats, the water-content of which ranged from 23 per cent to 28-5 per cent, were spread in thin layers and allowed to dry spontaneously.* They were then milled and the resultant flours submitted to chemical and baking tests. * Further particulars regarding the treatment of these wheats together with ths presentation and discussion of the milling and haking reisulte will be found in the current report of the Cerealist. Gliadin-ratio and Wet and Dry Gluten. Gluten. Aqueous Extract. Physical Characters. Ash. Solids d CI ! la o 0.-0 itrogenand- ash-free extract. Ratio to total nitro- gen of soluble. bo s Resiliency. Elasticity. Colour. Ash. _d ir^ CO , tc — .O GO 60 a < PM ^ J5 <; cs m p.c. p.c. p.c. p.c. p.c. p.c. • Good Good Good . . . •424 7-05 •123 •158 •31 4-sr, 4^8 17 13 93 II It Fair M ... tl ... M ... •343 •329 •344 6-79 6-63 7^17 •133 •131 •129 •133 •130 •132 •31 •31 •34 4^68 4.63 489 61 6-0 59 16 16 16 16 16 15 94 96 Fair 100 Almost poor, Almost jxx)r. M ... •430 8-88 •150 •149 •34 6-51 4-7 14 14 86 tendency to stickiness . 150 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 The data for the protein and gliadin are throughout the series very close, and consequently show that the treatments which the wheats have severally received had not affected the percentages of these constituents in the resultant flours. They offer no basis for the differentiation of the flours as to quality, nor would great differences be looked for frorti an inspection of the Cerealist's marks for strength, as with the exception of the last member of the series these differ but slightly among themselves. Considering the gluten data, it is rather significant that no falling off in quantity or quality could be detected in the flour from the wheat that had been kept damp for as long as ten days. In the case of the two flours (Nos. 6611 and 6612) obtained from the wheats which were kept twenty and twenty-seven days, respec- tively, in the damp condition, there was a slight falling off in the percentage of dry •gluten and a noticeable deterioration in the quality, more especially in that of No. ■6612. The slight inferiority observed in No. 6611 is not noticeable in the results ob- tained by the Cerealist for baking strength. In the case of 6612, however, a gluten of most decidedly poor quality, a very considerable falling off in strength is recorded. The results for the nitrogen-and-ash-free extract throw no light upon any relation that may exist between this datum and volume of loaf, as will be evident from the following figures : — NiTROGEN-AND- Ash-free Extract and Volume of Loaf. No. of Sample. Nitrogen-and- Ash-free Extract. Volume of Loaf. (Cerealist's Marks.) p.0. 6608 4-86 454 6609 4-68 471 6610 463 479 6611 4-89 521 6612 6-51 506 As regards the effect of continued dampness we cannot observe any regular varia- tion in the amount of nitrogen-and-ash-free extract; indeed the variation is almost inappreciable, except in the case of No. 6612 obtained from the wheat which had been damp for twenty-seven days, in which the extract is about two per cent higher than in the rest of the series. The ratios of soluble ash constituents to total nitrogen do not vary within any wide limits, and it is impossible from a study of such differences as do occur to detect any influence of the treatment to which the wheat had been subjected or to establish any direct relationship between these data and those for the shape of loaf. It is worthy of note that the Cerealist's marks for shape of loaf differ but slightly through- out the series. But he reports that in order to obtain a well shaped loaf from No. 6612 it is necessary that there should be a considerable reduction in the amount of water added to the flour when malting the dough. REPORT OF TEE CHEMIST 151 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Ratio to Total Nitrogen of Soluble Constituents and Shape of Loaf. Ratio to total Nitrogen of Soluble. No. of Sample. Ash. Alkali as K, 0. Phosphoric acid as P2O5 Shape of Loaf. (Cerealist's Marks.) 6608 6609 6610 6611 6612 4-8 61 60 5-9 4-7 17 16 16 16 14 13 16 16 15 14 •69 •68 •68 •72 •68 Though this work must be regarded as of a preliminary character, we may safely state that the present results indicate that wheat may contain an excessive amount of moisture for some considerable time without its composition being very materially affected, provided the temperature conditions are such that no heating or fermenta- tion of the wheat takes place. The baking qualities of these flours are more particularly commented upon by the Cerealist; the writer has merely considered them with a view of learning what rela- tionship, if any, might exist between the chemical data of these damp wheats and their baking strength. ' ^ SOILS. SOILS FROM THE UPPER COLUMBIA AND EASTERN KOOTENAY DISTRICTS, B.C. During an agricultural tour in British Columbia, in the summer of 1906, the writer journeyed by wagon from Golden, on the main line of the Canadian Pacific Railway, to Cranbrook, on the Crow's Nest Pass branch of the same railroad, a dis- tance of nearly 200 miles, visiting the ranches by the way, examining the soils and otherwise obtaining information respecting the agricultural possibilities of this district.* In the course of this inspection samples of soil, more or less typical of virgin and cultivated areas, were collected for further examination and analysis. The analytical work has been completed during the past year, and we are, therefore, now in a position to consider these soils as to the amount and availability of their plant food. It may also be possible to deduce from the data certain rational and economic methods for the up-keep of their fertility under general farming and fruit culture. The areas from which the samples were taken lie for the most part within the so- called semi-dry belt of British Columbia — a region in which sage-brush and bunch- grass lands largely predominate. The scanty natural vegetation, specially noticeable on the higher plateaus and benches, at first sight suggests the lack of soil fertility, and the appearance of much of the soil would further support this view, as it is a light, very loose sandy loam of apparently very poor quality. The very luxurious growth, however, that is to be noticed on these lands following the application of water (by irrigation) immediately dispels this impression. It was with the object of learning how far the peculiar climatic influences of the dry belt had tended to an accumulation of plant food in available form that this chemical work was chiefly undertaken. * An account of this tour will be found in the Report of the Chemist, Experimental Farms, 1906. 152 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDVMRD VII., A. 1910 O W t^ eS C (D o o M B eg s o O z- Cu *< 00 b- ^ O 00 ^ 2"S o CT (M e-i © c3 c$ C-l '^ . to CO (M ^ CO '5 -S o D, o O o © c © © o © o o > ^1 < o o C^ o CO (£> to iH 00 N OV to la c ^ 00 o e»< (M to iH 1-1 IM C5 in i^ & (M 'J* in CO in to in © 'pioy oiuoqjBQ , l-H N 1— t iH . o . CO -r T3 f IM ^^ oo © t- CO t^ in rH I- 1— 1 o s-2 CO C5 C3 CO -r -jO -^ •'>< N 00 N Cu C4 f—t o *-H rH © in M" to CO N N lO o t^ ■* to - lr~ CO IM -*< iH c^ Tfi Tjl M CO CO •^ 1H IM IM CS C. CO to C5 CO r^ •^ t^ CO iH s •^ tT 00 O CC t- 00 -^ l^ t>. to CO i3 & 50 I-( CO iH 'I' oc 1-1 •■enminiY puB c; ?? 00 T-H CO CO IM c<; © '»< 00 00 CTJ 00 IM OO iH IM r^ CM uoaj JO opix'O o. O t- o iD O ■* t- t- 1-H I-l © to I-I I-I iH ^•-21 o a o 05 to 1^ CO in to Oi CO CO o o o 00 O O .-( o o © rr in ss^ o. GO t^ o C5 (M tc 1-1 t^ in iCi O 00 o .1^ O) O. t^ CO 00 t^ t^ t^ t^ l^ .H O' c^^ ■ to CO CO i-H iH o: t^ 05 t^ lO t>. 'l' I- » o d. CO b in 00 © T' T** ? t- i © to © to to M in © O > r~i iH »H I-I iH (^ t— ts t- in in o- t^ S in CO I-I ^ t— t- oo CO CO ti CO o 05 1^ • '-< (3 • ^ iH i-H i-i tH c<: rH (M IM IM >-l N . •— ' • Xi o OS ^H •o o a s o CO ; ^ CI > > a •»H > 'i c = 6 d PQ o . 1 .a V a J o £ s .1 r : r = C 0, a a c 0 > d «■ 3 "a d M 4 1 OQ u <* be c > ■• X a ^ 0) i- 03 oq . •« !S 5 X M J3 d tf d CQ o = 4J 0 t« c ' 1 a; 0 a Ph o. < a HI t^ f CO 1-1 •^ c<- N t- 00 t I-I •o^ ijoq^aoq'Bi l-H C«5 eo u P. K c CC in CO CO JS c o CO 1J< ■V •V ■«< •^ ■»t t ■* <»< If ■^ -»< REPORT OF THE CHEMIST 153 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 The first five samples on the chart were from areas in the immediate vicinity of Windermere — a village on the lake of that name situated about ninety miles south of Golden. Driving from the north, the typical sage-brush country is entered some thirty or forty miles before reaching Windermere, at v^hich place farmers and fruit growers feel or admit the necessity of irrigation for the growth of crops geiierally. Here, as indeed in almost all other parts of the dry belt, the results from judicious irrigation showed that excellent crops could be secured and that the soil could not be devoid of fertility. Nos. 4315 and 4317 are fine-grained, mouse-brown loams, taken from one of the lower benches, representative of the first four inches of the virgin and cultivated areas. The cultivated soil No. 4317 had borne six crops of oats without any applica- tion of manure, and, as far as one could judge, had originally been uniform in all essential particulars with No. 4315 — the virgin soil. The data show that both soils are abundantly supplied with the essential elements of plant food, and mofe particu- larly with nitrogen. The percentage of organic matter and lime are also excellent, betokening soils of more than average fertility. Comparing the soils, we do not find that the six years under crop has very materially affected the amounts of ' total ' nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash, nor would any very marked differences have been expected from so short a period of culti- vation ; but when we turn to the amounts of ' available ' phosphoric acid and potash very considerable differences are to be observed. Thus, the cultivated (and irrigated) soil contains almost twice as much potash and almost five times as much phosphoric acid in an available form as the virgin soil. Some years ago (1889), in examining irrigated and non-irrigated soils from near Calgary, Alta., we noted the same peculiarity, raising the question whether cultivation with irrigation did not materially serve to increase the availability of these mineral elements. The point is deserving of further investigation, for if the above deductions be correct we have at least one ex- planation for the exceptional productiveness of these soils under irrigation — and possibly also a warning that this fertility must be maintained by rational, judicious cultural methods, or the excellent results obtained when these soils are at first tilled will more or less rapidly disappear. No. 4324 is a sample of the uncropped, unmanured soil from the first four inches of one of the lower benches on the west side of Lake Windermere. In general appear- ance it is very similar to the soils just discussed, being a fine-grained, loose, sandy loam of a light chocolate-brown colour. A careful comparison, however, by one accus- tomed to examining soils, indicates that it is somewhat less rich in organic matter, and analysis bears out this conclusion. Similarly with the lower percentage of organic matter we find a reduction in the amount of nitrogen present. Though in ' total ' phosphoric aeid and potash this soil would not rank with many of our richest loams, the proportions of these elements that are more or less immediately available for crop use are exceedingly good. The lime-content is also very satisfactory. From the favourable physical condition of the soil as well as from its adequate stores of plant food, we judge that with provision for water it should prove very productive. No. 4320. — This is a further sample typical of the sage-brush land. It was taken from an unbroken area on one of the lower benches on the east side of the lake some two miles south of Windermere. In appearance and physical characters it is very similar to the soils already described. The nitrogen-content betokens a soil of more than average productiveness, while the percentages of phosphoric acid and potash both ' total 'and * available ' are quite satisfactory. No. 4321, from the same ranch, was collected from a bench or plateau lower than that represented by No. 4320 and from an area that had been under cultivation — oats and other grains chiefly — for a number of years, but which had not been manured. Compared with the foregoing it would appear to be somewhat richer in vegetable matter, and the analysis bears out this view. In the amounts of phosphoric acid and potash present it closely approximates No. 4320, but is considerably richer in lime. The data support the practical experience of those tilling these areas that the lower 154 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 benches and * bottom ' lands are more productive than the higher benches, due very largely, we believe, in the first place to their higher humus and nitrogen-content and, secondly, to their being richer in lime. No. 4314 was collected for a specific purpose. It was taken from what may be described as a high bottom land, that is a depression, probably the site of a pond or small lake on a plateau in one of the higher valleys. It was of a light-grey colour and of a marly appearance. The crops had repeatedly failed and alkali was suspected. The analysis proved the absence of all deleterious alkali, and showed in fact a marl mixed with a considerable proportion of vegetable matter or muck, evidently the deposition of years during which the soil was under water. No. 4323, representative of the first four inches of sage-brush land on the Golden- Windernjere road, between Vermilion and Macauley creeks. No marked differencea were to be observed in colour or texture between this soil and the other samples we have spoken of as ' sage-brush ' land. As regards composition its lime-content is much lower than those of similar origin in the series ; it is also below the average in phos- phoric acid. The percentage of nitrogen is extremely satisfactory, as indeed are the proportions of ' available ' lime and potash. To s\mi up these considerations, we may say that our knowledge of these soils of the sage-brush areas, both in situ and in the laboratory, permits the following conclu- sions and deductions : — 1. That they are for the most part light chocolate, or brownish, sandy loams of a loose, almost ash-like character. The sand grains are chiefly very fine and the propor- tion of clay is quite small. They are soils that are extremely easy to work, but careful management is necessary when irrigating to prevent the cutting of deep channels and the washing. away of the surface soil. There is no strong colour line of demarcation between the surface and the subsoil, the former merging almost imperceptibly into the latter. As might be expected, however, there is more humus, and consequently the soil is somewhat darker, nearer the surface. 2. While the results of analysis do not show that uniformity in composition that characterizes many tracts of northwestern prairie soil, the evidences from the chemical standpoint are strongly indicative of a common origin. Their nitrogen-content is exceedingly good and much higher than might be con- jectured from their physical appearance. They are characterized by a large per- centage of lime, a further feature betokening fertility. The amounts of potash present are also very satisfactory. The proportion of the mineral plant food constituents in available form is worthy of special attention. Although the soils are not rich in total phosphoric acid, the amount present that is more or less immediately assimilable is in all cases, save one, far above the average. As already noted, the potash content of the soils is excellent and the data denote a very large proportion of this store to be immediately available. The figures for the available lime also are very good, indicating undoubtedly a high degree of productiveness. No. 4352. — A coarse sandy or gravelly loam, containing pebbles and small rock fragments, collected at Proctor, on the Kootenay river, and characteristic of much of the soil on both sides of the river as far as Nelson. A considerable amount of root fibre is present, but the humus-content, judging from the indications, would be low. The area from which the sample was collected had been recently burnt over in the clearing of the land. Compared with the typical sage-brush land this soil is, from the chemical and physical standpoint, distinctly inferior. Experience has shown that this and similar soils in East Kootenay have so far proved fairly satisfactory for fruit growing. But it must be remembered that, as yet, there has been practically no demand upon their fertility. Most of the areas so far cleared and planted have been brought under culti- vation during the past five years — many of them more recently — and a very young or- chards requirements as regards plant food are not excessive. Later, as these orchards REPORT OF THE CHEMIST 155 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 come into bearing and greater demands upon the stores of fertility are made by the growth of vegetables and small fruits, careful attention will have to be paid to the up- keep of these soils — and particularly as regards their humus-content. While it will no doubt be advantageous in many cases to use commercial fertilizers, green manuring, i.e., the occasional growing and turning under of a green crop, will be found the most rational and economic method to adopt for maintaining the soil in good heart, even when a certain amount of barnyard manure is available. As a green crop for this purpose clover, or some other legume, will be found more beneficial than buck- wheat or rye, for the reason that the latter are not nitrogen-gatherers. Where diffi- culty, however, at first exists in getting a catch of clover, owing to insufficient mois- ture or other causes, these crops may be advantageously used. Nos. 4347, 4348 and 4424 are virgin soils taken in the vicinity of Kaslo, East Kootenay. They are all very similar — reddish clay loams — and scarcely distinguish- able the one from the other. No. 4347 is from the rising ground just above Kaslo. The sample represents a depth of eight inches, below which there is a subsoil of gravel. No. 4348 is a similar sample from a bench higher up. No. 4424 was collected three miles above Kaslo from an uncultivated area, and represented a depth of six inches. The area had been burnt over some few years pre- viously, but was now covered with a strong native vegetation. The subsoil was gravel. The analytical data indicate a very strong similarity between these soils ; indeed in all essential particulars, and especially as regards nitrogen and potash, they are almost identical. They would not be considered, judged solely from the chemical standpoint, as ranking with our better soils, except with respect to phosphoric acid, in which element they are well supplied. They are comparatively low in nitrogen and lime, but the proportions of the mineral constituents that are available are very satis- factory. No. 4391 was collected on the Covert ranch at Grand Forks in the Boundary dis- trict. It foiined a part of a large accumulation on one of the benches at the foot of the mountain, amd resulted in part from heavy washing of the light loam of the upper plateau by injudicious irrigation. It is a black sandy loam of excellent texture, and evidently ofte particularly rich in humus and nitrogen. It was producing, at the time of collection, large crops of vegetables and fruits, and the chemical data corroborate this evidence as to its great fertility. This instance may, however, serve to emphasize the result of careless and excessive irrigation on steep slopes, for, an examination showed clearly the severe denudation that the upper benches had received in the building up of this deposit. ALKALI SOILS. From time to time we are called upon to examine samples of soil suspected of containing alkali. These, for the most part, are from the northwestern provinces and the semi-dry belt of British Columbia. Our examination has not been exhaustive in every instance, but sufficient analytical data wer^ always obtained to allow of a clear diagnosis as to the nature of the alkali present. Duchs, B.C. — This was forwarded for examination by Hon. H. Bostock. While moist it had all the appearance of a rich soil, but on drying — as by simple exposure to the air — evidence of alkali became apparent through the formation of a white incrustation. The following data represent the water soluble constituents of the air- dried soil : — Per cent. Carbonate of sodium -042 Chloride of sodium Sulphate of sodium 2 Sulphate of calcium Sulphate of magnesium 1 053 235 295 055 156 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910. These results bear out the impression gained from an inspection of the air-dried sample, viz., that it is highly impregnated with alkali. It is satisfactory to note that the amount of carbonate of soda (black alkali) is very small; this simplifies the work of reclamation. However, the quantity of sulphate of soda and sulphate of magnesia (white alkali) present is so large that persistent effort would be necessary — probably for a number of years — ^to make this soil suitable for crops in general. Cranhrook, B.C. — Forwarded by E. A. Liezert, who states that the land is covered with a heavy growth of tall grass (?), but that on bringing it under cultiva- tion it proves unsatisfactory, many crops refusing to grow. We obtained the follow- ing results from the analysis of the air-dried soil : — Per cent. Chloride of sodium -232 Sulphate of sodium -506 Total solids in aqueous extract, obtained directly -730 This, again, is a case of white alkali which, as we have pointed out in previous reports, is not to be feared in the same degree as black alkali. Nevertheless, this soil is so highly charged with saline matter — more or less injurious to vegetation — that proper means for its reclamation would have to be adopted before the soil could be cultivated with profit. _ Windermere, B.C. — Three samples of soil suspected of being impregnated with alkali were received from this place. The statement of the sender was to the effect that these lands had until the last few years yielded excellent crops, but that owing to exhaustion or the presence of alkali (which until recently had not been observed) these areas now were practically sterile. The appearance of the samples certainly did not betoken exhaustion and the suspicion became strong that the trouble was due to alkali. The examination comprised a determination of the plant food constituents and a search for deleterious salts. Analysis of Soils from Windermere, B.C. Moisture Organic and volatile matter. Nitrogen . Phosphoric acid Potash Lime Available constituents — Phosphoric ac d Potash Lime No. 1. p.c. 4 10 61 41 370 19 45 25 018 109 60 No. 2. p.c. 1 12 81 14 330 22 40 28 008 02S 10 No. 3. p.c. 2-66 15-55 ■302 •17 •40 7 05 •006 •081 rs6 These soils were all from the ranch of Mr. R. R. Bruce, Windermere, valley of the Upper Columbia. No. 1 was taken ' south of the high road,' and represented the immediate surface soil over a considerable area receiving the seepage of higher lands that had been liberally irrigated. No adequate drainage had been provided to take off this water, and the result was that on evaporation soluble salts to an excessive degree had accumulated in the surface soil. No. 2 was taken below No. 1, represent- ing a depth of between 2 and 4 inches. No. 3 was collected at no very great distance from No. 1, in a slight depression kept moist by seepage water. The sample repre- sented merely the surface | inch. REPORT OF THE CHEMIST 157 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 The results of the chemical analysis furnish satisfactory evidence that the reason for the unproductiveness of this area is not to be found in any deficiency of the more important constituents of plant food. Indeed, in certain particulars — and more espe- cially as regards nitrogen — this soil must be judged as one decidedly above the average and one which under favourable climatic conditions should prove most profitable under cultivation. The high lime-content is worthy of remark; it is a characteristic of soils of semi-arid areas, and may be considered as indicative of productiveness. The explanation of the trouble was readily apparent when a search for deleterious salts was made. In all three of the samples, and more especially in No. .3, consider- able amounts of sulphate of soda,, sulphate of magnesia, chloride of soda and other salts which might be included in the group forming white alkali, were found, and in No. 1 a certain small amount of the more injurious carbonate of soda was also present. Winona, Ont. — This is a rather remarkable instance of the occurrence of alkali. It is most unusual in eastern Canada, as indeed in humid districts, to find an arable soil saturated with saline matter; the constant rainfall preventing any such accumu- lation. In a letter accompanying the sample, which, as we shall see, was heavily impregnated with alkali, our correspondent says : ' There are here (Winona, Ont.) about six (6) square yards of land which every spring become encrusted with white alkali (?). It is grape land and this is the second year that I have planted vines on the spot and they have died; they grow for a while — during cultivation — and seem to do well, but subsequently die. This must surely be due to a salt or soluble mineral matter in the soil. We are about thirteen (13) rods from the lake shore. What can be done towards reclaiming the land ? ' Upon analysis the air-dried soil was found to contain the following amount of saline material : — Per cent. Sodium chloride (common salt) -29 Calcium sulphate (sulphate of lime) -25 Magnesium sulphate (Epsom salts) -61 Undoubtedly the sulphate of magnesia is here the compound most harmful to vegetation; the common salt and sulphate of lime in the above proportions cannot be considered injurious — indeed both substances are used to a certain extent as fertiliz- ing materials. Of course the surface soil after a period of drought, during which cultivation had not been practiced, might contain much larger amounts of these chemicals than we found and, hence, the injury to vegetation greater than that which might be predicted from the present results. If the affected area could be thoroughly drained and the soil then leached, further accumulation of saline matter might be prevented. Provided the salts are being con- stantly supplied by a subterranean source or spring, drainage suggests itself as the most effective method for preventing saturation of the soil. Frequent cultivation will of course be necessary in checking surface evaporation and jjreventing the rise of the alkali. The various means that may be adopted in the reclamation of alkali soils — drainage, leaching, cultivation, application of farmyard manure, &c. — have been fully discussed in Bulletin 4, Series II, Experimental Farm, Ottawa, in which publication we have also considered the more common forms of alkali found and their specific treatment, and enumerated the crops most resistant to alkali. This bulletin should be read by those who have alkali lands to reclaim. THE NITROGEN-ENRI0HMENT OF SOILS THROUGH THE GROWTH OP LEGUMES. In the report of this Division for 1905 we gave an account of certain experiments that we had instituted in 1902 to ascertain the amount of nitrogen that could be added to and become part and parcel of the soil through the growth and turning under of 158 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 clover. One of these experiments, still in progress, may be described as follows: A plot 16 feet by 4 feet was staked off, and the sides protected by boards sunk to a depth of eight inches. The surface soil to this depth was then removed, and in its place a strictly homogeneous but very poor sandy loam substituted — the nitrogen content of which was -0437 per cent. This was dressed with superphosphate at the rate of 400 lbs. per acre and muriate of potash at the rate of 200 lbs. per acre. It was then (May, 1902) sown with red clover. During each succeeding season the growth has been cut and the material allowed to decay on the soil. At the end of every second season the soil has been thoroughly stirred to a depth of four inches and the plot sown with clover the following spring. In order to trace the influence of this treatment we have deter- mined, at intervals, the nitrogen-content of this soil, the sample for analysis being taken to a depth of four inches. The following table presents our results to date : — Nitrogen Enrichment of Soil due to Growth of Clover. Before experiment. After two years. . . It four II . . . II five II . . . II six M . . Increase in nitrogen due to six years' growth. Date of Collection, 13 502 14-504 15-5()6 30 5-07 23-508 Nitrogen. Percentage in water-free soil. •0437 •0580 •0608 •0689 •0744 •0307 Pounds per acre to a depth of 4 inches. 533 7('8 742 841 908 375 Each succeeding season, it will be observed, has shown an. increase in nitrogen content. After six years, despite losses by oxidation, &c., which must occur in such a light sandy soil, this enrichment amounts to 375 lbs. per acre. In these results we have direct and satisfactory proof of the manurial value of clover. Although this nitrogen is not present in an immediately available condition it is associated with readily decomposable organic matter and would be set free for tke ■use of succeeding crops. INOCULATION FOR THE GEOWTH OF ALFALFA. Certain striking results showing the value of inoculation for alfalfa on soils that had not previously grown this legume were obtained on the Experimental Farm, Lacombe, northern Alberta, during the past season. Mr. G. IT. Hutton, the superin- tendent, furnishes the following particulars respecting the experiment : ' Two plots of soil, side by side, alike as to quality and previous cultivation, were sown to alfalfa, one of these plots being dressed with surface soil from a field that had grown alfalfa on the Experimental Farm, Lethbridge, Alberta. The application was at the rate of 300 lbs. of soil per acre, the inoculating soil being broadcasted and harrowed in at the time of seeding. Dates of sowing and cutting were the same and the crop from each plot was cured under the same conditions and hauled at the same time. In fact in every way, so far as possible, the treatment was identical. The inoculated plots yielded at the rate of 7,200 lbs. per acre, while the uninoculated yielded at the rate of 2,560 lbs/ REPORT OF THE CHEMIST 159 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Although in our past work -with inoc-ulating materials we have obtained at times considerable increases in yield following upon inoculation, we have never had hitherto results so favourable to inoculation. The yield on the treated plots was almost three times that on the untreated plots. No doubt the phenomenal success of the inocula- tion was in a large part due to the absence, or practical absence, of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the original soil, but it is gratifying to note that this large increase of yield was brought about by the method that we have advocated as probably the most effective and cheapest, namely, the use of soil from an area that has recently grown luxuriantly the legume about to be sown. An inspection of the samples of alfalfa hay when received very clearly showed that the plants from the inoculated area had been by far more robust, that is, taller, stouter and greener, than those -from the adjacent uninoculated area. Analysis of Alfalfa Hays. Inoculated plot. Uninoculated plot. Moisture p.c. 6-38 17 -81 1-11 36-72 27-89 10 09 p.c. 5-99 Protein Tat ... 15-62 105 CJarbohvdrates 40 -75 Fibre. 25-60 Ash 11-01 100 00 100 00 The larger proportion of crude protein in the hay from the inoculated plot is a matter of considerable importance, though not one of surprise, as we have in previous work occasionally found the inoculated legume to be the richer in nitrogen. The results in the field and laboratory, therefore, show that in this case inocula- tion has not only increased the yield, but given a higher nutritive value to the fodder produced. FERTILIZING MATERIALS. FISH SCRAP FROM DOGI'ISH REDUCTION WORKS. Analyses of this product have been made annually since 1905, the results appear- ing in reports of this Division. It is essentially a nitrogenous fertilizer, though con- taining a notable amount of phosphoric acid. The sample examined in September, 1908, was from the Government Reduction Works at Shippegan, N.B. Its analysis afforded the following data : — Analysis. Per cent. 5-47 • 78 Moisture Nitrogen 8- Phosphoric acid 7-73 Total mineral matter 19-77 Mineral matter insoluble in acid -28 Oil 16-58 In certain important particulars this scrap is superior to samples previously analysed, for while its nitrogen-content is fully equal to that in past years, the per- 160 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARI' VII., A. 1910 centage of pliosplioric acid is considerably higher. Hitherto we have found the phos- phoric acid between 3 per cent and 4 per cent ; in this sample it is between 7 per cent and 8 per cent. A notable improvement is also to be observed in the smaller amount of oil present, the reduction being approximately from 25 per cent to 16 per cent. Since the presence of much oil tends to delay the setting free in the soil of the fertiliz- ing elements of this product, this reduction is a matter of considerable moment and would raise the values for the nitrogen and phosphoric acid. Further, the percentage of moisture is only about one-half that found in sajnples previously analj^sed. The use of this material as a fertilizer for farm and garden crops was discussed in our report for 1906, where formulae are to be found for the preparation of a ' complete ' fertilizer, by the addition of certain chemicals. MUCKS, MUDS AND MARLS. Much, St. Stephen, N.B. — Our correspondent (W. F. Todd) writes: 'We are anxious to ascertain what manurial value this muck may have; please let us know its nitrogen-content and values in potash and phosphoric acid.' Brownish-black, apparently well decomposed, slightly acid, its analysis, made on the air-dried sample, afforded the following data : — Analysis of MucJc. Per cent. Moisture V-58 Organic and volatile matter 67-63 Mineral matter, including sand 24-79 100-00 Fertilizing constituents — ^^^ cent, iSTitrogen 2-03 Phosphoric acid , -T^ Potash -15 This muck is of good average quality, and would be well worth using for its nitrogen and humus-forming material. Its direct application to the soil would not in all probability prove profitable, but it might advantageously be used after being subjected to incipient fermentation, as in the compost heap. It also seems well adapted (after being air-dried) to act as an absorbent in and about the farm build- ings— a use that we have generally advocated as being probably the most profitable means for the utilization of mucks. In the resultant manure there is not only much plant food that might have been washed by the draining away of the li-quid from the cowhouse, pigpen, &c., but the fertilizing elements in the muck itself are presented to the crop in forms much more readily assimilable than as originally present. The percentages of potash and phosphoric acid are, as might be expected, quite small — indeed negligible — considering the muck as a fertilizer. A further sample of muck from near St. Stephen, N.B., and sent in by another correspondent (E. H. Barter), was found on analysis to have the following composi- tion in the air-dried condition: — Analysis. Per cent. Moisture i-ll Organic and volatile matter 79-61 Mineral matter 12-68 100-00 Nitrogen 1-77 REPORT OF TEE CHEMIST 161 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 This was taken from the surface of a large area which it was intended to put under cultivation. This muck is almost entirely vegetable matter, the constituents, clay and sand, which give stability, firmness and supply mineral plant food are practically absent. In the reclamation of such an area, drainage is the first essential. At the outset open ditches should be dug to remove surface water. After the soil has settled some- what, it would be well to put in tile drainage. If feasible and not too expensive, the addition of sand or clay, or, better, both, to be worked into the surface soil, is to be advocated. Unfortunately it is but seldom that this part of the work of reclamation can be followed out, the haulage distance being too great. A dressing of lime or, still better, wood ashes, merely harrowed in, will be very beneficial in supplying mineral plant food generally lacking in such soils. If wood ashes are not obtainable, I would suggest basic slag 500 lbs., muriate of potash 150 lbs., per acre, broadcasted and harrowed in. Although the soil is very rich in nitrogen very little of this element is present naturally in an available condition, hence, it has been found that applications of barn- yard manure are most useful. After a year or two they can be discontinued, as by that time the manure will have inoculated the soil with the bacteria necessary for the continued conversion of the soil plant food into available forms. Much from Grand Manan, N.B. — This sample, as in the previous instance, was forwarded with a view to obtaining information as to its reclamation. Mr. L. E. Foster writes: ' What fertilizer would be best on this soil for potatoes? ' The air-dried muck was submitted to analysis and the following results obtained: — Analysis. Per cent. Moisture 8-03 Organic and volatile matter 86-17 Mineral matter, including sand . 5-80 100 00 Nitrogen 1-50 This is essentially vegetable matter and would not be considered as a good potato soil, though such land has, with proper treatment, frequently been made to give very fair yields. All that has been just said regarding the necessity of drainage and the value of an initial supply of manure applies in this case, and in addition the following fertilizer might be suggested: — Basic slag. 300 to 500 lbs. per acre. Sulphate of potash 100 " Broadcast on the prepared land before planting and harrow in. Mud from Mahone Bay, N.S. — This material, forwarded by Dr. Charles A. Ham- ilton, represented the ' mud ' as brought up in the dredging of Mahone bay. The object of the inquiry was to ascertain what fertilizing value it might possess, as large quantities were available to farmers in the vicinity. The mud, dried by simple expo- sure to the air, was found to have the following composition : — Analysis. Per cent. Moisture 9-56 Organic and volatile matter 26-85 Mineral matter, including clay and sand 63-59 10000 16—11 162 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Fertilizing constituents — Per cent. Nitrogen in organic matter -73 Phosphoric acid -24 Potash -32 Lime 82 The fertilizing value of the mud as dredged would be extremely low. The mineral plant food constitvients (phosphoric acid, potash and lime), even in the air-driod material, are present in exceedingly small amounts. The percentage of nitrogen is certainly notable (-75 per cent on the water-free substance), but in all probability this element does not exist in a readily available form for crop use. It may be pointed out further, that certain sulphur compounds are present, and this would necessitate an exposure of the mud to the atmosphere for some weeks pre- vious to its incorporation with the soil, or injury to the crops might result. An important matter in connection with the use of muds in general is that they may very materially affect, beneficially or injuriously, the tilth of the soil to which they are applied. The sample under discussion, it might be presumed, is adapted for sandy rather than for clay loams. Mussel Mud from Soxiris, P.E.I. — Sent by James Howlett, with a request for particulars as to fertilizing qualities. It is stated that a large number of farmers in the neighbourhood have access to the deposit, while others living as far distant as twenty-four miles are using it. Upon inspection it appeared to consist essentially of mussel shells, with a small proportion of clay. The composition of the air-dried mud is as follows : — Analysis. Per cent. Moisture -44 Organic and volatile matter 412 Clay and sand 9-70 Carbonate of lime 84-88 Oxide of iron, &c., by difference -86 100 00 Nitrogen, in organic matter -092 Phosphoric acid -13 This is essentially carbonate of lime, as we judged from the appearance of the sample. The pi'oportion of clay, sand, &c., is not large, so that it can be considered a mussel mud of very fair quality. The percentage of phosphoric acid is not larger than that found in many soils. A number of mussel muds examined in this laboratory have shown considerably larger percentages of organic matter and nitrogen, but this deposit, nevertheless, has some value in furnishing these constituents. The practice of depending entirely on such muds for the maintenance of fertility is to be deprecated. Undoubtedly for a number of years increased yields will follow its use, largely owing to the lime it supplies, but experience has shown that alone it cannot prevent the soil from wearing out, and, sooner or later, the yields from falling off. The analytical data, in proving that they are essentially a lime fertilizer, furnish the explanation for this behaviour. Marl from St. Raymond, Man. — Forwarded by David Langill, with a request for information as to its general character and use. It had, approximately, the following composition : — * REPORT OF THE CHEMIST 163 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Analysis. Per cent. Insoluble rock matter 37-30 Carbonate of lime 45-37 Oxide of iron, &c., by difference 17-33 100-00 In appearance tbis substance was a light yellow, brick-like, brittle mass, made up largely of small stones or particles of rock ; the material easily disintegrates and falls as an earthy sediment when placed in water. Though not a first quality marl, it might be used beneficially on both heavy and light loams deficient in lime. 'o' Calcareous Deposit or Indurated Marl. — Sent by George E. Winkler, Penticton, B.C., who states that it is found as a deposit from the waters of certain springs and streams in his neighbourhood which are richly impregnated with carbonate of lime. Its analysis afforded the following data : — Analysis. Per cent. Carbonate of lime 72-99 Insoluble rock matter 18-74 Oxide of iron and alumina, 3-70 Phosphoric acid -15 Organic matter, by difference 4-42 100-00 If crushed, this material would no doubt be useful in furnishing lime to soils deficient in this element. In its present condition, being so hard and refractory, its application would result in very little benefit. The percentage of phosphoric acid is so small that the deposit cannot be said to have any value from the standpoint of a phosphatic fertilizer. Further information respecting these deposits, which occur at many points in the so-called semi-dry belt of British Columbia, will be found in the report of this Divi- sion for 1904. Gypsum. — A sample stated to be from Tobique, N.B., and sent in for examination as to quality by M. A. Bourbeau, Victoriaville, Que., was found of excellent quality containing 94-12 per cent sulphate of lime. A specimen sent by Mr. PI. D. Buchannan, Sussex, N.B., and stated to be repre- sentative of a very large deposit, was also submitted to analysis. It contained 94-40 per cent sulphate of lime. When crushed or ground this forms the well known land plaster. The agricultural value of this material depends largely upon the nature and composition of the soil. As it is not a fertilizer in the commonly accepted meaning of the term, that is, it does not furnish nitrogen, phosphoric acid or potash, it is very doubtful if it could be used profitably on any poor soils unless associated with an application of barnyard manure. It certainly furnishes lime, an element of plant food and, further, serves to liberate potash from its inert stores in the soils. Possibly it may help to flocculate heavy soils and thus improve their tilth. In previous reports we have emphasized the advantage of using finely ground gypsum in the stable. By this means it renders a most valuable service in preventing loss of nitrogen as ammonia from the manure, and, of course, eventually finds its way to the soil. The crops apparently most benefited by gypsum are clover and peas. 16— Hi 164 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD Vll., A. 1910 Wood Aslies. — A sample sent by F. Seaman, !N'elson, B.C., and stated to be from an ash pile from a sawmill using, chiefly, tamarae, fir and pine, but no hardwood. The inquiry is ' of what fertilizing value would this ash be for fruit trees ? ' Analysis of Ashes, Nelson, B.C. Per cent. Moisture 8-31 Potash 7-99 Phosphoric acid 2-59 Lime 44-00 These ashes are evidently of good quality, the percentage of potash being consider- ably above the average found in commercial samples. In additio'i to the potash they contain, the amounts of phosphoric acid and lime enhance the fertilizing value of these ashes, making them particularly serviceable for fruits and vegetables on light lands. A sample of ashes brought to the laboratory by Mr. F. T. Webster, Billings Bridge, Out., and collected from an exposed pile of ashes at a sawmill, gave the follow- ing results on analysis: — Analysis. Per cent. Moisture 27-40 Insoluble in acid (clay and sand) 38-45 Fertilizing constituents — Potash 2-20 Phosphoric acid traces These ashes are admixed with sand, &c., and have been very seriously leached; they still retain a large proportion of water. Their very low potash-content makes them of little value, probably in the neighbourhood of $2 per ton. Manure Ashes. — These resulted from the burning of a large manure pile at St. Norbert, Manitoba. The manure had been accumulating for several years, and the heap at the time when it caught fire contained about 200 cubic yards. The sample of ashes taken for analysis was collected in September. The fire started in June, the manure burning until extinguished by the rains at the latter end of August. Analysis of Manure Ashes. Per cent. Moisture 4-57 Organic and volatile matter 7-31 Sand, &c., insoluble in acid 54-92 Oxide of iron and alumina 10-'91 Lime 8-65 Magnesia 4-43 Potash 3-40 Phosphoric acid 6-14 100-33 Valuing the potash and phosphoric acid at 5 cents and 5J cents per lb., respec- tively— the prices they would bring when bought in the form of commercial fertilizers — these ashes would be worth $8.45 per ton. Although this manure ash is seen to have a high fertilizing value, the great loss that has ensued in the dissipation of nitrogen and humus-forming material in the burning of the heap must not be overlooked. We REPORT OF THE CHEMIST 165 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 have always considered that the great benefit, which all acknowledge as following the judicious employment of manure, is due rather to the organic matter and the con- comitant nitrogen it furnishes than to its percentages of mineral plant food. Coiu Manure. — The analysis of this sample is interesting as the manure was from a heap, the accumulation of ten years on a dairy farm. Our correspondent, at Rose- bery, B.C., states that it could be purchased and laid down on his farm for about $2.50 I)er ton. Analysis of Manure. Per cent. Moisture 80-90 Organic matter 15-35 Mineral 3-75 100-00 Fertilizing constituents — Percentage. Lbs. per ton. Nitrogen A'i 9-40 Phosphoric acid -41 8-20 Potash -26 5-02 Valuing the plant food at prices assigned to that in commercial fertilizers, we find this manure would be worth $1.93 per ton. The plant food on one ton of average cow manure is worth about $2, so that the present sample does not show much deteri- oration. Such loss as there has been through leaching has been chiefly in potash. Black Much Ashes. — This sample forwarded from St. Basile Station, Quebec, had resulted, according to our correspondent, from the burning of an area covered with black muck. The request accompanying the ashes was for a report as to their fertiliz- ing value and the best means of employing them upon the land. Analysis of Black Muck Ashes. Per cent. Mo4sture 4-YO Organic and volatile matter 6-13 Mineral matter 89-17 100 00 Mineral matter insohible in acid, sand, &c 59 02 Oxide of iron and alumina 25-70 Lime 1-28 Magnesia trace Potash -49 Phosphoric acid 2-94 Though not equal to the best unleached wood ashes, which contain in the neighbourhood of 2 per cent phosphoric acid and 6 per cent potash, these ashes certainly possess a notable fertilizing value. These ashes can be used to advantage on sandy and peaty soils, for all kinds of crops but especially for corn, clover, potatoes and cabbages. Their application may be similar to that of ordinary wood ashes, namely, broadcasted on the prepared land in the spring before seeding and harrowed in. Boiler Scales and Flue Dust. — Many inquiries have been received from time to time regarding the possible fertilizing value of the cleanings of the tubes and flues 166 EXPERIMENTAL FARMti 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 of steam boilers — large amounts of such material, commonly known as boiler scale — accumulating in machine shops in the course of time, for which, apparently, there has been no use. Though it was very doubtful if our examination would show any appreciable amount of plant food, it was thought desirable to analyse a few samples, in order to have data for the enlightenment of those seeking information on the subject. The two samples examined were from Sydney Mines, N.S., and were described as ' cleanings from the tubes and flues of steam boilers at No. 3 slope.' They are similar in appearance being in the form of black, coarse granular powder, not unlike coal dust. Analysis Boiler scales and Flue dust. No. 1. No. 2. Moisture -71 -28 Organic and volatile matter 35-79 43-67 Mineral matter or ash 63-50 56-05 100-00 100-00 Nitrogen -20 -13 Phosphoric acid -14 -08 Potash .02 .04 Tlie amount of organic matter is noteworthy, but, unfortunately, this must be largely in the form of coal dust and hence not in a condition to be of much value for humus formation. The material might, however, prove useful on some lands for improving their physical condition, as in lightening the texture of heavy and plastic clays. As to fertilizing value, very little can be said in its favour. The amounts of phosphoric acid and potash are so small as to be negligible, while the percentage of nitrogen is not larger than that found in soils of average fertility. FODDERS AND FEEDING STUFFS. Every winter for many years past we have submitted to analysis a number of the more important feeding stuffs on the Canadian market. This work has been found necessary in order to obtain the information to satisfactorily answer the inqviiries we are constantly receiving respecting the composition and feeding value of the various by-products and concentrated feeds offered for sale. "WTiile the farmer or dairyman may feel himself comi)etent to decide on the quality of such well-known and simple materials as bran and shorts, he finds himself quite unable, from mere inspection, to say what the nutritive value might be of a large number of the milling and manufacturing products that have appeared of recent years, and for many of which high prices are obtain^d. The nature of the material may be disguised by fine grinding. Thus, certain feeds, shown by analysis to be essentially oat hulls and consequently comparatively worthless, have been placed on the market in such a fine state of division that the naked eye fails to detect their nature. The same has been found true in the ease of pea meal adulterated with a large excess of jx'a hull. Again some ' mixed ' materials may present an attractive appearance by reason of the presence of a certain amount of cracked corn and yet the bulk of the feed made up of useless materials such as mill sweepings — so that the whole has a much lower feeding value than might be supposed at first sight. And then again there is a large list of manufacturing by-products, as from the sugar beet factory, the starch and glucose factory, &c., some of them feeds of concentrated character and of high nutritive value, and yet many of which are very poor. For this whole class — in which appearance goes for very little — analysis is REPORT OF THE CHEMIST 167 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 absolutely necessary. By no other means can the nature and worth of such feeds be ascertained. In the following table of data we present the results of the examination of forty- one samples. These feeds of course do not represent all ths various brands offered for sale, they are merely those respecting which we have received inquiries and which, consequently, have been examined in the Farm laboratories. A few of them are not commercial feeding stuffs, as apple pomace, respecting which information was sought ns to their nutritive qualities. The tabulated information together with the sub- joined notes will undoubtedly prove of interest to a large number of those who pur- chase feeding stuffs. Feeding Stuffs, 1908. Name. n (J 7 8 9 10 Corn products — Gluten feed . . . 11 Meal Jersey Brand Corn meal .... Wheat products — Bran Shorts, (Oglivie) 11 11 (Renfrew) 12 11 (Manitoba). . . . 13 Middlings, (Manitoba). Oat products — 141 Oat feed 15l 11 . I Pea products — IG Whnlei peas, (Arthur variety ) Pea meal 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Particulars, Brantford Starch Works, Brant ford, Ont St. Lawrence Starch Co., Port Credit, Ont St. Lawrence Starch Co., Port Credit, Ont •James Frier, Shediac, N . B William Weld Co., London, Ont. . . Wm. Wenman, Golden, B.C R. J. M., Western Can. Flour Mills 11 Oglivie Milling Co.. F. S. Caldwell, Carp, Ont Agricultural Division, C.E. Farm Ottawa, Ont J. P. Robinson, Whitney, Ont. . . Pea bran (pure hulls)... Split peas( without hull) Cottonseed meal — Cottonseed meal from Barbadoes, lt)07 Cottonseed meal from Barbadoes, 1S08 Cottonseed meal a (Owl brand) Cottonseed meal b (Soper's choice) Cottonseed meal Miscellaneous feeding stuffs — Moulee (linseed feed( . . Fine flax screenings, No. 3 Small s£ eds from wheat. Feed from wheat and flax screening's The TilsonCo. Ltd.,Tilsonburg,Ont Graham Bros., llaileybury, Ont Agricultural Division, C. E. F., Ottawa, Ont Havelle Milling Co., (manufacturer) (per Edwardsburg Starch Co) O. McPherson, Lancaster, Ont N. Sangster, manufactured by T. Baird & Son, Ormstown, Que. . . . Jas. Wilson & Sons, Fergus, Ont. . . E. B. Elderkin, Amherst, N.S. F. W.Broder & Co., Memphis, Tenn. (manufacturer), per D . E . Taylor. J. E. Soper & Co., Boston, Mass., (manufacturer), per D E. Taylor. R.J. Messenger, Bridgetown, N.S. Canada Linseed Oil Mills Co., (man- ufacturer), per J .J. Riley Jos. G . King & Co. , Port Arthur, Ont. o p.c, 5-93 6- 15 800 91^ 10-58 10-33 6-85 6-69 618 9-21 7-92 6-67 7-46 816 4-73 5-41 8-80 7 84 7 -30 7-70 5-54 6 43 10-73 7-82 5-81 8-35 5-86 8-37 5-77 7 20 10-57 g -^ o 3 O p.c, 17 12 18 18 13 14 15 16 11 17 15 16 17 2-62 412 23 50 25-50 IGOO 1412 17-37 5-63 27-69 26-50 20 06 40-74 43-68 37-62 11-56 17 44 16 44 12 18 p.c 11-85 0-89 1-64 c3 O u Xi p.c, 58-55 64 66 72 57 53 54 55 52 53 60 57 58 51-40 52 16 p.c. 9 10 11 10 19 9 7 9 6 62-57 53-53 104 1-74 124 41 09 31 05 32 16 31-24 4-90 713 1-30 1-32 0 44 0-94 5-84 4 17 9-93 8-07 7-91 9-71 18-41 10-53 5 90 39 44 35-23 49-49 21-45 34-65 51-29 61-46 0.97 30 83 38-34 28-06 26 35 32-29 47-55 29-55 45 40 53-74 19-97 18-69 804 6-75 9-87 18 09 12-85 16 02 12 35 p.c. 0-85 0-72 0 65 1 41 5-35 5-86 612 6-45 7 04 62 96 24 33 4-77 611 2-58 3 30 2-78 2 61 2-67 2-45 2-51 6 13 4 92 7-42 6-80 6-45 4-72 15-98 4 41 5 26 168 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Feeding Stuffs, 1908 — Concluded. Name. Particulars. Cyphers — Daniel's egg mash Beat's milk albumen, No. 1... Bent's milk albumen, No. 2 Feed No. I, from corn, rye and barley malt majjh Feed No. 2, from pure barley malt Tnash. . . . Feed No. 3, from rye and rye malt mash . Apple pomace from cannery Apple pomace from cider mill Apple pomace from cider mill Feed No. 2, Walkerville Distillery Jos. Tardif, St. Louis, Montreal. R. A.A.Johnston, Ottawa, Ont. H. Walker & Sons, Walkerville, Ont. Spratt & Schou, Burnaby Lake, B.C. Col. D.W- Stevenson, Berwick, N.S. S. Allen, Norwick, Ont T W . Raphael & Co. .Montreal, Que, o p.c. 6 3 6 85 8 5 27 5 73 a "Si O p.c. 01: 21 39; 41 72 19 83 17 14 1 3 5 12 D.C. 78 p.c. 53 16 52 05; 49 12 60-48 7-71 69 38 66-20 61-63 Si p.c. 8-92 14-62 20-40 11-85 4-73 p.c. 4-64 32-34 2-31 1-31 3 80 1-23 0.37 14-61I 206 18-38 10-50 2 24 5-22 CORN PRODUCTS. In commenting, in last year's report, upon the various feeding stuffs resulting as by- products from the manufacture of starch and glucose, it was pointed out that the term 'gluten meal' -was being wrongly used by certain manufacturers, the material being put out under this name being really of the nature of gluten feed. This cannot be considered as accidental or of no consequence, for gluten meal has long been recog- nized as a feed of the most concentrated character, with practically 35 per cent of protein, whereas gluten feed has been equally well known as a much inferior article containing from 15 per cent to 20 per cent protein. According to our analysis — and we have thoroughly investigated the matter — there is only one Canadian firm that puts a genuine gluten meal on the market, though there are several materials sold under this name which should be branded as gluten feed. It is only this mis-branding that can be objected to — gluten feed is an excellent; food and one that can be advan- tageously used to increase the protein-content of the ration. It is, however, surely misleading to sell it under a name commonly understood to carry with it double the amount of protein present. It "will be noticed that the Gluten Feed of the Brantford Starch Works and the * Jersey Brand Gluten Meal ' (really a gluten feed) contain practically the same amount of protein; the former, however, is the more valuable since it contains a much larger proportion of oil or fat. The analysis of the corn meal (No. 4) shows it to be genuine and of good quality. It was sent from a shipment that was supposed to be adulterated by admixture with ground corn cob. WHEAT PRODUCTS. Five samples of bran were examined. No. 5 is somewhat low in protein and fat, though not sufficiently so as to warrant any suspicion of adulteration. Freedom from the presence of any notable amount of oat hulls, sweepings, &c., is attested by the fact that the percentages of fibre and ash are not excessive. REPORT OF THE CHEMIST 169 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 With respect to Nos. 6, 7 and 8, it may be said all were genuine and of good quality. In no instance was the foreign matter (fragments of hay and straw, weed seeds, hulls, &c.) present in such quantity as to materially affect the feeding value of the bran. Our work on genuine brans in 1903 furnished the following limits : Pro- tein, 13-25 per cent to 15-31 per cent; fat, 3-60 per cent to 5-19 per cent, and fibre, 9-28 per cent to 10-93 per cent. Bran sample No. 9 contained a very considerable proportion of oat hull and other o3al, and, consequently, was of decidedly inferior quality. The analysis confirms the opinion formed by inspection, for the protein is about 3 per cent lower and the fibre 8 per cent to 9 per cent higher, than in genuine samples. As a class, shorts are characterized by somewhat higher percentages of protein, fat and carbohydrates and a lower percentage of fibre, than bran. Shorts, therefore, should constitute the superior feed. As produced from hard wheat by the modern roller process, shorts have the appearance of finely ground bran. Under the older milling methods shorts or middlings were quite floury. All the samples analysed were of good quality. The limits obtained in 1903 for genuine shorts were: Protein, 15-15 per cent to 17 per cent; fat, 3-98 per cent to 6-23 per cent, and fibre, 3-82 per cent to 7-51 per cent. OAT PRODUCTS. It is among the by-products of the oatmeal mills and certain breakfast food factories that we find the most worthless of the feeds upon the market. As a class these so-called oat feeds are decidedly low grade, being characterized by a small per- centage of protein and a high fibre-content due to the large proportion of oat hulls and other offal from the mills they contain. Very few of these feeds are worth the price asked, but yet they appear to compete successfully with bran and other products of high feeding value. Sample No. 14 was forwarded by a correspondent in Prince Edward Island, who states that it was a product of the Tilson Company, Limited, and was invoiced at $20 per ton. It was found to consist essentially of oat hulls, with a protein-content of 2-62 per cent and fibre 32-16 per cent. These results establish its extremely low value as a feeding material. Sample No. 15, sent by a correspondent in Haileybury, Ontario, is said to be a by- product of the rolled-oat mills and known by the name of ' X ' oat feed. It was sold at $20 per ton. Analysis shows only 4 12 per cent protein; the fibre-content is 31-24 per cent. It is in the same category as No. 14— practically valueless for use as a part of the meal ration. PEA PRODUCTS. Information having reached us that much of the pea meal being sold was adul- terated by an admixture of pea hulls, a number of samples were submitted to analysis. Genuine pea meal is a material of high feeding value, with protein in the neighbour- hood of 25 per cent and about 5 per cent fibre. It is not a feed rich in fat. Many of the pea meals upon the market appear to be of inferior quality, due to the presence of pea hulls. The hull or bran of the pea is an extremely poor food, containing only 5 per cent protein and over 50 per cent fibre. Nos. 16 and 17 are genuine pea meals. No. 21 gives the composition of pea hulls and No. 22 of split peas. Nos. 17, 18 and 19 nre examples of commercial pea meals that contain an admixture of pea hull. COTTON SEED MEAL. Cotton seed meal is not much used in Ontario, but is largely fed in the Maritime Provinces, coming by water-freight from Florida and the southern States. There are 170 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 several qualities on the market, the better brands containing from 35 per cent to 40 per cent protein and some 10 per cent oil. Examples of inferior quality are not want- ing, however, that run as low as 23 per cent protein and 5 per cent oil, due to the large proportion of cotton seed hulls present. High grade meals are bright yellow and free from hull, inferior brands are dark in colour and show coarse fragments of hull. vSamples Nos. 23 and 24, from shipments from Barbadoes, are of inferior quality. Their protein is scarcely more than half that in genuine cotton seed meal and, further, they are very poor in oil and altogether too high in fibre. jSTos. 25 and 26 are first-class genuine meals, the latter being somewhat the better of the two. No. 27, though of good quality, is not equal in protein to the very best brands. MLSCELLANEOUS. MouUe (No. 28). — This is a product of the Canada Linseed Oil Mills, Montreal, composed chiefly of the ground cleanings of the flax shipments. Its constitution will necessarily alter somewhat with the condition of the flax seed as received at the mills, the cleaner the seed, the better the quality of the feed. For furnishing the nitrogenous part of the ration it would, we think, be decidedly inferior to bran, the protein being some 3 per cent less and in all probability not so digestible. The percentage of fat or oil is comparatively high, evidently due to the flax seed present. This large propor- tion of fat is, ixndoubtedly, the chief feature in favour of this material. The fibre is decidedly high (from fragments of hay, straw, &c., present), and this fact detracts from the value of the feed as a concentrate. Elevator Products. — Nos. 29, 30 and 31 are from the Canadian Pacific Railway Elevators at Port Arthur, Ontario (Joseph G. King & Company, Lessees). For several years past analyses of these waste materials have been made (ground weed seeds, cleanings, &c.) with a view of determining their nutritive value, the data being published in the annual reports of this Division. The output of such refuse or screen- ings must be very large, and there seems no good reason, provided the material is palatable and the grinding has been sufficiently fine to prevent all possibility of weed seeds growing, why it should not be sold as feed. One feature in connection with such feeds appears to be the difficulty in keeping the meal uniform as to feeding value, owing to variableness in the nature of the refuse accompanying the grain. Great differences in composition are found among weed seeds, and consequently the percentages of protein and of fat of the resulting feed will be notably affected by the kind of weed seed predominating in the screenings. No, 29. Fine Flax Screenings. — Though not quite so rich in oil as similar material forwarded the year previous, it is still very high in this constituent, viz., 18 per cent. It is also rich in protein, so that the feed would rank among the best feed- ing stuffs. No doubt these good qualities are dvie to the large amount of broken flax seed present. No. 30. Small Seeds from }Yheat. — Compared with No. 29, it is decidedly poorer in oil, slightly lower in protein and contains more fibre. No. 31. Wheat and Flax Screenings. — A material of fair feeding value, but dis- tinctly inferior to Nos. 29 and 30, as evinced by its lower protein and fat. No. 32. Cypher's- Daniel Egg Mash. — This contains a considerable percentage of protein — the nutrient more especially necessary for egg production — but is not rich in fats or phosphates. Upon its condimental or medicinal properties we are unable to pronounce, but considered simply from the nutritive standpoint the price quoted ($2.75 per 100 lbs. f.o.b. Toronto) would appear to be too high. We consider that a ration of equal feed- ing value could readily be compounded from materials ui^on the market at much less cost. REPORT OF THE CHEMIST 171 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 No. 33. Bent's Milk Alhuvien No. 1. — This is described as 'skim-milk in the dry form without the sugar,' and is really a by-product of the milk sugar factory. It is put forward by the manufacturers — The Bent-Croissant Company, Antwerp, N.Y., U.S.A. — as a concentrated food for poultry that may take the place of meat scraps and animal meals. It comes in the form of a coarse granular powder, which, as far as our experience shows, has excellent keeping qualities. Our analysis shows that it is a highly nitrogenous food — the protein-content being 41-21 per cent. It should, therefore, if used judiciously, prove a valuable addi- tion to the ration of both laying and fattening stock. Skim-milk has been repeatedly shown to have a special value for poultry feeding; it seems, therefore, that this ' Milk Albumen ' may prove a ' convenient wholesome and palatable substitute ' when fresh skim-milk is not readily obtainable. Bent's Milk Albumen No. 2 is a product still more concentrated than the pre- ceding sample analysed by us, showing 72-43 per cent protein. From what we can learn, however, this brand is of more recent introduction and, consequently, experience in its practical use in the poultry yard is as yet but limited. Kos. 35, 36 and 37. These are by-products from the Walkerville distillery and may be described as follows : No. 35 is ' the dried grains from a mash composed of corn, rye and barley malt,' No. 36, ' the dried grains from a pure barley malt mash,' and No. 37, ' the dried grains from a rye and rye malt mash.' Dried distiller's grains furnish a feeding stuff of considerable value, possessing a fairly high (though somewhat variable) protein-content, with a notable percentage of fat. They are readily eaten by cattle and when purchased at a fair price have given good returns with milch cows and fattening stock. That the nutritive value of this class of feeds is by no means a fixed quantity is evident from the analyses of the present series — the range in protein-content being from 14-38 per cent to 19-69 per cent. It is important, therefore, that the purchaser should assure himself by special inquiry as to the composition of the brand or brands offered him. No. 38. Apple pulp from Cannery. This is described as ' the refuse of apples after being boiled and subjected to hydraulic pressure, the extracted juice being used in the manufacture of jam and jellies.' It will be seen that this pomace contains in the neighbourhood of 15 per cent of dry matter, of which practically one-tenth is protein. We should not consider that the nutritive value of this material was equal to that of the ordinary farm roots or of com ensilage, but no doubt it could be used to advantage, if sound, to furnish a par,t of the succulent ration of the milch cow, and possibly also, to a certain extent, for other classes of farm animals. The manurial value of this pomace is very small — practically negligible — as will be observed from the following results : — Per cent. Nitrogen -22 Phosphoric acid -06 Potash .11 In our report for 1906, in speaking of a sample of pomace from a cider mill, the composition of which we were publishing, we cited our correspondent's opinion as to its feeding value. This was to the effect that it had proved very valuable in keeping up the milk flow. Commencing with a pailful of pomace per day the quantity had been increased to two feeds of half a bushel each, and omitting a feed meant a falling off of about IJ lbs. at the next milking. Resp)ecting the present sample, Mr. Schou writes as follows: 'We waited until oin* stock of roots (turnips and carrots) was finished and then used the pulp. We were pleased to find the milk did not decrease at all. Two small pigs used to eat all they could find and seemed to thrive on it.' 172 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 No. 39. This as received was a sample of dried apple pomace from a cider mill. It was perfectly sweet and quite attractive in appearance. While by no means a fodder of high feeding qualities, it had been found a profitable feed quite palatable to cows and sheep and, according to our correspondent, growing in favour in the neighbourhood of the cider mill. No. 40. Apple pomace from cider mill, the sample having been dried in the autumn of 1907. The inquiry accompanying this pomace — as to its probable value as a commercial cattle food — may be answered as follows. From appearances we should judge that when ground this dried apple pomace would prove a palatable feeding stuff, swelling on the addition of water and making a succulent fodder that could be used to take the place, in part or wholly, of roots, com or other coarse fodders. As, how- ever, its protein-content is small, its nutritive value would be decidedly low and this fact would prevent ft from being used in the ration as a substitute for one or other of the more concentrated foods, such as bran, oil cake, gluten meal, &c. THE COMMERCUL FEEDING STUFFS ACT. In concluding this brief review of our recent work on feeding stuffs it affords us peculiar satisfaction to note that during the past two months a bill has been drawn up and introduced in the House of Commons that will provide for a systematic and comprehensive examination of the various by-products, &c., sold on the Canadian market as feeding stuils and, further, necessitate the branding of such feeds by the manufacturers with a guarantee setting forth the percentages of protein and fat the feed contains. Such an Act has been constantly urged by the writer and others for some years past as the best means for affording farmers the necessary information in purchasing these feeds and for providing adequate protection against poor and worth- less materials which may from time to time be offered for sale. The details of the Act, which will be carried out as in the case of commercial fertilizers, under the Department of Inland Revenue, have not at the time of writing been finally settled, but undoubtedly the Act will pass. Its enforcement will assuredly effect a great improvement on the existing condition of affairs and prove a very valuable assistance and protection to the purchasers of feeding stuffs. SPIKE-RUSH (SCIRPUS C^SPITOSUS). At the request of the late Dr. Fletcher, Botanist of the Dominion Experimental Farms, we submitted to analysis a sample of a species of Spike-rush received from Mr. G. R. B. Elliott, of Barrington, N.S., with a request for information regarding its nutritive qualities. Analysis of Hay of Spike-rush. Per cent. Moisture 4-79 Protein 806 Fat 115 Carbohydrates 56-25 Fibre 27-56 Ash 2-19 100 00 Our report upon this examination was as follows : Although there is a fair pro- portion of protein, considering the nature of the material, the nutritive value of this sedge would not. in our opinion, be high. It is a coarse, rough plant, and is scarcely likely to be palatable to animals; probably they would not eat it unless pressed by h.unger. In acknowledging this report, Mr. Elliott wrote : * This sedge is the principal vegetation and flourishes abundantly on extensive sphagnum and peat bogs in south- west Nova Scotia. Around the edges of the bog where there is more water and high REPORT OF THE CHEMIST 173 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 land influence it is crowded out by other plants, but in the harder central portions it is easily the most prominent. Cattle turned out in the summer thrive on the various wild plants they can pick up. They are seldom seen to browse on the leaves of bushes, and the only other fodder for them is blue-joint grass. This does not occur in sufli- cient quantities to sustain the number feeding upon it and they are forced to rely on what can be gathered on the bog. Apparently, given the choice, they will always eat blue-joint grass, but the sedge is often their principal feed. Cattle living on this food are particularly well muscled and strong.' THE KELATIVE VALUE OF FIELD EOOTS. In this research we have determined, season by season, for a number of years past, the percentages of dry matter and sugar in the following root crops, mangels, turnips and cai*rots. It is thus possible, from a study of the results, to obtain a very fair knowledge of the comparative feeding values of a large number of the more commonly grown varieties. The two chief influences affecting the composition of roots are those of heredity and of season. If we could feel assured that the seed of any particular variety was always from the same strain then we could say, in comparing the figures of that variety from year to year, that the diiferences in composition to be observed were due to seasonal characteristics. But, unfortunately, such is not the case — seedsmen are not particular in this matter — and, further, confiision is frequently caused by the constant renaming by seedsmen of well known varieties, and this fact makes identifi- cation in many cases well-nigh impossible. However, in spite of these difficulties, our work has made evident that the influ- ence of heredity is to be observed among the varieties upon the market, for arranging the roots of any one class according to order of merit (as based on dry matter and sugar content) it will be found that any particular variety occupies practically the same position year after year. This will be more apparent in discussing later in this article the case of the mangels, Gate Post and Giant Yellow Globe, which we have examined for the past nine years more particularly from this standpoint. MANGELS. In the following table are presented, in the order of feeding value, the data ob- tained from the examination of twelve varieties of mangels grown on the Experi- mental Farm, Ottawa, during the season of 1908. They represent those which in previous trials had given the best results in the field, though there are one or two that, judging from their names, are now analysed for the first time. Analysis of Mangels, C. E. F., Ottawa, Ont., 1908. Variety. Perfection Mammoth Long Red . Mammoth Red Intermediate Half Sugar White Half Sugar White (Vilmorin's) . . Crimson Champion Gate Post Prize Mammoth Long Red Yellow Intermediate Jumbo Selected Yellow Globe Giant Yellow Intermediate . . . . Giant Yellow Globe r. Water. Dry Matter. Sugar in Juice. p.c. p.c. p.c. 86 86 13 14 7 07 87 22 12-78 6 34 87 37 12-63 4 22 87 86 1214 5 47 87 94 12 06 5 67 87 98 1202 4 94 88 00 ]2-00 6 47 88 07 11-93 4 31 88 45 11-5?) 5 05 89 20 10-80 6 09 89 30 10 70 3 87 SO 34 10-66 4 47 Average weight of one root. Lbs. Oz. 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 2 9 0 3 7 9 11 4 10 15 12 14 4 174 EXPERIMENTAL FJ.RMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 It is to be observed that very considerable differences exist in this series : the percentages of dry matter range from 13-14 to 10-66, a difference equivalent to 19 per cent of the total dry matter; the sugar-content, from 7-07 to 4-47 per cent, a difference amounting to 37 per cent of the total sugar. These results clearly indicate the advisability of considering feeding value, in addition to yield per acre and keeping quality, when selecting the variety to sow. The averages for the past five years are given in the subjoined table, and the differences to be remarked are, we think, for the most part to be attributed, to the characteristics of the seasons of the different years. Mangels — Average Composition — 1904-1908. Year. Number of Varieties An- alysed . Average weight ot one root. Dry Matter. Sugar. 1904 10 17 16 10 12 Lbs. Oz. 2 11 3 9 2 7 2 11 2 2 p.c. 11 69 10 04 11-63 12-64 11 87 p.c. 6 -62 1905 467 1906 1907 5-93 746 1908 - 5-33 The averages for 1908 are seen to fall somewhat below those of the preceding season. Turnips. — Thirteen varieties have been analysed, and while the differences in dry matter are very similar in amount to those observed in mangels, the sugar-content throughout the series is most constant. This peculiarity has been noticed every season since this investigation began. A comparison of the results in the following table with those for this crop growni in 1907 show that heredity is as i>otent in turnips as in mangels — the relative position of a number of the better known varieties being the same for both years. Analysis of Turnips, C. E. F., Ottawa, Ont., 1908. Skirvings Bangholni Selected .... Hall's Westbury Kangaroo Good Luck HalewotKl Bronze Top . Jumbo Hartley's Bronze Top. Carter's Elephant . Mammoth Clyde . . Variety. Perfection Swede Magnum Bonum Derby 90 Water. Dry Matter. Sugar in Juice. p.c. p.c. p.c. 88-30 11 64 1 74 88-96 11 04 1 24 89-32 10 68 1-43 89-47 10 53 1 42 89 71 10 29 1 43 89-83 10 17 1-33 90-35 9 65 1 54 90-40 9 60 133 90-78 9 22 1-33 90-87 9 13 2-88 90-92 9 08 ia3 91-28 8 72 1 43 91-44 8 56 1 34 Aver.ige weight of one root. Lbs. Oz. 1 9 10 2 6 11 1 11 4 8 O / 6 0 3 7 3 8 REPORT OF THE CHEMIST 175 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 In the next table the averages for the past four years are given. As in the case of the mangels, the turnips of 1908 were -not quite equal in dry-matter-content to those of 1907. Turnips — Average Composition — 1905-1908. Year. Number of Varieties An- alysed. 20 20 14 13 Average weight of one root. Dry Matter. Sugar. 1905 , Lbs. Oz. 2 13 1 10 3 5 3 12 p.c. 10 09 12-18 10-14 9-87 p.c. 1 10 1906 1-78 1907 : 111 1908. 1-52 Carrots. — As in former years we do not find any very large differences in dry matter and sugar among the varieties analysed. In this respect they differ markedly from mangels and, to a certain degree, from turnips. The White Belgian, for some reason we cannot^ive, falls from the first place it has occiipied for some years. The Half Long Chantenay, which has been second for some seasons, now appears as first on the list. Analysis of Carrots, C. E. F., Ottawa, Ont., 1908. Variety. Half Long Chantenay Giant \Vhite Vosges Improved Short White . Ontario Champion Mammoth White Intermediate White Belgian Water. Dry Matter. Sugar in Juice. p.c. 88-39 88-62 88 76 88-9] 89 04 90 93 p.c. 11-61 11-38 11-24 11 09 10 96 907 p.c. 3-94 3-95 3 65 2 94 3-45 2 14 Average weight of one root. Lbs. Oz. 3 5 15 1 4 7 The averages for the past four seasons as given below, again emphasize the approach to uniformity in the composition of carrots to which we have already referred — the differences being such as to be practically within the limits of experi- mental error. In the case of carrots, therefore, there does not seem that necessity we observed with mangels to consider composition. Other factors, such as yield, forkiness, and keeping qualities, are evidently of greater importance in selecting the variety to be grown. Carrots — Average Composition — 1905-1908. Year. Number of Varieties An- lysed. A verage weight of one root. Dry Matter. Sugar. 1905 11 10 6 6 Lbs, Oz. 1 3 1 2 1 1 1 3 p.c. 10-25 10 -.59 10-30 10-89 p.c. 2-52 1906 3-36 1907 1908 302 3.34 176 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A*. 1910 INFLUENCE OF INHERITED QUALITIES. The main points usually considered by the fanner in selecting the varieties of roots — mangels, turnips, carrots — to be grown are yield per acre and keeping quality, and, undoubtedly, these are very important matters. It must not be lost sight of, however, that the nutritive value will depend largely on the percentage of dry matter they contain, and more particularly on the richness of this dry matter in sugar — and that in these particulars varieties are apt to differ considerably. It is true that the character of the season, and more especially of the weather during the period of ripening, has a potent effect on the richness of the root in sugar, but apart from this there is a well marked tendency in roots to transmit to their seed their distinctive qualities as regards dry matter and sugar. This fact, the influence of heredity, has been recognized in the breeding of sugar beets for factory purposes, and, undoubtedly,, might be employed in improving strains of roots for feeding purposes. To ascertain how far certain varieties of mangels might maintain their relative position in respect to dry matter and sugar, we selected in 1900 two well known varieties, the Gate Post and Giant Yellow Globe, and have grown them side by side on practically identical soil and under similar treatment since that year. The analytical data of this series, therefore, show the degree to which heredity and varying , seasonal conditions influence the condition of the crops. The Gate Post was chosen as the representative of the richer mangels and the Giant Yellow ^Uobe as typical of the poorer varieties. Dry Matter and Sugar in Gate Post and Giant Yellow Globe Mangels. f Gate Post. Giant Yellow Globe. Seasons of Growth. Average weiffht Dry Sugar Average weight Dry Sugar of one root. Matter. Juioe. of one root. Matter. in Juice. Lbs. Oz. p.c. p.c. Lbs. Oz. p.c. p . c. 1900 11 14 9-41 13 90 6 4 9 15 15 39 ■ 3' '3" 3 9 8 19 9-]0 10 24 2 -64 ]fi01 2 9 3 2 4 08 1002 , 5-24 1903 3 3 12-93 7 38 3 13 10-89 617 1904 2 14 12-64 7 62 2 13 9-24 5-26 1905 2 13 VZ-Kfl 6 83 3 12 8-64 3-55 1906. 2 2 12-90 6 59 1 8 12-73 6-45 1907 3 10 12-53 7 25 2 7 io-;8 6-34 1908 1 11 12-02 4-94 2 4 10-66 4.47 Average for 9 years 12-17 6-70 10-05 4-01 The facts set forth in the above table, while showing the influence of season upon the composition of the roots, clearly indicate that each variety has maintained, during the nine years of the experiment, practically the same relationship to the other. The Gate Post has always proven the superior root and it is interesting to note that the difference in its favour in dry matter, approximately' 2 per cent, coincides very closely with the difference in sugar-content. Since sugar is undoubtedly the chief nutrient of value in roots, this result is worthy of note by those who largely grow mangels for feeding purposes. SUGAR BEETS FOR FACTORY PURPOSES. Further data have been obtained respecting the quality of sugar beets as grown in various parts of the Dominion. The varieties examined comprised Vilmorin's Improved, Klein Wanzleben and Tres Riche, probably the three best sorts for the purposes of the beet sugar factory. Since climatic conditions during growth and maturity materially influence the siigar-content of the beet, it might be supposed that considerable differences would be found between roots grown at such widely distant points as the several Experimental Farms. Our results, however, do not show any such differences. There is, indeed, an REPORT GF THE CHEMIST 177 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 almost remarkable uniformity throughout the series, and we find that all the beets, save those from Lacombe (northern Alberta), are of excelle)it quality and well suited for sugar extraction. The two highest records are from ISTappan, N.S., and Agassiz, B.C., but these are closely followed by the results from beets grown at Ottawa, Ont., Lethbridge (southern Alberta), Brandon, Man., and Indian Head, Sask. The season at Lacombe was par- ticularly unfavourable, being extremely wet in the early part of the summer and very cold weather, with frosts, setting in before the beets had begun to mature. These conditions resulted in a very low i)ercentage of sugar and a low coefficient of purity. A new feature in this work is the comparison of beets grown with and without irrigation, on the Experimental Farm at Lethbridge. The results do not show any great differences, due no doubt to the fact that the rainfall was ample during the early part of the season, making but one irrigation necessary and that a rather late one. With a dry season there is every probability of greater differences in sugar-con- tent and weight of root being obtained. The larger yield from the irrigated plots, unaccompanied by any marked falling off in richness, is worthy of note. The exceedingly high percentage of sugar in the Klein Wanzleben, Raymond ' seed ' — the strain used by the growers for the sugar factory at Eaymond, Alta., is a matter of peculiar interest. The analytical data are practically identical for both irrigated and non-irrigated beets. Sugar Beets grown on the Dominion Experimental Farms, 1908. Variety. I^ocality. Vilmorips Improved . Klein Wanzleben. Tres Kiche Nappan, N.S , Ottawa, Ont , . . . Brandon, Man '. Indian Head, Sask . . Lethbridge, Alta., irri gated Lethbridge, Alta., non irrigated Lacombe, Alta Agassiz, B.C Nappan, N.S Ottawa, Ont Brandon, Man Indian Head, Sask. . . . Lethbridge, Alta., irri gated ; . . . Lethbridge, Alta., non irrigated Lethbridge, Alta., Ray mond seed irrigated. Lethbridge, Alta., Ray mond seed non-irri gated Lacombe, Alta Agassiz, B. C Nappan, N.S . . Ottawa, Ont Brandon, Man Indian Head, Sask . . Lethbridge, Alta., irri gated Lethbridge, Alta., non irrigated Lacombe, Alta Agassiz, B.C Percent- age of Sugar in J nice. 17 16 16 12 IG 17 11 17 17 IG 15 17 15 16 79 84 59 43 69 80 70 47 81 93 35 73 60 52 18 13 18 10 17 16 15 15 16 15 15 11 16 08 77 15 98 14 51 84 97 86 16 82 Percent- age of Solids in Juice. 19-87 18 89 19 19 19 20 14 20 20 19 19 20 19 19 20 21 14 19 19 18 18 18 18 18 14 20 33 20 13 65 80 00 57 29 46 03 03 49 17 67 20 20 67 09 69 80 23 40 30 03 Co-effic- ient of Purity. 89 89 85 64 86 86 79 87 86 87 79 88 82 84 89 83 75 89 86 83 83 89 87 86 78 84 Average Weiglit of One Root. Lbs. Oz. 15 6 8 5 13 13 5 13 14 1 7 8 1 15 1 15 7 1 1 7 7 4 13 .. 15 1 10 .. 15 Yield per Acre. Tons. Lbs. 16 20 18 10 10 9 11 12 12 15 20 10 12 9 12 10 8 10 11 18 18 7 505 1,400 432 1,780 374 454 176 816 90 800 1,184 196 790 1,503 1,740 770 1,218 328 1,430 200 1,224 1,708 14 1,601 9 14 8 1,602 160 1,688 16—12 178 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 In the results set forth below we have the averages for the past seven seasons of the three varieties discussed. The data for the past year are, on the whole, very satis- factory, betokening the fact that beets might be grown in Canada over a very wide range, and that these, in point of richness, would be fully equal to those employed in the United States and the continent of Europe for sugar extraction. Average Percentage of Sugar in Juice in Sugar Beets Grown on the Experimental Farms, 1908. Locality. Nappan, N. S Ottawa, Ont Brandon, Man Indian Itead, Saak . . Lethbridge, Alta — irrigated .... II II nun-irrigated. Lacombe, Alta Agassiz, B.C 1902. 15.87 16.77 15.15 1903. 15.. S3 15.34 11.36 16.54 17.44 1904. 14.41 l(v91 16.62 15.24 8.10 1905. 16.52 12.45 11.09 14.94 17.32 1906. 17.08 14.37 15.50 14.91 14.23 1907. 15.44 16.99 15.92 13.34 17.65 1908. 17 53 16.30 15.82 15. 60 16.09 16.73 11.21 17.15 INSECTICIDES AND FUNGICIDES. ARSENATE OF LEAD. Though first proposed for the destruction of leaf-eating insects as long ago as 1892, arsenate of lead has only received general recognition in Canada as a substitute for Paris green during the last three or four years. Judging, however, from the cor- respondence regarding this insecticide during the past two seasons, it is growing rapidly in popularity, having in certain districts already established an excellent repu- tation among orchardists and potato growers. Though possibly a somewhat slower poison than Paris green, it has properties which gives it a certain advantage over this well-known insecticide. In the first place it is non-injurious to foliage, and, therefore, the spray can be used at any desired strength without fear of the leaves being in the least affected. Secondly, it has greater adhesive powers than Paris green, and consequently the period of effectiveness of its spray is longer. And, lastly, owing to its fine state of division it remains longer in suspension than Paris green after being mixed with water, a matter that contributes considerably towards a uniform application of the poison in the spray. Arsenate of lead for insecticidal purposes is prepared and put upon the market chiefly in the form of a paste, the spray being made by simply adding the required weight of paste to the barrel of 40 gallons of water and stirring the mixture. The strength of the spray, to be at once effective and economic, is as yet an open question. Most entomologists, at the present day, advocate for codling moth, potato beetle, &c., from 2 lbs. to 3 lbs. of the commercial paste per 40 gallons of water, and the direc- tions as printed by the manufacturers usually call for amounts within these limits. As this insecticide is not injurious to foliage, larger quantities than these may be used if desired, but such are, of course, more expensive. Certain authorities recommend 5 lbs. to 6 lbs. of the paste per 40 gallons, but it is doubtful if such a strength is neces- sary for general use. There are practical difficulties in the manufacture of commercial arsenate of lead paste which may be said to almost preclude the po^ihility of turning out continuously a product uniform in composition. The aim of the larger number of manufacturers, however, is to place upon the market a paste containing, approximately, 40 per cent REPORT OF THE CHEMIST 179 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 water, in which practically all the arsenic and lead present exist as the insoluble arsenate of lead, and in which the impurities— soluble and insoluble — are present in negligible amounts. The proportion of arsenic to lead will be determined largely by the nature of the chemical used, the percentage of arsenic being higher when lead nitrate is used than when lead acetate is employed as the precipitant. We have not as yet any legal standard in Canada for lead arsenate paste, but from the opinion of entomologists and others in the United States who have considered the matter, it seems desirable that, to be accounted genuine, it should contain at least 50 per cent of arsenate of lead, that the arsenic oxide should not be less than 12-5 per cent, that the water soluble forms of arsenic should not exceed 1 per cent, calculated as arsenic oxide, and that there should be no admixture with foreign materials to reduce or affect its strength. In the table on the following page the analytical data obtained during the past year from the examination of a number of brands of arsenate of lead sold in Canada: 16— 12i 180 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 eb h » a a en from original co iner— KiOlb crock— ve iff paste. iple in original contain II ti II in original package. iple in original contain tially dried out whi ceived. tially dried out wh( ceived. y fine white powder, iginal container. m ^ a 1 H tn 55 tn Dh Cm t> (D O Mm iHO a -^ O m ,:r-t oS tHrH COlMrH g U . . „ . . ... y ft 6 2 *;> *> ^•2^ OS OO-*! oo<» oo*'^ '^ •§§.-2 ^l- NCq " 0> $ r-J © IN ft 2 2 , o ©o o o o o © © 'cS jj© o© '='.'=; 9 ® ■-! ®. -1^ • d ©' ©' © © © © © d H ft© ©© ©o ©o© © tH i-H rH i-l rH i-H t-H i-l r-i e <0 != >>? 05 coin t^T)< OOOl- >^ c3 • r-l IQCO CD© t^(>lr-H iJ ^ ftcO lO ■ •JH 1 11 2 2 s- C u 0) 1 e ^ +> o>£ . • _ C coo erience is concerned this is practically a new insecticide, though its properties as an insoluble compound, harmless to foliage and an effective poison for biting insects, have long been known. Thus, Lodeman, in his manual ' The Spraying of Plants,' 1896, wrote ' As an insecticide it is probably not surpassed by any compound of arsenic; it is advisable to mix some colouring matter with the poison to lessen the danger of mistaking it for some other article.' Arsenite of lime is not upon the market, but its preparation is not a matter of great difficulty. The method more commonly advocated involves, as the first step, the formation of arsenite of soda by the boiling together of white arsenic and washing soda (sal soda or carbonate of soda, in crystals). The proportions generally recom- mended are white arsenic 1 lb., washing soda 4 lbs., water, 1 gallon. These compounds dissolve very readily as the liquid approaches the boiling point, and further heating is unnecessary when they have passed into solution. The result is a solution of arsenite of soda. This cannot he used as a spray as it is strongly corrosive and would quickly strip the trees of their foliage. It must he converted into arsenite of lime. ' The conversion of the arsenite of soda into arsesnite of lime constitutes the second and very essential part of the process; it may be accomplished in one of two ways as follows: 1. Thoroughly slake two pounds of good, fresh quick lime and stir into 40 gallons of water; then pour in with constant stirring of the lime water one pint of the arsenite of soda solution. The spray is ready for use immediately as the forma- tion of arsenite of lime takes place at once. This spray contains 2 ounces of white arsenic or as much arsenic as one made by adding 4 ounces of Paris green to 40 gallons. The above proportions allow for a fair excess of lime, which serves the double purpose of preventing injury to the foliage and of making visible the degree of thoroughness with which the. spray has been applied. 184 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 2. With Bordeaux mixture. This is the more common method as it allows the employment of a fungicide and insecticide in one spray. Bordeaux mixture made according to the formula used so successfully for many years, viz.: 4:4:40, contains a sufficient excess of lime to allow the addition of 1 pint of arsenite of soda solution per barrel of 40 gallons, that is, the excess of lime in the Bordeaux converts all the soluble arsenic into the insoluble arsenite of lime. All that is necessary is to simply pour the requisite quantity of arsenite of soda (1 pint) into the barrel of Bordeaux, stirring meanwhile. We have now Bordeaux mixture containing as much arsenic (in the form of arsenite of lime) as the ' poisoned Bordeaux mixture,' in which 4 ounces of Paris green per barrel has been used. If sprays of greater insecticidal strength are desired, our experimental work shows that 1 quart (instead of 1 pint) of the arsenite of soda solution may be used in either of the above No. 1, or No. 2, and the resultant sprays (now containing the equivalent of 8 ounces Paris green per barrel of 40 gallons) will be found non-injurious to apple and potato foliage. Following upon our experimental work in the preparation of the above sprays, it occurred to us that it might be unnecessary to first form the arsenite of soda, and that the white arsenic, in proper portions, might be added directly to the lime water (No. 1) or to the Bordeaux mixture (No. 2). This simplified method has proved with us quite satisfactory, so far as the complete formation of arsenite of lime and the non-injurious character of the spray to apple and potato foliage are concerned. The two points to be regarded in this method of preparation are (1) that the white arsenic must be in the form of powder, (if lumps are present they may be crushed by rolling the arsenic between sheets of paper with a bottle) ; and (2) that in order to insure complete conversion of the arsenic into arsenite of lime it is desirable that thorough stirring at intervals for say an hour should follow the addition of the white arsenic. The formulae corresponding to the sprays, already described, but in the prepara- tion of which white arsenic is used directly are as follows: — Arsenite of Lime Sprays. (A) Lime 2 lbs. White arsenic (powdered) 2 ounces. Water 40 gallons. (Equivalent in arsenic to a spray containing 4 ounces Paris green per 40 gallons.) (B) Lime 2 lbs. White arsenic (powdered) 4 ounces. Water 40 gallQns. (Equivalent in arsenic to a spray containing 8 ounces of Paris green per 40 gallons.) Bordeaux Mixture with Arsenite of Lime. (C) Lime 4 lbs. Copper sulphate 4 lbs. White arsenic (powdered) 2 ounces. Water 40 gallons. (Equivalent in arsenic to Bordeaux containing 4 ounces Paris green per 40 gallons.) (D) Lime 4 lbs. Copper sulphate 4 lbs. White arsenic (powdered ) 4 ounces. Water 40 gallons. (Equivalent in arsenic to Bordeaux containing 8 ounces Paris green per 40 gallons.) REPORT OF TEE CHEMIST 185 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 At the time of writing this report experiments are in progress in conjunction with the Horticultural Division to ascertain the relative efficiency of these sprays from an insecticidal standpoint. We have proved by actual trial that all the sprays described may be used without fear of injury to the foliage of apple and i>otato. If we may assume that arsenic in the form of arsenite of lime is as effective for irsecticidal purposes as that in Paris green, then these newly proposed sprays will be cheaper than those containing Paris green — for white arsenic is quoted at 13 cents to 17 cents per lb., while Paris green varies from 21 cents to 30 cents per lb., according to quantity purchased. The diiJerence in price of the arsenic in these two chemicals is greater than even the above figures indicate, for the equivalent in arsenic of 1 lb. white arsenic is 2 lbs. of Paris green, making the arsenic in Paris green approximately four times as expensive as that in white arsenic. COMMERCIAL BORDEAUX MIXTURES. Analyses have been made of several brands of Bordeaux paste and Bordeaux powders upon the market. The consensus of opinion among fruit growers appears to be that the freshly prepared mixture has proved a more efficient fungicide than the commercial preparations, and there is little probability from the present outlook that the practice of making the Bordeaux mixture in the field, as at present in vogue, is likely to give way to the use of the factory-made product. The results of this work will, however, be of interest to many of our readers, as numerous inquiries have been received regarding the nature and strength of these commercial preparations. Grasselli's Bordeaux Mixture Paste. — (Laby No. 6760) is a smooth thick paste of a pale blue colour. It contains 62-43 per cent of water, the equivalent of 15-38 per cent of sulphate of copper and 22-30 per cent of slaked lime. In the preparation of the paste a sufficiency of lime has been used to precipitate all the copper, and hence the resultant spray should be non-injurious to foliage. Compared with the home-made mixture prepared from the commonly used formula, 4:4:40, the dilution of this paste according to the printed directions of the manu- facturers would result in a much weaker spray. Vanco Bordeaux Mixture Paste. — (Laby No. 7007.) This is manufactured by the Chemical Laboratories, Ltd., Toronto, and is a brownish creamy paste. Its analysis showed 40-48 per cent water, the equivalent of 24-94 per cent sulphate of copper and 24-81 per cent of slaked lime. There was no free copper sulphate present. This paste, it will be observed, is considerably stronger than No. 6760, just described. CamphelVs Improved Bordeaux Mixture (Laby No. 6613) comes in the form of a powder and is virtually a mixture of sulphate of copper and carbonate of soda and, hence, is properly speaking a Burgundy Bordeaux. Its composition is 62-03 per cent sulphate of copper and 33-38 per cent carbonate of soda. On the addition of water there would be no copper sulphate left in solution. Grasselli's Bordeaux Mixture Powder (Laby No. 6763). — This is a true lime- Bordeaux, and consists of a mixture of anhydrous sulphate of copper and quick lime in the proportion of, approximately, 50 parts of the latter to 30 parts of the former. It is intended to be used only in the dust form. Bordeaux-Lead Arsenate Mixtures. — These preparations are intended to act as a combined insecticide and fungicide. Two samples have been analysed, both products of the Grasselli Chemical Company, with the following results : — Laby No. 6761 — Grasselli's Bordeaux-Lead Arsenate Paste. — A smooth, thick, light-blue paste. Laby No. 6762 — Grasselli's Bordeaux-Lead Arsenate Powder. — A very finely- ground bluish powder. 186 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Analysis of Grassell's Bordeaux-Lead Arsenate Products. Water Hydiate of Lime,' '[da(bH),']'. ...V^.V. .'". Oxide of Lime, (CaO) . . . Cop[jer Sulphate Crystals, (CuSO^SHjO). Copper Sulphate, Anhydrous, (CuSO^). . . Oxide of Lead, (PbO) Arsenic Oxide (AsjOj)". No. 67G1. No. 6762. p. c. 57 07 19-59 13-62 5-89 3-40 p. c. G-87 32-31 18-64 22-51 8-84 Neither of them show excess of sulphate of copper, indicating their non-injurious character to foliage. With respect to the paste (No. C761) the directions state : ' No general rule as to the amount to use can be given. Ten pounds to 60 (U.S.) gallons are used for general spraying. For spraying trees having a delicate foliage, such as peach trees, 10 pounds to 100 gallons of water will be effective.' It may be remarked that at the rate of 10 pounds per 60 (U.S.) gallons the spray would be about one-third as strong as that resulting from the 4:4:40 formula. The powder (No. 6762) is in- tended to be used only in the dust form. LIME-SULPHUR WASHES. This spray, as pointed out in our last annual report, is now being widely used both as an insecticide and a fungicide, not only on dormant wood but, in a diluted form, during the summer.* There seems but little doubt but that the efficiency of the spray depends upon the amount of sulphur present in the form of sulphides. We have, therefore, in the examination of certain brands sold on the Canadian market, deter- mined both the percentage of total sulphur in solution and that of the sulphur com- bined as sulphide. Lime-Sulphur Washes. o o -§ 6832 6935 6933 6934 6822 6766 6936 Brand and Manufacturer. Vanco Lime-Sulphur Wash, Chemical Laboratories Ltd., Toronto. Lime-Sulphur Wash, St. Catharines Cold Storage Co. Lime-Sulphur Wash, GrasselH Chemi- cal Co., Cleveland, U.S.A. > u 00 a eg ,3-S • C t^S X»3 OS .I^OSTTO-^O 13 O -O O T) O 3 G g o Oft ^ftft ^ ftS.2 3. = S-2 c ft = c^ Su.spic Saline Pollut Whole Unpol Kxcell Very t Suspic II Saline '.'''.'' ^ \ '. - '. I * ^ . X '...'''' 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X J C^ 0 0 :C :0 t^ t-^ X •"^•"^©oinin^ — i-iciMxxxox© £ r-« f-* (M C^ IM 'M C^l CI C^ r-i i-l r-H r- Cl C^ Cl CJ Cl C^ C 1 CI be +j a -< m ~ ■ i^T^sa : ; :^ ^e^ '_• t-H C^ • • • r-> CI ^o :'r-ici • '• '■ ■ o • . • ^ ^ 0 ; : :iJ 0 c ^06 : : : ^y-- 6 6 ■■■■■. d ^/5 : : : • • • ■ • ■ • I— ( :a CO Z,Z ca ^^H^a S b feS^JH^ s^-j, M . 3J X . 3 . 3 "S ^-J.^-^-- . ,-^^ o 1^ c ^o::i a < .0 r :f- g |-c 3-ii ^..5 „' ^ Si: S.b •:r ^ ^ 3 0 0 uaqain^ 1 ner. 0 t~co rs s coco p; so •^ ^ > rj eofinot-- cc C5 © 1- CI c ^»c i-n ;3 t^ X 3i © r-i c oooiaoo»;£ CO 0 REPORT OF TEE CHEMIST 197 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 ■73 O § C S ■3 xi^^ 2^ w '^ ^ 3 oj x C O o _o 'o c 2 3 2 5^ ^' rn -J t- Jj CO !> W Ph 7: J- >• P=^ fij o Qj 3 l;^ ^ ,^ !ir -^ "^ ■•/S cyp ^^ 7; P^ O P-i 03 ft "" 3 x> s - 3 0-0 U O (3 ■fi S Wh 0) ,- =s 113 03 - « • . § .H'o ^ S 'S. a| > — 1 . 00 £3 B re and lluted. doubt ry g .0 cidedl lluted. 73 s 0 <*- ^"i- ^ 0 PmcmOQ cm- • . 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CO o O5a^©'*"t^c0®©'f^c0C0lM^l3lI)©co^O00 •^i ©i33CO©©i- O : = - - 03 - C5 © CO C -^ - rt -03 - 1-5 fe C3 o o : : : : :0 : c o . cc • a. eS c« pQpq O 'm ^ s •H . 03 C 03 0. p- .J? -. 3 § t- s_-i:0 C 5 O I- Oj •| 0,-t: ga, S O' s > t c 3--- c8 >>03 • 03 ■ ■ 3 : -O o - cS 2-03 S COCO ; 03 3 c 03 '^^^ •^ 03 cS - (P t- ^ *3 D.C rf 03 03 • > • S : c8 C SO O COr^00©O'-IC0C0-*iOC0l-0C0:©^iMC0 COCOCCCDC^t^t-t^t>.|.-t^t~t-.l-Q00O0000 = _>> • 42 ■a • • t>"" ; : in^ i : < i-j ffi p^ fc; pa > a '" ^ °^> n3 a> cs 03 p^PhOp: r S •*> 5 m C3 • *^ *^ ^ /5 f= S :Oog . ^ ^ 2 3'OOh:i - . c : c -tJ o a M r3 03 oboo COt^CO©© i-llMC01erfectly feasible for any enthusiastic farmer who desires, and can spare the time, to make a hobby of it. Most seed growers, however, would probably do better by testing on their farms a few different varieties of grain, choosing those most suitable to their own conditions, and then confining their attention to the maintenance of the purity of each sort grown. This, of course, presupposes that at least a small quantity of seed of each sort can be obtained in pure condition to begin with. This can usually be done without very much difficulty. For the maintenance of the purity of his grain some such method as the follow- ing— which will be found both easy and effective — may be followed. The farmer should choose a particularly clean and fertile piece of land for his special seed plot. In sowing the grain it is advisable to stop up about every eighth spout in the seed drill, so as to facilitate walking through the standing grain later in the season. If only a few pounds of pure seed are available the first season a small plot must be sown, but when a larger quantity of seed is on hand, one or two acres (or more) may be sown as a special seed plot — ^^enough to provide all the seed required for the following year. The seed plot should be gone through once or twice during the growing season and everything that looks false to the desired type of grain should be removed. This should be done again just before the grain is cut. The task may appear formidable to any one who has not tried it; but it is really by no means difficult. If the special seed plot covers only a small fraction of an acre, it is imperative that the crop should be threshed by hand, as otherwise it will almost certainly be seriously mixed with 204 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 ether seed when passing through the threshing machine. For the threshing of larger quantities the machine should be cleaned out as thoroughly as possible before the operation is begun and the tirst few bushels of seed that pass through should be rejected. It is highly desirable to thresh the special plot after some totally distinct grain, so that if any seeds remain in the machine and are carried over into the special grain they may he easily seen and separated. Wheat, barley or oats could, for in- stance, advantageously follow peas. The seed grain should be well cleaned in a fan- ning mill, and as much of it as is to be used the next year for the special seed plot should be hand picked during the following winter : an easy matter considering the .small quantity required. The main portion of the seed may be used for the general farm crop of the next year without any further preparation than that given by the fanning mill. In this way any farmer can keep his seed grain in excellent condition, and can maintain its purity with the minimum of labour and with no danger of altering the characteristics of the variety by errors in selection. This method will be found far more satisfactory in the great majority of cases than the time-honoured custom of a change of seed every few years, with its attendant dangers of new weeds and unsuit- able types of grain. SPECIAL DISTRIBUTION OF SEED GRArN". In order to meet the wishes of farmers who grow seed grain for sale (and who are specially interested in obtaining samples of seed of the highest possible degree of purity and of the very best strains, to serve as the foundation stock for their varieties) a limited distribution of the newest and choicest strains has been commenced, from the office of the Cerealist. The grain thus distributed is all produced by the most careful and scientific methods of selection available, and may be depended upon to exhibit a degree of purity practically unattainable when large quantities of different varieties are dealt with. It should be distinctly understood that the quantity of this special seed on hand in any season will necessarily be very small, and that the distribution is intended only for farmers who are in the habit of growing seed grain for sale and who do not con- sider it ' too much troubl.e ' to give particular care to seed of unusual value. MILLING AND BAKING TESTS. Tests of a number of varieties of wheat grown at the different Experimental Farms, and of wheat stored under varying conditions, were carried on during the past winter'. The publication of the full results of these experiments is reserved for some future time, but a brief synopsis of some of the most important parts of the work is here given. A complete explanation of the methods by which these tests are carried on has already been given in Bulletins 57 and 60 of the Experimental Farm Series. VARIETIES OF SPRING AND WINTER WHEAT. Some of the most interesting varieties of ordinary spring wheat, durum wheat and winter wheat are reported upon in the following table. All the samples were grown in the year 1908. The total yield of flour cannot readily be determined, with sufficient accuracy for publication, when a small experimental flour mill is used. The figures for break flour are given, however, as they furnish a fair guide as to the relative hardness of the different samples tested. REPORT OF THE CEREALI8T 205 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 The colour of the inside of the loaf, given in the last column, has usually a fairly- close relationship to the colour of the flour, esi)ecially when wheats of thfi same class are compared. S s bo a 245 246 244 243 251 230 237 238 239 240 241 242 Variety. Spring Wheats. Red Fife H It Marquis Chelsea Stanlej' A Durum Wheats. Kubanka II •• ..... Whiter Wheat. Kharkov Turkey Red No. 380 ......'.'.'.. II (Comuiercial Seed) Where Grown. Brandon Indian Head Brandon It Indian Head Lethbridge (not irrigated) . . . . Indian Head Lethbridge (irrigated) II (not irrigated) II II . . . Lacombe (after timothy sod). . M (after summer fallow fco c3 u s er cent of moisture. The figures given in the table have been recalculated, where necessary, on the basis of 8 per cent of moisture. s tlO 1 How Sample was Treated. ^ Weight of dry o" wheat, per mea- sured bushel. Water absorbed in making dough. Water retained by bread, one hour after bak- ing. Volume of loaf from 100 gram- mes of flour. Shape of loaf, (height divided by diameter). O £ X H P o (4-1 o Xi 60 a £ 02 p. c. p. c. c. c. 246 Original sample 621 61 65 40-5 454 69 94 93 247 Wet for five minutes 64-5 40 471 68 97 94 24S Damp for ten minutes 60i G4-5 40-3 479 68 97 96 249 Damp for twenty days 60 605 36-6 521 79. 98 100 252 Damp for twenty-seven days. . . . , -^Si 56 33-5 506 68 76 86 The effect of the water in destroying the brightness and richness of colour of the wheat was very marked, the samples kept damp for the longer times having, when dried again, almost the appearance of soft wheats. They did not, however, show any noteworthy increase in the proportion of break flour obtained from them. The action of the moisture, as shown in the table, caused a decided lowering of the weight per bushel, from the very beginning. The later samples also show less water absorption in making dough, though the difference in this respect is trivial until No. 249 is reached. In regard to volume, shape and texture, the bread made from the damp wheats was better the longer they had been exposed to the (supposed) adverse conditions, until No. 249 was reached. After this there was a sudden falling off. The figures for baking strength (which are an attempt to express under one head the average conduct of the flour in all respects) show an unmistakable improvement vp to No. 249. This sample, though slightly musty when very damp, showed no mustiness in the bread. Indeed the bread produced from it was distinctly the most attractive, except that it had perhaps a somewhat less rich flavour than the bread made from the samples with lower numbers. No. 248 was distinctly superior to the original sample and No. 247 slightly so. No. 252 produced very poor bread of rather dark colour and slight musty flavour. The colour of the bread from the other four samples was practically uniform. The baking tests were repeated several times and showed a striking agreement between the different bakings in regard to all the samples. 208 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 The conclusion which must be drawn from this series of experiments is tiiiil dampness in wheat although very injurious to its appearance does npt necessarily injure, but under some conditions actually improves, the intrin&ic value (to the bakfT^ of the straight grade flour produced from it. No doubt injurious action of the mois- ture would commence earlier at higher temperatures than it did in this series of trials, but on the other hand it should be remembered that the amount of moisture present in the wheat in these tests was greater than that usually found in 'damp' or ' tough ' wheat. ' EFFECT OF VARIOUS INGREDIENTS IN BREAD. The determinations of the baking strength of flour which have been made in thi.s laboratory have always been based on what may conveniently be termed ' plain ' bread. Nothing is added to the flour except water, salt and yeast, and a quantity of cane sugar so small that it is probably all decomposed by the action of the yeast before the fermentation of the dough is ended. Most of the home-made bread produced in Canada is probably essentially ' plain,' but commercial bakers almost invariably add one or more ingredients to their dough either to produce some special effect on the lightness, colour or flavour, or to make their product comply with the requirements of the law so as to be sold as ' fancy ' bread. The question naturally arises, therefore: whether the relative positions of various flours in regard to strength will remain unchanged when other materials are added in bread making. Considerable work has been done, in this laboratory, on this problein ; but it comes up in so many different aspects that it would be premature to draw many conclusions at present. In a general way it appears that most flours are affected similarly when any additional substance is added to the dough. There are cases, how- ever, where on.e flour is improved in strength by the addition of some substance whit-ii produces little or no effect on another flour. Among the substances, other than water, yeast, salt and sugar, which are some- times added to the flour or dough in bread making, the following may be mentioned: Lard, butter, cotton-seed oil, milk, evaporated milk, malt flour, malt extract, diastase and potatoes. All of these are quite unobjectionable, provided the bread produced satisfies the taste of the consumer. SMALL PLOTS OF CEREALS, &c. The small plots grown in 1908 included several hundred of cross-bred origin which were not quite fijied in character, as well as nearly 150 new cross-bred varieties of fixed type but not yet named. Many new, selected strains of older varieties were also grown. The small plots of new or little known named sorts were as follows : — Spring wheat. — B arietta, Gyangtse, Onega, Red Cedar, Rust-free Russian and Seven Nations. Durum wheat. — lumillo and Pellissier. Oats. — Chinese Naked and Victory. Barley. — Early Indian, Gyangtse, Karim, Kars, Kutais, Leader, Leh, Taganrog and Vologda. UNIFORM TEST PLOTS OF CEREALS, &c. The most important varieties of cereals, field roots, &c., which are obtainable commercially are annually grown in test plots along with the cross-bred and selected / •^: v^ y: I \ 5094— p. 208. Early ripening varieties of Spring Wheat. 1. Mai-quis 2. Stanley (Selection A). 3. Early Red Fife. REPORT OF THE CEREALIST 209 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 sorts produced at this farm and other varieties obtained from various sources. The objects of these tests are to determine the rekitive productiveness, earliness, &c., of the different varieties. Those which for a series of years are found to be distinctly inferior are rejected, in order to keep the list within as small bounds as possible. The test plots of grain are one-sixtieth of an acre and those of field roots one- hundredth of an acre. The number of these test plots grown during the past season was as follows : Spring wheat, 36; durum wheat, 4; winter wheat, 20; emmer and spelt, 10; oats, 55; six-row barley, 20; two-row barley, 25; peas, 22; spring rye, 2; winter rye, 3; field beans, 4; flax, 4; turnips, 13; mangels, 12; carrots, 6; sugar beets, 3; Indian corn, 26, making a total of 265 plots, and representing about 250 varieties. For some years the number of plots has been steadily reduced by the elimination of the less desirable varieties. A large increase in the number will occur as soon as the new cross-bred varieties produced during the last few years begin to take their places in these larger plots. WEATHER. While the spring of 1908 was not perhaps unusually cold at Ottawa, so large a quantity of rain fell at short intervals throughout April and May that seeding was very seriously delayed. Warm weather followed almost as soon as the seed was in the ground, and the prevailing character of the summer was dry. Early autumn was very dry. Such conditions were extremely unfavourable to cereals and distinctly adverse to almost all farm crops; so that the yields obtained were in many instances far below the average. SPRING WHEAT. The test plots of wheat could not be sown until May 6, owing to the continued wet weather. The seed was used at the rate of about IJ bushels to the acre. The soil was a loam of variable character. Owing to the drought which followed the wet weather those portions of the field which were of a somewhat heavier character than the others became so hard that the growth of the young plants was almost stopped. The yields of the following varieties (which suffered most severely) are not published, as they would give no fair indication of their productiveness under average con- ditions : Alpha Selected, Aurora, Bobs, Downy Riga, Ebert Selected, Hungarian White, 7 E 3. Some of these plots were also injured by the larva of the Hessian fly. The variety designated Early Red Fife is an early strain of Red Fife selected by the Cerealist in the year 1903 and propagated from a single plant. It was recorded in previous publications as Red Fife B. Varieties without names are new cross-bred sorts produced by the Cerealist, but which are not yet ready for distribution. Those varieties which have a letter after the name are new strains propagated from single selected plants. The yield per acre is expressed in pounds and also in bushels of 60 pounds. The character of the straw is indicated by marks on a scale of 10 points, according to the proportion of the plot standing erect at harvest time. * Varieties and selected strains produced at the Central Experimental Farm are marked with an asterisk. 16—14. 210 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Spring Wheat — Test of Varieties. 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Name of Variety. Bishop A.* VVhite Russian . . . , Preston H.* Stanley A.* , Red Fem Percy A.* Red Fife M.* Yellow Cross* Chelsea* Pringle'sChamplainC Red Fife H.* White Fife C* 9G.* Early Red Fife* Yellow Queen* Spence Yellow* Yellow Fife* Prospec-t * Huron Selected * . . . . Gatineau* Marquis* Early Russian * Outlook* Date of Rijien- iug. Aug. 2. M 10. o II O. M 7. ,- 10. « 7. „ 14. ., 1. „ 3. „ 3. „ 14. .. 14. ,1 10. .. 7. n 3. July 29. ,, 29. M 31. Aug. 6 H 20. .. 10. M 2. M 10. C3 CO Q ^ to 96 89 93 96 93 100 87 89 89 100 100 96 93 89 84 84 86 92 106 96 88 96 Average Length of Straw, Includ- ing Head. Inches. 36 36 34 40 40 36 38 37 34 33 38 38 39 36 38 33 36 32 30 28 36 32 34 Strength of Straw on a Scale of 10 Points. 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 d > o In. H Sh 3| 3i 3| 4 3i 3 34 3.^ 3i 3i 3 H H 3i 3 I 3| 32 Yield jjer Acre. Lbs. 1380 1320 12!(0 1290 1260 1230 1230 1230 1200 1200 1140 1140 1110 1050 1020 930 900 840 780 750 750 720 720 (U Yield per Acre. 23 .. 22 .. 21 30 21 30 21 .. 20 30 20 30 20 30 20 .. 20 .. 19 .. 19 .. 18 30 17 30 17 .. 15 30 15 .. 14 .. 13 .. 12 30 12 30 12 .. 12 .. ei oi a Lbs. 60.i 60 59 58 62i 60i 59| 62| 6l{ 61| 60^ 60^ 57 62 61i 63| 62 eoi 59i 59" 60| 62i 59| Rusted. Badly. Considerably. Badly." Considerably. Badly. Considerably. Badly. II Slightly. Considerablj'. Badly." Considerably. Badly. Considerably. Most Productive Varieties of Spring Wheat. — Excluding the durum wheats, which are considered separately, the following varieties of wheat have shown unusual productiveness for a series of years on this farm : Preston, Pringle's Champlain, Red Fern, Huron and Bishop. The first four of these are hard red wheats with bearded heads. Bishop is a very early white wheat and is beardless. Of the five varieties Red Fern and Pringle's Champlain are probably the best for the production of strong flour. Somewhat lower in yield, but superior in the strength of their flour are Red Fife and White Fife, both beardless. Among the varieties which have not yet been tested for many years in succession, but which have proved very productive, may be mentioned Chelsea and Marquis, both early, beardless sorts. Marquis produces the stronger flour of the two for baking purposes. Earliest Varieties of Spring Wheat. — Some of the very early kinds of spring wheat grown on this farm are not at present being distributed or recommended for general cultivation. Farmers applying for very early sorts should remember that extreme earliness is frequently associated with a rather small yield, short straw, liability to rast, or some other defect to which the more vigorous wheats are less subject. The earliest wheats which are included in the regular distribution of seed grain from this farm are Marquis, Stanley and Chelsea (beardless and having red kernels), and Preston, Huron and Pringle's Champlain (bearded and having red kernels). Bobs and Bishop are early beardless sorts which are not generally distributed, because the pale colour of their bran would cause them to be graded below their actual value in the Manitoba Inspection Division. Bishop is perhaps the earliest of the eight varieties mentioned; but they are all earlier than Red Fife. REPORT OF THE CEREALI8T 211 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 DUKUM OR MACARONI WHEAT. The different varieties of durum wheat are by no means identical in quality, though they are usually considered to be so. Some are particularly good for the making of macaroni, and excellent bread (of a rich yellowish colour) can be made from others, but some of the varieties are not very good for either of these purposes. Kubanka (probably identical with Beloturka) is one of the best for bread making and for macaroni. The extreme hardness of these wheats and the yellowish colour of the flour pro- duced from them make them quite unpopular at present with both millers and bakers. Farmers who grow durum wheat should obtain one of the best varieties and should exercise great care to prevent the grain from becoming mixed with wheat which is to be sold for the making of ordinary flour. As a rule the durum wheats suffer less from drought and from rust than other sorts. They may, therefore, prove useful in some cases, especially in any rather dry districts where rust is apt to be severe. They are not, however, to be recommended for damp climates. It should also be borne in mind that the market price of durum wheat is usually lower than that paid for varieties which are popular for milling purposes. Several of the varieties which have been shown to be inferior to the others have been discontinued. The plots of durum wheat were sown on May 6, the seed being used at such a rate as would be equivalent to 1| bushels per acre of seed of high vitality. The climate at Ottawa is usually too damp for these wheats and the seed saved is generally of rather low vitality. The soil was a loam of fair quality which, however, became very dry, soon after the young plants had appeared above the ground. On this account growth was seriously interfered with, and only a very small crop of grain was obtained. The yield per acre is expressed in pounds and in ' bushels ' of 60 pounds. Durum Wheat — Test of Varieties. Date nf Ripen- Average Length of Strength of Straw ^1 Yield Yield per ed after ig. Name of Variety. o Straw, inckid- on a Scale of 10 per Acre. per Acre. \\^-\ Rusted. ing. d ing Head. pomts. > ^S^-o Inches. In. Lbs. CD xn 3 X! Lbs. 1 2 (xoose Beloturka Aug. 7. ,. 10 93 96 30 34 10 10 2i 2i 750 630 pa 1-; 12 30 10 30 62 62i Considerably. s Kubanka „ 10. M 17. 96 103 34 26 10 10 2h 570 570 £ 30 9 30 61i 61" 4 Roumanian Badly. The variety called Roumanian has given the highest average yield during the past five years. It is, however, of poor quality for bread and probably also for macaroni and should not be grown for any but feeding purposes. WINTER WHEAT. The plots of winter wheat were sown on August 31, 1907, the seed being used at the rate of about 1| bushels to the acre. The soil was a rather light loam. 16— 14J 212 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 The young plants made good growth in the autumn, hut some of the plots suffered rather severely during the winter and early spring. A good yield was obtained, how- ever, from most of the varieties. The yield per acre is expressed in pounds and also in * bushels ' of GO pounds. Winter Wheat — Test of Varieties. .a g Name of Variety. 1 American Banner, 2 Dawson's Golden Chaff 3 Jones' Winter Fife . 4 Gold Coin 5| Early Windsor 6|Egypt|an Ajnber y - 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 IG 17 l.> Early Red Clawson. Abundance. Imperial Amber .... Invincible Red Chief Pro.sperity ... Reliable Red Velvet Chaff.... Silver Sheaf Tasmania Red Kharkov Turkey Red No. 380 Date of Ripen- ing. July 19, I, 19. M 18. ., 20 ,- 19. M 18. ,■ 19. „ 19. „ 20. „ 20 „ 23. „ 22 ,. 23. M 21. M 22. „ 23. „ 22. 1. 24. as 323 323 322 324 323 322 323 323 324 324 327 32G ;-!27 32."i 320 327 320 328 Average Length of Straw, includ- ing Head. Inches. 52 53 54 52 50 53 ♦ 53 50 54 52 54 52 54 53 54 52 41 46 Strength of Straw on a Scale of 10 points. 10 10 10 10 9 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 9 10 8 8 8 10 Eld h o 0) In. 3i 2i 3 2h 2i 3 2i 3 3| '■it 3h 3| 31 H 3 2i 3 Yield per Acre. Lbs. 3,480 3,450 3,420 3,270 3,270 3,090 3,000 3,000 2,!^50 2,670 2,670 2,640 2,520 2,490 2,460 2,100 2,100 1,740 Yield per Acre. 3 ^ pa ^-5 58 .. 57 30 57 . 54 30 54 30 51 30 50 .. 50 .. 47 30 44 20 44 30 44 .. 42 . 41 30 41 .. 35 . 35 .. 29 .. ^-c. a.;: CL c; tio 3.SJ Lbs. 61 60 62 61 61 62| 60 61 62^ 61i 61 61 63 61J 6U 62i 62| 61^ Rusted. Slightly. Considerably. Badly. Considerably. Slightly. Recommended Varieties of Winter Wheat. — The climate of Ottawa being rather too severe for the regular production of good crops of winter wheat, the average yields obtained here would scarcely serve as a satisfactory guide for farmers in southern Ontario. Some recommendations in regard to varieties of winter wheat may, how- ever, be given. One of the best varieties in the field is Dawson's Golden Chaff (beardless). It has the disadvantage, however, of giving flour which is low in baking strength and therefore suitable for crackers, cakes, &c., but not for light bread. The gluten content of this variety is not high enough to make it quite satisfactory for the production of rolled wheat and other similar cereal products, though it is used for these purposes. Turkey Red (bearded) yields the strongest flour, but does not as a rule give in Ontario as large a yield of grain per acre as some of the other sorts. Egyptian Amber (bearded) and Tasmania Red (bearded) give good yields of grain and produce very good flour for bread making. Imperial Amber (bearded) is another variety which can also be recommended both for its high yield and the very fair strength of its flour. EMMER AND SPELT. The plots of Emmer and Spelt were sown on May 6, the seed being used at the rate of about 120 lbs. (or four bushels by measure) to the acre. The soil was a rather stiff loam which became quite hard during the very dry weather. The yield of all the varieties was therefore very poor. REPORT OF THE CEREALIST 213 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Common Emmer (often incorrectly called ' Speltz ') is one of the best varieties, being less coarse and containing a larger proportion of kernel than most of the other sorts. Emmer and Spelt — Test of Varieties. ^ 1 Name of Variety. 1 Double Emmer. 2 3 4 5 6 7' 8 f) 10 Common Emmer Smooth Spelt . . . Red Spelt Red Emmer . . . Thick Emmer . . . White Spelt.. .. White Emmer. . . 9 J .3 9K2 Date of Ripe- ning. Aug. 2 n 2 tl 20 tl 20 n 19 21 20 26 6 7 ? So o =* 88 88 106 106 105 107 106 112 92 93 Average] length of strawin- cluding head. eS O o a Inches. 30 28 24 26 28 26 24 30 26 20 ce-s Average Itsngth aa ^ 5. of head. m 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 Inches. If n 3 2i 3 2 Yield per Acre. Lbs. 990 810 750 720 630 570 390 360 360 180 Lbs. 30^ 36 27 26^ 32i 27" 25 27 34 29i Rusted. Considerably. Badly. Considerably. OATS. Owing to the wet weather the plots of oats could not be sown until May 15 and 16 — ^much later than the usual time. The seed was used at the rate of about 2 bushels x>er acre for most varieties, but in greater quantities whenever the oats were of unusually large size. The soil was a rich loam. Considering the unfavourable character of the season, a fair crop was obtained from most of the varieties. Slight variations in the character of the soil made, how- ever, unusually large variations in the returns. Abundance and Joanette were so unfortunately situated that the yields obtained from them were altogether misleading and are therefore omitted from the following table. The yield per acre is expressed in i)ounds and also in ' bushels ' of 34 pounds. * Varieties and selected strains produced at the Central Experimental Farm are marked with an asterisk. 214 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS Oats — Test of Varieties. 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Name of Variety. IjDanish Island 2 Dinauer 3 GoHen Beauty , 4 Welcome ■5 Virginia White 6 White Giant Selected' 7|Twentieth Century. . . 8J Swedish St^lect 9,fiarton's Abundance . , 10 Piont-er (black) , 11 Swedish Ligowo 12 Improved American. . , 13 Siberian 14 Thousand Dollar 15 Daubeney Selected*. . . 16 Fichtel Mountain 17j Whiting 18 Early Ripe 19 Gold Rain 20Goldfinder.. 21 Green Russian 22 Excelsior (black) 23 Improved Ligowo 24 Wide Awake 25 Tlola (black) 26 White Wonder 27! Irish Victor 28lMennonite 29,Milford White* iiO Black Mesdag 31'Banner B* 32 Tartar King 33 Bergs (black) 34 Sixty Day 35 Storm King 36 Golden Giant 37 Lincoln 38 Colossal 39Kirsche 40 Bell (black). 41 42 43 44 to Atlantic . Kendal White* American Triumph Chinese Naked Aug. 6, „ 10. M 10. „ G. n G, M S. M 6. M G. M 8. M 5. ., 5. „ 6. ,. 8. M 6. July 29. Aug. 10. „ G July 30. Aug. 5. .- 14. „ 6. ,. 10. ,> 5. „ G. July 30. „ 31. Aug. 5. M 3. „ 5. July 29. Aug. 6. M 5. II O. July 24. Aug. 5. ,1 17. .1 6. „ 8. „ G. ., 12. ,1 3. II 8. ,1 G. ,. 8. tlD fi-s o 43 83 87 87 82 82 84 82 83 85 82 82 83 85 82 75 87 82 76 82 91 83 87 82 82 75 76 82 80 82 75 83 81 80 70 82 94 83 85 83 8;) 80 85 83 85 C O ^ 5 =« ^^ ^ bD C4 O Inches. 39 38 38 44 44 40 40 38 40 38 40 34 36 36 38 40 34 38 34 45 35 42 36 35 41 42 36 30 36 35 34 35 33 30 33 44 29 38 29 3S 28 29 27 28 o -02 0 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 5 10 10 10 10 10 8 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 8 10 !0 10 10 10 10 10 10 bo a a y^ . --§ 0/ w In. 7 7 G| 7 7 8 Gh 5S 51 «l 6^ 6 6 7 6^ 6 7 7h 7 6 I* 7h. 7 8 6| 7h 6 6 7 9 H 7 H 6 6 u a, 13 Lbs. 3210 30! )0 3090 30-0 3030 3030 3000 2970 2910 2850 2820 2730 27.30 2700 2610 2580 2580 2.550 2520 2490 2490 2460 2430 24.30 2310 2280 2190 2160 21.30 2070 2040 2040 1980 1920 1890 1830 1830 1710 1530 1440 1410 1260 1080 870 < t-l a 3 JD 94 14 <)0 30 90 30 90 30 89 4 89 4 88 8 87 12 85 20 83 28 82 32 80 10 SO 10 79 14 76 26 75 30 75 30 75 . , 74 4 73 8 73 8 72 12 71 16 71 16 67 32 67 2 64 14 63 18 62 22 60 30 CO 60 58 8 56 16 55 20 53 28 53 28 50 10 45 42 12 41 16 37 2 31 26 25 20 bo c3 Lbs. 35 33 33 35i 35| 32i 35| 36| 36 35^ 35^ 32^ 34^ .35J! 33" 33 34 28J^ 37i 32^ 36 34 35i .3l| 40i 3li 3-'| 35 32^ 32 35 36i 29| 37 31 32 35 32 31 33f 35 33 53 Rusted. Badly. Considerably. Badly. Considerably. Badly. n Considerably. Badly." II Considerably. Badly. Considerably. Badly. Considerably. Badly. Most Productive Varieties of Oats. — Among the most productive kinds of oats ■which have been grown for several years at this farm the following varieties deserve special mention : Twentieth Century, White Giant, Garton's Abundance, Thousand Dollar and Banner among the white varieties. One or more of these kinds can be obtained from any good seedsman. Golden Beauty and Mennonite are very produc- tive yellow oats, but do not seem to possess any points of superiority over the best white varieties. Among the black oats Excelsior and Pioneer, comparatively new varieties, have given large yields, but not so large as the most productive white sorts. Earliest Varieties of Oats. — The varieties called Sixty Day and Early Ripe are extremely early in ripening, but cannot be recommended to take the place of the later, standard sorts. Selections from these two varieties are now being propagated in order to obtain types of fixed character. These may be useful in certain special cases. REPORT OF THE CEREALIST 215 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Somewhat less early, but probably more satisfactory as a rule, are Daubeney and Tartar King. These oats are obtainable in commerce, but farmers will usually find some of the later and more productive varieties to be on the whole more profitable. SIX-ROW BARLEY. The plots were sown on May 7, the seed being used at the rate of about two bushels to the acre. The soil was a rather heavy loam. The yield per acre is expressed in pounds and also in ' bushels ' of 48 pounds. * Varieties and selected strains produced at the Central Experimental Farm are marked with an asterisk. Six-Row Barley — Test of Varieties. , aa j3 - _; ^ c« - bb >i ^ ca .w ® 03 ■^ . c s ri bo— ^ bo i-4 U o.S Strength of 3 . ^1 < o < Si Name of Variety. <4-l o V 2 05 t- a Straw on a s.^ s. ^-^^ Rusted. ^ i^ U 3 Scale of -a 'w ■^ts a 1.2 32 0) «4^ .^ > o o 10 points. > o % z> ►5 S"^ ^ Q z; < *11 >^ >^ ^ Inches. Ins. Lbs. D Si P3 I-; Lbs. 1 Stella* July 29. 83 35 10 3S 2730 56 42 47 Slightly. 2 Manchurian A* ■. 27. 81 30 10 3 2580 53 36 46J ft 8 Odessa M 27. „ 29. .- 29. 81 83 83 32 ;-2 28 10 10 10 H si 3; 2370 2370 2340 49 18 4J 18 48 36 47 45 47 H 4 Tro(>per* f) Oberbruch II (^ IVlandscheun . .. 27. „ 27. 81 81 30 28 10 10 3 2| 2220 2220 46 12 46 12 46 46i 7 Nugent* H 8 Claude* M 2"). 79 27 10 H 2it;o 45 .. 4-H It 9 Champion (beardless). . M 2.3. 77 28 10 2h 2130 44 18 40 Considerably. 10 Esccurgeon .. 25. 79 27 10 •)3 ■^4 213C 44 18 48i Slightly. 11 Mensury M 27. 81 30 10 3 2130 44 IS 47 II 12 Small Blue Naked .... M 31. 85 24 10 3 2040 42 24 57^ Considerably. l.S Yale* . M 31. 85 34 10 2h 19S0 41 12 47 II 14 Empire* •1 27. 81 25 10 2h 1800 37 24 47 Slightly. 1'. Mansfield* M 29. M 2.5. 83 79 28 20 10 10 2i 2 1800 1710 37 24 35 30 47i 47 ir> Black Japan Considerably. 17 Blue Long Head Aug. 2. 87 26 10 3i 15G0 32 24 40^ liadly. 18 Albert* M 1. 8(j 24 10 H 1440 30 .. 4o Slightly. 19 Bere ,Tuly31. 85 24 10 3| 1140 23 36 44 Considerably. 20 Eclipse Aug. 3. 88 25 10 '^h 810 16 42 48 Badly. Most Productive Vaneties of Six-row Barley. — Among the most productive sorts which have been tested for several years at this farm are Mensury, Odessa, Nugent and Stella. Mensury and Odessa are obtainable from most seedsmen in Canada. Earliest Varieties of Six-row Barley. — The differences in earliness among the varieties of Six-row Barley are not very striking. Among the earliest sorts are Men?urj- and Odessa. Beardless Six-row Barley. — Champion is the most productive variety of beardless barley that has been grown here. It ripens early, but usually gives a poor yield and is not to be recommended. It is obtainable in commerce. Hulless Six-row Barley. — The most productive variety of hulless six-row barley which has been tested at this farm is Hulless Black. This is a bearded sort and can be obtained in commerce. It ripens early, but has weak straw and gives a small yield. 216 EXPERIMENTAL FARAIS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 TWO-KOW BAELEY. The plots were sown on May 7 and 11, the seeding being, unfortunately, interrupted by rain. The seed was used at the rate of about 2 bushels to the acre. The soil was a loam of rather heavy character. The yield per acre is expressed in pounds and also in ' bushels ' of 48 pounds. * Varieties "and selected strains produced at the Central Experimental Farm are marked with an asterisk. Two-KoAV Barley — Test of Varieties. X! 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 1» 19 20 21 22 23 Name of Variety. Caucasian HuUess. . Hannchen Clifford* Black Two-row. . . . Swedish Chevalier . Old Irish Princess Archer Chevalier.. . Beaver* Canadian Thorpe. . Early Chevalier* . . . Sidney* Danish Chevalier. , Primus Swan's Neck Gordon* Brewer's Favourite Hofbrau Standwell French Chevalier. . Jarvis* Jewel* Invincible Date of Ripen- ing. July Aug. a) 27. 81 31.! 81 31. 85 10. 95 89 M 1. 82 „ 10. 91 „ 12. 97 July 31 . 85 Aug. 10. 95 July 25. 75 Aug. 3. 84 „ 10. 91 ,. 13. 94 M 8. 89 July 30. 80 Aug. 10. 115 n 10. 91 „ 13. 94 .. 1. 82 M 3. .S4 „ 14. 95 „ 13. 94 Average Length of Straw, includ- ing Head. Inches. 32 24 42 30 32 28 27 30 40 29 3(5 32 3.5 28 27 27 27 25 30 30 32 25 25 Strength of Straw on a Scale of 10 points. 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 bo a Iffi In. 3| H 4 4i 31 4 3i 3 4 3i ^ 3| 3| 3 3i 4i 3| 3i^ 4 3i 3i Yield per Acre. Lbs. 2430 2130 2040 18!'0 1860 1830 1830 1770 1770 1740 1710 1650 1530 1530 1530 1500 1410 1410 1410 13S0 12G0 1230 1170 Yield peF Acre. J3 3 J2 k1 50 30 44 18 42 24 39 18 38 30 38 6 38 6 36 42 36 42 36 12 35 30 34 18 31 42 31 42 31 42 31 12 29 18 29 18 29 18 28 36 26 12 25 30 24 18 eg ID tiC -&: Lbs. 61 49 4(if 47 48 48i 4S| 49 4:H 48 49 48^ 404 49i 46| 471 47 48 49 49i 46i 48i 48| Rusted. Slightly. Considerably. Badly." ti Considerably. Badly. Slightly. Badly. Slightiy. Considerably. Badly. Considerably. Badly. Slightly. Considerably. Badly. Most Productive Va/rieties of Two^ow Barley. — The following varieties are among the most productive: Hannchen (a Swedish selection of the famous Hanna barley). Swan's Neck, Standwell, Clifford, Canadian Thorpe, Invincible and the different strains of Chevalier. Earliest Varieties of Two-row Barley. — The earliest sorts among those thoroughly tested at this farm are Hannchen, Beaver and Jarvis. Beardless and Hulless Two-row Barley. — The varieties of beardless and of hulless two-row barley which have been tested at this farm have not, as a rule, shown sufficient strength of straw to make them profitable sorts for farmers to cultivate. This past season the variety known as Caucasian Hulless did very well, but the weather was of unusual character and this barley has not yet been grown here long enough to determine its strength and yield under average conditions. PEAS. The plots of peas were sown on May 14, the seed being used at the rate of two or three bushels to the acre, according to the size of the pea. The soil was a rather heavy loam. REPORT OF TEE CEREALIST 217 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 The yield i)er acre is expressed in pounds and also in ' bushels ' of 60 pounds. * Varieties and selected strains produced at the Central Experimental Farm are marked with an asterisk. Peas — Test of Varieties. Name of Variety. Prussian Blue. . . Arthur Selected*. Piiragon* 4 Mackay* 5 Prince* 6 White Marrowfat 7 Canadian Beauty . . . . 8 Chancellor. ... . . . . 9 Victoria* lOj English Grey lli.Agnes* 12 Daniel O'Rourke . . . . ISPicton*. 14 Wisconsin Blue . .... 15 Black-eye Marrowfat. 16 Early Britain 17 Zulu 18| Archer*... 19, Golden Vine 20 Gregory* •— < Date of "Ripen- ing. 03 Q bb C t- . 3 Ai ig.l3. , 11. 91 89 . 17. 95 . 17. 95 . 17. 95 , 21. 99 . 21. 99 . 10. 88 , 20. 98 , 20. 98 ■ 21. 99 - 17. 95 . 17. 95 , 19. 97 , 21. 99 , 20. 98 , 19. 97 , 21. 99 , 20. 98 - 22. 100 Character of Growth. Inches. Strong — 58 II .... 42 It .... 45 II .... 34 II .... 36 II .... 50 II .... 65 II .... 45 II .... 50 If .... 55 It .... 43 It .... 50 II .... 36 ■ ti .... 48 II .... 50 II .... 55 II .... 48 It .... 50 It .... 38 II .... 45 fco s a> > o be c: (BT! bco > O In. 2i 2i 2i 2| 2i 2i 2| If 2i 2h 2 2 n 2i 2 2 2i Yield per Acre. Lbs. 2280 2220 2190 2010 2010 2010 1770 1770 1710 1650 1620 1620 1590 1590 1.530 15.30 1440 1410 1230 1020 Yield per Acre. 3 XI P3 1-5 38 .. 37 .. .36 30 33 SO 33 30 33 30 29 30 29 30 28 30 27 30 27 .. 27 .. 26 30 26 30 25 30 25 30 24 .. 23 30 20 30 17 .. c3 Date 3> S Length Strength 0) ^-oi^ . of y^ of of ■C Yield Yield Kf^ u Name of Variety. Ripen- "1^ Straw, Straw on IT) C^ per per ■e s ii"B Rusted. ^ ing. ^g includ- a Scale of 2^ Acre. Acre. tog's g ^ d ing 10 point.-*. > O ■5 S^-o Is ^ Head. < ^ Inches. In. Lbs. W rn Lbs. pa 1-5 1 Dominion July 20. 324 64 8 4i 4,590 81 54 58^ Slightly. 2 Mammoth White .. 20. 324 64 10 4| 4,320 77 8 58 II 3 Thousandfold .. 20. 324 60 10 4i 3,360 60 .. 59i II OATS SOWN IN DIFFERENT QUANTITIES PER ACRE ON CLAY LOAM. The tests carried on in previous years having shown that less than two bushels and moi^e than 2^ bushels -per acre of Banner oats should not be sown on clay loam in this climate, the experiments were confined this past season to 2 and 2^ bushels only. The evidence thus far is in favour of using 2^ bushels of seed. The results of the past season are here given. The oats were sown on May 16, and were ripe August 6. Name of Variety. Banner oats. Quantity Sown per Acre. Bushels. 2 Number of days from Sowing to Harvesting. 82 82 Yield per Acre. Bush. Lbs. 52 55 2 20 FIELD BEANS. Four plots of field beans, one-sixtieth of an acre each, were sown on May 27. The soil was a rather heavy loam. The yield per acre is expressed in pounds and also in ' bushels ' of 60 pounds. 1 Variety. Distance between Rows. Date of Ripening. Number of Days Maturing. Average Length of Plant. Average Length of Pod. Yield per Acre. Yield per Acre. Weight per Measured Bushel after Cleaning. 1 Marrowfat Inches. 20 16 20 16 • Aug. 31.. M 15.. » 30.. „ 1:6.. Days. 96 80 95 91 Inches. 20 13 18 12 Inches. 4i 4 Lbs. 1,770 1,590 1,500 1,230 ■S ffl pq 1-1 29 30 •26 30 25 .. 20 30 Lbs. 64 2 Norwegian Brown White Field 60 63^ 65 4 California Pea REPORT OF THE CEREALIST 219 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 FLAX. The plots of flax were one-sixtieth of an acre. The seed was sown on May 28, at the rate of 60 pounds to the acre. The soil was a rather heavy loam. The yield per acre is expressed in pounds and also in 'bushels' of 56 pounds. Some of the varieties grown in previous years have been dropped, as new, selected strains derived from them are being propagated. Name of Variety. Xovarossick ..."... White I'loweriiig Higa Yellow Seed Date of Ripening. Aug. 20. .. 10. „ 10. -, 17. No. of Days Maturing. 84 74 74 81 Average Length of Plants. Inches. 18 22 22 23 Yield per Acre. Lbs. 660 630 510 480 Yield per Acre. m ^ 11 44 11 14 9 6 8 32 Weight per Measured Bushel after Cleaning. Lbs. 54^ 55 56 54i FIELD EOOTS. The advantage of late pulling for field roots having been clearly proved by the experience of several years, comparative tests, by pulling on two different dates about two weeks apart, have been discontinued. All the roots were harvested at the one time, but the harvesting was left until quite late, so as to enable the roots to make as large a growth as possible. The yield per acre of the field roots is calculated from the weight of the crop gathered from one-hundredth of an acre. The soil on which the field roots were grown was a heavy loam. It is probable that in some instances varieties which are mentioned in these tables under different names are identical in all essential respects. In Canada the ton contains 2,000 pounds. TUENIPS. Two sowings were made of each variety, the first on May 22, and the second on June 5. The seed was used at the rate of about 4 pounds per acre. Before sowing, the land was made up in drills 2 feet apart and rolled with a heavy land roller, which flattened the drills nearly one-half, leaving a firm seed bed. When the young plants were about 3 inches high they were thinned out, leaving them about 7 inches apart in the rows. The roots were pulled on October 24. 220 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS Turnips — Test of Varieties. 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 ID a Name of Variety. 1 Perfection Swede 2 Hall's VVestbury 3| Hartley's Bronze 4 Halewood's Bronze Top 5'Magnuu) Bonuin 6 Mammoth Clyde 7 Jumbo 8 9 10 11 12 Kangaroo Good Luck Skirviiigs Bangholm Selected. Carter's Elephant . . Yield Yield per acre per acre from fr im IstSc JWlIlg. 2nd t- owing. Tons. Lbs. Tons. Lbs. 32 1,300 21 30 700 28 1,200 30 200 20 400 28 700 19 900 28 600 22 27 1.300 21 900 27 200 20 1,.500 27 200 17 1,000 26 1,700 21 1,100 26 600 18 100 24 1,500 16 300 20 1,100 15 1,60J The average yield from the first sowing was 27 tons 1,033 lbs. per acre, average yield from the second sowing was 20 tons 467 lbs. per acre. The MANGELS. Two sowings were made of each variety, the first on May 22, and the second on June 5. The seed was used at the rate of about 6 pounds per acre. Before sowing, the land was made up in drills 2 feet apart and rolled with a heavy land roller to make a firm seed bed. When the young plants were about 3 inches high they were thinned out, leaving them about 7 inches apart in the rows. The roots were pulled October 21. Mangels — Test of Varieties. Name of Variety. 1 Half Sugar White 2 Selected Yellow Globe 3 Gate Post 4!Giant Yellow Globe 5jPerfection Mammoth Long Red 6|Yellow Intermediate 7iGiant> Yellow Intermediate . . . 8 Prize .Maumioth Long Red 9 10 Mammoth Red Intermediate Crimson Champion Yield per acre from 1st Sowing. Tons. 29 26 25 23 23 22 22 21 20 17 Lbs. 1,700 1,100 ■200 1,500 300 1,700 200 1,700 1,600 900 Yield per acre from 2nd Sowing. Tons. 15 21 14 13 12 10 14 11 12 11 Lbs. 1,200 300 1,700 300 1,700 700 300 900 The average yield from the first sowing was 23 tons 690 lbs. per acre. The average yield from the second sowing was 13 tons 1,310 lbs. per acre. REPORT OF THE CEREALIST 221 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 CAKEOTS. Two sowings were made of each variety, the first on May 22, and the second on June 5. The seed was used at the rate of about 6 pounds per acre. Before sowing, the. land was made up in drills 2 feet apart and rolled with a heavy land roller to make a firm seed bed. When the young plants were about 3 inches high they were thinned out, leaving them about 5 inches apart in the rows. The roots were pulled October 22. Carrots — Test of Varieties. Name of Variety. 1 1 Ontario Champion 2J Mammoth White Intermediate. 3 Giant White Vosges Iiiiproved Short \V[iite. Half Long Chantenay. . White Belgian Yield Yield per acre per acre from from 1st Sowing. 2nd Sowing. Tons. Lbs. Tons Lbs. 26 1,500 16 1,400 26 1,400 21 1,000 22 600 17 1,400 21 1,900 21 1,800 18 1,900 18 1,500 15 1,500 15 500 The average yield from the first sowing was 22 tons 133 lbs. per acre. The average yield from the second sowing was 18 tons 1,267 lbs. per acre. SUGAR BEETS. Two sowings were made of each variety, the first on May 22, and the second on June 5. The seed was used at the rate of about 6 pounds per acre. Before sowing, the land was made up in drills 2 feet apart and rolled with a heavy land roller to make a firm seed bed. When the young plants were about 3 inches high they were thinned out, leaving them about 5 inches apart in the rows. The roots were pulled on October 23. _ Sugar Beets — Test of Varieties. u (S S Name of Variety. 1 Vilmorin's Improved . 2 French Very Rich. . . . 3 Wanzleben Yield per acre from Ist Sowing. Tons. 20 18 15 Lbs. 1,400 200 800 Yield per acre from 2nd Sowing. Tons. 8 13 9 Lbs. 1,100 1,800 700 The average yield from the first sowing was 18 tons 133 lbs. per acre. The average yield from the second sowing was 10 tons 1,200 lbs. per acre. 222 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD Vil., A. 1910 INDIAN CORN. The com was sown with the seed drill in rows 35 inches apart, and was also sown in hills 35 inches apart each way. When the plants were about 6 inches high they were thinned out, leaving them from 6 to 8 inches apart in the rows, and leaving four or five plants in each hill. The seed was sown June 2, and the corn was cut green for ensilage September 10. The yield has been calculated from the weight of crop cut from two rows, each 66 feet long. The soil was a heavy loam. For the making of ensilage the corn should be cut when the kernels are in the late milk or doughy stage; but the summer at Ottawa is not always warm enough to bring the later varieties to this state of maturity before it is necessary to cut the crop to avoid serious frost. In Canada the ton contains 2,000 pounds. Indian Corn — Test of Varieties S 1 2 3 1 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Name of "Variety. Superior Fodder Mammoth Cuban Pride of the North Eureka Salzer'8 All Gk.ld Champion White Peail. . Selected Learning Wood's Northern Dent, . Early Mastodon . . White Cap Yellow Dent Compton's Early . . . . Angel of Midnight North Dakota White Longfellow Character of Growth. Very Strong . It * Strong Very Strong. Strong II II Very Strong. Strong Medium II . . . • . Strong Medium Height. Leafiness. Inches. 130 Very leafy 120 M 120 It 1.S2 II 130 II 120 Leafy 130 Very leafy 124 II 127 II 120 It 115 Leafy 100 ti 110 11 103 II Condition when Cut. Late milk. No cobs . . Late milk. Early milk Doughy . . Late milk Early milk Late milk. Cobs glazed Late milk. . Cobs glazed Weight per Acre grown in Rows. Tons. Lbs.' 21 900 20 920 19 720 19 170 18 1290 18 520 18 520 17 870 17 650 16 1110 16 450 15 1570 15 30 13 1170 Weight per Acre grown in Hills. Tons. Lbs. 23 750 23 1300 21 1780 22 110 530 170 19 1160 28 760 18 1400 20 1800 18 1400 450 760 23 19 16 17 15 1020 The average yield from the rows was 17 tons 1,348 lbs. per acre. The average yield from the hills was 20 tons 1,242 lbs. per acre. indun corn sown at different distances. Three varieties were chosen for this test: Champion White Pearl, Selected Leaming, and Longfellow. The seed was sown June 2, and the corn was cut for ensilage September 10. Sixteen rows of each variety were sown, that is, four rows at each of the distances mentioned, and the yield per acre has been calculated from the weight of crop obtained from the two inner rows in each case. The length of the portions of the rows cut for weighing was 66 feet. REPORT OF THE CEREALIST 223 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Name of Variety. Champion Wliite Pearl . Selected Learning. Longfellow . o a Inches. 21 28 35 42 21 28 35 42 21 28 35 42 Character of Growth. Strong Very strong. Strong Very strong. Strong . . , a be s Inches. 100 122 120 132 102 115 mo 127 102 102 103 114 Condition when Cut. Late milk Early milk Glazed Yield, per Acre. c o 21 20 18 20 19 20 18 15 16 18 13 16 1,659 1,595 620 420 1,123 1,736 520 1,020 508 96 1,170 1,370 FIELD PLOTS OF POTATOES. As the experimental plots of field roots and fodder corn do not occupy the whole of the field in which they are placed, the remaining space is visually filled with potatoes, such varieties heing grown as are likely to be of service in the annual distribution of samples from this farm. The area devoted to the different varieties varies considerably. This season most of the plots were from about one-half to one and one-half acres in area. The potatoes were planted May 23 to 29, and were harvested September 28 to October 3. The soil was chiefly a rather heavy loam. On account of the very dry weather during the summer and early autumn the yield of potatoes was small. The yield per acre (of sound pvotatoes only) is expressed in pounds and also in * bushels ' of 60 pounds. e 12 Variety. 1 Money Maker 2 Twentieth Century. . . 3 Gold Coin 4 Dooley. 5 Rochester Rose 6 Carman, No. 1 7 Dalmeny Beauty 8 Late Puritan 9 Ashleaf Kidney 10 Irish Gobi ler 11 Burpee's Extra Early 12 Early White Prize ... 13, Early Manistee HlEverett Time of Maturing. Medium Mid-season to late, II II II II Very early Mid-season to late, Medium Mid-season to late, II II Early Very early It n ........ Medium Early Colour. White Pink.. White Pink. Yield, per Acre. Lbs. 14,520 12,240 11,700 10,920 9,t)00 8,460 8,2,S0 7,680 6,840 6,720 6,180 5,7(;o 4,!t80 3,900 Yield, per Acre. Bu.shela. 242 204 195 182 160 141 138 128 114 112 103 96 83 65 9-10 EDWARD VII. SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 A. 1910 REPORT OF THE POULTRY MANAGER. A. G. GILIJERT. Dr. Wm. Saunders, Director Dominion Experimental Farms, Ottawa. Sir, — I have much pleasure in submitting to you the twenty-first annual report of the Poultry Division of the Central Experimental Farm. Before giving a detailed description of the work of the past year, it may be well to note certain erroneous impressions, on the part of numerous correspondents, in regard to profitable poultry-keeping. Unless refuted, these incorrect conclusions are calculated to seriously retard the development of the poultry branch of farm work. The correspondence of the past year also shows that, to be of benefit to the greatest number of inquirers, the experiments conducted here should be, to a great extent, of a practical nature. It is hoped that the following report, while also dealing with other subjects, will correct the wrong conclusions referred to and afford information as to the latest and best methods of poultry management. The experimental work of the year was of its usual varied character. Some new experiments were undertaken, while others were continued from previous years. In carrying on certain experiments, such as testing the efficiency of trap-nests as a reliable means "of distinguishing good from poor laying fowls, conclusions reached are unavoidably slow. Interesting experiments are noted as follows : — 1. An experiment in feeding frozen and sound wheat to different pens of fowls. Results so far are in favour of the sound wheat. Details of the experiment will be found on a following page. 2. Continuation of experiment in keeping nineteen Buff Orpington hens in an unheated house with cotton front, with the object of ascertaining the suitability of a fowl-house of this pattern for the colder winter districts of Canada. 3. Results showing the decided advantage of having chickens hatched out early in 'he snf.son. 4. Continuation of experiments showing the advantage in breeding from good rather than from poor egg-laying strains of fowls. Several tables give results of other experimental work. I have to acknowledge the receipt of incubators sent for trial from Wm Tamlin, Twickenham, London, England; from the Peerless Manufacturing Company, of Pembroke, Ontario, and from the C. J. Daniels Manufacturing Company, of Toronto. These machines are all heated by hot water. The Cyphers Manufacturing Company, of Buffalo, New York, sent an electro-bator and electro-hover, the first for hatching chickens and the second for rearing them, by electricity, the latter being taken from the wires supplying light to the main poultry building. The use of electricity marks an important step forward in the artificial hatching and rearing of chickens. The tests were very satisfactory. I have again the pleasure of bringing to your attention the efficient discharge by my assistant, Mr. Victor Fortier, of the many duties devolving upon him during the 225 16—15 226 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 past year. Many useful lines of experiment have been conduct-ed by him, including artificial and natural incubation. He has also compiled the tables relating to experi- mental work to be found in the following pages. He has in addition carried on a large French correspondence and has attended numerous meetings of farmers' institutes and poultry shows in the province of Quebec, also being present at the Poultry Institute held at Guelph last February. Mr. Summers was, as usual, careful and competent in recording results from the trap-nest system, and from the hatching of chickens by hens and incubators as well as in the feeding of different experimental rations. Mr. Deavey was faithful and energetic in the care of the poultry and poultry houses, as well as in the other duties entrusted to him. Ill-health on the part of the writer prevented him from attending several meet- ings during the winter season. He had, however, the pleasure of attending and speak- ing at the meeting of the Farmers' and Dairymen's Association of New Brunswick, held in Fredericton, N.B., during the month of March last. The appointment of Mr. Ronald Pelletier as stenographer and typewriter, of English and French to this Division, has given greater opportunity for the quick despatch of replies to a large and rapidly increasing correspondence. I have the honour to be, sir, Your obedient servant, A. G. GILBERT, Poultry Manager. REPORT OF TEE POULTRY MANAGER 227 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 EEPORT OF THE POULTRY MANAGER. The rapid development that is taking place in jKiultry-keeping, as a profitable branch of agriculture, is well instanced by the large and increasing demand on the part of farmers and others for information. This demand has been met with all possible despatch and liberality from our Division. The favourable opinion of the farmers of the country towards the poultry branch of their farm work, is forcibly shown by the following quotations from an official publication entitled, ' Crops and Live Stock of Ontario,' which, for many years past, has been issued annually under the auspices of the Ontario Department of Agricul- ture. It gives the opinions of farmer correspondents, at diiferent points of the pro- vince, on the value of poultry-keeping. In the issue of last year the opinions of fifty- three individuals are given. Of this number fifty speak favourably of poultry-keeping. Some of these favourable comments are as follows : — The correspondent at Harwick, Kent, Ont., says : * Poultry are the best paying thing on the farm, but they take careful looking after.' The correspondent at Sydenham, Grey, says : ' Poultry are selling high. In fact the economically-kept poultry farm is the best money-maker just now, the cost of equipment being taken into consideration.' The report from Minto, Wellington, says : ' Good, well-bred poultry, if properly attended to, will give their owner a clear profit of one dollar per hen. We get $4 apiece for our Bronze turkey cockerels, and $3 for pullets, and so on.' Many more quotations might be given, but the foregoing are sufficient to show the farmers' appreciation of poultry-keeping as a profitable branch of farm work. SOME USEFUL LESSONS LEARNED FROM A VARIED CORRES- PONDENCE. The careful reading of this correspondence leads to the conclusion that the great majority of those who intend to begin poultry-keeping, or who ask as to its possibili- ties, have a very imperfect conception of how profitable poultry-keeping should be conducted. It may be beneficial to many such inquirers, as well as to those Avho have recently commenced poultry-keeping, to note and comment upon some of these erroneous impressions. The more common of these impressions are noted as follows : — EUKOR NO. 1 AND COMMENT THEREON. That poultry-keeping, unlike other branches of business, can be successfully undertaken without any previous knowledge of it. Comment thereon. — A thorough knowledge of the latest and best methods of poultry-keeping by the intending poultry keeper, particularly if he aims to be a spe- cialist, is requisite to success. The two following letters may serve to illustrate right and wrong estimates of poultry-keeping. The first reads : ' Dear Sir, — Kindly send me all information as to the most up-to-date methods of keeping poultry. I intend to take up the business when I know something about its proper management.' The second correspondent says: 'Dear Sir, — I have just purchased 100 Barred Plymouth Rock pullets. Please tell me how to manage them, for I know nothing about poultry-keeping.' 16— 15i 228 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VI!., A. 1910 It is plain that tlie first correspondent, who appreciates the necessity of a certain amount of previous knowledge, is more likely to succeed than the second, who has purchased one hundred birds without knowing how to properly manage them. The question of how or where a knowledge of poultry-keeping can be acquired is frequently asked. It may be gained in the following ways : — A. By beginning with a few birds, of an approved type, and learning slowly but surely from experience, aided by the practical instruction supplied by the Poultry Division of the Experimental Farms' System and by the agricultural press. B. By attending a course of poultry-keeping at one of the agricultural colleges. C. By serving an apprenticeship at a paying poultry plant. The farmer beginning poultry-keeping has a decided advantage over others, for he has been more or less accustomed to poultry on the farm from his earliest years, and probably has a certain knowledge of their management. He should find both A and B easy and congenial methods. To judge from letters received from such, what they most need is to learn the great difference there is — from an economic stand- point— ^between: the pure-bred bird and the nondescript, with latest and best methods of poultry housing and management. These details have been described in reports of this division for some years past, and are taken up to a certain extent in the follow- ing pages. Too many farmers think that good results may be obtained from any kind of fowl, with little or no care. Specialists, however, fully realize the necessity of having pure-bred stock and of caring for them in the best possible way. But who are the specialists, and wherein do they differ from the farmer? As a rule specialists reside near enough to the city to have ready access to the best paying customers there. Specialists are to be found in all classes of the com- munity; some are clerks, others mechanics and not a few storekeepers. All are expert in obtaining eggs in winter and many in rearing chickens of the most approved market types. In winter they sell their eggs and in the summer or the fall a superior quality of poultry, at the highest prices, because their eggs are strictly new-laid and their poultry carefully killed and plucked, thus presenting an inviting appearance. Many specialists take prizes at different fall and winter shows throughout the Dominion for the best-dressed specimens of poultry. In many instances they buy birds from farmers, fatten them for a short time and win prizes with them. It will at once be evident that the specialist, as described, enters into lively competition with the farmer, who, in too many eases, instead of following the example of his rival, sells his eggs or chickens for a price frequently much below that paid to the former. A well-known specialist, who resides near the city limits, informed the writer that during the past two winters he had had no difficulty in obtaining 60 cents per dozen for new-laid eggs during the short period when very high prices prevailed. ' In fact,' he said, ' many people came to me and were glad to get the eggs at that high price, because they knew they could be relied on as being strictly new-laid.' In too many cases the farmer saves up his eggs until he has enough to make it worth while to take them to market. This practice prevents his receiving the highest price. By the time enough are saved most of the eggs are stale. Storekeepers and private purchasers suspect such to be the case and value them accordingly. On several occasions during the past winter of 1908-9, 50 cents per dozen was paid on the markets of this city for strictly new-laid eggs. In the case of poultry, the most carefully killed, plucked and dressed birds were in the best demand. Some one may say that it is not easy for the purchaser to distinguish new-laid from stale eggs. But the market buyer of to-day is much more expert in detecting the difference between the stale and the fresh, than was the buyer of past years when new-laid eggs in winter were comparatively unknown and a superior quality of poultry a scarce article. The advantage in cost of production is with the farmer. — But the farmer has a distinct advantage over the specialist, for he has his grain, straw and roots at cost. All these the specialist has to buy. In addition, farmers situated near cities have REPORT OF THE POULTRY MANAGER 229 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 exceptional advantages, as they are not only in a position to obtain the same high values as the specialist by producing an equally good article, but should make a larger margin of profit. Recapitulation. — Farmers should be keenly alive to the following points, viz. : — 1. That pure-bred fowls, of the utility varieties, are better for their purposes than nondescripts. 2. That these fowls require proper housing and management. 3. That farmers near good markets have exceptional opportunities to obtain the highest prices for strictly new-laid eggs and the superior quality of poultry. 4. That farmers are able to enter into favourable competition with any rivals. 5. That whether near a city market or not, the new-laid eggs should be sold as quickly as possible. Special effort should be made to do this in winter or in summer. 6. That clean-looking and neatly put-up new-laid eggs and well-dressed poultry, of good quality, will sell better than any other kind. SECOND ERRONEOUS IMPRESSION, AND COMMENT THEREON. The second erroneous impression on the part of many poultry keepers is, that having secured a prolific egg-laying strain of fowl, no effort is necessary to perpetuate the excellence of that strain. Comment. — Experience has clearly shown that continued careful and skilled breeding is necessai'y to retain or develop prolific egg-laying characteristics. The term prolific is not used as referring to those phenomenal egg-layers with records of 200 to 210 eggs per year each — rare specimens of which are sometimes exploited — but to refer to hens, from which, by selection, we may obtain an average of from 100 to 120 eggs each per year. It may be claimed that many fowls, under ordinary condi- tions, lay that number of eggs. But the experience gained in many years, by breeding from layers selected by trap-nest tests, does not verify that assertion. There is reason to believe that, in numerous cases, the number of eggs laid by a specially good hen or two in a pen, have been noted and the laying qualities of the remainder have been rated as of the same exceptional merit. The remark may be frequently heard, from an enthusiastic but inexperienced poultryman, ' I have a hen which I believe lays an egg every day.' But what about the merits of the other fowls in the same pen? The impression conveyed is that all the other inmates of the pen are equally extraordinary layers. The trap-nest, with its mechanically correct record, is the surest means of proving which are the best, the worst and the indifferent layers. Only fowls of one of the varieties which have been shown to be good layers of large eggs, as well as of correct market type, should be selected, and these should be carefully mated before being placed in the breeding pen. It is of paramount importance that the male bird, mated with the selected layers, should also come from a family of proved prolific layers, as otherwise there might be retrograde rather than progressive influence. Careless or haphazard mating of old, young or untried birds is not likely to result in success. In establishing a strain of prolific layers of large eggs — in combination with good market type — the following breeds may be suggested, viz. : — For eggs and flesh. — Select one of the best utility types, such as Barred Plymouth Rocks, White Wyandottes or Buff Orpingtons. For eggs only. — A choice may be made of any of the following : White Leghorns, Black Minorcas, Andalusians or Black Hamburgs. A rule important to observers is that none but the best layers of the varieties named, should be chosen. Where it is possible to make a selection by trap nests, such fowls should be preferred. 230 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Careful selection of cocJc hird necessary. — Too much care cannot be taken in selecting a cock-bird to head the breeding pen. The mistake is frequently made of purchasing a cock-bird derived from a family of inferior layers to mate with hens of proved merit. Such action is surely detrimental. Hens rather than pullets. — Unless absolutely unavoidable, pullets should not be used to breed from. They are really undeveloped fowls, and no such immature speci- men should be found in a breeding pen. ERRONEOUS IMPRESSION NO. 3, AND COMMENT THEREON. A third erroneous impression — especially common among the farming community — is that any sort of building is good enough for the housing of poultry. Comment thereon. — As a result of this impression poultry-houses dilapidated, lice-infested, ill-ventilated, unclean and improperly furnished are sometimes met with. It is hardly necessary to remark that in such cases the birds are unprofitable. Poultry- houses are now made which are easy and cheap of construction, while of the most approved patterns. Plans of different styles of poultry-houses have been published from time to time in previous reports of this Division. Perhaps the most inquired for is the house with cotton front, as shown by frontispiece illustration in report of last year and the house with cotton above and below the window. Both houses face south. The interior fittings of both are very much the same. A circular showing diagrams of the first named pattern of house with directions as to construction is in course of preparation. When issued it will prove a useful guide to those who con- template the erection of a structure on this plan. The second style of house is also much inquired about. The following illustration shows the cotton frames above and below the windows of one of the houses of the Pembroke, Ont., Poultry Plant, where it has been severely tested for four years with satisfactory results. This illustration shows the cotton panels above and below the windows, at the plant of the Poultry Yards of Canada, Pembroke, Ont. REPORT OF THE POULTRY MANAGER 231 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 The following illustration shows the interior arrangement of one of the compart- ments an outside view of which is given above. it* immmmM Showing cotton frame in front of roosting place, held partly open ; also showing roosts, dropping board and nests. The inside plans of both patterns of house are very similar, the greatest differ- ence being in the arrangement of the cotton, used as a means of securing ventilation by diffusion of air, rather than by draught. In the first style of house the whole front is cotton; in the second the cotton is placed above and below the windows. FOURTH WRONG IMPRESSION, AND COMMENT THEREON. That little or no change in the composition of rations is necessary during the winter season. Comment. — This is, unfortunately, a very common error among poultry keepers. In previous reports of this Division the necessity of variety in rations, and of moderate exercise, especially during the winter period of close confinement, has been forcibly pointed out. Experience has emphasized the need of these for the following reasons : — 1. As a means of keeping the birds in good health. 2. As an incentive to egg production. 3. As a preventive of feather-picking and egg-eating. 4. As likely to strengthen the germs of early spring eggs used for hatching purposes. Fowls confined to limited quarters and fed with unvarying monotony during the winter season on one or two kinds of grain only, are frequently attacked with inflam- mation of the intestines. Perhaps there is no ailment more frequently described and a remedy asked for by correspondents during the winter and early spring months. A brief description of the symptoms of this ailment may be useful. The affected fowl, apparently in good health a short time before, is noticed lying on its side, unable to vise its legs, which are stretched out. There is spasmodic flapping of the wings. The bird has an anxious and distressed appearance. It has high fever and, frequently, diarrhoea. From this disease, many recover. An effective remedy is a change of food and locality. The diet of all the remaining fowls should also be at once changed. 232 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 We are frequently advised to take our cue from natural conditions in the ^winter- housing and feeding of our birds. It would doubtless be well for both the poultry and the poultry keeper if this good advice were more extensively practised. A hen running at large during the summer season supplies herself with a variety of food. She supplies herself with all that is requisite to make the egg, egg-shell, to grind up the food in her gizzard and to keep herself in robust health. In picking up this variety of diet, she has to make some effort, which means exercise. She keeps her body almost free from lice by vigorously dusting in dry and fine earth, preferably road dust. She exhibits a decided preference for roosting in the branches of trees, where she can have plenty of fresh air, rather than going into a stuffy poultry house. And we should learn our lesson from the foregoing, as to the proper feeding, treatment and housing of our birds. It is evident that the nearer we come to the natural, in the treatment of our fowls, the greater will be our sviccess. The following information is given in response to numerous inquiries for the same : — A PROPER RATION FOR USE DURING WINTER, A frequent request received is for a suitable ration for use during the winter season. The following will be found to give satisfactory results, whether given by the hopper or by other methods — : Morning. — Wheat, or at times buckwheat, in quantities of. 8 to 10 pounds to 100 hens. Scatter in the litter on the floor of poultry-house or scratch-shed. Noon. — Steamed lawn clippings or clover hay three or four times per week. If thought necessary, give 5 pounds of oats to 100 hens. Scatter in litter on floor of the pen or house. Afternoon. — Mash composed of such ground grains as are in most abundance. Mix these with hot water and feed when cool, in quantities of 3 or 4 ounces to each hen. The following ground grains have been found to be effective when mixed into mash, with one part of meat meal : Shorts 2 parts. Ground oats 1 " Cornmeal 1 " The above ground grains mixed in the proportions specified, will be found suitable for feeding by the hopper method also. A full description of this method was given in the report of 1906. The usual practice is to intimately mix the ground grains and to put them into one compartment of a hopper, usually divided into three parts. The second division of the hopper is frequently filled with ground oyster shells and grit, and the third with beef scrap, a coarser form of the meat-meal used in the wet mash. The following whole-grain ration has been found an effective egg-producer during the past two winters, viz. : One-third wheat, one-third buckwheat, one-third oats. The grains were fed in conjunction with roots, cut bone and grit — at the rate of 3 to 5 pounds per day to 24 hens. PROPER FOOD AND TREATMENT FOR YOUNG CHICKENS. As pointed out in many previous reports, the farmer who hatches out his chickens during the first week in May will get the best results in steady growth and early maturity of the chicks. The following method of feeding will be found suitable for hen or incubator-hatched chickens : — For the first thirty-six honrs after hatching, little or no food should be given. The chicks require careful brooding more than anything else. Much depends upon REPORT OF TEE POULTRY MANAGER 233 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 their vitality. Some may be the better of a little food; if so, a few stale bread crumbs may be given. Second and third days. — Stale bread soaked in skimmed milk and squeezed dry, or one part of finely-chopped hard-boiled egg and three parts of stale bread crumbs. Feed no more than the chickens will eat up without waste. If the chicks are hearty, feed every two or three hours. Continue this for a day or two, and then add granu- lated oatmeal. Continue the stale bread soaked in milk and granulated oatmeal foi* ten days, when finely-crushed corn may be added to the foregoing with advantage. After fourteen days give whole wheat, in small quantity at first. As the chicks grow older, they should be given a mash composed of stale bread, shorts, oatmeal, ground meat, &c. Finely-cut bone or meat will be found a great incentive to growth at this stage. On the chickens becoming eight weeks of age, their feeds may be reduced to three times per day. Care should be taken that they are generously fed the last time for the day. For drink give them skimmed milk and water. When the hen-hatched chickens are fully feathered, their mothers should be removed from them. The chickens will be found to return to their coops as usual, where they may be allowed to remain until removed to more commodious quarters in colony houses. On the incubator-hatched chickens becoming too large for the brooders they should be removed to colony houses. MOULTING OF THE HENS IN SUMMER. How the hens may be made to moult during the summer months is a question that is frequently asked, particularly at the beginning of the summer season. The following treatment has been successful here for several years. During the early part of July — after the breeding season is over — the fowls were placed on half the usual rations for 15 or 20 days. The effect of this treatment was the stoppage of egg produc- tion and the loosening of the old feathers. At the end of 15 or 20 days, the full rations were resumed. A little linseed meal may then be added to the mash with benefit. Before the beginning of operations to bring on the moult, the cock -birds were removed from the breeding pens and placed in compartments by themselves. The hena were then allowed to run in small fields where they could find insects, clover, grass, &c. In the feeding of the fowls during moult, care should be observed that they do not become too fat. The fowls are more apt to become over-fat from too generous feeding during the moult than after they have recommenced laying. EXPEEIMENTAL WORK 'OF THE YEAR The close of the fiscal year ending March 31, 1908, found different pens of fowls selected and mated for breeding purposes, as follows : — Male. Females. No. 1 house, pen 1 — White Plymouth Rocks 1 16 u a 2 — Buff Orpingtons 1 14 3— White Leghorns 1 16 4 — White Leghorns 1 16 5 — Black Minorcas 1 12 6— White Orpingtons 1 12 7 — Faverolles 1 12 234 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 House No. 2 contained spare cockerels for breeding purposes, also a pen of Black Hamburg hens and three pens of White Leghorns. Male. Females. House No. 3, pen 20 — Light Brahmas 1 4 " " 2^^— Mixed 1 11 " " 25— White Leghorns 1 7 " " 26— White Plymouth Rocks 1 10 « " 27— S. G. Dorkings 1 11 Cotton front house No. 32, without scratch-shed and unheated. — Contained 1 cockerel; 7 pullets and 13 hens, Buii Orpingtons. No. 1 Double house with scratch-shed, unheated. — Containing pens 33 and 34. In pen 33, were 1 cockerel and 24 hens. Barred Plymouth Rocks. In pen 34, were 1 cock and 22 hens. White Wyandottes. No. 2 Double house, unheated. — Containing pens 35 and 36, with scratch-shed of cotton. Pen 35 held 1 cockerel and 20 pullets, Barred Plymouth Rocks. Pen 36 con- tained White Wyandottes : 1 cockerel and 17 pullets. For full description of this house, see Bulletin No. 54, figure 44. Many of these birds had laid well during the previous winter, and continued to do so, while others commenced only on the approach of spring weather. The records, which in all cases were secured by the use of trap-nests, are published in the tables following. EGGS SOLD FOR HATCHING PURPOSES. As usual, in the spring there was a greater demand for eggs for hatching purposes than could be supplied. The eggs, which were sold at one dollar per setting, were carefully packed in small boxes designed for safe carriage. The purchaser paid express charges. In most cases the eggs arrived in ,good order. One hundred and eighty-four settings of eggs were sold during the season. HATCHINQ OF CHICKENS BY NATURiVL AND BY ARTIFICIAL MEANS. As in previous years, chickens were hatched by both natural and artificial means. The results corroborated those of many previous years, and showed that when the germs of the eggs are weak neither hens nor incubators will satisfactorily hatch them out. It has been said by unthinking enthusiasts, in favour of natural means, that a hen will hatch out a weak germ that an incubator will not. Experience gained by the writer, in many years of careful investigation, leads to the conclusion that one of the greatest drawbacks to successful poultry-keeping is breeding from constitutionally unsound parent stock. If the incubator does nothing else than kill weak germs, it is indispensable to the best interests of up-to-date poultry-keeping. i IMMATURE SPECIMENS SHOULD NOT BE BRED FROM. There is reason to conclude that injurious, rather than beneficial, resvilts follow the too common practice of breeding from pullets, and that still more hurt is done when young cockerels are mated with them. Pullets and cockerels are immature specimens, and as such should not be placed in a breeding pen. Those who desire the best and earliest layers and the meatiost cockerels for early market, should breed only from well-matured and vigorous specimens. WEAK OFFSPRING THE RESULT OF WEAK BREEDING STOCK. It is safe to express the opinion that, if more attention were given by poultry keepers throughout the country to the proper housing and feeding of their poultry REPORT OF THE POULTRY MANAGER 235 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 during the winter season, following this in spring by the mating of none but robust and well-matured birds, there would be fewer cases of so-called White, or other kind of Diarrhoea. The experience of each year emphasizes the opinion, so freely expressed on previous occasions, that if the farmers would allow their fowls a run outside in spring before commencing to save their eggs for hatching purposes, better results would follow. Chickens hatched during the first week of May are certainly the best for farmers. The following tables give the results of hatching by natural and artificial methods during the spring and early summer of last year: — Table No. 1. — Number of Chickens Hatched by Hens. Date Eggs were Set. 1908. April 17... « 23... ,. 25... May 2... Description of Eggs. B. P. Rocks and White Wyandottes. B. P. Rocks, White Leghorns and White Wyandottes Black Minorcas, Buff Orpingtons, Faverolles, Light Brahmas, White Wj'andottes Black Minorcas, Black Hamburgs, FaveroUea and S. G. Dorkings . No. OP Eggs . Chickens. "o -o S u a) " Is >^ T) j^ hr^ J3 C3 0) 22 -a "S-IS m 1 -a a Q P u a; p. e. 43 6 14 2 9 12 28 73 1 9 6 18 39 53i 69 4 6 2 13 44 63f 60 0 9 7 11 33 55 Remarks. Eggs were laid by hens kept in unhealed and in warmed houses . Table No. 2. — Number of Chickens Hatched by Incubator. • Description of Eggs. No OF Eggs. Chickens. o 0) . 11 &^ 13 so o *^ Date Eggs were placed in Incubator. *3 0) cc 215 177 153 i 6 09 fcc at .2 T3 ID Remarks. 1908. April 22.... Barred and White Plymouth Rocks, White Wyandottes, Buff Orping- tons and White Lesrhorns 48 46 32 38 15 24 36 11 34 93 105 63 p.c. 59| \\\ Eggs were laid by hens kept in unheat- ed and in warmed houses. „ 23.... „ 30.... Barred and White Plymouth Rocks, White Wyandottes, White Leg- horns, S. (t. Dorkings Burred and White Plymouth Rocks, White Leghorns, White Wyan- dottes, S. C. Dorkings GROWTH OF THE CHICKENS. The naturally-hatched chickens were placed with their mother hens, in coops outside; if hatched in an incubator, they were put into brooders. With food and treatment as outlined in a preceding page, they made satisfactory progress. It was 236 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9^10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 a noticeable feature that there was only one ease of White Diarrhoea among tlie in- cubator-hatched chickens. Previous to use, the incubators and brooders were sprayed with a well-known disinfectant. Care had also been taken, after the chickens came out of the shells, to prevent them falling from the tray of the incubator to the nursery below, where the temperature was several degrees lower, as there was reason to suspect that this gave them a chill, which past observations point to as a predisposing cause of White Diarrhoea. Precautions against chill were continued after the chickens were placed in the brooders. Further close observation is being made and interesting results are expected. DEMAND FOR SPARE STOCK. Towards the fall, the chickens were well matured and the spare birds were sold for breeding purposes. The birds sold numbered 66 males and 69 females of different varieties. WHEN THE PULLETS COMMENCED TO LAY. The first pullets to begin to lay were all hatched during the first week in May. They laid their first eggs as follows : — Buff Orpington pullet, first egg on October 28, 1908. ' Barred Plymouth Eoek pullet, first egg on November 26, 1908. White Leghorn pullet, first egg on November 27, 1908. White Wyandotte pullet, first egg on December 7, 1908. , White Orpington pullet, first egg on December 17, 1908. NUMBER OF EGGS LAID DURING YEAR. The following is a list of the number of eggs laid during the different months of the year: — 1908— April .• 2,837 May 2,433 June 1,015 July 1,690 August 1,084 September 801 October 179 November 48 December 620 1909— January 1,122 February 1,463 March 2,119 15,411 EXPERIMENTS IN FEEDING FROZEN WHEAT (WHOLE AND GROUND) TO POULTRY. With the view of ascertaining the value of frozen as compared with sound wheat, when fed to poultry, the following experiment was conducted from February 20 to REPORT OF THE POULTRY MANAGER 237 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 October 31 of last year. Two varieties of fowls, namely, White Plymouth Rock pullets and White Orpingtons, were selected, 22 of the former being taken, and 10 hens and 4 pullets of the latter. The White Plymouth Rocks were again divided into two groups of 11 each and the Wliite Orpingtons were also divided into two groups of 5 hens and 2 pullets each, one group of each variety receiving frozen and the other sound wheat. The different groups were kept in separate pens. The frozen wheat was fed both whole and ground fine. When given whole, it was scattered in the litter on the floor of the poultry-house; when ground, it was made a part of their mash. Experience had shown, that when fed alone, the frozen wheat sometimes caused loose- ness of bowels, therefore the frozen grain, when whole, was mixed with oats. The mixture of whole grains then stood, half frozen wheat and half sound oats, with the ground frozen wheat mixed with cornmeal and ground oats. Details of the experiment will be found in the following tables, which show the number of eggs laid by the different ^oups per month; average number of eggs laid per fowl during the experiment, and the gain or loss in weight by the different groups, the whole making an interesting and instructive experiment. The four tables of results are as follows : — Table 3. — Showing Results from Feeding Frozen Wheat, Whole and Ground, to 11 White Plymouth Rock Pullets, from February 20 to October 31, 19 8. Year. Months. Total of eggs laid. Weight of Bir'Js at dates named. Remarks. 1908. ci 3 16 o 59 i § 2 3 Hi 34 1-5 52 an P to D 39 -a s m 9 S ■% o O February 20.. 74i lbs March 6 73| .. M 20 71 M April 6 70 ,. October 30. ..51 „ Two pullets died during the experi- ment in month of May. An average of 42J eggs per pullet. Nnmber of eggs laid. . 147 113 469 This table should be compared with No. 4, showing results from birds fed on sound grain only. RATIONS FED TO ABOVE GROUP OF FOWLS. Whole grain; one-half frozen wheat, one-half oats, mixed. Fed morning evening thrown in litter on the floor of the house. Wet mash, every third day at noon. Cut bone, every third day at noon. ■ Beets, every third day at noon. Grit, broken oyster shells, and roots in regular supply. The composition of the wet mash was as follows: — Ground frozen wheat 1 part. " oats 1 « " barley 1 " " Corn 1 " Beef scraps took the place of cut green bone from April 24. The birds were given, at each time of feeding, all the food they could eat. and 238 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Table 4 (Continuation of Frozen Wheat experiment). — This table shows the results from 11 White Plymouth Rock pullets fed on sound grain only. This table should be compared with No. 3. Table 4. — Results from 11 White Plymouth Rock Pullets fed on Sound Grain only from February 20 to October 31, 1908. Year. Months. Total of eggs laid. Weight of Birds at dates named. Remarks. 1908. a. 00 s 0) X2 O o o February 20.. 73 lbs. March 6 74 „ „ 20 .. ..73^ M April 3 74 „ October 30.... 68 .. One pullet died in month of May. An average of 60 eggs per pullet. Number of eggs laid . . 29 108 162 122 43 76 49 43 25 657 With the exception of substituting sound wheat for frozen, the ration in this case was the same as that shown in No. 3 table. More eggs were laid by this group of pullets fed on sound grain than the first group with frozen wheat as a part of the ration. Table 5 (Frozen Wheat experiment continued). — Showing results from 7 White Or- pingtons (5 hens, two years old, and 2 pullets), which were fed frozen wheat as part of their rations, as described in No. 1 table. Compare with table 4 following. Table 5. — Results from 7 White Orpingtons : 5 hens, two years old, and 2 pullets, fed with frozen wheat from February 20 to October 31, 1908. Year. Months. Total of eggs laid. Weight of Birds at dates named. Remarks. 1908. 42 < 46 > -«^ 3 of O Reir.arka. band). > o o o G 3 1) 1 < 7 3 4 ED 02 o O 1 13 5 13 9 15 7 7 14 20 10 4 7 9 17 7 11 "li 4 10 9 11 2 51 40 59 71) 125 3 1 6 6 1 17 4 5 13 K) 6 21 11 8 11 16 13 7 16 18 19 17 20 18 19 18 21 173 14 IS 91 n 7 1? 69 Died May 29. 29 3 18 17 8 4 16 16 9 4 11 15 10 59 113 32 3 16 5 7 10 42 8 18 15 18 3 9 9 13 8 5 106 50 5 8 11 20 1 6 7 18 7 8 6 11 ' 7 37 99 .51 6 .... i5 . . . 6S 14 19 2 19 16 18 12 9 8 117 82 1 106 13 8 4 137 2 143 6 6 4 84 72 10 44 Total. 97 118 182 111 102 1,162 or 83 egg.s per hen. The rations given to above fowls were the same as shown in Table 7. QUANTITY OF FOOD CONSUMED. Whole grain 864 pounds. Ground grain, made into mash 203 " Vegetables, &c 186 " Cut bone 87 . " Ground oyster shells 43 " Grit 43 « REMARKS ON ABOVE TABLE. The gain in the number of eggs, by breeding from stock selected by trap-nest records, is shown to be 13 eggs per fowl over the results for 1907-8. IG— 16 242 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Table 10 — Pen 36. — This pen was one of the two compartments in the heated house mentioned in preceding table 9. This compartment had also a scratch-shed at- tached, and contained 10 White Wyandotte hens, two years of age. 19 g > o 07. a o 0 1908. .'S CO tD i/D 1 Hen (No. of Leg- band). b 1 1-5 Si a; 13 18 9 19 20 9 14 18 "l2 132 a. <^ 14 12 10 19 19 10 10 18 12 16 6 "ie 4 18 1 10 17 17 16 6 12 "2 10 3 8 14 8 ■•3 60 14 19 ""9 13 "7 21 9 12 104 < 8 8 "is 11 4 7 3 20 74 £ -^ GQ 19 19 '""9 20 0 0 "7 Remarks. 20 21 3 2 5 16 11 10 10 14 3 9 5 4 8 9 1-3' ;t; r-f- 95 145 70 70 93 129 70 23 26 28 55 3 1 14 14 18 5 16 19 Died Aupust 18. Acute inflam- mation of crop. 65 4 — Sick during December, 1907. 72 78 81 2 11 16 21 11 103 12 .. 1. 1907. 12 59 85 72 Total. 140 105 24 970 Average number of eggs laid per hen— 97. The rations fed to above pen of fowls were the same as those described in Table 7. QUANTITY OF FOOD CONSUMED. Grain 531 pounds. Mash of ground grains . . . . 127 " Cut bone 56 " Beets 127 " Ground oyster shells 30 " Grit 29 " BENEFIT OF BREEDING FROM SELECTED STOCK. Table 11 — Pen 34.— Showing the number of eggs laid by 27 White Wyandotte pullets hatched in May, 1907, under observation from November, 1907, till October, 1908. The parent stock from which these pullets were bred laid an average of 62| eggs each per year. 1907. 190S. Total of eggs laid during the year. Remarks. 27 White Wvandotte Pullets. u ID S > 0 0) XI s 0 Q 96 195 . >> u eS J5 165 236 < 300 348 a 3 "3 £c 3 < 192 S © 160 i 1 0 7 hens laid over 100 eggs each. 12 hens laid over 50 eggs each. 8 hens laid less than 50 eggs each. Best hen laid 157 eggs. Poorest hen laid 27 eggs. Average 80 eggs. Again oflo^ egcrs per pullet over 1906-7 birds. Total of eggs laid per month. . . . 94 315 50 2,151 The pullets, in this instance, show an average of 80 eggs per yed^each, a gain of 5 eggs per pullet over the number of eggs laid by their parent stock. Incidentally the advantage of breeding from trap-nest-proved good layers is made evident. REPORT OF THE POULTRY MANAGER SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 RATIONS. The rations fed were the same as those shown in table 7, pen 32. 243 QUANTITY OF FOOD CONSUMED. Grain 1,338 pou Mash 321 Cut bone 109 Beets 263 Ground oyster shells 45 Grit 42 ids. LATE-HATCIIED CHICKEXS UNDESIRABLE. The following experiment shows the inferiority of late-hatched chickens. It is a continuation of the experiment described in table 21, page 260, of last year's report, which showed the unsatisfactory egg-laying on the part of 8 Barred Plymouth Rock and White Wyandotte pullets, hatched in July, 1907. The record of these fowls for last year, when they were hens, is shown in the following table, and is almost as unsatisfactory as that of the previous year. The experience gained emphasizes what has frequently been stated in previous reports, that late-hatched chickens are not likely to be profitable to farmers. Details are as follows: — Table 12 — Pen 22.— Warmed house. White Wyandotte hens. Record of eight Barred Plymouth Rock and They were late-hatched chickens. Description of fowls. 1907. 1908. Total of eggs laid durinp; the year. Remarks. Barred Plymouth . . Rock and White. . . Wyandotte hens. . . S > o Si S Q e3 D C t-5 D t-. i S c 3 4 15 42 i JO S 2 2 o 1 hen died May 26, 1908. Total of eg-gs laid each month 3 43 41 41 39 36 17 0 283 Average 40? eggs per hen. BREEDING FROM GOOD AND POOR EGG-LAYING STRAINS OF FOWLS. An experiment to find out whether good and poor egg-laying characteristics are transmitted from parents to their progeny, was commenced in the spring of 1905. At that time two small groups of good and bad layers — proved so by trap-nests — were selected and put into separate pens, which were side by side. The results of the experiment on these birds, as pullets and hens, for two years and six months are given in the report ending March 31, 1908. Trap-nests were used to procure correct records. Results for year ending October 31, 1908, are shown in the two following tables: — 16— 16J 244 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Table 13. — Results from five White Leghorn pullets, descendants of a good egg-laying strain- These pullets were hatched on May 26, 1907 ; they are the third generation from a parent stock of good layers. >> .o 1907. 1908. T3 '3 m to to ^ ^ z Hen No. > o 12; 0 0 S a >> 3 J2 O ^ S 6 c >^ 16 4 -t5 < 12 1 S si o Remarks. 53 0 8 3 19 14 15 19 18 18 11 16 10 8 6 lOfi 91 a 66 83 0 1 15 18 16 9 3 13 78 84 0 0 ( t 2 16 11 15 17 19 13 19 9 16 1 6 13 66 107 96 11 Total of eggs lai'l each inonth. .... 0 16 41 70 91 77 60 24 46 23 0 0 448 A.verage of 89| eggs per hen. Rations given were of such a nature as to induce egg laying, particularly during the winter season. Table 14. — Results from five ^Yhite Leghorn pullets, descendants of a poor egg-laying strain. Pullets were hatched May 26, 1908. The third generation from parent stock of poor layers. Hen No.' i > o 1907 0 0 0 0 0 0 g s o CD fi 8 16 0 0 0 24 1 1908 6 5 0 0 0 11 >> 3 a 1 ?1 3 1-7 3 6d 3 < B Total of eggs laid by each hen. Real irks. 1 10 8 5 7 0 30 1-. 4 17 14 4 51 11 7 15 14 13 IG 14 12 8 10 3 7 66 75 49 46 27 6 12 2 13 25 3 54 13 12 2 0 0 60 60 263 Average 52f eggs per hen. Rations and temperature of house were same as those given to the good layers. NOTES ON THE RESULTS OF THIS EXPERIMENT. Results so far ascertained show the progress made in breeding from the two different strains of fowls. The development of the good and bad characteristics was not as pronounced, owing to delay in obtaining suitable male birds to match with the original pulfets selected by trap-nest. After two years' careful selection, male birds, bred from our own females of proved merit as egg layers, are now available. When mated with our own pen of proved good layers, these male birds will, doubtless, prove factors in building up strains of great excellence. The great importance of having the male birds which are to be so used, the descendants of prolific egg-laying paren- tage was noted in report of last year. A male bird bred from a iX)or egg-laying strain is also available for mating with a pen of poor layers next breeding season. Results in this case also will be of interest. REPORT OF THE POULTRY MANAGER 245 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 LIST OF STOCK ON HAND MAECTI 31, 1908. o s 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 13 16 17 18 20 24 25 26 27 32 33 34 35 36 Breed. White Plymouth Rocks. Buff Orpingtons White Leghorns Black Minorca s. . . White Orpingtons Faverolles Black Haiiibiirgs. . White Leghorns.. . o o O Light I'rahinas :Mixed Pullets White Leghorns White Plymouth Recks S. G. Dorkings Buff Orpingtons Barred Plymouth Rocks White Wyandottes. . . . j Barred Plymouth Rocks White Wyandottes Capons For breeding and eating purposes. Totals . 10 a 16 5 10 5 4 7 4 5 5 4 13 23 22 10 125 9 I- (S U o O 2 24 26 3 P-l 9 l(i 6 •7 8 5 3 5 5 5 2 11 7 10 7 7 20 17 o H 16 14 16 16 12 12 12 7 10 10 5 4 11 7 10 11 20 23 22 20 17 2 34 Remarks. 150 311 Poor egg laying strain. Good II II Unhealed house. In different pens. VISITORS. Among the numerous visitors to our department during the year, we had the pleasure of receiving calls from Mr. Alex. Prain, of Homolea, Perthshire, Scotland. Mr. Prain, who was a member of the delegation of Scottish agriculturists visiting Canada last summer, is a leading expert and judge, and owner of a large poultry plant. He, with other members of the commission, was very much interested in noting the evolution from the old method of housing poultry during the winter season in a closed and partially heated building, to the unheated house with a front of cotton rather than of boards. Mr. Prain, on his return to Scotland, was kind enough to send us several settings of eggs from his best pens of White Orpingtons. Another visitor was Miss Fried, a young poultry expert of Russia, who was sent by the Russian Department of Agriculture to inquire into Canadian methods of poultry-keeping. Miss Fried speaks excellent English, and her two visits to our Poultry Division were most enjoyable, and, I trust, mutually beneficial. A third visitor was Miss Edwards, of England, a specialist in Buff Orpingtons, who was attending the Women's Inter- national Congress which met in Toronto. We also had the pleasure of a visit from ]!\[r. Wm. Brown, son of Prof. E. T. Brown of the Poultry College, Theale, Eng. Mr. Brown is making a close examination of poultry-keeping from both Canadian and American standpoints. Many other poultry-keepers who arrived with different excur- sions of farmers were interested visitors. EXAMINATION OF 'SICK BIRDS. Several ailing birds were sent for examination to Dr. Higgins, Pathologist of the Veterinary Laboratory, Experimental Farm. With his usual kindness, Dr. Higgins gave us his opinion of, and in several cases reported on, the different ailments of the birds examined by him. 9-10 EDWARD VII. SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 A. 1910 EXPERIMENTAL FARM FOR THE MARITIME PROVINCES. Nappan, N.S., March 31, 1909. To Dr. Wm. Saunders, C.M.G., Director Dominion Experimental Farms, Ottawa. Sir, — I have the honour to submit herewith my report of the operations on the Experimental Farm for the Maritime Provinces, at Nappan, N.S., for the year ending March 31, 1909. The summer season of 1908 was not particularly favourable, being notable for its extremes, in both wet and dry weather. Beginning in the cpring with a long cold and wet period, all spring-sown crops were more or less late in being sown, which is always a disadvantage. The weather was, however, quite suitable for the hay crop, which is of first importance in this locality, and which in 1908 gave the best yield obtained in many years. Midsummer was extremely dry, with the result that most of the grain and root crops were below the average, although some of the early sown grain was fully up to the average. The latter part of the summer was again quite wet, and resulted in good growth of after- math, and pasture was better than usual. The season ended with the most remarkably fine weather seen for many years, which gave the farmers a better opportunity for getting all their fall farm work completed, than is usually the case, the latter being important, on account of the shortness of the season. The apple crop was better than usual, both as to quantity and quality of fruit. It is again my pleasure to acknowledge the services of Mr. Thomas Coates, farm foreman, and Mr. Robert Donaldson, herdsman, who have well and faithfully per- formed the tasks allotted to them during the past year. WEATHER April, 1908, oi>ened with a snowstorm which continued until the night of the 2nd, 7 inches of snow falling during these two days. Snow fell on the 3rd, Sth, 19th and 21st ; 2 inches falling' on this latter date. Eain fell on the 7th, 9th, 15th, 18th, 19th, 28th and 29th, the heaviest rainfall being on the 19th, when 1-01 inches fell. From 1° to 22° of frost was registered every night this month until the 26th, when the thermometer went to 41°. No frost was registered after this date. May was an unusually wet month, rain falling on 14 different dates, the heaviest fall being on the 27th, when -95 inches fell. From the 19th to the 26th the weather was fine. Seeding was begun on the 20th of this month. The thermometer registered frost on the 7th, 12th, 16th and 20th. The first week of June was wet, rain falling on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th, and again on the 12th, 13th, 14th, 16th, 17th, 20th and 22nd, the weather from this date being fine until the night of the 30th, when a light rain fell. On the 7th, the ther- mometer registered 78°, on the Sth 79°, on the 9th 78°, on the 10th 79°, and on the 11th 80°, dropping on the 12th to 59°. July was very warm, with no rain in the early part of the month. The thermometer registered above 80° on 11 different dates, going as high as 91° on the 8th. The rainfall was very heavy during the latter part of the month, rain falling on 10 different dates, the heaviest being on the 20th, when 1-31 inches fell. 247 248 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 August. — The first half of this month -was very wet, 4-48 inches of rain falling up to the 16th; the heaviest rain being on the 2nd, -when 2-07 inches fell. The thermometer registered 80° on the 11th and 14th, respectively. September -was fijie and fair practically all the month, 1-65 inches of rain falling, the heaviest being on the 3rd, when -91 inches fell. The weather was favourable for harvesting, and very good for the growth of roots. No frost was registered during this month. October opened with a two days' rain. The balance of the month was fine and dry until the 30th, when 1-27 inches of rain fell. On the 5th, 6th, 13th, 21st and 22nd, 6°, 4°, 4°, 12° and 7° of frost were recorded, respectively. November was a dry month, the total precipitation being 1-1 inches. Eain fell on the 12th, -41 inches falling, and 6 inches of snow fell on the night of the 18th. Frost was registered from the 1st to the 8th, and again from the 13th to the end of the month, 8° being the lowest recorded on the night of the 8th and again on the 18th. The first half of December was stormy. Rain or snow fell on seven different dates previous to the 16th. The heaviest rainfall was on the 12th, 1-11 inches falling. The heaviest snowfall was on the 14th, when 4 inches fell. The thermometer dropped to zero on the 6th, and on the 23rd and 24th, 5° and 8° below were registered, respectively. Frost was recorded every day during this month. Janauary, 1909. — This was a month of fine winter weather. Rain fell on 3 different dates and snow on 6 different dates. The heaviest snowfalls being on the 26th and 31st, 6 inches- falling on each day. The rainfall on the 6th spoilt the sleigh- ing until the 23rd, on and after which date, 15 inches of snow fell. February. — The weather during this month was quite seasonable, with more than usual intense cold, being notable for its sudden changes in temperature, varying from 26° below zero to 49° above within a period of a very few days. The most sudden change was from 23° below on the 4th to 49° above on the 6th. Snow fell on 3 different dates, the heaviest fall being 12 inches, on the 16th. March was a very fine month, the mercury dropping only once below zero, being 5° below on the 2nd. With the exception of a very few light rainfalls, the weather was clear until the 24th, when 10 inches of snow fell, making sleighing for only one day. A light rain on the 26th took the snow away. The ground was about bare practically all the month. METEOROLOGICAL RECORDS. Month. Degrees of Temperature F. Sunshine. 1908. April Mav Highest. 640 74-0 800 91 0 80-0 790 730 550 520 550 490 50 0 Date. 30 24 11 8 11 11 16 4 7 6 6 5 Lowest. 100 27 0 230 ' 400 360 35-0 200 20 0 - 8-0 —13-0 — 2C, 0 — 5 0 Date. 2 7 4 28 29 20 21 22 24 17 2 2 Mean. 33-96 49-03 58-15 65-31 61 44 58-04 48 43 35-63 21 00 16-40 17 58 28-59 Hours. June July Autiust September October 248-5 256 0 176-5 November 115 0 December 1909. January February 118-0 83 0 102-0 March 124 5 The record of sunshine was taken only from August 1. REPORT OF MR. R. ROBERTSON 249 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 PRECIPITATION Month. April May June.'. July August .... Sept^^irber. October.. . . November. December. January. . February . March . 1908. 1909. Totals . Rain Fall. Inches. 07 .08 •41 73 •35 •G5 •73 •41 14 1^61 2-45 2 09 31-72 Snow Fall. Inches. 13- 6^ 11- 19- 14 • 20 83- Total Precipita- tion. Inches. 37 08 41 73 3.5 05 73 01 24 3-51 3-8.5 409 40 02 EXPERIMENTS WITH OATS. Experiments -were asrain conducted this year -w-ith the leading varieties of oats, ■which were grown in uniform test plots of one-fortieth acre each. Twenty-fo-ur varieties were included in this test. The plots received the same treatment and were on soil practically uniform throughout. The ground was a clay loam on which turnips were grown the previous year (1907), for which crop twenty-five loads of barn-yard manure per acre were applied with the manure-spreader. The land was ploughed in the fall (1907) and harrowed in the spring (1908) with the spring-tooth and smoothing harrows, until a fine tilth was made. The seed was sown on May 21 with the seed drill at the rate of 2i bushels per acre. This ground was also seeded down to clover and timothy at the rate of 7 lbs. Mammoth Red clover, 3 lbs. Alsike clover and 12 lbs. Timothy seed per acre, by means of a grass seed attachment to the grain seeder. The seed was from selected heads of the previous season's crop, cut from the various plots at harvest time. No additional fertilizer was used on these plots this season. The grain started well, as did also the grass seed, but owing to the heavy rains in the latter half of July, and first half of August, the grain was beaten down and consequently did not fill. The straw showed a slight amount of smut. 250 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS The following yields were obtained : — Oats — Test of Varieties, 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Name of Variety. Wide Awake 'Goltifinder White Giant Storm King Banner Abundance Irish Victor Danish Island Golden Giant Thousand Dollar Kendal White Siberian Milford White (iolden Beauty Twentieth Century Pioneer Lincoln American Triumi)h Improved American.., Improved Ligowo Tartar King Vh^inia White Joanette Swedish Select bo a 'S a, Aug. 24, „ 31. .. 27. .- 24. M 26 ., 27. „ 27. „ 27. Sept. 4. Aug. 24. M 27. M 26. .. 27. .. 26. „ 24. .. 24. ti 26. Sept. 5. Aug. 31. ,- 24. " 26. >, 24 >, 24. „ 24. bo o 6 95 102 98 95 97 98 98 9S 106 95 98 97 98 97 95 95 97 107 102 95 97 95 95 95 o a it In':hes. Character of Straw. 44 38 40 36 42 40 36 42 32 34 40 34 40 34 38 32 32 44 42 36 38 86 32 36 to 46 Stiff. 1. 43 u 44: I, 40 .. 46 .. 441 .. 40 .t 46{ .. 36 tt 38[ M 43 II 36 Medium. H 44 Stiff. . . . . 38| .. 42| It 38 II „ 36 n 48 .. .. 461 .. I. 40 „ 42 ■I 40 Medium. ti OOi ir M 40 Stiff c3 bp t-5 Inches. 6 to 7 6 „ 7 8 •7 7 Kind of Head. 6 r 6 , 6 , 6 , 6 , 6 , 6 . 6 , 6 , 6 , 6 , 6 , 6 , 6 . 5 , 6 , 6 , 6 , 6 , 6 , 6 , 5 , Branching Sided . . . Branching Sided . Branching Sided .. Branching Sided .. Branching Sided .. . Branching Sided .... Branching > cS 2 O Si .4J Ci^ CD -o 0) 0) ^ >< Lbs. 4,280 5,000 4,800 4,400 4,120 4,040 4,200 3,680 3,H40 3,240 2,920 4,320 3,040 3,200 3,120 4,400 4,600 3,920 3,320 2,920 3,720 3,800 3,72fj 3,080 D 74 J2 1-5 4 71 26 71 6 70 00 G8 28 68 8 67 2 65 30 65 30 64 24 64 4 63 18 62 32 62 12 61 26 61 6 60 20 59 14 58 28 57 22 55 30 52 32 49 14 47 2 -— £ f- 3 eS ^ ^ 3> ■^ O Lbs. 32 30 32 35 32 31* 325 33 30 32 30 28 34 32 30 34 32 33 31 30 32 30 32 29 EXPEKIMENTS WITH BAELEY. Twenty-four varieties of barley were sown (thirteen of six-rowed and eleven of two-rowed), in uniform test plots of one-fortieth acre each. The land was a clay loam on which turnips were grown the previous year (1907), for which crop twenty-five loads of barn-yard manure per acre were used. No manure or other fertilizer was used for this crop. The land was ploughed in the fall of 1907, thoroughly worked up in the spring, and sown May 21, with seed selected from picked heads of the previous year's crop, sown at the rate of 2 -bushels per acre. Seven pounds Mammoth Red clover, 3 lbs. Alsike clover and 12 lbs. Timothy seed per acre was sown at the same time. Slight smut was noticeable. REPORT OF MR. R. ROBERTSON 251 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Following were the yields obtained: — Six-rowed Barley — Test of Varieties, S a 1 2 3 4 5 6 / 8 9 10 11 12 13 Name of Variety. bo a 'a cS Q Nug^ent Stella Odessa Mensury Blue Long-head Trooper Mansfield Oderbruch Claude Albert. Champion Yale. Empire to 6 Aue:. 19 rt 20 17 20 20 17 20 17 17 19 15 20 19 0) — ( rn HH u-t hn o c ■^ -^ u ■J c o a. 1-1 .rt Inches. 90 91 88 91 91 88 91 88 88 90 86 91 90 32 36 30 33 34 30 36 30 30 36 41 26 35 to Character of Straw. 36 40 36 [16 38 34 38 36 34 3S 45 30 38 Stiff.. .. If ... Medium Stiff.. . . II ... Medium Stiff'.'. . . Medium Stiff.. . . a a) bo a Inches. 2i to 2i 2i 3 2i 2i 3 3 2 c3 bo Lbs. 3,880 4,240 2,680 4,000 3,400 2,600 3,600 3,200 2,440 2,800 3,080 3,000 3,120 u O 2 Ol bo u ^ aJ 5 ea > .a pa i-:i 45 40 45 20 43 16 42 44 42 24 41 .32 41 32 40 40 40 20 33 16 37 24 36 32 34 8 Lbs. 47 48 47i 47 41 49 47 48 47 47i 40 46 46 Two-rowed Barley — Test of Varieties. •. • ■ . , 1 ^'2 TJ &: ? 2 bo i Name of Variety. U-l bb s 5 bo Character of c3 IB w o c3 i3 m o U < o Weight per mc sured busl after cleanin ^ ;! Pd 6 %1 J.I Straw. bo c 2 Inches. Inches. Lbs. 43 D .a Lbs. 1 French Chevalier Aug . 21 21 92 32 to 36 92 30 1, 34 Medium . . II 3 to 4 2i 1. 4 3,080 3,680 57 50 40 20 48^ 2 Danish Chevalier 50' 3 Beaver 21 92 30 .. 33 3 II 3i 3,800 49 8 48i 4 Jar vis 20 19 20 9135 11 38 90 30 1. 34 9130 .1 33 Stiff tl M 2 -1 2\ 2 II 2i 2 ,i2| 3,920 3,000 2,800 48 47 43 16 24 16 47i 5 Gordon 46 6 Invincible . .. 47i 7 Standwell 21 21 21 92 36 II 40 92 36 II 40 '.I2j26 II 30 II ..... If Medium. . 2 11 1\ 2\ 1, 3i 2| .1 3| 3,240 2,600 2,720 42 42 40 44 24 40 47 8 Clifford 48 9 Swedish Chevalier 48 10 Sidney 21 92i32 1, 36 Stiff 2 II 3 2,680 40 00 'Sk 11 Canadian Thorpt 21 92J32 II 38 11 2\ II 3 2,480 35 20 EXPERBIENTS WITH SPRING WHEAT. Fifteen varieties of spring wheat were sown in uniform test plots of one- fortieth acre each, on a clay loam soil on which turnips were grown the previous year (1907). The land was ploughed in the fall, thoroughly worked up in the spring, and sown May 20, at the rate of 1| bushels per acre, together with 7 lbs. Mammoth Red clover, 3 lbs. Alsike clover and 12 lbs. Timothy seed per acre. The seed wheat used was from selected heads of the previous year's crop. The grain made very good growth and ripened well. The straw was clean and no smut or rust was noticed. 252 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 The following were the yields obtained: — Spring Wheat — Test of Varieties. I- (L> s 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 L4 15 Name of Variety. WTiite R ussian Red Fern Percy White Fife Huron Chelsea Marquis Pringle'd Cham plain. Bishop Riga Hungarian White. . . Preston Red Fife Stanley Bobs ST-n . u 03 c« ClO a b 1^ Inches. 2i to 3i 3 , 3i •4 . 3 3 . 4 2 • 3 2 , 3 2 , 3 2 . 3 2 , 3 2 , 3 2 . 3 3 , 3i 2 , 3 2^ ■ 3 2 . 8 Kind of Head. Beardless Bearded . Beardless M Bearded . Beardless II Bearded . Beardless II Bearded . II Beardless ^ ? £ < «4H O g *J Oi JS bo T3 'S * ^ >H J3 Lbs. pa 1^ J 4.480 44 00 4,600 43 20 3,640 42 00 4,120 41 20 4,400 40 40 3,880 39 20 4,280 39 00 3,800 38 40 4,020 36 40 3,720 36 20 4,000 36 00 3,240 35 20 3,480 34 40 4,320 33 00 3,760 32 40 ^ 0* ti S a r- fe 3 5 Lbs. 60^ 60 61 6D 60 61 60 6U 60 61 61 60 61 59 61 EXPEEI^IENTS WITH DURUM OE MACARONI WHEAT. Four varieties of Durum, wheat were grown in uniform test-plots of one-fortieth acre each. The land was similar in character to, and received the same treatment as, the spring wheat plots, and was sown May 20. Following were the yields obtained: — Macaroni or Durum Wheat — Test of Varieties. u s Name of Variety. 1 Goose 2 Roumanian 3 j Yellow Gharnovka. 4iMahmondi bo 1) «4-l ^ 03 Sept. be C d u^ be O C CO c Inches, 105 34 to 38 105 40 108 36 107 32 43 40 36 73 a w o bo Character of Straw. a Inches. 3tiflF i;^ to 2 It 2 „ 2i It II 2 11 2^ 1^ .. 2 Kind of Head. Bearded. _bo Lbs. 3,200 3,400 2,600 2,840 d j J ^ o G 30 ■- *= s c < u 0) 0^ C -a Tn i; ,^, >5 4= 3 X « H Inches. Inches. Lbs. 1 Common Emmer Aug. 28.. 99 30 to 36 Stiff 1 to ]| Bearded 2,240 2 Red Spelt Sept. 10.. 112 40 „ 46 11 .... 3 „ 4 Beardless. . . 2,000 s Red Emmer „ 8.. ,. 10.. 110 112 36 .. 40 36 M 40 It .... II 3 .1 4 Bearded .. .. Beardless. . . 1,560 4 White Spelt 1,480 EXPEKI^IENTS WITH PEAS. Eighteen varieties of peas were sown in uniform test plots of one-fortieth acre each, on a clay loam soil on which turnips were grown the previous year (1907). The land was ploughed in the fall, well worked up in the spring, and sown on May 22, with the seed drill, at the rate of 2 to 3 bushels per acre. The ground was also seeded down to clover and timothy at the rate of 7 lbs. Mammoth Red clover, 3 lbs. Alsike and 12 lbs. Timothy seed per acre. The following yields per acre were obtained : — Peas — Test of Varieties. u Name of Variety. I 8 9 10 13 14 15 16 17 18 1 Arthur 2 ]:>aniel O'Rourke 3 Picton 4 Prince 5 Agnes 6 White Marrowfat Mackay Chancellor Archer Gregory 11 Wisconsin Blue ...... 12 English Grey Black-eye Marrowfat. Paragop Prussian.Blue Golden Vine Victoria . . . . Early Britain Date of Ripening. Q bD C o ■- . 3 Character of Growth. Sept. 8.. 109 Fair tl 5.. 106 Poor. .. . tl 8.. 109 Fair It 7.. 108 11 tl 8.. 109 tl 11 5.. 106 tl M 9.. no 11 II 5.. 106 Poor tl 8.. 109 Fair 11 9.. 110 Poor M 7.. 108 II tl 5.. 106 tl . . ... II 8.. loy Fair. .. . It 7.. 108 Poor II lOS II II 4.. 105 11 If 8.. 109 M II 5.. 106 11 Average Length of Pod. Inches. 2 — 2| 1^—2 2 — 2| li— 2 2 -2^ 2 —3 2 —3 1^-2 2 — 2i 2 — 2i 2 —2i 2 —2^ 2-2i n—2 l|-2 2 —2^ 2 -2i Yield Size of Pea. per Acre. Bush. Lbs. Medium 20 .. Small 18 40 Medium 18 . II 16 40 II 15 20 Large II 14 40 14 20 Small 14 .. Medium 13 20 M 12 40 It 12 .. It 11 20 II 10 40 II 9 20 Small 8 .. It 7 40 Medium 7 .. II 6 40 c^ o) bb " 3 C p, I— ( bo I. 4j Lbs. 62 61^ 62 61 61 61 61 6H 60 co^ 60 61 60 60 61 62 60 60 254 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 EXPEEIMENTS WITH BUCKWHEAT. Five varieties of buckwheat were sown in uniform test-plots of one-fortieth acre each. The land was a clay loam that had been in corn the previous year (1907), and had received a dressing of barn-yard manure in the fall of 1906. The seed was sown on June 18 and cut on September 4. No manure or fertilizer was used for this crop. The following yields were obtained: — Buckwheat — Test of Varieties. in Length c«'3 to ill i s 1 Name of Variety. Character of Soil. Date of Sowing. Date of Ripening. 1. of Straw, inolud- ing Head. Yield per. Acre. Weight per sured b after clea Inches. n 1-1 Lbs. 1 2 3 4 Tartarian ... Rye Buckwheat. . Japanese Grey. .... Clay loam . . ti II . . 11 ti . . June 18.. ,1 18.. 1, 18.. H 18.. II 18.. Sept. 4.. 4.. 4.. 4.. 4.. 78 78 78 78 78 34—38 36-40 3(5—40 35-38 38-42 41 32 40 .. 28 16 21 24 19 8 48 48 48 48 5 Silver-hull 48 EIELD CKOPS OF GRAIN. Four acres of field grain were sown in one-acre lots. The land was a clay loam and had been in roots the previous year, for which crop, manure at the rate of twenty cart loads per acre had been applied. This land was ploughed in the fall and sown May 22. Clover and timothy seed were sown with this crop. The results obtained are as follows, allowing 40 lbs. x>er bushel for mixed grain,. 48 lbs. per bushel for barley and 34 lbs. per bushel for oats : — 1 acre Waverley oats . 1 II Pioneer oats .. , 1 II Odpssa barley. 1 II Mixed grain . . Crops. Yield per Acre. Bush. Lbs. 45 50 10 35 24 38 10 Weight per Bushel. Lbs. 34 34 18 40 FIELD CROP OF MIXED GRAIN. Six acres of mixed grain were sown. The land was a clay loam in only a fair state of fertility, the previous crop having been clover hay with a light aftermath, turned under in the fall. This was sown on !May 26 with a .mi.xture of Waverley oats, 2 bushels; Odessa barley, 1 bushel, and Prussian Blue peas, J bushel, sown at the rate of 3 bushels per acre. The yield was 43 bushels per acre, at 40 lbs. per bushel. REPORT OF MR. R. ROBERTSON 255 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 FIELD CEOPS OF BUCKWHEAT. Two acres of buckwheat were grown on a clay loam in a good state of fertility, the previous crop having been ensilage corn. The variety used was Silver-hull. The land was sown June 18, and yielded 36 bushels 24 lbs. per acre. FIELD CROPS OF GRAIN ON MAESH. Fifteen acres of oats were sown on ordinary marsh (or dyke) soil of a rather sandy nature, on which timothy hay had been grown for a term of years, yielding an average crop of about 1 to 2 tons per acre. This was sown with three different varieties of oats, Pioneer, Sensation and Black Tartarian at the rate of 3 bushels per acre. The land was not by any means uniform, making a comparison of varieties uncertain. The total yield was 692 bushels 32 lbs., an average of 47 bushels per acre. EXPERIMENTS WITH INDIAN COEN. Fifteen varieties of Indian corn were sown in uniform test-plots. The land was a- clay loam on which clover hay had been grown the previous season, the aftermath having been left on the ground, on top of which, in the fall of 1907, was spread stable manure at the rate of about 20 tons per acre, and was ploughed in the spring of 1908 after a fairly good growth of grass had started. This was well worked up, but not deeply, and complete fertilizer at the rate of 400 lbs. per acre was added, sown broadcast and harrowed in. On June 6 this was sown in rows 36 inches apart and also in hills 36 inches apart each way, harrowed over with a smoothing harrow before coming up, and again just as some of the first plants were coming through the ground. From this on, a one-horse cultivator was used about once each week, until the corn was three to four feet high. When the plants were about six inches high, they were thinned out in the rows from 4 to 6 inches apart, and from 3 to 6 plants left per hill where in hills, the hand hoeing necessary being done at this stage. This crop made very good growth throughout the season and was very satisfactory, being harvested September 28. Following were the results obtained: — Corn — Test of Varieties. g 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Name of Variety. Wood's Northern Dent . . North Dakota White Champion White Pearl. . Mammoth Cuban Superior Fodder Anjrel of Midnight ."^alzer's All Gold Early Mastodon Longfellow Pjureka Pride of the North Selected Learning White Cap Yellow Dent. Compton's Early Early Butter to 'S In. 94 81 102 84 92 82 92 99 88 96 80 83 80 80 85 Leafinpss. Very leafy. . II . . Fairly leafy. Leify . . . . . Fairly leafy. Very leafy. Med. leafy. . Fairly leafy. Very leafy . , Fairly leafy When Tas- selled. Aug. 20. ,. 20. Sept. 5. In Silk. Aug. 15. Sept. 20. 13. 20. Sept. 1. Sept. 3. Aug. 15. Sept. 1 Sept. 3. Aug. 20. Sept. 3, Condition When Cut. Late milk. . Soft glazed, Watery. . Glazed . Watery. Early milk Glazed . Watery, II Late milk Watery Glazed . Late milk Weight per acre gi- own in rovs. Tons. Lbs. 2r, 470 2(5 250 25 1,700 25 1.1.50 25 50 24 1,170 24 950 23 1,8.50 23 1,.300 23 1,0.«0 23 200 22 l,(i.'i0 21 1,450 21 900 21 570 Weight per acre grown in hills. Tons. Lbs . 25 21 23 2S 22 21 23 24 21 22 22 20 22 24 22 1,1.50 1,230 1,300 30 1,650 900 750 400 570 1,870 1,430 1,800 1,080 1,500 1,100 256 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 INDIAN CORN SOWN AT DIFFERENT DISTANCES APART. In this experiment, the soil and its treatment were identical with the previous test, except that no commercial fertilizer was added. Sown June 8, and harvested September 28, with the following results: — Name of Variety. Longfellow. Champion White Pearl. Selected Leaming. 170 750 200 25 1,700 26 1,200 GOO GO 200 300 25 l.COO FIELD CROP OF INDIAN CORN. Two acres of Indian corn were grown as a field crop in three lots, one of 1 acre, and two of i acre each. This land was also a clay loam in a good state of fertility, having grown clover hay the previous year. This was manured on the sod in the fall of 1907 at the rate of about 20 tons per acre, and left until about June 1, 1908, when a fairly good growth of grass had started, when it was ploughed, well cultivated and sown in rows 36 inches apart. This was gone over twice with a sm'oothing harrow before the corn was up, and cultivated with a one-horse cultivator at intervals of one week for four weeks. This was sown June 6 and cut September 30 to October 1: 1 acre of Longfellow yielded 20 tons 1,000 lbs; i acre of Dakota White at rate of 22 tons 1,375 lbs per acre, and 2 acre Learning at rate of 26 tons per acre. EXPERIMENTS WITH TURNIPS. Twelve varieties of turnips were sown in uniform test plots on June 8, and a duplicate set on June 22. The land on which this crop was grown was a heavy clay soil in rather poorer condition than generally used for this experiment, which had been in hay the two previous years. This was ploughed in the fall of 1907, and again in the spring of lOOS, well cultivated, and barn-yard manure applied at the rate of 20 tons per acre. This was ploughed under and again thoroughly cultivated. Complete fertilizer at the rate of 500 lbs. per acre was sown broadcast and harrowed in, and the field rowed up into rows 24 inches apart. The plants were thinned out to 1 foot apart in the rows as soon as they were sufficiently n'latured. On account of the continued wet weather, hoeing was very difficult, and cultivation was not by any means as thorough as usual. The crop was pulled on October 24, with the following results : — REPORT OF MR. R. ROBERTSON 257 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Turnips — Test of Varieties. S ] Name of Variety. Magnum Bonum. 2 Kangaroo . 3 Jumbo 4 Mammoth Clyde 5 Derby 6|Pefpction Swede. ...... 7|Halewood'8 Bronze Top. 8 Banghtjlni Selected Hall's Westbury Hartley's Bronze Good Luck Skirvings. 9 10 11 12 1.3 J Carter's Elephant. Yield per Acre. 1st Plot. Tons . Lbs. 28 1,750 2S 1,420 28 1,255 28 925 28 595 28 430 28 100 27 1,770 27 1,275 27 450 24 675 23 1,355 23 1,025 Bush. Lbs. 962 957 954 948 943 940 935 929 921 907 811 789 783 30 ih 45 15 30 io 15 30 15 15 45 2nd Plot. Tons Lbs. 23 860 24 675 22 55 23 200 22 1,705 22 550 23 1,025 20 1,250 23 1,850 23 530 23 530 21 75 19 1,600 Bush. Lbs. 781 811 734 770 761 742 783 687 797 775 775 701 660 15 15 45 30 45 30 30 30 30 15 FIELD CEOP OF TUENIPS. Six acres of turnips were grown as a field crop in lots of 1 acre each. The land varied from heavy clay to light sandy soil, including some black muck, about an equal proportion of each being in each different acre. This land was ploughed in the fall of 1907, well worked up in the spring of 1908, manure at the rate of 20 tons per acre spread on the surface and ploughed under. It was again thoroughly cultivated and sown in rows 24 inches apart. To one-third of each acre was added complete fertilizer (Bowker's Square Brand) at the rate of 500 lbs. per acre, to another third complete fertilizer at the rate of 250 lbs. per acre, the remaining third of each acre having manure only. On account of the continued cold, wet and backward weather, this crop was only finished sowing June 23 ; from this time on for the next three weeks extreme drought was experienced, which resulted in slower growth of this crop than tisual. Then, just when thinning and hoeing for the first time, such heavy and con- linued rains were experienced as to make it quite impossible to work on the field for some weeks, with the result that practically all this crop received only one hoeing and one cultivating before attaining such growth as to render further cultivation impracticable, and the land was thus left in a baked and unsuitable condition, some- what weedy. From this time out, the season was particularly good for growth, but owing to the baked and otherwise poor state of the soil, this crop did not make nearly as good growth at this season of the year as usual, when conditions are favourable. The following table shows the dates of sowing, harvesting and yield of varieties: — 16—17 258 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS Field Crops of Turnips. 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Name of Variety, How Fertilized, Size of Plot. Yield per Acre. Purple Top Swede— (Pulled October 26). J acre. Manure and fertilizer, 500 lbs. per acre . only. 250 Cost per acre of 500 lbs. fertilizer at $30 per ton S 7 50 Value per acre in crop over manure only, GO bush. 18 lbs. atGc 3 62 Loss per acre $ 11 12 Cost per acre of 250 lbs. fertilizer at $30 per ton $ 3 75 Value per acre in crop over manure only, 6 bush. 18 lbs. at 6c 0 38 Loss per acre $ 3 37 Kangaroo — (Pulled October 28). J acre. Manure and fertilizer, 500 lbs. per acre. I II II II 250 II II 11 only Cost per acre af 500 lbs. fertilizer at $30 per ton $ 7 50 Value per acre in crop over manure only, 37 bush., 42 lbs. at 6c... 2 24 Loss per acre $ 5 26 Cost per acre of 250 lbs. fertilizer at -^SO per ton $ 3 75 Value per acre in crop over manure only, 29 bush. 20 lbs. at 6c.,.., : 176 Loss per acre $ 1 99 Magnum Bonum — (Pulled November 3). ^ acre. Manure and fertilizer, 500 lbs. per acre ^ 11 II II 250 II I II 11 only Cost per acre of 500 lbs. fertilizer at $30 per ton $ 7 50 Value per acre in crop over manure only, 4 bush. 30 lbs. at 6c 0 27 Loss per acre $ 7 23 Cost per acre of 250 lbs. fertilizer at $30 per ton $ 3 75 Value per acre in crop over manure only, 43 bush. 30 lbs. at 6c 2 61 Loss per acre. 1 11 Jnvicte— (Pulled November 4). J acre. Manure and fertilizer, 500 lbs. per acre only 250 Cost per acre of 500 lbs. fertilizer at $30 per ton . . .$ 7 50 Value per acre in crop over manure only, 118 bush. 14 lbs. at 6c 7 09 Loss per acre $ 0 51 Cost per acre of 2.50 lbs. fertilizer at .$30 per ton $ 3 75 Valu°- per acre in crop over manure only, 112 bush. 32 lbs. atGc 6 75 Gain per acre $ 3 00 Tons. 21 23 22 Lbs. 372 1,990 Yield per Acre 20 812 680 12 20 371 672 51 18 610 643 30 Bu.sh. 706 772 766 Lbs. 12 48 30 21 692 711 36 19 1,816 663 36 24 426 707 06 23 556 776 06 23 224 770 24 19 1,472 657 52 REPORT OF MR. R. ROBERTSON 259 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Field Crops of Turnips — Concluded. Name of Variety, How Fertilized, Size of Plot. Hartley's Bronze — (Pulled November 10). 4 acre. Manure and fertilizer, 500 lbs. per acre I .. M ., 250 1, I II II only Cost per acre of 500 lbs. fertilizer at $.S0 per ton $ 7 50 Value per acre in crop over manure only, M busb. at 6c. . 3 24 Loss per acre $ 4 26 Cost per acre of 250 lbs. fertilizer at $'30 per ton $ 3 75 Value per acre in crop over manure only, 24 bush. 56 lbs. at6c 150 Loss per acre $ 2 25 Halewood's Bronze Top — (Pulled November 13). J acre. Manure and fertilizer, 500 lbs. per acre 3 II II II ZoO II ^ II II only Cost per acre of 500 lbs. fertilizer, at $30 per ton $ 7 50 Value per acre in crop over manure only, 98 bush. 6 lbs. at 6c 5 89 Loss per acre $ 1 61 Cost per acre of 250 lbs. fertilizer at $30 per ton $ 3 75 Value per acre in crop over manure only, 49 bush. 48 lbs. at Gc 2 99 Loss per acre $ 0 76 Yield per Acre. Tons. Lbs. 22 1,414 756 54 21 1,650 727 50 21 174 702 54 Yield per Acre. Bush. Lbs. 22 1,864 764 34 21 966 716 06 19 1,968 666 18 EXPERIMENTS WITH MANGELS AND SUGAR BEETS. Ten varieties of mangels and four varieties of sugar beets were sown in uniform test plots, in duplicate lots two weeks apart. The land chosen for this experiment was a light clay loam with some sand, in a very moderate state of fertility, the previous crop having been potatoes. This was ploughed in the fall and, having been well cultivated in the spring, 20 one-horse cart- loads of barn-yard manure per acre were spread on the surface and ploughed under. This was again well cultivated, and complete fertilizer (Bowker's Square Brand) at the rate of 500 lbs. per acre sown broadcast and harrowed in. The land was run into rows 24 inches apart and the first series of plots were sown May 25. Owing, we believe, to the extremely cold and wet weather, this series of plots started very badly, in fact but few plants came vip until three or four weeks after sowing, when it was considered advisable to harrow up this crop and replant. In the meantime the series of plots that will hereafter be termed ' 1st sowing ' were sown June 8. These started fairly well. A duplicate plot was sown June 22. This was planted with a Planet Jr. seed drill in bunches 12 inches apart in the rows, and from four to six seeds in each bunch, and, later on, thinned out, leaving one plant in each spot. This crop was pulled October 20, and the yield calculated in each case from the weight of roots gathered from two rows, each G6 feet long. The following are the results obtained: — 16— 17i 260 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS Mangels — Test of Varieties. 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 S a Name of Variety. Prize Mammoth Long Red . . Mammoth Long Red ; Gate Post Yellow Intermediate I Giant Yellow Intermediate . (i| Mammoth Red Intei mediate 7|Half T-ong Sugar White 8 Crimson Champion 9 Giant Yellow Globe lOlSelected Yellow Globe Yield per Acre. Ist Plot. Tons. Lbs. 21 570 20 1910 20 755 19 1105 18 1620 17 815 Ifi S35 15 1350 14 1535 13 1735 Yield per Acre. Ist Plot. Bush. libs. 709 69S 679 651 627 580 547 522 492 462 30 30 15 45 i5 15 30 15 15 Yield per . ^cre. 2nd Plot. Tons. Lbs. 13 1720 13 1225 15 360 16 1660 15 1845 11 770 14 1040 13 730 12 915 11 935 Yield per Acre. 2nd Plot. Bush. Lbs. 462 453 606 .561 530 379 4H4 445 415 382 45 45 30 30 15 15 Sugar Beets — Test of Varieties. 1 Name of Variety. Yield per Acre. 1st Plot. Yield per Acre. 1st Plot. Yield per Acre. 2nd Plot. Yield per Acre. 2nd Plot. 1 Vilmorin's Improved Tons. Lbs. 16 505 15 1845 12 90 11 1430 Bush. Lbs. 541 45 530 45 401 30 390 30 Tons. Lbs. 11 1760 15 360 11 110 10 615 Bush. Lbs. 396 9. Jumbo 506 3 4 Wanzleben Freiich Very Rich . , 368 30 343 45 EXPERIMENTS WITH CARROTS. Six varieties of carrots were sown in uniform test-plots. These plots were along.side of, and sown under the same conditions as the mangel and sugar-beet plots. The following are the yields obtained: — Carrots — Test of Varieties. S Name of Variety. Improved Short White White Belgian ... Ontario Champion Giant White Vosges Half Long Chantenay Mammoth White Intermediate Yield per Acre. 1st Plot. Tons. Lbs. 21 1725 21 1100 20 1150 18 465 17 1475 16 175 Yield per Acre. 1st Plot. Bush. Lbs. 728 45 718 20 687 30 607 45 591 15 536 15 Yield per Acre. 2nd Plot. Tons. Lbs. 15 855 14 545 17 485 17 1640 15 380 11 1925 Yield per Acre. 2nd Plot. Bush. Lbs. 514 475 574 594 606 398 15 45 45 00 20 45 REPORT OF MR. R. ROBERTSON 261 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 EXPERIMENTS WITH POTATOES. Twenty-five varieties of potatoes were grown in uniform test plots. The land was a heavy clay from which soiling crops had been cut for the two previous seasons. Barn-yard manure at the rate of 20 loads per acre had been applied in the summer of 1907. This was ploughed in tlie fall of that year, well worked up, ploughed again in the spring of 1908, again worked up, and complete fertilizer (Bowker's Square Brand) at the rate of 400 lbs. per acre applied. It was run in rows 30 inches apart, and the sets planted one foot apart in the rows. The drills were harrowed down and rowed up twice before the plants came up. Bordeaux mixture (mixed with Paris green) was sprayed on three times during the season. There was no blight or scab, but a considerable quantity of rot. The potatoes were planted June 13 and dug October 8. The yield per acre has been calculated from the crop obtained from two rows each 66 feet long. The following are the yields obtained: — Potatoes — Test of Varieties. S 1 Name of Variety. Rochester Rose 2 pjverett 3 Ashleaf Kidney 4 Money Maker 5 Empire State 6 Reeves' Rose 7 Vermont Gold Coin. 8 Vick's Extra Early . 9 Oooley 10 Early Manistee 11 Hoi born Abundance. 12 Canadian Beauty 13, Carman No. 1 14 American Wonder 15 Dreer's Standard 16 Burnabv Mammoth., 17 Irish Cobbler 181 Late Puritan , 19 Country Gentleman . . 20 21 22 23 24 25 State of Maine. Uncle Sam Early White Piize Morgan Seedling Twentieth Century. . . Dalmeny Beauty Total Yield per Acre. Bush. Lbs. 448 48 444 24 424 36 404 48 391 36 389 24 380 36 378 24 376 12 360 48 343 12 332 12 314 36 310 12 301 24 299 12 297 00 290 24 277 12 275 00 272 48 250 48 239 48 237 36 226 36 Yield per Acre of Sound. Bush . Lbs. 448 48 422 24 411 24 380 36 380 .S6 380 36 378 24 378 24 376 12 354 12 323 24 314 36 314 36 310 12 290 24 292 36 297 00 283 48 251 48 266 12 253 00 242 00 226 36 235 24 224 24 Yield per Acre of Rotten. Bush . Lbs. 22 00 13 12 24 12 n 00 8 48 2 12 6 36 19 48 17 36 ""'li' '6('i 6 36 6 36 15 24 8 48 19 48 8 48 13 12 2 2 12 12 Yield per Acre of Market- able. Bush . Lbs. 319 00 277 12 308 00 204 36 257 24 224 24 28? 48 255 12 286 00 286 00 222 12 173 48 222 12 189 12 162 48 173 48 180 24 178 12 171 36 178 12 169 24 198 00 132 00 176 00 160 36 Yield per Acre of Lnmarket able. Bush . Lbs, 129 48 167 12 116 36 200 12 134 12 165 00 96 48 123 12 90 12 74 48 121 00 158 24 92 24 121 00 138 36 125 24 116 36 112 12 105 36 88 00 83 36 44 00 94 36 59 24 63 48 Form and Colour. OblonpT, Dark, Pink. Round, Flat, White. '1 II Long, White. Dark, Pink. Oval, White. Long, White. Flat, Round, White. Oblong, Pink. Round, White. Long, Pink. Flat, Round, White. Long, White. Round, White. Long, Pink Round, White. Long, White. Oblong, Pink. Round, White. Oblong, White. Long, White. Oblong, Pink. Oblong, White. Round, White. CLOVER EXPERIMENTS. Experiments were again conducted this season, to determine the gain, if any, from growing clover with grain crops for the purpose of ploughing under the growth of clover made during the season, for the benefit of future crops. The ground chosen was the land on which similar clover experiments had been carried on for the past three seasons. The soil was a clay loam in a fair state of fertility. Three kinds of 262 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 grain in twelve plots of one-fortieth acre each were grown, and each of these series of plots was treated in the same way. Six idiots were seeded down at the time the grain was sown, June 20, and six plots with grain alone. These plots were sown in a similar manner last season, and those seeded to clover this year had been seeded to clover the previous season also, and those not seeded to clover this year had not been seeded to clover the previous year. No fertilizer had been used except the clover turned under. Each of the two previous years had a particularly light crop, both seasons being unsuited to clover growing. Clover Experiments. No. Name of Variety and how seeded. Pringle's Champlain Wheat — (Sown June 8. Cut Sept. 14th) Without Clover With Clover Without Clover With Clover Odessa Barley — Sown June 8th. Cut Sept. 1st). Without Clover With Clover Without Clover With Clover Pioneer Oa^s— (Sown June 8th. Cut Sept. 11th). Without Clover With Clover Without Clover , With Clover Yield per Acre. Bush. Lbs. 13 40 14 40 14 00 17 40 16 32 22 24 21 32 31 12 34 04 4.5 10 44 24 51 OG EXPERIMENTS WITH INOCULATED CLOVER AND ALFALFA. Experiments were again conducted with clover and alfalfa, sown side by side, each treated and un-treated with nitro culture to determine the value to be derived from nitro culture as c-ompared with untreated seed, and also to compare the value of clover and alfalfa as grown in this section. Four half-acre plots were used for this experiment, the land being in a rather poor state of fertility and not having previously had manure. These plots were sown June 20. No difference was found in the plots treated and untreated in either case. A small portion, running right across all four plots, that had received a dressing of air-slaked lime previously, showed a decided improvement over the other parts, indicating that, on this particular piece of land, the application of lime would probably bave been bonefieial. A poor stand was obtained on all the plots, and at date of writing the crop would api)ear to be entirely killed out. An extreme and prolonged drought immediately after this crop was sown, may account to some extent for the poor stand of both. This experiment was duplicated in a small way in the season of 1907, with one- fortieth acre plots each, on clay soil in a good state of fertility, under-drained and with a good supply of humus. In this case both clover and alfalfa, treated and untreated, grew well and passed the winter fairly well, some parts of the plots being fairly good, while others were entirely killed out. This was cut three times in the season of 1908, giving a light crop at each cutting. In neither case were there any noticeably good effects from the use of the nitro culture. REPORT OF MR. R. ROBERTSON 263 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 EXPERIMENTS WITH EUN-OUT LAND. With a view to determine the practicability of restoring land badly run-out, where a very limited amount of manure is available, this experiment was commenced in the season of 1906, on a field of 8 acres of heavy clay, with some little loam, particularly deficient in hmnus. This field had grown grain and been sown to grass sixteen years ago, since when it had been lying in so-called pasture, growing extremely little after the first few years. This field was practically a square block, and had been used for pasture, where animals had been getting the better part of their feed in the stables. Consequently the corner nearest the buildings received consider- ably more droppings from the cattle during this time than the opposite corner, at least they showed the two extremes in condition. With a view to making each plot as nearly equal in fertility as possible, the field was divided into eight parts of 1 acre each, and numbered 1 to 8. Nos. 1 and 8 being designated plot 1 (2 acres) ; Nos. 2 and 7 plot 2 (2 acres); Nos. 3 and 6 plot 3 (2 acres), and Nos. 4 and 5 plot 4 (2 acres). On plot 1 no fertilizer was used, on plot 2, 300 lbs. complete fertilizer per acre was used. On plot 3, 600 lbs. complete fertilizer (Bowker's Square Brand) per acre was used, and on plot 4, 10 one-horse cart-loads of manure were used. In the season of 1906, this field was sown with peas, oats and vetches mixed together and sown at the rate of 3 bushels per acre. They were allowed to grow until about August 1, when the entire crop was ploughed under. This was repeated in 1907. In 1908 (this season) it was sown with Waverley oats, Odessa barley and Prussian Blue peas, mixed together and sown at the rate of 3 bushels per acre, together with clover and timothy at the rate of 10 lbs. clover and 12 lbs. timothy seed per acre. This field has now the appearance of being in a fairly good condition for crop growing. The take of clover and timothy is quite good, and will be left for clover hay this following season, the intention being to continue growing crops of grain and clover hay alternately for a term of years, without any addition of fertilizer of any kind. The yield obtained this season was as follows : — 0 i How Fertilized. Yield per Plot (2 acres). Weight per Bush. 1 • No fertilizer used Bush. Lbs. 61 04 78 OS 82 05 95 04 Lbs. 40 2 3 300 lbs. fertilizer per acre 600 M >, 40 40 4 10 one horse cart loads manure 40 EXPERIMENTS WITH FERTILIZERS ON MARSH. The land used for these experiments was the ordinary marsh (or dyke) soil on which hay (timothy and June grass) had been grown for at least ten years. It was ploughed the fall previous, well worked up and sown June 9, with oats, the variety used being ' Sensation,' at the rate of 3 bushels per acre. Two acres were used and numbered No. 1 and No. 2. On each acre was a series of 36 plots of one-thirty-sixth acre each. On both acres the lime was used alike, air slaked, sown on the surface and harrowed in. On acre No. 1 all the fertilizers were sown separately on the surface and harrowed in. On acre No. 2, all fertilizers (excepting lime) were sown on the surface after seeding and not harrowed in. 264 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS The following were the results obtained :- 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 g- CO No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 2.S 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 3 casks 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 Fertilizer Per Acre. lime, IOC lbs. 100 lbs. 100 lbs. 100 lbs. only . 200 lbs. 200 lbs. 200 lbs. 200 lbs. lOu lbs. 100 lbs. only... muriate of potash sulphate n muriate of potash, 500 lbs. basic slag, sulphate n n ■■ muriate of potash sulphate u muriate of potash, 500 lbs. basic slag, sulphate n 500 « muriate n' 500 lbs. bone meal . sulphate h 500 n B. No lime, 100 lbs. muriate of potash II 100 lbs. sulphate « .1 100 lbs. muriate m 500 lbs. basic slag .. . II 100 lbs. sulphate u 500 n Check. No fertilizer used No lime, 200 lbs. muriate of potash , II 200 lbs. sulphate n II 200 lbs. muriate n 500 lbs. basic slag. . . .. 200 lbs. sulphate .> 500 u II 100 lbs. muriate of potash, 300 lbs. bone meal. 100 lb"!, sulphate .■ 500 i. Check. No fertilizer used ... 300 lbs. 300 300 .SOO 300 300 300 300 .300 300 300 300 fertilizer, 100 lbs. 100 lbs. 100 lbs. 100 lbs. only .. 200 lbs. 200 lbs. 200 lbs. 200 lbs. 100 lbs. 100 lbs. only . . . 0. muriate of potash, sulphate n n^uriate n , sulphate h , 500 lbs. basic slag. 500 muriate of potash sulphate n muriate u , sulphate n , muriate u , sulphate n , 500 lbs. basic slag . 500 500 lbs. bone meal . 500 .. Fertilizer Harrowed in Yield Per Acre. 58 59 63 72 70 64 50 72 73 67 65 74 51 49 64 66 6i 63 62 67 66 65 61 69 55 55 63 61 67 66 70 76 77 76 81 84 Fertilizer not Harrowed in Yield Per Acre. Bush. Lbs. Bush. Lbs. 8 10 18 18 32 20 28 2 26 22 22 30 26 20 24 14 18 16 20 24 22 14 30 2 8 18 32 18 24 32 8 10 26 24 79 72 80 70 69 75 74 79 86 83 84 85 56 52 63 68 55 64 72 73 74 75 74 75 70 67 73 72 69 67 79 80 82 82 81 83 32 ie 32 30 6 4 14 28 22 24 26 4 32 18 28 2 20 2 22 24 14 8 20 30 26 14 16 2 20 18 22 FURTHER EXPERIMENTS WITH LIME AND COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS ON MARSH OR DYKE LANDS. This experiment, which has been carried on for the past two years, was repeated this season. The land was ploughed in the fall of 1907, and sown in the spring with Sensation oats. It was divided into 12 parts of one-twelfth acre each. Clover and timothy seed was sown at the rate of 10 lbs. clover and 12 lbs. timothy seed per acre on all the plots, while lime (air-slaked), and commercial fertilizer (Bowker's square brand) was applied as below. REPORT OF MR. R. ROBERTSON 265 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Experiments with Fertilizers on Marsh Land. CO No. 9 10 11 12 Fertilizers Per Acre. 3 casks lime, 800 lbs. basic slag 3 II 400 lbs. bone meal 3 II only 3 II 400 lbs. Bowker's fertilizer (square brand) Yield Per Acre. Bush. Lbs. 52 62 60 67 20 28 No lime, 800 basic slag M 400 bone meal Check, no fertilizer used No lime, 400 lbs. Bowker's fertilizer (square brand). 49 59 53 63 14 22 18 30 6 casks lime, 800 lbs. basic slag 6 II 400 lbs. bone meal . 6 II only 6 II 400 lbs. Bowker's fertilizer (square brand) 51 61 60 61 30 02 24 14 The casks of lime used were the ordinary casks in which lime is sold in this vicinity, weighing about 400 lbs. or 5 bushels. Crop of Hay on Marsh, 1908, where above Experiment with Fertilizers had been carried on in 1907. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Fertilizers per Acre Used Previous Year, 1907. 3 casks lime, 800 lbs. basic slag 3 II 400 lbs. bone meal 3 It only 3 .1 400 lbs. Bowker's fertilizer (square brand) No lime, 800 lbs. basic slag M 400 lbs. bone meal Check, no fertilizer used No lime, 400 lbs. Bowker's fertilizer (square brand) 6 casks lime, 800 lbs. basic slag 6 M 400 lbs. bone meal 6 II only 6 II 400 lbs. Bowker's fertilizer (square brand) Yield per Acre, Hay. Tons. Lbs. 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 1 1,280 1,400 1,000 1,075 776 752 1,816 105 980 1,040 440 1,720 SPECIAL EXPERIMENTS WITH FERTILIZERS. Experiments having been carried on for five years previous to 1904, without any change of fertilizer per plot for the entire period, it was decided to discontinue the use of fertilizers, with a view to determine to what extent the fertilizers already applied would continue to supply plant-food for the crop. The field was seeded to grain, two series of plots each, oats, barley, wheat, peas and mixed grain; each series running across the various plots where different fertilizers had been used. With each kind of grain was sown Mammoth Red clover at the rate of 10 lbs. per acre; on the other series of plots the grains were sown alone without clover. This was the fifth crop since receiving any fertilizer. The ground was ploughed in the spring and cultivated thoroughly. The plots were one-eighth of an acre each. The following yields were obtained from these plots : — 266 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 < Q O V ^ > ■^ o 1-5 c>i o O O © O O C<5 O o o © (M © © © CO © © © © 3 (M'MlOt-.-ICC©©t^OCO©© ^5 1-3 M 3 cc ©©©©©©©©©©©©© ©©IMC<;(N>-ii-l©©CO(M vA © -w © 3 O ©^'-^^^■^©©CO-^-rtcW© -(©©IMM-^©r-IC<5C5 b- N. o -^ c: CO ■* CO CO CO (M IM in CO (M lO © Oi O CO © © © O © © © © © © © O © © 3 Li l-l T-H iM CO CO © -4J o . ^ a -c •n< CO t^ t>. © CO 1-1 o t- b- C5 i-l o O 3 o\ iH l-H rH (N iH tH iH i-l 1-1 rl 1—1 pq .^1 1-3 © 3 pa o © © © © © ■* IM (M CO 'Ji CO «C OO CO (M 1-1 l^ ©©©©©©© • © g^ ?^ ^ © © 00 r-l CO © © 1-1 00 T— 1 rH O CO s ^6 m S pa CD © © 00 in »n lO 00 IM »n in CO 00 •n -"J" in © (M 00 © 00 <© -^ (M © © © C^ © © 1-1 t^ 00 © 00 © © © -"f CO o in © o o 3 o ■H > O 03 T3 03 03 03 S 8 DO s o o eo u 03 S o © 3; ~ © © in u 03 ^3 in ^ 3 S 03 U 3 e r2 a S i^ O rl M eo 03 03 o C3 03 Si o © © in c3 03 03 c o pa © © in 03 o IM 03 O 3 3 T3 03 ;S S 03 O s C3 03 o o © in © © 3 s c o o IM a 03 03 g2> 03 T3 rH (M CO "T REPORT OF MR. R. ROBERTSON 267 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 HAY CROP. The hay crop was unusually good both on upland and marsh, the season being quite suitable. Thirty-three acres on upland, yielded 67 tons 975 lbs.; 32 acres on marsh yielded 60 tons 950 lbs. SUMMARY OF CROPS GROWN, EXCLUSIVE OF UNIFORM TEST PLOTS OF GRAIN AND POTATOES. Hay, Tons. Lbs. Upland hay 67 975 Marsh hay 60 950 127 1,925 Grain. Bush. Lbs. Lbs. Mixed grain 613 21 24,541 Oats. 962 21 32,729 Barley 61 24 2,952 Buckwheat 73 . . 3,504 63,726 Turnips. Bush. Lbs. Tons. Lbs. Turnips (field crop) 4,298 43 128 1,923 Turnips (test plots) 128 40 3 1,720 4,427 23 132 1,643 Mangels. Bush. Lbs. Tons. Lbs. Mangels (test plots) 65 10 1 1,920 Corn. Tons. Lbs. Corn (field crop) 48 1,625 Corn (test plots) 6 960 55 585 GRAIN AND POTATO DISTRIBUTION. As in past years, grain and potatoes were distributed to farmers on application. The following number of 3-lb. sample bags were sent to the various applicants: — Oats 240 Barley 54 Wheat 80 Buckwheat 40 Potatoes 329 Total 743 268 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 HORSES. No change has been made in the number of horses in the past year. All are in good condition, and consist of three teams of draft horses, one express horse and one driver. CATTLE. The stock, at present, consists of 53 grade Shorthorn steers and one grade Short- horn milch cow. The steers were purcha'sed in November and put under experiment on November 16. After fasting over night, and before receiving any feed on the morning of the 16th, they were weighed and found as stated below. They are still on hand, having been under experiment 135 days to date, March 31. They are expected to be ready for market in the latter part of May or first of June. They were fed large quantities of roots and clover hay at first, with a view to getting them in proper condition to make the best use of meal feeds, and were freed as to lice and dirt. No meal was fed for the first three weeks, after which they began to receive one pound per day, which was increased from month to month, at the same time decreasing the quantity of roots, until at the finish they will receive seven pounds of meal per day per steer, a few pounds of corn ensilage (instead of roots), and all the hay they will eat, about 15 lbs. each per day. Lbs. Total live weight of 53 steers, Nov. 16, 1908 56,400 Total live weight of 53 steers, March 31, 1909 66,420 Increase. 10,020 Average daily gain per steer 1-40 COMPLETION OF STEER FEEDING EXPERIMENT OF 1908. Finished since last Report. On making my report to March 31, 1908, the 68 steers under experiment were still on hand. The following is a continuation and conclusion of said experiment : — Experiment with Steers, 1908, Unfinished in last Report. Lbs. Total live weight of 68 steers, Nov. 16, 1907 67,875 Total live weight of 68 steers, March 15, 1908 78,355 Increase to March 15, 1908 10,480 Total live weight of 68 steers, April 30, 1908 81,785 Increase to April 30, 1908 (total) 13,910 Financial Results. Original weight of 68 steers, 67,875 lbs., at 42%ooc. per lb. . $2,891 47 Weight at finish, 68 steers, 81,785 lbs., at 5S%ooc. per lb. . 4,784 42 Balance $1,892 95 Cost of feed for lot 165 days 1,570 80 Net profit $ 322 15 Daily rate of gain per steer, 1-23 lbs. Cost of 1 lb. gain, 11-20 cents. Cost of feed per day per steer, 14 cents. Profit p3r steer, $4.73. REPORT OF MR. R. ROBERTSON 269 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 SHEEP. Sheep are not kept in large numbers, only 23 being now in the pens. Two breeds are kept, namely, Shropshires and Leicesters, and their grades. There are 11 Shropshires, as follows : 10 aged ewes and 1 ewe lamb. There are 7 Leicesters, as follows: 6 aged ewes and 1 aged ram. There are also 4 aged grade ewes and 1 grade ewe lamb. Owing to the small area of pasture the flock has not been materially increased, only the desirable ewe lambs have been kept, the others were sold. POULTRY. The breeds of poultry on the farm consist of Barred Plymouth Eocks, White Wyandottes, White Leghorns, Black Minorcas and Buff Orpingtons. The pens are made up as follows : — Cocks. Hens. 8 B. P. Rocks 704 88 W. Wyandottes. 1 4 W. Leghorns 1 10 Blk. Minorcas 1 6 The number of eggs laid by the different breeds during the year. is as follows: — Eggs. Average. 8 B. R. Rocks 704 88 4 W. Wyandottes 300 75 6 W. Leghorns 444 74 3 Blk. Minorcas 210 70 4 B. Orpingtons 268 67 BEES. This past winter the bees did not do well. The mild weather in the early winter kept the temperature of the cellar above 50° until February, causing more or less disturbance among the bees, producing dysentery, with which all hives were more or less affected, and forcing us to put them on their summer stands at the first opportunity. This was done on March 24, one month earlier than is usual with us. Abundant stores were in most of the hives, yet, although containing a good number of bees when put out, during the latter part of April and May, a great many bees died, leaving us ill-prepared to take advantage of one of the best clover seasons we have had in Nova Scotia for many years, the month of July being especially fine bee weather. From five hives, spring count, 210 lbs. honey was sold and some kept on hand to stimulate the bees at brood-rearing time, if needed. To gather some data on the difference between wintering bees on the coarser honeys stored by them in the fall, compared with sugar syrup, six colonies were experimented on for this purpose. Three colonies were left alone with their own stores, and three colonies had their stores extracted and had sugar syrup fed them, by a Miller feeder. At the present time, March 31, all colonies are quiet, and notes will be taken on the effect of the different feeds during the early spring and brood-rearing time. On a bright mild day in early March, the colonies were all taken from the cellar and given a cleansing flight and put back in the cellar the same day. APPLES. Last season proved favourable for fruit trees. The absence of spring frosts was followed by a good setting of fruit, and th-e open fall assisted in the ripening of the late varieties. The apple crop on the farm was a fairly good one, the fruit was clean, well coloured and of good size, especially the winter varieties. * Not mentioned above. 270 EXPERIMES'TAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 STKAWBEERIES. The strawberry plants came through the winter well and a fair crop of fruit was picked. The size of the plots of each variety was 164 x 5 feet. Following are the yields from 20 of the most productive varieties: — Variety. John Little. . . . Clyde Poeomoke Princess Swindle Capt. Jack . . . Beder Wood . . . Warfield Hood River .... Crescent James Vick Sen. Dunlap . . . Beverly Glen Mary H. W. Beecher Williams Parker Earle. . . Bomba . . .... Lovett Barton Dates when Picked and Yield. July 4. Qts. 1 3 July 8. Qts. 7 8 6 7 2h 6 8 10 5 6 2 7 4 5i 6 3 6 6 4 4 July 11. Qts. 12 13 9 11 7 11 9 7 11 10 8 4 7 6 6 5| 6 3 7 8 July 14. Qts. 6 7 10 2 10 6 2 3 3 n 7 2 6 5 5 4 3 4 4 July 23 Qts. 2 1 1 n 2 1 1 1 4i 1 Yield per Plot. Qts. 30 29 26 25 23^ 23 23 2.3 22 21 19 18^ 18^ 18^ 18 17 17 17 17 17 Yield per Acre. Qts. 1.5,840 15,312 13,728 13.200 12,408 12,144 12,144 12,144 11,616 11,088 10,032 9,768 9,768 9,768 9,504 8,976 8,976 8.976 8,976 8,976 GARDEN PEAS. Ten varieties of what we consider the best garden peas were sown in plots each 33 feet long by 2i feet wide. The seed was sown in rows 2^ feet apart, 2 inches deep and 2 inches apart in the rows. As each variety became ready for use the date was recorded and the yields of green pods from the several pickings entered. The yields were as follows: — Variety. D.\TE OF Picking and Yields. Tot.il Yield from Plots. August 7. August 14. Prosneritv Lbs. Ozs. 11 8 12 0 10 8 9 4 9 8 9 6 10 4 10 8 8 0 7 8 Lbs. Ozs. 3 0 1 8 2 8 3 4 2 0 4 0 3 0 1 8 3 0 2 8 Lbs. Ozs. 14 8 Gradus 'J^hoinas Laxton 13 8 13 0 Clianii»ion Station 12 8 11 8 Telephone American Wonder ]3 6 13 4 Strataj^em 12 0 Earliest of All Notts Excelsior 11 0 10 0 REPORT OF MR. R. ROBERTSON 271 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 GAEDEN BEANS. On June 9 six varieties of beans were planted in rows 36 feet long, dropped 2 inches apart in the row. A duplicate plot of each variety was planted and allowed to ripen. The following yields of green beans were obtained: — Variety. Date of Picking and Yields. Total Aug. 5. Aug. 10. Aug. 18. Plots. Golden Skinless Dwarf Wax Lbs. Oz. 12 0 10 8 11 0 10 8 10 0 8 0 Lbs. Oz. 3 8 4 0 4 0 2 4 4 0 4 0 Lbs. Oz. 2 8 1 0 2 8 1 0 3 8 2 0 Lbs. Oz. 18 0 15 8 II Matchless ■1 Extra Early Fame of Vitrj' 17 8 13 12 17 8 Emperor of Hussia 14 0 TOMATOES. The seed for the test plots was sown in the hot-bed on March 30. The plants were transplanted to strawberry boxes on April 24, and planted in the open, 4 feet apart each way, on June 6. There were 20 varieties planted and eight plants of each used. The yields were as follows: — (D B 3 Variety. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 in 20 Spark's Earliana (C.E.F.) Earlibelle First of All Ponderosa , Chalk's Early Jewel Earliana Early Atlantic Prize Imperial Golden Queen Spark's Earliana (Graham Bros.). Early Hustler Perfection June Pink Success Livingstone's Globe. Plentiful Beefsteak Beauty Dwarf Champion. Mikado Ripe Fruit. Lbs. im 162| 131 87 53^ 99 66| 47 117 83 .SOi 58| 29 52i 44 62 30 31 31 Green Fruit. Lbs. 185J 186"" 131 171 203i 156 19:) 177i 186 107^ 141 145^ 114 127 97 100 72 104 85 65 Yield per Plot. Lbs. 373f 348| 2G2 258 257 255 246i 244l 233 224i 224 176 172| 156 149i 144 134 134 H6 96 272 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS CORRESPONDENCE. 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 During the year 2,965 letters were received and 2,700 sent out, exclusive of reports and circulars mailed with samples of grain. AGRICULTURAL MEETINGS. During the year I attended and delivered addresses at the following meetings: — Sussex Dairy School, April 1 to 3, 1908; Caledonia, N.S., April 8, 1908; Kempt, N.S., April 9, 1908; Maitland, N.S., April 9, 1908; W. Caledonia, N.S., April 10, 1908; Brookfield, N.S., April 11, 1908; Greenfield, N.S., April 13, 1908; Pleasani River, N.S., April 13, 1908; New Germany, N.S., April 14, 1908; Barss Corner, N.S.. April 14, 1908; Bridgewater, N.S., April 15, 1908; Hebeville, N.S., April 15, 1908: Blockhouse, N.S., April 16, 1908; Middle Stewiacke, N.S., June 29, 1908; Norton, N.B., July 9, 1908; Middleton, N.S., December 15 to 17, 1908; Pugwash, N.S., December 21, 1908; Wallace Bay, N.S., December 22, 1908; Fox Harbour, N.S., December 23, 1908; Middleboro, N.S., December 24, 1908; Summerside, P.E.I., March 9 to 12, 1909; Fredericton, N.B., March 17 to 20, 1909; Sussex Dairy School, March 22 to 25, 1909; Chatham, N.B., March 26 to 29, 1909. I also travelled with the Scotch Agricultural delegation from August 14 to 22, 1908. EXHIBITIONS. An exhibit of farm products was made at the N. S. Provincial Exhibition at Halifax, at the Chatham Exhibition, Chatham, N.B., and also at the P.E.I. Exhibi- tion at Charlottetown. I also attended the Musquodoboit Agricultural Society's Exhibition, the Pictou County Exhibition, the Antigonish Agricultural Society's Exhibition, the Sackville and Westmoreland County Exhibition and the Kentville Exhibition. VISITORS. The usual round of visitors, in groups varying in number from a few to 500 or 600 visited the farm during the past summer. I have the honour to be, sir. Your obedient servant, R. ROBERTSON, Superintendent. 9-10 EDWARD VII. SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 A. 1910 EXPERIMENTAL FARM FOR MANITOBA Dr. Wm. Saunders, C.M.G., Director of Experimental Farms, Ottawa. Brandon, March 31, 1909. Sir, — I have the honour to present herewith the twenty-first annual report of the Experimental Farm for Manitoba at Brandon, giving the results of experinieru:s "undertaken during the past year. The winter of 1907-8 in Manitoba, was one of the mildest on record. The weather in the fall continued mild and open until about the first of December, and, although during that month the temperature dropped below zero on several occasions, the weather was particularly pleasant and free from storms. January gave us the only severe weather of the winter, when, for a week, the temperature varied from 18° to 46° below zero. The snowfall was usually light, and there was scarcely a continuous ten days of good sleighing all winter. Spring opened about the first of April, and, the light snowfall being general throughout the west, there was an absence of floods and the land dried off rapidly. Work on this farm started on April 13, but in some parts of the province it was general neirly a week earlier. Seeding conditions have seldom been more favourable in Mfinitoba than they were in 1908. There was an abundance of moisture to start germination, the soil warmed up immediately, and occasional showers maintained a strong healthy growth. Throughout April and May the crop prospects could not have been brighter, and they continued so in some districts until well into the summer. In other parts, very little rain fell for two months after seeding, and the crop was seriously affected. Throughout Manitoba, the yields of wheat, oats and barley, the principal crops, were well up to the average of recent years. In some of the northern districts considerable damage was done by early frosts, but this was not serious except in limited areas. The first frost to be registered here was on August 14, when two degrees was recorded. There was no perceptible damage done except to corn on low land, and to some of the tenderest garden plants. On August 22, the temperature fell to 29 degrees, but again there was very little damage done. Some of the latest wheat showed a little sign of frost, probably received on this date, but the injury was very slight. After this date the weather got much warmer, and during the first half of September, unusually high temperatures prevailed with no further frost until September 23, when we had nine degrees. By this time all crops were safe from danger. During harvest and the early part of the threshing season, the weather was ideal, and most of the crops were harvested in excellent condition. Even smutty grain was very little tainted, as the grain was in such excellent condition when threshed. On the Experimental Farm, harvest started on August 11, three weeks earlier than the year previous. Most crops were not as heavy as in 1907, but were harvested with less expense and were quite satisfactory. The unusually warm weather experienced just as grain was starting to ripen, no doubt reduced the yield considerably and in some cases injured the quality. Late fall weather was open and the ground being well supplied with moisture in Manitoba more than the 'usual amount of fall ploughing was done. The year throughout has been a good one for the Manitoba farmer; the yield of grain has been well up to the average, the season was favourable to securing it in good condition, and prices for all classes of grain were highly satisfactory. 16—18 274 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 EXPERIMENTS WITH WHEAT. Sixteen varieties of wheat were sown April 18, on uniform plots of one-twentieth of an acre each. The land was a clay loam, summerfallowed in 1907, and in excellent condition at the time of sowing. The grain was sown at the rate of one and a half bushels per acre. Weather and soil conditions were ideal throughout most of the growing season, and an excellent growth was the result, with very little rust, no smut, and very little lodging. Several varieties are included this time for the first year. Marquis and Chelsea are cross-bred varieties that promise well as early wheats of good quality. Minnesota No. 188 is a strain of Preston that has given particularly good results in Minnesota. Registered Red Fife is a strain of Red Fife that has been selected for seven years by a member of the Canadian Seed Growers Association. WHEAT-^TEST OF VARIETIES. Name of Variety. 1 Marquis 2 Chelsea 3 Preston . 4 Red Fife H. 5 Registered Red Fife. 6 Bishop. 7 White Russian. 8 White Fife. 9 Huron . 10 Percy A lllPringle's Champlain. 12 Stanley . 13 14 15 16 Red Fern Riga Minnesota 1S8 Hungarian White. fee a • ft a o eS St eS -a O Stiff. Fair. Stiff. Fair. Stiff. T3 w o bo c In. 3i 3i 3^ 3 3i 3| 32 3| 3i 3| 3i 3A 3 3| Kind of Head. Bald. . . . It ... Bearded Bald . . . It ... II ... It ... II ... Bearded Bald . . . Bearded Bald . . . Bearded Bald . . . Bearded u 02 O Yield per Acre. 6c - Jj Lbs. 3 4,550 49 4,170 45 4,990 4,610 5,150 4,700 4,840 5,030 4,930 4,740 4,850 4,270 4,990 4,210 36 4,440 36 4,830 34 45 41 40 40 39 37 37 37 37 37 36 10 30 10 30 50 20 50 50 40 30 10 50 30 30 -"5 ^ "= 5 01 Lbs. 64^ 6H 61 63 61 60 61 62i 59i 59 61 59 62i 60 59 61 Rusted. Very slightly. Slightly. Considerably. Very slightly. Slightly. Considerably. Slightly. Considerably. Slightly. Considerably. WHEAT— TEST OF VARIETIES. AVERAGE OF FIVE YEARS. Following is a list of a number of the leading varieties of wheat and their average yield on this farm for the past five years. Variety. [Average Days Maturing. Preston Red Fife Huron White Fife Pringle's Champlain Stanley Percy White Russian Red Fern Average Yield per Acre. REPORT OF MR. JAMES MURRAY 275 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 STANDAKD AND COMMERCIAL GRADES OF WHEAT. There is, every year, a proportion of the grain of this province that, if sold, grades low, and in consequence the price is greatly reduced. On account of the small price that it will bring on the market, there is always a temptation to use the low-grade grain for seed and sell the grain of good quality, as there is an opinion, still quite prevalent, that badly frozen grain, or grain that for other reasons grades low, makes rlmost, if not quite as satisfactory seed as high-class grain. In order to get some more definite information on this matter, seed of all the commercial grades was secured from the Chief Grain Inspsctor, Winnipeg, and sowings were made of each under uniform conditions. The conditions for growth, as regards weather and soil, were ideal, and the results that we secured this year may be considered as representing what might be expected under the most favourable conditions. There was a marked difference in yield between the No. 1 Hard and No. 2 Feed — the two extremes. Experiments of this kind require to be conducted for several years before the results are of much value, and it will, therefore, be repeated before drawing any definite conclusions. EMMER AND SPELT. These wheats which are unsuitable for milling, but are used to a limited extent as feed for stock, have been grown here for a number of years. The average yield for the last four years of Common Emmer was 3,405 lbs. per acre; Red Spelt, 2,655 lbs. ; Red Emmer, 2,552 lbs. ; while White Spelt produced only 1,955 lbs. The grain grown through the country by the name of Spelt or Speltz, is, properly speaking, Common Emmer, by far the best of this class of wheats. Common Emmer alone was grown this year on the Experimental Farm, the yield being at the rate of 2,210 lbs. of grain per acre. SMUT PREVENTIVES. During the past twenty years, various chemicals have been tested to secure one for the prevention of smut in grain crops. Little difficulty has been experienced in controlling this disease in wheat or oats, but no practicable method has yet been introduced that will entirely prevent it in barley. The formalin treatment has been found, after numerous trials, to be highly satisfactory. Formalin can now be secured almost everywhere; it is inexpensive, the solution is easily prepared, and its efficiency, when properly applied, is beyond doubt. One pound of formalin is sufiicient to make thirty-two gallons of solution, and this quantity will easily cover forty bushels of wheat, or about twenty-eight of oats. Dipping and sprinkling have given equally good results, but carelessness in either method of treatment is sure to bring dis- appointment. Bluestone has also been found effective as a re-agent for destroying smut, but its use has not been attended with quite as satisfactory results as formalin. A bluestone solution of the proper strength is prepared by dissolving one pound of bluestone in six gallons of soft water. As with the formalin solution, it makes no difference how this solution is applied so long as every kernel of grain is thoroughly moistened. Other treatments that have been on trial as preventives of smut include those with sulphide of potassium, sulphate of iron, agricultural bluestone, massel powder, anti-fungi, salt, and hot water. None of these have proven to be nearly as effectual as either formalin or bluestone. The hot water treatment and sulphide of potassium both effectively prevented the disease, but the methods of application are too tedious to permit of either treatment coming into general use. Agricultural bluestone and anti-fungi are both mixtures of copper sulphate and iron sulphate, and their effective- 16— 18J 276 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 ness is dependent upon the proportion of sulphate of copper that they contain, sulphate of iron being of little value as a fungicide. The wheat that was used in the tests this year was not very smutty, and even the untreated grain shows a very small ijroportion of smut. Following are the results of this year's tests : — Treatment. Formalin dipped II sprinkled . Bluestone dipped . . . II spiinkled Anti-Fungi dipped . Not treated Smutty Heads in 9 sq. feet. none Good Heads in 9 sq. feet. 490 566 499 495 405 492 Yield per Acre. Bush. 40 40 39 38 3S 38 Lbs. 10 20 20 50 50 50 FIELD CROPS OF WHEAT. Variety. White Fife Percy Stanley Red Fife (1) M (2) Preston (1) " (2) Pringle's Champlain Number of Acres. 4 3 4 9 4 6 12 4 43 78 71 43 1 83 Preparation of Land. Fall ploughing, II Summerf allow . II II II Fall ploughing Summerfallow . Days Maturing. 102 99 115 123 123 117 117 119 Yield per Acre. Bush . Lbs. 31 36 27 20 27 12 35 32 29 21 35 15 24 36 13 Total Yield. Bush. 140 . 82 130 345 130 215 288 175 Weight per Bushel. Lbs. 63 60f 59 60 61i '58" REPORT OF MR. JAMES MURRAY 277 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 EXPEEIMENTS WITH OATS. Twenty-six varieties of oats were grown under uniform conditions on plots of one-twentieth of an acre. Although good yields were secured, they would have been greater but for the extremely hot weather experienced during the ripening season. The Registered Banner oats were secured from a member of the Canadian Seed Growers Association who had been selecting them for eight years. The seed was sown May 7, on clay loam summerfallowed in 1907. Oats — Test of Varieties. Name of Variety. 1 Registered Banner. . . 2 White Giant . . 3 Danish Island . . . 4 Improved American. 5: Banner 6; Irish Victor 7I Abundance , 8f Lincoln 9 Siberian - 10 Wide Awake 11 Twentieth Century. 12 American Triumph. . 13 Virginia White 14 Goldfinder 1.5 Improved Ligowo . 16 Golden Beauty 17 Kendal White 18 Thousand Dollar . . . 11) Danbeney 20lSwedish Select 21 1 Joanette - . . . . 22 Pioneer . . 231 Storm King. 24 Tartar King 25 Golden Giant 26Milford White ? h, -^W Date oi --C _ 60 Char- «4H Ripen- ing. 4 b Z ct 0 s 5 '-5 acter of Straw. -; ^ - 0 ^ G a- y In. 1-1 In. Aug. 19 104 53 Stiff.... 9i 1^ 103 48 tl . . . ^ 8i n 19 104 50 II .... 9 M 17 102 49 tt .... 8 H 19 104 51 It .... 9 II 18 1'3 49 It .... 7i 11 19 101 49 Fair.... 8 It 17 102 48 II .... 7* II 21 100 48 II I . . . 81 tl 18 103 48 Stifif.... 8 11 18 103 48 n .... n II 18 103 49 Fair .... 8J, II 18 103 49 Stiff.... 8 It 29 114 50 M .... ^l „ 1(5 101 49 Fair 8 11 26 111 48 Stiff 8 tl 20 105 58 Weak.. . 9 ,, 17 102 51 Fair.... 8 ,, 10 ii5 44 Stiff.... 7 II IS 103 49 Fair.... n It 21 IOC. 43 Stiff.... 8 It 20 105 51 11 .... 9 tl 18 103 49 ,, 8 tl 17 102 47 Fair.... 8 11 30 115 53 II .... 11 11 20 105 46 tl .... 8^ Kind of Head. Branching Sided. o . Lbs. 4,135 3,935 4,295 4,775 5,250 4,325 4,575 4 235 4,135 3,985 4,715 4,.^35 3,9.35 4,420 4,095 3,460 3,960 3,^75 2,()85 4,195 4,340 4,080 5,580 2,7.^5 4,330 4,150 Yield per Acre. 33 1 Bus. Lbs 119 19 110 21 115 15 115 15 113 111 109 19 107 27 107 27 106 11 105 15 104 29 104 29 102 12 100 5 98 8 98 8 97 27 97 97 17 7 95 SO 94 24 91 26 91 21 90 10 89 24 0) _- - ^ X -G Lbs. 36 35 36 35 36 35 36^ 374 35i 37" 38 35J 39 35i 3'.) 37 37 39 374 404 36" 38 404 404 30' 354 Rusted. Very slightly. Slightly. Very slightly. II Considerably. Very slightly. Slightly. Very slightly. Slightly. Badly. Very slightly. Slightly. Considerably. Very slightly. Slightly. Considerably. Verj' slit'Jitly. Considerably. Very slightly. Badly. Slightly. Field Crops of Oats. Variety. Banner (1) .. (2) .. (3) Goldfinder Daubeney Thousand Dollar No. of acres. 4-41 8 42 8 16 2- 19 2-50 3 05 Preparation of Land. Summerfallow. Spring ploughing Yield per acre. Bush. Lbs. 86 70 77 76 70 76 29 10 15 09 24 24 Total Yield. Bush. Lbs. 383 592 632 167 181 234 278 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Oats — Test of Varieties. average yield for five years. Following is a list of a number of the leading varieties of oats and their average yield on this farm for the past five years: — Variety. Improved American . Banner White Giant Danish Island Golden Beauty Goldfinder Siberian Abundance Golden Giant Lincoln . . American Triumph . . Wide Awake Daubeney , Average days Average yield Maturing. per acre. Bush. Lbs. 109 123 89 110 122 3 109 118 15 110 117 15 112 116 18 113 114 10 111 113 31 110 U3 21 114 113 18 109 112 29 110 112 3 110 110 13 96 86 32 Daubeney is a particularly early variety, ripening usually about two weeks earlier than Banner. It is particularly adapted to late districts or sowing late in the season. It is a white oat with a very thin hull, but the average yield is considerably below that of many other sorts. EXPEKIMENTS WITH BARLEY. The season was a favourable one for barley and good crops of good quality were secured. The yield from the two-rowed varieties was scarcely up to the average, as these were just ripening during our very warm weather, while the six-rowed varieties were ripe earlier, and the yield was not affected to the same extent by the excessive heat. Fourteen varieties of six-rowed, and eleven varieties of two-rowed barley were sown May 26. The plots were one-twentieth of an acre each, the land being clay loam that had been summerfallowed in 1907. Six-Eow Barley — Test of Varieties. Name of Variety. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Odessa Mensury Blue Long Head. Albert Mansfield Yale No. 21 Empire Claude Trooper Stella Nugent Oderbruch , 14 Champion . bo bb 0 '2 a c >.3 Ti be o W n. * -s t! C4-I "sS Ss J=T3 11 o Si o be -3 bo C 0/ Q ^ In. o hJ In. Aug. 21 87 41 Fair . . . 3 „ 21 87 45 II ... 3 „ 24 90 38 11 . . . 3 u 20 86 3-( It ... 3 „ 22 88 39 tl . . . 2J 2| ,. 21 87 42 ti ... „ 22 88 46 Stiff . . . 3 „ 20 86 43 Fair . . . 2i „ 20 86 41 t» . . . 2^ M 21 87 37 Stiff . . . 2i ,. 19 85 40 II ... 3 >, 20 86 40 Fair . . . 2i M 19 85 37 Weak . . 2i .. 18 84 37 Stiff . . . 2| Kind of Head. Bearded . Beardless . 02 bo Lbs. 3,360 3,130 3,520 2,970 2,670 2,990 3,410 3,480 2,290 2, .530 2,560 2,440 2,220 1,940 Yield per Acre. 3 61 59 57 56 56 56 56 52 52 49 48 47 45 32 ^ 12 38 44 42 42 22 2 24 14 18 36 4 20 24 c8 a) be fi 2-5 a, ■- ? i> S be L. .W Lbs. 50* 50| 43 49 49i 48" 49.i 47 50 50 481 52 45 Rusted. None, Very slightly. None. Very slightly. None. Very slightly. None. Very slightly. None. REPORT OF MR. JAMES MURRAY 279 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Two-Row Barley — Test of Varieties. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Name of Variety. Swedish Chevalier. Danish Chevalier . Standwell French Chevalier . Canadian Thorpe. . Gordon Beaver Sidney Clifford Invincible Jarvis 60 'S D»ys Maturing. Average Yield per Acre. Swedish Chevalier Standwell Jarvis 94 92 90 92 90 91 Bush. Lbs. 60 24 59 42 58 38 57 26 56 8 55 18 Danish Chevalier Cordon ' Canadian Thorpe 280 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS Field Crops of Barley. 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Variety. Number of Acres. Preparation of Land. Yield per Acre. Total Yield. Odessa 9-33 5-71 8-31 Summerfallow Sown on corn stubble Summerfallow Bush. Lbs. 65 44 46 45 49 39 Bush. 615 Mensury (1) 268 (2) 414 EXPEKIMENTS WITH PEAS. The pea crop at present is not given a place among the imi)ortant grain crops of Manitoba, but it has merits which warrant its receiving more attention than it has hitherto been accorded. Being a leguminous crop, it is able, like the clovers, to utilize to a great extent, in its growth, the nitrogen of the air, and undoubtedly stores some of it in its roots. The root system, unfortunately, is not nearly so extensive as that of red clover or alfalfa, and the amount of vegetable matter left in the soil in the form of root fibre is, therefore, not so great as with these crops. It is, however, considerable. The pea crop does not draw heavily on the land, which is therefore left in good condition for the succeeding crop. There is now no difficulty in harvesting peas with the harvester attachment to the mower, and threshing is accomplished with the ordinary threshing machine. The grain is very rich in protein and is unsurpassed as feed for hogs and cattle when fed in conjunction with other grains deficient in this constituent. Mixed with oats and fed to milch cows, it gives particularly good results, and as a producer of high quality of bacon it has few equals. The straw, if cut before fully ripe, is excellent for sheep feed, and does not collect in the wool to the same extent as the straw from other cereals. Eighteen varieties were sown under uniform conditions on May 2, on one- twentielh of an acre plots. The soil was a clay loam summerfallowed in 1907, and the seed grown at the rate of from two to three bushels per acre, according to size of the pea. Peas — Test of "Varieties. CD 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Name of Variety. Paragon Mackay Prince English Grey Early Britain (xrcgory Prussian Blue Picton Victoria Arthur Archer Wisconsin Blue Ch-mcellor (Jolden Vine Daniel O'Rourke.. . . Black-eye Marrowfat Agnes White Marrowfat. . . . Date of Ripen- ing. Sept. Aug. Sept. Number of days Matur- ing. 4 2 5 7 6 3 2 4 9 31 6 3 1 7 6 13 7 12 125 123 126 128 127 124 123 125 130 121 126 124 122 128 127 134 128 133 Character ^^'^f^ of growth. g^°^^_ Rank. . . Medium Rank. . . Medium V. R,ank Medium Rank. . . Medium It Rank. . . V. Rank Medium V. Rank In. 55 51 48 52 50 60 54 50 G6 48 60 54 56 58 60 71 50 73 Weight of Straw. Lbs. 4720 4930 4640 4720 5330 4740 4460 4690 5220 3710 4900 42.30 2560 2820 3220 6360 5310 4420 O A o +:> tc In. 2i 2i 2i 2| 2i 2h 2? 2i 2i 2i 2 2 2 2Ji 2l 2h Size of pea. Medium Large . . Medium Small. . . Medium Small. Large Medium Large . . Yield per acre. Bush. Lbs. 58 1 57 50 57 40 56 20 54 30 52 40 52 20 51 50 51 20 49 50 48 20 44 30 44 41 20 39 40 37 20 34 50 34 40 Weight jier bushel. Lbs. 63i 62i 63 6U 60| 62 63 63i 63 63 63i 65' 05 65i 64| 62i 60i 62 50y4-iJ. 280. REPORT OF MR. JAMES MURRAY 281 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Peas — Test op Varieties. average yield for five years. Following is a list of a number of the leading varieties of peas and their average yield on this farm for the past five years. Variety . Mackay Gregory Early Britain Prince Pictoii Arthur Victoria Paragon Prussian Blue English Grey . Average days Average ' yield maturing. per acre. Bush. Lbs. 130 56 58 129 53 36 129 53 04 331 52 44 129 50 48 124 50 46 129 50 26 126 50 23 123 48 02 131 47 04 Field Crops of Peas, 1908. Variety. Number of Acres. Preparation of Land. Days Maturing. Yield per Acre. Total Yield. Weight per Bushel. Arthur 2-47 2-58 1-85 Fall ploughing . . It 127 126 130 Bush. Lbs. 25 55 24 02 31 53 Bushels. 64 52 59 Lbs. Golden Vine 64 Daniel O'Rourke 62^ EOTATION EXPEEIMENTS. In 1899, some experiments were started to test the feasibility of eliminating the hare summerfallow from the system of farming in the province, by substituting the ploughing-down of some leguminous crop every third year. On account of the land wnere these tests were in progress being repeatedly flooded, the work of the first three years was lost, and these trials were started again in 1905. The following tables give the system of rotation, with the yields, and other particulars of the crop pro- duced in 1908. 282 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Rotation Test. Number. 1906, 1907. 1908. 1 Wheat Wheat Oats Wheat Peas. 2 Tares. 3 Red Clover. 4 . 1 II Oats Barley Alfalfa and Alsike. 5 Peas Tares ... Red Clover Wheat. 6 7 Wheat Barley 8 Alfalfa and Alsike. . . Wheat n 9 Peas 10 . I'ares Oats. 11 Red Clover Wheat. 12 Alfalfa and Al.-ike. . . Wheat Oats Barley. Wheat. 13 Summer fallow It It ti II Oats 14 15 16 Barley Wheat Barley II 17 Rotation Test. s s Name of Variety. Date of Sowing. Date of Ripening. Days Maturing . Length of Straw. Yield per Acre. Weight per Measured Bushel. 1 *Peas In. Bush. Lbs. Lbs. 9, *Tares S *Red Clover 4 * Alfalfa and Alsike Wheat, Red Fife H 5 May 2 .... II 2. .. II 2 ■1 2. .. 1. 2 II 7 II 2 June 1 . . . May 2 ti 2 ,1 2 II 2. ... II 2 Aug. 24.... M 24.... ,1 24.... 1. 2.3.... II 24.... ,1 22.... 1, 24.... 1. 25.... n 24.... II 24.... II 24.... ,1 23... 1. 24.... 114 114 114 113 114 107 114 85 114 114 114 113 114 41 42 45 39 41 43 42 36 40 43 43 37 36 33 25 32 53 33 5 34 30 27 10 57 22 24 15 41 42 35 35 35 45 3l> 25 23 55 24 15 60 60 7 60 8 60 q 60 10 11 Oats, Banner Wheat Red Fife H Barley, Mensury 40 60 48 13 14 Wheat, Red Fife H 60 60 15 60 16 17 If II ... 60 60 •^Ploughed under in August. EXPERIMENTS WITH INDIAN CORN. Corn is not largely grown as a fodder crop in Manitoba, but the acreage is increasing as the usefulness of the crop becomes better known. It is the heaviest producer of fodder that we have, and although the large-growing varieties do not approach maturity in this climate, the smaller varieties become sufficiently mature to make excellent feed, which is relished by all kinds of cattle. Small quantities may also be fed occasionally to horses and pigs. Com thrives best on rich warm soil with a slope to the south, but it will give a good accoimt of itself on any fertile well-drained soil. Liberal manuring before sowing and frequent cultivation from the time the seed is sown until the crop is four feet high, is essential to the best results. Harrows may be used to advantage every REPORT OF MR. JAMES MURRAY 283 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 few days until the stalks are six inches high, and the one or two horse cultivator afterwards. Cultivation should be deep at first, and shallower as the season advances and the ground fills with roots. In this climate the crop should be left standing as long as possible without its being frozen. This crop is undoubtedly handled to the best advantage by being made into silage. When used in this way, it is ready at all seasons without further preparation than that required when it is cut into the silo. There are at present few silos in Manitoba, but the number of inquiries received regarding them would indicate that there is likely to be more in the near future. The stave silo will probably be more generally built than any other kind, as it is cheaper to build and gives good satisfaction. Bulletin No. 35 of the Experimental Farms deals with the construction of such silos, and could be read to advantage by those contemplating building one. A new stave silo was built this year on this farm to take the place of the old square silos which had outlived their usefulness. The silo is outside at the north of the barn, the entrance being in the middle of the basement stable. Thirteen feet of concrete extends to the ground level, and a superstructure of twenty- foot staves rests on this foundation, giving a total height of thirty-three feet. The diameter is eighteen feet, so that the capacity is about 175 tons of silage. Our corn was cut into the silo on September 19 and 21, but there was not nearly sufficient to fill it. The variety grown this year for the silo was Northwestern Dent, and although it will be found in the variety test to have produced the lowest yield per acre of all those under test, I consider it a satisfactory variety. The corn was well-cobbed, and at the time of cutting it was in the firm dough stage and an excellent quality of silage was produced. Sixteen varieties were grown in the test of varieties this year. They were sown on June 4, on clay loam summerfallowed in 1907, the rows being 40 inches apart. The yield per acre in each case is calculated from the product of two rows each 66 feet long. Indun C!orx — Test of Varieties. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Name of Variety. Longfellow . Salzer's All Gold Superior Fodder Early Mastodon Compton's Early Angel of Midnight Pride of the North Champion White Pearl Eureka. . White Cap Yellow Dent. . . Mammoth Cuban , Wood's Northern Dent. . . North Dftkota White Selected Leaming North Western Dent (Da kota seed) North Western Dent (Mani toba seed) Date of Sowing. June 4 . . . - 4... M 4 .. M 4... M 4... n 4... M 4,.. „ 4... .. 4... ,> 4... M 4. . M 4... M 4... M 4... M 4... .. 4... Character of Growth. Rank .... Very rank II II Rank .... II .... Very rank Rank .... Very rank Rank Fair Height. In. 86 98 97 95 96 78 87 96 102 84 85 86 88 94 72 72 Leafiness. Very leafy II Fairly .... Very leafy Fairly . . . Very leafy It Fairly II .... Very leafy II II Fairly Condition when Cut. .^ilk Not in tassel Tassel Silk Tassei .'.'.' .'.'.' Silk ..'.'.'..'.'. 11 Not in ta«sel Tassel Silk II Late milk. . . Weight per Acre Grown in Rows. Tons. Lbs. 22 550 21 966 19 1,204 19 808 18 1,026 18 630 17 1,838 16 1,660 16 274 15 1,680 15 294 15 96 14 1,700 13 334 10 1,780 10 1,186 284 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Indian Corn Sown Different Distances Apart. Variety. Longfellow II II II Selected Learning . ... It ti ti Champion White Pearl 11 II II II It It Longfellow Selected Learning. .. Champion White Pearl Distance Apart. Inches. 24 30 36 42 24 30 36 42 24 30 36 42 Hills Height. Inches. 84 84 84 84 90 90 90 90 94 94 96 96 86 94 96 Growth. Rank , . Very rank Rank II .... Very rank Condition when Cut. Silk . . II . . II . . II . . II . . M . . II II . . Tassel n ir Silk . . It . . Tassel Yield per Acre. Tons. Lbs. 20 20 19 17 19 18 16 14 22 19 17 18 17 14 16 1,910 128 1,160 1,815 1,600 432 560 052 550 1,336 320 192 848 1,700 76 EXPERIMENTS WITH FIELD ROOTS. The acreage in field roots in Manitoba is gradually increasing from year to year as the value of the crop as a feed and a condiment for all classes of stock comes to be appreciated. While all classes of roots give abundant yields of good quality, turnips will probably continue to be the most largely grown as they are less easily injured by frost in spring or fall than mangels or sugar beets. When well-saved, mangels and sugar beets will keep better than turnips and are more relished by cattle and hogs. The past season has been a good one for all kinds of roots and good crops have been harvested. As usual, two sowings were made this year about two weeks apart, and, as has usually been the case here, the earlier sowings gave the better results. The land on which the roots were grown produced a crop of potatoes in 1907, and was given a dressing of farm-yard manure. Sowing on the flat was practised, as the land retains the moisture somewhat better this way than when it is drilled up. The soil was well packed before sowing and the seed sown with a Planet Junior drill in rows 30 inches apart, and when, the young plants were two or three inches high they were thinned out to about nine inches apart. REPORT OF MR. JAMES MURRAY 285 S* SSIONAL PAPER Mo. 16 EXPERIMENTS WITH TUENIPS. Thirteen varieties of turnips were sown this year on clay loam under uniform conditions. The first sowing was made May 4 and the second May 19, both lots being pulled October 23. The estimate of the yield per acre is made from the product of two rows each 66 feet long. Turnips — Test of Varieties. 5 Name of Variety. 4 5 € 7 8 9 10 11 12 1.3 1 [ Hale wood's Bronze Tup 2; Hartley's Bronze 3 Perfection Swede Derby . . Kangaroo Skirving's Mammoth Clyde Good Luck Hall's Westbury Carter's Elephant Magnum Bonum Bangholm tjeleeted . . . Jumbo 1st Plot Sown. M.ay 2nd Plot Sown. May 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 1st Plot Pulled. Oct. 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 2H 23 23 23 2nd Plot Pulled. Oct. 23 23 23 Yield per Acre. 1st Plot. Tons. Lbs. 38 35 33 23 32 23 32 23 31 23 29 23 29 23 29 23 27 23 27 23 26 23 26 1,880 4S8 792 1,472 944 56.S l,Gt)4 1,136 344 912 120 1,856 8 Bush. Lbs. 1,298 l,17t 1,113 1,091 l,0,s2 1,042 994 985 972 915 902 897 866 48 12 12 24 48 24 36 24 12 36 48 2nd Plot. Tons. Lbs. 26 536 29 344 26 800 32 1.52 27 648 26 1,328 29 1,136 22 1,936 30 1,512 22 1,672 29 1,928 29 1,400 27 1,968 1 Bu-h. Lbs. 875 972 880 1,069 910 888 985 765 1,025 761 908 !.90 932 36 24 12 48 48 36 36 12 12 48 48 EXPERIMENTS WITH MANGELS. Eleven varieties of mangels were sown this year on clay loam under uniform conditions. The first sowing was made May 14, and the second May 28, both lots being pulled October Y. The estimate of yield per acre is made from the product of two rows each 66 feet long. Mangels — Test of Varieties. s Name of Variety. 1 Ideal 2 Giant Yellow Globe . . 3 Gate Post .... 4 Yellow Intermediate. . 5 Perfection Mammoth Long Red Prize Mammoth Long Red Mammoth Red Inter- mediate 8 Half Sugar White .... 9 Selected Yellow Globe 10 Giant Yellow Inter- I mediate 11 Crimson Champion. . . 1st Plot Sown. May 14 . M 14. „ 14. „ 14. „ 14. M 14. „ 14. M 14. n 14. M 14. ,. 14. 2nd Plot 1st Plot 1 2nd Plot Sown. Pulled. Pulled. May 28. Oct. 7. Oct. 7 . M 28. II 7. .1 7. „ 28. IT 7. II 7. M 28. II 7. 1. 7. M 28. M 7. II 7. ,- 28. tl 7. II 7. .. 28. II 7. M 7. M 28. It 7. .1 7. M 28. M 7. II 7. M 28. ,, 7. II 7. M 28. " 7. II 7. Yield per Acre. 1st Plot. Tons. Lbs, 44 1496 40 1840 35 1280 34 1168 32 1736 31 40 26 272 23 992 23 200 21 768 14 1040 Yield l>er Acre. 1st Plot. Bush. Lbs. 1491 36 131 14 . 1188 . . 1152 48 1095 36 1034 .. 871 12 783 12 770 .. 712 48 4S4 . . Yield per Acre. 2nd Plot. Tons. Lbs. 24 l.'^68 31 832 28 760 27 17<'4 26 8 30 1248 Yield per Acre. 2nd Plot. 19 30 20 808 720 392 25 688 12 1344 Bush. Lbs. 822 48 1047 12 946 .. 928 24 866 48 1020 48 646 48 1012 . . 673 12 844 48 422 24 286 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII EXPEKIMENTS WITH CAEKOTS. A. 1910 Six varieties of carrots were sown this year under uniform conditions on clay- loam. The first sowing was made May 4, and the second May 19, both lots being piillod October 27. The estimate of yield per acre is from the product of two rows each 66 feet long. The carrots were sown in rows 18 inches apart, and when the plants were two or three inches high, they were thinned out to about four inches apart. Carrots — Test of Varieties. g Name of Variety. 1st Plot Sown. Improved Short White Mammoth White In- termediate Giant White Vosge.= . . Half Long Chantenay. Ontario Champion. . . . 61 White Belgian May 4 . ., 4. „ 4. .. 4. .. 4 M 4. 2nd Plot Sown. May 19, . 19, „ 19 „ 19 „ 19 1, 19 1st Plot Pulled. 2nd Plot Pulled. Oct. 27.1 Oct. 27. 27. 27. 27. 27. 27. 27. 27. 27 27 27 Yield per Acre. let Plot. Tons. Lbs. 15 360 13 1280 11 440 10 1120 10 680 9 1300 Yield per Acre. 1st Plot. Bush. Lbs. 506 .. 454 374 352 344 322 40 40 40 Yield per A.cre. 2nd Plot. Tons. Lbs. 12 1960 11 1760 11 12 200 10 240 11 1320 Yield per Acre. 2nd Plot. Bush. Lbs. 432 40 396 366 403 337 388 40 20 20 40 EXPEKniENTS WITH SUGAE BEETS. Only three varieties of sugar beets were grown this year, all of which are con- sidered suitable kinds to grow for sugar production. As there are, at present, no beet sugar factories in Manitoba, all the sugar beets grown are used for stock feeding. They are relished by all classes of stock, hogs being particularly partial to them. Samples of the three varieties from here were sent to Mr. F. T. Shutt, Chemist of the Experimental Farms, for analysis, and the results are given herewith. Average weight of one root Sugar in juice Solids in juice Co-efficient of puiity Wanzleben. 1 lb. 7 oz. ir)-.35 l!)-46 78-88 Vilmorin's Improved. 1 lb. 8 oz. 16 -.09 19-33 85-8 French Very Rich. 1 lb. 7 oz. 15-51 18-69 82-98 These results are very similar to those of last year, and we may conclude that the season was fairly suitable for the production of sugar. The sowings were made on clay loam on May 14 and 28, and the roots pulled October 7. The estimate of yield per acre is from the product of two rows each 66 feet long. REPORT OF MR. JAMES MURRAY 287 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Sugar Beets — Test of Varieties. 3 Name of Variety. Klein Wanzleben. . . . French Very Rich . . . Vilmorin's Improved. 1st Plot Sown. May 14 . 2nd Plot Sown. May 28. 1st Plot PuUed. 2nd Plot Pulled. Oct. 7. Oct 7. Yield per Acre. 1st Plot. s o 20 18 18 1,184 Yield per Acre. 1st Plot. 3 686 1,224 020 432,607 .0 >-i 2t 24 12 Yield per Acre. 2nd Plot. H 24 14 15 840 Yield per Acre. 2nd Plot. 814 1,568492 360 506 .J2 48 EXPERIMENTS WITH POTATOES. The season was a favourable one for potatoes, and good yields were secured although many of them were below the average of recent years. Nearly all the varieties ripened and produced tubers of good size and quality. The land on which the potatoes were grown produced roots the year previous, and was given a coat of manure after the roots were harvested. The soil was clay loam. Potato beetles made their appearance as usual, but were controlled by spraying with Paris green. Twenty-nine varieties were grown, under uniform conditions, this year. They were planted on May 25, in rows three feet apart, with the sets about a foot apart in the row. The estimate of yield per acre was obtained from the product of one row 66 feet long. Potatoes — Test of Varieties. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Name of Variety. Average Size. Ashleaf Kidney American Wonder . Reeve's Rose Holborn Abundance Irish Cobbler Bumaby Mammoth. Everett Late Puritan Canadian Beauty. . . Early White Prize . Rochester Rose Country Gentleman Morgan's Seedling. . State of Maine Carman No. 1 .... . Uncle Sam Twentieth Century. Dreer's Standard ... MacQueen Collin's Seedling . . . Money Maker Dooley Vermont Gold Coin. Empire State Manitoba Wonder . Improved Honeoye Rose Early Manistee .... Vick's Extra Early. Dalmeney Beauty . . Large n Medium to large. Small to medium Medium Small to medium Medium to large Large Small to medium Medium Medium to large Large Medium to large Large Small to medium Large tl Medium to large Large Medium ft Small to medium Large Total Yield per Acre. 528 465 454 447 432 421 418 418 414 414 414 410 410 407 403 392 377 374 370 355 352 348 341 315 308 282 238 207 190 Yield per Acre of Marketable. Bush. Lbs. ! Bush. Lbs. 40 40 20 40 40 20 20 20 40 40 26 20 40 20 40 26 26 20 20 10 40 509 447 429 41S 366 399 377 399 396 388 388 385 403 385 385 366 341 352 352 330 322 319 319 297 286 238 212 179 161 40 20 40 40 40 40 40 40 30 40 40 20 40 40 20 Yield per Acre of Un- marketable. I Bush. Lks. 18 18 25 29 66 22 40 18 18 25 25 25 7 22 18 25 36 22 18 25 29 29 22 18 22 44 25 27 29 20 20 40 20 20 20 20 40 40 40 20 26 40 40 26 40 20 20 20 40 30 20 Form and Colour. Long ; white. Long, round ; white. Flat, oval ; light pink. Round ; white. Flat ; white. Flat, oval ; pink. Long, oval ; pink. Long, round ; white. Round ; white. Round, oval ; light pink. Long, round ; light pink. Long ; pink. II 11 Flat, oval ; white. Flat ; white. Flattish, oval ; white. Flat ; red. Flattish, oval ; white. Long, round ; white. Round ; white. Round, oval ; white. Round ; white. It M Long ; white. Long, round ; red. Ix)ng ; pink. Round ; white. Flat ; pink. Oval ; white. 283 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Among the best varieties for early use are: Everett, Early White Prize, and Bovee; for general crop Dreer's Standard, Uncle Sam, State of Maine, Late Puritan, and American Wonder. EXPERIMENTS WITH GRASSES AND CLOVERS. The past season has been favourable in this district for securing good crops of hay, and generally throv;gh the province, good average crops were obtained. The spring and early summer weather was warm with suiBcient rain to give the grass a good start, and on this farm excellent crops were secured. Even the old meadows gave a good return. A number of one-fifth acre plots of grasses, clovers, and mixtures were seeded in the spring of 1907 and were a good catch the first season. They were sown without a nurse crop, and the mower run over them twice during the summer to cut the weeds, the cuttings being allowed to remain on the ground. All came through the winter with little or no winter-killing, although the snowfall was particularly light, and a splendid stand was the result. j The yield of cured hay per acre is given in the following table: — • Grasses and Clovers — Test of Varieties. Crop. Alfalfa I. H Alfalfa Common Red Clover Alsike Timothy Western R5'e (^rass Western Rye (jiass and Common Red Clover Timothy & Alsike Timothy and Common Red Clover 1st Cutting. Tons. Lbs. COO 300 1,800 l,(iOO 1,700 1,050 875 1,900 1,850 2nd Cutting. Tons. Lbs. 700 800 1,000 1,875 Total Crop. Tons. Lbs. 3 3 3 2 1 2 2 1 1 1,300 1,100 800 475 1,700 1,0.50 875 l.iiOO 1,850 The alfalfa marked ' I. H.' was grown from seed ripened at Indian Head in 190G. Both lots of alfalfa came through last winter without any winter-killing, so that it is impossible to say whether there is any difference in hardiness. Additional plots were sown in the spring of 1908 as follows : Grimm's alfalfa, Turkestan alfalfa, alfalfa and timothy, alfalfa and rye grass, orchard grass, and perennial rye grass. All of these were sown by the same method as was tried here last year with equally good results. By this method the seed is mixed with two or three times its bulk of coarsely chopped wheat or barley, and sown in the same way as grain, only considerably shallower. This system of sowing is calculated to give par- ticularly good results with alfalfa which, in this climate, should always be sown with- out a nurse crop. With the other clovers it should give equally good results. The clover seeds remain uniformly mixed with the cliopped grain, are evenly distributed over the ground and covered to a satisfactory depth, where germination is surer than where the seed is broadcast. About five acres of alfalfa was sown in the way outlined during the past season and an excellent stand resulted. REPORT OF MR. JAMES MURRAY 289 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 NURSE CROPS FOR CLOVERS. In last year's report reference was made to several trials that were made with different nurse crops for clovers and grasses. Red clover, alsike, timothy, rye grass, and a mixture of timothy, red clover and alsike, were each sown with oats, barley and spring rye as nurse crops. Each of these was also sown without a nurse crop. The crops of grain were all heavy and badly lodged, but all grasses and clovers made a good start, although not nearly so strong a growth as where no nurse crop was used. The th^-ee nurse crops gave results in the following order: (1) oats, (2) spring ^JG, (3) barley. The oat crop was the heaviest of the three, but not only was the stand of grasses and clovers better with it at the close of the season than with the others, but they stood the winter better and came out stronger in the spring and produced a heavier crop of hay. The timothy, rye grass, and red clover came through the winter in good condition, and from each a good crop was cut. The alsike was almost completely killed out, and the mixture of timothy, red clover and alsike was also badly winter-killed. These two were, therefore, ploughed up. Twelve acres of oats were seeded down in 1908 to a mixture of eight pounds of red clover and four of timothy, and a splendid stand was the result. The grass and clover in this instance were sown with the grass seed attachment to the grain drill. CLOVER SEED. With some crops it is a considerable advantage, in growing them in climates to which they are not native, to have the seed produced under conditions as nearly alike as possible to those where the crop is to be grown. This is notably true of corn, of various kinds of trees and shrubs, and of some kinds of vegetables. The same is probably true of such legumes as red clover, alsike and alfalfa, which have been grown with varying success in Manitoba for some years. An effort was, therefore, made last year to mature seed of red clover and alsike, and with good success. About half an acre of each of these clovers sown in the spring of 1907 was allowed to ripen, and about fifty pounds of each kind of seed was secured. The clovers were threshed with a small threshing machine, the concaves being set as close as possible. The yield is low, but doubtless much of the seed was lost in threshing. The seed is of good quality and will be sown in the spring. CATTLE. There are two breeds of cattle represented in the herd now on this farm, viz. : Shorthorn and Ayrshire. There are besides a number of grade cattle and steers. These cattle are kept mainly for breeding and feeding work of an experimental character, but a few breeding animals are sold from time to time. The cattle on hand at present are: — Shorthorns, two bulls and eight females. Ayrshires, two bulls and three females. Grades, eight Shorthorn arid three Ayrshire. Steers, for experimental feeding, forty head of three-year olds. 290 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 EXPERIMENTS IN FEEDING STEERS. Reference was made in last year's report to an experiment that was under way in the fattening of cattle outside with little or no shelter as compared with fattening in comfortable stables. The experiment was not at that time sufficiently far advanced to give any definite results. In referring in the 1907 report to the conditions leading up to this experiment, the following paragraphs appear: — ' For a number of years the cattle-feeding business in Manitoba has been on the wane owing largely to the low prices that have ruled for beef. The squall profits to be realized have been out of proportion to the amount of capital required for buildings and equipment, and the cost of labour. The value of the manure, which is considered by many cattle feeders as equivalent to the cost of labour, is not generally regarded so in Manitoba. The inducement to feed cattle has to be, therefore, that it offers a better market for the coarse grains than to sell them directly off the farm. The tendency to grow more oats and barley is becoming greater every year as their useful- ness as cleaning crops is demonstrated, and, as diversified farming becomes more general, their growth will be stimulated further. One of the deterring factors to the more extensive feeding of steers has been the amount of capital required to house them in comfortable quarters. Buildings of any kind are expensive, and those that are strictly essential are generally all that the average farmer cares to build. He is quite reasonably averse to putting money into buildings in which to feed stock wlien the profits from feeding are, at most, meagre. To overcome this serious objection, a system of feeding has been advocated with which the cattle are allowed to run outside without any shelter. The strongest advocates of this system are men who have been practising it successfully for several years. By this method, the stock, steers of about 1,100 to 1,300 pounds, kept in the open throughout the winter, are fed straw and chopped grain and allowed abundance of water. The claim is made that steers handled in this way make good gains economic- ally, do not suffer from the cold, and can be handled with far less care, and with the outlay of much less capital, tha^i when comfortable quarters are provided. So important did this question appear that it was considered advisable to initiate some work to test the feasibility of the system, and to compare the average returns with those obtained by feeding in a comfortable stable. Accordingly a carload of three-year old steers were purchased and divided as evenly as possible into two lots, eight head being put outside and eight in the stable. Those outside were given no shelter other than that afforded by poplar and oak scrub and several coulees, no sheds or wind-breaks being provided. The only outlay by way of equipment was the plank required to make a trough in which to feed the grain.' The inside lot were started on December 5, on a ration consisting of silage, 25 pounds ; straw, 8 pounds ; hay, 4 pounds ; roots, 10 pounds ; grain, 4 pounds. The grain ration was increased from time to time until by the first of April each animal was receiving 10 pounds of grain. The outside lot had oat straw before them at all times, and were fed grain in the same proportion as those inside. The steers were all dehorned, and were fed their grain in a trough 16 feet long, 3 feet wide and high enough off the ground to prevent them getting their feet in it. During the last three weeks of the exi)eriment, coarse slough hay was substituted for the straw, the supply of which gave out. The grain was fed twice daily and water was available in a neighbouring coulee. Three of the steers that were stabled had to be dropped from the test before it was complete, so that five only are included in the results. Both lots were sold April 20, for $4.25 per hundred. In considering the results which follow, it should be borne in mind that the winter of 1907-8 was an unusually mild one, the mean temi)erature of January and February being 10-5 and 9-2, respectively, above the average. The mean temperature for the five months the cattle were on feed were as follows : December, 13-3; January, 7-3; February, 7-4; March, 10-0; April, 39-0. REPORT OF MR. JAMES MURRAY 291 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Test op Feeding Steers. Outside. No. of steers in lot First weight gross II average Finished weight gross II average Total gain in 138 days Average gain per steer Daily gain per steer II lot Gross cost of feed Cost of 100 lbs. gain Cost of steers, — 8,848 lbs. at 3gC Total cost to produce beef Sold, — 14,135 lbs. at 4^0. less 4 per cent Profit on lot Net profit per steer Average buying pi ice per steer II selling price per steer II increase in value II cost of feed per steer Amount of meal eaten by lot II straw M hay II millet II corn fodder 8 8,854 lbs. 1,10G ,1 10,G30 M 1,.328 „ 1,77(5 II 234 II 1« II 12-8 ,1 $100 5 276 377 483 5ti 7 34 56 54 21 19 05 12 59 8,892 lbs. 8 tons. 6 M 1 ton. 1 M 76 67 50 26 71 45 05 5,695 lbs. at 3Jc 6,950 lbs. at' 4c. less 4%'. '. Amount of ensilage and roots Inside. 5 5,695 lbs. 1,139 „ 6,950 „ 1,390 M 1,2.55 ,1 251 I. 1-81 M 905 ,. .1 77 95 6 20 177 97 255 92 283 56 27 61 5 52 35 59 56 71 21 12 15 59 5,390 lbs. 5,680 II 2,S40 M 25,850 „ The comparative net profit as given in this statement takes no account of labour, or interest on investment. When these items are considered, the showing is much more favourable to the outside lot. The labour incident to feeding those outside was very much less than to the stabled lot, as the straw was drawn to them once or twice a week with a sleigh, the grain drawn to the feed-room once a week, and the manure taken away in sleigh-loads direct to the fields twice during the winter. The manure was nearly all saved, as the cattle spent most of their time around the straw pile. There is a notable advantage in favour of those fed oiit-side, when the investment for shelter is co^nsideretl. While no sheds were provided this year, and the results do not indicate that they were necessary in such a mild winter where good natural shelter from winds exists, they may be found to be an advantage under different conditions where less natural shelter obtains, or when temperatures are more extreme. Undoubtedly shelter of some kind from cold winds must be provided. Extreme cold was not nearly so discomforting as a more moderate temperature with a high wind. Definite conclusions can not be drawn from the results of a single experiment, and the one above outlined is being repeated this year. Twenty steers are being fed outside and twenty inside. Of those inside, sixteen are getting the same treatment as was accorded under the same conditions last year, and four are in a loose pen in the stable, being fed exactly the same as those outside. A scale has been installed in the outside feed lot and the cattle are weighed at intervals to ascertain at what season the greatest gains are made, and what effect extreme temperatures have on the rate of gain. This information should be a guide as to the methods of feeding. The mean temperature this winter has been much lower than a year ago, but weather conditions generally have not been unfavourable for work of this kind. 16—19^ 292 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 SWINE. The herd at present consists of 55 head as follows : — Yorkshires. — 1 stock boar, 2 breeding sows, 23 young pigs. Berkshires. — 1 stock boar, 1 breeding sow, 14 young pigs. Tamworths. — 1 breeding sow. Crossbreds. — 12 feeders. During the year a considerable number of pure-bred pigs have been sold for breeding purposes in this district and throughout the province. FROZEN WHEAT FOR PIGS. There is occasionally a considerable quantity of wheat in some parts of Manitoba and other parts of the west that is frozen and of little value for any other purpose than as feed. Last year some frozen wheat was obtained and fe 1 to several lots of young pigs to get some further information as to its value as feed for pigs, and how it could be fed to best advantage. Twenty pigs, averaging about sixty pounds in weight, were divided into four lots of five each. Lot 1 was fed frozen wheat chopped and soaked for twelve hours; lot 2, frozen wheat chopped and fed dry; lot 3, frozen wheat and barley, equal parts, chopped; lot 4, oats and barley, equal parts, chopped. The experiment cannot be regarded as entirely satisfactory as all the pigs made poor gains and became unthrifty early in the experiment. The feeds above mentioned were continued ^or three months. At the end of that time it was found that the following amounts of grain were required to make one pound of gain: 12| lbs. of frozen wheat soaked for twelve hours. 71 " « dry. 9i " " and barley. 5^ " " oats and barley. From these results no definite conclusions can be drawn, as none of the pigs throve properly, owing probably to some cause other than the feed they were receiving. It may be mentioned, however, that the wheat as a single feed was not relished, either when fed dry or soaked; that the pigs fed on it as an exclusive grain ration were less thrifty than those receiving some other grain in conjunction or a mixture of grains with no wheat included. PASTURES FOR PIGS. Last year several different kinds of pasture weee used for young pigs and breeding stock, viz, : brome grass, rape, peas, and a mixture of oats, barley and peas. The brood sows were maintained in good breeding condition on brome pasture, no grain being fed until late in the season, when the pasture became short. The young pigs made good growth on the other pastures, with a very light grain ration, and, when put in pens to be finished in October, were in particularly good heart, gaining at the rate of one pound for every two and one-half pounds of grain fed. WINTERING BROOD SOWS. As most of the pigs raised in Manitoba are from spring litters, it is of the greatest importance that the breeding sows be brought through the winter in condition to produce strong healthy pigs. In such a severe climate as we have in Manitoba there is a temptation to house them comfortably and not pay sufficient attention to their requirements for exercise. The consequence frequently is that the young come weak and with very little vitality. For a number of years on this farm, the brood sows were confined during the winter in comfortable pens nine feet square, with the result REPORT OF MR. JAMES MURRAY 293 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 that litters were usually small and weak. The plan was then adopted of allowing them to run all winter in a large yard, shelter being provided by building a frame- work of poles and threshing a stack of straw over it. The sows were brought inside a week or two before due to farrow. The change in management resulted in the litters being larger and the young pigs strong and vigorous from birth. In the winter of 1906-7 the sows, four in number, were confined during the winter, as before. During April three sows farrowed, giving twenty-two pigs, all of which died within an hoxir of birth. The other sow was then turned out and, not farrowing until several weeks later, produced nine pigs, six of which lived and did well. During the winter of 1907-8 the same sows were again given the run of a large yard with shelter imder a straw-stack and fed a limited grain ration, largely composed of bran, and a liberal supply of mangels. Each sow farrowed a healthy litter of pigs and raised an average of eight. During the past winter they have been accorded the same treatment and have again given birth to strong vigorous pigs, the four raising thirty-five pigs. BEES. There was an unusually heavy i)ercentage of loss with the bees in the winter, only five of the fifteen hives put into winter quarters coming out alive. They were put on their summer stands April 16, when the temperature was about 60°. All of these made strong colonies, throwing six new swarms, all of which did well through the summer. The season was a good one for honey, and the colonies averaged 76 pounds, spring count. As we had considerable clover this year, much of the honey was from that source and was of excellent quality, being of a lighter colour and a milder flavour than that usually gathered in this province from wild flowers. The clover bloom is available earlier than most of the wild flowers, and the season of profitable gathering was, therefore, extended considerably. The first honey was extracted July 16, which is about two weeks earlier than usual here. Eleven hives were put into winter quarters on November 17. APPLE OKCHARDS. It is much to be regretted that a continuation of blight has played havoc with our apple orchards, and, although the usual method of cutting out affected wood has been constantly followed, it has proved of no avail, as trees only slightly attacked last year succumbed this year. A better method would seem to be, the rooting up of all trees showing signs of infection. This is a most unfortunate set-back to apple culture on this farm, as so many of our most promising trees are either killed outright or badly infected. It would seem that trees in both sheltered and exposed positions are equally liable to infection. As an immediate result of blight the crop of fruit was small. Carleton is the only cross-bred variety which has so far showed no indication of being infected. Amongst the heaviest croppers were: Martha crab, Tonka and a Beautiful Arkad seedling. No. 179 fruited heavily but the fruit, which promised to be of good size and quality, was unfortunately stolen before it was ripe. Hibernal and Repka Kislaga both fruited lightly, producing ripe fruit, possessing size and quality. Transcendent and Hyslop also fruited lightly, while the following varieties ripened fruit of medium size and fair quality: Eastman, Alberta, Derby. Tony, Dean, Pioneer, Ruby, No. 171, No. 132, Elsa. Carleton seedling fruited heavily with fruit of fair quality and medium size. Seedlings of Progress, Auroraj and Prairie Gem fruited lightly, but the fruit was of poor quality. 294 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 PLUMS. A fairly good crop of plums was secured, and owing to the absence of severe frosts during September, practically the whole of the crop was ripened. The Major plum, a selected native variety, was the first to ripen, and was picked on August 16. Pits of the earliest varieties were saved and planted this fall with the hope of obtain- ing early ripening seedlings. CURRANTS. The old plantation of currant bushes was done away with last spring, and a new plantation set out consisting of 15 black, 14 red, and 11 white varieties. The bushes were planted in rows 6 feet apart each way, thus allowing for cross cultivation. The majority of the bushes grew well during the summer and a small quantity of fruit was picked. GOOSEBERRIES. Seven varieties of gooseberries were planted in the spring, but out of these only three, varieties grew, viz.: Companion, Rideau and Carman. RASPBERRIES. A new plantation of raspberries containing thirteen varieties was planted this year, but did not take at all well. However, a small proportion of the plants made satisfactory growth. The three varieties of blackberries planted all did well. ARBORETUM. A large amount of thinning was done during the spring and fall in the arboretum, the more ordinary varieties of trees and shrubs being taken out, giving the better specimens more ground and air space. Each one remaining was re-labelled this year. The following is a list of trees and shrubs received and planted in the nursery in the spring of 1907, with notes on their growth in 1907, and their conditions in the spring of 1908 : — 1 Black Elderberry (Stevenson). Pair growth, killed to ground. 1 Siberian Almond (Stevenson). Dead. 1 Silver Maple (Stevenson). Fair growth, wintered well. 1 Mountain Ash (Stevenson). Good growth, wintered well. 3 Acer pictum (Japan). Fair growth, killed at tips. 6 Acer saccharinum (Dempsey). Fair growth, wintered well. 4 Acer saccharinum (Dempsey). Fair growth, slightly killed at tips. 1 Acer platanoides purpurea. Fair growth, killed to near ground . 3 Acer platanoides Schwedleri. Dead. 1 Acer tartaricum var. Aidzuense. Dead. 2 Acer tartaricum var. Aidzuense. Weak growth, wintered well. 4 Acer spicatum. Dead. 10 Abies balsamea, 3 alive, 7 dead. 1 Amelanchier vulgaris. Dead. 2 Amelanchier vulgaris. Fair growth, wintered well. 1 Ampelopsis self-fastening. Dead. 3 Betula alba laciuiata. Dead. REPORT OF MR. JAMES MURRAY 295 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 10 Berberis Thimbergii. Fair growth, killed at tips. 6 " aquifolia. Five good growth, wintered well. One dead. 4 " Seedlings of cross-breds. Fair growth, slightly killed. 2 " Canadensis. Fair growth, killed at tips. 1 Cornus purpusa (Japan). Wintered well. 1 " " Killed at tips. 1 « " Half killed. 1 " " Dead. 6 " Spathii aurea. Two dead. Four killed to ground. 2 Clematis vitalba. Dead. 2 " flammula. Dead. 2 " viticella. One dead. One good growth, wintered well. 2 Crataegus carrieri. Killed to ground. 2 " arkansana. Fair growth, half killed. 2 " arnoldiana. Good growth, wintered well. 2 " apiosa. Fair growth 1907. Dead 1908. 2 " coccinoides. Killed at tips. 1 " submollis. Fair growth, killed to near ground. 1 Clethra alnifolia. Dead. 2 Lonicera mundeniensis. Good growth, wintered well. 2 " virginalis alba. Good growth, wintered well. 2 " alpina. Good growth, wintered well. 2 Celastrus scandens. Killed to near ground. 2 Euonymous linearis. Killed to . near ground. 2 " Bungeana. One slightly killed at tips. One killed to near ground. 2 " alatus. Dead. 2 " Sieboldiana. Half killed. 2 " Europaeus ovatus. Half killed. 2 Fraxinus Mandschuricus sapporo. One dead, 1 killed to near ground. 2 ^'^ Bungeana. Dead. 2 Hydrangea paniculata grandiflora. Killed back one-half. 2 Ligustrum amurense. Fair growth, killed to near ground. 2 Philadelphus coronarius aurea. Fair growth, killed to near ground. 2 " Manteau d'Hermine. Dead. 2 " Mont Blanc. Fair growth, killed to near ground. 2 Picea concolor. Dead. 2 Douglas fir. Dead. 2 Pyrus mougeote. Fair growth, killed at tips. 2 Picea Alcockiana. Dead. 2 Prunus Alleghenensis. Fair growtli, killed to near ground. 2 Ptelea trifoliata. Killed to ground. 4 Quercus rubra. Three dead, 1 killed to near ground. 2 " Palustre. Fair growth, killed to near ground. 2 Ehamnus davuricum. Fair growth, killed at tips. 2 Rhus cotinus. Dead. 2 Rhodotypus Kerrioides. Killed to near ground. 2 Rubus fasiciilatum chinense. Killed to near ground. 2 Syringa Pekinensis. Good growth, wintered well. 2 Spirea callosa superba. Fair growth, killed to near ground. 2 Picea pungens Kosteriana. Good growth, wintered well. 2 Aristolochia sipho. Dead. 2 Syringa Madame Cassimir Perier. Good growth, wintered well. 2 " Chas. Joly. Good growth, wintered well. 2 " Chas. Xth. Good growth, wintered well. 296 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 2 Syringa INficliael Buchner. Good growth, wintered well. 2 " Emile Lemoine. Good growth, wintered well. 2 " Jacques Calot. Good growth, wintered well. 2 " La Tour d'Auvergne. Good growth, wintered well. 1 " alba grandiflora. Good growth, wintered well. 2 " Congo. Good growth, wintered well. 2 " Souvenir de Ludwig Spath. Good growth, wintered well. 2 " !Mdlle Fernande Viger. Good growth, wintered well. 1 Spirea Anthony Waterer. Fair growth, killed to near ground. 2 Eulalia Japonica. Dead. 2 " " variegata. Dead. 2 " " Gracillima. Dead. 2 " " Zebrina. Dead. 10 Black Hill Spruce. Nine dead, 1 alive. 2 Pyrus floribunda. One dead, 1 good growth, wintered well. 2 Catalpa speciosa. Fair growth, dead. 2 Golden-leaved Poplar. One killed to near ground, 1 killed back one-half. The following were received from Ottawa and placed in the nursery this spring : — 3 Caragana Tragacanthoides. 2 Euonymus Europaeus ovata. 2 Phellodendron amurense. 2 Pyrus maulei Sargenti. 4 Philadelphus multiflorus plenus. 2 Caragana pygmaea. 4 Japanese Walnut. 3 Cadet Seedling Plums. 2 Spirea Menziesi. 50 Syringa Emodi. 3 Lonicera Regeliana. 4 Abies Remonti. FLOWER GARDEN. In dealing with the flower garden, the value of the hardy i)erennial flowers and herbaceous plants with reference to their adaptability to this climate, forces itself for- ward more and more as we look upon the results of their growth which repeat them- selves each year. Their culture requiring, as it does, a minimum of expense, both for seed and labour, should commend them to larger use in the flower gardens of Manitoba. It was a source of great pleasure to see the beautiful and lavish display of bloom and foliage made by the Paeony, in whose favour as a plant pre-eminently adapted to this country, too much cannot be reiterated. Then, again, the Iris is much to be desired for its divergence of colouring and earliness of bloom. Amongst other perennials equally desirable, may be mentioned, Delphinium (Larkspur), Lychnis, Baby's Breath, Columbine, Monk's Hood, Canterbury Bells, and Phlox. A consignment of the latter was received from Ottawa last spring and made a splendid showing of bloom this summer. In the annual garden, the usual method of propagating the seed in boxes in the propagating house and transplanting to the open was adopted. Nevertheless, there are many varieties raised in heat in the early part of the spring which can be grown and flowered in the most satisfactory manner without any artificial aid. From sowings made in the ojjen ground dviring the latter part of May and early in June, the flowering will be somewhat later than with plants brought forward under glass, but, as they receive no check from the very commencement, they will not be greatly behind their nursed relations. 5094- p. 296. /■ REPORT OF MR. JAMES MURRAY 297 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 The following is a list of flowers grown this year: Verbena hybrida, Antirrhinum mains m, bo as SD ^ c •" a 1'^ be o oS ^ ►^ In. 127 50 126 49 127 43 121 45 127 44 119 43 127 44 121 46 121 45 121 45 122 48 121 52 127 48 121 43 122 44 121 48 127 48 Character of Straw. Strong . Medium Strong at X be In. 3? 3i "h 3i 3| 3 3 3 "2 3 3 3 3 4 Kind of Head. Bearded Bald.... tf ... tl ... Bearded Bald.. . 11 ... M ... II . . Bearded Bald.... M ... M ... M ... Bearded be Lbs. 5,260 3,080 4,420 5,210 5,5W 3,280 5,080 3,340 5,180 4,820 4,900 3,480 5,100 5,340 5,360 3,100 3,940 Yield per Acre. £ <^ bL t- 3 e« * o Bush. Lbs. 50 50 48 46 45 43 41 38 37 36 36 35 35 33 32 32 31 40 20 40 20 20 20 20 20 40 20 40 40 40 40 Lbs. 60i 57| 61i G3i 60i 5!>4 62 58| 57 62i 58^ 50 59^ 56 58 59 58i Test of Wheat in Field Lots. Eight varieties were sown in field lots on April 13 to 16 on clay loam. The fallowed land was ploughed 7 inches deep before the end of June, 1907, and cultivated 2 to 3 inches deep as required, to kill weeds during the growing season. The backsetting land was broken shallow in May and early June, and backset in August, and disked several times before and after, to kill any roots of grass that might have escaped in the ploughing. Wheat — Test of Varieties in Field Lots. Name of Variety. Marquis. Preston . Bobs Stanley A Chelsea Huron Selected Red Fife Percy A Red Fife H... Size. Acres. II a 2' li 231 2| 4 Date of Sowing. Date of Ripen- ing. April 13 „ 13 „ 14 „ 14 ,. 13 u 14 „ 13 .. 17 n 14 „ 13 Aup 17 23 21 11 17 17 17 31 17 29 >> bo 126 131 129 119 126 125 126 136 125 138 ^■^bo bo o In. 43 50 50 43 45 46 47 54 47 47 Character of Straw. Strong -a bo a 1-^ Kind of Head. In. 3 4 33 H 3h 3 3 ^ Bald.. .. Bearded . Bald....; 11 . . • . II . . . . Bearded . Bald Yield per Acre. >3 of Ripen- ing. O o ^ Aug. 15 121 „ 15 121 M 15 121 ,. 15 123 sT 'V 'Tl c« u 0) ^^ CO'JH 1 VM be o _c J= 5 be o a a In. 53 55 52 55 T3 c3 Si Character Uh U-l of O Straw. J= be C (U 1-1 In. Weak .... 3 II .... 3 O ti .... O Medium. . 3 Kind of Head. Bearded . bo Lbs. 4,080 4,34) 3, 940 3,160 Yield per Acre. M-G bi) Bush. Lbs. 40 37 33 30 20 Lbs. 62 60i 62 60^ 16—20 306 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Fall Wheat. For the first time in all the tests made with winter wheat since the farm started the crop came through safely from spring-killing. The grain was considerably shrunken and the yield not heavy. Date of seeding, September 18, 1907 ; ripe and cut, August 4; name of variety, Turkey Red; straw strong, 47 inches long; heads bearded, Si inches in length; yield 27 bushels per acre. Last fall (1908) Turkey Red fall wheat was sown on August 13, 21 and 31, and Kharkoiv fall wheat on September 19. Kharkov is a purer strain of Turkey Red EXPERIMENTS WITH OATS. TEST OF VARIETIES. Twenty-six varieties were sown May 5 on fallowed land. A few varieties were on lighter soil than others and suffered from the hot, dry July. These were Kendal White, Lincoln, Milford White, Swedish Select, Swedish Select (regenerated), Virginia White and Joanette. Plots were each one-twentieth acre. Oats — Test of Varieties. bb 60 fend 1 ^'Z bb c Name of Variety. 1 0 Character of Straw. a) 0 Kind of Head. Yield per Acre. 1^ oQ a t-i ■-' OP B ■4-' d bo 26 14 40i 8 Goldfinder 35 9 Irish Victor 11 17 104 42 11 . . 9 II 3.020 87 22 37 10 Abundance II 22 109 50 Medium. . 10 II 3,000 87 2 32i 11 Storm King (I. Head seed). 11 22 109 50 Strong 10 Sided 3.840 87 2 39 12 Improved American II 17 104 45 11 . . 8 Branching 2.860 85 10 36^ n Tmoroved Xjisrowo II If 17 17 104 104 40 47 11 . . rr 1 8 It M 3,640 82 3,600 75 32 30 36 14 White Giant 3.Hf 35J 15 Croldftn Bfiftiitv II 11 19 17 106 104 54 51 Medium . . Strong. . . . 10 9 II II 3,800 2,640 73 71 18 26 If) Regenerated Swedish Select. 34i 17 Mdford White II II II 17 17 15 10 » 104 102 51 51 44 11 . . II II 11 9 8 Sided Branching Sided 2.040 2,760 3,080 71 70 68 6 20 8 37 IS Swedish Select 37 I'.l Wide Awake 34i 9.0 Kendal White H 17 104 41 II 9 Branching 3,460 67 22 32i *>! Tartar Kinsf II II 17 18 101 100 47 40 II II • . 10 8 Sided M .... 4,440 3,300 67 07 2 2 37| 9.9. Thousand Dollar 36i 9S Lincoln II 11 11 If 17 13 1.5 15 104 100 102 10^ 48 40 ■ ' 42 37 II II II . . H . ■ 9 7 8 7 Branching Sided. . . Branching Sided 3,160 2,920 3,700 1,720 62 62 57 46 32 12 22 16 31i 94 Virginia White 40 915 Pioneer 31 9n Joanette 37* Test of Oats in Eield Lots. Six varieties were sown in fields on fallowed land from May 1 to 7; 2 J bushels were sown to the acre on account of rather low germination. Banner oats, which usually head all varieties in yield, did not sustain their good reputation. This may have been caused by weak vitality in the seed, and larger acreage sown. REPORT OF MR. AXGUS MACEAT 307 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Oats — Test of Varieties in Field Lots. Name of Variety. Wide Awake Danish Island . . . . White Giant Improved Ligowo . Banner Tartar King be to c a s , ^ a, o o CO P5 t4-l <+-( o o o 03 0) « -«^ N cS cS CQ P P Acres. 3f May 4. Aug. 19. 4i „ 2. „ 18. 4S M 4 „ 18. U ■1 1. „ 13. 27? „ 6. M 24. H ., 5. „ 18. a 107 108 10() 104 110 105 CO* o.S tic o p In. 40 48 40 48 50 49 Character of Straw. Strong . . Medium. Stronsr. . . ■T3 D be a a; In. 8 9 8 8 9 9 Kind of Head. Branching Sided Yield per Acre. x> to a n 95 30 90 12 90 6 78 20 78 .. "78 .. *^ p f^ a) « ^ o be ^ 4S ■!r; 3 **.• Lbs. 33 38i 34| 38 37i 37 Oats — Average and Total Yields. Wide Awake Danish Island White Giant . . . Improved Ligowo.- Banner Tartar King Variety. Cultivation. 'Fallow.. Acres. 51 Yield per Acre. ^ CO p ^ m (-:! 95 30 90 12 90 6 78 20 78 , , 78 Total Yield. 4,163 .a a pa 359 20 421 22 420 28 353 22 2,165 16 442 .. An average of 81^ bushels per acre. Oats — Five Years Comparison of Field Lots. Tile average yield per acre and time taken to mature, of four varieties of oats grown in field lots under similar conditions for the past five years are shown below : — Variety. Wide Awake. . .. Banner Tartar King Improved Ligowo Average day.s to Mature. 116-6 116-8 113 8 114-8 Average Yield per Acre. Bush. Lbs, 88 86 75 74 6 11 7 27 16— 20J 308 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 EXPERIMENTS WITH BARLEY. ' The barley tests in plots and field lots were, as a rule, satisfactory. All were too far advanced in July to be injured to any great extent by the hot weather, but it is quite possible that without the heat the yield might have been larger. Having little rain or dew after harvest, the sample in most cases is bright in colour and plump. Uniform Plot Tests. In this test, 14 varieties of six-rowed and 11 varieties of two-rowed barley were sown on May 5, at the rate of 2 bushels of seed per acre. Soil, clay loam fallowed the previous year. All the plots were one-twentieth acre in size. Six-Rowed Barley — Test of Varieties. (4 O -£2 s 55 ] 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Name of Variety. Black Barley . . Trooper Stella Yale - Mensury Albert Blue Longhead Empire Odessa Claude Oderbruch Mansfield Nugent Champion ^"'d tlO be a B.S ^S Ck Q^ ^.s 01 oS ■*J a " a c5 S B Q ^ I-;-' Inches. Aug. 7 94 38 II 7 94 43 II 7 94 32 11 7 94 44 M 4 91 43 II 7 94 46 If 4 91 38 If 4 91 45 It 4 91 38 II 4 91 42 If 4 91 39 II 4 91 36 II 4 91 40 II 4 91 45 Character of Straw. Medium Weak. Medium II Strong.. Medium Strong . . Medium Length of Head. Inches. Weight of Straw, Lbs. 2,000 2,120 2,260 1,900 3,420 2,540 1,700 2,820 1,860 2,060 1,940 2,320 2,780 2,600 Yield per Acre. Bush. lbs. 72 59 55 40 45 40 45 20 45 20 45 20 44 8 42 44 41 32 40 40 38 36 37 4 35 40 75 .S fern ID 3 ,o M 1-3 Medium 48 40 Large... 48 40 Small. . . 46 M . . 45 20 Medium 45 20 Small . . 45 Medium 44 Large... 43 40 Medium 42 20 Large. . . 42 Small . . 41 20 It 40 40 It 39 20 Medium 37 Large... 36 40 It 35 20 Large.. . 33 20 Medium 32 40 Weight per Bushel. Lbs. 64i 64i 64i 63 64 64 63i 63| 64^ 62* 65 03^ 63 64 64 04 64i 65 REPORT OF MR. ANGUS MACEAY 311 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 SMUT TESTS. In 1907, two bushels of smut dust was obtained from King's elevator, Fort William, and sown on five plots of fallowed land, each 8 feet square. After sowing, the dust was well raked in, and then Eed Fife wheat treated as follovv's, was sown. In 1908, Red Fife was again sewn on these plots, fwithout any further application of smut dust. Eesults in 1907 and 1908. IS S 3 Quality of Seed. Treatment. No. 1 Northern II II Shrunken and poor. . Bluestone, 1 lb. in 10 gals, water Formalin, 1 h 40 h Not treated Bluestone, 1 lb. in 10 gals, water Formalin, 1 " 40 n Smut Heads in Plot. 1907. 44 52 81 SO 36 1908, 2 12 23 42 57 Alongside the plots sown with smut dust were five plots of equal size, not treated with the dust, resulting as follows: — Quality of Seed. 1 No. 1 Northern 2i -Sf .. 4 Shrunken and poor 51 Treatment. Bluestone, 1 lb. in 10 gals, water . Formalin, 1 u 40 n Not treated Bluestone, 1 lb. in 10 gals, water. Formalin, 1 n 40 n 1907. 8 3 11 0 30 5 5 8 3 25 1908. Ill the spring of 1908, the stubble of the preceding crop was gang-ploughed 3 inches deep and the seed sown. The above tests were undertaken to prove whether dust blown from threshing- machines, or smut-balls falling from grain and remaining in the soil, would cause more smut in the crop than would otherwise be the case. Although the amount of smut dust used may api>ear excessive, yet it is not more than may settle about threshing machines when grain is badly affected. On comparing the two years result, it looks very like a verdict for smut remain- ing in the soil and injuring following crops. The only smut test conducted outside the above was treatment with Bluestone versus Formalin of No. 1 Feed wheat of 1907 crop, and a jilot sown with good Red Fife bluestoned in spring of 1907 and sown in 1908. A plot of No. 1 Northern, untreated, was gown for comparison. Quality of Seed and Treatment. No. 1 Feed, Bluestone, 1 lb. to 10 gals, water II Formalin. 1 n 40 n Treated in 1907 Untreated, No. 1 Northern Smut Heads in 8 ft. square. Yield per Acre. 312 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 It will be noticed that while the bluestoned grain in this test was not as free from smut as that treated with formalin, the results of using bluestone versus formalin in the Smut Dust Test favoured the bluestone considerably. It will also be observed that wheat treated one year in advance of sowing is not ruined for seed, as many suppose. This is the second test of this nature, both resulting the same way. Treatment for smut is of such vast importance to this province that I may be permitted to dwell longer on this matter than I otherwise should. In the spring of 1908, on account of the large bulk of the seed wheat in the country being of low grade and weak vitality, it was thought advisable to recommend formalin instead of bluestone, which in former years was generally successful when properly applied. On the Experimental Farm, all the wheat sown, except the test plots, was treated with formalin, with the result that we never before had the quantity of smut in all the varieties that was present last harvest. The seed for the field lots was treated with formalin, 1 lb. in 30 gallons water, well soaked in going through the pickler and covered after treatment as recommended. The seed for the plot lots was dipped five minutes in the solution and allowed to dry in the bags. In former years, bluestone was invariably used, and generally little or no smut was found in the crops. One pound bluestone in 10 gallons water for clean seed, and 1 lb. in 5 to 7 gallons of water if at all affected with smut, was applied. For oats and barley, formalin has been found the most effective, and for years has been the only remedy used. I draw attention to the yields in the smut tests, sown with No. 1 Feed Wheat, which go to prove that bluestone is not more injurious to seed wheat than formalin. ROTATION OF CROPS. These tests were commenced in 1899. Below is given the order of rotation for the past three years, with yields, &c., of each plot. The plots are each one-half acre in size, the soil being clay loam. The preparation of the soil for the 1908 crop was ploughing 5 to 6 inches deep in fall when grain was removed, and cultivating shallow in the spring. ORDER OF ROTATION. d 1906. 1907. 1908. 1 2 3 4 Oats. Wheat. Oats. Wheat. Barley. Wheat. Oats. Barley. Wheat. Barley. Alsike. Peas. Tares. Red Clover. Alfalfa. Summer-fallow. Peas. Tares. Alsike. Red Clover. Alfalfa. Wheat. Oats. Wheat. Barley. Fallow. tt It Oats. Wheat. tl 11 II II Wheat. M It r ( II Peas. 7 Tares. 8 10 Alsike. Red Clover. Alfalfa. 11 Wheat. 13 14 tf 15 16 17 It II Oats. 18 Emmer. 10 Oats. ?0 Wheat. 21 Barley. II s s m d I— « 1 a. f— t fi si m 5094— p. 312. REPORT OF MR. ANGUS MACKAY 313 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 EoTATioN Tests. S Name of Variety. 1 2 3 4 5 G 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Wheat Peaa Tares Alsike Red Clover Alfalfa Wheat Oats Emmer . Oats. . . Whear . Barley. Character of Soil. After peas .... After tares After alsike After red clover. After alfalfa After fallow. After oats. Date of Sowing. Aug 17. t? 17. It 17. It 17. II 17. Mav 11.1 II 11. It 26. tl 26. tl 26. Apl. 17. II 14. If 15. M 15. II 17. It 17. May 8. II 10. tl 10. Apl. 17. May 10. II 10. Date of Ripen- ing. Aug. 24. 24. 24. 29. 29. 60 CD 's-i o 12; 129 129 128 134 134 o.S Ins. 48 47 44 48 46 i w o bo Character of Straw, Yield per Acre. s 1^ Ins. Bush. Lbs. Medium . . 3 31 16 Strong . . . II .... 3 3 32 .. 30 .36 II ... 3 29 50 II .... 3 31 40 cS bo 4; i— I e M 01. S l^J2 B -§§ ^J Lbs. 51 60 63 62i 63 Cut July 15 ; ground too hard to plough them under. II II II II II Ploughed under September 15. Aug. 29. 24. 24. 29. 29. 29. 29. 29. 29. 134 132 131 136 134 134 114 112 112 46 51 49 50 33 36 33 34 40 Strong. . . Medium. Strong Cut green on account of wild oats appearing in crop. Aug. 15. 15, 9:; 97 30 30 Strong 3 3 3 3 2i 2i 7 ^4 35 42 36 32 31 40 31 10 14 36 14 6 46 4 52 "2 64 62 62i 58 58 1,284 27 36 22 20 FALL EYE. For several years a few acres of fall rye have been sown with good success. In 1907 the plot of IJ acres was extremely heavy and lodged greatly, and in 1908 a good seeding was found on the ground, and, without cultivation or harrowing, this was left for a second crop, the result both in straw and grain being satisfactory, considering the work put on the plot. Cultivation two or three inches deep would no doubt have increased the crop greatly. For early pasture in the spring, or for fodder or hay before other crops are avail- able, fall rye is very satisfactory. Fall Rye. Size of Plot, Acres. Date Sown. Volunteer Sept. 8..., Length Date Ripe, of Straw. In. ^ug. 4.... 65 4 . . . 05 Character of Straw. Medii Length of Head. In. Yield per Acre. Bush. Lbs. 27 55 10 20 Weight per Bushel after Cleaning. Lbs. 57 57 314 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 FLAX. This test was made on fallowed land, the seed being sown on May 13. One variety, from seed not germinating properly, gave a very small yield. Flax — Test of Varieties. Name of Variety. Size of riot. Date of Sowmg. Date of Ripening. 01 ti d 11 o.c V a Weight of Straw. Yield per Acre. Weight per Measured Bushel after Cleaning. Common Acres. tt II II II 21 May 13. . . „ 13. . . „ 13. . . ,, 13. . . .. 13. . . „ 13. . . Aug. 17. . . . M 17 „ 17. . . . .. 17. ... I. 20. . . . „ 26 96 96 96 96 99 105 In. 26 28 28 29 26 27 Lbs. 3,720 3,660 2,080 2,360 1,520 Bush. Lbs. 22 28 21 24 14 36 13 32 6 4 18 12 Lbs. 54 Riga 55 Improved Russian White Flowering Yellow Seeded Common 56 53i 54i 54i GRASSES AND CLOVERS. All the various plots or fields of grass and clover that gave a crop the preceding year came through the winter and spring better than ever before. Red Clover sown with Western Rye Grass in 1906, came through the two winters and springs safely, as did also the Red Clover sown in 1907, and gave a good crop. These are the first crops of Red Clover ever obtained on the Farm. The alfalfa tests gave good yields, with the exception of the common sort sown in 1905. An extra good plot of Turkestan alfalfa was left for seed and threshed with ordinary threshing machine, giving a very small yield of seed. A part of a second plot alongside, after taking off first crop for hay, was left for seed, but did not even fill before frost came and destroyed it. The variety of alfalfa called ' Grimm ' has proven the hardiest of all the strains of alfalfa tested on this Farm. This variety, named after a German farmer who brought it to Minnesota about 1860, is supposed to have come originally from Norway. If reports are true, it has succeeded in Minnesota beter than all other kinds. Yields of Hay and Clover, 1908. Variety. Western Rye Grass W. Rye Grass and Red Clover .... W. Rye, Red Clover and Timothy Meadow Fescue Timothy Brome Grass Year Sown. Acres. 1906 4i 10f)6 7 v.m 2^ 1904 \ 1905 1899* i Date Cut. July 16. 13. 18. 21.. 21., 21. Yield per Acre. Tons. Lbs. 2 2 2 0 1 I 1,536 360 1,875 1,122 1,100 800 * Renewed by ploughing shallow in 1904. REPORT OF MR. ANGUS MACEAY 315 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Alfalfa. Source of Seed. Year Sown. First Crop. Second Crop. Date Cut. Yield per Acre. Date Cut. Yield per Acre. 1904 . July 4 ., 4 -i 4 ., 2 M 2 . .. M 2 „ 2.... M 4 Tons. Lbs. 2 346 2 1,120 1 1,000 3 90 3 705 2 1,636 2 368 2 1,640 Aug. 6 >, 6. ... „ 6 ,. 6 .- 6 „ 6 „ 6 M 7 .. . Tons. Lbs. 1 153 Common Common Minnesota (Grimm) New York Samarkand (Turkestan) 1904 1905 1905 1905 1905 1905 1905 0 1,540 0 1,540 1 955 1 1,227 1 1,023 Nebraska 1 358 Common 1 45 INDIAN COEN. The Indian corn tests were far from satisfactory. Wire worms worked in the plots after the seed was sown, making a second seeding necessary; then, just as a good start was made, the dry July occurred, followed by frost on August 13, which stopped further progress. The varieties giving the very low yields are those most injured by wire worms. The corn was planted in the hills 3 feet apart each way, and the rows were also 3 feet apart. The yields were computed from the weight of two rows each 66 feet long. Following the test of varieties of corn in hills and in rows, are given the results of a test of three varieties sown in rows at four different distances apart, and also the average results of this test for the past ten years. Corn — Test of Varieties. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Name of Variety. Compton's Early Longfellow . . . . Champion White Pearl Selected Learning. . . Wood's Northern White Dent. Angel of Midnight White Cap Yellow Dent Superior Fodder Salzer's All Gold Karly Mastodon Mammoth Cuban North Dakota White Eureka . . Pride of the North . Character of Soil. Clay Loam Date of Sowing. May 18 Height. Inches. 55 58 62 57 50 54 52 50 50 60 65 58 55 66 Conditions when cut. Tasselled.. . . Nottasselled It . . . r.asselled.. . . Xnttasselled Tasselled.. . . Not tasselled Weight per acre grown in rows. Weight per acre grown in hills. Tons. Lb.s. Tons. Lbs. 12 n 11 9 9 9 8 8 8 8 5 3 3 2 750 1540 1,210 1,170 920 810 1,490 280 280 fi(/ ],.5.o0 1,920 1.70O 1,8.'?0 I 10 8 7 9 8 9 7 7 9 7 8 7 1,3H0 1,510 350 1,380 300 700 170 l.Sf'O 1,400 1,1S0 810 960 170 630 316 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Corn — Test of Seeding at Different Distances. Name of Variety. Selected Learning. Longfellow Champion White Pearl. Character of Soil. Clay loam Date of Sowing. May 18. Rows. Distance apart. Inches. 21 28 35 42 21 28 35 42 21 28 35 42 Height. Inches. 50 50 50 50 55 55 55 55 58 58 58 58 Weight per acre grown in rows. Tons. 14 10 6 G 13 10 10 9 11 13 11 8 Lbs. 1,600 263 556 1,296 1,347 1,964 489 1,803 632 1,632 1,338 230 Corn — Test of Seeding at Different Distances — Average for Ten Years ending 1908. Name of Variety. Selected Leaming. Longfellow. Champion White Pearl. Distance between rows. Inches. 21 28 35 42 21 28 35 42 21 28 35 42 Weight per acre grown in rows. Tons. 15 14 12 . 10 16 14 13 12 14 12 12 10 Lbs. 818 604 652 748 1,612 299 1,383 1,539 164 1,428 1,547 1,9h5 REPORT OF MR. ANGUS MACKA7 317 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 FIELD EOOTS. On account of the hot, dry July, all varieties of roots were small, and the yields below the average of ordinary years. The roots were of extra good quality, and dry weather in the fall when lifting, permitted their being stored in the cellars in good condition. The yields were computed from the weight of two rows each 66 feet long and 30 inches apart. Turnips — Test of Varieties. +3 3, u— O d Name of Variety. Character of Soil. 1st Plot Sown. 2nd Plot Sown. 1st Plot Pulled. 2nd Plot Pulled. Yield per Acre Ist Plot. Yield per Acre 1st Plot. Yield per Acre 2nd Plot Yield per Acre 2nd Plot 1 Carter's Elephant . . Perfection Clay loaui May 13 May 23 Oct. 12 Oct. 12 00 C 00 O -^ H >^ 19 1072 18 432 17 584 17 5H4 16 1528 15 1944 15 1944 15 1812 15 888 15 360 14 1832 14 1436 13 532 "m m 651 12 607 12 576 24 576 24 558 48 532 24 532 24 530 12 514 48 506 00 497 12 490 36 442 12 § 3 H J 16 1000 15 1680 20 524 19 412 17 980 18 960 17 1904 25 556 17 584 16 604 15 IOl'O 19 280 20 788 1 i r 550 00 528 00 3 Derby Bronze Top. . 675 24 4 Hall's Westbury . . . 640 12 5 Kaneraroo .... 583 00 6 Jumbo 616 00 7 Mammoth Clvde.. 598 24 8 Bangholm Selected . 842 36 9 Hale wood's Bronze Tom 576 24 10 Skirving's 543 24 11 Hartley's Bronze. . 517 00 1^ Good Luck 638 00 IS Maernum Bonum.. . 679 48 Mangels — Test of Varieties. o o 6 Name of Variety. Character of Soil. 1st Plot Sown. 2ud Plot Sown. 1st Plot Pulled. 2nd Plot Pulled. Yield per Acre 1st Plot. Yield per Acre 1st Plot. Yield per Acre 2nd Plot a » ♦ 18 36 ♦ 12 1212 14 644 12 948 18 960 * 11 704 11 440 Yield per Acre 2nd Plot 1 0 Giant Yellow Globe Yellow Intermediate Perfection Mam- moth Long Red Clay loam May 13 May 22 Oct. 6 Oct. 6 03 § J EH Hi 19 544 17 1904 17 1376 17 56 16 736 16 604 16 340 16 76 14 1832 14 1832 GO 00 « Hi 642 24 598 24 589 36 567 36 545 36 543 24 539 534 36 497 12 497 12 1 s * 600 36 3 ♦ 4 Prize Mammoth Long Red Mammoth Red In- termediate. Giant Yellow Inter- mediate 420 12 5 477 24 6 417 48 7 Gate Post . 616 00 8 Selected Yellow Globe * q Half Sugar White.. .... 378 24 10 374 00 •Destroyed by wire- worms. 318 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD Vll., A. 1910 Cakrots — Test of Varieties. O o Name of Variety. Character of Soil. 1st Plot Sown. 2nd Plot Sown. 1st Plot Pulled. 2nd Plot Pulled. Yield per Acre 1st Plot. Yield per Acre 1st Plot. tn EC 3 ^ pq hI 334 24 312 24 305 48 272 48 250 48 239 48 Yield per Acre 2nd Plot Yield per Acre 2nd Plot 1 9 Giant White Vosges Half-longChanteuay Ontario Chanfipion. Clay loam April 22 May 6 Oct. 12 Oct. 12 o5 o -o H iJ 10 64 9 744 9 348 8 3G8 7 1048 7 388 CO § J H Hi 8 500 5 824 7 1576 9 348 5 956 8 1820 1 i pa iJ 275 180 24 8 259 36 4 Improved Short White 305 48 5 White Belgian 182 36 6 Mammoth White Intermediate 297 00 Sugar Beets — Test of Varieties. Name of Variety. Vilmorin's Improved . Wanzleben French Very Rich . . Character of Soil. Clay loam 1st Plot Sown. May 13 >nd Plot Sown. May 23 1st Plot Pulled. Oct. 10 2nd Plot Pulled. Oct. 10 Yield per Acre 1st Plot. B O H 10 1780 10 I9t; 7 1708 Yield per Acre 1st Plot. 363 336 ?6 261 48 (Second seeding destroyed by wire- worms). POTATOES. The yields of potatoes were smaller than those of any preceding year, but the quality was excellent. The hot, dry July no doubt caused the poor returns, as frost did no injury during the growing season. Yields were computed from weight of two rows each 66 feet long and 30 inches apart. REPORT OF MR. ANGUS MACKAY 31d SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 m ni m d O 1 £| 1^ fa > 0 > o o o > 1 OO OPhOiJCP^Oi-^ P30 tfOPH ® "S 1 Tf -fi -r ■* 00 -*■ o -f CD :£! 00 «D i c= «£ co l Tj O '^ ' 1-1 CcSm-CoS 1 S<1 I 1 IM r^ (M (N -f -ilM-^iO'*Tl'00»O»lC«DCC00M'i-ih-;CCCr-| ^ 5 P2 iMrH^ ^i-li-HIM iH i-l i-l 1-1 rH r-l a, i 03 (M-*Tf< ■* (M CO IM iTJ •* CO I-l IM 1 er A of rket 3 t-t^b-OOCSCO'^'eOeOOOt-^IMMlO-f'^lC'NCOOOCOOOa^t^ t^S!o^>bNSc |r"«^ iimim iccknccw I -IsSS h-J :;5:!coth>-i I-*-*coc^5i-(^cocoim iel©COi-lC10C;t;~'rCCCJlCCO 00<»t^COOCOCOCOCOCOCO(NC'JIMiM'-l'-'OOCCCCQCt~5C-fCO MIM-i^rH pq be <1 e:g-:s"::s'':S's''":::s"": racter wth. to eS " s 0::rr = r:::r::::r::::r-::::: 6 o !r lOiOioioioioioioiooioicioioiooiflinininooioioioin o o ' ' ■V icoo»niooiOio»cicm>oioiOirjiniciio>cmiomioiooirt -tj S >. pH S h -S c ■ 2 -5 ca ce «-i.-- o t< o o rt 03 • »... — -.._>^ — -._•-.. — - — --- — J= >."*""""'""""" ---- o Q >> c3 > Name a tc 0 P= "ffi > ID Pi S : ^« OS OPmW > a •4- 0, C il 0, T M a 4- 0. ci ci ft o ^ "^ Q- III s -C g > a 'o c -^ c c ■ a c ^2 1 1 -jsmnnji^ IH iM CO ■* « to t> oc o- O 1-H I-H CO I-H i* 1-H I— < »— " c: C es CO IM 320 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 SUMMARY OF CROPS, 1908. Wheat: Bushels. 10 varieties, 49 acres 1,467 11 half -acres, rotation test 160 21 uniform test plots 40 1,667 Oats: 0 varieties, 51 acres 4,163 2 half-acres, rotation test 49 27 uniform test plots 104 4,316 Barley: 7 varieties, 35 J acres 1,804 2 half-acres, rotation test 25 25 uniform test plots 60 1,889 Peas: 3 varieties, 5^ acres 214 18 uniform test plots 37 251 Fall Rye 60 Flax 52 Potatoes 92 Roots 2,500 Tons. Corn ensilage 30 Hay: Western Rye Grass 25 Western Rye Grass and Red Clover 22 Alfalfa 12 Cut in coulees 15 ... ■^■. 00 o 05 be O CS CO w a -0 5094— p. 320. REPORT OF MR. ANGUS MACEAY 321 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. Nearly all varieties of vegetables suffered from the dry weather in July, beans and tomatoes excepted. No frost injured the garden stuff, and all varieties sown matured with the exception of melons and the ordinary varieties of table corn. The native variety (Squaw Corn), as usual, ripened. More tomatoes ripened in the open than in any previous year. ASPARAGUS. A good crop was obtained from the old beds of Barr's Mammoth, Barr's Elmira and Conover's Colossal. In use from May 13 to July 9. Beans — Sown May 15. Variety. Golden Wax Dwarf White Wax.... Bush Green Pod Bush Butter Davis Wax Black Speckled Challenge Black Wax. Currie's Rust-proof . . . Dwarf Wax Dwarf Kidney Emperor of Russia Extra Early Early Six Weeks Haricot Extra Early. . Haricot Matchless Erench Extra Early . . Wbite Field Black Broad Seed from. Indian Head. In July Aug. July Aug. July Aug. July Aug. 26. 26. 27. 25. 25. 4. 28. 24. 26. 25. 1. 25. 28. 27. 1. 26. 15. 1. 1. Pulled. Aug. 31. „ 31. Sept. 4. 4. 4 Aug. 21 u 21. ,. 21 21. 4. 4. Aug. 31. ,. 31. M 31. Sept. 4. M 4. 4. .. 12. 4. Sept. Remarks. Good crop. . ' Did not germinate. . Long wax. " , Good crop. I Long green. Large pod. Long wax. tt Long, fine quality. Short green. Green. Long green. Long wax. Long green. Medium wax. Small green. Good crop. Medium ftrop. Beets — Sown May 6; Pulled October 10. Variety. In use. Yield per Acre. Globe XXX . July 17.... .- 14... .. 16.... - 18.... M 17.... 1,462 bushels. 1,396 836 785 II 655 II New Cardinal Early Blood Turnip Danvers Half-long • Black Prince Cabbage — Sown in Hot-house April 3; Set cut May 18; Taken up October 10. Variety. Early — Ey. Jersey Wakefield . . Early Winningitadt. . . . Paris Market All Seasons Late — Marble Head Mammoth Large Drumhead V/orld Beater , Autumn King Winter Drumhead Mammoth Red Rock . . . 16—21 Average weight. 10 11 9 1 9 . loi ! 10 , 9 , 11 , 10 , 7 . 3S 1 1 1 1 1 . . - , - 1 Remarks. Large, solid. Medium, solid. Large, solid. Solid liead.s. 11 Large, solid. Solid heads. 322 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS Cress — Sown May Y. 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Variety. Extra Curled Juno 10 Fine Triple-curled Champion Curled Cauliflower — Sown in Hot-house April 3; Set out May 18. Variety. Early- Early Snowball Dwarf Erfurt Dwarf Paris Early Snowball Earliest Erfurt Late — Veitch's Autumn Giant. Walcheren Lenormand Remarks. Very fair. It Fair. Very fair. Good crop. Did not germinate. II II Very fine heads. Carrots — Sown April 21; Pulled October 10. Variety. Half-lung Dan vers. . Chantenay Chantenay Half-long Early Scarlet Horn. . Nantes Yield Per Acre. Cucumbers — Sown in Hot-house April 19; Set out May 30. Variety. Early White Spine Long Green Chicago Pickling Giant Pera Improved Long Green Prolific Everbearing In use. July 12 II 10 .. 8 II 16 I. 24 I. 18 .1 16 Ripe, August 15.. 11 15.. If 12.. M 18.. tl 22 . II 18.. II 16.. Length. 7 inches 6 .1 . 8 I. . 12 u 5 II . 11 II . Remarks. Fair crop. II Good crop.' Fair crop. Good crop. REPORT OF MR. ANGUS MAC KAY 323 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Corn — Sown May 15. Variety. Early Sweet. .. PeepO'Day.... Golden Bantam Eureka White Squaw . Earliest Dent . . Red Squaw Sept. 22. 6. 6 1. Aug. 18. M 28. .. 13. Date Ripe. Did not mature. September 20. Did not mature. September 10. Celery. Variety. Sown in Hothouse. Set Out. Weight of Six Heads. White Plume Paris Golden Yellow Giant Pascal April 9 „ 3 „ 9 .. 9 .. 9 H 3 June 2. . . . „ 2 .. 2 u 2 „ 2 M 2 12 lbs. in „ 10 „ Paris Golden Extra Select Golden Self-blanchine 12 ,. 10 .. Brandon Prize U 1. Crop of good quality and yield. White Plume fit for use in August ; other kinds, September 8. Citrons. Colorado Mammoth and Small Green were sown in hot-house April 19; set out May 30. A good crop; average circumference, 14 inches. Chevril. An annual plant grown for its leaves, which are used in salads and garnishing. Sown in open May 7; in use July 1. Gave a good crop of fine quality. Lettuce — First seeding May 7 ; second seeding June 7. First seeding in use June 11 ; second seeding in use July 10. Solid Head Denver Market Big Boston Toronto Gem All the Year Round. Cream Butter Half Century Mav King Head 16— 21i Variety. Remarks. Heavy crop. Very fine. Fair. Heavy crop. Did not germinate. Fair crop Very good crop. Good heads. 324 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Melons — Sown April 9; Set out May 30. Variety. Circumference. Remarks. Musk Melons . Earliest of All 16 in. 19 „ Poor crop. Fail' crop. Early Hackensack Water Melons Early Canada 22 „ 18 „ 15 M Fair crop. Earliest Sweet . . . Fordhook Good crop. No melons of any variety matured. Onions — Sown in Hot-house April 9; Transplanted to Garden May 15. Also sown in open April 21. All ripe and pulled October 2, Variety. Large Red Wethersfield Connecticut Large Red , Early Red Northland Yellow Globe Dan vers. . Prize Taker Yield per acre. Sown in hot house. - Sown in open. 19.5 bushels 195 bushels. 171 134 1G2 92 1-10 127 125 80 115 173 Parsnips — Sown May 6. Variety. Guernsey Elcomb's Giant. The Student. . . . September 8 10 14 Yield per acre. 472 bushels. 387 310 Parsley — Champion Curled, sown April 14; in use June 6. Good quality. Pepper — Long Ked Pepper, sown in hot-house April 3; set out May 30; matured September 20. REPORT OF MR. ANGUS MACKAT 825 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Peas — First Sowing May 6; Second Sowing May 14. Variety. Anticipation American Wonder Admiral Burpee's Profusion Gradus Horsford's Market Garden. Laxton's Charmer Leviathan Nott's Excelsior Queen Perfection Yorkshire Hero Surprise. Stratagem Shropshire Hero Dwarf Telephone Seed from Indian Head. First sowing. In use. Indian Head.. Indian Head. July 27 M 28 >, 26 .. 28 >, 18 „ 26 M 26 „ IS „ 18 H 21 „ 2i; M 26 M 27 ,t 26 M 20 ,. 28 Remarks. Very good crop. Heavy crop. Fair crop. It Wrinkled, large pods. Very good. It Large, wrinkled. Large, well-filled. Fair crop. Large, fine pods. Large, wrinkled. Good crop. Large, wrinkled. ti It Very good. The peas in the second sowing were in use about three days later than the first seeding. Eadish — Sown May 7. Variety. In use. Remarks. TTrprifli T^rfa.lcffmh .June 10 ,1 16 .1 11 M 11 tt 11 It 20 Good quality, large. Early Scarlet Good crop and quality. Rosy Gem It It Olive-shaoed Large, fine. White-tipped Verj' good. Icicle ... Large, white. Rhubarb. Old beds in use from May 16. The crop from two roots was kept track of during, the season, resulting in a total weight of 48 pounds for the two plants. Squash — Sown in Hot-house April 9; Set out May 19. Variety. Crookneck Boston Marrow. Warty Hubbard Orange Pie Ripe. Aug. 15 It 14 It 15 ,, 15 Size. Length, 10 in . Circum. 34 in. 23 in . 21 in . Average weight. 13 lbs. Olbs. Remarks. Fair crop. Good crop. 326 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Spinach — Sown May 7. Variety. In use. Remarks. Bloonisdale June 20 M 18.... Good crop. Victoria . It Sage — Sown May 7 ; in use July 30. Sorrel — Sown May 7; in use July 6. Table Turnips. Variety. In use. Pulled. Yield per acre. Golden Ball. July 1 n 10 Oct. 1 .. 1 933 bushels. Purple Tod 606 .. Tomatoes — Sown in Hot-house April 9; Set out May 18; Pulled September 18. First of All First of All Early Ruby Earliana Earliest of All Golden Jubilee . . . Early Baseball. . . Diadem Spark's Earliana*. Spark's Earliana. Variety. Green. July 4. 25. 24. 10. 8. 24. 19. 2'». 4 14. First Ripe. Aug. 20. Sept. 4. 4. 1. Ang. 24. Sept. 4. 1. 6. Aug. 20. Sept. 1 . Yield from 9 plants. 65 Lbs. 56 84 85 60 50 80 40 80 75 * The seed of this variety is the result of six years selection by Mr. W. T. Macoun, Horticulturist, Experimental Farm, Ottawa, who saved seed from only the earliest and smoothest samples of fruit. The fruit raised from this seed was smoother and, as will be seen above, ripened 12 days earlier than that grown from seed of the same variety obtained commercially, thus showing the advantages of careful and rightly directed selection. REPORT OF MR. ANGUS MACK AT 327 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 THE FLOWER GARDEN. The flower garden was very satisfactory. Both annual and perennial sorts giving lots of bloom, some well through September. Annuals — Sown in Hot-house April 2 and 3; Set out May 27. Variety. In Bloom. From To Asters, 10 varieties.. . .■. . . July 12.. June 30.. July 8.. 1.. 14.. June 2r>, . July 11.. June 25. . July 1 . . Sept. 24 Aug. IH Sept. 28 t, 24 M 3 Balsam Daisy Nasturtium, 4 varieties.. Portulaca Stocks . . . . ti 28 Verbena Zinnio. . . . „ 28 Alio- 16 Petunias Sept. 30 The following armuals were sown in open : — Variety. Alyssum Antirrhinum Brachycome.. .... Bartonia Aurea . . . , Clarkia Celosia, 3 varieties. Chrysanthemum . . . Campanula Coreopsis , Candytuft Calendula Date Sown. May 10. M 18. ., 18. M 18. M 18. >i 18. In Bloom. From Julv 12. . . M 30... u 20... >, Ifi... M 16... Auff.12... 18. 18. 10. 18. 19., 19., 10. 19. Eschscholtzia [May 19 . Godetia Gaillardia picta Mignonette Nicotiana afBnis Phlox, two varieties Poppy, four varieties Scabiosa, three varieties Salpiglossis . Sweet Sultan (Centaurea) Sweet Peas, 27 varieties 18 July 18 12. 24. 10 24. July 11. ,j >, 30. Aug. 1. July 8. Aug. 2. 10 July 28., 19. 19. 19. 19. 18. 30. 30. 10. 18. To Aug. 30 Sept. 28 ., 24 >- 20 „ 24 .. 24 .. 24 Aug. 20 Sept. 26 -. 26 Aug 30 Sept, Aug. Sept 28. 30. 29. 3. 29. 10. Aug. 22. Sept. 29. 10. 26. 29. Perennials Planted 1908. Variety. Cannas . Dahlias Gladioli Panaies . Planted In Bloom. To Sei)tember 10. It 15 10. October 20. 328 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Old Perennuls. Variety. Clematis Recta. Columbine Delphinium . . . . Helianthus Iris Lychnis Oriental Pojjpy . Tulips Paeonies In Bloom. From June 30... 8.. July 8.. M 26., June 1 . . >. 30., .. 30.. May 23.. June 24., To Ausrust 7. July 20. August .m September July 16. August 5. July 16. June 20. July 18. 29. Perennials Planted in Spring, 1908. The following plants were received from the Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, and set out early in May: — Oriental Poppy ' Mahonej'.' " ' Salmon Queen.' Spiraea filipendula fl. pi. Oenothera fruticosa. Hemeroeallis, species. Spiraea aruncus. Campanula macrantha. Aconitum napellus bicolor. Cimicifuga racemosa. Iberis correaefolia. Bulbs Planted in Fall, 190S. The bulbs comprised in the following list were received from the Central Experi- men:al Farm, Ottawa, and planted on October 22. tulips. ICO Chrysolora (pure yellow). 100 Due van Tholl (crimson). 100 " (gold-laced). 50 Keizer's Kroon (scarlet and yellow). 50 Cottage Maid (rose pink and white). 50 Artus (brilliant scarlet). 50 Joost von Vondel (cherry-red white feathered). 50 Pottebakker (yellow). 50 " (white). 50 " (scarlet). 50 Proserpine (carmine rose). 50 Double superfine (mixed colours). 50 Gloria solis (red with gold). 50 Gesneriana spathulata (scarlet and blue). 50 L'Immaculae (white). 100 Parrot (mixed). CROCUSES. 150 Blue and purple. 150 Large yellow. 100 Striped and variegated. 50 White of all shades. REPORT OF MR. ANGUS MACKAY 329 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 OTHER BULBS. 50 Chionodoxa gigantea. (Glory of the Snow.) 10 Colchicum autumnale. (Meadow Saffron.) 50 Galanthus Elwesii. (Giant Snowdrops.) 50 Galanthus nivalis. (Snowdrops.) 5 Frittillaria Imperialis. 10 Leucojum vernum. (Snowflake.) 10 Leucojum aestivum. 50 Spanish Iris. 50 Scilla Sibirica. (Squills.) 10 Bulbocodium vernum. FEUIT CROP. Currants and gooseberries were infested with the Currant Maggot (Epochra Canadensis), and a good deal of the fruit fell before maturing. Raspberries and strawberries gave fairly good fruit, the dry July being rather against them. In larger fruits, the Siberian varieties of crab-apple were all well loaded with fruit, some of the better sorts having apples of good size. The native plum trees were well loaded, and, with one or two exceptions, ripened their fruit. The cross-bred plum ' Aitkin ' gave a heavy crop. The winter of 1907-8 and the spring of 1908 proved disastrous to a large number of the cross-bred apple trees, most of the losses being replaced in May by trees sent from Ottawa for the purpose. A small orchard of cross-bred plum trees was set out in May last, also some fresh plots of currants, gooseberries azid raspberries. Details of these are as follows: — CROSS-BRED APPLE TREES. Sent by the Experimental Farm, Ottawa. 20 Jewel. 12 Osman. 10 Columbia. 20 Josie. 10 Tony. 3 Carleton. 20 Magnus. 12 Prince. 5 Charles. 20 Robin. 3 Mecca. 12 Alberta. 25 Silvia. 10 Pioneer. 10 Norman. 5 Jewel. 15 Golden. 10 Kent. CROSS-BRED PLUM TREES. Prom Prof. N. E. Hansen, Experiment Station, Brookings, S.D. 1 Sapa. 2 Wakapa. 3 Hanska. 2 Enopa. 4 Yuteka. 4 Wastesa. 2 Eyami. 6 Winnipeg. 2 Wabanka. 4 Huya. 2 Opata. 1 Skuya. 2 Assiniboia. 2 Owauka. 4 S. D.'No. 32. 4 Topa. 6 Tokeya. 330 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Raspberries and Blackberries. From Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, except Sunbeam, which was sent by Prof. Hansen : — Columbia raspberry. Cuthbert raspberry. Marlboro raspberry. Schaffer raspberry. Conrath raspberry. Palmer raspberry. King raspberry. Cardinal raspberry. Munger raspberry (black). Older raspberry (black). Golden Queen raspberry. Ruby Red raspberry. Hilborn Black Cap raspberry. Sunbeam raspberry. Eldorado blackberry. Mesereau blackberry. Ancient Briton blackberry. Currants, From Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa. Black Currants. Saunders. Ethel. Topsy. Winona. Bang Up. Ogden. Ontario. Eclipse. Kerry. Lee's Prolific. Magnus. Climax. Beauty. Merveille de la Gironde. Eagle. Red Currants. Moore's Early. Rankin's Red. Large Red. Cumberland Red. La Conde. Red Grape. Raby Castle. Red English. Greenfield. Cherry. New Red Dutch. Long Bunch Holland. Benwell. Red Jacket. Victoria Red. White Currants. White Dutch. Large White. White Kaiser. ^^^lite Grape. White Cherry. Large Wh. Brandenburgh. White Pearl. Wentworth Leviathan. Terrier's White. Gooseberries. From Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa. Industry. Downing. Houghton's Seedling. Companion. REPORT OF MR. ANGUS MACK AY 331 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 TEEES AND SHRUBS. Although the winter of 1907-8 was disastrous throughout the province to many trees (especially Cottonwoods) from unripe growth of previous year, on the Experi- mental Farm no loss or injury took place. Trees and shrubs among the hardy varieties came through in good condition. It may be said, in connection with the distribution of trees and shrubs, that, notwithstanding the immense number of the former sent out by the Forestry Farm, situated near Indian Head, the applications received by the Experimental Farm far exceed what can be supplied. In 1908, 932 applications from this province and Alberta were filled. This year (1909), 900 applications from Saskatchewan alone will be filled, with as many more received that cannot be supplied. SHRUBS PLANTED. The following shrubs were received from the Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Ijist spring, and planted out during May: — 4 Caragana tragacanthoides. 2 Euonymus Europeus ovatus. 2 Phellodendron amurense. 2 Pyrus Maulei Sargenti. 2 Philadelphus multiflorus plena. 4 Juglans Sieboldiana (Japanese Walnut). 50 Syringa Emodi (for hedge). 50 Thunberg's Barberry (for hedge). 25 Ginnalian Maple (for hedge). 3 Lonicera regeliana. 4 Abies remonti. EXCURSIONS TO THE EXPERIMENTAL FARM. On July 28 and 29, excursions were run by the Department of Agriculture at Regina, from all points on the Canadian Pacific Railway from Fleming, on the east, to Caron, on the west; from all points along the Regina and Areola and the Soo and Estevan lines in the province; and from Regina north along the Canadian Northern Railway. A lunch was provided by the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. W. R. Motherwell, and prepared and served by the Indian Head Hospital Directors, with the generous assistance of the ladies of the town and district. Mr. J. Bracken, Superintendent of Fairs and Institiites, who had charge of the excursions, and a number of the staif from the department were in attendance during the two days and gave valuable assistance in looking after the comfort of the visitors. Superintendent Murray, of the Brandon Experimental Farm, and G. H. Greig, Commissioner of Live Stock, were also in attendance. All regretted that the Hon. Mr. Motherwell could only be present a short time. Over thirty suitable conveyances were engaged by the department, and these, with numerous private conveyances were kept busy during the two days showing the large crowd over the farm. No injury was done to anything, although the flower and other plots were con- tinuously surrounded. 332 ' EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 PEEPARING LAND FOR GRAIN CROPS IN SASKATCHEWAN. During the growing season of 1908, almost the entire western portion of the pro vince suffered from dry weather, and the majority of the new settlers, either from unfamiliarity with the methods of cultivation for the conservation of moisture, or through a desire to bring the greatest possible area under cultivation, naturally suffered a severe disappointment. In some districts, where in former years moisture had been abundant and proper cultivation had in consequence been neglected in the effort to * get rich quick,' the partial failure of the crop proved an expensive lesson. For many years, commencing in 1888, the methods of conserving moisture by * breaking and backsetting ' and by ' summer-fallowing ' — now called ' dry-farming ' for a change — have been recommended and universally adopted by the older settlers but to very many of the new settlers they are unknown. The latter, I trust, may be benefited by the following explanation of the methods which, for a great many years, have proved uniformly successful for every district in the province of Saskatchewan. BREAKING PRAIRIE SOD. The success or failure of a new settler often depends on the method employed in the preparation of the land for his first crop, and it is, therefore, of the utmost importance that the question of ' breaking ' or ' breaking and backsetting ' be given the consideration it deserves. For some years past, the general practice throughout the country has been to continue breaking three or more inches deep so long as the teams can turn over the sod; then, in the fall, to disk the topsoil, and sow grain on the spring following. From the breaking so done before the end of June, a good crop of wheat, oats or barley is usually obtained, but no amount of cultivation will ensure even a fair crop on this land in the next succeeding year. After the first crop has been cut the soil is usually in a perfectly dry state, and remains so, in spite of any known method of cultivation, until the rains come in the following spring. If they are insufiicient or late, as is frequently the case, failure of the crop must be the result. BREAKING AND BACKSETTING. Breaking and backsetting is the true way of laying the foundation of future su-ccess in the greater number of districts throughout the province, and while this method does not permit of as large an acreage being brought under cultivation in a year, it does permit of more thorough work and ensures better results in the long run. The anxiety of nearly all settlers to sow every acre possible, regardless of how or when the work on the land has been accomplished, may be given as the reason for breaking and disking to a large extent superseding the older, better and safer plan. Breaking and backsetting means the ploughing of the prairie sod as shallow as possible before the June or early July rains are over, and, in August or September, when the sod will have become thoroughly rotted by the rains and hot sun, ploughing two or three inches deeper in the same direction, and then harrowing to make a fine and firm seed-bed. From land prepared in this way, two good crops of wheat may be expected. The first crop will be heavy, and the stubble, if cut high at harvest time, will retain sufficient snow to produce the moisture required, even in the driest spring, to germinate the seed for the next crop. The stubble land can readily be burned on a day in the spring with a hot, steady wind, and the seed may be sown with or without further cultivation. In a case where the grass roots have not been entirely killed by the backsetting, a shallow cultivation before seeding will be found advantageous, but as a rule the harrowing of the land with a drag-harrow after seeding will be sufficient. REPORT OF MR. ANGUS MACKA7 333 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 The piincipal objection to breaking and backsetting is urged with regard to the backsetting, which is, no doubt, heavy work for the teams, but, if the disking required to reduce deep breaking, and afterwards the ploughing or other cultivation that must be done in an effort to obtain a second crop be taken into consideration, it must be conceded that in the end ' breaking and backsetting ' is the better method. When two crops have been taken from new land it should be summer-fallowed. SUMMER-FALLOWS AND SUMMER-FALLOWING. Among the many advantages to the credit of the practice of summer-fallowing may be mentioned : the conservation of moisture, the eradication of weeds, the prepara- tion of land for grain crops when no other work is pressing, the availability of summer- fallowed land for seeding at the earliest possible date in the spring, and the minor advantages of having suitable land for the growing of pure seed, potatoes, roots and vegetables at the least cost and with the greatest chance for success, and that of being able to secure two crops of grain with little or no further cultivation. Summer-fallowing has undoubtedly some disadvantages, but so long as the growing of grain, and more particularly wheat, remains the principal industry of the province, it will be necessary to store up moisture against a possible dry season, to restrain the weeds from over-running the land, and, on account of the short seasons, to prepare at least a portion of the land to be cropped, in the year previous to seeding, A well- made summer-fallow is the best means to this end. Among the disadvantages are : the liability of the soil to drift, the over-production of straw in a wet season (causing late maturity and consequent danger of damage by frost), and, it is claimed, the exhaustion of the soil. The two former may, to a great extent, be overcome by different methods of cultivation, and, if the soil can be prevented from drifting, I am satisfied that one of the reasons for the latter contention will disappear. Various methods are practised in the preparation of fallow, and where the aim has been to take advantage of the June and July rains and to prevent the growth of weeds, success is almost assured. Where the object has been to spend as little time as possible on the work, failure is equally certain. In my annual report for 1889, the following was submitted for the consideration of the settlers. Since then many experiments have been conducted on the Experimental Farm with different systems, and again- 1 submit what, on the whole, have been found to be the most successful methods for the cultivation of the soil in Saskatchewan. From Report of 1889 (December 29). * The year just past has been one of extremes, last winter was one of the mildest on record, and March was so very fine that thousands of acres of grain were seeded from 15th to 31st, and at no time in the history of the country has the ground been in better condition for the reception of the seed. Immediately after seeding, however, exceptionally high winds set in, followed by extreme drought during the entire growing season. In many places the crops were injured by the winds, and finally almost ruined by the succeeding dry weather. In some localities, however, where the farming had been done in accordance with the requirements of the country, the crops did fairly, and considering the excessively dry weather, remarkably well. ' The Experimental Farm suffered in company with every other farm in the country. Perhaps very few suffered as much from winds, but the dry weather, though reducing the yields, did not prove as disastrous as to many others. In this portion of the Territories at least, every settler knows the importance of properly preparing his land. For several years after the country became open for settlement, every one imagined that grain would grow, no matter how put in, but now the man is devoid of reason who thinks he is sure of a crop without any exertion on his part. It 334 . EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 is true that since 1882 we have had one year in which the land required little or no preparation for the production of an abundant crop, but only too many realize the loss in the remaining years from poor cultivation. * Our seasons point to only one method of cultivation by which we may in all years expect to reap something. It is quite within the bounds of possibility that some other and perhaps more successful method may be found, but at present I submit that ' fallowing ' the land is the best preparation to ensure a crop. Fallowing land in this country is not required for the purpose of renovating it, as is the case with the worn- out lands in the east; and it is a question as yet unsettled how much or how little the fallows should be worked, but, as we have only one wet season during the year, it has been proved beyond doubt that the land must be ploughed the first time before this wet season is over if we expect to reap a crop in the following year. The wet season comes in June and July, at a time when every farmer has little or nothing else to do, and it is then that this work should be done. Usually seeding is over by first of May, and to secure the best results the land for fallow should be ploughed from 5 to 7 inches deep as soon after this date as possible. Land ploughed after July is of no use whatever unleses the rains in August are much in excess of the average. A good harrowing should succeed the ploughing, and all weeds and volunteer grain be kept down by successive cultivations. A good deal of uncertainty is felt with regard to a second ploughing; some holding that it is useless; others maintaining that it is an injury ; while others again have found it to give from five to ten bushels per acre more than one ploughing. So far the exx)eriments on the Experimental Farm have shown that by far the best returns have been received from two ploughings, and more notice- ably was this the case when the first ploughing had been completed in May or June. Without doubt, two ploughings cause a greater growth of' straw, and consequently in a wet year the grain is several days later in maturing, causing greater danger from frost; but taking the seasons so far passed (1884 excepted), two ploughings with as much surface cultivation as possible in between, may be safely recommended. ' Above all, it is of the greatest importance that the first ploughing be as deep as possible, and that it be done in time to receive the June and July rains.' From Report of 1906. ' In view of the fact that every year brings to the Northwest many new settlers who are unacquainted with the methods of breaking up and preparing new land for crop, a few suggestions with regard to this very important work may not be amiss. ' In all sections where the sod is thick and tough, breaking and back-setting should be done; while in districts where scrub abounds and the sod is thin, deep breaking is all that is necessary. ' The former is generally applicable to the southern parts of Saskatchewan and the latter to Alberta and the northern parts of Saskatchewan, where the land is more or less covered with bluffs. SHALLOW-BREAKING AND BACK-SETTING. * The sod should be turned over as thin as possible, and for this purpose a walking plough with a 12 or 14-inch share, is the best. When the breaking is completed (which should not be later than the second week in July), rolling will hasten the rotting pro- cess and permit back-setting to commence early in August. ' Back-setting is merely turning the sod back to its original place, and at the same time bringing up two or three inches of fresh soil to cover it. The ploughing should b§ done in the same direction as the breaking and the same width of furrow turned. Two inches below the breaking is considered deep enough, but three to four inches will give better results. ' After back-setting, the soil cannot be made too fine, and the use of disc or Eandall harrow to cut up every piece of unrotted sod, will complete the work. REPORT OF MR. ANGUS MACEAT 335 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 DEEP BREAKING. ' Deep breaking, which in many sections of the country is the only practicable way of preparing new land, and which is, unfortunately, done in some instances where breaking and back-setting would give more satisfactory results, consists in the turning over of the sod as deeply as possible, usually from four to five inches. ' When the sod has rotted, the top soil should be worked and made as fine as pos- sible. The use of harrow and disc will fill up all irregularities on the surface, and make a fine, even seed-bed. ' Whether the land is broken shallow or deep, it is necessary to have the work com- pleted early, so as to take advantage of the rains which usually come during June or early in July. These rains cause the sod to rot, and without them, or if the ploughing is done after they are over, the sod remains in the same condition as when turned, and no amount of work will make up for the loss. SUMMER FALLOWS. ' The true worth of properly prepared fallows has been clearly demonstrated in past years in every grain-growing district of Saskatchewan. 'The work of preparing land for crop by fallowing is carried on in so many ways in different parts of the Northwest, that perhaps a few words on some of the methods employed may be of help to at least some of the new settlers. ' It has been observed in Alberta and Saskatchewan that the land to be fallowed is not, as a rule, touched until the weeds are full grown and in many cases, bearing fully matured seed. It is then ploughed. ' By this method, which, no doubt, saves work at the time, the very object of a sum- mer fallow is defeated. In the first place, moisture is not conserved because the land has been pumped dry by the heavy growth of weeds; and, secondly, instead of using the summer-fallow as a means of eradicating weeds, a foundation is laid for years of labour and expense by the myriads of foul seeds turned under. * The endless fields of yellow-flowered weeds, generally Ball Mustard (Neslia pani- culata), testify to the indifferent work done in many districts, and, while no weed is more easily eradicated by a good system of fallows, there is no weed that is more easily propagated or takes greater advantage of poor work on fallows or of fall or spring cultivation. ' As has been pointed out in my previous reports, early and thorough work on fallows is absolutely necessary to success, and I here repeat the methods and results of tests carried on for some years past. 'First Method. — Ploughed deep (6 to 8 inches) before last June; surface culti- vated during the growing season, and just before or immediately after harvest ploughed 5 or 6 inches deep. ' Result. — Too much late growth if season was at all wet ; grain late in ripening, and a large crop of weeds if the grain was in any way injured by winds. Second Method. — Ploughed shallow (3 inches deep) before the last of June; surface cultivated during the growing season, and ploughed shallow (3 to 4 inches deep) in the autumn. ' Result. — Poor crop in a dry year ; medium crop in a wet year. ISTot sufficiently stirred to enable soil to retain the moisture. ' Third Method. — Ploughed shallow (3 inches) before the last of June ; surface cultivated during the growing season, and ploughed deep (7 to 8 inches) in the autumn. ' Result. — Soil too loose and does not retain moisture. Crop light and weedy in a dry year. 'Fourth Method. — Ploughed deep (7 to 8 inches) before the last of June; surface cultivated during the growing season. 336 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 ' Result. — Sufficient moisture conserved for a dry year, and not too much for a wet one. Few or no weeds, as all the seeds near the surface have germinated and been killed. Surface soil apt to blow more readily than when either of the other methods is followed. For the past fourteen years, the best, safest and cleanest grain has been grown on fallow worked in this way, and the method is therefore recommended. ' Fallows that have been ploughed for the first time after the first of July, and especially after July 15, have never given good results ; and the plan too frequently followed of (waiting till weeds are full grown, and often ripe, and ploughing under with the idea of enriching the soil, is a method that cannot be too earnestly advised against. ' In the first place, after the rains are over in June or early in July, as they usually are, no amount of work, whether deep or shallow ploughing, or surface cultivation, can put moisture in the soil. The rain must fall on the first ploughing and be conserved by surface cultivation. ' Weeds, when allowed to attain their full growth, take from the soil all the moisture put there by the June rains, and ploughing imder weeds with their, seeds ripe or nearly so, is adding a thousand-fold to the myriads already in the soil, and does not materially enrich the land.' DRY FARMING. During the past two years the term ' dry farming ' has been applied in Alberta to what was formerly known in the west as ' summer-fallowing.' With the exception of the addition of the use of a soil-packer, there is no change in the methods formerly employed, when the spring rains and frequent cultivation were depended irpon for the packing of the soil. A packer is, without doubt, a most useful implement on the farm, and where from any cause the soil is loose, it should be used. It is, however, an expensive implement, and within the means of comparatively few of the new settlers. Fortunately, early ploughing and frequent shallow cultivation may be depended upon to produce equally satisfactory results. CULTIVATION OF STUBBLE. When farmers summer-fallow one-third of their cultivated land each year, as they should, one-half of each year's crop will be on stubble. For wheat, the best preparation of this land is to burn the stubble on the first hot, windy day in the spring, and either cultivate shallow before seeding or give one or two strokes of the harrow after seeding; the object being to form a mulch to conserve whatever moisture may be in the soil until the commencement of the June rains. The portion intended for oats or barley should be ploughed four or five inches deep, and harrowed immediately; then seeded and harrowed as fine as possible. In case time will not permit ploughing, good returns may be expected from sowing the seed oats or barley on the burnt ground and disking it in; then harrowing well. FALL PLOUGHING. With regard to fall-ploughing, it may be said that, as a rule, on accoimt of short seasons and dry soil, very little, work can possibly be done in the fall, but if the stubble land is in a condition to plough, and the stubble is not too long, that portion intended for oats and barley may then be ploughed, if time permits. It is, however, a mistake to turn over soil in a lumpy or dry condition, as nine times out of ten it will remain in the same state until May or June, with insufficient moisture to properly germinate the seed, and the crop will be overtaken by frost. REPORT OF MR. ANGUS MAC KAY 337 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 CATTLE. The herd of cattle at present on the Farm consists of 27 pure-bred Shorthorns and 21 grade animals, 8 of the latter being three-year-old steers bought for feeding tests. On December 3-4, 1908, the entire herd was tested for tuberculosis and was found to be free from the disease with the exception of one. steer bought shortly before for feeding test. This animal was killed, and on examination by the health inspector, its thoracic glands were found to be affected. FEEDINa TEST. A test was made for the sixteen weeks from December 7, 1908, to March 29, 1909, of the comparative feeding values of Western Eye Grass and Alfalfa in fattening cattle. Two lots of 4 three-year-old steers were made up, but, owing to one animal in lot 2 becoming sick during the test, it was withdrawn from the lot, and lot 1 was also reduced to three steers to keep the numbers equal. Each steer was fed a daily ration of 1 pound of ground linseed throughout the test, and 4 pounds of meal for the first four weeks, increased to 6 pounds for the second four weeks, and 8 pounds during the last eight weeks of the feeding period. In addition, lot 1 received all the Western Rye Grass they would eat, and lot 2 all the Alfalfa they wanted. The weight of both Western Rye Grass and Alfalfa consumed daily per head was about 22 pounds, and the cost of feed has been figured on this basis. The meal used consisted of two parts of barley to one of wheat. Following will be found particulars of the weights and gains of each lot; the quantity and value of feed consumed; and the financial results of the transaction. WEIGHTS AND GAINS DURING TEST. Lot 1. Lot 2. Weight. Gain. Weight. Gain. Start of test Lbs. 3,115 3,310 3,500 3,670 3,800 Lbs. Lbs. 3,315 3,400 3,540 3,710 3,845 Lbs. End of first month End of second mont Phid of third month End of fourth mont 195 190 170 130 1 1 ] 85 1 1 40 70 35 Total gain during test 685 228 r 1 >30 Average gain per head 77 Total weight and estimated value of feed consumed Lot 1. Lot 2. Western rye grass. . Ground linseed . . . Meal 7,392 lbs. at $5 per ton . . 33() lbs. at 4c. ])er lb 2,184 lbs. at Ic. per lb. . . $ cts. 18 48 13 44 21 84 Alfalfa Ground linseed . . . Meal 7.392 lbs. 336 lbs. 2,181 lbs. at $5 per tun . . at 4c. per lb. . . at Ic. per lb.. . . $ cts. 18 48 13 44 21 84 Total cost .^3 76 Total CO. Cost per ^t 53 76 Cost per head . . 17 92 bead 17 92 16—22 338 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Summary of the Financial Kesults of the Transaction. Lot 1. Lot 2. Weight at start 3,115 lbs. ^^,315 lbs. Value at 3c. per lb $93,45 $99.45 Costoffeed 8 53.76 $.53.76 Total cost $147.21 $153.21 Total cost per head $49.07 $51.07 Weight at finish 3,800 lbs. 3,845 lbs. Less 5 p.c. shrinkage 190 lbs. 192 lbs. Net weight 3,G101bs 3,653 lbs. Value at 5c. per lb $180.50 $182 65 Valueperhead $60.17 $60.88 Net profit $33.29 $29.44 Net profit per head $11.10 " $ 9.81 HORSES. Ten draft horses, with three light animals for driving: and scuffling, constitute the working force on the farm. Two of the draft animals are very old, and only able to do light work. One draft brood mare was purchased late in March of the present year. SWINE. Two breeds are kept on the farm — Yorkshire "Wliites and Berkshires. Eollowing is the number of each at present : 1 Berkshire boar and 2 sows ;. 1 Yorkshire boar and 3 sows; a young litter of 8 Yorkshires; and 20 grade pigs, which include a litter of 11. During the year ending March 31, 1909, 14 pigs were sold to farmers for breeding purposes, and 18 were sold for pork. POULTRY. Very poor success was ob.tained last year with poultry. At present the breeding pens consist of 2 Barred Pljonouth Rock cockerels and 21 pidlets; a Black Minorca cockerel and 13 pullets, and a Buff Orpington cockerel and 5 pullets. BEES. Eight hives of bees came safely through the winter of 1907-8 and increased to 14 during the season. Two young swarms were sold in the fall and 12 put in the cellar for the winter, with from 30 to 40 lbs. honey each. The only cellar available is in my house, and neither the temperature nor ventilation is suitable for bees Although the season was favourable for honey, only a few pounds were obtained in 1-lb. sections during the season. DISTRIBUTION OF SAMPLES. A distribution of samples of the products of the farm was made in the spring to residents of Saskatchewan and Alberta. Following is a list of samples sent out : — Wheat, 3-lb. bags 204 Oats, 3-lb. bags 226 Barley, 3-lb. bngs 132 Peas, 3-lb. bags CO Sundries (flax, rye, spelt), 3-lb. bags 23 Potatoes, 3-lb. bags G30 Garden peas, 1-lb. bags 190 Garden corn, |-lb. bags " 9 Koot seeds, bags 35 REPORT OF MR. ANGUS MACK AT 339 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Small seeds, 350 bags containing 5,025 packets of flower, garden and shrub seeds. Tree seeds, Maple 780 " Ash 36 Shrub seeds 140 Parcels. Tree and shrub seedlings . . 900 Express parcels of trees and shrubs 32 Crab apple and plum seedlings 208 Rhubarb roots 154 COERESPONDENCE. During the 12 months ending March 31, 1909, 8,114 letters were received and 7,951 mailed from this office. In letters received, reports on samples are not included, and in letters mailed, circulars of instructions sent out with samples are not counted. METEOROLOGICAL RECORDS. r Month. Tempekatckes. Rainfall. Snowfall. • Briprht Maximum. Minimum. Mean. Sunshine. 1908. April Date. 20 9 25 25 20 7 8 2 13 20 3 20 o 76 86 85 944 88 94 74 58 40 40 35 43 Date. 1 2 8 22 12 27 29 30 31 6 12 16 O —10 21 34 41 33 20 11 —14 -32 -47 —36 -11 o 37 -40 Days. 4 6 17 5 6 6 6 In. 1-45 In. 500 0-75 Hours. 181-4 May 49 57 64 59 54 37 27 23 90 82 70 00 10 80 95 4-:^ 1 5 0 1 0 1 46 44 71 87 64 GO 241 217 301 279 212 122 69 51 2 June 8 July August September October November 3 "'o-56 ' 0-50 4-00 800 700 600 200 7 2 8 3 December 0 1909. Januarv -3-90 2-34 19-50 . . 78-5 February. . IVIarcH . 79-4 137 -7 50 13 17 33-75 1,972 3 I have the honour to be, sir, Your obedient servant, ANGUS MACKAY, Superintendent. 16—2^ 9-10 EDWARD VII. SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 A. 1910 EXPERIMENTAL FARM FOR CENTRAL ALBERTA. Experimental Farm, Lacombe, Alta., March 31, 1909. Dr. Wm. Saunders, C.M.G., Director, Dominion Experimental Earms, Ottawa. Sm, — I have the honour to submit to you my second annual report covering the operations of the Experimental Farm for Central Alberta, at Lacombe, for the year 1908. The winter of 1907-8 was mild and was followed by an early spring. The early part of the season was particularly favourable, seeding operations commencing three weeks earlier than in 1907. Spring work continued without interruption from bad weather until finished on April 29. Growth was rapid and uniform, very large heads of all grains being produced, but cool weather in August delayed the maturing of the grain, and late crops of wheat were injured by frost. The quality of the grain is this year much superior to 1907, excellent samples of wheat, oats and barley being produced. Fruit trees matured their season's growth better than in 1907, and the majority of the trees and shrubs made good growth during the year. Though sufficient frost came early in November to close the land to the plough, fall work generally was further advanced than in 1907, owing to the fact that harvest operations were conducted with greater facility, leaving farmers free to direct their energies toward fall work. EXPERIMENTS WITH WINTER WHEAT. All plots in the variety tests of winter wheat were on black clay loam on brome sod from which a hay crop was taken in 1907. After the hay was harvested, the land was ploughed and well cultivated at intervals for about three weeks, and seeded to winter wheat on August 10 and 11. The season of 1907 was unusually wet during July and August, hence it was impossible to bring the brome grass as thoroughly under subjection as in a nonnal season. The consequence was that the brome persisted in growing, which retarded the growth of the wheat and reduced the yields. All plots were one-sixtieth of an acre. Fall Wheat — Test of Varieties. Name of Variety. lIKarkov 2 Turkey Red 3 Reliable 4 Red Velvet Chaff 5 Early Windsor 6 Red Chief 7 Abundance 8 Dawson's Golden Chaff. 9|Prosperity Date Date of Ripen- ing. 60 .5 C4H Kind m (4-1 Yield of Sowing. o o.S ^-3 ■8° 03 O bo a of Head. o per Acre. d r-- o ^ ., 42 In. In. Lbs. CO CO pq 1-5 Sept. 4. Aug. 14. 345 36 Stiff. . 21 Bearded 4,080 16 . M 4. „ 13. 344 37 2h )t 4,200 16 . Aug. 21. .. 11. 35G 41 3.^ It 4,080 16 . „ 21. .. 11. 35G 32 3 Beardl's 4,920 15 . M 20. ., 10. 3.5G 32 2i l> 6,120 14 . ,. 21. „ 10. S55 38 2r, II 4,020 14 . M 20. „ 11. 357 35 9 (1 5,e40 13 . ■■ 20. „ 10. 350 37 21 II 4,440 11 . ,. 20. ,. 11. 357 35 H tl 5,040 11 . c3 ffl 60 CO CO T V „ s ^ Libs 61 63 6i 60 m\ 58 61 59 58i 842 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 SUMMER-FALLOW COMPARED WITH SOD PLOUGHED UNDER FOR WINTER WHEAT. A series of experiments have been begun to gain information as to the relative crop from winter wheat sown on summer-fallow as compared with seeding on sod ploughed under, from which a hay crop has been taken that same season. Notwith- standing the low yields secured on brome sod this year, it is proposed to continue the work with brome, and also to include timothy sod, and special attention will be given to a comparison of the latter with summer-fallow. While brome is conceded a high place in making a permanent pasture and supplying hay of value for dairy cattle, it is not thought desirable to include it in a rotation of crops. Following are the results of three varieties of wheat on brome sod as compared with summer-fallow, and one of the same varieties on timothy sod. It is well to remember in considering these yields that, in the case of timothy, a yield of hay of about 2J tons per acre was secured in 1907. (2) That the season of 1907 did not permit (on account of heavy rains) the sod being subdued with the usual effectiveness, and (3) that in addition to the sale crop of wheat, a crop of grass seed was also secured, the seed on timothy sod amounting to four bushels per acre. Name. Cultivation. No. Days Maturing. Yield. Dawson's Golden Chaff Reliable Abundance Reliable Abundance. . . Summer-fallow II II Brome Sod 359 366 360 358 357 356 353 Bu5h. Lbs. 56 49 46 16 13 Dawson's Golden Chaff ,, 11 t( 11 Timothy Sod 20 30 WINTER WHEAT— DATE OF SOWING. Experiments to determine the best time to sow were begun in 1907 and the results are herewith reported. It is proposed that this work be carried further in 1908-9. Seeding was begun August 1, 1908, and continued till September 12, seedings being made one week apart. Two varieties were used, namely, Turkey Red and Dawson's Golden Chaff, and these were sown on both timothy sod and summer-fallow. Following are the yields of wheat sown at different dates on sod in 1907 : — Winter Wheat — Dates of Sowing. Name. Date of Sowing. Date Cut. Yield. Turkey Red. Ausr. 7 Auff. 8 Bush. Lbs. 19 30 II 1. 14 ... ,1 21 1, 8 „ 8 14 18 ,1 28 1- 10 II 12 14 Sept. 4 8 Dawson *8 Golden Chaff Au». 7 „ 7 30 M II 1. 14 1, 21 II 8 „ 8 19 14 15 „ 28 ,1 10 15 30 Sept. 4 II 12 8 30 REPORT OF MR. G. H. HUTTON 343 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 WINTER WHEAT— QUANTITIES OF SEED PER ACRE. Not having sufficient land in condition for winter wheat no tests were conducted with quantities ■ of seed on summer-fallow. Owing to the fact that the timothy sod v/as not well subdued, more seed was used than would be necessary under average conditions. In 1908, when weather conditions permitted, a thorough working of the sod, seed was sown from 15 lbs. per acre up to 120 lbs., each plot being seeded one peck heavier than the preceding one. This experiment was also repeated on summer- fallow, but results of yields are not, of course, available for this report. Winter Wheat — Quantities of Seed per Acre. Variety. Turkey Red. Quantity of Seed. Date Sown. Date Cut. Yield. 1 bushel li •• 2 24 Aug. 21 Aug. 12 M 11 n 10 M 8 ■.. Bush. Lbs. 23 30 ti 11 21 25 26 EXPERIMENTS WITH SPRING WHEAT. All plots of spring wheat looked very promising until late in July, when blight appeared on those plots marked with an asterisk. The wheat Chelsea gives evidence of being a good yielder and is also a wheat of good quality. Downy Riga ripened earliest and was a good sample. The land was all timothy sod ploughed after the hay was cut, and well worked during the fall. Seed was sown on April 10 at the rate of 1^ bushels per acre. The soil was a clay loam of medium quality. All plots were one-sixtieth of an acre. Sprlng Wheat — Test of Varieties. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 1> 13 Name of Variety. Chelsea Bishop Preston Huron Pringle's Champlain. Stanley White Russian Hungarian White. . . Downy Riga D White Fife Marquis Percy A *Red Fern 14,*RedFifeH. , sTt) fcc s Sf> ' p ^B r/-W 0) c3 S •<- 6c n =« o C ■o^ «'2 ■S 13 - Q ^ In. Aug. 21. 133 45 M 21. 133 47 „ 21. 133 40 - 21. 133 44 M 22. 134 45 „ 21. 133 50 „ 25 . 137 50 ,, 22 134 46 M 10. 122 38 M 25. 137 48 ., 21. 133 35 M 21. 133 42 „ 22 134 41 „ 25. 137 3Si 1 Character of Straw. Medium. Medium. Stiff T3 iS 0) w o a In. Kind of Head. Beardless Bearded Beardless H 3 3 n 3 3i 3| 1 Bearded 3i Beardles.s 3" oa 3^ Bearded 3| Beardless u Lbs. 3,900 6,120 4,800 3,810 4,680 5,610 5,340 5,f^40 4,440 6,720 3,660 3,420 2,760 3,420 Yield per Acre. 3 _0 46 .. 43 .. 39 .. 37 30 36 .. 35 30 35 32 31 31 30 28 28 18 s g-= . ^ !o c3 Lbs. 61| 61 6U 62 6U 61" 58i 6lS 63i 57* 63"" 60^ (Oh 58i Rusted. None. Slight} None. Slightly. None. Slightly. None. 344 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 SPEING WHEAT IN FIELD LOTS. Five varieties of spring wheat were sown in field lots on stubble land, which had been fall ploughed. Growth was rapid, heavy crops of straw were produced, but the grain did not mature before frost, and the yields of all the varieties, particularly Red Fife, were consequently reduced. Spring Wheat in Field Lots. Variety. Percy . . Stanley Preston . Huron . . Red Fife Character of Soil. Clay loam Size of Plot. Date Sown. Date Maturing. Days Maturing. Yield. Bush. Lbs. li Apr. 11.. Aug. 27.. 138 31 37 li u 11.. u 28 . 139 30 15 li ., 11.. ,. 28.. 139 27 19 li u 11.. » 27 . 138 26 21 li u 11.. Sept. 7. . 149 12 45 Rust. Smut. None. TIMOTHY SOD VERSUS SUMMER-FALLOW FOR SPRING WHEAT. After the hay was harvested in 1907, the land was ploughed and worked throughout the fall. Two varieties of spring wheat were sown on April 10, at the rate of IJ bushels i)er acre. On the day following, the same two varieties were sown on land that had been under corn and roots in 1907. The corn of that year did not succeed, and the land was ploughed in August, so that this section was practically summer-fallow. It will be noticed that the wheat sown on the sod matured a week earlier than that on the com and root land. Spring Wheat on Timothy Sod. Name, Date Sown. Date Cut. .5 'u D JO'S o Yield per Acre. April 10.... AprH 10.... Aug. 21 Aug. 21 133 133 Bush. Lbs. 39 Stanlpv 33 30 Spring Wheat on Corn and Root Land of 1907. Name. Stanley. Preston. Date Sown. April 11., April 11 . Date Cut. Aug. 28. Aug. 28. .S 3 139 139 Yield per Acre. Bush. Lbs. 30 27 17 19 In the case of the grain on what was practically a summer-fallow, the difference given in length of time maturing does not represent as great a difference as really existed, since frost cut off the development of the latter grain, which never matured as did the grain on sod, which escaped untouched. ar(» 5094— p. 344. REPORT OF MR. G. H. BUTTON 345 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 EXPEEIMENTS WITH EMMER AND SPELT. Red Spelt and Common Emmer were sown on April 15, on clay loam, ploughed timothy sod in the fall of 1907. Experiments with Emmer and Spelt. Name. Common Emmer. Red Spelt be c & TJ Date 3 rh Character r.l of ^«2 of *^3 ho Ripening. ceS Straw. So « (^ 1-^ In. In. Aug. 29.. 136 39 Weak .... 1.? Aug. 29.. 136 40 Stiff H Kind of Head. Bearded. . Beardless . Yield. Lbs 2400 3180 Weight of Straw. Lbs. 6900 6220 EXPERIMENTS WITH RYE. One variety of fall rye was sown on August 21, 1907, and was harvested on July 30, 1908. A plot of spring rye was sown April 10, and harvested on August 14. The seed of both was sown on timothy sod at the rate of 1^ bushels per acre. Eollowing are the yields : — Experiments with Rye. Name. Spring Rye ... Fall Rye, Mammoth White No. of days Maturing. 126 344 Yield per Acre. Bush. Lbs. 41 27 14 48 Weight per Bushel. Lbs. 561 55 EALL SOWING OF OATS. On November 9, in 1907, just previous to the land freezing up, a plot of Tartar King oats was sown on well drained, summer-ploughed and well-worked timothy sod. Many argue since oats volunteer so readily, that time could be saved by fall seeding. A plot was sown in the spring of 1908 beside fall-sown oats which grew well and ripened early, but none of the seed sown in the fall germinated. Winter conditions of climate were unfavourable, and the vitality of the seed was destroyed. EXPERIMENTS WITH OATS. In average yield the results of the experiments with oats were not as satisfactory as in 1907. The straw, however, stood better, and the grain was of better quality. The seed was sown on April 15, at the rate of about 2 bushels per acre, on timothy sod ploughed in 1907, after the hay crop was taken off, and well worked during the fall. The soil was black clay loam. Twenty-four varieties were sown on plots of one-sixtieth of an acre each. All made good growth and produced a fair yield. None of the varieties rusted. Pioneer again takes first place in point of yield, but, since it is a black oat, it cannot be recom- mended for general cultivation, but for feed only. 346 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS Oats — Test of Varieties. 9-10 EDWARD Vll., A. 1910 S S3 Name of Variety. 1 Pioneer ... 2 Banner SMilford White... 4 Siberian 5 Abundance 6 Lincoln White Giant. 8 American Triumph. 9 Thousand Dollar. . . 10 Improved American 11 Wide Awake 12 Improved Ligowo. . 13 Irish Victor 14 Golden Beauty 1.5 Gold Finder 16 Golden Giant 17 I'Twentieth Century. 18 [Kendal White 19 Danish Island 20 Joanette 21 Storm King 22 1 Tartar King 23 Swedish Select 24 Virginia White . . be a 'a a a. o a> oS Q Aug. 22. 22. 22. 22. 21. 21. 21. 21. 20. 21. 21. l(i. 19. 23 28. 2S. 21. 18. 20. 19. 18. 20. 21. 19. bo S3 o 5^< 129 129 129 129 128 128 128 128 127 128 128 1-23 12fi 127 130 135 128 125 127 126 125 127 12S 126 h ^ u^ be o a ■5.2 1^ In. 42 56 52 38 48 42 42 46 40 42 38 40 31 37 47 36 40 37 48 30 40 41 42 38 Character of Straw. Large Stem. Strong Med. Strong Medium . . . Strong. Med. Strong Strong Medium .... Stronp'. Medium Strong be a o In. 11 10 »i 9 83 m 9 Si lo:^ 8i Hi 11 11 9 8 10| 9 10 9 81 Kind of Head. Branching Sided'.' ... Branching Sided..... Branching Sided..... Branching CO «.-■ o be Lbs. 7,140 7,980 5,460 4,920 4,650 5,640 3,600 5,100 3,720 3,750 3,900 3,540 3,660 4,080 4,3S0 3,960 4,620 2,880 5,040 2,880 2,640 4,380 4,770 3,660 >-5 2 D « 111-6 90 .. 88-8 77-22 75 .. 74-4 74-4 63-28 68-28 67-32 67-2 65-10 65-10 63-18 60 60 60 60 60 51-6 50-10 49-14 48-18 44-4 0^ .^ be Lbs. 37 33^ 37 38 33i 35 40 37i 373 39^ 40 39 40 3S5 37 34i 38"' 39i .35^ 36i 37| •Soi .39i 36| OATS— TEST OF VAEIETIES IN FIELD LOTS. Four varieties of oats were sown in field lots on April 24, on rather lower and heavier clay loam than that on which the variety tests were conducted. The straw grew an extremely heavy crop and the heads were of good size, but did not develop a good quality of grain ; owing to the heavy straw growth and lower land ,they did not ripen before frost. There was no rust on these plots. Oats in Field Lots. Variety. SoU. Banner Black clay . Thousand Dollar Danish Island Ligowo Size of Plot. Date Cut. Sept. 11.. Aug. 31.. >, 30.. .- 29. . Days Maturing . 129 128 128 127 Length Length of of Straw. Head. In. 58 10 53 8 50 8 47 7i Yield per Acre. Bush. Lbs. 62 20 59 21 58 2() 55 16 REPORT OF MR. G. H. BUTTON 347 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 OATS— QUANTITIES OF SEED PER ACRE. Two varieties of oats were sown, both branching, with varying quantities of seed per acre. Both were sown on April 18, on black clay loam that had been in timothy the year previoiis, and was fall-ploughed and well worked. Oats — Quantities of Seed -per Acre. Name of Variety. Thousand Dollar I H tl .... 1^ „ ,, 2 tl (1 n II II 3 M II .... 3h II It ..... 4 Banner 1 li 2 " ) 2i 3 3i 4 Bush. per Acre. Date of Ripening. Aug. 18. M 17. M 16. ,. 15. ,. 14. „ 14. M 13. .. 25. „ 21. >, 23. M 22. M 16. „ 14. M 13. Days Length of Straw. Maturing. In. 122 41 121 42 120 -10 119 38 118 37 118 39 117 36 129 46 125 45 127 42 126 41 120 40 118 39 117 m Character of Straw. Medium. Length of Head. 7-6 7 7-4 7-4 7 6 6 9S 10 9^ 9 8 7 8 Weisrht of Straw. Lbs. 2,820 3,240 3,000 3,000 3,060 3,720 3,000 3,480 4,080 3,720 3,840 3,900 3,780 3,000 Yield. Bush. Lbs. 42 12 44 4 49 14 52 32 51 6 60 — 58 8 56 16 67 2 68 28 75 30 79 14 72 12 56 16 OATS— DATES OF SOWING. Two varietie.s of oats were sown, commencing April 14, and continuing at weekly intervals until May 5. These first sown oats were seeded while frost was not more than 5 inches below the surface, though the land was in good condition. All plots were on timothy sod and were seeded at the rate of two bushels per acre. Oats — Dates of Sowing. Name. Thousand Dollar It M M II ••.... II Banner M M M Date Date Sown. Ripened April 15 Aug. 20 „ 21 „ 22 M 28 M 21 May 5 .. 25 April 14 „ 18 M 21 .. 21 „ 28 M 24 iVlay 5 H 28 be a 127 123 115 112 126 122 118 117 m O -C be B 1-^ Ins. 40 38 37 36 38i 38" 36 35-8 Characte r Length of of Straw. Head. Inches. Stifif .. . . 8i II .... 9i Medium 9 M 8 Stiff.... 9 M .... . 8f Medium M 8 ■ . 8| Kind of Head. Branching Weight of Straw. Lbs. 3,720 6,900 4,800 4,140 3,000 3,240 \,W0 4,140 Yield. 3 P3 68 52 90 67 61 72 75 75 28 32 2 26 12 30 30 348 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 EXPERIMENT WITH SOIL-PACKING FOR OATS. Much discussion has been carried on of late in regard to the merits of the soil packer. We have used the form known as the pulverizer and results would seem to indicate the value of this machine. The soil on this farm is a heavy vegetable mold in most places inclining to clay, but in certain limited areas inclining to sand. On account of the large percentage of humus it contains, the soil is rather loose in texture. The packer fills up the larger air spaces and leaves a surface mulch, preventing the evaporation of moisture from the surface. The soil is pressed into contact with the seed and the rise of moisture by capillarity to the seed is facilitated, hence germination takes place more promptly and w-ith greater uniformity than when the soil is not so packed. This test was made on fall-ploughed stubble land that was left as ploughed till spring, then worked down, and, after seeding, the packer loaded with stone passed once over the plots to be tested. Two varieties of oats were used and two different quantities of seed sown. All were sown on May 7, and all ripened August 29. Soil Packing. Name. Banner, 2 bushels . . li 2^ If . . tt 2 M . . ti 2i II ThousandDollar, 2bus II II 2^ II II II 2^ II If II 2fi II Soil. Packed . . . •I . . Unpacked 11 Packed . . . Unpacked Days Maturing. Length of Straw. Character of Straw. Length of Head. Inched. Inches. 114 48 Stiff 8^ 114 46 II 8 114 44 If 6^ 114 43 II 6 114 46 11 71 114 45 It 7 114 44 tl . . . . 6 114 42 6 Kind of Head. Branching'. Weight of Straw. Lbs. 3,480 4,200 2,940 2,760 4,620 3,240 2,940 3,000 Yield. 2 Ji m '^ 00 .. 95 10 61 26 86 16 67 2 84 24 54 24 70 20 FARM- YARD MANURE APPLIED TO THE LAND. Banner and Thousand Dollar oats were sown on April 22 on stubble land to which well-rotted barn-yard manure was applied at the rate of 10 and 20 tons per acre. No safe conclusions can be drawn on such questions from a single experiment. The presence of manure may dry out the soil the first season after application, while its effect may be beneficial to succeeding crops. Oats — Manure. Variety. Banner Thousand Dollar . Manure. Bushels. Date Cut. Days Maturing. Yield Bush. Lbs. 20 tons.... 2 Aug. 21.. 121 84 24 10 II ... 2 ,1 21.. 121 83 28 None 2 ,1 21.. 121 97 2 2<>-tons.... 2 11 21 . . 121 87 12 10 2 1, 21.. 121 88 8 None 2 ., 21.. 121 79 14 Wright Straw. 4080 3750 3000 4770 6000 38 iO REPORT OF MR. G. H. BUTTON 349 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 EXPEEIMENTS WITH BAKLEY. All comparative test-plots of barley were grown on fall-ploughed timothy sod. The yields and quality were both satisfactory, though the former did not reach as high an averageas in 1907. Birds reduced the yields of most varieties to quite an extent, these being the first plots to mature. No allowance has been made, however, for loss sustained in this way. Seed was sown at the rate of about two bushels per acre. Thirteen varieties of six-rowed barley were sown on April 17, in plots of one- sixtieth of an acre each on fall-ploughed timothy sod. The soil, as with other plots, was a black clay loam. Eleven varieties of two-rowed barley were sown on April 17, under similar con- ditions. No rust occurred on any of these plots. Six-Rowed Barley — Test of Varieties. i Variety. Date Ripened. 1 Mansfield. ..: . Aug. 5.. 2 Blue Long Head I n 7.. 3 Mensury i 7.. 4 Odessa n 4. 5 Stella I. 5., 6 Albert 5.. 7 Claude n 5., 8 Nugent n 4 . , 9 Champion n 4 . , 10 Yale M 6., Xl En>pire ■> 4. , r2|0derbrucli n 5.. IS'Trooper i> 5. , Days Maturing . 110 112 110 109 110 110 no 109 109 111 109 110 110 Length of Straw. 47 36 40 37 36 44 40 39 38 36 39 38 35 Character of Straw. Stiff.. Fairly Stiff.. 11 ir Fairly Stiff.'. Lencrth of Head. 2i 2| H 3 2i 2| 2i 2| 2| Kind of Head. Bearded Beardless Bearded Weight of Straw. 5820 41'80 6.20 4440 3780 41120 4200 4!'20 4200 3600 6060 4110 .S600 Yield. 3 -^ pa K-i 62 24 60 00 47 24 45 43 36 43 36 41 12 40 33 36 33 36 31 12 29 » 23 36 Two-EowED Barley — Test of Varieties. s 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Name of Variety. Invincible Sidney Standwell Swedish Chevalier Gordon French Chevalier. . Canadian Thorpe . . Danish Chevalier. . Clifford Jar vis Beavtr Date of Ripening. Aug. 12., n 10., „ 11. ,. 12., 8., 8., 7. „ 12. 5. 6. 4 >.3 =* -s /^ ci — kr-l o 6 117 115 116 117 113 113 112 104 110 111 109 Length of Straw, includ- ing head. Inches. 43 43 42 38 46 42 42 41 38 36 46 Character of Straw. Medium to weak Medium Stiff. Medium Stiff'.' . "".'.'.'. It Medium. Stiff. Stiff •a to a In. 3 H 2| 2i n 3 H 3i Kind of Head. Bearded Yield per Acre. S J2 pa J 56 42 5.) . . 53 36 52 24 43 36 37 24 33 36 32 24 27 24 21 12 18 36 350 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 BAKLEY— TEST OF VARIETIES IN FIELD LOTS. Two varieties of six-rowed and two varieties of two-rowed barley were sown on fall ploughed stubble land. The crop grew well and ripened early, producing a fair yield of grain of good quality. Barley — Test of Varieties in Field Lots. "Variety. Six Bowed. Mansfield Mensury Two Rowed. Sidney Invincible Soil. Black clay loam . . . Size of Plot. Acres. n 2 oi "3 ' ate Sown. April 24.. n 24.. 24.. 24.. Date Cut. Aug. 7. 15. 17. Days Maturing. 105 105 113 115 Yield. Bush. Lbs. 66 2 49 42 45 40 36 17 BARLEY— QUANTITIES OF SEED PER ACRE. Two varieties of barley, Invincible representing two-rowed varieties, and Mensury the six-rowed, were sown on April 21, on timothy sod, using from 1 to 3 bushels of seed jjer acre in each case. As the quantity of seed per acre increased, the length of head and length of time required to mature decreased. Barley — Quantities of Seed per Acre. Variety. 3 Dai,e Ripened. bo a cS O Length of Straw. Character of Straw. Length of Head. Weight of Straw. Yield. Bush. Lbs. Invincible n 1 H 2 24 3 1 H 2 f Aug. 18.. ., 15.. u 13.. .. 12.. „ 11 . „ 10.. 8.. 5.. 5.. 5.. 119 IIG 114 113 112 111 109 lOG 106 lOG 48 46 45 42 40 44 42 41 40 38 Medium n .... Medium to weak M .... It ... Medium 11 .... Medium to weak II .... II .... 5 4i 4h 3i 3 3 3 2^ 2 2 4,350 3,690 3,180 4,410 3,360 4,740 4,920 3,600 3,780 4,320 38 6 44 18 35 49 18 42 24 Menhurv 26 12 33 36 11 26 12 31 12 32 24 REPORT OF MR. G. H. BUTTON 351 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 BARLEY— SOWN AT DIFFERENT DATES. The same two varieties of barley were sown under the same soil conditions as for the test as to quantities of seed. The resiilts are fairly unifonn and point to the advantages of the early seeding of barley. Too much advantage is often taken of the comparatively short time necessary for barley to mature, the seeding is delayed and then it does not have an opportunity of doing itself justice either in yield or quality of grain produced. Barley — Sown at Different Dates. Variety. Mensury Invincible . ib 01 o Datf- Date 3 O Character of Straw. (4-1 o Weight of Straw. a Sown. Ripened. 00 be cS P-, c a 3 c3 0) (D Bush. O h^ ^ Lbs. 2 Apr. 17 . . Aug. 5 . . 100 40 Medium . . H 6,120 2 „ 24.. 8.. 104 4o II . . 2h 4,560 2 May 1.. M '8.. 90 41 It 2i 3,780 2 8.. .. 10. . 94 34i tl . . 2 2,040 2 Apr. 17. n 12.. 117 43 Medium to weak . . . 3 4,950 2 M 24.. 1. 12.. 110 35^ It . . 3 2,670 2 May 1 . . „ 14.. 105 35 tl . . 2-8 2,100 2 8.. „ 20.. 104 34 It 2 4,860 Yield. Bush. Lbs. 47 24 30 .. 27 24 20 .. 56 42 34 18 31 12 26 12 EFFECTS OF A DIRECT APPLICATION OF MANURE UPON BARLEY. As a result of the tests with manure as applied before ploughing the stubble for spring grain, it would appear that the best place to apply manure is not on stubble for grain, but preferably upon hay stubble, taking a crop of hay before breaking. Manure as Applied to Mensury Barley. Variety. Manure. Quantity. Date Sown. Date Ripened. Days Maturing. Yield. Mensury Tons. 20 10 None. Bush. 2 2 2 Apr. 22 -, 22 ,- 22 Aug. 7 M 9 „ 11 107 109 111 Bush. Lbs. 23 36 23 36 40 EXPERIMENTS WITH FIELD PEAS. Eighteen varieties of field peas were sown on April 14, on one-sixtieth acre plot* on black clay loam. The soil was similar to that on which other grains were tested, and had been ploughed out of timothy sod the summer of 1907. Growth was somewhat irregoilar and unhealthy in appearance. 352 EXriUUMKNTAL FA liMH Peas — Test of Varieties. 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 1 •2 :i 4 t) (', 7 H i( 10 11 12 i:{ ij 15 1(> 17 18 Variety. WincoiiHiji l$liio KngliHh tirny Victoria Karly Britain I'liriiKon Ak'iii*« (Joldfii Vine I'icton Ctiaiicollor White Marrowfat I'rince Mftckay. Daniel O'Rourke (JreKory Black ry(i Marrowfat I'rtiHaian Blue Archer Arthur Date Ri|Miii(t(l \n(?. 21.. M 21.. .. 24.. .. 21.. " 21., .. 21.. M 21 . M 21.. M 19.. M 21.. M 21.. M 21.. .. 21.. .. 21.. n 21.. M 21.. M 21. .. 18.. «<*< 12!) 12!) i:!2 12<» 12!) 12!) 12!) 1 J!) 1 137 12!) 12!) 12!) 12!) 12!) 12!) 12!> 12!) 12G Charact(3r of Growth. Medium Stroufif, Meditiin Stronjr Medium Strong Medium (I M II Strong MfMlium Strong Medium Strong , II Medimn Lengtli Length - of of Straw. Pod. Inclu'B. InclioH. : 3G 2 40 *» , 43 1; 31 li Yield 1)1 T Acre. BuhH. Lbs. 10 16 15 14 14 13 13 13 13 12 12 12 12 10 10 11 9 8 30 30 EXPETITMENTS WITH ALFALFA. • One acre of alfalfa was sown in the late spring of 1907, on land that had produced a crop of oats in 1J)QG. This land was fall-ploughed and well cultivated , 22. M 22. „ 22. M 22 >, 22 M 22. M 22. n 22. Height. In. 56 53 51 57 56 48 61 57 51 54 53 58 53 53 Weight per Acre. Tons. Lbs. 11 880 11 10 1120 10 680 9 480 9 480 8 1160 8 280 7 1400 7 960 6 1640 6 1200 6 320 5 1880 Indian Corn — Test of Seeding at Different Distances. Name of Variety. Distance between rows. Height. Yield per Acre grown in rows. Longfellow In. 21 28 35 42 21 28 35 42 21 28 35 42 In. 63 64 64 65 62 65 58 60 64 66 66 64 Tons. Lbs. 9 920 9 4S0 II ■ 14 1480 16 560 Champion White Pearl 9 1800 10 680 9 480 9 13t)0 Selciited Leaming 11 440 11 880 12 640 13 1720 ROOT CROPS. All the root crops of 1908 were grown on land from which a crop of Brome Grass had been taken in July of 1907, afterwards ploughed and manured and worked thoroughly till frost came. In the spring of 1908 the land was again thoroughly disked and a splendid catch was secured. .The heavy rains of June favoured rapid growth and frequent cultivation kept them growing, so that a good crop was harvested. The yields were computed from the weights of roots on two rows, each 66 feet in length and 30 inches apart. REPORT OF MR. G. H. BUTTON 355 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 TURNIPS. Twelve varieties of field turnips were tested this year. TEe seed was sown on black clay loam, drills 30 inches apart, and plants were thinned to a distance of about 10 inches in the row. All varieties did well and were practically free from disease. Turnips — Test of Varieties. 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Name of Variety. Mammoth Clyde. . . Hartley's Bronze.. . Hall's Westbury . . . Kangaroo Skirvings Jumbo. . Good Luck Bangbolm Selected Magnum Bonum. . . Perfection Swede. . Carter's Elephant. Halewood's BronzeTop 1st Plot 2nd Plot 1st Plot 2nd Plot Sown. Sown. Pulled. Pulled. June 2. . June 15. Oct. 26. Oct. 27. „ 2.. M 15. M 26. M 27. ,. 2.. .. 15. n 26. n 27. H 2.. .. 15 . „ 26. ., 27 .. 2.. 1, 15. .. 26. ., 27. .. 2.. „ 15. M 26. ,. 27. M 2.. M 15. „ 26. .. 27. „ 2.. M 15. .. 26. „ 27. M 2. „ 15. M 26. „ 27. .. 2.. ., 15. ., 26. u 27. „ 2.. ., 15. „ 26 ., 27 .. 2 „ 15 „ 26. „ 27. Yield per Acre. 1st Plot. Tons. Lbs. | 31 304 30 720 29 80 22 220 21 240 20 392 20 128 18 960 18 168 16 1,792 15 1,548 13 796 1st Plot. Bush. Lbs. 1,0.-^8 24 1,012 — »ti8 — 737 — 704 — 673 12 668 48 616 - C02 48 563 12 525 6 446 36 2nd Plot. Tons. Lbs. 24 840 37 1,240 26 272 14 1.436 13 400 16 1,000 19 940 23 992 17 584 15 96 19 1,732 9 1,536 2nd Plot. Bush. Lbs. 614 — 1,254 — 871 12 490 36 440 — 550 — 649 — 783 12 576 24 .5(11 36 6(;2 12 325 36 MANGELS. Ten varieties of mangels were sown on clay loam, the first seeding being made on April 16, and the second on April 30. Cool weather delayed somewhat the growth of the roots first sown. They were all pulled September 28. Mangels — Test of Varieties. B 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Name of Variety Giant Yellow Intermediate Gate Post Giant Yellow Globe Prize Mammoth Long Red Half Sugar Mangel Perfection Mammoth Long Red Yellow Intermediate Mammoth Red Intermediate. . . , Selected Yellow Globe , Crimson Champion , Yield per Acre, 1st Plot. Yiela per Acre, 1st Plot Yielo per Acre, 2nd Plot. Yifld per Acre, 2nd Plot. Tons. Lbs.lBush. Lbs. Tons. Lhs.lBush. Lbs. 14 17 17 14 14 13 14 9 11 10 1,568 848 1,552 612 512 1.456 1,920 1,360 1,-584 768 492 5J>0 6' 12 475 475 457 498 322 393 346 48 48 32 12 12 36 40 40 4 8 21 20 17 16 16 16 15 13 12 11 59J 1,888 1,21)0 1,440 736 31 1,680 48 1,6! 16 1,936 709 (^?H 586 .557 545 53S 528 434 428 398 52 8 40 20 36 52 8 16 56 CARROTS. Six varieties of field carrots were tested. Two sowings were made of each variety, the first on April 16 and the second on the 30th. They made a splendid growth and gave heavy yields. They were sown on clay loam in rows 30 inches apart and were thinned out to about 5 inches apart in the rows. These roots were all pulled September 29. 16— 23i 356 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Carrots — Test of Varieties. u 2 1 362 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 No. Name. Received. Living. ^oZreu^erta. 2 K. Paniculata Lespedeza. 2 1 1 L, - ? 2 0 Ligustrum (Privet). 1 ij Amiirpnsfl . « 2 2 Loniccra (Honeysuckle). 1 L. Albert! 2 4 4 17 20 3 4 2 2 2 2 2 L. Alpina L. Fenzlei 4 4 4 L. Grandiflora 17 f) L. Grandiflora Rosea 20 6 L. Grata 3 7 L. Morrowi 4 8 9 10 L. Sempervirens ... . L. Voronesh No. 133 L. Flavescens .... .... . 0 1 0 Lycium [Matrivmny Vine). 1 2 0 IfeiUia (Ninehark). ^ N. Opulif olia Aurea 2 i Philadelphus {Mock Orange). 1 4 3 2 4 0 ? P. Grandiflorus 2 s P. HybriduM Lenioinei Mont Blanc 2 4 P. Hybridus Lemoinei Manteau d'Hermine 2 Populus (Poplar). 1 P. Angustifolia 3 2 3 2 2 1 Ptelea (Wafer Ash). 2 1 1 P. Trifoliata 2 1 Pyn s. 1 3 4 2 1 4 4 3 2 3 4 5 a P. Floribunda . P. loensis P. Mongeoti , 4 2 1 3 4 Quercus (Oak). 1 Q. Alba 20 2 4 17 2 3 Q. Palustria Q. Rubra 2 3 Rhamnus (Buckthorn). 1 R. Davurica 4 4 4 2 R. Iiausula 4 REPORT OF MR. G. H. BUTTON 363 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Name. R. Kerrioides . Rhodotypos. Rhus (Sumach). Received. R. Cotinus. Rihes. R. Aureum Rohinia (LocuH Tree). R. Pseudacacia. . Rosa (Rose) R. Cinnamomea R. Humilis R. Lucida Alba R. Lutea .... R. Rugosa flore pleno . R. Rugosa R. Spinosissiina hispida R. Tomentoaa R. Virginiana . Rubus. R. Fasciculatum C'hinense Salix (Willow). S. Rosmarinifolia S. Voronesh Sambucus (Elder). S. Nigra aurea nova. Spiraea. S. Ariaefolia S. Arguta S. Callosa Superba . S. Japonica Bumakla Anthony Waterer S. Opulifolia S. Sorbifolia S. Van Houttei Symphoricarpus (Snowberry), S. Mollis Syringa (Lilac). S. s. s. s. s. s. s. s. s. s. s. 12 S. 14 S. 16 Is. Amurensis Boussingault Japonica Josikea eximia Pekinensis , Vulgaris Abel Carrierpi ■I Alba Grandiflora . . 11 Charles July II Charles X , II Condorcet ■I Congo II Dr. Troyanovvski . . . , II Francisqup Morel ... II La Tour d'Auvergne . Living. 20 2 1 1 3 1 6 2 2 3 2 5 1 2 4 1 2 2 4 12 2 1 1 3 1 6 2 2 3 2 5 1 2 4 1 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 1 0 2 2 o 5 2 2 2 2 6 6 6 6 3 3 4 4 1 1 1 1 2 2 364 EXPERIMEyTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD Vli., A. 1910 16. S. Vulgaris Leon Simon 17 . S. II Louis Henry 18. S. 11 Louis Spath 19. S, .1 Madame Abel Chatenay 20. S. .. H Briot ... 21. S. II II Casimir Perier . ... 22. S. II II Lemoinei 23. S. 11 Mademoiselle FernandeViger. 24. S. 11 Michel Buchner 25: S. 11 Jacques Calot 26. S. 11 Lemoinei 27. S. 11 Rothamagensis Meten.^i.* 28 S. 1, Rubella Plena 29. S. II Souvenir de L. Spath 30. S. II Prince de Beauveau 1. 2. 1. 1. 2. 3. T. Eurepaea platyphyllos . T. Europsea V. Dentatum. V. Sargenti . . V. Venosum.. 1. 2. 1. 2. 3. 1. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 1 2. 3 4. Tilia (Basswood). Ulmus (Elm). U. Ameiicana. Viburnum (Arrow Wood). Vitis. V. Riparia. Abies (Fir). A. Balsamea. A. Concolor . A. Remonti. . Retinospora. Retinospora phunosa aurea. Retinospora filifera Junipcrus (Juniper). J. Communis Aurea. J. Sabina J. Sabina Variegata. L. Leptolepis. Larix (Larch). Picea (Spruce). P. Alba... P. Alfockiana . . . P. Engelmanni P. Excelaa Pygmie i P. Nigra P. Pungens Pinus (Pine). P. Sylvestris . , P. Resinosa . . , P. Strobus . . . . P. Ponderosa. 2 2 2 2 2 4 2 4 4 4 2 1 1 4 1 2 2 312 4 2 1 20 2 4 25 24 4 2 2 G 10 6 S 4 8 2 2 2 2 2 4 2 '4 4 2 1 1 4 1 269 4 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 \% 2 2 0 5 3 0 0 2 0 REPORT OF MR. (}. II. BUTTON 365 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 No. 1. 1. 2. 3. 4. r. Name. Pseudotsuya. P. Douglasii Thuja (Arbor VitceJ. P. Occidentalis Boothii P. It Columbia P. •■ Globosa P. 11 Hoveyi P. n Received. Living. 1 0 2 1 4 4 6 2 12 12 CATTLE. The number of cattle kept has not been increased during the year. There are two dairy cows and a yearling heifer. HOKSES. Four heavy draft and two general purpose horses are kept. A yearling filly, the progeny of one of the heavy mares, is developing well. These horses have been in good health during the year, and are in a thrifty condition at present . CORKESPOXDENCE. From April 1, 1908, to March 31, 1909, 1,647 letters were received and 1,551 mailed. MEETINGS ATTENDED. During the year I addressed the annual convention of the Alberta Agricultural Fail's Association in Calgary in January; also the Convention of Farmers' Institute Fairs Association in Calgary in January as well as the Convention of Farmers' Insti- tute Delegates in Calgary the same month. I was also one of the instructors with the travelling Stock Judging School, which was under the direction of the Provincial Department of Agriculture. I attended the three-day school held in Morinville on February 8, 9 and 10, and Camrose and Daysland from February 18 to 25. These schools were well attended. Two cars of live stock were taken from place to place by the Department for demon- stration purposes. I assisted also as one of the lecturers in connection with the ' Short Course in Agriculture ' inaugurated by the Provincial Department, and held in Lacombe from March 1 to 13. The attendance was large, and the interest was maintained throughout. I also addressed several meetings of agricultural societies during the fall and winter. DISTRIBUTION OF SA^IPLES. The first annual distribution of samples of grain from this farm, covering central Alberta, was begun this year. There was not a very large number of applications for grain, but applications for trees still continue to be received. The number of these distributed will of necessity be left for the report of next year. Our potatoes were, unfortunately, caught by frost in the cellar, and under the circumstances the applications, which numbered 166, are being filled from the Brandon Experimental Farm. 366 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 INOCULATED SOIL. Soil inoculated for alfalfa is being distributed in lots of 100 pounds to each applicant, for making a start in the culture of this crop. Quite a number are taking advantage of this offer, and it is expected that alfalfa will be tried this year over a wider area, and under more widely varying conditions than heretofore. Following is a list of the samples of grain distributed to date: — Wheat, 5-lb. bags 120 Oats, 4-lb. bags 55 Barley, 4-lb. bags 20 A small quantity of grain has been sold for seed. BUILDINGS AND FENCING. During the year improvements have been made which include a mile of woven-wire fence which was erected on the east and north boundaries of the farm, thus com- pleting the outside fencing. A building has been erected to provide a granary, engine- room, work-room and museum. This is a substantial building 30 x 40 x 18, having a 12-inch concrete wall as a foundation, the cellar being 7 feet in the clear and being floored with concrete. This building adds much to the equipment, and also to the appearance of the farm. METEOROLOGICAL RECORD. Months. Date. Highest Temperature. Date. Lowest Temperature. Precipitation. Total hours Sunshine. 1908. April May 20th.... 7th.... 25th 23rd.... l!)th.... 13th.... 8th.... 4th.... 12th.... 17th.... 19th . . . 31st .... 71 84 79 86 m 85 74 69 42 40 6 6 4 3 4 8 8 8 6 Ist.... 1st.... 27th .... 27th.... 20th ... 2fith ... 29th .... 3nth .... 3Ist .... 7th.... 12th.... 10th.... —5 27 30 35 26 14 7 —5 —31 —56 1 4 4 7 5 4 4 2 5 1 0 2 8 2 2 912 215 1 37 305 4 0 25 72 219-48 202 -86 June 2019 July 314 34 August September October November December 1909. January 292 42 217-7 112 2 133 3 13.3-3 116 9 February 47-2 52-3 -47-6 —21-2 •3 •345 191- March 171-8 I have the honour to be, sir, Your obedient servant, G. H. HUTTON. 9-10 EDWARD VII. SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 A. 1910 EXPERIMENTAL FARM FOR SOUTHERN ALBERTA. Lethbridge, Alta., March 31, 1909. Dr. Wm. Saunders, C.M.G., Director, Dominion Experimental Farms, Ottawa. Sir, — I have the honour to submit my second annual report of the work done on the Experimental Farm for Southern Alberta at Lethbridge for the year ending March 31, 1909. This is, however, the first report of the crops grown on the farm, as on account of the land being virgin prairie, it was necessary to devote the first spring and summer to breaking the sod, consequently a crop could not be harvested until the following season. The winter of 1907-8 was, in general, normal. Kange stock wintered well. Although land in Southern Alberta is being settled rapidly there is still a great deal of land unfenced, and on these areas thousands of cattle and horses pasture the year round. The season of 1908 has been a very satisfactory year for grain in nearly all parts of Southern Alberta. Winter wheat established itself well in the autumn of 1907, and came through the winter in particularly good condition. The heavy rains of June brought the crops to a high state of perfection. Spring wheat, oats and barley, although yielding well, were inferior to the winter wheat. The growing season was somewhat longer than usual. The last frost recorded in the spring was on the morning of May 2, when the thermometer registered 32°, and the first one in the autumn was on September 23, when 32° was recorded. Three days later, on the 26th, a killing frost occurred, the mercury going down to 19-2°. Harvest was rather early, as the first winter barley was cut July 23, and the first winter wheat on July 24. The results given in the following report will be of particular interest to the many new-comers in the district, because it is the record of the first crop ever raised on this land. In the spring of 1907, the entire farm was virgin prairie, except some ten acres that had been broken the previous autumn. Of the 400 acres in the farm, a strip of 100 acres on the extreme east side is irrigable. The remaining 300 acres is non-irrigable. TWO FARMS. Recognizing that the problems of the non-irrigated, or the ' dry ' farm, are distinct in great measure from those of the ' irrigated ' farm, the work on each has been kept separate. As a matter of fact, two experimental farms are being operated. Their object is, not to compare the relative merits of the two systems, but to study their individual problems. To aid in doing this, and to prevent confusion, the report is divided into two parts. Part 1 deals with the results from the non-irrigated or * dry ' farm, and Part 2 with the results from the irrigated farm. 368 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 PAET I— THE NON-IREIGATED OR ' DRY FARM.' P repa/iation of the soil. — The sod was broken 3 or 4 inches deep in May and June of 1907, and in August of the same year most of the land on which the crops mentioned below were raised, was backset. Owing to an unavoidable delay in obtaining a gasoline engine for the small threshing machine, it was not possible to begin threshing the uniform test-plots until September 22. As the first grain was cut July 23, and remained out in shock until threshed, it is reasonable to suppose that exposure to weather, &c., appreciably reduced the yields. EXPEEIMEis^TS IN WINTER WHEAT. On August 31, 1907, ten varieties of winter wheat were sown on sandy loam at the rate of 30 lbs. per acre in plots of one-sixtieth acre each. The Turkey Red No. 380 and the Kharkov are practically the same variety. Winter Wheat — Test of Varieties (Non-Irrigated). Name of Variety. Turkey Red (No. 380, from Kansas) Kharkov Abundance Turkey Red (Alberta grown) Karlj' Windsor Prosperity Red Velvet Chaff Reliable Dawson's Golden Chaff Red Chief -a 3 ^^ Date of Q'^ 0 - £ «4-t o Kind of o . Yield Ripening. ^ 3 i3 cj Head. .J3 cS per Acre. d§ J5 In. hJ 1908. In. Lbs. Bush. Lbs. July 29... 333 42 2 Bearded . . 5,00fi 53 4 M 30... 334 43 2 It . . 4,1S1 52 49 „ 29... 333 44 3 Beardless. 3,59(i 44 4 „ 30... 334 42 n Bearded . 4.834 43 56 u 30. . . 334 46 4 Beardless. 3,4S7 43 .30 „ 29... 333 50 2 n . . 4,100 40 19 M .30... 334 4.S 2h Bearded . . 4,485 .37 50 M 29.. 333 47 3 .1 3,930 32 0 „ 29... 333 48 2i Beardless. 3,497 29 37 i „ 29... 333 47 3 M . . 4,132 26 7k 5:0 K J' 1 s ;5o Lbs. 63^ 03 ou (531 m fill 61 Glf 60| 60 Average yield 40 bushels 20 lbs. per acre. It may be well to point out that, although Turkey Red (No. 380 from Kansas) yields 15 lbs. per acre more than the Kharkov in this experiment, yet in two tests of field lots where there were three and four acres respectively in the fields, Kharkov outyielded the Turkey Red No. 380 in both cases. Field Lot of Winter Wheat. A field of 1Z\ acres of backsetting was sown with IGiarkov at the rate of 30 lbs. of seed per acre, during the first few days of September. It was cut the last week in July and yielded at the rate of 54 bush. 11 lbs. per acre. AN EXPERIMENT IN BREAKING VS. BREAKING AND BACKSETTING. The fact that backsetting prepares the land very much better for the second crop is borne out by the following experiment: — The field was broken about 3 inches deep in May, 1907. In August, part of it was backset 2 inches deeper than the breaking, and the whole piece was sown with three varieties of winter wheat. The sowing was done at right angles to the ploughing, so that each variety was sown partly on land merely broken and partly on backsetting. The three varieties resemble each other very closely. The last variety is the ordinary 5094— p. 3G8, REPORT OF MR. W. H. FAIRFIELD 369 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Turkey Red, commonly grown under the name of Alberta Red, from tlie best locally grown seed that could be obtained. The first two are pure improved strains of the same, obtained from the Kansas Agricultural College, where they have been carefully selected and bred. It might not be out of place to mention here that the word Alberta Red is often used in a sense that is not technically correct, for it is the term used in the Manitoba Grain Act in describing the various grades of hard red winter wheat. For example, the Act states that ' No. 1 Alberta Red shall be hard, pure red winter wheat, sound, &c., &c.,' consequently, any hard red winter wheat may be called Alberta Red, but on account of there being but one variety of this class of wheat, the Turkey Red, grown widely up to the present time in the district, the term Alberta Red has been used to apply to this one variety, whereas it is properly applicable to any hard, red winter wheat. Test of Breaking and Backsetting. Variety. Breaking. Breaking and Backsetting. Increased Yield per Acre when Backset. Area. Yield per Acre. Area. Yield per Acre. Kharkov , Acres. 4-36 4-77 5-09 Bush. Lbs 50 32 51 38 45 17 Acres. 2-86 313 3 34 Bush. Lbs. 54 27 51 .53 47 41 Bush. Lbs. 3 55 — 15 2 24 Turkey Red, No. 380 Turkey Red (Alberta-grown^seed) The average increase in yield in these experiments, apparently due to backsetting, is 2 bush. 8 lbs. per acre. It should be made plain, however, that this increase in the first crop does not represent all that is gained by the backsetting. In addition, all the native grass is killed and the land is in very much better condition in every way for a second crop. To ascertain the quantity of seed most profitable to sow, an experiment, to be continued for a number of years, was begun with the following results: — Winter Wheat — Rates of Seed Per Acre. Area of plots used, one-eighth acre each. Variety, Turkey Red. • Amount of Seed per Acre. Wei ht of Straw per Acre. Yield of Grain per Acre. Lbs. 15 Lbs. 5,128 4,760 5,6.S0 5,528 6,216 5,544 6,280 5,440 Bush. 50 54 56 59 61 60 60 60 Tibs. 30 0 48 12 12 16 48 0 45 60 75 90 105 120 Although the plots sown at the rate of 60 lbs. of seed and upward per acre gave the heaviest yields, it must be borne in mind thcit we had a favourable season, as, although the amount of rain was not abundant, it came at such a time as to insure a 16—24 370 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 strong growth and a high degree of development in the winter wheat. In a season somewhat dry, the fields having thick stands are the first to show the efi^ects of drouth. So it would hardly he wise for farmers in the district to change the customary amount of wheat sown (from 30 to 60 lbs. per acre) until a few further seasons' testing fur- nishes more reliable conclusions as to the best amount of seed to sow under the condi- tions in this district. EXPERIMENT WITH DIFFERENT DATES OF SEEDING. The first wheat was sown on August 15, 1907, and sowings were made twice a month from then to December 1, at the rate of 30 lbs. per acre with the following results : — Date of Sowing. Yield per Acre. Aug. 15 Bubh. 46 54 38 38 28 25 12 11 Lbs. 51 Sept. 1 0 „ l(i 48 Oct. 1 0 „ 15 32 Nov. 1 41 11 1,5 16 Dec. 1 20 It might be of interest to mention here that the present indication (March 31) for the crop of 1909 is, that the sowing made August 15 is going to do better than that of September 1. THE CULTURE OF WINTER WHEAT. As there are a great many letters being received asking for infomiation con- cerning the best method of cultivation for winter wheat, when to sow, the quantity of seed to use, &c., a brief outline of the method in vogue in this district is here given. Although a winter wheat known as Odessa has been grown in the Cardston and Pincher Creek districts for the last twenty years or more, the first hard winter wheat raised on a commercial scale was not sown until the fall of 1901, when llr. E. E. Thom.pson, then of Spring Coulee, imported a car of Turkey Red from Nebraska. Although there have been further importations of the same kind of seed into the province, most of the four million odd bushels threshed this past season are from that first car of seed. For sieven seasons this wheat has been sown from July to December', the seed varying in quantity per acre from two pecks to six pecks and more. Naturally, some failures have been met with, but one important fact has been established beyond question, that the district is peculiarly adapted to the growing of hard winter wheat. Of the details, such as the best mode of preparing the ground, the best time to sow, and the right quantity of seed to use, much is still to be learned. In all agricultural experiments, the average of a number of seasons is required before reliable conclusions may be drawn. PREPARATION OF THE LAND. If sod is to be used, it should be broken in May and June, while the soil is moist and before the rainy season is over. May breaking usually gives better results than June breaking. The sod should be rolled or flattened down as fast as it is broken, to facilitate the rotting process. It is the custom to break 3 J to 4 inches deep and REPORT OF MR. W. H. FAIRFIELD 37I SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 prepare a seed bed by the use of a disk, drag harrow and float. The latter is a con- trivance made of four or five 2-inch planks a foot wide, 12 to 16 feet long, laid flat- ways and lapped to resemble somewhat a washboard. This implement, when weighted with stone or sods added to the weight of the driver, crashes quite effectively small pieces of sod which, when dry, could not be broken up well with the drag-harrow. The float should be followed immediately with the harrow, for evaporation takes place very rapidly from the land when the surface is left too smooth. If the floating is done just before seeding, the seed-drill will, of course, roughen the surface. A light harrowing immediately after seeding is advisable. BACKSETTING. Although it is not customary to backset in this district, it is a practice that cannot be too highly recommended. When backsetting is to be done, the sod should be broken as shallow as practicable and immediately rolled or flattened down by a Aveighted float. The earlier the breaking after the grass has started growth, the better will be the results. In the latter part of July or early in August the land is again ploughed (with stubble bottom ploughs), about 2 to 3 inches deeper than it was broken. A seed bed can then often be prepared by the use of the harrow only, but a disk should be used if the condition of the ground requires it. Special attention should be called to the importance of harrowing each day's ploughing at night before leaving the field. If an engine is used, the harrow should be attached to the plough, or if horses are used on a sulky or gang plough, one section of a harrow should be attached so that the land is harrowed as fast as it is turned. In fact, this practice of harrowing land immediately after it is ploughed should always be followed. Too much stress cannot be laid on this point. TIME TO sow. . Although our results for this season would indicate that September 1 is the best date to sow, this is one of the questions that will require some further years' experience and observation before a reliable opinion can be offered. QUANTITY OP SEED TO SOW. This, as well as the proper time to sow, is a point about which we have not suflicient data at hand to draw very satisfactory conclusions. It is reasonably safe to assume that thin sowing will fill better in a dry season, while in a normal or wet season, medium to heavy seedings will fill equally well, besides producing a larger yield. It is not wise to go to extremes either way. Thirty to 60 lbs. or 45 to 60 lbs. is prob- ably the approximate amount of seed to sow per acre. TREATING FOR SMUT. Winter wheat should be treated for smut just as conscientiously as is spring grain. Either the formalin or bluestone method is satisfactory, providing that the work is done carefully. Very smutty grain should never be used for seed, for, even when treated thoroughly, some smut is apt to appear in the resulting crop. If seed wheat is treated every year whether any smut can be found in it or not, the trouble will be kept in subjection. With either method used, it is important that each kernel be thoroughly wet. As to the strength of the solution, it should be strong enough to kill the smut spores, but not so strong as to injure the vitality of the grain. The strength of solution most often recommended is 1 pound of formalin in 32 gallons of water, and in the case of bluestone, 1 pound thoroughly dissolved in 6 gallons of soft water. The sacks into which the grain is to be put after it is treated should have been dipped into the solution also. 16— 24i 372 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 HARROWING THE GROWING GRAIN. The land is not apt to become crusted much in the fall, but should it become so in the spring after heavy rains, it is a commendable practice to harrow it. EXPERIMENTS WITH SPRING WHEAT. Sixteen varieties of wheat were sown on April 13, 1908, at the rate of about one bushel per acre, in plots of one-seventieth acre each, on backsetting. The land was a sandy loam. Spuing Wheat — Test of Varieties (Non-Irrigated). 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Name of Variety. Percy A Red Fife H 3|Chelsea ■. . Preston White Russian. . . . . . Pringle's ChamplaiTi . Bishop .... White Fife Marquis . . Hungarian White . . . Huron Rud Fern Stanley Kubanka (durum). - . Gatineau Riga ^T3 bo c« rt a S-4 QJ Date <4_ to of ftj o a Ripening. •s^ d (» c J5 Hl-S 1908. Inches. Aug. 10.. 119 40 M 17.. 126 37 M 10.. 119 36 6.. 115 36 ., 10.. 119 36 7.. 116 38 3.. 112 33 .> 10. . 119 33 ,- 7.. 116 34 M 10.. 119 38 M 10.. 119 33 7.. 116 36 ., 10.. 119 38 M 17.. 120 36 >. 10.. 119 37 4.. 113 36 Character of Straw. Strong.. It . . Medium Strong . Medium Strong. . Medium II Strong . Weak . . Medium T) n Weight ^ of 3 Straw. B a 1-1 In Lbs. 4 3,220 3J t 2,660 3J ^ 2,625 3J t 3,290 4 3,045 3J ^ 3,640 3J \ 2,800 3J [ 3,430 •6i ; 2, .520 '6i , 2,450 'Si i 2,170 4 2,870 3 2,870 2i I 2,310 3^ I 3,220 3 2,030 Yield per Acre. Bush. Lbs. 35 .. 33 50 33 15 32 40 30 55 30 20 30 20 30 20 29 10 29 10 29 10 29 10 29 10 26 50 22 10 21 .. ? J: to 3 a Lbs. 58 60 60 58 57 58 60 57i 62| 59| 60| 60 594 64 58 62 Average yield 29 bushels 33 lbs. per acre. FIELD LOTS. Owing to an accident in threshing, the yield from, a field sown on June breaking and one on backsetting cannot be given. A field of fresh breaking, that is, broken in April, double disced twice, harrowed and immediately sown on April 15, at the rate of about one bushel per acre, yielded at the rate of 17 bush. lY lbs. per acre. This practice of sowing spring grain on land freshly broken, although not as common now as it was a few years ago in this district, should be discouraged, as the yields are usually not satisfactory and the land is in poor condition for a second crop. REPORT OF MR. W. H. FAIRFIELD 373 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 EXPEEIMENT WITH DIFFERENT AMOUNTS OF SEED PER ACRE (NON-IRRIGATED). Area of plots used, one-twentieth acre each; variety,- Red Fife; sown April 21, 1908 :— Amount of Seed per Acre. Lbs 15 30 45 60 75 t)0 105 120 Weight of Straw per Acre. Lbs. 1,120 1,240 1,940 2,280 2,280 2,680 2,860 2,780 Yield of Grain per Acre. Bush. Lbs. 16 24 29 30 32 32 32 31 40 0 20 40 0 20 40 20 EMMER AND SPELT. One plot each of one-seventieth acre was sown with Common Emmer and Red Spelt, respectively, on April 13, and cut August 22, thus taking 131 days to mature. A poor stand was obtained from both. The soil was a sandy loam. Emmer and Spelt — Test of Varieties (Non-Irrigated). 1 s Name of Variety. Length of _ Straw, including Head. Character of Straw. Length of Head. Weight of Straw. Yield per Acre. 1 Common Emmer Inches. Inches. Lbs. 2,100 2,100 Bush. Lbs. 37 10 2 Red Spelt 39 Strong 4 37 10 374 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 EXPERIMENTS WITH OATS. Twenty-four varieties of oats were sown on April 17, on sandy loam, at the rate of about two bushels per acre, on one-seventieth acre plots on backsetting. Oats — Test of Varieties (Non-Irrigated). 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Name of Variety. Improved American Banner Abundance American Triumph. Irish Victor . Golden Beauty Danish Island . ... Improved Ligowo . Kendal White . . . . Twentieth Century . .Joanette White Giant Wide Awake Tartar King Goldfinder , Lincoln , . . Siberian Golden Giant Pioneer Virginia White Milford White Swedish Select , Thousand DoUar. . . Storm King Date of Ripening. A 1908. ug. 1 . , M 2 . M 4., .. 4.. u 1.. t. G. ,. 2. ,- 1. „ 2. M 2. ,. 5. M 2. M 1. M 2. -.. 8 „ 3. u 2. n 14. M 7. n 2. ., 5 .. 1. „ 1. M 7. 6d c o 105 106 108 108 105 110 106 105 106 106 109 106 105 106 112 107 106 118 111 106 109 105 105 111 Length of Straw, includ- ing Head. Inches. 38 40 40 42 39 36 38 36 38 36 30 38 31 32 32 36 36 34 33 38 36 36 36 40 Character of Straw. Strong. Medium Weak,. [Strong. Medium Strong. Medium Strong. Weak . . Strong. Medium Weak w o c (U In. 8 9 7 7 7 8 8 6 7 7 7 8 6 7 8 7 7 10 7 7 8 7 6 8 Weight of Straw. Lbs. 3,745 3,570 3,255 3,482 3,640 3,185 3,570 3,570 3,010 3,220 2,520 2,380 2,310 2,450 3,220 2,800 3,220 2,205 3,010 2,030 2,870 2,590 2,730 2,310 Yield per Acre. OQ 3 X> m 1-1 85 15 80 10 80 10 74 21 74 4 73 3 72 2 72 2 70 . 64 24 63 28 63 28 63 28 63 28 61 26 60 30 59 24 58 23 57 22 57 22 55 20 55 20 55 20 51 16 Average yield 65 bushels 23 lbs. per acre. S § •7 3 o Lbs. EiELD Lots of Oats — Sown on Backsetting. Variety. Banner . Tartar King. ... Thousand DoUar. Area. Acres. •6 •5 •0 1 9 Date of Seeding. April 17.. ,. 17 . M 18.. May 29.. .. 30.. Amount of Seed used per Acre. Lbs. 130 65 65 65 65 Yield per Acre. Bush. Lbs. 80 65 78 40 37 26 30 17 3 25 REPORT OF MR. W. H. FAIRFIELD 375 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 EXPERIMENTS WITH DIFEERENT QUANTITIES OF SEED PER ACRE (NON-IRRIGATED). Area of plots one-twentieth acre; Tartar King Oats; sown April 22: — Variety. Date of Seeding. Amount of Seed per Acre. "Weight of Straw per Acre. Yield of Grain per Acre. Tartar ElinGr April 22.... .. 22.... .. 22.... ., 22.... ,. 22.... M 22.... .. 22.... .. 22.... Lbs.' 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 Lbs. 1260 1580 1600 1760 1960 2520 20ii0 1900 Bush. Lbs. 39 14 51 6 53 18 GO 20 55 30 62 32 60 20 55 30 Unfortunately, the gophers damaged these plots of oats so that the results cannot be relied upon implicitly. This may account for the yield from the plot seeded at the rate of 75 lbs. per acre being apparently irregular. EXPERIMENTS WITH BARLEY. Thirteen varieties of, six-rowed and eleven varieties of two-rowed barley were sown on April 22, at the rate of about 1^ bush, per acre in one-seventieth acre plots on backsetting. The land was a sandy loam. Six-Row^ED Barley — Test of Varieties (Non-Irrigated). Name of "Variety. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Blue Long Head . Claude Empire 4 'Mansfield Albert Odessa Mensury Stella Nugent Yale Oderbruch Trooper Champion .... . Date of Ripening. July 31. H 30. M 30. M 30. M 31. >. 31 . M 30. M 31. M 30. ,. 31. n 30. M 31. M 30. ^"2 60 f^ c ■S43 t>^S 2^ ^1 o.S •o§ 6 §.2 In. 100 33 99 36 99 35i 99 m 100 38 100 33 99 34 100 40 99 34 100 39 99 30 100 39 99 40 Character of Straw. Stiff..., It .... Medium Stiff" . . . Medium Stiff'.'... II . . . • II .... II . . . Medium Stiff.... T3 -^ S) K 0 Weight ^ of to Straw. fl a- i-i In. Lbs. 2i 3,570 H 2,590 ox 2,590 ^i 2,730 3 3,570 2i 3,290 3 2,135 3 2,485 '^i 2,310 0 2.730 2i 1,750 H 2,280 2 2,240 Yield per Acre. Bush. Lbs. 56 55 48 42 39 37 37 37 36 32 30 29 20 42 20 10 14 8 44 44 9 22 4 30 8 20 ce O a 2 a. bo a ■3 i) I— « a (4 S) m cS Lbs. 43 44 48 48 41 49 44 48: 47 51 47 49 45 Average yield 38 bushels 36 lbs., per acre. 376 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Two-Rowed Barley — Test of Varieties (Non-Irrigated). 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Name of Variety. Swedish Chevalier. Invincible Sidney Stand well Danish Chevalier. . French Chevalier. . Gordon ... Clifford Canadian Thor|)e. . Jarvis Beaver Date of Ripen- ing. July 31 H 30 ,. 30 „ 31 -. 30 „ 30 M 30 „ 30 » 30 „ 30 „ 30 o 6 100 99 99 100 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 Length of Straw includ- ing head. Inches. 28 34 37 34 41 38 42 38 27 42 37 Character of Straw. Medium Stiff. Medium Stiff.... T) c3 & a g «4^ O •^5 Yield j3 -w per bo be Acre. a - OS bo c ^ <1> c/"j O Lbs. 46 49 49f 45 49i 53" 53^ 49 45i 53 46 Average yield 44 bush. 20 lbs. per acre. A test of different quantities of seed per acre was so interfered with by gophers that the results were not considered worthy of record. WINTER BARLEY. Seed of an interesting novelty for this part of the country was received from the Kansas Agricultural College, in the form of winter barley. A small plot was sown August 31, along with winter wheats. A good stand was obtained in the fall, but during the winter a considerable portion died. The remainder was ripe July 23, and yielded at the rate of 23 bushels, 43J lbs. per acre. EXPERIMENTS WITH PEAS. Although a fair stand of peas was obtained, they lacked vigour and thrift all through the growing season and the results were disappointing. It has been suggested that this lack of vigour may have been due to the soil being deficient in the proi)er bacteria and that inoculation might have a beneficial effect. Seventeen varieties were sown on April 15 at the rate of about two bushels per acre, this varying slightly on account of differences in the size of the grain, in plots of one-seventieth acre each on sandy loam. REPORT OF MR. W. E. FAIRFIELD 377 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Peas — Test of Varieties (Non-Irrigated). Si 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14. 15 16 17 Name of Variety. Paragon Archer English Grey Prince Agnes Prussian Blue Early Britain Golden Vine. Arthur Wisconsin Blue Mackay Daniel O'Rourke. . . Chancellor White Marrowfat. . . Black-eye Marrowfat Victoria Gregory Date of Ripening. Aug. M July Aug. 1.. 3., 2.5.. 1.. 3.. 1.. 1.. 1.. 1.. 1.. I.. 1.. 1.. 1.. 4., 4., 1. CO >> tS ■■a • Weight Yield of per -^"S Straw. Acre. E»n p^ ^ Lbs. Lbs. 108 2,887 1,312 110 2,007 1,313 101 2,275 1,295 108 2,502 1,278 110 3,3G0 i,2no 108 2,730 1,190 108 2,747 1,172 108 2,747 1,172 108 1.995 1,155 108 3,115 1,155 108 2,362 1,137 108 2,782 1,137 108 2,117 1,102 108 2,852 1,068 111 2,715 1,060 111 3.256 888 108 2,135 735 Yield per Acre. u . S a^ a .rt i, a a. Bush. Lbs. 21 52 21 53 21 .'55 21 18 21 0 19 50 19 32 19 32 19 15 19 15 18 57 18 37 18 22 17 48 17 40 14 48 12 15 Lbs. 64 i 65' 62| 65 1:43 654 63| 64| 63 65i 64 63 63i 63| 63i 65 64^ Average yield 1 9 bush. 3 lbs. per acre. EXPERIMENTS WITH RYE. One half-acre of winter rye was sown the first week in September, 1907. There was a good stand and a large quantity of straw was obtained, but the yield of grain was light, being at the rate of 26 bush, and 28 lbs. per acre. A small plot of one-seventieth acre of spring rye was sown and yielded at the rate of 23 bush, and 42 lbs. per acre. EXPERIMENTS WITH INDIAN CORN. Fourteen varieties of corn were planted in a sandy loam on May 22. Two rows of each variety were planted in hills, with 3 feet between rows, and another two rows of each variety planted with the seed a few inches apart in the row. They were all cut September 17. The yield of green fodder per acre in each case was computed from two rows each 66 feet long. 378 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Indian Corn — Test of Varieties (Non-Irrigated). o Name of Variety. 1 North Dakota White.. 2 3 4 5 fi 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Angel of Midnight Superior Fodder Mammoth Cuban Salzer's AU Gold Kureka .... Early Mastodon Selected Learning Pride of the North Compton's Early Longfellow '. . White Cap Yellow Dent, Wood's Northern Dent. . Champion White Pearl* Size of Plot. 2 rows, 66 ft. Long, 3 ft . be tween rows — Height In. 48 48 38 to 42 48 to 54 36 to 40 36 to 48 42 to 48 42 to 48 42 to 52 48 40 to 48 48 to 54 42 to 52 42 to 48 Condition When Cut. Weight per acre grown in rows. Weight per acre grown in hills. Tons. Lbs. Tasselled. Ears . . No Very few small ears No ears 7 6 6 6 5 5 5 5 5 5 4 1840 1800 1310 210 1880 1880 1770 1440 1000 1000 179C 4 1680 4 690 3 1370 Tons. Lbs. 3 3 5 5 5 4 3 4 6 3 4 1480 1710 120 1110 10 1680 1480 30 650 490 250 4 360 5 1110 5 670 Average yield of 14 varieties in rows : 5 tons 1,408 lbs. per acre, hills : 4 tons 1,225 lbs. per acre. *One row partially destroyed. Average yield of 14 varieties in EXPERIMENTS WITH TURNIPS. On May 5, twelve varieties of turnips were planted in a sandy loam, in rows 30 inches apart, on backsetting, the same again on May 19. After being thinned, they were attacked by the flea-beetle so severely that the stand was badly affected. This accounts to a great extent for the low yields obtained. The yield per acre in each case was computed from two rows each 66 feet long. They were all pulled October 16. Turnips — Test of Varieties (Non-Irrigated). o Name of Variety. II Kangaroo. 2 o O 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Hall's Westbury Hartley's Bronze Halewood's Bronze Top Good Luck Mammoth Clyde , Magnum Bonum .Jumbo Perfection Swede Skirving's Carter's Elephant Bangholm Selected .... Yield per Acre 1st Plot. Tons. Lbs. 10 10 10 9 1648 1.516 788 1.536 216 236 1840 1444 520 1200 408 296 Yield per Acre 1st Plot. Bush. Lbs. 360 48 358 36 316 28 325 36 303 36 270 36 264 257 24 242 2i0 206 48 171 36 Yield per Acre 2nd Plot. 1 Tons i. Lbs. 3 600 7 256 5 1484 6 144 3 1392 7 256 5 560 3 1392 5 824 4 976 5 164 1 1828 Yield per Acre 2nd Plot. Bush. Lbs. no 237 36 191 24 202 24 123 12 237 36 176 123 12 180 24 149 36 169 24 63 48 REPORT OF MR. W. H. FAIRFIELD 379 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 EXPERIMENTS WITH MANGELS. Ten varieties of mangels were sown on May 4, and again the same number on May 18, in rows 30 inches apart and 66 feet long on backsetting; the soil was a sandy loam. Both plantings were pulled October 16. The yield in each case was com- puted from the weight of roots obtained from two rows each 66 feet long. Mangels — Test of Varieties (Non-irrigated.) s 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Name of Variety. Gate Post Giant Yellow Globe Selected Yellow Globe Perfection Mammoth Long Red Yellow Intermediate Giant Intermediate Crimson Champion Half Sugar White Mammoth Red Intermediate . . . Prize Mammoth Long Red Yield per Acre. 1st Plot. Tons. Lbs . 13 13 13 12 11 11 11 11 10 10 1,984 796 136 24 1,760 1,496 1,496 1,364 1,912 1,780 Bush. Lbs . 446 446 435 400 396 391 391 389 365 363 24 36 36 24 36 36 24 12 2nd Plot. Tons. Lbs . 896 1,160 1,860 1,200 1,556 500 100 1,404 1,728 1,576 Bush. 'Lba . 281 286 231 220 292 275 168 323 228 259 36 36 20 24 48 36 Average yield per acre : First so-vving 12 tons, 275 lbs.; second sowing 7 tons, 1,398 lbs. EXPERIMENTS WITH CARROTS. Six varieties of carrots were sown on May 4 and the same number again on May 18, in rows 66 feet long 20 inches apart, on backsetting; the soil was a sandy loam. Both plantings were pulled October 16. The yield in each case was computed from the weight of roots obtained from two rows each 66 feet long. Carrots — Test of Varieties (Non-irrigated). S Name of Variety. Giant White Vosges , Improved Short White , Ontario Champion , Mammoth White Intermediate. White Belgian Half Long Chantenay 10 9 8 7 6 4 Yield per Acre. 1st Plot. TCHIB. libs . 1,186 77 1,107 1,404 1,068 1,425 Bush. Lbs. 353 301 285 256 217 157 6 17 7 43 48 5 2nd Plot. Tons. Lbs, 1,405 1,405 1,068 58 930 296 Bush. Lbs . 256 256 217 234 115 204 44 44 48 18 30 55 The average yield, first sowing, was 7 tons, 1,711 lbs. per acre ; second sowing, was 6 tons, 860 lbs. per acre. 380 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 EXPERIMENTS WITH SUGAR BEETS. Four varieties were planted on May 6 and the same varieties again on May 20, in ro^YS 20 inches apart, in sajidy loam that had been backset. Both plantings were pulled October 2G. The yield in each case was computed from the weight of roots obtained from two rows each 66 feet long. Average specimens of roots from each variety were sent to the Chemist, Mr. Frank T. Shutt, and the per cent of sugar in juice and co-efficient of purity were obtained from the results of his analyses. Sugar Beets — Test of Varieties (Non-irrigated). £ s 1 Name of Variety. Klein Wanzleben (Seed from Ray mond ) French Very Rich . . Wanzleben Viluiorin's Improved Yield per Acre. 1st Plot. 2nd I « X. « C m 00 C 00 O Si s O S> H ^ ^ H >A 10 770 346 10 5 1,543 9 1,602 326 42 4 1,801 9 1,503 325 3 4 1,227 9 454 307 36 4 1,5S1 P3 ^ 192 23 163 21 153 47 159 41 Sugar J nice . p.c. 18 08 15-86 16-52 17-80 5 o c O 83-4 86-2 84-7 86-2 Average yield per acre for the three varieties ; 1st sowing 9 tons, 1,582 lbs.; 2nd sowing 5 tons, 13 lbs. It is encouraging to the patrons of the Raymond factory to note that the crop from seed furnished by the Knight Sugar Company, in the above test, was superior to that from the other seeds, (which include another strain of the same variety), both in yield and sugar-content. EXPERIMENTS WITH POTATOES. The season was not very favourable for potatoes. The crop all through the dis- trict, including that on the Experimental Farm, was light. Twenty-two varieties were planted May 19 on sandy loam that had been backset the previous season. The rows were 66 feet long and two and one-half feet apart. All the varieties were dug October 6. The yield in each case was computed from two rows each 66 feet long. REPORT OF MR. W. H. FAIRFIELD 381 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Potatoes — Test of Varieties (Non-irrigated). 3 1 2 3 4 5 € 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Name of Variety. Empire State Holborn Abundance American Wonder. . Dreer's Standard Vermont Gold Coin . Carman No. 1 Country Gentleman . Morgan Seedling. . . . Rochester Rose State of Maine Canadian Beauty. . Everett Reeves' Rose Burnaby Mammoth. Uncle Sam Vick's Extra Early. Late Puritan Early White Prize . Dalmen^' Beauty . . . Money-Maker :rish Cobbler Ashleaf Kidney A verage Size. Large . Medium Large . . Medium Large . . Medium ti . . Large . . Total Yield per Acre. m a W 138 132 127 127 121 118 118 117 IIG 116 116 115 114 114 112 110 107 103 100 94 92 85 36 36 36 48 48 42 36 36 36 30 24 24 12 48 24 6 36 24 48 Yield per Acre of Sound . a .a 1-5 138 36 ■ 132 127 36 127 36 121 . 118 48 118 48 117 42 116 36 116 36 116 36 115 30 114 24 114 24 112 12 110 107 48 103 24 100 6 94 36 92 24 85 48 Yield per Acre of Rotten. 3 cq None. Yield per Acre of Market- able. ji » tn 3 XI a 1-1 107 48 92 24 96 48 94 36 101 12 94 36 74 48 75 54 77 . . 96 48 77 72 46 77 61 36 96 48 77 63 48 57 12 53 54 48 21 72 36 70 24 Yield per Acre of Un- market- able. 3 pa 30 39 30 33 19 24 44 41 39 19 39 42 37 52 15 33 44 46 46 46 19 15 x> 48 36 48 48 12 48 36 48 36 44 24 48 24 12 12 12 48 24 Form and Colour. Longwhite Round II Long ti Oval M Round M Flat _„ Long pink Oval white Long pink- Flat _t. Long pink Oval white M II Round II Flat „ Oval II Average yield 113 bushels 45 lbs. per acre. FLAX. A plot of seven-tenths of an acre was sown with flax at the rate of about 30 pounds per acre, on backsetting. The yield was low, being only 9 bushels per acre. ALFALFA. Four plots of alfalfa of one-fourth acre each were sown on June 9 and 10, with locally-grown seed, at the rate of 5, 10, 15 and 20 pounds of seed, respectively, pe? acre. Part of each of these plots was inoculated with soil from an old alfalfa field. An irregular piece containing a little over an acre joining these plots was sown at the same time, with the same kind of seed, at the rate of 12 pounds per acre. All of this plot was inoculated. A good stand was obtained. The plants on all tha plots were clipped once during the summer, but, although the crop was thrifty, a great deal of growth was not made. No difference between the portion inoculated and that not in- oculated could be noticed, but it is to be expected that the effect of this inoculation will be more apparent next season. 382 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 ALFALFA SOWN IN ROWS. With the object in view of raising seed and also of ascertaining whether it would be possible to increase the yield on non-irrigated land by this means if an abnormally dry season were met with, a little over an acre was sown in drills 28 inches apart on June 10. The same kind of seed was usted as in the previous experiment and the soil was all inoculated. During the sxunmer the space between the rows was cultivated to kill weeds and also to stimulal^e the growth of the alfalfa. As would be expected, the cix)p made a much more vigorous growth than that made in*the plots sown in the usual way. For* a fuller discussion of the question of inoculation, see Part U. CLOVERS. Small plots of one-fiftieth acre each were sown with Red, Alsike and White clover. 'Good stands were obtained. GRASSES. On June 10, a half-acre each was sown with Western Rye Grass and with Brome Grass and a quarter acre with Timothy, at the rate of six pounds per acre in each case. A good stand of Timothy was obtained but the other two grasses were thin. APPLE ORCHARDS. Three orchards were set out with the trees placed 15 feet apart each way. The first contains cross-bred varieties and 54 were set out. The second contaiins seed- lings of the cross-bred varieties and 66 were set out. The third consists of standard varieties and 110 were set out. The majority of these established themselves fairly ■well. A windbreak was planted on the north, west and south sides of the block contain- ing these three orchards. It consisted of a row of Caraganas two feet apart and four feet inside of these was planted a row of eottonwoods set four feet apart in the row. A space of thirty feet was left between the cottonwoods and the first row of apples. RHITBARB. Nineteen varieties of rhubarb were set out on one side of the orchard. For a list of these see under this heading in Part II. PART II.— THE IRRIGATED FARM. PREPARATION OF SOIL. The preparation of the soil for this season's crops on the irrigated portion of ■the farm was the same as on the non-irrigated, except that the backsetting was done later in the previous season when the ground was somewhat dryer, so that, when the crops were sown in the spring, the soil was more loose and in not quite so good a con- dition as was the non-irrigated farm. The raw prairie was broken during May and June in 1907, and the backsetting was done in September and October of the same year. REPORT OF MR. W. H. FAIRFIELD 383 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 WINTER WHEAT. A field lot of 3^ acres of Kharkov was the only winter wheat sown on the irri- gated farm. The rate of seed used per acre was thirty pounds. On account of the seed-bed not being in the best of condition, only a fair stand was obtained in the fall of 1907. In the early winter, some horses broke in and pastured the young plants o5f very closely, so, taken as a whole, the field did not have as favourable conditions as did the various field-lots of wheat on the non-irrigated farm. The field was irri- gated once on July 10 and was cut August 3. The yield was 41 bu. and 5 lbs. per acre. EXPERIMENTS WITH SPRING WHEAT. Thirteen varieties of spring wheat were sown April 14 in Vio acre plots on sandy loam that had been backset. The seed was used at the rate of about one bushel and one peck per acre. The plots were irrigated once on July 11. Spring Wheat — Test of Varieties (Irrigated). s 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Name of Variety. Chelsea Percy A Pringle's Champlain Marquis Preston . Hungarian White. . . Huron Bishop Red Fern Red Fife H White Fife Stanley White Russian 1 Date 0.5 •<- £p of a 3 Ripening. bo.3 .- 23. .. 23. Date Irrigated. July 14. M 14 M 14. M 14. .. H. .. 14. ,. 14 „ 14. Amount Seed per Acre. of Lbs. 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 Yield of Straw per Acre. Lbs. 2,720 2,6G0 2,420 2,260 2,960 2,440 2,200 2,340 Yield of Grain per Acre. Bush. Lbs. 60 51 61 69 74 64 68 66 20 26 26 14 24 4 8 10 EXPERIMENTS WITH BARLEY. TEST OF VARIETIES. Thirteen varieties of six-rowed and eleven varieties of two-rowed were sown April 21, at the rate of about 1^ bushels per acre, in one-seventieth acre plots on backsetting. They were irrigated July 11. It may be stated that the irrigation of the uniform test- plots of wheat and oats as well as of barley was unavoidably delayed a few days, on account of a break in the Irrigation Company's main ditch, caused by the excessive floods in June. In the case of the barley plots, the effect of the delay is quite apparent. The two-rowed varieties, being later, were not so far advanced on July 11, when they were all irrigated, as were the six-rowed, and, therefore, had not suffered so much from drought. This, doubtless, is the reason that they yielded better than did the six-rowed varieties. Six-Rowed Barley — Test of Varieties (Irrigated). g 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Name of Variety. Claude Mansfield Blue Long Head . , Yale Odessa Empire Mensurj' Nugent Oderbruch .Albert Sf-lla Champion Trooper Date of Ripening. Aug. 5. .July 29. Aug. 7. 1. 1. 3. July 29. „ 29. Aug. 1 . July 29. .. 29. >. 29. ,. 29. . bb 1"^ 05 'r* be O ^ bo o . c a o ^-^ ^ ^ In. 106 30 99 32 108 26 102 .SO 102 32 104 30 99 34 99 32 102 32 99 30 99 32 99 34 99 32 Character of Straw. Stiff..... Medium. Stiff.. . . Medium. Stiff.. .. Medium. bo c In. n 3* 2h oS 21 3 3 H 3 3 3 n Weight of Straw. Lbs. 2,450 2, .520 1 ,890 2,520 1,995 2,100 2,1.^5 2,030 1,820 2.800 2,030 1,3.S0 1,680 Yield per Acre. Bush. Lbs. 59 49 45 45 44 37 37 36 36 30 30 27 24 38 28 10 10 23 44 9 22 22 30 30 34 38 05.5 ^ 3 C k ^ '^ be t. S I? Sis Lbs. 48 52 45 .V2i 50i 51 48 :m 5l| 46 51 48i 49 Average yield 38 bushels 44 lbs. 16—25 386 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Two-Rowed Barley — Test of Varieties (Irrigated). 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Name of Variety. Standwell Sidney Swedish Chevalier Danish Chevalier. Canadian Thorpe. Gordon French Chevalier.. Clifford Invincible Jarvis Beaver Date of Ripening. lug. 8. u 6. „ 6. „ 3. ,. 3. .- 1. „ 3. „ 3. t, 6. „ 1. M 8. No. of Days Maturing. 109 107 107 104 104 102 104 104 107 102 109 Length of Straw, including Head. In. 30 30 26 30 26 32 30 32 28 36 S2 Character of Straw. Medium Length Weight of of Head. Straw. In. Lbs. 3 3,360 2S 2,450 4 3,360 4 3,080 21 2,170 2h 2,730 3 3,045 3^ 2,870 3 3,115 4 3,395 3i 1,855 Yield . per Acre. . ^ y Bush .Lbs. 70 0 62 34 61 12 45 10 43 36 42 14 40 5 36 22 35 11 32 39 28 21 cS^ a « 3 2 'a ■f, ^ M 01 S Lbs. 53 55 54i 53| 51 53i 53i 52 55 64 49 Average yield, 45 bush. 15 lbs. FIELD LOT. One and a half acres of Mensury barley were sown on May 29, at the rate of about 14 bushels per acre. The field was irrigated on July 18. It yielded at the rate of 30 bush, and 7 lbs. per acre. EXPERIMENT WITH DIFFERENT AMOUNTS OF SEED PER ACRE. The area of each plot was one-twentieth acre, and they were all sown with Mensury barley April 22, and irrigated July 14. Lbs. 15.. SO.. 45., 60.. 75.. 90., 105., 120., Aii.ount of Seed per Acre. Yield Yield per Acre, per Acre, Straw. Grain. Lbs. Bush. Lba. 1,580 32 4 2,380 35 20 1,800 37 24 2,200 39 28 2,800 37 4 2,540 39 8 2,140 34 28 2,900 35 0 EXPERIMENTS WITH PEAS. TEST OF VARIETIES. As on the non-irrigated farm, the peas did not do as well as expected. The average yield per acre of the eighteen varieties grown on irrigated land is practically the same as that of the seventeen varieties tested on the non-irrigated farm. The eighteen varieties were sown April 14, on sandy loam that had been backset, at the rate of about two bushels of seed per acre, some varieties a little more, depending on the size of the grain. The size of the plots was one-seventieth acre. They were irrigated July 11. REPORT OF MR. W. H. FAIRFIELD 387 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Peas — Test of Varieties (Irrigated). 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Name of Variety. Victoria Mackay Paragon Archer Black-eye Marrowfat , Gregory , English Grey Arthur White Marrowfat . . . Early Britain Prince Golden Vine Picton Agnes Wisconsin Blue Prussian Blue Daniel O'Rourke . . . Chancellor Date of Ripening. Aug 17.. 15.. 10.. 17.. 20.. 20.. 10.. 10.. 18.. 10.. 15.. 15.. 15.. 15.. 15.. 10.. 15.. 10.. No. of Weight Days of Maturing. Straw. Lbs. 125 3,080 123 2,782 118 2,852 125 2,310 128 3,062 128 2,712 118 2,012 118 1,680 126 2,730 118 2,5.57 123 2,082 123 1,802 123 2,170 123 2,187 123 2,.537 118 1,942 123 3,027 118 2,012 Yield per Acre. Bush. Lbs. 25 23 22 21 20 20 20 19 19 19 18 17 17 17 17 15 14 14 40 37 27 0 8 8 8 50 50 24 57 48 30 12 12 28 53 18 bo "3 Lbs. 65 64i 65 65 64j 63i 66| 64i 64 64i 65"" m" 66 65^ 64 64i Average yield 19 bush. 12 lbs. per acre. EYE. , A small plot of spring rye was sown on April 17, and was irrigated July 11. It grew about 4 feet high, was ripe August 20, and yielded at the rate of 16 bush, and 14 lbs. per acre. EXPERIMENTS WITH INDIAN CORN. TEST OF VARIETIES. The object in view in growing this corn was to learn what varieties will produce the most green fodder. Fourteen varieties were planted May 21, on sandy loam that had been backset. Two rows of each variety were planted in hills with 3 feet between rows, and another two rows in drills, with the seed a few inches apart in the drill. The crop was irrigated July 22, August 1 and 10. All varieties were cut September 17. The yield in each case was computed from two rows, each 66 feet long, the com having been weighed as it was cut. IG- -25. t 388 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Indian Corn — Test of Varieties (Irrigated). Name of Variety. Pride of the North . . . . Mammoth Cuban Ang-el of Midnight Chanpion White Pearl . Conipton's Early Eureka North Dakota White . . . Early Mastodon Longfellow lO.Superior Fodder. 11 12 13 14 Sal/.er's All Gold Selected Learning White Cap Yellow Dent. Wood's Northern Dent. . Height. Inches. 70—78 6G CO 6(5—72 fiO— 66 70—76 64 72—78 66 66-72 64—72 72 66—72 66—72 Condition When Cut. No ears ....... Early milk . . Barely in milk No ears Harly milk. . . No ears Barely in milk No ears •> ...... Early milk.. . . Barely in milk No ears Weight per acre giown in rows. Tons. Lbs. 14 13 12 12 12 11 11 11 10 10 9 9 9 8 Weight j)er acre grown in hills. Tons. Lbs. 160 1,940 l,9(i0 1,300 2011 1,870 1,210 880 1,7S0 ],5(i(> 1,360 260 40 610 13 12 8 9 10 10 9 9 10 7 7 8 6 8 400 i,ri60 500 1,910 3:)0 1,010 40 260 350 1,510 740 1,160 1,200 830 Average yield of 14 varieties in rows ; 11 tons 652 lbs. i> II hills ; 9 tons 872 lbs. per acre. . TUKNIPS. Twelve varieties of turnips were sown, but they were so badly injured by the turnip-fly soon after they came up, that before their injury was noticed, the crop was practically destroyed. EXPERIMENTS WITH MANGELS. TEST OF VARIETIES. Ten varieties were sown on May 4, and again on May 18, in rows 30 inches apart on backsetting. The crop was irrigated four times: July 22, August 1, 10 and 29. Both plantings were pulled on October 10. The yield in each case was computed from the weight of roots from two rows, each 66 feet long. Mangels — Test of Varieties (Irrigated). s Name of Variety. 1 Gate Post 2 Giant Yellow Globe 3 Perfection Mammoth Long Red . 4 Giant Yellow Intermediate 5 Half Sugar White 6 Yellow Intermediate 7 Crimson Champion 8 Prize Mammoth Long Red 9 Mammoth Red Intermediate.... 10 Selected Yellow Globe Yield per Acre. 1st Plot. Tons. Lbs. 19 18 17 17 17 15 14 13 12 11 1,864 828 1,772 716 56 360 248 928 1,344 836 Yield per .Acre. 2nd Plot. Tons. Lbs. 13 13 8 12 6 11 7 8 7 7 532 400 3()8 1,202 2-6 1,100 1,444 1,5.56 652 1,972 Average yield first sowing, 15 tons 1,495 lbs. II Becoud sowing, 9 tons 1,350 lbs. per acre. REPORT OF MR. W. E. FAIRFIELD 389 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 EXPERIMENTS WITH CARROTS. TEST OF VARIETIES. Six varieties were sown on May 4 and the same again on May IS, in rows 20 inches apart, on backsetting. The crop was irrigated four times ; July 22, August 1, 10 and 29. Both plantings were pulled October Ig. The yield in each case was com- puted from the weight of roots from two rows each 66 feet long. Carrots — Test of Varieties (Irrigated). .D B Name of Variety. Yield per Acre. 1st Plot. Ontario Champion Giant White Vosges Improved Short White Mammoth White Intermediate Half Long Chantenay White Belgian Tons. Lbs. 16 15 15 14 12 12 868 1,145 947 1,997 1,740 790 Yield per Acre, let Plot. Bush. Lbs. 547 519 515 499 429 413 48 5 47 57 0 10 Yield per Acre. 2nd Plot. Tons. Lbs. 11 11 11 11 10 6 205 1,265 1,463 641 592 1,088 Yield per Acre. 2nd Plot. Bush. Lbs. 371 387 391 377 343 218 35 45 3 21 12 8 The average yield first sowing was 14 tons 1,247 lbs. per acre. II second sowing was 10 tons 890 lbs. per acre. EXPERIMENTS WITH SUGAR BEETS. test of varieties.. Eour varieties were planted May 6 and again May 20, in rows 20 inches apart, in sandy loam that had been backset. They were irrigated three times on July 22, August 1 and 10. Both plantings were pulled October 13. The yield in each ease was computed from the weight of roots obtained from two rows, each 66 feet long. As was done on the non-irrigated farm, average specimens of roots from each variety v^^ere sent to the Chemist, Mr. Frank T. Shutt, and the percentage of sugar in juice and the co-efficient of purity were obtained from the results of his analyses. Sugar Beets — Test of Varieties (Irrigated). s Name of Variety. French Very Rich Klein Wanzleben (seed from Raymond). SjWanzleben 4 Vilmorin's Improved Yield per Acre. 1st Plot. a o H 14 12 12 10 1,601 1,740 790 374 1st Plot. I J pq 1-^ 493 21 429 .. 413 10 339 34 Yield per Acre. 2nd Plot. n S 3 H 1-3 5 1,920 9 1,503 10 1,721 9 454 2nd Plot. 198 40 325 3 362 . . 307 36 Sugar in Juice. p. c. 15-97 18 13 15-60 16 69 O P.O. 870 89-9 820 86 7 Average yield per acre of the four varieties. | J'^^^* ^^^^'"^^ = ^l ^^^^ H^G |bs. ° -^ *^ (.Second m 8 tons 1,899 lbs. per acre. 390 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 EXPEEIMENTS WITH POTATOES. ■TESTS OF VARIETIES. Twenty-five varieties of potatoes were planted on May 19 on sandy loam, that had been backset the previous season. The rows were two and one-half feet apart. They were irrigated three times on July 22, August 1 and 10. They were all dug October 9. The yield was computed in each case from the weight of potatoes obtained from two rows each 66 feet long. Potatoes — Test of Varieties (Irrij ^ated). i Name of Variety. Average Size. Total Yield per Acre. Yield per Acre, Marketable . Yield per Acre, Un- marketable . Form and Colour 1 2 Early Manistee Holborn Abundance Rochester Hose Very large Medium Large Bush. 453 275 275 270 268 264 264 259 257 255 255 250 250 242 235 235 226 226 222 217 213 208 204 202 160 Lbs. 12 36 24 36 24 12 12 48 48 24 24 36 36 12 48 24 28 36 24 36 Bush. 426 242 253 257 248 244 253 237 237 231 246 242 231 224 228 217 216 209 211 202 189 184 195 192 101 Lbs. 48 24 36 12 36 36 24 24 48 48 9 12 24 12 16 4S 36 12 Bush. 26 33 22 13 19 19 11 22 19 24 8 8 19 17 6 17 10 17 11 15 24 24 8 19 59 Lbs. 24 12 48 48 43 12 48 48 48 36 36 36 27 36 24 12 12 48 48 24 Flat, pink. Kound, white. Long, pink. 4 Money Maker Reeve's Rose Ro»md, white. 15 Long, pink. 6 IT American Wonder CJariiiaTi No. 1 Long, white. Flat, white. 8 9 Late Puritan Morgan Seedling Country Gentleman Ashleaf Kidnev Long, pmk. tl II 10 11 11 . . .' II II Oval, white. !*> State of Maine tl M II II 13 14 Twentieth Century . . . Bumaby Mammoth Uncle Sam Irish Cobbler Dreer's Standard Canadian Beantv. Flat, white. Long, pink. 15 16 17 18 11 ... ..... II H II II Flat, white. Oval, white. Long, pink. 19 Vermont Gold Coin Vick's Extra Early Early White Prize Everett Dooley Round, white. 20 Flat, white. 21 22 9S Medium II Large II Medium Oval, white. Long, pink. Round, white. 24 95 Empire State Dalmeny Beauty Long, white. Oval, white. Average yield for the 25 varieties, 7 tons 867 lbs., or 247 bushels 47 lbs. per acre. There was no rot in any of the varieties. FOEAGE CHOPS. ALFALFA. On account of the land being so new, it was thought best not to plant a very large area of alfalfa, for this crop usually thrives better on older land. Consequently only about five acres were so^vn. The ideal preparation of the soil for alfalfa is to summer fallow a field on which at least one or two crops of grain have been raised. The seed should be sown in May or early in June, without a nurse or cover crop. The alfalfa plots were all irrigated on August 4 and 5 and again on October 8 and 9 so that the ground might be thoroughly wet for the -nnnter and to avoid the necessity of having to irrigate before the first cutting was made in the spring. REPORT OF MR. TF. E. FAIRFIELD 391 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 INOCULATION. It has been found in this province that to make alfalfa thrive it is necessary for the land on which it is sown to be inoculated with the germs of certain bacteria that live on the roots of the plant. The simplest way to do this is to take some soil from an old alfalfa field and scatter it over the surface of the land to be sown, at the rate of 100 or 200 pounds per acre. This is worked into the soil as the seed bed is being prepared. Nearly all of the ground on which the alfalfa was sown was inoculated this way but some was left un- treated. All of the plots sown came up well and a good uniform stand was obtained. The plants were clipped once with a mowing machine but they had not made sufficient growth to make it worth while to rake up what was cut. The second growth was 6 to 10 inches high at time of frost. No difference could be noticed between that which was inoculated and that which was not till about September, when the latter began to appear less thrifty and did not make within two to four inches as much growth. The difference in the colour of the foliage was particularly striking. A small plot was sown with seed that had been treated with a culture furnished by the Provincial Department of Agriculture, Edmonton, but there was no noticeable effect on th-e growth resulting from this treatment. EXPERIMENTS WITH DIFFERENT AMOUNTS OF SEED. Six plots of one-fourth acre each were sown at the following rates of seed; 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 pounds per acre. A good stand was obtained on all of them. % DIFFERENT KINDS OF SEED. Small plots of one-fiftieth acre each w^re sovm. with the following kinds of alfalfa seed; home grown seed, taken from a field that had itself been grown from locally threshed seed, so that it will be starting the third generation of plants grown in the district, Turkestan seed supplied from the Central Farm, and seed bought on the market under the name of Turkestan. MIXTURE OF ALFALFA AND GRASSES. Plots of one-quarter acre each were sown with mixtures of Alfalfa and Brome grass. Alfalfa and Timothy, Alfalfa and Western Rye grass and Alfalfa and a mix- ture of all three grasses. A good stand of alfalfa was obtained m each case but the grasses were very thin. These were all irrigated along with the other plots of alfalfa. CLOVERS. Small plots of one-fiftieth acre were sown with Eed, Alsike and White clover and a good stand was obtained on all three plots. GRASSES. A quarter of an acre of timothy and a half-acre each of Brome grass and Western Bye grass were sown. The seed in each case was sown at the rate of 6 pounds per acre. A rather poor 'stand was obtained, as germination was feeble owing to lack of showers after the seeding was done. Half of thes^e plots were top-dressed with some very coarse barn-yard manure in November. These plots were irrigated at the same time that the alfalfa plots were. HAY. About thirty loads of native hay were cut on the farm. In addition to this, a small field was sown with a mixture of wheat and peas and was cut green for feed. 392 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS TREES AND SHRUBS. 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 A strip two rods wide just inside the boundary fence on all four sides of the farm was broken and backset in 1907 preparatory to setting out three rows of trees. The two outside rows were planted in the spring of 1908, with various arrangements of Cottonwood, elm, ash, l^anitoba maples, willows and evergreen trees. The inner row is to be set later with smaller trees and shrubs of various kinds. A large supply of trees and shrubs were received from the Central Farm and these were set in the nursery, to be available for transplanting later. As a whole the material in the nursery, set out in the spring of 1907, wintered in a very satisfactory manner. APPLE ORCHARDS. As on the non-irrigated farm three orchards were set out, the trees being placed 15 feet apart each way. The first consisted of cross-bred varieties ,of apple and 51 ■^vere S'-^t nut. The second consisted of seedlings of the cross-breds and 63 were set 'out. The third consisted of standard varieties and 48 were set out. Most of these established themselves fairly well. STRAWBERRIES. Eorty-eight varieties of strawberries were obtained in the spring and set out in rows 3 feet apart. Fifty plants each were set out in double roavs 50 feet long, with the exception of ten varieties where only twenty-five plants each were received. Most of the varieties were shipped from Ontario by mail and some of them were in poor condition when they arrived, so that a good stand was not obtained in all cases, in fact in a few instanoep all the plants died. But the plants that established them- selves sent out runners which will be used in the spring to fiill in the blank places in the rows. The following is a list of the varieties of which there are some plants living. Tennessee Prolific, Glen Mary, Buster, Williams, Warfield, Ridgeway, Haverland, Bismark, Early Beauty, Steven's Late Champion, Senator Dunlap, Senator Dunlap (from locally grown plants), William Belt, William Belt (from locally grown plants), Aroma, Splendid, Ruby, Beder Wood, Carrie, Abingdon, Parson's Beauty, Fountain, Bubach, Brandy wine. Uncle Jim, Clyde, Irene, 3 W's, Gandy, Wild Native, Staples, Pocomoke, WorhFs Wonder, Chipman, Nettie. Elba, Van Deman, King Edward, Aug Luther Minute Man, REPORT OF MR. W. H. FAIRFIELD 393 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 VEGETABLES. A fairly large assortment of vegetables were planted and the results as a whole were fair, but on account of the newness of the land some kinds did not do as well as they otherwise would. All the hardier varieties of vegetables tested did well, such as lettuce, radish, spinach, cabbage, cauliflower, turnips, beets, carrots, parsnips, peas, &c., &c. The Squaw corn produced a good crop and ripened seed. Several of the earlier varieties of sweet corn produced a good supply of roasting ears. But two varieties of tomatoes were tried. These were Spark's Earliana and the same variety from a strain of seed selected at the Central Experimental Farm. The latter ripened a few tomatoes. English Vegetable Marrow was ready for use August 20, and was quite prolific. Cucumber — McKenzie's Prolific was ready for use August 20 and was a good bearer. Several Golden squash and a few Hubbard squash were matured. RHUBARB. Roots of the following varieties of rhubarb were supplied from the Brandon Experimental Farm in the fall of 1907, and were set out in the spring of 1908 : — Early Crimson. Queen. Brabant's Colossal. • Magnum Bonum. Victoria. Prince Albert. Tottle's Improved. Paragon. Strawberry. Tobolsk. Koyal Albert. Sangster's Prince of "Wales. Giant. Early Prince. Marshall's Linnaeus. Early Scarlet. General Taylor. Excelsior. Scarlet Nonpareil. FLOWER GARDEN— ANNUALS. Several varieties were started in the hot-bed, but those sown in the open gave more satisfactory results on the whole, although they were somewhat later in coming into bloom. The showing made by them in the latter part of the summer was good and they were admired greatly by visitors. The outside sowing was made on May 28 and 29. The following is a list of the flowers planted : — Abronia urabellata. Ageratum. Antirrhinum. Asters. Balsam. Brachycome. Calendula. Chrysanthemum coronarium. Clarkia. Dianthus. Eschseholtzia californica. Godetia. Nasturtium. Poppy. Salpiglossis. Scabious Major mixed. Scabious Dwarf mixed. Stocks. Sweet Sultan. Tagetas. MEASUREMENT OF IRRIGATION WATER. To ascertain the exact amount of water used in irrigating the farm, a box two feet deep was placed in the lateral canal that supplies water to the farm. A Lalli Water Register was purchased and installed. An attempt was made to keep a continuous record of the depth of water passing over the box at all times during the summer. 394 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 There were, unfortunately, numerous breaks in this record, one of the principal causes being that the clock movement was not reliable. On account of these breaks, it was found that it was impossible to compute the quantity of water used with any degree of accuracy. This was certainly unfortunate, for information along these lines will be of value to the users of water in the irrigated districts of the province. A Friez Water Register, which is very highly spoken of by engineers and irriga- tion investigators in the Western States, has been purchased, so that it is hoped our measurements of the water for the coming season will be more satisfactory. The Lallie instrument will be thoroughly gone over and put in good working condition. Two registers are required, as the water for the Farm is supplied by two laterals from the company's ditch, on account of the railroad cutting the irrigated farm into two portions. HORSES. We have eight work horses weighing about 1,400 pounds apiece. These are com- mon grade stock but they are young and serviceable. In addition to the above, a team of lighter horses are kept for driving. This team is not idle a great deal, for our being nearly four miles from the post office, in addition to other necessary driving, gives them quite a little to do. Two of the mares were with foal when the horses were purchased in 1907, but as they had been bred on the open range, the sires of the two colts were unknown. The colts are now two years old but they are of inferior quality. During the summer and fall of 1907, the horses were allowed to run on the range on Sundays and another of the mares got with foal, dropping a filly in August. CATTLE. Two grade cows are kept to supply milk to the families living on the farm. A heifer calf of one of these cows has been raised and is now nearly a year old. TRACTION ENGINE. A twenty horse International gasoline traction engine was purchased in the fall, and in March a Cockshutt engine gang-plough was obtained. The working of the machine is very satisfactory. MEETINGS. During the year I addressed Institute meetings at Gleiehen and Taber, attended seed fairs where I acted as one of the judges, also speaking at the meetings on the conclusion of the judging at the following places: Irvine, Cardston, Macleod, Nanton, Gleiehen and also at Gainsborough and Cardiff in Saskatchewan. I acted as one of the judges at the Provincial Seed Fair at Calgary. On August 10 to 11, I was in attendance at the annual convention of the Western Canada Irrigation Association at Vernon, British Columbia. On September 11 and 12 1 travelled with a delegation of Scotch farmers as they were passing through this portion of the province. On October 6, I attended a meeting in Winnipeg of the Grain Standards Board of v/hich I am a member for Alberta. I had the pleasure of being present at the conference of those interested in the westward shipment of grain, held at Calgary, February 3 and 4. I also attended the conference of Institute Workers of Alberta held at Calgary in January. On February 23, 24 and 2.5, I was in attendance as a delegate at the Trans-lfissouri Dry-Farming Congress held at Cheyenne, Wyoming, where I delivered an address. REPORT OF MR. W. E. FAIRFIELD 395 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 DISTRIBUTION OF SAMPLES. The samples of -wheat contained 5 pounds and those of oats and barley contained 4 pounds. There -were in all 104 of these sent out to applicants. There "were 28 samples of potatoes and 178 small packets of tree seedlings sent out. SALE OF GEAIK In disposing of the surplus of Kharkov and Turkey Red -winter -wheat, a rule was m,ade limiting each applicant to not more than four bushels. This is sufficient to so-w from four to seven or eight acres and so provide the recipient -with ample seed for the folio-wing year. IJp to March 31, 119 of these four bushel lots together -with 10 two bushel lots have been sold. CORRESPONDENCE. For the twelve months ending March 31, 1909, there were 1,250 letters received and 1,239 letters were sent out, not including circulars. METEOROLOGICAL REPORT. Months, Highest Temperature. Lowest Temperature. Total _ Precipitation. Bright Sunshine. 1908 April May Day. 19 7 25 30 I 6 8 7 8 % 31 Degrees. 81-1 85-4 86-2 91-6 94-9 91 0 76-6 73-5 67 2 48-8 56-2 65-5 Day. 1 1 22 6 27 26 28 11 31 7 12 7 Degrees. 00 300 38-9 33-7 35 6 19 2 10 5 — 3 8 -28-3 —45-4 —28-5 3 5 Inches. 0-688 2-595 7-009 0-365 0-904 0 575 0-572 Hour 202 184 253 360 322 217 149 122 143 8. 4 5 June July August . . . Sentember 8 1 9 6 October 8 Decern ber 0-36 0-3 0-2 0-5 1 1909 •Tanuarv 120 0 Febrnarv 122-9 M.&;rch '. 194-2 Totals . . .' 14-068 2393.^ In the above, 10 inches of snow is computed as one inch of precipitation. I have the honour to be, sir, Your obedient servant, W. H. FAIRFIELD, Superintendent. 9-10 EDWARD VII. SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 A. 1910 EXPERIMENTAL FARM FOR BRITISH COLUMBIA. KEPORT OF THOMAS A. SHARPE, SUPERINTENDENT. Agassiz, B.C., March 31, 1909. To Dr. Wm. Saunders, C.M.G., Director of Dominion Experimental Farms, Ottawa. Sir, — I have the honour to present herewith my report for the year ending March 31, 1909. The winter of 1907-08 was very mild, with no severe storms, but the spring opened in April with cold winds from the north, northeast and northwest, accompanied by showers of rain which kept the ground cold and wet, and the gro^vth was very slow. Many fields of mangels had to be sown twice, and in some instances, three times. The cold wet weather prevented the pollination of fruit blossoms, and as a con- sequence, most varieties of fruits were a light crop. The wet spring favoured the meadows and pastures, and hay was a good crop on most farms. In June, the weather turned dry, and from June 1 until September 30, the precipitation was the lightest for some years, and for the whole year, from April 1, 1908, to March 31, 1909, the precipitation has been the lightest we have had since records hav^e been kept at this station. Com did not make much growth until July and was so late that even the earliest of the Flint varieties failed to ripen. The dry summer favoured the curing of the clover crop, which is often very diffi- cult to save in ordinary seasons, and what fruit was raised was, owing to the bright warm summer and autumn, very fine in quality and appearance. The yield of grain and roots was about the average and of superior quality, and the weather very favourable for harvesting. November was as usual wet, the rainfall amounting to very nearly seven and a half inches, but the lowest temperature recorded was 32 on the 27th. December was mild with more than the average sunshine, and, for the month, a very light rainfall. January began mild, but a cold rainstorm set in and the weather turned colder, the rain freezing on the limbs of the trees, until they were so weighted that many trees were split, had their limbs broken ofi', or the whole tree overturned. The thermometer registered five degrees below zero on the 8th, which was the lowest record here since 1894, and the only time we have had zero since that date. Fortunately the ice storm only extended about eight miles east and a like distance west of this place and consequently the damage done to orchards was not extensive. The rain froze on the ground, covering it with a coat of smooth ice several inches thick, and fall wheat and clover suffered. February and March were mild and pleasant, but there is not much growth yet either in meadows or fruit trees. CLEARING. A very little clearing has been done, and no ditching this year. 398 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 CATTLE. Since my last report, all of the cattle have been tested with tuberculin by Dr. Tolmie, the Government Veterinary Inspector, and I am pleased to report that there were no reactions. Several young bulls have been sold for breeding purposes, and a number of animals have been fattened and sold for beef. ^ There are still on hand one stock bull, one young bull, sixteen females and two steers, all in good health. SHEEP. The flock of sheep consists of one ram, seventeen ewes and one lamb, at this date. During the year several lambs were killed by dogs or wild animals, several rams were sold to head flocks, and several to the butcher. All of our flock are registered Dorset Horned. PIGS. The stock of pigs at present on the Earm consists of one very fine Berkshire sow received from the Central Experimental Farm herd, and twenty-seven pure bred York- shires. Since my last report, a number of both breeds and both sexes have been sold as breeders, and in every instance so far as heard from, the animals sold have been satisfactory to the purchaser. HORSES. The stock of horses remains the same as at my last report, viz. : three teams of young work horses, and one of those horses originally bought at the beginning of the Earm work. This horse is still useful as a cart horse on the farm. We have also one general purpose mare. BEES. Last season was not a very good one for bees, but thirteen swarms went into the winter with a fair supply of stores, eleven have wintered, and at this date are busy on sunshiny days. NUT PLANTATION. The nut trees are all making a strong growth, and many of them fruited this year. The English Walnut is quite hardy here, and our trees are producing a few nuts each year. A few trees of the Franquette variety have been planted and are doing very well. The Black Walnut grows very well, and the trees are commencing to bear. These nuts are not of mi;ch value commercially, but once the tree gets well established, it is pretty well able to take care of itself, and many rocky hillsides could be turned to future profit, if planted with any or all of the different varieties of walnut. The Japanese Walnut is a strong grower, with luxuriant foliage, and makes a very fine shade tree. It begins to bear when quite young and bears regularly and very freely, the nuts being borne in clusters, ranging from five to as many as sixteen. This nut has a moderately hard shell, but the kernel is easily removed, is very sweet and richly flavoured, and the tree is quite hardy. The nuts from our trees have been distributed to fanners and planters through- out the province, and reports are beginning to come in of trees making strong, healthy growth. They will make very handsome shade trees, as well as produce abundant crops of nuts. REPORT OF MR. THOMAS A. 8HARPE 399 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 The different varieties of chestnuts have grown well, but the tree blooms so late in the season that the nuts do not always come to maturity. The tree, however, makes a fine spreading shade tree, with a wealth of handsome foliage. The butternut grows into a thrifty spreading tree, but, up to the present, our trees, although they have a spread of from 25 to 30 feet, have not produced more than a cluster or two of nuts each. Perhaps, with greater age, they may become more pro- ductive. The shell-bark hickory makes a fine growth, and two of our trees have produced nuts. The Pecan trees make a fair annual growth, but have not yet borne fruit. Filberts. — The plantation of Filberts has made a splendid growth, and each variety produces a few clusters of nuts each year, but the only really productive sort in a collection of over forty named varieties is Pearson's Early Red. The bushes of this variety do not grow as large as many of the others, but they fruit freely every year. The nuts range from five to ten in a cluster; this nut is small, but very fine in flavour. It is almost impossible to get ripened nuts, owing to the blue jays which come in flocks and carry off the fruit. MOUNTAIN ORCHARDS. These orchards bore a heavy crop of apples and a fair crop of pears, plums and peaches on the highest bench, and a fair crop on No. 2, but the bears were so plentiful that none of the fruit got ripe. The crop of wild berries was a light one and the bears were driven in to the orchards on both sides of the river, and much of the fruit on the level, as well as that in the mountain orchards', was taken. There were nineteen bears killed in this vicinity during the autumn. When the trees were small they got the fruit by bending the limbs down, and did not do the trees much harm, but, now that the trees are older and have grown large, the bears climb up the branches, their weight splits or breaks many branches down, and the trees are being gradually destroyed. FOWLS. We have had, during the past year, five pens of pure-bred fowls. Rhode Island Red, White Wyandotte, Barred Plymouth Rock, Buff Orpington and Black Minorcas. We have an excellent strain of Rhode Island Red fowls; they have laid well; their eggs are large, they hatched well, and the chickens were strong; not one of them died from sickness, although some were taken by hawks. The chickens mature early, are quiet and easily handled. WTien mature, they are about the size of the "^Hiite Wyandottes. All accounts received from those who bought Rhode Island Red eggs here for hatching were good hatches and strong chickens. All of the other breeds mentioned we have had for several years, and they have varied but little as to results, comparing one year with another. The Black Minorcas are good layers of large eggs, their chickens are perhaps rather delicate the first six weeks of their lives, but after that, are usually strong and healthy, but they do not make a good table bird. Barred Plymouth Rocks are good layers, as well as large, plump table birds. They are larger than the Rhode Island Reds and White Wyandottes, but do not mature as early as these two breeds. The Buff Orpingtons are fine large fowls and good layers; they are quiet in disposition, good table birds, and mature at about the same age as Barred Plymouth Rocks. The White Wyandottes are also good layers, quiet and easily handled, the chickens arc strong and easily raised and mature early. 400 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 In most cases, it is the strain, together with the care and feed, as much as the breed which produces good or poor layers. The fowls are kept confined, each breed in a separate pen with a yard attached, from January 1 to July 1. During the balance of the year they are at large. While they are in pens, the hens of one pen, each breed in its turn, are at large. We think tliat giving them tliieir liberty, one day in five, when they have the range o(f the fann, and eat grass and insects of different kinds, will be likely to ensure a better hatch and stronger chickens. The hens are fed mixed grain, wheat, oats, peas and barley; about one-half wheat, one-quarter oats and one-quarter of peas or barley. In winter they have a cabbage- head or turnip to pick, also small potatoes boiled and mashed with any chop we may have. They also get any milk there is to spare. They have also fresh water, grit and broken clam shells always before them. The pens are cleaned once a week, when fresh chaff or straw three or four inches deep is put on the floors. The whole of the inside of the building is cleaned by spraying several times a year with whitewash, to which is added carbolic acid. The roosts are frequently washed with Cooper's Sheep Dip. The hen houses and fowls are almost free of insects of any kind. The yards are frequently limed and dug over, keeping them pure and clean. It is more necessary to pay particular attention to keep- ing the hen houses and yards clean in this climate, as we have considerable mild, wet weather. There has been no sickness of any sort among the fowls this year, except a few cases of what appears to be rheumatism, caused, probably, by the wet weather in the spring and autumn. We find dampness much more trying to the fowls than bright, frosty weather. There is a good demand for eggs for setting, and for any birds, either male or female, which there are to spare. EXPERIMENTS WITH EALL WHEAT. Six varieties of fall wheat were sown in the variety test. The previous crop was peas on a clover sod, and the land was in very good condition, but the winter was rather unfavourable, and the plots suffered from the freezing and thawing, many plants being thrown out and the yield thus reduced. The seed was treated with formaldehyde and there was no smut. The seed was sown at the rate of one and a half bushels per acre, and the size of the plots was one-fortieth of an acre each. Eall Wheat — Test of Varieties. to ^-' T3 li rit tb g ■« oi cS (^ ii ^ 0) « -r. -^ Name of Variety. Date of Date of Char- acter of 0 J3 Kind of 4J Yield per t pen ed bu Clean Sowing. Ripening. 0 6 J"" Straw. til a In. Head. Acre. Weigh sur after In. 3 ^ Lbs. 1-3 PQ 1-5 Turkey Red Oct. 15... .July 28... 285 40 Stiff . . . 4 I'.earded. . 2780 24 40 G4 Abundance .. 15... M 15... " 27;;' 285 284 42 41 If .... n .... 3 3 Beardless. 3800 3-180 23 40 23 20 r,3 Dawson's GoldenChaff Kharkov „ 15... 285 38 Weak . . 2i Bearded. . 2C.40 22 40 (;4 Red Velvet Chaff.... „ 15... 285 39 Stiff. .. 3i Beardless . 1840 21 .. G3i American Banner „ 15... 285 43 t1 .... 3 II 2G40 20 20 63 «0 o 00 o 05 o be c3 S m ft cf 0) 5)D > o s s be h S a> ^ I-3'" 1-3 In. In. 122 46 Stiff . . . 4to4i 119 45 t» .... 3A to 4 126 42 tl 2ito3 125 124 124 42 46 44 II II II . '^X. '^ 3"to4. 124 44 (1 . 3 to 34 121 46 II . 4 124 44 II . 3 to 4. 123 46 II . 3.\.... 125 46 II . 3 to 3* 125 48 It . ...'3 to 4.1 122 44 , 8 to ol 122 44 II . ... 3^ to 4 Kind Yield of Head. o "fcc per A ore. 0) CO 3 M iJ Beardless. 2520 30 II 2760 28 40 It 2.320 28 It 31(.0 27 20 It .3080 25 20 It 2520 24 40 II 2880 22 Bearded . . 26S0 20 40 It . . 2!) In^ 9 to 10 10 11 10 10 12 10 10 9 10 9 11 9 to 10 9 9 11 12 9 11 12 10 9 12 10 Kind of Head. Branching Sided. . . Branching Sided.... Branching Sided.... Branching Sided..... Branching 'S Lbs. 3,040 2,740 2,440 2,260 2,5i;o 3,220 2,840 2,240 2,650 2,520 2,650 2, .320 3,040 2,040 2,850 3,090 2,280 2,360 1,890 2,040 1,960 2,97f 2,360 2,000 Yield per Acre. pq k1 87 2 86 16 85 30 84 4 83 18 81 26 81 81 16 6 80 30 78 28 76 16 75 30 75 20 75 10 74 24 74 14 73 4 71 26 67 22 67 2 65 30 64 14 60 .. 50 20 S-c t> S s — - a; — bet; ^ , bi Lbs. 36i 33| 35 38 361 331 384 36i 37 36 34i 37' 34 37i 34i 37| 33^ 36;^ 38 36 35 35 35f Rusted. Very little. No rust. Very little. If No rust. Very little. No rust. EXPERIMENTS WITH BARLEY. The soil of these plots was sandy loam which had been planted to corn in 1907, which followed a clover crop, and had recei\-«d a dressing of about twelve tons of barn-yard manure per acre on the clover sod. This was harrowed and cut with the spading harrow to break any lumps and fine it before ploughing. The corn crop was a very good one and the land was in good condition for the barley. It was ploughed in autumn after the corn was removed, and disked and harrowed repeatedly before the barley was sown. The plots were one-fortieth of an acne each and the seed was sown at the rate of two and a half bushels per acre. The seed was REPORT OF MR. THOMAS A. SHARPE 403 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 treated, as in former years, witli formaldehyde, and there was no smut or rust on this crop. The weather was very dry and hot when the grain was ripening, which hastened the maturing a little, but the sample was very fair and bright. Thirteen varieties of six-rowed, and eleven varieties of two-rowed barley were sown in this series of plots. All were sown April 10. Srx-ROWED Barley — ^Test of Varieties. g 5^ Name of Variety. Blue Longhead : Trooper ; Odessa Mensury I Oderbruch . . . . i Empire Stella Albert 9 Yale 10 Nugent 11 Mansfield 12 Claude. 13. Champion .-. G Date 0 of Rip enmg. o ^ JulT r 28.. 108 29.. 109 29.. 109 28.. 108 28.. 108 31.. 111 28.. 108 29.. 109 30.. 110 30.. 110 29,. 109 29.. 109 24.. 104 g $ CO*-' —, fco o c ■S'-B C O /I- -. 3 "— • ^ a Jo Lbs. EXPERIMENTS WITH INDIAN CORN. This has been a very unfavourable year for Indian corn. The spring was wet and cold, both before seeding and for a considerable time after, and, when the corn did come up, much of it was pulled by the crows, although the seed had been carefully tarred before planting which had protected it in prev^ious years. After the weather turned warm, a drought set in, which prevented as fine a growth as we usually have. The crop was light in consequence, the ears very immature in the early varieties and only formed in some of the late varieties. The yield per acre was computed from the yield of sixty-six feet of two rows in both hills and drills. The drills were three feet apart and, where necessary, the stalks were thinned to about six inches apart. The hills were 3 feet apart each way and three or four stalks left in each hill. The corn was all planted May 19 on a clover sod which had a good aftergrowth on it in the fall. During the winter about ten tons per acre of barn-yard manure was applied and broken up fine with the disk and dragged before ploughing, fourteen varieties were planted in this test. REPORT OF MR. THOMAS A. SHARPE SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Indian Corn — Test of Varieties. 405 c Name of Variety. Compton's Early Longfellow Champion White Pearl . . Selected Learning White Cap Yellow Dent. Superior Fodder. 7i Pride of the North . 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Angel of Midnight Mammoth Cuban North Dakota White . . Early Mastodon Eureka' Wood's Northern Dent. Salzer's All Gold Characte r of Leafiness. Growth Strong . . . Very 11 . . II n . Medium . . Medium M . . It It . . II II . . Fair.. . . . Very Medium II Fair.... It 11 . Medium. . Weak . . II . . Strong . It . . Weak . . It , . II II . . When Tas- sellfcd. Aug. Sep. Early Milk. 28 Oct. 4 8 1 5 5 5 1 1 1 2 3 5 8.. 8.. 8.. 8.. Aug. 2; Condition When Cut. Oct. 8. Late Milk. . Ears formed Early Milk. Ears formed II Roasting ear Early milk.. Ears formed Early milk.. Weight per Acre grown in Rows. Tons. Lbs. 12 12 12 11 11 10 10 10 9 9 9 9 7 7 1,300 1,740 1,190 1,320 1,100 1,5G0 1,340 240 1,800 1,.580 881 40 1,840 300 Weight per Acre grown in Hills. Tons. Lbs. 13 11 12 12 12 10 10 10 n 10 10 9 7 7 .510 880 640 1,850 1,900 1,120 1,230 1,780 1,450 1,130 1,350 1,690 630 1,950 INDIAN COKN SOWN AT DIFFERENT DISTANCES BETWEEN ROWS. Three varieties of Indian corn were planted in this test. The seed was planted on land prepared for this variety test as in former years; the distances apart were 21, 28, 35 and 42 inches in each case. The rows planted closer together gave the heaviest yield per acre but the corn was much greener and not so well developed a's it was where the rows were farther apart, up to 35 inches apart, but the corn was as well matured and as well developed at this latter distance as at 42 inches between the rows. The stalks were thinned to about six inches apart in the rows in each case. Indian Corn — Different Distances Apart. Name of Variety. Distanc Apart. Date ^ of Sowing. Condition When Cut. Date When Cut. Weight per Acre Grown in Row.s. Weight ])cr Acre Grown in Hills. Selected Learning 21 inches 28 1, do II 42 1- 21 .1 28 „ 35 ,1 42 ,1 21 ,1 28 II 35 1. 42 M . May 19. . II 19. ,1 19. II 19. II 19. . „ 19. ■1 19. . 1, 19. . „ 19. . II 19. ,1 19. . ,1 19. Ears formed Oct. 9.. .1 9.. 1, 9.. 1- 9.. 1, 9.. II 9.. II 9.. 1, 9.. 1. 9.. .1 9.. II 9.. 1. 9.. Tons. Lbs. 20 1485 16 1094 14 1880 11 345 19 408 16 611 10 160 13 1980 19 1223 15 205 13 1900 11 1591 Tons. Lbs. 21 1840 16 109J II 11 15 810 II II Champion White I'earl II " " If II Early milk. Ni- ears formed Very green, ears formed . Ears formed Karlv milk . ... 11 723 20 731 lb- 528 10 760 13 494 Longfellow Small cobs formed Ears formed 18 19C3 10 ir-20 Early milk 13 D20 Roasting ear 10 6&0 406 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 EXPERIMENTS WITH TURNIPS. Thirteen varieties were sown in thds test, which was made alongside of the mangels. The soil was the same and the preparation of the soil the same. As in former years, the Elephant was one of the best, being a heavy cropper and the roots even in size and smooth with small tops and very little waste. The year has been unfavourable foi turnips as the roots made little growth until late in the season, after the rains came and the weather became cooler. As in previous years, two sowings were made, the first on May 9 and the second on May 23, and all were pulled and weighed on October 31. Two rows of 66 feet each was the size of the plot weighed in the field for this test, but the whole crop was weighed as it was hauled to the root cellar, and the result of the field was practically the same as that of the plots. Turnips — Test of Varieties. J2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Name of Variety. Elephant (Carters) - . Kangaroo Jumbo Skirvings Magnum Bonum Mammoth Clyde Halewoods Bronze Top . Good Luck Hartley's Bronze Hall's Westbury Perfection Swede Bangholm Selected Derby Tons. 28 28 27 25 25 24 21 21 21 20 19 19 17 Yield per Acre. First Plot. Lbs. 1552 232 1968 1744 1612 48 1032 768 240 128 1600 1072 716 Bush. Lbs. 959 937 932 862 860 800 717 712 704 668 660 651 578 12 12 48 24 12 48 12 48 48 12 36 Second Plot. Tons. Lbs. 30 588 1098 28 496 941 36 26 800 880 21 240 704 25 292 838 12 25 292 838 12 21 240 704 22 1012 750 12 20 11S4 686 24 22 852 739 12 19 1992 666 32 17 848 580 48 21 243 704 , , Bush. Lbs. EXPERIMENTS WITH MANGELS. This has been an unfavourable year for mangels, as the cold rains in spring pre- vented the germination of the seed and the stand was uneven in consequence. Eleven varieties were tested under the same conditions. The land was a light sandy loam and had been in clover in 1906, receiving a dressing of about ten loads of manure on the clover stubble. This was turned under early in the spring of 1907, and, after careful preparation, planted in corn. Ploughed and put in good condition early in the spring of 1908, the mangel seed was sown dn two sowings, the first on ]\Iay 9 and the second on May 23 and all were pulled on October 21. The drills were thirty inches apart and in June, when. the plants were well established, they were thinned, where necessary, to about six inches apart in the row. The yield per acre was computed from the yield of two rows each sixty-six feet long. Where there was a fairly even stand, the earliest sowing has yielded the best crop, but, as the first sowing suffered more from the un- favourable spring weather, the comparison, this season, is not a fair one. REPORT OF MR. THOMAS A. SHARPS SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Mangels — Test of Varieties. 407 1^ . 24. „ 23. M 23. u 23 >. 24. >. 24. M 23. ,. 24 „ 25. ,t 23. ,. 24 „ 23. .. 23 .. 24. .. 24 ,. 24. » 25. M 25. M 24. .. 25. „ 25. I. 25. Total Yield per acre. Bush. Lbs. 435 36 407 00 391 36 390 56 367 36 365 12 360 48 352 347 36 338 48 320 40 319 316 48 316 314 36 314 312 24 294 48 272 48 272 272 268 24 264 2.55 11 216 32 Yield per acre market of able. Bush. Lbs. 370 16 355 00 352 36 336 323 16 310 36 270 36 288 40 285 284 288 30 271 10 247 246 12 2J5 24 257 20 266 44 224 218 18 234 231 12 236 12 224 30 200 162 24 Yield per acre of Unmarket- able. Bush. Lbs. 65 20 52 39 54 56 44 20 54 46 90 12 63 20 62 36 54 48 32 10 47 50 69 48 69 48 69 12 56 40 46 40 70 48 54 30 38 40 48 32 12 39 30 55 11 54 8 Form and Colour. Long, flat white. Long, white. Oblong, white. Round, white. Long, pink. Oblong, rose. Long, red. Round, white. Oblong, pink. Long, white. Oblong, white. Round, white. Long, white. Round, rose. Round, white. Long, white. Long, pink. Oblong, rose. Round, white. Long, white. Rouud, red. Ohlong, flat white. Oblong, white. Round, rose. Round white. FODDER PLANTS. The following fodder plants were sown in plots of one-fortieth of an acre each. The land was a light sandy loam that had been given a dressing of stable manure, at the rate of ten loads per acre, which was well worked into the soil with spading harrow and drag and the seed sown May 8. Plot 1. White Round French Millet.— Stalks 18 to 24 inches long, heads 2 to 4 inches. Season too dry and crop light; weight of crop dried, 183 lbs.; 3 tons 132 lbs. per acre. Plot 2. Italian Millet.— Stalks 26 to 30 inches long and fairly leafy. Weight of crop, 297 lbs.; 5 tons, 1,880 lbs. per acre. Plot 3. German Millet. — Stalks 20 to 24 inches long, and fairly leafy, heads 2 to 5 inches. Weight of crop, 131 lbs. ; 2 tons, 124 lbs. per acre. REPORT OF MR. THOMAS A. SHARPS 409 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Plot 4. Pearl Millet. — Stalks 22 to 2-8 inches long, heads very short, a poor stand. Weight of crop, 116 lbs. ; 2 tons, 640 lbs. per acre. Plot 5. Horse Beans. — Sown in drills 21 inches apart. Cut October 8. Length of stalk, 16 to 22 inches, fairly well podded, jwds 1^ to 3 inches long. A very uneven stand. Weight of crop, 300 lbs.; 6 tons per acre. Plot 6. Horse Beans. — Sown in drills 28 inches apart. A very imeven stand, and a light poor crop. Weight of crop, 210 lbs. ; 4 tons, 400 lbs. per acre. Plot 7. Horse Beans. — Drills 35 inches apart. Stalks 20 to 24 inches long, pods short and not well filled. Weight of crop, 198 lbs.; 3 tons, 1,920 lbs. per acre. SUMMAKY OF CEOPS. Tons. Lbs. Tons. Lbs. Hay 80 1,588 Ensilage (com) 89 Total — 160 1,588 Boots — Mangels 8 1,020 Turnips 36 1,700 Carrots 6 1,245 Total — 51 1,965 Fall wheat, 36 bushels 1 160 Eye, 7i bushels 420 Seed oats, 130 bushels 2 420 Seed barley, 28 bushels 1,346 Seed peas, 118 bushels 3 1,080 Spring wheat, 7 bushels 420 Mixed grains grown for feed. ... 14 80 SAMPLES DISTELBUTED. Packages. Scions and cuttings 302 3-lb. samples of seed potatoes 271 3-lb. samples of oats 223 3-lb. samples peas 107 3-lb. samples barley SO 3-lb. samples spring and fall wheat and rye 43 3-lb. samples of Indian corn 61 Nuts, tree seeds, and bulbs 485 1,572 COEEESPONDENCE. Letters received 4,881 Letters despatched 4,717 GAEDEN VEGETABLES. This has been the most unsatisfactory season for vegetables in many years. The ground was kept cold and wet by the frequent showers and lack of sunshine all through the spring, and several plots of the smaller seeds had to be resown, as the seed did not germinate at all, or so feebly that they were valueless, as, when the hot, dry summer weather set dn, many of them were not well rooted and never made a vigorous growth. 410 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Table Beets — Sown April 21. Extra Early Egyptian Blood Turnips. — Only a few seeds germinated. Eit for tabic July 28. Sweet, but not crisp. Early Blood Turnip.— Fit for the table July 28. Very dark blood-red, sweet and of fine flavour. Crimson Globe. — A rapid grower and superior in quality, fit for table July 28. Eclipse. — A quick grower, very smooth shaped, darlv red, of good flavour, fit for table August 10. Long Blood. — Fair quality, but not as good as the early varieties, owing to the very hot, dry weather when making most of their growth. Table Turnips — Sown April 21. Milan Early Purple Crown.— Fit for table June 16. Very crisp, very sweet, of fine flavour, one of the best. Early Snowball. — Very small, a quick grower, sweet and pleasant, fit for table June 18. Early White Strap Leaf. — Early, very white, crisp, sweet. Fit for table June 20. Early Stone. — Good, if forced or grown very rapidly, but not tender or crisp this year, as they made most of 'their growth when the ground was dry and hot. Fit for table July 8. Golden Ball. — ^A strong grower and smooth, with a fair flavour. Fit for table July 22. Radishes — Sown April 7. Early Scarlet Turnip. — Very rapid grower and very crisp, sweet and pleasant. Fit for table May 18. Early Scarlet Tipped. — Fit for table May 18; very smooth, sweet, crisp and pleasant. Crimson Globe. — Round, smooth and handsome, crisp, sweet and good. Fit for table May 20. Olive Gem. — A rapid grower and very flne quality. Fit for table May 20. Long Black Spanish. — Sown July 16. Very poor growth owing to drought, roots small, tough and poor. Scarlet China. — Roots of faiv size, but hot and of rather poor flavour. Lettuce — Sown April 13. Simpson's Early Curled. — A rapid grower, leaves crisp and very fine. Fit for table use May 20. Iceberg. — A vigorous, rapid grower, forming solid heads of crisp, fine flavour; a very good variety. Fit for table May 29. Early Prize Head. — A very fine early-heading variety; heads solid and crisp; very sweet and good. Fit for table May 30. Paris White Cos. — Very fine quality, crisp, sweet. Fit for table July 18. Garden Peas — Sown April 20. Rennie's Extra Early. — Fit for table June 20. Peas of medium size; pods well filled; vines 24 to 30 inches long and productive. Alaska. — An early productive variety of very &ne flavour. Fit for table June 27; vines 24 to 30 inches and productive. REPORT OF MR. THOMAS A. 8HARPE 411 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Thomas Laxton. — Fit for table June 30; pea large, pods long and well filled, ^of very superior quality. American Wonder. — Fit for table July 4. Vines very dwarf but productive; pods medium length, well filled; pea medium size with very fine flavour. Gradus. — Vines 2 J to 3 feet; fairly productive; pods long and well filled with large, very finely flavoured peas. Fit for table July 6. Nott's Excelsior. — Vines 12 to 14 inches and productive; pods long and well filled. Of very good quality. Fit for table July 6. British Wonder. — Fit for table July 8, Vines 24 to 30 inches and very produc- tive; pods long and well filled with large peas of very superior quality. Queen. — Fit for table July 12. Vines 2^ to 3 feet long and productive; pods very long; pea very large and of very fine quality. Duke of Albany.— ^Vines 3 to 3 J feet and moderately productive; pods medium length and well filled with very sweet, fine-flavoured peas. Fit for table July 16. Beans — Planted April 20. Extra Early Valentine. — Fit for table July 8. Pods round, plump and fine flavoured. Vines very productive. New Round Pod Kidney Wax. — Fit for table July 14. Pods 4 to 5 inches long, round, firm, crisp and stringless; a very good variety. Vines strong growers and productive. Dwarf Black Speckled. — Fit for table July 14. Pods small and thin. Vine a weak grower and not productive. Stringless Green Pod. — Fit for table July 20. Pod 4 to 6 inches long; crisp, plump and stringless. Good flavour and vines strong and prodtictive. Wardwell's Kidney Wax. — Fit for table July, 24. Pods 4 to 6 inches long, plump, stringless and of very good flavour. Vines vigorous! and productive. Dwarf Emperor of Russia. — A strong grower and productive. Pods 3 to 5 inches long, plump and crisp. Fit for table July 24. Prolific Golden Wax. — Plants vigorous and fairly productive. Pods medium length, plump, crisp and stringless with good flavour. Fit for table July 26. Refugee. — Vines strong and fairly productive. Pods 3 to 5 inches long, plump and crisp variety. Fit for table July 26. Keeney's Rustless Wax. — Fit for table last of July. Vine a vigorous grower and productive. Pods long, crisp and of very fine flavour. California Pea Bean. — A strong grower and fairly productive. Pods 4 to 6 inches long and fairly well filled with handsome yellowish-white beans of excellent quality. Ripe August 28. Canada Field. — Vines fairly strong and productive. Pods 3 to 5 inches long and well filled with fine, white beans. Ripe last of August. Cabbage. Seeds sown in beds in open garden April 17 and transplanted June 4. First and Best. — A good true header, head solid and of medium size, good quality with a delicate flavour. Fit for table July 8. Extra Early Paris Market. — Heads small but solid, crisp, white, of fine flavour, a very good variety. Fit for table July 10. Early Jersey Wakefield. — Fit for table July 10, heads very solid, crisp, fine quality; a very good variety. 412 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Glory of Enkhuizen. — Fit for table August 4. Heads round, mediiun size, very solid and very sweet, crisp and white. Early Winningstadt. — Heads large, pointed, solid, crisp, and very good quality. Fit for table August 24. Danish Ball Head. — Heads round, medium size, solid and good quality. A very even crop and a regular header. Fall and winter variety. Fottler's Drumhead. — Heads large, flat, very heavy and solid. An even crop, a regular header and an excellent keeper. Giant Brunswick. — A regular, even header; heads very large, flat, round, solid, very crisp and white and of very good quality; an excellent late or winter variety. Mammoth Red Rock. — Heads large, very solid and heavy, very deep red colour and of good flavour. A good keeper. Netted Savoy. — Heads of medium size, very solid and heavy; of very delicate flavour; one of the best. Fit for table early September and keeps well. Savoy Drumhead. — Heads large, flat, circular and solid, very crisp and sweet, very fine quality, and a good winter keeper. Carrots — Sown April 13. Early Scarlet Horn. — Stump rooted and a good cropper, grows rapidly and is very sweet. Fit for table June 19. Chantenay. — A rapid grower and a good cropper, very crisp and sweet. Fit for table June 29. Half Long Scarlet Luc. — Fit for table early in July, crisp and good. Cauliflowers. Sown in open beds April 21 and transplanted June 6. The summer was so dry and hot that the cauliflower plants did not head well and did not endure long after the head developed. Selected Extra Early Dwarf Erfurt. — Heads very small, but firm, crisp, very white and sweet. Fit for table late in July. Extra Early Snowball. — Fit for table July 30. Heads of fair size, very white, firm, crisp and sweet. Lenormand Short Stem, — Heads large and firm, white, crisp and good. Fit for table by the middle of August; stands the heat very well. Autumn Giant. — Fit for table middle of September. Heads large, firm and white, sweet and of very pleasant flavour. Brussels Sprouts. Seed sown in open beds April 17 and transplanted June 2. Improved Half Dwarf. — A medium growth but thickly set with solid sprouts of very fine flavour. Giant. — A tall growing variety and stalk well set with large firm sprouts of excel- lent quality, a good keeper. Brocoll Sown in open beds April 17, transplanted June 2. Early White. — A very reliable heading sort, heads medium large, solid, white, sweet and delicate. Fit for table early in August. Walcheren. — Fit for table middle of August. Heads large, very compact, white, crisp and very good flavour. REPORT OF MR. THOMAS A. SHARPS 413 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Table Corn. Planted in hills three feet apart each way. May 8. Golden Bantam. — Stalks short, ears short, but filled out to tip, com very sweet and of pleasant flavour, remaining tender for a long time. Fit for table August 4. Premo. — Stalks strong and moderately tall, ears fairly large and very perfect, com very sweet and tender. A very fine variety. Fit for table August 8. Ringleader. — Stalks of medium size, vigorous and productive, ears of medium size, very well filled out to tip ; corn very sweet and tender. Fit for table August 12. Early Market. — Stalks fairly tall and stout. Ears 6 to 9 inches long, corn sweet and remains in good table condition for a long time. Fit for table August 22. Early White Cory. — Stalks short but productive. Ears from 4 to 6 inches long ; a good size and well filled out, grains large, very sweet and finely flavoured, very good variety. Fit for table August 14. Crosby's Early Sugar. — Stalks of medium height, stout and productive, ears 6 to 9 inches long, well filled out to tip with plump grains, very sweet and of a delicious flavour. Fit for table September 8. White Rice Pop Corn. — Stalks 36 to 44 inches long, ears slender and from 3 to 5 inches long, sometimes four ears on a stalk. Ripe early in October. Onions — Sown April 13. Large Red Wethersfield. — Medium size, solid, even in size and mild flavoured. An excellent keeper. Trebons Large Yellow. — A good cropper, onions solid, mild, sweet, pleasant, but many go to necks and do not ripen well. Red Wonder. — An early ripening variety of medium size and good quality, a good keeper. Yellow Globe Danvers. — A good main crop variety as it bottoms evenly with small necks. Bulbs solid and crisp, of a good flavour and an excellent keeper. Australian Brown. — An early variety and an even grower; bulbs very uniform in size and a very good keeper. Pumpkins — Planted May 18 and 19. Large Field. — A very strong grower and productive. Pumpkins large, and very thick meated. Jumbo. — A strong grower; pumpkins very large, coarse, only fit for stock feed. Quaker Pie. — Vines vigorous and very productive. Fruit of medium size, creamy- yellow in skin and flesh, which is thick and fine grained. Large Cheese. — Vines strong and productive; pumpkins large, orange colour, flesh yellow, fine grained, of very good flavour. Squash. White Bush Scalloped. — Vines bushy and very productive. Squash 3 to 6 inches in diameter. Fit for table August 10. Of very pleasant flavour. Giant Crookneck. — Vines vigorous and very productive, squash much larger than the common crookneck. Fit for table August 20. English Vegetable Marrow. — Vine a strong grower and very productive, squash 10 to 16 inches long, skin greenish-yellow, flesh thick, of very fine flavour. Fit for table August 29. 414 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Delicata. — Vine a very strong grower and very productive. Squash small, 5 to 6 inches in diameter, globular, solid and fine grained, a good keeper and of fine quality. Golden Hubbard. — Similar to the Green Hubbard, but reddish-orange, skin very thick fleshed, fine grained and of fine table qualities, a good keeper. Delicious. — Vine medium in growth and productive. Squash 7 to 15 pounds in weight, and thick fleshed, of very fine quality for table and a good keeper. Celery. Sown in open beds April 13 and transplanted June 24. The land, being a sandy gravelly loam, is not good for celery, and this summer was so dry and hot that the plants did not grow until late and the quality was not very fine. White Plume. — A fair grower, stalks firm and pleasant in taste. Fit for table September. Giant Pascal. — A strong grower with large solid heads of very good flavour; a late variety and a good keeper. New Rose. — A very handsome grower and very finely flavoured, crisp, sweet and nutty. APPLES. The spring was very unfavourable for all the large fruits. The weather during March, April, May and the first half of June was cold and showery, the prevailing winds being north and northeast, with very little sunshine, and the fruit did not set. There have been no new varieties to report this year, but several that have fruited for several years are worthy of a place on the list of fruits adapted to British Columbia. Beauty of Bath. — Tree a strong grower and a regular producer of fair crops. Fruit of medium size, greenish russet with a blush. Flesh white, crisp, mildly acid. Season last of July. Lord Sudley. — Tree a healthy free grower and productive. Fruit of medium size, bright yellow, striped and splashed with bright red. Flesh white, crisp, juicy, very pleasant, with a sprightly flavour. Season August. American Rambour. — Tree a healthy strong grower, and a regular cropper. Fruit above medium size, very handsome, with red stripes over an almost clear yellow skin. Flesh yellowish, firm, juicy, mildly acid, very pleasant. Season September. Cornish Gilliflower. — Tree a fair grower and a regular producer. Fruit of medium size and very uniform, skin russet yellow, with a fine blush. Flesh yellowish, crisp, fine-grained, juicy, with a rich flavour. Season November to February. Red Reinette. — Tree a strong spreading grower and a regular producer. Fruit of medium size, very uniform. Skin bright yellow, with a handsome blush in the sun. Flesh yellowish white, fine-grained, crisp, juicy, mild, pleasantly sub-acid. Season December and January. Red Eiser. — Tree a strong grower and a fine producer. Fruit above medium size, very uniform, smooth and handsome, yellow with bright red over nearly the whole surface. Flesh yellowish white, crisp, fine-grained, juicy, mild, pleasantly acid, of good flavour. Season January and March. Queen of the Pippins. — Tree a strong upright grower and a regular producer of heavy crops. Fruit of medium size or above and fairly uniform. Skin bright yellow splashed with bright red. Flesh yellowish white, firm, crisp, aromatic, mildly acid. Season November to February. COMMERCIAL ORCHARDS. No additions were made to the commercial apiole orchard, but several varieties have been budded and these will be planted out as soon as they are fit. REPORT OF MR. THOMAS A. SHARPE 415 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Several of the first planted trees bore fruit this year. The twelve trees of Ontario produced this year 305 lbs. of fruit, 228 lbs. No. 1 large handsome apples without a blemish, 40 lbs. of No. 2, smaller than No. 1, but clean and fine fruit, and 37 lbs. of more or less blemished apples. Eleven out of the twelve trees of this variety planted in the spring of 1905, fruited this year, and all made a fine healthy gTOwth. These trees were two years old when planted. Jonathan. — Produced 80 lbs. No. 1, good size, well coloured and without blemish, and 30 lbs. No. 2, good colour and clean, but too small to rate as No. 1. Eight trees fruited, two died and the other two made a fine growth. Salome. — Produced 67 lbs. of fruit aU of which was full size, well coloured and free from blemishes. Only four trees fruited, but all made a fine healthy growth and are very promising for another year. These trees were all one-year old when planted in the spring of 1905. Mother. — This variety produced 45 lbs. No. 1, large well coloured handsome apples and 9 lbs., smaller but well coloured apples. Eleven trees made a healthy growth and nine trees produced each a little fruit. This variety produced a few apples in 1906, the second year after planting and a few again in 1907. Monmouth Pippin. — Eleven trees are alive and have made a strong growth; one is dead. Eour trees fruited and produced 52 lbs. of apples, 40 lbs. of which was No. 1, and 12 lbs. smaller apples, but without blemish. King. — The twelve trees of this variety planted in the spring of 1905 have grown very well, and this year five trees fruited, producing 44 lbs. of fruit, 36 lbs. extra large and handsome, very well coloured and free from blemish; 8 lbs. No. 2, perfect and well coloured, but smaller than the No. 1. Grimes' Golden. — The twelve trees of this variety planted in the spring of 1905 are all alive and in fine thrifty condition. This variety commenced fruiting the second year after planting, having produced several apples on several of the trees in 1906, and again in 1907. In 1908 four trees produced 20 lbs. of fair, smooth apples of good size, all No. 1. Aiken. — Of the twelve trees of this variety planted in the spring of 1905, ten are alive and in thrifty condition. There were 12 lbs. of fruit produced this season, but all of it was too small to grade any better than No. 2 for this variety. The foliage is not as luxuriant as on most of the other varieties in this orchard and a dry summer affects it more readily, as shown by the fruit being small and poor. The "Winter Banana, Wagener, Coxs', Orange Pippin and Rhode Island Greening are too young to bear but look very promising, and fruit may be exx)ected on some of them next year. Apple Orchard No. 4. This orchard is composed of varieties which were not considered of sufficiently high commercial value to include them in the commercial orchard, and yet were deserving of further comparative test. Four trees will be planted of each variety selected. Some of these have been procured and a number will be propagated here from varieties which are not very much known in the west, but which, on further trial, may be desirable commercial varieties in other sections of British Columbia, if not here, as the climate and conditions vary so widely in such comparatively short distances. Scions of a great many apples have been sent out from time to time for a number of years, and those who received them are beginning to report progress. Some of the varieties not commonly listed by nurserymen are giving satisfaction as producers of good fruit and as being adapted to the conditions where they are planted. It is partly with a view to have scions true to name for carrying on this work that some of these varieties are being continued in this new orchard. 416 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 ^ PEARS. The pear crop was a very light one this year and there are no new varieties to rc'jyort on. The trees have not been troubled with disease or insects, they have made a satisfactory growth and are promising for another year. Of the varieties reported on in previous years, that are not generally known in this province, the following deserve mention. Marguerite Marillat. — Tree a strong upright grower, and a regular hearer. Fruit large, obtuse, pyriform. Skin a greenish yellow, sprinkled with gray dots and a hand- some blush on the sunny side. Flesh white, juicy, swe<3t, buttery, very pleasant flavour. Season, last of August and early September. Marie Lesueur. — Tree a strong grower, with very luxuriant foliage; a free pro- ducer. Fruit above medium size, obovate, acute, pyriform, skin greenish yellow, with a few patches of russet. Flesh white, buttery, very juicy, sweet, of a very pleasant flavour. Season early September, Delpierre. — Tree a fair grower and a regular producer. Fruit moderately large, obovate, acute, pyriform. Skin yellowish, sprinkled with brown dots. Flesh whitish, juicy, fine grained, sweet, vinous, of good flavour. Season, September. Conference. — Tree a vigorous grower and a free producer. Fruit large, oblong, pyriform; skin dull yellow with patches of russet. Flesh whitish, juicy, buttery, sweet, of very fine flavour. Season, early October. Bon Vicaire. — Tree a strong upright grower with very rich foliage. Fruit large, oblong, pyriform; skin greenish yellow with small stripes and patches of russet, and a bright red blush in the sun; flesh whitish, fine grained, juicy, sweet, with a very fine aromatic flavour, a very good variety. Season, early October. Durondeau. — Tree a free, slender grower, and a free producer. Fruit above medium in size, acute pyriform. Skin yellow nearly overspread with a warm russet and a handsome russet blush in the sun with many brown dots. Flesh white, very fine grained, juicy, sweet, vinous, with a rich flavour. Season, October. Pierre Corneille. — Tree a vigorous upright grower and an early and free producer. Fruit of medium size, obovate, acute pyriform; skin a rich russet. Flesh whitish, buttery, melting, juicy, very sweet, with a rich high flavour; a very good variety. Season, October. Eva Baltet.— Tree a strong healthy grower with fine foliage; fruit large, obtuse pyriform, stalk short and fleshy. Skin greenish yellow with many brown dots and a russet red blush on the sunny side, yellowish, juicy, buttery, sweet and fine flavour. Season, October. Fondante Thirriot. — Tree a slender but vigorous grower, and a very free pro- ducer. Fruit large, obtuse pyriform. Skin greenish yellow with many gray dots. Flesh white, juicy, fine grained, sweet, vinous. Season, last of October and early November. Ferdinand Gaillard. — Tree a strong vigorous grower, and an early and free producer. Fruit of medium size, obttrse pyriform; skin, handsome greenish yellow, freely sprinkl'ed with russet dots, and sometimes a faint blush. Flesh yellowish. juicy, melting, sweet, somewhat vinous and perfumed. Season, early November and December. Alexander Lucas. — Tree a vigorous upright grower aiid an early bearer. Fruit large, obovate, obtuse pyriform. Skin greenish yellow with many russet dots, and small patches of russet about stalk and calyx and a reddish cheek in the sun. Flesh white, very juicy, sweet, buttery, vinous, aromatic. Season, November and December, Doyenne Madame Corneau. — Tree a sflrong upright grtower and an early and free producer. Fruit of medium size, obovate, skin greenish yellow, with splashes of russet REPORT OF MR. THOMAS A. SHARPE 417 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 .and many gray dots. Flesh white, very juicy, fine gra-ined, ahiiost buttery, very sweet with a fine pleasant flavour. Season January to March. President Fortier. — A free grower and producer. Fruit above medium size, obovate, acute, pyriform; skin smooth, yellowish green, freely sprinkled with gray dots. Flesh whitish, very juicy and very sweet, with a rich pleasant flavour. Sea- son, January and February. L'Ineonnue. — Tree a vigorous, upright grower, and an early and very free pro- ducer. Fruit of medium size, oval pyriform. Skin, yellow with a few patches of russet and freely sprinkled with russet dots. Flesh white, juicy, melting, very sweet with a rich pleasant flavour. Season, January to March. There are several others of very considerable merit which require two or three years longer to show whether they would be commercially profitable, or only suited to the amateur. PLUMS. The plum crop was light in some varieties, especially those which bloomed the earliest, but the dry, clear summer developed the fruit in a healthy way and there was very little rot. Many of the varieties in our experimental orchards are too small to be profitable and not small enough to be classed with the damsons. There are, however, a number of very superior plums in the newer varieties of the ' domestica ' class and these will be propagated and given a more extended trial in the commercial plum orchard. COMMERCIAL PEAR ORCHARD. A commercial pear orchard was begun in the spring of 1907 and will be added to from time to time as varieties of suflicient merit are tested in the experimental orchard. The following varieties are planted: Doyenne du Cornice. Bartlet, Beurre Clairgeau, Princess, Dr. Jules Guyot, Howell and Emile d'Heyst. Several varieties have been grafted and are in nursery and will be planted later on. COMMERCIAL PLUM ORCHARD. A small commercial orchard of select plums of good size and quality, and resistent to the rot, has been planted and the trees have mostly done very well. This orchard will be enlarged with several of the newer European varieties. The following varieties are already in this orchard : Niagara, Duane's Purple, Washington, Curlew and Prince's Red Gage. All these are strong growing and productive varieties, fine looking and good shippers, and are very regular and free producers and fairly resistant to the plum rot. A number of other valuable varieties are being propagated and will be planted out later on. CHERRIES. The weather was wet and cold for some time previous to, during, and after the cherries blossomed and the crop of fruit was very small in consequence. No new varietios fruited, for, although several young trees blossomed, no fruit set. The Heart and Bigarrcau cherries are not a commercial success in this valley, owing to the frequent recurrence of unfavourable weather in spring when the trees are in bloom and also to the showery weather when the fruit is ripening. The following is a list of the most satisfactory sorts : Angleterre Ilative, Olivet, Empress Eugenie, De Planchoury, Von der Natte, Shadow Amarelle and Vladimir. 16—27 418 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 PEACHES. Two varieties (named) and one seedling' poach on the level land bore, this year, a few peaches each. The seedling fruit is above medium size, yellowish-white with a red cheek, but was taken before fully matured and, consequently, no description can be given. The trees Amsden, Hale's Early, Early Silver and Early Orawford in the second and third mountain orchards had a small crop but these were taken before quite ripe. APRICOTS. The weather was wet and cold with cold winds during the blossoming of the apricot trees and no fruit set. MEDLAES. The medlars were very late in blooming this year, not being fully out until June, but they set a full crop as usual. MULBEERIES. All the mulberry trees set a full crop of fruit, but, the trees being on light sandy land the dry hot weather affected them and the fruit was smaller and less juicy* than in former years. PERSIMMONS. Two persimmon trees blossomed and set fruit but did not develop or mature. SMALL FRUITS. The hot, dry weather which we had from the last of June until well on in August was very trying to all the small fruits. The raspberries, red and white, and blackcaps suffered most, in fact were almost a failure. The currants and blackberries suffered very little, as will be seen in the following reports: — RED AND WHITE CURRANTS. All the better sorts of red, white and black currants bore a good crop of fine fruit. The bushes had been well mulched in the autumn previous, and pruned during winter, and the currants were nearly ripe before the dry weather began. REPORT OF MR. THOMAS A. SHARPE 419 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 The following are the varieties which we find best here, out of 41 sorts tested. Name. fee •S June 23. M 23. M 25. M 25. „ 25. „ 2G M 26. u 27 - 27. M 28. „ 18. „ 28. „ 28. ,. 28. Growth of Plant. Size of Fruit. Quality. Productive- ness. Red Cherry Vigorous — ir ... Large, medium.. II Large II Large, medium.. II . . II Medium II 11 ........ Large, medium.. Large Medium 11 Sweet, very good quality II 11 .... 11 II ... 11 II .... Verv Erood Qualitv Productive. London Red II White (Jrape Rahy Castle La Fertile II It II II Prince Albert Evatt's New Sweet, ffood quality La Turinese A little acid, good quality. . . II II ... Sweet, good quality Very good quality Gontloin Red Large White Branden- burg White Pearl Victoria II II Besides the above, the following varieties have been tested but found less valuable here. White Transparent, "White Gondoin, Eed Dutch, Knight's Early Eed, North Star, New Red Dutch, White Dutch, Fay's Prolific, Moore's Ruby, Versailles, No. 51 (L.S.), Langstraubige, White Esperin, Rankin's Red, Large White Frauendorfer, Verrier's White, Chenonceau, De la Rochepoze, Ringens, Beauty of St. Giles, Cham- paigner, English Eed, Rouge Admirable, Large Red, White Kaiser, White Imperial. BLACK CURRANTS. There are forty-four varieties of Black Currants under test ; of these the following have been found the best. Name. Dominion Middlesex Merveille de la Gironde Prince of Wales Boskoop Giant Black Naples London Lee's Prolific Pearce Victoria Climax Date of Ripen- ing. July 3.. o II ,, 3 tl 6 II 6 M 6 „ 6 tl 6 11 7 II 7 II 1 Growth of PLmt. Vigorous Size of Fruit. Large medium Quality. Mild, sweet, good quality Slightly acid, good quality Large jSweet, very good quality Very large u h Large 'Sweet, good quality I Medium large. | n n Medium I Mild, good quality Largo . . . Medium . Sweet, good quality. Mild, good quality . . Productive- ness. Productive. Besides the above there are the following varieties which are not so good, being lacking in one or more quality. Lennox, Bang Up, Gewohnliche, Eclipse, Ster- ling, Kerry, Perry, Ruler, Madoc, Kentish Hero, Ambrafarbige, Charmer, Beaudry, Ontario, Eagle, Lanark, Baldwin, Wood, Louise, Stuart, Kentville, Success, Star, Champion, Ethel, Parker, Monarch, Bella, Norton, Oxford, Orton and Henry. 16— 27i 420 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 BLACKBERKIES. The blackberries w^re a good crop and good in quality, not suffering from the dry, hot weather as did the raspberries. They are always satisfactory shippers, as they hold their position firmly in the boxes and will thus carry a considerable distance without injury to the berries. They command a ready sale and good prices. The fol- lowing are some of the varieties found most satisfactory here: — ^'ame. Date of Ripen- ing. Growth of Plants. Size of Fruit. Quality. Productive- ness. Early King Agawani July 18 M 20 „ 22 „ 22 „ 23 M 23 M 23 1, 24 ,. 25 ,. 27 M 27 „ 28 Aufr. 1 to Oct. 1.. Vigorous It , . n . . n . . 11 . . " If 't . . II • • II . . II . . II . . Large Large medium Very large Large Firm, sweet, good quality . . . Firm, good quality Productive. El(Joi«,do Firm, sweet and very good qua- lity, perhaps the best we have Firm, sweet, good quality . . . Firm, good quality Firm, very good quality Firm, good quality Stone's Hardy II Maxwell ,1 Erie Taylor Ohiiier Large medium 11 II II Medium •1 .... ,, Tecumseh II 11 Snyder II 11 Firm, sweet, good quality Firm, good quality Very firm, fair in quality when very ripe Lawton Taylor's Prolific Oregon Everbearing . . II 11 ,1 Besides the above, a number of other varieties have been tested but none of these are equal in quality here to those on the list. RED AND YELLOW RASPBERRIES. There have been 75 varieties of red and yellow raspberries under test, and although many of these have proven inferior here, there are a large number which give good crops of fine berries. The following have been uniformly good for a number of years. Name. Phoenix Pauline Duke of Brabant Northumberland Fill Basket All Summer London Saiah Cuthbert Herbert French Vice-President Oolden Queen L^rge Yellow Date of Ripening Tune 23. II 25. 1. 25. July 1. 1 2. 4. rjrowth of Plant. Vigorous. Size of Berry. Large Quality. Firm, sweet, good quality. Firm, sweet, good. Continues long in bearing Firm, good quality Very large Firm, a little acid but good quality. . . Medium.. Firm, sweet, good quality, continues long in bearing Firm, good quality Firm, sweet, rich flavour, very good quality, continues long in bearing, one of the most desirable Large .... Firm, sweet, very good quality [Medium . . jFirm, good quality I Very large Firm, sweet, good quality 'T rge .... jFirm, sweet, very good quality I II ! Firm, good quality Produc- tiveness. Produc tive. REPORT OF MR. THOMAS A. SHARPE 421 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Besides the above the following varieties have been tested, all of which are, with US, lacking in some one or more desirable qualities. Battler's Giant, Paragon, Charles, Hornet, Carter's Prolific, Belle de Fontenay, Baumforth's Seedling, Muskingum, Turner, Franoonia, Hudson River Antwerp, Thompson, White Antwerp, Columbia, Arnold's Hybrid, Red Herrenhauser, Sugar of Metz, Carleton, Empire, Sharpe, Muriel, Craig, Autumn, Surprise, Kn'e\'its Giant, La Mercier, Guinea, Garnet, Mary, Peircy, Fastolf. Marlboro, Clarke, Heebner, Norwich Wonder, King, Chili, Garfield, Shaffer's Colossal, Queen Victoria, Sir John, Cariboo, Col. Wilder, Brinckle's Orange, Goliath, Lizzie, Miller, Minnie, Beehive, Spineless Yellow, Ye'llow Antwerp, Malta, Bamet, Lady Anne, Nonpareil, Billard's Perpetual, Prince of Wales, Champion, Crimson Beauty and Hansel. BLACK CAP RASPBERRIES. Last season was very trying for the Black Cap raspberries. From the tim^ that they were two-thirds grown until past their ripening, the weather was so hot and dry that the berries dried on the canes and of the 19 varieties here under trial, not one was up to the usual size or quality or even worth picking. METEOROLOGICAL RECORD. Date of Highest Temperature. 1908. April 29 May 12 June 30 July 21 August 18. . . . September 5 . October 7 November 12 December 16 . 1909. January 27. . February 21. March 25 Totals . 3 a, S D 73 70 91 92 96 79 74 57 56 46 50 71 Date of Lowest Temperature. April 21 & 28. May 30 June 13 July 21 August 31 September 29. October 13. . . . November 27. December G . . •January 8. Feliruary 9. March 19. . c3 a, 33 35 41 42 42 36 32 32 20 15 30 Rain- fall Inche ■60 •66 •28 ■60 •24 •90 •93 •45 •42 3-28 538 23 42-77 Sno'w- fall. Inches. 115 125 Sunshine. Hrs. Min. 117 24 119 48 164 . 244 6 298 24 102 42 91 18 48 30 63 12 27 12 39 30 128 42 1,444 48 Total rainfall for year ending March 31, ir09 42 77 Total snow fall reduced to rainfall 1 25 Total precipitation 44 02 Total precipitation for year ending March 31, 1908 55 40 I have the honour to be, sir. Your obedient servant, TIIOS. A. SHARPE, Superintendent. 9-10 EDWARD VII. SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 A. 1910 INDEX Page. Agriculturist, report of the 65 Beef production 75-78 Baby beef 79-81 Cattle, general remarks 66 Dairy 67 Feeding the dairy 67 Grade 66 Steers 66 Pure bred breeding 66 Crops, comparative statement of from 1899 to 1908 dncluisive 88 Dairy Cattle — Feeding 67 Herds 69-74 Herd records for year 70-72 Dairy cow records 73 Financial statement of 200 acre farm. 86 Horses — Number and breeding 66 Used for 67 Distribution of labour 67 Cost of labour 67 Letter of transmittal 65 Live stock, general 66 Live stock, inventories 86 Live stock, summary of operations.. 86 Rotations, comparative values of, on stock farms 93 Rotations, exDeriments with 92 Rotations, reports on 89-101 Stables, ventilation of.. 75 Swine- Breeds kept 66 Feeding Sows 82 Number on hand 66 Pig-feeding experiments 82-86 Cerealist— Report of the 199 Acknowledgments 199 Baking Tests 201 Barley, six-row 215 Beardless 215 Earliest varieties of 215 Hulless.. .. 215 Most productive varieties of 215 Test of varieties of 215 Albert 215 Bere 215 Black Japan 215 Blue Long Head 215 Champion 215 Claude 215 Eclipse 215 Empire 215 Escourgeon 215 Manchurian 215 Mandscheuri 215 Mansfield 215 Mensury 2'5 Nugent 215 Oderbruch 215 Odessa 215 Small Blue Naked 215 Stella 215 Trooper 215 Yale 215 . V Page. Cerealist — Report of the — Con. Barley, two-row 216 Beardless 216 Earliest varieties of 216 Hulless 216 Most productive varieties of 216 Test of varieties of 216 Archer Chevalier 216 Beaver 216 Black two-row 216 Brewer's Favoiirite 216 Canadian Thorpe 216 Caucasian Hulless 216 Clifford 216 Danish Chevalier 216 Early Chevalier 216 French Chevalier 216 Gordon 216 Hannchen 216 Hofbrau 216 Invincible 216 Jarvis 216 Jewel 216 Old Irish 216 Primus 216 Princess 216 Sidnev 216 Standwell 216 Swan's Neck 216 Swedish Chevalier 216 Beans, field 218 Beets, sugar.. , 221 Branch Farms, Visit to 200 Bread 208 Carrots 221 Cereals in small plots 208 Corn, see Indian corn Crossing and selection of cereals.. .. 200 Damp wheat 206 Distribution of seed grain 204 Effect of storage on wheat and flour.. 205 Emmer and Spelt 212 Test of varieties of 213 Common Emmer 213 Double Eramer 213 Red Emmer 213 Red Spelt 213 Smooth Spelt 213 P^eltz 213 Thick Emmer 213 White Emmer 213 White Spelt 213 Field Roots 219 Flax .. .. 219 Grain sown dn different quantities on clay loam 218 Indian corn 222 Sown at different distances 222 Test of varieties of 222 Mangels 220 Milling and Baking Tests 204, Oats 213 Earliest varieties of 214 Most protluctive varieties of 214 Test of varieties of 214 424 EXPERIMESTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Page Cerealist — Report of the — Con. Oats— Con. Abundance 213 American Triumph 214 Atlantic 214 Banner B 214 Bell 214 Bergs 214 Black Mesdag 214 Chinese Naked 214 Colossal 214 Danish Island 214 Daubeney Selected 214 Dinauer 214 Early Ripe 214 Excelsior 214 Fichtel Mountain 214 Garten's Abund-ance 211 Golden Beauty 214 Golden Gdant 214 Goldfinder 214 Gold Rain 214 Green Russian 214 Improved American 214 Improved Ligowo 214 Irish Victor 214 Joanette 213 Kendal White 214 Kirsche 214 Lincoln 214 Mennonite 214 Milford White 214 Pioneer 214 Siberian 214 Sixty Day 214 Storm King 214 Swedish Ligowo 214 Swedish Select 214 Tartar King 214 Thousand Dollar 214 Tlola 214 Twentieth Centurv 214 Virginia White 214 Welcome 214 White Giant Selected 214 White Wonder 214 Whiting 214 Wide Awake 214 Peas 216 Earliest varieties of 217 Most productive varieties of 217 Test of varieties of 217 Potatoes, field plots of 223 Roots, field 2W Rve, spring 217 Winter 218 Seed distribution 204 Seed selection for farmers 203 Selection, Methods of 200 Spelt, See Emmer. Storage, Effect of, on wheat and flour. 20i Turnips 219 Weather 209 Uniform test plots of cereals 208 Wheat, Durum or Macaroni 211 Baking Tests of 205 Test of varieties of 211 Beloturka 211 Goose 211 Kubanka 211 Roumanian 211 Wheat, Spring 209 Baking Tests of 2W Earliest varieties of 210 Page. Cerealist — Report of the — Con. \V heat. Spring — Con. Most productive varieties of 210 Test of varieties of • 210 Alpha Selected 209 Aurora 209 Bishop A 210 Bobs 209 Chelsea 210 Downy Riga 209 Early Red Fife 209-210 Early Russian 210 Ebert Selected 209 Gatiueau 210 Hungarian White 209 Huron Selected 210 Marquis 210 Outlook 210 Percy A 210 Preston H 210 Pringle's Champlain C 210 Prospect 210 Red Fern 210 Red Fife B 209 Red Fife H 210 Red Fife M 210 Spence Yellow 210 Stanley A 210 White Fife C 210 White Russian 210 Yellow Cross 210 Yellow Fife 210 Yellow Queen 210 Wheat, Winter 211 Baking Tests of 205 Recommended varieties of 212 Test of varieties of 212 Cliemist — Report of the 137 Acetate of lead, analysis of 182 Acknowledgments 139 Agricultural bluestone, composition of 188 Agricultural powder, composition of.. 188 Alfalfa, inoculation for the growth of 137-158 Alfalfa hay from inoculated and un- inoculated plots, composition of.. .. 159 Apple pomace from cider mill 168-172 Apple pulp from cannery 168-171 Arsenate of lead, analyses of 178-180 Arsenate of lead sprays, formulae for. 183 Arsenate of lead, home made 181 Arsenite of lime sprays 183 Arsenite of lime and Bordeaux mix- ture 183 Arsenate of soda, analyses of 182 Ashes from manure 164 Ashes from muck 165 Ashes wood, from Nelson, B.C 164 Ashes wood, from Billing's Bridge, Ont 164 Bents' Milk albumen 168-171 Boiler scales and flue dust, composition of .. 166 Bordeaux mixture and arsenite of lime 183 Bordeaux mixture, Campbell's Im- proved 185 Bordeaux lead arsenate mixtures.. ..185-186 Bordeaux mixture powder, Grasselli's. 185 Bordeaux mixture paste, Grasselli's.. 185 Bordeaux mixture paste, Vanco.. .. 185 Carrots, composition of 175 Copper sulphate bi-product 188 Corn products 167-168 I^'DEX 425 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Page. Chemist — Report of the — Con. Cottou seed meal 167-169 Cypher's Daniel Egg Mash 168-170 Dogfish scrap, composition of 159 Elevator dusts 167-170 Feeding stuffs Act 172 Fertilizing materials 138-159 Ashes from manure, composition of.. 164 Ashes from muck, composition of.. 165 Ashes wood, from Nelson, B.C.. .. 164 Ashes wood, from Billing's Bridge, Ont 164 Boiler scales and flue dust, composi- tion of 166 Fish iscrap from dogfish reduction works, composition of 159 Gypsum from Tobique, N.-B 163 Manure (cow), composition of.. .. 165 Marl from St. Raymond, Man., com- position o+' 162-163 Muck from St. Stephen, N.B., com- position of 160 Muck from Grand Manan, N.B., com- position of 161 Mud from Mahone Bay, N.S., com- position of 161 Mud (mussel) from Souris, P.E.I., composition of 162 Flax screenings 167-170 Flax screenings and wheat 167-170 Flours from winter wheats grown at Lethbridge and Lacombe Alta. .142-143-144 Flour, influence of age on ..144-145 Fodders and feeding stuffs, composition of 138-166-167-168 Apple pomace 168-172 Apple pulp from cannery 168-171 Bent's milk albumen 168-171 Corn products 167-168 Cotton seed meal 167-169 Cypher's Daniel Egg mash 168-170 Elevator dust 167-170 Fine Flax screenings 167-170 Moulee 167-170 Oat products 167-169 Pea products 167-169 Small seeds from wheat 167-170 Spike— rush 1"2 Wheat and flax screenings 167-170 Wheat products 167-169 Formaldehyde 189 Gypsum from Tobique, N.B 163 Hart's Casein test 192 Inoculation for the growth of Alfalfa. 137-158 Insecticides and fungicides 138-178 Acetate of lead, analyses of 182 Agricultural bluestone 188 Agricultural powder .^ 188 Arsenate of lead, analysis of 178-180 Arsenate of lead, home-made.. .. 181 Arsenate of lead sprays, formulae for 183 Arsenate of Soda, analysis of 182 Arsenite of lime sprays 183 Arsenite of lime and Bordeaux mix- ture 183 Bordeaux lead arsenate mixtures. .185-186 Bordeaux mixture powder, Camp- bell's Improved ■• 185 Bordeaux mixture paste, Grasselli's. 185 Bordeaux mixture powder, Gras- selli's 185 Bordeaux mixture, paste, Vance. .. 185 Copper sulphate bi-product 188 Page. Chemist — Report of the — Con. Insecticides and fungicides — Con. Formaldehyde 189 Lime sulphur washes 187 Legumes, enrichment of soils through the growth of 157-158 Lime sulphur washes 187 Mangels, composition of 173-174 Manure ashes, composition of 165 Manure (cow) composition of 165 Marl from St. Raymond, Man, composi- tion of 162-163 Meat Inspection Division, samples from 139 Moulee, composition of 167-J70 Muck ashes, composition of..» 165 Muck from St. Stephen, N.B., com- position of 160 Muck from Grand Manan, N.B. com- position of 161 Mud from Mahone Bay, N.S., com- position of 161 Mud (mussel) from Souris, P.E.I,, com- position of 162 Oat products 167-169 Pea products 167-169 Pomace (apple) from cider mill.. ..168-172 Pulp (apple) from cannery 168-171 Radn, fertilizing value of 138-190 Roots, influence of inherited qualities. 176 Roots relative value of 173 Carrots, composition of 175 Mangels, composition of 173-174 Turnips, composition of 174-175 Samples received for examination and report 138 Small seeds from wheat 167-170 Snow, fertilizing value of 138-190 Soils alkali, from Cranbrook, B.C 156 from Ducks, B.C 155 from Windermere, B.C.. 156 from Winona, Ont.. .. 157 Soils from Upper Columbia and East Kootenay, B.C 137-151-152 Soils, enrichment of through growth of legumes 157-158 Spike-rush, analysis of 172 Sugar beets for factory purposes.. .. 176 Turnips, composition of 174-175 Well waters *rom farm homesteads. .138-193 Wheat and flax screenings 167-170 Wheat, effect of dampness on the qua- lity of 147 Influence of age on 144 Influence of environment on the compo- sition of 137-140 Products 167-168 " Tough ", composition of 148 Winter, grown at Lethbridge and Lacombe, Alta 141 Director — Report of the 3 Acknowledgments 35 Bulletins issued during 1908 32 Bulletin on the Grades of Wheat.. .. 32 Bulletin on Herbaceous Perennials 32 Bulletin on crops for 1908 33 Contents of General Report 3 Convention, Irrigation and dry farm- ing 35 Co-operative experiments by farmers throughout Canada 10 Correspondence 1" 426 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Page Director — E-eport of the — Con. Correspondence at Branch Experimen- tal Farms 18 Crops, action of fertilizers on 18 Crops in British Columbia 6 Centraa Alberta 6 " Manitoba 5 " Maritime provinces 5 Ontario 5 Quebec 5 " Saskatchewan 6 Distribution of seed grain by pro- vinces . ! 10 Distribution of seed grain, number of packages sent out 11 Ellis, Wm., reports of.._ 12-17 Experiments with fertilizers on Barley 22 Indian Corn 26 Oats 2t Mangels 29-31 Turnips 29-31 Spring Wheat 20 Farm crops throughout the Dominion. 5 Fertilizers, special experiments with.. 18 Fort Vermilion, Peace Kiver — Experiments at 6 " with barley G " beans 8 " oats 8 " peas 8 " " spring wheat. ... 7 " fruits 7 " " vegetables 7 " " hardy trees.shrubs and plants.. .. 7 Ladoga wheat at 7 Meteorological records at 8 Season of 1907-8 7 Weather compared with Ottawa 9 Wheat produced in this district.. .. 7 Grain distribution of, for improvement of seed 10-12 Grain tests for germination, table of, for each province 13-15 Journeys through the West 33 Letter of transmittal 3 Meteorological observations 16 Pamphlets Issued. Grain crops in Saskatchewan 33 Hot-bed and cold frame ' .. 33 Asparagus, Celery and Onions.. .. 33 Peace River Experiments in Agriculture and Horticulture at.. .. 6 Peace Iliver, Experiments in grown at 6 Rainfall for past nineteen years.. .. IG Reports and Bulletins distribution of. 17 Reports on journeys made 33 Seed grain, distribution of 10 Seed grain, distribution, benefits of 12 Seeds, tests of vitality of 12 Sunshine, records of 17 Experimental Farm, Nappan, N.S.. 34 Visit to Experimental Farm, Brandon, Man 33 Visit to Experimental Farm, Indian Head, Sa.sk.. 33 Visit to Experimental Farm, Agassiz, B.C 34 Visit to Experimental Farm, Lacombe, Alberta 34 Visit to Experimental Farm, Leth- bridge. Alberta 33 Paob. Director— R-eport of the— Con. Vitality Tests of seed grain and other seeds 12 Entomological and Botanical Divi- sion—Report of the 37 Agrotis ypsilon 55 Aphidoletes sp 57 Apiary 64 season of 1908-9 64 Apple Leaf-hopper 55 remedies for 55 Apple Maggot 60 remedies for 60 Blissus Icucopterus 50 Brown-tail Moth in Shipments of Nur- sery Stock from France 40 Nursery Stock examined, for nests of., •. 42 Account of, in America 45 Experiments with hydrocyanic acid gas, to kill the larv* of 48 Cabbage and Radish Root Maggot 58 Cankerworms 62 remedies for 62 Carpocapsa pomonella 60 Cecidomyia leguminicola 52 Cereal and other Field Crops, insects injurious to 49 Chief Injurious Insects of 1908.. .. 49 Chinch Bug 50 remedies for 51 Clover-seed Midge 52 remedy for 52 Codling'Moth 60 remedies for 61 Experiment in banding trees for larvte of 61 Corn-seed Maggot 58 Cutworms 54 Dark-sided 55 Glassy 55 Greasy _ 55 Red-backed 55 remedy for 55 Dark-sided Cutworm 55 Destructive Pea Aphis 56 remedies for 57 Donations to collections of insects and plants 63 Empoasca mali 5a Eriophyes pyri 62 Euproctis chrysorrhoea 45 Experiments with hydrocyanic acid gas to kill the larvie of the Brown- tail Moth 48 Fletcher, Dr. James — Notice of death of 37 Fruits, Insects Injurious to 60 Gibson, Arthur — Circular to nuserymen re Brown-tail Moth.. .. 41 Report of, re inspection of nursery stock 42 Account of the Brown-tail Moth in America 45 Experiments with hydrocyanic acid gas to kill the larvse of the Brown- tail Moth 48 Chief Injurious Insects of 1908.. .. 49 Glassy Cutworm 55 Grain Ajihis 51 Gray, D.D., report by 64 Greasy Cutworm 55 Hadcna dcvastatrix 55 INDEX 427 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Pare. Entomological and Botanical Divi- sion— Report of the — Con. Hcmerocarnpa leucostigma 61 Hessian Flv 40 Hop Flea Beetle 52 remedies for .. .. 53 Hydrocyanic acid gas, experiments with, to kill the larvis of the Brown-tail Moth 48 Insects injurious to Cereal and other Field Crops 49 Insects injurious to Roots and Vege- tables 54 Insects Injurious to Fruits 60 Isosoma tritici 50 Joint Worm, Wheat 50 Macrosiphum granaria 51 Mayetiola destructor 49 Megorismus fletcheri 57 Nectarophora pisi 56 Notolophus antiqiia 61 Onion Root Maggot 58 Paragrotis mcssoria 55 Paragroiis ochrogaslcr 55 Pear-leaf Blist«r Mite 62 remedy for 63 Phorbia brassiccB 58 Phorbia ceparum 58 Phorbia fusiceps 58 PoJitia rapce 54 Psylliodes puvctulata 52 Red-backed Cutworm 55 Rhagoletis pomonella 60 Root Maggots 58 Cabbage and Radish 59 Corn-seed 59 Onion 59 Remedies for 59 Roots and Vegetables, Insects Injurious to ■ 54 Rusty Tu«sock Moth 61 remedies for 61 Saunders, Dr. W. — Notice of death of Dr. James Fletcher 37 Circulars to nurserymen re Brown- tail Moth ..40-41 Small White Cabbage Butterfly 54 remedy for 54 Striped Cucumber Beetle 54 Turnip and Cabbage Aphis 54 Turnip Flea Beetle 54 Wheat Joint worm 50 remedies for 50 White-marked Tussock Moth 61 remedies for 61 W'ireworms 54 Experimental Farm, Agassiz— Report of Superintendent 397 Apples, report on 399-414-415 Apricots 418 Barley, experiments with 402 test of varieties of 403 Beans, Garden 411 Bees, report on 398 Beets, Garden 410 Blackberries, report on 420 Agawam 420 B-irly King 420 F.ldorado 420 Erie 420 Lawton 420 Maxwell 420 Ohmer 420 Pack. Experimental Farm, Agassiz — Con. Blackberries, report on — Con. Oregon Everl>eariug 420 Stone's Hardy 420 Snyder 420 Taylor 420 Taylor's Prolific 420 Tecumseh 420 Brussels Sprouts, experiments with.. 412 Carrots, experiments with 407 test of varieties of 407 Carrots, table 412 Cattle 398 Cauliflowers, experiments with 412 Celery 414 Cherries, report on 417 Commercial orchard apples 414-415 pears 417 plums 417 Corn, Indian, experiments with.. .. 404 Corn, Indian, test of varieties of.. .. 405 Corn planted at different distances.. 405 Correspondence 409 Crops, summary of 409 Currants, Black, report on 419 Black Naples 419 Boskoop Giant 419 Climax 419 Dominion 419 Lee's Prolific 419 London 419 Merveille de la Gironde 419 Middlesex 419 Pearce 419 Prince of Wales 419 Victoria 419 Currants, Black, additional varieties of 419 Currants, red and white, report on.. 418-419 Eyatfs New 419 Gondoin Red 419 La Conde 419 La Fertile 419 Large White Brandenburg 419 La Turinese 419 London Red 419 Prince Albert 419 Raby Castle 419 Bed Cherry 419 Victoria 419 White Cherry 419 White Grape 419 White Pearl 419 Currants, red and white, additional varieties of 419 Distribution of seed grain, potatoes, &c 409 Ditching 397 Experimental Farm crops 397 Field Roots 406-408 Fowls 399 Fruit crops (1<-">1 Garden vegetables 409-414 Horses ;J08 Lettuce, experiments with 410 Livestock 398 Mangels, experiments with 406 Test of varieties of 407 Medlars 418 Meteorological report.. .. 421 Mountain orchards ,399 Mulberries 418 Nut-bearing trees, report on 398 428 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII.. A. 1910 Page. Experimental Farm, Agassiz — Con. Oats, experiments with 402 Test of varieties of 402 Onions, experiments with 413 Peaches 418 Pears, report on 416 Peas, garden, experiments with.. .. 410 Field, experiments with 404 test of varieties 404 Persimmons 418 Pigs 398 Plums, best varieties for B.C 417 Plums, report on 417 Plums, list of choice varieties of.. .. 417 Potatoes, experiments with 408 Test of varieties of 408 Poultry 399 Pumpkins 413 Radishes, experiments with 410 Raspberries, Black Cap, report on.. .. 421 Raspberries, red and yellow, report on 420 All Summer 420 Cuthbert 420 Duke of Brabant 420 French Vice-President 420 Golden Queen 420 Herbert 420 Large Yellow 420 Lord Beaconsfield 420 Northumberland Fillbasket 420 Pauline 420 Phcenix 420 Sarah 420 Raspberries, list of additional sorts.. 421 Fall Rye, experiments with 401 Samples distributed 409 Season, character o'' 397 Sheep 398 Small fruits 418 Sprouts, Brussels.. .. 413 Squash, experiments with 413 Summary of crops 409 Swine .- 398 Turnips, experiments with 4Ub test of varieties of 406 Turnips, table, experiments with.. .. 410 Vegetables 409 Weather ^»; Wheat, spring 401 Test of varieties 401 Wheat Fall •• ...••. 400 " ' test of varieties 400 Experimental Farm, Brandon— Re- port of the Superintendent 273 Agricultural Meetings 301 Apples 293 " Martha 293 " Repka Kislaga 293 " No. 179 293 " Cross-bred and Seedling 293 Arboretum 294 Annual Flowers 296 Barley, experiments with 278 test of varieties of 278 Barley, average yield for live years.. 279 Barley, field crops of 280 Beans garden 299 Bees, experiments with 293 Beets 299 Cabbage, experiments with 300 Carrots, experiments with 286 test of varieties of 286 Cattle 289 Page. Experimental Farm, Brandon — Con. Celery 300 Clovers, experiments with 288 Corn, Indian, experiments with 282 Test of varieties of 283 Corn sown at different distances apart. 284 Corn, sweet 299 Correspondence 302 Crab apples 293 Martha 293 Crab, Transcendent 293 Currants 294 Distribution of seed grain and pota- toes 301 Forest trees, shrubs, seeds 294 Emmer and spelt 275 Farmers' Institute work 301 Field roots, experiments with 284 Flower Garden 296 Fruit trees 293-294 Grain, samples of distributed 301 Grasses, experiments with 288 Herbaceous perennials 294 Horticulture 293 Mangels, experiments with 285 test of varieties of 285 Meteorological report 302 Oats, experiments with 277 test of varieties of 277 Oats, field crops of 277 Onions 298 Orchards 293 Parsnips 298 Paeonies 297 Peais, field, experiments with 280 test of varieties of 280-281 field crops of 281 Garden 299 Pigs, experiments with 292 Potatoes, experiments with 287 test of varieties of 287 Raspberries 294 Rhubarb 300 Rotation of crops 281-282 Shrubs and trees, distribution of.. .. 301 Small fruits 294 Spelt. See Emmer 275 Spinach 300 Steers, experiments in feeding 290 Steers fattening outside.. 290 Sugar beets, experiments with 286 Sugar beets, test of varieties of 287 Swine, experiments with 300 Tomatoes, experiments with 300 Tree distribution 301 Turnips, experiments with 285 test of varieties of 285 Turnips, garden 300 Vegetables 298 Weather 273-302 Western Rye Grass 288 Wheat, spring, experiments with.. .. 274 Field, crops of 276 Preventives of smut in 275 Test of varieties 274 Standard and Commercial grades of. 275 Experimental Farm, Indian Head, Sask.— Report of the Superintendent. ."03 Alfalfa, experiments with 314-315 Annuals 327 Apples, Russian Seedlings 329 Cross-bred 329 Asparagus, experiments with 321 INDEX 429 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Page Experimental Farm, Indian Head, Sask — Con. Barley, experiments with 308 Field lots of 309 test of varieties of 30!> Barley, average and total yield.. .. 309 Barley, comparison of field crops for past five years 309 Beans, garden, experiments with.. .. 321 Bees, report on 338 Beets, experiments with 321 Breaking and backsetting 332 Bulbs.. .. .. 328 Bromus inermis 314 Cabbage, experiments with 321 Carrots, experiments with field 317 " test of varieties 318 " experiments with garden.. .. 322 Cattle , 337 Cauliflower, experiments with 322 Celery, experiments with 323 Chevril 323 Citrons, experiments with 323 Clover, Red 314 Corn, Indian, experiments with 315 test of varieties of 315 Corn, Indian, seeding at different dis- tances 316 Corn, garden 323 Correspondence 331 Crab apples 329 Cress 322 Crops on Experimental Farm 303 Crops, summary of 320 Cross-bred apples 329 Cucumbers, experiments with 322 Currants 330 Deep breaking 335 Distribution of grain, potatoes, forest trees, &c 338 Excursions to farm 331 Experimental Farm crops 320 Feeding tests of cattle 337 Flax, experiments with 314 Flowers, report on 329 Forest trees and shrubs, distribution .of 331 Fruit crop 329 Fr\iit trees 329 Grain, distribution of samples of.. .. .338 Gooseberries 330 Grasses, experiments with 314 Hay crop 320 Horses ^ 338 Land, working after first crop. .333-335-3.3() Lettuce, experiments with 323 Mangels, experiments with 317 test of varieties of 317 Melons, experiments with 32) Meteorological report .3.39 Methods of preparing new ground.. 332 Oats, expei-dments with 30G Oats, average and total yields 309 Field lots of. .307 test of varieties of 30G Comparison of field crops for past five years 307 Onions, experiments with 324 Parsley 321 Parsnips, experiments with 324 I'eas, experiments with field 310 Field lots of 310 test of varieties of 310 Garden .325 test of varieties of 325 Page. ixperimental Farm, Indian Head, Sask— Coii. Perennial flowers, report on 327 Pigs, report on 338 Plums 329 Potatoes, experiments with 318 Distribution of 338 test of varieties of 319 Poultry, report on 338 Preparing land for Grain Crops in Saskatchewan 332-3.36 Radish, experiments with 325 Rainfall .305-339 Raispberries 330 Rhubarb, experiments with 325 Roots, field, experiments with 317 Rotation of crops, experiments in.. .. 312 Rye, fall 313 Rye grass, western 314 Sage 326 Season, character of 303 Seed grain, distribution of 338 Shallow breaking and back setting. . 3.34 Crab apples 329 Smut preventives, tests of 311 Spinach, experiments with 326 Squash and Marrows -. .325 Steers, experiments with 337 Summary of crops 320 Sugar beets, experiments with.. .. 318 Summer fallows 3.33-.335 Swine, report on 338 Tomatoes, experiments with 326 Trees and shrubs 331 Tree seeds, planting of 331 Turnips, experiments with 317 test of varieties of 317 Vegetable garden 321 Weather 303 Western Rye Grass 314 Wheat, Macaroni 305 Wheat. Spring, experiments with.. .. 304 Average and total yields for 1908.. 305 Field lots of 304 Comparison of tests for past five years 305 test of varieties 304 Working land after first crop.. ..333-335-336 Experimental Farm, Lacombe, Alta. — Report of the Superintendent 341 Alfalfa, experiments with 3.52 Apple Orchards 357 Barley, experiments with 319 " test of varieties of 349 " effects of direct manuring on. 351 Buildings described .366 Carrots, experiments with 355 " test of varieties of .356 Cattle 365 Cherries 357 Clover, Red, experiments with ,353 Corn, Indian, experiments with.. .. 354 Correspondence 365 Currants.. 358 Distribution of Samples 365 I'^mmer and Spelt, experiments with.. .345 test of varieties 345 Fencing 366 Flower Garden 359 Gooseberries 358 Horses 365 Inoculated Soil, distribution of 366 Mangels, experiments with 355 test of varieties of 355 430 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VI!., A. 1910 Page Experimental Farm, IJacombe, Alta. Con. M^Tuuie, Farmj'ard, applied to laud.. 348 Meetings 365 IMetoorol-ogical Records 367 Oats, expeiinient.s with 345 Test of varieties of 346 Test of varieties in tield lots 346 Fall sowing of 345 Quautities of seed per acre 347 -Dates of sowing 347 In packed and uuijacked soil 343 Orchard, apple 357 plum.. 357 Peas, experiments with 351 test of varieties of 352 Plum trees 357 Potatoes, experiments with 356 test of varieties of 357 Raspberries 358 Rye, experiments with 345 Small Fruits 358 Strawberries 358 Sugar Beets, experiments with 356 Trees, forest 360 Treee and Shrubs 360-365 distribution of 3(i5 Turnips, experiments with 355 test of varieties of 355 Vegetables, Garden ^58 Weather 341 Weed control by sprays.. .. 353 Wheat, spring, experiments with.. .. 343 test of varieties.. .. 343 field lots of 344 " sod vs summer fallow for.. 344 " winter, experiments with.. .. 342 " " sod vs summer fallow for 342 dates of sowing.. .. 342 " " rates of seed per acre. 343 Experitnental Farm, Lethbridge, Alta. — Report of the Superinten- dent 367 Two Farms 367 PART 1. NON-IRRIGATED OR "DRY "FARM 368 Alfalfa 381 Apple Orchards 382 Back setting 371 Barley, experiments with 375 Test of varieties 375-376 Winter.. 376 Beets, sugar, Experiments with 380 Breaking vs Breaking and Backsetting. 368 Carrots, experiments with 379 Cattle 394 Clovers 382 Corn, Indian, experiments with.. .. 377 Test of varieties 378 Correspondence 395 Distribution of Seed Grain 395 Emmer and Spelt 373 Test of varieties of 373 Engine, Traction 39' Flax 381 Flower Garden 39.? Grasses 3S2 Grain, sale of 395 Horses ■ 39' Mangel's, experiments with 379 Test of varieties of 379 Page. Sxperiniental Farm, Lethbridge, Alta.— Con. Meetings.. 394 Meteorological Reports 3!;5 Oats, experiments with 374 Test of varieties 374 Field lots of 374 Differeuts quantities of seed 375 Orchards, Apple 382 Peas, experiments with 376 Test of varieties 377 Potatoes, experiments with 380 Test of varieties 381 Rye, Winter :i77 Rhul>arb, experiments with 378 Sugar Beets, experiments with .380- Trees and shrubs 392 Weather 367 Wheat, Spring, experiments wnth . . 372' Test of varieties 372 Different amts. of seed per acre.. .. 373 Field lots of 372 Wh?at, Winter, experiments with.. .. 3G8 Test of varieties 368 Field lot of 3G8 Rates of seed per acre 369 Different dates of seeding 370 Culture of 370-371 PART 2. IRRIGATED FARM Ar)ple Orchards Alfalfa 390- Barley, experiments with Test of varieties 385- Field lot of Rates of seed per acre Beets, sugar, experiments with .. .. Test of varieties Carrots, experiments with Garden •Clovers Corn, Indian, experiments with Test of varieties '. Table Forage crops Alfalfa Inoculation Rates of seed 'Kinds of seed M'lxture alfalfa and gras<^K.'s Clovers Grasses . Hay Irrigation water, measurements of.. .. Mangels, experiments with Test of varieties Oats, experiments with Test of varieties Field lots of Rates of seed per acre Orchards, apple Peas, experiments with Test of varieties Potatoes, experitneuts with Test of varieties Rye, spring Rhwbarb Strawl>prries Sugar Beets, experiments with Turnips Vegetables Water, irrigation, measurements of.. 382 392 .391 38.5- 386 386 386 389 38» 389 393 391 387 388 393 390 3^!1 391 391 391 391 391 391 391 393 388 388 384 381 384 385 392 386 387 390 390 387 393 392 380 _ . Page Experimental Farm, I^etlibridge, Alta. — Con. Wheat, wTinter, experiments with.. .. 383 "^ spring, experiments with.. .. 383 Test of varieties.. .. 383 " ;; Field lot 383 Rates of seed per acre. 383 Experimental Farm, Nappan, N.S.— Report of the Superintendent.. .. 247 Acknowledgments 2-17 Alfalfa inoculated, experiments with.. 262 Apples 269 Barley, experiments with 250 test of varieties of 251 Bees, experiments with 269 Buckwheat, experiments with 254 test of varieties of 254 Carrots, experiments with test of varieties of , Cattle [ 268 Clover, experiments with 261 Corn, Indian, experiments with.. .. 255 Field crop of 256 test of varieties of 255 Indian Corn, sown in rows at different distances 256 Correspondence 272 Distribution of seed grain and potatoes 267 Durum wheat 252 Emmer and Spelt, experiments with. 252 Exhibitions attended 272 Experimental Farm crops 247 Fertilizers, experiments with 263-266 Garden Beans 271 Garden Peas .. 270 Grain, field crops of 254 Grain, fields crop on Marsh 255 Mixed, field crops of 254 Hay, crop 267 Horses 268 Inoculated Clover and Alfalfa, experi- ments with 262 Lime and commercial fertilizer on Dyke lands 264 Live stock 268-269 Macaroni Wheat, experiments with. . 252 Mangel<; experiments with 259 Test of varieties of 260 Meetings, agricultural, attended.. .. 272 Meteorological records 248 Mixed grain, field ci-ops of !. 254 Oats, experiments with test of varieties of Peas, field, experiments with Potatoes, experiments with test of varieties of Poultry 269 Rainfall 249 Season, character of the 247 Seed grain and potatoes distributed.. 267 Sheep 2C0 Spelt. See Emmer 2.52 Steers, experiments with [\ 268 Strawberries _ ' 270 test of varieties of.. .'. 2~n Sugar beets, experiments with 259 test of varieties of ' ,'' 260 Summary of crops '. \\ "' 267 Tomatoes ' '_' " 2~i test of varieties of .'. '.". [\ 27] Turnips, experiments with.. .'." .'.' ,, 2"^' Field crops of \\ " o" test of varieties of V. ".* .. 257 249 250 253 261 261 Experimental Farm, Nappan, N.S.— Lou. Visitors Weather Wheat, spring, experiments' with.'.' test of varieties of Durum, experiments with.. .'.' Macaroni, experiments with.. Entomological and Botanical Division — Report of Fairfield, W. H., Superintende'nt,"Ex- p«rim,ental Farm, Lethbridge, Al- berta—Report of Gilbert, A. G., Poultry Manag'er— Rel port of Grisdale, J. H., Agriculturi'st— Report Hutton, G. H., Superintendent ' Ex- perimental Farm, Lacombe, Alberta — Report of Page. 272 247 251 252. 252 252 37 367 225 65 341 Horticulturist, Central Experimen- tal Farm— Report of the 103 Acknowledgments "' jq^ Apples, new or little known' in Ontario and Quebec jog. Descriptions of '. ,' " hq Apples, originated in the Horticultural Division jjj Descriptions of '. . .. .. '' " jjj Characteristics of Wealthy " Seed- lings 112-114 Apple trees, individuality of 114 Seedlings received for examination in. 1908 106 Arboretum and Botanic Garden 1,30 Bush Fruits \' " jjg Character of Season 1908-9.'.' .*.' .*.* "' 103 Cherries.. .. t " "' jq^ Donations "' "' jqc Forest Belts ' i'>7.ioa Fruits, bush ......." II3 Fruits, seedling of Canadian "origin received at Ottawa for examination in 1908 iQg Fruit and vegetable crops.'.*.'. 104 ^^fpes ;; :; ^g Lettuce ^g Lilacs '' " jor Meetings attended and addresses given. 105 Plumis 11c Diseases of j^g Potatoes '/_ " " 219 Thirty most productive varieties in uniform plots, 1908 120 Twelve most productive vari'etie'sj average for 5 years ' jjg Yield from smaller plots, 1908.. .'. .".' ]20 Seedling Fruits of Canadian origin..' 106 Received for examination 1908.. ..' 106 Spraying to control fungous diseases'. 124 Strawberries, descriptions of ng Tomatoes * " ^90 Selections for uniformity, productive- ness and earliuess J23 ^Trees, list of ornamental jjq Evergreen \ '' j^g Vegetables * " j'j^ Crops of ' '" '" jqI Tackay, A., Superintendent Experimen- tal Farm, Indian Head, Sask., Re- POit of 303 432 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 Page. Macoun, W. T., Horticulturist of the Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Ont., Report of 103 Murray, James, Superintendent Experi- mental Farm, Brandon, Man., Re- port of 273 Poultry Manager — Report of 225 Acknowledgments 225 Artificial hatching and rearing of chicks 234-235 Building up hardy and prolific egg laying strains of fowls 234-241 Breeding pens made up 2.33 Beginning of winter laying 236 Breeding from good and poor egg laying strains of fowls 243 Cotton front house severely tested.. .. 239 Diseases of Poultry 231-245 Deductions from trial of cotton front house 240 First pullets to tegin laying 2.36 Frozen Wheat Experiments 236 Hatching by hens 235 " incubators 235 Incubation results 235 Late Hatching 243 Lessons learned from correspondence.227-232 List of stock at end of year 245 . Page. Poultry Manager — Report of — Con. Latest style of poultry house 230 Moulting in summer 2.33 Number of eggs laid during the year.. 236 Poultry house with cotton front. . . . 239 Progress of the chicks 235 Rations fed to difierent groups of hens and chickens 232-236-243 Sick birds 245 Sale of stock 236 Trap nest selection 241 Visitors 245 White diarrhoea of young chicks.. ..2.35-236 Robertson, R., Superintendent, Experi- mental Farm, Nappan, N.S., Report of 247 Saunders, C. E., Cerealist, Report of.. 199 Saunders, Wm., Director, Report of.. .. 5 Report of Ento- mological and Botanical Division 37 Sharpe, Thos. A., Superintendent, Ex- perimental Farm, Agassiz, B.C.. Re- port of 397 Shutt, F. T.. Chemist, Report of 137 PUBLICATIONS OF TSE EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. Kasy applications are receiTed from time to time for back munbers of the Annnal Eeporta and Bulletins of the Experimental Farms. In the following list the issues are named of which some copies are still available. These may be had on application bs long as the stock holds ont. EHGUSH EDITION. Annual Eeports for the years 1889, 1890, 1891, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895, 1897, 1898, 1899, 1900, 1901, 1902, 1S04, 1905. Bnlletins B"os. 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 12, 13. 14, 16. 18, 20, 21, 28, 31, 32, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 49, 51, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61. General Index to Seports and Bulletins from 1887 to 1901, inclnaive. FRENCH EDITION. Annual Eeports for the years 1892, 1893. 1894, 1895, 1896^ 1897, 1898, 1899, 1900, 1901, 1902. 1904- 1905. Interim, 1906, 1908. Bnlletins Not 23, 28, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 4J^ 43, 44, 45, 46, 48, 49, 50, 61, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 6a 61. New York Botanical Garden Libra 3 5185 00258 2953