i33 |eS5 fORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRAkY 3 1924 084 830 524 Dominion Experimental Farms GUIDE C^ TO CENTRAL EXPERIMENTAL FARM OTTAWA, ONTARIO CANADA PublUbcd bx Direction of the Hon. MARTIN BUSRELL, Miniater o( Agriculture OTTAWA GOVERNMENT PRINTING BUREAU 1912 Cornell University Library The original of tliis book is in tlie Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924084830524 DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 21296—11 DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS LIST OF PAST AND PRESENT DIRECTORS, CHIEF OFFICERS OF DIVISIONS AND SUPERINTENDENTS OF BRANCH FARMS AND STATIONS. Directors — Wm. Saunders, C.M.G., LL.D 1886-1911 J. H. Grisdale, B. Agr 1911 Assistant Director — Frank T. Shutt, M. A 1912 (Acting) Wm. Saunders, C.M.G., L.L.D 1887-1890 Jas. W. Robertson, L.L.D 1890-1896 (Acting) Wm. Saunders, C.M.G., L.L.D 1897-1898 J. H. Grisdale, B. Agr 1899-1911 (Acting) J. H. Grisdale, B. Agr 1911-1912 Agrostologist — M. 0. Malte, Ph D 1912 Animal Husbandman — E. S. Archibald, B.A., B.S.A 1912 Field Husbandman (Acting) J. H. Grisdale, B. Agr 1912 0. C. White, B.S.A., (Assistant) 1912 Horticulturists — W. W. Hilborn 1887-1889 John Craig 1890-1897 W. T. Macoun 1898 (Acting) Wm. Saunders, C.M.G., L.L.D 1887-1902 C. E. Saunders, Ph.D., (termed Experimentalist, 1903-1904) 1903 Frank T. Shutt, M.A, F.I.C 1887 A. T. Charron, M.A. (First Assistant) 1898 Entomologist and Botanist — Jas. Fletcher, L.L.D 1887-1908 Entomologist — C. G. Hewitt, D. Sc 1909 Arthur Gibson (Chief Assistant) 1899 Botanist — H. T. Gtissow 1909 J. W. Eastham, B. Sc, (Chief Assistant) 1911 dominion experimental farms t Poultry Manager — A. G. Gilbert 1888 V. Fortier (Assistant) 1903 Farm Foremen — John Fixter 1887-1906 D. D. Gray 1906 Superintendents of Branch Farms and Stations — Experimental Station, Charlottetown, P.E.I. — J. A. Clark, B.S.A 1909 Experimental Farm, Nappan, N.S. — Wm. M. Blair 1887-1896 Geo. W. Forrest 1896-1897 R. Robertson 1898 Experimental Station, Kentville, N.S. — W. Saxby Blair 1912 Experimental Station, Ste. Anne de la Pocatiere, Que. — Joseph Begin 1912 Experimental Station, Cap Rouge, Que. — G. A. Langeher 1911 Experimental Farm, Brandon, Man. — S. A. Bedford 1888-1905 N. Wolverton, B.A 1906-1907 Jas. Murray, B.S.A 1907-1911 W. C. McKiUican, B.S.A 1911 Experimental Farm, Indian Head, Sask. — Angus Mackay 1888 Experimental Station, Rosthern, Sask. — Wm. A. Munro, B.A., B.S.A 1909 Experimental Station, Scott, Sask. — R. E. Everest, B.S.A 1911 Experimental Station, Lethbridge, Alta. — W. H. Fairfield, M.S 1906 Experimental Station, Lacombe, Alta. — G. H. Hutton, B.S.A 1907 Experimental Farm, Agassiz, B.C. — Thos. A. Sharpe 1888-1911 P. H. Moore, B.S.A 1911 DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS THE DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARM SYSTEM. The present system of Experimental Farms and Stations dates from 1886, when an Act was passed by the Dominion Parliament authorizing the establishment of a Central Experi- mental Farm and four branch Farms. This Act was the result of two years' preliminary investi- gation by an Agricultural Committee of the House of Commons and of an examination of experimental stations both in Europe and in the United States, carried on by Dr. William Saunders. His observations on the experimental work being conducted in different countries and his . recommendations based thereon, were embodied in a Report which he addressed to the then Minister of Agriculture, Sir John Carling. Upon the passing of the measure to establish a system of Experimental Farms in the Dominion, Dr. Saunders was appointed their Director. PURPOSE OF THE FARM SYSTEM. The various lines of work may be briefly stated as follows: — To conduct researches and experiments designed to test the value, for all purposes, of different breeds of stock and their adaptability to the varying climatic and other conditions which prevail in the several provinces. To examine into scientific and economic questions involved in the production of milk, butter and cheese. To test the merits, hardiness and adaptability of new or untried varieties of wheat and other cereals, and of all field crops, grasses and forage plants, fruits, vegetables, plants and trees, and disseminate among persons engaged in farming, gar- dening or fruit-growing upon such conditions as are prescribed by the Minister of Agriculture, samples of such surplus products as are considered to be especially worthy of introduction. To analyze fertilizers, whether natural or artificial, and conduct experiments with such fertilizers, in order to test their comparative values as applied to crops of various kinds. To examine into the composition and digestibility of foods or various animals. To conduct experiments in the planting of trees for timber and for shelter. To examine into the diseases to which cultivated plants and trees are subject and also into the ravages of destructive nsects and ascertain and test the most useful preventatives and remedies to be used in each case. DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 7 To conduct any other experiments and researches bearing upon the agricultural industry of Canada which may be approved of by the Minister of Agriculture. It is thus planned to cover, as thoroughly as possible, all those branches of agriculture which the investigations of the Parliamentary Committee showed to be in need of assistance, through the discovery and application of more scientific methods. The evidence gathered by them appeared to demonstrate that, while there was no lack of fertility in the soil, and while climatic conditions were favourable for the production of abundant crops, defective and wasteful farming was the cause of the agricultural depression then so widely spread. LOCATION OF ORIGINAL FARMS. A study of the requirements of the most thickly-settled agricultural areas of the Dominion led to the location of the five original Farms as follows: — The Central Farm at Ottawa, some 465 acres in area, was designed to serve the requirements of Ontario and Quebec; of the branch Farms, the one located at Nappan, N.S., near the bound- ary of New Brunswick, was intended to meet the needs of the Maritime Provinces; the Farm for Manitoba was placed at Brandon in that province, and that for the section then termed the Northwest Territories was estabUshed at Indian Head, Sask. The Experimental Farm for British Columbia was located at Agassiz. In the choice of a site for a farm of this character, many points are to be considered. The farm should be in a fairly well-popu- lated district, easy of access to the farmers of the locality and, if possible, near a transcontinental line of travel as well. The soil must be fairly representative and the climatic conditions in the immediate neighbourhood similar to those of the district the farm is intended to serve. Within two years from the passing of the Act, the five farms had been selected, the necessary officers appointed, most of the buildings erected and the Farms put into practical operation along the lines laid down. THE CENTRAL FARM. At Ottawa, the Central Farm, as its name implies, in addition to carrying on those extensive varietal and cultural experiments inaugurated at all the Farms, has served as the headquarters of the Director and the technical and administrative staff under DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 9 his control. From here the ^^ork of the branch Farms is guided and supervised, although the Superintendents of the latter are allowed a free hand to work out the problems peculiar to their districts. Lines of Work. The scientific study of agricultural questions along the lines indicated in the Act of 1886 has also been carried on here by officers having charge of the various branches of such work. Their names, and a brief account of the prc-ent scope of the work of each, will be found on other pages. Publications. The publication and dissemination of the results obtained from the experimental work conducted at all the farms has naturally been one of the most important features. These have been given each year in the annual Report of the Experimental Farms, the first issue appearing in 1887. In addition, whenever the collection of reliable data on a subject of interest to the farmer has warranted it, a bulletin has been issued. Both reports and bulletins are mailed free to applicants. Correspondence and Meetings. A yearly-increasing volume of correspondence relating to all branches of agriculture has been carried on both from the Central and the branch Farms. The officers of the former and the Superintendents of the latter have also given out much information by addressing farmers' meetings and lecturing at Short Courses in connection with some of our Agricultural Col- leges and Societies. VALUE AND PURPOSE OF BRANCH FARMS. During the quarter of a century since their establishment, a period which has seen such rapid settlement and development in this country, especially in the western provinces, the Experi- mental Farms have increased in number and have enlarged the sphere of the work carried on. One great cause of this expansion, other than the need of newly-settled districts for some such institution within easy reach, has been the fact that each section of the country opened to the settler has presented new problems, possible of solution only by experimental work carried on in that locality. The increased 21295—2 10 DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 11 complexity and number of the questions studied are also, to a great extent, the result of the educative influence of the Farms themselves and to the greater interest in correct methods of farm- ing which they have helped to arouse among the farmers of Canada. This tendency towards better farming is very clearly seen in the prairie provinces, where the settler, from regarding the soil merely as a mine of fertility to be exhausted in the production of a yearly crop of wheat, is coming to realize that a system of crop rotation or mixed farming, including the keeping of live stock, means the preservation of the crop-producing power of the land, the eradica- tion of weeds and the fair certainty of a yearly revenue. The teaching of this is being given especial emphasis by the Experi- mental Farm system and much of the testing of varieties done has been with a view of obtaining hardy, early-maturing sorts of cereals, forage plants, vegetables and fruits, to render the appli- cation of the lesson practicable. The value of the keeping of live stock in this connection has not been overlooked and much experimental work is being carried on with different breeds of cattle, sheep and swine. Gradually, the live stock and dairying industry is coming into that prominence in the west which for- merly it held in the eastern provinces alone. New Farms. In response to the popular demand, additional experimental stations have been and are being located as rapidly as possible. Besides those noted in the companion Guide devoted to a brief account of the Branch Farms and Stations, one was acquired, in 1911, at Kentville, N.S., in the celebrated fruit-growing district of the Annapolis Valley. This Station is some 285 acres in extent and is to be devoted mainly to horticultural work, which will be commenced in 1912. Another Station, at Ste. Anne de la Poca- tiere, Quebec, 126| acres in area, will be used for general experi- mental work, serving more particularly the farmers of eastern Quebec. In British Columbia, in addition to the Farm at Agassiz, some 52 acres have been obtained at Invermere, where fruit- growing will be a main feature, and a third Station has been purchased near Sidney, on Vancouver Island. Sub-Stations. Along with these, sub-stations are maintained at Fort Ver- milion on the Peace River, in Alberta, where excellent results in cereal and vegetable growing have been obtained, and at Kam- loops, B.C., where some of the agricultural problems of a semi- arid region are being studied. Some experimental work is also 21296—21 12 DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS being attempted at Forts Smith, Resolution and Providence and at Athabaska Landing, to obtain some data as to the northerly limits of 01,. agricultural area. On his farm at Salmon Arm, B.C., Mr. Thos. A. Sharpe is continuing for the Department of Agriculture, some of that work in the testing of varieties of fruits which he carried on for so many years while Superintendent of the Experimental Farm at Agassiz. The Director. From 1886, when preliminary work was begun, until March, 1911, when advancing age and ill-health compelled him to retire, the administration of the Experimental Farms was most ably supervised by Dr. Wm. Saunders. Much of the experimental work with cereals, fruits and trees, in the earlier years especiallj^^ was carried on by him personally, in addition to his arduous executive duties. His successor, Mr. J. H. Grisdale, B. Agr., was appointed Director in April, 1911. At that time he occupied the position of Dominion Agriculturist and is, consequently, well informed both as to the work done in the past and that needed in the future. New Divisions Formed. The increasing volume of the work with live stock, field husbandry and forage crop production, has rendered necessary the division of the work heretofore carried on by the Dominion Agriculturist. Three new Divisions have been formed, that of Forage Plants, of Animal Husbandry and of Field Husbandry. The Division of Forage Plants, under the supervision of M. 0. Malte, Ph.D., Dominion Agrostologist, will have, as its chief aim, the improvement of the quality and yield of our grasses, clovers, alfalfas, roots and other forage crops. The Dominion Animal Husbandman, E. S. Archibald, B.A., B.S.A., will have charge of the work with live stock. The Division of Field Husbandry will supervise field crop production, rotation and cultural experiments on all the Experimental Farms. The acting chief of this Division will be J. H. Grisdale, B. Agr., Director, with 0. C. White, B.S.A., as Assistant in immediate charge. DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 13 THE AGRICULTURIST'S DIVISION. The work at the Central Experimental Farm under the direc- tion of the Dominion Agriculturist includes field, live stock and dairy husbandry. While the chief object of the work is to obtain by repeated experiments useful data on the seeding, cultivation and harvesting of farm crops, on the breeding, feeding and housing of various classes of live stock and on the conversion of milk into other marketable products, the management of the whole is, as far as possible, conducted for profit, all operations being carried on after the most approved practical methods, and a record of cost in each case, kept. The live stock consists of four classes of animals, namely, horses, cattle, sheep and swine. In order to be representative of the many different interests of the agricultural communities served l^y the Farm, it is necessary in some cases to keep several breeds of each class of stock. This is not conducive to greatest profit, but the functions of an experi- mental institution such as this make it necessary to supply the demands of numerous divergent claims. Horses. These usually number about twenty, and they are kept pri- marily for work purposes in connection with the various Divisions of the Farm. No breeding work has as yet been undertaken, but many feeding experiments are from time to time conducted with a view to lowering the cost of the ration, at the same time preserving its efficiency for horses under the strain of hard work. The economy of feeding bran in conjunction with oats has been clearlj' demonstrated, and clean, well-cured clover hay as a part of the roughage has proved itself worthy of more general use among farmers. The proper amounts and the best times to feed and water horses have been subjects of considerable investigation. Much information has been obtained regarding the most desirable methods of feeding roughages and concentrates. Many of the stock foods so widely advertised throughout the country have been placed under test, usually with unfavour- able results. In addition to the above and other feeding experiments of a similar nature, attention has been given to the problem of horse barn construction and ventilation. The results of the investigations made are embodied in the building where the animals are now housed. 14 DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 15 Dairy Cattle The cattle barns are stocked with animals such as one might find in any of our better-class dairy farms of Eastern Ontario and Quebec. Holsteins, Ayrshires, Guernseys, Jerseys and French- Canadians are under constant test, records being kept of the feeds given and of the milk and butter returned from all pro- ducing cows in the stable. We have never been able to prove superiority of one breed over another in all points. Results here, as elsewhere, go to show that there is a great deal more in individuality than in breed, and except that certain breeds are better suited for certain purposes than are others, we should recommend the begimier to search more particularly for a "best' individual than for a "best" breed. Generally speaking, Hol- steins and Ayrshires might be classed as good "milk" or "cheese" cows, whereas Guernseys, Jerseys and French-Canadians, because of their relatively high per cent, of butter fat, together with a moderate flow of milk, are more essentially "butter" cows. As with work horses, so with dairy cows, the problem that confronts every feeder is how to reduce the ration to a minimum of cost and still maintain its productive power. The economy of a feed depends greatly on the prevailing price, but it is only after determining closely their relative merits as milk producers that one can decide the part each should play in the daily ration. The testing of old feeds under new conditions, and in varying combinations, and the trjang-out of special dairy cow feeds, such as are being continually placed upon the market, have constituted a part of the work engaged in. Roughages of various kinds have been fed and compared in value to some standard roughage. Efforts have been made to determine how far some of our more cheaply produced crops, such as mangels or silage, might replace grain. The particular adaptation of alfalfa for dairy cow feeding calls for more work of this nature. Because of its high nutritive content, it is a worthy rival of some of our best grains, but to just what extent it may replace them is yet to be determined. Owing to the limited area of our farm, it has not been pos- sible to pasture the cows to any very great extent. We have found it expedient to resort to soiling, by which method of feeding more animals can be maintained per given area than when a portion of the land is used for pasture. Numerous soiling crops have been tried, so that now we are able to have them arranged in such succession and in such quantities that the cattle are supplied with good succulent feed throughout the entire summer. Careful breeding and selection have brought aljout a gradual improvement both in the appearance and productiveness of our herds. We cannot impress too strongly the profit of keeping 16 DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS accurate records of the consumption and production of each animal, for, guided by the information so obtained, in 12 years we increased the average yearly returns from our whole herd from $51.22 to .180.27 per cow. Beef Cattle. In addition to tests of various feeds, the investigations with beef cattle have for the most part taken the form of steer feeding experiments of the following nature: — Feeding steers of different ages. Limited ration vs. full ration. Baby beef (calves full ration vs. limited ration, calves light fed). Horned, tied, vs. dehorned, tied. Horned, tied, vs. dehorned, loose. Crowded vs. roomy. Large lots vs. small lots. Steers of excellent breeding and conformation vs. steers of medium breeding and conformation. From our many years of experience with steers of all descrip- tions, we have learned, above all others, this important point: a poor individual, poorly fed, practically always gives a loss, a good individual, well fed, will almost surely return a fair profit. There are, of course, many factors affecting the final outcome of a pen of steers, but the more rapid the feeding from birth to block, the wider the margin that maj^ be expected. Swine. Swine in large numbers have always been kept. The stock on hand now includes Yorkshires, Berkshires and Tamworths, representatives of which breeds are sold for breeding purposes, to be used in nearly all parts of the Dominion. In the feeding of these we are able to make very profitable use of the skim milk and buttermilk from the dairy. Experiments and records with a view to obtaining informa- tion on the follo\ving points have been carried out: Selection of breeding animals. Care and feeding of the brood sow and litter. Care and handling of the stock boar. Fattening of pigs for market, including investigations into causes of soft pork. Summer pastures for growing pigs. Winter and summer housing of swine. Ventilation of piggeries. DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 17 21298—3 18 DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS The piggery operations have always proved highly success- ful financially, and we should never hesitate to recommend the raising of swine, especially on a dairy farm, where dairy bye- products are available. Sheep. A limited area for grazing purposes has necessitated our carrying only small flocks of Leicesters and Shropshires. They are being handled as a commercial flock and though our con- ditions for sheep raising are anything but the best, they have proved themselves a valuable asset to the Farm. The experimental work has been chiefly with fattening lambs, where corn ensilage has demonstrated itself the equal of roots. The Dairy. A small dairy for the care and preparation of the milk for market is operated. In it are installed such appliances as would be needed on a farm where 60 to 70 cows are kept and where butter and cheese are manufactured at home. A power separ- ator and churn, a small cheese vat and a Babcock tester, together with the necessary smaller appliances, make up the equipment. The greater part of the cream is manufactured into butter and sold to private customers. A portion is utilized for the making of cheeses of various kinds. Several fancy cheeses have been attempted, and, where a good market for such products is assured, their manufacture is likelj' to materially enhance the dairyman's profit. Rotations at Ottawa. On the Central Experimental Farm there are at present 13 different rotations being tried. In field crops the number of varieties grown, and the varying areas under each make it somewhat difficult to give an adequate idea of the work going on within the limits of a brief article. The aim in view is to obtain definite results as to the relative values of different rotations with varied cultural methods, these results to serve the farmer as a basis for the management of general farm crops. The term "rotation of crops" is used to designate a certain sequence, which regularly repeats itself each time the course of crops is run. It really implies, further, that the crops follow each other in such order as to insure to each, supplies of plant food suitable in quantity and character to produce the best returns DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 19 from each crop grown. Hence, in arranging a rotation, it is very necessarj' to have some knowledge of the food requirements, and to know something of the values of the residues, of the different crops included. Certain forage crops, such as corn, roots, potatoes and hay require an immense amount of food suitable for stem, leaf and root production. This food is known as nitrates and is furnished by clover and other sod turned dowii, and in well manured land. Other crops, such as cereals, can thrive with a lighter supply of nitrates, but need more phosphates, hence do well after some forage crop has taken up the superabundance of nitrates found after sod. It is evident, therefore, that a good rotation will include (1) meadow or pasture, (2) roots or corn, (3) some cereal crop. Various combinations of these three classes are possible and our experimental work is to determine (1) the comparative values of rotations as soil improvers and (2) their relative suitability for different lines of farming. Rotation 'A'. — 5 Year. First Year. — Land ploughed in August, well worked, ribbed in October; seeded next spring to oats, and 10 lbs. clover sown per acre; allowed to grow one year and turned under as fertilizer for corn. Second Year. — Corn, manure applied in winter or spring, 25 tons per acre; shallow ploughed, corn planted. Third Year. — Grain, seeded down, 8 lbs. red clover, 2 lbs. alsike, 10 to 12 lbs. timothy per acre. Fourth Year. — Clover hay, two crops expected. Fifth Year. — Timothy hay or pasture. Rotation 'B'. — 5 Year. First Year. — Grain, land ploughed previous autumn. Seeded down 10 lbs. red clover, 2 lbs. alsike, 5 lbs. timothy per acre. Second Year. — Clover hay, two crops expected, or pasture. Third Year. — Corn, manured in winter, 20 to 2.5 tons per acre; spring ploughed. Fourth Year. — Grain, seeded down, red clover, 10 lbs., alsike 2 lbs. and 5 lbs. timothy per acre. Land fall-ploughed after corn; very shallow furrow. Fifth Year. — Clover hay, two crops; late fall-ploughed or pasture. Rotation 'C. — 4 Year. First Year. — Hoed Crop — manured, barnyard manure 20 tons per acre. 20 " DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS Second Year. — Grain; seeded do^\^l 10 lbs. red clover, 2 lbs. alsike, 12 lljs. timothy. Third Year. — Hay. Fourth Year. — Hay or pasture. Rotation 'D'. — 3 Year. First Year. — Roots or corn. Alaiiured 1.5 tons per acre. Second Year. — Grain; seeded down 12 lbs. alfalfa, 6 lbs red clover and 6 lbs. timothy. Third Year. — Hay. Rotation 'E'. — 3 Year. First Year. — Roots or corn. [Manured 1.5 tons per acre. Second Year. — Grain; seeded dow^i 12 ll)s. alfalfa, 6 lbs. red clover and 6 lbs. timothy. Third Year. — Pasture — cattle, sheep or swine. Rotation 'H'. — 3 Year. First Year. — Roots. Second Year. — Grain, seeded down 12 lbs. alfalfa, 6 lbs. red clover and 6 lbs. timothy; grain cut for soiling. Third Year. — Pasture, pigs. Rotation 'N'. — 4 Year. Same as Rotation 'C', but no manure or fertilizer of any kind used. Rotation 'S' — 1 Year. Shallow ploughing; deep cultivation by means of stiff -tooth cultivator or subsoiler. First Year. — Roots or corn, plough August, 4 inches deep; manure 15 to 20 tons per acre; work at intervals, ridge up in fall, sow to roots in spring. Second Year. — Grain, seeded dowai, 10 lbs. red clover, 12 lbs timothy per acre. Third Year. — Clover hay. Fourth Year. — Timothy hay. Rotation 'P.' — 4 Year. Deep ploughing; plough, August, 7 inches deep; manure 15 to 20 tons per acre; work with cultivator at intervals. Land ploughed late autumn, 7 inches; roots or corn next spring. Second, third and fourth years. Same as rotation 'S.' dominion experimental farms 21 Rotation 'R.' — 3 Year. Same as Rotation 'E,' but all crops cut and used for soiling. Rotation 'X' — 4 Year. Same as Rotation 'C Barnyard manure applied, 15 tons per acre. Rotation 'Y' — 4 Year. Same as Rotation 'X,' but no barnyard manure, the same being replaced by commercial fertilizers; 100 lbs. nitrate of soda per acre each spring, with the additional application of 75 lbs. muriate of potash and 300 lbs. superphosphate when in roots or corn. Rotation 'Z.' — 4 Year. Same as Rotation 'X,' with only half as much barnyard manure but with the same amount of nitrate of soda, half as much muriate o"' potash (o7k lbs.) and half as much super- phosphate (150 lbs.) as Rotation 'Y.' 22 DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS PTTAWA DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 23 24 DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS THE HORTICULTURAL DIVISION. The original area of land in the Horticultural Division was forty acres, of which approximately one and a ha'f acres have since been given to the Poultry Division. In 1898, the forest belts, comprising about twenty-one acres, were added and, in 1911, the ornamental grounds and nurseries, occupying about 32 acres were included, also an additional seven acres which will be devoted mainly to experiments with vegetables. This makes the total area of land in the Horticultural Division about ninety-nine acres, occupied as follows: — Fruits and Vegetables: Apples, 23| acres; Plums, '2\ acres; Cherries, Ij acres; Grapes, 2|! acres; Raspberries and Black- berries, 1 acre; Currants, 5 acre; Gooseberries, § acre; Straw- berries, I acre; Nurserj^, 1 acre; Vegetables, 10 acres; jNIiscel- laneous, 3 acres. Total 46 acres. Forest Belts 21 " Ornamental Grounds 30 " Nursery and Rose Garden 2 " Total 99 acres. Fruits. Apples. — One of the most important lines of experimental work has been the testing of varieties as to their commercial values. Not including those originated at the Experimental Farm, more than 600 different sorts have been tried and those found most suitable for eastern Ontario and the Province of Quebec will be found in the table of best varieties. With this list as his guide, no farmer need plant trees unsuitable for his district. Seedling Apples. — Much attention has been paid to the grow- ing of seedling apples at the Central Farm, and those who have originated seedlings are invited to send specimens of fruit. When a promising variety is found in this way, scions are asked for, so that it may be tested further. About one hundred seedling varieties of merit have been brought together in this way. Some 5,000 seedlings, from seed produced at the Experimental Farm, have been grown and a large number of very fine varieties obtained, some of which it is thought are better than anything at present on the market among hardy apples r Over fifty of the best have been named and are being propagated so that they may be given a wider test. Cross-bred Apples. — The work of Dr. Wm. Saunders in DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 25 originating liardy apples for the Canadian Northwest is well known. His crosses were mainly between the Berried Crab (Pyrus baccata) and the large apples, and about 800 trees were grown, from which some very hardy, though small, apiDles have come. About 400 trees of second crosses of these, with more blood of the larger apple, are now fruiting, and larger speci- mens have thus been obtained. Other crosses between standard varieties have been made by the Dominion Horticulturist witlr the object of obtaining better hardy varieties, especially for winter use. As a result of this work there are now between 800 and 900 trees, some of whicli are now fruiting. Individuality in ajpple trees. — A record is kept of how much fruit each tree bears at the Central Farm and it has been found that there are marked differences, some yielding about twice as much as others. Propagation of these is being carried on to see if the characteristic fruitfulness will be transmitted. Cultural Experiments loith Apples. — Fall vs. Spring plant- ing. — Both fall and spring planting have been tried at Ottawa, the latter method proving the better; this holds true in other parts where the winters are long and severe. Root-Killing of Apple Trees. — While root-killing of apple trees only occurs at long intervals in most parts of Canada, it is well to guard against it, as fine trees which have reached a bearing age may thus be destroyed in one winter when there is little or no snow; hence, the ground should be covered with something which will hold any snow which there may be. This is called a cover crop. These have received much attention in the Horticultural Division. Cover Crops. — Cover crops are grown in orchards for the purpose of adding humus to the soil, making it capable of holding more water and also adding plant food to it in some cases. They are also grown with the view of utilizing any plant food not taken up by the fruit trees, thus preventing its leachiirg. This plant food is returned to the soil the following spring and may be readily used by the fruit trees that season. The cover crop also takes up and transpires a large amount of water. The removal of this from the soil lessens the amount available for the trees, which ripen their wood earlier on this account, ensuring greater safety from winter injury. The seed for cover crops should be sown from the middle of June to the middle of July. Where ripening of wood is more important than conservation of moisture, the early seeding is preferaljle. Many kinds of cover crops have been grown at Ottawa. Among the best are Red Clover, Summer Vetch, Hairy Vetch, Rape, and Crimson Clover. 21296—4 26 DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS GROUNDS OF -the: HORTICULTURAL DIVISION RESIDENCES.OFFICES.-'BUILDINGS CENTRAL EXPERIMENTAL FARM OTTAWA DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 27 KEY TO MAP OF HORTICULTURAL DIVISION. AlNurscrv Stock. A2— Hot Beds. B — Rose Garden. C — Vegetables. D — Strawberry Plantation. E — fincluded in area annexed by Poul- F — -l, try Department. G — Raspberries. H — Standard Orchard, Seedling and Cross Bred Trees as Fillers. I — -Wealthy Orchard. J — Seedling Plum Orchard. K — ^Seedling Apple Orchard. L — Vegetables. M — Cross Bred Apples. N — Currant Plantation. O — Raspberries. P — Nursery Stock. Q— New Grape Vineyard. R — Vegetable Plantation. S— Plum Orchard. T — Cherry and Pear Orchard. U — Vegetable Orchard. V — Russian Apple Orchard. W— Cross Bred Apples. X — Perennial Border. Y — Director's Garden. Z-^Hedges and Experimental Plots of Grasses. KEY TO BUILDINGS AS NUMBERED ON MAP. 1 — Chemical Laboratory. 2— Main Offices. 3 — Green-houses. 4 — Auditorium . 5 — Cerealist's Barn. 6— Main Cattle Barns. 7— Work Shop. 8 — Horse Stable. 9 — Implement Shed (Pig Runs in Rear.) 10 — Experimental Piggery, 11— Piggery. 12 — Sheep Building. 13 — Root Cellar, Farm Foreman's Office etc. 14 — Tobacco Drying House. 15 — Tobacco Building. 16 — Dairy Building. 17 — Poultry Department. IS — Isolation Hopital. IQ^Horticultural Building. 20— Cottage. 21— Cottage. 22 — Residence Animal Husbandmen. 23— Cottage. 24 — -Cerealist's Residence. 25 — Horticulturist's Residence. 26 — Chemist's Residence. 27— Cottage. 28 — Director's Residence. 29 — Poultry Manager's Residence, 30 — Farm Superintendent's Residence. 31 — Dominion Observatory. 32 — Dominion Astronomer's Residence, 33 — -Pump House. 34 — Biological Building. 21296—4^ 28 DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS Top Grafting Apples. — Ninety varieties of apples, mainly of the more tender sorts, were top-grafted to learn if this would make them sufficiently hardy to withstand very cold winters, but it was found that it did not do so. Top-grafting on bearing trees will bring varieties into bearing earlier, however, than if they are grown as standard trees. Mice Girdling Apple Trees. — The frequent ravages of mice in orchards are easily prevented and measures to this end should not be neglected. The best way is to wrap the trunks of the trees with ordinary white building paper, putting a little soil about the bottom so that the mice will not get at the trunk of the tree near the ground. If this has been forgotten until after snow falls, tramping the snow about the trees will protect them. Plums. — Nearljr three hundred named varieties of plums have been tried at Ottawa and it has been found that the improved native American sorts are the best, the European and Japanese being too tender in flower bud. Pears. — Pears do not thrive at Ottawa, though some of the Russian varieties are hardy. The Flemish Beauty appears to be the hardiest good pear. Cherries. — The flower buds of cherries are usually killed bj^ winter. The list of best varieties gives the hardiest. Grapes. — Nearly three hundred named varieties of grapes have been tested at Ottawa and more than one hundred have ripened in the same season. The vines must, however, be covered with soil in winter, chiefljr to protect them against spring frosts. The canes should not be raised until about the second week in May, or until danger of severe frost is over. Ra.spberries. — Raspberries should be bent and held down with soil to secure the best results, as they will be better pro- tected by the snow. Blackberries. — These are not satisfactory here; the canes are too much injured in winter. Currants, gooseberries and straw- berries do well and a large number of varieties of these fruits have been grown. Varieties of Fruits recommended for Eastern Ontario and the Province of Quebec south of Lat. Jfi: — Apples, commercial and domestic: Summer, Transparent, Duchess, Langford Beauty; Autumn — Dudley, Wealthy, Alexan- der, McMahon; Early Winter — Mcintosh, Fameuse, Rochelle, Wolfe River; Winter — Milwaukee, Bethel, Scott Winter. Additional Varieties suggested for Domestic Use: — Summer — Lowland Raspberry; Autumn — Peach of Mon- treal, St. Lawrence; Winter — Swayzie, Pewaukee, Golden Russet, Rufus. Crab Apples, Commercial and Domestic: — Whitney, Mar- tha, Hyslop. DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 29 Cherries, Domestic only — Orel 25, Vladimir, Minnesota Ostheim, Cerise d'Ostheim. Pears, Commercial and Domestic — Flemish in most favour- ed parts. Plums, Commercial and Domestic — Americana and 7iigra — Aitkin, Bixby, Mankato, Omaha, Cheney, Wolf, Schley, Brac- kett, Hawkeye, Stoddard. Plums, European or domestica — Early Red (Russian), Mount Royal, Glass, Montmorency, Raynes, Perdrigon. The European plums bear only in some seasons and are not reliable for commercial purposes. Grapes, Black — Early Daisy, Manito, Worden, Merrimac, Wilder. Red — Moyer, Brighton, Delaware, Lindley. White — Winchell 9 (Green Mountain), Diamond. Blackberries, Domestic only — Agawam, Snyder. Currants, Domestic and Commercial: Black — Saunders, Kerry, Clipper, Eclipse, Climax, Collins' Prolific, Black Victoria. Red — Pomona, Victoria, Dutch, and Wilder in the most favoured parts. White — Grape. Gooseberries, Commercial and Domestic — Pearl, Downing, Red Jacket. Raspberries, Black, Domestic purposes mainly — Hilborn, Older, Cumberland. Red — Marlboro, King, Herbert. Cuth- bert is rather tender. Yellow, Domestic purposes mainly — Golden Queen. Strawberries, Commercial — Bederwood (Per.), Splendid (Per.), Warfield (Imp.), not suited to light soil; Greenville (Imp.), Parson's Beauty (Per.), Pocomoke (Per.), Sample (Imp.), Buster (Imp.) Domestic — Excelsior (Per.), Splendid (Per.), Dunlap (Per.), Lovett (Per.), Ruby (Per.), Bubach (Imp.), Belt (Per.) The Williams does not seem to do as well in Eastern Ontario as in Western. Vegetables. Many experiments have been conducted with a large number of varieties of vegetables, among others the determining of the relative values of varieties from the standpoints of earliness, yield and quality. Potatoes, peas and tomatoes have received more attention, perhaps, than others. Many cultural experi- ments with potatoes have been tried, including kinds of sets to plant, depth of planting and change of seed. Trial shipments of tomatoes have been made to Great Britain. An especial feature of the work at present is the develop- ment of early and, it is hoped, better, strains of vegetables, including peas, corn, beans, melons and tomatoes. 30 DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS dominion experimental farms 31 farmers' list of best vegetables. Asparagus. — Palmetto, Conover's Colossal, Argenteuil. Beans, Yellow-podded. — Round Pod Kidney Wax, Ward well's Kidney Wax. Green-podded — Stringless, Early Red Val- entine, Early Refugee. Later Sorts — Refugee, Thousand-to- One. Among Lima beans, the dwarf or Ijush forms are the most satisfactory. Beets. — Meteor, Early Model, Electric, Egyptian, Eclipse- Borecole or Kale. — Dwarf Green Curled Scotch. Brocoli. — White Cape. Brussels Sprouts. — Improved Dwarf. Dwarf varieties are more satisfactory than tall-growing ones. Cabbage. — Early Jersey Wakefield (early). Succession (medium), Danish Ballhead and Drumhead Savoy (late), Red Dutch, Houser, Paris Market (extra early.) Cauliflower. — Early Dwarf Erfurt, Early Snowball. Carrots. — Chantenay, Early Scarlet Horn (extra early but small.) Celery. — Golden Self-Blanching (Paris Golden Yellow) (early), French Success, Noll's Magnificent, Perfection Heart- well, Triumph, Winter Queen, all late varieties. London Red. Corn. — Malakoff, Peep O'Day (extra early). Early Ford- hook, Early Cory, Crosby's Earl}^, Golden Bantam, Metropoli- tan (Second early). Perry's Hj'brid, Early Evergreen and Black Mexican (medium), Stowells' Evergreen, Country Gentleman (late). Country Gentleman should not be omitted. Golden Bantam is the best second early for home use. Cucumbers. — Peerless White Spine or White Spine, Davis Perfect, Cool and Crisp, Giant Pcra, Boston Pickling, Chicago Pickling. Egg Plant. — New York Improved, Long Purple. Lettuce. — Black-Seeded Simpson, (early curled). Iceberg, New York, Giant Crystal Head, Crisp as Ice, Improved Hansen (curled). Improved Salamander (uncurled). Grand Rapids is the best for forcing. Iceberg remains headed longest. Trianon and Paris are two of the best Cos varieties. Melons, Musk. — Long Island Beauty and Hackensack are two of the earliest and best of the nutmeg type. Montreal Market is later but of larger size and of finer flavour. Emerald Gem and Paul Rose are two of the best yellow-fleshed. Melons, Water. — Cole's Early, Salzer's Earliest, Ice Cream, Phinney's Early. Onions. — Yellow Globe Danvers, Large Red Wethersfield, Australian Brown. Prizetaker for transplanting. Parsley. — Double Curled. Peppers. — Cayenne, Chili, Cardinal, Early Neapolitan. 32 DOMINION EXPERIMENTAIi FARMS Peas. — Gregory's Surprise, (extra early), Thomas Laxton, Graclus, American Wonder, Nott's Excelsior, Sutton's Early Giant, Sutton's Excelsior, Premium Gem (second early), Mc- Lean's Advancer, Heroine, Stratagem, (medium to late). The foregoing may be grown without supports. Telephone and Champion of England are two of the best tall-growing sorts. Potatoes. — Early. — Rochester Rose, Early Ohio, Irish Cobbler, Eureka Extra Early, Early Petoskey, New Early Standard, Bovee. Main Crop. — Carman No. 1, Gold Coin, Factor, Dalmeny Beauty, Money Maker. Radishes. — Early. — Scarlet White-Tipped Turnip, Rosy Gem, French Breakfast, Red Rocket, Icicle. Late. — White Strasburg, Long White Vienna. Winter. — Long Black Spanish, Chinese Rose-coloured, New White Chinese or Celestial. Rhubarb. — Linnaeus, Victoria. Salsify. — Long White, Sandwich Islands. Spinach. — Victoria Thickleaved. Squash. — Early. — White Bush Scalloped, Summer Crook- neck. Late. — Delicious, Hubbard. Tomatoes. — Early. — Sparks' Earliana, Chalk's Early Jewel, Bonny Best, Dominion Day. Medium. — Matchless, Trophy, Livingston's Globe, Plentiful. Turnips.— Early.— Extra Early Milan, Red Top Strap Leaf. Swedes. — Champion Purple Top, Skirving's Improved. Spraying. Experiments in the spraying of fruits, vegetables and orna- mental plants to prevent the ravages of insects and fungous diseases have been an important part of the work of this Division since 1890. Forestry. In the forest belts, there are some 20,000 trees. Measure- ments are taken each year of the growth of a number of speci- mens of the most important kinds of timber trees, and notes are made of the relative ability of the different species to withstand shade, to compete with other kinds in mixed plantations, to shade the ground to prevent the growth of grass and weeds, and the best distance apart to plant. Ornamental Grounds. On the ornamental grounds and in the greenhouse, are grown many species and varieties of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants. Lists of the most attractive of these have been pub- lished. The sample hedges to the number of nearly one hundred are also here where those contemplating hedge planting may compare them as to beauty and usefulness. DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 33 Publications. A number of useful bulletins have been published by the Division and those which are still in print may be obtained free on application. On another page will be found a map, showing the positions of the various plantations on the area of land devoted to horti- cultural work. 34 DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS THE CEREAL DIVISION. The investigations carried on within this Division ma,y be conveniently considered under five headings, (1) Testing of Varieties, (2) Importation of new Sorts, (3) Selection, (4) Cross-breeding and (5) Distribution. (1) Testing of Varieties. In a series of uniform test plots comparisons are made every year between the best varieties of grain which are commonlj^ grown in Canada, and such sorts as have been recently imported from other countries, as well as the selected strains and new cross-bred varieties produced at this Farm. These plots are usually one-sixtieth of an acre in extent and are laid out in regu- lar blocks with suitable spaces between. The number of plots varies greatly from year to year. New varieties are being con- stantly added, but an effort is made to keep down the total to a rather small number, by rejecting the inferior sorts as soon as their qualities have been clearly demonstrated. In laying out the plots, great care is taken to locate them on soil of as nearly uniform character as possible and extra plots are sown whenever unusual variations occur. Under the ordinarj^ spring condi- tions, the plots of grain are put in as early as practicable, com- mencing about the 20th of April on well-drained land. Each group of plots is sown on one day, if possible, and, when the number of varieties is too large to permit this, the seeding is concluded on the following day or days, as expeditiously as may be. Different dates of seeding produce marked results, in this climate, on the yield of most kinds of grain. Observations are made, in the plots, on length and strength of straw, time of ripening and any other points of special interest. Yield and quality of grain are determined after threshing. Since it is impossible, even under the most favourable con- ditions, to obtain perfectly trustworthy information in one season, in regard to the relative merits of similar varieties, the average results of a series of years are utilized whenever com- parisons are being made. In most cases, new varieties are kept in the plots for at least five years, unless they clearly show some serious defect. (2) Importation of New Sorts. The introduction from abroad of varieties new to Canada has been in the past a very valuable feature of the cereal investigations, but this has become less important in certain DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 35 36 DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS respects as the work has advanced. In recent years, no prom- ising kinds of spring wheat and scarcely any of six-row barley have been obtained; but of two-row barley and oats some interesting new sorts have been imported which are likely to prove of value in Canada. While the foreign varieties hitherto tested have very often been found somewhat unsuited to Canadian conditions, several of them have been utilized as parent sorts for cross-breeding purposes and have in this way contributed largely to the pro- gress of the work. (3) Selection. While the progress which may be looked for by mere selection has undoubtedly been seriously overestimated in some quarters, it is, nevertheless, a valuable branch of experimental work and one from which good results are being obtained, not only in regard to the general appearance of the crops, but in more important respects also. As most commercial grains are lacking in uniformitj^ and, sometimes, are strikingly complex mixtures, considerable attention has been paid in the Cereal Division to the selection of the best types from such of the commercial varieties as appeared most valuable. Among the first sorts operated upon were Red Fife wheat, Mensury barley and Banner oats. From each of these, several good strains were isolated, the best of which were retained and propagated. Two of these deserve special mention. Red Fife H has not only proved of the highest quality, but has shown, in some seasons, a slight advantage in earliness of ripening. After several years' trial at Ottawa and at the branch Experi- mental Farms, it has been used to supplant the ordinary Red Fife. It has also been widely distributed to farmers by means of the annual distribution of seed grain from Ottawa. From Mensury barley, an improved strain, now named Manchurian, has been isolated. This has given very good results for several years at Ottawa and elsewhere and is now displacing the parent sort, both on the Experimental Farms and in the annual dis- tribution. The method of selection employed is that which is now generally recognized as the best, and which has been found to give the most satisfactory results whenever fairly tried. At the commencement, a number of plants or heads which appear to be of the most desirable type are chosen. The seed from each of these is sown separately and the groups of plants pro- duced are carefully studied. The best groups are retained, the seed of each being kept separate. Study of this seed may lead to the rejection of some lots. Those that remain are sown DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 37 in small plots the following year. Each selected strain is always kept separate and from year to year comparisons are made and those strains which show themselves inferior are eliminated until the whole number is, generally, reduced to one or two, which are sometimes quite different from thf parent variety. A similar system of selection is followed when dealing with the progeny of cross-bred seeds, although in these cases, owing to the inherent tendencies to variation, the selection of single plants has to be repeated every year, for about five times, until the various types Ijecome quite fixed in character. The cross-bred wheats which were originated on the Ex- perimental Farms during the first few years after their estab- lishment, and to which the system of selection then in vogue was applied, have since been re-selected with decidedlj^ bene- ficial results, by the method here described. (4) Cross-Breeding. While good results may be attained in the improvement of grains by selection alone, this method has been found inade- quate whenever the necessity has arisen for the production of varieties radically different from those already on hand. Cross- breeding must be resorted to when new combinations of char- acters are required. Realizing the importance of such work for Canadian conditions, especially in regard to spring wheat, a great deal of attention has been given to it ever since the establishment of the Dominion Experimental Farms. Indeed, it may be said that the most important work of the Cereal Division is in the production of new, cross-bred varieties of spring wheat of early ripening habit and suitable for the northern wheat-growing areas of Canada. Many hundreds of new kinds have been produced, chiefly by crossing Red Fife (and varieties derived from it) with early ripening sorts obtained from India and Northern Russia. A few of these wheats have already been quite widely disseminated and have displayed excellent qualities. Many others are still undergoing selection and pre- liminary trial at Ottawa. Of the varieties which have proved useful in districts where the older standard wheats could not be depended upon to ripen before frost, the most noteworthy is Marquis. This wheat comes from a cross between Hard Red Calcutta and Red Fife. After being tested for a few years at Ottawa, it was sent first to the Experimental Farm at Indian Head, Sask. for trial in the year 1907. From the very beginning it proved remarkably successful in Saskatche- wan, and has since been found of great value in parts of Mani- toba and Alberta also. Marquis is now recognized as the best early ripening wheat available for the farmers of Saskatchewan. 38 DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS While Marquis leaves very little to be desired in some dis- tricts, it does not ripen early enough in other parts to be safe from danger of frost. Still earlier varieties are therefore required. Many such sorts have been produced at Ottawa during the last few years, and some of them have been tested at other farms as well and have been found to possess most of the qualities desired for those districts where Marquis has not proved sufficiently early. This important branch of work is being advanced as rapidly as possible, and the introduction to the public of one or two very early ripening wheats of high quality may be looked for in the near future. While, in the cross-breeding of spring wheat, most atten- tion is being given to the needs of the northern districts of Canada, where the summer season is short, the problems of wheat growers in other sections are not being neglected. Cross-breeding has also been carried on in oats, barley, peas, flax and beans. Since much attention is paid to the breeding and selection of oats in other countries — especially in England and Sweden — and the varieties produced alDroad have generally proved suit- able for Canada also, it has not seemed necessary in the Cereal Division, to devote so much time to oats as to spring wheat. Some cross-breeding, however, has been carried on with a view to the production of a satisfactory variety of hulless oat. Efforts have also been made to originate a superior sort of earljr-matur- ing oat both by cross-breeding and by selection. In barley, cross-breeding has been conducted to produce very early maturing varieties with good straw. Beardless (or "hooded") and hulless tj'pes have been largely dealt with, and many new sorts of striking and novel character, now quite fixed in type, are under test. The researches in peas have given rise to some new varieties of considerable promise so far as productiveness is concerned. One of these, an early maturing sort named Arthur, has been distributed with good results. The work of cross-breeding in flax and in field beans was commenced quite recently, and it would be unprofitable to dis- cuss the results at this time. (5). Distribution. The final stages of the work of the Cereal Division are the propagation and the distribution to farmers of new and improved cereals. The propagation is generally commenced at Ottawa and is transferred to one or more of the branch Farms when a sufficient quantity of seed for the purpose has been obtained. Most of DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 39 the seed for distriljution is grown on the Exijerimental Farms at Indian Head, Sask. and Brandon, Man. An annual distribution of free samples of seed grain is con- ducted, for the whole of Canada, from the Central Farm. The samples sent out weigh from three to five pounds each, according to the kind of grain, and are sufficient, as a rule, to sow one- twentieth of an acre of land. Three-pound samples of potatoes are also given to farmers as a part of this distribution, but the Central Farm supplies these to the provinces of Ontario and Quebec only. Potatoes for the other provinces are distributed from the branch Experimental Farms. The whole distribution from Ottawa has amounted to between thirty thousand and forty thousand samples each year for several years past. It is expected, however, that this number will be considerably reduced by certain changes and new regu- lations which are being introduced with a view to eliminating those classes of applicants who do not make good use of the seed supplied. The distribution has always been popular and the requests for free samples of the new and most desirable sorts of grain have often been so great that it has been impossible to meet the demand. Undoubtedly much good has been accomplished by this work, although some of the farmers who have received samples have failed to give the necessary care to the propagation of the seed, and have therefore derived little or no benefit from it. Many careful seed-growers, however, have been able to propagate from these small samples with such rapidity as to obtain a large quantity of pure seed at the close of the third season; and, in exceptional cases, two seasons have been suffi- cient to produce all the seed needed by the farmer for his own use and a surplus for sale as well. Buildings at Ottawa used by the Cereal Division. The principal building devoted to the use of the Cereal Division is situated on the sloping ground which leads from the terminus of the street car line down to the southern boundary of the Farm. This building contains a threshing floor, a granary, a writing room, grain cleaning and bagging rooms, and other necessary accommodations for the projDer handling and inspec- tion of grain and for the storage of materials and implements. The grain which is used in the annual distribution is all cleaned, bagged and prepared for mailing in this building. Great care is taken to send out the seed in the finest possible condition, and, with this in view, the best available grain-cleaning machinery has been installed. All the seed intended for distri- bution is carefully inspected both before and after cleaning and 40 DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS its germination and weight per l^ushel ascertained. Anj^ lot of grain which cannot be brought up to the required standard is rejected. The growing appreciation by farmers of the value of good seed makes it imperative to raise the standard of quality in the distribution as high as possible. Improvements in the system of growing, cleaning and inspecting the grain are there- fore made from time to time whenever an opportunity occurs for introducing any desirable change. In this building there is also a milling room where, by means of a small roller-process mill, the flour required for the baking tests is produced. Power for the threshing machine, the fiour mill and the grain cleaning machinery is supplied by an electric motor. The offices of the Dominion Cerealist and part of his staff are situated in the main office building. Here also is located the baking room where special apparatus, designed by the Cerealist, has been installed for carrying on accurate bread- making experiments to determine the relative value of various wheats for the production of light bread, and for the study of other related problems which are of particular interest to wheat growers, millers and bakers. This work is of such great import- ance that considerable time has been devoted to it. For various reasons, the baking tests can be conducted most satisfactorily during the winter and they are therefore confined as far as pos- sible to that period. A large proportion of the tests for several years have been carried on with the new cross-bred wheats intended for introduction into the prairie provinces. Since the highest market price is usually paid for those wheats only which are capable of producing very light bread, the necessity for a thorough study of the quality of each variety is apparent, so that only those of desirable character may be distributed. New sorts of wheat produced at Ottawa and intended for export purposes are always subjected to at least two series of baking tests, in successive seasons, before decisions are reached as to their suitability for general cultivation. Fields at Ottawa. Three fields at the Central Farm are allotted to the use of the Cereal Division. These are of about eight to twelve acres each and are designated on the map by the names. North Field, East Field, and South Field. No permanent plan of the internal divisions of these fields can be given, owing to the necessitj^ for constant rotation and shifting of the positions of the plots. The standard size of trial plot used at this Farm is one- sixtieth of an acre (approximately, 14 x 51 ft.) the grain being sown with a space, equivalent to one roM^ of seed, omitted down DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 41 the middle of the plot. The purpose of this is to facilitate passage through the standing crop without causing serious dis- turbance, as all plots require careful inspection for the elimination of occasional large weeds and also to ensure freedom from unde- sirable types of grain. In addition to the test plots of the regular size, smaller and larger plots are used for special purposes. The new cross-bred varieties of grain are grown for several years in very small plots, or groups of plants, each plot being from the seed of one plant of the previous j^ear. These little plots are generally about two feet b}^ three in size. As soon as these varieties have become fixed in character, propagation is commenced. In the first 3'ear of propagation, the seed from one plant only is used, and each kernel is put in separately by hand. New, selected strains of standard varieties are also commenced in the same way. This gives a series of little plots measuring about two bj^ five feet, or more. In the second year of propagation, the seed derived from each of these little plots is sown with a hand seed drill. In this way plots are produced which measure usually about fifty feet in length and vary in width from one or two rows to about ten or fifteen. The next season, such of the varieties as have cli.s- played good qualities are transferred to the regular, one-sixtieth acre, plots. After these tests have been conducted for a sufficient length of time, those varieties which appear most desirable and are therefore required for trial elsewhere or for distribution are grown at Ottawa for one season in larger plots, the size of which varies according to the quantity of seed available. The crop from these larger areas is sent to one or more of the branch Farms where further tests are made and where the best varieties are finally grown, in fields of several acres each, for general distribution. 42 DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 43 DIVISION OF CHEMISTRY. The work of the Division of Chemistry naturally and necessarily covers a very wide field. In a certain and very important sense, farming — and especially modern and progres- sive farming — is the putting into practice of the teaching of agricultural chemistry. Farming, whether general or special, is ever making an insistent call for the knowledge, the aid, which chemistry alone can give, and so the chemist must be constantly at work, analyzing and investigating, ascertaining the why and the wherefore of things agricultural, confirming and supple- menting by laboratory work the truths brought out by practical field results. To understand the requirements of crops and animals is the aim of the intelligent farmer. It thus comes about that soils must be studied to learn their qualities and deficiencies; apart from climatic influences, the productiveness of soils very largely depends upon their physical character and their ability to furnish plant food in available forms. The effect on the soil of the rotation of crops, of the growth of legumes, of continuous grain growing, of fallowing and various cultural sj'stems must be studied from the chemical as well as from the field point of view if we are to know how the land is to be handled most profitably and its fertility maintained. In like manner, it might be shown that farm manures must be critically studied and analj'zed; that the naturallj^-occurring minerals having a fertilizing value — mucks, marsh and river muds, marls, seaweeds, etc., etc., found in many parts of the Dominion, must be examined as to their agricultural worth; that the special requirements of specific crops must be investigated, that the nutritive qualities of our grasses and forage crops must be determined and the feeding value of the cattle foods upon our market ascertained in order that dairying and stock raising may be profitably prosecuted; that much chemical work is necessary for progress in butter and cheese making and that in fruit growing the chemist's assistance must be enlisted to prepare and control the various insecticides and fungicides now so neces- sary for the production of first-class fruit. All these and many other related investigations have been studied by the Chemical Division since the establishment of the Experimental Farms in 1887, the results appearing in our annual reports and bulletins, the larger number of which are still available for distribution. At the outset, this work was entrusted to Mr. Frank T. Shutt, M.A., F.I.C., who still continues, with a staff of expert assistants, to direct and carry out these investigations. There is, therefore, at all times, a multiplicity of problems that the Division is striving to solve. For the purpose of this 44 DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARxMS outline, some of the more important of tfiese may be spoken of briefly as follows; — Canadian Soils. In every province of the Dominion, save that of Prince Edward Island, there yet remain large areas of unoccupied land. It is desirable to learn how far these tracts of virgin soil maj^ be suited to agriculture, and, to supplement the surveyor's reports, typical samples of their soils and sub-soils are collected and examined as to their constitution and composition. The problem of the economical restoration of fertility of lands which have been irrationally farmed, is one constantly submitted to the Division, and our work upon it is making verj' clear that humus-forming material must be furnished, in barn- yard manure, in the ploughing under of green crops (preferably a legume), or in the adoption of a rotation which calls for the formation of a sod to be ploughed down at short intervals, if fertility is to be restored. In this connection, our experiments with clover and other leguminous crops have yielded valuable results in showing how a poor soil maj' be built up by the accu- mulation of humus-forming material and nitrogen. The improvement of muck soils has proven a problem of extreme difficulty, the final solution of which we have not as yet reached. While some have yielded to treatment, others have remained, from some unknown cause, obstinate. Never- theless, the lines upon which improvement are to be sought have been established and, while investigatory work must yet be pushed forward, we have learnt that drainage, the correction of acidity by liming, the furnishing of the lacking phosphoric acid and potash and the initial dressing of manure to supply immediately available plant food and to inoculate the soil with those bacteria which will bring about the further decay of the soil-constituents, are the basic means of bringing about their amelioration. Conservation of Soil Moisture. The influence of various cultural systems on the conserva- tion of soil-moisture — a question of the utmost importance to districts subject to a sparse rain-fall — is a matter that is engag- ing our attention. These experiments are being conducted on the Experimental Farms in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Southern Alberta. Cereals. Under this head, investigations have been carried on for some time past with wheats and flours. Among other objects, it has been thought to establish some chemical basis for determ- DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 45 ining the bread-making value of a flour that might accord more closely than is now possil.)le with the results from baking tests. The influence of soil and climatic coirditions on the gluten- content is also being studied. This research is throwing much light on the cause of the high C[uality of our northwestern grown wheats. It has been found that, Ijy varying the conditions of growth, marked changes in the composition of the grain might be brought about. Thus the harder, more glutinous wheat produced under "dry-farming" conditions will, if sown on land under irrigation, give a softer, starchier grain and vice versa. It would appear that the amount of available soil moisture together with the temperature prevailing during the period in which the grain is filling are most important and active agents in determining the quality of the wheat. Barley and oats are under a similar investigation, but the work has not proceeded as far as that with wheat. Forage Crops. Many points of practical importance have been brought out by the chemical study of our grasses, roots and other for- age crops. Thus from the analysis of some two hundred native and introduced grasses at different stages of growth we have accumulated data which, in the larger number of instances, indicate a serious deterioration in nutritive value during the latter stages of the plant's life. Cutting for hay before the seed is fully ripe is a practice that receives emphatic support from this work. Many native grasses of the Northwest were found to be highly nutritious and the larger number of the naturallj^-cured grasses on the prairie were shown to be possessed of valuable feeding properties. As a result of our study of the Indian corn plant, it was found that, for the silo, the best time to cut is when the kernels are in the glazing condition — that at this period the crop contains the largest amount of digestible matter and will make ensilage of the finest quality. Similarly, the life-history of rape, of mangels, turnips and many other forage crops has been followed up and much useful information gained. The examination of the leading varieties of sugar beets has demonstrated the influence of season, soil and culture on the richness and purity of the root. In this work, carried on for more than twenty years, beets grown at the various Ex- perimental Farms throughout the Dominion have Ijccn analyzed. The results have furnished ample evidence that beets eminently suited for factory purposes, i.e., for the extraction of sugar, can be grown in many widely distant parts of Canada. 46 DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS Investigations relative to Horticulture. In this field the work has been exceedingly varied. Thus, we have fully studied the chemistry of the apple, the strawberry and some other fruits, with a view of learning their particular needs and the rate at which they may exhaust the soil of plant food. Again, much time has been given to the matter of fungicides and insecticides — their preparation and safe appli- cation. Finally, in the management of orchard soils, much information of value has resulted from experiments with cover crops as to enrichment of the soil and the conservation or dissipation of its moisture. Investigations relative to Dairying. Work under this head has comprised the examination of apparatus used in the testing of milk, cream and butter, the study of processes which have appeared from time to time for the manufacture of butter, the analysis of various dairying products and the determination of the principal factors in their manufacture which control the composition of butter and cheese. The Farmer's Water Supply. The examination of well waters from farm homesteads, cheese factories and creameries, has been continued uninter- ruptedly from the establishment of the Experimental Farms. As a result of this useful work, more than 2,000 samples from rural supplies have been analyzed. A large proportion of these waters have been pronounced polluted and unfit for domestic purposes, a state of affairs which may be said to be entirely due to the common habit of placing the well (generally a shal- low one) in the barn yard or in close proximity to some similar source of contamination. The danger to health of polluted water has been emphasized and the importance of an ample supply of pure, wholesome water, both for the use of the famih^ and the stock, constantly urged upon the farming community. Water samples from farm homesteads are analyzed free of charge, but certain directions (obtainable on application) must be followed in their collection and shipment and express charges prepaid. In concluding this summary, some mention must be made of that phase of the work bj^ which direct assistance is given to the individual farmer. This has been accomplished chiefly through correspondence, though also to a certain degree by agricultural travels which allowed a discussion of soil problems with the farmer "on the ground"; by addresses at meetings of farmers and by the reporting on samples of an agricultural nature sent in for examination. DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 47 48 DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS THE DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY. The work of the Division of Entomology may be said, briefly, to have two objects: first, the prevention of the intro- duction of insect pests into Canada, and second, the control or eradication of injurious insects already existing in this country. As insects affect and destroy forest and shade trees, fruit and fruit trees, field and garden crops, grain and stored products, domestic animals and man himself, the varied and wide character of the work of the Division can be understood. The three methods of attaining the objects in view are by investigation, education and legislation. The Dominion Entomologist, who has charge of the Division, has the administration of the "Destructive Insect and Pest Act," which was passed in 1910 to prevent the introduction and spreading of insects, pests and diseases injurious to vege- tation. In order to prevent the introduction of insect pests from other countries, the Regulations under this Act require that trees, shrubs and other nursery stock shall be imported only during certain specified periods of the year and through certain ports, of which there are nine from Halifax, N.S., to Vancouver, B.C. At six of these ports, fumigation stations are established, where certain classes of trees and plants are fumigated, in houses provided for the purpose, with hydrocyanic acid gas to prevent the introduction of the San Jose and other scale insects. In addition to this precaution, trees and plants from certain countries are inspected by officers of the Division, either at the port of entry or at the destination of the shipment. The powers which the Act gives to eradicate pests which have already been introduced into Canada are being used in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, where an active campaign is being carried on by the Division against the Brown-tail moth, which has recently spread into these provinces from the New England states. The provincial governments of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick co-operate by supplying men to assist the field officers of the Division. In Ontario, the provincial govern- ment assists in the inspection of imported nursery stock and, in British Columbia, the provincial government also co-oper- ates in the inspection work. The Department of Indian Affairs makes an annual appro- priation for the cleansing of the Indian orchards in British Columbia. This work is carried on by the Division, and an officer is permanently employed in visiting the orchards on the Indian reservations in British Columbia, for the purpose of assisting and advising the Indians with regard to the spraying, pruning and proper care of their orchards, which otherwise DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 49 are frequently a menace to the orchards of neighbouring settlers bjr reason of their uncared-for condition and the consequent abundance of pests. One of the chief functions of the Division is the advising of farmers, fruit-growers and others as to the best methods of preventing controlling or eradicating insect pests. Hun- dreds of enquiries and specimens are received annualljr. A cutworm may be committing serious havoc to wheat in Sas- katchewan; a miller's flour, or a housewife's carpets may be infested with an injurious insect; a caterpillar may be defoliating ornamental or forest trees; mosquitoes may be making life unbearable in a summer resort on the St. Lawrence, or ticks may be found on horses in Alberta; the apiary of a beekeeper in Quebec may be attacked by disease or bulbs may be destroj^ed in a florist's garden; such examples will indicate the varietj' of subjects with wliich the Division has to deal. In some cases advice can be given immediately; in others, further investigation is necessary. The co-operation of other Branches of the Department of Agriculture has been secured, in order to render the work useful to as large a number as possible. An important branch of the Division's work is the studjr of insects injurious to forest trees; this feature is growing in import- ance with the increasing necessity of conserving the forests. An oflficer has recently been appointed to the Division to devote his whole attention to tire study of forest insects. In this work, the co-operation of the Forestry Branch of the Department of the Interior has been secured. The enormous extent of the forests of Canada renders the investigation of forest insects a subject of great consequence. By the provision of experimental insectaries and the estab- lishment of field laboratories in various parts of the country, in which a start has been made, the Division is carrying on investigations in the life history and means of control of insect pests in the regions in which they occur. Much careful study is devoted to the natural means of control of insect pests. Of these means, the chief is the introduction of parasitic insects. Efi'orts are made to introduce useful parasites as a means of controlling pests otherwise uncoirtrollable. Statistical studies of parasites in conjunction with field operations, frequently render it possible to forecast the results of the outbreak of an injurious insect. An Apiary is maintained in connection with the Division for experimental purjjoses and large numbers of enquiries are received relating to bee-keeping and especially to the treatment and prevention of bee diseases which are spreading to a serious extent in Eastern Canada. 50 DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS In addition to the educational work which is effected through the medium of the daily correspondence, the Dominion Entomologist, the Chief Assistant Entomologist and the other officers of the Division address the annual meetings of different agricultural and horticultural societies in various parts of Canada. In the matter of public health, a campaign is carried on against house-flies, which cause increased mortality from infectious diseases and unsanitary conditions. Colleges, schools and individuals send in collections of insects to be named and the collection in the Division is gradually assuming a national character; it contains not only Canadian insects arranged in their scientific orders, but, in the case of many of the injurious species, their life histories, and specimens of the injuries they cause, are arranged in cases for eclucational purposes. DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 51 DIVISION OF BOTANY. The work carried on Ijy this Division is advisory and experimental. There are many problems connected with agriculture and fruit-growing which require careful investiga- tion. The farmer desires assistance concerning the identity and eradication of the weeds that are troublesome in his crops; his live-stock may die as the result of eating poisonous plants of whose nature he is ignorant; or his harvests may be diminished by the injurious action of parasitic microscopic organisms — bacteria and fungi. The fruit-grower also only too frequently has to suffer the partial or total loss of his crop through these minute organisms unless he has the knowledge necessary to guard against such an undesirable result. Information is like- wise desired concerning the cultivation of special crops such as broom corn, hemp, and other fibre plants, or interest may be shown in the cultivation and management of drug or medicinal plants. In short, the work of the Botanical Division is manifold in its variety and its extent can hardly be discussed in a few paragraphs. To give a general idea, however, of its scope, a few remarks maj^ be made on the following branches of its work. Plant Pathology and Mycology. As the diseases to which our economic plants are subject are mostly due to the action of parasitic organisms, moderii scientific methods of studying these diseases include: 1. The microscopic examination of the organism and its effects on the internal structure of the host. 2. The isolation of the causal organism and the growing of it free from any other organism on various prepared culture media. 3. The use of these pure cultures to reproduce the disease in healthy plants followed by the subsequent re-isolation of the identical organism from the plants thus infected. This procedure conforms to the rules laid clown as lately as 1882 by the illustrious Robert Koch for demonstrating the connection between a disease and its causal organism. The operations involved are carried on partly in the pathological laboratory situated on the first floor of the main building and partly in the field and in the pathological green- house. The laboratory is fully equipped with the apparatus necessary for this work and visitors are sure to find something of interest at any time. Amongst the diseases at present under investigation may be mentioned Silver Leaf of fruit trees, Black Knot of cherry and plum. Scab and Rhizoctonia disease of potatoes. Smut diseases of grain, and several others. In addition to investigation work, a large amount of time is devoted 52 DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS to the identification of plant diseases sent in bj' correspondents, and the outlining of methods of control where such are known. A considerable number of inquiries are also dealt with regarding the names of edible and poisonous mushrooms. To facilitate the whole of this work, and for purposes of reference, a collection of fungi, and, in the case of parasitic species, of specimens showing their effect upon the host plant, has recently been begun. At present, this includes contributions by the past and present staff, material sent in by correspondents and a few volumes of Dearness' "Canadian Fungi" and Seymour and Earle's "Econo- mic Fungi." Weeds and Poisonous Plants. A large number of plants are received annually from corres- pondents which are identified and, in the case of weeds, the best methods of eradication given. Experiments concerning the difficult problem of controlling noxious weeds are carried on as opportunity is afforded. An ex.ensive collection comprising all weeds known to occur in Canada is kept and constantly enlarged. This, together with a similar complete collection of plants poisonous to stock, will be found verj^ instructive to the student. New weeds are frequently imported in seeds from other countries and a careful watch is necessary to prevent the establishment of these undesirable aliens. Botanic Gardens and Arboretum. The large area set aside for this purpose adjoins the grounds of the Experimental Farm. It is only a few minutes' walk from the car terminus, and is well worth a visit. In the arboretum will be found an extensive collection of trees and shrubs including many introduced plants that have proved hardy in our climate. The collection of maples is especially fine and the conifers or evergreens second to none in this part of the country. The gardens are all planted with the exception of a few of the older trees. In spring and summer they are very beautiful, the many varieties of dainty flowering shrubs and the magnificent collection of lilacs and roses being well worth seeing, while the great variety of herbaceous plants always attracts attention. Later in the year when the vegetation appears in the glorious tints of autumn, the reds and yellows of the maples, the bronze of the oaks and elms and the silvery white of the poplars and willows make a pleasing and picturesque effect against the dark background of fir, spruce and pine. The charming situation and considerable altitude of the arboretum make possible several fine views. One of the most beautiful may be had from a point near the small tool-house almost in a straight line from the south DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 53 entrance. From here one has a good view of the valley through which runs the Rideau canal and whose slopes, well clothed with vegetation, make a very pleasant prospect. The interest of this lovely spot has been enhanced by the kindness of H. R. H. The Duchess of Connaught in planting here a memorial tree. Turning to the left along the road for a short distance, a fine view of the towers of the Parliament buildings may be had through a group of old willows and elms, while from manj^ parts of the grounds, the beautiful Laurentian hills may be seen in the distance, forming a background not easily surpassed. Scientific Collections and Herbarium. Specimens of botanical and economic interest are carefully preserved and may be seen in the herbarium room of the Divi- sion. They will be shown and explained to anj'one interested. The herbarium is a very important collection comprising several thousands of sheets of plants carefully preserved, mounted and arranged to facilitate reference. While by no means a complete collection of Canadian plants, yet the herbarium is very valuable, the plants that are lacking Ijeing the rarer ones which are not often required for comparison. The Division also possesses a veiy extensive collection of the seeds of Canadian plants con- veniently kept in small glass tubes. Experimental Plots. These have always been of special interest to the farmer. They will be found to include nearly every fodder plant under cultivation in this country. Small plots are also used for testing new grasses or other plants with a view to ascertaining their agricultural value. Generally there will be found each year experiments with some crop like millet, hemp, broom corn, etc. The variety tests of clover and alfalfa which have been begun recently with a view to discovering the hardiest strains, their permanence and yield in herbage and seed, should also be found of special interest. Reference Books and Botanical Library. Students of plant pathology, mycology or general botany will find a useful reference lil^rary on these subjects. Together with the collections, field experiments, and the Botanic Gardens, they provide excellent opportunity for the study of agricul- tural and economic botany, and the officers in charge will always be pleased to give personal advice and instruction to those interested. 54 DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS Cotton Front House on Central Farm, Ready for Winter. (In summer raise curtains and take out glass). DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 55 THE POULTRY DIVISION. On the establishment of the Poultry Division of the Central Experimental Farm in 1887, the production of eggs and the better quality of poultry in winter was comparativelj^ unknown, and the ideas of most farmers on the subject of poultry keeping were very crude. The hens, in the majority of the barn yards throughout the country, were nondescripts and laid only in the spring and summer, moulted in the late fall or during the winter and were thus non-productive when the demand was greatest. Their chickens were usually allowed to "pick up their own living" and, as a result, were lean and scraggy, dressed badly and presented a decidedly uninviting appearance. The establishment of the Poultry Division of the Experi- mental Farm was the beginniiag of a better state of affairs. Its good effects soon began to be felt, its good example to be imi- tated. The improvement in the class of stock kept and in its management resulted in a greatly increased supply of winter eggs, the chickens were hatched earlier in the season, were fed well and regularly and were carefully cooped. This resulted in a far better quality of poultry flesh being produced. At that time, the best breed for farmers was considered to be the Barred Plymouth Rock (a comparative newcomer), because they were both good layers and excellent table fowls. Their chickens were hardy, vigorous and quick growers. Later, the Wyandottes made their appearance and proved to be another utility variety of merit. It was also shown that hens which laid well in winter made early sitters and, with proper treatment, could be induced to moult in midsummer, when weather conditions were most favourable. They were thus ready again to make winter layers. Hitherto, the impression was that the hen moulted at her own sweet will. From 1890 to 1900 there was a rapid advance in the poultry industry. Some of the incentives to this may be mentioned as follows : — The practical information conveyed in the annual reports of the Poultry Division; addresses at Farmers' Institutes and other meetings throughout the country; evidence before the Agricultural Committee of the House of Commons; attendance at Fairs, etc. As an instance of the practical results of the experimental work of the Poultry Division, it is shown, in the report of the Poultry Manager for 1903, that 14,289 eggs were laid from December, 1902 to June, 1903, both months inclusive. This covers that portion of the year when the highest prices are obtained. This table and similar ones published in other annual 56 DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS reports, were indisputable evidence of what could be attained by proper methods of feeding and management. Interested persons said, "If the Experimental Farms, Poultrjr Division, can attain such results, surely we can try to do the same," and thej^ did so, very successfully. Another great incentive to the development of the poultry branch of farm work throughout the country was the growing demand, at increased values, for both strictly new-laid eggs and the better quality of poultry. It had been confidently predicted by pessimists that, as soon as the advice to produce eggs and poultrj' was generally followed, prices would become so low as to make further production scarcely worth while. As a matter of fact, the opposite occurred; increasing, rather than decreasing prices stimulated the farmers of the country to still further interest in their poultry. During this period, a poultry department was also estab- lished in connection with the Ontario Agricultural College at Guelph, Ont., and the Nova Scotia Agricultural College at Truro, N.S. Both departments are under the charge of skilled instructors and demonstrators and have been great promoters of poultry development in the two provinces named. From 1900 until the present day, the poultry industry has expanded rapidly along the lines mentioned above. A poultry department was established at Edmonton, Alta., under the auspices of the Provincial Government. Later, one was estab- lished in connection with the [Manitoba Agricultural College at Winnipeg, Man. In the United States, numerous poultry departments were added to the Experiment Stations and Agri- cultural Colleges. In 1906, Bulletin No. 54, on "The Breeding, Feeding and General Management of Poultry" was issued from the Poultry Division of the Central Experimental Farm and at once secured a large circulation. Owing to the continued demand, a second edition was issued in the year 1908. The evidence given by the Poultry Manager in the spring of 1911 before the Committee on Agriculture and Colonization of the House of Commons on "The Production of Eggs in Winter," which was afterwards printed in pamphlet form, was extensively circulated in different parts of the country. An interesting feature of this stage of poultry progress was the rapidly growing value of the home market in face of increased production and decreased exports, as shown by the following official figures: — In 1902 we exported 11,635,108 doz. eggs, value $1,733,342. " 1909 " 552,850 " " 124,315. 1910 " 160,650 " " 41,766. DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 57 58 DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS The largely increased production, together with the con- stant upward tendencjr in prices in spite of the rapidly diminishing volume of exports, is conclusive evidence of the expansion of the home demand. In consequence, there was a general desire on the part of poultry-keepers to hatch out early pullets so as to have fall or early winter layers. But an unforeseen obstacle to this laud- able end presented itself in the shape of weak germs in eggs laid during the early spring. A satisfactory percentage of strong chickens which would live was exceptional. This led to close investigation into methods of housing, feeding and management. Eventually, the conclusion was arrived at that the long term of living under artificial conditions, to which the hens were subjected during the winter months, was a prime cause. CarefuUj^-conducted experiments showed plainly that it was not until the hens had had an opportunity to run outside after the disappearance of the snow in spring (usually about the end of March) that the fowls recovered their lost vitality and the germs of the eggs became strong. Comparisons between fowls kept in partially-warmed houses and those in open and un- heated buildings, where the air, although cold, was dry and always fresh, were altogether in favour of the latter system. This led to a revolution in methods of housing and manner of feeding. The bottled-up plan of house, where the entrance of cold air was carefully guarded against, gave way to the open front and the cotton front styles. Both of these plans of housing became popular and were quickly succeeded by the colony, or entirely open style of house. These different sj^stems, with improvements, are extant to this day, and have been found conducive to health of fowls, egg production and strength of germs in spring. The cold, or open front, system of housing led to a radical change in the method of feeding. The mash, or moist, method gave place to the dry, or hopper, system. Poultry houses of the cotton front and Tolman, or open front, styles are on trial in the Poultry Division at present. Their location is shown on the plan of the poultry buildings and grounds, to be found on another page. Experimental work of the past twenty-three years has led to the following conclusions, namely: — Variety in rations is necessary to successful egg production during winter. Where there is variety in rations, there is not likely to be egg-eating or feather-picking. With proper treatment, hens may be induced to moult in summer. The house with cotton front is conducive to health of the birds and egg production. DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 59 To have strong and robust chickens which will grow rapidly, the parent stock require to be constitutionally strong. A prolific strain of egg layers can only be had by systematic, careful and painstaking breeding from the best egg layers. Lice-infested hens are not likely to prove profitable. Both hens and henhouse should be entirely free from vermin. Chickens that are allowed to "pick up their own living" do not make early laj^ers nor desirable market poultry. A proper poultry house should be free from draught, well ventilated and perfectly dry. Under these conditions, eggs in winter may be expected. A cold shoulcl be attended to at once, or it will develop into roup, which is both infectious and contagious. Both lime water and water-glass have been found satis- factorj' egg-preserving liquids. The eggs should be perfectly fresh when put into either solution. Summer eggs of undoubted freshness and flavour must be — (a) Strictly new laid when sent to city dealer or sold to private customer. (b) They should reach the consumer within one week of being laid. (c) Should be non-fertilized. (d) After being taken from nests — until shipped or sold — should be kept in a sweet-smelling cellar or cubpoard. Winter Eggs — (a) Should be collected before being frozen. (b) Sent to city dealer, customer, or sold on market within ten days of laying. (c) Kept meanwhile in clean, sweet-smelling storing place, (di Preferably non-fertilized, but this is not so strictly insisted on as in the case of summer eggs, for in winter there is not the risk of germ development. Eggs in Both Seasons. — In order to have the desirable flavour at all seasons, eggs should come from cleanly-fed and kept hens. The fowls should not have access to decaying animal or vegetable matter This particularly applies to summer. The nests at all times should be clean, comfortable and free from lice. The la ges: eggs will be laid by hens, although pullet may yield a greater number. Whether laid by hens or pullets, the eggs, to be of large size and good quality, must come from generously fed birds. Poultry of Best Quality. — To have chickens of the desirable type and quality they require to be — (a) Of correct market type. This is brought about by breeding from parent stock of like type. (b) They should be carefully housed and regularly fed from time of hatching until saleable age. 60 DOMINION EXPEIUMENTAL FARMS DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 61 (c) They should not bj expected to "pick up all their own living." This practice is too common. Chickens so treated or in any other way neglected are not likely to make good market specimens, breeding stock or show birds. (d) Chickens, their coops and colony houses should be kept free from lice. Lice-infested chickens do not thrive. (e) A thriving chicken should be a hearty eater, an indus- trious forager, and a quick grower. The faithful observance of the foregoing conditions is likely to be followed by the best results in the rearing of the better class of table poultrj- and the obtaining of reliable eggs.