X < < < < * < * < 4 # < < V * < r< < * < * * * < < * * « « <■ ' . : <^ 4 < < 4 4 4 4 4 4 -4 4 4 •< ■ ^ *^ * 4 < 4 4 4 4 4 < i 4 t < ' 44 44< 4 444 4' . ■ 4 4 4 r<4444444444444< <<«<'v<;•<;«. :<» <>:<:<:':«»:<> •>:<;<-<. «>:> •■X'X'J'^K-'^'M^'".'';', 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4\ - ,* 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 * 4 4 4 4 4 4 1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 < ■ • t 4 4 4% 4 4 4 4 4 < 4 4 4 4 ' •■ 4 4 «74^4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 < . ■. 4 4 4 4 j4 4 4T4 4 4 4 4 4 4 < • ■■ 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 ' i 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 < ' rT4 4 4 4j4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 « 4 4 * < ■ C;<>jom the accompaning reports it will be seen that the Experimental Farms of the Dominion of Canada have already done good service in these advanced methods of experimental work having so important a bearing on agriculture ; the sphere of their operations is being rapidly enlarged, and a wide field of usefulness lies before them in the future. Every farmer is aware that there are many influences at work every year which bear on his crops, and which do much to determine the proportion of profits which his labour and skill shall bring. Some of these influences are more or less amenable to his control, while othei's are not so. The general character of the season, whether favourable or unfavourable, as far as this depends on the weather, it is bej'ond his power to influence; but by varying his methods, so as to gain every possible advan- tage, he may materially mitigate the evils which always accompany unfavourable seasons. By getting his land into a thorough state of preparation in the autumn the farmer can sow his seed at the earliest opportunity, and early sowing has a very important bearing on the yield, and more especially so on grain crops, in an unftivour- able year. The reason for this is not far to seek. The rapidity of growth and development in grain depends very much on the quantity of I'oot surface employed in absorbing the food required for growth. In the early days of spring root develop- ment goes on very rapidly, even if the weather be so cold and backward as to retard growth above, recently sprouted grain, under such conditions, will usually be found to have a vigorous cluster of roots. RESULTS OF EAELY, MEDIUM AND LATE SEEDING. Some experience has been gained at the Central Experimental Farm during the past season on this subject, which shows the importance of more general attention being paid to early seeding. The particulars connected with the experiments under- taken have recently been published in Bulletin No. 8, and the results are believed to be of sufficient impoitance to be again summarized here. Six varieties of gi-ain were chosen foi- the tests, two each of barley, oats and Avheat, and sufficient land of a uni- form character provided to allow of six plots of one-tenth of an acre each being devoted to each variety. Six of these wei-e sown on the 22nd of April, which was as early as the ground could be worked, and six more every week until all the plots were seeded. The foUoAving are the names of the varieties selected for the test: Barley — Prize Prolific and Banish Chevalier (both two-rowed sorts) ; Oats — Prize Cluster and Early Mace-horse; Spring wheat — Bed Fife and Ladoga. At the first sowing a new spring wheat, the Anglo-Canadian, was substituted for the Race-horse oats, because these plots afforded the best opportunity at command for testing the relative earliness and fertility of this new introduction alongside of the Red Fife and Ladoga. With this exception, the experiments were carried out as planned, and the results are given in the following table : Barley, Prize Prolific Danish Chevalier.... Oats. Prize Cluster Early Race-horse Spking Wheat. Red Fife Ladoga Anglo-Canadian Sown April 22nd. Yield per Acre. Bush. Lbs. 40 33 11 10 5 30 26 02 00 45 50 Sown April 29th. Yield per Acre. Bush. Lbs. 24 22 33 35 38 14 23 05 00 15 Sown May 6th. Yield jjer Acre. Bush. Lbs. 16 19 30 31 22 38 20 26 15 00 Sown May 13th. Yield x>er Acre. Bush. Lbs. 14 15 27 28 4 3 03 10 17 13 20 55 Sown May 21st. Yield per Acre. Bush. Lbs. 10 10 20 18 15 30 10 18 00 50 Sown May 28th. Yield per Acre. Bush. Lbs. 11 9 17 19 2 2 02 28 22 04 35 30 While it must be admitted that such tests will need to be repeated many times, in order to reach averages which may neutralize the variations brought about in crops by varying seasons, there is nevertheless such a regularity in the falling off in yield week after week, as to carry with it convincing proof of the heavy losses which are almost sure to occur where late seeding is practised. The loss on Prize Prolific barley by a delay of one week in sowing is nearly 16 bushels per acre, and on Danish Chevalier a little more than 11 bushels, while a delay of two weeks shows an average loss of more than half the crop. The area under barley in Ontario in 1890 is estimated at 701,326 acres, and if but half of the average loss which was found to occur in the exjieriments with the Prize Prolific barley in Ottawa be taken as a basis for an esti- mate, it would appear that the farmers of Ontario may lose, by a delay of one week in the time of seeding, over two and-a-half millions of dollars on the barley crop alone, and by a delay of two weeks more than three and three-quarter millions, reckoning the barley at 50 cents per bushel. The loss from similar delay in the wheat crop has proved proportionately less, being about one-sixth of the crop where seeding has been delayed one week, one- fourth where it has been deferred for two weeks, while a three weeks delay shows a loss of considerably more than one-half. The oat crop appears to be less influenced by delay in seeding than either barley or spring wheat. In the case of the Prize Cluster it shows a falling off of about 3 bushels per acre for the first week, but with a delay of two weeks it is a little over 6^ bushels; but the oat crop is so very large that every bushel of loss per acre in Ontario alone, taking oats at 40 cents per bushel, is equal to $752,946. DISTEIBUTION OF SEED GEAIN. The efforts begun in the spring of 1888, shortly after the Experimental Farms were oj-ganized, to introduce among the farmers of Canada the best varieties of seed grain obtainable, have been continued, and a very general and lively interest has been awakened in this subject, which has already been attended with excellent results, and which must, in the course of two or three years more, bring about a marked improve- ment in the quality of the grain produced in Canada. It is also likeh'' to lead to an increase in the average yield, and thus add to the pi-osj^erity of the farming com- munity and to the general wealth of the Dominion. At the outset the distribution consisted mainly of early-ripening wheat for the Canadian North-West, and the Ladoga wheat was brought prominently before the farmers of Manitoba and the North- West Territories, Since then the distribution has become more general, and varieties of wheat, barley and oats, which promise to be useful in any of the Provinces, have been introduced and disseminated with the view |of benefiting all parts of the country. These samples are sent free by mail, in strong cotton bags, containing 3 pounds each. The first season of distribution, the spring of 1888, they were sent to farmers in different parts of the country whose names were submitted to me by persons acquainted in the several districts as men likely to be interested in the subject. The number of samples sent that year was 2,150; of these 1,529 were Ladoga wheat, the remainder consisting of two-rowed and six-rowed barley and oats. In 1889 a different method of distribution was followed, and samples were sent only to those who applied for them. That year 2,760 three pound bags were distributed, consisting of 1,279 of Ladoga wheat, 947 of two-rowed barley and 534 of oats. During the past season, 1890, the same plan of distribution was followed — that of sending samples only on applica- tion ; and the fact that requests were received and samples sent to the extent of 12,353, distributed among 5,896 individuals, will give some idea of the interest which farmers are taking in this branch of Experimental Farm work. The object aimed at is to influence favourably the entire grain crop of the country, by introducing better varieties than those now in common cultivation, and this, result I believe, can and will be accomplished within a comparatively short time. A few words will suffice to show that this object is worth striving for. The oat crop of Ontario alone for 1890 is esti- mated by the Ontario Bureau of Industries to have occupied 1,882,366 acres and to have yielded 52,768,207 bushels, an average of 28 bushels per acre. Every bushel per acre which can be added to this is a gain to Ontario, reckoning oats at 40 cents per bushel, of $752,946, while a pound per bushel added to the average weight of the grain is a gain of $620,802. Barley is said to have occupied in the same Province 701,326 acres, yielding 15,600,169 bushels, being an average of 22-2 bushels per acre. Taking barley at 50 cents per bushel, a gain of 1 bushel per acre in this crop adds $350,663 to the returns of the Ontario farmers, while a pound added to the weight would be again of $162,501. Again, spring wheat occupied 601,753 acres, yielding 7,683,905 bushels, or 12-8 bushels per acre. A gain of 1 bushel per acre in this case at 90 cents per bushel, adds $541,577 to the returns, while 1 pound per bushel gives on the short crop of the past year $115,258. Fall wheat has occupied an area of 720,101 acres, giving a crop of 14,267,383 bushels, equal to 19*8 bushels per acre. A gain of 1 bushel per acre here, with fail wheat at $1 per bushel, amounts to $720,101, while an addition of 1 pound per bushel gives $237,789. Taking into one estimate the entire acreage and yield of these four leading crops, we find that an addition of 1 bushel per acre all around would give to the farmers of Ontario $2,365,287, while an average gain of 1 pound per bushel in the weight of the grain would give $1,136,340. The samples of grain sent out in\1890 were distributed as follows: — Prince Edward Island. Oats , 223 Barley 242 Wheat 138 Peas 1 Total 604 Number of applicants supplied, 350. :== Nova Scotia. Oats ; 436 Barley 586 Wheat 244 Total 1,266 Number of applicants supplied, 584. === New Brunswick. Oats 116 Earley l65 Wheat 101 Peas 3 Total 385 Number of applicants supplied, 132. Quebtc. Oats 891 Barley 1,408 Wheat 699 Peas 41 Total 3,039 Number of applicants supplied, 1,457. Ontario, Oats 1,782 Barley 2,043 Wheat 766 Peas 51 Corn ; 2 Total _i:^^i Number of applicants supplied, 2,278. Manitoba. Oats 481 Barley •> 47 8 Wheat 93 Peas 3 Corn 4 Total ^31. Number of applicants supplied, 511. North-West Territories. Oats : 525 Barley 530 Wheat 121 Peas 4 Corn 10 Total JU90 Number of applicants supplied, 532. British Columbia. Oats 65 Barley 62 Wheat • 38 Rye 1 Total _. 166 Number of applicants supplied, 52. . 10 The following shows the total number of packages of the different varieties distributed : — Oats Prize Cluster 3.251 Victoria Piize 319 Flying Scotchman 204 Black Tartarian 198 Early Eace-horse 143 Banner 21 Canadian Triumph 96 White Eussian 277 Bonanza 8 "Welcome 1 Hulless 1 Total 4,519 Barley — Two-rowed. Carter's Prize Prolific 1,125 Danish Chevalier 2,139 Danish Printice Chevalier 793 Beardless 1,194 English Malting 74 Thanet 3 Saale 9 Peerless White 51 Swedish 1 Large Two-rowed Naked 83 Total 5,472 Barley — Six-rowed. Eennie's Improved 5 Indian from Spiti "Valley 23 Odessa Six-ro wed 13 Total 41 Spring Wheat. Ladoga 909 Eed Fife 568 White Fife 329 Eed Fern 291 Saxonka 53 White Eussi an 25 Campbell's AVhite Chaff 26 Total 2,201 Peas. Multiplier 99 11 Corn. Mitchell's Early 9 Cinquantine 11 Total 20 ■ Eeading Giant Rye 1 Total number of samjtles distributed, 12,353. JTumber of applicants supplied, 5,89b". 'reports received from samples distributed with some results of field crops Prize Cluster Oats. The results of field experiments with this promising variety of oats during tha past year are as follows : — At the Central Experimental Farm the yield has varied on different soils (excluding those plots which were purposely sown late) from 37 bushels and 2 lbs. to 28|- bushels, weighing fj'om 41 to 42 lbs. per bushel. On the Experimental Farm at Nap pan, Nova Scotia, the yield has been 22|- bushels per acre, weighing 40 lbs. per bushel, at Brandon, Man., 54 bushels 14 lbs per acre, weighing 42J lbs. jDcr bushel, and at Indian Head, in the North- West Territories, 63 bushels per acre, weighing 45 lbs. per bushel. In time of ripening it has generally proved from two or three days to a week or more earlier than most other sorts. In the fol- lowing summary of results by Provinces extracts are given from a few of the reports from those farmers who have had the largest yields from the 3-lb. samples distri- buted last spring. PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND. Number of reports received, 24; average yield, from 3 lbs. 65f lbs. ; average weight per bushel, 40|- lbs. The heaviest sample weighed 43:|- lbs. per bushel, and was grown by J. Wismer, of Monagan, P.E.I., who reports a yield of 70 lbs. James Corcoran of Piusville, Lot 4, P. E. I., reports a yield of 180 lbs. from 3 lbs. sown, and says : " Sown June 3rd, on sandy loam (date of harvesting not given) ; no rust, no smut, straw bright yellow. I will sow all these oats another season." The sample sent weighed 3Y^ lbs. per bushel. E. T. Wright, of Middleton, P.E.I., had a yield of 110 lbs. from 3 lbs. of seed. He says : "Sown 6th May, harvested 25th August. Though our oats were all, or nearly all, rusted more or less, this was bright and clean — no rust. Straw medium length, and stronger and stifter than some other varieties of white oats that I have grown. This is the earliest ripening variety of oats that we have sown, and is as heavy as any other white oat grown here. I think this is the very best variety of white oats that we have tested on our farm ; am well pleased with it." The sample sent weighed 39^ lbs. per bushel. NOVA SCOTIA. Number of reports received, 16; average yield, 38 lbs.; average weight per bushel, 38 lbs. The heaviest sample weighed 42^ lbs. This was grown by E. McDonald, of Indian Brook, N.S., who reports a yield of 16 lbs. Frank Lindsay, of Gay's Eiver, N.S., harvested 83 lbs. from 3 lbs. sown. He says : " Sown 14th May, on gravelly loam ; harvested 27th August. There was no rust ; very little smut; straw medium height, bright and stiff; about eight days earlier than other varieties, and a better crop. I like this grain very well, and will sow it again next year. The aphis attacked it some, but I don't think much harm was done." Sample sent weighed 39|^ lbs. per bushel. Jacob Weismer, New Germany, N.S., had 66 lbs. He says • "Sown 1st May; harvested 13th August; no rust or smut; the character of the straw was excellent; 12 it compared very fiivourably with othei- varieties, ripened earlier and weighetl heavier. I consider it a promising grain." The sample sent weighed 41 lbs. per bushel. NEW BRUNSWICK. Number of reports received, 6 ; the average yield was 48 lbs; average weight per bushel, 39f lbs. The heaviest sample weighed 41f lbs. This was grown b} W, Jenkins, of Nashwaak, N.B., who had a yield of 40^ lbs. Hiram H. Vesey, sr., North Lake, N.B., had 74 lbs. from 3 lbs. sown. He reports: "Sown 9th June on clay loam; harvested 13th September; no rust; a few heads of smut ; straw tall and stout ; it ripens in about the same time, but is a little heavier than other sorts that I had sown." Weight of this sample wa-^ 38 lbs. per, bushel. John Thomas, of Green Hill, Stanley, N.B., had 68 lbs. He says: "Sown 26th May; harvested 6th September; it was badly affected with rust, which was general all over New Brunswick with all varieties; straw strong and bright ; stood up well. I cannot call it early, but would class it as second early; will be a valuable sort for New Brunswick, which is pre-eminently an oat growing country." The sample sent weighed 4l|- lbs. per bushel. J. C. Murra}', Central Kingsclear, harvested 50 lbs. from 3 lbs. of seed, and says: "Sown 22nd May on claj' soil ; harvested 28th August; there was no rust or smut; straw bright and well headed ; earlier than other sorts. From the samples sent to me and Mr. Humbel, of Stanley, we took first and second prizes at the Fredericton Fair." In this case no sample was sent. QUEBEC. Number of reports received, 30 ; average yield, 45^ lbs. ; average weight per bushel, 354 lbs. The heaviest sample weighed 42 lbs. per bushel, and was grown by A. E. McCarthy, of Heniyville, who also had the heaviest yield. A. E. McCarthy, Henryville, Que., had 102| lbs. from 3 lbs. of seed. He reports: "Sovvn 23rd May on heavy 'grey' soil; harvested 24th Auguist ; no rust or smut ; straw medium coarse and 4 feet 9 inches long ; i-ii^ens six to eight days earlier than other sorts ; heavier than common sorts. I find the Prize Cluster oats to be well adapted to this section of country." Sample weighed 42 lbs. per bushel. E. Lafierre, of St. Sebastian, had a yield of 90 lbs., and reports : "Sown 17th Msfy on good sandy soil ; harvested 8th September ; no rast ; good straw. It ripens about the same time as other sorts. The season has been unfavourable, and this grain has suffered." This sample weighed 40J lbs. per bushel. T. S. Evans, of Trenholmville, reports a yield of 85 lbs., and says : "Sown 17th May on heavy loam ; harvested 19th August ; there was no rust or smut ; straw bright and stiff, 4 feet high ; it was about eight days earlier than our common white oats. I consider it a valuable variety, and it appears to yield well." Sample weighed 38f lbs. per bushel. ONTARIO. Number of reports received, 161 ; average yield, 44f lbs.; average weight per bushel, 384- lbs. The heaviest *3ample weighed 44^ lbs. per bushel, and was grown by Mr. "W. B. Hough, of Sillsville, Ont., who reports a yield of 40 lbs. J. E. Noxon, of Hillier, Ont,, had 156 lbs. from 3 lbs. sown. He reports : " Sown 18th April on clay loam mixed with limestone gravel ; harvested 2nd August; no rust or smut; straw good length, coarse and strong; ripened cai-ly; a good, bright, heavy oat, which I thought yielded well." Sample weighed 43 lbs. per bushel. Owen Robertson, of Mansewood, Halton County, Ont., had 130 lbs., and saj's: " Sown Api-il Ist on clay loam; harvested August 5th ; there was slight rust, but no smut; straw tall, very heavy, inclined to stool ; ripens about same as New Zealand 13 oats. A rough storm took them down two weeks before harvesting, otlierwise the yield would have been immense." This sample weighed 40^ lbs. per bushel. E. M. Brown, of Clarksburg, Ont., reports a jneld of 125 lbs. from 3 lbs. of seed, and says : " Sown 25th March and Ist April on loam, with a gravel subsoil ; harvested 15th August; rnst very bad, otherwise there would have been one-third moi-e grain; no smut; straw veiy strong and tall, 5 feet, more like rushes than oat straw; some heads 17 inches long ; equal, as to earliness, with other varieties, but had more rust." Sample weighed 38^ lbs. per bushel. MANITOBA. In umber of reports received, 27; average yield, 67j lbs.; average weight jDer bushel, 38^ lbs. The heaviest sample weighed 43f lbs., and was grown by Mr. Steven, of Virden, Man., vv-ho sa^'s the blackbirds consumed a large part of the crop and left him only 49 lbs. C. E. Porritt, of Treberne, Man., harvested 154 lbs. from 3 lbs. sown. He says: "Sown 29th May on strong black loam with clay subsoil; harvested 4th Sej^tcmber; the straw was badly i-usted, owing no doubt to the wet, dull weather ; all oats in this section of the country were the same ; straw very long and stiff. The past season was not suitable for testing grain as to early ripening, owing to continued cold wet weather in August. The weight per bushel is about the same us Clydesdale, but I think our land was too well worked, and that on old laud a heavier sample of grain and less bulk of straw would be produced. I hoj^e to have a better sample next year." The sample sent was very light, weighing only 20 lbs. per bushel. E. McKeever, of Virden, Man., had 130 lbs., and reports: '"'Sown 6th May; on light loam, sand}^ subsoil, harvested 14th August, , there was a little rust; no smut; straw 5 feet 2 inches, very lank. They wei-e the first to cut; the wind laid them fiat to the ground, or I could have cut them a week sooner." The weight of this sample was 35 lbs. per bushel. NORTH-WEST TERRITORIES. Number of reports received, 36; average yield, 63f lbs.; average weight per bushel, 38 lbs. The heaviest sample, which weighed 44J lbs-., was grown by John Stewart, of Red Deei', Alberta, who also had the heaviest crop. John Stewart, Eed Deer, N.-W. T. ; reports a yield of 146 >lbs., from 3 lbs., sown. He says : " Sown 29th April on sandy loam ; harvested 18th August ; no rust or smut; straw medium for coarseness, about 4 feet high. Ripened ten days earlier than Sandwich oats sown same time on same soil ; only tried these two varieti'es. Heavy, fine grain ; think very highly of it ; shall sow all I have. I don't think the equal of it was grown in this settlement." Weight of sample, 44|- lbs. per bushel. W. Tingey, of Marietou, K-W. T., had 120 lbs., and says: "'Sown 26th April; harvested 13th August; no rust or smut; straw long, clean and bright, 3|- feet in height ; grain plump and heavy ; ripens about same time as Welcome, and about eight or ten days earlier than Black or White Tartarian ; one half this plot was eaten off close to the ground bj' cattle, just as it was heading out. This part was harvested Ist September, from second growth," The weight of this sample was 42 lbs. per bushel. BRITISH COLUMBIA. Number of reports received, 5; average yield, 125 lbs.; average weight per bushel, 43|- lbs. The heaviest sample was grown by J. T. Hawks, Soda Creek, B. C, who reports a yield of 37 lbs. This sample weighed 46-J- lbs. per bushel. Wm. Tasker, of Ladner's Landing, B. C, had 220 lbs., from 3 lbs. sown. He says: " Sown 5th May ; on sandy loam harvested 5th August ; no rust, some smut, strong straw, was one week earlier than Black Tartarian sown alongside, but do not think it will yield as well." The sample sent weighed 45f lbs. per bushel. 14 Thos. Morgan, of Cache Creek, B. C, had 208 lbs. from 3 lbs. sown. He says: "Sown 21st May on sandy virgin soil; harvested 23rd August; no rust or smut; straw tall, strong and bright ; compares well with other varieties. I consider it excellent, and intend keeping it all for seed." Sample sent weighs 45J lbs. per bushel. Victoria Prize. This recently introduced variety of white oats resembles in many respects the Prize Cluster, but is a little larger and longer in the kernel, and two or three days later in ripening. Like the Prize Cluster, it is a branching oat. a vigorous grower, with a plump and heavy kernel. In field crops on the several Experimental Farms the record for this variety during the past year is as follows : On the Central Ex- perimental Farm at Ottawa three different plots have been grown with a yield ranging from 36f to 38^ bushels per acre, weighing 41 to 41J lbs. per bushel ; and at Nap- pan, N.8., the yield has been 31 bushels per acre, weighing 42J lbs. per bushel. Mr. Heber Eawlings, of Eavenswood, Ont., had 110 lbs. from 3 lbs. sown. He reports : "Sown 12th April on clay loam; ripe 4th August; was rusted (all oats were rusted here); no smut; straw very good; about 5 feet high. It was a very good crop; I can tell no difference between these and the Prize Cluster ; " weight of sample, 40^ lbs. per bushel. The heaviest sample sent from Ontario was forwai-ded by Mr. J. Johnston, of Auburn, Ont., and weighed 41f lbs. per bushel. Mr. Johns- ton reports a yield of 72 lbs. Mr. Louis Dussault, of Yamachiche, Que., reports a yield of 51^ lbs. He says : " Sown 8th Ma}^ on black soil ; ripe 22nd August ; there was a little rust, but less than ordinary; straw of fair quality ; ten to twelve daj^s earlier than other varieties here." The heaviest sample fcom this Pj-ovince weighed 40 lbs. per bushel, it was sent by Mr. Gr. Suggett, of Mystic, Que., who reports a yield of 40 lbs. Eobert Williams, Long Ecach, King's Co., New Brunswick, harvested 81 lbs. from 3 lbs. of seed, and says: " It was sown 26th April on dry, light loam; ripe, 15th August ; there was no rust or smut ; it was affected with red leaf, but not so bad as other oats; straw strong and bright; grain heavier than other sorts, and ten days earlier ; other oats very poor as a rule." The sample sent weighed 38^ lbs. per bushel. John Butcher, Upper Musquodoboit, Nova Scotia, had 60 lbs., and reports: "Sown on 17th May, on deep loam, with clay bottom ; ripe 2nd September; there was a little rust but qo smut; straw strong and stout, quite long; was better than some other kinds. I think this seed would be a good change for this Province." No sample was received from Mr. Butcher. The heaviest specimen received from this Province weighed 40 lbs.; this was from Wm. Horton, of Upper Musquodobit, who reports a yield of 45 lbs. Other Provinces not yet heard from. Flying Scotchman Oats, This is also a plump, white oat, which has succeeded very well in many districts. At the Central Experimental Farm it has yielded from 36f to 40^ bushels per acre, weighing 40^ lbs. per bushel; at Nappan, N.S., 39f bushels per acre, weighing 36|- lbs. per bushel ; at Brandon, Man., 71 \^ bushels per acre, weighing 39f lbs. per bushel; at Indian Head, 53 |-| bushels per acre, weighing 42 lbs, per bushel ; and at Agassiz, B.C., 6 lbs. yielded a crop of 69 lbs., weighing 39^ lbs. per bushel. W. B. Terry, of Keswick, Ont., had a yield of 100 lbs. from 3 lbs. sown, and says : " Sown, 17th Ma^-, on loamy soil, which had turnips the year before ; harvested, Ist September ; no rust or smut ; straw good and bright, with reasonably good weight to support the grain. I think it compares favourably in all respects with other varieties. It was sown rather late, and the sparrows destroyed some of it, yet the 15 yield was good." The sample sent weighed 33J lbs. per bushel. The heaviest speci- men received from Ontario weighed 37| lbs. This was sent by A. Stewart, of Kin- more, Ont., who reports a yield of 56 lbs. J. B. Gauthier, of St. Ir^nde, Que., had 55 lbs. He says : " Sown 19th May, on sandy soil ; ripe 22nd August; no rust nor smut; straw very good; fifteen days earlier than other varieties grown here." Wm. Fox, of Middle Musquodoboit, Nova Scotia, had a crop of 72 lbs., and says: "Sown 12th May. on gravelly soil;" — date of harvesting not given — " thei'e was a little rust, no smut ; straw heavy ; ripens about the same as other sorts, with a little better weight of crop ; sample weighed, 36 lbs. per bushel." Other Provinces yet to hear from. Black Tartarian Oats. A very fine lot of Black Tartarian was imported from Scotland in the spiing of 1890, weighing 42 lbs. per bushel, but they did not succeed, on the whole, so well as was expected. At the Central Farm the yield was 26f bushels per acre, weighing 35 lbs. per bushel; at Nappan, N.S., 51 bushels per acre, weighing 33 lbs. per bushel; at Brandon, Man., the jaeld was 77 busljels, 14 lbs. per acre, weighing 34 lbs. per bushel ; and at Indian Head, 74 bushels 30 lbs. per acre, weighing 40 lbs. per bushel. This variety was not tested at Agassiz, B.C. From Ontario eight reports have been received, with an average yield of 54 lbs., weighing 3 If lbs. per bushel. From Quebec three reports, averaging 52^ lbs., weighing 34i."lbs. per bushel. New Brunswick, one report ; yield, 31 lbs. ; weight, 32|- lbs. per bushel. Prince Edward Island, six reports; average yield, 72^ lbs, weighing 33ilb8. per bushel. From Manitoba, two reports; average yield, 51^ lbs. ; Aveight, 34^ lbs. per bushel; and from the North-West Territories, one report; yield, 41 lbs. ; weight, 3 If lbs. per bushel. B. Birch, of Lambeth, Ont., reports a yield of 102 lbs. fi-om 3 lbs. of seed and says: "Sown 1st May, on clay loam; hai-vested 10th August; no rust, no smut; straw large, strong and bright ; a little on the late side, but a good heavy crop." The weight of the sample sent was 30|- lbs. per bushel. The heaviest specimen from Ontario weighed 36 lbs. This was from J. Marshall, of Pine Grove, Ont., who does not give the yield. J. & C. Black, of Thurso, Que., had 64 lbs., and I'cport as I'oUows : " Sown 12th May, on clay soil ; ripe 14th August ; no rust, no smut ; straw coarse, strong and bright." Sample sent weighed 36 lbs. per bushel. H. Doney, of Johnston, N.B., had 31 lbs., and says : " Sown, 26th May, on clay loam; harvested, 30th September; leaves turned red, like all the oat crop about here ; straw middling coarse. Oats were almost atotal fiiilure in this section of the country owing to bad weather setting in before they were fit to cut;" sample weighed 32^ lbs. per bushel. A. E. Dewar, of Southport, P.E.I., had 120 lbs. from 3 lbs. sown. He says : "Sown, 12th May, on clay loam; harvested 14th September; no rust, no smut, straw very stout, later than other kinds; Prize Cluster gave 108 lbs. from 3 lbs. of seed. The season was the worst for oats we have had here for many years." This sample u-eighed 32 lbs. per bushel. A. Grant, of Burnbank, Manitoba, reports a yield of 62 lbs., weighing 34^ lbs. per bushel, and A. S. Harding of Whitewood, N.W.T., 56 lbs., weighing 29 lbs. per bushel. Banner. This variety, grown on the Central Farm, gave on one plot a yield of 52f bushels per acre, weighing 32|- lbs. per bushel, on another plot 22f bushels, weighing 30f lbs. per bushel. At Nappan the yield was 47^ bushels, weighing 33 lbs. per bushel ; at Brandon, Man., 73|- bushels, weighing 39 lbs. per bushel ; at Indian Head, N.W.T., 58;^ bushels, weighmg 40 lbs., and at Agassiz 68 lbs were harvested from 6 lbs. sown - 16 Very few reports have yet been received. Mr. Davy of Glendale, Out., had 45 Ibe. from 3 lbs. sown. He says : " No rust or smut, very stout straw, is the best oat in straw crop and the cleanest we ever sowed ; will sow them again another year." The sample sent weighed 35 lbs. per bushel. J. M. Crindle, of Ellershouse, Hants, N.S., had 36 lbs. and says : " Sown 14th May on a somewhat slaty soil, harvested 22nd August, badly rusted, a good deal ot smut. The sample I send is very inferior. I had about an acre of Banner oats sown ten days later that did much better, not so much rust." The sample sent was very light, weighing but 24f lbs. per bushel. L. O. Lemieux, of Oak Lake, Man., from 3 lbs. of the same lot of seed had a yield of 196 lbs. and says: "Sown 23rd May, on sandy loam, harvested 30th August, no rust, very little smut, straw very strong and long 5 ft. 1 inch, not so early as Prize Cluster, yield would have been better but for wet weather and wind which made it lodge." Weight of this sample, 33 lbs. per bushel, But very few returns have been received of Bonanza, Early Race Horse, Cana- dian Triumph and White Russian, and a safe judgment can probably bo formed of these varieties by comparing the yields obtained on the several Experimental Farms. Two-RowED Barley. Prize Prolific {Carter's). The yield per acre and weight per bushel of this promising variety of two-rowed barley has been as follows : — Central Farm on different plots, from 24 to 40^ bushels, weighing 52 lbs. ; Nappan, N.S., 25 bushels, weighing 49|- lbs. ; Bz-andon. Man., 42^ to 59f bushels, weighing from 50| to 51f lbs., and at Indian Head, N.W.T., 49^ bushels, weighing 5'2|- lbs. The average yield as given by forty-one reports from Ontario is 49 lbs. ; of nine from Quebec, 57 lbs. ; five from Nova Scotia. 48^ lbs. ; one from New Brunswick gives 23 lbs. ; thirteen from Prince Edward Island, 57|- lbs. ; nine from Manitoba, VOf lbs., twelve from the North- West Teri'itories, *74^ lbs., and four from British Columbia, 132^ lbs. M. Heselwood, of Londgsboro', Ont., had a yield of 130 lbs. fro«i 3 lbs of seed, and says: "Sown 25th April, on clay loam; harvested 4th August; no rust or smut: straw long and clean ; not so early as some varieties. Am well satisfied with the barley." The weight of this sample was 53-|^ lbs per bushel. JD. Currie, of Queen Hill, Ont., had 108 lbs. He says: "Sown 5th May ; har- vested 1st August ; no rust or smut : straw clean." Mr. Currie says that this barley weighs 54 lbs. per bushel, but the sample sent was not sufficient to enable us to determine the weight. David Ferguson, of Constance, reports a yield of 5 bushels from 3 lbs. of seed, and says : " Sown 15th April, on well prepared clay loam ; harvested 8th August ; no rust or smut; straw bright and coarse; ten days later than other sorts; it is very good barley." The weight of this sample was 51J lbs. George Ashby, Ste. Marie de Monnoir, Que., had 170 lbs., from 3 lbs. of seed. He says : " Sown 12th May on clay soil, harvested 25th August ; no rust, no smut, straw short." The sample weighed 52^ lbs. per bushel. A. E. McCarthy of Henryville, Que., had 67^ lbs. from 3 lbs. sown and reports as follows : " Sown 23rd May on heavy grey soil ; harvested 3rd Sept. ; no rust or smut, straw medium coarse, ripens 15 days later than common sorts, but weighs 3 to 4 lbs. more per bushel. As this has been an exceptionally poor year for barley, I con dder this a fair yield." The sample sent weighed 48^ lbs. per bushel. Rev. M. Le Cur^, St. Joachim, Que., reports a yield of If bushels and says : "Sown 15th May on grey gravel soil, harvested 15th August, no rust, no smut, nice straw.*" Sample weighed 48 lbs. per bushel. M. J. B. Alise, St. Marie de Monnoir, Que., had 40 lbs. He says: "Sown 26th April on clay soil, harvested 8th August, no rust, no smut, straw good ; later ■'.hun other kinds." This sample weighed 50J lbs. per bushel. 17 J. B. Lane, of Doichester, Now Brunswick, reports a yield of 75 lbs. from 3 lbs. of seed, but no sample has been received from him. "F. Lindsay, '^ay's Eivei-, Nova Scotia, had 74 lbs. from 3 lbs, of seed, and says : " Sown 14th May on gravelly loam, harvested 27th August, no rust, some smut ; straw short and bright ; like this barley well and will sow it next year." Sample weighed 45 lbs. per bushel. C. Newcomb, Weymouth, N. S., had a yield of 60 lbs. and reports : " Sown 10th May on heavy loam, harvested 10th October, no rust ; no smut; straw bright but very short, compares favourably with other varieties." Sample weighed 50^ lbs. J. J. Wismer, Monaghan Road, P. E. I., reports a yield of 90 lbs. from 3 lbs. sown. He says : "Sown 17th May on clay soil (over rich, as one half of barley lodged badly); hai-vested 25th August, no rust or smut; straw dark on account of being lodged." Weight of sample, 49^ lbs. John McDonald, West St. Peters, P. E. L, had 80 lbs. and says : " Sown 16t h May on sandy loam ; harvested 20th August; no rust or smut; straw good." Weight of sample, 50^ lbs. per bushel. T. B. Gerrj', of Sourisford, Manitoba, reports a yield of 135 lbs., and says : " Sown 10th May on black loam, clay subsoil, harvested 25th August, no rust or smut, straw 3 feet long, stood up well for the year with so much rain ; one week later than six- rowed sown same time, but gave much more grain, would have had one-third more, but the birds eat a great deal of it." Weight of sample, 52 lbs. per bushel. C. Shaw, of Heaslip, Man., had 104 lbs. He says : " Sown 8th May on stiff black loam, harvested 20th August, no rust or smut, straw rather soft, it went down with the heavy rains." Sample weighed 51 lbs. per bushel. Wm. Tingey, Marieton, N. W. T., reports a yield of 200 lbs. from 3 lbs. sown, and says : " Sown 7th May, on sandy loam, harvested 25th August, no rust or smut, straw strong and veiy bright; height 3 feet, ripens in about the same time as the common six-rowed ; is a much heavier cropper ; grows a larger and plumper giain. I think the Prize Prolific barley will greatly improve if grown again next year." Sample weighed 49f lbs. per bushel. James Eussell, of Longlaketon, N.W.T., had a yield of 130 lbs., and says : "Sown 5th May on black loam with clay subsoil, harvested 20th August, no rust or smut, straw rank and soft, it may be a few days late, but nothing to hurt. I consider it far superior to any other sort." No sample was leceived from Mr. Russell. Thos. Morgan, of Cache Creek, British Columbia, reports a yield of 218 lbs. from 3 lbs. of seed. He says: "Sown 24th April on sandy loam, with some gravel, har- vested 9th August, no rust or smut, straw bright and tall. I like it very much." Weight of sample, 52 lbs. per bushel. D. Graham, of Spillamacheen, B. C, had 160 lbs., and says: " Sown 22nd April on clay loam, harvested 9th August, no rust or smut, straw very fair, stands up better than English Malting received last year; both very similar to Chevalier. Sowed about 110 lbs. of English Malting barley on two acres adjoining and threshed 5,500 lbs." Sample of Prize Prolific weighed 53^ lbs. and Englibh Malting 54j lbs. per bushel. J. Tolmie, Cloverdale, Victoria, B. C, had a yield of 77 lbs. and saj^s: " Sown 22nd April on red clay soil, harvested 11th August, no rust, 4 heads smut, straw clean and bright, some lodged, about the same as other barle}' for earliness." This sample weighed 55J lbs. Danish Chevalier. The results of field crops of this variety on the Experimental Farms during the past season are as follows : Central Experimental Farm, from 23-J to 25f bushels per acre, weighing from 51 to 52 lbs. per bushel; at Brandon, Man., 51^ bushels per acre, weighing 53 lbs. per bushel; and at Indian Head, N. W. T., 46i-§^ bushel per acre, weighing 47f lbs per bushel. The average yield, as far as given in one hundred reports from Ontario, is 52^ lbs. ; of twenty-two from Quebec, 39f lbs. ; thirteen from Nova Scotia, 52^ lbs. ; three 6c— 2 18 from New Brunswick, 33^ lbs.; nine from Prince Edward Island, 681^ lbs.; ten from Manitoba, 6'0|- lbs. ; twenty-tive from the North-West Territories, 77^ lbs. ; and one report from British Columbia, 33 lbs. Henry Stall, Eob Eoy, Ont., reports a yield of 160 lbs. from 3 lbs. sown, and says: " Sown 6th May on loamy soil in orchard, harvested 8th Sept., no rust or smut, straw tall and stout. It is later than other kinds, but weighs heavier, is a good barley to raise in this part of the country." Sample sent weighed 47f lbs., very light, probably due to late sowing. R. M. Brown, of Clarkcsburg, Ont,, had 152 from 3 lbs. of seed. He says : " Sown Isi April, on loam with gravel subsoil, harvested 14th August, no rust or smut, straw large, bright but weak, twelve days later than six-rowed sowed same date. I never saw grain stool like it before, some plants had 27 heads." The weight of this sample was 52 lbs. per bushel. J. B. ISToxon, of Hillier, Ont., had 131 lbs., weighing 50 lbs. per bushel. E. W. Bass, of Oxford Centre, 110 lbs., weighing 53 lbs. per bushel, and Eobert Martin, of Lucknow, 93 -lbs, weighing 53J lbs. per bushel. E. Laffierre, of St. Sebastien, Que., reports a yield of 100 lbs, and says: " Sown 31st May on new land, yellow and grey soil, harvested 2nd Sept., no rust, straw of good quality. This grain has suffei-ed from bad weather in the autumn." Sample weighed 47 lbs. per bushel. Mr. H. Batchelder, of Hatley, Que., had 62 lbs. He says : " Sown 20th May on medium light loam, harvested 20th August, no rust, no smut, straw rather short, firm and stands well, as early as any other varieties here and extra heavy weight." Weight of this sample 511 lbs. per bushel. John Foster, of North Kingston, N.S., had 84 lbs. from 3 lbs. sown, and says : " Sown 27th May, on deep dark loam ; harvested 10th September ; no rust or smut, straw good, heads long, well-filled, in every way satisfactory." Sample sent was very light, weighed only 45f lbs per bushel, due probably to late sowing. Jacob Weismer, New Germany, N.S., had 76 lbs. He says : " Sown 10th May, on light loam ; harvested 19th August ; very slightly rusted, no smut, straw good. Ril^ened earlier than other kinds and better weight ; consider this a choice gi-ain." This sample weighed 48 lbs per bushel. Eobert Williams, of Long Eeach, King's Co., N.B., had 52 lbs., and says : " Bag was torn on arrival, did not have 3 lbs to sow. Sown 26th April, on light dry loam ; harvested 17th August ; no rust or smut, straw rather weak, broke down consider- ably, earlier and heavier than other varieties ; think very much of this grain." Sample sent weighed 51^ lbs. per bushel. Wellington Mutch, of Eldon, P.E.I., had 100 lbs. from 3 lbs. sown, and reports : "Sown 17th May, on light but fairly rich soil ; harvested 28th August; no rust or smut, straw light and short; very little barley sown here, but think this bettor than barley generally sown here." The weight of this sample was 50 lbs. per bushel. James Brown, of Stanley Bridge, P.E.I. , had 85 lbs. and says : '' Sown 5th .June, on heavy soil, summer fallowed; harvested 9th September; no rust or smut; straw dark with continued wet weather." Weight of sample, 49J lbs. T. B. Gerry, of Sourisford, Manitoba, had a yield of 130 lbs. from 3 lbs. sown, and says : " Sown 10th May, on black loam, with clay subsoil, harvested 25th August ; no rust or smut; straw about 3 feet long; in ordinary years would stand up Avell, but this year much rain has partially lodged it ; is a week later than the six-rowed, but a heavier yielder." Sample weighed 49| lbs per bushel. L. O. Lemieux, of Oak Lake, Man., had 68 lbs., and says: "Sown 23rd May, on sandy loam ; harvested 24th August ; no rust or smut ; good heavy straw ; did not lodge as badly as some others." AVeight of sample 48|- lbs per bushel. Mr. C. II. Macwatt, of Eoyal, Man., sent a sample weighing 50J lbs. per bushel, but did not give the yield, he says, however: "I have two bushels for seed, it made good growth and is a good bearer, but I prefer Carter's Prize Prolific, John Dunn, of EUesboro, N.W.T., had 168 lbs. from 3 lbs. of seed, and says: " Sown 19th April on black sandy loam; harvested 10th August ; no rust or smut ; 19 stiaw long and coarse; is hardly as early as other sorts, but bears double the crop." Wei2,'ht of sample, 46 lbs. per bushel. '"Wilfred Wilde, of Grenfell, K W.T., had 144 lbs. aud says: "Sown 20th May on bhick sandy loam with cla}' subsoil ; harvested 24th August ; no rust or smut, straw, strong, light colour about 3^ feet high, not any earlier but much better than other sorts ; am very much pleased with it. I took four first prizes with it at four different Agricultural Exhibitions, and it was much admired by all who saw it." Weight of sample, 48f lbs. per bushel. J. F. Hawks, Soda Creek, B.C., leports a yield of 33 lbs. from 3 lbs. of seed. He says: " Sown about 12th May, on gravelly loam, harvested about 1st September; no rust or smut ; straw bright and of good length ; had no extra care or attention." The weight of this sample was 54J lbs. per bushel. Beardless. This variety has received the name of Beardless for the reason that when fully ripe many of the heads partly or wholly lose their beards. The yield of this variety in field plots on the Experimental Farms has been as follows : At the Ceuti-al Farm, Ottawa, from 25f to 26^ bushels per acre, weighing 51^ lbs. per bushel ; at Brandon, Man., 48^ bushels per acre, weighing 52^ lbs. per bushel, and at Indian Head 45 bushels per acre, weighing 51|- lbs. per bushel. Special prizes were olfered by the proprietors of the Canadian Live Stock Journal, Toronto, for the largest yield and best quality of Beardless barley raised from a 3 lb. sample, which has had the effect of stimulating effort in this direction and hence larger ^nelds are reported in Ontario for this barley than for any other variety. The average yield as given in 65 reports from Ontario, is YOf lbs. ; of 26 from Quebec, 34 lbs. ; three from Nova Scotia, 25f lbs. ; one from New Brunswick, *16 lbs. ; three from Prince Edward Island, 63 lbs. : four from Manitoba, 60^ lbs. ; and two from the North-West Territories, 42 lbs. J. B. Lawrie, of Mongolia, Ont., reports a yield of 378|- lbs. from 3 lbs. of seed sown on a plot of 420 by 20 feet, in drills about 8 inches apart. He says : " Sown 24th April on clay loam; harvested 12th August; straw bright; pretty stiff and of fair length." Weight of sample, 53 lbs. per bushel. Eoger Wilson, of Goring, Ont., had 5 bushels and 14 lbs. (say 254 lbs.) from 3 lbs. of seed. He says: "Sown 3rd and 7th May on limestone loam in drills; harvested 22nd August; no rust or smut; straw long and bright, two weeks later than four- rowed." Sample weighed 50| lbs. per bushel. Banwell Foote, of Zephyr, Ont., reports a yield of 228 lbs. ; John Eenwick, of Lakenhurst, 155 lbs. ; and George S. McKee, of 140 lbs. These very large yields from the 3 lb. sample bags show what can be done to increase a new variety rapidly by extra care and attention. E. McMillan, of Notre Dame du Laus, Que., had a yield of 73 lbs. from 3 lbs. of seed. He says: " Sown 6th May on loamy soil ; harvested 29th August; no rust or smut ; straw short, not strong. The season was very wet and unfavoui-able ; this barley was later in ripening than other sorts and did not ripen evenly." The sample weighed 46 lbs. per bushel. A. F. Bower, of Learned Plain, Que., had 67 lbs. and says: "Sown 14th May on strong loam; harvested 29th August; there was a little rust, no smut; straw strong and bright; season very unfavourable." Sample weighed 47^ lbs. per bushel. The heaviest sample received from the Province of Quebec weighed 53 lbs. per bushel, this was sent by B. Dupont, of St. S^vdre, who reports a yield of 22 lbs. W. J. Syraonds, of Linwood, N.S., had 40 lbs. from 3 lbs. sown and says: "Sown 3rd June on light loam; harvested 20th September; straw bright; as to earliness ripens about the same as other barley." Sample weighed 48^ lbs. per bushel. Bayard Williams, of Long Eeach, N.B., had 76 lbs. fi'om 3 lbs. of seed and says: "Sown 27th May on sandy loam; harvested 23rd September; no rust or smut; straw good and heavy." Sample was light, weighing only 46J lbs. per bushel. 6C-21 20 Hugh McQueen, of Orwell, P.E.T., had a yield of 40 lbs. and reports: "Sown 23i'd May on a rich mellow soil; harvested 10th September; no rust or smut; straw white and clean." Sample weighed 49^ lbs. per bushel. A. E. Cook, of Dundee, Man., had 86 lbs. from 3 lbs. sown : " Sown 9th May on black clay loam; harvested 21st August; no rust or smut; straw long and fine, lodged badly. I think if sown thin on good land it would be a heavy yielder, mine gave at the rate of 60 bushels per acre, and had 1 made it cover twice as much ground it would have gone 90 to 100 bushels." Weight of sample 49 lbs. per bushel. The rej^orts received concerning the other varieties distributed are com^Jaratively few in number and may be bi'iefly summarized as follows: — Danish Printice Chevalier. — From Ontario seven j-eports have been received, the average jaeld being 30 lbs.; from Quebec thirteen I'eports with an average of 25 lbs., and from Prince Edward Island one report with a yield of 70 lbs. Peerless White. — Two reports of tests of this variety were received from Quebec, the average yield being 57^ lbs.; one from Nova Scotia of 13 lbs., and four from Prince Edward Edward Island, yield 471 lbs. English Malting. — Concerning this there were seven reports from Ontario with an average jneld of 38 lbs., and one from the North-West Territories with a yield of 20 lbs. \yith this latter sample the statement is made that " there was much wasted as the harvest time was very wet." Thanet. — Two reports w^ere received from Ontario regarding this barley, the average 3'ield being 69 lbs. Theje was one also from the same Province on the New Zealand l3arley, the yield reported being 55 lbs. Large Two-rowed Naked. — The average yield of three reports from Ontario on this large grained feeding barley was 22^ lbs., and from one test in Manitoba 25 lbs. Six-rowed Barley. Pennie's Improved. — One report only has been received on this promising variety, it comes from Ontario and the yield is given as 62 lbs. Spiti Valley Barley. — This is a six-rowed, hulless variety, the grain being of ;: bluish colour, and in some disti'icts gives promise of being a valuable barley for feeding purposes. Four reports from Ontario give an average yield of 27|^ lbs., one from Nova Scotia 23 lbs. and one from the North-West Territories 60 lbs. Ladoga Wheat. This early ripening wheat which was imported from Northern Eussia, under instructions of the Minister of Agriculture, in the spring of 1888, is rapidly gaining in favour in the Canadian North-West, and while maintaining its relative earliness appears to be improving in quality and yield. In most parts of Ontario and some other localities East this variet}^ seems very liable to rust, but from the north- ern parts of Ontario and Quebec and from Prince Edward Island the reports are much more favourable. At the Central Farm nearly all the leading varieties of spring wheat have given a poor yield, the Ladoga with its crop of 10^ to 10| bushels per acre, weighing 56^ lbs. per bushel, comparing favourable with many others. At Nappan, N. S., the yield has been 19 bushels per acre, weighing 62 lbs. per bushel, at Brandon, Man., 21^ bushels, weighing 59J lbs. per bushel, and at Indian Head, N.W.T., 30 bushels per acre, weighing 59^ lbs. per bushel. From Ontario twenty-one leports have been received, giving an average of 30J lbs., from Quebec iMa^ity-three, averaging 29J lbs., Nova Scotia eight, with an aver- age of 32^ lbs., New Biunswick six, averaging 29|- lbs., Pi-ince Edvvai'd iHland five, giving an average of 594 lbs., Manitoba three, with an average of 31^ lbs., North-West Territories eleven, ave:aging 68f lbs., and one repoi't from British Columbia, where the yield is said to have been 634 lbs. from 3 lbs. of seed. Jas. Madill, of Dunedin, Ont., had 90 lbs. from 3 lbs. sown. He says: "Sown 30th April on light clay soil, harvested 20ih August, there was some rust and some 21 smut, straw of medium length, lUsted; weak, did not ripen eai-lier than other sorts." Sample sent was too small to determine weight per bushel, Thos. Easton, of Acton West, Ont., had a yield of 52 lbs. from 3 lbs. sown. He says : " Sown 18th April on gravelly loam, harvested 31st July. There was a little rust and some smut, but not much, straw of fair length, a week earlier than other wheat in this neighbourhood and about the same weight of crop." Sample weighed 58 lbs. per bushel. Owen Robertson, of Milton, Ont, had 50 lbs. and says: "Sown ITth April on clay loam, harvested about 18th August, rusted very badly, no smut, straw of good height, stood up well ; the first spring wheat we have grown here." Weight of sample, 59 lbs. per bushel. Edward McMillan, of Notre Dame du Laus, Que., had 61 lbs. He says; " Sown 6th May on high loamy soil, harvested 29th August; a little rust and a few heads of smut, straw long and even, is good for the season." In this instance the sample did not reach us. T. G. Evans, of Trenholmville, reports a yield of 51 lbs. and says; " Sown I7th May, harvested 25th August; no rust whatevei-, no smut, straw good, stiff and b. ight ; was about a week earlier bhan the White Eussian, weight about 60 lbs. to the bushel." No sample received. The heaviest sample sent from Quebec was from M, Florent Dufour, of Bale St. Paul. This weighed 62f lbs., and the yield was said to be 20 lbs. John Butcher, of Upper Musquodoboit, N. S., had 50 lbs., and says : " Sown 12th May on clay loam, harvested 24th August ; it was rusted, but rust was very prevalent in the province. There was no smut, straw tall and hard. I think it will do well in good years." The sample sent was very light, weighing only 55 lbs. per bushel. S. Landray, of Tracadie, N. S., had 44 lbs. from 3 lbs. sown and says ; " Sown 24th May, on dry gravelly soil ; harvested 4th September ; there was no i-ust, but some smut ; good straw." Weight of sample, 60^ lbs. Joseph de Grace, St. Louis, N. B,, had 35J lbs. He says: "Sown 22nd May, on strong land ; fairly rich ; harvested 30th August ; there was a little lust ; no smut ; fine straw ; 8 to 10 days earlier than other varieties ; I find the heads very short." Sample received weighed 59 J Ihs. per bushel. W. Jenkins, of Nashwaak, N. B., had 35 lbs. and says : "Sown 8th May, on a light clay loam ; harvested 3rd September ; there was some rust, bitt none to hurt ; no smut ; straw much like other sorts but coarser ; a heavy grain ; think it is earlier than other kinds." This sample weighed 62|- lbs. per bushel. J. D. Mclsaac, of Clear .'^pring, P. E. I., had 94 lbs. from 3 lbs. sown and says : "Sown 19th May, on new land ; harvested 30th August ; no rust, but considerable smut ; straw not as rank as White Russian. 1 cut it six days earlier than White Russian and in crop it was far ahead." Sample weighed 57:^ lbs. per bushel, sent just as threshed, without cleaning. John McDonald, of West St. Peters, had 90 lbs. He reports : " SoAvn 16th May, on sandy loam ; harvested 29th August ; no rust or smut ; straw fairly good ; heavy growth ; 5 days earlier than Red Fife." Sample weighed 61 lbs. per bushel. Wm. Hembroft; of Russell, Manitoba, had 49 lbs. He says : " Sown 18th April, on clay loam with a small proportion of sand; harvested 19th August; there was slight rust and some smut ; straw long and strong, but not so hard as Fife ; it was 10 days earlier than Red Fife, which was sown on stubble a week sooner. The yield was fully double the amount given, but the fowls and birds destroyed the balance. I like it well and think it will suit' this country." Weight of sample, 58^ lbs. Maurice Wilsoa, of Pincher Creek, Alberta, N. W. T., had 90| lbs. from 3 lbs. sown. He says : " Sown 25th April, on dark sandy loam ; harvested 1st Septem- ber ; no rust or smut; straw medium; had no opportunity of comparing it with other varieties as to earliness. This has been an unfavourable year for all grain, on account of drought." The sample sent was very light, weighing only 54^ lbs. per bushel. 22 E. Fitzgerald, of Grenffcll, Assa., N. W. T., had 73 lbs. and says: " Sown Srd May, on light sandy loam ; harvested 23rd August ; no lust or smut ; straw long, line ; ripened 15 days earliei- than my earliest tield of Ked Fife ; weight, (J2 lbs. to the bushel ; .suits me well ; if you have any to sell I would like to buy some." H. E. Eichardson, of Balgonie, Assa., had a yield of 60 lbs. He says: "Sown 1st May ; on light sandj^ soil ; harvested 15th August; no rust, very little smut; straw strong, 4^ feet long. It was ripe when Red Fife sown on the same day was still green. I think it is the best wheat for this country." This sample weighed 61^ lb>. ])er bushel. Thos. Mor^jan of Cache Creek, British Columbia, reports an extraordinary^ yield, 634 lbs. (10 bushels 34 lbs) from 3 lbs. of seed. He says : " Sown 5th May, on rich sandy loam, on which potatoes were grown last year ; in a high state of cultivation ; sown broadcast on a little less than ^ of an acre ; harvested 20th August ; no rust or smut; straw tall, over 5 feet high ; very strong ; much earlier than other sorts. Parties who saw it before it was cut, said they never saw anything like it; all my grain is grown by irrigation." The sample sent was very fine and weighed 63^ lbs. per bushel. This is the lai-gest yield ever repoi-ted from a 3 lb. sam|)ie, it is equal to nearly *r0 bushels per acre — 50 bushels of wheat per acre is not uncommon in that district on irrigated land. In consequence of the injury done to wheat by early frost in the North-Westduring the past autumn more attention has been called to earl}^ ripening varieties, and the Ladoga has been much sought after for seed for next spring — for the i-eason that it has ripened early enough to escape all injury from frost. There must be many far- mers now who have more or less of this wheat for sale, and its cultivation from this time forward jDromises to be more general. Mr. Samuel Hanna, of Griswold, Man., has been one of the most successful growers of this variety. He began with a 3-lb. sample the first year of its distribution from the Experimental Farm, and this has increased so rapidly, that during the season just closed, he has grown fifty acres which has given him an average yield of 30 bushels to the acre, or 1,500 bushels in all, most of this he is now offering for sale for seed. A samjAc of this grain sent for inspection weighs 60 lbs per bushel. Mr. Hanna's Red Fife yielded him an average of 30 bushels also, but most of that had the advantage of being sown on summer fallow, while the Ladoga was all put in on fall or spring ploughing. The Ladoga, he says, has never been injured by frost with him, and in his opinion it is ten days earlier than Red Fife. The wheat buyers have graded his samples as No. 1 hard, but they would pre- fer Red Fife if equally sound because it is more plump in the kernel. While Mr. Hanna is a sti-ong advocate of Red Fife, he believes that every farmer in the North- West should have part of his crop in Ladoga, as it escapes frost, and the farmer can begin his harvesting of this grain at least a week eai Her than Red Fife. In the issue of The Commercial, of Winnipeg, dated 2nd February, reference is made to a werj fine lot of Ladoga wheat grown in Prince Albert. The writer says : "A I'epresentative of The Commercial, when in Prince Albert recent!}^, came across a sample of wheat which was a surprise to him. He had seen nothing like it among hundreds of samples examined this season in other parts of the country. A' bag of this wheat was procured by the publisher of The Commercial, and samples of the grain were forwarded to grain exchanges, milling publications, and leading wheat and flour dealers and experts in Canada, the United States and Great Biitain. Replies have not yet been received from some who were forwarded samples, but will be pub- lished when the}'' come to hand. The wheat we refer to was grown b}" William Plaxton, whose farm is six miles frofn Piince Albert. The samjjles sent out were not hand picked, as is usually the case with such, but just as it came out of the farm gi-anarj*. The wheat was grown in 1890, which is generally regarded as the most unfavoui-able year experienced for almost a decade so far as producing a tine quality is concerned. The wheat is of the "Ladoga" variety, which was imported from Russia by the Dominion Government a few years ago, for testing in Canada. This wheat it is claimed ripens considerably earlier than Red Fife, which is an important factor in the northern region. By cultivation in the hard wheat region of Canada 23 this wheat becomes harder and is generally improved in quality. This was shown by comparing the wheat grown each year in succession from the original seed. The sample sent out was a pure hard wheat, bright and clean, weighing 66^ pounds to the imperial bushel and yielded about 35 bushels per acre. We requested a state- ment from Mr. Plaxton as to his experience in growing the wheat, and following we give it in his own words : — * 'In 1888 I got three lbs. and sowed it on the *7th May, and harvested it on the SOth of August; thrashed 96 lbs. of good clean gfain. In 1889 I sowed 96 lbs. on the 16th April, covering about an acre of land, sowed broadcast. Harvested it on the 6ih of August and threshed 14 bushels 68 lbs. of first-class wheat. The crop was light this year on account of the drought. In 1890 I sowed five acres on the 22nd of April, sowed bi'oadcast about two bushels per acre and harvested it on the 15th of August and threshed 172 bushels of which you have a sample. This year (1890) I had Eed Fife wheat, White Eussian and Ladoga, sown side by side on the same kind of soil. The Ladoga ripened and was cut five days earlier than White Russian and ten days earlier than the Eed Fife. " ' Yours truly, Wm. Plaxton. "Following are some of the replies received to the samples sent out : — "From the Northwestern Miller, of Minneapolis, the leading milling journal of the United States : ' Truly a remarkable sample.' " From Daily Business, the grain trade paper, of the Chicago Board of Trade : ' The Daily Business has received from the Winnipeg Commercial, a sample of " Ladoga " wheat, raised in the Prince Albert district, territory of Saskatchewan, 350 miles north of the international boundary line. It is a beautiful wheat, weighs about sixty-five pounds to the measui-ed bushel, and is said to be equal, for flouring purposes, to any wheat grown. It was raised on the farm of William Plaxton, and is the third crop raised from the imported seed. It was sown about 22nd April, and harvested 15th August. It has many of the qualities of Eed Fife, but ripens ten to fifteen days earlier. With each year of cultivation the grain improves, growing thinner in hull and harder.' •■' E. Seckel & Co., grain commission merchants, Chicago, write: 'Your favor received, and also sample of wheat, for which accept our thanks. We exhibited same on 'Change and it attracted quite a good deal of attention. We must say that it is the finest sample of spring wheat we have laid our eyes on. One of our millers here would like to know the value of this wheat in your market, and the rate of freight to Chicago, if you can kindly give us the same.' " A. C. Buell & Co., a leading Chicago grain firm, write : ' I have your letter accompanied by a sample of splendid wheat. A country that can raise such wheat as that sample will be sought after before many years, as the product of Minnesota and Dakota is fast deteriorating.' "Kirkpatrick & Cookson, grain commission merchants, of Montreal, say : ' Your favor duly i-eceived and noted, as well as the sample of " Ladoga " wheat. It is cer- tainly a very handsome sample and has been greatly admii'ed. Is the bulk all as clean as this sample ? At w^hat could a car or two be sold, as an introduction of the variety ? — We might be able to use a little bye-and-bye.' " From the publisher of the Miller's jBmew;, Philadelphia : 'With reference to the sample of wheat grown in the Prince Albert district, my people at the office report it to be something entirely outside of their experience, and the}' know pretty well what fine wheat and lai-ge crops of it are. I desire to show this wheat on our Exchange, and I will report to you the opinions of some of its members. It seems to me the wheat matures in a remarkably short time irom the date of sowing. I will be pleased to write you what our dealers have to say about it. Yours very truly, " ' H. L. EVERELL.' 24 '• Millers' Bevieiv, Phihidi^lph'vd, Pa. : 'Among the samples displaj'cd by Han- cock & Co., of the Philadelphia Commercial Exchange, recently, was a small one from the territory of Saskatchewan, nearly three hundred and fifty miles north of the boundary line between the United States and the British possessions. It excited considerable attention, partly from the fact that the samples on the tables of Han- cock & Co. usually are of interest to buyers, and partly, too, from the fact that the grain in the little blue box was of an exceptionally fine type of red spring wheat. The letter appended gives the history of our getting it, and as we do not wish to keep the sight of such beautiful stock from the appreciative gaze of millers and commer- cial men, we submitted ittoMaj. Hancock, and through his ofiices it was introduced to the Chamber and to the notice of the members on 'Change. The Major pronounced the wheat as handsome as any he had ever seen, and he was sorry that the machina- tions of freight combines and tariffs so effectualiv kept such stock away from millers and grain men in this section and prohibited any substantial investment in this fine product of the far North,' " These letters speak for themselves. Prince Albert has established its claim, and further comment is unnecessary." Mr. Plaxton has sent a sample of this wheat to the Central Experimental Farm it is the finest sample we have ever received and weighs 66 lbs. per bushel. Wm. Gibson, of Wolseley, N W.T., another practical farmer to whom a sample was sent in the spring of 1888, has also had good success with this wheat. His 3-lb. sample produced him the firstyear 236 lbs. and his second crop thinly sown gave him over 100 bushels. In a letter dated 22nd November, 1890 he says : "My Eed Fife wheat sown on the 8th of April was frozen and I think will grade No. 1 or No. 2 frozen, harvested on the 24th of August, this suffered from hail and yielded me only 13 bushels to the acre. The Ladoga wheat sown 10th April and harvested 18th August has escaped the frost, this also suffered from hail and yielded only 14 bushels per acre. This season's experience shows the necessity of every farmer sowing a part of bis grain Ladoga. I shipped over 100 bushels to the United States last year for seed, as farmers here were willing to stick to Eed Fife. This year I have had a lot of orders for Ladoga for seed next spring." Similar favourable experiences might be multiplied, but enough has perhaps been said to show that the introduction of the Ladoga wheat has been a good thing for the North West-Territories, that it is probable that this wheat from its early ripening properties, will to a great extent afford a solution of the probelm of early frost, and from its high quality and productiveness in the northern portions of the great plains, help materially in extending the area for successful wheat culture, and in building up such a reputation for wheat-growing there as shall aid in the settlement of the country. The repoi'ts i-eceived regarding the tests of other varieties of wheat may be summarized as follows : Med Fife— Ten reports from Ontario show an average yield of 27 lbs. Sixteen from Quebec, 25^ lbs. One from Nova Scotia, 29 lbs. Two from New Brunswick, 48^ lbs, and two from Prince Edward Island, 55 lbs. White Fife — Eight reports from Ontario give an average yield of 24|- lbs. and four reports from Quebec an average of 31^ lbs. Red Fern — Three reports from Ontario give an average yield of 20§ lbs. Six from Quebec, 33^ lbs. ; two from Nova Scotia, 24 lbs. ; one from New Brunswick 30 lbs., and two from Prince Edward Island with an average of 88^ lbs. EXPERIMENTS WITH OATS. During the past season 28 varieties of oats have been tested in field plots and 28 others in small plots, making 56 in all. Of these, 16 varieties were sown on plots of one-tenth acre each, alongside of each other, on the same day, on a clay loam of fairly uniform character. The results obtained from grain grown under such con- ditions may be compared, the one with the other, with much less probability of en-or 25 than -uiien compari.sons are raadc between varieties sown at different periods and on different soils on the same farm. The field referred to was in hay when the farm was purchased; it yielded fair crops in 1887 and 1888; thesod was ploughed under early in the autumn of 1888 and a crop of oats taken off in 1889. The land was ploughed soon after the oat crop was harvested and sown with experimental plots of oats, barley and wheat in the spring of 1890. No manure or other fertilizer has yet been used on this laud since the purchase was made. The results are given in the appended table, following which particulars will be found relating to larger field plots of these and other vari- ties. On all the tenth-acre plots the oats were more or less rusty, and in most instances they were much injured from this cause. American Triumph. . . . Banner Black Tartarian Bonanza Canadian Triumph .... Cream Egyptian Egyptian Early Blossom Early Race-horse Flying Scotchman Giant Swedish Poland White Prize Cluster, imp. 1889 do _ do 1890 Rennie's Prize White. . Victoria Prize White Russian Date Date of of Sowing. Harvesting. April 25. do 25. do 25. do 25. do 25. do 25 do 25. do 25. do 25. do 25. do 25. do 25. do 25. do 25. do 25. do 25. do 25. Aug. 11. do do do do do do do do do do do do s 12. 5. 2 8. 8. 14. 5. 5. 14. 5. 2. July 30. Aug. 4 do 4. do 16. Number of Days Maturing. 108 105 109 102 99 105 105 111 102 102 111 102 99 96 101 101 113 Yield per Acre. Bush. 37^ 52| 28i 42| 30| 30| 31^ 23h 30i 36| 331 33i 33| 34^ 25| 36| 34i Weight per Bushel. Lbs. 35i 32i 25-1 41i 434 38 35i Si" 41 ;^i 29" 41 411 41 41 41 32 Ic will be seen that the Banner heads the list in this series, but the gram is light. Bonanza stands next in yield, with a heavy sample, followed among the oats of heavy weight by Victoria Prize and Prize Cluster. The Canadian Triumph, although a smaller yield, gives the heaviest sample. LARGER FIELD PLOTS. American Triumph (Carter's). — On sandy loam; manured in spring of 1889 ; two acres. Sown 2l8t April; 2 bushels per acre; ripe 12th August ; time to mature, 113 days ; yield per acre, 31^ bushels ; weight per bushel, 36J lbs. Banner. — On sandy loam ; no manure ; 2-| acres. Sown 29th April ; If bushels per acre ; ripe 12th August ; time to mature, 105 days ; straw bright and strong ; very little rust ; stands well ; height, 3J to 4 feet ; yield per acre, 22| bushels, weighing 30f lbs. per bushel. A second plot, on sandy clay soil, no manure, ^ acre, was sown 7th May ; 1^ bushels per acre ; ripe 12th August ; time to mature, 97 days ; straw dark ; stands well ; height, 3 to 3^ feet; yield per acre, 31|- bushels, weight per bushel, 30i lbs. Black Tartarian. — This seed was imported from Scotland in the spring of 1890. It was a very fine sample, weighing 42 lbs. to the bushel. On sandy clay soil, without manure; 7 acres ; sown 9th May, 2 bushels to the acre ; harvested 15th August; time to mature, 98 days ; medium growth ; poor colour ; much rust, and red leaf; yield, 26£ bushels pe:i* acre, weighing 35 lbs. per bushel. Bonanza. — On sandy loam; no manure; 2|- acres. Sown 29th April; If bushels per acre ; ripe 3rd August ; time to matui-e, 96 days ; straw bright, rather w^eak ; considerately rusted ; height, 4|- to 5 feet ; yield per acre, 31 bushels, weighing 42^ lbs. per but'hel. 26 Canadian Triumph -On light, sandy clay ; no manure; 1:|- acres. Sown 26th April; If bushels per acre; harvested 3rd August; time to mature, 99 days; even growth; straw bright; very little rust; yield per acre, 25^ bushels ; weight per bushel, 43 lbs; Canadian White. — On sandy clay soil ; no manure; 1 acre. Sown 24th April ; 2J bushels per acre; ripe 5th August; time to mature, 103 days; straw bright; stands well ; height, 3^ to 4 feet not much rust; yield per acre, 28^ bushels ; weight per bushel 36 lbs. Early Archangel. — On sandy clay soil; no manure; \ acre. Sown 3rd May; IJ bushels per acre; ripe 7th August, time to mature, 96 days; uneven growth; straw bDght ; stands well; a little rust and some smut ; height 3 to 3| feet; yield per acre, 24^ bushels; weight per bushel, 39 lbs. Early Racehorse. — On sandy loam ; manured in spring of 1H»9 ; 4| acres. Sown 21st April ; If bushels per acre ; ripe 2nd August ; time to mature, 103 days ; straw a little dark, lodged in some spots ; considerably rusted ; height, 4 to 5 feet ; jield per acre, not ascertained ; weight per bushel, 42 lbs. Egyptian. — On sandy clay ; no manure ; *ne acre. Sown 24th April ; 2\ bushels per acre ; ripe 5th August ; time to mature, 103 days ; even growth ; very little rust ; height, 3^ to 4 feet ; yield per acre, 3(i|- bushels ; weight per bushel, 4 If lbs. Flying Scotchman. — On sandy loam ; manured in spring of 1889 ; 2 acres. Sown 22nd April ; If bushels per acre ; ripe 2nd August; time to mature, 102 days; even growth ; very little rust ; height, 3^ to 4^ feet ; yield per acre, 40|- bushels ; weight per bushel, 39-| lbs. Georgia. Early White. — On sandj^ clay soil; no manure; one acre. Sown 24th April ; 2^ bushels per acre ; ripe 2nd August ; time to mature, 100 days ; even growth; straw bright ; stands well; very little rust; height, 3|- to 4|- feet; yield per acre, 26^ bushels ; weight per bushel, 42 lbs. Holstein Prolific. — On sandy clay soil, no manure, ^ acre ; sown May 7th ; 1-^ bushels per acre ; rij^e August 10th ; time to mature 95 days ; straw weak and con- siderably rusted ; height 3 to 3^ feet ; jaeld per acre, 19J bushels ; weight per bushel 30J lbs. Hazlett's Seizure. — On Sandy clay soil ; no manure ; f acre. Sown 7th May; 1^ bushels per acre; ripe 12th August; time to mature 97 days, straw dark; con- siderably rusted ; height, 3 to 3J feet ; yield per acre, 16f bushels ; weight per bushel, 36 lbs. Hungarian White. — On sandy cla}" soil ; no manure ; 1 acre. Sown 24th April ; 2|- bushels per acre; ripe 2nd August; time to mature, 100 days ; even growth ; con- siderably rusted ; height, SJ to 4 feet ; yield per acre, 24f bushels ; weight per bushel, 40^ lbs. Longfellow. — On sandy loam ; no manure ; 3^ acres. Sown 1st May; If bushels ])eracre; ripe 6th August; time to mature, 97 days; straw rather dark ; a little rusted; height, 2J to 3|- feet; yield per acre, 27f bushels; weight per bushel, 36J lbs. Poland White. — On light sandj^ clay ; no manure ; 1^ acres. Sown 26th April ; If bushels per acre ; harvested 4th August; time to mature, 100 days; even gi-owth ; straw bright; very little rust ; yield per acre, 23 bushels ; weight pei' bushel, 42f lbs. Potato English. — On sandy clay soil ; no manure; 1 acre. Sown 24th April; 2^ bushels per acre ; ripe 5th August ; time to mature, 103 days ; straw bright ; stands well; height, 3^ to 4^ feet; not much rust; yield per acre, 34f bushels ; weight per bushel. 39 lbs. "^ Prize Cluster. — On sandy loam and partly peaty soil; no manure ; 8 acres. Sown 23rd April ; If bushels pei- acre; ripe 4th August ; time to mature, 103 days ; straw bright, rather soft; more inclined to lodge than some other varieties ; but little rust ; height, 3J to 4|- feet ; yield per acre, 30|- bushels; Aveight ])er bushel, 42^ lbs. Rennie's Prize White. — On light sandy loam ; no manure ; l|- acres. Sown 9th May ; If bushels pei- acre ; ripe 9th August ; time to mature, 92 days ; of even groAvth ; straw very rusty; height, 3^ to 4 feeti; yield, 31 bushels per acre ; weighs, 42^ lbs. per bushel. 27 Rosedale. — On sandy clay soil; no manure ; ^ acre. Sown 3rd May; IJ bushels per acre ; ripe 10th Augu^it ; time to mature, 99 days; of uneven growth; straw rather weak ; height, 3 to 3|- feet ; yield per acre, 30^ bushels ; weight per bushel, 36| lbs. Siberian — On tandy loam ; 18 to 20 tons manure per acre ; \ acre. Sown 16th May ; ripe 14th August ; time to mature, 90 days ; yield per acre, 23^ bushels ; weight, 28^ lbs per bushel. Victoria Prize. — On sandy loam mixed with clay ; no manure ; If acres. Sown davs ; 22nd April If bushels per acre ; ripe 2nd August ; time to mature, 102 straw stands fairly well ; considerably rusted ; height, 4 to 5 feet ; yield per acre, 38J bushels ; weight per bushel, 41^ lbs. Waterloo. — On sandy soil ; no manure; 4 acres. Sown, 2nd May; 2 bushels per acre ; ripe 13th August ; time to mature, 103 days ; straw bright; stands well ; not much rust; height, 3 to 4 feet ; yield per acre, 20|- bushels, weighing 34 lbs. per bushel. A second" plot of 1 acre, on sandy clay soil, no manure, was sown 24th April ; 2^ bushels per acre ; ripe 4th August ; time to mature, 102 days ; yield per acre, 26 bushels ; weight per bushel, 34 lbs. Welcome. — On sandy clay soil ; no manure ; 4 acres. Sown 28th April ; 2 bushels per acre ; ripe 29th July ; time to mature, 92 days ; straw rather dark, but strong ; a little rust and some smut ; height, 3 to 3| feet ; yield per acre, 38f bushels ; weight per bushel, 42^ lbs. White Russian.— On mixed sandy and peaty soil; no manure ; 1| acres. Sown 2nd May ; 2 bushels per acre ; ripe 12th August; time to mature, 102 days ; straw fairly bright and strong ; not much rust ; height, 3^ to 4J feet ; yield per acre, 37| bushels, weighing 32^ lbs. per bushel. A second plot of 1 acre of mixed sandy and clay soil, no manure, was sown 24th April ; 2 bushels per acre ; ripe 5th August ; time to mature, 103 days ; yield per acre, 42^ bushels. A third plot of 8 acres, on sandy clay soil, with from 18 to 20 tons of manure per acre, was sown 6th May ; ripe 13th August ; time to mature, 99 days ; yield per acre, 36 bushels ; weight per bushel, 32 lbs. EXPERIMENTS WITH BARLEY. TWO-ROWED VARIETIES. Adjoining the one-tenth acre plots of oats, all sown the same day, was a similar series of plots of barley, consisting of eleven two-rowed varieties and five six-rowed. Particulars as to the character of the soil, treatment of the land and preceding crops will be found under " Experiments with Oats." The grain on all these plots was more or less rusted, and in most instances it was badly aflPected. The following table gives the results of these barley tests. Date of Sowing Beardless ^ April 25. . Danish Chevalier do 25. . Danish Printice Chevalier do Earlv Minting i do English :Malting j do Golden Melon, Imported 18.5S do do do 1800. Goldthorpe do 1S!)(). Peerless White do 18S8. do do 18!I0. Prize Prolific do 188!). do do 18!)0. Saale do 1889 . do do do do do do do 25... 25... 25... 25... 25... 25.. 25.. 25.. 25.. 25.. 25.. Date of Har\ 'esting. Aug. 14.... do 10.... do 10.... do 10... do 14.... do 14.... do 8... do 12... do 10... do 9.... do 8.... do 5.... do 8.... Number of Days Maturing. Ill 107 107 107 111 111 105 109 107 106 105 102 105 Yield per Aci'e. Bu.^h. •xi 2li3 19 24i 20i 1(5' 14i 22i 28 27i 2H For weight per bushel of these varieties see larger field plots. 28 In comparing the results hei'e given it will be observed that in every instance where the material has been available for comparison, recently imported two-rowed barley, that of 1890, has produced a smaller crop than when grown from the same sort after being under cultivation here for one or two years. In former experi- ments results confirming this same point were obtained, from which we may gather that increasing crops may be looked for as these barleys become acclimatized. There are, however, two exceptions in the other field plots — one of Selected Chevalier, imported 1890, and one of Golden Melon, imported 1890, both of which gave a much larger yield. These two plots, however, were sown on an exceptionally good piece of clay loam, extending to a roadway and along the margin of the road; the land was manured in the spring to the width of about 10 feet. In point of productiveness the variety known as Prize Prolific heads the list. There is an unexpected difference in the time of ripening; the more i-ecent importations mature in from one to six days less time, than those samples which have been grown in this climate for a year or two, which is another evidence of the importance of early seeding. The varieties named in the table are, from the English standard, all malting barleys, and most of them veiy highly esteemed for this purpose. With the exception of the Goldthorpe they are all of the Chevalier type, with long, pendulous heads. The Groldthorpe is more erect, and resembles the Duckbill, with a shorter and somewhat flattened ear. LARGER FIELD PLOTS. Beardless. — On sandy loam ; no manure ; 3 acres. Sown 23rd April ; 2 bushels per acre; ripe 8th August; time to mature, 107 days; straw bright, stands well; very little rust; height, 3 to 3|- feet; yield per acre, 25f bushels ; weight per bushel, 51^ lbs. ^ Chevalier Selected. — Imported 1890; on good clay loam; a part of this was manured in spring of 1890, before sowing; \ acre. Sown 26th April; 2 bushels per acre ; ripe 5th August; time to'mature, 101 days; straw bright, stands fairly well ;. but little rusted ; height, 3 to 3J feet; yield per acre, 46J bushels; weight per bushel, 51^ lbs. A second plot of 2 acres, on a soil of mixed sand and clay, was sown 2nd May, If bushels per acre; ripe 5th August; time to mature, 95 days ; straw bright, stands well ; considerably rusted ; height, 2J to 3^ feet ; yield, 24 bushels per acre ; weight per bushel, 51^ lbs. Danish Chevalier. — On mixed sandy and clay loam, without manure ; 1|- acres ; Sown 2nd May, 2 bushels per acre; ripe 12th August; time to mature, 102 days; straw dark ; considerably rusted; height, 3 to 3|^ feet ; yield per acre, 25|- bushels ; weight per bushel, 51f lbs. On same soil and adjoining, -^^ acre sown at the same time was fertilized with 200 lbs. (400 lbs. per acre) of a special barley fertilizer ; in this instance the yield was 25f buohels. Another ^ acre adjoining received an applica- tion of 200 lbs. of odorless phosphate; this yielded 25 bushels per acre; while in the case of a fourth plot of ^ of an acre, which had received an application of 66 lbs. of fish manure, the yield was 23^ bushels per acre. The land on which these experi- ments were tried appeared to be very uniform and the results are certainly very puzzling. Danish Printice Chevalier. — On mixed sandy and clay loam, without manure; f of an acre. Sown 3rd May, 2 bushels per acre; ripe 12th August; number of days to mature, 101 ; straw rather dark, but standing well; height, 3 to 3J feet; considerably rusted ; yield per acre, 30 bushels; weight per bushel, 51f lbs. A second plot was sown on heavy sandy loam; no manure; If acres. Sown 24th April, 2 bushels per acre; ripe 9th August; time to mature, 107 days ; straw bright ; stands fairly well ; very little rust ; height, 3J to 4 feet; yield per acre, 27J bushels; weight per bushel, 5 If lbs. Early Minting. — On sandy loam ; no manure ; 2^ acres. Sown 2nd May, If bushels per acre; rijje 5th August; time to mature, 95 days ; straw bright, but soft ; breaks easily slightly rusted, height 2 to 2^ feet; yield per acre, 25 bushels; weight per bushel, 51 lbs. 29 Golden Melon. — Importation 1890. On good clay loam, a part of which was manured in spring of 1890 before sowing, ^ acre. Sown 26th April, 2 bushels per acre ; ripe 6th August; time to mature, 102 days ; straw bright, stands well ; not much rust; height, 3 to 3|- feet ; yield per acre, 46f bushels ; weight per bushel, 52 lbs. Another plot of 1 acre was sown with seed grown fi-om importation of 1888 on sandy loam mixed with clay, without manure. Sown 24th April, two bushels per acre ; ripe 2nd August ; time to mature, 100 days ; even growth ; straw bright ; stands well ; very little rust ; height, 3^ to 4 feet ; yield per acre, 35f bushels ; weight j)er bushel, 52 lbs. _ _ ^ "5^ Peerless White. — Importation 1890. On good clay loam, partly manured bright acre. Sown 26th April, ripe August 6th; time to mature, 102 days; straw stands well ; but little rust ; height, 3 to 3|- feet; yield per acre, 46f bushels; weight per bushel, 51 lbs. Goldthor])e. — On sandy loam ; no manure ; 2^ acres. Sown 26th April, 2 bushels per acre ; ripe 6th August, time to mature, 102 days ; straw bright, and stands well"; height, 2^ to 3J feet ; yield per acre, 20f bushels; weighing 52 lbs. pej' bushel. Prize Fi'olific. — On soil mostly clay, with some peat ; no manure ; t acres. Sown 30th April, If bushels per acre ; ripe on higher land, 4th August , on lower peat}^ soil, 12th August ; time to mature, 96 to 104 daj'S : straw bright and strong ; stands well ; height, 3 to 3J feet ; very even growth ; yield per acre, 32 bushels ; weight per bushel, 52 lbs. One-half acre of this plot was measured oflP and sown with 200 lbs. of a special barley fertilizer, (400 lbs. per acre) the yield from which was 31-| bushels per acre. A third plot on another part of the farm, on heavy sandy loam ; no inanure ; If acres ; was sown 26th April, 2 bushels per acre ; ripe 6th Augu-t ; time to mature, 102 days ; yield per acre, 24 bushels. Saale. — On heavj^ sandy loam ; no mauure; IJ acres. Sown 24th April, 2 bushels per acre; ripe 9th August; time to mature, 107 days; even growth ; straw foiight; stands well; very little rust; height, 3J to 4 feet; yield per acre, 30 bushels', weight per bushel, 51 lbs. Large Two-rowed Naked. — This is a naked barley, not suitable for malting, but valuable for feed, producing a large, heavy grain. Grown on sandy loam; no manure ; 2 acres. Sown 1st May, 2 bushels per acre ; ripe 4th August ; time to mature, 95 ■days ; straw rather weak ; considerably rusted ; breaks down easily ; height, 3 to 3-| feet ; yield per acre, 28|^ bushels; weight per bushel, 60^ lbs This barley should be sown thicker, on account of the large size of the grain — not less than 2J bushels per acre. SIX-ROWED VARIETIES. The following were sown on one-tenth acre plots adjacent to those of the two- rowed sorts : — Date of Sowing. Date of Harvesting. Number of Days Maturing. Yield per Acre. Weight per Bushel. Baxter's Six-rowed April 25 . . . do 25.... do 25.... do 25.... do 25 . do 25.... July 31.... do 25.... do 31.... do 31 ... . do 29 ... . do 30.. . 97 91 97 97 95 96 Bush. 25 21i 20i 18| 19i 25f Lbs. 48 Indian, from Spiti Valley IMensury Odessa Six-rowed 55 44i 46^ Petschora Rennie's Improved 43:: 47^ These are all of the ordinary type of six-rowed barley, excepting the Indian from Spiti Valley, which is a hulless sort, of a dark bluish colour and very heavy. It is one of the varieties of ii:rain which was sent to Cana^ia for test bv the Govern- HO ment of India in 1888 ; it is an early ripening sort, rather short in growth, with a compact, heavy head, and, although it has not yielded heavily here, promises to be a valuable variety foi- feeding purposes. LARGER FIELD PLOTS. Indian from Spiti Valley. — On sandy loam ; no manure ; 2J acres. Sown Ist May ; 1| buslicls per acre ; harvested 26th July ; time to mature, 86 dajH ; straw rather soft and weak ; many heads bent over ; height, 1^ to 2 feet ; v^ery little rust: yield per acre, 16^ bushels ; weight per bushel, 54J lbs. Guymalaye. — On sandy loam ; no manure ; -^ acre. Sown 14th May ; 2 bushels per acre ; ripe 7th August ; time to mature, 85 days ; straw bright ; stands well ; very little rust ; height, 3 to 3|- feet ; yield per acre, 36^ bushels ; weight per bushel, 56 lbs. This is also a hulless barley, which seems to be identical with what is known as " six-rowed wheat barley." It is a very productive variety, and promising for feed ; the kernel is of a dark amber colour, Hulless Black. — On sandy loam; no manure; \ acre. Sown 14th May, 2 bushels per acre ; ripe 3rd August ; time to mature, 81 days ; straw very dark in colour ; stands well; very little rust; height, 2^ to 3 feet; yield per acre, 22 bushels ; weight per bushel, 62 lbs. This is a very heavy hulless barley, with a black kernel, which is worthy of more extended trial as a feed bai-ley. Odessa Six-rowed. — On mixed clay and sandy loam ; no manure ; ^ acre. Sown 15th May ; 1^ bushels per acre ; ripe 14th August ; time to mature, 91 days ; straw bright, with very little rust; height, 2|- to 3|- feet; yield per acre, 31^ bushels ; weight per bushel, 49^ lbs. EXPEEIMENTS WITH SPEING WHEAT. The wheat plots enumerated in the following table, complete the series of one-tenth acre plots of grain on similar clay loam, all sown on the same day and without manure. The season proved to be very unfavourable for spring wheat, almost all varieties showing a light yield. In most instances the third and last maturing kernel in each group on the ear was empty, and those clusters forming the top of the ear were in a similar condition. This has probably resulted from unfavourable hot and dry weather, occuring just at the time when the floral ojgans within the husk were in a soft and critical stage of development, causing them to shrink and wither, these plots the straw was much rusted, in some instances worse than others. In all Campbell's White Chaff Campbell's Triumph Carter's Cross-bred I or Anglo-Canadian Green Mountain Indian Hard Calcutta Judket Ladoga Red Fern Rio Grande Russian Hard Tag Saxonka White Delhi White Russian White Fife Red Fife Date of Sowing. April 25. do 25. do 25. do 25 do 25. do 25. do 25. do 25. do 25. do 25. do 25. do 25 . do 25. do 25., do 25.. Date of Harvesting, Aug. do do do do do do do do do do do do do do 8.. 10 .. 14 , 16... 5... 10... 7... 11... 16... 8... 11... 7. . . 14... 12... 12... Number of Days Maturing. 105 107 111 113 102 107 104 108 113 105 108 104 111 109 10!) Yield per Acre. Bush. 19 Hi 4 81 lOi 21 lOi 12 17 20^ 12 12 lOi 18| 12 Weight per Bushel. Lbs. 58 57 54| 57 59i 584 56| 55i 59 60| 55i 564 56| 55| 56| 31 These plots show a wide difference in yield. The most prolific are Judket. Eussian Hard Tag, Campbell's White Chaff and White Fife. The Eussian Hard Tag is a bearded sort, with aricy kernel of inferior quality, much like goose wheat; the other varieties named are all of good quality, and beardless. The Campbell's White Chaff is particularly promising, as will be seen from the records of the larger field plots. It also proved a heavy yielder in 1889, giving 36| bushels per acre, being 3f bushels more than any other sort tested. At the branch Experimental Farms it has done well during the past season , at ISTappan, N,S., the yield has been 32 bushels per acre ; at Brandon, Man., 24 bushels 36 lbs. ; at Indian Head, N.W.T., 32 bushels 4 lbs. ; and at Agassiz, B. C, 3 lbs. gave a return of 4S lbs. LARGER FIELD PLOTS. Campbell's White Chaff. — On sandy loam ; no manure; ^ acre. Sown 23rd April, 1^ bushels per acre ; harvested August 13th ; time to mature, 112 days ; even growth, straw bright; stands well ; height, 4 to 4^ feet; yield per acre, 21| bushels ; weight per bushel, 5*7^ lbs. One-half acre adjoining, sown at the same time, which was treated with 200 lbs. of special fertilizer (400 lbs. per acre) yielded 18f bushels per aero. A third ^ acre, next adjoining, treated with 200 lbs. of odorless phosphate, gave a yield of 14 bushels; while a fourth ^ acre in the same series, without fertilizer, yielded 17 bushels per acre. This soil was of variable character, which may account for these anomalous results. There is no doubt that had the soil been uniform in fertility the addition of the fertilizers would have increased the yield. Campbell's Triumph. — On sandy loam; no manure; 1^ acres. Sown 23rd April, 1^ bushels per acre; ripe 13th August; time to mature 112 days; even growth ; straw bright, and stands well; height, 3 to 4 feet; yield per acre, 12| bushels; weight per bushel, 59f lbs. Carter's Cross-bred I or Anglo-Canadian. — On sandy loam; no manure. Sown 23rd April, 1 bushel per acre; ripe 13th August; time to mature, 112 days; even growth; straw bright, and stands well; height, 3^ to 4|- feet; yield per acre, 5 hushels, weighing 51 lbs. per bushel. A third plot was that of one-tenth of an acre, already reported on among the series of plots sown one week apart to test the advantage of early seeding. This was sown 22nd April; was ripe 13th August; time to mature, 113 days; yield per acre, 5 bushels 50 lbs. This new hybrid wheat, originated by James Carter & Co., of London, England, and which has produced such large crops in Great Britain, has made but a poor record here. It is of strong and vigorous growth, with a large bearded ear, which gave promise of a good yield early in the season, but as the time of harvest approached a considerable part of each head was found to be empt3\ The plants themselves were so promising that I look for much better results another year, when the con- ditions will probably be more favourable and the grain somewhat acclimatized. That the yield obtained at Ottawa is not normal is shown by the larger crops at the branch Experimental Farms. At Nappan, N.S., the yield was 29f bushels ytev acre; at Brandon, Man., 26 bushels; at Indian Head, IST.W.T., 16 bushels 28 lbs. ; and at Agassiz, B.C., 35 lbs. were obtained from 1 pound sown. In time of ripening it is six or seven days later than Ladoga. Judket. — On mixed clay and sandy loam ; no manure ; 2 acres. Sown 12th May, 1|- bushels per acre ; harvested 16th August ; time to mature, 96 days ; fair growth ; not much rust; yield per acre, 11|- bushels; weight per bushel, 59 lbs. Eio Grande. — On sandy loam; no manure; 2 acres. Sown 23rd April, IJ bushels per acre; harvested 15th August; time to mature, 114 days; straw bright, and stands Avell; height, 3|- to 4J feet; yield per acre, 14 bushels, weighing 62 lbs per bushel. SPRING WHEAT IN ROWS 2J FEET APART. It has been stated that wheat yields large crops when grown in drills 2| feet apai-t, the land being kept clean with a horse cultivator. Nine varieties of wheat were sown in this manner on sandy loam, which was manured in the spring of 1890, 32 with from IS to 20 tons of stable manure per acre. Each variety occupied six rows, covering a space of one-twentieth of an acre. The following results were had : — Campbell's Triumph Judket Ladoga Red Fem Rio Grande Red Fife Saxonka White Delhi White Russian Date of Sowing. Date of Ripening. May do do do do do do do do Aug. 11. do 12. do 9. do 11. do 13 do 12. Number of Days Maturing. do do 11. 7. do 13. 101 102 99 101 103 102 101 97 103 Yield per xVcre. Bush. H 7 7i '4 8 7i Weight per Bushel. 58^ 59| 57^ 59^ 60 59^ 58 60 60? The samples of grain giown on these plots weighed well for this season, but so much of the land being unoccupied the crop was relatively small. EXPEEIMENTS WITH WINTEE WHEAT. A few varieties of Winter wheat were sown in field plots, but most of them were much injured by winter, and some were so badly winter-killed that the yield jDer acre could not be ascertained. A similar experience was had last year, which leads to the opinion that the climate of Ottawa is not favourable to the growth of vrinter wheats. Democrat. — On sand}^ clay loam, no manure ; frds acre. Sown 6th Septetnber, 1889, 2 bushels per acre; ripe 1st August, 1890; straw bright; stands well; very little rust ; height, 3i- to 4 feet; jneld per acre not ascertained; weight per bushel, 59J lbs. Early JRed Clawson. — On sandy loam; no manure. Sown 10th September, 1889, 2 bushels per acre; ripe 31st July, 1890 ; straw strong; very little rusted; height, 3 to 3^- feet, yield per acre not ascertained. Golden Cross. — On sandy loam; no maifure. Sown 10th September, 1889, 2 bushels per acre ; ripe 30th July, 1890 ; straw rather dark, but strong ; considerably rusted ; height, 4 lo 5 feet ; jneld per acre, 26^ bushels ; weight per bushel, 61^ lbs. Manchester. — On sandy clu}^ loam; no manure; 1 acre. Sown 6th September, 1889, 2 bushels per acre ; ripe 30th July, 1890 ; straw dark, and rusty; height 3^ to 4 feet ; yield per acre, 25 bushels; weight j^er bushel, 61^ lbs. Marthis Amber. — On sandy loam ; no manure. Sown 10th September, 1889, 2 bushels per acre ; ripe 5th August, 1890; straw bright and strong; very little rust; height, 3J to 4^ feet; yield jjer acre not ascertained. Mediterranean — On sandy loam; no manure. Sown 10th September, 1889, 2 bushels per acre ; ripe 31st July, 1890; straw rather dark ; considerably rusted ; height, 3i to 4 feet ; yield per acre not ascertained. New"Monarch. — On sandy loam; no manure. Sown 10th September, 1889, 2 bushels per acre; ripe 31st July, 1890; straw bright and strong, with very little rust; height, 3| to A\ feet; yield per acre not ascertained ; weight per bushel, 58^ lbs. Tasmania. — On sandy clay loam ; no manure. Sown 5th September, 1889, 2 bushels per acre; ripe l.-t August, 1890; straw bright ; considerably rusted; height, 3 to 3i feet ; yield per acre not, ascertained ; weight per bushel, 61 lbs. Volunteer. — On sandy loam ; no manure. Sown 10th September, 1889, 2 bushels per acre; ripe 31st Jul}^, 1890; straw dark; much rusted; height, 3J to 4 feet; yield per acre 26 bushels. 33 EXPEEIMENTS WITH EYE. WINTER VARIETIES. Reading Giant. — On light sandy loam ; no manure ; 2|- acres. Sown Tth September, 1889, l\ bushels per acre; ripe 30th July, 1890 ; straw strong and bright ; very little rust; height, 5J to 6 feet, of fine appearance, yield per acre, 14| bushels ; weight per bushel, 55 lbs. Finnish Wassa. — On light sandy loam ; no manure ; 2J acres. Sown 7th Septem- ber, 1889, 1^ bushels per acre ; ripe 29th July, 1890 ; straw rather soft, breaks down more than tlie other varieties, also more rusted; height, 5 to 5^ feet ; yield per acre, 11\ bushels; weight per bushel, 53 lbs. Polar. — On light sandy loam ; no manure ; 2|- acres. Sown 7th September, 1889, \h bushels per acre; ripe 30th July, 1890 ; straw strong ; 5| to 6 feet high ; consider- ably rusted; heads well filled; yield per acre, 16 bushels; weight per bushel, 51| Ibg. Common Fall Bye. — On light sandy loam ; no manure ; 1 acre.. Sown 7th Septem- ber, 1889, IJ bushels per acre; ripe 30th July, 1890; straw strong, considerably rusted, yield" per acre, 24^ bushels ; weight per bushel, 55^ lbs. SPRING VARIBTY. Spring Rye. — On poor, light sandy soil ; 18 to 20 tons manure per acre two acres. Sown 22nd April, 1^ bushels per acre; straw bright and strong; height, 4 to 4|-feet; heads well filled j yield per acre, 24^ bushels ; weight per bushel, 58^ lbs. EXPEEIMENTS WITH PEAS. Blackeyed Marrowfat. — On sandy loam ; on which was applied 18 to 20 tons of manure per acre in 1890, ^ acre. Sown 8th May, 4 bushels per acre ; ripe 9 th August; time to mature, 93 days; yield per acre, 39^ bushels ; weight per bushel, 61 lbs. Daniel O'Rourke. — On light sandy loam ; no manure ; \ acre. Sown 8th May, 2f bushels per acre ; ripe 25th July, time to mature, 78 days ; yield per acre, 37| bushels ; weight per bushel 58f lbs. Golden Vine. — On sandy clay soil ; no manure ; 5 acres. Sown 28th April, 3 bushels per acre ; ripe 4th August ; time to mature, 98 days ; yield per acre, 36f bushels; weight per bushel, 65^ lbs. Multiplier. — On sandy clay loam; no manure; 5|- acres. Sown 28th April, 3 bushels pel- acre, ripe 12th August ; time to mature, 106 days ; yield per acre, 35| bushels, weight per bushel, 65^ lbs. ' Pride. — On clay loam ; no manure; ^ acre. Sown 19th May, 2 bushels per acre; ripe 8th August; time to mature, 81 days; yield per acre, 30J bushels; weight per bushel, 65^ lbs. EXPEEIMENTS WITH TUENIPS. Seventeen varieties of turnips were sown in rows 2 feet 4 inches ajjart, and the yields per acre given in the following list have been calculated from the produce of two rows in each case 66 feet long. Estimates based on small plots almost always show a relatively greater yield than when founded on the results of larger areas, but since all the varieties were treated alike and the soil very similar thi-oughout these figures form a fair basis for the comparison of varieties. They were all sown on the 30th of May and pulled the 21st of October. The soil was a sand}' loam, rather 6c— 3 34 light in character, which received a coating of from 18 to 20 tons of manure per acre in 1888, and a coating of unleached ashes, about 150 bushels to the acre late, in 18S9. Lord Derby Swede (Carter) Purple Top Swede (Rennie) Skirving's Improved Purple Top Swede (Steele). Selected Champion Purple Top Swede Highland Prize Purple Top Swede (Steele) Elephant Swede (Carter) Marquis of Lome Purple Top Swede (Bruce) . . . Queen of the Swedes (Carter) Purple Top Swede (Steele). Skirving's Swede (Carter) Skirving's King of Swedes (Steele) Sutton's Champion (Rennie) Hartley's Bronze (Pearce) . . Bangholm (Carter) Clyde Swede (Evans) White Swede (Steele) Pearce 's Invincible (Pearce) Yield per Acre. Yield per Acre. Tons. Lbs. Bush. 46 1,060 1,551 39 634 1,310^ 3!) 492 1,308,1^ 39 210 l,3(j3i 37 1,098 VSAB 35 1,280 1,188 35 1,280 1,188 35 ;55 l,180f4 34 168 1,136^ 34 168 1,136^ 33 1,744 1,129^^ 33 188 1,103^ 30 1,804 1,030^ 29 1,824 997^ 27 1,1.55 919i 26 1,601 893^i 21 570 709^ In a second trial with 22 varieties on a poorer soil, withou-t manure, later sown, the following results were had. The jueld per acre was calculated from the same sized plots. The seed was sown on the 2nd June and the roots pulled 24th October : — Improved Purple Top Mammoth (Simmers). . . . Hartley's Bronze (Pearce) Laidlaw's Swede (Pearce) Skirving's Swede (Carter) Bangholm Purple Top Swede (Rennie) Highland Prize Purple Top Swede (Steele) Hazard's Swede (Evans) Purple Top Swede (Rennie) East Lothian Purple Top Swede (Bruce) Highland Prize Purple Top Swede (Simmers) . . Selected Champion Purple Top Swede Lord Derby Swede (Carter) White Swede (Steele) Skirving's Imjiroved Purple Top Swede (Steele Royal Norfolk Purple Top Swede (Bruce) Purple Top Swede (Bruce) Sutton's Champion (Rennie) Purple Top Yellow Aberdeen (Pearce) Pearce "s Invincible (Pearce) Sutton's Champion Swede (Bruce) Clyde Swede (Evans) Skirving's King of Swedes (Steele) Yield per Acre. Yield per Acre. Tons. Lbs. Bush. 32 350 l,072i 27 1,722 02SU 26 1,601 893H 26 Oil 876^ 25 1,480 858 24 1,358 822e 24 368 806^8 24 227 803H 24 085 SOVH 23 1,378 789h, 21 1,418 723^ 20 943 682e - 20 872 681H 19 1.4.58 657M 18 1,620 627 17 1,074 584f^ 17 508 575A 17 084 16 1,942 565H 16 1,165 5521 15 1,609 526*8 15 690 511i In this second series of 22 sorts it will be seen that the relative positions of the varieties, as to yield, are somewhat changed. The 13lh in the first series becomes second in this, the 10th fourth, the 5th becomes sixth, the 2nd eighth, the 4th stands eleventh, and the 1st twelfth, with the 16th almost equal. 35 Larger plot« were sown on soil similar in character and treatment to that on which the first series of experimental plots were g-i own, with the following results: — Bangholm Swede (Carter's). — Size of plot, 300x15 feet; yield per acre, 31 tons 338 lbs., or l,03&f| bushels. Lord Derby Swede (Carter's). — Size of plot, 300x15 feet ; yield per acre, 27 tons 498 lbs., or 908if bushels. Skirving's Swede (Carter's). — Size of plot, 400x15 feet ; yield per acre, 25 tons 348 lbs., or 839g\ bushels. EXPERIMENTS WITH MANGELS. Twenty-one varieties of mangels were sown in rows 16 inches apart, and culti- vated by hand with a Planet Junior cultivator. The land was a good sandy loam and well prepared. Part of it was manured in the npring of 1888 and part during the winter of 1890, from 18 to 20 tons of barnyard manure being used to the acre. There were two series of plots. The fii st was sown on the 2nd of May and pulled Kith October, and the second was sown 14th May and pulled 23rd October. The yield per acre in the first series w^s calculated from the results from two rows in each case 140 feet long, and in the second from one I'ow 132 feet long. The remarks made under turnips, regarding the estimated yields per acre from small plots, will also apply here. First Series. Pearce & Co.'s Giant (Pearce) Warden Prize Yellow Globe (Carter) Yellow Intermediate (Rennie) Giant Yellow Intermediate (Steele) New Giant Yellow Intermediate (Bruce) Chirsk Castle (Buist) Giant Half -long Yellow (Rennie) Mammoth Red or Norberton Giant (Simmers) Giant Yellow Globe (Rennie) Mammoth Long Red (Steele) Golden Fleshed Tankard (Steele) Mammoth Red (Buist) • .... Mammoth Long: Red (Evans) Mammoth Long Red (Carter) Red Tankard (Steele) Golden Tankard (Evans) Golden Intermediate (Carter) Mammoth Long Red (Rennie) Golden Fleshed Tankard (Simmers) Mammoth Long Red (Bruce) Mammoth Long Yellow (Carter) Second Se7'ics. Golden Fleshed Tankard (Steele) Warden Prize YeUow Globe (Carter) Giant Yellow Globe (Rennie) Mammoth Long Red (Bruce) Golden Intermediate (Carter) Pearce & Co. "s Giant (Pearce) Mammoth Long Red (Carter) Mammoth Long Yellow (Carter) Red Tankard (Steele) Mammoth Long Red (Evans) Golden Fleshed Tankard (Sinmiers) Mammoth Long Red (Rennie) Golden Tankard (Evans) Mammoth Red or Norberton Giant (Simmers) Mammoth Long Red (Steele) ' " ' Yield per Acre. Tons. Lbs. 53 51 49 48 47 42 42 41 39 35 34 31 30 29 29 2S 28 27 27 27 23 52 46 45 41 39 38 37 31 30 30 29 29 28 26 25 1 1,366 i,133 696 1,320 6 1,905 1,395 279 553 282 821 36 1,479 1,586 1,479 1,490 601 1,889 1,417 1,206 796 1,584 998 1,105 1,699 408 626 1,735 370 1,256 477 1,920 1,474 669 1,900 175 Yield per Acre. Bush. l,789ff 1,718M 1,644M 1,622 1,566M l,431|f 1,423H 1,371^ l,325e l,17ie 1,147^ l,033ff l,024e 991M 9431^ 931H 923iJ 77056 1,759M 1,549M 1,518|| 1,394^ l,306|f 1,277^ 1,262^4 l,039iHJ 1,020^ 1,007^ 998J{^ 991U 944M 898§S 6c—3h 36 EXPEEIMENTS WITH SUGAE EEETS. These were sown with a Planet Junior drill in rows 16 inches apart on land adjoining that on which the experimental plotfl of turnips were grown. The soil was of the same character, and had received a coating of manure, about 18 to 20 tons per acie, early in the spring of 1890. They were sown on the 13th of May and pulled on the 18th of October. The yield per acre of the several varieties has been calculated from the product of two rows 66 feet long, a method of estimation which is fairly reliable for the purpose of comparing varieties, but one which usually figures up a larger yield than can be got where such roots are grown by the acre. The proportion of suga- contained in each has been determined by the chemist of the Experimental Farms and the particulars will be found in his report appended. Seed ■of thi'ee of the varieties was kindly supplied by M. Musy, Esq., of the Beet Sugar Works at Farnham, Que., and one by Wilfred Skaife, Esq., of Montreal. Esq., Farnham. Musy, Esq . . . Seed from M. Musy, Red Top (Rennie) Seed I.B.I.O. from M. Prize Nursery (Carter) Seed I.B.D. from M. Musy, Esq White Sugar Beet (Buist) Seed C.P. 2 P.A. from M. Musy, Esq White Silesian Green Top (Rennie) Seed from Wilfred Skaife, Esq., Montreal. Silesian (Landreth) . . .*. Imperial (Bruce) Vilmorin's Improved (Pearce) White Silesian (Steele) Imperial (Landreth) Yield per Acre. Yield per Acre. Tons. Lbs. Bush. 35 950 1,1824 30 1,215 l,020i 959f 28 1,585 28 1,585 959| 27 1,440 924 25 1,398 856f§ 25 1,150 8521 21 158 702|f 20 920 682 19 1,270 654% 17 1,970 599i 14 1,805 4973 14 50 467i 13 400 440 EXPEEIMENTS WITH CAEEOTS. Of carrots there were two sets of plots sown in rows 16 inches apart, adjoin- ing the experimental plots of mangels, on soil ot the same character and similarly treated. The yield per acre has been calculated in the first series from the results obtained from two rows, each 66 feet long, and in the second series from one row, 132 feet long. Such a calculation, as already explained under "Sugar Beets," is of value when comparing varieties, but is not always a i-eliable basis on which to found expectation where large quantities are grown. The first set of plots were sown on the 1st of May and pulled on the 16th of October; the second were sown on the 8th of May and pulled on the 23rd of October. In these experiments as well as in those of the mangels and sugar beets, the yield per acre has, no doubt, been much influenced by the short distance (16 inches) between the rows, whereas last year, they were put 2 feet 6 inches apart. At 16 inches many of the larger sorts of mangels were somewhat crowded, and 18 inches would probably be a better distance for these. In either case the rows would be too close for horse cultivation, but if the land is clean they can be conveniently worked with a " Planet Junior " cultivator. Whether the extra yield will more than com- pensate for the additional cost of hand labor has not yet been determined. Great variations are seen in the results obtained from the duplicated plots, showing that such tests would require to be repeated many times, under varying conditions, before they could be accepted as a reliable guide in the choice ot varieties. 37 The first series of 25 varieties yielded as follows, arranged in order of prece- dence : — Improved Short White (Stee'.e) Half Lon^ White (Evans) Orange Giant (Carter) Large White Vosges (Rennie) Large White Belgian (Kennie) Early Gem (Rennie) '. Ijarge Short Thick White Vosges (Simmers) Danvers Orange Intermediate (Vangliu). . . . Half Long Scarlet Luc (Rennie) Chantenay (Rennie) Guerande or Ox Heart (Vaughn) Danvers Half Long (Pearce) Large White Vosges (Bruce). IVIitchell's Perfect Perfection (Mitchell) Green Top Orthe (Pearce) James Scarlet Intermediate (Vaughn) James Intermediate (Pearce) St. Valery (Evans) Early Scarlet Short Horn (Vaughn) Long Red St. Valery (Pearce) Chantenay (Evans) Half Long Scarlet Nantes (Vaughn) Short Model (Pearce) Long Scarlet Altringham (Vaughn) Chantenay Half Long Scarlet (Vaughn) . . . 34 706 32 548 29 1,301 28 430 27 1,539 27 252 25 1,579 25 885 25 95 24 1,005 24 90(1 23 1,322 23 f.29 23 029 23 134 22 253 21 372 20 1,679 20 1,283 20 98G 19 1,897 19 1,204 19 1,006 19 16 17 1,244 Bush. 1,145^'V 1,075M 98S^i 940i 925^^ 904*5 859^^ 848^ 834|§ 816f 815i^ 788JI 777^ 777^ 768ti 737M 706H 694^ 688^tr 683^V 664|i 653ii 650 633i|2 587M The second series includes 24 varieties, and the yield is as follows Improved Short White (Steele) Large White Vosges (Rennie) Half Long Scarlet Luc (Rennie) Early Gem (Rennie) Half Long White (Evans) . Green Top Orthe (Pearce) Guerande or Ox Heart (Vaughn) Chantenay (Rennie) Danver's Half Long (Pearce) Large Short Thick White Vosges (Simmers). Large White Belgian (Rennie) James Scarlet Intermediate (Vaughn) Chantenay (Evans) Orange Giant (Carter) Mitchell's Perfect Perfection (Mitchell) Chantenay Half Long Scarlet (Vaughn). . . . Large White Vosges (Bruce) Short Model (Pearce) Danver's Orange Intermediate (Vaughn). . . . Long Red St. Valerj' (Pearce) Early Scarlet Short Horn (Vaughn) Long Scarlet Altringham do Half Long Scarlet Nantes do St. Valery (Evans) Yield per Acre. Tons. Lbs. 34 29 29 28 28 28 26 26 25 25 24 23 23 21 21 21 21 19 19 17 16 16 15 15 1,498 i,6ir; 212 1,420 1,222 232 1,262 1,262 1,380 292 1,112 1,718 613 1,981 1,362 1,164 996 1,501 1,402 056 1,4C.2 472 1,482 294 Yield pe Acre. Bush. 1,158H 994tt 970e 957 ^ 937U 856H 838H 818t| 776e 733^5 722^ 719M 716^ 658*i 656M 567M 541H 524H 504M Two larger plots were grown on adjoining land with i-ows the same distance apart. These were sown on the 8th May and pulled on the 23rd of October. The 38 varieties were Improved Short White (Steele's) : size of plot, 420 x 23 A'et; yield per acre, 35 tons 119 lbs., or 1,168|-| bushels; and Oiange Giant (Carter's): size of plot, 360x23 feet; yield per acre, 27 tons 976 lbs., or 916J4 bushels. EXPERIMENTS WITH POTATOES. Ninety-four named varieties of potatoes have been tested side by side on a light sandy loam, which was in oats in 1H89, and to which was applied a dressing of from 18 to 20 tons per acre of fresh manure in the spring of 1890. The drills were ploughed out and the manure put into them, after which it was lightly covered with earth before the potatoes were planted. The planting was done on the 16th of May. The size of the plots from which the yield per acre has been calculated varied. The measurements are given in a separate column. As the soil appealed to be very unifoim and all the varieties were tieated exactly alike, planted at the same time and given nothing more than ordinary tield cultivation, the results are fairl}^ comparable. The Algoma Seedlings were obtained from Mr. Clifford, of Saulte Ste. Marie. Algoma Seedling No. 3. . . . Thorburn Lee's Favourite Rosedale Delaware Early Albino Pearl of Savoy Crown Jewel Algoma Seedling No. 1 . . . . Beauty of Hebron Late Goodrich White Star Chicago Market Sharpe's Seedling Rosy Mom Empire State Wonder of the World Richter's Improved Early Puritan May Queen Early Flower of Eden Compton's Surprise Rose s Beauty of Beauties State of Maine Halton Seedling Algoma Seedling No. 2 . . . . Carter's Delight Prairie Seedlmg Ruby. Richter's Shneerose. Rural Blush Vermont Early Callao London Eye Carpenter Rose's New Giant. . Onion Early Early Sunrise Early Ohio Clarke's No. 1 Vanguard Ohio Gunner Stray Beauty Dakota Red Size of Plot. Yield per Acre Feet. Bush. Lbs. 44 X 3 319 00 261 X 3 306 54 60 X 9 291 4 15 X 3 282 20 216 X 3 271 7 60 xl2 268 43 126 X 3 268 00 126 X 9 266 00 99 X 3 265 13 1 60 X 3 264 11 I 126 X 3 262 10 126 X 3 259 37 60 X 3 256 7 60 X 6 253 5 126 xl8 247 00 126 xl8 246 00 126 X 3 245 45 126 X 3 245 00 180 x 3 244 1 1 126 X 6 243 20 1 60 xl2 242 00 126 X 3 240 4 225 X 3 238 14 216 X 3 238 3 126 xl2 237 40 1 102 X 3 236 4 126 X 6 232 52 126 X 3 230 28 60 X 3 229 54 60 xl2 229 54 120 X 6 226 38 126 X 3 225 40 I 126 X 3 225 40 ! 279 60 X 3 X 3 224 223 39 51 126 xlS 223 45 126 X 3 223 43 60 x39 223 10 126 X 18 222 45 210 X 3 221 15 60 X 6 220 49 60 X 6 220 49 126 xl2 219 12 126 xl2 219 00 39 E^rly Rose Holborn Abundance (Carter). . . . St. Patrick King of the Russets (Carter). . . . White Star........ Ro.-- mwed, based on the returns made by 872 farmers, is 25^ bushels, showing that the yield of the two-rowed has been superior to that of the six-rowed by 3-,\ bushels. With such an increase on the whole barley crop of Ontario, taking barley at 50 cents a bushel, there would be a total gain of 1 1,15*7,187. With reference to a market for this barley, there is every prospect of its findin^' a ready sale in Grreat Britain at remunei'ative prices, provided it can be produced to weigh 52 lbs. and upwards pei- bushel. Asa rule, the plumper and heavier the sample the higher the price. It has been shown that 872 samples grown during the past unfavourable season in all parts of Ontario have weighed on an average when properly cleaned, 51^ lbs. per bushel, and there seems no reason in doubting that in an aver- age year two-rowed barley could be grown at least 1 or 2 lbs. heavier than this, particularly in the better barley districts of the Province. In the report of the judges at the Brewers Exhibition held last October in the Royal Agricultural Hall, London, England on the twelve samples of Canadian two-rowed barley shown there weighing from 51 J to 55 lbs. per bushel, these experts say: " These samples compare veiy favourably with French, Saale, Danish or other European bai-leys, and if sent in good condition could be consumed in this country with great satisfaction to the brewers and to the consumers of beer." And further in their closing remarks. " The judges agree in speaking in high terms of many of the samples submitted and in very high terms indeed of some two or three of the best." Two of the samples specially commended by them were the Chevalier, which weighed 52|- lbs., and the Golden Melon, which weighed 52 lbs. A shipment of 50 quarters — 400 English bushels — of Prize Prolific barley of this year's growth, weighing about 52 lbs. to the bushel, has been forwarded to London, England, to be malted and brewed by one of the leading brewers in England, so that correct conclusions may be reached as to its commercial value there. It is altogethei- probable that the brewers of the United States will continue to purchase a part of the Canadian barley crop notwithstanding the high duty imposed ; and if so, are they not likely to prefer a barley which gives a larger proportion of extract, and hence, from a given quantity, makes more beer. W^ith regard to the home market, many of our Canadian brewers would prefer the two- rowed if it could be had in sufficient quantity for separate malting; and if our farmers will use a portion of their barley ci-op for feeding purposes, as I believe they should do, in place of selling so much grain off their farms, then the two-rowed is to be preferred to the six-rovved, for the reason that it yields a larger number of bushels to the acre and the grain has a smaller proportion of husk to kernel. Further information connected with this important subject will be found in Bulletin 9 of the Central Experimental Farm, in which the individual opinions and experiences of a large number of farmers living in different parts of the country are given. FORESTRY. The plantations of belts of forest trees on the Central Experimental Farm have during the past season been extended. A large number of both trees and shrubs have also been planted in ornamental clumps along the sides and at the intersecting points of roadways and in other locations where needed. In a very short time these groups will add much to the beauty and attractiveness of the Farm. Nearly all the trees and shrubs hitherto planted have made thrifty growth and are already beginning to attract much attention from visitors. Within a very few years these clumps will be very useful for determining the annual growth of timber trees and the hardiness and adaptability of the manj^ sorts under test for this district. In the report of the Horticulturist some particulars are given regarding the distribution of about 1,000 packages of forest-tree seedlings, which were sent chiefly to faimers on the North-West plains for test. So widespread was the inter- est manifested in this subject last season that the supply was not half enough to meet 43 the demand, and, under instruction of the Minister, a further and larger supply has been obtained, more than sufficient to supply all those who were disappointed last year. By this means it is expected that small plantations will be established at a large number of diflfei'ent points where, within a few j'-ears, the trees will be large enough to produce a liberal supply of seed wherewith to extend the planting. The following paper, containing a summary of the work which has been done in this direction and notes on the trees which have been most successfully grown, was read at the meeting of the American Forestry Association, held in Quebec, on the 3rd of September, 1890 :— " FORESTRY ON THE WESTERN PLAINS OF CANADA., " By Wm. Saunders, " Director Experimental Farms, Ottawa. "The experimental farnas which have been established by the Government of Canada are five in number, located at the following points : Nappan, Nova Scotia; Ottawa, Ontario ; Brandon, Manitoba ; Indian Head, North-West Teisritories, and Agassiz, British Columbia. Experiments in tree planting were begun at all these farms as soon as possible after the selection of the sites, but on the farms on the western plains in Manitoba and the North- West Territories this work has been con- ducted on a more extensive scale than on the other sites, for the reason that the need of forest shelter is more keenly felt in the prairie districts. Work was begun on the farm at Indian Head during the summer of 1887, and the first trees were planted in the spring of 1888, about 20,000 in all, consisting of a large number of varieties. This farm is a section of bare prairie land of 680 acres, without any shelter whatever. In the spring of 1889, another consignment of about 12,000 trees was forwarded, and during the present season a few thousand "moie have been sent. A considerable quantity of seed of the box elder, with a smaller proportion of white ash and American elm has been sown each year, and thus more than 50,000 seed- lings have been added to the stock. A portion of these seedlings have been dis- tributed among the settlers in the neighbourhood but the larger pari has been planted in shelter belts and forest clumps on the farm. " The Brandon farm was selected during the summer of 1888, and tree planting was begun there in the spring of 1889. About 20,000 trees were sent that year and ten or twelve thousand more during the present j^ear. A large number of seedlings of box elder, ash and elm have also been grown on this farm during both seasons referred to. The Brandon farm is situated partly in the valley of the Assiniboine Eiver and partly on the bluffs which form the northern boundary of that valley. This farm is mostl}'' prairie, but in the ravines in the bluffs, and also on the face of the bluffs, there are large patches of scrub, consisting of small poplars, scrub oak, hazel, eleagnus and other low bushes, while neai- the river bank there is a small grove of elm, ash, and box elder trees, with undergrowth of willow, rose, &c. Fi-om this brief description it will be seen that the land on these two farms is varied as to exposuie, while the soil and the climatic conditions by which theyai-e suriounded are such as to include within their area most of the difficulties which stand in the way of tree growing in the better farming districts in the Canadian Noi'th-West. " During the spring of 1889 a considerable number of packages of trees were sent by mail and express to different parts of the North-West plains for test, and this work has been continued on a larger scale during the past season. The distribution outside of the Experimental Farms in 1890 consisted of over 100,000 seedling trees of one and two years' gi'owth, Avhich were sent by mail in about 1,000 packages of 100 each to as many different points, while lai-ger bundles were forwarded by express to twenty-five of the experimental gardens on the line of the Canadian Pacific Eailway from Moose Jaw to Calgary, to most of the agencies on the Indian Reserves, and the chief stations of the Mounted Pulice. By these several methods trees have Ijcen dis- tributed for test over the whole area from the eastern part of Manitoba to the western extremity of the great plains of the Territories aud along the foot hills of the Eocky 44 Mountains. On the Indian Head farm, trees have had the test of two winters and three summers ; on the Bfaadon Farn. and at a few other points, including about twenty stations on the Canadian Pacific Railwa}', we have the results of one winter and two summers; while at a very large number of other points the summer drought and heat is the only test the trees have yet been subject to. This latter, however, is no mean test, for dry weather will often cause the death of more trees than will the cold weather of winter. "The results of the te^ts on the experimental fai-ms have been carefully noted • each year, but the experience gained is too limited as yet to admit of very positive statements regarding many varieties of trees under trial. The following notes are submitted, with the hope that they may be of some interest to the American Forestry Association. "Box Elder, (^Negundo aceroides). — This tree promises tobe the most valuable of all forest ti'ees for the western plains, adapting itself to all conditions of climate and situation, and making thrifty growth under trying circumstances. No tree is so universally successful ; but to get the best results the seedlings should be grown from seed collected from trees growing on the rivei- banks and ravines in Manitoba or the Territories. If grown from eastei'n seed the young trees are often partly winter- killed. In three or four years from the time of sowing the seed this tree will usually attain a height of from 5 to 7 feet, with a nice bushy head, and after that the growth is quite rapid. "Among the trees which promise to rank next in value are the American elm and green and white ash, when grown from Manitoba seed, but these often prove more or less tender when grown from seed produced in Ontario or the western States. The native poplars and some of the willows also make tine growth, and aid materially in the formation of shelter belts ; some of the Russian poplars have also succeeded very well, notably Populus Petrovska, certinensis, bertolinus and bolleana ; Salix laurifolia is also valuable. The American mountain ash, Eui-opean mountain ash, yellow birch, European white birch and the variety of white birch, known as the cut-leaved, have also proved hardy, as far as they have been tried. Of the maples, the only ones which have succeeded thus far are the silver-leaved Acer dasycarpum, and the Norway maple, Acer platajioides, and these are only partially successful. The Siberian maple, Acer gm?iala, has proven hardy at the Indian Head Farm, but this will rank rather as a shrub than a tree. " Among the evergreens, the white spruce, transplanted from the sandy plains near Carberry, Manitoba, or the spruce from the foot-hills of the Rocky Mountains, succeed best. The Scotch Qv and the European mountain pine are also hardy in many places, enduring the low temperatures of the winter better than the drying winds and hot weather of the summer months. The white spruce of the East, Nor- way spruce, arbor vitae, Austrian pine, red cedar and European larches have failed in most localities in the Territories, but many of them have survived and made a little growth in some places in Manitoba. The same may be said of the basswood, European ash and Russian mulberry. The attempts to grow the sugar and red ma])les, sycamore, black locust, butternut, black walnut and western catalpa have so far been unsuccessful. "Among the most valuable shrubs useful for ornamencal pui-poses and as under- growth are the several native willows, the wolf willow, Eleagnus argentea, the native wild cherry, Saskatoon and hazel, to which may be added the Siberian ))€a, Caragana arborescens, Russian olive, Eleagnus, and the several varieties of lilac. The wild rose also serves a similar purpose, and the Rosa rugosa from Japan, which has proved hardy and valuable at Indian Head. By the free use of the trees and shrubs named effective shelter belts and forest clumps can in a few years be produced on the North-West plains, which will help to break the force of the winds and give a home-like beauty to the bare prairie. When sufficient time has elapsed to allow of more extended testing many valuable addi- tions will no doubt be made to the list now given." 45 During my journey through Manitoba and the North-We^t Territories last sum- mer it was found that the native forest trees were producing seed in great abundance. As this was an opportunity not often to bo had for a most useful work, prompt arrangements were made for the collecting of a large quantity. Both the superin- tendents of the north-western Experimentiil Farms, Mr. A. Mackay and Mr. S. A. Bedford, entered heartily into the wo;k, visited the districts where seeds were most plentiful and, with the help of settlei-s, Indians and half-breeds bucceedea in securing between two and three tons of tree seeds. They consist chiefly of Manitoba maple, ash, oak and wild cherry. About seven acres have been sown on the Experi- mental Farm at Brandon, Man., and enough has been reserved at Indian Head, N.W.T., to cover a similar area. A few sacks have also been kept at each farm to supply any settlers in the neighbourhood who may apply for them. The remainder (about a ton and a-half ) has been forwarded to the Experimental Farm for general distribution. Already more than 500 packages have been sent out by mail and the stock on hand will jjrobably be sufficient for two or three thousand more, leaving sufficient to plant some large plots on the Central Farm. As each of the packages sent out will contain enough seeds to produce many hundreds of trees while the large areas sown at the several Experimental Farms will, if successful, be likely to produce several millions, the results of this years work in the collecting of tree seeds will in a short time do much to further tree planting on the western plains of Canada, ANNUAL INSPECTION OF BEANCH EXPEEIMENTAL FAEMS. NAPPAN. During the summer the usual annual visits were made to the several Experi- mental Farms. The farm for the Maritime Provinces at Nappan was inspected during the latter part of July. Among other features of interest there was a large and instructive series of grain plots of many different varieties, illustrating the variations in individuals sorts, the eftects of special fertilizers on their growth, also the influence of draining, which, by prompt removal of superabundant water, admits of early sowing and thus gives greater vigour to the plants. Useful facts were also being demonstrated regarding the growth of field roots, Indian corn, fruits and garden vegetables. This farm has had many visitors from the adjacent districts who have expressed surprise and gratification at the progress which has been made. VISIT TO SOUTHERN MANITOBA. The journey westward was undertaken earl}^ in August, when the grain was approaching maturity. Some parts of southern Manitoba were visited when in company with the Dairy Commissioner, Prof. J. W. Eobertson, I had thepleasureot attending several meetings of farmers, especially at Pilot Mound and Glenboro, and also of driving through a very fertile range of country for about 100 miles through an almost constant succession of wheat fields laden with grain, almost ready for the reaper. At Glenboro' the o])portunity was afforded of visiting the adjacent Icelandic settlement where pleasing evidences of thrift, comfort and prosperity were observ- able on every hand. The mixed farming carried on by these worthy settlers is evid- ently the best style of farming for that country and whea generally adopted will result in greater prosperity. Praises of the useful work being carried on at the Brandon Experimental Farm met me here, and I found that many of these people had cheerfully driven the forty miles which separates them from this farm in order to take in some of the useful lessons taught there by the experiments conducted, especially those with varieties of grain and useful fodder plants. 46 BRANDON. Arriving at Brandon on the 15th of August, the Experimental Farm there was found to possess many interesting features. The new buildings had made fair pro- gress. These have since been completed. The avenue trees and belts of forest growth had made rapid advancement and will soon become a prominent featui-e. The fields of grain were most promising and the acre plots of different varieties of oats were the heaviest in crop I had ever seen. The crop of Indian Corn and other fodder ])lantH was unexpectedly heavy. The plots of native grasses and some of the foreign sorts had made thrifty growth, and the plantations uf small and large fruits which had been piit out in clearings on the bluffs, amid the surrounding shelter of thick scrub weie most promising. Much of the haj^ crop on the meadow lands had been cut and stacked. Heavy winds had partly lodged a few of the earlier sown plots of grain in the vallej^, but these were now ready for the reaper. The harvest promised to be an abundant one. INDIAN HEAD. Passing on to Indian Head on the 18th, the grain crops were truly magnificent and never more full of pi'omise. Miles of waving golden-headed wheat greeted the eye at almost every point of view. Most of the Ladoga wheat was cut and stacked, but a portion, now over lipe, had been left for ray inspection — this was cut on the day of arrival. In the fields the scene was a busy one ; two binders, with their quota of men, were in constant use from early to late, cutting the early-ripening borts of oats, barley and wheat, and good progress was being made. On the afternoon of the 20th a cold wind set in from the north, the temperature fell rapidly, and before night the possibilities of frost began to be discussed. At the time of the last observation at night the thermometer still stood above 40, and hopes wei'e entertained of escape from impending danger, but the morning revealed the fact that there had been five degrees of frost. Many of the garden vegetables were more or less injured, the tomatoes were gone, the potato vines partially blackened and the foliage of the corn, which looked so thrifty and vigorous on the previous day, was now rapidly drooping, and it was feared that serious injury had been done to the standing crops of grain. The harvesting was pushed on with increased vigour ; while the two binders felled and bound the golden grain willing hands cut and stacked the corn ere its leaves should wither and dry, and experiments were devised to make the most of the opportunity given by cutting plotsof standing grain, which had been purposely sown late, at different periods, so that information might be had as to the best time to cut frozen gi'ain in case such frosts should occur again. The conclusions reached will be found in the report of the Superintendent of the Indian Head Farm. Many differences of opinion were expressed as to the probable result of this severe visitation, some of the hopeful ones claiming that no harm was done ; but subsequent experience has shown that the injury to all the late wheat, which was then in a soft condition, was serious, and that the effects on that which was well advanced, but still standing, was such as to lessen its value. There was no frost atBi-andon that night, but it came soon after. The unfavourable harvest weather which followed, and which prevailed all over Manitoba and most of the eastern part of the Territories, attended with a most unusual fiUlof rain, caused further injury, and the bright outlook was darkened, and much of the grain, although in general a heavy ci'op, has brought very low prices. The necessity of early sowing, the selection of some early ripening varieties, so that the harvesting may begin earlier, and not come on all at once, and of devoting a larger proportion of the land to other crops than wheat, is forcing itself upon the minds of all thoughtful fai-mers, and it is believed that this visitation severe as it was will be followed by compensating advantages. These wonderful plains so marvellous in their fertility despite occasional drawbacks are being gradually occupied, and when once the farmers can be bi'ought to fully realize the great importance of adopting mixed farming, its general practice will do much to lessen the injury caused by eai-ly frosts where wheat ia the mainstay of the country. 47 VISIT TO SOUTHERN ALBERTA. Leaving Indian Head on the 22nd, Dunmore was reached the following day, and en rou^e opportunities were given for inspecting some of the experimental gardens of the Canadian Pacific Eailwaw which had been supplied with bundles of forest trees from the Central Experimental Farm. The season had been very dry and unfavourable foi" growth ; still, the results in some localities were very promising. AtDunmore, a tour through a portion of Southern Alberta was planned, and leaving by a night tiain for the south, Lethbridge was reached the following morning. This town is very prettily situated on an elevated plain 300 feet above the Belly River, a rapid stream of considerable volume, its waters being clear and cold. The output of coal, the mining of which is the chief industry here, was then about 500 tons per daj-frora the Gait coal mines. New shafts were being sunk in anticipation of increased demands as soon as the railway then building to Montana, should be opened. By the courtesy of the Managing Director, Mr. Wainwright, I was privileged to inspect the working of all the different departments and to enter one of the side shafts where the coal was being mined. The seam is about 4 feet in thickness, and has been traced for so many miles that the deposit seems to be practically inexhaustible. Through the kindness of the Commissioner, Col. L. W. Herchemer, instructions had been given to place one of the teams of the Mounted Police at my disposal. Tiie officers commanding at Lethbridge and Port Macleod, Capt. R. B. Deane and Major S. B. Steele, were exceedingly courteous, gave me much information and aided me in my investigations in every way in their power. Journeys were undertaken to Fort Macleod, a thriving town on the Old Man River; from thence to the reserve of the Blood Indians, where an opportunity was given, under the guidance of the obliging agent, Mr. W. Pocklington, to inspect the agenc}^ buildings, examine the fields and gardens under aultivation and to visit some of the Indian camps. A further drive of from twenty to thirty miles across the reserve brought me to the Mormon settle- ment at Lee's Creek, within 14 miles ot the Montana boundary I found the Mormon settlement to be a yery prosperous one numbering from 400 to 500 souls. The energy and industry of the people are very marked. Late and early, busy hands were at work bringing in the harvest — which on account of drought, was rather light this 3'ear — cutting hay in the neighboring sloughs or in the valley of the creek or caring for the numerous bands of cattle and horses which roam the plains in the vicinity of the settlement. It is said that no liquor is used in this community and very little tobacco. I saw no evidence of the use of either. Frugality and industry- seemed to go hand in hand; the settlement has made rapid progi-ess, and, as far as could be ascertained from those in the neighbourhood who are not Mormons the laws of the country are being respected. A general store well supplied with goods is one of the main features in the settlement, and under their system of co-operation it seems to be well supported. The people have gained an excellent reputation for their butter, and have built a cheese factory, which will be equipped and in running order next spring. After enjoying for a day the kind hospitality of some of the people in the settlement the retui-n journey to Fort Macleod and from thence to Lethbridge was safely accomplished after a ride of about 200 miles in all. Most of the district passed, through is well adapted for ranching and many thousands of cattle and horses may be seen in bands on the plains, which stretch to the base of the Rocky Mountains, which are always in full view. Pleasant weather, an invigorating atmosphere and the uniform kindness of many new found friends, aided in making this journey a most agreeable experience. A brief stay was made at Medicine Hat where the Experimental Garden of the Canadian Pacific Railway Avas inspected and notes taken on the growth and relative hardiness of many varieties of trees and shrubs. This garden is a most attractive one, and is gay with flowers I'rom an earlj- period in the summer until the time of frost. Its success is mainly due to the warm interest taken in it by J. Niblock, E'-q., Superintendent of the Western Division, who is an enthusiastic lover of trees, shrubs and flowers. The remaining journey to Aga^siz was made without a break. 48 AGASSIZ. Quite a change had taken place in the appearance of the Experimental Farm at Agassiz within the year. About 50 acres of land had been cleared and brought under pultivation, and about as much more underbrushed. A vast amount of labour has been expended in removing immense trees and stumps. The clearing of land here and getting it into condition for crop is a very laborious undertaking, but under the ener- geiic management of the Superintendent, Mr. Thos. A. Sharpe, I'apid progress has been made. Several orchards have been planted and a number of blocks of small fruits set out. Fruit and foi-est trees have also been planted on the bench land and on the slopes of the mountain. The usefulness of large experimental orchards in a country so eminently adapted for fi-uit culture can scarcely be over estimated, as these will furnish in a short time reliable sources of information to the settler concerning the most suitable and profitable sorts for him to plant, b: ought together there may be summarized as follows: — Applies No. of trees Crab apples do Pears do Plums do Cherries do Peaches do Nectarines do Apricots do Quinces do Figs do . .. . Grapes No. of vines Gooseberries No. of Bushes Currants, red and white do . . . . Black currants do . . . . Blackberries do . . . . Raspberries do Strawberries No. of Plants The varieties already No. 338 16 212 152 140 204 25 42 16 4 207 107 235 112 1,007 879 8,520 of VarieUes. 118 6 55 51 42 86 12 18 7 2 79 9 8 15 21 26 47 Summing these all together we have over 600 varieties of fruit, to which must be added 414 different sorts of ornamental trees and shrubs, inculding 16 kinds of edible nuts. Such a collection will shoi-tly make this farm one of the most attractive places on the continent. Experiments with different varieties of grain, Indian corn, field roots and potatoes have also been conducted during the past season, the details of which will be found in Mr, Sharpe's report. DRAINING, GRADING, &C. Further progress has been made in these important departmentsof work during the past season, 1^ miles of tile drains have been laid, making 17 miles in all since the farm was purchased. Much heavy grading has been required around the new dairy building and piggery, and in bringing to a proper grade some portions of the ground adjacent to the dwellings. BUILDINGS. A building for carrying on experimental work in dairying has been erected, and is now being fitted with the necessary appliances. A piggery has also been built, 100 by 20, and stocked, and under the superintendence of Prof. J. W. Eobertson, Agriculturist and Dairy Commissioner, experimental work is now in progress to determine some important points in pig feeding, further particulars on these subjects will be found in his repoi-t. An engine house has been erected and the engine placed in connection with shafting which runs the whole length of the barn by which means power for the various machines required for carrying on the farm work can be conveniently supplied. An extension to the poultry building has been planned and the work begun. This it is hoped will be completed early in the spring. A suitable struc- ture will also be required for carrying on experimental work with sheep. 49 CHANGES AND ADDITIONS TO THE STAFF. Since the last report was published the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. W, W. Hilborn as Horticulturist at the Central Experimental Farm has been filled by the appointment of Mr. John Ci'aig, who has by a long course of training in Quebec with the late lamented Chas. Gibb, and subsequently with Prof. J. L. Budd, of the Agricultural College in Iowa, become specially fitted for this work. By the appointment of Prof. J. W. Eobertson as Dairy Commissioner for the Dominion and Agriculturist at the Central Experimental Farm, and Mr. J. C. Chapais, as an assistant Dairy Commissioner to labour among the French-speaking communities in Quebec and the other Provinces, the general agricultural interests of the country will be pro- moted and the facilities atibrded by the Experimental Farm for experimental work in dairying can be fully utilized and information gained which will lead to the advancement of these great commercial departments, which now profitably occupy the attention of so many in the farming community in Canada. EXHIBITIONS ATTENDED. Exhibits of the products of the Central and other Experimental Farms, have been made at several points during the past season. Much as we should like to accede to the wishes of the many friends who extend invitations to make a display of farm productions at their fairs, it is quite impracticable at that busy season of the year, when the summing up of the details of all the work ot the season begins, to prepare for moi-e than two or three exhibitions. A satisfactory exhibit was made at the Central Fair in Kingston, an excellent display was got up for the Industrial Exhibition in Toronto, which, supplemented by other late-maturing products, was subsequently shown at the Western Fair in London. A good exhibit was also made at the Canada Central Exhibition in Ottawa. The branch experimental farms have also undertaken similar work in the respec- tive Provinces in which they are located, and in each case as many of the more impor- tant fairs as could be reached have been attended. Such opportunities bring many practical farmers in direct contact with the progressive work of the farms, and by the display of many useful and interesting products a general feeling of appreciation is awakened and facilities offered for giving information to many enquirers. I CORRESPONDENCE. Probably no better evidence could be given of the increasing interest taken by the farmers of Canada in the work of the Experimental Fai-ms than a comparison of the letters received during 1890 as compared with 1889. These letters have come chiefly from farmers sending requests for reports, bulletins or seed grain, or seeking infoi-mation in reference to some branch of their calling, and the number and variety of the questions asked have involved much time and labour in answering them. There is no work more useful than that of stimulating enquiry, and information never benefits a man at any time so much as just when he feels the need of it. Farmers have been invited to correspond freely with the Experimental Farms, and it is hoped that they will continue to do so, and provision will, I trust, be made for the additional office assistance which will be required to overtake such rapidly increasing work. Letters Received. Letters Sent. Letters Received. Letters Sent. Director 1889. 3,653 1,700 359 247 195 710 1889. 1890. 11,739 1,547 569 750 312 958 1,604 1890. 11,460 1,394 551 Entomologist and Botanist Chemist Horticulturist l*oultrv Manager 3,064 205 Accountant Agriculturist and Dairy Comimissioner 1,025 1,507 6,804 17,539. 19,806 Gf— t 50 To this must be added : — No. of grain circulars sent with gi-ain distributed 12,300 do 3-lb. bags of grain disti-ibuted 12,360 do packages of seedling forest trees and small fruits 1,316 do bags of tree seeds 563 There have also been leceived 2,152 samples of grain for inspection and repoit. In 1889 the number of bulletins and reports sent out was 41,584; in 1890, 218,129. The total number sent out of letters, reports, bulletins, grain, seeds, trees, &c., was 262,267. The number of farmers who have by request been placed on the mailing list to receive the reports and bulletins of the Farm is 20,600, in addition to which there is a special dairy mailing list of 4,009. FINANCIAL STATEMENT OP EXPENDITURE ON THE DOMINION EPERIMENTAL FARMS. In submitting the following classification of expenditures on the several experi- mental fiirms establi.-ihed in Canada from the 1st of July, 1889, to the 30th of June, 1890, the object has been to make everything as clear as possible, and where a group- ing of the items seen^ed necessary, to bring together those of a similar character. CENTRAL EXPEEIMENTAL EAEM. Expenditures, 1st July, 1889, to 30th June, 1890. Horses, harness Cattle Implements, tools, hardware, &c Draining and drain tiles Grading, road-making, &c Cattle and horse feed Blacksmithing and repairs Seed grain, trees, shrubs, &c Stable manure, ashes and fertilizers Exhibition expenses Books, jjeriodicals and newspapers Printing and stationery Telegrams and telephones Travelling expenses Chemical department Poultry department Seed testing and care of propagating houses . Grain distribution Tree distribution Salaries S cts. Wages, farm work, including experimental work with grain and other farm crops do care of stock do horticultin-al department do botanical department do care of grounds, shrubbery and ornamental trees •. . . do office helj) with correspondence, distributing reports and bulletins and messenger service Water account, including excavations Contingencies 386 43 6,922 20 1,519 51 1,727 40 1,266 00 693 79 281 70 1,333 19 857 30 247 77 161 96 2,790 43 152 88 551 41 475 77 3(38 92 659 81 1,637 61 968 63 11,238 14 4,573 95 1,104 03 1,223 36 386 78 414 86 1,659 05 386 71 937 67 44,801 95 51 EXPEEIMENTAL FAEM, MAEITIME PEOYINCES. Expenditures, 1st July, 1889, to 30th June, 1890. Harness , Cattle Implements, tools, hardware, &c Draining and drain tiles Grading, road-making, clearing . Land account Cattle and horse feed Blacksmithing and repairs Seed grain, trees, shrubs, .tc . . . . Stable manure and fertilixers . . . . Exhibition expenses Travelling expenses Salaries Farm wages, includiwg experimental work with farm crops, fruit tree^ Care of stock Office help Contingencies vines, &c. cts. 5 15 780 00 710 68 1,086 47' 402 26 230 78 65 03 117 78 37 54 254 84 31 61 153 96 1,200 00 1,256 50 484 50 120 00 56 84 6,!)93 94 EXPEEIMENTAL FAEM, MANITOBA. Expenditures, 1st July, 1889, to 30th June, 1890, Horses, harness Cattle Implements, tools, hardware, &c. Draining and drain tiles Grading, road-making, clearing. Land account surveys Horse and cattle feed Blacksmithing and repairs Seed grain, trees, shrubs, &c. . . . Stable manure and fei-tilizers .... Exhibition expenses Travelling expenses , Forestry . Salaries Farm wages, including experimental work with farm crops, fruit trees, vines, &c. Contingencies, including rent of dwelling $ cts. 658 95 35 00 1,438 17 297 35 954 72 18 65 735 24 273 89 390 12 198 50 103 18 340 00 684 35 1,200 00 2,982 57 168 24 10,478 93 Cc—U 52 EXPBEIMKNTAL FAEM, NORTH-WEST TEERLTOEFES. Expenditures, 1st July, 1889, to SOth June, 1890. Horses, harness Implements, tools, hardware, &c Grading, road-making Land account legal expenses ■. Horse and cattle feed ' ' ' ' Blacksmithing and rejiairs Seed grain, trees, shrubs, &c Stable manure and fertilizers Exhibition expenses , Travelling expenses Forestry Salaries ._ Farm wages, including experimental work with farm crops, fruit trees, vines, &c . Office help Contingencies, including rent of stables, SI 00 ; sinking wells, $133.45 •S cts. By seed ^ain furnished for grain distribution and charged to that account in Central Experimental Farm 651 70 8()9 93 144 07 25 00 IGl 97 182 05 281 87 l(i6 75 111 30 ICS 05 278 37 1,200 00 3,37(3 94 90 00 302 07 8,072 07 407 00 7,666 07 EXPERIMENTAL FARM, BRITISH COLUMBIA. Expenditures, 1st July, 1889, to 30th June, 1890. Horses, harness Cattle Implements, tools, hardware, &c Clearing, grading, &c Cattle and horse feed Black.smithing and repairs Seed grain, trees, shrubs, &c Travelling expen.ses Salaries Farm wages, including experimental work with farm crops, planting orchards, &c . Office help Contingencies, including house rent, §140 $ cts. 1.829 05 235 50 1,116 62 1,340 89 557 SO 35 80 756 10 656 80 1,200 (X> 1,200 21 20 00 258 10 9,207 47 SUMMARY. Total Expenditure eor Experimental Farms, 1889-1890. Dk. Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa Experimental Farm for Maritime Provinces — Nappan, N. S •. do do Manitoba — Brandon do do North-West Territories — Indian Head do do British Columbia — Agassiz ft Cr. .S cts By Experimental Farm Vote 70,000 00 Governor-General's Warrant 9,148 36 79,148 36 $ cts. 44.801 95 6,993 94 10,478 93 7,666 07 9,207 47 79,118 36 53 lu tlie estimates for the experimental farms for 188S-S'.) no provision was made for the purchase of stock, and the work which it was desird to accomplish could not be carried on without some expenditure in that direction. Notwithstanding that the purchases were limited as far as was practicable, the sum required for this pur- pose was $7,972.70. In consequence of the very large demand for bulletins and reports the printing account amounted to more than the sum provide 1. and the correspondence having increased moi'e than three-fold, some additional office help was necessary. The outlay needed to meet these exigencies was $1,175.66, making in all $9,148.36 which was covered by a Grovernor-General's Warrant at the close of the year. While the sum of $44,801.95 stands charged against the Central Experimental Farm as its cost for the year ending 30th June, 1890 for the reason that the money has been spent there, it should not be forgotten that a large portion of this sum is expended on items relating to the work in general or the lequircments of the four branch farms. In the matter of salaries, there arc six of the officers of the Central Farm whose work is of a general character and whose time is devoted about as much to the branch farms and to the interests of the farmers in the Provinces where those farms are located as it is to the work of the Central. Their salaries amount in all to $8,800, one-half of which would be fairly chargeable to the branch farms. The expen- ditures on each of the following accounts might very properly be divided between the Central and the other farms, for the reason that the benefits arising from the outlay incurred on work and material are shared by all. The purchases of seed grain, trees, shrubs and seeds are for the advantage of the whole Dominion. The distribution of samples of grain for test, of young forest trees, tree seeds and fiuits as well as much of the regular horticultural work on the Central Farm, is of this same general character. So also are the outlays connected with the chemical laboratory, the special experiments on grasses and grain, the testing the vitality of agricultural seeds, the sum charged for stationery, which includes supplies for all the farms, the printing of reports and bulletins and their distribution and the office help needed for the large correspondence kept up with the formers of the Dominion. The sum expended for stock, which is included in the amount referred to, properly belongs to capital account and has been purchased with the view of laying the foundation for good and useful strains of animals, the increase of which will be available for stock- ing the branch farms. By deducting the amount paid for stock and one-half of the sums charged to the Central Experimental Farm for the items enumerated, the expenditures on this farm would be reduced to a little more than half of the sum which is now placed against it. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. I gladly avail myself of this opportunity to acknowledge my obligations to all the officers of the Central and Branch Experimental Farms for the devotion they have manifested in their work and the efficiency they have shown in the dischai-ge of their respective duties. To their faithfulness in this respect the reports sub- mitted bear ample testimony. To the foremen and employees my thanks are also due for the interest they have taken in those branches of the work devolving upon them. To the farm foreman, Mr. John Fixter, and to Mr. W. T. Macoun, who have both assisted me in the experimental work, I take pleasure in again acknowledging my indebtedness. Their constant vigilance and reliability in recording observations has relieved me from the necessity of close at^^ention to many details which in less careful hands would have required more frequent inspection, and entailed an addi- tional tax on time already fully occupied. To Mr. Wm. Ellis, who has had charge of the seed-testing department, my thanks are also due for the trustworthy manner in which he has carried on the work of determining the vitality and germinating power of a large number of samples of grain which have been received from all parts of the Dominion. Wm. SAUNDEES, Director, Experimental Farms. 54 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURIST. (Jas. W. Robertson.) To Wm. Saunders, Esq., Director, Dominion Experimental Farms, Ottawa. Dear Sir, — The Order in Council by which I was appointed Dairy Commissioner for the Dominion of Canada, also designated me as "Agriculturist" of the Central Experimental Farm. The time intervening between the date of my appointment, 1st February, 1890, and the middle of October, was given almost entirely to the discharge of the duties arising from and pertaining to my position as Dairy Commissioner, By your courtesy I was relieved from much of the superintendence of the farm work, in order to enable me to carry out the instructions of the Honourable the Minister of Agriculture, to the effect that I should visit the several Provinces of the Dominion for the purpose of delivering a series of lectures in each on "Dairy Farming" and kindred topics. My journeys enabled me at the same time to inform the farmers in the various locali- ties where the meetings were held, of the nature, variety and extent of the servii^e which it is the object of the Dominion Expei'imental Farms to render. The veiy full and generally correct reports of the meetings which the local newspapers inserted, gave a wide pjiblicity to the facts which were mentioned in relation to them and that through channels that could not be used as fully by the issue of bulletins and correspondence. The visits to the several Provinces were times of reaping for me as Agri- culturist as well as times of sowing as Dairy Commissioner. In all the sections where I met the farmers and had opportunity for examining into their condition and the methods of agriculture which they followed, no chance was missed wher« suggestions could be gained or observations made that could assist further in the effort to make the work of the Agriculturist as practically helpful to as many of the farmers as possible, and that as speedily as is practicable. A brief yet fairly com- plete record of these journeys, lectures, etc., will be found in the report of the Daiiy Commissioner, a copy of which will be furnished to farmers or others who are interested in agriculture upon their application to me at the Central Experimental Farm. EXPERIMENTAL DAIRY BUILDING. To enable investigations to be carried on to completeness into the economical methods for the production of milk, butter and cheese, an experimental dairy building was erected on the farm It was planned to be suitable in size and con- venie nee for the carrying on of such researches as may be undertaken. The nature and direction of these may be outlined as follows: — I. Investigations will be carried on in the feeding of milking cows, to discover what differences, in the marketable quantities and the commercial value per pound of milk and butter, result from differences in (a) " breeds," (6) " feeds," (c) " care and treatment of the animals." In this branch of work it is expected that service will be given to the fai-mers, through illustrations of the best practices that may be followed on any farm, rather than through the origination of new theories. II. The care and handlino: of milk, from the time it is drawn until the finished product IS ready for the market, will receive attention, in order to reveal and demon- strate the losses or the gains that result from treatments of milk, cream, buttei', skim-milk and butter-milk. 55 III. A curing room for cheese has been provided, wherein lots of cheese, to be made under the direction of the Dairy Commissioner, will be kept and cured, in order 10 obtain further information on the most profitable practices and treatments in the manufacture and ripening of that article of food. IV. The keeping properties of butter as affected by different treatments during the process of making will be tested ; and examinations will be commenced and continued regarding the suitability of certain packages for the preservation of butter for the foreign markets. V. The use of dairy salt of Canadian manufacture will be continued, and its adaptation for the preservation of butter will be compared with other brands. YI. Dairy appliances and apparatus of different sorts will be used and reported on, as far as time will permit, and the needs and interests of the public seem to require. The following figures illustrate the plan and construction of the building : — Fig. I ; Experimental Dairy Building. -T/^yy.'/^y/y^ ■Ct HOU»[ fit Fitmrt i»'o'>24 ■tcrRiCtHATOR lo' 6'. »' 6' w^-^<'<'/}r, \SV>S'iV>^ 58 Fig. IV ; Piggery. Baa rda "if 3a f tens Tarreff ya;per /'Af/r/il/rr - /'Soft re/ inn -ycr^rrc/ T'te^cr- ^Z"7'?c*n-ks 9>5'% Notes.— Both the 1" boarding and the 2" planks of the floor run from the outside of each Pen towards the passage. The figure shews a section of one side of the piggery only. 59 Fin;, y ; Piggery. Jioardirig ^'■,z -/6"rc»r^ CedarFo^^f. Notes. — Tin? fi^^^nre shews the details of the placing of the feeding-trough, the hinged foot-board in front of the trough, the swinging feeding-door over the trough, and the gutter which receives all the liquid from each Pen. The fall in the floor towards the feeding-trough permits the swine to lie on a dry bed at the back of each Pen. GO The line of exjDerimental work to be taken up may be indicated by a statement of what is being done : Swine purchased : — Berkshires — One sow, from Mr. J. H. Davis, Woodstock, Ont. One sow, from Mr. George G-i-ecn, Fairview, Ont. One sow, from Me&si-s. J. G-. Snell & Bro., Edmonton, Ont. Lai-ge Improved Yorkshires — One boar, from Mr. B. M. Jarvis, Clarkson, Ont. One sow, from Mr. Wm. Davies, Markham, Ont. One sow, from Mr, J. Y. Ormsby, Springfield-on-the-Credit, Ont. . Essex — One boar, from Mr. Jas. Main, Boyne, Ont. One sow, from Mr. Jas. Main, Boyne, Ont. Other breeds will be represented in the pens during the year. Besides these, twenty-four young grade pigs were bought. They are now in six pens, under feeding tests. To some of them the feed is given warm, after being steamed by the use of a small " Eoyal Steam-heater." Four pigs are in each of the six Pens. Description of Pigs. Feed. Pen 1 White— 3 barrows and 1 sow . . . White — 4 barrows Black — 4 sows Black — 2 barrows and 2 sows. . . Black — 1 barrow and 3 sows . . . Black — 4 barrows A mixture of equal quantities of ground barley, peas and rye, steamed and fed warm, A mixture of equal quantities of ground barley, peas and rye, mixed with cold ivater ami fed raw and cold. A mixture of equal quantities of ground barley, pe«a and rye and pease ensilage. Pease ensilage only. A mixture of equal quantities of ground barley, pea» and rye, steamed and fed vxirm and sugar beets. A mixture of equal quantities of ground barley, peas and rye, mixed with cold ivater and fed raw and cold, and sugar beets. Pen 2. ... Pen 3 Pen 4 Pen 5 Pen 6 The four pigs in Pen 1 are of equal age and of similar breeding to those in Pen 2 ; the pigs in Pen 3 to those in Pen 4 ; and the pigs in Pen 5 to those in Pen 6. At this writing it would be imprudent to draw any conclusions from the com- parative rates of increase in live weight. A Bulletin setting forth the results will be issued as soon as enough information is gained to warrant that its contents will not mislead any farmer. Conclusions regarding feeding experiments which are reached and published too hastily are not boons to the farmers, though they may boom for a time the name of the publisher. CATTLE. To our herd of cattle several new animals and breeds have been added. The stables are now filled to their utmost capacity. Experiments are in progress, and others are being prepared for and commenced, which will add to our knowledge of the comparative values of different feeds and treatments in the production of milk and beef. For much of the most valuable of the work, years of patient investigation will be required to amass sufficient information upon which to found conclusions 61 which will be correct in principle. The individuality of each animal is such a potent factor, and a definite perception and recognition of the nature of the individuality \a so elusive of even the most careful and painstaking study, that the results of com- parisons between breeds must depend very much uj)on the capacity, constitution and tendency of the particular animals which are chosen to represent them. The quali- ties of each animal are not directly the expression of the sum of all the antecedent ■qualities of the ancestors on both sides, because the inherited capabilities may be much modified in every case by care, management and feeding during the period of igrowth. Thus, while the feed consumed by every animal every day is duly weighed and recoi-ded, als© the weights of the milk from the milking cows every day, the live weights of the animals which are under particular feeding tests once a week, and the live weights of the other animals once a month, it is felt that the premature publication of records would lend to no real service for the farmers and might intensify the rivalries between the advocates of the different breeds without any com- ])ensating advantage. Every one of the breeds has particular adaptation for render- ing peculiarly valuable service when it is used in the line of production for which it has been developed. Nobody who has given the meaning of " breeds " any dis- criminating attention would claim that they are all equal in their power and capacity for the economical production of milk, butter, cheese, beef or veal, under one si"milar and rigid system of keeping ; neither could one assert assuredly that any one of the recognised breeds is behind the others in profit-making talent when the particular requirements of its peculiar characteristics have been provided for in the best way. Hence, from our experimental investigations, farmers may look for guid- ance as to the ways whereby the animals of the different breeds can be made to yield the best returns, rather than for competitive comparisons between the breeds. The bieeds of cattle which are now represented on the farm are : — " Shorthorns," "Polled Angus," "Galloways," " Holsteins," "Ayrshires," " Devons," "Quebec Jerseys " or " Canadian " and " Jerseys." These are named in the order in which they stand in our stable, and not with any reference to meritorious rank. There are also a number of steers and milch cows, mostly grades of Shorthorn. During the year there were purchased : — Shorthorns. From Mr. Thos. Gu}-, Oshawa, Out: One cow, Eose of Sydenham =16031=; red; calved 6th Febi-uary, 1886 ; bred by Thos. Guy, Oshawa, Ont. ; got by Sam8on=878T^; — dam, Eed E,o8e,=:4'150=; by l^nterprise 2nd =1769=;— Sally =4728=. From Mr. J. N.Hortop, Kinsale, Ont: One cow, Fashion Book=15918=; red ; calved 12th January, 1887; bred by D. Birrell, Greenwood, Ont. ; got by Eclipse (Imp.) [1251] (49526) ; — dam, Fashion 7th=6091=; by Lancaster=752=; —Fashion of Maple Hall 2nd=6lU2=. From Mr. Geoige Johnston, Ashburu, Ont. : One bull ]S'appan= 14042=; red ; calved 14th May, 1890 ; bred by George Johnston, Ashbucn, Ont. ; got by Warfare (lmp.)=6452=(567 12) ; — dam, Fashion 7th=6091=;by Lancastei =752=;— Fashion of Maple Hall 2nd=6102=. Galloicays. From Mr. Thomas McCrae. Guelph, Ont. One cow, Violet III of Tarbreoch. One heifer, Hannah B. of Guclph, No. 11080, S.H.B. ; calved 23rd February, 1888; bred by Thomas McCrae, Guelph, Ont. ; got by Stanley II, O.E.F., No. 2837, (J2 AGH.B., No. 44^3, S.H.B. ;— dam, Hannah III of Castlemilk, No. 7699, S.H.B.; by Beaconsfield, No. 1344, S.H.B. ;— dam Hannah V., No. 1421, S.H.B. One bull calf, Jfolsteins. From Messrs. A. C. Hallman & Co., New Dundee, Ont. : One cow, Mina Rooker, No. 9893, H.H.B. ; calved 3rd April, 1884; bred by K. Schageu, Medwoud, North Holland; got by Pieter, No. 209, N.H.B. ;— dam, Mina. Ayr shires. From Mr. James McCormick, Rockton, Ont. : One cow, Maggie [1783] ; red and white ; calved 29th March, 1883 ; bi-ed by Mr. James McCormick, Rockton, Ont. ; got by Frank [1330] ; — dam, Primrose 4th [1305] ; by Indian Chief [1174] ;— g.d. Primrose 3rd [400]. From Mr. Thomas Guy, Oshawa, Ont. : One cow, Ida [1837] ; white and red; calved 10th March, 1884; bred by Mr. John Lawrie, Malvern, Ont. ; ffot by Lord Lome [1406] ;— dam, Mary [1554] ; by Carluke [744] ; g.d. Martha [546]. Devons. From Mr. W. J. Rudd, Eden Mills, Ont.: One bull. Hero [982] ; calved 10th March, 1889 ; bred by Mr. W. J. Rudd, Eden Mills, Ont. ; got by Rose's Duke (929), (Imp.) ;— dam, Beauty [800] by Kempenfelt [719] ;— Cherry Pie, [578]. One heifer, Ethel [961] ; calved 20th May, 1888 ; bred by Mr. W.J. Rudd, Eden Mills, Ont. ; got by Lord Lansdowne [933] ; — dam, Rose [953] ; by John A. [852] ; —Beauty [713]. From Mr. Samuel Harper, Cobourg, Ont,: One heifer, Fanny B. [960] ; "calved 9th March, 1888; bred by Mr. Samuel Harper, Cobourg, Ont.; got by Mike [920] ; — dam, Rose of Cobourg [897] ; by Gari- baldi 2nd [717] ;— Cherry [691]. Jersey. From Mrs. E. M. Jones, Brockville, Ont. : , One cow, Barberry of Dorval, No. 44,816; solid light fawn ; calved 13th January, 1887 ; got by Leonard of Dorval, No. 14,393 ; — dam, Mulberry (imported). Canadians or Quebec Jerseys. I take the following from the report which Mr. J. C. Chapais, Assistant Dairy Commissioner, St. Denis, Que., made upon the purchase of these. " I have bought, according to instructions, 4 cows registered in the Herd Book of Canadian cattle opened by the Government of the Province of Quebec, 4 cows of the same breed not registered at the moment of the purchase, and 1 bull registered in the above mentioned Herd Book. " Here are the notes i expecting each of the registered cows : — " Charlotte Noii-," probable age 15 years ; registered under No. 348, L.G.R.B.C. ; bought from Cyprien Herriault, farmer, of the Parish of St. Jean Port-Joli, L'Islet Countj^, P.Q. I have bought that cow, old as it is, on accountof its individual value as a milch-cow, but chiefly because of the character of prepotency with which it transmits milking qualities to its offspring. It has given, itself, 30 lbs. of milk a day in a pasture of modei'ate quality, in the time of full growth of grass, towai'ds the end of June, without any extra food. But its first merit is that it has transmitted its milk- ing qualities to every heifer descendant. That cow has competed in the agricul- tural exhibitions with the bcr^t Ayrshires of the place, and has taken the first prizes. It can easily give yet 2 or 3 calves, which will, without any doubt, prove to be valuable stock for the experiments of the Farm, if the cow be bred to the bull I have bought, which will be mentioned later. Those are the i-easons why I bought that cow. 63 " Alice," aged 6 years ; registered under No. 358, L.G.E.B.C ; bought from Louis Blanchet, farmer, of the same parish as Cyprien Therriault. It is one of the best cows of the place, giving 30 lbs. of milk a day in a pasture of moderate quality, in the time of full growth of grass, towards the end of June, without any extra food. It has the great quality, common, moreover, to all Canadian cows well kept, of giving a good quantity of very rich milk during eleven months of the year, if well fed. "Anna," aged 7 years ; registered undei-No. 359, L.Gr.E.B.C; bought from Louis Blanchet, above mentioned, and having the same character as its sister "Alice." "La Lebrun," aged9years; registered under No. 196, L.Gr.E.B.C. ; boughtfrom Frangois Gagnon, farmer, of the parish of St. Denis, Ivumouraska County, P.Q. Mr. Gagnon has one of the best herds of Canadian cattle in the Province, and that cow • was the best of his herd. It shows all the points of an excellent milch cow, and has given 32 lbs. of milk a day in a pasture of moderate quality, in the time of full growth of grass, towards the end of June, without any extra food. With special care that cow is apt to give from 38 to 40 lbs. of milk a day. It keeps in milk too, from calf to calf, if fed for that. It is in calf now, and has been served by Kamouraska, No. 27, L.G.E.B.C., one of the best bulls of the breed. The calf, male or female, cannot fail, then, to be an animal of good value. For the lour cows above mentioned were paid $50 each. I come now to the cows not registered when they were bought. They have ail been purchased from Fiangois Gagnon, above mentioned. According to your instruc- tions, I had to choose these cows from amongst the ordinary cattle of French farmers, of good quality. "Anquetille," aged 6 years. In my opinion that cow is equal, in all respects, to " La Lebrun " above mentioned. It is remarkable for the richness of its milk in cream. " Yell^da," aged 4 years. It is an excellent specimen of Canadian cattle, showing prominent points of Jersey. " La Basque," aged 3 years. That small cow has been reared in the woods, and is one of the most hardy specimens of the breed. Before it had been bought by Mr. Gagnon it lived at its owner's, fed on straw in winter and pasturing in the woods in summer. It proved, however, a good milker, notwithstanding that absence of good care. " Belle-du-Lac," aged 4 years. Has much of the character of the last mentioned, but is a little better as a milch cow, judging from the information given to me. For these last four cows were paid $25 each. They were all eligible for registration in the Herd Book of Canadian Cattle and are all registered now as follows : — "Anquetille," 6 j^ears; registered L.G.E.B.C, under No. 373. "Vell^da," 4 do do do do 374. "La Basque," 3 do do do do 375. " Belle-du-Lac," 4 do do do do 376. I will now give you the details respecting the bull : — "Quintal," aged 18 months ; registered under No. 30, L.G.E.B.C. ; boughtfrom Odilon Eobichaud, farmer, of the Parish of St. Denis, Kamouraska County, P.Q. I consider that young bull as one of the best of the breed hitherto registered. Its father, " Kamouraska," No. 27, L.G.E.B.C, is the finest bull of the eastern part of the Province of Quebec, out of a most remarkable milch-cow. Its mother, " Yentre-Blanc," No. 171, L.G.E.B.C, was also one of the best milch-cows of the district. Though rather small, it is very well formed, and shows all the points of a good bull. For it has been paid $30. I have to make the remark, before closing the report, that I had to buy that herd in that season of the year which is the most disadvantageous for such a purchase. It was impossible to ascertain by myself, otherwise than by the external points and the assertions of the owners, the milking qualities of the cows purchased. I had to rely as much as possible on my own judgment in making my choice. 64 Grades of Shorthorn. From Mr. Wm. Hinde, Harriston, Ont: Six steers for feeding purposes. Eight milch cows, for experimental dairy work. These cows were all expected to calve in December and January, and were pur- chased to commence a series of investigations into some of the problems of winter but- ter-making, combined with the rearing of stock for feeding and fattening purposes. The following are the rations which are fed to most of the cattle : — Bation No. 1. For Dry Uows : Lb. Corn Ensilage 25 Turnips 25 Straw 12 Chopped Grain (barley and peas) 4 Ration No. 2. Milking Cows : Lb. Corn Ensilage 25 Carrots 25 Straw 12 Chopped grain (barley and peas) 6 AVheat bran 3 Ration No. 3. First Lot Steers : Lb. Hay 20 Turnips 40 Straw 5 Chopped barley 2 -j Chopped peas 2 (iround oi 1 cake 1 ^Cotton seed meal 1 Ration No. 4. Second Lot Steers : Lb. Coi-n ensilage 50 rStraw 5 [Chopped barley 2 Chopped peas ;. 2 Ground oilcake 1 .Cotton seed meal 1 65 Ration' No. 5. Third lot Steers Coi-n ensilage. Lb. 20 Turnips 20 Hay 10 f Stiaw 5 I Chopped barley 2 Turnips 40 Straw o Chopped bailey 2 Chopped peas 2 Oilcake 1 Cotton-seed meal 1 Ration No. 4. Lb. Com ensilage 50 Straw 5 Chopped barley 2 Choppf-d peas 2 Oilcake 1 Cotton-seed meal 1 Ration No. b. Lb. Com ensilage 20 Turnips 20 Hay 10 Straw 5 Chopped barlej- 2 Chopped peas 2 Oilcake 1 Cotton-seed meal 1 Total Dry Organic Matter. Digestible Protein. hydrates. ■'^^*- Nutritive Ratio. Lb. Lb. Lb. Lb. 6-250 •400 5-750 1.50 2 125 •250 1-875 025 10-200 •420 3-960 048 3-520 -590 2-268 110 22 -095 1-6G0 13-853 333 1:8-8 1 6-250 •400 5-750 1.50 3-525 •325 2 875 050 10-200 •420 3-960 048 5-280 •885 3-402 165 2-610 •351 1-359 081 27-865 i 1 2-381 17-346 ] 494 1:7-8 17-20 1-020 8-600 240 3-40 1 400 3 000 040 4-25 \ 175 1-650 020 1-78 ! 188 1-200 0.52 1-74 402 1068 0.38 -92 283 -368 050 -92 •336 •264 070 30-21 2-804 16-150 5.30 1:0-1 12-50 •800 11-500 300 4-25 1 175 1-650 020 1-78 188 1-200 052 1-74 402 10(i8 05S -92 283 •368 050 -92 •336 -264 070 22 11 2 184 16 050 550 1:7 8 500 ■320 4-600 120 1-70 1 200 1-500 020 8-60 510 4-300 120 4-25 175 1-650 020 1-78 188 1-200 052 1-74 402 1068 058 -92 283 •368 0.50 •92 -336 ■264 070 24 91 2 414 14-950 510 1:6 6 The term " nutritive ratio " is one which is employed to designate the proportion which the digestible protein (called also the nitrogenous substances, or " flesh- formers ") bears to the digestible carbo-hydrates and fat. The carbo-hydrates are the 67 starch, sugars, gums, crude fibre and like substances; they are sometimes referred to as " heat-producers." To give to the fat an equitable starch value, the quantity of it is multiplied 2>, times before it is added to the carbo-hydrates proper, for the calcu- lation of the nutritive ratio. The dry cows on Eation No. 1 are fed twice a day, and are allowed as much of the' mixture as they will eat up clean. The quantity varies from 40 pounds to 60 pounds per day for diflierent animals. The milking cows on Eation No. 2 are fed twice a day, with the exception of the Shorthorns and Polled Angus, which are fed three times. The cows consume from 40 pounds to 80 pounds each per day. To fresh-calved cows and those which respond to it, 1 pound of ground oilcake and I pound of cotton-seed meal per day aie given in addition. The two steers, Nos. 1 and 2, on Eation No. 3, have been consuming about 50 ]i()unds each per day of the mixture which composes their ration ; that is equal to 21-2 pounds of dry organic matter per head daily. The two steers, Nos. 3 and 4, on Eation No. 4, have been consuming about 46 pounds each per day of the mixture which composes their ration ; that is equal to 16*6 l)Ounds of dry organic matter per head daily. The two steers, Nos. 5 and 6, on Eation No. 5, have been consuming about 50 pounds each per day of the mixtui'e which composes their ration; that is equal to 20*4 pounds of dry organic matter per head daily. As has been mentioned already, it would be unwise to draw any conclusions or make any further reference to investigations which are only in pi-ogress; but this may be added with safety, the economic value of ensilage for cattle feeding is surprisingly high, and it is not yet appreciated by the masses of Canadian farmers. For the current year, new investigations along lines for the practical service and guidance of the fanners are being commenced. Among others, it is considered expedient to illustrate, by the gi-owth of crops suitable for soiling and the making of ensilage, how many cattle may be sustained under ordinary farming conditions, on the product from 20 or 40 acres of land. The needs of the farmers for the success- ful and profitable prosecution of cattle-raising, stock-feeding and dairying, appear to be in the direction of larger numbers of cattle per 100 acres, rather than for more acres of land. Abortions. During the 3'ear, what is commonly known as the disease of epidemic abortion prevailed in the herd. The unnatural and premature births usually occui-red at from the fifth to the seventh month. Little reliable knowledge of the antecedent or even immediate causes of the disease or losses is yet in our possession. Ignorance of the nature of the disease has been hidden by draping the mention of it with the astutenesss of medical mysteiy, under the guise of an announcement that it owed its existence to " a germ." The treatments which were adopted, might be termed empirical. I. The stables were thoroughly fumigated by the burning of sulphur, saturated with alcohol, with the doors and windows closed for three hours. Of course all the cattle were out. II. A wash was made up of 1 part of bichloride of mercury to 4,000 parts of water, into which solution were put 8 ounces of common salt ; once a day the bare skin around the vulva, the anus and the root of the tail of the cows in calf, and also of those which had aborted, were sponged with the solution. III. After several weeks of that treatment the following was adopted as being preferable : 2| drachms of bichloride of mercury were dissolved in 3|^ ounces of glycerine and 3|- ounces of alcohol; after these had united, '4|- gallons of rain water were added. (The mixture should be kept in a wooden vessel, out of the reach of irresponsible persons, and animals). The bare skin under the tail and around that part was moistened once a day with the solution. 6 c— 5^ 68 IV. The cows, which formerly ha8 been tui ned out into a hirge yard every day for water, were watered from troughs in front of their stalls. y. When a pregnant cow showed any symptoms of approaching abortion, — and these are, slight relaxation of the muscles surrounding the vulva, restlessness and a continuous slight elevation of the tail, — she was at once put into a box-stall, wheie she was free from disturbance or causes of excitement. One-ounce doses of tincture of opium were given in the feed — even three times a day for one or two days — until a quiet and slightly sluggish condition prevailed. Drenching with medicine was avoided. The result is — and it is mentioned with hesitation and fear, lest the -dread abor- tions should occur again — that since the system of treatment has been adopted, 13 cows have given safe delivery to calves at the natural time, and only one case of abortion has occurred, and that could be accounted foi- satisfactorily. That covers a period of three aud-a-half months. During the preceding ten months there were 13 births at the natural time, and 14 prematurely, at from four and-a-half to eight months. NEW BUILDINGS, A sheep building is needed for the accommodation of that class of stock. After it is erected, the three important departments of live stock for experimental farm work — cattle, swine and sheep — will be in full operation, without the hindering limitations which are entailed on investigations by the erection of buildings and preliminary work. Permit me to refer farmers and others who may be seeking information on grain-growing tests and other agricultural work to your own report, as my connec- tion with the Central Experimental Farm, with the exception ot live stock manage- ment, has been as yet to a large extent advisory rather than executive. I have the honour to be, Your obedient servant, JAS, W. EOBERTSON, Agjiculturist. 69 REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST. (John Craig.) Wm. Saunders, F.R.S.C, F.L.S., F.C.S., Director Dominion Experimental Farms, Sir,— I have the honour to bubmit hei ewith a report on the work carried on in the Department of Horticulture since my appointment, 15th Januaiy, 1890. The characteristics of the past season were an unu^.uaIly late spring — delaying somewhat outdoor operations — and a remarkably favourable summer for plant grovvth ; this closed with an equally favourable autumn for the thorough and essential ripening of wood made during the season, leaving trees and shrubs in good condition to with- stand the severity of winter. I have endeavoured to bring together, as briefly and clearly as possible, in the following pages, information drawn from the experience of the j^ear in most instances, and often corroborated by the experience of previous years. For the sake of clearness, the work has been divided and placed under the following heads : — I. Large Fruits. — Bearing upon the number and condition of varieties in orchard; touching specially upon the Eussian and hardier classes best adapted to the needs of northern planters, with cultural notes. II. Small Fruits. — Touching especially upon grapes and strawberries, making the early varieties a feature of the former, the most reliable and productive of the latter ; also summing up the records on other small fruits for three j'^ears, with hints on varieties. III. Vegetables. — Outlining proposed work and that in hand ; giving the names of the most successful varieties of those tested. IV. Forestry — Tree Distribution — Fruit Distrcbution. — Touching on the importance of the question in Manitoba and the Territories. Criving an outline of the work of distributing forest-tree seedlings and possible i-esults ; also bearing upon the distribution of large and small fruits. V. Fungicides. — Giving formulae for their preparation and results of experi- ments on the apple scab. VI. Eeport on Seedling Small Fruits. — Giving opinions of a visiting com- mittee of experts on seedling raspberries, fruiting at the Experimental Farm — with descriptions of varieties. I beg gratefully to acknowledge the following donations : — Peter Henderson & Co., New York ; a large collection of vegetable seeds. Mr. S. H. Mitchell, St. Mary's, Ont.; corn and tomato seed. Mr. M. Crawford, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio ; strawberi-y plants. Mr. Julius Schnadelbach, Grand Bay, Ala.; strawberry plants. Mr. David Greig, Cainesville, Ont.; strawberry plants. Mr. P. E. Bucke, Ottawa ; Northern Light grape. Mr. N. C. Fisk, Abbotsford, Que.; grape cuttings. Wm. Craig & Son, Abbotsford, Que.; scions of crabs and Russian apples. Mr. Geo. Mitchell, Abbotsford, Que. , scions of seedling applea Mr. Abel Bresso, Abbotsford, Que.; scions of seedling apples. Mr. C. R. H. Starr, Wolfville ; apple scions. Di-. T. H. Hoskins, Newport, Vt.; apple scions. Mr. P. C. Dempsey, Trenton, Ont.; apple trees and scio g Mr. E. W. Shepherd, jr., Como, Que.; apple scions. Mr. J. J. Gibb, Como, Que. ; apple scions. 70 Mr, Chas. Hardisty, Clarence, Ont. ; seedling apple scions and fruits. Rev. Kobt. Hamilton, Grenvilie, Que.; apple scions, and ti-ces of Populus nigra. Mr. R. B. White, Ottawa ; collection of seedling plums. Prof J. L. Eudd, Iowa Agricultural College, Ames.; hardy fruits and shrubs, and many favours. It was my privilege, during the year, to attend various meetings in agricultural circles — among them the meeting of the American Forestiy Association, held in the city of Quebec the first week in September last. In a paper read before the Asso- ciation 1 attempted to give an outline of the experimental work in forestry, in progress at the Dominion Experimental Farms. The system and policy of the department was highly commended, and seemed to meet with the hearty approval (f the many delegates present. At the September meeting of the Montreal Horticultural Society a magnificent display of fruits — notably apples — was shown. Nowhere in the Dominion can a finer exhibit of seedlings be seen than at the exhibitions of this Association, many of which, it is to be hoped, will receive extended trial before long. This society is also paying careful attention to the merits of the Russian apples, now beginning to fruit in many localities about Montreal. The summer meeting of the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association was held during July at Niagara on the Lake, where an opportunity was affoided of studying one of the most favourable peach-growing districts of Ontario. A lively interest was taken b}' all present in horticultural advancement, by means of Govei'nment experimental work. I have the honour to be. Sir, Your obedient sei-vant, JOHN CRAIG, Horticulturist. I.— LARGE FRUITS. APPLES. Nearly all varieties came through the winter without injury and have made a satisfactory growth the past season. A few have been replaced and several additions made. Cultivation. — The trees have been banked up with earth to the height of 12 inches each autumn, which protects them from being girdled by mice, and prevents the swaying action of the wind. The orchard received a dressing of barnyard manure last spring, which was ploughed under, and the soil prepared foi a crop of roots. A space of 4 feet was left clear on each side next the trees, which was carefully cultivated tillthc middle of July, or the end of the growing season, afterwai-ds, care was taken to keep down the weeds, thus preventing any from seeding. Undei- the favourable conditions prevailing last autumn, the trees ripened up well and went into winter quarters in good shape. As a preventive to scale and other bark insects, the stems and main branches were washed, early in June, with soft soap, to which was added a sufficient quantity of a strong solution of washing soda, which had first been dissolved, to reduce it to the consistence of a thick paint. This Avash has the effect of keeping the bai-k green and healthy. It is a practice that should be followed generally by fruit-growers. Fi-om careful notes taken the past two seasons vai'ieties in the following list do not appear to be hardy enough for this latitude, and cannot be recommended for general planting: Breicington, Gravenstein, Nonpareil, Peck's Pleasant. IVarnifs King, Yelloiv, Belle-fleur. 71 The following may be assumed as a doubtful list, having been injured each winter in a gieaiei- or less degree: Baldwin. Bottle Greening^ Cooper's Market^ Crayibemj Pippin, Chenango Strawberry, Fall Jennetting, Fallawater, Lady Henniker, Maiden's Blush, Northern Spy, Ribston Pippin, Eoxbury Russet, Shannon, Spitzenberg, Swayzie Pomme Grise, Wagner, Grimes' Golden. There is no doubt that individual trees of varieties named in this list, and even in the first one, can be found doing fairly- well in this locality ; but they are exceptional cases, and probably under unusually favourable conditions. It is also doubtless true that we, in the colder sections, can obtain by top-working on hardy stocks a sufficient quantity of fruit for home use of many of these choice old varieties. Experiments in this line using different stocks will be inaugurated as soon as pi-acticable. RUSSIAN APPLES. Most of the varieties, as given by Mr. Hilborn in the annual report of 1888 have made very satisfactory progress up to date. Thirty-five of the later importa- tions of the Iowa Agricultufal College were received from Prof. Budd last spring, and were added to the original planting, making in all 215 Eussian varieties on trial. This orchard was the first to fruit on the Experimental grounds, a number of ti-eesgiving i-pecimen apples this year. Some of them are large, and of fair quality, but further ex- ])erience is needed before a true estimate can be made of their value. In this connection )t may be added that the large and interesting collection of Russian fruit on the farm of the late Charles Gibb, of Abbotstord, Que. (now owned by Wm. Craig & Son) has been, by your instructions, under my observation during the fruiting season ot this ^•ear. The planting of Russian fruits was begun by Mr. Gibb about ten years ago. *Many varieties are now coming into bearing, and it is hoped that by careful obser- vation of the success of the diti'erent varieties in that district, a reliable opinion will be arrived at in regard to their possible success and usefulness in the colder parts of the Dominion. The fruit-growers of the Province of Quebec, especially, had for years been watching with much interest the self-imposed task of fruit testing — "for the cold ,101-th " — undertaken b}' Mr. Gibb, and it will be a source of satisfaction to them, to know that the results which he came so near attaining, will not be lost to the people in whose interest he laboured. It is hoped that, with the added experience of another year, sufficient information will be acquired to enable such facts to be published in l>ulletin form, as will serve as a guide to planters along the northern limits of pre- sent apple culture ; for this is the region where the Russian apple will be of greatest eei-vice. Another purpose which this race will serve, and which will be developed later, is that of giving us hardy stocks for top-grafting. Many varieties already fruited, judging from their poor quality, should be condemned, but will be retained, for the purpose just indicated, on account of their great vigour and hardiness. They will also undoubtedly be the progenitors of a hardier race of apples than we now have, by crossing with our American sorts, or by seedling production. The following list is based upon the observation of four years on the grounds of the Iowa Agricultural College, and the experience of last summer at Abbotsford. The varieties mentioned are commended to the careful attention of fruit growers. Zolotoreff. — Large, conical, rich carmine with light dots and stripes on the shady side. Calyx open, basin, wrinkled, stem short, cavity, deep, narrow. Flesh yellowish white, tinged with pink when over-ripe, rather coarse in texture, quality medium. Season early September. A fine handsome apple. The tree is a vigorous upright grower with lai-ge glossy leaves. Hardy as i>uchess. Closely resembling this in tree and fruit, ;irc Basil the Gi-eat, and Titovka. Golden White. — Large, oblong, ribbed, yellow ground covered with bright red towards cavity, calyx open, basin slightly wrinkled, somewhat ribbed, stem short,thick, cavity 8mall,m some almost closed. Flesh white, c:-isp, temler, juicy. Sub-acid spi'ightl}^, very good season, August to September. Keeps better than Duchess. Claimed by some to keep till mid-winter. Tree a good g-ower of upright habit. Very hardy. 72 Arabka (Imported by Ellwanger & Barry). — Large, oblong, irregularly ribbed, dull red on sunny side, shading to dark green. Calyx closed, basin shallow, deeply wrinkled. Stem short, thick set, in closed cavity. Flesh greenish, white, rather coarse, mildly acid. Season November to March. In the west the tree has been somewhat subject to blight, but it has not been affected this wa}' in the east. In hardiness it may be graded with "Wealthy. This will undoubtedly be valuable in the colder districts. Trees planted ten years ago at Abbottsford have been bearing heavily and regularly the last four ^^ears. The Arabka imjjoned by the United States' Department of Agriculture is quite different — an early fall apple of the Duchess type, very vigorous and hardy. Gipsy Girl. — One of the hardiest and most vigorous of all the Eussians. Speci- mens were taken this season from trees planted two years ago on the Experimental Farm. The fruit is large, highly coloured, of fair qualll^ , and keeps till Februar3\ Wherever this tree has come under my notice, it has been doing well. Royal Table. — This apple is of North G-erman origin, a later importation by Prof. Budd. The trees at Abbotsford, are compact growei's, with round topped heads, slender twigs ayd medium sized leaves; they have made vigorous growth, and seem perfectly hardy. Fruit medium to large, conical, ribbed, greenish with dull red stripes on the sunny side, calj-x open, basin wide, wrinkled, stem short thick, cavity wide shallow, flesh greenish white, inclined to be tough, quality fair. Season; at this date (January 25) specimens in my cellar are firm and in good eating condition. It should keep through February. As already stated notes were taken on a considerable num- ber of varieties which fruited at the Experimental Farm and at Abbotsford the past 3"ear, but it is thought better to reserve such information for future publication. IMPORTATION AND PROPAGATION. Arrangements were made last winter by the Fruit-Growers Association of Ontario, through the Secretar}^, Mr. Woolverton, for the importation of a large collection of scions of Russian apples, pears and plums. By arrangement with Mr. AVoolverton this consignment was placed in my hands to be propagated, for trial on this and the branch Farms, tmdfor distribution to the members of the associa- tion. Owing to the length of time in transit, the scions were not in good condition when received in March. They were root grafted at once, and set out at the proper time in spring. Last fall it was found, that 44 out of 45 varieties of apples had grown, giving in round numbers 1,350 trees. Specimen trees of 6 out of 7 varieties of the pears were obtained — in all 78 trees ; 15 trees of one variety of plum also made a satisfactory growth. It is proposed to increase these as rapidl}^ as practicable for dissemination, and trial at different points in the Dominion. A number will be top grafted next spring, with a view to obtaining specimens of the fruit at as early a date as possible. This work of distribution of rare plants and new fruits, which the Ontario Fruit-Grower's Association has practiced among its members during a num- ber of years past, is one highly to be commended, and is productive of valuable results. SEEDLINGS, NATIVE AND RUSSIAN. Of the seedling apples raised from seed imported under your direction from Russia, about three thousand have been planted in a special " seedling orchard." Thej have been set 5 feet apait each way and will remain there until some idea of their probable value can be formed, when the more promising will be transplanted to permanent positions for more extended trial. Smaller assortments of these have been sent to the branch Farms for testing in a similar manner. Efforts have also been diiected towards gathering in, all the native seedlings which have been reported as worthy of propagation, or have come under my notice, as possessing good points. Thus far, thirty seedlings have been collected, principally from the older apple growing districts of the Eastern Townships, from Montreal and Northern Ontario. Those received in spring were crown grafted, most of which made satisfactory 73 growth ; others received during the summer were budded. The whole collection wilh additions as received, will constitute an instructive group when contrasted with the seedlings of Eussian origin. PEARS, Very few of the cultivated varieties of American and West European pears prove hardy in this section. Nearly all belonging to this class have been more or less severely injured by winter since planting in the trial orchard. This injury- has mainly consisted in the loss of part or the whole of the growth of the preceding year. Others, however, have been killed outright. The orchard has been treated in the same manner as the apple orchard, and the soil is well suited to peai- culture. The following varieties have shown least injury from the cold of winter thus far, indicating that,under favourable circumstances, they might be grown to a limited extent in this and similai latitudes : Flemish Beauty, Bartlett, Beurre Hardy, Beurre d'Anjou, Doyenne, Boussock, Goodaie, Josephine de Malines, Seckel, Vicar of Winkfield. It is probable that other varieties will he noted later, as developing hardiness in an unexpected degree, as the work of testing goes on. Pears have been almost wholly untested in this vicinity up to the time of planting them on the Experimental Farm. In this connection, it may be added that interesting results are looked for, when the work now in hand — that of top-grafting the hardiest Eussian sorts with the best varieties of the present cultivated pears — has been brought to an issue. This is a line of experiment that has not yet been entered upon in America, and from which it is hoped the colder sections will leap much benefit. RUSSIAN PEARS. iSTearly all varieties of this class have come through the last two winters unin- jured, and strong hopes are entertained for their future usefulness. Through the kindness of Prof". Budd, I have been able to make a considerable addition to the collection already in oi'chard, and expect to be able to extend the work in this line next spring. The following notes are made on trees planted eight years ago at Abbotsford, all of which have grown vigorously, and give every indication of perfect hardiness : Beesemianka (No. 508 and 3 M). — Tree a strong upright grower, with remark- ably bright green health}- foliage. It has shown no sign of blighting in the east, but has been affected to a limited extent by this disease in the west. A few speci- mens of fruit were borne this year, but dropped before an idea of the quality could be ascertained. Sapieganka. — This is even a stronger grower than the last and more spreading in habit. The twigs are thick, bark a bright olive in colour. This would appear to be a grade less hardy than the last. It has not come into bearing yet. Gakovka. — This seems to be the hardiest of the class. From close observation of its habits in widely separated localities I believe it will succeed wherever the Duchess apple can be grown. It is a rapid grower of upi'ight habit and strictly determinate in regard to ripening its wood in the fall. I cannot speak of the fruit. Prof. Budd says : " The fruit is large and handsome, but is mainly valuable for culinary use, for which it is not excelled. Though pleasant in flavour the flesh is too film for desert use until over ripe." Lemon. — The characteristic of this tree is the fact of its having almost invari- ably a central leader from which the side branches are thrown. This forms an ideal head. Annual growth has been strong. Shoots large. It is said to be a cooking pear. Not fruited yet. Limber Twig. — Prof. Budd says this succeeds best on dry, upland soil. It has done well at Abbotsford on gravelly soil. The bark is light green, buds peculiarly long and sharply pointed. Not fi-uited. Kurskaya. — This is said to have been first introduced by the Meunonites of Minnesota. In general appearance and habit of growth it much resembles Besse- mianka. The fruit has not come under my notice. •74 Autumn Bergamot (No, 122). — This has been very satisfactory in point of hardi- ness and vigour at Abbotsford. The fruit is said to be small and highly flavoured. SEEDLING PEARS. As a pi-oduct from the pear seed imported from the region of the Volga in Eussia — a district in which the pear is found growing wild — one hundred and twenty-five of the most vigorous seedlings were ti-ansplanted in the same manner, and adjacent to the apple seedlings already mentioned. A number of seedlings from othei" sources have also been added and the whole will make a very interesting and, it is hoped a u>-eful collection. The late Chas.Gibb, advocated fiequently the wisdom of growing seedlings from the wild pear of the Volga region, for the purpose of in- tj'oducing a hardier fruit stock than we now have in the French pear seedlings. Owing to the difficulty of obtaining seed in quantity, this line of work has not been attempted by frviit growers, outside of a few pear specialists. PLUMS. The majority of the older and tiner varieties of this fruit first planted have not succeeded as well as was expected. The partial failure of this class in the first planting was no doubt very much increased by the planting as an experiment a number of varieties in the fall. A severe winter followed, resulting in the death of a considerable number. These failures have, however, in most cases, been replanted and all will receive a lair ti'ial. While many may not make long lived trees, yet they will be useful in furnishing pollen which may be used in the work of crossing with hardier varieties. The following list contains those kinds which thus far have stood the test of wiutei-s in this vicinity with least injury. They have all originated from the European plum. Primus domestica and have been in cultivation for a number of years in the fruit growing districts of Ontario and the Eastern States : Reine Claude, Magnum bonum, Yellow Egg, Richland, Glass Seedling, Washington, Nota Bene, Bryanston's Gage, Newman, Pond's Seedling, Lombard, Bradshaw. Another class of plums which are more promising in point of hardiness, thougli they have not fruited to any extent thus far, belong to the same species as the last, but are derived mostly from East Europe. The following have come through unin- jured by wintei- killing and give promise of vigoui- and longevity ; Early red, Laie red, White Nicholas, White Otschakoff, Trabische, Voronesh, Hungarian, Moldavka. Most of these have fruitedin the Western States, in many cases the fruit will be found very useful, and in some instances of high quality. For a number of j-ears past, a few experimenters in the Western States, have been developing selected varieties of the native jilum of that region — a fruit which has too long been neglected — Prunus Americana. A number of promising varieties ai-e now on the market and will be of much service along the northern limits of plum culture. De Soto, which has so rapidly sprung into popularity of late, is a notable representative of this class. An etfort has been made to secure as large a collection of these as possible. Among them are the following, which appear to be the most valuable : Ilavkeye. Speer, Wolf, Wyant, Bollingston, Forest Garden, Forest Rose, Jas. Vic/i, and Garfield. Primus Chicasa. — This is native to the south-west, is less hardy than the preced- ing, and sometimes fails from impei-fect fertilization. As a cooking plum it is unsur- jiassed. Among the prominent representatives on trial, maybe mentioned Mariana, Milton, Weaver, Maquoketa, Mo?-e7nan and Pottawattamie. The last three, ai'e late introductions. Japanese plums. — These have not succeeded here, anl while their usefulness for the colder sections is doubtful, yet for the milder portions they are at least worthy of trial in a limited way. Seedlings. — A seedling plantation has been started wherein tests in this line are being conducted, and to which constant additions will be made. 75 Selected seed and plants of the Americana and Chicasa types have been secured from the west, both north and south. ■ Some very interesting seedlings have been collected through Mr. Aug. Dupuis, Village des Aulnaies, north of the city of Quebec. These are grown from pits of the Blue Damson and Orleans plums. They have been cultivated in that rigorous climate by seedling production for years. Judging by samples of fruit received last fall they are well worthy of propagation. Through the courtesy of Mr. E. B. White, of Ottawa, who has for a number of year^; mada a specialty of collecting hardy and promising plum seedlings, I have obtained a considerable number of specimen trees, which have succeeded well with, and are thought favourably of, by that gentleman. CHERRIES, It was not expected that varieties derived from the Mazzard stock would succeed in this locality, but in order to ai-rive at definite conclusions, a collection of the principal members of this class as well as those belonging to the Dukes and Moreilos was planted in orchard. Experience thus far has justified the above opinion in regard to the Mazzards, and indeed many of the Dukes might be included in the same division as far as hardiness is concerned. Of the Duke and Morello varieties the following catalogued varieties have come through the winters with comparatively little injuiy thus far: Dyehouse, Belle Magnifique, Large Montmorency, Royal Duke, Early Richmond, Late Morello. It is being genei-ally admitted that as profitable market cherries — except in the extreme south — the Morello varieties are, on account of their hardiness and produc- tiveness, growing in popularity'. For this and similar sections we will have to depend mainly on them for our supply of this much appreciated fruit. There appears at present no other line in the culture of large fruit so promising in immediate and bene- ficial results, as will be attained by the propagation and dissemination of members of the Morello class, which have been imported by the Iowa Agricultural College. A considerable collection of these varieties were obtained, and have been on trial since 1888. With one or two exceptions they have shown every evidence of hardiness, growing uniformily with thrift and vigor. Specimens of fruit were had from 12 varieties last season giving indications of early bearing habits. The fruit in all instances was very good ; in a few cases really excellent. These varieties are also included in the collection at Abbotsford, where they have fruited the past two or three years. The following list, with short descriptive notes, includes those which bore fruit on the Farm last season. The dates of ripening are given as occurring this year :— Wragg. — This tree, which is now being distributed from the west, is an only survivor of a lot of cherry trees sent out there, which were selected from an importa- tion maile by Ellwanger & Barry from Germany some 18 oi- 20 years ago. The tree is of the Morello type, round-headed and vigorous. Fruit ripe this year 5th August. Large, round flattened, colour dark red, stem long, rather acid, slightly astringent, very juic3^ A promising late variety. Ostheim (of Minnesota). — Size of Kentish, dark-red, roundish obtuse, highly coloured juice, good quality ; about a vveek earlier than Wragg; differs from the next in season and quality. Tree is open topped; a freegi'ower. Ostheim (of Morris). — This is a small dark-coloured cherr3',-round, compressed, fair quality, pit large, somewhat lacking in juciness ; ripens with Wragg, about 6th August. Is not as free a grower as the last. Lithaur Weichsel. — Small dark-red, when fully ripe almost black, roundish obtuse, flesh firm, pleasant sub-acid, pit rather large, ripe 31st July; ti-ee close, round tO])ped, quite hardy. Were this a little larger, on account of its earliness, it would be very valuable. 7G Voronesh 27. — A promising variety imported under this number from Yoronesh, Eiissia. Fruit very lai-ge, bright red, round, flattish, flesh juicy, sub-acid, pit small, lipe 4th August; tree hardy, vigorous. Griiner Glas. — In appearance of tree and fruit resembling the last, but later. Fruit large, bright-red, slightly more acid than last, ripe 8th August ; very produc- tive. Bessarablan (or Eussian 62). — Tree a spreading grower, twigs slender, with prominent buds; very hardy; fruit large, about same size as Wragg, round, de- pressed, stem long, colour, dark-red when fully ripe, good quality, ripe 5th August. Russian 207. — Medium to large, round, flattened above, bi-ight-red, long stem, fair quality, juicy : tree upright, one of the most vigorous growers; ripe 6th August, resembles Voronesh 27. Vladimir. — Here again as in the case of Ostheim there seems to be two varieties under the same name. This one, imported by Prof. Budd, is a very early cherry, the earliest of all here, ripe 28th July. Fruit medium size, nearly black when ripe, roundish oblate, mild sub-acid, very pleasant, tree vigorous and hardy. Vladimir. (Imported by Mr Gribb from Moscow). — Is distinguished by its slender twigs, and more conservative habit of growth ; shows every sign of perfect hardiness. I cannot speak of the fruit. Still another Vladimir is on trial here. This was introduced by a later importation of the Abbotsford Fruit-Growers' Association. It diff'ers entirely from the two foregoing, resembling the Mazzard family in leaf and habit of growth much more than the Morello. This one has not yet fruited. Montmorency Ordinaire. — This is of the Morello type, but is not a late importa- tion. It is one of the hardiest of the catalogued sorts and is worthy of more extended cultivation than it now receives. Fruii about the size of Early Richmond, dark-red, mildly sub-acid, very pleasant. Ripe, 2nd August. Observations on the behaviour of the above selections and a number of others growing at Abbotsford on gravelly soil for several years, were made this season. They had made a most satisfactory growth and, as already stated, with one or two exceptions, had not suffered from the cold of winter. Fullei' intbrmation will be published later. Due attention is being given to seedling production in this as well as the other lines of fruit culture, RUSSIAN APRICOTS. In answer to a letter from the editor of American Garden last August, asking for my experience and opinion on the behaviour and value of these fruits, the follo\vinK * "The arsenites mix readily in carbonate of copper solutions, and do not seem to do more harm than when applied in water only." * * * *< London purple in sulphate of copper solution, does vastly more harm than when applied in water only." In the Journal of Mycology, Vol. VI, No. 3, published by Prof Galloway and assistants. Department of Agriculture, Washington, an account is given of results of spraying grape vines to prevent black-rot with " Bordeaux mixture ; ammoniacal copper carbonate solution ; copper carbonate in suspension ; and a mixed treatment, consisting of three applications of the Bordeaux mixture, followed by live of the ammoniacal solution." The following conclusions were reached : — I. " That while the amount of fruit saved by the Bordeaux mixture was greater than that by the ammoniacal solution, the latter preparation is, after all, the cheapest. In other words, there was more profit in using the ammoniacal solution than the Bordeaux mixture." II. " A mixed treatment consisting of Bordeaux mixture and ammoniacal solu- tion, is more profitable than a treatment of Bordeaux mixture alone, but not as profitable as the ammoniacal solution alone." EFFECT OF FUNGICIDES ON APPLE LEAVES. (Frank T. Shutt and John Craig.) The experiments, as set forth in the accompanying table, were instituted with the following objects in view : — 1. To ascertain the greatest strength in which the different fungicides can be applied without injury to the leaves of apple trees ; 2. To ascertain the effect on the leaves of the copper salts, with or without the addition of ammonia ; 3. To ascertain the effect on the leaves of apple trees, of a combined fungicide and insecticide, using Paris green as the latter. The trees chosen for the experiment were of the Wealthy variety — a row set out three years ago, in which all the trees selected were in an equally vigorous condition. As shown in the table, a series comprising 14 combinations of fungi- cides in different strengths was prepared. Each application was prepared on the basis of a 22-gallon mixture, though the quantity used — the trees being small — was in each case about 1 gallon. A tree was set aside for each preparation, and numbered in accordance with the number of the mixture used. Series I, received three applications, notes being taken at short intervals after each application. At the close of this series a new lot of ti-ees was selected ; these received two applications, and were used as checks on the results of the first experi- ments. 6 c— 7 98 Q SI -^ >. _C _c ^ ^ 3 < ■r >> ^ C s^-: o CO U <4-l O 0) .5 « ^ o •^ o o £ i^ 3 1 r .1" J »5 © 5 3 5^ ■M'' 1 1— 1 .r-, ~ a HM 1— 1 - >> ; ; 1 ; _c 9^ u 3 * * 1 ; • . '^^ . * 03 W S fa .s : i ^ ■ ■ b -3 'r-. ! '. .B : .5 «} ^ ■ts ! ; "3 ? •" -« "^ >> ^ OD • o 1 o ^ C»5 .£ : • -c • -S t? ^ ■ ^ ■ .SP J- to C 3 : x) : ^ ; z (D c > ■ .^ ■ > ff^ m : : > : : ^ ( ■ X • M ' 56 : OJ "^ ^ F— , w ■ ^ . k; - s tc .S a 5 . T! . 03 Q : ■ "it -*- • r^ a c ! : S : M O t. ■* •<— » P- tS ^ J : c : g S a 2 : .S ; (^ : g-^ .^ : £ : -c < 1 : >s ' : >, : c fc" CC I c ; •"■5 ^2 K c * e9j . ; 1 : o o >, n • • .Si > • T rS < o ►J < lb o l-S "S) c ;- a= : -^-i : --= • s- if: ! "^ ■ ® . •£ ■ -Cw^ . : : fcJD C © c c > 'c ■ 3 5 1— 1 : > • C : : ^ : ° : -« t : S-- : > ■ PC C ' tr •- a g 1 •c K (D <» X "a ; ■ to : "-S n > o S ■ \ t I • .S 3 ■5 g a : b : o w < 3 5 1— 1 1— 1 h^ : ^ hH : -5- : 1— 1 • c 1 1 c ^ c g; '■ xtl '. > © 1 2 rS '^ 1-^' c3 © c w *^ '■^ c '-S Ed 02 i-H 1 cS ID . i Or a ' : g- g "C . : 1 § ; g T3 ■ .12 ! ® 1 C >3 3 b- ■ 2 • "o • • g ; o i-H ►^ cS "3 • ^ \ it ■ b ■'2 : c 3 8 _'5 ' : >. : cc > w ■ a 1; 1 3 C b g 05 "a h- 1 : II ^ : • ^ 13 '5* 1— 1 s : M : . cc CG a • a: 00 . . a r— •X:^i!|Uisti^ O ^ S -2 bo to tl to -1 3 bi ■ a; : 1 s -S' ^ bo ft U CC 1—1 eg ID C-l (M CC r-l 50 vi v •^ T? 0) Sh •-' , >5 C &p 3 t^ "h ^* -n ri '^ n( o M ^ o , ;-> >,->i t^ S n ■c ® o ■o ^3 'a PS bo 3 iii >= o o ;5 01 o S O OJ o ho C a 6 bo a > 3 pq bo 13 V o .be 55 § o O cS a c c8 O bo w o h5 O o o ft bo 3 O o 12; ft 2 o bo i C .S • 1— ( ft ft o m > cS IS PQ 33 O o cS !-< CO tH C 3 O be a 01 o 3 O o be o ft bo C ft a ft ft V ft a a a x Ui s- c« t- ;■ ft ;> rr* o O (£ ^ o O ^ O O (2 ^ o O ^ ^ 6c— 7i w 100 SUMMARY. Quantities given below are all on the basis of 22 gals, of water, with ammonia as the solvent: — 1. Copper carbonate — 3 oz, in solution, caused slight injury. 2. Copper carbonate — 3 oz. in suspension caused no injury ; 6 oz. in suspen- sion caused slight injury, which did not increase with repeated applications. 3. Copper carbonate — 3 oz. in solution, Paris green If oz. (proportion of 1 lb. to 200 gals, of water), caused slight injury in the later applications. 4. Copper carbonate — IJ oz. in solution, Paris green If oz., caused very slight injury after thethii-d application. 5. Copper carbonate — 1^ oz., in suspension, Paris green If oz., caused no injury. 6. Copper carbonate — 3 oz. in suspension, Paris green If oz., caused slight injury after later applications. 7. Copper sulphate — 8 oz. dissolved caused much injury, and proportionately as the quantity of sulphate was increased. 8. Copper sulphate — 8 oz., with 1^ pints of ammonia, caused much injury. 9. Copper sulphate — 8 oz. ; Paris green -93 oz,, and If oz. caused much injury. The more promising lines, as indicated in the above summary, will receive careful attention another season, and on such a scale as to enable the submitting of a more complete summary of conclusions. VI.— EEPOET ON SEEDLING SMALL FETJITS. To Wm. Saunders, Esq., Director Experimental Farms, Ottawa. Sir, — The members of the joint committee from the Fruit Growers' Association of Ontario, and the Montreal Horticultural Society, invited to inspect the fruits of the Ottawa Experimental Farm, beg to submit the following report : — We met at the farm on the 22nd of July, and in company with yourself and Mr. John Craig, the Horticulturist, proceeded to examine the various fruits in cultivation. The results of our observations were very gratifying, indeed, having found success and improvement far beyond our most sanguine expectations. The raspberry being the principal fruit in bearing at the time, our attention was more particularly drawn to it. We found some twenty-five or more varieties of the well-known sorts in bearing — most of them doing well and carrying a fair crop of fruit. But the chief attraction to your committee was a patch of two or three hundred seedlings and hybrids which were originated by the Director, some of which, in our estimation, bid fair to supersede the best of the standard varieties. These were carefully compared as to apparent hardiness of plant, quality, and productive- ness with the standard sorts grown under the same culture and surroundings, and we found, not only in those of the red type, but also in the black and yellow sorts, marked improvements over the leading varieties in general cultivation, from which these were produced — Some as to time of ripening, others as to flavor, and still others as to size, hardiness, productiveness, &c., and it is the opinion of the committee that if, these varieties are propagated and disseminated through the country that they alone will more than pay the country, the expense already incurred in connection with the Horticultural Department of the Experimental FaiTU. These vai-ieties have been grown under numbers, and we herewith append oui- observations in regard to the most promising of them, and would suggest that they should all be named and further tested, and propagated as flist as possible, and disseminated as you may think best. 101 We also inspected several new seedling black currants and gooseberries, some of whicb "we consider improvements on our present varieties, and shall expect good results from these when further tested. The strawberry season was over, and we had no opportunity of seeing them in fruit, but a part of your committee saw several seedlings which were brought to the meeting of the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association at Niagara on the 9th of July, by Mr, Craig ; and from the fruit inspected there and the growth and foliage of the plants seen ou the farm we should pronounce them very promising. In regard to the other and larger fruits being tested on the farm, they are not 3^et far enough advanced to form much of an opinion ; yet, we have no hesitation in saying that we believe the experiments being conducted in the Horticultural Depart- ment will result in producing varieties that will be of great value, particularly in the colder parts of our Dominion ; and in conclusion, we would express our regret that the climate at Ottawa will not permit of experiments with some of the more tender and most valuable fruits, such as the peach, and with many varie- ties of apples, pears, plums, cherries, apricots, grapes, &c. In view of the great advantage it would be to the country to have these fruits tested by disinterested parties not engaged in the sale of trees or plants, we would express a hope that at no distant day the G-overnment will see fit to establish somewhere in western Ontario — where the climate is suitable — a branch Horticultural station for this purpose, similar to those established in some of the neighbouring States. r p. C. DEMPSBY, Fruit Growers' Association of the Province of Ont. ] A. M. SMITH, ( P. E. BUCKE. ,. ..r- ,A • .• P.i, TD • fr^ fW. W. DUNLOP, Fruit Growers Association ol the Province of Que. ■< -□ _rt?0D1E SEEDLING EASPBEERIES. No. of Plant in No. of Row. "^j^o^'" RED VARIETIES 3 11 A seedling of Biggar's Seedling. Berry above medium size ; fair quality ; early ; firm ; productive promising for market. 3 13 Seedling of Biggar's Seedling. Berry large ; attractive ; good quality ; early ; promising for market. 3 21 Probably from Biggar's Seedling. Berry as large as Cuthbert; bright red ; fine quality ; medium early ; hardy and very productive. 3 24 Origin unknown. Large, dark red ; good quality ; firm ; very pro- ductive ; should be a good market Ijerry. 3 36 Origin unknown. Very large ; light red ; good quality ; firm ; pro- ductive ; hardy and vigorous. (I have noted this as one of the most promising for market. — J.C) 3 39 Origin unknown. A duplicate of the last, but a few daj^s earlier. 3 52 Seedling of Philadelphia. Medium to large ; purple ; early ; good quality ; very productive, of the same type as Philadelphia, but earlier. 4 48 Origin doubtful. Medium size ; dark red; good quality; enormously productive, valuable on account of its great productiveness. 5 12 Seedling origin unknown Medium size ; dark red ; good quality ; >* early. This is too nearly like the last to propagate both. (Either of these should supersede some of our present early sorts. — J.C.) 6 46 Seedling of Biggar's Seedling. Very large ; bright red ; first quality ; firm ; somewhat earlier than Cuthbert ; prolific ; hardy and vigorous ; very promising. 6 47 Seedling of Biggar's Seedling. A little earlier, otherwise similar to last. No. of 102 SEEDLING EASPBERRIES. No. of Row. -^r",*'" black caps. 3 45 Seedling of Hopkins, Large ; good quality ; as late or later than Gregg. 3 47 Seedling of Hoyjkins. Size of Gregg; good quality; firm; medium early ; productive. Try for market. 3 76 Seedling of Ohio. Above medium size ; attractive ; good quality ; firm ; very early ; productive. (Valuable on account of its early season. — J.C.) 4 57 Doubtful origin. Large ; jjurple ; fair quality ; later than Shaffer ; exceedingly productive. 5 23 Seedling of Tyler. Medium to large; fine quality; fairly firm ; early; season of Tyler ; hardy ; productive ; very promising. 5 33 Seedling of Tyler. Large and equal to Gregg ; good quality ; medium early ; very productive; hardy ; very promising. 5 41 Hybrid; Gregg with Cuthbort. Shaffer type ; large; dark purple; good quality ; early ; a typical cross ; plant vigorous. (Very promising, on account of its size and earliness. — J.C.) 7 79 Chance seedling. Medium size ; fine quality ; very sweet ; medium early ; promising for home use ; hardy; prolific. 7 80 Chance seedling. Lai-gest size; fine quality ; firm; productive; season just ahead of Hilborn ; hardy ; prolific. Promising for market. [Note. — All varieties described above have been favourably mentioned for three seasons in notes taken by Mr. Hilborn, Prof. Saunders or myself. Hardiness and jiroductiveness taken as points of primary im- portance. — John Craig, Horticulturist. '\ 103 REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. (Frank T. Shutt, M.A., F. Inst. Chem., F.C.S.) Ottawa, 20th January, 1891. Wm. Saunders, Esq., Director, Dominion Experimental Farms, Ottawa. Sir, — I have the honour to submit herewith the fourth annual report on the work of the Chemical Department of the Dominion Experimental Farms. During the past year much has beeii accomplished, and the laboratory work, ever increasing as the Experimental Farm system becomes better known and appre- ciated, has been of a very varied charactei-. Farmers in all parts of the Dominion are more and more taking advantage of the aid afforded them by the Government in these institutions, and as a result a larger number of samples have been received for examination and report. The correspondence of the Department has also greatly increased, and much time is now necessarily expended in answering the enquiries of agriculturists. This portion of my work, while forming no part of the annual report, has been found very useful to the individual farmer. The samples sent in for analysis comprise principally soils, natural and artificial fertilizers, waste products of an agricultural value, well waters and feeding materials of all kinds. Only such specimens are examined, the knowledge of which is considered to be of imjiortance and benefit to the farming community of Canada, or at least to a large portion thereof. Exceptions to this rule are made, as in the case of well waters, but even here the printed reports will prove of great service to all who study them. No work is done of such a private nature that the report on it would benefit only the individual. Much of the work has a national interest, as for instance, the analysis of sugar-beets grown in difterent sections of the country, the examination of soils repre- senting large areas, and the like. That intelligent interest that has been awakened in the value of such knowledge is practically demonstrated by the fact that many samples of soils, fodders, ferti- lizers, etc., have now accumulated, and for want of time, are still awaiting analysis. Besides this class of work, and, probably of greater importance to the Dominion at large, is that which has for its object the solution of chemical questions in con- nection with experiments planned and carried out on the Experimental Farms. These investigations usually entail a large expenditure of time and work, consisting often of a long series of analyses. Many of the experiments just referred to may be said to be wholly chemical, while others require many analyses to make them complete, and, consequently, more valuable. The chemical examination of different varieties of fodder corn, native and foreign grasses, roots and cereals, ot animal products, such as milk of the various breeds, finds its rightful place here. On account of this large amount of work and the consequent need of skilled assistance in the laboratory, the services of an Assistant Chemist have been secured. Mr. Adolph Lehmann, B.S.A., late of Guelph Agricultural College, was chosen for the work. By the technical skill and ability he has displayed in chemical analysis, by his untiring industry and by the warm and intelligent interest he has evinced in the work, Mr. Lehmann has shown himself well fitted for the position. It is due largely to his valuable aid that I am enabled to insert many of the analytical results which appear in the present report. For convenience of reference, the following classification of the contents of this report will be found useful. 104 Part I, contains the analyses of soils from the Korth-West Territories and New Brunswick, with explanatory remarks thereon. Some notes on the general composition and character of soils are also added, which it is thought may be of interest and use to our readers. Part II, includes natural and artificial fertilizers. Among these are to be found marsh muds, mucks and peats, marl, gypsum, gas lime, wool waste from a woollen mill and a report on the value of " lamb's quarter" (Chenopodium albuiii), as a lertilizer. Part III, treats of the products of farm plants and animals, and comprises analyses and reports on vai'ious food stuffs, including fodder corn, ensilage, grasses and concentrated foods such as oil cake and cotton seed meal. The relative values of certain varieties of potatoes as grown on the Central Experimental Farm during the past season are here given. The composition of the sugar-beet is set forth in a long series of analyses. These roots were grown in different parts of Ontario, and the results no doubt represent a very fair average of what has been done during 1890 towards bringing this valuable crop to perfection. In view of the probable de- velopment of the beet-sugar industry in the near future, the present ressults will be deemed valuable. The composition of the milk of the cows at the Central Experi- mental Farm appears in tabular form. These analyses are accompanied by such other information and deductions as will render them of service to the farmer and dairyman. Part IY, comprises miscellaneous analyses of substances under experiment or otherwise connected with the farm. The subjects treated of form separate articles undei the following titles : " The composition of apple tree leaves," being the first of a series of analyses on the apple, with a view to ascertain a rational mode of fer- tilizing orchards ; " A report on the effect of solution of copper and iron sulphates, alone and togther, on the vitality of the wheat germ;" " Well waters," being a useful chapter on a very important matter, and containing analyses of water examined during the past year ; " Foundation comb," giving the composition of three adulterated samples received for examination, to which are added simple methods for detecting the presence of paraflSn. As in former reports, explanatory^ remarks accompany the analytical data. These remarks have been made as concise and as free from technical terms as possible, but are, however, stated in suflScient detail to make the purely scientific results of value and sei'vice to the ordinary reader In addition to the work set forth in the following pages, there has already been completed a series of analyses of several varieties of Indian corn as grown for fodder — only the averages of which appear in this report — (See Fodders). The objects in view when this task was undertaken were to ascertain the best varieties of corn as regards composition and yield, and to find out the proper time at which to cut the fodder for the silo. The details of this work and the deductions made from them have been put into bulletin form, now shortly to be issued. The analyses of fifty-two samples of native grasses have also been completed. These grasses were grown on the experimental plots of the Central Farm under the direction of Mr. James Fletcher, the Botanist. The analyses show their com^josition, and hence their value, at different stages of their growth. The native grasses of Manitoba and the North-West Territories are now under- going examination. These have long been favourably known for their nutritious properties by stock-raisers. Their true and comparative values, as determined by 105 chemistry, will be brought out by this work. When the analyses are finishe the whole will be published together as a bulletin. There are also in progress the analyses of a number of barleys, including samples of the original importation of Carter's Prize Prolific, and of this barley as grown in the various provinces of Canada. Other 2-rowed, as well as specimens of 6-rowed, barleys, are also being examined. It is expected that the results, when completed, will throw additional light on the important question of barley for malting and export purposes. I have the honour to be. Sir, Your obedient servant, FEANK T. SHUTT, Chemist, Dominion Experimental Farms, 106 Pi^RT I. SOILS. The fectility of a soil is dependent upon its chemical composition and its mechanical texture. Soils to be fertile must contain the elements of plant food in such forms that thej can be readily used for the nutrition of vegetation. At the same time its condition must not be too loose, else a firm hold will not be afforded the roots of plants, and there will be too much drainage and evaporation, nor must it be too heavy and plastic, for then air and water could not freely permeate it nor the roots extend themselves beyond a very limited area. Generally speaking, light, loose soils are not as rich in plant food as those in which clay predominates ; yet, on account of their excellent condition of tilth, they often yield in favourable seasons heavier crops than the latter. Stiff, heavy clays, though rich in inorganic plant food (potash and phosphoric acid) are often poor in nitrogen, while their condition is such as to prevent thorough aeration and the penetration of the roots. It is these soils especially that are benefited by drainage. By a system of drainage the water which saturates the surface soil is carried off, air allowed to permeate, the whole rendered more friable and easily worked, and much plant food is converted into assimilable forms. Where sand largely preponderates the soil is not retentive of moisture and fertilizing material, especially if the subsoil be light, and though easily worked is not so desirable in dry seasons as a heavier soil. A proper proportion of sand and clay, therefore, for many reasons, makes the best soil. With the clay and sand, varying amounts of peaty matter or humus (derived from the decomposition of vegetable matter), and of calcareous matter (principally carbonate of lime) are usually associated, and a right proportion of the two latter exerts a beneficial influence upon the tilth of a soil. From the presence of these predominating materials soils are known respectively as clay, sandy, peaty and calcareous, according as one or the other is in excess. By the slow decomposition of the clay and the peaty and calcareous matter, plant nutrients are liberated in a soluble form, and therefore the function of these soil fundamentals is not only mechanical but chemical. The constituents of soils may be divided into two classes : inorganic and organic. In the first of these is the material formed by the disintegration of the i"Ocks at the earth's surface by atmospheric agencies. This mineral matter consists pi-incipally of lime, magnesia, oxide of iron, alumina, potash and soda, combined with silica, phosphoric, sulphuric and carbonic acids. The actual and relative amounts of these constituents in soils vary according to the nature and composition of the rocks from which they are derived. The organic portion of a soil consists largely of semi-decomposed vegetable matter (roots, underground stems, leaves &c.), otherwise known as humus, peaty matter, &c. The elements which enter into its composition are carbon, hydrogen, oxj'gen and nitrogen, but it is the latter only that has an agricultural value. INORGANIC CONSTITUENTS. The most important inorganic constituents of a soil are potash and phosphoric acid. These together with nitrogen, are known as the essential elements of plant food. 107 Potash — derived principally from the decomposition of feldspathic rocks, e.g., granite — exists chiefly in combination with silica in a more or less soluble condition. The limits of potash in a soil lie between a mere trace and about 2 per cent. A good agricultural soil contains between .25 per cent, and 1 per cent. Clay soils, usually, are the richest in potash. Potash, as a fertilizer, is of special value to clover, peas and other leguminous crops ; potatoes, beets, cabbage, grasses and leafy plants in general are also benefited by it. Phosphoric acid, combined principally with lime, is found in all fertile soils. Like potash, t,it has been derived from the rock that originated the soil, and conse- quently is not constant in quantity. It seldom exceeds 1 per cent., even in the richest soils, and the average in good soils would probably be somewhat under '5 per cent. It benefits chiefly root crops, e. g., turnips and beets, and in conjunction with nitrogenous manures is very effective for the cereals, promoting an early maturity and an increased yield. Lime. — Of the inorganic elements of minor importance, lime is the principal. By its solution it affords food directly to the plant and liberates in the soil potash and nitrogen pre-existaut in insoluble forms. Many consider that less than 1 per cent, shows a soil to be deficient in lime. Xo special mention need here be made of the other mineral constituents, as most soils contain sufficient for all the requirements of farm crops. ORGANIC CONSTITUENT. ^ Nitrogen is the element of value in the organic portion of a soil. It there exists, for the most part, in forms from which it can be but slowly absorbed b}' plants. By a process of fermentation, known as nitrification, it is rendered assimilable. The presence of lime (carbonate of lime) appears to assist in this useful operation, espe- cially when the ground is sufficiently open for air to permeate it. Moisture and warmth are also necessary to encourage the growth of this microscopic ferment. Very rich soils contain from -5 per cent, to 1 per cent, of nitrogen ; good, fertile soils possess on an average from -1 per cent, to "2 per cent. Nitrogen is essentially the fertilizer for cereals, especially when associated with potash. An excess of nitrogen, however, promotes a rank growth of straw Successive croppings, without a concomitant return of plant food, deplete a soil of these three important substances, and though, as we have seen, a fertile soil requires but minute quantities of them, they must be replaced in order to obtain lucrative harvests. The examination of eight samples of soil has been undertaken since the issue of my last report. Six of these rejDresent areas in the|North-West Territories, and were analysed at the instance of L. A, Hamilton, Esq., Land Commissioner, C. P. E., Winni- peg; the remaining two soils, from the Sackville Marsh, New Brunswick, were for- warded by Josiah Wood, Esq., M.P. 108 •pm3g •AviQ •uaSoj^i^ o H OD ^^ o o w >^ < ■SUIl'J put? uoaj JO 9pixo o D •J8quin^ 1— 1 © s CO s? CO © © i-H s r-l CO s © g 1H ■^ ^ (M i-l in « 00 g CO o 05 IM iH to to O CI C<5 t- C5 CO e<5 •■9' C<5 o © C-1 © © § g I— i © 8 fe 8 § © © 1—1 © © 8 1—1 8 8 T— 1 © © 1— 1 ( •p8uiiuj859pun) •02y 'pioy oiuoq.i'BQ T-H © © 2 ^ •pioy ouondsoqj i-H i-H CO 1—1 t- 1— 1 CO 1—1 in I-( BOjiig aiqniog © IM T— 1 © I-H rH & ^ © CO •qs'B^oj O CO "^3 o (M rH 1-1 ?^ N SO co" ,c. a, ::! ^ '^ H H p^ t^ P4 ©" O S S K a, O 72 H •_= o ID H o W. 109 SOILS FROM THE NORTH-WEST TERRITORIES. The districts from which these soils were taken enjoy but a very limited rainfall, and hence have yielded poor crops. It was thought desirous that the composi- tion of these soils should be ascertained to find out if the diminished growth in these areas was due in part to the lack of any important fertilizing constituent or to the excess of alkali or other matter deleterious to plant growth. From these analyses it is conclusively proven that the soils contain a sufficient quantity of plant food for good crops, while there is in every case a total absence of free alkali. Numbers 1 and 2 are clay loams ; in numbers 3, 4, 5 and 6 sand predominates, which in 5 and 6 consists largely of undeconiposed rock matter. The mechanical condition was not of the best, especially in samples 1 and 2. This may be due to lack of working, and would doubtless improve by thorough cultivation. The analyses were made on the air-dried samples. Water. The percentage of water is rather low throughout, but especially so in the sandy specimens, showing that they are apt to "dry out." The small amount of water may, however, be partly due to the fact that the samples had had a long exposure to the air before analysing. Organic matter and Nitrogen. In organic matter, Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 6 are comparatively close, ranging from 4'42 to 5-28 per cent. "We accordingly find the nitrogen in these samples corres- pondingly close, the percentages lying between 'IBS and -179. Nos. 4 and 5 possess about twice as mitch organic matter as the foregoing, and their nitrogen is found to have increased in the same ratio. All these soils may be regarded as comparatively rich in nitrogen — the amounts being quite sufficient for paying yields of farm crop>. Potash. In the clay loams there is a very fair percentage of this element, but, as might be expected, in some of the more sandy soils it drops below the average quantity. Nos, 5 and b would certainly be benefited by an application of wood ashes or potash in some form. Phosphoric Acid. The percentage of phosphoric acid is very constant throughout all the samples, being somewhat lower than what we might expect to find in rich soils. Lime. The small quantity of lime in all these soils is particularly noticeable. I am of the opinion that a libei-al dressing of lime in some form would materially improve them both mechanically and chemically. The amount of available potash would certainly be increased and the nitrogen be converted into more assimilable com- pounds. SOILS PROM NEW BRUNSWICK. Samples Nos. 7 and 8 are from the Sackville Marsh. They are both clay loams. They ditt'er chiefly from Nos. 1 and 2 in containing more water and less sand. In lime they are equally low with the specimens from the North-West Territories — a plentiful application of lime or marl would benefit them. The potash in No. 8 is low — wood ashes are to be recommended for it as a lucrative fertilizer. The amounts of phosphoric acid are similar to those found in the North- West samples. In nitrogen they are moderately rich, though only equalling in this res- pect the poorest of the North-. West soils examined. The soils are friable and porous, and though they would not be considered as rich, they contain sufficient plant food to make them productive of good crops. 110 I>A.IiT II. MUDS, MUCKS AXD PEATS. JS^ine samples in all of these natural fertilizers have been chemically examined during the past year. They comprise two specimens of swamp muck, two of pond mud, one of mussel miid, two from under mussel beds and one of peat. Four were from Prince Edward Island, two from Nova Scotia, two from New Brunswick and one from Ontario. CO EH ■< C < CO Q 1^ w (J •BOixis Qiqniog u o u a> a a) m T! S O :« ^ T}>o5Ci-i'-i-riMOC •pioy OT.ioqdsoqj • 1— ( 9 9 1— t ^ 00 (M s in T— 1 •qs'B^oj s o 1—* CO f5 ? 'J" "BiseiiSBj^ r § 1-H 00 f- © s CD © ■araiq^ cc l-H CO ^ CO 9 © « 9 ^ "BmraniY puB UOJJ JO apTXQ 00 C<5 CD ^ M l-H to 00 g l^ 05 © © IM ? •jSM'Bpj otubSjo ^ W ■* io o 00 b T-l CO IM 1-H CO rH CC ?5 T-H CO 00 00 •puijg pu'B Xb^q 1-1 C2 00 00 CO 00 IM © 00 00 8 r-l 9 ••la^^AV CO CO CO r-l ^ t^ I- •uaBoj^ijsj C5 ^ l-H "^^ 00 o 1 © >-l i-H P^ Ph' 02 P5 _c5 > o 13 ^ PLJ o o h5 cc 'o o Pm o o O i t-5 O o S £ Pi 13 o u O u 13 S 3 13 01 13 S 3 as D S k5 r*- 13 B O 3 "a! i ^ ig Ph •ji^quin^N^ 1-1 cq M TP in The value of these materials as fertilizers depends largely upon the amount of nitrogen in their organic matter. In very few instances do we find either the phos- jDoric acid or the potash exceeding the quantities pi-esent in good soils. From the table of analyses it will be seen that those examined contained vary- ing quantities of water. If we calculate the percentage of nitrogen upon the water- fi'ee substance we obtain the following figures, which show the relative values of these samples in the dry condition, with respect to this important element of plant nutrition. They are arranged according to order of merit. Table showing percentage of Nitrogen in dry matter of Mucks, Muds and Peats- Ph a-3 A B C D E F G H I 6 9 8 1 7 4 2 3 5 Nature of Mud, &c. Pond Peat Swamp do Pond From under mussel beds do oyster beds. Mussel Marsh Sender. Locality. Ramsay, Jas Lot 18, P.E.I Meldrum, A Bellerica, Ont Hickey, J Point Wolfe, N.S Hunt, W. J jSummerside, P.E. I . . . . Ramsay, Jas iLot 18, P.E.I Frier, Jas Shediac, N.B Compton, Geo St. Eleanors, P.E.I . . . Frier, Jas IShediac, N.B do Gaspareau River, N.S . 774 134 086 ■lt86 •773 •490 •356 •133 •09.5 The nitrogen in semi-decomposed vegetable matter is not in such a condition that it can at once be absorbed by plants. The process of rendering such assimilable is one akin to that of fermentation. This beneficial action goes on — though slowly — when the muck or peat is mixed with the soil, provided the degree of temperature and moistuje be favourable. If, however, before application to the soil, the material be composted, its value as a fertilizer will be greatly enhanced, and a quicker return in increased crop yield made to the farmer. Composting favours fermentation, which sets free much valuable plant food. For this purpose, barn-yard manure may be used ; lime and wood-ashes are also strongly recommended. The first is an excellent composting material. .The heat developed in its own fermentation starts a similar action in the colder peat or muck, converting into more soluble forms this locked-up store of nitrogen. These materials, being excellent absorbents, will retain the ammonia — valuable plant food containing nitrogen — formed in this fermerltation, and which would be likely to escape, due to overheating and lack of moisture in the heap. The compost may be made by alternating layers of barn-yard manure with those of the peat or muck — the layers being about 8 inches in thickness. Fish waste or refuse, liquid manure and all organic matter, whether animal or vegetable, if easily decomposable, may also be used to advantage in composting. As has been stated, lime, ashes and similar substances will bring about the fermen- tation of peat and kindred materials, when accompanied by moisture and warmth. Besides acting directly towards " breaking down " the organic matter, the presence of an alkali appears to encourage the development of the ferment of nitrification. When the peat or muck is dug in a very wet condition it should be allowed to dry somewhat before composting, fermentation will then proceed more rapidl} and thoroughly. The increased manurial value of these substances after treatment in the compost heap has been testified to by man}^ of my correspondents during the past year. The absorbent character of peat and allied materials has already been mentioned It is owing to this quality that they are of special value in the stable, the cow house and the pig-pen, and indeed, wherever there may be liquid manure to absorb. When sprinkled in such places, oot only do they prevent bad smells, but they also preserve for future crops much plant food that would otherAvise go to waste. Much 112 ammonia escapes into the atmosphere in stables where absorbents are not used. Should there not be a very good system in cow-houses and pig-pens for conducting the liquid portion of the manure to tanks, a loss of fertilizing elements will be sure to ensue through soakage, unless some material is scattered that will take it up and retain it. For this purpose, the use of dry peat and muck can be with confidence advised. In this connection, it must not be forgotten that while the plant food in manure is thus rendered permanent by such treatment, the fertilizing ingredients of the absorbent are at the same time made more valuable for immediate use. MAEL. One sample of this natural fertilizer was analysed quantitatively during the past year. It was forwarded by H. Glendinning, Esq., of Manilla, Ont., and upon analysis was found to have the following composition : — Moisture 8-57 Organic and volatile matter 3'24 Clay and sand (insoluble in acid) 2"50 Oxide of iron and alumina -62 *Lime 47-22 Magnesia -74 Potash, (slight traces) ^Carbonic acid 37"11 Phosphoric acid, (traces) 200-00 ^Cai'bonate of lime 84.33 Marl owes its fertilizing properties essentially to the carbonate of lime it possesses. This specimen contains 84-33 per cent., showing it to be somewhat above the average. In other plant food — nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash — as is usually the case, it is not rich, these elements not being present in notable quantities. The application of marl is especially to be recommended for heavy clay and for very light soils in which sand and peat predominate. Besides supplying lime — an ingredient of plant food — it renders the tilth of the former mellower, allowing air to permeate the soil and the roots to spread more easily ; ^its addition improves sandy soils, by making them heavier and more retentive of moisture and fertilizing materials. By the slow oxidation of the organic matter of peaty soils it converts their nitrogen into forms which can be taken up as food by plants. This beneficial process is chiefly brought about by a microscopic plant in the soil, known as the ferment of nitrification — to which allusion has been made in the preceding chapter — the development of which is greatly encouraged by an excess of carbonate of lime. To all soils deficient in lime it may advantageously be applied, furnishing thereby not only plant food, but also setting free in the soil the inactive store of materials, so that the}^ may be assimilable by vegetation. Lime in all its forms has been proved of special value as a manure for the leguminosae — of which peas, beans, etc., are important members. A good marl for agricultural purposes should be of a light colour, and not of a hard or flinty natui-e. Such will easily disintegrate or break down on exposure to the weather, allowing it to be easily mixed with the soil. GYPSUM. One of the most valuable of the fertilizers that occur in nature is gypsum, com- monly known as land plaster. It is the result of the union of sulphuric acid and lime, both elements of plant food. Thus it is that plaster supplies nourishment directly to the growing crop. It, however, also acts beneficially — and perhaps principally — 113 upon the locked-up food ingredients in the soil, setting free potash, and adding to the store of readily assimilable plant nutrients. In the third place, it is especially valuable for its pi'operty of "fixing" ammonia in the presence of moisture. The strong smell of stables, cow-houses and manure heaps is chiefly owing to an escape of ammonia — a volatile compound, the essential constituent of which is nitrogen, one of the three principal elements of plant food. Its use, therefore, for sprinkling in stables and cow-stalls is to be strongly recom- mended, for thereby the ammonia is retained, the manure consequently becoming more valuable. On rich soils the application of plaster is wont to give an immediate return ; on poor soils better results ai-e obtained by the addition of other and more complete fertilizers. As a fertilizer for peas, beans, clover and other leguminous plants it has proved of special value. It has also been advised, owing to its property of liberating potash in the soil, as a manure for Indian coi-n and turnips, A sample of gypsum was received from Col. Chus. N. Snow, of Pictou, N.S., of which the following is an analysis : Analysis of Gypsum. Pel- cent . Insoluble rock matter '48 Lime (CaO) 31-75 Magnesia (MgO) I'll Sulphuric acid (SOg) 45-73 Oxide of iron and alumina Very slight traces Carbonic acid Small quantity From the above data I deduce the following percentage composition: — Sulphate of lime (gypsum) 97-53 do magnesia '92 Carbonate of magnesia "98 Insoluble rock matter .. "48 Moisture, etc. (undetermined) "09 100-00 As this sample contains but 2-5 per cent, of foreign matter, it must be considered a very pure specimen of commercial gypsum, and one that is well adapted for all the purposes for which this substance is u^ed. GAS-LIME. The results of my analysis of a sample of gas-lime, forwarded by W. S. Turner, Esq., Cornwall, Ont., are as follows: — l^er cent . Water 2231 Volatile and organic matter 12-93 Insoluble rock matter l-<39 Oxide of iron and alumina 253 Calcium sulphate (gypsum or plaster) 209 Calcium sulphide and sulphite 1*86 Magnesium carbonate 1"55 Calcium carbonate (chalk) jS'W Lime, slaked 1'44 lOu-00 €c—S === 114 Gas-lime is a bye-product in the purification of illuminating gas. The gas in passing through or over beds of slaked lime loses the greater quantity of its suljihur, converting the lime into sulphide of lime. This sulphide, although a good insecticide and destroyer of fungi, is, in quantities, deleterious to vegetation. If, hc'ever, fiesh gas-lime is exposed to the air this sulphide becomes oxidized into sulphite, and final I}- into sulphate of lime, or gj^psum, the properties of which have already been described. After a lengthy exposure, which brings about the conversion of the sulphur com- pounds into the valuable form of sulphate, the use of gas-lime is attended with profit, it will be found of particular value to those crops that have been mentioned as being specially benefited by gypsum, and to soils natujally deficient in lime. To this end, therefore, ii is advised that it be spread upon the fields in the autumn to the amount of two or more tons per acre and ploughed in the following spring, when it will have lost the greatei' portion of its water and the sulphur compounds will bu converted into sulphate. The exact amount to be applied pei" acre must vaiy according to cir- cumstances. To land naturally deficient in lime five tons is not considered too much, but on ordinary soils a dressing of two tons per acre may be used, as above recom- mended, with perfect safety. Owing to the variation in the composition of different samples of this material, as produced at the gas-works, more definite instructions as to the quantity to be tipplied cannot be given. Kecent experiments in Germany have gone to show that gas-lime when com- posted with gaiden refuse or with barn-yard manure is beneficial in helping to retain the nitrogen of these substances. For composting pui-poses, it is desirous that the gas-lime be first well exposed, as fiesh or caustic lime has a tendency to destroy the nitrogenous matter. For ameliorating the condition of stiff clays and liberating as plant food their inorganic constituents, foi- rendering more compact the texture of sandy loams and for rendering available the nitrogen of peaty soils, gas-lime does good service, both chemically and mechanically. WOOL WASTE OR EFFUSE FEO^M A WOLLEN MILL. At the request of the Hon. Chares P^loquin, of St. Hyacinthe, Que., an analy.-is has been made of a sample of the above meterial, to ascertain its value as u fertilizer. My results are as follows : — Analysis of Wool Waste. Per cent. Water 1'S6 Organic and volatile matteis 32-24 Clay and sand (insoluble in acids) 42-84 Oxide of iron and alumina 8*17 Lime 1.58 Mngnesia -8.3 Potash 3-56 Pho^phoric atjm '21 Soluble silica i*t)4 Carbonic acid &c. (undetermined) 1"07 100-00 Nitrogen, in organic matter I'Sl The fertilizing elements would therefore be, per ton of 2,000 Ib^. Lb.q. Phosphoric acid 4*2 Potash 71-2 Nitrogen 26-2 115 If we assign the following values — Per lb. Phosphoric acid 6 cents. Potash 4^ do Xitrogeii 8 do the value of one ton of this wool waste is, $5.55. This " wool waste," evidently, is chiefly valuable for the potash and niti'Ogen it contains. The foi-mer ingredient may be at once used by plants, but the latter (nitrogen) is not piesent in a form that can be directly taken up by vegetable growth. It is, however, rendered assimilable in the ground, or, still better, by com- posting. If the " waste " is applied at once to the soil its value will not be i-eceived for some time, and consequently the best period for such application would be before the autumn ploughing. If, however, it were first thoroughly composted and rotted with barn-yard manure or wood ashes its action in the soil would be more immediate. The extra woik entailed by this treatment would in most instances be amply lepaid. " Wool wastes " are very apt to vary in their composition ; hence, from this single analysis it would be impossible to state the value of such in general. That we have in ail of them, however, much fertilizing material, there can be no doubt, and their judicious use must be attended with profit. LAMB'S QUARTEE (Chenopodium Album). The probable value of this weed, as a cattle food, in places where it is abundant, is discussed in this report in the chapter on fodders, in the analysis there given the ash is stated as 17"Y4: per cent, of the dry matter. To ascertain to what extent the land was exhausted of its mineral ingredients by this plant, its ash hns been analysed. The results obtained are here stated : — Percentage Composition of Ash. Per cent . Insoluble residue '55 Soluble silica -17 Alumina, with traces of oxide of iron 8'40 Lime 7*52 Magnesia 4'34 Potash 43-28 Phosphoric acid 4" 1 6 t ■-' ■ - ■ ■ i The percentage of ash and essential fertilizing constituents in the original sub- stance, before drying, are as follows: — Per cent Ash 3-27 Phosphoi'ic acid '14 Potash 1-41 Nitrogen -45 If we assign the following values — Per lb. Phosphoric acid 5 cents. Potash 4^ do Kitrogen 15 do the value per ton of 2,000 lbs. in its green state as a manure is $2.74. The ash of this plant is seen to consist lai-gely (nearly 50 per cent.) of potash, and consequently this weed must be considred as one that would readily exhaust the soil of this valuable element of plant food. If the crop is not used as a fodder the plan of ploughing it under should be resorted to, in order that this potash — together with the oihci' constituents — be returned to the soil. 116 P^^RT III. rODDRRS. By a knowledge of the composition of cattle foods and of the functions and relative values of their constituents, the economic and profitable feeding of farm stock is made an intelligent operation. The term" fodder " maj^ be used to include all plants or parts of plants, e. g., seeds rooti>, &c., and all vegetable bj^e-pi-oducts, e.g. oil and cotton-seed cake, that are used as foods for the animals of the farm. Fodders consist of varying proportions of Water and Dry matter. Water. The percentage of water present depends upon the nature of the fodder. In root crops there is almost 90 per cent.; in green fodders, e. g., coi-n and grass, there is between 70 per cent, and 80 per cent, according to variety, time of year, &c. ; in hay we find about 14 per cent., and in corn meal, oil cake and similar materials, between 7 per cent, and 10 per cent. Although water is as necessar}^ to the animal as it is to the plant, yet on account of its abundance in nature no value can be assigned to it in fodders. It is, however, a most essential constituent for the well-being of the animal, acting in the body as a solvent and aid to the digestion of the solid matter of food, and forming a vehicle for conveying such dissolved and digested matter to the various organs and tissues of the animal. During the maturing of many foliaceous plants, such as grass, Indian corn, etc., the withdrawal of water, accompanied b}' other changes, tends to lower some- what the digestibility and hence the value of some of the constituents. Hence, some j)lants may be more nutritious in their green and succulent state than they are when ripe and dry, in spite of the fact that in the latter condition the solid food materials may exceed in amount two or three times that found in the green and immature fodder. The importance of a plentiful supply of pure water for cattle is spoken of in treating of well-waters — Vide page 148. Dry Matter. The dry substance of a fodder consists of an oiganic, and of an inorganic or mineral, part Organic. — The valuable and nutritive constituents of fodders are of this nature. They fall into two classes, viz. : Nitrogenous and Non-nitrogenous. The iVifro^enows compounds contain, in addition to carbon, hj^drogen and oxygen, the valuable element nitrogen, often associated with sulphur and phosphorus. In the following table they are collated under the heading "Albuminoids." Though the albuminoids in plants and animals may differ in physical properties, thej^ all closely approximate each other in chemical composition — containing in the neigh- bourhood of 16 percent, niti'ogen. Examples of albuminoids in the animal kingdom are : white of egg, casein (curd) of milk ; in the vegetable kingdom : gluten of wheat — the tough elastic mass left after washing out the starch, etc., in nour, and vegetable casein found largely in the seeds of the leguminosae — peas, beans, &c. 117 The nitrogenous matters or albuminoids are considei'ed the most valuable of the nutritive ingredients of a fodder, and in the animal economy play the part of flesh- producers. They enter largely into the composition of muscle and cartilage, and are essential constituents of the vital fluids, blood and milk. They also assist in pro- ducing fat and developing heat and energy. The Non-nitrogenous matter is made up of (1) fat, (2) fibre and (3) carbo- hydrates. These are all composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, and their chief function in the animal is the generation of heat and muscular energy necessary for the continuance of life and the accomplishment of work. Fat. — Of the non-nitrogenous constituents, fat has the highest nutritive value; and this because it contains a larger percentage of carbon than fibre, or the carbo- hydrates, in the burning of which in the blood much heat is evolved. Its increased value is largely due, also, to the fact that it can be converted into animal fat much more readily than the other organic ingredients. Fibre is the least valuable of the food ingredients. It is the part of plants that coriesponds in function to that of the bones of animals, viz., the supporting and 'strengthening of the other tissues. By chemical means it can be sepilrated tromthe other parts of a fodder as a fibrous or woody material. As plants mature, the fibre, as a rule, becomes less digestible, chiefly owing to the deposition of ligneous or woody matter. Carbohydrates. — These include starch, sugars and gums, and consist of carbon united with oxygen and hydrogen in the proportions in Avhich they exist in water. They servo, by their oxidation to carbonic acid and water in the animal, to produce heat and energy. The Inorganic or mineral part is recorded in the column " Ash." It is that part left when a fodder is burned, an operation that destroys and dissipates the organic matter. It is composed chiefly of lime, magnesia, poiash and soda, combined with phosphoric and hydrochloric and silicic acids. The functions of these materials in the animal are to assist in forming bone (largely composed of phosphate of lime) and to furnish that small quantity of mineral matter found in all animal tissues. Co-efficient of Digestion. The portion of food digested is assimilated and utilized by the animal either in the formation of muscle or fiit or in the production of heat; the portion undigested passes out of the animal us solid excreta. The amounts or percentages, of albuminoids, fat and fibre digested are known as the co-efficients of digestion. Thus, if 75 per cent, of the total amount of the albuminoids in a grass is digested, the co-efficient of digestion of the albuminoids in this fodder is 75. The digestion co-elficients of the constituents of a fodder may be all different. We also find thatthe co-efficient for the same ingredient varies according to the nature of the fodder. The two following examples will illustrate these statements. Digestion Co-efficients. Name of Fodder. Albuminoids. Fat. Fibre. Carbo-hj-drates. Pen, 3 88 £G 58 27 74 52 07 Wh eat straw 40 118 From the analysis of a fodder and a knowledge of the dii^estion oo-efficicnts of its ingredients, the digestible matter in a ton can be easil}' calculated. The following is worked out for peas ; Percentage Composition. Albuminoids Fat Fibre Carbo-hydrates . . . Total . Digestion Digestible Co-efficient Matter in ton of divided by 100 „ OOO lbs X by 20. ^'""" ^'^^■ 22-4 X -88 X 20 30 X -58 X 20 G-4 X -74 X 20 526 X -97 X 20 = 394-24 = 34-80 = 94-72 = 1020-44 1544-20 Nutritive Ratio. The nutritive ratio of a fodder is the ratio existing between the amount of digestible albuminoids (nitrogenous matter) on the one hand, and the amounts of the digestible fat, tibre and carbo-hydrates (non-nitrogenous matter) taken togethei-, on the other hand. Since, as has already been pointed out, the fat is considered 2^ times more valuable than the other non-nitrogenous ingredients, the per cent, of fat found by analysis is first multiplied by 2J before adding it to the bum of the fibre and carbo- hydrates. The nutritive ratio serves as a ready means of comparing the relative values of the dry matter of fodders. A propei'ly balanced food, i. e. one in which the several ingredients are present in right proj^ortion. is necessary if economy in feeding and the health of the animal are to be considered. According to the function of the animal fed — whether it be the production of milk, flesh, wool or work, so there will be the requirement in the animal for differ- ent proportions of digestible nitrogenous and non-nitrogenous ingredients in the food. Thus by experiment it has been shown that a milking cow requires daily for every 1,000 lbs. of her live weight, 15J lbs. of digestible matter in which the nutritive ratio is 1: 5'4. In the case of oxen at rest, there is required daily, for 1,000 lbs. of live weight, 8f lbs. of digestible matter, in which the amount of albuminoids is to the amount of the non-nitrogenous matter is as 1: 11-9, or, in other words, in which the nutritive ratio is 1: 11'9. During the past year many analyses of food-stuffs have been made. These fodders comprise samples of oil cake, cotton-seed meal, " germ " (Indian corn) moai, corn ensilage, various grasses and other materials. Tlie i-osults of these analyses are set down in tabular form, together with the amounts of the digestible ingredients per ton and the nutritive ratio. 119 \)p'By; aApu:jn^ in 00 in io CO cc S^IrH 1-1 i-l 05 CO C5 in c i So 00 o O 00 m 00 b-oo oooob-omt^ocs ^HOi^mt^inb-oco L^O5C--i-l'J'a5C0Tt<ooi-(©coc5-*< -1- 1-1 © 00 *- S< , te ® o CQ r" -H 3 5< CS s Ph d o o <1! be-— CO cS- — O o3 ■ 5 ini ~4J .1-1 0) -^ bo -^ i O s g g S 2 be a • H o 01 i-:hH bo QJ > O 03^3 03 M boC > ee o p. O cS O O 3 ^ G JJ ^m "H ^* — o O bcO . ■ X Ph 01 0) O'J: o o be o :S o £ o 3j ^ C w uJ 120 OIL CAKE AND COTTON-SEKD MEAL. These fodders are particularly rich in albuminoids — the nutritive ratio approaching in some samples to 1:1. They also contain large amounts of fat and mineral matter, in which latter j^hosphates are abundant. For these leasons, they are particularly valuable to the stock-raiser and dairy- man as cattle foods for the production of flesh and milk. The manure from animals fed with these highly nitrogenous foods is of great value — a value enhanced in the materials under discussion by the presence of a large amount of phosphates. Such manure returns to the soil the most important of the fertilizing elements for future crops. As these are concentrated and expensive foods, their use in small quantities, and mixed with fodders low in albuminoids and fat (such as straw, roots, corn fodder, &c.,) must be practised, if profit is to be expected. The amount that can be econo- mically fed, will depend upon the composition and quantity of the other food ingre- dients and the age and function of the animal fed. " GERM MEAL. This is manufactured from Indian corn. It differs from thefodder just discussed in containing less albuminoids and more carbo-hydrates. While therefore, compared with them, it is wanting in muscle or flesh-forming ingredients, it is richer in those nutrients that develop heat. Corn-meal has high digestive co-efficients. It contains a large percentage of fat, and is well and widely known for its fattening qualities when fed to stock. ROOTS. Eoots in genei'al have a low feeding value, being very rich in water and very poor in albuminoids, Eoots, however, are very easily digested, and therefore are valuable for their non-nitrogenous constituents. Owing to their large percentage of water they furnish a succulent food ; and as they are also palatable, they are relished by cattle. The sample of Golden Tankard mangel analysed contained somewhat less than 150 lbs. of digestible matter per ton, with a nutritive ratio of nearly 1:9 ; whereas, oil-cake meal contains about 1,400 lbs. of digestible matter, with a nutritive ratio of 1:1*5. From these figures and the explanations already given, the comparative values of roots and oil-cake meal as food may be easily ascertained. lamb's QUARTER {Chenopodium album). Throughout Manitoba and the North-West Territories, this well known weed is abundantly prevalent, lai-ge tracts of lands often being entirely covered with it. The high winds, so common in these districts, serve to scatter the seed over veiy wide areas, and, being a vigorous grower, the plant when left alone soon crowds out other vegetatiop. Several enquiries have been received from fai-mers residing in such parts con- cerning the probable value of the weed as a fodder plant, and whether it Avould be useful as a crop for ensilage. To answer these questions, the plant has been analysed and a determination of its food constituents made. These are found in the table of fodder analyses. In another place Avill be found the results of the analysis of the plant's ash, which show its value as a fertilizer. The specimen was taken at Ottawa late in autumn, after the first fi-ost. It was quite green, and had evidently flowered but recently. From its analysis it compares veiy favourablj' with good pasture grass. The true albuminoids are probably some- what lowei- than what is represented in the table, as in plants of this nature a part of the nitrogen is present in less nutritive compounds. The percentage of fat is low, that of the ash high, while the amount of fibre is about equal to that in coin ensilage. This weed belongs to the same botanical order as the beet, mangel and 121 spinach, and in its young condition is often used as as a pot-lierb. Whether the continued use of it would affect the digestion remains to be seen ; but judging from its composition and relationship to other edible plants there seems no reason why it should not make a nutritive fodder if cut young and in a succulent condition. As the plant matures there appears to be a considerable deposition of woody fibre or lignin, which would lower the digestibility of the plant considerably. It< preserva- tion in the silo could be accomplished with the same care as thai given to any fodder crop. The fertilizing elements which this weed extracts from the ground are discussed in another part of" this report, CORN FODDER AND ENSILAGE. Experiments with fodder corn have been carried on during the past two seasons, both in the field and in the laboi-atory. The results of these experiments will shortly be published in detail in bulletin form. For the purpose of comparing the composition of corn fodder and ensilage with the food-stuffs just discussed, several of the analyses are here given. Corn Fodder. — The averages representing the composition at two stages of growth of the corn plant are given. The average in each case is from the same seven varieties of Indian corn. On account of the large yield per acre, and the succulency and easy digestibility, of the corn plant, it is one of the most valuable of all fodder crops. It is low in albumi- noids, having a nutritive ratio of about 1:9-5, and consequently requires the judicious addition of nitrogenous food to make it a nutritious and well balanced fodder. Accord- ing to our analyses, corn fodder at the " glazing " condition contains about twice as much digestible matter as mangels, and about two-thirds as much as timothy and red- top grass cut at their best. Corn fodder is chiefly valued for its milk-producing properties, and on this account is used by many dairymen as the staple green fodder during those summer months when the grass is short and withered. Corn ensilage is also a fodder very widely known and used. The analyses of two samples taken 4th December and 5th March respectively, are given in the table. These prove the ensilage to be fairly similar in composition to the corn fodder from which it was made. Good corn ensilage should contain from 250 lbs. to 300 lbs. of digestible matter per ton; and its nutritive ratio should lie between 1:9 and 1:10.5. Further information regarding the composition of the Indian corn and the en- silage will be found in the bulletin referred to. A sample of ensilage made from thistles and wheat (about f of the latter to ^ of the former) was sent in for analysis by Messrs. Holland Bros., Ottawa, who reported it as readily eaten by their cattle. The specimen was very dark in colour and more distinctly acid than the corn ensilage. It will be observed that the fibre and ash are very high compared with corn ensilage, and that the carbo-hydrates are correspond- ingly low. Its feeding value would therefore be less than that of corn ensilage. GRASSES. Fifty-two samples of grasses, comprising forty-one varieties, have been analysed during the past year. These were all grown on experimental plots at the Central Experimental Farm, Most of the grasses were analyzed at two stages of their growth. From the results so obtained the analyses of several have been selected and inserted in the present table. The work in detail will be published separately, when the character of the grasses of the North-West will be discussed. It is to be noticed that the percentage of albuminoids is higher in a grass before flowering or when in flower than when the seed is fully formed. As the seed matures there is a migration of the albuminoids of the leaf and stalk into the seed. As the grass ripens the seed is liable to be shed — when there will be also an additional loss in harvesting — and thus it becomes the most economical plan to cut foi- hay before the seed is fully formed. The best time for harvesting will vary for different grasses; but as far as general advice can be giv^en, they should be cut while in 122 flower rather than when more mature. The nutritive ratio in the early and late cut grasses point to this conclusion most emphatically. Although there is a general increase in the total dry matter of the grass as maturity is reached, yet this is more than counterbalanced in most instances by the decreased albuminoids. Red-top (^Agrostis vulgaris), is a valuable grass, and contains a large amount of digestible matter to the ton. It is useful for moist land, and as a pasture grass is thought highly of In albuminoids it is about equal to early cut timothy, but in this constituent it is exceeded by June grass and tall fescue, June grass (Poa pratensis) is an exceptionally good grass. It is also known as Kentucky blue grass. It is held to be one of the most nutritive of the pasture grasses, doing best on moist, rich soils. From the luxu]-iance of its growth and the excellence of its composition (18 per cent, albuminoids, before flowering) it is esteemed as a specially valuable grass. If intended for hay, the analysis shows that it should be cut before the seed is fully mature. Timothy (^Phleum pratense) . — The analyses in the table give the composition of this well-known grass at two stages of its growth. They emphatically point to the advisability of cutting while in blossom. It then forms a very valuable hay crop. If allowed to thoroughly mature, not only do the albuminoids decrease, but the digesti- bility of the grass is lessened by it becoming hard and fibrous. On good soils and with favourable seasons the crop of timothy is very heavy. Tall Fescue (Festuca elatior). — Tall fescue grass. Two analyses of this grass were made — one just before it flowered, the other whilst the grass was flowering. The increased albuminoids and total digestible matter in the latter show that the grass between these two stages of growth had laid up a store of nutrients, and that if intended for hay it should be cut not earlier than the blossoming stage. The conclusion to be drawn from the grass analyses with regard to the time at which to cut for hay is, that while the grass is in bloom or directly after, the mowing should be done. Then it is that the albuminoids are in the greatest proportion to the other nutrients ; that the water has considerably decreased, augmenting the percen- tage of dry matter and that the fibre is still soft and digestible. Although, when more mature, the grass contains a gi-eater amount of drj' matter, yet because many of the seeds have dropped, the albuminoids are proportionatel}^ less. The fibre has then increased, both in amount and in indigestibility, and the grass has generally become less nutritious. When studying the foregoing table of fodder analyses it will be well to first inspect the column headed "Total pounds of digestible matter in a ton," then the "nutritive ratio," and thirdly the "The amount of digestible albuminoids per ton." By following this order, and then consulting the other columns, the comparison of the feeding value of any two or more foddeis can easily be made. POTATOES. Vhe value of this important crop depends chiefly upon the yield per acre, the size of the tuber, with its freedom from scab, and its eveness of contour. These are largely the factors that determine the market price and the profitableness of any variety to the grower. As a vegetable, however, the value of the potato depends upon its composition. The larger the percentage of " dry matter " the better the potato. This "dry matter " — vaiying from 15 per cent, to 25 per cent. — consists largely of stai'ch. ^N'umerous experiments in Germany and the United States have gone to show that the quality improves as the percentage of starch increases. The " mealy " potatoes are those richest in stavch. 123 Upon this basis the many varieties of potatoes grown during 1800 at the Central Experimental Farm have been tested, and an estimation of their contained drjMnatter and starch made. These have been calculated from the specific gravity, using the table ])repai-ed by Holdefleiss. The results by this method, while not pretending to scientific exactness, show undoubtedly the approximate and relative proportions of starch possessed by the potatoes examined. to On an average, seven fair specimens of each variety were taken, from which determine the " average weight of tuber," and the " spejjific gravity." The results of this investitration are jriven in the followinir table, in which the varieties are ari'anged in the order of decreasing merit: — Name. Rural Blush Carter's Magnum Bonum Early Onion Fidelia Richter's Schnee Rose Alexander Prolific White Star " Large " from British Columbia. "Blue" Richter's Improved Clark's No. 1.. Sharpe's Seedling Gleason's Late yt. Patrick P]arly Maine Carter's Sukreta Wonder of the World Burpee's Superior Early Eating White Sprout Beauty of Hebron Empire State Six Weeks Round Wlilic Early Ohio Snow Flake Early Albino Ruby J Sugar Burpee's Seedling Dumfries Early White May Queen, Early Late Goodrich Thorburn's Paragon Carter's Holborn Abundance .... Early Callao Rosy Mom Prairie Seedling Flower of Eden Compton's Surprise White Star Sukreta Ohio Gunner King of the Russets '■ International Seed Co." Holton Seedling May Queen, Early Vanguard Member of Parliament Pride of America Crown .Jewel Lee's ]''avor.i'ite Sclmolmajster Average Weight of Tuber. Sijecific Gravity. 1099 1097 1095 1095 1095 1093 1091 1091 1090 1090 1089 1088 1088 1088 1038 1087 1086 1086 1086 1086 1086 1086 1086 1085 1085 1085 1085 1085 1085 1085 1085 1085 1084 1084 1084 1083 1083 1082 1082 1081 1081 1081 1081 1081 1081 1080 1080 1079 1079 1079 1079 1079 Percentage of Starch. 18-56 18 17 17 78 17 78 17 78 17 41 17 05 17 05 16 88 16 88 16 71 16 54 16 54 16 54 16 54 16 .S8 16 22 16 22 16 22 16 22 16 22 16 22 16 22 16 07 16 07 16 07 16 07 16 07 16 07 16 07 16 07 16 07 15 92 15 92 15 92 15 77 15 77 15 63 15 63 15 50 15 50 15 .50 15 50 15 50 15 50 15 37 15 37 15 24 15 24 15 24 15 24 15 24 Percentage of Dry Matter. 23-25 22-81 22-37 22-37 22-37 21-95 21-53 21-53 21-32 21 32 21-12 20 92 20-92 20-92 20 92 20-73 20 -.54 20-54 20-54 20-54 20-54 20-54 20-54 20-25 20.25 20-25 20-25 20 - 25 20 25 20-25 20-25 20-25 20 17 20 17 20 17 19 99 19-99 19-81 19 81 19-63 19-63 19-63 19-63 19-63 19-63 19-46 19-46 19-30 19-30 19-30 19 -.30 19-30 124 No. 53 5t 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76- 77 78 79 80 Name. Pearl of Savoj^ Emperor William Great Eastern Burpee's Early Crane. . English Kidney Kidnej' August Adirondack Chicago Market Vermont Eye Carpenter Rose's New Giant .... New Badger StatL' . . . . Alpha Manhattan Frame Early Carter's Surprisi- Early Household Mammoth Prolific .... Scotch Champion ... . Carter's Cosino]X)litan . Rennie's Stray Beauty . Rennie's Dakota Red . . First Crop Ash Leaf . . King of the Eai-lies ... Conqueror Prime Minister Bliss' Ti-iumph Telephone Average Weight of Tuber. ozs. 3i 6i 6| 2 I a 5i H 91 3 04. 2| 2I 2S •5i 5i 3 5 Gi 2k il SiJQcific Gravity. 1079 1078 1078 1078 1078 1077 1077 1077 1076 1076 1075 1075 1075 1075 1074 1073 1072 1072 1070 1070 1069 ]069 1069 1069 1068 1067 1067 1059 Percentage of Starch. 15-24 15 12 15 12 15 12 15 12 1500 15 00 15 00 14-89 14-89 14-79 14-79 14-79 14-79 14-69 14 00 14-51 14-51 14 36 14-36 14-29 14-29 14-29 14-29 14 22 14 15 14-15 13-59 PerCentaco of ' Dry Matter. 19-30 19-14 19 14 19 -U 19 14- 18-98 18-98 18-98 18-83 18-83 18-69 18-69 18-69 18-69 18 -.54 18-40 18-27 18-27 18 02 18-02- 17-80' 17-80 17 17 17 80 80 69 17-58 17-58 46-87 SUGAR BEETS. The results of the analyses of sugar beets examined in the Funn Laboratory during the past year will be found in the subjoined table. The beets were growi> from seed imported from Germany by Wilfred Skaife, Esq., President and Manager of the -Berthier Beet sugar factory, .Montreal. The work of distributing the seed, among the farmers of Ontario and of collecting and forwarding the roots fur aiuilysia Avas undertaken by Mr. Robt. H. Lawder of Toronto. The chemical data include the percentage of sugar in the juice and the co- efficient of purit}' — the latter representing the percentage of sugar in the total solids of the juice. Besides these analytical results there will be found the average weight of one root in lbs. and ozs., the nature of the soil in which the beets were grown, the dates of sowing and pulling, and such general remarks as to the manuring, drainage and method and thoroughness of culture as were thought justifiable from the infor- mation aiforded by the growers. The last fourteen of the series are from beets grown on the Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa ; the other localities — widely representative of different portions of Ontario — are indicated in the column provided for that purpose. The method of analysis was the same as that adopted in 1889. viz., the deter- mination of the specific gravity of the expressed, juice by the Westphal balance, calculating therefrom the co-efficient of purity, and the estimation of the percentage of sugar in the clarified juice by a Schmidt and Ilaensch polariscopo. 125 The aver;iges of Ihe first 68 samples, as shown by the following table, are : — Sugar in juice 12-47 per cent. Co-efRcient of purity 76-70 do Weight of one root 1 lb. 14 ozs. Accoiding to the percentage of sugar they contain, the roots fall into the following classes: — No. of Samples. Over 17 per cent, sugar 2 Between 16 and 17 per cent, sugar 1 do 15 and 16 do do 14andl5 do 10 do 13 and 14 do 12 do 12 and 13 do 15 do 11 and 12 do 1 do 10 and 11 do 12 Under 10 per cent, sugar 3 In other words : 60 per cent, of the samples yielded over 12 per cent, sugar, and 38 do do 13 do The average percentage of sugar this year is somewhat lower than that obtained in 1889 — when, however, only 25 samples were examined. This falling off may in part be due to the difference in the seasons, though it is quite possible that badly prepared ground and careless cultivation may, in many instances, have been the cause of the lower bugar-yield. The averages, however, as they stand, indicate a very fair factory beet, and;ill things being considered, compare well and favourably with those of other countries in which beet-sugar is manufactured. Sufficient work has been done to indicate that both as regards yield pei- acre and richness in sugar, with a more careful culti- vation, sugar-beets may be raised in many parts of Ontario fully equal to those of Europe and the United States. 126 ANALYSES OF No. 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 Name of Grower. Billing, W. H Walters, John . . . . Hunt, John Hunt, C. B Hill, James McConachie, S Laing, Geo Willis, R Moody, Thos Wilson, John Robson, E. H Fothergill, Chas Graham, Jas. H . . . . Pearson, Wm Dryden, Hon. Jo'.in. Kellett, CO McGill, Wm Whitfield, John... . Coates, Jas Heard, John Steele, Geo Steele, Wm Grierson, G. H Lick, Jas Jeffrey, Wm Lynde, R Ballantyne, Thomas, Bell, Alfred Russell, Jas Locality. Tp. Gosfield, Co. Essex Tp. Maidstone do London South, Co. Middlesex . do do Tp. Trafalgar, Co. Halton . . . . Tp. Pickering, Co. Ontario . . . . do do Tp. Whitby do Tp. Pickering do Oakville, Co. Halton Waterdown, Co. Wentworth . . Appleby, Co. Halton Tp. Scugog, Co. Ontario Tp. Reach do .... Brooklin P.O. do Port Perry do .... Tp. Reach do .... Port Perry do .... Tp. Cartwright, Co Durham. TiJ. Reach, Co. Ontario Tp. Cartwright, Co. Durham. Tp. Reach, Co. Ontario Tp. Whitby do do do do do do do . Stratford, Co. Perth Tp. Hamilton, Co. Northumberland . . . do do Weaver, Peter Paisley Block, Co. Wellington Betzner, David ." Paisley German Tract " Hoskins, Thomas Tp. Haldimand, Co. Northumberland. Percent- age of Sugar in Juice. Coefficient ^v^age P""^>- One Root. 10 10 13 11 13 14 12 14 11 10 10 8 12 11 14 10 11 1 12 11 13 13 14 10 12 12 13 11 11 13 14 10 41 53 06 90 08 77 53 15 32 78 83 65 00 92 78 38 06 73 50 87 84 84 23 49 69 84 11 12 64 07 22 72 73 73 79 77 77 85 SO 82 75 74 74 67 76 75 78 71 73 76 80 79 82 82 77 73 78 70 77 72 77 81 86 75 Lbs. Ozs. 9 1 3i 15 1 2 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 1 2 2 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 m 11 8h 11 11 12 7* 8 11 9 4 5 H % 11 10^. 14i 13i 5i 15 127 SUGAR BEETS. Nature of Soil. Date of Sowing. Date •A Pulling. Remarks. Gravelly loam .... Rich loam May 14.. Oct. 2.. Kept well cultivated and covered. Rich B'arden soil . Fairly well cultivated, allowed to grow above gpound. do do do Sandy loam do 8., do 10.. Manured in 1889, undrained, not kept clean nor covered^ Clay loam do 25.. do 11.. Manured, tile drained, kept partially clean and covered. do do 1.5.. do 11.. Tile drained, manured, kept clean and partly covered. do do 12.. do 11.. Natural drainage, kept covered and clean, manured. Heavy clay do 26.. do 11.. Drained, not manured, kept clean and covered. Sandy loam do 5.. do 10.. Manured, not carefully cultivated nor covered. do do 24.. do 11.. Manured, kept fairly covered, roots wide apart. Clay loam do '?4 Manured, g^own too far apart, kept covered. do do 1.5.. do 13.. Manured, undrained, kept clean and covered. do do 26.. do 11.. Manured, tile-drained, kept partially clean and covered. Black loam do 1.. do 12.. Unmanured. tile drained, kept clean and partially covered^ Loam do 1.. do 13.. Manured do do covered. Sandy loam do 15.. do 13.. Manured, undrained do do Clay loam April 28.. do 11.. Unmanured do do do Sandy loam May 26.. do 13.. Manured do do do Heavy clay loaiu . . do 15.. do 14.. do do do do Sandy loam do 20.. do 13.. do do do do do do 15.. do 13.. do do kept partially clean and covered. Clay loam do 20.. do 15.. Plot tile-drained, manured, kept scuffled and clean, and covered^ do do 31.. do 15.. Plot not drained, manured. Clay Manured, kept fairly well covered. Manured, undrained, kept fairly clean. Clay loam do 22.. do 14.. Rich black clay . . . Apri' 27.. do 8.. Tile-drained, manured, clean and partially covered. Rich sandy loam . . May 22 do 16.. Roots well cultivated, planted close together, well covered. do do 22.. do 16.. Lightlj' manured, roots kept covered. Heavy' clay do 10.. do 17.. Manured in 1889, undrained, kt'])t clean and covered. 128 ANALYSES OF No. ^anie of (irowor. Locality. 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 43 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 '60 61 62 63 64 Riddell, Walter. . . Tp. Hamilton, Co. Northumberland . Tp. Haldimand Tp. Hamilton do "German Block".... Berlin, Co. Waterloo. do do do Mulholland, J. T Westington, J Bowman, John Schumacher, B Shantz, Aaron Merner, Ab Page, Seth Tp. Pelham, Co. Welland . Hilton, H Tp. Trafalgar, Co. Halton . . . Barrie, Geo Tp. Dumfries, Co. Waterloo. Todd, Thos Howland, Sir W. P do do Leslie & Sons Gait do Toronto, Co. York do do do do do do Richmond, Wm Tp. South Dumfries, Co. Brant . . . Scott, Alex. E jTp. North do Co. Waterloo. Goldie, D Ayr do I Stewart, Erskine Tp. N. Dumfrie.s do McEwan, A do do McDonald, A Tp. Howard, Co. Elgin Brubacher, M. E Tp. Woolwich, Co. Waterloo Schmidt, G. B [ '.o do Carlow, T. B Tp. Percy, Co. Northumberland .... Murray, B. W Tp. Toronto, Co. Peel Hinch, Ogden Napanee, Co. Lennox I _ Wordsworth, T. K. - . Weston, Co. York McAllister, T |Tp. King do Mitchell, J. & .T. W Tp. Vaughan, Co. York Dempsey, W. R Vmeliasbourgh, Co. Prince Edward. do do do do .... do do T'crcent- acre of Sugar in Juice. 12-43 12-33 14 18 13-45 12-57 12-25 12 01 17 05 14-50 13-39 12-00 10 10 10-83 8-52 16-53 11-61 14 05 11-20 9-89 13-51 10-63 11-83 10-92 13-55 12-56 12-70 13-81 13.86 17-42 14 06 10 74 11-50 Coefficient of Purity. IS 77 82 79 70 77 79 82 84 -4 •9 ■0 -6 -7 -6 -5 82.1 747 67 (58 02 77 74 81 74 69 80 73 76 74 83 76 79 75 79 83 79 09 Average Weight of One Root. Lbs O/.s. 1 5? 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ro-o 1 1 3 3 3 129 SUOAE BEETS.— Continued. Nature of Soil. Date of Sowing. Df.te of Puiling. Remarks. Strong clay loam . . June 20.. Oct. 17.. Manured, undrained, kept clean and fairly covered. CSay loam May 5.. do 14.. do kept fairly clean and partially covered. do do 5.. do 14.. Unmanured, undrained, kept clean and covered. Rich clay do 15 do 14.. Manured, undrained, kept fairly clean and partially covered. Rich sandy loam . . do 22.. do 6.. do do 22.. do 16.. Sandy loam do 1.. do IS.. Clay loam do 1.. do 10.. Unmanured, kept clean and well covered. do do do 23.. 23.. Garden soiL do 9.. Clay soil do 1 do 3 Heavily manured, shaded, some roots verj- small. do do do do do do do 1.. 15.. 15.. do do do 15.. 15.. 25.. do do do do Clay loam Kept well covered. Rich loam do 5.. do 29.. Manured, tile-drained, kept fairlj' clean and covered. Light loam do 1.. do 25.. Manured, undrained, kept fairly clean and partially covered. Rich garden soil. . . do 1.. do 22.. Undrained, unmanured, kept clean and covered. Old do do 3.. do 22. Tile-drained, unmanured, kept clean, but not covered. Light soil do 4 do 25.. Manured, undrained, kept fairly clean and covered. Cravel loam do 27.. do 25.. Manured, tile-drained, kept clean. Cc—0 130 ANALYSES OF No. 65 66 67 68 A B C D E F G H I K L M N O Groh, Anson Preston, Co. Waterloo Goodfellow, W Tp. Albion, Co. Peel Berwick & Co Shelburne, Co. Grey Rathbun Co [Tp. Richmond, Co. Lennox. Average Name of Grower. Locality. C. E. Farm, do do do do do do do do do do do do do Musy ". i^\^lite Silesian " Steele "'. . . do "Rennle". Vilmorin's Improved Red Top "Rennie" Carter's "Prize Nursery". Imperial Silesian " Landreth " Imperial do White "Buist" "Musy" do "Skaife" Percent- age of Sugar in Juice. 14 12 11 12 12 12 11 11 12 7 6 8 9 10 8 11 12 10 13 07 90 70 38 47 41 70 18 77 99 76 37 97 21 77 33 12 74 59 Coefficient of Purity. 78 GO 72 77 76 81 81 77 81 63 65 69 72 73 60 80 79 76 83 Average Weight of One Root- Lbs 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 3 1 1 2 2 1 Ozs. 123 71 5i lOi 14 94 8f 9 13i Ui 9| h Hi m 6 m u 14i llA 131 SUGAE BEETS. Concluded. Nature of Soil. Date of )■-' owing. Date of Pulling. Remarks. Clay loam June 25.. Oct. 17 . . Unmanured, tile -drained, kept clean and covered. Sandy loam May 13.. do 21.. Manured, tile-drained, kept clean. do do 2.. do IS.. do do do do 2. . do 18.. do do do do 2. . do IS.. do do do do 2.. do 18.. do do do do 2.. do 18.. do do do do 2.. do 18.. do do do do 2.. do 18.. do do do do 2.. do 18.. do do do do 2.. do 18.. do do do do 13.. do 18.. do do do do 13.. do 21.. do do do do 13.. do 21.. do do do ...... do 2.. do 18.. do do •f?<^ -9:v 13Z • Cultivation of the sugar-beet. The sugar-beet is a variety of the ordinary beet that, by careful and scientific selection and propagation, has been improved, so that now examples are not wanting whose juice contains 20 per cent, sugar. It is not intended to describe the many different kinds of sugar-beets developed of late yeai-8 and now giown on the continent of Europe for the sugar factory, but it is necessary to say that the seed of such varieties as have been j^roved to be rich in sugar should only be sown. The sugar-beet has been found to thrive throughout the greater part of Europe and the United States. As the northern or southern limit of this very extended area of growth is approached the sugar-beet increases in richness. What the sugar-cane is to the tropics, the sugar-beet is to the temperate zones. As it has already been said, there can be no doubt but what the climate of a large portion of Canada is suitable for the development of beets rich in sugar. The value of beets for the manufacture of sugar depends upon their richness in sugar and the purity of their juice (co-efficient of purity), and these again in turn depend upon the kind of seed, the quality and condition of the soil, the extent and natu.re of the cultivation and the character of the season. Failure in the past has often resulted from not recognizing the fact that the sugar-beet requires a different and more thoi'Ough cul tivation than beets grown for fodder purposes. A right prepara- tion of the soil, correct planting, and the keeping of the I'oot well below the surface of the ground, all exert their influence upon this crop, both as to quality and quantity. In view of the probable extension of the beet-sugar industry in the near future and the consequent gi-owth of these roots in large quantities in this country, it has been thought advisable to give some information — necessarily in a concise form — regarding those methods of culture which have been found advantageous by experi- enced sugar-beet growers. Soil. — The sugar-beet will grow in almost any soil, but its profitable- culture requires a good soil, properly prepared. Heavy clay and wet soils, rocky and marshy lands, are not desirable. By judicious drainage the former may be vastly improved. Soils in which clay predominate are often too hard and impenetrable. In a ground full of stones the roots become forked and unsuited for the factory, and in a wet soil a watery root is produced. Eich, loose, sandy soils, containing a fair proportion of lime, are the most favour- able for the growth of beets rich in sugar. Too much organic matter in the soil is apt to impair the purity of the juice, and for this reason the soil selected should be well manured the previous autumn, no application being made in the spring. The manure used should be in a thoroughly rotted condition. The soil must not only be fertile, but its mechanical condition must be such that the roots may easily penetrate it. Soils in suitable condition for grain crops give excellent results, and a soil in which the in-turned sod is thoroughly rotted is also good. New soil is not considered the most desirable. In seasons when it is hot and dry the stronger and heavier soil, if well drained, will be found more favourable than a loose sandy soil, but the latter, if well manured, will be the better if the summer is rainy or cold. The ground should receive a thorough cultivation previous to seeding. If at all heavy it should not be worked while wet. Sowing. — The pi-oper time for seeding will depend upon the season and the soil, but during the latter part of April or the beginning ^f May the soil will in most localities be sufficiently dry, without having lost tha logiee of moisture necessary for the germination of the seed. The earlier the sowing the better, as the beets require to grow as long as possible. If found desirable, the seed may be soaked from five to ten hours befoi-e sowing. The seed should be planted fiom f to IJ inches deep, and in drills 12 to 20 inches 133 apart. As it is not the purpose to raise a large beet — from 1 lb. to 2 lb. is a good size for sugar-content — the closer the plants in the row and the nearer together the drills the larger will be the yield to the acre, other things being equal. Weeding. — When the weeds appear, if the beets are above ground, this oper- ation should be commenced. A dry day should be selected for the work, which may be done by a hoe or suitable cultivator. Thinning. — This may be done when the beets have attained a thickness of about ^ inch. A damp day should be chosen, the roots being be left from 6 to 9 inches apart, according to the richness of the soil. The richer the soil the closer the beets may be left. It is not desirable to raise a very large beet; small beets are the richer in sugar and have purer juice. Cultivation.— It is of the utmost importance that the weeds be constantly des- troyed and the soil kept loose. The number of times necessary to go over the ground will depend on the nature of the soil and the season. Moreover, it is necessary that the beet should not be allowed to grow above ground ; and consequently, as the summer advances, earthing up will have to be resorted to. In the part of the beet root developed above ground there is very little sugar. In the manufacture of the sugar this portion, if present, is always cut oif and discarded — for not only is it poor in sugar, but it contains an excess of other substances, which makes difficult the extraction of the sugar. Care should be taken not to break off the leaves during the early growth of the plant, for it is by them that the sugar is developed. Harvesting. — When the leaves turn yellow the beet is approaching maturity. Although it is desirable to leave the beets in the ground as long as possible, they should be pulled before the first heavy frost, as such would materially lower the percentage of sugar. K not intended at once for the factory they may be kept in a pit. Secondary Advantages of Sugar-beet Culture. The indirect benefits to be derived from the sugar-beet culture are not few, and chief among them is the improvement of the soil. The thorough state of cultivation necessary for the profitable growth of sugar- beets vastly increases the soil's fertility for succeediug crops. Land in a perfectly clean condition, with a proper mechanical texture, and rich in plant food, is the result. The pulp from the sugar-beet factory has been largely used as a fodder. Accord- ing to the richness of the beets and the process by which the sugar is extracted its composition and value varies. As part of a ration for milch cows it is highly spoken of, causing an increased flow of milk without lowering its quality. With straw, hay and a small quantity of oil cake an excellent ration may be prepared. Pulp has been successfully preserved as ensilage, in which condition it is much relished by cattle. In feeding beet pulp the mineral fertilizing elements withdrawn by the growing crop are for the most part returned to the soil. MILK. In order to obtain data that could be used as a basis for future reference in con- nection with milk experiments, a large number of analyses of the milk of the thoroughbred cows at the Central Experimental Farm has been made during the past year. The analyses comprise 93 samples, and were all made in duplicate — the average of the closely concordant results being given. The milk was from 31 individuals, representing the following breeds : Jersey, Holstein, Ayrshire, Aberdeen, Angus and Shorthorn. Of the Jerseys, there were 5 cows ; of the Holstein, 7 cows ; of the 134 Ayrshire, 5 cowa; of the Aberdeen Angus, 2 cows; and of the Shorthorns, 9 cows. In addition to these, the milk of 3 grade cows was examined. The constituents of mills: are water, fat, casein (or curd), milk-sugar and mineral matter or a^sh — the four latter being known together as the " total solids." From a commercial standpoint, the element of chief value is the fat — the richer in percentage of fat, the more valuable the milk becomes. It is therefore of the tirst importance to ascertain by a separate determination the percentage of fat, ■which being substracteng which arenatureand quantity of food and water, breed, state of health, individual characteristics, age, length of time since calving, and dale when bred. In the following table, besides the analytical data — comprising specific gravity, total solids, fat and solids not fat — will be found information regarding many of the points above mentioned as affecting the quality and flow of milk. The rations fed during the periods in which the samples analysed were taken are as follows; — a at ion 1. Fed Y per cent, of live weight daily, from 1st December, 1889, till 2nd March, 1890. Corn ensilage ' 25 lbs. Roots 20 " Oat straw 7 " Provender (4 oats, \ barlev") 4 " Bran ' ' '. 4 " Ration 2. Corn ensilage • 25 lbs. '!:? Fed 7 per cent, of live weight from 3id March to 31st March, 1890. Roots .' 20 Oat straw 10 Provender (as in Ration I). 2 Bran 3 After 12th January, the milking cows, except Countess of Dailington, and the grades, were fed in addition to above 2 lbs. of oil cake daily. After 31st March. Ration 1 was fed until the cows went out to pasture. The times of milking were 4 p.m. and 6 a.m.. making the interval between the evening and morning milking 14 hours, and that between the morning and evening milkings 10 hours. las l-H o CfQ ,_^ — O 02 . 00 >o IM • © Tt< o ?^ 00 (M •4' o rH • rH rH r-t 7-i rH § S'^.^ iM CO >o 05 rH o CO o 00 C5 uj :;ou sptpg C5 C5 Ci OO CS o C-- C5 05 05 C- CS O CO 05 OS c © l-H ec (N o C5 CO CO CO rH OO CO t^ CO rH in t^ CC O 1- 00 ■«< CO o IC 1— (N O O * CO •»^J O CO ^ t: rf CO -* t- lO o T)< in Tt< m CO c<; c: CO cc CO IT r-l iO C^ m O t^ O l^ o c; -*i c: c^ o CO IM CO CO t~ r-i to Cs o (?; o -* CO N CO CO Tf rH •spipg i^^ox o t^ -# ir CO lO cr CO ^ m -f Tf CO -Tff IM c^ (M CO ^ rH T-( r— 1 t— rH .- 1—< 1-~i rH rH rH I- ^ r^ o: r-1 t- T}< iO c- CC Ci O M Oi CO 00 »0 CO c O r.- -* r- CO (N w CO o; Tt Tfl in e< IM CO ■<* CO -.i^iATBjf) ogioadg c CO o C^ C CO c^ o o c^ c C CO c; o c CO CO o o CO CO CO CO CJ o o o o c ^^ r-1 " r-1 rH rH rH rH rH r-i r- rH I- r- ri O • © ,-ri O . o C3 • ^ r> Sd 05 CO CO rH CO 1—t rH t • o" ^ ■ C3 • CO cq -*l CM • CO : ^ !~ • , o '/■ -r. • ■ CO r/- -j: • CO > -i- •* ir • C5 CO 1— ( rH '3 „ . IM O a > c • a * • -*-3 cr V • M yi J §3 ^ :? iH 1 a a . r -1 a > v* ■> • Ji' ■> '■*> >> Tf Tj CI- > c 1 1 CI •F- s > _c c 1 "S c S 1 1 O '£ C > rH CM CO CO M CO CO -1> c CC CO t> CO t c CO (]5 00 r-1 CC c cc S > ' _, C r^ > ^ o ■M r- rH rH •A O 1— § % Tj a; § § 'T2 < ' 13 § 73 o '^ 1-1 Fi § TS 2 n 3 ^ o O O c- ■TJ Th r^ ;i Name. 3 a; C O 1 O o 5; o o o W o o o > -, o n 'Ti s: T-l 73 -u t: c^ 'O 13 'C S ■ o OT r 'C Ti X! ■^ c £ a c c CC 'r^ o '?- •d v o O o rr o o o o O c c .'* o C c C t; '^ -^ ' w ' O ' o 'tj 'C TS -c T3 '^ ■^ ,~ K 136 £3 O K o • • s (N CO rH 00 »o 3 IN • rH g ■nj=.2; C*^ - S O -^ C5 3> © c<> lO •^ CI b» SO m CO o O I-l o ■-( oo t^ I-l 05 s -^S-^ ii lO t- CO I— 1 o rH CO o CD lO CO ' ■* > '^ ^ t~ -^ iH fc 'J' CO iM CO »0 -*< CO © f CO Cq -*< rH c« t- 00 b- o «o 00 CS O 1-1 00 O «*i ^] CO O ■* CO (N 1 CO 00 o o> oo 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 O) 05 O 00 ■<}< CO c^ 1 iM 00 lO IN 00 lO CO 00 CO o •^''j: CO CO •»< (M IM CO Tfi IM CO CO V CO CI CO CO CO CO ■♦ N e^ o CO CO T»< CO O 1-1 o lO iO t^ CO CO © C* CO 1-1 o © o »n CO o CJ •spiiosfFJOj, tH IM ■<»< T-H r-1 r-l i-l i-l e^ (N © rl r^ r- or r- >. 05 . CO T— t ?, eo" f— ^ •*' I-l I— a 6 b 1-^ r- O >> 'S' t-t f=- • fi <5 • t-? . <: a a £C T OS TO fc- ;- ^. ;. F. £ c c: c: ri -3 c3 'si 1 C"-. >> >, t^ frl •* ec i) 60 b^ bo bo 2; 1 'S O 1 O 1 o c > c 1 S J o 1 O r 1 > 1 c 's > E 1 1 > r-! CO ■* ©' CO IM IM -t W (M -*i O « lO I— 1 I— 1 -^ -~ r^ C-q I-H I-l I— 1 (M ■M IM c? C^ c^ I-l I-* ft a H O jj I" o S S C (A o ^ r % o -»;3 o 0) 02 -a K; s 'U lO eO t-- Ci 2 S^ T^ O n -^ <>- ■^ 00 « t- »o <^ c^ * SsiOiOOl— ■<5< 5D >0 C5 lO lO lO Tl< 1—1 ;h ® r^ CO 00 c5 io S5 o o 00 00 05 in c^ 00 ai Si S o «o « eo t- SS.SoOr-JoOOOOOOt~COOOOt>.OQOCOe<5C<)THrHeO QOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOiGOOOOOOOOOOO^OOOd f:; c5 ^ 'm i?5 i^^i e5 o r^ o o S^ S cOOe^T-4->«o n ^ o « ^ w to « « ^ o ©~ ^eoNe P. ^ ; 1 o ar m '. i '. '. • CO '. I ^ 1 u • • eS eS <& ce a •% 4 •> : : ^ : ^ cc 5 If 5 lO 5£> b- IM W- f H^ «* •fi — ^^ "-f * -♦* Kh* Hn -4:^ -*1 WW r>»( -d 'W nw 5 00 C- t^ C J c: O C£ ~^ T. C OC oc Tf CO t> " IM CnI t^ o oc T-i b- ! • '. • : * • * • • • • • • • ' : * • • ho to .a « > ba tc bo • to • bo ^ bo Ko bo te bo ti) bo bfl bo bo bo hn bo hn bo • bo a ■g o 1 eo ■g 1-i 'a > g o > a > ■g O 1 a 1 .g g > g o '3 > a 'a a 'S > 'S c > o 'S ID > "S a 'a > >o eo CO 5o' »d d CO id d d lO co' d d d © co" d (>1 CO s T-l iH CO O O O T3 o O o -a o T3 O O o o O O •a o c3 o o o o c3 O O c3 O c c c o o ^ o o o o o o O o o o o c o T3 TJ -a TJ ^3 -o t; -a t: T! -o -c 13 >. o o OS CO c 1-5 © OS 00 o CO CO o C5 00 CO i-2 o CO -tl IN "3 © X © OO © CO u © C7S CO © IN © O 00 t-H cs CO CO IN (N OS CO CO © CO bo •n CO c3 s •sqi m >inH JO ^qSwAV UH CO so to 'S > in o T3 00 »o bo o ^ bo s r^?) ■* bp tio b ^ o ^3 «Hi 00 bo O © O 13 bo g 'S > o in bo .5 S o bo £ > bo a -ici CO to 5P S a bo f a S g =4 o O o 'V CO (5 CO O ^ ^ ^ o •a m bo o GO c o IN N <5 N O IN N o IN o IN C-1 o (N o 'V c3 o e3 CO O ^3 bo c3 o O o ^3 O •5 'So o o o o T3 CO o O O T3 o w c o u pq a> 00 00 CO 00 Si 00 05 C5 O 1-1 o rH CI 00 CO 1ft s s CO 1-1 05 1-1 s i§ s CO o tH J5 ^ CO CO ■n m CO CO CO CO o c5 o o CO o CO rH CO CO o o 00 00 o 35 JO X 00 o CI' oo o rH o 55 o CO X o 55 (D rW '^i* be a CD > o 5i) ^ 6b Sf si > tc o 60 fcc bi) 5P !=o yi > 0) > c 1) a ^ CD D •a •— < o O lO -^ o C5 CO' ~ CI o -6 r^ O O 73 O ID O a o O j3 P3 o ■^3 O O O CI s cq o ^3 o 5 o T5 O o o o o o 140 A careful study ofthe foregoing data will reveal : Ist, how individuals of the same breed differ in the quantity and quality of their milk — a difference no doubt partly due to the varying ages and lengths of time since calving of the individuals tested ; 2nd how the same cow will vary in the richness of her milk within a comparatively short period of time ; 3rd, how — except in the case of the Aberdeen Angus, of whom only 4 samples were analysed — the evening milk was invariably the richer, though less in quantity, of the two. Further experiments are required to prove if this difference remains when the intervals between the milkings are more equal. From the results of these analyses, the following instructive table of averages has been prepared in which will be found : First, the average composition of the total number of milks; next the averages for the whole number of the morning and evening milks respectively ; next follow the average composition of the milk of the different breeds — morning and evening milk taken together ; and finally, the averages of the morning and evening milks separately of the different breeds. The order of the first table has been preserved. Table of Milk Averages. Average composition of 93 samples do morning samples do evening samples do Jersey do Holsteins '. . . do Ayrshire do Aberdeen Angus do Shorthorn do Grades do Jersey (morning) do do (evening) do Holstein (morning) . . , do do (evening) . . . do Ayrshire (morning) . . do do (evening) . . do Ab. Angus (morning) do do (evening) do Shorthorn (morning) do do (evening) . do Grade (morning) do do (evening) Specific Gravity. Total Solids. 1033 1033-4 1032 7 1033-2 1032-4 1032-5 1036 1033-4 1033-9 1033-7 1032-7 1032-6 1032-1 1032-7 10.32 -3 1037-4 1034-7 1033-8 1033-0 1033-9 1033-9 13-20 12-91 13-49 14-80 12-24 12-94 14-17 13 00 13-95 14-18 15-43 11-88 12-54 13-61 13 18 14-51 13-82 12-70 13-30 13-65 14-36 Fat. Solids not Fat. 13 78 47 58 40 99 45 87 46 84 32 08 42 73 20 52 38 51 22 19 82 07 13 -02 -22 -74 -95 •72 •13 -49 -34 -11 -80 12 -88 -92 •49 -44 19 -08 •46 -54 What has already been said with regard to the richness of the evening milk is here very apparent. The averages of the total morning and evening milk show that the percentage of fat in the latter exceeds that of the former by -69 per cent. At the same time it is to be noticed that the increase in total solids in the evening over the morning milk is '58 per cent. From this it would seem that the " solids not fat " decrease somewhat as the percentage of fat increases, i. e. ; that fat is developed at the expense of one or more of the other constituents. The averages of the morning and evening milk of the Shorthorns, Ayrshires and Jerseys are all in accord with this deduction. 141 ]P^RT TV. g^HE COMPOSITION OF APPLE TEEE LEAVES. At the Dominion Fruit Growers' Convention held in Ottawa, February, 1890, I had the honour of reading the following paper, which is the first of a series on the chemistry of the apple. As time allows, the fruit and the old and young wood of the tree will be analj^sed. From the data thus amassed it is confidently hoped that we shall be able to ascertain with more or less accuracy the nature and amount of those fertilizing elements withdrawn from the soil by the apple tree in bearing. This will be the first step towards a more rational mode of applying fertilizers to orchards. " THE COMPOSITION OP APPLE TREE LEAVES. "Agricultural chemists throughout the world are, and have been for some years, directing their attention towards the solution of questioiis concerning the growth and bringing to perfection of plants and animals which serve for the use of man. With regard to plants — and by that term I include all farm crops — analyses have been made of all their parts, so that their composition is, to-day, pretty well known. '* Field experiments and experiments in water culture — in which the vai-ious salts required by the plants are dissolved in water — have also been made, enabling us, at the present time, to state definitely what special fertilizing constituents are valuable for the growth of certain crops, what classes of soil are most suited to cereals, the leguminous plants, and so on. " But as yet it appears that little has been done in this direction for the fniit- growers, and the reason for this is not difficult to find. In all experiments of ihis nature it is necessary to weigh and analyse an aliquot part of the final product of vegetable growth in order to arrive at the amount of plant food absorbed from the soil and other sources, and in this way ascertain the extent to which the soil has been exhausted and the special inorganic and organic elements which enter into the com- position of plants tissues. In the case of farm crops, which are reaped annually, this is comparatively an easy task, but it is obvious that in the case of fruit trees — both small and large — this of necessity cannot easily be done. As, however, it is as highly important to the fruit-growers to know what kind of food and what class of soils are best suited to produce the largest amount of fruit as it is to the farmer to be in possession of such information respecting his crop, it is but the duty of those engaged in working out these problems to direct their study, as far as in their power lies, towards the solution of such difficult questions. " It was with a view of throwing some light upon this abstruse subject, of pro- posing some rational mode in the application of fertilizers to orchards, that the work included in this paper was undertaken. "Now, it must not be thought that even if we knew the exact composition of all the parts of the tree (and as long as the fruit is hanging it remains part of the tree), and the total weight of those component parts, and had also a knowledge of the composition of the soil in which the tree was growing, that the whole question would be settled. Until a few years ago it was thought that such data were sufficient to guide the agriculturist in manuring certain fields for certain crops, but later facts, evolved by patient experiments, conducted most carefully over many years, have now proved this theory fallacious. I might illustrate this by reference to the cereals and leguminosse. The former contain but half the nitrogen of the latter, yet no1>- withstanding this fact, and all that it seems to imply, it is found that the application 142 ot nitrogen is specially beneficiiil to the eereiiLs, but of little or no value to the leguminosffl, especially af'er a cei'tain stage of their gi'owth. Without going into the i-easons, or rather theories, which have been advanced to account for this state of affairs, I will ask you to bear these facts in mind, and at the same time to remem- ber that ex nihilo nihil fit, that we have to draw upon the soil, the air and water for the constituents of plant food, and that llie soil, generall}' spcrdving, is the only one of the three we can modify or alter in composition by mechanical or chemical agents. The climate, including degree of frost, amount of rainfall, snow, sunshine, (fcc, all these are important factors in agriculture. But as we have no control over the elements the line of experiment seems rathei- in making choice of and breeding fiom such varieties, whose qualities, dependent upon heredity and environment, make them seem especially adapted to the climate immediately under consideration, and then finding out, by all the means at our command, and applying those elemeuts of plant food best suited to their growth and development. " In this series of expeiiments five well-known and hardy varieties of apple trees were selected and the leaves gathered at two stages of their growth, viz., 25th May and 20th September. The leaves in all ca>-es were taken from two or more ti'ces, so that their analysis should reveal the fair average composition of the leaf of that variety at that particular stage of the tree's growth. Upon the first date some difficult}' was experienced in a few instances in getting sufficient leaves for analysis without seriously denuding the ti-ee of foliage, so that these first specimens lepre- sent leaves in a very early stage of development. On 2(lth September all the leaves were still quite green, and their life apparently unimpaired and vigorous. " Mr. John Craig, Horticultui-ist to the Central Experimental Farm, has kindly furnished me with the following descriptions of the aj^ple trees under discussion : — " Duchess of Oldenbitrgh. — Tjee is vigorous and hardy, forming a roundish, up- right head. Bears young, and abundantly. Young shoots, smooth, reddish. Leaves medium-sized, firm and glossy. September. " Tetofsky. — Tree upright, very haidy, vigorous. A young and annual bearei-. Young shoots, stout, reddish-brown. Leaves very large. August. "Wealthy. — Hai d}^, vigf)rou8 and healthy. Spreading, open head. Bears young; is an abundant and annual bearer. Shoots, dark, medium. Leaves medium, October, " Fameuse. — Tree moderately vigoi-ous and hardy, round-topped, spreading. Young shoots, reddish brown. Fairly young annual bearer. ''Northern Spy. — Eapid, upright growth. Tardy und moderate bearer. Young shoots, large, daik reddish-brown. Winter. " The following table shows the composition of the leaves, together with such other data as may help to elucidate the question under consideration. Aft^^r the column containing the name of the apple tree and the date when the leaves were gathered are three columns, representing in percentages the composition of the leaf — the water, organic matter and mineral constituents. Then follon' six columns, showing the percentages of the chief inorganic components of the ash. The per- centfiges- of nitrogen in the dry organic matter are then given, followed by columns depiclitig the amounts of nitrogen, phos))hoiic acid and potash contained in 1.000 lbs. of the gj-een leaf, which serve to illustrate the absolute and relative values of the leaves as a fertilizer, as well as to show the quantities of these materials taki-n from the soil for the growth of the leaves. 143 CO > Ph EH o K CO a; O o O C O C s o o o © p 5 Oh o o o £ o O Ouq I- O H !5 O EH o r O^ m 5^ O 63 Bj r> •t o O •/} '•r. w O c u H ?: H (J H W 2; o o O O 1-5 i—i i; ^ (M (MiC Ci ■* ^<: i=i _n OT « C^ t^ 05 tH C ■* 00 T)< O t^OOO M t^ t^ •9UIl'][ © O M O O irj (M O IM O e;i i-i i-i i-H rH o •qs'Bio.j lO CO C: 'f NCO r-IO c; Tt< o tr. r-( 1— 1 I •ppY "soiu b- OT iC .-I CO O oc c: to CO •qsy c: Ci ^ -f Tt< (M C5 1-H (M c S rt 2 -P (U O fiH cS ;?pii2 U4 "Moisture. — With the exception of the Fameuse, the {xjrcentage of water in all the specimens taken 25th May lies between 70*94 and 72-11 — practically, between 71 and 72, The Fameuse is more succulent, and contains 75-45 per cent, water. In the loaves gathered 20th September we find a general diminution in the percentage of water, the loss being in the neighbourhood of 12 per cent. It is interesting, and perhaps instructive, to note that with regard to the amount of water, the leaves of 25th May fall into the same order with those of 20th September, the Duchess of Oldenburgh containing least and the Fameuse most water, showing clearly that while all have followed the general law in loss of moisture, each has retained its own characteristic individuality. Average percentage of water in young leaf. 72*36 do do maturerleaf 60*71 " Organic flatter. — This includes all the combustible material of the leaf, and is composed of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen. In the leaves of 25th May, those of the Duchess of Oldenburgh and of the Wealthy, the percentages of organic matter are almost the same, and head the list. The Tetofsky and Northern Spy also contain almost identical amounts, or somewhat less than the two first mentioned, while the Fameuse contains the smallest quantity of organic matter. This order is preserved in the leaves plucked 20th September. From an inspection of these two columns it will be observed that there is a general diminution of water and increase of organic matter as the season advances, and that any special variety preserves its relative position to other varieties in this respect throughout the season. Average jjercentage of organic matter in young leaf. 25*31 do do maturer leaf... 35-83 "Ash. — The percentage of all the inorganic or mineral constituents of the leaf are found in this column. With the exception of the Wealthy we find the amounts of ash of the leaves of 25th May closely approximating one another. The leaves of the Wealthy fall about -5 per cent, below the others in ash constituents. In those of the 20th September we find a general increase in the percentage of ash, amounting from -5 to 1*5 per cent, over those of 25th May. Average percentage of ash in young leaf. 2*33 do do maturer leaf. 3*46 " Phosphoric Acid. — With regard to the composition of the ash as detailed in the columns following, it is difiicult to discover in many cases what principle, if any, underlies the distribution of the mineral constituents throughout the tissues of the leaf during its growth. Without reading too much, however, into the results of a single analysis, an inspection of this column shows most clearly that the young leaf contains in its ash a much larger percentage of phosphoric acid than the maturer one — in some instances the phosphoric acid in the latter is but one-half, or even less, than that of the younger leaf. This would lead us to suppose that, as the season advanced, there was a retrograde movement of the phosphoric acid of the leaf to other parts of the tree. As the seed is well known to contain a relatively large quantity of this acid we may legitimately be allowed to think that the food elaborated in the leaf found its way finally, in part, at all events, to the fruit and other portions of the tree. And this undoubtedly expresses a truth (though pro- bably not the whole truth), for we observe that the average number of pounds of phosphoric acid per 1,000 pounds of the younger leaf is higher than the correspond- ing number for the maturer leaf, viz.: as 2*45, 1*94, and this in spite of the fact that the percentage of ash in the latter is considerably higher than the former. Average percentage of phosphoric acid in the young leaf... 10*47 do do maturer leaf 5-82 "* Potash. — It would not be safe from the results tabulated to advance strongly any theories I'Cgarding the disposition of this im[iortant element in the leaf. The percentage of potash in the young leaf is somewhat lower than that in the maturer leaf When we, however, consider the inci-eased anaount of ash in the latter, we find 145 that per 1,000 lbs. the older leaves contain 1*5 lbs. more potash than the j-ounger leaves. On com])aring- the amounts of potash obtained in these analyses with the quantity as found in leaves of other trees it is at once apparent that the leaves of the apple tree are exceptionally rich in this material . "_Z/ime. — Tlie average percentage of lime in the ash of the young leaf is 1*7"40, while that of the maturer leaf is 27'91, an increase of 10 per cent. This increase would appeal- also to be regular throughout the varieties examined. Thus, the Duchess stands first in percentage of lime in both lists, followed closely by the Tetofsky, and so on. ''Magnesia. — While the percentage of lime increased during the growth of the leaf, the anal^'tical data show that the percentage of magnesia decreases during that period. Thus, in the young leaf we have magnesia 9'77 as the average percentage, and in the maturer leaf this number is reduced to 4-81. This fact is the more remarkable and interesting when we remember that the percentage of phosphoric acid diminished in the same ratio during the same period. It seems quite possible that these two elements of plant food are intimately related in the economy of the plant, and that in the elaboration of the plant food within the tissues and the dis- tribution of this food to the different parts of the tree these two play a very important role. " Oxide of Iron and Silica. — Throughout the whole series the amounts of these constituents aie seen to be very similar, and the average in the young and the mature leaf closely approximate each other. The iron after it has performed its functions in the chlorophyll of the leaf appears to remain in the leaf, and from the ligujes in the table it is seen that there is no extra deposition of silica in the cells of the leaf as it grows older. ^'Nitrogen. — The only constitutent of great importance that remains to be dis- cussed is nitrogen. The differences in the amounts of nitrogen contained in the organic matter of the leaves of the different varieties examined are so small that one would not be warranted in drawing any conclusion therefrom as to differences in this constituent between the varieties." On taking the averages, however, of nitrogen of the leaves in the two stages of their growth, a considerable difference is at once apparent — a difference that corresponds to 3 per cent, of albuminoids. The figures are : — Nitrogen in young leaf 2-94 corresponding to 18-61 per cent albuminoids, do maturer leaf 2 -48 do 15-50 do " The amount of nitrogen per 1,000 pounds of the maturer leaf is 8*87 pounds, as against 7'42 pounds in the young leaf. This is due to the increased percentage of organic matter in the older leaf. It is evident from these results that changes which aftfect the relative percentage of nitrogen in the organic matter take place in the leaf during its development — but what these changes may be is beyond the scope of the present paper to discuss. " Phosphoric acid, potash and nitrogen are the three constituents which above all others must be put back into the soil if we are to preserve its fertility. Plants of certain orders require more of one or other of these than plants of other orders. Some soils are specially rich or poor in one or more of the materials — and con- sequently in the rational mode of application of fertilizers much intelligence and patience must be exercised. "That the leaves of the apple trees draw a large amount of food from the soil annually has been shown. This must be replaced in excess for the vigorous growth of the tree. The leaves of the tree play no unimportant part — respi ration and diges- tion are their two chief functions — which, if they do not perform well, the tree can- not live and bring to perfection its fruit. Therefore when we feed the leaves we are indirectly feeding the fruit. " The results of this work seem to point in the direction of mineral fertilizers, and specially of potash, as being more particularly oquired foi- the gn^wth of the leaves, and, therefore, for the vigorous developmciiit of the tree, including an abundant crop of fruit. 6c— 10 146 "A heavy dresf^ing of wood ashes (which may be procured in many parts of Canada at a very low price), or of kainit or other form of potash, ie, therefore, to be recommended for oichardR. " The value of the leaves composted — a process to be advised as more economical than burning — is also well established by the data afforded by this work." EEPOET ON THE EFFECT OF SOLUTIONS OF COPPER SULPHATE (BLUE VITEIOL), lEON SULPHATE (GREEN VITRIOL), AND OF "AGRICULTURAL BLUE STONE," ON THE VITALITY OF SEED AVHEAT. A communication was received in March last from Messrs. Tees and Persse, of Winnipeg, Man., accompanied by a sample of " agiicultural blue stone " — a sub- stance now in the market for destroying the germs of smut. The following extract is from their letter : — " As you are no doubt aware, it has long been the custom of farmers to soak their seed grain in a solution of blue vitriol to destroy the 'smut' before sowing. The sample sent you is cheaper than the regular bine vitriol, but it is claimed that it is better for destroying smut; while some hold that the sulphate of iron in sample sent you will destroy the germ in the wheat. As this is a matter of such great importance to this country, we have taken the liberty of bringing it under your notice, and would bo glad if you would give us your opinion upon the merits of this new article at as early a date as possible." An analysis of this sample of " agricultural blue stone " gave the following results : — • Sulphate of iron (green vitriol) 69-30 do copper (blue vitriol) 30-70 100-00 A series of experiments was then inaugurated to ascertain the effect of solu- tions of iron sulphate, copper sulphate and of the " agricultural blue stone " on the vitality of the wheat germ. The sample of wheat selected to be experimented with was Red Fife and yielded 97-5 per cent, of germinating seed. The first experiment consisted in soaking the gi'ain for 36 hours — the seed being totally submerged — in (a) a solution of " agricultural blue stone," and (b) a solu- tion of sulphate of iron. The strength of the solutions was 1 lb. of the material to 8 gallons of water. The seed, at the expiration of the 36 hours, was taken out of the solutions and allowed to diy in the air at ordinary temperatures. It was then sown in earth in the conservatory. The following table gives the number of plants from the grain on the dates which appear at the head of the columns. Two hundred grains were sown in each experiment. Red Fife ^Vheat. So\vn inth March. Untreated Treated with sulphate of iron Treated with " agricultural blue stone Percentage of Vitality. 97-5 8G-5 G4 147 From the figures in this table it will be seen that the etfect of this method of treatment with sulphate of iron was a reduction of 11 per cent, in the vitality of the seed, while the solution of "agricultural blue stone" diminished the vitality by 33"5 per cent. It may fairly be concluded from these results that the sulphate of copper present in the " blue stone " acted more injuriously than did the sulj^hale of iron. The following experiment was then made, in order to arrire at the action of the sulphate of copper per se upon the grain. The mode of treatment was the same as in the previous experiment (submergence for 36 hours, etc.), and the strength of the solution in the proportion of 1 lb. of the material to 8 gallons of water, as before. The seed treated with sulphate of iron and "agricultural blue stone" was pait of the quantity tested on 15th March, and consequently had been dry after treatment 13 days. Red Fife, 200 Grains. Sown 28th March. Treated with Suphate of Iron Treated witli " Agricnltural Blue Stone Treated with Sulphate of Copper ^ ^ Jh" < ^ *— 1 < < < t3 S o T-l l-H 112 154 177 183 22 43 72 83 98 30 43 61 67 72 < < I— t (Pi ;^5 193 100 111 74 80 Percentage of Vitality. 96-5 55-5 400 It is thus apparent that the sulphate of copper in the " agricultural blue stone" during the 13 days had had the etfect of still further lowering the jDerceutage of vital seeds ; while the sulphate of iron had not impaired the vitality of the wheat. The seed treated with sulphate of copper gave but 40 per cent, of growing plants. We may thus conclude that while sulphate of iron had but little action on the vitality of the wheat germ, sulphate of copper by the same treatment has a most deleterious effect. As the method of treatment received in the foregoing experiments may be con- sidered an exti-eme one, I determined to ascertain what the eiiect on the wheat germ would be by simply spi'inkling the seed with solutions, allowing them to dry, and sowing at once. The ibl lowing table shows the results obtained by this means, the solution being of the same strength as before : — Red Fife, 200 Grains. Sown 28th March. Treated with sulphate of iron do "agricultural blue stone do Sulphate of copjjer tH h u u u C^ P-t a p, &» a < < < < < < < ^ S o (M r-l l-H 1—1 (N 115 170 ISl 184 192 IDS 47 93 130 138 144 l.-.l 159 40 69 99 113 120 loO 145 Percentage of Vitality. 99-0 79.5 72-5 A marked ditference, due to the mode of treatment, is at once seen. The seed thus sulijected to sulphate of iron had its vitality uninjured ; that with the " agricul- tural blue stone " lost 19*5 per cent, of its vitality, while that with sulphate of copper was destroyed to the extent of 26'5 per cent. Throuii'hout these experiments it was noticed that the seed treated with the different solutions had the growth of their plants retarded and weak as compared with those of the untreated gi-ain, and this was much more mtirked in the case of seeds subjected to solutions of coppei- sulphate and " agricultur.il blue stone " than when sulpluxte of iron was used. As -oon as roots had begun to .'iosorl) nourishment from the soil this lack of luxuriousness of growth was less noticeable. The following conclusions from these experiments may, I think, be safely drawn : — 6c— 10^ 148 1. That a solution of sulphate of copper of the strength of 1 lb. to 8 gallons of water has the effect of destroying a number of M'heat germs, and that even when the sulphate of copper is present only to one-third of this amount (as it is in the " agi'icultural blue stone ") the injurious action is still strongly marked. 2. That a solution of sulphate of iron of the same strength has eventually but little destroying action on the wheat seed, though at first the plants from seed so treated have their growth somewhat retarded. 3. That the length of time that the sulphate of copper is in contact with the seed determines, to a large extent, the amount of damage done to the vitality of the germ. If sprinkling be sufficient to destroy the smut spores the grain should not be Hft in contact with the solution longer than necessary, but dried and sown at once. In order to supjDlementthis work and to ascertain, if possible, the effect of these solutions on bunt or hard smut, further experiments were undertaken during the past season at the Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa. These experiments consisted of two series, in one of which the grain was Ladoga, in the other Eed Fife. Each series comprised four plots. In the first plot of each series the grain sown was untreated, in the second it had been previously treated with sulphate of iron, in the third with solution of" agricultural blue stone," and in the fourth sulphate of copper had been used. The strength of the three solutions Avas 1 lb. to 8 gallons of water. The grain in each experiment with treated wheat was thoroughly sprinkled, allowed to dry by spreading in a thin layer exposed to the atmosphere, and at once sown. The results of these experiments are as follows : — There was no smut of either kind upon any of the Eed Fife plots. In the case of the Ladoga, loose smut appeared on all of the four plots, the per- centages of diseased ears from the treated and untreated grain being very close — between 3 and 5 per cent. There was no hard smut on any of the Ladoga wheat. The results of these experiments seem to indicate that none of the solutions tried are efficacious in preventing the development of loose smut. In view of the fact that it is the " hard," " stinking smut " or bunt that is chiefly deleterious in Manitoba and the North- West Territories, and that such rarely occurs when the wheat is grown here, it seems highly desirable that these experiments should be repeated in the districts above named, and to this end it is proposed to conduct the investigation during the coming year upon the Experimental Farms at Brandon and Indian Head. WELL WATEES. Attention was drawn in my last report to the great importance to farmers of a pure and abundant water supply, for use in their own families and for watering stock. At the same time, an offer was made of a free analysis to those farmers who suspected the quality of their water, if they were willing to prepay the freight on the sample. In response to this inducement several have asked for the examination of their drinking waters. To these, instructions were sent as to the manner of taking the sample The right collection of the water is a very important matter, and it is particularly desired that those in the future wishing an analysis should write for the necessary instructions beforehand. It is especially to the dairymen that this question of pure water is of intei'est and importance. Pure and wholesome milk can only be obtained from cows sup- plied liberally with pure, fresh water. The general health of the animal must be impaired by drinking polluted water, and many germ diseases in man have had their origin traced to the milk from cows having access to imjjure and contaminated water. From the following table it will be seen that out of ten drinking waters sub- mitted to analj'sis only three were returned safe to drink. In many instances gross contamination had taken place by drainage from stables, bai'n yard or other source of pollution, thereby rendering the water poisonous and extremely dangerous for use. 149 o CO >^ < C o Oh o 0) (15 2j £-§ ii 53 3 en 2 P ^ S g3 •« go o S -M o 3 0)^- =^-0 g S t- s I> o s -ill ■^ K^ fa c ■— o c cS -o ^ OJ o c3 •rl ^^ a) O c3 Si (D > . m 4J H tC cC ^ C ^ O o ^ 01 .2 S !§ ^ a bo k3 — o o 73 O 13 O f3 3 O ^.g t::! kJ O > ^ o S o m • l-l p-l S o o I>1 3 o s -a o . o o o ID 01 1) CO . SB 3-' -^S. o o o •O :p5 c o i» S f o o o (M O CD 00 00 o •^008 Xa •uiTii gx tu paq.iosq'G ugSXxQ o CO CO CD r-l CO CO IM (M IN O CO CO o 00 o CO CI •spijos JO uoi^mSi uo sso^j ■uoi:^uiSj ajojaq spipg o o o o o © o 1-1 g o 00 tH o o o o o o o © © © © (N CO r-l CI 1— ( (M CO 1 o © © © © CO © »0 CO •atluo^qQ © © © © CO © _>o_ © © CO CO © m O 00 CO © (M © © O (M in lO CO © 00 T" CO l^ © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © CO © N o © CO o CO iM oo © CO oo in © © in 00 © CO © © CI © © O © © IT. © O -^ CO 1—1 l?q •ojiuotauiy aajj£ CO oc 00 -^ ci ■>5 N in -^ t^ ^ o © (M i-l CO CO © in © CO CO CO ■* © © oo -* IM © • i-H o o ID ^3 ^ J C rt c3 ID O o T3 Is g 13 13 B 1— 1 o 73 (3 c3 o c o 13 g -tJ a o S3 o3 PQ Q o w o H tc ^ u cc 13 o T3 O 73 « .S ^ > p 'S a O O 150 The chief impurities found in drinking waters, as detected by chemical analysis, are of an organic nature, and arise from the presence of decomposijig animal or vegetable matter, or both. The former is to be regarded as the more deleterious of the two, and comprises the solid and fluid excreta of animals, decaying animal mutter and the like ; vegetable pollution consists of peaty matter — the more or less decom- posed remains of plants. Although vegetable matter is not as injurious as that of animal origin, an excessive quantity is very apt to cause diari'hoea and kindred complaints. Whether the organic matter itself always acts in the water as a poison or not is yet a question open for discussion, though there seems to be ample evidence that in many instances active organic poisons are developed by the decomposing matter. It has, however, been well established that it is the organic matter of a water that forms the food for the growth of bacteria — microscopicplants, among which are the disease germs — and cases of typhoid (a germ disease) have been repeatedly tiaced to drinking water surcharged with organic matter. For these reasons we may safely conclude that a water containing much oj-ganic matter must be more dangerous to health than water comparatively organically pure. It is of the first importance, therefore, to discover the degree to which any water may be contaminated by oi-ganic matter and to endeavour to establish whether such be vegetable or animal. The amounts of free and albuminoid ammonia, of the oxj^gen absorbed in fifteen minutes and four hours, and of chlorine, are a measure of the organic impurities of a water. Large quantities of free ammonia associated with a considerable amount of chlorine prove contamination with sewage. Small quantities of free ammonia and chlorine and high amounts of albuminoid ammonia and " oxygen absorbed " indicate vegetable pollution. When the ratio of oxygen absorbed in 15 minutes to that absorbed in 4 hours is as 1:2 dissolved vegetable matter is indicated ; when this ratio approaches 1:1-5 the presence of animal organic matter is shown. A water contaminated with vegetable matter will absorb or use up more oxygen than one polluted with animal matter. As GVGvy water must be judged according to its source and surroundings, it is impossible to lay down rules that could be applied rigidly in every case, though it has been abundantly shown that a good water, wholesome for use, should not contain more than '08 parts per million of free ammonia, nor more than -10 parts per million of albuminoid ammonia, and the amounts of chlorine and total solids should not exceed 70 and 570 parts respectively. Those who are about to dig wells are cautioned against locating them in barn yards and stables or near any source of pollution — and this is especially urged where the soil is sandy or gravelly. It has been proved beyond dispute that the soakage from such contaminating sources will travel comparatively long distances in light soil, and it is in such that it will act as a cesspool. The surroundings of the well should at all times be kept clean, and the well itself examined fioni time to time as to its freedom from refuse material. Vegetable debris and dead animals are often the cause of impure water. FOUNDATION COMB. In June last we were requested by the D. A. Jones Company Limited, of Beeton, to analyse and repoi-t on sevei-al samples of" foundation comb," which they suspected to be adulterated. As the matter was deemed of great importance to bee-keepers 151 throughout the country, this request was complied with. Three samples of sus- pected comb were received, which, upon analysis, were found to have the following composition : — Analysis of Foundation Comb. No. 1. No. 2. No. 3. 31-24 68-76 43-60 56-40 70 06 Paraffin 29 04 100 00 100-00 100 00 The parties who sent these sample.s to Messrs, Jones & Co. all claim to have procured them from E. E. Smith, Tilbury Centre. The above analyses, with remarks on the fraud in selling, and the danger in using such adulterated comb, have been published by the editors of the Canadian Bee Journal. In the opinion of bee-keepers, pure beeswax is the only material that can be sat- isfactorily used for foundation comb. Parafl&n melts at a much lower temperature than beeswax, and this fact alone militates against its use in bee-hives. It has been proved by experience that manufactured comb containing paraffin melts in hot weather, a total collapse of the comb, often full of brood or honey, resulting. Besides this loss of honey or brood, the bees are smeared by the melted mixture. Messrs. Jones write me as follows, regarding their experience with foundation comb containing paraffin : — "Paraffin was tested as a base for comb years ago, and, owing to the tempera- ture at which it melts, was found totally useless as a substitute for beeswax. In all cases which we have had this summer, where adulterated comb had been sent out, great loss has been sustained through the comb breaking down when partly built out, and this will always be the case with foundation containing any great amount of paraffin." In addition to this, it must be noted that the difference in price per pound of beeswax and paraffin is from 25c. to 30c, To sell adulterated comb at the same price as the pure article is therefore a dishonest jiractice. When the foundation comb contains a comparatively large percentage of para- ffin, the adulteration may be detected by one or more of the following means : — 1. By its smell, colour and consistency, Adultei'ated wax has not the strong characteristic odour of beeswax, developed especially by friction, neithei- has it the tough and pliable nature of genuine wax. On being kept, the wax containing paraffin becomes white and brittle. 2. If a small lump of this impure article be placed in cold water, together with a similar quantity of comb known to be pure, and the temperature of the water gradually raised, the comb containing pai-affin will melt first and form a fluid layer on the top of the water, while the pure beeswax is but just beginning to melt. 4. Make a mixture of alcohol and water, in such proportions that a piece of pure beeswax will stay suspended in the middle of the fluid. This is most easily done by placing a piece of pure wax on the top of some spirit in a glass, and then adding cai-efully, and with constant stirring, sufficient water to make the wax sink slowly. If the mark is at first overstepped the addition of a little more spiiit will cause the beeswux again to rise. As paraffin is much lighter than beeswax, the adulterated sample will be found to float on this liquid, and a considerable quantity of alcohol will have to be added to cause the impure wax to sink. 152 SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION. The following article on the causes and prevention of ea>;es of spontaneous com- bustion in barns and stables written by me in response to the enquiries of a corres- pondent, was published in the pages of the Canadian Live Stock and Farm Journal. The importance of the subject to the ftxrmers throughout the Dominion is such that no apology will be needed for its insertioa here. " SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION." " Combustion, as it is ordinai-iiy known and recognized, is the chemical com- bination of combustible matter with the oxygen of the air, the union of the two being accompanied by the giving out of heat and light. When the union takuo place rapidly the heat evolved is intense, but when slowly, the heat produced may be almost imperceptible — though the sum total of the heat produced may be the same in both cases. Combustion may therefore occur without the phenomenon of flame — as flame is really burning gas, which, for its generation from ordmary com- bustible material and ignition, requires a somewhat intense heat. The heat of our bodies is maintained by a process of slow combution, i.e., evolution of heat unac- companied by flame, through the union of the organic matter of our food with the oxj'gen of the air we breathe. " Spontaneous combustion (or ignition of inflammable material without contact with flame) occurs when the union of the oxygen (oxidation) is sufficiently rapid to i-aise the temperature to the ignition or burning point of the inflammable substa' ce. The first great requisite of combustion is air — or rather the oxygen of the air. Woollen and cotton rags saturated with oil are capable of absorbing oxygen rapidly, and in consequence of which have their temperature raised to the ignition point — a comparatively low temperature for such material. Very many well-known and authenticated instances are on record of this character as causing fire in the holds of vessels and in manufactories. Dust, formed by the deposition of organic matter in an exceedingly fine state of division, often causes, in like manner, fires in woollen and grist mills. ''The spontaneous fires which break out in hay-stacks, barns, manure piles, etc., are all due to this same process of oxidation, and are caused by the inflammable material being damp — moisture greatly assisting slow combustion. Fermentation may be considered as one of the many forms of combustion. It is a process in which the decomposition of the material is brought about by bacteria — microscopic plants always present in the air — whose development requires moisture and warmth. By their growth more heat is generated, until that point is reached at which the mate- rial upon which they feed takes fire. Fermentation is the principal agent in causing spontaneous ignition in barns, outhouses, etc. " There are other causes besides those given above for spontaneous combustion. A not infrequent one is the slaking of lime. Two instances have come under my notice in which barrels of quicklime, left uncovered in a leaky building, have become slaked by the rain, the heat generated by the operation of slaking — really a chem- ical combination of the lime with the water — being sufficient to ignite the surround- ing woodwork. The prevention in such cases as these it is not necessary to enlarge Upon. As to those instances in barns, etc., in which the fire is caused by damp hay or clover, I would say, if possible, do not store it damp, and see that the roof is water-tight or tlie stack well thatched. If, however, cii-cumstances necessitate the putting away of the hay moist, salt it well. Salt is a preventative of fermentation, and consequently of heat. If, in spite of these precautionary measures, heat begins to generate in the mow, ventilation should be resorted to, so that the heat as it is developed may be carried oil', and not allowed to accumulate or become so intense as to raise the hay to its burning temperature. In the case of manure piles, it is a wise 153 practice to mix together in the heap the horse and cow duns:. Horse manure fer- ments and heats more readily and rapidly than cow dung. The mixing of the two prevents the former from becoming fire-fanged, which means, to a large extent, depreciation in value, and at the same time a fermentation is set up in the colder cow dung which renders its fertilizing constituents more available for plants. " With regard to your question respecting the frequent fires ' commonly credited to unknown causes,' it is quite possible that many of these are true cases of spon- taneous combustion ; yet, undoubtedly some are occasioned by the smouldering embers from the pipe of the farmer, his hired man, or the tramp, or are due to the carelessness in the use of unprotected lights, or caused by the viciousness of incen- diaries. Without data, it is impossible to state what percentage of fires is due t,«> these respective causes." 154 REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST. (JaiMes Fletcher, F.E.S.C, P.L.S.) W. Saunders, Esq., Director, Dominion Experimental Farms. Sir, — I have the honour to hand you herewith a report upon the work carried on in my Department during the past year. It is of course impossible to report in full upon the multiplicity of subjects which are brought officially under my notice during the year. I have ti-eated at some length certain of the more important subjects, so that information as to the nature of the objects discussed, and remedies when known, might be disseminated as widel}'' as possible. DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY. There has been much con-espondence to attend to as well as field work to prosecute. I have reported fully upon the American Frit ¥\j, which has been a serious pest of wheat, barle}^ and grasses for the last three or four years; the Medi- terranean Flour Moth, a dangerous imported insect; the Pea Weevil, which is begin- ning to increase in numbers ; the Diamond-back Cabbage Moth, and the Cabbage Maggot, dire enemies of that wholesome vegetable ; the Strawberry Weevil, and an injurious caterpillar which periodically strips the oak trees on Vancouver Island of every vestige of foliage. DIVISION OF BOTANY. The work in this division has consisted chiefly in looking after the experimental grass plots, which are reported on in full herewith, and the arboretum ; in naming botanical specimens and weeds sent in for identification ; and in giving instructions in the use of the various remedies which have lately been used with such good etfect against fungous diseases of plants. I regret that the space at my disposal precludes the possibility of treating of these in this report; but I hope at no very distant date to issue in bulletin form an account of the successful work which has been accom- plished, particularly in the United States, in fighting these troublesome diseases. In the meantime, I wish to announce that I shall be glad to send instructions for the treatment of fungous diseases, where remedies ai'e known, to all who may wish for them. These studies are very recent, dating only from about 1885. The good work which has been done is due largely to the energy and ability of Mr. B. T. G-alloway, the chief of the Division of Vegetable Pathology at Washington, who, in writing on this subject in the American Garden for October, 1890, says as follows : " Let us now see what have been some of the practical results of this work. In the first place, grape-growers everywhere have been made acquainted with the causes of such diseases as black-rot, downy-mildew and anthracnose. Moreover, it has been proved to their entire satisfaction that these diseases can be prevented by proper treatment. Between two and three thousami grape-growers in all parts of the country used the remedies in 1889, and from estimates based on reports I'cceived from about thii-ty, we know that the actual saving in money to these, above all expenses, wassomoihing ovei- §10,000, Our agents last year, in treating potatoes foi- blight and rot, succeeded in saving 75 pel- cent, of the crop. On this basis, the amount saved to the entire country, if all the infected districts had been treated, would have been something over a million dollars." 155 A memorandum is submitted herewith by Mr, Galloway, con cernmg a curious bacterial disease of oats, which, although uot very injurious in Canada, has been very prevalent in some districts. In the Arboretum and Botanic Garden the work begun last year has continued. The collection of trees and shrubs has been considerably augmented, and next spring several herbaceous perennials, which have been grown from seed, or have been collected from the woods in this and other parts of Canada, will be planted out in their proper places. Particular efforts will be put forth to render the collec- tion of native Canadian plants as complete as possible. At present, nearly 400 different kinds of shrubs and trees have been set out, in most cases two specimens of each kind, which are made up as follows : — AnacardiacecB 7 Juglandacese 8 Araliacea? 1 Leguminosae 23 Eerberid:icc?D li Oleaceffi 30 Betulacotc 5 Ehamnacese 4 Bignoniaceae 4 Rosacea 92 Caprifoliacese 30 liutacese 1 Celastracese 5 SalicaceJB . .33 CompositfB 1 Sapindacene 17 Coniferie (!5 Saxifragacese ll» Cornacete 10 Simarubacese 1 Ciipuliferio lU Tiliacoa? 4 Ela^agnaeeaB 7 Urlicaca?... 7 Several low spots Avhich needed draining were attended to last autumn, and locations were decided upon for groups to illustrate some natural orders of plants not as yet represented in the Botanic Garden. MEETINGS ATTENDED. By permission of the Hon. Minister of Agriculture I was allowed to attend the Second Annual Meeting of the Association of Official Economic Entomologists, held at Champaign, 111. The meeting was one ot much importance to all concerned, and this association cannot but be a great influence in helping on the cause of agri ■cultural entomology, by binding together all the students, over the whole globe, who are engaged in that study. The undersigned was highlj' honoured by being elected President for the ensuing year. In February last I attended the Dominion Convention of Eruit Growers held at Ottawa and read a paper on " Insects Injurious to Fruits," which was listened to and discussed with interest. I have also, by intruction of the Hon. Minister, attended several Farmers' Institute meetings. These opportunities of meeting the farmers have been gladly embraced, as I find them a most effective means of apprising fai-mers of the fact that such work as I am engaged in, is being carried on, and also of showing that it is of great importance to them. ISTot only this, but I have assured them'that my services are entirely at their disposal, and that I shall be pleased at all times to advise them with regard te injurious insects and fungous diseases, if they will coi-- respond with me. In this way, I believe the work will yearly become more useful and popular. In January, 1890, I attended a very successful meeting of the County of Fi-onte- nac Farmers' Institute at Inverarj^, Ont., and delivered addiesses upon " Farm and Orchard Insects " and "Weeds of the Farm." After this meeting I proceeded to the County of Peterboro' Institute at Norwood and Keene. At each of these places an afternoon and evening meeting was held. At the former I spoke upon " Injurious and Beneficial Insects" and "Window-gardening for Farmers' Wives," at the latter upon " Injurious Insects a direct tax of 10 per cent, upon all Farm Products " and ^'Farmers' vegetable and Fruit Gardens." 156 In June I was invited to attend a summer meeting at Picton of the Prince Edward County Institute, and through the kindness of Mr. W. Boulter, of Picton, I was enabled to visit many of the farms, hop-gardens and orchards in the vicinity of Picton. Mr. Boulter's own orchard was most instructive from an entomological point of view It would be impossible to find better trimmed and cleaner trees than were there. The smoothness and cleanness of the trunks of some trees which had been planted twelve years was remarkable, and was due entirely, he assured me, to watching them at the periods of insect occurrence and then attending to them promptly. A part of his regular annual treatment has been, for some years, washing them in June, with ordinary home-made lye. He says : " This is made by filling a large barrel, ' leach' as it is called, with hard-wood ashes, pounding them in tight, and then pouring water on as it soaks up. If the ashes are pounded in thoroughly it will take two days before it starts to run. This lye is very strong. If the ashes are not pounded down well it soon soaks through and the lye is weak. The proper strength is found out by experience, as farmers' wives know in soap-making. We put this lye on all our trees every year. For trees from four to six years old, we dilute the lye about one-half with water ; after that we use it nearlj^ full strength, applying it with a corn broom, rubbing the trunks and limbs thoroughly. We also let a good deal run down the trunk to kill any insects that may be at the ground. Many have told me that the lye is too strong. I think not, and you can judge from what you saw when here. We think the lye kills many insects which harbour in the bark; at any rate, we know that since we have tried washing we have been very little troubled with borers. We also draw all our ashes from the canning factory and spread them around (away from) the trees. These I consider one of the best fertilizers in an orchard." The black-spot of the apple {Fusicladium dendriticum) was found to be very prevalent upon both apples and pears. I therefore made " Fungous Diseases and their Eemedies " the subject of one of my addresses at Picton. Another was " Insects Injurious to the Pea Crop." From Picton I went to Leamington, in the County of Essex, where I addressed a meeting in the afternoon upon " Fungous Diseases of Fruits" and "Fruit Insects," and in the evening spoke on "Window Gardening." The next day was spent with Mr. W. W. Hilborn, the President of the local Fruit Growers' Association, who kindly drove me to several of the large peach orchards and farms in the district. CORRESPONDENCE. The interest in the work under my charge is indicated by the large number of letters which have been received. These numbered l,5-i7 during the last year, and about the same number were dispatched. By far the larger proportion of these were from farmers and others in Canada, but many were from co-workers in other countries. During the past summer an important step has been taken in Great Britain by the introduction, by Miss Eleanor A. Oi-merod, the distinguished Ento- mologist of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, of the arsenites as insecti- cides. It is somewhat remarkable that notwithstanding the fact that these materials are now so much used in America as to be considered indispensable in the cultivation of certain crops, it is onl}'- within the last year that they have been used in England. Owing to my position as Government Entomologist, I was honoured b}' being consulted, at the suggestion of Miss Ormerod, as to the best treatment for certain leaf-eating caterpillars which had been committing grievous depredations to fruit trees in the south of England. In response, an account was given of the American method of treating such insects, and under Miss Ormerod's able direction most satisfiictory results were secured. On 23rd December, 1890, in reply to my inquiry, " lias the Paris Green treatment for leaf-eating orchard insects, which you have intioduced into England this season, proved as satisfactory as you were led to expect ?" Miss Ormerod writes, after expressions of thanks for assistance, which is very highly over-estimated, as follows: — 157 " With regard to results of our work, so far as is to be gathered from the reports which 1 have received from February up to date, I consider I am juntified in saying that the Paris green treatment was quite a success wherever we know that it was applied in the proportion recommended, and with tolerable sprayers." Mr. C. D. Wise, Superintendent of the Tocldington Fruit Farms, says : Paris green is the onl}^ thing which Ave have found really efficaceous ; the foliage was not injured and the caterpillars were killed. In autumn, when the operation of sticky-banding the trees was carried on as usual, the lesser quantity of wingless moths captured was very remarkable. Up to date of report nine moths on one tree was the largest number captured, against 500 previously." On the whole, this treatment was most successful, and there is little doubt that it will soon be universally used in England. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. My thanks are due to many of my correspondents who have assisted by making observations and giving information concerning injuries by insects and fungi. These cannot all be treated of in this report ; but the data are all carefully recorded and will be made use of as occasion permits. I wish particularly to acknowledge my indebtedness to Prof. Riley, the United States Entomologist, and Dr. George Vasey, the United States Botanist, for the identification of specimens and for their kindness in lending me most of the excellent figures in this report ; to Miss Eleanor A. Ormerod, the Entomologist of the Eoyal Agricultural Society of England, for Figs, 3 and 4, and to Prof. H. Garman, of the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station, for Figs. 1 and 2. My thanks are also due to all the above for their valuable opinions concerning many matters which I was allowed to discuss with them. Mr. B. T. Galloway, Chief of the Department of Vegetable Pathology at Washington. Prof. W, G. Farlow, of Cambridge, Mass. ; Prof B. D. Halsted, of New Brunswick, N. J.; and Prof T. J. Burrill, of Cham- paign, 111., have also rendered me invaluable service in identifying difficult species of fungi which I have no facilities in the way of library or instruments to deteimine. Donations have been received from the following :— Dr. George M. Dawson. — Several remittances of seeds and cuttings from the Rocky Mountains. Prof J. Macoun. — Several packets of seeds of rare native plants, as well as a large collection of herbarium specimens. Prof. S. M, Tracy, Agricultural College, Mississippi. — A large collection of grass seeds. Prof W. J. Beal, Agricultural College, Michigan. — A collection of grass seeds. Messrs. J. S. Pearce &Co., London. — Samples of European grass seeds. Government Botanical Garden, Bangalore, India. — Two remittances of seeds of ornamental plants for the green-house. Mr. John Mather, Ottawa. — Collection of samples of weed seeds from various points in the North-West Tei-ritories, also seeds o( Arnynophila arundinacea and Ely- mus arenaria, two grasses used to keep sand from blowing and washing along sea^shores. Mr. J. M. Macoun. — Bulbs of Camassia esculenta from British Columbia. Mr. John Tolmie. — Bulbs of Camassia Leichtlinii from Vancouver Island. Ml-. J. W. Mackay, Kamloops, B.C. — Seeds of native grasses. Mr. W. Scott, Ottawa, and Messrs. J. Dearness, W. E. Saunders and J, A. Balkwill, of London, for specimens of dried plants for the herbarium. Miss Alice Williams, Victoria, Vancouver Island, — Insects and seed. I have the honour to be. Sir, Your obedient servant, JAMKS FLETCHER, Entomologist and Botanist. 15« DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY. Fig. 1. Fiff. 2. 'f3 The American Frit Fly [Oscinis variabilis, Loew.) Attack. — 1. A small yellowisb-white, legless maggot, which may be found in autumn, de.stroj'ing the bases of the stems of several kinds of grasses and fall- wheat, 2. Also occurring in spring-wheat and grasses in June, attacking the young root-shoots close to the ground, and either destroying or seriously weakening them. For the last three years a small Oscinid fly has been bred from the roots of various grasses, to some species of which the injuries had been considerable. Agropyrum caninum^ A. teneruiii and A. repens (Couch grass) suifered severely. Two forms of Poa pratensis, from the North- West Territories, and Elymus Canadensis, were also badly attacked. Dining the past summer spring-wheat has been seriously injured in several places in the neighbourhood of Ottawa, and specimens of infested spring wheat, sown on 19th April, were sent to me in June, containing not only the pupae or chrysalis cases of this fly, but also those of the Hessian Fly (Cecidomyia destructor, Say), and the Wheat-stem Maggot (Meromyza Americana, Fitch). These specimens, which were forwarded by Mr. Freeman Britton, ofGananoque, Ont., were of particuhii- interest. From them were reared the Hessian Fly and American Fi-it Fly at the end of June, and a few weeks later the fly of the Wheat- stem Maggot appeared. Thus it was proved that all of these insects attack spring- wheat in the stools or root-shoots in the same way as the}^ are known to attack autumn-sown grain. In my last report I drew attention to the fact that the Wheat- stem Maggot attacked certain grasses in this manner; but it is now shown by the above that there is in this disti-ict a brood of each of the three above-mentioned pests, which appears in the beginning of May, and that the eggs are laid on the root- shoots of young growing grain. I am not aware that this fact has been previously noted. Later in the season abundant evidence was found as to the extent of this injury. At Eastman's Springs a field of spring-wheat was observed, the yield of which had certuinlj^ been reduced 75 per cent. In hardly any part of the field could a plant be found with more than one stem, and this was weak and spindly, with the ear fi-equcntly only half filled with grain. Upon examining the I'oots it could plainly be seen that the siools had formed, but had been subsequently destroyed by hosts of larvas of the above insects. The dead i^lants in the di-ills also showed that man}' more plants had been killed than there were growing in the field. Of the insects occurring in the injured plants, the American Frit Fly was by far the most abundant. The three insects are easily distinguishable in all their stages. In the larval or maggot stage, in which they do all their injury to crops, they may be known by the following characters. 1. The American Frit Fly. — The maggot is long and slender, of a yellowish-white colour, and has two small but distinct black hook-like jaws. The last division of the body bears two little knob-like processes. Length when full-grown, about ■j^2 of an inch. 159 Prof. H. Garman, of the State College of Kentucky, who has studied this insect and published his obiservations (Bulletin 30, Kentucky Agricultural Expe- riment Station), gives also the following differences : " Under the microscope another difference is apparent. The first two divisions and the under-side of those following are roughened with very fine raised lines, directed crosswise of the body in the wheat Bulb-worm-*^, while in the Frit Fly grub the first divisions and the underside of those following in the region of the joints are roughened instead, with numerous scale-like thickenings of the cuticle, with the hind edge of each thickening finely toothed." 2. The Wheat-stem Maggot, — This resembles the last in shape and structure, but is conspicuously different by reason of its colour, which is clear, glassy green, and also by its much larger size, which is \ inch when full-grown. 3. The Hessian Fly. — This is proportionately much broader than the other two, of a clearer white than the American Frit Ply maggot, and nearly always shows a green stripe down the centre. Instead of the two hook-like Ijlack jaws, which are present in the two previously mentioned maggots, the Hessian Fly larva has a horny, forked organ, sometimes called the " breast-bone." Length of maggot when full grown, ^ inch. In the chrysalis stage the diff'erences are equally marked : 1. The American Frit Fl.y.-^The pupa-case is shaped as shown above (Fig. 1), and is of a pale chestnut-brown. 2. The Wheat-stem Maggot changes to a pale translucent green pupa. 3. The Hessian Fly. — The piipfB>of this insect are of a deep, rich brown, like small flax-seeds, Fig. 4, and it is in this stage that farmers will most easily and surely recognize the Hessian Fly when present. Co Fig. 3. Fio- 4 -1. ij^. -r. The attacks of these three insects also differ somewhat, although the effect upon the crop is of course similai*. The only known method of attack upon our grain and grass crops by the Frit Fly is by the larvae attacking the young shoots at the ground. The Qgg is probably laid near the base, on the upper side of the leaf, and when it hatches the young maggot works its way down and destroys the centre of the young stem. There are, however, sometimes as many as four or five puparia found in a single dead shoot. These do not appear to always lie in the centre of the stem, but between the bases of the sheathing loaves; but when there is only one larva it is generally in the middle of the shoot. This attack is very similar to an injury to grain by an insect of the same family Oscinis, which has been known for many years in Europe, and which is sometimes very injurious to oats and barley. The Hessian Fly (Fig. 3) lays its eggs in the crease on the upper side of the leaves, and the 3'oung maggots work their way down to the heart of the plant just inside the leaf wheieon they hatched. They lie there until full grown, and turn to " flax seeds," two or three being frequently found round one stem. They have not the * = Wheat-stem Maggot. — I have used this name heretofore because the stem attack, which I have styled "Silver-top," is the more conspicuous of the two injuries committed by this insect. 1(50 power to tear up the tissues of the plant, as is done bj" the Frit Fly and Wheat- stem Magji^ot, because they have not the hooked jaws ; but they do effect a certain amount of penetration, for they are frequently found partially embedded in hollows in the stem of the plant they arc infesting. The Wheat-stem Maggot is hatched from beautiful white grooved and elongated eggs, which are laid upon the uppei- surface of the leaf, sometimes at a considerable distance from the axil. When the young maggot hatches, it like the otheis referred to above, works its way down into the t>hoot and destroys the central leaf. It tears the tissues apart and eats a gallery up the centre of the shoot. In the summer brood the maggot occurs at the base of the top, or ear-bearing joint, and by consuming the lower portion causes the ear to die and turn conspicuously white (" Silver-top ") before the uninjured plants have shown any sign of ripening. The perfect forms of these insects are extremely unlike. The Frit Fly is shown at Fig. 1 very much enlarged. The colours are black and yellowish-white. It is a ver}' small insect, large specimens being only about Jj of an inch in length. They are extremely active and hard to observe. The fly of the Wheat-stem Maggot is a slender yellowish-green fly, \ of an inch in length, with three dark lines extending down the back. Byes golden-green, when the fly is alive. The Hessian Fly is adelicate dusky gnat, well shown in Miss Ormerod's excellent figure (No. 3,) where it is represented magnified and enlarged. The somewhat remarkable popular name of the Frit Fly is explained by Miss Ormerod and Prof. Garman as follows : — " Besides the attack to the young growing plant, great damage was recorded formerly in Sweden from the second or summer brood, the maggots of which fed on the soft grains in the ears of barley, and thereby caused the light worthless develop- ment of the corn, known in Swedish as * frits.' whence the name of the fly. (Ormerod, E. A. Manual, 1890, p. "74.) "The fly was long ago named Oscinisfrit by the illustrious Linnaeus, who also made record of its injurious habit, stating that in 1750 the annual loss from its depiedations in Sweden alone reached 100,000 gold ducats." " From the accounts of the Frit Fly given b}'' Curtis and Miss Ormerod it is evident that the insect works on grain much like a small fly which I find in the grub state infesting wheat in Fayette County, Kentucky. In structure and habit, as far as I have observed the latter, it proves so like the Eurepean species, that it might perhaps be appropriately named the American Frit Fly." (Garman, H., Kentucky Ag. Ex. Station. Bui. 30 August, 1890.) Of all the insects attacking grain crops in the Ottawa district last summer, the American Frit Fly was by fur the most destructive. In all cases observed the Hes- sian Fl}^ and Wheat-stem Maggot were found associated with it. The injury to the plants was almost exclusively in the stools or root-shoots, and the usual summer attacks of the two last named insects on the stems of grain were conspicuously absent. On the other hand, the attacks upon the stools by the summer brood, in the same manner as fall wheat is attacked in the autumn, were this year for the first time observed. That the American Frit Fly was abundant in the locality previous to this season was sho^rn by its presence in injurious numbers upon the grass patches at the Experi- mental Farm during the seasons of 1888 and 1889. Indeed, it was so abundant that in these years, as well as during last season, the extermination of some species of grasses was threatened. Theie were peculiarities about the attacks of all these insects during last season which would indicate that they may have been influenced by some meteoro- logical conditions, and it is possible that Ihc.-e may have affected the growth and maturing of grasses and grain in the early spring. A remarkable fact was the enormous abundance of the perfect insects of the Wheat-stem Maggot in the month of May. This was so great as to have caused fear of a serious destruction of the wheat and barley crops. As a matter of fact, however, there was less injury both to 161 small grains and grasses, by this insect, than for many years previously. This diminution I can only account for by the supposition that the eggs must have been destroyed by some predaceous insect. The eggs were certainly laid in large numbers, but there was very little evidence of the presence of the larvae, either in the growing wheat or barley. Remedies. — The life-history of the American Frit Fly, in all its phases, is not yet completely worked out, and much cai-eful work is yet required, of which accurate notes must be taken at the tirne of observation, before any definite statement can be made as to the best remedies to apply. From what is known of its habits, which seem to be very similar to those of its associates the Hessian Fly and "Wheat-stem Maggot, some of the remedies which have been suggested for those insects may be applied for this. The insect passes the winter in the form shown at Fig. 1, either in fall- wheat or grasses. When fall-wheat is attacked a liberal top-dressing of some quick-acting arti6cial fertilizer, sowed broad-cast over the fields in springtime, when growth re-commences, would help injured plants to overcome part of the injury by production of supplementary stools. A knowledge of the exact time of the occurrence and the number of the broods would be of great use towards an intelligent treatment of stubbles and volunteer crojjs, by burning over or deep-ploughing, after a field had been found to be attacked. I shall be obliged if any one who finds his crop attacked by this insect will correspond with me promptly upon its first appearance. So far it can only be stated that two species of parasites were bred from this insect during the past summer. The specimens were accidentally de&troyed so nothing more can be said at present concerning them. The two figures used to illustrate the pupa and perfect fly of the American Frit Fly are by Prof. G-arman, who has been good enough to lend me the blocks. They show the stages fifteen times larger than in life, and will be a great assistance in identifying the insect wherever it may be observed. The Cabbage Maggot. {Anthomyia brassicce, Bouche.) Attack.-^From one to many white, legless, maggots, which attack the roots of young cabbage plants soon after they are pricked out, frequently destroying all the roots and burrowing in the stems. In most parts of Canada the insect which gives the greatest trouble to the cabbage-grower is the Cabbage Maggot. This is the larval form of a small gray, two- winged fly, somewhat resembling the common house-fl}', but smaller, and with a slenderer body. The wings, too, shut one over the other, and are conspicuously longer than the body. The thorax, or portion to which the wings are attached, in the male bears three dark stripes, and there is also one down the centre and on the edge of each ring of the abdomen or hind-body. The female resembles the male, but is more ashy in general colour, and has not the stripes on the thorax nor the bands on the abdomen. It is the usual custom to force cabbage in frames, which are kept covered during the first part of the season, but are left open for some time before the young plants are pi-icked out in the field or garden. Although in years of bad attack plants are sometimes injured in the frames, this is the exception. As a rule, they are not infested until some time after they are transplanted. It is probable that the handling, and the partially faded condition of the plants consequent to their trans- plantation, bring out the characteristic odour of the cabbage, and that this attracts the female flies, which lay their eggs close to the stem and as much below the sur- face as possible. The females will spend a good deal of time running over the earth and trying to find some crevice by which they can creep beneath the surface of the soil and lay their eggs close to the stem, or they will creep close up to it and push the eggs down below the surface by means of their extensile ovipositors. These eggs in a few days hatch, and the young maggots at once attack the outside 6c— 11 162 surface of the root. As they grow larger they penetrate the stem and when theie is only one it appears to remain inside the stem; when, however, as is fiequently the case, there are a dozen or more, most of them lie outside in the soil, which is kept wet by the juices of the injured plant. The maggots when full grown arc white, about ^ inch in length, with the front end pointed, and furnished with two hard black hoolc-like jaws. The hind end is cut off obliquely and flattened with au irregular rosette of fleshy points round the margin, and on the flattened surface two conspicuous dark-brown points, which are breathing pores. These maggots are a great pest to the cabbage-gi-ower, destroying large numbers of his plants when he thinks he has saved them from the omnivorous cut-worms. Unless very numei'ous at the root of a cabbage it takes some time before the injury becomes apparent. There is a common saying that " the maggot takes them after the first thunderstorm in July." In the Ottawa district there is frequently a thunderstorm early in July, followed by hot, muggy weather. This is the time that cabbages which have been badly injured at their roots by the maggots succumb. The injury has been going on for some time, but the June rains have enabled the plant to preserve a healthy appearance ; immediately the hot weather comes it turns pale and the leaves droop. If one of these plants be taken up it will be fre- quently found that the roots and all the lower part of the stem have been utterly destroj^ed, and many of the maggots are full grown. The past season was marked by the great abundance of this insect. In a large patch of various kinds of cabbages, containing about 1,200 plants, which 1 examined 22nd June upon the Central Expei-imental Farm, I could find very few plants which did not show the work of the maggot upon the roots or on the underground stem, and in man}^ gardens from one-half to three-quarters of the crop was destroyed. During the first part of July several letters were received, complaining of its rava- ges, from various parts of the Dominion. Howevei", during the last week of June I visited the County of Essex, and was much surprised and pleased to learn from farmers and gardeners that this insect was practically unknown in the district round Leamington. Remedies. — A satisfactory remedy for this insect has long been a desideratum. From some experiments tried during the past season I have i-eceived «uch success that although they are not yet complete and will require further verification, I con- sider it well to relate the details, so that, should the remedy prove satisfactory, others may have the advantage of the knowledge as soon as possible. Some three j'^ears ago I was told of some experiments, made by Mr. S. Grreen- field, of Ottawa East, to destroy the onion maggot by the use of white hellebore. This was made into a decoction, and watered along the rows of half a bed, with the result that the onions upon that portion of the bed were ftir superior to those on the part untreated. In fact, the onions were almost all sound, whilst the others were nearly all destroyed. This led me to try the same remedy for the cabbage maggot, and the result this jqqx has been successful beyond all my expectations. About Ist July the whole of the bed of 1,200 cabbages mentioned above was gone over by m3\self and one assistant. One person carried a 3-gallon pail full of water in which 2 oz. of white hellbore had been steeped, and an oi-dinary green-house syringe, the other placing the left band beneath the cabbage, palm downwards, with two fingers on each side of stem, drew away the surface soil from the root of the cabbage, and at the same time, with the right h.-.'nd, jiulled the head a little over, so as to expose the roots. About half a tea-cup-fuU of the liquid was then sj'ringed forcibly round the roots, and the eailh was quickly pushed up again round the stem. The result of this treatment was that only about 1 per cent, of the cabbages was lost. There is no doubt that the forcible syringing of the liquid removed the maggots to some distance from the roots; but by actual experiment it was found that the •white hellebore killed them also. Furthermore, the moisture was of gieat assistance to the cabbage in recovering from the injury. The power of the cabbage plant to (.survive and out-grow injury is very remarkable. Several plants of which the roots 163 and nearly all the underground stem had been destroyed, were washed and trimmed, and then planted and watered, and the earth kept well hoed up round them. Every one of these grew and produced a head. In years of only light attack it is not at all uncommon to find, when cabbages are pulled up, that they had been supported by roots which were produced some distance above the original root-mass, which had been destroyed early in the season by the cabbage maggot. Frequent cultivation or light hoeing is of great benefit to cabbages in dry weather. By this means the thin layer of surface soil is loosened, aerated and thor- oughly dried, so as to become a non-conducting medium, which prevents the evapora- tion of moisture from the soil below. Hoeing the soil well up to the stems of cab- bages which have been injured gives them a chance to make fresh roots, and also pre- vents the flies from getting at the stems to lay fresh eggs. In the third week of July, I visited the garden of Mr. S. A. Fisher, M.P., at Brome, P.Q., and was shown by his gardener, Mr. Louis G-raindorge, a bed of cabbages which was in some parts badly infested with the Cabbage Maggot, I suggested that he should try the Hellebore application, and the whole bed was treated. One parti- cular plant was taken as a test and marked. This was so badly injured that the root was almost severed from the head by the attacks of the maggots on the underground stem. There were more than a dozen of the larvae lying close to the stem in the earth, which was quite wet from the juices of the cabbage. The earth was carefully removed sufficiently to pour in the decoction around the injured stem and then was replaced, the larvae being disturbed as little as possible and left where they were at thereof. In the end of September Mr, Graindorge writes me : " All the cabbage plants are doing well. Tour test plant, the one which was nearly dead when you treated it now weighs about three pounds. I am very much satisfied with this experiment, and shall certainly try it another year and begin earlier in the season, when I believe I shall be able to save all my plants. " In the above mentioned experiment it would appear that the Hellebore killed by contact, for where a dozen cabbages were treated with Paris G-reen and water, 1 lb. to 100 gallons, not only did it fail by noticeably checking the growth of the cabbage, but the maggots were not killed. In applying this hellebore remedy, care must be taken not to dig down too deep or disturb the root too much. The chief seat of injury is the underground portion of the stem above the mass of roots. If about two inches of the soil be removed that part of the stem most attacked is laid bare, but the roots need not be disturbed. An important thing is not to put off treatment too long. In this district injury is made manifest in the first week of July, examination should there- fore be made, and the remedy, if necessary, applied about the third week in June. Late planting has been rather extensively practiced by some growers, but is not always a satisfactory remedy. With early cabbage the most paying market is over before they are ready, and with winter varieties there is the risk of their not heading well before winter sets in. The actual success of the practice however as a preventive of attack is sometimes most marked. The greatest amount of injury is caused by a brood of flies which appears in the middle of June and up to about the first week of July. Cabbages planted out in the middle of July were not at all troubled by the Maggot. This was in low moist ground where the plants did not suffer from drought. They were kept well cultivated and produced a large crop of fine cabbage. It is not, of course, wise to grow cabbage upon land where there has been an infested crop the previous year. The usual method of hibernation is in the puparium form ; but the attack continues throughout the whole growing season, and where, as is frequently the case, the ground is not cleared up in the autumn and stems of cabbages that have been cut, or "blind" plants which have not headed, are left in the fields all the winter, manj^ larvae hibernate as such, in the stems and roots. This shows the importance of cleaning up and ploughing the fields in autumn. In this way many larvae and pupae will be destroyed, both by exposure to the weather under unnatural conditions and in other cases by being buried so deeply that the flies cannot emerge. 6c— 11^ 164 Nitrate of soda is also recommended by some growers. This is applied as a surface dressing in June and is washed in by the spring rains. In my Report for 1887, I related the success attending the use of this fertilizer by Mr. H. Brodie, of Montreal. His method of using it was to place about a table- spoonful of nitrate of soda around each plant. One row of plants not treated with nitrate of soda was destroyed whilst the others were untouched. In Miss Ormerod's New Manual of Injurious Insects the following appears at p. 27 :~ " When attack is present, heavy showers of rain, on land previously dressed with nitrate of soda round the plants, and superphosphate, stoj^ped the spread of the maggots. Also, the application of lime-water has been found very serviceable. The plan adopted was soaking hot-lime for twenty-four hours in water, and watering with this, when clear, in the afternoon. This was found to destroy the maggot. — (J. Mc K.) " Another active remedy which has been used with good effect is a Kerosene Emulsion applied beneath the surface as recommended above for the Hellebore decoction. Sand saturated with coal oil, placed round the base of the stems immediately after the plants are set out is a good preventive ; but must be repeated every week until the middle of July. In addition to all that man can do to keep down the numbers of this trouble- some insect, he has a most potent ally in the shape of a small beetle belonging to the StaphylinidfB or Rove Beetles. This little friend which is named Aleochara Antho- myice, Sprague, is a small black elongated beetle, which was found in considerable numbers running about amongst the cabbages and burrowing down beneath the soil in search of the maggots. Not only is it extremely active in preying upon the mag- gots, but it is also a true internal parasite feeding inside them and completing its transformations inside the pupa case. In the hope of rearing this beetle, 16 larvae and pupae were taken from the root of a cabbage, where the perfect beetle had been seen and were enclosed in a breeding jar. From these were reared 9 beetles and one fly, the remainder of the pupae dried up without coming to maturity. In some of them, however, the immature beetles were found when the cases were broken. When the beetle eats its way out of the pupa-case it gnaws a ragged hole at one end quite difterent from that made by the emergence of the fly. A description of the habits of this little beetle is given with a figure in Prof. Lintner's first report on the Insects of New York, p. 188, and mention is made of it in Prof. Riley's 1884 Report. The full description by Mr. Philip S. Sprague is to be found in the American Ento- mologist, Vol. II, p. 370. It is a small, slender, black beetle, about ^ of an inch in length, covered all over with short silky hairs. The most notable featui-es, when it is examined under a magnifying glass, are that the whole body is covered with hairs and small punctures, these are lests numerous on the head, thorax, and first four joints of the antennae, which thereby look blacker than the rest of the insect. The wing cases in some specimens have a greenish-coppery sheen. The feet are brown- ish which colour gradually deepens into black on the shanks or tibiae. The antennae after the fourth joint are so densely covered with short hairs as to have a grey appearance. I have generally been able to find a few of these beetles in beds of cab- bages infested by the Cabbage Maggot and upon one occasion bred a specimen from the Onion Maggot. It is probable that other species of the genus are also parasites, but nothing definite is known of their habits. Mr. W H. Harrington has shown me spe- cimens of A. lata, which he found in a breeding jar containing the cocoons of saw-flies. It did not occur to him at that time that they might be parasites, and the fact was merely recorded in his notes without any special examination being made of the cocoons. A new attack of a serious nature by an Anthomyian larva has come under my notice during the present winter. I have found full-grown larvae mining in the mid-ribs and also boring through the heads of winter cabbage. These have not so far been bred to maturity, but from the larvae and pupae, I am unable to distinguish them from the Cabbage Maggot and 165 believe they are that species. The varieties of cabbage most attacked belong to the class known as Savoys, which have hard, close heads. A few other varieties, how- ever, were also attacked. The eggs are apparently laid near the top of the head and the young maggots work their way down between the leaves, generally following the course of a mid-rib, frequently confining their operations to that alone, but also sometimes boring straight into the heart of the cabbage and thus rendering it unsale- able. There does not appear to be much decay of the tissues, but simply an irregular channel is eaten out, which is filled with the shredded tissues of the leaf and a mucilaginous exudation from the plant. Some of the larv